Speaking of Xianglan, after leaving the Song residence, she returned home like a wandering ghost. She closed the door of her side chamber and sat in stillness for a long time, staring fixedly at the jade bracelet Song Ke had given her, which adorned her wrist. She remained seated until dusk veiled the sky before finally rising. With great effort, she pulled off the bracelet, then rummaged through her belongings, gathering all the items Song Ke had given her into a box. She fastened it with a large lock, shoved it under her bed, and then opened the door as if nothing had happened, going out to help Xue Shi prepare the meal.
Seven or eight days later, Chen Wanquan returned home from his shop with news of Song Ke’s engagement to Zheng Jingxian. The couple stole glances at Xianglan, only to find her still smiling as she picked up food with her chopsticks and served them both, as though she hadn’t heard a thing. A few more days passed, and Song Ke sold off all his assets, taking his entire family to the capital. On the day of his departure, all the prominent officials and gentry of Jinling gathered at the Ten-Mile Pavilion to see him off. Chen Wanquan naturally went to bid farewell as well and returned boasting extravagantly about the grand and impressive scene. He also pulled out a letter for Xianglan, saying that Song Ke’s servant boy had secretly slipped it to him to pass along.
Xianglan went back to her room and opened the letter. On the paper, only two words were written: "Take care." Her heart suddenly ached unbearably, and the sorrow she had suppressed for days could no longer be contained. Instantly, tears poured down like rain. Song Ke was a bond from her past life and a beam of light in her heart. Whenever she thought of him, Xianglan felt that despite the many hardships in this life, being able to meet him again meant that Heaven had not treated her too poorly. But now, Song Ke was truly gone. In the future, he would marry another and have children, and from then on, he would be a stranger to her. They could only wish each other well in their hearts, separated by the ends of the earth.
Xianglan wept heart-wrenchingly in her room, while Chen Wanquan and his wife stood outside the door, straining to listen. Chen Wanquan rubbed his hands together anxiously and said, "Our daughter was already delicate. What if she ruins her health from crying? You should go in and comfort her."
Xue Shi replied with a worried frown, "Sister Lan once confided in me privately, saying that Master Song genuinely wanted to marry her as his proper wife with all the formal ceremonies. I was half-convinced, half-doubting, feeling it didn’t seem likely—and sure enough, it fell through. The past few days she seemed fine, but today, after reading that letter, she’s crying so bitterly."
Chen Wanquan glared and scolded, "What do you know? She was deluding herself, and instead of talking her out of it, you joined her in dreaming! What kind of person is Master Song? An advanced scholar who passed both imperial examinations, an official of the Hanlin Academy—how could he possibly take a fancy to Xianglan? Didn’t you see he’s engaged to the daughter of Duke Xian? If our daughter comes to any harm from crying like this, I’ll hold you responsible!"
Xue Shi retorted with a furrowed brow, "Why take it out on me? Sister Lan has a stubbornness that ten oxen couldn’t pull back—how could I have persuaded her?"
Chen Wanquan let out a long sigh, squatted on the ground, pulled out his long-stemmed tobacco pipe from his belt, took a few puffs, and lamented, "We’re just ordinary folks. We can’t climb so high to reach the great families. It’s better to live our lives honestly and contentedly."
Xue Shi said, "That’s what I think too. Sister Lan is getting older. Let’s find her a good match. Once a happy event comes along, this matter with Master Song will be behind us."Chen Wanquan said, "I used to think it would be excellent for her to become Master Lin’s concubine, but Lan Jie'er is unwilling, and the Lin Family has quite a few formidable women. I fear Lan Jie'er would suffer if she entered their household. Master Lin has been away in the capital and hasn’t returned yet—who knows how long we’d have to wait? It would be better to marry her off within the neighborhood. After all, we only have one daughter. In the future, if we fall ill or have any troubles, it would be good to have someone nearby to care for us." As he spoke, he stood up, tapped his tobacco pouch against his foot, and said, "I actually have someone in mind... What do you think of Young Master Xia?"
Xue Shi raised her eyebrows and said, "Xia Yun?"
Chen Wanquan replied, "Exactly. Young Master Xia is now a Recommended man. Although he didn’t pass the advanced scholar examination, he has caught the eye of the Chief Clerk and is serving as a clerk in the Government Office. At least he holds an official position. I find him talented, of good character and appearance, and reliable. Lately, he’s been visiting our home frequently, clearly showing interest in Lan Jie'er. He even sent someone to sound out my opinion. If we don’t secure such a match quickly, we might regret it if someone else snatches him up first."
Xue Shi said, "Young Master Xia is indeed a good match, but there’s one thing I’m not quite satisfied with—his family is rather poor. He has two older brothers, one older sister, two younger sisters, and three younger brothers, none of whom are well-off. His parents and sisters-in-law are also difficult to get along with. I’m afraid Lan Jie'er might suffer if she marries into that family."
Chen Wanquan waved his hand dismissively. "What does it matter if they’re poor? He’s already an official—why worry about not living comfortably in the future? Which girl doesn’t have to serve her in-laws and get along with her sisters-in-law? If others can manage, why can’t Lan Jie'er?"
Xue Shi still worried, "But we don’t know if Lan Jie'er is willing..."
Chen Wanquan widened his eyes and raised his voice, "Why bother about whether she’s willing or not! She may be willing for Master Song, but is he willing to have her? We can’t let her have her way in this matter. She’s already sixteen—do we keep her at home until she becomes our enemy? It has always been the parents’ decision and the matchmaker’s words. If it looks good, we settle it. Would I ever harm her?" With that, he flung his hand and went inside.
As for Xianglan, after crying until she was exhausted, she lay on the bed and fell into a deep sleep. The next day, when she came out of her room, she appeared refreshed and cheerful. If not for her swollen eyes, no one would have guessed how bitterly she had cried the day before. However, she spent her days shut in her room painting, seldom tending to her flowers and plants, and rarely speaking or laughing. Xue Shi watched this with growing concern.
One day, Xianglan propped open the window, placed a pot of bamboo orchid on the windowsill, and began watering it with a spray bottle. Xue Shi approached the window and said, "Later, Young Master Xia’s mother, sister-in-law, and sister will be visiting our home. You should come over later too—we mustn’t be impolite." Xianglan casually agreed.
Before long, Xia Yun’s mother, Madam Jin, along with Second Sister-in-law Xia and Third Sister Xia, arrived. Xue Shi personally opened the door to welcome them in. Taking Madam Jin’s hand, she said with a smile, "It’s been a while since we last met, Elder Sister. You look even more spirited than before, and your complexion has improved. Truly, joy brings vigor to one’s spirit."Madam Jin was originally from Yuzhou, and had fled famine with her family to Jinling, later marrying into the Xia family. Though she was only eight years older than Xue Shi, she looked more than twenty years her senior. Xue Shi had once served as a maid in a wealthy household; though merely a third-class servant girl, she had seen some of the world. The Chen family was also wealthier than the Xia family, making Madam Jin often feel inferior. But now that Xia Yun had become a Recommended Man and secured a position at the Government Office, Madam Jin suddenly felt she could hold her head high, standing straighter as she said with restrained pride, "I must say I'm quite pleased, especially since our Xiao San'er is so promising. Just this morning, he went to the Government Office again, saying he had to report for duty..."
She looked around and saw a house with one main room and two side chambers, considerably larger than ordinary homes. It appeared newly whitewashed and repaired, looking especially neat and exquisite. The partitioned screens were uniformly carved with intricate patterns, covered with multicolored window gauze, exuding an air of grandeur. The courtyard was paved with bluestone slabs in the center, with a pebble path winding through. It was filled with flowers and plants blooming in vibrant competition, along with some ornamental rocks and planted banana trees. Beside them stood a large earthenware vat where several goldfish swam. Under the grape trellis, stone tables and stools were arranged, with a redwood cage hanging above, inside which a oriole chirped and hopped about.
A large yellow dog bared its teeth and barked twice, but after Xue Shi scolded it, it lay back down in a shady spot and dozed off.
The women of the Xia family were instantly dumbfounded. Madam Jin's next words stuck in her throat, unable to come out. Third Sister Xia swallowed hard and exclaimed in astonishment, "Good heavens, it's so lavish! It's like living in a fairyland! Our home is just like a pigsty."
Hearing this, Madam Jin snapped back to reality, secretly furious that Third Sister Xia had embarrassed them. She turned and glared at her sharply. Though Second Sister-in-law Xia was also amazed and envious, she felt Third Sister Xia's comment was inappropriate. She slapped the back of her head and scolded in a low voice, "You wretched girl, if that foul mouth of yours keeps spouting nonsense, we won't bring you along next time!"
Third Sister Xia rubbed the back of her head, pouting in displeasure.
Xue Shi saw everything but pretended not to notice, merely smiling as she said, "It was our girl who insisted on planting some flowers and trees. Coincidentally, a wealthy family was renovating their garden and had some leftover plants and unusual rocks discarded. Her father hired a cart to bring them back, and it didn't cost much. The two of them worked for half a day to plant everything, and now it looks quite presentable." In truth, Chen Wanquan hadn't been keen on tidying up the yard like this, but Xianglan had said she needed to see flowers and plants to paint, so he had gone to the trouble of arranging the courtyard.
Madam Jin's smile became somewhat strained. Previously, when Xia Yun became a Recommended Man, some prosperous and respectable families had sent silver, and a prominent local gentleman had even gifted them an empty house. Though it wasn't spacious and was somewhat old, it was still a two-courtyard residence. After cleaning it up, the whole family had moved in joyfully, feeling they had surpassed everyone else. But now, seeing the Chen family's small courtyard, it was ten times more luxurious than their own home. When they stepped inside, they saw ebony long tables and chairs, cloisonné vases, hanging scrolls of various calligraphy and paintings, and celadon-glazed tea bowls with brown and green lotus designs—it was furnished like a wealthy gentleman's home.Even Second Sister-in-law Xia was astonished, stroking the tea bowl and small table as she exclaimed repeatedly, "Oh my dear, this is truly the elegance of a wealthy family... That so-called Lin Family couldn't possibly be more splendid than this, how much silver must this entire room full of antiques be worth... Oh my, even these pastries look so exquisite, one can hardly bear to eat them..."
Third Sister Xia had already stuffed two pieces of cake into her mouth, chewing heartily as she said, "Why couldn't you bear to eat them? They're even more fragrant than what we buy for New Year's."
Xue Shi smiled proudly, "These are pastries from Noble Crisp Bakery, bought by her father when he went to town yesterday. Eat as much as you like, there's plenty more."
Madam Jin felt even more sour inside, clearing her throat as she said, "My dear Sister Xue, I'm afraid you might not like what I'm about to say... What's the use of decorating the courtyard so extravagantly? It would be more practical to raise some chickens and ducks. Not only would you have something to crow at dawn every day, but you could also collect eggs, and slaughter them for meat during festivals - isn't that much more practical than all these flowers and plants? And these pastries are the most impractical - making them yourself wastes oil and flour, buying them costs a string of coins for just two small packets. Your family isn't like ours - our Recommended man works at the Government Office, and people bring these cakes and fruits to us every day. Even when they're delivered, I don't care for them, just leave them to waste."
Hearing this, Xue Shi couldn't help but be taken aback, her expression darkening slightly.
Thank you iwoiw9 for the Peach Blossom Fan, xiaomoshouabc, 991102070526 for the Peace Talisman, and rk_owl for the little yellow chick.
Also thank you to everyone who cast pink votes for me!
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