BOUND IN MARRIAGE - CHAPTER 55

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Chapter 55: A New Arrangement

The old residence of the Tan family in the capital. Xiang Yi found it hard to believe she was capable of sleeping in until the sun was high in the sky. She looked at the bright daylight in the courtyard and thought she was dreaming. Until Chun Sun tiptoed over with a suppressed giggle, and Qiao Xing pouted, walking to Xiang Yi’s side to examine the dark circles under her eyes. “Your servant will peel an egg for Madam to roll under her eyes.” Xiang Yi cleared her throat, feeling embarrassed as she walked to the water vat by the side and looked at herself in the water. Looking closely, the dark circles were indeed quite pronounced. She felt even more awkward. In truth, she didn’t even know when she had fallen asleep last night. A gentle breeze blew, creating a ripple of fine waves on the water’s surface. Xiang Yi inexplicably thought of the Master’s proposal from yesterday. Even days. This was too improper. As Xiang Yi was contemplating, another face appeared in the large water vat before her. The person seemed full of energy, his eyes holding a smile. He peeked his head out from behind her, his breath soft against her ear. “Yizhen, you’re awake?” Xiang Yi was startled. Thinking of the commotion last night, she felt too embarrassed to turn around. “The Master has arrived.” Tan Ting, however, showed no shyness. He smiled and nodded, looking at his wife in the water. The surface rippled gently, reflecting her fair complexion. He couldn’t help but recall the end of last night. He had held her as he carried her out of the bathhouse, her eyes closed, drowsy, leaning against his shoulder. Her fair face was damp and flushed. His thoughts drifted for a moment, but Xiang Yi spoke at that instant. She still didn’t turn around, only looking at the man reflected in the water. “The Master should be resting well.” Tan Ting thought she was concerned about his lack of sleep and said with a laugh. “Yizhen, rest assured, I slept enough.” The shadow in the water moved. Xiang Yi bit her lip lightly, stating more clearly. “You should rest well for ten days.” As she spoke, Tan Ting subconsciously started to nod, but upon hearing it again, he understood. Ten days? Did she mean that even days were not suitable, and they could only do it on the fifth? Tan Ting froze for a full breath. He wanted to look closely at his wife’s expression, but she never turned around. He could only look at the water, and asked in a muffled voice. “But Yizhen, aren’t we trying for a child?” Xiang Yi cleared her throat again. “But Master, even if we are trying for a child, we should have sufficient rest.” Tan Ting: “…” Was she questioning if his body was not strong enough? But after yesterday, she should know. Was it because she didn’t like it? Tan Ting pursed his lips and remained silent. Qiao Xing returned at that moment with the peeled egg and was momentarily stunned to see his Madam and the Master standing so close to the water vat, one after the other. But seeing the dark circles under his Madam’s eyes, he stepped forward. “Madam, please roll the egg under your eyes. Two female relatives from the clan are coming this afternoon.” Tan Ting was startled. He moved to the other side and looked at Xiang Yi’s eyes again. Indeed, they were bruised. It was all his fault for drinking too much yesterday. Now, even days were gone. But the fifth was too… Tan Ting stood there awkwardly, like a young student who had made a mistake in class, looking at his wife. Only after Qiao Xing returned to the room and had rolled the egg under Xiang Yi’s eyes did he step forward. Only the husband and wife remained in the room. As he moved, a subtle atmosphere filled the air. “Yizhen, yesterday was my fault. I will never do that again.” He apologized for the incident, and Xiang Yi’s face felt a little warm. But what he said about even days was truly absurd. She just shook her head and didn’t speak. Tan Ting knew it was all his fault and dared not hope for even days. He glanced at his wife sneakily. “Yizhen said even days are not suitable, how about the fifth and the tenth?” Xiang Yi was stunned and looked at him in surprise. She had thought he would return to the original rules. She hadn’t expected… Tan Ting coughed uncomfortably. Just then, Zheng Ji came to report. “Master, Xiao Guan has just returned from the capital’s outskirts and has something important to report to the Master.” As soon as he finished speaking, Tan Ting, without waiting for Xiang Yi’s response, quickly said a word to her and strode out of the room. Xiang Yi wanted to say it was not appropriate, but it was too late. In the study, Xiao Guan, following Tan Ting’s instructions, had gone to check on the vicinity of Boyun Academy to see if Xiang Yu and Xiang Ning were living comfortably. They were living in a nearby county town, which was relatively stable. There were many disciples from aristocratic families studying at Boyun Academy in that area, and their servants temporarily resided in the town. When the aristocratic disciples had time off, they would come down from the mountain to rest in their respective courtyards for a few days. Since they were not ordinary commoners, the county yamen paid great attention to their safety, with constant patrols, making it relatively safe. Furthermore, there was a scenic area with winding water and green hills not far from the county town, and many prominent families from the capital had set up their secondary residences there. The official roads were much tidier than elsewhere. The courtyard Xiang Yu and Xiang Ning rented was next to the courtyard where their classmate’s mother lived, allowing them to look out for each other. Xiang Yu came down the mountain once every five days, which was quite suitable. Tan Ting knew that even if Xiang Yi and Xiang Ning no longer held it against him, it would still be difficult for Xiang Yu. Tan Ting sighed and could only consider mentioning this matter to Xiang Yi again after some time. After listening to Xiao Guan’s report, he asked, “Is there anything else?” Xiao Guan nodded and stepped forward. “Master, the impoverished scholars who came to the capital to take the examinations last night have caused a disturbance. They almost broke into the prefectural yamen. If the garrison hadn’t intervened, these scholars would have been more daring and would have truly rebelled. Some were even shouting treasonous words.” Due to the ongoing examination fraud case, these impoverished scholars were already restless, feeling that the upcoming spring imperial examinations in the capital might also be monopolized by aristocratic families, rendering their ten years of hard study futile. Amidst this unrest, someone spread a rumor that the Fengling Chen clan, involved in the case, had two powerful regional officials from their clan submit a memorial requesting leniency, and the Emperor had agreed. The delay in the investigation was because they hadn’t found a suitable scapegoat to downplay the matter. As soon as this news spread, it ignited a firestorm among the impoverished scholars. Such a major case, personally ordered by the Crown Prince for investigation, could be so easily downplayed by aristocratic families? Did this mean aristocratic families could do whatever they pleased, and the court would simply turn a blind eye? What hope was there for them? The news was like a spark thrown into dry kindling, instantly igniting the restless crowd. That night, several prefectures and counties where scholars were staying erupted in chaos. If the prefect hadn’t heard about the events in Ling Shui and was prepared, and the garrison hadn’t arrived in time, perhaps these scholars, whose passions were ignited, would have disregarded their own futures and raised a rebellion. Although no true rebellion occurred, many were injured in the clashes, and one prefect was wounded. Xiao Guan had rushed back with the earliest news to report. This matter could not be kept under wraps, and it was unknown how the palace would react. If the palace feared that they had caused trouble in the capital’s outskirts, then these scholars’ ten years of hard study would truly be wasted. Tan Ting asked at this moment, “So, is it possible to find out who spread the news about the Fengling Chen clan?” This entire sequence of events bore a striking resemblance to the rumors spread during his father’s epidemic prevention efforts. The purpose was likely to incite these people’s anger and escalate the situation, wasn’t it? If the situation escalated, these impoverished scholars would be the first to suffer. So, who would benefit? However, Xiao Guan shook his head, stating that the source of the news was completely untraceable. Similar rumors had appeared simultaneously in several prefectures and counties, which, in the eyes of the impoverished scholars, seemed to corroborate each other. It seemed someone had deliberately spread the news. Even if the Fengling Chen clan hadn’t taken such action yet, even if they had, they wouldn’t be able to after this incident. This meant that the person who spread the news hadn’t even considered the Chen clan. This was different from his father’s situation at the time. Tan Ting asked Xiao Guan a few more questions, pondering silently for a while. By the afternoon, the news of the conflicts in the prefectures and counties on the capital’s outskirts last night had already spread throughout the capital, causing widespread unease. People feared that they would truly go mad and rebel, bringing the chaos to the capital. If even the common people thought this way, one could imagine the palace’s reaction. The timing of this incident was most detrimental to the impoverished scholars who had come to take the examinations. It could even lead to the postponement of the spring imperial examinations, and these rioting scholars might be banned from future exams. This would further reduce the number of scholars from humble origins who could enter the government and change their destinies. The best course of action now was to suppress this matter, appease the emotions of the impoverished scholars, and hold the spring imperial examinations as scheduled. This was the best way to defeat the instigator. Li Chengyun had intended to discuss this matter with Tan Ting, but his wife was due to give birth in the next two days, and he dared not leave home, so he had to give up. Tan Ting also did not let him leave, merely instructing his clansmen to keep an eye on the court’s movements. The next day, the Emperor, who had not attended court for many days, appeared in the Golden Dragon Hall. Immediately, a court official brought up the chaos in the prefectures and counties on the capital’s outskirts, suggesting that the rioting impoverished scholars be banned from the examinations. The Emperor remained silent. After a period of silence, the Crown Prince retorted, “Are you suggesting we truly push them to rebellion?” Rebellious scholars would be even more terrifying than ordinary commoners. No one spoke. At this moment, the Emperor finally spoke, asking who was willing to go and appease them. There were not many officials from humble origins. Although they shared the same roots as those scholars, their official ranks were generally not high. Several powerful regional officials were not in the capital. Moreover, officials from humble origins could not represent the attitude of the aristocratic families on this matter. But if someone from an aristocratic family were to go, they might not be able to persuade them. The selection of an envoy to appease them could not be decided on the spot. Tan Ting was willing to go, but unfortunately, he was still in the process of being appointed to an official position, and his rank was not yet fixed. However, someone volunteered, and the next day, this person was appointed as the envoy of appeasement by the court. When Tan Ting received the news, his eyelid twitched. No one in the court had volunteered for this task, yet Elder Qi, who was recuperating in the capital’s outskirts, had volunteered. Elder Qi was indeed the best candidate. Although he came from an aristocratic clan like the Hai Dong Qi clan, he had served in both the Imperial Academy and the Hanlin Academy. Especially as a teacher in the Imperial Academy, he had taught many scholars from humble origins, such as Xiang Zhiyuan, and was a renowned great scholar among the commoner scholars. There was no one more suitable. But Tan Ting, considering Elder Qi’s health, went with Xiang Yi to the Qi family’s residence. Elder Qi did not take it seriously and quietly told Tan Ting and Xiang Yi. “It’s a good opportunity to avoid the old woman for a few days and not have to drink bitter medicine.” Tan Ting shook his head helplessly and spoke to him about the events that had occurred in Ling Shui at the time, urging him to be extremely careful. People’s emotions were the hardest to control, let alone the emotions of a crowd. The old gentleman repeatedly said, “Don’t worry,” and “I’ve crossed more bridges than you’ve eaten salt.” But the Old Madam, for some reason, was unusually silent today. Only when she heard him say this did she glare at him. “Don’t boast. Hurry home!” The old gentleman repeatedly agreed. Before getting into the carriage, he whispered triumphantly to Tan Ting and Xiang Yi. “We’ve been together for a lifetime, why is she still so clingy to me?” Tan Ting almost burst out laughing. Xiang Yi also pursed her lips and curved the corners of her mouth. The old gentleman also asked Tan Ting. “Is your young lady also so clingy to you?” This question made Tan Ting choke for a moment. He didn’t have the old gentleman’s good fortune. After sending the old gentleman off to appease the scholars, Tan Ting and Xiang Yi bid farewell to the Old Madam and returned home. On the way, Tan Ting looked at his wife, who was lowering her eyes. He thought of the old gentleman’s question just now, but also of her refusal of even days. He sighed. Perhaps in another year or two, after they had a child, she would have him in her eyes? But Tan Ting suddenly thought of another possibility. If they had a child, would she still have him in her eyes? For a moment, Tan Ting couldn’t answer his own question. But Zheng Ji’s light footsteps approached the carriage window, and he quickly delivered the news. Li Chengyun’s wife had given birth to a boy. The main lineage of the Huaining Li clan had only Li Chengyun and his elder brother, Li Chengxu. His elder brother had poor health and had only one daughter for many years. There were matriarchs in aristocratic families, but a matriarch always had a harder and more difficult time than a patriarch. Li Chengxu, not wanting his daughter to be a matriarch, had discussed with Li Chengyun that if he had no son, Li Chengyun’s eldest son would become the future patriarch. Unexpectedly, Li Chengyun’s wife had indeed given birth to a boy in her first pregnancy. In fact, whether it was a boy or a girl, it was a great joy for the Huaining Li clan. He had already greeted Li Chengyun a few days ago, asking Xiang Yi to go and meet the female relatives of various families at the child’s full moon ceremony. Madam Lin’s spring banquet would undoubtedly be a grand affair. Xiang Yi, new to the capital, knew very few people. By meeting some at the full moon ceremony, she would feel much more at ease at the spring banquet. At this moment, he told Xiang Yi about this matter. “Li Chengyun’s wife and sister-in-law are both easygoing. They are not from prominent aristocratic families, so you don’t need to worry.” Li Chengyun’s wife was a county princess of the imperial clan, and his elder sister-in-law was a woman from a small aristocratic family in the southwest, who had married into the family due to saving Li Chengyun’s elder brother’s life. Neither sister-in-law was difficult to get along with. Tan Ting’s knowledge of the female relatives of various families was limited, so he had to entrust the Li sisters-in-law to guide Xiang Yi. He reached out and held her hand. “Don’t be afraid.” His voice was warm and gentle, flowing like a warm spring. Xiang Yi did not feel nervous or scared, but in the Master’s words, she inexplicably felt more at ease. She nodded gently. Several children suddenly rushed out of the alley, startling the coachman, who quickly pulled the reins. The carriage jolted violently. Xiang Yi almost fell off the seat. Tan Ting quickly reached out and held her. The carriage swerved again. The coachman outside couldn’t help but get angry, his voice suppressed as he scolded the mischievous children. This jolt almost sent Xiang Yi into Tan Ting’s arms. Tan Ting looked at his wife in his arms and remembered what Elder Qi had said about her being clingy. He subtly reminded Xiang Yi. “Yizhen, you can hold onto my waist to avoid being jolted again.” He said it very seriously. Xiang Yi, for a moment, thought he meant for her to hold onto a pillar or a beam. But that was his waist, not a pillar or a beam… Xiang Yi froze for a moment. Just then, the carriage jolted again, this time with a reverse force. Xiang Yi naturally pulled out of his arms and returned to her original position, gripping the handle on the carriage wall. “Thank you, Master. I’m steady now.” Tan Ting: “…” Tan Ting looked at his waist with a muffled groan. He wasn’t built like a rough man. This slender waist, wouldn’t it be just right to hold? Wasn’t it better than some pillars, beams, or handles? He then recalled the moment before, when their lips had been close, and she had turned her head away in fright. Now, she was unwilling to even hold him a little. His mood was naturally gloomy, to say the least. The subtle changes in the Master’s emotions were imperceptible to others unless he spoke of them. Xiang Yi, however, had meticulously prepared herself and attended the full moon ceremony for Li Chengyun’s eldest son. As the Master had said, the Li sisters-in-law were very easy to talk to. Li Chengxu’s wife, Madam Miao, was not a typical matriarch. She was extremely approachable, her voice as pleasant as a lark’s. Upon seeing Xiang Yi, she took her hand and chattered, asking her many questions. With her demeanor, she naturally lacked some authority as a matriarch, but Li Chengyun’s wife, the county princess, had a colder disposition and could hold her ground. Even while recuperating after childbirth, she managed the household affairs for her elder sister-in-law. The two sisters-in-law discussed matters together and got along very well. At this moment, Princess Qiuyang, on behalf of Madam Miao, explained a few matters and also spoke with Xiang Yi. When speaking to her subordinates, she was addressed as Madam or County Princess, but when she turned to speak to Xiang Yi, her tone softened considerably, and she even took out a child’s garment for her. Usually, children’s clothes were given for the hundredth day or the first birthday. She was giving it now. Xiang Yi felt too embarrassed to ask the taciturn County Princess, but Madam Miao covered her mouth and chuckled. “It was your Master’s idea. He urgently asked us for a child’s garment.” Xiang Yi felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this and could only accept the child’s garment. She thought to herself that she would place it on the Master’s pillow later. In addition to the female relatives of the main lineage of the Huaining Li clan, many female relatives of the Huaichuan Li clan were also present. The two families were originally from the same root, and it was natural for them to be close. However, compared to the approachable female relatives of the Huaining Li clan, the female relatives of the Huaichuan Li clan subtly carried an air of self-importance. When they saw Xiang Yi, they looked her up and down a few times, exchanged polite words, and then sat aside, but their gazes occasionally fell on Xiang Yi. Xiang Yi, of course, would not seek displeasure by trying to please them and sat quietly not too far away. However, she noticed one person with a fierce expression whose gaze fell on her several times. The female relatives beside her said something, and she let out a cold snort. “It’s just the desperate measures of lowly commoner families.” Her voice was not quiet, and many people looked at Xiang Yi. At this moment, Princess Qiuyang called for a maid to serve tea, thus suppressing the hostile glances. Madam Miao called Xiang Yi to sit beside her. After the maids had served tea one by one, she said to Xiang Yi. “That is their third young lady. She originally didn’t know about your engagement and wanted to propose marriage to the Tan family. Her husband, whom she married last year, fell from his horse and broke his leg. Her life is not going smoothly.” Madam Miao’s intention was for Xiang Yi not to take offense at Miss Li San. Xiang Yi certainly would not take offense, but she thought to herself, before she had used the marriage contract to force this marriage, surely there were many families who wanted to propose marriage to the Tan family? In their eyes, she had naturally blocked their path. Xiang Yi thanked Madam Miao for her guidance and did not intend to socialize with these female relatives. Unexpectedly, at this moment, several maids entered one after another and whispered something to their respective mistresses. Everyone’s expression changed. Their previously peaceful expressions were now tinged with anger. The already hidden hostility became blatant. That Miss Li San directly exclaimed. “I knew it, lowly commoners have no good intentions!” Everyone’s gaze involuntarily fell on Xiang Yi. Xiang Yi was stunned. Chun Sun also quickly walked in at this moment. “Did something happen?” Chun Sun nodded with a grim expression. “Elder Qi has had an accident. Elder Qi went to appease the impoverished scholars, but they pushed him down from a high slope, and he fell onto the rocks nearby. He might not make it!”

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