Chарtеr 21: Рrоtective Instinсts
Аlthough Wei Хun had allоwеd А’Yuаn tо gо out, shе hаd tо wаit until the injury оn her hand healеd сomрlеtеlу.
Rеwards frоm thе оuter cоurtуard flоwed in like a stеadу stream, but A’Yuаn cоuld no lоngеr muster anу interest.
It toоk оvеr hаlf a month fоr thе injurу оn her hand tо heаl. Fortunatеly, the bоne was nоt damaged, оr еvеn the bеst оintment would not hаve bееn able tо restorе it.
During thesе dауs of rеcovеry, the Shеn fаmilу became the subject of а sсandal.
On the dау of Madаm Shеn’s birthday banquet, the mistress kept by Master Shen showed up at their doorstep with a child.
Speaking of Master Shen, the Director of the Imperial Academy, he had always enjoyed a reputation for integrity in the capital. He and his wife had grown up together, and although they only had one daughter, Shen Qiuyu, after marriage, he had never taken a concubine, nor even kept a maidservant in his chambers.
Everyone in the capital envied Madam Shen’s good fortune.
Yet, it was such a man who had long kept a mistress outside, and the son born to that mistress was only a couple of years younger than Shen Qiuyu.
Master Shen’s reputation as a doting husband was utterly ruined.
Shen Residence.
Having suffered such a public humiliation, Madam Shen fell ill immediately.
Shen Qiuyu smashed a set of teacups, her face no longer bearing its usual gentleness. “Why did it have to be today!”
She had just tacitly agreed to the marriage arrangement with Wei Xun and was at the height of her glory, especially since the Wei family had sent congratulatory gifts today. Yet, it coincided with the mistress’s son causing a scene.
Shen Qiuyu’s face darkened with anger. The maidservants below trembled as they knelt on the ground, not daring to utter a word.
After such a commotion, the marriage between the young lady and Wei Xun was now in jeopardy.
Outside the Shen residence, Shen Yaozu rubbed his sore buttocks, grimacing as he spat on the ground.
“Pah! That old man keeps saying I’m his own son, so why didn’t he hold back when hitting me? He nearly took half my life!”
His personal attendant quickly supported him, nervously glancing around. “My lord, aren’t you afraid the master might hear? Even if you want to complain, wait until we get home!”
“Afraid of him?” Shen Yaozu lifted his chin arrogantly. “I’m his only son. Without me, who will take care of him in his old age and carry on the family line!”
Master Shen had placed among the top three scholars in the Chengwu era, known for his vast knowledge and literary talent. Yet, he gave his illegitimate son such a vulgar name as “Yaozu” (Bring Glory to the Ancestors), clearly hoping he would inherit the family legacy.
Hearing this, the attendant pointed at the gate of the Shen residence. “Don’t forget, you haven’t even entered this gate yet.”
Although his master had gained recognition today by causing this scene, he had also angered the old master.
It was true that the Shen family only had his master as the male heir, but the old master was still in his prime and could easily father another son.
Shen Yaozu’s arrogance deflated, and he hung his somewhat foolish head. “Then what do you think I should do?”
The attendant patiently advised, “My lord, these days, don’t go out and fool around. Stay at home and study diligently. The master only has you as his son. If he sees you making progress, he will naturally be pleased.”
Mentioning studying made Shen Yaozu irritable, but he knew the attendant was right. With a look of utter despair, he waved his hand. “Fine, I won’t go out. If those people come demanding money again, just chase them away.”
In truth, the reason he had caused a scene at the Shen residence today was because he had lost heavily at the gambling den a few days earlier. The people from the den had threatened to cut off one of his hands.
Although Shen Yaozu was no good at studying, he harbored dreams of becoming the top scholar in the imperial examinations. How could he tolerate losing a hand? That was why he had made a scene at the Shen residence.
……
Peaceful Marquis Estate.Chang Yuan placed a bulging pouch on Wei Xun’s desk. “Master, Wang Lao’er from the gambling den didn’t dare accept it and insisted on returning it. Those who run gambling dens are used to cheating; Shen Yaozu would never realize his losses were part of a calculated scheme.”
Wei Xun lowered his head and tapped the table, giving a soft hum. “Keep an eye on the Shen family. Find an opportunity to add fuel to the fire.”
Chang Yuan acknowledged the order, though inwardly he broke into a cold sweat for Shen Qiuyu.
He knew all too well how ruthless his master could be. Of all people to offend, this Madam Shen had to provoke Master Xie. Now she’s in for it.
“How is Jade Clarity Courtyard faring?”
“Master Xie’s hand has almost fully healed. He plans to go out to offer incense the day after tomorrow.”
Ever since the scalding incident, Wei Xun had stationed people at Jade Clarity Courtyard to prevent anyone from overstepping and bullying A’Yuan and the others again.
“Understood. Arrange the carriage and horses ahead of time that day, and ensure the attendants are properly prepared. Don’t let them suffer any grievances outside.”
“Yes.”
As Chang Yuan accepted the order, Wei Xun paused his finger-tapping on the desk and pushed the pouch toward him.
“Take this silver to add to the temple’s incense money. No need to let her know.”
A’Yuan had endured so much injustice, yet he couldn’t openly seek revenge for her. Wei Xun felt a pang of guilt in his heart.
But his status prevented him from favoring a concubine over his wife. All he could do was carefully select a more tolerant and dignified principal wife.
…
By the end of March, the capital had warmed up completely.
A blue-cloth carriage slowly departed from the back gate of Peaceful Marquis Estate. The fluttering curtain revealed a woman’s delicate and enchanting face.
A’Yuan gazed greedily at the scenery outside, her almond-shaped eyes regaining their sparkle.
Counting carefully, she realized she hadn’t stepped outside for three whole years.
“Master, the wind is strong. Please lower the curtain.”
A’Yuan had just recovered from her injury, and Chun Tao worried she might catch a chill from the wind, fretting anxiously beside her.
A’Yuan clung to the window curtain, reluctant to let go. “Just a crack, it’s fine.”
Since entering Peaceful Marquis Estate, she had been confined to that small plot of land in Jade Clarity Courtyard, almost forgetting what the outside world looked like. Now that she could go out, she naturally wanted to take in as much as she could.
“Then once we’re out of the city, Master must lower it.”
Chun Tao finally relented, draping a fur-collared cloak over her.
The pure white rabbit fur was soft and pristine, making her delicate face appear even more gentle and charming.
The streets were crowded with pedestrians. With spring in full bloom, the capital had grown lively.
A’Yuan’s eyes darted around, overwhelmed by the sights, her heart feeling a freedom she had never known before.
A passing horse brought a gust of wind, blowing the curtain wider and fully exposing A’Yuan’s face to the outside.
The man on horseback happened to glance back casually, but upon seeing her face, he abruptly tightened the reins.
“A’Yuan, is that you?”
The man wore a lake-blue robe and a jade crown, his features refined and elegant. His hands gripping the reins were slender and well-defined, his face alight with the joy of rediscovery.
The moment A’Yuan saw him, she hurriedly dropped the curtain. Inside the dimly lit carriage, she clasped her hands together, her heart pounding wildly.
She never expected to encounter Zhou Yan here.
The lean youth from her memories had grown into a gentle, jade-like figure. Recalling their last meeting, Zhou Yan had held her hand, his expression tense.
“A’Yuan, wait for me. Don’t leave, alright? I will surely pass the imperial exams and redeem you. Wait for me!”
A’Yuan, of course, had not waited. By then, she was already trapped in this profession, unable to control her own life or death.Zhou Yan, a poor scholar who made a living by composing lyrics and music for Thin Horses, dreaming of redeeming her was nothing but a fantasy.
After that parting, A’Yuan had prepared herself to never see him again in this lifetime. Yet when Zhou Yan suddenly appeared before her, she realized her heart was far from calm.
“Master?”
Chun Tao looked on with confusion in her eyes, as the carriage was surrounded by servants from the marquis’s estate.
A’Yuan took a deep breath, her voice calm and cold as it carried through the curtain.
“You must have mistaken me for someone else, sir. I am not the A’Yuan you speak of.”