Zhuang Hui was still unaware that she was about to begin learning martial arts from a female instructor.
She had developed a fever. After dozing off in a daze, she no longer felt cold but instead grew increasingly hot. Then, bruises and scrapes all over her body began to ache, and it even seemed as though her bones hurt as well.
Fortunately, the fever wasn’t too high. She remained conscious throughout, so she stopped Yingtáo from going to Yi’an Hall to report the news.
She guessed it was due to the fright she had experienced earlier that day, coupled with the sudden onset of her menstrual cycle, which lowered her resistance, and the sudden rain and drop in temperature. In any case, all these factors combined had caused her to develop a mild fever, but it likely wasn’t a serious issue.
She thought to herself that drinking plenty of water and having a light dinner might help, and perhaps a good night’s sleep would set her right.
However, as evening approached, before she could even ask Yingtáo to send word to Yi’an Hall that she wouldn’t be joining for dinner, Zhuang Mingxiang finally rose from her afternoon nap and, worried about her, immediately came to Lanyuan.
Zhuang Hui was drifting in and out of consciousness from the fever when she suddenly heard Zhuang Mingxiang’s voice. Her eyes widened instantly.
It wasn’t a dream—it really was Zhuang Mingxiang, sitting by her bedside with a worried expression, leaning in and calling to her: “Hui Hui, how are you feeling? Are you in a lot of pain? Don’t be afraid, Mother has already sent for a doctor. The doctor…”
“Mother, stay away from me!” Zhuang Hui interrupted her, shrinking further toward the inner side of the bed with effort. “I have a fever. If it’s viral, it could infect you!”
This wasn’t the first time Zhuang Hui had said something like this. Six years ago, when Zhuang Mingxiang was pregnant with Zhao Changrui, Zhuang Hui had also had a fever. Back then, she not only said these words but strictly forbade Zhuang Mingxiang from getting close to her.
Another time, when Zhao Jingzhi had a fever, Zhuang Mingxiang had taken care of her tirelessly, so Zhuang Hui took over caring for her younger brother Zhao Changrui and strictly forbade Zhuang Mingxiang from approaching him during those days.
In both instances, neither Zhuang Mingxiang nor Zhao Changrui had caught the illness.
Knowing that Zhuang Hui was right and understanding how strict she was about such matters, Zhuang Mingxiang quickly moved back but said, “This time, it’s probably just from the fright. It won’t pass the illness to me.”
Zhuang Hui: “Better safe than sorry. If it does infect you, as a pregnant woman with lower resistance and many medications off-limits, the impact could be significant.”
Though her face was flushed red from the fever, her eyes still looked clear and alert, and she remained conscious. Zhuang Mingxiang felt slightly reassured and no longer insisted: “Alright, alright, I won’t get close to you.”
But Zhuang Hui insisted: “Just not getting close isn’t enough. You need to leave.”
Zhuang Mingxiang: “…”
Zhuang Hui: “Mother, I’m really fine. I’m old enough to know what I’m doing.”
“Go back and rest. You’re not a doctor, and staying here won’t help. It’ll only make me worry.”
“Don’t worry, once the doctor prescribes medicine, I’ll definitely take it properly.” Zhuang Hui truly dreaded drinking bitter traditional Chinese medicine, but to reassure Zhuang Mingxiang, she had no choice but to take it.
Zhuang Mingxiang was eventually persuaded to stand up. Seeing the satisfied smile on Zhuang Hui’s face, she couldn’t help but mutter: “Such a little person, sometimes I really don’t know which of us is the mother.”
Ever since their journey back to the capital eight years ago, after her divorce, Hui Hui had suddenly matured, accompanying and comforting her.
When she encountered Marquis Changping, who forced marriage upon her, she hadn’t considered remarrying upon returning to the capital. By then, she had been thoroughly disillusioned with men and intended to stay with Hui Hui at her maternal home for the rest of her life, so she had no desire to marry Marquis Changping.
However, Marquis Changping held a high position and wielded great power, and she feared it might affect her family.
It was Hui Hui who persuaded her. Although Marquis Changping had forced the matter, it was only through words. In action, he had not only saved her life but also respected and honored her, never causing the slightest harm to the Zhuang family. Why not give it a try?
Marquis Changping was a widower, and she was a divorced woman. She could actually give both of them a chance.
Unable to avoid it, she steeled herself and gave it a try.
Unexpectedly, she and Marquis Changping not only got along well, but she also experienced for the first time what it felt like to be truly cherished. Even after seven years, she remained deeply happy.
Having a daughter like Hui Hui in this lifetime was truly her blessing.
Zhuang Mingxiang left Zhuang Hui’s room but did not depart immediately.
No matter how sensible and thoughtful her daughter was, she was still a child. After what had happened today, Zhuang Mingxiang couldn’t rest easy.
Only after the physician arrived and confirmed that Zhuang Hui’s fever was likely caused by fright, but was not serious, prescribing three days of medicine and saying she should recover within two or three days, did Zhuang Mingxiang finally feel completely at ease.
She instructed the servants to prepare the medicine and told Yingtáo and Grape to take good care of Zhuang Hui. Once everything was arranged, she bid Zhuang Hui farewell at the door and returned to Yi’an Hall.
Marquis Changping was waiting for her at Yi’an Hall for dinner. Seeing her return so late, he rose anxiously to greet her: “Why did it take so long? Did something happen with Ah Hui?”
Zhuang Mingxiang nodded: “Yes, she has a fever.”
Marquis Changping: “A fever? Is it high? Did you call a physician? What did the physician say?”
Touched by her husband’s concern for their daughter, Zhuang Mingxiang gently patted his hand: “It’s not too high. The physician said it was likely caused by fright and isn’t serious. With the medicine, she should recover in two or three days.”
Marquis Changping: “That’s good, that’s good.”
Helped to her seat, Zhuang Mingxiang pondered and said: “It’s almost mid-October. After this year, Ah Hui will be seventeen. At her age, perhaps I really can’t keep holding onto her any longer. It’s time for her to marry.”
Wasn’t it precisely because Hui Hui was still unmarried that Second Madam Tang harbored malicious intentions today at the Tang Family?
Before, Zhuang Mingxiang had been reluctant herself, so she allowed Zhuang Hui to make various excuses to avoid marriage.
But after today’s incident, she was truly frightened. She couldn’t keep Hui Hui confined at home forever, but if she went out, in the eyes of vulgar people like Old Madam Tang and Second Madam Tang of the Tang Family, Hui Hui would likely be seen as a coveted prize. To curry favor with the marquis’s household or covet Hui Hui’s beauty, they would try to take advantage.
With her daughter’s lifelong happiness at stake, Zhuang Mingxiang knew she had to make a decision.
Marquis Changping initially wanted to say that even if she didn’t marry, he could support her for life—the marquis’s household could certainly afford to care for a young woman.
But recalling what had happened at the Tang Family today, he fell silent. He could support her, but he couldn’t control the malicious gossip from outsiders or the schemes of wicked people.
“Alright,” he agreed. “Should Ah Hui meet Jiang Shen first, or Cui Lang?”
Jiang Shen is indeed good, but he will also take the imperial examinations and enter officialdom in the future. Even as a minor official, he will inevitably have to interact with the wives of other officials.
And if he rises to a higher position in the future, he will still have to face those so-called noblewomen from prominent families.
Zhuang Mingxiang has lived comfortably as the marquis’s wife for the past seven years, but only within the household.
Outside, in the capital, there are many who hold higher positions and wield greater power than Marquis Changping. She has also suffered many grievances due to her background and status as a second wife. It is only because Marquis Changping cherishes her and her mother-in-law is kind that she has not paid much attention to it.
She understands Zhuang Hui’s temperament—outwardly obedient and well-behaved, but in reality, she is stubborn and headstrong.
If she marries a man at the bottom of the official hierarchy, unless he is posted outside the capital as a county magistrate, she might end up offending people in the capital and falling victim to schemes…
First the Pei family, then the Tang family—Zhuang Mingxiang is now somewhat wary of these high-ranking households.
Since Ah Hui also complains that Jiang Shen won’t be able to discuss marriage until after the spring imperial examinations next year, which is too late, why not just forget about him!
“Let’s meet Cui Lang first. Once Hui Hui recovers from her illness, we can set a date around the fourteenth or fifteenth of the month,” Zhuang Mingxiang decided. However, thinking of Jiang Shen, whom she favored more, she didn’t dismiss him outright. “As for Jiang Shen, he still needs to take the spring imperial examinations. If things don’t work out with Cui Lang for Ah Hui, we can meet him later.”
Marquis Changping naturally favored Jiang Shen more, as he was a scholar and already held the title of a provincial graduate. If he could pass the imperial examinations and become a metropolitan graduate next spring, with a little help from the marquis, Zhuang Hui could become a proper official’s wife in the future.
But he thought Zhuang Hui wouldn’t take a liking to Cui Lang, so he didn’t object, thinking it would be good for her to compare the two.
And so, the matter was settled. To let Zhuang Hui know the good news and help her recover faster, Zhuang Mingxiang made a special trip to Lanyuan the next day and told her the news through the door.
She also went to Fushou Hall to explain to Old Madam that Zhuang Hui had a fever and would not be able to pay her respects or continue learning etiquette and manners from Matron Li for the next few days.
In fact, if Matron Li hadn’t been found by Zhao Changting and if Zhao Changting hadn’t insisted on Zhuang Hui learning these things, Zhuang Mingxiang, grateful that he had saved Zhuang Hui twice, would have wanted to stop the lessons altogether.
After all, if she married into the Cui family, another merchant household, she would likely never have the chance to meet the wives and ladies of noble families, so there would be no use for learning those etiquette rules.
Old Madam was too concerned about Zhuang Hui to refuse. Not only did she agree to everything, but she also generously rewarded Zhuang Hui with two sets of jewelry.
As the Houfu Laofuren, and with her own distinguished background, the treasures she brought from her maiden family were things even Zhuang Mingxiang, despite her wealth, couldn’t buy.
Zhuang Hui not only received the good news that she would meet Cui Lang for a matchmaking session around mid-month but was also spared from waking up early to pay respects and learn etiquette. On top of that, she received two sets of jewelry. One could say life couldn’t be better, and indeed, her fever subsided in just three days.
But she was still on her menstrual cycle, and having just recovered from illness, it wasn’t suitable for her to go out. So, she continued to stay in Lanyuan, enjoying her carefree life. Zhao Jingzhi also benefited from this. Taking advantage of Zhao Changting’s busy schedule these past few days and his lack of time to inquire, Old Madam secretly gave Zhao Jingzhi a break as well. As soon as Zhuang Hui’s fever subsided, Zhao Jingzhi slipped into Lanyuan to play with her.
…
On the eleventh day of the tenth month, Zhao Changting had covered his colleague’s shift and completed his own two-day duty, finally welcoming his day off. Coincidentally, Jiang Lai had already found maids and matrons skilled in martial arts, so he took advantage of the morning greetings to bring them to Fushou Hall.
He deliberately arrived a little late, but after waiting and waiting, neither Zhuang Hui nor Zhao Jingzhi appeared.
It was already past the time they should have come to pay their respects. Zhao Changting raised his eyes to look at Old Madam, silently inquiring.
Old Madam sighed inwardly—why couldn’t this child just leave first!
She secretly rolled her eyes at Zhao Changting but had no choice but to explain on their behalf: “That afternoon, Ah Hui developed a fever, and it lasted a full three days. It only subsided yesterday morning, so I told them not to come and pay their respects these past few days.”
Zhao Changting was taken aback—Zhuang Hui had actually fallen ill with a fever?
And it lasted three days and three nights…
Old Madam cautiously observed Zhao Changting’s expression. Seeing that he didn’t look displeased and didn’t ask about Zhao Jingzhi, she continued in an even softer voice: “Even a grown girl like her was frightened to such an extent. I was afraid A Zhi might also be scared, so I simply let them both rest.”
Old Madam was worried that Zhao Changting would be unhappy, but to her surprise, after she finished speaking, he merely nodded and said in his usual tone: “I found a few maids skilled in martial arts. Originally, I intended to let them choose for themselves this morning. Since they aren’t here, why don’t you choose for them, Grandmother?”
Not only was he not angry, but he had also found the martial arts maids!
Old Madam immediately smiled: “Where are they? Let me take a look first, then have them go to Lanyuan and let the two of them choose for themselves. After all, these are the ones who will be following them.”
Zhao Changting had no objections. With a glance at Mama Qiao, she immediately went out to call the people in.
He took the opportunity to first discuss the matter with Old Madam: “This incident has served as a reminder for us. For the safety of the girls in the family, besides having servants skilled in martial arts to protect them, it would be best if they also had some basic means of self-defense. That way, they would be even safer.”
Old Madam was puzzled: “What do you mean?”
Zhao Changting: “I’d like to hire a martial arts instructor for A Zhi.”
“Ah, wouldn’t that… be too exhausting?” Old Madam couldn’t bear to see her granddaughter suffer, but she also felt this could be a good thing. After all, maids and matrons might not always be around, so being able to defend oneself would undoubtedly be safer.
Zhao Changting: “It won’t be. In the future, she can learn some basic martial arts in the morning and etiquette and manners in the afternoon. We don’t expect her to become an expert. Even if she only learns a few flashy moves, she’ll at least be able to run faster when escaping.”
At least she wouldn’t be like Zhuang Hui, who fell ill from fright and even had a fever for three days.
Old Madam also thought of Zhuang Hui and found this reasoning quite sound. She nodded and said: “Alright, then do you have anyone in mind?”
Zhao Changting: “I’d like to hire a female instructor for her, but I haven’t found anyone yet. If I can’t find one, I’ll consider sending a letter to Mobei. My aunt has a small unit of female soldiers under her command.”
Among them, there might be some who were injured and could no longer serve on the battlefield. He could ask if anyone was willing to come.
Old Madam: “Very well, then I’ll leave this matter to you.”
…
On Zhuang Hui’s side, about two quarters of an hour later, Mama Qiao personally brought the people over.
After Old Madam’s selection, three out of the original seven were eliminated, leaving four who were all suitable for employment. Old Madam instructed that Zhuang Hui and Zhao Jingzhi each choose two to keep by their side.
Zhuang Hui originally only wanted one, but then she thought again. When she got married, her mother would surely give her a generous dowry. Although she had been playful and lacked ambition over the years, she had still learned a bit about business from Zhuang Mingxiang. Now, she was managing two small shops under her, and they were doing quite well, so she wouldn’t be short of money after marriage.
Besides, if she could marry Cui Lang, the Cui family was also wealthy, and supporting one more person wouldn’t be a problem.
So she decided to follow Zhao Jingzhi’s example and also take two.
Zhao Jingzhi was young and didn’t know how to choose, and Zhuang Hui actually didn’t know either. But since Old Madam had already screened them before sending them over, all four were certainly good.
After some thought, she simply had the four compete in pairs first, and then the two winners competed again.
This simple and straightforward method determined the first and second places, while the third and fourth didn’t matter. The first place would go to Zhao Jingzhi, and the second place she would keep for herself. As for the remaining two, she and Zhao Jingzhi would each pick one based on their impressions.
The two Zhuang Hui kept were a thirty-year-old woman and a fourteen-year-old girl.
The woman’s surname was Li, and coincidentally, her maiden name was Xiangxing, so Zhuang Hui called her Xing Yi.
The girl, like Yingtáo and Grape before her, had no name. She was the second child in her family, and they only called her Erya. So, after some thought, the uncultured Zhuang Hui decided to name Erya after a fruit, as usual.
With Yingtáo and Grape already taken, and Peach and Persimmon also used, today they had Xing Yi, so Erya was named Xiānglí.