One day, when Xia Yun returned home from the Government Office and entered the courtyard, he saw Third Sister Xia sitting in the yard washing clothes. He walked over with a smile and said, "Today the county magistrate gave out some reward money. When I saw flowers being sold on the street, I bought one for you and one for Fourth Sister. Hide them quickly before the sisters-in-law see." As he spoke, he pulled a pink silk flower from his sleeve and handed it to her.
Third Sister Xia muttered discontentedly, "Third Brother, what's so special about this flower? The one Chen Xianglan gave me was countless times better than this, but that little wretch snatched it away!"
Hearing the name "Chen Xianglan," Xia Yun was startled and quickly pressed, "Chen Xianglan? Which Chen Xianglan?"
Third Sister Xia replied, "She's Chen Wanquan's daughter. The other day, I went to the Chen family with Mother and Second Sister-in-law. Their family is truly wealthy—I even saw that their vinegar bottle was made of agate. Chen Xianglan gave me a flower, but Second Sister-in-law took it as soon as we got home. Second Sister-in-law also said the Chen family invited us because they want to marry their daughter to you. But later, when Mother went back twice, the Chen family didn't even open the door. Second Sister-in-law said it probably won't work out."
Xia Yun grew anxious at once. He knew Madam Jin's character all too well—shallow, ignorant, and always eager to take advantage. How could such visits impress the Chen family? No wonder Chen Wanquan had been cold toward him lately, unlike his previous warmth—this was the reason! Xia Yun stamped his feet repeatedly and said, "Why didn't you tell me about visiting the Chen family?" Seeing that Third Sister Xia was rambling incoherently, he immediately went to the side room to find Second Sister-in-law Xia.
Second Sister-in-law Xia was doing needlework in her room when Xia Yun burst in with a frantic expression, startling her. She quickly set aside her sewing, put on a smile, and asked, "Why has Third Brother come?"
Xia Yun fired off questions in rapid succession: "When did you, Sister-in-law, and Mother go to the Chen family? What did you say? I just heard from Third Sister that Mother went to the Chen family twice more, but they didn't open the door. What happened?"
Second Sister-in-law Xia's eyes darted, and she smiled broadly. "Oh, so it's about that. I thought it was something serious. The other day, the Chen family invited us over. They've moved to a new house and wanted to invite old neighbors to visit. You were staying at the Government Office those days and never came home, so we didn't mention it to you." She patted the edge of the Heated Brick Bed, urging Xia Yun to sit, then leaned slightly forward, resting one hand on the kang table and covering her mouth with a palm fan as she whispered with a laugh, "Tell me the truth, Third Brother... do you have feelings for that Chen family girl?"
Xia Yun's face flushed crimson, and he lowered his head without speaking.
Second Sister-in-law Xia giggled, waving her fan. "I've noticed how diligent you've been, running to the pawnshop where Chen Wanquan works every day. You claim you're looking for rare items to buy and present to your superiors, but you're actually interested in his daughter!"
Xia Yun's face turned even redder. He stood up and bowed deeply to Second Sister-in-law Xia. "Second Sister-in-law, you're as shrewd as Zhuge Liang reborn. I beg you to help me with this matter."
Second Sister-in-law Xia laughed heartily. "We're all family—no need for such formal words..." Suddenly, her expression shifted, and she frowned with worry. "But I'm afraid this matter of yours might be difficult to arrange."
Xia Yun quickly sat back down. "What do you mean?"Second Sister-in-law Xia said, "I could tell long ago that you had an interest in Chen's daughter. Last time I went to the Chen family, I intended to help you gauge their intentions. But to be frank, you know how Mother's temper is—she ended up offending both mother and daughter from the Chen family. I had to mediate extensively before they softened a little. However, the Chen family is so well-off, and Xianglan is so beautiful and discerning—her standards are quite high. These days, I’ve poured all my energy into planning for you." She sighed and rubbed her temples. "I’ve truly worn myself thin from all this effort." She lifted her eyelids slightly to glance at Xia Yun’s face.
Although Xia Yun was somewhat pedantic, he was quite sharp when it came to reading people. He immediately pulled half a string of copper coins from his sleeve and handed it over, smiling. "I’ve really troubled you, Second Sister-in-law. Take these coins to buy some nourishing food and replenish yourself. If you can help me succeed in this matter, I will surely repay you generously."
Second Sister-in-law Xia’s eyes instantly crinkled with a smile, but she didn’t take the money. She watched as Xia Yun placed the half-string on the heated brick bed table before she sat cross-legged and said, "I’m about seventy to eighty percent confident in your matter." Seeing Xia Yun’s eager expression, she thought to herself, "No matter how this turns out, I’ll first coax a few taels of silver from you to spend." She then blurted out casually, "Although the Chen couple has high standards, I noticed that Xianglan seems willing. Her parents dote on her as if she were the apple of their eye. If she agrees, your matter is as good as settled."
Xia Yun immediately stood up, overjoyed. "Really?"
Second Sister-in-law Xia chuckled. "Of course. I have another piece of good news. If I tell you, how will you thank me?"
Xia Yun was so delighted he scratched his head and ears, feeling as if thousands of tiny insects were crawling in his heart. He took out a mace of silver from his bosom and pushed it over, saying, "Take this as a token of my gratitude, Second Sister-in-law. Use it to buy some fabric for my little niece to make a new set of clothes."
Second Sister-in-law Xia laughed. "You’re quite clever. That day, Xianglan asked me many questions about you and even praised you for being handsome. Before I left, she secretly slipped me a flower and asked me to bring it to you! I’ve been so busy lately that I completely forgot." She stood up, retrieved a silk flower from a chest at the head of the heated brick bed, and handed it to him.
Xia Yun, being clever after all, looked at the flower and said, "Earlier in the yard, Third Sister said Xianglan gave her a flower, but you took it from her later. Is this the same one?"
Second Sister-in-law Xia silently cursed Third Sister Xia for being loose-lipped. Her eyes darted as she replied, "Of course it’s this one. Xianglan had just given it to me when that wretched girl snatched it away, insisting it was a gift from Xianglan to her. I had to coax her for a long time to get it back. Make sure she doesn’t see it again."
Hearing this, Xia Yun believed her. He held the flower, lost in thought, and mused to himself, "Xianglan has already given me a token of affection—clearly, she holds deep feelings for me. How could I have been so blind to her heart? Now, I must not fail this beauty’s profound affection."
Second Sister-in-law Xia cleared her throat lightly and said, "But right now, her parents aren’t entirely willing, so I’ll have to make a few more visits to their home..."Xia Yun thought to herself, "My mother is too muddle-headed to be relied upon. Only Second Sister-in-law is clever and adaptable—if this matter is to succeed, I must depend entirely on her cunning." Gritting her teeth, she fished another tael of silver from her bosom and handed it over, saying, "Second Sister-in-law, you are a heroine among women. I must lean heavily on your help in this affair. Since you’ve worn out your legs running for my sake, take this silver to buy yourself shoes."
Second Sister-in-law Xia, feeling she had squeezed enough profit, smoothly pocketed the silver, her face wreathed in smiles. "Your plan may not necessarily succeed," she said, "but I will do my utmost for you nonetheless."
Xia Yun thanked her repeatedly. From then on, she became convinced that Xianglan was interested in her. She would often stare dreamily at the flower, her thoughts drifting to Xianglan’s flawless skin and delicate beauty, her heart swaying with restless longing. How she hated being unable to meet the beauty! But let us leave that for now.
The next day, Xia Yun went early to the Government Office to mark her attendance. Just as she reached the back gate, she saw a small sedan chair swaying toward her from the opposite direction. Xia Yun quickly stepped aside to make way. The chair proceeded straight into the Government Office, but suddenly the curtain was lifted, revealing a woman’s face. She appeared to be in her twenties, with snow-white skin dotted faintly with pockmarks, small eyes, and a tall, straight nose. Though no great beauty, she had a clean, pleasant look and a certain charm. The woman ordered the bearers to halt and smiled at Xia Yun, saying, "Young Master Xia, you’re here so early!"
Xia Yun lowered her head and murmured an acknowledgment.
The woman then let the curtain fall and ordered the bearers to carry the chair onward.
Once she had gone, the guard, Zhang, grinned at Xia Yun and said, "Clerk Xia, you don’t know who that is, do you?"
Xia Yun replied, "Isn’t she Madam Cao, wife of Tax Supervisor Ren?"
Zhang gave a meaningful chuckle. "She’s quite famous—impressive that you know her already, being new here. Everyone calls her 'Madam Cao.' She’s connected by marriage to the Lin Family, and we all show her respect because of that association. She’s a shrewd one, too—somehow she found a way to get close to the County Magistrate. Though she’s not much to look at, she’s managed to bewitch him. She even strong-armed him into giving her good-for-nothing husband the tax supervisor post—a real lucrative position. What skill!"
Xia Yun was startled. "You mustn’t speak so recklessly!"
Zhang clicked his tongue. "How could I be making it up? Do you think she comes here this early every day to bring her husband lunch? Nonsense! As soon as roll call is over, she slips right into the Magistrate’s bed! Everyone in the Government Office sees it clearly. Her husband knows it too—a cuckold’s hat won’t crush a man, after all, and he depends on his wife for his job. He keeps quiet and puts up with it. I’ve heard he even fetches her foot-washing water at night—drove his own mother to her grave with rage." He clapped Xia Yun on the shoulder, grinning. "I reckon that little lady has taken a fancy to you now. Watch out—she might just knock on your door when you’re on night duty!"
This left Xia Yun blushing furiously, and she hurried away without another word.This woman was none other than Cao Lihuan. It turned out that Ren Yu was not cut out for scholarly pursuits, so the Ren family had pulled some strings through connections at the Government Office to secure him a position as a prison warden. One day, when Cao Lihuan came to deliver an umbrella to Ren Yu, she happened to run into the county magistrate Han Yaozu. Having seen the world, Cao Lihuan was not like those timid women from modest households. She greeted him with graceful composure, speaking ingratiating words with a sweet, charming smile that was utterly delightful.
Han Yaozu was already over fifty. Though he maintained a dignified facade, he was a lecher at heart. However, he had a Lioness of Hedong at home and dared not act too recklessly. The one Concubine he had taken was merely for show. Seeing Cao Lihuan—tall, proper, and dressed elegantly, unlike the women of ordinary families—he was somewhat stirred. Though she was not a stunning beauty, she possessed a certain charm that captivated him. He responded amiably and secretly sent an old woman to sound out Cao Lihuan’s intentions.
Since marrying Ren Yu, Cao Lihuan had been devoted to her husband and focused on managing their life, despite conflicts with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. However, having been accustomed to the grand lifestyle of the Lin Family, she found her current constrained existence unbearable. Her husband was a good-for-nothing, and the contrast with the Lin Family was like heaven and earth. Naturally, she was filled with resentment and bitterness. Being unwilling to remain subordinate, she saw Han Yaozu’s sending of the old woman as an opportunity. After a few coy refusals and encouragements, she eventually became involved with Han Yaozu.
The reason for dedicating such length to Xia Yun and the Xia family’s affairs is that they are crucially important to the later narrative. Proper groundwork must be laid for the story to unfold naturally. Rest assured, I won’t include any redundant or drawn-out plots. Also, Cao Lihuan’s storyline has finally emerged now, haha ^_^
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