The sisters returned to the sitting room and found Old Master Huo seated in the place of honour. Huo Jingnian sat to his left while two seats remained empty on his right. The rest of the family sat on either side. Old Master Huo saw Qiao Zhiwei and waved to her at once. “Big Qiao Little Qiao come and sit beside me.”
“Thank you Grandfather Huo.” Qiao Zhiwei accepted readily and took the seat on his right with Qiao Zhilan beside her.
“It is our family who has failed you. There is no need to thank me.” His voice carried like a tolling bell. He then turned his gaze upon Huo Jingchen. Jingchen sat beside his father straight and composed saying nothing.
“Father we never meant to cause Zhiwei distress.” Chen Qingmei spoke quickly seeing the look he gave her son. “The Qiao family’s troubles are truly beyond Jingchen’s ability to resolve.”
“This is not for you to speak.” At his rebuke Huo Jingli who had been about to add something fell silent.
“Zhiwei I know all you have done for Jingchen over these years.” Old Master Huo said. “If you wish him to mend his ways I shall never suffer the He family girl to enter this house. After what he has done can you still find it in your heart to forgive him?”
Qiao Zhiwei’s eyes glistened and her tone was gentle. “Grandfather Huo I do not blame Jingchen. Anyone would think twice faced with such a burden. Twelve thousand is no small sum. It would indeed be cruel to ask him to bear such a debt fresh from his studies abroad. Since he has chosen the girl from the He family and is already betrothed let him marry her in peace. I have watched him grow up. After all these years I could not be so small minded as to stand in his way. That would make a mockery of the sisterly regard I have shown him all this time.”
Huo Jingchen was stunned. Was this the same woman who had spoken so sharply and told him to leave only moments before? For the first time he saw her looking so vulnerable and he found himself moved. She had always carried herself with such composure and distance like an elder sister looking down from above. Huo Jingnian lifted his gaze slightly and the corner of his mouth curved almost imperceptibly before he looked away. Father Huo Mother Huo and Huo Jingli all breathed a sigh of relief.
Old Master Huo was deeply touched. “You foolish child he has treated you so badly yet you still make excuses for him.”
Qiao Zhiwei lowered her eyes and said nothing.
“Your father saved my life.” Old Master Huo continued. “And you have given so much of yourself to Jingchen over the years. We owe you a debt we must repay. Had you not waited for him you would have married long ago. You are an excellent girl with every advantage. You could have done far better than him. We have held you back and I shall see that justice is done.”
“Father what of the twelve thousand?” Father Huo spoke up at last.
“With all of us together we shall find a way.” Old Master Huo gave him a sharp look. “Do not turn your back before we have even begun. Zhiwei is a sensible girl. She knows what she is doing.”
“She is still so young.” Father Huo sighed.
“That is enough.” Old Master Huo cut him short.
Qiao Zhiwei spoke quickly and softly. “Grandfather Huo do not be hard on Jingchen or Uncle Huo. If you truly have pity on us then let Jingchen return the thirty thousand I sent him during his studies abroad. It would see us through our most urgent need.”
Old Master Huo stared at Jingchen in disbelief. “You spent thirty thousand of her money? Did you eat gold over there? You are utterly useless and ungrateful. Do you think I am too old to discipline you?” He stepped forward as if to strike him and Qiao Zhiwei and Chen Qingmei held him back.
“Grandfather Huo!”
“Father!” Father Huo turned to his elder son. “Jingnian your grandfather is not as strong as he was. Go and reason with him.”
Huo Jingchen glanced at Huo Jingnian who sat perfectly still and made no move. He felt exasperated. “Grandfather have you ever once considered my feelings?” he said loudly. “I have never been good enough in your eyes. It was you who agreed to the arrangement not I. Why should I be the one to pay?”
Old Master Huo paused. “Why did you not say so then?”
“I was only fifteen. What choice did I have?”
“You were old enough to know right from wrong.” Old Master Huo said. “How can you speak so of Zhiwei and of me?”
Jingchen gave a bitter smile. “Precisely because I was old enough I knew. If one of us had to be sacrificed it would always be me.”
Qiao Zhiwei felt as though pierced by a needle. She had made her calculations all those years ago yet she had cared for him truly. To think he had seen himself as the sacrifice all this time. Old Master Huo stood stricken his face dark with anger.
Then Huo Jingnian rose. He walked slowly over to Jingchen and looked down at him his voice cool and even. “It seems you have felt wronged all this time.”
Huo Jingchen was not intimidated. He stood up and straightened his clothing with deliberate ease. “If you are so grateful then repay the thirty thousand on my behalf.” When Huo Jingnian remained silent he added “Is it that you cannot?”
Huo Jingnian looked at him and gave a faint smile. “Is it?” He knew his brother well. Beneath that meek exterior lay a calculating and ruthless nature patient and resilient.
“Or will you not?”
Huo Jingnian nodded. “I have heard of sons paying their father’s debts. I have never heard of brothers paying each other’s. And we share only half the same blood. I see no sign of sacrifice in you. You have enjoyed every advantage. So too have your mother and sister.” He turned to Chen Qingmei. “You have received many gifts of clothing and jewellery from the Qiao family over the years have you not?”
Chen Qingmei and Huo Jingli had no answer.
Jingchen was unabashed. “You certainly do not spare your own kin do you?” He would make Huo Jingnian bow to him one day. Why should his elder brother always stand above him?
“We are family.” Huo Jingnian said. “Better to speak plainly than pretend. Grandfather owes the Qiao family a great debt. He hoped to strengthen the bond through marriage. Instead he has found you unworthy. Now neither the debt nor the honour can be restored.”
Huo Jingnian paused and then said firmly “Then I shall marry her if Zhiwei will have me.”
Silence fell over the room. Everyone was astonished including Qiao Zhiwei though each felt differently. Old Master Huo looked at him and nodded with great pride. “Well said. I have not raised you in vain.”
Huo Jingli bit her lip and glared at Qiao Zhiwei with resentment. Jingnian belonged to Xia Yin. Xia Yin had been so kind to her and her father was a diplomat. They were perfectly matched. What did this fallen family girl amount to? Her father had said Huo Jingnian was to be the pillar of the family after Grandfather retired.
Chen Qingmei breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it was not her son she was content. She was delighted. If Huo Jingnian married Qiao Zhiwei he could not marry into the Xia family. Huo Qingshan had set his heart on that alliance and Jingchen would have been left forever in his brother’s shadow. This was a wonderful turn of events. Her son need not rush into marriage with He Manman after all. There might yet be hope with the Xia family. Her spirits lifted and she smiled more freely.
Huo Qingshan who had sat motionless sprang to his feet. “Jingnian have you lost your mind?”
A faint smile touched Huo Jingchen’s lips. Qiao Zhilan looked at her sister in joyful disbelief. “Sister!” she whispered longing for her to accept.
Qiao Zhiwei looked about her. Apart from her sister and Grandfather Huo no one truly wished to see her marry Huo Jingnian. She met Huo Jingchen’s eyes and saw amusement there. He was certain she would refuse. Then to his surprise she nodded gently and said “I will.”
Huo Jingchen recovered quickly and stepped forward with a smile. “Congratulations Brother.”
“Thank you.” Huo Jingnian replied.
Old Master Huo resumed his seat. “Then submit the marriage application immediately.”
“I will.” Huo Jingnian sat back and turned to Qiao Zhiwei. She looked up uncertainly. “Jingnian-ge might I speak with you alone?”
“By all means.” Old Master Huo beamed. “You shall have plenty of opportunity to talk privately now.”
Huo Jingnian nodded and led the way to the study. Alone together he sat upright behind the desk hands folded before him looking at her with quiet respect. Qiao Zhiwei felt nervous. “I know you spoke out of respect for me and to save Grandfather’s face. I should have politely refused. But I was selfish. Only give me one year and then you shall be free.”
He was silent for a long moment. She looked up and met his gaze deep and unreadable. She looked away. “Very well.” Huo Jingnian said.
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome.” He continued “I shall telegraph the military district tonight to expedite the paperwork. It should be ready in about five days.”
“There is no need for a grand ceremony.”
“And how else are creditors and He Gang to know you are my wife?”
She felt seen and changed the subject. “What must I prepare?” There was little left to prepare.
“Only come for the photographs tomorrow. Leave everything else to me.” His tone was gentle beneath its calmness and she felt a quiet sense of safety.
“Very well.” She stood up. “If there is nothing else my sister and I should go.”
“I shall see you home.” He rose and walked with them to the hall.
“Will you not stay for dinner?” Old Master Huo asked.
Qiao Zhiwei knew some there would not welcome her presence. “Thank you but we have matters to attend to at home.”
“Of course you must prepare.” He handed her a brown paper bag. “Take this and buy yourselves something new to wear.”
“We have more than enough already.”
“Take it.” He pressed it into her hands. “New clothes for a new beginning.”
“Thank you Grandfather Huo.” She accepted gratefully.
Huo Jingnian walked them to their door. On his return Aunt Liu met him. “Your father is waiting for you in the study.”
“Thank you.” He knocked and entered.
Huo Qingshan looked at him. “What did Zhiwei say to you?”
“We discussed the marriage.”
Huo Qingshan lost his temper. “This is madness. You would throw away your future out of spite? Do you hate me so?”
Huo Jingnian looked at him steadily. “Do you?”
“You have not forgiven me for sending you to your grandmother’s home?”
“No.”
“Good.” Huo Qingshan said. “I shall speak to Zhiwei and explain.”
“Explain what?”
“That you spoke only out of kindness. She is sensible she will understand.”
“Would you have the world think our word means nothing?” Huo Jingnian asked.
Huo Qingshan controlled himself. “You know their circumstances. Even at their best the match was only ever made out of respect for Grandfather. Now they are in debt. We shall settle what is owed. You focus on your career. I have arranged dinner with Aunt Xia and Xia Yin. You will attend.”
“Take Jingchen instead.” Huo Jingnian said. “He knows where his interests lie.”
Huo Qingshan exploded. “You ungrateful boy. You think you are too grown to show respect to your father?”
The door opened and a voice boomed from the doorway. “What are you doing?”