Half a year ago, Zong Xian had been ordered to Jiangnan to investigate the salt-tax case.
The case implicated a great many people and concerned the very lifeblood of the imperial treasury and court. The fact that His Majesty had entrusted this important task to Zong Xian alone showed just how deeply the Emperor favored and relied on him.
He had returned this time to report to His Majesty. If all went as expected, Zong Xian’s standing at court would rise another step.
Zong Xian’s expression remained calm, unmoved by praise or disgrace. “Everything went well.”
Old Madam Zong gazed at her son, whose bearing had become ever more distinguished, her eyes brimming with pride. She nodded again and again. “That’s good. That’s very good.”
Madam Liu spoke at the right moment. “Mother, Second Master[1]A household title identifying a male master by his position in the family’s birth order, rather than by his personal name. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733104_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733104_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); has had a tiring journey. Let him go change and rest first. There’ll be plenty of time to talk after lunch.”
Only then did Old Madam Zong come to herself. With an affectionate, reproachful smile, she said, “I’ve been foolish. I haven’t seen Second Son in so long that I got carried away and kept asking him questions, forgetting how exhausting the journey must have been. Go and rest.”
Zong Xian gave a slight nod, turned, and headed toward the east courtyard, his attendants following close behind.
After he left, Old Madam Zong collected herself, then turned to Madam Liu and asked, “How did it go with the invitation I asked you to send to the Shen family a few days ago?”
The Shen family in the Capital were the Zhongyong Marquisate[2]The noble household or hereditary domain associated with a marquis. The specific privileges of such titles changed with the dynasty. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733104_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733104_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. Their title had been bestowed by the late Emperor. The old marquis had enjoyed great splendor while he was alive, but the family had declined with each generation since.
Though the marquisate had fallen on hard times, they were still a proper family of hereditary nobility, and Consort Shen in the palace was currently in His Majesty’s favor. Their family standing and heritage were a good match for Zong Residence.
Madam Liu replied gently, “Marchioness Shen is very eager to marry her daughter to Second Master. I took a careful look at the young lady, too. She’s dignified in appearance, and her disposition is sweet, gentle, and warm. Perhaps her nature would complement Second Master’s.”
There were few people left in the Zong household. Old Master Zong had passed away several years ago, and Old Madam Zong had borne two sons and a daughter.
Her eldest son, Zong Heng, was Madam Liu’s husband. A brave and seasoned general, he had been sent by the court to guard the border three years ago and had yet to return.
Her younger daughter, Zong Ying, had married half a year earlier.
Only Second Son remained unmarried. He had already reached thirty, yet still had neither wife nor household of his own.
All these years, Old Madam had urged him countless times, but each time he had evaded her by citing his heavy official duties. His standards were exceptionally high, too. Of all the noble young ladies in the Capital, he had found one fault or another with every single one—even rejecting a Commandery Princess[3]A noblewoman bearing a princely title often linked to the imperial family. The exact level and eligibility for this title varied among dynasties. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733104_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733104_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.
In private, Old Madam often sighed, unable to understand. Was he hoping to marry a fairy from heaven?
As her son grew older, Old Madam had long since lost the ability to decide for him. Now she no longer insisted that he take a principal wife[4]The formally recognized primary wife, whose position and household authority were generally above those of concubines in traditional elite households. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733104_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733104_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. She only hoped he would have someone considerate by his side, someone to ease his burdens during his busy days and provide him with a little diversion.
She couldn’t bear the thought of him being out at banquets and on official business, only to have his soul stolen by some fox-spirit[5]In Chinese folklore, fox spirits can take human form and are sometimes portrayed as enchanting or dangerous. Calling someone this can imply that they bewitch or seduce others. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733104_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733104_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); courtesan or a pretty young male entertainer from the pleasure quarter. That was something Old Madam absolutely could not tolerate or accept.
Madam Liu said, “The Shen siblings will be here shortly. Once you’ve seen them for yourself, you can make your own judgment.”
After so many disappointments, Old Madam Zong had little hope this time either. She let out a helpless sigh.
“Even if I think she’s wonderful and am perfectly satisfied with her, what does it matter? In the end, it all depends on what he wants. If he won’t agree, no one can force him…”
She paused, then suddenly came up with an idea. Turning to Madam Liu, she said softly, “Here’s what we’ll do. Once they arrive, quietly arrange for the two of them to meet in some secluded garden. Without their elders there to constrain them, perhaps they’ll be more likely to spark something between them.”
Madam Liu readily agreed and immediately began making arrangements.
Meanwhile, Mingyi had spent the entire morning working in the kitchen. By the time she finished what she was doing, she was exhausted and sweating profusely. She took Yuegui and slipped away to another part of the grounds.
She deliberately avoided the busy main hall and turned toward a quiet little garden, where there was a lotus pond.
The water rippled with a jade-green sheen. When the breeze blew, the air turned cool, carrying the fragrance of lotus blossoms.
At the sight of the clear, sparkling water, Mingyi longed to dive right in and enjoy herself, but could only imagine doing so.
Servants usually passed through this area, but today she hadn’t seen a single person. She didn’t think much of it, assuming they had all gone to wait on the guests in the front hall.
The sight of the pond only made Mingyi itch to get in more.
She looked around once more. When she was sure no one was nearby, she turned to Yuegui and whispered an instruction, then carefully circled behind the artificial hill and crouched at the water’s edge.
She took off her shoes and socks, then slowly dipped her bare feet into the pond.
A cool sensation ran from her toes through her entire body. Mingyi couldn’t help sighing with pleasure. It had been so long since she’d enjoyed such a moment of relaxation.
The maid didn’t try to stop her. Clearly, this wasn’t the first time Mingyi had done something like this.
But they weren’t at Xie Residence. Yuegui stood nearby to keep watch, unable to hide her nervousness.
If one of the household servants or stewards caught the young lady behaving so improperly, they would surely brand her frivolous and wanton.
Mingyi was happily playing with the fish when she suddenly sensed a faint, watching gaze.
The hairs on the back of her neck prickled!
She immediately looked up and scanned the area warily, but apart from Yuegui, she saw no one.
Yuegui hadn’t warned her either, so Mingyi assumed she was imagining things. Still, she didn’t dare carry on. She got up and quickly put on her shoes and socks.
Then the mistress and maid came out from behind the artificial hill and were about to leave when Yuegui suddenly tensed.
“Miss, I think someone’s coming!”
Out of the corner of her eye, Mingyi caught a vague glimpse of several figures and guessed they were guests visiting the household.
She had no desire to meet strangers, but if she went out that way, they would certainly see her.
Then Mingyi noticed a secluded waterside pavilion not far behind her. She quietly tugged Yuegui along and slipped inside.
If she still ran into those people after that, she’d just have to accept it.
Nearby, an old nanny was holding her young lady by the arm and pleading desperately. “Miss, you can’t leave! If you go like this, I won’t know what to tell Madam and First Young Master!”
“What’s there to tell them? If I’d known why my brother was bringing me here, I never would have come—not even if it killed me! You all want to harm me!”
“How can you say we’re trying to harm you?”
The old nanny said urgently, “Madam and First Young Master only have your best interests at heart. They want you to marry a good man. Lord Zong is outstanding in every way, and His Majesty favors him deeply. Who knows? He may yet become Chancellor[6]A very senior civil-government title, associated with directing or advising the imperial administration. The exact office and powers varied by period and may be fictionalized here. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733104_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733104_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, second only to the Emperor. To marry him and become his wife is a blessing countless women could only dream of!”
“Miss, I’m begging you. At least meet him once before you decide!”
Shen Mingzhu wouldn’t listen. “I’ve told you I don’t like him, yet you still forced me to come. Has anyone thought about how I feel?”
“Besides, Xu is my stepmother. How could she possibly have my best interests at heart? You and my brother have all been taken in by her! Get out of my way!”
With that, she wrenched her arm free of the nanny’s grasp, turned, and hurried off.
Seeing this, the nanny hurriedly called to the maid, “What are you standing there for? Go after Miss!”
Too far away to hear what was happening, Mingyi only saw a group of people seem to head in her direction, then hurry off again.
She couldn’t make out who they were.
Mingyi finally relaxed.
She turned and saw fresh fruit and pastries on the table. She hadn’t eaten all morning and was starving, so she sat down to eat, sharing a piece with Yuegui.
The mistress and maid were enjoying their stolen break.
Suddenly, the wind fell still.
A string of footsteps sounded outside. A shadow appeared on the window and drew closer and closer.
Before Mingyi could react, a man was already standing at the doorway with his hands clasped behind his back, his tall figure blocking out the little light that remained.
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