Everyone present was stunned, Qinghe and her sister included, and the aunts from the neighboring households as well.
The young marquis's devotion might be as clear as heaven and earth, but this hardly seemed the moment to declare it. Old Madam Xie's face froze. Madam Hu could not collect herself, and Qingru went from shock to fury in the space of a blink.
She could not understand it. A girl who had met with an accident and been missing the whole night, and still someone was rushing to marry her. What was so remarkable about Qingyuan? That she was good at scheming? That she could swallow her pride and go knocking on men's doors to plead for help? Those were hardly virtues, yet now, with Master's career in trouble, they seemed to count for something. In ordinary times they would have been enough to earn her scorn and have people jabbing at her spine behind her back.
Qingru nearly burst into tears. She looked at Madam Hu, unwilling to let her first stirring of love be buried by Qingyuan's hands. She and Chunzhi had gotten along well enough before. She still remembered the day they parted at Dafo Temple, when he said it looked like rain and told the coachman to hurry and take her home. He had always politely called her Second Miss; when she mentioned once that it sounded too distant, he changed it to Second Sister. What more did she want from him? And now he was proposing to the fourth girl. He knew perfectly well she liked him. Why leave a proper legitimate daughter alone and fix his heart on a concubine's child?
Madam Jiang, on the other hand, thought it wonderful. The fourth girl had climbed onto a high branch, and that was a hundred times better than the second girl making a splendid match. That second girl was good for nothing but her birth, and her eyes had grown up to the top of her head. She gave her elders no more than a grunt, and she looked down on every cousin who had grown up beside her. She was a thousand-gold young lady and everyone else was dirt. The higher a person held herself, the more entertaining her fall would be. Now not only had Qinghe been matched into a good family, but Qingyuan looked set to rise above her too. If both sisters were settled, the second girl would never recover her standing unless she married a prince or went into the palace as a consort.
Madam Jiang beamed. Seeing Madam Hu displeased filled her with delight. She clapped her hands and said, "Congratulations, Old Madam! The fourth girl turned disaster into good fortune and came home, and a fine match has followed her to the door. Look at this day. This morning we were all on edge, and the moment night fell, every good thing arrived at once." As she spoke she glanced at Madam Hu and made a show of curtsying. "Congratulations to you too, Elder Sister-in-law."
Madam Hu's face stayed calm. Madam Pei, beside her, only smiled and turned to look at Old Madam Xie.
With Xie Shu away, the old madam was the one who made decisions in the family. Madam Hu could run the household, but when it came to the children's marriages, she still had to ask for the old madam's direction.
Old Madam Xie plainly hesitated. It was a good match, but it might not go smoothly. First of all, the marchioness would stand in the way.
The old madam sighed. "Chunzhi, we have known your feelings for some time. But last time your mother asked the Surveillance Commissioner's wife to call on us, she made her position quite plain. The Xie family may not have a family name as high as yours, but we know our proprieties. The fourth girl is still young, and it is too early to talk of marriage. You are a young gentleman and you do not think far ahead. Arranging a marriage is easy; what matters is whether you can live well afterward. Look at our situation now. Good intentions alone will not carry you through! Whenever you take two steps forward, you should look back as well. The fourth girl's character is surely worthy of your regard, but her birth cannot be changed. Even if you win your parents' consent, living together day after day, I fear your teeth will end up biting your tongue."
Li Congxin grew anxious, but having made up his mind, he had the courage to stake everything. He thought for a moment and said to the old madam, "On the road from the capital back to Youzhou, I thought this over carefully. I expected you would say this, Old Madam. It comes from your earnest love for your granddaughter, and there is nothing wrong with it. When my mother asked the Commissioner's wife to call, I felt guilty about it, and I have felt so until today. But my feelings for Fourth Sister have not changed. This time, whatever it takes, I will win my family's approval. If Fourth Sister would be uncomfortable sharing a residence, we can set up our own household. I will never let her be wronged. I hope you can see how sincere I am."
A pampered young nobleman had come alone to ask for a bride. No one could say he lacked sincerity; if anything, he had shown so much that it almost shook people's resolve. As for whether his words could be carried out, there was every reason to think so. The marchioness had only him. He would inherit the title and support her in her old age, and no parent in the world could hold out against the child she held most dear.
Even so, the choice was a hard one. The old madam steadied herself and decided to gamble. Knitting her brows, she said, "You may like our fourth girl, but I fear your family already has another girl in mind. Wouldn't our fourth girl be put in an awkward position then?"
Li Congxin looked as if he would cut out his heart and show it. He fixed his eyes on Qingyuan and said, "However many good girls there are in the world, I like only Fourth Sister. I admired her from the moment I first saw her at the spring banquet, and that has not changed to this day. When this misfortune befell Fourth Sister, I was truly worried. If the match were settled, I would at least have an answer for myself. I am only telling you my plan, Old Madam. There is no matchmaker and no betrothal gift yet, and I am not asking you to agree this instant. I only ask for the chance. I will see to everything else myself."
He had not made this decision on a whim. He had his own concerns. From what Shen Run had said earlier, there were plainly other hidden matters in this case that he did not know about. He felt instinctively that for Qingyuan to struggle on alone, with no one to rely on, in a vat of dye like the Xie household made no sense. Her hardships had stirred his urge to protect her. He wanted to be someone she could trust and depend on, even her salvation. Once the marriage was agreed, certain people in the Xie family who wanted to harm Qingyuan would have to weigh the consequences.
But while he was still working up to it, he suddenly realized that someone else might be preparing to step in. Shen Run's power needed no explanation, and the thought only sharpened his urgency. If he did not strike first, the Xie family, after weighing everything, would very likely choose to attach themselves to the most favored official of the day. A capital official, a man who commanded all the guard inside and outside the imperial city, was the best possible choice of son-in-law. He had to hurry, and hurry more. Tonight was the best chance. With a crisis having just struck and then suddenly settled, Old Madam Xie might well agree to the match.
Sure enough, the old madam gave him a reassuring promise from his own words. Qingyuan was well liked, but her mother's influence on her had never gone away. If she really could marry into a marquis's household, it would be a good connection for Qingyuan herself and for the whole Xie family.
The old madam looked at Qingyuan and said gently, "Fourth girl, what do you think yourself? The young marquis seems sincere, but you must want this too."
The person who mattered most in this match was only now given room to speak. Qingyuan first flushed, surprised by Li Congxin's constancy, but gradually she grew calm and realized that none of this was appropriate.
The whole room was looking at her, waiting for her answer. Perhaps everyone thought she had no reason to refuse, and Qingru's sour jealousy only pushed the matter further along. But marriage was a lifelong matter, and Qingyuan stayed cool about it. She was not like those girls of the inner chambers who lose their heads and their composure at the news that a promising young man has come to propose.
She kept her usual mild and careful manner and said to Li Congxin, "A girl of the inner chambers like me should not answer a proposal herself. But since Grandmother cares for me and has asked my views, I will speak plainly to you, Third Young Master. First, I thank you for your kindness. You have looked after our family many times these past days, and I am grateful. But proposing so suddenly today, in my view, is quite improper."
This answer surprised everyone present. They had thought the match was nearly settled, and now Qingyuan herself had thrown it off course. The aunts and concubines exchanged looks, and even Qinghe and Qingru were baffled.
Li Congxin was disappointed. A trace of sorrow crossed his brow and vanished quickly, and he said, "Yes. Fourth Sister is always thorough. I was indeed rash this time."
Qingyuan smiled and said mildly, "I'm glad you understand, Third Young Master. It is for no other reason than what you said earlier, which truly alarmed me. You spoke of setting up your own household. But you are the legitimate son of the marquis's house, and one day you must inherit the title and the family estate. If for my sake you became estranged from your parents and cut off all ties with your family, I would be leading you into unfilial and unbrotherly conduct. I cannot bear such a charge. Since ancient times, marriage has required the parents' command and the matchmaker's word. If you cannot follow your parents' command, Third Young Master, please do not raise this matter again. Though I grew up in the Chen household, my grandfather was a well-read man, and I understand this much." As she spoke she looked toward the old madam. "Grandmother, this is my humble view. If anything in it is wrong, please decide for me."
The old madam nodded and sighed. "With such understanding, how could I as your grandmother break the rules? It should be just so. The young marquis's character and learning are beyond criticism, but on this one point, we truly cannot be hasty. The marchioness's wishes were clear to all of us earlier, and if there is more trouble this time, the Xie family has its face to think of. Young Marquis, you see... the fourth girl has understood your feelings, but she is a girl and too shy to say everything outright, so this old woman will decide for her. If the marchioness of your household nods, we will gladly help bring about the match. But if she does not agree, then please look for another good bride, Young Marquis."
It was a pity. Everyone thought so, except Qingru and her mother. A good match, but carrying it out would be very difficult, and it would depend on the young marquis's ability. However capable he was, Youzhou lay a thousand li from Hengtang, and persuading his family would not happen in a day. Counted that way, seeing the match through would not be easy.
But Li Congxin was not in a hurry. He had the spirit of a man determined to win. People are like that: the less they can have something, the more it gnaws at them. He looked at Qingyuan and said, "Is Younger Sister of the same mind as the old madam? As long as my family agrees, you would be willing to give me this chance?"
Qingyuan smiled faintly. "If they merely agree, and agree reluctantly, then the young marquis should think twice. Harmony at home matters most. There are many girls in the world, but you have only these two parents. Please put your family first, Young Marquis."
There may have been a hint in those words meant to make him back down, but as long as she had loosened her grip, he would try no matter what. Li Congxin did not stay for the banquet. He turned and walked out, leaving a room full of people with their own thoughts, glances crisscrossing like a loom.
Madam Pei sighed. "This young marquis really is a sincere man."
Madam Jiang shook her head. "A pity about his formidable mother."
"Mothers all over the world are the same. They all hope their children will do well," Madam Hu said with a cold smile. What she meant was that if there was something to be dissatisfied with, it showed that the children's choice did not meet the standard, and a girl like the fourth girl would only make the marquis's household a laughingstock.
Only now did the old madam relax. She pinched the bridge of her nose and said, "One moment up in heaven, the next down on the ground. I thought nothing could be worse than the storm in your master's official career, but today has outdone it." She waved a hand. "The banquet is set in the flower hall. I have no energy left. All of you go and eat."
But if the old madam wasn't eating, everyone would rather go without. It was not as if anyone had been starving for eight hundred years, to go and touch that feast.
Since they all said they had no appetite, Madam Hu said, "Give it to the people who went with the fourth girl. They had a fright, and they should be comforted."
Qingyuan said, "Madam, there is also that houseboy. He died for no clear reason, and we must give an account of it."
Madam Hu said listlessly, "Call his parents in and take thirty taels from the accounts to see him buried, and that will do."
So in Madam Hu's eyes a human life was worth thirty taels. Not long ago a forged letter had swindled her out of fifty, and now a living person lost on her account was worth only thirty.
Soon everyone left the main rooms. With Qingyuan's value having soared, even Madam Jiang treated her far more warmly. She urged her to go back and rest, gather her strength, and then put on a shameless smile. "I see you have some say with Commander Shen. Your brothers are looking for posts right now. When you have a moment, put in a good word with him and see if he can find places for both of them. In the end it concerns the two of you, as brother and sister."
The two brothers she meant were Madam Jiang's sons, Zhengyuan and Zhengde. The pair were as alike as two casts from one mold, both idle good-for-nothings, and had never exchanged half a sentence with Qingyuan. Hearing "your brothers, your brothers" now was almost funny.
Qingyuan said, "Second Aunt, please give up that idea. Nobody asks the man who saved her life to arrange a post in return. I can barely avoid trouble as it is. Should I go stirring up more?"
Baoxian seized the chance and said, "Miss has had a fright and been rushing between two places. Her eyes have sunk from lack of sleep. Let's go back quickly."
So the mistress and maid hurried off. Madam Jiang, left standing, stamped her foot in anger but could do nothing, and turned toward the pendant-flower gate.
Meanwhile Qingru ran after her mother into her courtyard, her face crumpled, and said, "Mother, did you hear? Chunzhi wants to marry the fourth girl..."
Madam Hu had a belly full of anger with nowhere to spend it. Hearing that weepy, whining tone, she snapped, "Hold your tongue! If not for you, how would things have come to this! All day long it's Chunzhi, Chunzhi. Has pig fat clogged your mind? What is there about that blind lot to dwell on? Have all the good men in the world died out, that you must have him alone?"
Qingru was stunned by her mother's scolding, but in an instant all her stubbornness burst out. She twisted around and stamped her foot on the floor. "They have all died out! I want him. Even if only to keep the fourth girl from getting what she wants, I will have him!"
Her noise gave Madam Hu a pounding head, and she rubbed her temples with her eyes closed.
The second girl was a fool. Even now she had not worked out that the real difficulty was not Li Congxin but Shen Run. Each person the fourth girl had provoked had a more formidable background than the last. Shen Run alone had swindled the Xie family out of ten thousand taels last time, and if he caught hold of a weakness from this affair, he might drain the Xie family dry. Besides, the old madam knew nothing of this. The fourth girl was, after all, her own granddaughter, and if she learned that her daughter-in-law, the fourth girl's legal mother, had secretly done these things, she would never let her off.
The more she thought, the worse her head ached and the more alarmed she grew. Qingru kept making a scene, and in the end Madam Hu felt numb and said vaguely, "Enough, enough. We'll think of something."
Qingru sobbed as if the sky had fallen. "What can we think of? The fourth girl has already agreed..."
In Danyue Pavilion, Baoxian was just as worried.
"Miss, are you really going to marry the Third Young Master?"
Qingyuan shook her head. For some reason this question brought Shen Run's face to mind. Her heart gave a shudder as she imagined what the commander would do to her if Li Congxin's proposal had succeeded today.
Baoxian was puzzled. "If that's so, why didn't you refuse him?"
Qingyuan took the small purse from her waist and set it by the bed. "It was only a delaying tactic," she said evenly. "When the old madam sees I'm willing, she'll put all her effort into the Third Young Master, and then it will be easy to put the Commander off. I know the Danyang Marquis's household will not necessarily give the Third Young Master what he wants. This match won't come to anything."
"But what if it does?" Chuntai crouched at her feet, changing her into soft shoes, and looked up to ask. "He'll make a scene at home, say he won't marry anyone but you, say he'll become a monk if he can't have you. How could the marchioness hold out against him?"
"If it really came to that..." Qingyuan sighed. "Back and forth, it would take several months at least. Even if the old madam agreed, we would still have to wait for word from Master. If after all that time I still haven't made any headway, it will mean I'm useless and cannot get justice for my mother. Then I'll have no choice but to marry and leave. I can't stay in the Xie household my whole life!"