Chapter 22: Private Matters
The following dozen or so days passed uneventfully.
The roof at home had been repaired, and the bedding replaced. He Yan also found a young servant for He Yunsheng to help carry things and run errands, while Qingmei would have someone to talk to at home.
He Yunsheng had already handed over the tuition to his teacher and began attending school daily, leaving He Yan alone in the house. With He Sui away and only Qingmei keeping her company, He Yan could openly practice swordplay—well, more like swinging a picked-up branch—in the courtyard.
Her martial skills were etched in her mind, but this body was truly weak. The slightest bump or stumble left obvious bruises. Moreover, her strength was lacking. Though it had improved somewhat through deliberate practice, it was still far from what it used to be.
A body like this wouldn’t do on the battlefield. He Yan sighed inwardly and set the branch aside.
“Miss, miss,” Qingmei came running in, “someone has sent gifts again.”
He Yan frowned. “Again?”
“This servant doesn’t know either. They just left the things and went away.” Qingmei looked troubled. “Miss, what should we do? When the young master returns from school and sees this, he’ll surely be angry.”
The gifts were sent by none other than the Fan family’s servants. Ever since Fan Cheng saw He Yan at the tailor’s shop that day, he had been sending things over every few days—cosmetics, silks, jewelry, or tonics.
Each time, He Yan had the Fan servants take the gifts back. He Yunsheng had encountered this a few times and flew into a rage, lecturing her endlessly in her room until her ears nearly grew calluses. Because of this, He Yan hadn’t left the house lately—if she ran into Fan Cheng again and he started pestering her, He Yunsheng might just tear the Fan family’s roof off.
Today, they had gone even further, leaving the gifts behind without waiting for a response. What did that mean? Were they so sure she would accept them?
He Yan said, “Throw them out.”
“But…” Qingmei hesitated. “They’re expensive silks and jewelry. Wouldn’t it be a waste to throw them away?”
He Yan felt a headache coming on.
Heavens above, in her past life, she had lived like a man and never encountered such persistent suitors. Even after she resumed her identity as a woman and returned to the He family, becoming engaged to Xu Zhiheng, Xu Zhiheng had never overstepped boundaries—if anything, he was somewhat distant. She had never experienced such ardent courtship and had no idea how a young lady should handle such a situation.
If she threw away such valuable items and the Fan family later denied sending them, what then?
He Yan sighed. “Then I’ll return them myself.”
Qingmei’s eyes widened. “Miss, are you going to the Fan residence?”
“Do you have a better idea?” He Yan asked. “Pack up, you’re coming with me.”
“This servant too?” Qingmei shrank back slightly.
“Of course.” He Yan gave her a puzzled look. “I don’t remember the way to the Fan residence.”
She wasn’t the real Miss He and had no idea which direction the Fan family’s gate even faced—naturally, she needed a guide. But judging by Qingmei’s fearful expression, the last visit to the Fan residence must not have gone well.Qingmei was indeed worried. She still remembered the last time they went to the Fan residence—He Yan had reddened eyes and nearly dashed herself to death at the front gate. At that time, the old maidservant of the Fan family had looked at them with disdainful eyes, saying, "People should know their place. Don’t always aim for what’s beyond your reach, and don’t fixate on the impossible. Otherwise, you’ll only end up falling and becoming a laughingstock."
The biting sarcasm in those words had been unbearable. In the end, He Yan, unable to catch her breath, fainted from sheer anger. When He Sui called a physician to examine her, the physician said it was due to rage and distress—a matter of the heart. At the time, everyone thought He Yan would never recover from such a blow and wondered how she would live on. Yet, to their surprise, when she woke up, it was as though she had become a different person, never mentioning Fan Cheng again.
Even now, when Fan Cheng came pestering, she seemed determined to cut all ties cleanly.
Qingmei felt both relieved and concerned. He Yan patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Don’t worry, no one will bully you," she said.
For some reason, Qingmei felt instantly at ease.
The two of them then set out together. The Fan residence was quite far from the He household, and it took them a long time to reach it. Qingmei pointed at a vermilion gate of a grand house and said, "This is the Fan residence."
He Yan thought for a moment. "It’s not convenient for me to go over. Take these things and hand them to the gatekeeper. Say they were sent on Young Master Fan’s orders and must be delivered directly to him."
Qingmei nodded. "Understood, miss."
He Yan hid behind a pillar by the street, watching as Qingmei approached the guard at the gate. After exchanging a few words, Qingmei handed over the basket of gifts and returned with a smile. "I told him everything!"
"Well done," He Yan said. "Let’s go back."
...
In the main house of the Fan residence, the newlywed chamber was still adorned in bright red decorations. The eldest daughter-in-law of the Fan family, Tang Ying, was the cherished eldest daughter of a minor official. Spoiled and willful since childhood, she was indulged by the Fan family due to her father’s influence. Within just a few months of marriage, she had already taken charge of the Fan household, filling every position with her own people.
A servant knocked on the door.
"Enter," Tang Ying said, reclining on a cushioned divan as she admired a newly embroidered piece.
The servant entered, knelt, and kowtowed before speaking. "Madam, a maid just came to the gate and delivered a basket, saying it was for the young master."
Tang Ying paused and looked at the servant. "A maid? What basket? Bring it here."
The servant presented the basket.
Tang Ying grabbed it and rummaged through it, finding nothing but silks, fabrics, and cosmetics—all items for women. Enraged, she demanded, "What is this?"
The servant stammered, too afraid to speak.
Her personal maid interjected, "These are all women’s things, madam. The young master would never use such items himself. Surely—"
"Surely he tried to curry favor, and they sent it all back!" Tang Ying sprang to her feet, sweeping the porcelain cups off the table in a violent crash. Her face twisted with fury. "That scoundrel Fan Cheng!"
"Madam, the priority now isn’t to confront the young master. We mustn’t alert him prematurely..." the maid cautioned.Tang Ying calmed down slightly before saying, "You're right. There's no way to guard against thieves forever. If she were a decent woman, how could she have gotten involved with Fan Cheng? That shameless wench is just playing hard to get—how despicable!"
She instructed the silent servant boy standing with his head bowed, "For the next few days, follow Fan Cheng. Find out exactly where he goes and who he meets. I want to see what kind of fox spirit has bewitched his heart. Once I find that shameless woman... I'll make sure this pair of adulterers pay the price!"
The servant boy nodded in acknowledgment and withdrew.
Her maid coaxed gently, "Madam, you mustn't show any signs these next few days, lest the young master catches wind and hides that woman away."
"I know." Tang Ying clenched her fists tightly. "In the past, I merely dismissed his lovers and concubines. But now, seeing how brazen he's become—it's clear he no longer respects me as his lawful wife."
"In that case, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
(End of Chapter)
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