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Chapter 51: Arrival in the Capital
Upon entering the capital, the group went their separate ways.
The third master of the Huang family, holding the position of Minister of Rites with a rank of Zhengsan pin, was the highest-ranking official from the Huang clan of Denghe in the imperial court. His wife, Madam Mu, personally came to pick up her daughter and niece. As soon as Huang Liu Niang saw her mother, tears of lingering fear began to fall uncontrollably.
Madam Mu listened to her daughter’s account, and the color drained from her face. They had heard of the ongoing unrest in the capital, but for it to happen to their own daughter, Madam Mu was so frightened she couldn’t recover for a long time. However, once she regained her senses, her gaze towards Xiang Yi changed.
Due to the recent continuous disturbances stirred up by commoners and those from lesser families, the established aristocratic families in the capital were deeply resentful. This extended to officials from commoner or impoverished backgrounds, creating a rift. Before arriving, Madam Mu had intended to avoid any interaction with Madam Xiang, the matriarch of the Tan family, as the sea voyage had been arranged by the First Madam Lin and had no relation to Madam Xiang.
But she never expected that her daughter’s perilous situation would be saved by Madam Xiang. Madam Mu, along with Fourth Niang and Sixth Niang, stepped forward again to express their gratitude. Seeing Xiang Yi’s composed and dignified demeanor, neither servile nor overbearing, Madam Mu, due to their limited acquaintance, did not say much. However, she secretly noted this kindness in her heart.
Xiang Yi, on the other hand, did not dwell on it. After bidding them farewell, she accompanied Tan Ting to his residence in the capital. It was a mansion acquired by Tan Ting’s great-grandfather, a spacious estate with two courtyards and four entrances, a significant property in the expensive capital. Tan Ting had resided there before, but Xiang Yi had never visited.
Yet, on the way, she inexplicably thought of something. Many officials, when serving away from home, found it inconvenient to bring their wives and therefore brought concubines. Tan Ting was young and, as the scion of a prominent clan, was expected to set an example, making it improper for him to formally take a concubine. However, this did not prevent him from keeping maids and bed-warmers in his chambers. Without formal status, these attendants did not need to be announced to the principal wife.
Xiang Yi had only seen Zheng Ji and a few young attendants with him before, so she hadn’t thought much of it. But it was not impossible for him to have kept concubines and bed-warmers in the capital. If his concubines and bed-warmers were to serve her tea, could she refuse?
However, upon their arrival at the Tan family’s residence in the capital, as servants stepped forward to greet their masters, Xiang Yi scanned the crowd but did not see a single young maid. She couldn’t help but turn and glance at that “Master.”
Tan Ting was unaware of her thoughts. He simply stepped forward, took her hand, and led her to the courtyard where he resided. Ever since that day in Ling Shui County, he had developed this habit. Sometimes, when Xiang Yi’s hands were clasped before her, he would quietly approach, gently separate her hands from her own, and hold them in his. And when he did this, he wouldn’t say a word, as if this were the natural order of things. Xiang Yi, wanting to refuse, found no words to do so and could only let him be.
They still resided in the main house, giving the other courtyard to Tan Jian and Yang Zhen. But Yang Zhen would soon choose an auspicious day to return to her maiden home, and Tan Jian would accompany her for a few days. The estate would remain primarily under Tan Ting and Xiang Yi’s management.
As they reached the main courtyard, Qin Jiao stepped forward. He was an advisor to Madam Lin, and although not highly regarded by her, he was still someone who worked for the First Madam Lin. Upon returning to the capital, Qin Jiao reported that he had settled Madam Lin’s landholdings in Qing Han and was returning to the Lin family to report. Tan Ting felt indifferent towards this man, merely keeping him nearby as he was associated with his aunt.
He nodded in acknowledgment and simultaneously summoned his own people to make a trip to the Lin Mansion. Tan Ting naturally had to inform the First Madam Lin of his return. The First Madam Lin was the elder sister of his father, Tan Chaokuan. Among the main lineage of the Tan family, there were only these two siblings, and their bond was deep. After Tan Chaokuan’s passing, the First Madam Lin had always taken great care of her nephew, Tan Ting. And the First Madam Lin was the matriarch of the Lin clan, the foremost of the four great families – Lin, Chen, Cheng, and Li. Even the palace showed her considerable respect.
Xiang Yi knew that upon arriving in the capital, she would have to pay her respects to the First Madam Lin, and the gift boxes had already been prepared. However, after the incident of picking up the Huang daughters onto the boat, Xiang Yi had some understanding of the First Madam Lin’s attitude. Seeing Qin Jiao glance at her again before leaving, her suspicions grew.
However, when Tan Ting sent someone to the Lin Mansion, the messenger returned with the message that the First Madam Lin wished for them not to visit for the time being. “The Master’s husband has caught a cold these past few days. Madam fears that Master might catch the illness from him after a long journey. She suggests that Master visit after the Master’s husband has recovered.”
Tan Ting was somewhat surprised. His uncle had always been in robust health. Even now, in his old age, he maintained a dashing figure and elegant demeanor, appearing no older than his early thirties. He hadn’t expected him to fall ill. He said to Xiang Yi, “Uncle treats Aunt very well. Now that Uncle is ill, why should I avoid him? I should naturally go and visit him.” He told Xiang Yi not to accompany him, that he would go alone tomorrow, and that once things settled down at the Lin family in a few days, it would be timely for Xiang Yi to visit.
Xiang Yi had heard about how well the First Master Lin treated the First Madam Lin when they were in Qing Han. It was said that after being married into the Lin family for many years without conceiving, Madam Lin had considered taking a concubine for the First Master Lin, but he had refused outright, forbidding her from mentioning it again and only urging her to take care of her health. It wasn’t until many years into their marriage that Madam Lin conceived, giving the Lin family a legitimate grandson, and she had since secured her position as matriarch.
Xiang Yi had no intention of delving further into Madam Lin’s affairs or the Lin family’s matters. However, as elders, she would show them due respect. As for any other arrangements Madam Lin might have, what could Xiang Yi say?
The next day, Tan Ting visited the Lin Mansion. The First Master Lin’s illness was not serious and would likely be recovered in a couple of days. He agreed with Xiang Yi that they would visit his aunt and uncle together in a few days. Xiang Yi readily agreed.
As they were preparing to pay their respects to elders, some people also came to pay their respects to them. There were many descendants of the Tan clan of Qing Han who held official positions in the capital. Upon hearing that the clan’s master had brought his wife to the capital, they sent calling cards to pay their respects. These were matters for the matriarch to handle, and Xiang Yi did not feel intimidated by the fact that these clan members were all people of status.
For two consecutive days, several families visited, and Xiang Yi received five or six female guests, entertaining them as usual with polite conversation. None of the Tan family’s female relatives had met this matriarch of unusual origins. Now, seeing her gentle yet dignified presence, and though she spoke little, she was approachable. More importantly, they had previously assumed that the clan master treated his wife indifferently. Who would have thought they would see the master speaking to her in gentle tones, even asking her opinion when discussing matters, and never calling her “Madam Xiang” but rather her maiden name softly? This was the clan master showing respect to his matriarch, signaling to the clan members that despite her humble origins from a commoner family, she was still the matriarch of the Tan family and Tan Ting’s wife.
The clan members were greatly surprised. But they also had some inkling of the First Madam Lin’s intentions. Some well-informed individuals had even heard that the First Madam Lin had arranged for the young master of the main family to escort the daughters of the Huang clan of Denghe to the capital. Yet, the Huang clan of Denghe remained silent, while the clan master treated his wife with such intimacy. Everyone was somewhat perplexed, but no one dared to disrespect Xiang Yi or act rashly.
Although they had only been in the capital for a few days, they had met many people and handled numerous matters. Xiang Yi had not been idle, nor had Tan Ting and Tan Jian. Tan Ting first introduced Tan Jian to several elders and friends. Now, he sent him to visit the Headmaster of Boyun Academy. After accompanying Yang Zhen on her return to her maiden home, Tan Jian would then go to the academy to study.
Xiang Yi couldn’t help but think of her own younger brother. She wondered if Xiang Yu’s attempt to enter Boyun Academy had yielded any results. Although her brother had aspirations, he was still too young. Xiang Yi didn’t truly believe that Brother Yu could pass the examination, but it was good to try, and it would broaden his horizons. Although Boyun Academy was within the capital’s jurisdiction, it was not close by. Tan Jian had not returned for two consecutive days.
Since marrying into the Tan family, Yang Zhen had been inseparable from Tan Jian. Now that Tan Jian had been gone for two days, she seemed completely listless, sitting in Xiang Yi’s courtyard and plucking petals from a flower. The once beautiful flower was stripped bare, and she still hadn’t recovered her spirits. The old courtyard was bare, and flowers were scarce. Xiang Yi told her to spare the flower and come inside to talk.
Yang Zhen pouted, “What does Sister-in-law want to say?” Not only was her expression dejected, but her complexion was also less rosy and radiant than in previous days. Xiang Yi looked at her in surprise, “Brother Jian will return tomorrow at the latest. Won’t sister-in-law see him tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow!” Yang Zhen’s brows furrowed. “Sister-in-law also said tomorrow, but there are still many, many hours to go. It’s a whole day!” This statement surprised Xiang Yi even more. But Yang Zhen then asked her a question. “Sister-in-law, do you ever feel uncomfortable, restless, and desperately want to see someone if you haven’t seen them for a day, no, half a day?”
Xiang Yi was truly taken aback by such a strange question. She paused, unable to respond.
Tan Ting had been invited out early by his old friend Li Chengyun. Li Chengyun, upon learning of his return, had quickly invited him out to hear about his journey and to discuss the retrial of the Jiangxi examination fraud case. Li Chengyun hailed from the Huaining Li clan, not one of the four great families like the Huai Chuan Li clan. They had split from the Huai Chuan Li clan generations ago. Although they were now prominent, they were similar to the Tan clan of Qing Han.
With the current frequent conflicts between established and commoner families, Li Chengyun’s elder brother, as the clan’s master, wanted to hear Tan Ting’s opinion. Tan Ting’s stance was clear: the aristocratic and commoner families were of the same root and should not be in such a state of conflict. He directly brought the evidence of the fraud case to the capital and told Li Chengyun about the pursuit. He did not, of course, mention Gu Yansheng’s true identity, but he clearly stated that the Tan family had assisted in the matter, helping the Crown Prince repel the Chen clan.
Li Chengyun was astonished. He observed Tan Ting carefully and nodded, taking in his words. “I will return and discuss this thoroughly with my elder brother. Previously, we brothers mostly followed the elders of the Huai Chuan Li family’s wishes. Now, it seems, we should also make our own decisions.” Tan Ting agreed. However, he then stood up. He glanced outside and said, “It’s getting late today, so let’s head home first.”
Li Chengyun blinked in surprise, looking at the bright daylight outside. “Yuanzhi, it’s only noon. How can you say it’s late? A new restaurant just opened in the capital, and I was going to invite you.” However, even a new restaurant could not deter Tan Ting. He cleared his throat, saying he would go next time, and without waiting for Li Chengyun to say more, he headed straight home. Li Chengyun, still dazed, found that his old friend Tan ting had vanished. “What’s gotten into Yuanzhi?”
Tan Ting did not realize anything unusual about himself. He simply felt that the conversation was over and it was time to go home. Upon entering the residence, he asked the servants where his wife was. Learning that Xiang Yi was in the main courtyard, he did not deviate and went directly to the main courtyard. Unexpectedly, as he approached the entrance to the main courtyard, he heard his sister-in-law’s voice from inside. He lifted the curtain and heard his sister-in-law’s question. “Sister-in-law, do you ever feel uncomfortable, restless, and desperately want to see someone if you haven’t seen them for a day, no, half a day?”
The question was directed at Xiang Yi, but Tan Ting stopped in his tracks outside the door. He couldn’t help but recall how he had inexplicably wanted to go home today, leaving Li Chengyun behind. The people talking by the window did not notice his arrival, but Tan Ting’s gaze fell upon his wife’s face. ‘She must also understand what my sister-in-law means’ he thought. The man blinked lightly, then looked at his wife again, carefully observing her.
To his surprise, the next moment, his wife shook her head. “I never have.” Xiang Yi truly couldn’t understand. What person could be so important that one would feel restless and desperate to see them after half a day apart? Wasn’t that an exaggeration? She shook her head and denied it. However, recalling the phrase “a day apart feels like three autumns,” a vague figure suddenly appeared in her mind. She was momentarily stunned. Not expecting it, she looked up and saw the blurry figure suddenly close at hand.
Seeing her elder brother-in-law return, Yang Zhen did not linger. She bowed to him and left. Xiang Yi, however, looked up and saw the man’s silent gaze upon her. There seemed to be resentment in his eyes, but he kept his lips pressed together, staring at her intently. Xiang Yi: ”...”
“Is Master back?” The “Master” still kept his lips pressed, staring at his wife for a long moment, then suddenly turned and left the main room. Xiang Yi was surprised and couldn’t help but follow him a few steps behind. At first, seeing his wife following his steps, Tan Ting’s heart softened slightly. But as his footsteps reached the middle of the courtyard, her steps stopped at the entrance of the main room. Tan Ting glanced sideways and saw her standing helplessly at the doorway. Tan Ting’s initial anger melted away. He turned and walked back.
She stood on the high steps, her gaze level with his. Seeing him walk away and then return without a word, she blinked several times. Tan Ting felt an extreme sense of helplessness. He wanted to say something to her, but after much thought, he decided against it. Just then, another clan member arrived for a visit. The words he wanted to say had to be suppressed. He gently told her, “Alright, I’m going to the study first.” Hearing this, Xiang Yi finally relaxed. “Okay.”
He left, and Xiang Yi returned to her room, slowly sitting down. Chun Sun came over and poured her a cup of tea. The green tea leaves in the teacup swayed gently in the water. The expression on the “Master’s” face just now kept replaying in her mind, turning and twisting. Time passed, she didn’t know how long.
Footnotes:
Zhengsanpin (正三品): A high rank in the imperial bureaucracy, specifically the third rank, upper grade.
Chengyu (成语): A type of idiomatic expression in Chinese, often consisting of four characters.
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