Chapter 015
Chapter 15: I Come to Calm Things Down
Duan Yi Chen’s eyes flashed as he said: “Lord Xia, wait for me. Miss Xia is hurt, and I happen to be going into the palace to ask for an Imperial Physician.”
Xia Meng Yan heard that the two of them would enter the palace and did not stop them. The news that the Marquis of Ping An had come knocking would spread through the capital fast. Outsiders did not care what they whispered in private; they only believed what they saw and heard. Rather than wait for Ping An Marquis Manor to sling mud on her, it was better to add fuel to the fire.
Just as Xia Meng Yan expected, the moment Grand Madam Lin returned to her manor and could speak, her first words were: “I want Xia Meng Yan dead.”
Sadly for her, she had not even made a move before rumors spread that she had abused her status as an elder to beat her pregnant daughter-in-law, causing the daughter-in-law to spit blood. If Heir Apparent Duan had not entered the palace to ask for an Imperial Physician, Xia Meng Yan’s child would have been lost.
Grand Madam Lin panted, her eyes full of unwilling rage, as she said: “Quick, write to Ye Lan and tell him to come back.” She had schemed half her life and could not accept losing to Xia Meng Yan. [I refuse to accept this.]
Inside the Imperial Palace, Duan Yi Chen knelt in the Imperial Study. Emperor Xuan Ming rubbed his brow. He had just sent Xia Ping Yuan away when this youngster knelt down. The emperor said: “Why are you everywhere? The Xia family is making a fuss about separation; what does that have to do with you.”
Duan Yi Chen knelt straight-backed, but his face was playful as he said: “Xia Meng Yan was my childhood playmate. Of course I must protect her.”
The emperor snorted as he said: “Playmate? Anyone who could play with you, can she be a good person?” He both loved and was annoyed by this nephew. The Eldest Princess was his full-blood sister; they had been close since childhood. She simply should not have fallen in love with Marquis Xuan Ping, that old warlord who held heavy troops and had never lost a battle. At least in recent years the old man had shown some sense and handed over most of his military power.
The emperor asked: “Besides that, is there any other reason?”
Duan Yi Chen sounded aggrieved as he said: “Yes. There are clues about what you ordered me to investigate. I planned to report as soon as I returned to the capital, but Father locked me in the ancestral hall. I only just got out.” He had slipped out of the capital to see Xia Meng Yan off and, more importantly, to investigate the Northern Fortress Pass.
For some time, court officials had memorialized that the Huo family, made arrogant by merit, was doing evil at the Northern Fortress Pass. Lacking proof, Emperor Xuan Ming did not want to chill a great general’s heart, so he sent Duan Yi Chen to look into it in secret.
The emperor said: “Speak.”
Duan Yi Chen shared Xia Meng Yan’s deductions, but phrased them as his own. Xia Meng Yan was a woman. Being too outstanding would only invite trouble. He said: “That town lies only a dozen miles from the Northern Fortress Pass. I kept losing silver, and I was almost killed. I was lucky to meet Xia Meng Yan and escaped only because of her.”
The emperor frowned as he said: “You just said Xia Meng Yan revealed her identity, yet the other side was not afraid and even threatened you.”
Duan Yi Chen nodded as he said: “It felt strange, so I had people look into it. We learned that more than half the inns in that town are fronts. Every time the court sends pay to the Northern Fortress Pass, it is cut down or delayed, yet the Huo family never complains. They have their own way to make money: one side, they used the Marquis of Ping An to squeeze silver out of the Xia family; the other side, they rob travelers. No wonder they do not care about the court’s pay.”
The emperor said: “Get up.”
Grinning, Duan Yi Chen rose, then leaned closer to Emperor Xuan Ming. Among the royal family’s princes and princesses, only he dared be this casual in front of the emperor. He said: “Uncle, if not for Miss Xia, I might not have made it back. For public duty and for personal feeling, I should help her. Besides, you think well of Xia Ping Yuan.”
Emperor Xuan Ming kept a stern face as he said: “The matter between the two families is not so simple. Too many things are tied together.”
Duan Yi Chen laughed as he said: “Then why don’t I just snatch Miss Xia for myself.”
The emperor snapped: “Nonsense.”
Duan Yi Chen explained with a smile as he said: “How is it nonsense? Back then, you granted the marriage because Xia Ping Yuan was willing to put up 200,000 taels. Now the Marquis of Ping An has crossed the river and broken the bridge, showing no regard for your face. I am just helping you make up for it.”
The emperor said: “I do not need you to make up for it. I will compensate the Xia family.” He narrowed his eyes and asked: “Did you set your eyes on her and now want to seize the wife of a court official?”
Duan Yi Chen touched his nose, a little guilty, as he said: “No. But if they do separate, I would like to try.”
The emperor barked: “Fool. How can a divorced woman enter the royal family? Give up on that.”
Duan Yi Chen chuckled as he said: “What if the Xia family donates a few hundred thousand more taels? Would you allow it then?”
Emperor Xuan Ming frowned.
Duan Yi Chen said: “With my temper, good families do not want me, and I do not want the bad ones. I know Xia Meng Yan well. That is good.”
The emperor flicked his forehead, half annoyed and half fond, as he said: “Brat, you are itching for trouble. Even if I agreed, your mother would not. End this idea.”
Duan Yi Chen had achieved his aim. He stepped back and bowed as he said: “If she separates, I will marry her. If not, I will go be a monk.”
The emperor glared at his figure as he sprinted off and sighed as he said: “More and more lawless.”
Leaving the Imperial Palace, Duan Yi Chen was joined at once by Jian Ping. The heir apparent was going to great lengths for Miss Xia. Jian Ping asked: “Since the matter has blown up this big, what if the separation fails? How do we end it?”
The lazy air around Duan Yi Chen faded. He said seriously: “Send people to the Northern Fortress Pass to spread rumors, to force Lin Ye Lan back to the capital.”
Cold sweat broke out on Jian Ping’s back. Soldiers on campaign could not return just because someone wished it. He reminded: “Miss Xia is pregnant…”
Even if the separation worked, what about the child? Born or not born?
Duan Yi Chen’s gaze darkened. He said nothing for a long moment, then left one order: “Set people to watch Ping An Marquis Manor and the Huo family.”
At dinner, Old Madam Xia was helped out of the meditation room. She usually kept herself very well. She wore plain clothes, her hair sleeked with oil and combed smooth, matched with a face that almost never smiled. She looked very solemn.
Second Madam, Madam Wan, hurried up to take her arm as she said: “Mother, you finally came out. If you stay in there any longer, the Xia family will be finished.”
Old Madam Xia kept a hard face and did not care that servants were present as she said: “What nonsense. Finished? Pfah.” Then she scolded, “You read all those books for nothing. You are already the lady of the house, yet you are still so rash. Where are your manners.”
Madam Wan bowed her head as she said: “Daughter-in-law admits fault.” She quickly told her that Xia Meng Yan had returned home with a pregnant belly and was shouting that she would separate from the Marquis of Ping An.
Old Madam Xia’s pride could not stand any loss of face. She said: “Shameless thing. Just like her mother, no rules at all. Making a fuss while pregnant. What did the head of the family say?”
Madam Wan supported her as they walked out and said: “Elder Brother loves Meng Yan most, so he allowed her to stay in the house. He even offended the Huo family for her. Now the capital is full of rumors about the Xia family. The ladies do not dare step outside.”
Madam Lin had given Madam Wan fifty taels and told her to return to her maiden home for a few days. Madam Wan knew it would not be simple. As soon as she heard the outside rumors, she rushed back. After all, two days had passed, so she was not breaking her word. Most of all, Ping An Marquis Manor had sent her a message: if she could get Xia Meng Yan to return to the manor, they could help Second Master get a post at the Ministry of War.
Old Madam Xia’s face turned ugly. Rebellion. While she was still in the house, they dared to hide things from her and keep the girl. They treated her as if she did not exist. She said: “Call that troublemaker over here.”
Xia Meng Yan lay resting on a beauty couch. Even though she had prepared, she was with child, and all the tossing about had left her sore and tired.
Nanny Song hurried in, nervous and worried, as she said: “My lady, Old Madam wants you to come. Should we refuse?”
For things inside the Xia house, Heir Apparent Duan could not step in.
Xia Meng Yan waved and told the maids to help her change as she said: “Invite Father and Mother to come with me.”
This hurdle had to be faced. Hiding was no solution.
Madam Lin squeezed her daughter’s hand at the gate as she said: “Do not be afraid. We are here.”
Xia Meng Yan smiled and returned the squeeze as she said: “It is not my fault. I am not afraid.”
Madam Lin nodded and led her inside.
They had not yet entered when a teacup flew out. Xia Meng Yan reacted fast and pulled her mother aside to avoid it.