Chapter 018
Chapter 18: Never-Ending
Xuan Ming Capital sits on high ground. When the founding ancestor built the dynasty, he invited a Feng Shui master to search the whole realm and chose this site.
But lately the court seems to clash with this Feng Shui-blessed land. First the court could not collect local taxes and the state treasury ran dry. Then the borders were harassed again and again. The court wanted to act but had no strength. It finally filled the soldiers’ pay only by granting an imperial marriage.
Although Marquis Ping An and Xia Meng Yan have divorced, the tangle between the two families gets more and more interesting the more people dig. The tie between Duan Yi Chen and Xia Meng Yan especially keeps the capital buzzing.
At a breakfast stall, two young men ate while trading the latest gossip: “Do you think Heir Apparent Duan likes Miss Xia of the Xia Family?”
The other snorted, speaking fast: “No way. She is a remarried woman. Even if she were still unmarried, she might not be able to enter the Marquis Xuan Ping Manor.”
The first was not convinced: “Heir Apparent Duan and Miss Xia were childhood sweethearts. Before she married, they were often together, so why couldn’t they wed?”
The other lifted his chin and said: “Heir Apparent Duan is the Eldest Princess’s son and the legitimate heir of the Marquis Xuan Ping Manor. What background does Xia Manor have? A Hanlin Academician sounds high to most people, and serving before the throne is a big deal, but don’t forget, His Majesty is Heir Apparent Duan’s own uncle. He won’t care about that little title.”
The first sighed: “True. Now Miss Xia is a second-time bride and still carries Marquis Ping An’s child. She may end up alone all her life.”
The other waved his bun: “Not necessarily. Her maternal grandfather is a rich merchant. She will still live better than most daughters.”
He leaned closer and lowered his voice: “If that Xia Family miss is willing, she could still be Heir Apparent Duan’s concubine.”
They burst out laughing: “Hahaha.”
An old servant woman passing by heard them, hurried back to the house, and rushed straight to the master’s courtyard. She told Second Madam, Madam Wan, everything she had heard and grumbled: “Second madam, listen. The big miss gets her way, but what about the girls of our second branch? If she carries a child and becomes Heir Apparent Duan’s concubine, how will the Xia Family walk around the capital later?”
Madam Wan looked worn out and pressed a cloth to her eyes. Last night she and the old madam waited for the main branch to come back, but when they returned, they shut the door and slept. They only sent the steward to say they would talk tomorrow. [Old Madam yells all day and still gets nothing done.]
She let the cloth fall and said, tired: “You saw it yesterday. Even the old madam couldn’t press them down. If I go, I’m just asking to be scolded.”
Nanny Wang huffed: “If you let go, what happens to our branch’s girls? The main branch’s girls are treated like treasure while ours are treated like grass. That’s not right.” She had watched the second miss grow up and knew the girl would soon reach marriage age. With Xia Manor in such a mess, what matchmaker would dare knock on their door?
Madam Wan tossed the cloth aside: “You think I’m not worried? Our second branch still depends on the main branch to live. We are short in everything. We might as well keep our heads down.” [If only Xia Xing Yan had any ability at all.]
Nanny Wang leaned in, kneading her legs as she urged: “If you don’t fight, our branch is finished. Right or wrong, stir the pot first. The old madam favors Second Master. If she speaks up, even if the eldest master is unhappy, he can’t do much.”
Madam Wan’s eyes narrowed: “Keep talking.”
Nanny Wang pressed on: “Now is the time. The big miss caused a scandal that hurts the marriage chances of all the girls here. There must be compensation. Either give silver, or arrange a post for Second Master.”
Madam Wan sat up slowly, feeling the idea catch: “Silver may be hopeless, but we can try for Second Master’s post.” Xia Xing Yan had sat in the Eighth Rank Official seat far too long. Even a transfer into the capital at the same rank would be something. In any case, they could not miss the chance.
She stood and said crisply: “Help me change. I will see the old madam.”
After last night’s chaos, the pregnant Xia Meng Yan slept straight through till lunch. Nanny Song felt both tender and worried, thinking: [The divorce is good, but your name is ruined.] In the capital, at the mention of the Xia Family, people now spoke of the big miss who never let a matter go. She had not yet reached twenty and would live alone. The thought made the old nanny’s heart ache.
Chun Yue hurried in, lowered her voice after peeking toward the inner room, and said: “A maid reports that Second Madam has gone to the old madam’s courtyard. Not long after she entered, shouting started inside.”
Nanny Song clicked her tongue: “She is all wolf heart and dog lungs. Even silver can’t plug that mouth.” Chun Yue fumed too, but the old madam’s bias was hard to fight. “Tell the big miss so she can be ready.”
Before they finished, a maid came to summon them: the old madam wanted the big miss right away. Chun Yue and Nanny Song traded a helpless look. With a muddle-headed elder, the troubles came like sesame seeds, never-ending.
Nanny Song lifted the curtain and called gently: “Big miss.”
“Mm.” Xia Meng Yan had woken already but had been too lazy to open her eyes. Nanny Song said: “The old madam asks for you. I fear the second branch is stirring trouble again.” Xia Meng Yan said nothing, rose, and dressed.
Old Madam Xia had waited since morning for Madam Lin and Xia Meng Yan to pay respects. Lunch was near, and still no sign of them. She was already angry when Second Madam came to add fuel to the fire. “She’s just a merchant’s daughter. What does she know? Noble houses value face most. Her daughter has no shame, but the other girls of our Xia Family still need theirs. Where are they? Why are they not here yet?”
Head maid Su Ran bowed and said: “We have already sent people to invite them. They should arrive soon.”
Second Madam, an expert at stirring the pot, smiled thinly: “Mother, I am not looking for trouble. But yesterday when elder brother and elder sister-in-law made a scene at the Ping An Marquis Manor, they should have come to report to you after returning. If they came back late and feared to disturb your rest, then they should have come this morning at least. It is almost noon and we still have not seen them. Are they treating you as if you do not exist?”
“Enough,” Old Madam Xia snapped. She could not control the elder couple but still scolded the second daughter-in-law: “You babble only at me. If you have the nerve, go to Madam Lin. Do you think I don’t know your little plans?”
Madam Wan slid into the seat below Old Madam Xia with a flattering smile: “How could I hide anything from you? I’m only worried for Second Master and for your grandson and granddaughters. If we had the main branch’s skill, we would lift you up high and not let you suffer the least slight.”
“Fine,” the old madam muttered, “watch the moment later and make sure we get something.”
Madam Wan’s eyes brightened: “I will do as mother says.”
At the door, Madam Lin and Xia Meng Yan glanced at each other and stepped in, both knowing today would not be simple. Madam Wan smiled first: “Congratulations, elder sister-in-law. Meng Yan has gotten what she wanted.”
“What is there to congratulate?” Old Madam Xia scolded softly, sharp eyes studying mother and daughter and growing unsure the more she looked. “With reputation ruined, how will she marry again?”
Xia Meng Yan did not care. She only smiled and helped Madam Lin sit: “Grandmother called us here, is there something?”
Old Madam Xia’s face cooled: “Since you have divorced, stay home and do not shame the family outside. Do you know that your mess did not only cut off your second uncle’s future, it almost ruined the girls in this house?”
Xia Meng Yan feigned puzzlement: “Grandmother, I don’t understand. What does the main branch’s matter have to do with the second branch?”
“Don’t play dumb. When one prospers, all prosper; when one loses, all lose. The main branch’s name is stained, so the second branch is dragged down too. Now everyone in the capital knows the Xia Family has a divorced, pregnant miss. With someone like you in the manor, who dares propose to our girls? Your second uncle could have been transferred into the capital, but because of you, he cannot move for three years. Tell me, what now?”