“Master… pray walk slowly…” At the sound of Chang Song’s voice, Song Qingqing’s heart leaped.
Brother Yanshan has come!
She bowed her head shyly, her heart pounding wildly.
“Madam Concubine… pray step aside. The Heir is overcome with wine. I must help him to the bed.”
Song Qingqing, veiled and blind, stood trembling, unsure where to go. Her maid Shishu guided her gently to one side.
A heavy, suffocating scent of wine filled the room. Song Qingqing felt her stomach turn and tears pricked her eyes.
“Madam Concubine,” Chang Song said. “Madam Heir bade me place him in your care. I take my leave.”
Silence fell.
Song Qingqing stood in peach‑pink robes, beneath a crimson veil embroidered with mandarin ducks striking, yet somehow painfully out of place.
“Madam Concubine… what shall we do?”
Song Qingqing tore the veil away. Gu Yanshan lay utterly insensible with drink. He wore no wedding robes of scarlet only a red sash tied loosely about his waist. His ceremonial cap hung crooked and askew.
This was not how it was meant to be. No procession, no bowing to Heaven and Earth, no gentle words. Only a drunken husband and she must tend him. He had not even looked at her had not seen her rising at dawn to prepare herself for this day.
“Help me disrobe,” Song Qingqing commanded. She swallowed her tears. I must not weep. I have married the man I love. Better days shall come.
Her maids removed her makeup, headdress, and robes. She dared not touch the pastries Gu Yanshan had ordered sent her stomach ached with hunger.
“Madam Concubine,” another maid Shihua entered. “Dinner has been sent from the kitchen by order of Madam Heir.”
Gu Yanshan slept until nightfall. He woke slowly, staring bewildered at the room. “Where am I?”
“Brother Yanshan…”
He looked up. Song Qingqing stood before him, eyes glistening with tears. “You have awakened at last.”
“Qingqing… bring me tea.” His head throbbed with every heartbeat. He cursed those who had plied him with wine utterly without respect.
Song Qingqing had five brothers but as she was only a concubine, they could not attend and shield their brother‑in‑Law from the drinking.
Gu Yanshan drank the tea, his nausea fading and looked closely at her. She stood stripped of all finery, wearing only a simple pink silk gown that clung softly to her slender waist and lovely form. Her face was fresh and unadorned, her hair falling loose and dark beautiful as a lotus rising from clear water.
Gu Yanshan gazed at her and found himself remembering the first time he had seen Zhou Du. She too had stood thus robed simply, hair loose, carrying an air of quiet, unhurried detachment. Grace and pride in every motion, yet her face so pure and distant one might mistake her for a goddess.
“Brother Yanshan… what are you thinking?” Song Qingqing blushed, believing him captivated by her beauty.
Gu Yanshan shook the thought away, angry at himself. This is my wedding night with Qingqing. Why do I think of her?
“We are wed,” he said, reaching for her hand. “Why still call me Brother Yanshan?”
Song Qingqing placed her hand timidly in his and was drawn down onto the bed.
“Hus… band…”
Shishu had stepped quietly outside the moment he woke. Before long, soft, breathless sounds drifted through the room. She was young and innocent, yet she knew well enough what was taking place.
At last after all these years Madam Concubine had gotten her heart’s desire. A concubine she might be but the Heir cherished her. And once she bore a child… her place in this house would be unshakeable.
When Song Qingqing woke at dawn, she found Gu Yanshan sleeping beside her strong, handsome, and serene. She recalled the night, shifted her aching limbs, and blushed anew.
“What troubles you?” Gu Yanshan woke and asked.
Song Qingqing spoke softly. “Husband… I must go and pay my respects to the Principal Wife with tea.”
Gu Yanshan glanced toward the window. “You are weary from last night. It is still early. Sleep a little longer.”
Song Qingqing’s heart swelled. He cares for me. “I know you are kind, Husband but I must not keep Madam Heir waiting. I would not bring shame upon you through disrespect.”
Gu Yanshan paused, then explained. “That is not what I meant. Zhou Du does not rise at this hour. You would stand waiting in the cold for nothing.”
Song Qingqing’s smile faded. Her face turned pale. “How… how do you know? Do you share a bed with her?”
Had he not sworn never to touch her? Her voice trembled with rising tears.
Gu Yanshan hurried to reassure her. “Share a bed? Never! I sleep in the study whenever I am in the Main Courtyard! I know her habits only because she never joins us for morning tea!”
“Qingqing… you know that I gave myself to you pure and untouched.”
Song Qingqing blushed and struck him playfully. “How am I to know? You say so but how am I to be certain?”
Gu Yanshan caught her hand and smiled mischievously. “You are wed to me now. What is to be done?”
“You are terrible!”
They laughed and teased together, drawing close again until Gu Yanshan pulled himself away. “Enough. We must rise. You must pay respects to Father… and to Zhou Du.”
The Marquis sat in the place of honor. Zhou Du sat calmly at his right hand. While Zhou Du appeared entirely at ease, the Marquis shifted uneasily, glancing toward her again and again guilt written plain upon his face.
“Father… is something amiss?” Zhou Du set down her teacup. One could not be stared at so intently and remain unaware.
The Marquis sighed. “Du’er… you are the only true daughter‑in‑Law I acknowledge. That boy Yanshan is blind. One day… he shall know his loss.”
Zhou Du fell silent. I know my worth, she thought. But why does it matter whether Gu Yanshan sees it or not?
The Marquis imagined her jealous hurt and unhappy. She did not understand. This marriage had been forced upon her. Gu Yanshan had never once shown her kindness. She was no masochist why should she care what he thought?
She smiled gently and nodded. “Father… Madam Song is also your daughter‑in‑Law. Any child she bears shall be your grandchild. Pray speak no more such words. If the Heir were to hear… would it not grieve him and divide your house?”
The Marquis stroked his beard and sighed. “You are goodness itself, Du’er. You are too good for this ungrateful boy.”
He looked at her with deepening remorse. A fairy had descended upon this house and found only tribulation.