Nanny Cui immediately spoke up and sent Huayan away, so she wouldn’t remain there and offend her master.
Huayan met Nanny Cui’s displeased gaze and realized what was expected of her. She quickly schooled her expression, pressed her lips together, and lowered her head as she left.
Old Madam Zong hadn’t noticed any of this. She had just been discussing court affairs with Zong Xian, and now that Mingyi had arrived, it would hardly be appropriate to continue.
Instead, she said earnestly, “You now hold a second-rank post and have earned His Majesty’s favor, but a tree that stands tall catches the wind. Plenty of people must envy you. Open attacks are easy to avoid, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against. When you’re away from home, be careful in everything you do.”
Zong Xian replied calmly, “Your son understands.”
Mingyi listened quietly. Their conversation reminded her of what had happened two days earlier, when Zong Xian had led soldiers to confiscate the Zhao family’s property.
The man whose household had been confiscated was the Minister of Revenue, and he was deeply implicated in the Salt Tax Case that Zong Xian had left the capital to investigate six months ago.
The affair had caused a great uproar, chiefly because Zong Xian had brought his troops to Zhao Residence in broad daylight. The residence stood beside a busy market, and no one had been prepared for it.
The Emperor had ordered the Minister’s immediate execution. The sentence was carried out at the entrance to Zhao Residence, and Zong Xian had personally cut off the Minister of Revenue’s head.
People said that even now, blood sprayed from Lord Zhao’s severed head still stained the steps outside Zhao Residence.
Afterward, Zong Xian was promoted and appointed Minister of the Six Ministries[1]The traditional central ministries were commonly Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice, and Works. Their organization and titles varied by dynasty. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733111_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733111_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, a post equal in rank to Deputy Chancellor[2]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_3733111_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733111_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); and one that brought him close to the head of all officials, Wei Zhao.
The political system in the Dayong Dynasty was in disarray, and factional strife was fierce. There was both the chancellorship and the newly established Grand Secretariat[3]A central government body associated with drafting, reviewing, or coordinating imperial affairs; its powers varied across Chinese dynasties. The novel does not establish an exact historical system. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733111_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733111_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, a situation that had arisen largely because the Empress Dowager[4]An honorific for a senior imperial widow or the mother of an emperor, who might wield considerable influence in palace politics. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733111_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733111_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); and the Emperor were locked in a struggle for power, neither willing to yield.
They were not mother and son by birth. The Emperor had been very young when he ascended the throne, and the Empress Dowager had controlled the government. Wei Zhao was a man she had personally raised to power and represented the conservative faction.
As the Emperor grew older, his ambitions grew with him. He was no longer content to be a puppet ruler.
Three years ago, he had established the Grand Secretariat to oppose the Empress Dowager, gradually raising its standing and diminishing Wei Zhao’s power.
And Zong Xian was the sharpest blade in the Emperor’s hand.
Zong Xian had investigated the Salt Tax Case with ruthless resolve, bringing down countless high-ranking officials. Wei Zhao had suffered enormous losses and would certainly not let the matter rest.
Old Madam Zong’s worries were well founded. Zong Xian had become too prominent; at this moment, Wei Zhao must be longing to get rid of him as quickly as possible.
Mingyi sensed a looming danger. She thought, I need to make arrangements soon…
Old Madam Zong leaned against the headboard and wearily rubbed her brow, saying to Zong Xian, “Enough. You’re busy with affairs at court, and you’ve had to listen to this old woman ramble on. You must be tired. Go and rest.”
But Zong Xian did not leave. “I’ve been so occupied with official duties lately that I haven’t been able to attend to you while you’ve been unwell. As your son, I feel deeply ashamed. I have nothing urgent to attend to just now, so I’ll stay with you a little longer. I can leave after you’ve gone to rest.”
Nanny Cui smiled. “Second Master is so filial, Old Madam. You should let him stay.”
“Very well, then. Lass, come over and massage my head.”
Mingyi immediately rose and went to her.
A mother was naturally pleased to have a devoted son.
But then Old Madam Zong thought of something and sighed silently. He was filial, certainly, but he was also far too set in his ways. There was no point forcing a woman he didn’t like on him.
Not long ago, she had specially assigned Huayan to serve at Pine Crane Garden.
He had agreed readily enough, giving her face, but all this time had passed and he hadn’t so much as touched that Lass’s hair, let alone shown the slightest sign of liking her.
After a moment’s thought, the Old Madam came straight to the point. “Isn’t my lingering illness all because I’m worried about you? If you want to show your filial devotion, it’s simple: take a Lass as a bedchamber maid to serve you, and I’ll recover completely.”
Zong Xian said nothing.
Mingyi understood. No wonder Huayan had looked so aggrieved earlier. It turned out Zong Xian hadn’t taken a liking to her.
Old Madam Zong’s eyes shifted as an idea came to her. “At your age, even men without concubines[5]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_3733111_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733111_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); have several Lasses serving as bedchamber maids. Just take one for appearances’ sake. It would put Shen Mingzhu at ease and let her know there’s nothing wrong with you. Besides, once your principal wife[6]The formally recognized primary wife, whose position and household authority were generally above those of concubines in traditional elite households. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733111_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733111_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); enters the household, the bedchamber maid can be sent away.”
The remark was so blunt that even Mingyi understood it. She felt her cheeks grow warm and did her best to make herself inconspicuous.
After Old Madam had gone that far, if Zong Xian refused, wouldn’t he be indirectly admitting that he was incapable in that regard?
After a short pause, Zong Xian’s clear, mellow voice came from outside. “Then, Mother, who do you think would be suitable?”
There was a chance!
After considering it, Old Madam Zong still thought Huayan was the best choice, so she asked tentatively, “That Lass, Huayan, seems quite suitable. What do you think?”
Zong Xian took a sip of tea. “I’ll leave it to you, Mother.”
At last, he had agreed!
Old Madam Zong’s face lit up. If only she’d brought up Shen Mingzhu from the very beginning!
It was supposedly just for show, but with a beautiful woman warming his bed every night, how could Zong Xian, a healthy man, possibly resist?
No man was free of lust. Once he had had a taste, she wouldn’t need to worry about him anymore.
Mingyi, meanwhile, thought it was a pity Huayan wasn’t there to hear the good news for herself. She would surely be overjoyed.
Mingyi didn’t yet know that Huayan was waiting outside, looking for a chance to make trouble for her.
Old Madam Zong was pleased and had regained some energy. She still had more to discuss with Zong Xian, so she told Mingyi to return first.
Mingyi obediently withdrew. As she passed around the screen, she kept her eyes straight ahead and failed to notice the man’s gaze following her.
Zong Xian sat in a grand armchair, his elbow resting loosely on the armrest. Unconsciously, he turned the jadeite thumb ring on his left hand with his right.
He was immaculate, every inch of him exuding nobility. There were faint shadows beneath his eyes, lending him a gloomy, cold air at odds with his usual bearing.
When Chang Yu entered, he caught sight of his master’s gesture and felt a slight chill in his heart.
His master made that small movement only when he was thinking of killing someone or dwelling on something.
Since Second Master was in Old Madam’s room, it was unlikely to be the former. Steward Chang immediately thought of the Cousin he had just encountered and understood at once.
“What is it?” Zong Xian had already withdrawn his gaze without showing it and looked up at the newcomer.
Steward Chang quickly composed himself and stepped forward to whisper something in his ear.
Zong Xian then rose and took his leave of Old Madam.
Elsewhere,
Mingyi was stopped in the corridor by Huayan.
Huayan clearly meant trouble. She opened with a sneer. “What do you take yourself for, thinking you can play the field at Zong Residence? Want to see what happens if I tell everyone what you’ve been up to?”
Mingyi looked bewildered. Before she could reply, Yuegui had already rushed in front of her and shouted at Huayan,
“What nonsense are you spouting? Say one more word and I’ll tear your mouth apart!”
They were both servants, and Yuegui wasn’t about to let Huayan push her around.
Huayan gave a cold laugh, flung a handkerchief at them, and glared viciously at Mingyi. “I found this in Second Master’s room! Take a good look—is it yours?”
References[+]