Shen Youran had just walked under the bridge and stole a quick glance back at Pei Huaijin. Seeing that he didn’t look back at all and quickly boarded his own carriage, she no longer had any worries. Lifting her skirt, she dashed across the bridge and soon caught up with the old man selling ring cakes, buying a portion as she wished.
“Young lady, one portion is ten coins.” The old man handed her the wrapped ring cake.
Shen Youran instinctively reached for her waist, only to remember she was wearing her elder sister’s clothes today, and her usual pouch filled with loose silver and copper coins had been swapped with her outfit and given to her sister.
“My pouch is in the carriage. Please wait for me a moment while I fetch it,” she explained to the old man, pointing at the carriage across the river, ready to go and retrieve her pouch. Unexpectedly, the old man stopped her.
“Young lady, it’s not that I don’t trust you, but mine is just a small business. If you leave and don’t come back…” The old man saw she was richly dressed and dared not offend her, but spoke cautiously, “Perhaps you could leave the ring cake here first. I’ll wait here while you fetch your money.”
“That’s fine.” It was only reasonable for the old man to be so cautious in his business. Shen Youran put the oil-paper-wrapped cake back into the bamboo basket and lifted her skirt to run back for her pouch.
When she returned, panting and out of breath, and just as she was about to take out the copper coins, the old man smiled and handed her the ring cake, saying someone had just paid for her.
“Ah?” Shen Youran looked around but saw no one she recognized. “Who paid for me?”
“It was a woman in a tea-brown bei-zi who came over and paid.”
A woman in a tea-brown bei-zi?
Wasn’t that the matron who was standing with the Pei family young master under the bridge just now, the one wearing a tea-brown bei-zi?
Since she paid for her, it must have been because she saw her running to buy the ring cake.
If she saw, then the Pei family young master must have also…
Shen Youran’s heart sank: Eldest Sister is dignified and composed, and would never behave so improperly. Her own reckless running earlier—wouldn’t that have ruined her sister’s image in their eyes?
What to do now?
The old man pushed his goat-horn cart and wobbled away. Shen Youran, holding the oil-paper package, had already lost her appetite, and returned to the carriage with a dejected little face.
Shen Yunshu saw her younger sister no longer as cheerful as before, huddled to the side like a quail and not daring to meet her eyes. She moved over and asked with concern, “Didn’t I allow you to eat the ring cake? Why are you suddenly unhappy?”
“Eldest Sister, I…” Shen Youran’s fingers unconsciously picked at the oil paper, murmuring, “I might have ruined your marriage prospects.”
“Why would you say that?”
Shen Youran recounted her embarrassing episode, her tone full of guilt, and worriedly said, “It’s all because I was greedy and couldn’t wait for them to leave before running to buy the ring cake. If the Pei family’s eldest son gets a bad impression of you because of this and rejects the marriage, what should we do?”
“Tsk, what a trivial matter.” Shen Yunshu patted her younger sister’s hair, which had come loose from running, her tone relaxed, not blaming her in the least. “If he’d reject me over this, it’s his loss. A fortunate girl won’t enter an unblessed door. If he doesn’t choose me, I’ll just pick another good young man.”
Besides, when Shen Youran happily ran to buy the ring cake, she only found it endearing. If the Pei family’s eldest son didn’t like such a lively and adorable temperament, it would only mean he was stuffy and dull—such a young man wouldn’t be a loss if she missed out on him.
As the morning glow gradually faded and the sky brightened, Pei Huaijin returned home and went straight to his grandmother’s Chunsun Hall to accompany the old lady for breakfast.
“How did you find her?” the old lady asked with a smile. “Did the Shen family’s eldest daughter suit your liking?”
“Any girl Grandmother favors is, of course, excellent. When she’s quiet, she’s like a flower reflected in water; when in motion…” Pei Huaijin recalled that graceful, lively figure, quick as a startled hare and elegant as a startled swan, and couldn’t help but curl his lips ever so slightly. “She’s also quite interesting.”
He had seen many dignified ladies, but this was the first time he’d met someone who was graceful whether quiet or lively.
Seeing that he had no complaints, the old lady was naturally delighted. “If that’s so, I’ll send someone to ask the Shen family’s eldest daughter for her opinion. If both of you are willing, I’ll arrange for a matchmaker to formally propose to the Shen family…”
Pei Huaijin nodded. “Thank you for your efforts, Grandmother.”
“As for your mother…” The old lady hesitated slightly before continuing, “Your mother always hoped you’d marry a girl from the Meng family. The Meng family’s daughter is very nice, but her family is small, and she’s rather meek. If she became your wife, I’m afraid she’d have a hard time managing the household. Your mother has met the Shen family’s daughter, too, and in comparison, she surely knows who’s better suited for you…”
The Meng family’s daughter, Meng Wanxin, was the daughter of Pei Huaijin’s distant aunt—his cousin. Two years ago, she came to the capital with her elders and stayed, lodging in the Pei residence, in the courtyard of Pei Huaijin’s mother, Madam Zhu.
Madam Zhu’s health was not good; she had only one son and one daughter. Her daughter had married three years ago, and her only son had gone to Lingzhou to serve as an official. In these two years, it was always Meng Wanxin who attended to her, serving medicine and tea personally. Madam Zhu naturally liked her.
Pei Huaijin was rarely home due to his official duties, and even when he was, he was busy, so he seldom interacted with this cousin. He only knew her appearance and temperament, nothing more. Hearing his grandmother mention it today, he realized his mother still hoped to marry him to his cousin from the Meng family.
But since he had already set his mind on the Shen family’s daughter, he naturally wouldn’t consider the Meng cousin any further. After breakfast with his grandmother, he went to visit his grandfather.
Pei Huaijin’s grandfather had served as Minister of Personnel and Grand Academician of Wenyuan Pavilion. After retirement, he was promoted by rank and made Grand Preceptor. Now, in his sixties, he should be enjoying a peaceful retirement, but he had contracted the Zhuque’s Flight illness—sometimes lucid, sometimes muddled, and in his confusion, as innocent as a child. Despite careful care, his lucid moments were growing fewer and fewer.
Whenever he was clear-minded, the old man still worried about the marriage of his eldest legitimate grandson. Thus, Pei Huaijin was eager to settle this marriage quickly, hoping his grandfather could see him wed while he was still lucid.
Meanwhile, the old lady wasted no time and went to her eldest daughter-in-law Madam Zhu’s Haitang Courtyard, sending away the gentle-eyed Meng Wanxin before talking to her about Pei Huaijin’s intention to marry the Shen family’s legitimate eldest daughter.
Madam Zhu also recognized the merits of the Shen family’s daughter, but her own preference leaned toward Meng Wanxin. She could not help being a little critical of the Shen family’s girl. “I’ve heard that the Shen family’s eldest daughter only came to the capital two years ago. Her parents have been divorced for many years; she lived with her mother in Xunzhou. Why would she suddenly come to seek out a father she hadn’t seen in years? She was already sixteen when she came. If she came just to secure a good marriage, that’s one thing, but I’m afraid she only came because she couldn’t find a match in Xunzhou…”
For a young lady of such beauty and age to remain unmarried, it could only be for reasons of poor conduct or reputation.
Though Madam Zhu’s speculations were unpleasant, they weren’t without reason.
However, the old lady had already set her sights on Shen Yunshu half a month ago and had long since sent people to Xunzhou to investigate. She was prepared for Madam Zhu’s concerns and said, “Shen Yunshu’s mother remarried Lu Zhun, who was then the magistrate of Xunzhou, eight years ago. In recent years, Lu Huai has been promoted and has been a governor for three years. He is about to take office in the capital, so Shen Yunshu’s arrival in the capital two years ago is understandable. After all, her family will soon reunite here…”
Hearing that Shen Yunshu’s stepfather was also to become an official in the capital, and her birth father was the Minister of Revenue, Madam Zhu realized that if she married Pei Huaijin, both fathers-in-law would be a great help to Pei Huaijin’s career—far more beneficial than Meng Wanxin’s minor-official father. Madam Zhu’s heart turned toward Shen Yunshu.
“In that case, there’s really nothing to fault in the Shen family’s eldest daughter.” Madam Zhu changed her tune, apologetically adding, “I’ve been cooped up in the rear residence for years and don’t see things as clearly as Mother. My health is poor, and if Eldest Son’s marriage is settled, I’ll have to trouble you to handle the six marriage rituals with the Shen family…”
“I’ll take care of Huaijin’s marriage, but now that this match is set, you must also make plans for the Meng girl. She’s seventeen this year, and her mother left her with you hoping you’d find her a husband in the capital. If you can’t bear to marry her into another family, I think little Seventh is a good lad. He may be a bit mischievous, but his nature isn’t bad, and he’s the only son in the third branch. If Meng Wanxin marries him, she won’t suffer…”
Little Seventh, as the old lady called him, was Pei Huaian, son of Third Uncle Pei Yuanzhou.
Third Master Pei Yuanzhou lost his wife young, left officialdom to go into business, and traveled with his young son Pei Huaian for over ten years. Fortunately, he had a knack for business, and over these years, the family’s fortunes prospered—much of the Pei estate was acquired by him.
But while he was making a fortune, he didn’t raise his son well.
Pei Huaian, now sixteen, didn’t care for studies or work, was extravagant, kept a pack of idle friends, spent his days at banquets or admiring flowers, and roamed the streets without ever being home.
A good boy, yet his father raised him into this. Madam Zhu often regretted it privately and naturally didn’t look kindly on him.
The old lady’s suggestion today, matching Meng Wanxin with Little Seventh, at first struck Madam Zhu as a poor match. But thinking it through, though Little Seventh was undisciplined, his father was wealthy, and the boy had a handsome appearance. Last time he came to Haitang Courtyard, all the little maids blushed at the sight of him…
Madam Zhu’s mind began to turn, and after the old lady left, she called Meng Wanxin in to gently discuss the matter with her…
After a gentle breeze and a fine drizzle, the crabapple flowers in the courtyard bloomed even more profusely, clustered on the branches, filling the whole courtyard with fragrance.
Shen Youran sat at the stone table under the crabapple tree. A qin was laid out before her, and Shen Yunshu sat across from her. Under her sister’s stern gaze, she played through a piece, full of mistakes.
After finishing, she withdrew her hands and lowered her gaze, not daring to look at Shen Yunshu.
Shen Yunshu frowned, tapped the table with her slender fingers, and looked at her with beautiful, stern eyes. “Didn’t you play this piece perfectly a few days ago? How can you make so many mistakes today?”
Shen Youran knew her performance was poor today, so she didn’t argue and let her sister criticize her as she pleased.
“Forget it. Playing the qin is meant to calm the mind and nurture virtue. You’re unsettled today—it’s not suitable for practice. Danruo, put away your lady’s qin…”
Shen Youran was secretly delighted, thinking she could slack off again today, only to hear her sister add, “Qinghe, bring your lady’s writing set. This morning, she will copy three thousand characters.”
“Three thousand?” Shen Youran looked up in shock. “Weren’t we doing just one thousand a day before?”
“Then make it four thousand.”
“Wasn’t it three thousand just now? How did it become four?”
Shen Yunshu looked at her pale, distressed sister and drawled, “One more word and it’ll be five thousand.”
The pressure from her own elder sister’s bloodline left Shen Youran no room to bargain. She only dared to mutter quietly, “Four thousand it is. Elder sister’s words are nothing but tricks. Yesterday she said she wouldn’t blame me, and today she’s punishing me to write so much…”
Yesterday, she had helped her sister look over Young Master Pei, and although things had gone a bit awry in the end, her sister hadn’t blamed her. In fact, as promised, she was excused from her lessons and enjoyed a whole day of freedom.
She hadn’t expected to be tormented first thing this morning.
If the Pei family’s marriage didn’t work out, would she have to write four thousand characters every day?
Four thousand…
Distracted by her thoughts, when her brush touched the paper, she hesitated, and the very first character turned out a complete mess.
Shen Yunshu sighed, rose, and came behind her sister, taking her hand to guide her. “Do your best and leave the rest to fate. I’ve let go of yesterday’s matter, so you shouldn’t dwell on it either. Focus on your calligraphy…”
Whether it was the qin or calligraphy, the intention was to help temper her third sister’s nature.
In her view, Third Sister was clever, quick to learn all arts, and—rare among girls—genuine, innocent, and lively. But because Father had doted on her too much and never forced her to cultivate herself, she’d grown lazy, impatient, and reluctant to think deeply.
Shen Yunshu wished she could stay home longer to guide her sister, but last month their mother wrote, saying her stepfather had received his transfer order and would soon come to the capital as an official. Holding that letter, Shen Yunshu’s hands had broken out in a fine sweat.
After her mother remarried in Xunzhou, she gained a stepbrother and several step-siblings. After Shen Yunshu’s coming-of-age ceremony, her stepbrother Lu Yi secretly coveted her. To protect her mother, she dared not speak out and even changed her surname to “Lu” to quell his intentions, but Lu Yi stopped her, insisting she remain as a Shen family daughter. Helpless, she could only flee from the Lu family and came to the capital two years ago to seek her birth father.
Unexpectedly, with her stepfather’s promotion, the whole family would soon move to the capital—including Lu Yi. Time was running out; she had to secure her own marriage before her stepfather’s family arrived.
If the Pei marriage didn’t work out, there was still the Loyal and Courageous Marquis’ household, the Marquis of Rong’an, or the household of the Guarding General. There were plenty of eligible young men in the capital. She was determined to settle her marriage as soon as possible.
Thus, she didn’t have much time left to instruct Shen Youran, so from today, she would strictly supervise her, hoping her sister could improve before she herself married out.
Letting her sister guide her hand, Shen Youran wrote out a graceful and lively character. She then turned to look at her sister. At this close distance, she could even see a few lingering red spots on her snowy-white cheek.
“Elder sister, whether it works out or not, the Pei family should send someone today, right? How can you be so calm?”
“You know the Pei family will send word today, so we just wait. What’s there to be anxious about…”
Seeing her sister so composed and unperturbed, Shen Youran was full of admiration, about to sigh at how she wished she could be as cultivated, when someone rushed into the courtyard.
It was Tinglan, the maid sent by Eldest Sister to wait for news at the front courtyard. Out of breath, she ran up, delighted. “Eldest Miss, Third Miss, someone from the Pei family has arrived.”
The moment Shen Youran heard the Pei family had come, she wanted to put down her brush and go to the front courtyard with her sister, impatient to learn if the marriage would go through.
But how could Shen Yunshu let slip this chance to train her sister’s patience? With a sharp look, she pinned Shen Youran in place. “I can go by myself. You focus on your writing. By the time I return, I expect at least five hundred characters on that paper…”
Leaving Tinglan behind to supervise, she left unhurriedly.
Ahhh, wicked sister!
Shen Youran shook her brush, boxed the air a few times, but in the end, dared not disobey her sister’s order and bowed her head, gritting her teeth, to resume her practice.