Although Wei Xun had allowed A’Yuan to go out, she had to wait until the injury on her hand healed completely.
Rewards from the outer courtyard flowed in like a steady stream, but A’Yuan no longer had the heart to care about them.
It took over half a month for the injury on her hand to heal. Fortunately, it hadn’t damaged the bone; otherwise, even the best ointment wouldn’t have been able to restore it.
During these days of recovery, the Shen family became the subject of a scandal.
On the day of Madam Shen’s birthday banquet, the mistress kept by Master Shen showed up at their doorstep with a child.
Speaking of Master Shen, the Director of the Imperial Academy, he had quite a reputation for integrity in the capital. He and his wife were childhood sweethearts, and although they only had one daughter, Shen Qiuyu, after marriage, he never took a concubine—not even a maidservant in his chambers.
Everyone in the capital envied Madam Shen’s good fortune.
Yet, such a man had long kept a mistress outside, and the son born to her was only a couple of years younger than Shen Qiuyu.
Master Shen’s reputation as a devoted husband was utterly ruined.
In the Shen household, Madam Shen, having suffered such a public humiliation, fell seriously ill.
Shen Qiuyu smashed a set of teacups, her face no longer bearing its usual gentleness. “Why did it have to be today!”
She had just tacitly agreed to the marriage arrangement with Wei Xun and was at the peak of her glory, especially since the Wei family had sent congratulatory gifts today. Yet, it coincided with the mistress’s son causing a scene.
Shen Qiuyu’s face darkened with anger, while the maidservants below trembled on their knees, too afraid to respond.
After such a commotion, the marriage between the young lady and Wei Xun was now hanging in the balance.
Outside the Shen residence, Shen Yaozu rubbed his sore buttocks, grimacing as he spat. “Pah! That old man keeps saying I’m his own son, but when it came to hitting me, he didn’t hold back at all—almost took half my life!”
His personal servant hurriedly supported him, nervously glancing around. “Master, aren’t you afraid the old master might hear? Even if you want to complain, wait until we get home!”
“Why should I be afraid of him?” Shen Yaozu lifted his chin arrogantly. “I’m his only son. Without me, who’s going to take care of him in his old age and carry on the family line?”
Master Shen, a top-three scholar in the Chengwu era, was learned and eloquent, yet he gave his illegitimate son such a vulgar name as “Yaozu” (Bring Glory to Ancestors), clearly hoping he would inherit the family legacy.
The servant pointed at the Shen family’s main gate. “Don’t forget, you haven’t even stepped inside that gate yet.”
Although his master had gained recognition today by causing this scene, he had also angered the old master.
It was true that the Shen family only had his master as the male heir, but the old master was still in his prime and could easily father another son.
Shen Yaozu’s arrogance deflated, and he hung his somewhat foolish head. “Then what should I do?”
The servant patiently advised, “Master, these days, don’t go out and fool around. Stay at home and study diligently. Since you’re the old master’s only son, he’ll naturally be pleased to see you making an effort.”
The mention of studying annoyed Shen Yaozu, but he knew the servant was right. With a resigned wave of his hand, he said, “Fine, I won’t go out. If those people come asking for money again, just send them away.”
Truth be told, the reason he had caused a scene at the Shen residence today was because he had lost heavily at the gambling den a few days earlier and was threatened with having his hand cut off.
Although Shen Yaozu was no good at studying, he secretly dreamed of becoming the top scholar in the imperial examinations. How could he tolerate the idea of losing a hand? That was why he had made a scene at the Shen residence.
…
Marquis Manor of Anning.
Chang Yuan placed a bulging pouch on Wei Xun’s desk. “Master, Wang Lao’er from the gambling den didn’t dare accept it and insisted on returning it. Those who run gambling dens are used to cheating; Shen Yaozu would never realize his losses were premeditated.”
Wei Xun lowered his head and tapped the desk, giving a soft hum. “Keep an eye on the Shen family. Find an opportunity to add fuel to the fire.”
Chang Yuan acknowledged the order, though inwardly he broke into a cold sweat for Shen Qiuyu.
He knew all too well how ruthless his master could be. Of all people to offend, this Lady Shen had to provoke Master Xie. Now she was paying the price.
“How is the Jade Clarity Courtyard faring?”
“Master Xie’s hand has almost fully healed. She plans to go out to offer incense the day after tomorrow.”
Since the scalding incident, Wei Xun had stationed people at the Jade Clarity Courtyard to prevent anyone from daring to bully A’Yuan and the others again.
“Understood. Arrange the carriage and horses ahead of time that day, and ensure the attendants are properly prepared. Don’t let them suffer any grievances outside.”
“Yes.”
As Chang Yuan accepted the order, Wei Xun paused his fingers tapping the desk and pushed the pouch toward him.
“Take this silver to add to the temple’s incense offerings. No need to let her know.”
A’Yuan had endured so much injustice, yet he couldn’t openly seek revenge for her. Wei Xun felt a pang of guilt in his heart.
But his status prevented him from favoring a concubine over his wife. All he could do was carefully select a more magnanimous principal wife.
……
By the end of March, the capital had warmed up completely.
A blue-cloth carriage slowly departed from the back gate of the Marquis Manor, its swaying curtain revealing a woman’s delicate and enchanting face.
A’Yuan gazed greedily at the scenery outside, her almond-shaped eyes regaining their sparkle.
Counting carefully, she realized she hadn’t stepped outside in three years.
“Master, the wind is strong. Please lower the curtain.”
A’Yuan had just recovered from her injury, and Chun Tao worried she might catch a chill from the breeze, fussing over her incessantly.
A’Yuan clung to the curtain, reluctant to let go. “Just a small gap, it’s fine.”
Since entering the Marquis Manor, she had confined herself to the small world of the Jade Clarity Courtyard, nearly forgetting what the outside looked like. Now that she could go out, she naturally wanted to take in as much as she could.
“Then once we leave the city, Master must lower it.”
Chun Tao finally relented, draping a fur-collared cloak over her.
The pure white rabbit fur was soft and pristine, making her delicate face appear even more gentle and charming.
The streets were bustling with pedestrians. With spring in full bloom, the capital had grown lively.
A’Yuan’s eyes darted around, overwhelmed by the sights, her heart feeling a freedom she had never known before.
A passing horse brought a gust of wind, blowing the curtain wider and fully exposing A’Yuan’s face to the outside.
The man on horseback glanced back unintentionally, but upon seeing her face, he abruptly tightened the reins.
“A’Yuan, is that you?”
The man wore a lake-blue robe and a jade crown, his features refined and elegant. His hands gripping the reins were slender and well-defined, his face lit up with the joy of rediscovery.
The moment A’Yuan saw him, she hurriedly dropped the curtain. Inside the dimly lit carriage, she clasped her hands together, her heart pounding wildly.
She never expected to encounter Zhou Yan here.
The thin youth from her memories had grown into a gentle and refined man. Recalling their last meeting, Zhou Yan had held her hand, his expression tense.
“A’Yuan, wait for me. Don’t leave, alright? I will surely pass the imperial exams and redeem you. Wait for me!”
A’Yuan, of course, did not wait. Her entry into this life had long been beyond her control; life and death were no longer in her hands.
Zhou Yan, a poor scholar who made a living by composing lyrics and music for the trained courtesans, dreaming of buying her freedom was nothing short of a fantasy.
After that parting, A’Yuan had prepared herself to never see him again in this lifetime. Yet when Zhou Yan suddenly appeared before her, she realized her heart was far from calm.
“Master?”
Chun Tao looked on with confusion in her eyes, as the surroundings of the carriage were filled with servants from the Marquis Manor.
A’Yuan took a deep breath, her voice calm and cold as it carried through the curtain.
“You must have mistaken me for someone else, sir. I am not the A’Yuan you speak of.”