Chapter 3: Leaving the Household

Her jade-like beauty and flower-like countenance stirred pity in all who saw her.

The room was completely silent, faint smoke curling from the jade censer.

The veins at Old Madam Chu’s temples throbbed. Her eyes showed displeasure.

She had actually intended to keep this matter hidden.

After all, the wedding was imminent. If the bride’s family arbitrarily fled from the marriage and it was brought before the Emperor, he would surely reprimand and severely punish them. It was better to suppress the news and first use a bait-and-switch to deal with tomorrow’s occasion. The wedding party did not know the inside story anyway, and Chu Qiang was a young lady—if she hid long enough, she would eventually have to return home. By then, the two families would already be bound by marriage. They could send Chu Qiang over and privately discuss a way to smooth things over with the Prince of Fenyang’s household.

Either way, it was better than being condemned before the Emperor.

Who would have thought A Yan would actually demand that it be brought into the open?

The old madam could not help but frown deeply.

“The lives of the entire household are now in your hands. At a time like this, why are you making things so difficult?” She sighed heavily, her expression disappointed as she spoke earnestly. “A Yan, if the household is charged with defying an imperial edict, none of us will escape death. Besides, after you marry over, it will be glory and wealth. You have always been obedient. Why must you make a scene at this moment?”

When the words fell, every gaze in the room landed on A Yan’s slender figure.

A Yan sneered inwardly.

Did being obedient mean she had to let others manipulate her and clean up their messes?

On small matters, yielding half a step and suffering a little loss was nothing. But on great matters, not the slightest carelessness was permitted—especially when it concerned Chu Qiang, who had been favored since childhood.

She stood there, isolated and with little support, yet supple and unyielding.

“It was my cousin who ignored the whole family’s survival and stirred up this disaster. Why should Grandmother pin the blame on me? Actually, Grandmother understands better than I do. If the Emperor truly wanted to grant a marriage to the Xie family, there are countless noble daughters in Chang’an. Why would he choose our family? It is clear that who marries over does not matter. There must be other plans behind this marriage, and there may even be danger. Isn’t that why my cousin fled at the last moment?”

“You must be able to guess what her plan was, Grandmother.”

“It was simply that she feared the road ahead was unpredictable and did not dare take the risk. She thought the family would certainly force me to marry in her place. If my circumstances turned out to be difficult, she would shrink back and find another way out. If my circumstances were tolerable, then I fear she would pin a crime on me—of coveting a high position and privately impersonating her to marry—and then sit back and enjoy the fruits, entering the household openly.”

“But would the Xie family allow themselves to be deceived?”

“Even if I impersonate her, I can cover the fire but not hide the smoke. When the truth comes out one day, that is the crime of deceiving the Emperor. Either way, there is no good ending. It would be better to die in the capital than to become a wandering ghost in a foreign land and drag down my parents and brothers.”

She finished slowly and glanced at her mother, Madam Wu.

Her gaze carried a hidden warning and reminder.

Madam Wu finally woke from the daze of a sudden stroke of good fortune. Realizing the danger in it, she quickly said, “That is absolutely right. If she goes under a false name and the Xie family discovers it later, no one can bear the crime of deceiving the Emperor. Mother, the disaster was caused by Qiang’er. A Yan is also accepting a mission in a crisis. This matter must be brought into the open before we can feel at ease.”

Mother and daughter rarely saw eye to eye, and the old madam was left speechless on the spot.

Beside her, Madam Xue had originally been unwilling to hand over the position of princess consort. Hearing these words, she said in a low voice, “One family is of one body and one blood, and the marriage contract has already been set. Why create complications? A Yan, just be sensible and help the household get through this crisis. The whole family will be grateful to you in their hearts.”

“Yes, it is probably too late to bring it into the open.”

The cousin-in-law behind her muttered softly.

A Yan nearly laughed in anger. “Grandmother always praised Cousin for being sensible, and that is how today’s predicament came about. If Auntie wants to teach me, then teach me—how should I be sensible? Cousin threw down this mess and ran off. This was never my fault to begin with. Auntie need not pressure me like this! As if anyone wants to take this hot potato.”

These words left no room for courtesy, and Madam Xue’s face flushed red.

Beside her, Madam Wu also said, “Whether it is too late or not, we must try before we know. If Sister-in-law is unwilling, then just find Qiang’er and bring her back. You make it sound as if someone is coveting this marriage.”

Amid the bickering, the old madam frowned in irritation.

“Enough!” She slapped the table heavily and glared at Madam Xue to make her shut up. Then she said only to A Yan, “You truly insist on this?”

“If Grandmother refuses, then your granddaughter has no other way.”

A Yan knew her father was not present, and there was no reasoning with this partial grandmother. She only said, “I will leave my words here. If Grandmother is willing to enter the palace and bring the matter into the open, then write me a letter to carry with me and send my cousin to the Xie family to personally explain the whole matter, I will take on this mess and marry into Weizhou. If not, then why go out of my way to die in a foreign land? It is everyone’s business in the end. Who can truly remain untouched?”

With that, she bent her knees in salute to the elders and walked straight out.

The remaining people looked at one another. The old madam’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

But A Yan’s last sentence had also sounded a warning.

The two branches had many heirs, and there were grandchildren around their knees. Even if Madam Xue could not bear to give up the position of princess consort, and even if the old madam still wanted to favor the eldest granddaughter, how could the others be willing to let their own flesh and blood be dragged down by Chu Qiang?

Several of the granddaughters-in-law saw how resolute A Yan was and, after all, did not dare take the risk. They gathered around the old madam, urging and persuading her to enter the palace and plead the case, to avoid this disaster and leave no hidden danger.

The old madam refused at first. By the time it was nearly the hour of Wei and still no trace of Chu Qiang had been found, she had no choice but to put on her titled lady’s formal attire and hurry into the palace.

In the evening, Old Madam Chu walked out of the palace gates, drenched in sweat.

The Son of Heaven’s thunderous fury was truly terrifying.

The old madam had felt as if treading on thin ice when she begged for forgiveness.

Fortunately, although she was reprimanded and the men of the Chu family were all demoted, and she knelt for a long time until her old bones nearly fell apart, she ultimately managed to persuade the Emperor and Empress to change the marriage contract on the grounds that Chu Qiang had suddenly fallen gravely ill and gone mad, disappearing without a trace, and was unfit to marry into the prince’s household and involve the court. The Chu family was not punished too severely.

After returning to the household, she immediately went to the west side courtyard where A Yan lived and told her to prepare properly for the marriage and not cause any more trouble.

The two sisters were of similar height, so the phoenix crown and rosy wedding robe did not need to be remade.

A Yan had originally never thought of leaving the capital. When this matter fell upon her, it was truly caught unprepared. At this moment, surrounded by her mother, brother and sister-in-law, and younger brother, she still felt a little dazed.

The dowry items were all packed overnight by the serving women and maids. She did not value other things much, only instructing that the paintings, calligraphy, and konghou her grandfather had left her must be brought and absolutely not left behind.

Then, under cover of night, she rode out of the household to the Xu family to say farewell.

Xu Fengmian was the Grand Tutor of Emperor Yonghui. Though he was more than ten years younger than A Yan’s grandfather, they had been kindred spirits and close friends. Because of this friendship, A Yan and his granddaughter Xu Yuan’e were also close friends. After her grandfather passed away, she often studied painting, calligraphy, and music under Grand Tutor Xu, and their bond was extremely deep.

Grand Tutor Xu also regarded A Yan as his own granddaughter and doted on her greatly.

As for Chu Qiang, because she could not settle her heart to learn such things, she rarely went along.

A Yan’s late-night visit this time was first to bid farewell to the Xu family, and second, because Grand Tutor Xu had after all been the teacher of Emperor Yonghui, she could probe into the inside story of the imperial marriage.

When the two sides met, it was already the hour of Hai, with people quiet.

Hearing that A Yan had suffered a broken engagement and was about to leave the capital to marry far away, Xu Yuan’e immediately reddened her eyes and clutched her hand, unwilling to let go.

Even Grand Tutor Xu, who had seen all the scheming and deceit of the court, was filled with righteous indignation. He denounced Qiao Huaiyuan for ingratitude, for currying favor with the high and trampling the low; he denounced Old Madam Chu for being muddled and partial; and he denounced Chu Qiang for being selfish.

But things had come to this point. Grand Tutor Xu could not interfere in the Chu family’s affairs. He could only comfort A Yan and tell her not to be too afraid. If she suffered injustice in Weizhou, she should write back to the capital, and he would certainly find a way to support her.

He did not even conceal the inside story of the imperial marriage—

“These words are originally court secrets, but since you are going to marry into Weizhou, you must have some understanding in your heart. In the current situation, the Emperor is immersed in the rear palace, favoring treacherous sycophants, indulging in extravagance and refusing advice, and the national treasury is already empty. Anyone with eyes can see it. Those military governors have built up their own troops and become too powerful to control, and some are stirring restlessly. Among them, the Xie family is the most powerful and is about to become a regional overlord.”

“The Emperor specially granted this marriage, in truth, as a test.”

“If he had chosen a family with real power, it would have been giving the Prince of Fenyang more support. He chose Chu Qiang, who is of unequal status, to be the principal consort precisely to test the Xie family’s temper. Since the Xie family accepted the marriage, it seems they still respect imperial authority. As long as you act properly and keep to your place, you should be able to trade it for safety.”

“But Xie Ting is indeed not easy to deal with.”

“He inherited the title in his youth. He is ruthless and unyielding. It is said that though he is past twenty, there is not a single concubine by his side, which shows he is not a man moved by feminine charms. Since he is proud by nature and has been forcibly given an ill-matched marriage, I fear he will be displeased.”

“However, the Grand Consort Wu is reasonable and understanding, a woman not inferior to any man. Perhaps she will see that you are young and weak and show you some care.”

The lamp candle flickered slightly. Grandfather and grandchildren sat around the table. Grand Tutor Xu gave his instructions solemnly, and A Yan firmly committed them to memory.

It was not until the hour of Zi, deep into the night, that she bade farewell with tears in her eyes.

The next day was the wedding day.

Before dawn, the entire Chu household was already busy. The front hall and rear courtyard were all decorated neatly, waiting for guests to arrive with congratulations and to drink and make merry. Because Chu Yuangong had left the capital on official business, Chu Yuanjing led the sons and nephews outside to receive guests, while the women dressed splendidly and adorned themselves, waiting to receive female guests.

After all, it was an imperial marriage. There would certainly be no lack of congratulatory guests.

The west side courtyard where A Yan lived was rather quiet.

The dowry had long been prepared. Half was provided by the Ministry of Rites, and the Chu family had added some as well. The lists had all been written, and they were given to A Yan unchanged. Apart from that, A Yan had packed several chests overnight of important items to take with her. This morning, she only needed to dress in red bridal attire, bid farewell to her relatives, and go to Weizhou to complete the marriage.

In the haste, Chu Yuangong could not even make it back to the capital in time. Thinking of it was inevitably saddening.

A Yan sat before the mirror, showing not the slightest joy of a bride-to-be.

Although her mother Madam Wu regarded this matter as an unexpected joy, thinking that her daughter was marrying far away in haste and that they would not see each other for the whole year, she still felt sorrow. She had secretly cried for half the night, and early this morning she brought her daughter-in-law over. She gave A Yan many instructions about things to pay attention to after marriage, personally arranged her daughter’s makeup and hair, and told A Yan to choose several capable attendants to bring along, so she would have support at her husband’s household.

A Yan also chose carefully.

By the time the sun was high, the Xie family had repeatedly urged the bride to set out. Old Mrs. Lu could not bear to report it and only sighed sorrowfully.

But A Yan knew it was time to go.

In the past, she too had imagined many times what it would be like to leave the household as a bride. She had even silently offered incense before the Buddha, praying that she did not seek wealth in her husband’s family, only that the gentleman’s character and appearance suit her eye, that they could be kindred spirits and love each other, that he would support her and care for her—that would be the best possible marriage.

Yet today, she had truly put on this wedding dress…

The pearls on the phoenix crown were precious, and the gold and kingfisher feathers dazzled the eyes.

The wedding dress was embroidered with gold thread and colored silk, piled into phoenix and rare flowers. Worn on the young girl’s slender, graceful body, it made her figure seem even more slender and elegant. She had always been extremely beautiful. Now, with her dark brows lightly traced and rouge gently applied, her palm-sized face was delicate and fair as new porcelain, without the slightest flaw. Her eyes were even more like a clear spring, set off by the bright red plum blossom at the center of her brow, utterly moving.

Her jade-like beauty and flower-like countenance stirred pity in all who saw her.

Yet the gentleman she was to marry was famous for having a heart of stone, and with court politics mixed in, who knew how rough the road ahead would be.

A Yan lowered her eyes and drank the warm wine in the cup in one go.

The poem said, I urge you to drink one more cup of wine; west of Yangguan there are no old friends. Her situation now was much the same.

In the future, alone in a foreign place, she would have to rely on herself.

A Yan looked toward Old Mrs. Lu, then took the flower fan that Yu Lu held up on a tray and said in a low voice, “Let’s go. I still have to bid farewell to Mother in the hall.” As she spoke, she was surrounded by the others and left her boudoir, heading toward the front hall.

Madam Wu and her daughter-in-law sat in the hall, dignified in demeanor before others.

A Yan bowed gracefully, listened to the teachings and reminders given before leaving the household, and then, welcomed by the matron sent by the Xie family, walked slowly outward.

Suddenly, a child’s tender voice came from behind—

“Sister!”

A Yan glanced back at the sound and saw her younger brother Chu Chen, only ten years old, standing beside their brother and sister-in-law. His eyes were fixed earnestly on her, unable to hide the tender worry within.

The tears she had been holding back burst out at that moment.

A Yan gave him a gentle nod. She did not dare look again at her mother’s reddened eyes behind her. She only covered her face tightly with the flower fan and walked out of the deep courtyard she had lived in for nearly fifteen years.