Spring was growing ever richer, the lingering chill like water. Last night’s light rain brought yet another hint of coolness. Even with the warmth wafting from the incense burner in the room, Shen Youran still clung to her quilt, unwilling to rise.
Danruo and Qinghe, her maidservants, knocked at the door for the third time, but still there was no response from within.
Left with no choice, they brought in a basin of warm water for washing, entered directly, and approached the yellow rosewood canopy bed with its moon-gate frame. Lifting the drooping brocade curtains, they saw their young lady, brows gently arched, snuggled up and reluctant to get up.
With a smile, they called, “Miss, aren’t you supposed to accompany Eldest Miss to Hongqiao this morning to see the Pei family’s Young Master? If you don’t get up now, you’ll be late…”
Eldest Miss Shen Yunshu was famed for both her beauty and talent, gentle as orchid and wise as osmanthus. Though she had only arrived in the capital two years ago, her reputation had already spread far and wide.
Half a month ago, the Pei family’s Old Madam was granted an imperial mandate and held a tea gathering at the estate to express her gratitude for the imperial grace.
At that tea gathering, Old Madam Pei took one look at Shen Yunshu and immediately took a liking to her, wishing for her to become her eldest grandson Pei Huaijin’s future wife. At the time, however, Pei Huaijin was still serving as a provincial assistant in Lingzhou and would not return to the capital for another six months.
Just two days ago, the Pei family sent another message saying that Pei Huaijin would be returning to the capital soon to report on his duties. Old Madam Pei planned to take this opportunity, during his short stay, to have him and Shen Yunshu meet ahead of time.
For such marital meetings these days, there was usually a banquet or an elegant gathering, where the two could discreetly exchange glances across the crowd. If a match was made, everyone would be delighted; if not, it could be treated as if they’d never met, avoiding future awkwardness.
But as there were no suitable banquets or gatherings during Pei Huaijin’s visit, the Pei family decided to hold the meeting at Hongqiao by the East Water Gate. The agreed time was at the third quarter of the mao hour, just as dawn was breaking, when few people would be about.
One would stand on the bridge, the other below, exchanging a few glances from not too far, not too close. When it was over, neither would miss their return for breakfast at home.
It was already close to the appointed time now. No doubt Eldest Miss was already dressed and ready, but her companion, Third Miss, was still lingering in bed.
“Miss, do get up quickly…”
Danruo had grown up with her young lady since childhood. Though they were mistress and servant, their feelings were as close as sisters. Seeing her young mistress’s long lashes flutter as she lay there awake but lazy, she simply sat by the bed and helped her up directly.
Qinghe timely handed over a warm, damp cloth. Danruo skillfully wiped her lady’s cheeks and forehead. Only then did the thin eyelids open beneath the cloth, revealing eyes fresh as morning dew.
“I’ll do it myself.” Shen Youran, still groggy, took the cloth from Danruo and randomly dabbed her face. Her fair, soft skin was rubbed until it turned a little red, and the slight sting finally cleared her head a bit.
She then climbed out of bed, yawning as she allowed the two to dress her.
Her clothes today were a plain azure silk ruqun, the refreshing color bringing out her youthful, delicate features without overshadowing her elder sister—after all, today belonged to Eldest Sister.
Once properly dressed, Shen Youran asked Danruo to do a simple ‘cloud-following’ bun, pinning a pair of pearl-inlaid jade hairpins in her hair. She wore no powder or rouge, leaving her face fresh as she stepped out the door.
The courtyard, just washed by rain, smelled fresh. Crabapple blossoms, dewy with rain, bloomed tenderly on the branches. Shen Youran had just stepped into the courtyard when she ran into her eldest sister, who had come looking for her.
Eldest Sister wore a tea-white beizi, with a pale yellow jacket underneath and a golden rose-patterned many-pleated skirt. As she walked, her graceful figure swayed, the ornaments at her waist chiming softly. Normally not one for elaborate makeup, today she wore just a touch, her brows gently defined, making her already bright and delicate features even more ethereal.
The sisters originally bore a five-part resemblance. Now, with one dressed up like a snow fairy in makeup and the other with a bare face, the likeness was not so obvious.
Shen Youran’s sleepy eyes sparkled as she linked arms with her sister, leaning against her and breathing in her sister’s pleasant scent, murmuring coquettishly, “I got up so early today. When we come back, I have to catch up on sleep, so let’s skip my lessons in calligraphy and needlework this morning, all right?”
“No.” Shen Yunshu, doting yet helpless, glanced at her clingy little sister and said earnestly, “If my marriage is decided this time, I won’t be around to watch over you for much longer. You’re already sixteen. Girls your age are already learning to manage accounts and households. But you, you’re not good at zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting, your needlework is lacking, and you’re always thinking of ways to slack off…”
“But I’m just not talented. It’s too hard for me.”
“Who says you’re untalented? You just grew up without Mother at your side, and Father was too lax with you. That’s why you turned out this way. If you don’t correct yourself, you’ll only suffer when you’re married…”
Shen Youran didn’t care. “Father is the Minister of Revenue. As long as I don’t marry too high, who would dare mistreat me?”
Shen Yunshu tapped her forehead, making her stand straight. “Don’t think marrying into a lesser family will save you. The women of the rear court have plenty of ways to torment a new wife…”
Shen Youran straightened up with a humph. “Then I just won’t marry, how about that?”
“Every family seeks a good match for their daughters, and with Father’s status, you don’t get to just say no.” Shen Yunshu looked at her sister, whose features mirrored her own but whose eyes still held a childish air, and sighed.
“But I’ve already told Father, your marriage must go through me before it’s agreed upon. Mother’s not here, so as your eldest sister, I have to look out for you…”
Twelve years ago, their parents separated. Their mother took the sisters back to her family home in Xunzhou. Father followed, but could not mend the marriage. After the separation, Shen Yunshu settled with her mother in Xunzhou, while Shen Youran returned to the capital with Father.
The sisters were apart for ten years. Two years ago, Shen Yunshu came back to the capital, only to find her younger sister—two years her junior—utterly spoiled by Father and Stepmother Wei, with a less than stellar reputation.
It was around that time the Marquis of Changxing sent a matchmaker to propose a marriage with their grandson, Lin Wulang. Owing to the marquis’s standing, Father and Madam Wei nearly agreed, but Shen Yunshu persuaded Father to delay the matter.
After making some inquiries, she learned that Lin Wulang, though outwardly genteel, secretly kept a beautiful concubine whom he favored deeply, and was only waiting to marry a main wife so he could elevate her to honored concubine.
After much deliberation, the Changxing Marquis’s household set their sights on Third Miss Shen Youran of the Minister’s family.
Back then, Shen Youran was fourteen, as beautiful as a budding lotus but lacking any scholarly grace, pure-hearted and naive, a completely guileless young girl.
Such a girl, once she entered a marquis’s household and the rear gates closed behind her, wouldn’t she just be at the mercy of others?
Shen Yunshu took advantage of Father’s guilt toward herself and their mother to persuade him to refuse the match, and then stayed on at the Minister’s residence, devoting herself to guiding Shen Youran.
That guidance had lasted two years. Now Shen Youran had improved greatly, but was still far from Shen Yunshu’s expectations.
Shen Yunshu would have liked to stay longer to teach her sister, but she had carefully chosen this marriage with the Pei family herself. Besides, at eighteen, she could wait no longer for a good match.
Lost in thought, Shen Yunshu led her sister by the hand as they walked gracefully toward the front gate.
When the sisters arrived, Mama Li—Stepmother Wei’s trusted maid—was already waiting by the carriage.
Upon seeing them, Mama Li bowed slightly and spoke politely, “Eldest Miss, Third Miss, the Madam had planned to accompany you herself, but Young Master Xu was a little unwell last night, so she had to stay behind to look after him. She especially sent me to go with you instead…”
Young Master Xu was Madam Wei’s second child, only five this year. She had an older daughter, Yumian, aged seven.
Madam Wei entered the household when Shen Youran was eight and already fully aware of things. The two had no blood relation, and Madam Wei spoiled Shen Youran but could not truly love her. She would grant any request, except for the sincere love of a mother—something she could not give.
As for Shen Yunshu, Madam Wei had never raised her and had no obligation toward her. Since Shen Yunshu had not changed her surname, they were only stepmother and stepdaughter in name, so Madam Wei had no real reason to accompany her to the marriage meeting. Sending Mama Li was already a gesture of respect.
Shen Yunshu did not mind and said to Mama Li, “You are the most capable by Madam’s side. Since Fifth Brother is unwell, you should stay and help Madam look after him. Having Third Sister accompany me is enough.”
Eldest Miss’s voice was gentle and soft, and if one listened closely, there was still a hint of the soft Wu dialect of Xunzhou.
But Mama Li knew this Eldest Miss, though delicate in appearance, was very strong-willed. Since she said so, Mama Li did not insist. “Yes, then this old servant won’t go and will await your good news at home.”
Shen Yunshu nodded, took the makeup box from the maid Tinglan, and led Shen Youran into the carriage.
As the carriage rumbled away, Shen Youran dozed off with her head in her elder sister’s lap, only to feel something soft and warm suddenly touch her cheek. A familiar fragrance, just like her sister’s, immediately wafted over.
Shen Youran opened her eyes to see her sister, her fingertip stained with rouge, smiling as she said, “This is rouge I had someone buy from Sanshunyuan yesterday, said to be made from coral. No one else has this kind…”
Shen Youran looked at the blush on her sister’s cheeks, matching the color on her lips, and asked, “Did you use this rouge on your lips as well, Sister?”
“I did. Does it look good?”
“It’s beautiful.”
Shen Yunshu sat her up and applied some to her cheeks and lips as well. “You look good in it too, your complexion is much better now…”
After putting on the rouge, Shen Youran leaned against her sister’s shoulder again. Though her sister gently scolded her, “Sit up straight,” she paid it no mind; it was simply more comfortable leaning on her sister.
Before long, she noticed her elder sister frequently scratching her cheeks and pursing her lips. At first, she thought perhaps her sister was nervous about the meeting, but gradually she sensed something was wrong.
“Sister, why is your face suddenly so red?” Shen Youran looked up, leaning closer. “It looks like you’ve got a rash.”
She looked again at her sister’s lips. “Sister, your lips seem swollen too.”
“Really?” Shen Yunshu quickly rummaged through the makeup box and pulled out a small copper mirror. Sure enough, her cheeks had each broken out in a patch of hives, her lips swollen and red.
No wonder she’d felt itchy ever since putting on makeup. She had thought it was simply because she hadn’t worn it in so long, but now it was clear—the coral rouge did not suit her skin and had caused a rash.
“Hurry, wipe off the rouge.” Shen Yunshu grabbed a cloth, but the first thing she did was try to wipe the rouge from Shen Youran’s face.
Shen Youran realized the rouge was the problem and hurried to wipe her sister’s face instead. “Don’t worry about me, Sister—your face is what matters most…”
The two sisters scrambled in a flurry, but the rouge had already sat on Shen Yunshu’s face for too long. Even after wiping, the rash only worsened, and her lips swelled even more…
Shen Youran grew anxious. “Sister, you still have to meet the Pei family’s Young Master soon. What should we do?”
Shen Yunshu stared into the mirror, her brows furrowing.
Then, looking at Shen Youran’s face—untouched by any reaction—she guessed the rouge had no effect on her skin. Her eyes brightened as she suddenly had an idea. “Dear sister, let me do your makeup. In a little while, you’ll pretend to be me and go meet Pei Langjun in my place—would that be all right?”
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