The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 44
Yesterday, when she had picked out the bamboo splinter and held his hand, it was only because the situation was urgent. She had regarded it as nothing more than a hand, and there had been no other thoughts in mind.
Now that he was deliberately taking her hand like this, the intention was entirely different.
With her hand tightly gripped in his, even her body seemed unable to move.
She didn’t know how his hand had grown to be like this. She’d already noticed it last night under the lamplight—long fingers, distinct joints. Now that he was holding her, it felt as though she were being pressed down by the Buddha’s palm.
He must be deliberately trying to drag her down with him.
Whether it was the nonsense he’d just spouted or his present actions, everything seemed to be warning her that she could not escape his grasp.
Admittedly, the words “the family will be ruined” had truly frightened her just now. Her father and brother had just returned to Fengcheng, and the family had finally settled into a peaceful life. If something were to happen to the Xie family, she certainly wouldn’t need to sacrifice herself alongside him.
But thinking it through carefully, it didn’t seem very likely.
The eldest branch of the Xie family might be choosing sides, but didn’t the second branch have its own stance? Not to mention Chancellor Xie, just considering Third Xie’s relationship with Zhou Kuang, they probably wouldn’t be implicated.
And she wasn’t afraid anyway. Didn’t she already have Ming Wanrou? When she became Shizi’s wife in the future, wouldn’t it be easy for her to ensure her safety?
Besides, the Eldest Young Master Xie hadn’t even set off for the Eastern Capital yet.
Even if he did go, it wasn’t as if he could stage a rebellion overnight.
Planning ahead is wise, but this was far too hasty.
She had never been held by a man like this before. The warmth of his palm kept seeping into her through their joined hands, following the rhythm of her pulse and sending her heart into a frantic flutter. It was unbearably uncomfortable. She tried to pull away. “Husband, we can talk this out. Let go first… this… I’m really not used to it.”
He seemed determined to drag her down with him, giving her a brazen excuse, “That’s only because we haven’t held hands enough. From now on, I’ll give you plenty of chances to get used to it.”
After speaking, his grip tightened, locking her hand completely in place. He even rubbed his fingertips deliberately across the back of her hand.
Before she could react, he suddenly turned his head and asked, “How do you usually take care of them? Why are your hands so soft?” Not content with that, he lifted their joined hands, as if discovering something extraordinary, and exclaimed, “Wife’s hands are so small! Look, my palm can cover them completely.”
Wen Shuse: …
Wen Shuse’s ears instantly burned red. Her whole body stiffened, her eyes widening in disbelief at the smug-faced man before her, stunned that he truly planned to throw away all shame today.
Her trapped hand couldn’t break free, so she lifted her skirt with the other, raised her embroidered foot, and kicked at his ankle beneath his robe.
The young master hissed in pain. She seized the chance to yank her hand back, finally escaping his mountain-like grip. She hurriedly retreated several steps and did not forget to angrily scold him, “Scoundrel!”
She turned away as if dodging a plague god, hurried back to the east room, and slammed the door shut behind her.
Xiangyun hadn’t gone out with her today and had no idea what had happened. Seeing her rush back red-faced and panting, she was startled. “Miss, what’s wrong?” she guessed. “Did the Eldest Madam discover you?”
Instead, the young lady turned back with a look of utter despair, lips pouting as she lamented miserably to her, “Xiangyun, I’m no longer pure.”
Xiangyun was shocked. Hadn’t she gone to the Eldest Madam’s courtyard to eavesdrop? How had she suddenly become “no longer pure”? She quickly looked her over from head to toe and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Just as she was feeling utterly confused, the young lady circled her twice in agitation, then tightly covered one of her own hands and said, “Third Xie just now… he touched my hand.”
Xiangyun was stunned for a moment before letting out a sigh of relief. She chuckled, “It was just holding hands. How does that make you no longer pure?” She added, “Miss, you’re making too much of it. When you walk by the river often, how can you not get your shoes wet? You’re the wife the young master married properly with a matchmaker; some physical contact is unavoidable.”
“It’s not the same.” Wen Shuse grabbed Xiangyun’s hand and mimicked Xie Shao’s earlier gesture, her fingers lightly tracing circles on the back of Xiangyun’s hand. “This is how he touched it.”
Xiangyun felt her skin prickle where she was touched. A shiver ran through her, sending goosebumps all over, and she couldn’t help but agree. “That really is terrifying.”
See? Even Xiangyun thought so. Wen Shuse completely lost heart. She plopped down on the couch and said in despair, “I’ll never be able to marry again.”
Xiangyun hadn’t even considered the possibility of her remarrying.
Once a household was already ‘ruined,’ if she thought she could simply walk away and go live a good life, that was probably wishful thinking. The young master didn’t look like someone easy to deal with. He’d most likely already decided to sink or swim together with his wife to the very end.
Seeing how badly she was shaken, Xiangyun comforted her. “Miss has already married the young master. The young master is your husband. Losing your purity to your own husband is only right and proper.”
She would have been better off not being comforted at all.
Only then did Wen Shuse recall Xie Shao’s stream of nonsense; it finally sank in. She covered her face with both hands, feeling even more hopeless. “Xie Shao said the Second Young Master Ming is about to be engaged.”
In the end, she and A’Yuan were truly not destined to become sisters-in-law.
That was exactly the point. Xiangyun said, “So, Miss, you should put aside those thoughts once and for all. You put in so much effort before managing this household, and you’re still enduring it now. If you moved somewhere else, you’d have to start all over again, wouldn’t that be utterly exhausting…”
Those words did help somewhat. Wasn’t that true? She was still suffering through hardship as it was. The last time she sneaked out to eat in secret, she’d almost been caught. She hiccupped for ages afterward, the discomfort beyond words.
And it had been so long since she’d bought any pretty clothes or jewelry. A few days ago, she’d seen a white jade hairpin in a shop, its quality better than any she owned. The image was still etched in her mind, impossible to forget. How much longer would these hardship days last? She turned to Xiangyun and asked, “Has Aunt Qing sent word back yet?”
“Likely in the next few days. I’ll go and ask tomorrow.”
—
On the other side, Xie Shao, having been too abrupt with the young lady, had received a kick in return and could only bear it silently. Minzhang looked at his master’s robe, now stained with dust, and felt not sympathy for the pain but rather embarrassment on his behalf.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed by his own behavior, Xie Shao rubbed the tip of his nose. Looking up and seeing Minzhang still standing there, he raised his voice, “Why haven’t you left yet?”
Minzhang hesitated for a moment, then said, “Young Master has sent word at least eight or ten times this past month. If the Second Master were willing to receive it, he would have done so long ago.”
The implication was clear, even if another message were sent, the Second Master would not receive it.
How could Xie Shao not know this?
But this matter was different from before. It was obvious that someone intended to make a move against the Xie family. They had pinpointed the weak spot in the eldest branch, played directly to its desires, lured the eldest young master to the Eastern Capital, and placed him under the Crown Prince’s command. A biological father and son now stood on opposite sides. No matter how close the Xie family’s ties with Jing Wang Mansion were, suspicions would inevitably arise over time.
If that happened, wouldn’t all the efforts the old man had made in secret over the years come to nothing?
Chancellor Xie had always meant what he said. It was time for him to return early and clean up this mess himself, before getting dragged down with it. The frivolity on his face faded, and he said solemnly, “Find someone absolutely trustworthy and have them make the trip in person.”
Minzhang’s expression grew serious as well, and he nodded. “Yes.” Then he frowned again. “Could it be that the eldest young master truly intends to go to the Eastern Capital?”
What other choice is there?
After decades of diligent study, enduring hardships with a singular focus on achieving recognition, he had finally found an opportunity to display his talents and contribute to the state and its people. Not to mention a few words from others, even if a blade were held to his neck, it would not stop him from going to the capital.
—
As Xie Shao had anticipated, the moment the two of them left the plum garden, chaos erupted inside.
Madam was furious, disregarding Eldest Master Xie’s distress as she poured oil on the fire. “So, Old Third says our Eldest Master owes what he has today to the Second Master?”
The Eldest Master hadn’t yet recovered from the tightness in his chest, having it laid bare so bluntly, his head immediately began to throb again.
Unaware of the impact of her words, Madam sneered, “What an utter joke. Back when the Second Master returned, who knows how many people were watching, eager to see him make a fool of himself. He must have forgotten that.”
As for Chancellor Xie’s return to his hometown, there had been all kinds of speculation. Some said he had embezzled funds, others claimed he had abused his authority and angered His Majesty, forcing him to resign to save his own life.
Though the rumors sounded bewildering, how could the chancellor of a great nation possibly resign and return home as a commoner just because a student under his supervision had stirred up a bit of trouble?
If he hadn’t committed some earth-shaking offense, how could His Majesty have sent him away like this?
That was why, in the early days after his return, everyone said the Xie family’s good fortune had run its course. If not for the Eldest Master pledging loyalty to Jing Wang later, could the Xie family have maintained its present splendor?
To say that the Eldest Master was favored by Jing Wang because of the Second Master was even more laughable.
A former chancellor abandoned by the emperor, what leverage could he possibly have that would entice Jing Wang to win him over?
In the past, she had thought Old Third merely mischievous by nature, a lazy good-for-nothing dandy. Only today did she realize that he was also arrogantly self-important and blind to everyone else. Did he truly think he was still in the Eastern Capital, with a high-ranking father looming overhead to shield him?
Absurd.
The silver, gold, and spice shops of the second branch had all been squandered by their own hands. What did that have to do with the eldest branch?
All this time, the eldest branch had not only covered the expenses of the Old Madam’s courtyard but also taken on many of the major mansion expenditures. By any measure, they had already shown the utmost benevolence and righteousness.
Now she was taking out the houses and land deeds she had saved up herself, intending to prepare travel funds for the eldest son. What was wrong with that?
There was nothing to hide. The more she thought about it, the more justified she felt. The Eldest Madam took out once again the stack of land and house deeds tucked in her sleeves. After counting them, she summoned her maid, Aunt Biyun. “Take these and sell them tomorrow. We may not be able to buy a grand estate in the Eastern Capital, but we should at least be able to scrape together enough for a small two-courtyard residence.” She then turned to the Eldest Young Master, who was still frowning. “Go to the Eastern Capital with peace of mind. Your father and I will handle everything else. You needn’t worry.”
The Eldest Young Master had been somewhat distracted by Xie Shao’s words, but after some thought, he ultimately reaffirmed his own resolve. Rising to his feet, he said, “Thank you, Father and Mother. Your son will first go pay his respects to Madam Zhou.”
Although Xie Shao’s other remarks seemed like utter nonsense to Eldest Master Xie, he had to admit there was one point he got right: before everything was settled, they could not afford to let Madam Zhou grow suspicious of them.
Today, someone from the palace had delivered the transfer order directly into his hands. On reflection, it was indeed improper. Taking advantage of the fact that night had not yet fully fallen, Eldest Master Xie led the Eldest Young Master to Jing Wang Mansion.
—
The next day, Zhou Kuang came to see Xie Shao. There was no need to ask; judging by his expression, it was clear that Deputy Commander Xie had already reported the transfer order to Madam Zhou.
Contrary to expectations, Zhou Kuang did not blame him at all. Instead, he only smiled and said, “People strive upward, just as water flows downward. If the Eldest Young Master wishes to go to a broader world to realize his talents, that is a good thing. My father will not stop him, nor will my mother or I.” Then he sighed lightly. “If there is anyone to blame, it is only that our Jing Wang Mansion does not yet have the ability to inspire others to willingly devote themselves to us.”
Xie Shao looked at him in surprise. He really had matured a great deal compared to before.
People grow up, and as their minds mature, changes of heart are inevitable.
The Xie family’s elder branch was its own entity, unrelated to Xie Shao himself. Zhou Kuang reached out and gave Xie Shao’s shoulder a hearty pat. “Brother Xie need not trouble himself over this matter. No matter when, I trust Brother Xie.”
Yet Xie Shao suddenly stepped back two paces and bowed to him with solemn respect. “Thank you for Shizi’s trust.”
Ever since Xie Shao had returned to Fengcheng with Chancellor Xie, the two of them had hit it off at once and become inseparable friends. Usually carefree and casual in their interactions, Xie Shao had even thrown punches at him during playful scuffles.
Seeing him suddenly act like this, Zhou Kuang froze for a moment, then sent a fist forward, thumping it against Xie Shao’s chest. “Brother Xie, why are you being so formal with me?” He then stepped up, hooked an arm around Xie Shao’s neck, half-dragging, half-shoving him out of the Prince Mansion. “Come on, today I just drew some pocket money from my mother. I’ll treat you to a drink.”
—
By the time Xie Shao returned from duty in the afternoon, the news that the Eldest Young Master Xie was going to take up a post in the Eastern Capital had already spread throughout the entire mansion. From the Eldest Madam down to the servants, everyone in the eldest branch was overjoyed.
At Old Madam Xie’s place, it was Eldest Master Xie and the Eldest Madam who personally went to report the good news that morning. After listening, Old Madam Xie fell silent for a while, then asked the Eldest Master Xie a single question, “Have you truly made up your mind to let him go?”
Eldest Master Xie nodded. “The court has already issued the transfer order. He will serve as a Supervising Secretary of the Chancellery, a fourth-rank official position. All these years of Chengji’s hard work have not been in vain. Mother, rest assured. I have already reported this to Lady Zhou. She has consented and even granted Chengji a reward of silver.”
Old Madam Xie glanced at the joy plainly written on their faces and fell quiet again. In the end, she said nothing more, only remarking, “Since that is the case, then arrange a farewell banquet for him today.”
When Xie Shao returned, the mansion was bustling with excitement. Many of the Eldest Young Master’s friends had come to the mansion to offer their congratulations.
He ran into several familiar faces along the way, exchanged brief greetings, but did not stop, heading straight back to the wandering garden. The moment he entered the courtyard, he saw the young madam tugging at her maid, standing on tiptoe and craning her neck to peer over the wall. “Is that the sound of a suona?”
Xiangyun cocked her ears. “It seems like it.”
The young lady suddenly stretched out her palm and gave a light fan, wafting the outside air toward herself. She sniffed lightly, completely unaware that someone had come up behind her. “Do you smell it?”
Before Xiangyun could answer, the young master behind her had already drawn close and asked curiously, “Smell what?”
“The smell of wine and meat, of course!” She snapped back to reality, turned to look at the young master before her, and her face lit up with joy. In that instant, she completely forgot that this man had “stolen her purity” just the day before and that she had even kicked him. Eagerly grabbing his sleeve, she urged, “Why did you only just get back? I’ve been waiting for you for so long. The banquet is about to start. Hurry and get ready, we mustn’t arrive late.”
Xie Shao: …
His arm was seized by the young lady and dragged straight toward the west room. Puzzled, he turned his head and asked her, “Were you invited?”
With this level of enthusiasm, it wasn’t certain others would welcome them.
“We were invited!” The young madam looked positively thrilled, treating herself as anything but an outsider. “Such a big happy occasion, everyone outside has come to offer congratulations. How could we possibly be missing?”
That afternoon, Biyun had indeed come by and told Wen Shuse, “Today the Eldest Madam is holding a farewell banquet for the Eldest Young Master. If the Third Young Master and Third Young Madam wish to join in the celebration, they may come to the courtyard to add to the liveliness. If you have matters to attend to, the Eldest Young Master will not take offense and will remember your goodwill.”
Which really meant that it would be best if the two of them did not go.
But she had nothing to attend to, and going to the banquet would not delay anything. The young master had also returned from duty, and neither of them was busy.
Xie Shao hadn’t intended to go and make himself unwelcome, but seeing how excited the young lady was, he figured she must have been cooped up these past days. With today’s banquet offering no shortage of food and drink, he really couldn’t bear to let her spend the whole night swallowing her saliva. He went inside to change clothes, then took her along to attend the Eldest Young Master’s farewell banquet.
Fengcheng rarely enforced a night curfew. With the Xie family hosting a joyous occasion today, lanterns hung high everywhere. Crowds came and went, laughter ringing all around. The liveliness was not the least bit inferior to the bridge markets outside.
As for the host of the courtyard, the Eldest Young Master was already surrounded by a cluster of people offering their congratulations.
The two of them didn’t go forward to join the excitement. Clear about their objective, they were there only for the food and wine.
They chose a corner seat and had just sat down, the table not yet even set, when Nanzhi suddenly walked over. Seeing Wen Shuse, she let out a sigh of relief. “Third Young Madam, the Old Madam is looking for you.”
Wen Shuse glanced at the servants who were laying out the banquet nearby, her eyes reluctant to look away. “Why is the Old Madam looking for me at a time like this?”
Nanzhi hurriedly gave her a meaningful wink. “She should be asking about the few medicines for headaches that Third Young Madam bought last time.”
Wen Shuse caught the hint at once and immediately rose to her feet.
After walking a short distance, once there was no one beside them, she couldn’t help asking Nanzhi, “Is there news from the Eastern Capital?”
Nanzhi smiled at her and nodded. “Uncle An just brought word back. There are too many eyes here. Third Young Madam, go inside first, and we’ll talk.”
—
What had started as an outing to satisfy the young lady’s appetite now left Xie Shao sitting alone. He himself was not one to indulge in food and drink, and having already eaten and drunk with Zhou Kuang earlier in the day, he had little interest in wine or meat.
Worried that if he stayed any longer, someone might notice and start making malicious guesses, he planned to leave first and wait for the young lady to return. He hadn’t even had time to stand up when a dark-faced young man in wide sleeves approached from across the way, gave him a casual salute, and called out smoothly, “Brother-in-law.”
So, he really had come.
Xie Shao had no choice but to sit back down.
Wen Huai had arrived quite some time ago. Having been away from Fengcheng for years, he knew very few people here. He was closest only to the Eldest Young Master, but today, the Eldest Young Master was far too popular. Wen Huai had tried several times to approach him and failed. Glancing around afterward, there wasn’t a single person nearby he could truly speak with, and he didn’t even know where he ought to sit. Standing there alone in embarrassment, his gaze swept the room and landed on Xie Shao. Without another word, he hurried over, dropped into the seat beside him, and felt distinctly relieved.
“Did Shuse not come?”
“She just left.”
The wine and dishes had already been set out. After wandering around for so long without finding a place to get tea, Wen Huai was parched. He picked up the wine pot on the table and asked Xie Shao beside him, “Care for a couple of drinks?”
If he couldn’t accompany the young lady in sneaking a meal, keeping her elder brother company would do just fine.
Xie Shao raised his cup.
After two cups of wine, Wen Huai felt hungry as well. He picked up his chopsticks and casually took a piece of freshly roasted meat, popping it into his mouth. For someone who hadn’t eaten meat in many days, the taste was unbearably tempting. Before he realized it, the plate was empty. Just as he was thinking it still hadn’t been enough, Xie Shao pushed his own plate over in front of him. “There’s more here.”
Wen Huai: …
He cleared his throat lightly to cover his embarrassment. “I’ve made a fool of myself before my brother-in-law.”
“We’re both fallen souls wandering the same ends of the earth. What’s there to laugh at?” Xie Shao said with the air of someone well-versed in such matters. “One good full meal can last you three days.”
So, they truly were kindred spirits. Wen Huai turned his head, and the two exchanged a glance. The bitterness in that look was unmistakable, almost too much to bear, and they each looked away again.
These days were truly miserable beyond measure.
He looked again at the Eldest Young Master in the distance, surrounded by a crowd, like a beam of light amid the sea of people, drifting farther and farther away from him.
Why must relationships always be bound by family ties? In the past, when the Eldest Young Master was betrothed to the Eldest Miss, Wen Huai had occasionally called him “brother-in-law,” which the Eldest Young Master had rather enjoyed. Back then, they treated each other like family.
But now, with the change of the brother-in-law candidate, that familial feeling had vanished. Instead, he found himself sympathizing with this young master who had practically been picked up off the side of the road.
—
With a brother-in-law from his own family to keep him company, Wen Huai ate and drank to his heart’s content. He glanced around afterward and didn’t see the Eldest Young Master, not knowing where he had gone to make the rounds.
Seeing that it was getting late, Wen Huai bid farewell to Xie Shao and then went over to say a word to the Eldest Young Master’s attendant before returning to the Wen family.
Xie Shao also stood up and was about to leave the courtyard when a voice called out from behind, “Third Brother.”
Xie Shao turned to see the Eldest Young Master, who had been busy all evening, suddenly standing before him; he was a little surprised. “Eldest Brother, what is it?”
The Eldest Young Master took a step toward him, hesitated for a moment, then looked up and said, “I understand what you meant, Third Brother. But a person’s life is only a few decades long; one can’t stay in the same place forever. Taking that step, no matter what the outcome, makes this life worth having lived.”
He had expected Xie Shao to stubbornly argue and try to stop him again, as he had the day before. Instead, Xie Shao simply smiled and said, “Since Eldest Brother has already made up his mind, why trouble yourself over it?”