Now one day, Xia Yun returned home from the yamen and saw Third Sister Xia washing clothes in the courtyard. He approached her with a smile and said, "The magistrate gave out some reward money today. When I saw a flower vendor on the street, I bought one for you and Fourth Sister. Hide it quickly before our sisters-in-law see it." As he spoke, he pulled a pink silk flower from his sleeve and handed it to her.
Third Sister Xia muttered discontentedly, "What's so special about this flower? The one Chen Xianglan gave me was a hundred times better, 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, "Chen Wanquan's daughter. The other day, Mother, Second Sister-in-Law, and I went to the Chen Family's house. They're really wealthy—I even saw an agate bottle for vinegar. Chen Xianglan gave me a flower, but Second Sister-in-Law took it as soon as we got home. She also said the Chen Family invited us because they want to marry their daughter to you. But when Mother went back twice later, 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 Jin Shi's character all too well—shallow, ignorant, and fond of taking advantage. How could such a visit impress the Chen Family? No wonder Chen Wanquan had been distant toward him lately, unlike his former warmth. So this was the reason! Xia Yun stamped his foot repeatedly and said, "Why didn't you tell me about visiting the Chen Family?" Seeing that Third Sister Xia was too incoherent to explain clearly, he immediately went to the side room to find Second Sister-in-Law Xia.
Second Sister-in-Law Xia was sewing in her room when Xia Yun burst in with a frantic expression, startling her. She set aside her needlework, put on a smile, and asked, "What brings you here, Third Brother?"
Xia Yun fired off questions in rapid succession: "When did you, Sister-in-Law, Mother, and Third Sister go to the Chen Family? What did you say? I just heard from Third Sister that Mother went back twice, and 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 Chen Family invited us over the other day—they'd moved to a new house and wanted to entertain old neighbors. You were staying at the yamen those days and never came home, so we didn't mention it." She patted the kang edge, urging Xia Yun to sit, then leaned forward slightly, 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 chuckled, fanning herself. "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 for your superiors, but you're really after 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 in this matter."
Second Sister-in-Law Xia laughed heartily. "We're family—no need for such formal words..." Her expression suddenly shifted, brows knitting with worry. "But I'm afraid this won't be easy 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 the Chen Family's daughter. Last time I went to the Chen Family, I intended to sound them out for you. But to be frank, you know how Mother's temper is—she ended up offending both Madam Chen and her daughter. I had to mediate extensively before they softened slightly. However, the Chen Family is so well-off, Xianglan is so beautiful, and her standards are exceedingly high. These days, I've poured all my energy into planning for you." She sighed and rubbed her temples, adding, "I've truly worn myself thin from exhaustion." She lifted her eyelids slightly to observe Xia Yun's expression.
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. If you can successfully arrange this matter for me, I will surely reward you handsomely."
Second Sister-in-law Xia's eyes instantly crinkled with laughter, but she didn't take the money. She watched as Xia Yun placed the half-string on the kang table, then 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, "Regardless of how this turns out, I'll first coax a few taels of silver from you to spend." She continued blithely, "Although the Chen couple have 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 will surely succeed."
Xia Yun immediately stood up, exclaiming in delight, "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 overjoyed he scratched his ears and cheeks, feeling as if thousands of tiny insects were crawling in his heart. He pulled a tael of silver from his bosom and pushed it over, saying, "This small token of appreciation—please take 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 slipped me a flower and quietly asked me to bring it to you! I've been so busy lately that I completely forgot." She stood up, retrieved a Piled Gauze flower from a chest at the head of the kang, and handed it to him.
Xia Yun, being intelligent after all, looked at the flower and said, "Earlier in the yard, Third Sister said Xianglan gave her a flower, but you took it later. Is this the one?"
Second Sister-in-law Xia silently cursed Third Sister Xia for her loose tongue. Her eyes darted as she replied, "It's definitely this one. As soon as Xianglan gave it to me, 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 stared blankly at the flower, thinking to himself, "Xianglan has already given me a token of love... Clearly, she holds deep affection for me. How dreadful of me not to have noticed her feelings! Now I must not fail this beauty's profound devotion."
Second Sister-in-law Xia cleared her throat lightly and said, "But right now, her parents aren't entirely pleased with this matter. I'll likely have to make a few more visits to their home..."Xia Yun thought to herself, "My mother is muddle-headed and utterly unreliable. Only my second sister-in-law is clever and adaptable. If this matter is to succeed, I must rely entirely on her to devise strategies." Gritting her teeth, she took another tael of silver from her bosom and handed it over, saying, "Second sister-in-law, you are a heroine among women. I must depend on you greatly in this matter. You've worn out your legs running for my sake—this silver is for you to buy shoes with."
Having just felt she had squeezed enough profit, Second Sister-in-law Xia readily accepted the silver, her face beaming with smiles. "This matter of yours may not necessarily succeed, but I will do my utmost for you nonetheless."
Xia Yun thanked her repeatedly. From then on, she felt that Xianglan was interested in her. Often, she would stare blankly at the flower, lost in infatuation. Thinking of Xianglan's snow-white skin and delicate, charming features, her heart would flutter uncontrollably, filled with regret that she could not meet the beauty. But let us leave this for now.
The next day, Xia Yun went to the yamen early 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 stopped and stepped aside to avoid it. The sedan chair went straight into the yamen when suddenly the curtain was lifted, revealing a woman's face. She appeared to be in her twenties, with snow-white skin dotted with faint pockmarks, small eyes, and a tall, straight nose. Though not a beauty, she had a clean appearance and a certain charm. The woman ordered the sedan bearers to stop and smiled at Xia Yun, saying, "Young Master Xia, you've come so early!"
Xia Yun lowered her head and acknowledged the greeting.
The woman then let the curtain fall and ordered the bearers to carry the sedan chair away.
After the woman left, the gatekeeper, Zhang, said to Xia Yun with a laugh, "Clerk Xia, you don't know who that is, do you?"
Xia Yun replied, "Isn't she Tax Supervisor Ren's wife, Madame Cao?"
Zhang gave a meaningful chuckle. "She's quite famous, and you actually know her despite being new here. Everyone calls her 'Madame Cao.' She claims to be related to the Lin family, and by waving the Lin family's banner, we all regard her highly. This Madame Cao is quite formidable—somehow she found a way to connect with the county magistrate. Though not particularly pretty, she managed to captivate the magistrate and secured her good-for-nothing husband a position as tax supervisor—a lucrative post indeed. What skill!"
Xia Yun was startled. "You mustn't speak recklessly!"
Zhang clicked his tongue. "How could I be talking nonsense? Do you think she comes so early every day to deliver meals to her husband? Nonsense! After marking attendance, she surely slips into the county magistrate's bed! Everyone in the yamen knows it clearly, and her husband is well aware too. After all, a cuckold's hat won't crush a man to death, especially since his job depends on his wife. He keeps quiet and willingly plays the cuckold. I've heard that when he returns home at night, he even has to fetch foot-washing water for his wife, which infuriated his own mother to death." He then patted Xia Yun on the shoulder and said with a grin, "I suspect that little lady has taken a fancy to you. Be careful—she might come knocking on your door during your night watch!"
These words made Xia Yun blush crimson, and she hurried away in embarrassment.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 strings through connections to secure him a position as a prison warden at the local magistrate's office. One day, when Cao Lihuan came to deliver an umbrella to Ren Yu, she happened to encounter Magistrate Han Yaozu. Having seen the world, Cao Lihuan was not like those timid women from modest households. She greeted him with poised grace, speaking both earnestly and eloquently, her face adorned with a sweet, ingratiating smile that was utterly disarming.
Han Yaozu was already over fifty. Though he maintained a dignified facade, he was a lecher at heart. However, with a shrewish wife at home, he dared not act too recklessly. The concubine he had taken was merely for show. Now, seeing Cao Lihuan—tall, proper, and dressed elegantly, unlike the women from ordinary families—he was intrigued. Though not a beauty, she possessed a certain charm that stirred his interest. He responded with amiable courtesy and secretly dispatched an old matron to sound out Cao Lihuan's intentions.
Since marrying Ren Yu, Cao Lihuan had focused on managing her household, 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 life unbearable. Her husband was a good-for-nothing, and the contrast with the Lin family was like heaven and earth. She harbored deep resentment and, being unwilling to remain subordinate, saw Han Yaozu's overture as an opportunity. After a few coy refusals, she eventually yielded and began an affair with him.
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