In the West Main Courtyard, the Second Madam was tending to the orchids by the window, smiling from time to time, which drew frequent glances from the Second Master, who was reading nearby.
The Second Madam turned her head and saw that he had already set down his book and was looking at her. She quickly walked over and sat down beside him. Emei followed and poured tea for the two of them on the couch.
The Second Master took a sip of tea and, meeting the Second Madam's sparkling eyes, smiled helplessly. "Go on, say it."
The Second Madam set down her teacup. "I've thought of someone."
The Second Master nodded. "Whose young gentleman?"
"The fourth young gentleman of the Vice Minister of Rites." The Second Madam watched the Second Master, trying to find a trace of approval in his eyes, but he still wore that calm, unrippled expression. Feeling rather bored, she pulled a long face. "Well? What do you think?"
The Second Master took another sip of tea. "Not bad. I recall this Zhang Silang is a supervising censor—a boundless future."
Only then did the Second Madam feel somewhat satisfied. "Exactly. I'm well acquainted with Madam Zhang of the Vice Minister of Rites' household. Madam Zhang is amiable and easy to get along with, and this Zhang Silang also meets General Zhao's criteria for a son-in-law."
These criteria for a son-in-law had been mentioned by Uncle Qian when he met with the Second Master today. However, what he told the Second Master was not as direct as what Old Master Zhao had told Zhao Lijia—he had only tactfully expressed the hope that his daughter could find a gentle, attentive husband from a family of clean reputation, and that would be enough.
After returning from Zhao Lijia's place, the Second Madam had excitedly begun planning what kind of husband would be best for her dear niece. She had sorted through her thoughts and picked out Zhang Silang as a candidate.
"I've met Zhang Silang. He's a gentle and modest young man. General Zhao is right—with Lizhi's temperament, she really does need someone like him."
The Second Madam was eager to try. "I should have a talk with Madam Zhang first."
But the Second Master said, "The Zhang family is prominent, though. An alliance with General Zhao—I'm afraid they may not be willing."
The Second Madam raised an eyebrow. "What, they'd dare to look down on Lizhi?"
The Second Master replied, "That's not it. In terms of family standing, Lijia is certainly not inferior. It's just that the Vice Minister of Rites may be wary of His Majesty's suspicions, so he might have reservations."
At this, the Second Madam suddenly understood. She murmured in disappointment, "That's true. It's just that Zhang Silang really is a good young man—he'd be very well matched with our Lizhi."
Still, the Second Madam hadn't given up hope. "We'll see. How will we know if we don't try?"
"Besides, Chang'an has so many fine young gentlemen. There are plenty who are gentle and attentive. I refuse to believe we can't find one to our satisfaction."
The Second Madam's mood had just brightened when she saw the person walking in through the door, and her face immediately fell.
Lin Zeyan, who had just entered, raised an eyebrow, finding it strange. "What's wrong?"
After her face fell, the Second Madam let out a sigh. Her heart felt stifled. She thought to herself: what use is it that this child is good-looking? He's completely a door built on appearances and a dead-end road when it comes to his mouth.
"What's wrong? You're asking me? The day before yesterday you left your old mother alone at Min Nong Temple to face Madam Cao. Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was?"
Lin Zeyan thought, so that's what this was about. He didn't take it seriously and sat down on his own, tapping the table with his finger to signal Emei to pour tea. But Emei, watching the Second Madam's expression, didn't dare make a move.
The Second Madam shot a glare at the person across from her, then told Emei to pour the tea. Looking at her son's calm face, she asked, "What is it about Cao Qiniang that displeases you so much that you won't even give her a single glance?"
Lin Zeyan took a sip of tea and said, "Nothing about her pleases me."
Second Madam was first startled, then furious. She looked to Second Master as if seeking help, and Second Master gave a snort.
"Not satisfied with any of them? Have you even met the girl before speaking this way?"
Lin Zeyan tapped his fingers lightly against the table. "I haven't met her, so I'm not satisfied with any of them."
Hearing this, Second Madam was nearly furious enough to die. Second Master quickly handed her tea to soothe her. "It's just as well that you haven't met her. Think about it—with that mouth of his, if he did meet her, wouldn't he be ruining the poor girl?"
Second Madam's breath came in short gasps as she said to Lin Zeyan, "Fine, I won't meddle in your marriage affairs anymore. I'm busy anyway—I have no time for your matters."
A slight curve appeared at the corner of Lin Zeyan's mouth. "That's perfect then, Mother. I'll be going now."
"Wait!"
Lin Zeyan stopped.
Second Madam said, "You haven't met your cousin yet, have you? See her tomorrow, and be kind to her—keep that foul temper of yours in check."
Lin Zeyan nodded and left, as if he hadn't given the matter a second thought, which only made Second Madam angrier.
She let out an "Aiyo" and collapsed onto the couch. "That boy is almost of age, and with that foul temper of his, he'll probably be a bachelor for the rest of his life."
Second Master picked up his book again and leisurely turned a page. "As the saying goes, brine curdles tofu—every thing has its match. When will someone come along to bring Third Son down a peg? Now that would be a show worth watching."
Second Madam shot him a sideways glance. "All you ever think about is watching your son get humbled—you just find it amusing, don't you?"
Second Master smiled at her. "Don't you want to see the day Third Son gets taken down a notch?"
Second Madam paused for a moment, then laughed. "Honestly, what kind of father are you?"
Lin Zeyan returned to his Jiaxu Courtyard, unaware of his parents' scheming. His young attendants Qingshu and Qingyan came forward to greet him. "Young Master, would you like to bathe?"
Lin Zeyan unbuttoned his collar and pulled off his indigo round-collared robe. "I'll sleep for a while first. Don't let Amber in. You two go out."
Qingshu and Qingyan closed the door behind them as they left. Qingyan said in a low voice, "Young Master hasn't been sleeping well at night lately, and he has cases to attend to during the day. It must be exhausting."
Qingshu said, "Should I go to Doctor Cen and get some Spirit-Calming Incense?"
Qingyan shook his head. "Don't. If Young Master hasn't asked for it, we shouldn't take matters into our own hands. You know Young Master hates it when people act on their own initiative."
As they were speaking, Qingshi came over, and the two led him away. Qingshu stroked the lynx in his arms. "Young Master is tired. He told us not to let Amber in to disturb him."
Amber, in Qingshi's arms, lazily opened its eyes, then closed them again, as if annoyed that their talking had interrupted its sleep.
Qingshu patted its paw. "Our Lord Amber really lives the easy life."
This Amber was one of two lynxes presented as tribute to His Majesty from the Western Regions at the start of the year. His Majesty had bestowed one upon the Crown Prince and the other upon their young master. Though only three months old, the lynx was already much larger than an ordinary cat, its gray-white fur flecked with black spots. It loved to sleep more than anything, as if it could never get enough.
Qingshu bent down to tease Amber and said softly, "I saw that young miss from Liangzhou today."
At this, both Qingshi and Qingyan grew curious. Qingshu said, "The young miss seems very easy to get along with."
But then he remembered something else and shared it with Qingshi and Qingyan.
Qingyan's face showed disgust. "This Shizi's wife really loves to gossip. Fortunately, the Biao Miss didn't hear it. Otherwise, hearing such talk on her first day here would surely make her uncomfortable."
The three chatted for a while, then went off to attend to their own matters.
The next day, Zhao Lijia met Uncle Qian in the side hall of the front courtyard.
Uncle Qian handed her a small redwood box. "Miss, inside are several Primary Vouchers for Flying Money. If you need them, you can go anytime to the Hexi Memorial Office in Chang'an to withdraw money. The General has deposited funds for you there."
In Daliang, one could deposit money in a different location using Flying Money. At the place of deposit, a Primary Voucher would be issued. Upon reaching the destination, one only needed to present this Primary Voucher at the Chang'an Memorial Office to verify it against the Counter-Voucher, and the money could be withdrawn.
"This much??" Zhao Lijia's mouth fell open when she saw it.
Uncle Qian said with a smile, "Miss, just use it with peace of mind. The General knows what he's doing. You must not shortchange yourself. Chang'an is different from Liangzhou—there are many places to spend money. With ample funds on hand, you can enjoy yourself without worry, no?"
Zhao Lijia's eyes darted away. It seemed Uncle Qian had already seen that her primary purpose in coming to Chang'an was diametrically opposed to her father's.
She touched her nose. "Alright. But before I left, Father already gave me a box."
Uncle Qian handed the redwood box to Han Guang and said, "Keep it safe."
Then he turned back. "Those loose funds are convenient to use, but just in case, Miss, you should still take these Primary Vouchers. If you don't use the money, it won't fly away. With the money in hand, the General can rest easy too."
Zhao Lijia was persuaded by Uncle Qian. "Then, Uncle Qian, when are you leaving?"
"I leave tomorrow."
Zhao Lijia panicked. "So soon?!"
Uncle Qian stroked his beard, a smile spreading across his face. "Is Miss afraid?"
Zhao Lijia's shoulders slumped. "Not exactly…"
Uncle Qian nodded. "Oh, I see. Miss can't bear to part with this old servant."
Hearing Uncle Qian's tone, Zhao Lijia looked up and laughed. "Yes, I'll miss Father and Uncle Qian. Tomorrow you mustn't leave before I come to see you off."
Uncle Qian stood up with a smile and bowed before Zhao Lijia. "This old servant wouldn't dare."
Zhao Lijia smiled, but then she remembered something and rose to approach him. "Uncle Qian, have all those red horses been given out?"
Uncle Qian understood her meaning. "Rest assured, Miss. This old servant selected a top-grade Purple-Haired Brush to give to the Second Young Master."
Zhao Lijia nodded. "That's good."
Before she set out, she hadn't known about her second cousin's misfortune. So the welcome gifts she had prepared for the two lords of the Estate of the Duke of Xian, the Shizi, and the three cousins—including the second cousin—were sturdy red horses bred locally in Liangzhou.
Now that her second cousin had a leg injury, giving a horse would inadvertently reopen old wounds. Fortunately, Uncle Qian had reacted quickly and swapped the gift in time.
Uncle Qian: "As for the gifts for the ladies and young madams, Miss, you should deliver them in person."
Zhao Lijia: "Mm, I'll go deliver them today."
Uncle Qian nodded along. "As for the Wu family, Miss, there's no need for you to go."
Zhao Lizhi was puzzled. "What's the matter?"
Uncle Qian's face darkened. "This morning I brought gifts to visit them and probed the Wu family's attitude. They were neither warm nor cold—not easy people to deal with. The General's estate doesn't lack this connection. Miss, there's no need for you to call on them and risk being treated poorly."
Zhao Lijia's mother's Wu family and the Chang'an Wu family were already beyond the five degrees of mourning kinship. This time, Uncle Qian's visit with gifts was merely out of full propriety.
"I understand."
The Wu family was arrogant in their attitude, and Zhao Lijia was not one to stick her warm face against someone's cold backside. She would automatically distance herself from those who treated her poorly and repay those who treated her well a hundredfold.
Thinking of this, she smiled and said, "Uncle Qian, I'll go ahead to Aunt's place to show her the things I brought back from Liangzhou."
Uncle Qian wanted to say something more, but Zhao Lijia had already fluttered away like a joyful butterfly, waving her wings.