Yuxi was engrossed in the collection of essays that Tan Tuo had sent her. She was so absorbed in them that she didn't even notice Momo ...
Yuxi was engrossed in the collection of essays that Tan Tuo had sent her. She was so absorbed in them that she didn't even notice Momo Quan come in. Momo Quan sighed softly and said, "Madam, the water is here."
Yuxi looked at the slices of fleshy lingzhi floating in the cup, lifted it, and drank it all in one go. After setting the cup down on the table, she smiled and said, "Momo, I always thought I knew quite a bit, but now I realise I'm just a frog at the bottom of a well1."
Momo Quan wasn't surprised and responded, "The sea of learning has no shore2." After saying this, she glanced at the thick volume on the table. The characters appeared to be hand-copied rather than printed. "Madam, what are you reading?"
Yuxi smiled. "This records the events that Provincial Governor Tan has encountered since he first took office. I've learned a great deal from it." Tan Tuo had written down every situation he had faced since becoming an official, along with how he had resolved them.
Momo Quan smiled and commented, "That's certainly worth reading." Yuxi was rich in theoretical knowledge but lacked practical experience. Of course, Yun Qing didn't have much either. The couple were now crossing the river by feeling for stones3, which was why Yuxi was being so cautious, afraid that a wrong decision might harm those under her.
Gancao walked in and announced, "Madam, Madam Tan requests an audience with you." Since arriving in Lanzhou yesterday, Yuxi had received many visiting cards, but she had declined all except those from Madam Tan. Even if it were not for the monk, one must respect the Buddha4—for Tan Tuo's sake, she had to extend this courtesy.
When Yuxi saw that Madam Tan was accompanied by a young girl bearing a striking resemblance to her, she knew immediately that this was Madam Tan's daughter, Tan Chongqin.
Seeing the sorrow between Tan Chongqin's brows, Yuxi sighed inwardly. Although Tan Chongqin and Yuxi were born in the same year, looking at her now, no one would doubt that she was four or five years older.
Madam Tan bowed to Yuxi. Although Yuxi was younger, she did not step aside from the salute, for, given her current status, she was entitled to such respect.
After inviting them to sit, Yuxi smiled and commented, "Madam Tan, your complexion looks much better than before." The last time Yuxi had seen Madam Tan, her face had been full of suffering. Now, although there was still a hint of worry in her eyes, her cheeks were rosy and she appeared to be thriving.
Madam Tan smiled in response. "It's all thanks to your good fortune, Madam. We've now hired a cook skilled in capital cuisine." When the dishes suited one's taste and one ate well, the body naturally recovered.
Since sitting down, Tan Chongqin hadn't spoken of her own accord; she only answered when Yuxi asked her something. As for Madan Tan, she was even less skilled at conversation.
To prevent an awkward silence, Yuxi had to come up with topics of conversation on her own. Keeping Madam Tan and her daughter entertained was giving her more of a headache than handling official business.
While they were talking, Hongdou reported from outside, "Madam, Xu Daren5 requests to see you regarding some business."
Yuxi stood up with an apologetic smile. "Madam Tan, Miss Tan, my apologies. I still have matters to attend to and can't continue to host you."
Madam Tan smiled and responded, "It is we who have imposed. We've been out for quite a while anyway—it's time we went back, or else my husband will start to worry."
After exchanging a few polite words, Yuxi asked an old maid servant to escort the mother and daughter out.
After they left, Yuxi rubbed her temples. "I'll have to keep dealing with Madam Tan in the future. If it's always like this, I'll get a headache every time!"
Gancao asked curiously, "Madam, isn't Miss Tan the eldest di6 daughter of Tan Daren5? He is now a provincial governor — why does Miss Tan still look so troubled?"
Yuxi replied, "She must be worrying about her marriage." To be honest, Tan Qin had bad luck with marriage. Back when they were in Xinping City, Tan Tuo arranged a match for her with the second di6 son of a scholar. However, less than two months after the engagement, the man died in an accident. Although the marriage never took place, she still had to observe a year of mourning. That was why things had been delayed until now. Tan Chongqin was already twenty and still unmarried, so of course, she was anxious about her future.
Gancao pressed her lips together and fell silent.
Once they were in the carriage, Tan Chongqin looked dejected and asked, "Mom, I remember you saying that Madam Yun is the same age as me. Is that true?"
Madam Tan nodded. "It's true. Ahem, come to think of it, Madam Yun has already given birth to two children. Yet she looks as if she has never been married." Madam Tan was exaggerating a little. A woman who had given birth to two children could hardly look as delicate as a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl. Nevertheless, compared to Tan Chongqin, Madam Yun did look much better.
Hearing this, Tan Chongqin couldn't help but touch her own face while sighing quietly to herself. Appearance was something one was born with — it was useless for her to envy it.
Madam Tan's expression darkened when she noticed her daughter's reaction. "Don't worry, Qin-er. I'll make sure your Dad finds you a husband who truly suits you." Her husband had been too busy to concern himself with their daughter's marriage, even rejecting the match she had chosen. This situation had made her so worried that her intestines were all knotted up7.
Tan Chongqin looked bitter and lowered her head, saying nothing.
It had rained for two consecutive days, and the temperature had dropped. Liu-er caught a chill and developed a fever. At this point, Yuxi was burning with anxiety — Liu-er's body was so weak that even a minor illness could cost her life.
Seeing that Yuxi was flustered, Momo Quan comforted her, "Don't worry, Second Young Miss will be fine." Although Liu-er was weaker than other girls her age, it wasn't as if she couldn't withstand any illness at all.
While Yuxi was feeding medicine to Liu-er, Gancao came to announce, "Madam, Tan Daren5 requests to see you." Tan Tuo had been coming often in the past few days to report matters to Yuxi.
Yuxi responded, "Whatever it is, tell him to come again in the afternoon." With Liu-er being so ill, Yuxi had no mind to deal with anything else right now.
Momo Quan put her hands on Yuxi's shoulders and said, "If Tan Daren5 is looking for you, it must be about something important. Liu-er will be fine with Mama Lan and me looking after her." One mustn't act on impulse when dealing with matters like this.
Yuxi looked at the medicine in her hand and shook her head. "It's nothing important — a day or two's delay won't matter." In truth, she wasn't really managing any affairs; it would be more accurate to say that she was learning from Tan Tuo how to handle government matters properly.
When Zaozao fell ill, she would recover immediately after taking medicine. However, Liu-er was different — her fever would subside after taking the medicine, only to return at night.
The fever kept coming and going, and Liu-er looked utterly drained, her face a pale yellow. Yuxi asked in fright, "Mama Lan, will she make a full recovery?"
Mama Lan replied, "Madam, please don't worry. It's normal for children to fall sick like this. We've been taking good care of her, though, and Second Young Miss will definitely recover soon." For the past three days, Yuxi, Momo Quan, and Mama Lan had been taking turns to look after Liu-er. If Yuxi had to do it all alone, she would have collapsed from exhaustion long ago.
Yuxi felt deeply guilty. They said all children fall ill like this, but when Zaozao was sick, one dose of medicine was enough to make her fully recover without relapsing. "It's all my fault."
How could Mama Lan not hear the meaning behind those words? She comforted Yuxi, saying, "Madam, Second Young Miss will be fine. Don't be so upset. Even adults often get sick, let alone children. Please don't overthink it." Although Madam had indeed been somewhat careless back then, who could have imagined that those behind the scenes would be so vicious as to use Master Er Jiu8 as a pawn?
Three days later, Yun Qing received news of Liu-er's illness. As he was unable to travel himself, he sent Physician He to the city of Lanzhou instead.
Feng Dajun thought it unnecessary to go through so much trouble and said, "General, it takes at least half a month to travel from here to Lanzhou. By the time Physician He arrives, Liu-er will probably have recovered."
Yun Qing replied guiltily, "When Liu-er was born, she was no bigger than a palm. She has already suffered so much in just a few months. Even if she recovers this time, she'll still have to endure great hardship." Yun Qing felt a deep guilt towards Liu-er. It was his incompetence as her father in failing to protect her mother, Yuxi, that had caused Liu-er to suffer so much at such a young age.
After a moment's thought, Feng Dajun spoke, "General, as the saying goes, a tiger father will not have a dog daughter9 — I believe Liu-er will surely grow up strong and healthy." Over a month had passed since the caravan travelled from Yu City to Lanzhou, and Liu-er had been fine. How could she not recover?
Yun Qing responded, "That's for sure." Although Liu-er was slightly weaker than a full-term baby, she had been well cared for, and Yun Qing was no longer worried about her survival.
Changing the subject, Feng Dajun asked Yun Qing, "General, are you really planning to let Madam handle all the affairs of the Northwest?"
Yun Qing shook his head. "I'm only letting Madam handle the Northwest's routine matters — the major ones will still be under my control." Seeing that Feng Dajun looked as if he had something to say but was holding back, Yun Qing added, "If you have something to say, just say it. There's no need for all that hesitation."
Feng Dajun argued, "General, this is no child's play! Madam has never been involved in government affairs before. If you let her handle the administration of the Northwest, it will lead to chaos."
Yun Qing glanced at Feng Dajun and replied, "You don't need to worry about that. Madam handles such matters even better than I do."
Feng Dajun found this to be unbelievable and asked, "General, did I hear you right? Has Madam already been involved in government affairs? Since when?"
By now, Yun Qing no longer kept it secret. "When Madam was very young, Duke Han would explain Imperial Court affairs to her. After she came to the Northwest, I often discussed many matters with her as well."
After a long pause, Feng Dajun asked, "Why would Duke Han let Madam study political affairs? Girls from wealthy families usually learn things like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting — how did she end up learning about statecraft? It's unbelievable."
Yun Qing also found it remarkable and explained, "It was because Madam was interested in such matters, and Duke Han doted on her so much that he granted her that rather presumptuous request." As for Yuxi's mastery of the classics and histories, Yun Qing saw no need to mention it to Feng Dajun.
Recalling what he had heard, Feng Dajun wondered aloud, "General, I've heard Madam is well-read and skilled in both calligraphy and painting. Besides, few can match her embroidery. Now it turns out she even knows statecraft. Tell me, General — is there anything Madam doesn't know? Surely she can't also know how to fight in battles, right?"
Yun Qing's lips curved into a smile as he answered, "Madam has studied the classics thoroughly — she can recite The Art of War backwards from memory." Of course, being well-versed in military texts didn't mean she could actually fight a war.
Feng Dajun was so astonished that he was left speechless.
Footnotes Full List
- "井底之蛙" (jǐng dǐ zhī wā) — literally "a frog at the bottom of a well." It means a person with limited vision or knowledge who mistakes their small world for the whole universe.
- "学海无涯" (xué hǎi wú yá) — literally "the sea of learning has no shore." It means there is no limit to knowledge; learning is endless.
- "摸着石头过河" (mō zhe shítou guò hé) — literally "cross the river by feeling the stones." It means proceeding carefully through an uncertain situation, learning and adjusting step by step through experience.
- "不看僧面看佛面" (bù kàn sēng miàn kàn fó miàn) — literally "if not for the monk's face, then for the Buddha's face." This idiom means granting someone respect or favour out of regard for another related person's position or relationship.
- 大人 dàren: title of respect toward superiors
- 嫡 dí: born by the formal wife
- 愁得肠子都打结了 (chóu dé cháng zǐ dōu dǎ jié le) is a vivid metaphor meaning someone is extremely anxious or worried.
- 二 èr = second, 舅 jiù = wife's brother
- "虎父无犬女" (hǔ fù wú quǎn nǚ) — an idiom meaning "a worthy father will not have a useless daughter," i.e. "the daughter inherits her father's strength or ability."
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