Cheng Chun was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. “My family calls me A-chun. If Fifth Master doesn’t like it…”
“A-chun!” Su Xubai looked at Cheng Chun and murmured, “On the tips of cardamom branches, spring colors are faint. Newly trying on gauze robes, sleeves brushed by the soft east wind—it’s a lovely name!”
Cheng Chun didn’t understand what it meant, but her eyes lit up.
She was at the age where a young girl’s heart stirs with springtime feelings. Compared to rough, unrefined men, she had always favored those who appeared cultured and scholarly. Yet, working in the medicine shop, she had seen plenty of impoverished scholars dressed in rags who still insisted on using flowery language and acting aloof, burying themselves in the classics while ignoring the hardships of their wives and daughters beside them.
Over time, she had come to feel that such people lacked any connection to the real world, and she had grown rather disenchanted with those refined, scholarly types.
But today, standing there in the sunlight, Su Xubai’s bright gaze and spirited demeanor unexpectedly struck her as refreshing and open, more like the handsome scholar described in operas.
Seeing Cheng Chun staring at him, Su Xubai grew puzzled. “What’s wrong? Did I say something incorrect?”
Cheng Chun was startled, then quickly shook her head. “No, no! It’s just… I never imagined my name could sound so beautiful!”
Su Xubai smiled. “The name suits the person—beautiful to hear and lovely to behold!”
Cheng Chun’s face flushed even redder. She lowered her head, not daring to look at his face again, and fixed her eyes on the tips of her shoes.
“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Let’s go check your Huimen gifts—it’s time for us to set off!” Su Xubai said, taking Cheng Chun’s hand and leading her forward.
Cheng Chun stared at her hand, clasped in his, feeling her palm grow warm. Sure enough, before long, her palm began to sweat. She tried to pull her hand back, but he held it tightly.
The two of them walked to the courtyard gate, where the path was lined with carriages piled high with what looked like valuable gifts. Cheng Chun grew nervous. “My parents are country folk. Such lavish gifts… I’m afraid they won’t accept them…”
“The bushels of rice consumed by royalty and nobility are all grown through the hard labor of farmers like your parents. There’s nothing they cannot accept!” Su Xubai said with a smile. “Don’t worry about it. This is what I, as a son-in-law, ought to do.”
Cheng Chun felt her eyes grow moist.
She knew she was a concubine—a Liangqie, yes, but a concubine nonetheless, not much different from a servant. So she had prepared herself to live with her head bowed, thinking that as long as she ate less and worked more, she could survive.
She had never dared to hope for a Huimen visit, after all, she was only a concubine. Yet Su Xubai, whom she had met only once, had arranged everything so thoughtfully. How could she not be moved?
After a long while, Cheng Chun managed to say with difficulty, “Thank you, Fifth Master.”
Su Xubai nodded and helped Cheng Chun into the carriage.
As the carriage slowly moved forward, the two sat side by side. Su Xubai turned to look at her and, seeing how stiff she was, thought for a moment before speaking. “A-chun, are you afraid of me?”
Cheng Chun was taken aback and said nothing.
“That day, when I barged into the medicine shop… I knew it would ruin you, yet for my own life, I still did such a selfish thing. I am deeply ashamed, and I will do everything in my power to make it up to you. I only hope you won’t yearn for things that aren’t meant for you. Though this courtyard is small, it is a place where you can settle and build your future!” Su Xubai’s voice was soft, but Cheng Chun, sitting nearby, heard him clearly.
Cheng Chun knew that Su Xubai had taken her as a concubine solely because of that day’s foolish incident. He had ruined her reputation and married her to save her life—but that was all. His words now were merely a warning, telling her not to harbor any unrealistic hopes.
Surprisingly, Cheng Chun did not feel sad. She had originally intended to end her life with a white silk cord, but it was the betrothal gifts he sent that saved her. He had tarnished her reputation, but he had also saved her life. The debt was clear; neither owed the other anything. “I understand!”
Su Xubai glanced at Cheng Chun and saw she still wore the same meek and submissive expression. He sighed. “I will give you the dignity of a wife, but you must also stand firm. In this villa, you are the mistress. If you cannot hold your ground, the servants will take advantage, and even I won’t be able to protect you!”
Cheng Chun was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized that his actions today were actually meant to establish her authority. His favor was the foundation for her standing in this small courtyard. She nodded solemnly. “I understand, Fifth Master!”
Seeing Cheng Chun’s earnest expression, Su Xubai suddenly found himself at a loss for words and simply nodded in response.
The carriage moved slowly and arrived at the estate just before noon.
Su Xubai stepped out first, then helped Cheng Chun down from the carriage.
Guo’er’s Mother had been waiting at the entrance since early morning. As soon as the carriage stopped, she rubbed her hands together and watched eagerly. When she saw Cheng Chun step down, she hurried forward, wanting to reach out and take her hand but afraid of dirtying the fine silk and satin of her clothes. Instead, she could only call out, “A-chun!”
The moment Cheng Chun saw Guo’er’s Mother, her eyes welled up. She grabbed her mother’s hand. “Mother!”
Guo’er’s Mother reached out to touch Cheng Chun’s face, her heart aching so much her eyes turned red. “Have you been well these past few days?”
Cheng Chun nodded. “Yes, everything is fine. And you, Mother? Are you and Father well? And Guo’er, where is Guo’er?”
“All is well, all is well! Guo’er went to buy wine. Knowing you were returning today, she went to get some wine for us to drink!” As Guo’er’s Mother spoke, she saw Su Xubai approach.
This was the first time Guo’er’s Mother had seen Su Xubai. She had thought the gentlemen who came for the wedding were already quite noble, but she never imagined that this man before her, her son-in-law, would be so distinguished. For a moment, she was at a loss for words.
“Mother-in-law, the sun is strong outside. Shall we go inside to talk?” Seeing more and more villagers gathering around, Su Xubai stepped forward and said softly.
Only then did Guo’er’s Mother notice the crowd surrounding them and quickly nodded. “Ah, yes, let’s go in, let’s go in!”
Guo’er’s Mother had spent her whole life toiling in the fields and had never seen someone as ethereal as this. To be called “mother-in-law” by such a person left her feeling dizzy and lightheaded, unsure of how to address Su Xubai.
Logically speaking, Guo’er’s Mother should have followed Cheng Chun’s lead and addressed him as “Fifth Master,” but Hongdou chuckled and said, “Old Madam, why are you walking ahead by yourself? Could it be you don’t like your own son-in-law?”
Hongdou’s teasing snapped Guo’er’s Mother back to her senses, and she quickly replied, “How could that be? Please come in, son-in-law. Her father will be back soon!”
As soon as she finished speaking, Cheng Guo’er rushed over. From afar, he had spotted his sister dressed in red and dashed straight into Cheng Chun’s arms: “Sister, you’re finally back! Mother said you’d return today, and I couldn’t sleep at all last night!”