The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 20
Once Xiangyun blurted the question out, she immediately realized it was inappropriate. Sure enough, aside from Wen Shuse, the faces of the other Wen family members all showed a trace of embarrassment, and no one responded to her.
That alone was enough to confirm it.
Since marrying into the Xie family, Wen Shuse had never once seen the eldest young master. According to Nanny Fang, the eldest young master was swamped with official duties at the yamen and usually stayed there, rarely returning home.
Now, having finally chanced upon him, Wen Shuse’s curiosity was already burning. Just what kind of man was this person who had nearly become her husband?
She craned her neck to look ahead but saw nothing.
Even Eldest Master Wen inside the carriage could no longer sit still. He lifted the curtain and stepped down. “All of you stay in the carriage. I’ll go up front and take a look.”
Originally, he had only wanted to live as a dutiful official in the capital, avoiding involvement in factional struggles. But with things escalating this far, he could no longer feign ignorance. Taking the Wen family’s eldest young master with him, he hurried forward.
Wen Sese, now the Third Madam of the Xie family, was no longer counted among the Wen family’s household dependents but followed closely behind Eldest Master Wen.
Up ahead, Deputy Commander Xie and the Xie family’s eldest young master had already dismounted. Surrounded by a crowd that blocked her view, Wen Shuse strained her eyes, searching through the sea of people for the young man she had glimpsed on horseback just now. However, fate seemed against her. She caught only glimpses of the back of heads or the hem of a robe, never managing to see his face.
Seeing Eldest Master Wen and his eldest son walking straight forward, she lifted her skirts and squeezed her way inside.
Gradually, the voices from inside reached her ears, “Well, is Deputy Commander Xie also here to inspect the carriages?”
Pei Yuanqiu looked at the crowd blocking his path and smiled wryly. “Why don’t you tell me exactly what has gone missing? If I happen to come across it, I might be able to point you in the right direction. No need for everyone to be so anxious.”
Deputy Commander Xie was already at his wits’ end.
After receiving Zhou Kuang’s message the day before, he knew something major had happened and immediately rushed out with Xie Heng to search house to house for the missing person.
Deputy Commander Xie had been promoted to his position by Jing Wang himself. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, given the prince’s trust in him, his official career promised limitless prospects. But this time, if Jing Wang were caught by the court and used as a pretext to reduce his feudal power, Deputy Commander Xie would also be implicated. As for what the future held… who could say?
But after a whole night of searching, nothing had been found.
He had cursed Zhou Kuang a thousand times in his heart, utterly useless, more trouble than worth. Of all things to meddle with, why an armory? Wasn’t it enough to jeopardize his own father’s head? Now he was dragging everyone down with him.
Just as they finished searching the teahouse, a subordinate reported that Zhou Kuang had cornered the Assistant Minister at the Court of Judicial Review, Pei Yuanqiu, at the bridge market. Deputy Commander Xie immediately rushed over with Xie Heng without a moment’s delay.
Upon arriving, he took in the tense standoff and had a fair idea of what was happening. The person they were searching for was likely right there in Pei Yuanqiu’s carriage. His expression hardened as he stepped forward. “The younger generation has acted too rashly. I hope you will forgive them, Lord Pei. But the matter is of grave importance. Every carriage today must be inspected. If we were to make an exception only for you, Lord Pei, and it turned out the missing item had indeed been smuggled out of the city, wouldn’t Lord Pei himself suffer unjust suspicion?”
“Deputy Commander Xie makes a valid point,” Pei Yuanqiu replied, surprisingly agreeable this time. He turned and waved his guards aside. “Let the Deputy Commander search.”
Deputy Commander Xie stepped forward himself and lifted the carriage curtain, and found the interior was empty. No one was there.
Pei Yuanqiu seemed to have expected this all along. Without even glancing back, his gaze settled on Xie Heng, and he spoke slowly, “Eldest Young Master Xie, your transfer order has already arrived, hasn’t it? I expect we’ll be seeing each other in the Eastern Capital in a few days. I recall His Majesty mentioning you not long ago, and his words were nothing but praise. With your return to the Hanlin Academy this time, given your talents, it surely won’t be long before you secure a permanent post there. Your future is boundless; without a doubt, you will become a member of the imperial cabinet someday.”
Just as the words “Eldest Young Master Xie” were spoken, Wen Shuse finally managed to squeeze her way successfully into the inner circle.
“I am honored by your high regard, Lord Pei…”
The voice sounded gentle and refined. Wen Shuse could barely contain her excitement. Just a little closer, just another step, and she would see him at last…
At the very center, Xie Shao happened to glance back—and caught sight of a high-combed coiffure poking out from beside Wen Family’s eldest son. Her neck craned nearly a full handspan higher, her face lit with open delight. One look, and he knew exactly what she was after.
Had he not intervened, the promising Eldest Young Master Xie now before him would have been her husband. Instead, she ended up married to a dissolute wastrel like himself. How pitiable…
But Xie Shao was never one to indulge others’ wishes. He had no intention of letting her have her way. He took a half-step, subtle and unhurried, sliding just into her line of sight.
On the opposite side, Wen Shuse, who was just about to get a clear look at Eldest Young Master Xie’s face when suddenly a broad back moved into her line of sight, once again obscuring her view. Puzzled but undeterred, she tried shifting to the side.
No matter how she maneuvered, that swaying figure in front of her blocked her completely.
At last, she glared at the man’s unyielding form, exasperation boiling in her chest. What was he, born with eyes on the back of his head? That footwork, so nimble, so shameless, it was practically a dance.
Her eagerness to glimpse another man’s face withered in an instant. Now she stood still, arms crossed, just to see how long he would keep up this ridiculous game. And sure enough, when she stopped moving, so did he.
Wen Shuse: ……
Meanwhile, with no fugitive discovered inside Pei Yuanqiu’s carriage, Deputy Commander Xie’s expression began to falter. After hearing Pei Yuanqiu’s oh-so-courteous words, his face stiffened even further.
Zhou Kuang, completely unaware of the situation behind him, urged impatiently, “There are more carriages behind, Deputy Commander. Continue the search.”
Pei Yuanqiu remained silent, waiting for the Deputy Commander’s response.
A moment later, the Deputy Commander suddenly lowered the curtain and stepped back. He cupped his hands toward Pei Yuanqiu and said, “Lord Pei, my apologies for the offense. I hope you will be magnanimous.” Ignoring Zhou Kuang’s anxious expression, he turned and ordered, “Let them pass.”
The inspectors blocking the carriage slowly stepped aside, clearing a path for the procession.
“Many thanks, Deputy Commander,” said Pei Yuanqiu before turning back to his carriage.
The procession began moving again. Master Wen and Eldest Young Master Wen, unable to spare time to speak with Wen Shuse, hurried toward the rear carriages.
Zhou Kuang’s face turned pale. “Deputy Commander Xie…” But Deputy Commander Xie pretended not to hear and turned to instruct Eldest Young Master Xie, “Escort Lord Pei out of the city gates.”
“Deputy Commander Xie, what is the meaning of this?” Zhou Kuang’s face grew red, veins bulging with urgency.
Deputy Commander Xie turned away, leaving only his back to Zhou Kuang. “We searched, didn’t we? There’s no one.”
Zhou Kuang hurried to catch up. “Who would be stupid enough to hide evidence in their own carriage? I’m certain the steward of the armory is in the carriage behind…”
“Without proof, searching the carriage of a court official has already offended people today,” Deputy Commander Xie cut him off, impatience flickering across his face. “Shizi should think carefully about how you plan to explain this to Wangye.”
The private armory was his own secret construction, something no one else knew of. Zhou Kuang was struck dumb, left standing frozen in place.
They had chased through the night, only in the end to suspect Pei Yuanqiu, staking out the teahouse before dawn, yet still the man had slipped away. Off to the side, Pei Qing and Cui Nian were just as at a loss.
“Send word to the Eastern Capital,” Xie Shao reminded calmly. “If we admit guilt before the news reaches them, there may still be room to salvage this.”
Zhou Kuang’s eyes lit with sudden realization. He cupped his hands in thanks to Xie Shao. “Many thanks, Brother Xie.” Then he swung himself onto his horse and galloped back toward his mansion.
Having not slept a wink all last night, he was utterly exhausted. Figuring no one was in the mood for tea now anyway, he turned and sent Pei Qing and Cui Nian on their way. “Go back and get some rest.”
___
When the crowd finally dispersed, Wen Shuse’s hopes had flared up again. She quickly turned and retreated a few steps, but by the time she looked up, the Eldest Young Master had already mounted his horse, once more leaving her with nothing but a view of his back.
Wen Shuse’s face fell in defeat.
She turned back to glare at the man who had ruined her chance, her anger simmering uncontrollably. Storming toward him in rapid, furious steps, she lifted her foot and stomped hard on his heel.
Xie Shao winced in pain and turned around with a cold expression. But when he saw the furious young woman before him, his demeanor softened slightly in understanding. So this is what you call flying into a rage out of shame?”
Of course, she knew he had done it on purpose.
She had been curious about what the Eldest Young Master looked like since her wedding night. After arriving at the Xie Mansion, she had never caught a glimpse of him. Today, she had finally been so close, just one step away from seeing him. Yet this man had deliberately gotten in her way, and in the end, she still hadn’t managed to catch a glimpse. Originally, she hadn’t thought much of it, but now, after being thwarted like this, she was left with the unbearable frustration of having her appetite stimulated and then denied.
If she was feeling miserable, she wasn’t about to let him off easily. “My apologies, but my eyes aren’t as sharp as yours. Not only do you have eyes in front, but you’ve also got a pair growing on the back of your head.”
Xie Shao made no attempt to deny his behavior. On the contrary, he challenged her right back. “Shouldn’t you be reflecting on your own behavior instead?”
“And why, what have I done that needs reflection?”
“Since you’re already a married woman, you ought to put away those foolish fantasies. Do I really need to teach you what you should and shouldn’t be looking at?”
He actually had the nerve to turn the blame on her. Wen Shuse drew in a deep breath. “And you, my husband, have no foolish fantasies of your own? Don’t tell me you’ve never wanted to know what the Eldest Young Lady looks like?”
The man opposite her let out a cold laugh. “Sorry to disappoint, but no. I’ve never thought about it. Unlike some people who can’t stay honest, hearts still restless and cling to hopeless delusions.”
His self-righteous attitude left Wen Shuse momentarily at a disadvantage. Realizing he had dragged her off track, she quickly steered the conversation back on track. “I think you’re just guilty, afraid that if I see someone more handsome and more accomplished than you, I won’t like you anymore.”
What a joke! This little lady really had nerve; not only was her temper foul, but her eyes must be blind. His temper was thoroughly provoked. “Who wants your liking anyway?”
“Then why did you feel the need to prevent me from looking at others…?”
The two stood arguing in the middle of the street. Behind them, a cluster of maids and attendants didn’t dare utter a word, yet were terrified others would see the spectacle. They huddled close and formed a circle around the pair, leaving husband and wife dueling within their ring of silence.
Because of the delay, the sun had already climbed high overhead. Even if it was only springtime, standing beneath the bare sky without shade was becoming unbearable.
Hot, drowsy, and annoyed, Xie Shao was the first to give in. “Can’t be bothered with you.” He turned his head and called for Minzhang. “We’re going home.”
The sun really was blazing. Wen Shuse, worried about tanning, had been shading her forehead with her hand even as she argued. Her arm was sore from holding it up so long. Since he’d stopped quarreling, that suited her just fine. She turned on her heel and called for Aunt Qing and Xiangyun, “We’re going home too.”
She ducked into the carriage, instantly embraced by the cool shade inside.
Xie Shao, one foot on the stirrup, found the sun still beating down on him. He glanced back at the carriage a short distance away, paused, then tossed the reins to Minzhang and strode toward it.
The inside of the carriage was significantly cooler. Wen Shuse regretted not seeking refuge earlier and was just relaxing against the wall when the curtain was abruptly flung open. The sight of that annoying face startled her, and the words tumbled out before she could stop them, “Didn’t the Third Young Master say you were going home?”
“Is my home your home too?” he retorted.
—
By noon, they had returned to the mansion together.
As soon as he stepped out of the carriage, Xie Shao noticed a pile of bamboo baskets stacked by the main gate. Curious, he peered in and found them full of lively, flipping fishes.
Before he could ask, a servant unloading them hurried over, bowing gratefully and greeting him. “Third Young Master, Third Young Madam,” he said, his face filled with gratitude. “Thank you for thinking of us lowly servants…”
Xie Shao was utterly lost.
Seeing his confusion, the servant quickly explained, “This morning, the Third Young Madam mentioned that the recent weather, hot and cold by turns, might be hard on our health. She said you, Young Master, were concerned we couldn’t withstand it and wanted to improve our meals. So, she went out first thing and ordered these fish. They’ve just arrived…”
Xie Shao, who hadn’t come home the previous night and thus knew nothing of the chaos in the mansion. Seeing that she had still managed to be so thoughtful, even considering the welfare of the servants, only reinforced his belief that he hadn’t misjudged her initially.
Though Second Wen might not have many other redeeming qualities, she certainly was skilled at managing the household.
He said to the servant, “Mm, eat well. If it’s not enough, just ask the Third Young Madam.” Then he finally lowered her noble head and looked toward the young woman behind her, who wore an indifferent expression.
After their argument, neither had spoken a word the whole way back. But since she had done something for his Xie family, he couldn’t simply pretend not to notice. Xie Shao broke the silence first, offering a word of praise. “You manage the household quite well.”
Wen Shuse forced a faint smile and turned away to avoid his gaze. “There’s no need for such courtesy, husband.”
—
The Xie family’s main branch had been in chaos all morning. From the Eldest Madam down to the Second Young Lady, everyone was being hounded by shopkeepers demanding payment, so much so that they couldn’t even leave the mansion.
The Eldest Young Lady, driven to distraction by the nuisance, had no choice but to dig into her own savings to settle the accounts with the shopkeepers. It felt like cutting flesh from her bones, and her heart ached with every coin spent. She sat in the courtyard, cursing Wen Shuse for half an hour.
When a servant came to report that the Third Young Master and his wife had returned to the Xie residence together, she immediately summoned the Second Young Lady and stormed off toward the garden to demand an explanation.