BOUND IN MARRIAGE - CHAPTER 24

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CHAPTER 24

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[Dedicated to everyone who waited for the continuity of this translation. Patiently.]

Chapter 24

In the Tan family in Qingzhou, a sense of quietness was pervaded by a hint of chaos. Zhao Shi, who hadn't managed the household affairs for a long time, found herself less at ease with the sudden return of Xiang Yi to her maternal home. Even daily activities like eating and sleeping seemed less comforting than before, and she managed household matters while enduring a throbbing headache.

Tan Jian dared not draw his brother's attention again. He worried that with his sister-in-law away, there wouldn't be anyone left to mediate between him and his brother. The servants in the household heard that Madam Tan would return in four days, and this unexpected news left some people inefficient in their duties, while others lacked initiative. Some challenging matters had to wait in line for Zhao Shi to address slowly.

As for Tan Ting, he spent the last two days in the main courtyard. The main courtyard remained as tranquil as ever, but within that tranquility, an added sense of desolation and emptiness lingered.

On this day, he decided to visit the study in the outer courtyard. As he passed by the front gate, he overheard some clan members conversing with the gatekeepers.

It was a young couple with a child. Tan Ting vaguely remembered them as a less prosperous family in the clan, residing in a small town below Qingzhou. The year before he left for Beijing, this couple had a child. The child was born prematurely, and the clan sent experienced midwives and doctors to ensure the well-being of both the mother and child.

Now, he overheard the couple asking the gatekeepers, "Is the Madam of the main family truly not at home? We come from a distant place and were unaware that Madam wasn't home. Our timing is unfortunate." The couple expressed regret, and the child they held in their arms had a rosy face, likely due to the cold.

Tan Ting approached them, and upon seeing him, the couple quickly paid their respects. Tan Ting nodded in acknowledgment, allowing the gatekeepers to lead them inside. He then had someone prepare a bowl of hot porridge for the child before inquiring, "What brings you here to seek Madam? Is there something you need?"

The couple didn't beat around the bush; they straightforwardly expressed their gratitude. While the wife fed porridge to the child, the husband explained to Tan Ting, "...This child, being born prematurely, was frail. He suffered from a prolonged fever that left all the local doctors helpless. We had exhausted all options. We came to the main family to seek the assistance of Madam Xiang, hoping she could invite a skilled doctor to see our child."

He mentioned that Madam Xiang didn't just invite one doctor but, in total, arranged for six doctors from the local government. The last doctor consulted was an experienced disciple of a physician in the capital. The treatment finally matched the symptoms, and the child has now completely recovered. They came during the festive season to express their gratitude to Madam Xiang.

"We had almost given up hope. If Madam hadn't persisted and invited six doctors to treat our child, he wouldn't have survived. So, we came to thank Madam and have our child bow to her in gratitude."

He finished speaking just as the child wolfed down a bowl of hot porridge, looking lively and healthy. Tan Ting, listening attentively, couldn't help but recall the image of that person casually managing affairs in the flower hall.

His gaze softened, and he instructed Zheng Ji to prepare a red purse filled with some silver coins, which he handed to the child. The couple was startled.

"We can't accept this from the master of the main family! We came to thank Madam from the main family. Without seeing her, how can we accept money from the main family?"

Tan Ting reassured them, "It's a New Year's gift for the child."

The couple still hesitated, but Tan Ting raised his hand to stop them. After a moment's thought, he added, "Since Madam has returned to her family for now, why don't you come back in a few days and express your gratitude in person?"

The couple agreed repeatedly, and after having their child kowtow to the master of the main family, they left. Tan Ting watched as the couple walked away, the child's footsteps filled with vigor.

As he watched them, his expression became even more gentle. He strolled back to the study, sitting at the desk and reflecting on the conversation with the couple. They had lost hope, yet Madame from the Xiang family persisted, repeatedly inviting six doctors to treat the child...

Lost in thought, he unconsciously looked towards the west. Not far beyond Qingwan County was the territory of Qingzhou. At that moment, Zheng Ji announced, "Master, Second Master has arrived."

He raised his head, seeing his timid brother. In these two days, he had indeed carefully read some of his younger brother's articles. The articles were so provocative that they could ignite a fire, and now, seeing Tan Jian, he wasn't in the best mood. Tan Jian bit his lip, afraid to speak.

With his wife absent these two days, the pressure from his elder brother had become even more intense. A couple of days ago, he had been scolded so harshly that it felt like a deluge of dog blood. However, today, Tan Jian cautiously observed his elder brother, who seemed not to have the intention to reprimand him further.

Just a disdainful snort accompanied the remark, "Don't be lazy. Write ten more articles before the New Year."

Tan Jian's eyes lit up. Did this mean his work today was acceptable?! Overjoyed, he couldn't contain himself. Yet, the realization of having to write another ten articles dampened his enthusiasm. He obediently agreed and quickly retreated.

Qingzhou Xiang Family

During the day, neighbors flocked to the Xiang family's door, creating a lively atmosphere that only quieted down late in the evening. Xiang Yu, in his own study, completed an entire article in one go. The ink on the first half of the paper had not even dried.

The young man stood by the table, looking at the just-finished article, feeling a sense of heaviness in his heart. If previously, the scholars forbidding him from participating in next year's imperial examination prompted him to write and prove himself in a somewhat defiant manner, now, he truly desired to excel in this upcoming examination.

Only by succeeding could he bring his elder sister back home, sparing her from further mistreatment in the Tan family and allowing her to stand tall and face that Tan family Master, and leave with dignity.

Lost in thought, Xiang Yu picked up a book nearby, intending to study several recent essays from various provinces over the past few years. Immersed in his contemplation, he didn't notice someone entering until a steaming bowl of calming soup was placed on his desk.

"Since when did Elder Sister arrive?" Xiang Yu just noticed.

Xiang Yi smiled gently, glancing at the thick book her brother had just opened. "It's getting late. You've been studying all day. It's time to take a break."

Xiang Yu always felt it wasn't enough. If he couldn't pass the local examination this time, the next opportunity would be three years later. People might say he was young, and three years was nothing, but his sister couldn't afford to wait. He didn't want his sister to spend these youthful years, where no one cared about her, stuck in the Tan family, especially not with that Tan family Master.

He insisted, "I'll read a few more before sleeping." What he thought in his heart, Xiang Yi couldn't possibly be unaware of. She wanted to persuade her younger brother that she was okay, that life in the Tan family wasn't great but also not terrible.

But she was well aware that her brother didn't want her to have a life that was just okay, not good or bad. Just like how she wanted her brother to have a successful career and her sister to be in good health, her brother and sister also wished for her happiness.

Tenderness flashed in Xiang Yi's gentle eyes. "No matter what, you still need to take care of yourself. If you ruin your health, it's not worth the loss."

"Rest assured, Elder Sister." The young man straightened his back. "I'm not like Ning Ning, unable to carry a shoulder, unable to lift a hand, and can't see anything at night..."

Before he could finish his sentence, someone outside the door rushed in angrily. "Xiang Yu, why are you talking about me behind my back?!"

Xiang Yu, unfazed by being caught, chuckled. "Did I say something wrong?"

The young girl, annoyed, glared at him and pulled Xiang Yi's arm. "Elder Sister, look, Xiang Yu is not respectful to me at all! He doesn't even call me Second Sister!"

With this interruption, the moisture in Xiang Yi's eyes disappeared in an instant.

She mentioned that Xiang Yu indeed lacked respect for his Second Sister; even though there was only a half-hour age difference between them, their sibling roles were already established.

"Yu Ge'er should be punished," she glanced at Xiang Ning, "Ning Ning, suggest a punishment."

The young girl's bright eyes lit up with a smile. "I heard there's a market in town tomorrow. Let's punish Yu Ge'er by not allowing him to study and go to the market with Elder Sister and me."

Xiang Yu was about to disagree when Xiang Ning added, "Elder Sister hasn't visited such a market in a long time."

After a moment of contemplation, Xiang Yi agreed, "It has been a while."

Hearing this, Xiang Yu swallowed his refusal. "Okay, okay," he glanced at Xiang Ning, "you're the one with all the ideas."

Xiang Ning immediately pulled Xiang Yi again, "Elder Sister, look, he's not calling me Second Sister again!"

Xiang Yi couldn't help but smile at the commotion caused by her younger siblings. If only every day could be spent like this with her brother and sister…

The next day, a light snowfall graced the sky, fortunately not descending in large, goose-feather-like flakes. The cold wind, however, stung Tan Jian's face, causing discomfort.

He had originally made plans with Yang Zhen to take her to enjoy a local snack in Qingwon. Imagining her delight if she enjoyed it, he felt his heart beating faster with anticipation. Tan Jian thought his older brother would never understand this fluttering feeling and dared not discuss it with him. He just wanted to secretly take Yang Zhen out without his brother finding out. Unfortunately, today he was once again caught by his brother...

Tan Jian's excitement was turning into frustration, especially considering his brother's recent mood. Fearing that his brother might assign him more writing tasks, he subtly brought up the idea of paying respects to the Elderly Patriarch today.

Wu Lao Tai Ye was the younger brother of the late San Lao Tai Ye and currently the eldest and most esteemed elder in the family. However, he resided not in Qingwon County but in the nearby Yongxiu County, enjoying his retirement.

Tan Jian reminded his brother in a hushed tone, "Big brother, aren't we supposed to visit Wu Lao Tai Ye before the new year?"

Tan Ting was indeed reminded of it, considering the recent tension between the main and branch families. Perhaps it would be wise to heed the opinions of the elders.

After checking the almanac, he said, "Today is a suitable day for a visit. Come with me."

Tan Jian was left dumbfounded by the unexpected suggestion.

Afraid to disobey his brother's order, Tan Jian worried that refusing might result in an even less favorable situation upon his return. Reluctantly, he apologized to Yang Zhen and rescheduled their plans, accompanying his elder brother through wind and snow to Yongxiu County.

To his surprise, Wu Lao Tai Ye wasn't at home. The old Taoist in the nearby Taoist temple had gone on a journey of seeking immortality, and it would take another two or three days for his return. Tan Jian began to feel a glimmer of hope.

However, unexpected encounters lay ahead. They ran into over a dozen students from the Qingzhou Academy who were spontaneously composing essays by the river. To Tan Jian's dismay, their writings were quite impressive.

Concerned, he cautiously glanced at his elder brother, only to find Tan Ting listening attentively to the students' compositions. After a silent pause and a thoughtful gaze in the direction of Qingzhou Academy, Tan Ting redirected the horse, whispering a few words under his breath.

"You should go and read the essays at Qingzhou Academy."

Where in Qingzhou? The county, the academy, or the Xiang family's residence? As always, the elder brother was reserved, leaving Tan Jian to follow behind on horseback.

They didn't head to the county but walked in the direction of the academy, stopping in the town at the foot of the mountain.

Tan Jian wondered if this was the temporary residence of the Xiang family. However, not long after entering the town, Tan Jian was accommodated in a bookstore.

The bookstore sold essays written by Qingzhou Academy students. Indeed, his elder brother wanted him to read essays from Qingzhou. However, Tan Ting seemed uninterested in these writings. After flipping through a few essays, he stood up without saying a word, hands behind his back, and leisurely walked out.

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