The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 39
With her saying that, Xie Shao could no longer be certain. Between young men, it wasn’t uncommon for a few coarse jokes to be exchanged. He could vouch that Zhou Kuang had been fine before, but after being bitten by the dog… he truly couldn’t say.
“Then I’ll leave Shizi Zhou’s matter in your hands, Husband.” Without waiting for his response, Wen Sese had already shifted the responsibility onto him and headed to the Ming Mansion early in the morning with Xiangyun.
As expected, Ming Wanrou’s eyes were swollen from crying. She was already naturally delicate and pitiable; now she looked even more fragile. But upon seeing Wen Shuse, she first expressed concern for her.
“I heard Eldest Madam Wen, Madam An has also gone to the Eastern Capital, leaving only the Old Madam and Third Young Master in the mansion. Don’t worry too much. Honestly, I think it’s for the best. At least now you can live more freely. I told you before, if you have any difficulties, just tell me. Don’t treat me like an outsider.”
Heaven have mercy! She still had the heart to worry about her at a time like this. Wen Shuse nearly blurted out the secret in her chest, but managed to restrain herself in time.
“Third Xie and my brother have both taken office. What difficulty could I possibly have? It’s you I’m worried about. What exactly happened?”
At the mention of this, Ming Wanrou’s lips trembled, and tears welled up again.
When she was young, she used to be bullied by the other girls of the Ming family, and she would cry just like this. Wen Shuse had often stood up for her, helping her think of ways to get justice. It had been a long time since she’d seen her cry.
She thought to herself that the piece of flesh scraped off Zhou Kuang’s backside had clearly not been scraped hard enough. But then, thinking again, this matter wasn’t entirely her fault. He hadn’t wanted this either. And to confess such a thing before the wedding was already the act of a nobleman. If he’d waited until the wedding night, then A’Yuan would truly have had no way out.
“Yesterday we happened to run into each other,” Ming Wanrou said, face flushed, her words stumbling out. “And he… he told me he has an unspeakable condition.”
That afternoon, while Wen Shuse and Xie Shao were playing the hand-gesture drinking game in their carriage, Shizi Zhou happened to run into Ming Wanrou.
Ming Wanrou had gone out to buy face powder. Her carriage was parked outside the shop, and as soon as she stepped inside, she saw Cui Nian and Zhou Kuang.
After the Xie family’s spice and cosmetic shops were mortgaged off, nearly all the cosmetic stores in Fengcheng belonged to the Cui family. Running into Cui Nian was almost inevitable, but she hadn’t expected Shizi Zhou to be there as well.
The two were already engaged, with the wedding just two months away. Running into each other unexpectedly brought back memories of their previous unpleasant outing, leaving them both feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
Ming Wanrou curtsied to him and was about to turn away when Cui Nian excused himself first, even closing the door behind him. “Brother Zhou, take your time and have a good chat with Miss Ming.”
With the door shut and only the two of them left inside, Ming Wanrou nervously clutched her hands, lowering her head, not daring to look at him.
Zhou Kuang wasn’t doing any better. He stood slightly turned away, stealing glances at her out of the corner of his eye, none of his usual casual arrogance in sight. After a moment of silence, the man finally spoke first. “What… are you buying?”
Ming Wanrou answered softly, “Face powder.”
Zhou Kuang glanced around the shop, face powders were everywhere. He replied casually, “Pick what you like. I’ll get it for you.”
Ming Wanrou quickly looked up, flustered. “No, no need.”
He hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from her. Zhou Kuang turned to look at her, and their eyes met. Ming Wanrou, facing a young man’s gaze directly for the first time, felt her heart flutter in panic and shyness, quickly averting her eyes again.
After a moment, he spoke again, “Miss Ming, is there anything you’d like to say to me?”
Ming Wanrou’s palms were already damp with sweat. How could she possibly have anything to say? “I… I do not.”
Then politely, she asked, “And… and Shizi Zhou?”
“To be honest with you, Miss Ming, I have always opposed arranged marriages. For two strangers to suddenly wed, knowing nothing of each other’s temperament or disposition. If there is something one cannot tolerate, that would be unfair to Miss Ming as well. If you have any concerns or reservations today, don’t hold back. You may tell me everything.”
Ming Wanrou was utterly bewildered. Wasn’t marriage usually arranged this way? Besides, the two of them weren’t completely unfamiliar. She had at least heard of his reputation.
But the engagement was already set; how could she dare voice her private concerns? She feared he might be testing her, so she replied, “Shizi Zhou is excellent. It is Wanrou who is unworthy.”
But then she heard him say, “That is not what I meant. No one is perfect. What Miss Ming sees is merely the surface. In truth, I have many shortcomings… especially one matter, at night, well… it is something difficult to speak of. I…”
He hadn’t finished when he saw the young lady’s shocked expression, eyes wide, completely stunned. So, he added, “If Miss Ming minds, the engagement may be withdrawn.”
The blow hit Ming Wanrou hard. It wasn’t until she was sitting in her carriage that she finally began to process it, burying her face in her hands and weeping bitterly. Returning home, she didn’t even dare tell her parents.
Fengcheng was under Jing Wang’s jurisdiction, backing out of a marriage was not so easily done.
She had cried several times throughout the night. By early the next morning, having no idea what to do, she sent her maid to fetch Wen Shuse, hoping to ask her what should do next.
“Gao Xian, I used to pity you, thinking your fate was miserable. But now it seems… I’m even worse off than you. A wastrel is bad enough, but at least your husband, Third Young Master Xie, he… he…” Ming Wanrou spoke in vague hints, “At least he is… a good man.”
Wen Shuse’s face stiffened. Whether he was “good” or not… she herself wasn’t sure.
For now, the best approach was to focus on the positive. She tried to console her friend, saying, “A’Yuan, don’t panic yet. Even if there is an ailment, it could be mild or severe. Illnesses can be treated. With the influence of Jing Wang Mansion, it shouldn’t be something beyond remedy…”
But instead of being comforted, Ming Wanrou’s hope drained even further. “If there were any hope at all, what kind of young man would speak such a thing, one that damages his own reputation, unless it were true?”
Wen Shuse suddenly didn’t know how to answer.
Ming Wanrou continued sobbing, “Even though I have many sisters in the family, most don’t get along with me. I was hoping to have children and arrange a child betrothal with you someday. That way, even in old age, we could still see each other often.”
“Even without a child betrothal, we could still stay in touch.”
Ming Wanrou shook her head. “It’s not the same. Life’s journey is long, and people tend to drift apart over time. No matter how close the bond, it can’t withstand the pull of family fate. Even the great families of the past couldn’t escape this fate. They did everything they could to arrange marriages, just to ensure their descendants could support each other. Since we couldn’t become sisters-in-law, I thought we could rely on the next generation to keep our families connected. But now, even that hope seems lost.”
She then turned her helpless gaze to Wen Shuse. “He said I could call off the engagement. Do you think I should?”
She thought so far ahead, even planning for their children. Wen Shuse couldn’t help feeling a bit out of her depth.
In the past, whenever Ming Wanrou faced a problem, Wen Shuse would be the one to offer advice. This time was no different. After some thought, Wen Shuse said, “Here’s what we can do. I’ll go inquire first. If it’s truly as bad as it seems, we can inform the elders and request to withdraw from the engagement.”
With Wen Shuse making the decision for her, Ming Wanrou finally felt reassured.
“Alright.”
—
Carrying such a heavy responsibility, Wen Sese knew that rushing wouldn’t help. But no matter how anxious she was, this wasn’t something she could solve on her own. The only person she could rely on now was Xie Shao. After returning from the Wen Mansion, Wen Shuse paced in circles in the courtyard, anxiously waiting for him.
By dusk, he still hadn’t returned. Thinking of how Ming Wanrou was surely even more distressed than she was, she could no longer sit still. On a sudden impulse, she called for Xiangyun, “Let’s go pick up my husband.”
After the second branch went bankrupt, nearly all the servants in the courtyard had been dismissed. Aunt Qing had returned to her hometown. Aside from three rough-handed maids and elderly women responsible for washing and the kitchen, the only people left to serve closely were Xiangyun and Nanny Fang.
Seeing the two of them heading out at this hour, with the sky nearly dark, Nanny Fang grew uneasy. She warned them repeatedly, “Third Young Madam, just wait at the Prince Mansion gates. If you still don’t see him after a while, come back early.”
Wen Shuse nodded, threw on a brocade shawl, and hurried out of the gate.
Meanwhile, on Xie Shao’s side, as the day neared its end, he finally pulled Zhou Kuang aside. His gaze swept over him, carrying an unclear meaning.
That single look sent chills down Zhou Kuang’s spine. “Brother Xie… what is it?”
Xie Shao tapped the bridge of his nose lightly. “Do you have… any unspeakable ailment?”
Zhou Kuang was utterly baffled. “What unspeakable ailment could I possibly have…? Brother Xie, what exactly are you trying to say?”
He wasn’t someone who liked meddling in others’ affairs, but if he didn’t handle what the young lady had entrusted to him, she would surely cling to him endlessly once he returned. So, he tested the waters and asked Zhou Kuang, “Last time we met Miss Ming, you jumped onto the roof. Aside from injuring your buttocks, did you hurt… anywhere else?”
After hearing the young lady’s explanation that morning, there was a certain degree of plausibility to it.
But the moment the words left his mouth, Zhou Kuang instantly understood and panicked. “Brother Xie, where else do you think I should have been injured?!”
There it was. No matter how good the friendship, a question like this was bound to be awkward. For the young lady’s sake, he’d truly thrown aside all dignity. “As long as you didn’t, that’s good.”
His uncharacteristically strange behavior left Zhou Kuang completely stunned. “Brother Xie, what do you mean by that?”
Xie Shao didn’t elaborate further, merely expressing admiration. “To call off an engagement, you’re even willing to tarnish your own reputation. I truly respect that.”
He might as well not have spoken at all. Zhou Kuang was completely lost, determined to get a clear explanation, but before he could question further, a servant from the mansion hurried over and said to Xie Shao, “Madam Zhou has a few questions for the young master. Please, Young Master Xie, stay a moment.”
—
The last time Wen Shuse had come to the Prince Mansion to donate grain, she hadn’t been in the mood to look around. Now, with the carriage stopped at the gate, she lifted the curtain to look ahead. Two lanterns already hung above the entrance. On both sides of the gate and along the steps below, guards stood at attention, one on each side, far more imposing than anything at the Wen or Xie Mansions.
No matter how important her own matter was, it was still personal business. She could only wait dryly and quietly.
After waiting for half an hour, the sky had turned completely dark. Feeling stifled sitting in the carriage, she finally stepped out and began pacing back and forth in front of the Prince Mansion gate.
Just as she was growing impatient, she finally heard movement from inside. Xie Shao and Zhou Kuang walked out together.
Zhou Kuang’s expression was troubled. “Is that what I meant? What I actually said was…” Suddenly, he turned around, blocking Xie Shao from stepping over the threshold behind him.
Xie Shao quickly halted and looked up, catching sight of a lantern across the way. The young lady standing beside the carriage could be no one else but his own troublesome little wife.
To think she had come all the way here to wait, it was easy to imagine how anxious she must be.
The young lady also spotted him. Lifting her lantern, she hurried forward. “Husband, why are you so late today?” Noticing Zhou Kuang, she turned to greet him, “Shizi Zhou.”
Compared to the last time they met, Zhou Kuang seemed even more awkward. He returned the greeting, addressing her respectfully, “Sister-in-law.”
Wen Shuse stole a quick glance at him, then quietly shifted her steps closer to Xie Shao. Once beside him, she tugged lightly at his sleeve. Xie Shao turned his head and saw the young lady’s delicately arched brows lift meaningfully as she silently mouthed a reminder, “Did you ask him yet?”
Seeing how cautious she was, Xie Shao naturally couldn’t make any obvious gesture. He simply gave a subtle nod to show he had cooperated.
Every one of their little movements fell right into Zhou Kuang’s line of sight. Thinking of how the two of them had probably been discussing him behind his back all day, Zhou Kuang felt his blood surge in frustration. He blurted out directly, “Sister-in-law, may I trouble you with something tomorrow? Please help me invite Miss Ming out. I have something I must say to her.”
Wen Shuse’s expression shifted in surprise, a trace of hesitation crossing her face.
Now that things were still unclear, letting them meet rashly would be like stabbing a knife straight into A’Yuan’s heart.
Seeing the hesitation on her face, Zhou Kuang’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. Gritting his teeth, he clarified, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I… I have no ailment.”
After saying so, he turned his head away, mortified to the point he nearly wanted to dig a hole in the ground and disappear on the spot.
This was utterly humiliating. His reputation was completely ruined now.
Wen Shuse was startled by his reaction. She looked toward Xie Shao, who gave her a confirming explanation, “Miss Ming misunderstood.”
The stone weighing on her chest finally fell. Wen Shuse let out a long sigh of relief. “As long as it’s a misunderstanding.” If it hadn’t been, there truly would have been no easy way to resolve it.
Since it was only a misunderstanding, they simply needed to clear it up. Remembering the favor he had just asked, Wen Shuse said, “Where does Shizi Zhou wish to meet her?”
Zhou Kuang could no longer bring himself to look at Wen Sese, turning his head away. “I’ll leave it to Miss Ming to decide.”
What opinion could she possibly have? Most likely, she would still rely on Wen Shuse to think for her. Tea houses and taverns were hardly ideal places for private conversations.
Wen Shuse suggested, “There are always ears along the walls outside. Why not have Shizi Zhou come to the Xie Mansion tomorrow? I’ll invite Miss Ming as well. Whatever misunderstandings there are, the two of you can clear them up face-to-face.”
Always ears along the walls, is there? Xie Shao cast an emotionless glance at the young lady beside him, suspecting she might just be that “ear” next door.
But having witnessed this matter from the beginning, and with the truth now coming to light, he couldn’t help feeling a bit curious. Xie Shao remained silent, tacitly agreeing to his wife’s suggestion.
Zhou Kuang answered readily, “Very well. I’ll come to the Xie Mansion tomorrow morning. I’ll trouble Brother Xie and Sister-in-law then.”
Even tomorrow morning felt like too late. With his current state of mind, he wished he could invite Miss Ming out tonight and explain everything to her immediately.
Having been eager to escape all along, Zhou Kuang quickly bid farewell to the two and hurried back into the mansion.
The remaining two turned and walked toward the carriage.
Once he had entered the gate, Wen Shuse began questioning her husband in detail, “What exactly did Shizi Zhou say to make A’Yuan misunderstand so badly?”
Xie Shao glanced at the sleeve the young lady was still holding onto. Since it didn’t hinder his walking, he didn’t mind it. After thinking a moment, he guessed, “Probably, he doesn’t want to get married.”
Wen Sese widened her eyes. “If he doesn’t want to marry, does he think A’Yuan wants to marry him?”
That was true, back on the rooftop that day, Miss Ming had even plotted to have the dogs released on him just to force a broken engagement.
Coming back to her senses, she scoffed lightly. The two of them could barely secure their own meals, yet here they were worrying over someone else’s troubles.
Madam Zhou had kept Xie Shao for quite a while; it was already late. Noticing she was walking slowly behind him, Xie Shao gently took her by the forearm and guided her ahead. “It’s late. Get in the carriage.”
He then took the reins from Minzhang and rode on horseback behind the carriage.
Wen Shuse originally wanted to ask a few more questions, but seeing him mount a horse instead of entering the carriage, she could only give up.
The Prince Mansion was some distance from the Xie Mansion. After sitting for a while, boredom crept in. She pushed open the lattice window, intending to say a few words to her husband, but instead, the night scene before her immediately captured her attention.
Outside the alley of the Prince Mansion, the lantern lights glimmered gently. A full moon hung at the edge of the sky, radiant and bright, draping the surrounding rooftops in a veil of silver. A gentle night breeze rustled through the tall rows of poplar trees on both sides, their leaves whispering softly in the wind, creating a rather poetic atmosphere.
It was a pity she couldn’t fully appreciate it from inside the carriage. Wen Sese suddenly leaned her head back and asked, “Husband, is the scenery from horseback beautiful?”
Xie Shao wasn’t sure what she meant by that. He looked up and noticed the moonlight was particularly lovely tonight, so he replied, “It’s alright.”
The young lady craned her neck even further. “Then, Husband, could I join you out there?”
Xie Shao: ……
Wen Shuse had never ridden a horse herself, but she had ridden behind Third Young Master Wen years ago. He held the reins while she sat in front, and he had even taken her galloping along the road. It had been quite fun.
She assumed it would be the same this time: she would sit in front, and Xie Shao would ride behind her, controlling the horse.
But things didn’t go as she had imagined.
Not to mention that she had grown since then. If the man behind her were to pull the reins, both his arms would have to come around her, enclosing her entirely in his embrace. And this man was not her elder brother Wen Huai.
When her back pressed against the warmth of his chest, the heat there was scalding. His familiar, subtle scent was stronger than on the previous two occasions, surrounding her completely and flooding straight into her nose.
Scenery? Moonlight?
All gone. Her whole body and mind were under siege, how could she possibly admire anything now?
But it was she who had asked to join him. She couldn’t just get down now. Regret was too late. All she could do was stiffen her posture and stay silent, shifting forward slightly whenever the person behind her drew too close.
The young master also remained silent.
Since the bankruptcy, the young lady no longer styled her hair into elaborate updos, only a simple knot, fixed with a single hairpin. The rest of her black hair could not be contained and spilled loose, a few strands brushing across his face with the wind. At first, they merely tickled his skin, but soon, the sensation seeped into his heart – teasing, unbearably itchy.
No matter how he tried to turn away, those few strands behaved as though they were deliberately at odds with him, insisting on tangling themselves around him, refusing to let him go.
Every time she moved again, he could only grit his teeth tighter.
After this happened several times, Xie Shao finally couldn’t hold back any longer. He pulled on the reins, bringing the horse to a sudden stop, and said to the young lady in front of him, “You’d better get down. The way you keep wriggling around is far too distracting. You’re not admiring the scenery, you’re testing the limits of my moral restraint.”
Wen Shuse: ……
Though his reaction was exactly what pleased her deep inside, her mouth remained as stubborn as ever. “Husband, your moral restraint seems rather weak.”
Sensing that the person behind her had gone silent for a long beat, she instantly backed down. Without waiting for him to assist her, and caring nothing for her image, she scrambled off the horse using both hands and feet, putting as much distance between them as possible.
She dove into the carriage and slammed the window shut tight. Only after a long while did her heart finally steady. She swore silently to herself that she would never impulsively ride on someone else’s horse again.
Returning to the mansion, she stepped out of the carriage without exchanging a word with the young master behind her, as if fleeing from a wild beast. Holding her skirt, she hurried ahead and returned to the east room first.
—
Thinking she must have been too embarrassed to face him for a while, he was surprised when the very next morning, the young lady was once again full of enthusiasm, knocking on his door. “Husband, has Shizi Zhou arrived yet?”
Xie Shao had just woken up. He glanced back at the hourglass, and it was not time yet.
The young lady gave him a bright smile. “Miss Ming is already on her way.” She meant to ask whether Shizi Zhou had set off yet.
He still needed to report for duty later—best to settle this early and finish quickly. He was just about to send Minzhang out to inquire when a voice sounded right outside the door.
“Brother Xie.”