The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 24
Since everyone agreed that buying a house in the Eastern Capital was a wise investment, it could even turn a profit. Then naturally, Wen Shuse reasoned, she might as well buy one herself. They could simply rent from her.
After all, why let fertile water flow into others’ fields?
Wen Shuse turned to the Eldest Young Master, looking at him with complete sincerity as she asked for his opinion.
The room fell utterly silent. No one reacted for a moment. The delight that had just flickered in the Eldest Madam’s heart vanished at once as she realized what had happened.
Of course, she thought bitterly. How could that Wen Shuse suddenly turn kind? She’s been holding back a trump card this whole time.
So that was her plan—to buy property in the Eastern Capital herself and make the eldest branch rent it from her. Clever, calculating woman. And infuriatingly, there was not a single flaw to be found in her logic.
The Eldest Madam was rendered speechless. The Eldest Master, too, had nothing to say. All his talk earlier about “one family, unity and harmony,” and she had just turned it neatly to her own advantage.
As for the Eldest Young Master, being suddenly addressed by the young lady before him, her eyes meeting his, he couldn’t help but recall that flicker of disappointment he’d seen in them earlier. The irony of it all stung. His face stiffened.
He rose and bowed slightly toward his parents. “The transfer order has not yet been issued. It is still uncertain whether I will even be sent to the Eastern Capital. Father, Mother, there’s no need to rush. And even if I do go… is the Eastern Capital so small that it would lack a place for your son to settle?”
Before the two could gather their thoughts, the Eldest Young Master bowed deeply to the Old Madam at the head of the room. “Grandmother, please forgive me. The affairs at the yamen are truly overwhelming. I regret that I cannot stay for the meal today. Once my duties ease, I will return to properly apologize to you.”
As for Old Madam Xie, she was rendered speechless by Wen Shuse’s astonishing proposal.
The Eldest Master and his wife had been scheming behind closed doors these past few days, and she had long caught wind of their intentions.
The Eldest Young Master’s transfer order was still far from certain, yet they were already plotting to buy property in the Eastern Capital? It sounded effortless when they said it, but who would provide the silver?
They were clearly desperate to squeeze money out of Old Third’s hands.
Sure enough, today the Eldest Master had suddenly come to her, saying that since Old Third had taken a wife, the family had yet to gather properly. He suggested hosting a noon banquet in her courtyard, inviting everyone so she could enjoy the harmony of family life.
Family harmony? It was nothing but a trap set for Old Third’s household.
She had originally planned to step in if the younger couple struggled to refuse. After all, she was already seen as biased, so she might as well embrace it fully. But who could have guessed that Third Young Madam would come up with such a brilliant solution?
Old Madam Xie sighed inwardly, her eyes glinting with amusement and admiration.
Brilliant.
Old Madam Xie suddenly recalled what Nanny Fang had said to her two days earlier that “Third Madam is a treasure.” Now she truly understood it. A treasure indeed, a rare and clever jewel of a woman.
When the Eldest Young Master rose and bowed to apologize, Old Madam Xie finally came back to herself. She knew full well that he was caught between his parents and could neither advance nor retreat without embarrassment, so she did not stop him. Instead, she said kindly, “No matter how busy you are with official duties, you must still take care of your health.”
Then she turned to Nanzhi and instructed, “Later, set aside a few dishes from the banquet and have them sent to the yamen for the Eldest Young Master.”
But truth be told, no one in the room still had any appetite.
Eldest Master Xie, for one, couldn’t sit still as if the chair beneath him might as well have sprouted nails. Rising abruptly, he said to Old Madam, “I’ll go see what’s keeping him so busy. If I don’t make it back in time, Mother, please start the meal without me.”
He left hastily, following his son out, leaving only the Eldest Madam and the younger generation behind.
Second Young Lady, unable to contain herself, let out a sharp, disdainful snort at Wen Shuse, then swept out of the room without so much as a word of farewell. The Eldest Young Lady quickly followed, saying, “I’ll go check on Second Sister.”
With those two gone, even the Second Young Master and Second Young Madam soon found excuses to take their leave as well.
Only the Eldest Madam remained from the eldest branch. The thought of sharing a meal with this calculating, tight-fisted penny-pincher was enough to make her fear choking to death. She made no effort to stay, remarking, “These younger generations are truly growing more insolent by the day, no manners at all, thinking only of themselves. I’ll have to teach them a proper lesson…”
Her words, though veiled, were clearly aimed at Xie Shao and Wen Shuse, allowing her to vent some of her frustration.
With the entire eldest branch gone, Wen Shuse turned to glance at Xie Shao. The once lively family banquet had suddenly turned cold and quiet. Since ancient times, discussions of money have always strained relationships. She wondered if he could handle it.
Xie Shao, who had been dragged out by Zhou Kuang early that morning and had drunk half a pot of tea on an empty stomach, was still mentally lingering over the soups and tonics Wen Shuse had described. His stomach had been growling with hunger for a while now. He turned to the Old Madam and asked, “Grandmother, are you hungry? Should we start the meal?”
“Yes,” Old Madam Xie instructed Nanzhi to serve the dishes. Full of energy, she ushered the two toward the dining table. “They all have their own affairs to attend to, leaving just the three of us with nothing pressing. Today, there’s no need to rush; we can take our time and enjoy the meal.”
Xie Shao supported the Old Madam by the arm, while Wen Shuse followed closely behind.
As they took their seats, Xie Shao suddenly turned and said, “I’ve been having headaches lately, too. Could I trouble Wife to prepare that medicinal chicken soup you mentioned earlier for me tomorrow as well?”
Before Wen Shuse could reply, Old Madam Xie chuckled. “You certainly know how to take advantage of a good thing.”
The atmosphere lightened instantly. The absence of the eldest branch did nothing to dampen the mood, and Wen Shuse felt relaxed. She smiled and answered brightly, “Of course. I’ll make it for my Husband tomorrow.”
The dishes and tableware were soon brought in. Wen Shuse took the seat on the inner side. Nanzhi first set a bowl and chopsticks before Xie Shao, then started to move around the table to place another for Wen Shuse, only to see Xie Shao raise his hand, pick up the set in front of him, and hand it to his wife.
Nanzhi quickly fetched another pair for him.
Old Madam Xie took in the scene with quiet satisfaction. Her grandson, aside from being lazy and a spendthrift, was truly hard to fault in any other way. Born in the Eastern Capital, enlightened from the age of three, gifted and quick of mind, which tutor hadn’t praised him?
Nurtured by a life steeped in books and ink, even his idleness carried a kind of natural grace, his manners and bearing etched deep into his bones.
Then her gaze shifted to the Third Young Madam beside him.
Today, Wen Shuse’s attire was more radiant than the orchids blooming in Old Madam Xie’s courtyard. Her features somewhat resembled those of Second Master Wen, yet she had avoided inheriting his narrow eyes. Hers were bright and lively, so much so that meeting her gaze seemed to lift one’s spirits.
Her complexion was fair with a rosy skin; her beauty wasn’t the fleeting kind that dazzled at first glance, but one that grew finer the longer one looked. With such graceful bone structure, she would stand out anywhere, even in the Eastern Capital; she would be one in ten thousand.
The more Old Madam Xie looked at the pair, the more fitting they seemed together.
To think she had spent the past few days sulking over nothing, it had truly been a waste of sentiment. Clearly, the Bodhisattva had taken pity on her third grandson’s earlier misfortunes and blessed him with such a fine young wife.
Old Madam Xie was well aware that, since the wedding, Xie Shao had been living in the east wing. Yet she hadn’t said a word about it. The couple’s marriage hadn’t begun on the best footing; such relationships needed time to temper and deepen.
Whether or not she would ever cradle a great-grandchild didn’t worry her. What she truly wished for was to see her descendants live in harmony and contentment.
The dishes were served. Originally prepared for about ten people, now only three remained. Nanzhi had them all replaced with small plates, each containing a sampling to ensure every dish could be tasted.
Old Madam Xie sampled each dish in turn, and whenever she came across one with a particularly good flavor, she would urge Wen Sese, “This one is quite good, you must try it.”
Though not a picky eater, Wen Shuse had a refined palate. After a bite, she nodded in agreement, “Mm, it really is delicious.”
Xie Shao, sitting to the side, didn’t join the conversation, but his chopsticks quietly followed their recommendations. It was Wen Shuse’s first time sharing a meal with Xie San, and she hadn’t expected him to be so undemanding about food.
Some of the dishes the Old Madam praised were indeed excellent, while others were rather bland. Yet, as Wen Shuse echoed the Old Madam’s praises, Xie Shao played along without exposing their little charade.
Suddenly, Old Madam Xie leaned closer, peering at Xie Shao’s chin. “Xianwei, what happened to your chin?”
Her eyesight wasn’t what it used to be. The closer she looked, the less clearly she could see.
Hearing Old Madam’s remark, Wen Shuse followed her gaze toward Xie Shao, but sitting at an angle, she couldn’t see clearly what the Old Madam was referring to.
Xie Shao looked puzzled and reached up to touch his chin. “Where?”
“On the left side…” Old Madam Xie pointed vaguely in that direction.
It was one thing for her to stare at his face, but now the young lady beside him joined in, leaning closer and closer until her entire face was right in front of his. Her gaze roamed over his features without the slightest restraint.
Lowering his gaze, Xie Shao caught a glimpse of her delicate nose, fine and straight, the kind that could only belong to someone carefully raised and pampered. So much for all that time she’d spent sunbathing, her skin remained dewy and flawless, without a single blemish even up close. And as she moved again, her lips came into view, red and full, like perfectly ripened cherries.
For a moment, something in his chest stirred, a faint ripple in otherwise still waters.
Was she doing this on purpose?
Using the Old Madam as a pretext while secretly coveting his good looks? Just as he was speculating wildly about her true intentions, the young lady’s eyes suddenly lit up, and she lifted her gaze.
Their eyes met. His heart skipped two abrupt beats, thunderstruck and instantly wary. But then he saw the young lady smile sweetly at him. “Oh? Husband, you actually have a mole on your chin.”
Xie Shao: …
“Is that so?” Old Madam Xie leaned forward again, squinting as she tried to see.
Afraid the elder wouldn’t be able to make it out clearly, Wen Shuse willingly reached out and pointed. Her fingertip brushed right against Xie Shao’s chin as she tapped lightly. “Here.”
The spot where her finger touched sent a tingling warmth up his neck, soft and ticklish, and that faint fragrance of hers seemed to drift right back to his nose. Xie Shao instinctively tilted his head back, half to escape the sensation. “Wen…”
But the young lady had already withdrawn her hand, not even glancing at him. Instead, her face lit up with cheerful excitement as she turned to Old Madam Xie. “I once went to a fortune-teller on the street. He told me that a mole on the chin is a wealth mole, a sign of endless fortune, a person destined to never run out of money. And look, he was right! Isn’t that the case with my husband…”
Xie Shao: …
This girl was utterly obsessed with money. Completely trapped inside a world made of silver taels.
Old Madam Xie’s interest was instantly piqued. “Really now? Let me see, so there’s such a saying?”
___
The meal passed cheerfully, and it was only when Old Madam Xie’s usual naptime arrived that the two finally left her courtyard.
No sooner had they stepped out than Xie Shao called to Minzhang, tilting his chin upward.
“Is there something there?”
It was merely a small nick from shaving, nothing worth mentioning, but Minzhang glanced at it and grinned. “There really is a wealth mole on Young Master’s chin. Hehe.”
Xie Shao: …
The weather these past few days had grown noticeably warmer, the air already carrying a hint of summer. By noon, the sunlight bore down so strongly that the heat seemed to gather beneath his robe.
Though it wasn’t yet the height of summer, Wen Shuse had gone out without a parasol, so Xiangyun plucked a broad banana leaf from the courtyard and handed it to her. Wen Shuse balanced it above her head as she walked, her steps unhurried, her posture languid. After a satisfying meal, drowsiness crept in; she didn’t speak to Xie Shao at all.
They walked one behind the other, reaching the long corridor just outside the garden, when a gate servant from the gatehouse came running up in haste. “Third Young Master! Shizi sent word that there’s urgent news from Qingzhou and he needs to see you immediately.”
Xie Shao’s brows drew together. He immediately followed the servant out, but, after a few steps, suddenly turned and called back, “Second Wen.”
Wen Shuse, who had already begun to turn away, stopped mid-step and lazily looked back at him.
Xie Shao looked at the young lady beneath the banana leaf, whose eyes were half closed, looking ready to drift off in the dappled sunlight. “Later, give Minzhang five hundred taels of silver.”
Wen Shuse’s eyes snapped open at once, round and bright as glass marbles.
The sight amused him. He couldn’t help teasing, “Don’t worry, Wife. The storeroom’s silver won’t run out, and even if it did, doesn’t your husband still have that wealth mole to keep the money flowing?”
As he finished, he tipped his chin upward, proudly displaying the very spot.
Wen Shuse: …
___
Back at the garden pavilion, Wen Shuse watched as Nanny Fang carefully sealed the gleaming silver into a silk pouch and handed it over to Minzhang.
Beside her, Xiangyun and Aunt Qing were still giddy with delight over their young lady’s earlier display of wit. Aunt Qing placed a freshly brewed cup of tea before her and couldn’t help but praise, “Miss, you’re truly brilliant, what a clever move. This way, even Old Madam Wen can finally be at ease.”
Rumors from the mansion had already begun to circulate. Ever since Eldest Master Wen left, the Eldest Madam had been visiting Old Madam Wen’s courtyard daily, employing a mix of soft pleas and hard pressure, pressing relentlessly, unwilling to give up until she got her way. She had even pulled rank, declaring that the second branch had no officials in service, and that by lending the eldest branch some silver now, they’d have a protector in the future. Otherwise, as mere merchants with no background, how could the second branch hope to keep its footing?
It was said the Old Madam was furious.
Now, with Wen Shuse’s plan, things had turned neatly around. If she bought property in the Eastern Capital and rented it to them, the favor would still appear given, yet she wouldn’t lose a thing, and they’d have no grounds to complain.
Xiangyun, her eyes shining with excitement, asked eagerly, “Miss, when shall we go to the Eastern Capital to buy the house?”
After all, her young lady had never been there before. If they went to purchase property, it would be the perfect opportunity. She looked at Wen Shuse with bright anticipation.
But Wen Shuse merely sipped her tea and replied calmly, “Who said I was actually going to buy it?”
Both Aunt Qing and Xiangyun froze in unison.
“My idea today was just a delaying tactic,” Wen Shuse said, resting her chin on one hand. She had grown up dealing with the Wen family’s eldest branch and knew their ways all too well. “They’ve schemed and plotted, only to have their plans fall apart. The setback will keep them dazed for a while, but once they recover, they’ll likely turn the tables. If they squat in the property and refuse to pay rent, can I actually throw them out? If it comes to a confrontation, we’ll be the ones facing public scorn…”
Aunt Qing’s face darkened.
She couldn’t speak for the Xie family, but given the character of the Wen main branch, they would absolutely do such a thing. Once they settled in, wouldn’t the place effectively become theirs…?
Xiangyun grew anxious. “Then… then what should we do, Miss?”
“Send someone to the Wen Mansion,” Wen Shuse said after a pause. “Tell Grandmother to hold off for a few days, enjoy some peace and quiet. As for what comes next…” She tapped her cheek lightly, thinking. “Let me consider it.”
The joy from earlier seemed to fade away entirely. The three of them sat in glum silence until Madam Fang entered and announced, “Third Young Madam, Concubine Gu has come. She says she’s here to repay the silver she owes you.”
Xiangyun blinked in surprise. “Now that’s a rare one. A person in this household is actually bringing back borrowed money? Madam Gu is the first!”
Wen Sese, however, wasn’t particularly surprised and instructed Nanny Fang to show her in.
Concubine Gu entered the room and greeted her with a polite curtsey to the Third Young Madam. She said softly, handing over a small, embroidered pouch, “The batch of embroidered handkerchiefs I sent out today has been settled. I’ve managed to scrape together ten taels of silver to repay part of my debt to Third Young Madam. I’m afraid I’ll need a little more time for the rest.”
Wen Shuse did not refuse. She accepted the pouch with a nod and motioned for Aunt Qing to pour tea. “We aid those in urgent need, not those in perpetual poverty. There’s no need to rush, Madam Gu. Pay it back when you can. I’m not in urgent need.”
Concubine Gu thanked her again, then seemed to recall something and added, “I heard from my cousin that on her way back from Qingzhou, she saw a troop of armored soldiers passing through. It seems there’s trouble brewing near Luo’an, perhaps even war. When armies march, it’s always food that runs short first. And this year, Qingzhou has suffered a natural disaster with no grain harvest at all. Third Young Madam, if you have some spare silver on hand, it might be wise to stock up on grain while it’s still cheap. Once fighting breaks out, Fengcheng, being closest to Qingzhou, will see grain prices double, even triple. But… there’s risk, too. If the imperial army passes through, they might requisition all supplies by force.”