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Chapter 53: A Storm Brews
The capital, Lin Mansion.
Lin Xu, the eldest Master Lin, met Tan Ting in the study of the outer courtyard.
Tan Ting naturally first inquired about his uncle’s health. Seeing that he had recovered considerably, he said, “I heard Uncle caught a chill from getting caught in the rain. How could you be so careless?”
Lin Xu pinched his brow and chuckled, “It was my carelessness.”
He didn’t wish to dwell on the topic. Instead, he looked at Tan Ting and asked him about something.
“Regarding the Chen clan’s arrest of people in Qing Han previously, why did Yuanzhi end up helping that Daoist priest?”
Chen Fuyou had indeed tried to arrest Gu Yansheng in Qing Han, and his uncle had personally written to Tan Ting asking for his assistance.
Ultimately, Tan Ting had helped Gu Yansheng instead, thwarting Chen Fuyou. This matter could not be hidden from the Lin clan, the foremost of the First Families. Now that Tan Ting had come to the capital, he naturally had to offer an explanation to his uncle.
However, that matter was linked to the suspicion of foul play by the Chen clan concerning his father’s death.
Although Tan Ting knew his uncle had always been supportive of him, he remained cautious as the truth of his father’s death was still unclear. He therefore did not mention this.
He merely stated that Chen Fuyou had used the authority of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to make the arrest, claiming it was an imperial decree. The truth, however, was that Chen Fuyou had forged the imperial edict.
“You know what a grave offense it is to forge an imperial decree. Showing mercy by not reporting this crime to the palace is already alot. How could i help him and offend the Eastern Palace?”
As he spoke, he added, “Furthermore, with the Jiangxi examination fraud case being retried, it is clear there were indeed irregularities. It cannot be said that the Daoist priest was causing chaos in the court.”
Tan Ting did not wish to speak well of the Daoist priest Gu, but he had to explain to his uncle and gauge the Lin clan’s stance.
At that, Tan Ting subtly glanced at Lin Xu.
Lin Xu nodded with understanding and smiled.
“So that’s how it is. I knew people from the Chen clan were going to arrest a Daoist priest from the Eastern Palace. I didn’t expect them to dare forge an imperial decree even after reaching Qing Han. However, Yuanzhi did well. Without concrete evidence, you couldn’t truly inform the palace about the Fengling Chen clan. After all, we are all aristocratic families with extensive ties.”
Tan Ting pondered these words.
Did his uncle write that letter simply because he didn’t want the Daoist priest to harm the Eastern Palace?
Tan Ting remained silent. Lin Xu then spoke again about the Chen clan.
“Perhaps because the Chen clan was too deeply involved in this examination fraud case, they became desperate and resorted to unscrupulous means. After the retrial, the palace will naturally impose its punishment. As for that Daoist priest...”
He turned to look at Tan Ting. “Since Yuanzhi had contact with that Daoist priest this time, do you know his identity?”
As he spoke, he seemed to ponder and added, “I always feel this person might be someone from the past.”
‘Someone from the past.’
He was the nephew of the former Grand Eunuch Gu Xianying. How could he not be considered someone from the past?
But this was Gu Yansheng’s matter. Since he was not trying to deceive the court and cause chaos, Tan Ting naturally would not reveal his true identity.
Moreover, revealing Gu Yansheng’s true identity would inevitably implicate his wife.
Tan Ting did not speak.
He merely stated a fact, “All that can be seen is that the Eastern Palace values him greatly.”
What should be kept confidential must be kept confidential, but what needs to be clarified should be clarified.
Lin Xu understood Tan Ting’s meaning and nodded in agreement. He did not press the matter further and instead inquired about which position Tan Ting intended to start from in his official career.
Tan Ting had already considered this matter, and the Tan clan members and Li Chengyun had discussed it with him for a long time.
After all, he was still young. He would most likely have to start from a low-ranking official position and steadily climb. However, regardless of the path, his official career would be smooth. This was the advantage of aristocratic families.
Lin Xu listened and said it was good. He then spoke of a few other matters.
Since Tan Ting had come to the Lin Mansion, he could not neglect paying his respects to the elder Master Lin, who was the current Chief Grand Secretary, Elder Lin.
However, by chance, Elder Lin had just received an imperial decree and had gone to the palace to see the Emperor. He was not at home.
Tan Ting spoke with the Eldest Master Lin for a while longer. As the sky had grown late and his uncle had just recovered from his illness, he seemed tired. Tan Ting took his leave.
As he exited the study, Tan Ting asked Zheng Ji.
“Where is Madam? Is there any problem?”
Zheng Ji repeatedly said no, but added, “Madam was waiting for Master in the flower hall earlier.”
Tan Ting was slightly surprised. His conversation with his uncle had not taken that long.
“Madam was with Madam Lin. Is there truly no problem?”
Zheng Ji insisted there was nothing, but his expression was peculiar as he said, “It seems Madam Lin did not see Madam.”
Tan Ting’s footsteps halted.
Xiang Yi had sat in Madam Lin’s courtyard for a full half-hour without seeing a glimpse of her aunt-in-law.
However, she could not say much and could only quietly sit and drink tea.
Someone from the back door glanced at her twice before going into the adjacent connected room.
A lady in luxurious attire was seated in the main chair, having just finished giving instructions to her subordinates. She picked up her teacup and took a sip.
Granny Zhou stepped forward. “This old servant just observed Madam Xiang. She is quite composed.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Lin also put down her teacup.
“If she were not composed, she would not have steadily served as the Tan clan’s principal wife in Qing Han for three years.”
Granny Zhou agreed and asked, “Does Madam truly not wish to see her?”
Madam Lin’s answer was two simple, decisive words.
“Do not.”
When this Xiang clan woman had come to the mansion with the marriage contract, she had already felt this marriage was improper and wanted Tan Ting to dismiss her with money.
But Tan Ting, mindful of his late father’s dying wish, could not bear to disobey and had agreed to the marriage.
However, she had always felt the marriage was impractical. Later, when she heard from Qin Jiao that this woman had even accepted bribes for petty sums, her disgust grew.
She was not entirely clear why Tan Ting had brought her to the capital, but since she was here, it conveniently paved the way for a future separation or even divorce.
In the end, she was someone who would leave the Tan family. Madam Lin seeing her or not was no longer important. What was important was that she had to make Xiang Yi understand that the Tan clan did not welcome her, and she should not expect to hold onto the position of principal wife permanently.
Madam Lin said, “Do not see her,” and glanced in the direction of the hall.
“I will not teach her any rules, but I will not see her today. As long as she understands the principle of parting on good terms and does not entangle herself, everyone will benefit in the future.”
After speaking, Madam Lin handled a few more family matters. Seeing the wind blowing urgently outside, she sent someone to the study to bring hot tea to Eldest Master Lin and Tan Ting. She also instructed the kitchen to prepare a medicinal soup for Eldest Master Lin to dispel the cold.
With all matters attended to, and seeing that it was getting late, she asked Granny Zhou to go to the hall on her behalf.
Xiang Yi had been left waiting for more than half an hour. Seeing Granny Zhou arrive, she finally rose.
Granny Zhou was merely delivering a message and immediately said,
“Madam, please return. Madam has many pressing matters today and cannot see you.”
Madam Lin had taken a long time to respond. Xiang Yi had already had a premonition. Hearing Granny Zhou’s words, she finally understood.
This Madam Lin was quite straightforward. Her meaning was very clear: her actions were meant to see if Xiang Yi understood on her own.
How could Xiang Yi not understand?
She lowered her gaze slightly, smiled faintly, spoke a few polite words, and then left Madam Lin’s hall.
Granny Zhou was momentarily stunned when she saw her leave so promptly. She turned back to report to Madam Lin.
“She seems to have some wisdom. After hearing my words, she only offered polite remarks and left without asking further questions.”
Madam Lin paused slightly at this remark and nodded.
“It seems she is a clever person. This makes things easier.”
Leaving Lin Xu’s study, Tan Ting hurried to the flower hall upon hearing that Madam Lin had not seen Xiang Yi.
From a distance, he saw her sitting quietly in the flower hall, drinking tea. Her expression was no different from usual, though she lowered her head, holding her teacup, lost in thought.
Tan Ting strode into the flower hall. By the time he reached her, she had just snapped back to reality.
Seeing him arrive, she started to rise, but he quickly pressed her down and sat beside her, frowning.
“Did Aunt not see Yizhen?”
Xiang Yi heard his question and saw his brow furrowed. She smoothed things over for Madam Lin.
“She had some urgent matters and couldn’t get away, but she did send Granny Zhou.”
But Yizhen had been sitting in the hall for over half an hour. What urgent matters could Madam Lin have that she couldn’t even spare the time for a cup of tea to see Yizhen?
Tan Ting pursed his lips, remaining silent for a moment.
His aunt likely, like himself before, and like most people, had judged Yizhen based on her “famous” father, Xiang Zhiyuan, labeling her as the daughter of a corrupt official from a minor clan.
But only through interaction would one realize that such prejudices were merely hurtful.
However, the more ingrained the prejudice, the harder it was to remove.
Tan Ting looked closely at his wife. The more he saw her composed demeanor, her casual grace, the more his heart ached.
He felt the necessity of visiting the Lin family again another day.
Just then, a clap of thunder echoed from the distant horizon.
Xiang Yi glanced outside and then rose.
“It’s about to rain. Shall we go home, Master?”
Heavy clouds had gathered outside. Tan Ting also rose and reached out to take Xiang Yi’s hand.
His palm felt inexplicably warm. Xiang Yi looked up at him.
He also looked down at her, tightening his grip on her hand.
“Let’s go, we’re going home.”
He held her hand tightly in his, not avoiding the gazes of others, and led Xiang Yi away from the Lin Mansion.
The two left the Lin Mansion.
They did not notice someone watching them from outside.
Qin Jiao returned to the Lin Mansion’s staff residence. As he saw the couple leave, he also heard the news,
Madam Lin had not seen Xiang Yi this time.
He couldn’t help but recall the letter he had sent, speaking of Xiang Yi’s corruption and bribery.
At the time, he had never imagined that Madam Xiang would be so clean.
But the letter had already been sent to the capital, and Madam Lin had clearly seen it. Could he still claim it was a misunderstanding?
If he did, the possibility of Madam Lin helping him secure an official post would likely vanish entirely.
Qin Jiao looked at Tan Ting and Xiang Yi as they departed, then glanced in the direction of Madam Lin’s courtyard. He had intended to seek out Madam Lin to discuss securing an official position, but he truly didn’t know how to begin. Dejected, he left.
On the way back, a torrential rain began to fall.
The raindrops in the capital were heavier than in Qing Han, striking the carriage with a clatter. The muddy scent of rain mixed with earth rolled in from the road outside the carriage window, seeping into the carriage and drastically lowering the temperature inside.
Tan Ting wrapped his wife tightly in his cloak.
Xiang Yi glanced at him gently. “Master, you should wear a cloak too.”
Her voice was warm and soft. Tan Ting thought of the cold reception she had faced at the Lin Mansion today, and his heart ached. He then recalled that he had been angry with her the previous day, and they hadn’t spoken properly for a whole day. He felt truly at fault.
Precisely because of her background, facing coldness everywhere, she had to maintain a distance from others to protect herself. How could he demand too much of her?
His heart ached dully, and he felt he should apologize to her.
Meanwhile, Xiang Yi couldn’t help but think of Madam Lin’s intentions.
With Madam Lin’s influence in the capital and her high status, wouldn’t it be too easy for her to trouble her?
Madam Lin’s actions today were meant to make her retreat, to part amicably with Tan Ting.
Xiang Yi certainly did not want to become enemies with the Tan family after leaving. Looking at the Master of the Tan family beside her, she also thought of the unpleasantness between them yesterday.
It was his good intentions, after all. Even if she didn’t intend to rely on him, she should at least explain things clearly to him.
The carriage turned a corner, and the cold wind mixed with rain outside no longer blew in.
However, both of them looked at each other at the same time.
“Yizhen.”
“Master.”
The moment they spoke simultaneously, they both paused.
The sound of the rain outside lessened slightly. Inside the carriage, it seemed as if the sounds of them entwining echoed.
Xiang Yi blinked in surprise. Tan Ting couldn’t help but pause slightly, and seeing his wife’s gentle expression, his heart softened immensely.
“Yizhen, you speak first.”
Since he had said this, Xiang Yi nodded and spoke first.
“It was my fault regarding Brother Yu’s matter yesterday.”
She thought about the events surrounding Xiang Yu’s examination for Boyun Academy. Although she felt it might be difficult to explain clearly, she still felt it was necessary, so she tried to explain.
“Brother Yu wanted to test his own abilities, and the teachers at Qingzhou Academy also encouraged him. I also felt that since we come from humble origins, we shouldn’t be different from other commoner families and instead take the path of aristocratic families. So, I let him take the examination himself.”
After speaking, she looked at Tan Ting.
“Master, I accept your good intentions. Please do not be displeased because of this.”
She was explaining first, apologizing first?
Tan Ting’s throat felt so dry he could barely speak.
He turned, reached out his arm, and suddenly embraced her entirely.
Xiang Yi’s eyes widened in astonishment.
This gaze made Tan Ting’s heart ache with tiny, sharp pangs.
“How can Yizhen apologize to me? It was I who should have realized. Yu’er is not useless like Jian’er. He has ambition and doesn’t want to take shortcuts. This is his nature. If he is willing to take the exam himself, how can Yizhen force him?”
With his sudden words, Xiang Yi could only blink and remain speechless for a long time.
Whether the rain outside the carriage window grew heavier or lighter, only the wheels knew. But the people inside the carriage could no longer hear any other sounds.
The quiet coldness between them for a day, and they didn’t know how long it would continue, unexpectedly dissipated with this sudden conversation.
Neither of them was particularly eloquent. Now that they had suddenly spoken so much, they didn’t know what to say next.
The carriage was silent. It was Tan Ting who spoke again, his voice slightly muffled.
“Yizhen, don’t rely on yourself for everything in the future. It’s only right to lean on your husband sometimes.”
His words landed.
Xiang Yi’s gaze gently fell upon her husband.
She paused for a moment, and as he awaited her reply, she nodded very lightly.
With just this slight nod, Tan Ting’s eyes couldn’t help but curve upwards.
Xiang Yi also curved the corners of her lips slightly.
Although they didn’t know how much time was left, spending each day joyfully was far better than dwelling in misery.
The two reconciled. The spring flowers in the courtyard were also in full bloom.
Yang Zhen and Tan Jian had not yet returned, but they had sent people from the Marquis of Zhongqing’s mansion to deliver many flowers to the Tan family’s old residence in the capital.
She also left a message for Xiang Yi.
“I’ve plucked all the flowers from Sister-in-law’s courtyard. These are to compensate you. When I return, I’ll bring back another cartload of flowers!”
Xiang Yi found it amusing. Looking at the flowers filling the courtyard, making it difficult to walk, she had people arrange them for a long time before they were properly placed in the residence.
Under the clear skies after the spring rain, the entire Tan family’s old residence seemed to radiate brilliance.
However, Tan Ting was still preoccupied with the fact that his aunt had not seen his wife and planned to visit the Lin family again tomorrow.
But before he could act, Madam Lin sent Granny Zhou with a floral invitation.
Tan Ting specifically asked Granny Zhou who the invitation was for.
Granny Zhou recalled seeing the Master leaving with Madam Xiang that day. Understanding his unspoken question, she smiled and clearly replied that the Lin Mansion’s spring banquet was not only for the Master but also for Madam Xiang.
If his aunt had refused to see Xiang Yi earlier and had not invited her to the spring banquet, Tan Ting would have gone to the Lin Mansion today to have a serious talk with his aunt. But the Lin family’s spring banquet had invited Xiang Yi.
Only then did Tan Ting nod.
Meanwhile, Xiang Yi saw the floral invitation to the Lin Mansion’s spring banquet and was speechless for a long time.
She didn’t believe Madam Lin would suddenly have a change of heart towards her. And the spring banquet, hosted by Madam Lin herself, was likely more than just a small gathering; it might have other purposes.
Then why would Madam Lin invite her?
Xiang Yi couldn’t figure it out for a moment. However, since Madam Lin had invited her to the spring banquet, there was no reason to refuse. Moreover, the spring banquet was still half a month away.
Xiang Yi didn’t dwell on this matter. Instead, Xiang Yu and Xiang Ning came to visit.
The two were quite awkward and, as before in Qing Han, were unwilling to come to the Tan family’s door. They asked Xiang Yi to meet them at a nearby teahouse.
Tan Ting was not at home. Xiang Yi, calculating that he would be back soon, left him a letter clearly stating her intention to meet her younger siblings at the nearby teahouse.
She changed her clothes and went out. She soon found the teahouse where Xiang Yu had sent word. Upon entering, she saw her brother and sister, whom she hadn’t seen in days.
Both seemed to have grown taller, especially Xiang Yu. He had grown like scaling a mountain after the New Year. Standing in the sunlight by the window, he was radiant.
Xiang Ning also seemed much healthier, perhaps due to the warmth of spring. She wore a rose-pink dress with a dark green pleated skirt, which made her small face look much rosier.
The siblings were naturally overjoyed to see each other again in a foreign land.
Xiang Yi first inquired about Xiang Yu’s examination for Boyun Academy. Hearing that he had indeed been accepted and had been assigned dormitory quarters, she was happy. But then she thought of Xiang Ning.
“Since Brother Yu will be living at the academy, let Ning’er live with me at the Tan family’s residence.”
At this statement, her younger siblings were astonished.
Back in Qing Han, they had never relied on the Tan family in the slightest.
“Has Sister reconciled somewhat with Master Tan?”
Xiang Ning looked Xiang Yi up and down, guessing.
Xiang Yi felt they had reconciled somewhat and nodded.
Unexpectedly, Xiang Yu snorted.
“He reconciled with Elder Sister today, but who knows what tomorrow will bring? With the current tensions between the noble and commoner classes, if they happen to implicate the Tan family tomorrow, they might mistreat Elder Sister again. Elder Sister, please don’t be soft-hearted and believe him!”
No one knew the current relationship between Xiang Yi and Tan Ting better than those involved.
She neither agreed nor denied Xiang Yu’s words, merely saying, “I just feel that since you are both older now, it’s not good to always be together. Besides, Brother Yu will be going to the academy to study.”
Boyun Academy was not like Qingzhou Academy where one could come and go as they pleased.
This remark reminded Xiang Ning, and she nodded earnestly, “That is true...”
Before she could finish, Xiang Yu interrupted her.
“This is not a major issue. I have already asked my former teacher to speak with the academy. There is no need to separate.”
As his words fell, Xiang Ning said nothing, but Xiang Yi stared intently at her brother.
But Xiang Yu clearly did not wish to dwell on the matter and changed the subject.
The Tan family’s residence in the capital.
Tan Ting returned home early again. However, upon his return, no one was home.
His wife was not at her desk carving, nor watering flowers in the courtyard, nor working in the flower hall. Upon inquiry, he learned that Madam had gone out and left him a letter.
Xiang Yi’s letter this time was clear, even specifying which teahouse Xiang Yu had arranged to meet at.
After reading it, Tan Ting immediately summoned Zheng Ji and turned to leave.
“Go find Madam.”
Teahouse.
The three siblings had just exchanged a few more words when Xiang Yu suddenly looked towards the approaching visitor and stood up.
Xiang Yi and Xiang Ning also turned to look.
Upon seeing the person who arrived, the three siblings couldn’t help but show surprise on their faces.
The person was dressed in a bright red robe, with a dashing appearance. He walked towards them amidst their astonishment.
He chuckled lightly, surveyed the three siblings, and finally his gaze settled on Xiang Yi.
“What? You don’t even know to call me 'Elder Brother' anymore?”
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