Chapter 15

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A month earlier, the capital had sent word that memorial rites were to be performed for the late eldest and second young masters. The clan estate had therefore made all the necessary preparations well in advance.

Early that morning, Li Lanxin dressed in plain mourning clothes and tied a white sash around her waist before boarding the carriage from the estate to the ancestral tombs.

The tombs lay deep within the clan grounds. By then, a solemn memorial hall had already been erected, complete with mourning banners, ceremonial couplets, incense tables, and offerings. The Xu family had also invited monks and Daoist priests from several renowned temples and monasteries to perform the rites together.

Following the order of precedence, Li Lanxin stood behind Zhuang Ningyuan. Like this sister-in-law who was also a widow, she watched as their mother-in-law, weeping without pause, stepped forward first to burn incense and paper offerings for her two sons, then gave a great cry of grief.

Afterward, it was Zhuang Ningyuan’s turn. Her face was slightly pale as she burned two memorial texts: one to celebrate Xu Zhan’s posthumous birthday, and the other intended specifically for the rites to pacify his spirit.

In a soft, halting voice, Zhuang Ningyuan murmured such things as, “Fu’er and I are both well,” “He has caught a cold and could not come to see you today,” and “His tutor says he has made progress in his studies.”

When Li Lanxin stepped forward, she held the plain silk bearing the memorial text she had copied the night before and placed it into the blazing bronze urn. In the heat of summer, the furnace’s radiance was all the more scorching.

The monks and priests chanted solemnly beside her. Holding a stack of paper money, she slowly cast it into the flames, yet suddenly found herself at a loss for what to say to Xu Yu.

She knew she could offer a whole basketful of pleasant platitudes—telling him not to worry, to be at peace as he was reborn, that everyone here was doing well, and so on. But she suddenly had no desire to say such things. Xu Yu had never liked her putting on a false show.

After a long silence, she finally spoke in a low, unhurried voice.

“Second Master, our embroidery shop recently received a very large commission. You know my painting skills aren’t as good as yours. If you have the time, come to me in a dream and teach me.”

“If you don’t have time, then never mind… But if you can somehow spare a little, that would be best. I’ll make you the clear-lotus pastries you liked when I return.”

…

The rites continued until nearly noon. Everyone first returned to the estate for a meal, then prepared to set out for the capital.

Nurse Qi lifted the curtain, and Zhuang Ningyuan entered the main residence at a measured pace. All the maids and matrons remained outside.

In the inner room, she saw Madam Zhang half reclining on a couch, one hand pressed to her brow.

“Mother, you sent for me?” Zhuang Ningyuan asked softly.

Madam Zhang raised her head and beckoned. “Come and sit.”

Zhuang Ningyuan complied, taking the round stool before the couch. Her expression remained calm as she waited for Madam Zhang to speak.

She had been summoned away from prying eyes, while the servants outside had been stationed in heavy numbers. It could only mean that something important was at hand.

Madam Zhang looked at her eldest daughter-in-law, who sat before her with dignified composure, neither arrogant nor impetuous, and felt a warmth in her heart. Over the years, Zhuang Ningyuan had raised Fu’er within the household while also helping manage every aspect of the family’s affairs. She was truly an exceptional mistress of the clan, rare as a lantern in the night.

It was simply that her eldest son had been lacking in fortune. He had found such a fine wife, only to leave this world so young.

How many times had she sighed to herself that, if Xu Zhan were still alive, he would still be the son-in-law of the Chengning Earl’s residence. Then she and her husband would not now have to worry over how to sound out the earl’s family regarding their position.

The Chengning Earl’s household had been a family of upright scholars for generations and enjoyed immense prestige among the literati of the capital and throughout the realm. When the two families had entered into marriage, the entire household had rejoiced.

Prince Chen’s faction consisted almost entirely of military men. Most civil officials in the capital disdained excessive dealings with them. Even where there were literary connections among their relatives, they were usually only local officials or men of little influence. Prince Chen had exhausted every means of winning over powerful civil officials, yet had never found the proper method.

Now that he remembered the bond by marriage between the Loyal and Obedient General’s residence and the Chengning Earl’s household, he wanted them to exert their influence through that connection.

But as far as the Chengning Earl’s household was concerned, Zhuang Ningyuan was merely a married daughter who had been widowed for ten years and lived quietly in her husband’s family. Once her husband died, she had lost much of the value she might have offered her maiden family. She could not compare with daughters whose husbands’ families were powerful and who therefore enjoyed greater standing in their parents’ homes. Though the countess loved this second daughter, there were limits to what she could do.

Especially amid the present treacherous and unpredictable political climate, the Chengning Earl’s household would most likely not share too much vital information with her. Still, it was not impossible that she might have heard some hint of their intentions.

“Ningyuan, let me ask you this. In recent days, has your maiden family… sent you any letters?” Madam Zhang’s expression was grave, and there was a trace of hesitation in her voice.

Zhuang Ningyuan’s heart tightened, but her face remained untroubled.

“My mother-in-law’s family and I exchange letters every month. A few days ago, Mother sent me one saying that everything at home was well. Next month, my eldest brother and sister-in-law will hold a hundred-day celebration for their little daughter. They will send an invitation to the residence when the time comes.”

A hint of disappointment appeared in Madam Zhang’s eyes, though she quickly concealed it.

“That is indeed cause for celebration. When the time comes, I will go with you. It has been many years since I last saw your mother.”

Zhuang Ningyuan lowered her eyes. “Yes.”

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“By the way, a distinguished guest will be arriving before long. We must make preparations in advance,” Madam Zhang said.

“A distinguished guest?”

Madam Zhang nodded. She hesitated for a moment before lowering her voice.

“The Prince of Duan’s residence will be sending someone here to discuss… the marriage between His Highness the Prince of Duan and Qing’er.”

At these words, even Zhuang Ningyuan, who had remained unmoved when speaking of her maiden family, could no longer sit still. Her eyes widened.

“The Prince of Duan… and Third Lady’s marriage?”

“Mother, but isn’t the Prince of Duan…”

The Prince of Duan was already past thirty and had long since taken a principal wife!

Madam Zhang waved a hand and let out a deep sigh.

“The imperial nobility is not like ordinary families. Your father-in-law’s rank is not low, but for a daughter of our house to marry an imperial prince, becoming a secondary consort would hardly be considered a disgrace. Besides, the principal consort of the Prince of Duan has only two daughters. If Qing’er can give birth to the prince’s first son, how could she fail to enjoy wealth and glory?”

Zhuang Ningyuan was deeply shaken. The mother-in-law before her suddenly seemed like a stranger.

In the past, Madam Zhang had doted on Xu Biqing above all else, unwilling to let her daughter suffer even the slightest grievance. Although Xu Biqing was already grown, there were times when she could not sleep well at night, and Madam Zhang would personally go to her daughter’s bedside and watch over her until morning.

Yet now she intended to marry her seventeen-year-old daughter, beautiful as a flower, to a princely kinsman old enough to be her father?

And not even as his principal wife, but as a secondary consort.

Though a secondary consort could be entered into the imperial clan register and receive both a stipend and official rank, no matter how honored her position, a principal wife would always stand above her. Moreover, a prince was not limited to a single secondary consort. Once Qing’er entered that deep and treacherous household, conflicts and struggles within the women’s quarters would be unavoidable. With Xu Biqing’s proud nature, how could she withstand such a blow?

“Mother, please think carefully.” Zhuang Ningyuan knew she had no right to interfere. Marriage was decided by parents and matchmakers; a widowed sister-in-law had no place offering her opinion. Yet after so many years of affection for her sister-in-law, she still spoke.

“You know Third Lady’s temperament. Getting her to agree to this would be harder than ascending to heaven.”

“Not only is the Prince of Duan much older than Third Lady, but his fief lies far away in the southeast. If he eventually leaves the capital and returns to his fief, Third Lady will find it difficult to see you and Father again. Would that not bring her great sorrow?”

A shadow appeared between Madam Zhang’s brows.

“…A daughter must marry when the time comes. In matters of marriage, she can only obey the family. Besides, once a daughter marries, there is no reason for her to return constantly to her parents’ home. Occasional visits and letters will suffice.”

Whether it was Madam Zhang’s attitude or those final words, something inside Zhuang Ningyuan grew cold. She closed her eyes briefly, then tried again.

“Did Mother not previously tell me that the Minister of War’s household intended to seek Third Lady’s hand for their eldest son? I have heard that the young master of the minister’s family is both capable and close to Third Lady in age. They have played polo together several times, so this would not be a blind marriage. I had thought you favored that match.”

The Zheng family, whose head served as Vice Minister of War, had a close friendship with Xu Biqing’s father. The minister’s wife and Madam Zhang were intimate friends as well. In truth, Xu Biqing and the Zheng family’s eldest son had a relationship that went far beyond merely having “played polo together several times.” They had grown up together and understood each other from childhood.

Xu Biqing had also made her fondness for Zheng Yi clear to Zhuang Ningyuan on more than one occasion.

It had seemed a match made by Heaven. Could it truly be abandoned now?

Madam Zhang’s complexion darkened further as she turned her eyes away.

“All that was nothing more than childish play between two young people who knew no better. What has it to do with marriage? Besides, the Minister of War’s household never formally sent a proposal. How could it count? As for the match with the Prince of Duan, it is already settled. You need not say any more about this.”

From her tone, Zhuang Ningyuan felt her hands slowly grow cold. There was, for the most part, no room left for compromise.

After a moment of silence, she said quietly, “I am only worried that His Highness the Prince of Duan and Third Lady are too far apart in age. I fear she will suffer after marrying into his household. Besides, this has all happened so suddenly that I was unprepared.”

Madam Zhang exhaled a long breath, her expression softening.

“You need not worry about that. This marriage was proposed by His Highness himself.”

“The prince proposed it first?”

“The prince told your father-in-law personally that he had seen Third Lady at several polo matches after coming to the capital. He said she was spirited, lively, and forthright, and that if she became his consort, he would surely cherish and treat her well,” Madam Zhang said in a low voice.

Zhuang Ningyuan’s lips parted slightly. In the end, she lowered her eyes and closed them, overcome by an inexplicable grief.

She did not ask why they had chosen this moment to marry their daughter to a prince. Born into an eminent family, how could she not understand that factional struggles were inevitably involved? It was nothing more than a weighing of advantages and disadvantages.

Whether they were leaving the family a way out, or choosing a vessel in the storm of the succession struggle, the outcome was the same.

“I understand. Once I return to the residence, I will begin making the arrangements.” Her face had regained its calm. “Mother, is there anything else you require?”

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Madam Zhang shook her head. “You may go. Lunch should be ready by now. You and Lanxin should eat first.”

Zhuang Ningyuan rose, offered a formal farewell, and left with her personal maid. She hurried all the way out through the main courtyard gate, crossed the corridor, and turned a corner—only to come face-to-face with Li Lanxin, who was on her way to the side hall for the meal.

“Eldest Sister-in-law?” Li Lanxin stared at her and was startled. “What happened to you?”

It was no wonder she was surprised. Though Zhuang Ningyuan had always been frail, she had never looked as pale as she did now. And she had been walking so quickly, as though rushing toward some urgent destination.

Seeing who it was, Zhuang Ningyuan gave a faint tug at the corners of her mouth.

“I’m fine…”

Li Lanxin did not believe her. In that condition, a gust of wind might have been enough to make her collapse.

Without further ado, she seized both of Zhuang Ningyuan’s hands—and shuddered.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, why are your hands so cold?”

In the warmth of early summer, Zhuang Ningyuan’s hands felt like two blocks of ice freshly taken from a cellar.

Zhuang Ningyuan tried to say she was fine, but Li Lanxin paid no attention to her feeble protest.

“Limu, come quickly and lend me a hand. Help Eldest Madam to the pavilion and let her sit for a while.”

Then she called to the anxious maids and matrons behind Zhuang Ningyuan.

“Don’t just stand there! Hurry and fetch the physician from the estate. Then go to the kitchen and bring some sweet soup or drinks—both hot and cold. Who knows whether she’s suffering from heatstroke or simply hasn’t eaten enough?”

The maids and matrons, having found someone to take charge, answered in a chorus and scattered in all directions.

Zhuang Ningyuan had made it out of the room by relying entirely on the cold force of will in her heart. Now that it suddenly broke, her body went limp. Li Lanxin and Limu supported her from either side, half carrying and half dragging her to the shaded pavilion, while a chattering young maid followed behind them.

Her head was spinning, yet she could still hear the three of them fussing around her.

“Eldest Madam, Eldest Madam, how are you feeling?” Limu fretted. “Did you go outside without bringing a parasol? Are you feeling hot?”

“She doesn’t look as though she has heatstroke,” Li Lanxin said anxiously. “There isn’t the slightest flush in her hands or face. She’s terribly pale, and cold all over. Eldest Sister-in-law, are you simply too hungry? I’ve heard that when some people don’t eat enough, they become dizzy and weak. A little something sweet should help.”

“I have honey candy!” Xing’er hurriedly pulled out a small packet. “Eldest Madam, have some!”

The maid who had accompanied Zhuang Ningyuan from the main household hastily exclaimed, “Oh dear, what coarse thing is that? How can you give it to Eldest Madam?”

Limu snapped angrily, “And this is the time to be so fussy? Look at yourselves—you’ve starved your mistress until she fainted!”

“What are you saying? How could we possibly let Eldest Madam go hungry?”

Li Lanxin helped Zhuang Ningyuan sit down and hurriedly intervened.

“All right, all right, stop arguing. Let her keep it in her mouth for now. Someone has already gone for the physician.”

With that, she took the candy Xing’er was eagerly holding out and placed a piece in Zhuang Ningyuan’s mouth.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, just keep this in your mouth.”

Zhuang Ningyuan’s vision swam. The head before her seemed to split into three, yet there was sweetness in her mouth.

“Lanxin…” she called indistinctly.

“I’m right here.” Li Lanxin watched her anxiously and wiped the cold sweat from her brow. After hesitating for a moment, she said, “Eldest Sister-in-law, you really must eat more in the future. Don’t always fill yourself with watery soups and pretty little dishes. They may look lovely, but they don’t keep you nourished.”

When Li Lanxin had still been living in the general’s residence, she had occasionally eaten with Zhuang Ningyuan in the main household. How should she put it? The food was delicate in flavor and exquisitely arranged, but it did not keep one full at all. Zhuang Ningyuan seemed accustomed to eating that way, and Li Lanxin sometimes wondered whether she could survive on nothing but air.

“Eat more meat. Braised pork knuckles, roast pork, soy-braised chicken—they’re all delicious. Just look at how thin you are. You can’t go on like this.” Li Lanxin gazed mournfully at her sister-in-law, who was as thin as a sheet of paper.

Weakly holding the honey candy in her mouth, Zhuang Ningyuan wanted to say that hunger might not be the cause after all. But she could not find the chance to speak, managing only a muffled sound.

After a short while, a voice came from the direction of the pavilion.

“The physician is here!”

“Hurry, bring him over!”