Chapter 7: The Petty Man

“Cousin, what on earth is wrong with you?” Liu Chuyan refused to go any farther. Han Shuwei couldn’t simply run off and leave her behind, and she was both anxious and annoyed.

“Shuwei, let’s go into the courtyard. Just for a while, just a little while…” Liu Chuyan clung to her desperately, pleading.

Seeing her cousin so frightened and pitiful—a state she’d never seen her in before—Han Shuwei’s heart softened, and she followed her lead.

Having convinced her, Liu Chuyan felt a weight lift from her chest. She hurried into the courtyard, shut the door tight, and hid inside, hardly daring to breathe.

“Cousin, where are the flowers?” Han Shuwei looked around, her expression full of skepticism, poking Liu Chuyan’s cheek. “Are you really seeing things, or have you gained some supernatural sight?”

Liu Chuyan kept her attention fixed outside. The voices were growing nearer. She quickly covered Han Shuwei’s mouth. “Shuwei, someone’s coming—and it’s men. We must hide.”

Han Shuwei understood at once and obediently nodded.

“Lord Zhao, this courtyard at the back was once where Lady Liu stayed during her retreat. It’s said that Emperor Guangzong first met her here, and so did Prince Xin. But everyone says Prince Xin is troublesome and, with a mother like that, is no threat to anyone, no matter what,” said a voice. The speaker seemed wary, becoming vague toward the end, but Liu Chuyan could tell they were discussing Prince Xin.

Back then, Emperor Guangzong had only been Crown Prince, and Prince Xin’s mother was just a maid by his side, chosen in a moment of desperation. No one expected Lady Liu to be so formidable: she conceived after a single encounter and carried the child to term, becoming a lady of rank by virtue of her son. However, Emperor Guangzong disliked her and their son even more. Lady Liu died young, and Prince Xin was casually handed over to a concubine to be raised.

As Liu Chuyan was pondering this, Zhao Panyu spoke up. “That’s not the right way to look at it. Just look at him now: he has Xue Ao, the brother of Duke Xin, teaching him martial arts, and Li Ruiwen, a former top scholar, instructing him in literature. He may yet accomplish great things. As for our present emperor—ha! He spends his days obsessed with carpentry and indulges Wei Zhongxian’s every whim. We shall see how things turn out.”

“But Lord Zhao, I still think Prince Xin is no good. The clever and lively Prince Hui, born of Lady Li, seems to have great fortune,” came the reply.

Zhao Panyu paused, then said, “Is it because Prince Hui is only seven—easier to control, is that it?”

“Lord Zhao jests,” the other replied, but his tone was light, betraying agreement.

Zhao Panyu laughed, clapping his hands. “Let’s wait and see. Since I became Prefect of Shuntian, the Eunuch has often sent people to invite me to banquets. Yet my late mentor was his enemy, and it’s only by my mentor’s reputation that I hold this post. I must not let him down, so I refuse every time. Still, if we support Prince Hui, we’ll have to take sides with the Eunuch. That I will never do.”

“Lord Zhao, your integrity is admirable—I am in awe.”

“Assistant Magistrate Sun, you are no less so, ha ha.”

“Hearing Lord Zhao speak is better than reading ten years’ worth of books.”

“Assistant Magistrate Sun, let’s leave it here for today. Whether it’s Prince Xin or Prince Hui, we’ll wait and see. And isn’t the Right Censor your brother-in-law? Please help me smooth things over with him.”

“I understand. Lord Zhao is as pure as a lotus, above corruption. It’s that scoundrel Xue Ao who’s trying to frame you. My brother-in-law sees clearly—he won’t let Xue Ao get away with it.”

“Then I’ll trouble you with this matter.”

“Not at all, not at all.”

Only when their self-congratulatory voices faded into the distance did Liu Chuyan finally let go of Han Shuwei.

Yet Han Shuwei stood there, still dazed, her mind full of the secrets she’d just overheard.

“Shuwei, they’ve gone. Let’s go back,” Liu Chuyan said, pulling the still-stunned Han Shuwei out of the courtyard. They made their way cautiously along the path, as though avoiding snakes and scorpions. Thankfully, they didn’t encounter Zhao Panyu again. The crisis, for today at least, was over.

When Liu Chuyan returned to the guest room, Qingya and Songling were anxiously looking around, waiting for them. As soon as they saw them in the distance, they hurried over. “Miss, Fourth Young Lady, you’re back at last.”

“Is there any news from the Old Madam?”

“The Old Madam took her medicine this morning, then drank another dose later. But after waking from sleep, her headache worsened. Just now, the doctor was called in again—he’s still inside,” Songling replied.

“Grandmother isn’t better yet?”

“I’ll go check on her.” At this, Liu Chuyan’s heart caught fire. She barely spared a thought for Han Shuwei, who was just regaining her senses, and hurried off.

“Doctor, the Old Madam’s headache is severe—please take a careful look,” Liu Chuyan heard Yunling’s trembling voice as she approached.

“Doctor, she used to get better after just one dose. Why isn’t it working now?” Liu Chuyan entered to see the second madam frantic with worry, the eldest madam frowning deeply.

“The prescription I gave this morning was correct,” said the doctor after checking the pulse with a troubled expression. “The Old Madam’s headaches are a longstanding illness—she needs quiet rest.”

“Doctor, should we try a different prescription? This one’s been used for years,” Yunling asked.

“It may help to change it, but the new medicine will be stronger. If the Old Madam can tolerate it, I’ll prepare a new one.” The doctor looked to the Old Madam for her opinion.

The Old Madam, half out of her senses from the pain, barely caught their meaning but nodded at the suggestion.

With her approval, the doctor went aside to write the prescription.

Liu Chuyan stood a distance away, watching as Yunling massaged Mrs. Han’s forehead. Yet the pain did not ease; her brows were still tightly furrowed, and Liu Chuyan’s heart twisted. She began to waver: seeing her grandaunt in such agony, perhaps she ought to abandon her plan and think of another way. There must be another way.

But if news from the capital arrived, Mrs. Han would not be able to sit still. This was already the quickest, simplest solution. Any other method she thought of might not work as well.

“Sister-in-law, seeing how much pain Mother is in, why don’t we return to the residence? The monastery is tranquil, but it can’t compare to the comfort of home,” the second madam suggested after a long pause.

Liu Chuyan jolted. If they returned earlier, could they avoid the calamity? If she could evade Zhao Panyu, surely she could manage this as well.

The eldest madam had come to pray for her husband, who was away suppressing bandits, and the Old Madam’s illness had already delayed matters considerably. At the mention of returning early, her irritation showed; she glared at the second madam, about to retort, but Liu Chuyan stepped forward to take up the suggestion. “I agree with Second Madam. It’s best for the Old Madam to return home. There, we can call on the imperial physician—much better than staying here.”

“I think so too,” Han Shuwei said, usually at odds with the eldest madam. Seeing her displeased, Han Shuwei was quick to agree—her discomfort only made Han Shuwei feel better.

With the majority in agreement, the eldest madam couldn’t oppose them. She nodded sourly, “Very well, I’ll instruct the servants. We’ll return tomorrow.”

“Sister-in-law, let me do it. You stay with Mother,” the second madam quickly offered. She dared not let the eldest madam go herself, fearing she’d start cursing the moment she left.

The eldest madam’s expression softened. “Very well, I’ll leave it to you.”

“It’s my duty as a daughter-in-law.” The second madam glanced at Mrs. Han, whose condition truly looked grim, and hurried out.

Liu Chuyan dug her nails into the back of her hand, calculating. The boulder was supposed to fall on the twenty-sixth. If they left on the twenty-fourth, surely nothing would go wrong—surely not.

“Cousin, don’t worry. Grandmother will be all right,” Han Shuwei tried to comfort her, seeing how distraught she looked. “Let’s wait outside, so as not to disturb Grandmother.”

But Liu Chuyan’s worries were not the same. She nodded quietly, glanced at the Old Madam lying on the bed, and left.

“Chuyan is truly closer than a real granddaughter—the Old Madam has doted on you all these years,” the eldest madam said sarcastically as she came out, bitterness still lingering. “You’ll be coming of age soon, won’t you?”

“Yes, Madam. There’s a little over a month left,” Liu Chuyan replied respectfully, bowing her head despite her dislike for the woman.

“Is it the ninth day of the eleventh month?”

“The tenth.”

“My memory is getting worse—so it’s the tenth. What a pity about your previous engagement; it doesn’t count anymore, does it?”

“No, Madam,” Liu Chuyan replied, forcing herself to answer.

“Your engagement was with the Li family from Jiangxi, wasn’t it? That family are ungrateful wolves—they prospered thanks to your family’s help, but once they got to the capital, they turned their backs on you.”

“My father misjudged their character.”

“But now, their son is in the Paper Currency Bureau. The rank isn’t high, but it’s an important post. They think you’re no longer worthy of their precious son.” The eldest madam laughed heartily.

Liu Chuyan’s delicate brows pressed together, but she said nothing. Han Shuwei wanted to defend her but was blocked.

The eldest madam considered: after all, these were just two young girls. The cousin, pretty as she was, had no family left. What harm in venting her spleen? She grew bolder. “Your former fiancé—was his name Li Xiaoren? A petty man. But I hear he’s quite pleased with himself lately. Their family is trying to marry into the Marquis of Enchang’s house. The marquis’s daughter, though already twenty-three or twenty-four, can still find a match because of her family’s standing. As for you, did the Old Madam mention anything?”

“Madam, Grandmother has long since prepared a dowry for cousin. It may not be much, but it’s more than enough for a respectable match. And with cousin’s beauty and virtues, she’ll certainly find a good family. She’s clever and gentle—her in-laws will cherish her,” Han Shuwei interjected, unable to listen further.

“I know your grandmother has prepared a dowry, but without parents or ancestral protection, it’s still a pity,” the eldest madam pressed.

Liu Chuyan had always thought she’d developed a heart of steel in the Marquis of Wukang’s household, but when her parents were mentioned, the ache and tears returned.

Seeing her eyes redden, the eldest madam finally felt satisfied. She pretended to cover her mouth in concern. “Oh, Chuyan, forgive me. I shouldn’t have brought up your family and upset you.”

“Madam, as you can see, cousin isn’t feeling well, and now you’ve made her sad again. We’ll be going,” Han Shuwei cut her off, seeing how aggrieved Liu Chuyan was but unable to confront their elder. She supported her cousin and walked away.

The eldest madam was used to bullying Liu Chuyan, but Han Shuwei was from the second branch and not under her authority—she couldn’t really scold her. With a couple of grunts, she returned to her room.

“Cousin, Li Xiaoren is no good. He was pestering you not long ago; now he’s courting the Marquis of Enchang’s family. He only cared for your looks and the marquis’s power—a true scoundrel!” Han Shuwei cursed the heartless man with all her might.