“Our family’s ninety qing of official land granted by the High Ancestor, plus ten qing each from your [maternal] grandmother’s and paternal grandmother’s dowries, ten qing from my own dowry, and another forty qing of sandy land and forty qing of woodland that we purchased — altogether two hundred qing.”
Xie Lanqi spoke in her gentle, calm manner, which soothed Madam Liang. Gradually regaining her composure, Madam Liang began to calculate the family’s landholdings.
“Mother, there are also sixty qing of top-grade dry farmland left by Great-aunt,” Xie Lanqi added.
Madam Liang suddenly remembered. “Yes, right before your great-aunt passed away, she left those fields to you as part of your dowry. Have you been managing those lands all this time?”
Xie Lanqi nodded. She drew up a neat table on paper, clearly listing all the Jing’an Earl Manor’s land according to source and quantity.
“Mother, except for the ninety qing of official land granted by the High Ancestor, we must provide proof for all the rest.”
Madam Liang nodded. “The dowry lists from your [maternal] grandmother, paternal grandmother, great-aunt, and myself are all preserved. The purchased sandy land and woodland all have official deeds.”
When Jing’an Earl Xie Hao walked in, Madam Liang handed him the table Xie Lanqi had prepared.
“Husband, all the land in our manor has been obtained cleanly and honestly. We are fully prepared to stand before His Majesty and confront those slanderous villains who spew venom.”
“Madam…” Jing’an Earl Xie Hao gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
All day long he had visited relatives and friends one after another, but not a single person could help. In desperation he had swallowed his pride and gone to see two old associates of the previous Jing’an Earl — both men of great power and influence. One refused to see him; the other met him but spoke frankly: the matter involved Prince Lu, and they could not assist.
“Even if we can explain the land and the servants, there is still one thing we cannot explain,” he said with a heavy sigh. “Land tax. Apart from the ninety qing of official land, the rest are required by law to pay tax.”
Madam Liang’s face turned deathly pale. “But… we have never paid it. Not just us — hardly any of the duke, marquis, or earl households ever pay. No official has ever come to collect. If the court issues an order, of course we would pay in full.”
The Jing’an Earl Manor was so wealthy — why would they stoop to such petty advantage?
Xie Lanqi thought for a moment. The sixty qing left to her by Great-aunt had been entrusted to reliable managers; she had strictly ordered them to treat the tenants well and to pay the full tax amount.
“Father, Mother, the sixty qing under my management have always paid the land tax in full.”
Madam Liang’s eyes lit up.
Jing’an Earl Xie Hao could not bear to see his wife and daughter so anxious along with him. “Good child, Father will write the memorial of self-defense now. It’s late — go and rest first.”
Xie Lanqi left, half believing and half doubting.
“Husband, is the situation very bad?” Madam Liang knew him too well.
Jing’an Earl Xie Hao held her hand, his voice filled with bitterness. “Madam, your husband is useless.”
All these years he had lived freely and carelessly, forgetting that such freedom had to be protected. When the previous Jing’an Earl was alive, no one dared to bully them because of his prestige. After the old earl passed away, he himself had been unable to hold up the household.
“Even if I write this memorial, it will never reach His Majesty. Unless I am summoned to an audience, I cannot even enter the palace gates.”
……
“Young Master, a letter has arrived from the capital.”
Zhao Jin opened and read the letter. His pupils suddenly contracted.
Why had the impeachment memorial against the Jing’an Earl Manor arrived ahead of schedule?
In his previous life, after Prince Zhou died and Prince Lu grew powerful, his father Marquis Anyuan Zhao Su was imprisoned — only then did the Jing’an Earl Manor lose its title and suffer confiscation.
After finishing his duties, Zhao Jin hurried back to the capital overnight.
As soon as the city gates opened in the morning, he went straight to the Jing’an Earl Manor.
“Father-in-law, Mother-in-law.”
Zhao Jin greeted them with the utmost respect.
The earl and his wife were in a terrible mood. They did not want to respond, yet they could not drive him away. At such a moment, Zhao Jin’s visit could truly be called “sending charcoal in the snow.”
After listening to their account of the situation, Zhao Jin stood up and said, “This son-in-law would like to understand more about the tax payment situation for those sixty qing.”
Madam Liang gave him a suspicious glance, but seeing how proper and upright his manners were, she wondered if she had overthought it.
“Please ask Second Miss to come.”
Soon Xie Lanqi arrived, followed by Die Meng and several maids carrying boxes full of account books.
After exchanging greetings, Xie Lanqi and Zhao Jin stood at opposite ends of the table. In front of her was a tall stack of ledgers.
“What does the Heir need?”
Zhao Jin’s palms were sweating. In truth he did not need to examine anything; he had only found an excuse.
Meeting Xie Lanqi’s clear, bright gaze, Zhao Jin silently cursed himself. He quickly composed his expression. In front of her, he always wanted to behave like a true gentleman — worthy of her gentle and virtuous character.
“Yield per mu exceeds four shi?” Zhao Jin pointed at the ledger in surprise.
During his exile and military service in Liaodong, he had worked the fields himself. He knew that three shi of wheat per mu was already considered high yield — yet the average in Xie Lanqi’s accounts was over four shi, and some fields even reached five shi.
“Yes. Is there a problem?” Xie Lanqi had entrusted the fields to reliable subordinates. She set the rules and general strategy but did not interfere in the actual farming methods.
“No — it is a very good thing.”
Zhao Jin looked at her and gave a slight smile. “I will also need to borrow the steward of the young lady’s estate for a while.”
Xie Lanqi agreed.
Zhao Jin already had a plan in mind. “Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, the disaster facing the earl manor comes from two sources: first, revenge from the Xue family; second, our family’s great wealth has made others envious. As long as we can clearly explain everything before His Majesty, this calamity can be resolved.”
Jing’an Earl Xie Hao understood what Zhao Jin meant. He himself could not enter the palace for an audience, but Zhao Jin was a close attendant of the Emperor — if Zhao Jin spoke on their behalf, the effect would be far greater.
“In that case, we must trouble our worthy nephew.”
Zhao Jin quickly said he did not dare, bowed respectfully, and prepared to leave.
The earl and his wife looked him over once more. His posture was straight and elegant, his appearance handsome and heroic. The former arrogance and recklessness had completely disappeared; he now appeared steady and reliable — a fine young man.
Then they looked at their own second daughter — fresh, lovely, and full of life. Standing together, the two of them made a perfect pair.
Husband and wife exchanged a glance and both sighed quietly. What a pity.
Xie Lanqi’s inner alarm bells rang loudly.
“Heir, please wait.”
Just as Zhao Jin was about to step through the moon gate, Xie Lanqi called after him. She hurried to catch up, her hairpins swaying precariously. When she stopped, she was breathing a little hard.
“Thank you, Heir, for helping us.” Xie Lanqi steadied her breathing, clasped her hands, and curtsied deeply in the wanfu礼.
Zhao Jin hurriedly returned the courtesy.
Xie Lanqi deliberately spoke her thanks slowly and carefully, all the while secretly watching his expression. He showed no sign of impatience even after a long time. Her heart sank. This was bad.
“Cough cough cough…”
A cool breeze blew past, and Xie Lanqi began to cough. Her eyes reddened at the corners. “Please forgive my rudeness. I have been weak and sickly since childhood. The doctors all say I may not live a long life.”
She half-covered her face with a handkerchief. A few teardrops hung on her long lashes.
Zhao Jin’s heart ached fiercely. “Second Miss, rest assured. There are many extraordinary people living quietly among the common folk. Even if I have to search north and south, I will surely find a renowned physician who can cure you.”
“No — there is no need.” Xie Lanqi refused in alarm. This was not the answer she wanted. Her slender neck bowed slightly. “Heir, you are a good person. I cannot drag you down.”
“This marriage has already been noticed by His Majesty; we cannot break the engagement. But please rest assured, Heir — I will remain quietly in the earl manor, eating vegetarian food and chanting sutras. I will never cause the slightest trouble for you or for the Marquis Anyuan household. You need not worry about our manor at all. You may freely marry any lady you like and have children with her.” Xie Lanqi spoke with deep guilt and understanding.
Zhao Jin gazed at her in silence. His dark eyes seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words. “You need not be so sensible, so virtuous. I already know you will be an excellent wife. How could I ever betray you?”
His voice was heavy with pain, as though suppressing some deep, untouchable wound that could not be named.
“Excellent wife?” Xie Lanqi had never imagined she would one day be described with that phrase.
“Once this matter is settled, we will choose an auspicious date. I will surely welcome you into the household with grand ceremony and great honor.”
Xie Lanqi’s vision darkened; she almost fainted. Even after Zhao Jin had walked far away and disappeared from sight, she remained standing there in a daze.
“Second Miss, let’s go back. Your hands are ice-cold.” Die Meng gathered her courage to urge her. She always felt her young mistress was not happy at all.
“Excellent wife…” Xie Lanqi secretly ground her teeth. In a flash of realization, she finally understood why Zhao Jin’s gaze toward her always felt so strange — he was looking at her as if she were a saintly, self-sacrificing “holy mother.”
What on earth had she done to give him such a huge misunderstanding?
From this day forward, she would shatter this mistaken impression of his.
……
That day, the Jing’an Earl Manor received an invitation from the residence of Grand Princess Baotai, inviting Madam Liang to the princess’s mansion to enjoy a theatrical performance.
Grand Princess Baotai was the youngest daughter of the High Ancestor. When she was born, the present Emperor Zhaowu was already old enough to enter the palace for studies. This princess was young in age but very high in seniority. Especially in recent years, as the other princesses of the High Ancestor’s generation had passed away one by one, only she remained. Emperor Zhaowu treated this last surviving aunt with great care — he ordered the princess’s residence repaired and ennobled each of her sons with official positions.
This Grand Princess Baotai’s current favor and high status were largely earned through seniority and long years of endurance. She was also a clever woman — she never involved herself in matters she should not touch, preferring to shut her doors and enjoy her own life of luxury and ease.
Her one great passion was opera. Not only did she keep her own theater troupe in the princess’s residence, but whenever a famous troupe or popular actor appeared in the capital, she would insist on inviting them to perform at her mansion. She would also invite a group of close lady friends to come and watch.
Although the ladies of various noble houses lived in fine clothes and rich food, very few could live as freely and comfortably as Grand Princess Baotai. Stealing a day or two of leisure to enjoy a deeply moving, romantic opera — everyone was happy to do so.
Over time, an invitation from Grand Princess Baotai had quietly become a symbol of status among the women of the inner courts of the nobility and imperial relatives.
“Why would the Grand Princess send an invitation to our family?”
Madam Liang was puzzled. In all these years, the Jing’an Earl Manor had never once received an invitation from Grand Princess Baotai.
“Qier, you will come with me.”
No matter the reason, Madam Liang was determined to attend the princess’s opera banquet. Although Zhao Jin was working hard to help them, the emperor had not yet summoned anyone, and the shadow still hung over the Jing’an Earl Manor. At a time like this, Madam Liang had to maintain an appearance of calm dignity and show that the earl manor was safe and sound.
……
The residence of Grand Princess Baotai covered a vast area, surrounded by high walls that took up an entire street. Carved beams and painted rafters, winding corridors — in terms of sheer opulence and grandeur, it surpassed even Prince Zhou’s mansion.
In the garden at the back of the princess’s residence stood a two-story theater building. The theater was built in magnificent style: pillars, doors, windows, and screens were all adorned with colorful paintings, some even gilded and silvered, dazzling and brilliant.
Directly opposite the theater building was a dedicated viewing platform constructed especially for watching performances. It had seats arranged inside. Some operas were very long, taking two or three days to finish, so the viewing platform also included areas for dining and resting.
Grand Princess Baotai sat in the center seat. The other madams and young ladies were seated behind her according to their rank and seniority.
“Jing’an Earl Madam and Second Miss have arrived.”
To uphold the dignity of the Jing’an Earl Manor, Madam Liang had taken great care with her attire and jewelry. She wore a silk-embroidered gown and skirt, her hair adorned with pearls and jewels. Though she was middle-aged, her appearance and figure were extremely well preserved — she exuded richness and elegance without any trace of vulgarity.
Xie Lanqi’s outfit had also been arranged by Madam Liang. Her thick, jet-black hair was styled into a lily bun, with a long braid hanging down to her waist. The hair ornaments were few but each one exquisite and precious.
As she moved, the pearl tassels dangling from her phoenix hairpin swayed rhythmically against her fair, tender cheeks — lively and charming beyond words.
As soon as mother and daughter appeared, they instantly became the focus of everyone’s attention.
Madam Liang kept her gaze straight ahead and led Xie Lanqi to Grand Princess Baotai, where they curtsied and paid their respects.
Grand Princess Baotai smiled warmly and told them to rise. Her eyes lingered on Xie Lanqi for a moment. Then, laughing, she took Xie Lanqi’s hand and praised, “What a beautiful girl — like a flower. Even this old woman feels delighted just looking at you.”
A maid promptly brought forward a wooden box. Grand Princess Baotai took out a gold bracelet inlaid with red rubies from inside and, as a meeting gift, slipped it onto Xie Lanqi’s wrist.
No one had expected the Grand Princess to show such special favor to the second miss of the Jing’an Earl Manor. In an instant, glances flew in all directions.
“Great-aunt, your old habit of favoring the new and neglecting the old is acting up again. You only give gifts to the new little sister — what about us old ones?” Prince Zhou’s consort said in mock complaint, laughing.
“You yourself called her the new little sister. I have already given gifts to you old ones,” Grand Princess Baotai replied with a smile.
With that one sentence, Prince Zhou’s consort had tactfully eased Xie Lanqi out of the awkward spotlight. Xie Lanqi looked at her and curved her eyes in a gentle smile.
After paying respects to Grand Princess Baotai, Xie Lanqi followed Madam Liang as a maid led them to their seats.
Xie Lanqi keenly noticed that after Prince Zhou’s consort helped her out of the situation, most of the scrutinizing gazes withdrew — except for one pair of eyes that continued to stare fixedly at her.
She frowned and looked directly over, forcing the other person to hurriedly drop her gaze in panic.
“Miss, that is Third Miss of the Xia family,” Die Meng whispered, having found out the identity. Her face showed clear displeasure.
Madam Liang also heard and her eyelid twitched. “Qier, ignore her.”
Suddenly, Xie Lanqi had a flash of understanding. This was the very girl rumored to be the one Zhao Jin truly cared for in his heart.