Chapter 80: Resembles Wang Ruo

She left the courtyard of Madam Huayan.

Madam Pan hurried back to the courtyard of the Fifth Branch.

She took a deep breath, her manner strikingly like Wang Ruo’s.

What she had just witnessed matched the satisfaction Wang Ruo felt when she crushed Lin Qinshuang.

Her face beamed with triumph as she leaned on her personal maid’s arm and said:

“I’ve been married into the Huayan family for decades, but today is the first time I’ve truly held my head high. Good, good—bring me a warm pot of lamb wine, I want to celebrate.”

The maid smiled as she replied:

“Madam, it seems our Jiong’s taste is still excellent—he hasn’t even married her yet, and already you’ve had your revenge.”

“That’s true, that’s true. In a few days, I’ll prepare a generous gift and go to the Xu family myself to meet my future daughter-in-law.”

Huayan Jiong, upon receiving his mother’s orders, was thrilled to be sent to the Xu household.

His horse, sensing its master’s joy, trotted lightly through the cool evening breeze.

Candles lined both sides of the street, so the path was far from dark.

When he arrived at the Xu family’s main gate, he was turned away.

No one, from any household, was allowed entry.

An Xu steward stood at the gate, bowing respectfully and explaining that no imperial edict had yet arrived, so they could not receive guests.

This left Huayan Jiong disappointed—he had hoped to see Anmei tonight.

Servants sent by other families—Qi, Liang, Sun, and others—were also barred from entering.

They could only return home and report the truth.

In the palace, upon hearing the report from the Imperial City Office, the Emperor nodded and murmured to himself: “A loyal and steadfast one.”

The events in the Empress’s palace were known to few—only the imperial physicians, the Xu mother and son, and a handful of palace servants.

As the Emperor reviewed the Imperial City Office’s secret report on the Xu family, he paused at a line: “Xu household’s peasant Deng Shi cultivates a new foreign grain called corn.” He tapped his finger, picked up the report, and handed it to his personal eunuch.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The next day,

The palace dispatched a junior eunuch to deliver an imperial edict and the official ceremonial robes. After reading the edict, he whispered privately to Sun Shi.

Sun Shi understood. She summoned Xu Zaijing to the main lady’s courtyard, and the mother and son discussed the imperial intent together.

They told no one else in the Xu household about the palace’s affairs—this too was a form of protection.

Henceforth, the official explanation would be that they were honored for the new grain, and the incident involving the Imperial Prince would be buried.

On the third day, Xu Zaijing received Huayan Jiong, who came to inquire. He gave him the agreed-upon explanation.

“My family owns many fields in the Eastern Donglu. When the time comes, I’ll need to borrow some seeds from you, Jingge.”

Xu Zaijing’s expression froze. What do you mean, borrow seeds from me? Why not just say it plainly?

“Send one of your seasoned farmers over later. I’ll have Uncle Deng speak with them. Corn seeds are no problem.”

“Then I thank you, Jingge. Also, tomorrow my mother will visit the Xu household—please inform Madam Sun on my behalf.”

“Understood.”

Upon hearing the news, the noble families of Bianjing all expressed their congratulations to the Xu family and came requesting the new grain seeds.

But the corn had not yet been harvested—it would be autumn before they could obtain any.

That day, Madam Pan arrived at the Xu household with lavish gifts: a box of South Sea pearls, a pair of exquisite ivory carvings, six finely crafted rhinoceros horns, furs from the cold northern lands, and several delicately made ornaments.

Most of all, there were bolts of exquisite silks from every region.

Seeing the sheer volume of gifts, Sun Shi hurried to refuse—but Madam Pan insisted, having them carried straight into the main lady’s courtyard.

Madam Pan said: “These are nothing—just a belated birthday gift for Pingmei and Anmei from an elder.”

Seeing Madam Pan’s firm resolve, Sun Shi knew refusing would cause offense, so she accepted the gifts into the household.

She called the sisters out to chat with Madam Pan. As they talked, Madam Pan presented two pearl hairpins as additional gifts.

Sun Shi quickly urged the sisters to return to their own courtyards and said to Madam Pan: “Sister, if you keep doing this, I won’t dare let you step through my gate again.”

That finally stopped Madam Pan.

Looking at Sun Shi, Madam Pan sighed: “I was too impulsive. Don’t blame me, sister.”

Sun Shi replied: “How could I blame you? You’re showing kindness to the younger generation—but these gifts are far too valuable.”

“After all these years, your family’s honor has finally let me hold my head high in my in-laws’ house! Anmei is truly wonderful. And you, sister, are even better.”

Sun Shi felt a little embarrassed.

Then Madam Pan sighed, her expression distant.

“By the way, have you settled your Zhangge’s marriage yet?”

“We’ll wait until next year. He still needs to take the imperial examinations.”

“What about Pingmei? Is this the year?”

“Yes. After Gu Dalang finishes the autumn examinations, regardless of the outcome, the two children will be wed.”

“Then I’ll prepare a grand wedding gift.”

Xu Zaijing stored the Empress’s token in a secure place and did not carry it with him—it was far too precious.

Under the summer sun, Xu Zaijing entered the stable.

The stable smelled of hay and horse dung.

Two hunting dogs, seeing Xu Zaijing, wagged their tails happily.

These past years, living comfortably in the Xu household, his master’s figure had grown slightly plump.

“Why are you here now?” the groom asked, still inspecting the stable’s roof.

“Master, I heard from the household steward that the Second Daughter of the Dongchang Marquis has been betrothed to the Fourth Heir of the An Guo Duke as his second wife—they’ll marry in two months.” Xu Zaijing and Gao Yun exchanged glances.

The groom didn’t pause his work: “Do you really need to come tell me this? My connection with that girl ended long ago.”

He turned to look at Xu Zaijing: “Go do your business. Don’t stand here feeding mosquitoes.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Also—your father has been promoted to a general in the Imperial Guards, fourth rank. Be more discreet when you’re out.”

“Yes, Master. I’m off to the study hall now.”

“Mm. Go.”

After Xu Zaijing had walked far away, the groom scratched the hunting dogs’ heads and murmured: “Would she wait for a cripple? Better she marries. Much better.”

As he walked away, Xu Zaijing asked Gao Yun: “Do you believe my master has truly let go?”

“I do.”

Seeing Xu Zaijing’s expression, Gao Yun said: “I am now the last bloodline of the Yin family.”

Xu Zaijing paused slightly and said:

“I understand.”

‘I need to find you a wife soon,’ Xu Zaijing thought to himself.

At the outer courtyard, the two saw a carriage enter the second gate. Sun Shi was beaming as she escorted an elderly woman toward the inner courtyard.

Seeing Qingcao, who was serving Sun Shi and helping the coachman park the carriage, Xu Zaijing waved to her.

Qingcao hurried over, bowed, and said: “Young Master, what is your command?”

“Whose carriage is this?”

“It’s the He family’s, Young Master. Little Bamboo said their family head is the Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau. Long ago, this lady once diagnosed Madam Sun.”

“Is Mother unwell?”

“No, she says she’s come to pay a visit.”

Xu Zaijing’s mind stirred. The Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, surnamed He—could this be the legendary physician, the “Son-Bearer,” the destroyer of concubines and illegitimate children, the close friend of Madam Sheng?

Why is she here? Is it about Elder Brother and his wife?

Am I about to become an uncle?

Thinking of this, Xu Zaijing went to the study hall.

Nighttime,

Yangzhou,

In the dimly lit side courtyard of the Assistant Prefect’s He household,

By candlelight,

Xiaodie and Xiaotao fanned themselves.

Minglan, aged seven, practiced tossing arrows under her mother Wei Shuyi’s guidance.

Xiaodie, fanning as she watched, said: “Little Miss, Sixth Miss is incredible—so young, and already she can match you.”

Wei Shuyi smiled and shook her head: “If only she applied the same diligence to her studies and needlework. Ugh—”

She took the water bowl Xiaodie offered, rinsed her mouth, and had already retched several times. She calculated the days since her husband’s last visit—her mind was clear.

“Little Miss, are you… with child?” Xiaodie asked, her face bright with joy.

Wei Shuyi nodded.

“Too bad the Master was summoned to Bianjing because of his outstanding performance—he’d be so happy to hear this news.”

“Yes, he’d be delighted. But someone else won’t be.”

The author’s bowl has no oil—reader support eases all worries!

Please recommend monthly votes and tips—the author begs, begs, begs!

Heartfelt thanks—if you find typos or awkward phrasing, please kindly point them out!

Thank you!





(End of Chapter)