The young lady chosen by Yuchen was Lu Boda's legitimate eldest granddaughter. She was fifteen this year and had just come of age. Lu B...
The young lady chosen by Yuchen was Lu Boda's legitimate eldest granddaughter. She was fifteen this year and had just come of age. Lu Boda was a high-ranking official who guarded a frontier1, and Second Master Lu was currently the Commander of the Imperial Guards. Most of the Lu family's descendants served in the military. Had Han Jingyan not already been made a Duke and had Han Jiancheng not been the legitimate eldest son of the Duke's household, destined to inherit the title, the Lu family would never have agreed to this marriage.
When Han Jingyan heard that the bride was from the Lu family, he was displeased. He had wanted Han Jiancheng to marry a daughter from a civil official's family, whereas the Lu family was a military household. Moreover, Han Jianye had already married a daughter of the Lu family. Nevertheless, Han Jingyan knew that he could not oppose Yuchen's decision.
Yuchen first tested the waters and, seeing that the Emperor had no objections, summoned the Eldest Madam Lu. She only raised the matter after confirming that the Eldest Young Miss Lu was not yet betrothed.
Eldest Madam Lu assumed that Han Jiancheng would inherit a noble title in the future and, since it was the Empress herself acting as matchmaker, she did not refuse.
When Second Master Lu heard the news, he was rather annoyed and said to Second Madam Lu, "Didn't I say earlier that I had already picked out a suitable family for Xiang-er? Why didn't Dasao2 mention it?"
Second Madam Lu looked innocent as she replied, "There wasn't even a verbal promise. When the Empress herself spoke, how could Dasao2 refuse?" The man whom Second Master Lu had chosen was his subordinate's legitimate second son, outstanding in every respect. However, the Eldest Madam Lu disliked that he was not the legitimate eldest son and therefore opposed the match. Otherwise, the marriage would have been settled long ago.
If things were done in accordance with the First Branch's wishes, they considered it only proper; if not, they accused others of not trying hard enough. This situation could be overlooked once or twice, but after it happened repeatedly, Second Madam Lu stopped paying attention and merely ensured that things looked acceptable on the surface. Her husband devoted himself wholeheartedly to the First Branch, and she could not stop him, so she simply let it be.
Second Master Lu said angrily, "Han Jiancheng has achieved nothing in either civil or military pursuits. Even if he inherits the title, he'll just muddle along eating and waiting to die3. And Han Jingyan himself is thin in affection and scant in righteousness4—if the father is like this, how good can the son be? How could anyone marry into such a family?" Although Han Yuxi was said to be cold-blooded and unfeeling, Second Master Lu believed that Han Jingyan was the most heartless of them all.
Second Madam Lu was surprised by this and asked, "Why do you say that?" After so many years as husband and wife, she knew he would not speak like this without reason.
Second Master Lu explained, "Han Jianming only took his biological mother, his wife, and his legitimate children with him. Several concubines and their illegitimate children were settled in a private residence on Shangyuan Street. A few days ago, Han Jingyan sent people to find them and handed them over to the authorities." If it had been him, he would certainly have tried every possible way to conceal them and then find a safe place for his grandnieces and grandnephews.
Second Madam Lu truly had not known about this and hurriedly asked, "And then?" Fortunately, their daughter had gone to the northwest; otherwise, she would not have known what to do.
Second Master Lu shook his head. "I don't know."
Second Madam Lu could not help but curse, "How vicious-hearted! What threat could a few children possibly pose to him? Even after obtaining the noble title, he still isn't satisfied and wants to chase them to the end and k!ll them completely?" No wonder her husband said this man was heartless and ungrateful—someone like this deserved to suffer a thousand knife cuts5. But then again, Han Jianming's failure to take those children with him also meant he had treated them as expendable.
In truth, it wasn't that Han Jianming didn't want to take all his children with him; reality simply wouldn't allow it. Taking four children was already an enormous burden—if he had taken them all, the journey would have been delayed, and he would never have reached the northwest.
Second Master Lu, however, disagreed with that view. "Han Jianming had settled those children quite properly. Who could have known that Han Jingyan would lose his heart and his mind go mad6 as to not even spare the children? Becoming in-laws with someone like that would mean gaining no support and having to guard against being stabbed in the back."
Second Madam Lu said, "Don't overthink it. Han Jiancheng may not necessarily be like Han Jingyan. Just look at Her Majesty the Empress and Madam Yun—aren't they doing very well?" As far as Second Madam Lu was concerned, Han Yuxi and Han Yuchen were complete opposites, yet both were living very good lives now.
Second Master Lu replied, "Let's hope so." Since Dasao2 had already agreed to the Empress's matchmaking, they couldn't back out.
The following day, Second Master Lu was on his way to his post. Before he even arrived at the county office, he received news: Grand Chancellor Yu was gone. He had passed away early that morning.
For the Emperor, Grand Chancellor Yu's death was good news. Grand Chancellor Yu had monopolised control of the Imperial Court for so many years, and now that he was gone, the Emperor could reclaim power.
However, Yan Wushuang's subordinates were more concerned about the fall of Xihai than they were about Grand Chancellor Yu's death. Meng Nian said, "Now that Xihai is gone, who knows whether Henan or Hubei will be next? Credit where it's due, Han Shi is clever to use this kind of silkworm-eating-leaves7 tactic."
Yan Wushuang was not at all anxious. "Yun Qing taking Xihai was well within my expectations. Xihai has fertile land and abundant resources; leaving it untouched would not be Han Shi's style. But after occupying Xihai, Yun Qing won't launch another campaign for at least five years." Xihai lay right next to Gansu, so it would be foolish to not eat such a piece of fat meat right at one's mouth8.
Although Meng Nian trusted Yan Wushuang's judgement, he still had his own concerns. "In five years, the northwest will have a strong army and powerful cavalry. My lord, we can't afford to fall behind."
Yan Wushuang replied calmly, "The path I take is different from theirs." As for what path that was, he did not say.
That same day, Yuxi received items Yun Qing had sent back: two live antelopes, a large barrel of Huangyu fish, various medicinal herbs, and two white swans.
Yuxi rubbed her forehead—so everything she had said to Yun Qing earlier had been completely pointless.
Seeing this, Xu Wu hurriedly explained, "Madam, these are all specialities from Xihai. The General specifically sent them so you could have a taste of something fresh."
Since the items had already been delivered, Yuxi said no more. "Where's the letter?" If Yun Qing had sent things back, there should have been a letter as well.
Xu Wu shook his head. "There's no letter." In truth, he really wanted to say: Didn't we just receive the General's letter this morning? Why ask for another one?
Seeing that Yuxi said nothing, Xu Wu added, "Madam, those two antelopes don't look like they'll live much longer. We might as well slaughter them and eat them now." He had heard the meat was very nourishing and wanted to try it.
Yuxi responded, "Keep one here. You all can divide the other one among yourselves. Oh, and send the two white swans to the rear courtyard." The swans would not be eaten; they would be kept as ornamental animals.
Xu Wu nodded in agreement.
After finishing official matters, Yuxi asked a personal question. "You met that young lady yesterday. What did you find unsatisfactory about her?" Du Zheng's wife, Bao Shi, had taken a liking to a young woman surnamed Rong and wanted to match her with Xu Wu. Therefore, Yuxi had even specially invited Bao Shi to bring her to the Governor-General's residence.
Xu Wu fell silent for a moment before replying, "The young lady is quite good; I just don't think we're very well-matched." When he first met Miss Rong, he had actually liked her quite a bit. However, when Xu Daniu cracked a joke beside them, Miss Rong immediately burst into tears, causing Xu Wu to lose interest at once. While Xu Danu's behaviour was certainly inappropriate, it wasn't serious enough to warrant such an extreme reaction.
Yuxi asked, "Tell me, where do you think you two don't quite match?" Seeing that Xu Wu was shaking his head and refusing to speak, Yuxi smiled and asked another question, "Do you think that woman is a bit too cotton-like9?" By 'cotton-like', she meant overly gentle and weak. Aside from this flaw, the young woman was good in every other respect.
Only then did Xu Wu nod. "Madam, if something were to happen to me in the future, with her temperament, she wouldn't be able to take care of the children."
Yuxi immediately understood and said with a smile, "If you had explained this clearly earlier, I might already have found someone else for you by now." How could she have known what kind of woman Xu Wu actually wanted if he didn't spell out his intentions?
This matter really was Xu Wu's own fault.
Yuxi comforted him, "Rest assured. I've already promised the General that we'll definitely settle your lifelong matter this year." Of course, if nothing suitable turned up, delaying it until next year wouldn't be a problem.
Xu Wu felt a little embarrassed and quickly changed the subject. "Madam, Xu Daniu has taken a liking to Zhang Liniang. I wonder if Madam would approve this match?"
Yuxi was somewhat surprised. "Zhang Shi has been married before and even has a child. Does Xu Daniu know all this?"
Xu Wu nodded. "Daniu knows all of that, and he doesn't mind." Zhang Liniang was pretty and carried herself with grace. Xu Daniu had fallen for her at first sight, and it was commendable of him to wait until now to tell Xu Wu how he felt.
Yuxi didn't reply immediately. "I've heard from Momo that Zhang Liniang doesn't plan to remarry. I'll ask Momo about it later. If she's unwilling, there's nothing I can do." Marriage must be mutual; a forced match wouldn't make either partner happy.
Xu Wu didn't think much of it. "If Zhang Shi isn't willing, Xu Daniu will give up on the idea and focus on finding a suitable wife to settle down with."
From his tone, it was clear Xu Wu wasn't very keen on this match. Yuxi inquired, "What? Do you think Zhang Shi, being a widow, isn't suitable for Xu Daniu?"
Xu Wu shook his head. "No. I just think Daniu is careless in how he acts, and he never guards the door when speaking10. Zhang Shi, on the other hand, is proud and high-spirited. I don't think the two are a good match." Nevertheless, since Xu Daniu had come to him personally, it was hard for him to refuse outright.
Yuxi nodded. "Your concerns aren't unreasonable. But if Zhang Shi herself is willing, they could still live harmoniously." Back when she married Yun Qing, no one thought the two of them were well-matched either. Yet now, weren't they living happily as husband and wife?
Before she had even reached the rear courtyard, Yuxi heard a series of miserable goose cries. Upon entering, she saw goose feathers scattered all over the ground. Of the two white swans, one had half its back plucked bare, and the other had much of the feathers on its neck pulled out. The once beautiful, elegant, and noble swans now craned their heads and cried, looking especially pitiful.
Zaozao had both her hands full of feathers. When she saw Yuxi, she happily called out, "Mom, goose, big white goose!"
Zaozao had an astonishing ability to destroy things—anything that passed through her hands was doomed to be ruined. Yuxi asked Mama Zeng, "Weren't these two swans supposed to be in the garden? How did they end up as her toys?"
Mama Zeng lowered her head as she explained, "As soon as the Eldest Young Miss saw the white swans brought in, she took a liking to them and insisted on playing with them. We couldn't stop her."
Zaozao walked up to Yuxi in small steps, lifted her head and held up the swans' feathers in her hands. "Mom, for you."
Looking at all the feathers covering Zaozao's head and body, Yuxi felt a splitting headache.
Footnotes Full List
- 封疆大吏 (fēng jiāng dà lì): A powerful regional or frontier governor with military and administrative authority.
- 大嫂 (dàsǎo): eldest brother's wife; sister-in-law
- 混吃等死 (hùn chī děng sǐ): To live aimlessly without effort or ambition.
- 薄情寡义 (bó qíng guǎ yì): Cold-hearted, ungrateful, and lacking loyalty.
- 挨千刀 (ái qiān dāo): A curse implying someone deserves extreme punishment for their cruelty.
- 丧心病狂 (sàng xīn bìng kuáng): Utterly insane, cruel, or morally depraved.
- 蚕食 (cán shí): To annex territory little by little.
- 嘴边的肥肉 (zuǐ biān de féi ròu): An obvious and tempting gain.
- 绵 (mián): metaphorically means soft, weak, lacking firmness or strength.
- 说话不把门 (shuō huà bù bǎ mén): an idiom meaning speaks without restraint or tact.
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