Zong Xian had changed into a dark blue robe patterned with subtle designs. He strode in and stopped in front of Mingyi.
His gaze seemed to flick briefly over her feet.
Overawed by his presence, Mingyi stiffened all over, her mind going blank. Only after a long moment did she spring to her feet.
“M-My Lord…”
Though she had lived at Zong Residence for half a year without getting the chance to meet him, Mingyi had seen him six years ago.
By then, he was already the exalted Military Governor[1]A title for a senior military commander or regional military authority; its jurisdiction is not fixed across dynasties or fictional court systems. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733105_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733105_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, riding away in a cloud of dust as the city’s people lined the streets to welcome him.
She, meanwhile, had been a helpless orphan, wandering from place to place amid the chaos of war, pressed at the very back of the crowd.
Small and insignificant, she was no more than a speck of dust beneath his boots.
Later, she had heard many stories about him and learned what a formidable man he was. It matched the way the book described him.
All in all, Mingyi felt a measure of respect for Zong Xian. After all, without him, she might already have died beneath the rebel army’s blades.
So now that she was face-to-face with him, it was only natural that she felt awkward and hardly dared look him in the eye.
Behind her, Yuegui was completely stunned.
Hearing Mingyi address him as “My Lord,” Zong Xian assumed she was the Shen family’s daughter.
When he saw her eyes lowered, Zong Xian reached out, pinched her small chin, and lifted her face, studying her with a faintly appraising look.
The man’s fingertips were rough and cool. Mingyi was taken aback by his bold, flirtatious gesture, and stared at him in a daze.
By the time she reacted, Zong Xian had already let go. He then pressed a hand to her shoulder, indicating that she should sit down.
Mingyi could only yield to his pressure and sit back down. Confused, she asked, “My Lord, what is this about?”
Zong Xian spoke his first words to her: “How old are you?” His tone was like that of someone interrogating a prisoner.
Mingyi answered honestly without thinking. “I’m seventeen this year.”
Zong Xian understood. At that age, no wonder she behaved so flightily and frivolously. Her family had probably spoiled her too much.
No wonder the Shen family had fallen into decline, if this was how they brought up their children.
With a single glance, Zong Xian had judged that the woman before him was not suited to be a principal wife[2]The formally recognized primary wife, whose position and household authority were generally above those of concubines in traditional elite households. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733105_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733105_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.
But she would do very well as a concubine[3]A secondary partner with lower status than a principal wife in a traditional household. The standing of concubines and bedchamber servants could differ by period and household. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733105_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733105_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.
Zong Xian asked his second question: “Is it good?”
Mingyi paused, then realized he meant the pastries on the table.
“Of course they’re good.” She had already eaten half a plate. How could she say otherwise?
Zong Xian asked nothing more, seemingly uninterested in learning anything else about her.
He still had to go to the palace. Coming here to see her at all was already a courtesy to Madam Liu and the Old Madam, so he said no more and took his leave.
Mingyi watched the corner of his robe disappear through the doorway. She found the whole thing rather strange, but didn’t give it much thought.
The front hall.
Madam Shen and Old Madam Zong were chatting and exchanging polite pleasantries.
Just then, a maid from Shen Residence entered with her head bowed and went to whisper a few words to Madam Shen’s senior maid.
The senior maid’s expression changed. She bent down and whispered a few words to Madam Shen.
The smile on Madam Shen’s face froze at once. She nearly fainted!
That Lass Shen Mingzhu had actually run off!
How utterly improper!
Madam Shen knew she had to catch the Lass before Old Madam Zong found out. She quickly gave her eldest son a subtle look.
Seeing Madam Shen’s troubled expression, First Young Master Shen immediately realized something had happened. Without needing to think, he knew it must have something to do with his unruly Little Sister!
He made an excuse to leave the table. Only once outside did he hear from the servants that Shen Mingzhu had run off.
Murong Zhi was so angry his face turned livid. “What a ridiculous stunt! Quickly send two nimble-footed young servants after her. Tell her that if she doesn’t come back, she can forget about having me as her elder brother!”
Shen Mingzhu did come back before the banquet began. Her eyes were slightly red and swollen, and she looked aggrieved and unwilling.
Madam Shen was so furious with her that it showed plainly on her face. What would the people of Zong Residence think?
Old Madam Zong said nothing. She already knew what Shen Mingzhu had done.
After all, it had happened right under Old Madam Zong’s nose. How could she possibly have failed to notice? She had merely chosen not to make an issue of it, for the sake of appearances, treating Shen Mingzhu as a young girl who didn’t know better.
Her Second Son was an exceptional man. He could even marry a Commandery Princess[4]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_3733105_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733105_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. The Shen family had long since fallen into decline—what did they amount to, that they should presume to be choosy about her Second Son?
There was no need to discuss this marriage any further!
Old Madam Zong was so upset she couldn’t bring herself to smile. Before the banquet began, she made an excuse that she was feeling unwell and had the servants help her back to her rooms to rest.
Madam Liu was left to receive the guests.
Seeing Old Madam Zong’s sudden change in attitude, Madam Shen understood everything. She resented Shen Mingzhu bitterly.
Well, that was that—they could accept not becoming in-laws, but now Shen Mingzhu had also offended Old Madam Zong. What a wretched mess!
Madam Shen was too embarrassed to stay. She didn’t even eat. After apologizing profusely, she gathered her children and slunk out of Zong Residence.
Who would have guessed?
Just outside the main gate, a steward-looking man suddenly called for them to stop.
He was one of Zong Xian’s men, known in the residence as Chang Yu.
Chang Yu wore a broad smile and carried two bulging packages of brown paper, the faint aroma of pastries wafting from their seams.
Murong Zhi couldn’t help asking, “What are these?”
Steward Chang smiled. “Second Master[5]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_3733105_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733105_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); saw that Miss Shen liked the pastries at the residence, so he specifically told the kitchen to make some extra. They’ve just come out of the oven, so they’re still warm.”
Shen Mingzhu had already climbed into the carriage to sulk.
Madam Shen and her eldest son exchanged a glance. They saw the same delighted surprise in each other’s eyes.
They hadn’t expected that, despite Lass Mingzhu’s rudeness, she could still win that man’s favor. There was still hope!
…
Old Madam Zong had already decided not to consider the Shen family any further, but then a servant told her that Zong Xian had specifically ordered pastries to be sent to Miss Shen.
That made her reconsider.
No one knew a son better than his mother. She understood Zong Xian all too well. He usually cared only about official business and affairs of state, and had no interest in women at all. This behavior was highly unusual.
So be it. It was rare for a woman to suit her Second Son’s tastes. Even though she had some misgivings about that Lass, she could bear with it. She could always teach her herself.
Zong Xian returned from the palace that evening. Old Madam Zong called him to her side, wanting to learn his true opinion.
She asked tentatively, “Did you meet Shen Mingzhu today?”
Zong Xian sat down on a pearwood chair beside her, gathering his robe as he did. Knowing what the Old Madam wanted to ask, he replied, “I did. I think she’s quite acceptable.”
“Quite acceptable” was already high praise from him.
At that, Old Madam Zong’s expression turned a little complicated.
Though she had accepted the idea of Shen Mingzhu as her daughter-in-law, the girl had left such a poor impression on her that she sincerely felt she wasn’t worthy of being Zong Xian’s principal wife.
Besides, the Shen family—the marquisate[6]The noble household or hereditary domain associated with a marquis. The specific privileges of such titles changed with the dynasty. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733105_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733105_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); had long since declined and was only keeping up appearances on the strength of its old title. In the past, Old Madam Zong would never have considered the Shen family worthy.
Seeing that the Old Madam didn’t seem very pleased, Zong Xian asked, “Mother, do you dislike her?”
“It’s not that I dislike her…” Old Madam Zong came back to herself and said tactfully, “She just doesn’t seem very composed. She lacks the bearing and grace expected of the mistress of a great household, and seems a little petty.”
Zong Xian understood and said calmly, “Mother is quite right. I never intended to marry her as my principal wife.”
Old Madam Zong was taken aback for a moment, then understood what he meant. Her face showed her surprise.
“You mean to take her as a concubine? How could that be? She’s the legitimate eldest daughter of the Zhongyong Marquisate. The Shen family would never agree!”
Old Madam Zong said the Shen family would never agree, not that she thought the arrangement improper. Her words already showed that she half approved.
“Just discuss it with the Shen family, Mother. If they refuse, then let it go.”
With that, Zong Xian left, and Old Madam Zong fell into thought.
References[+]