The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 74
A sharp sting pricked at her heart, faint yet aching.
Ever since the two of them had married, aside from the quarrel on their wedding night when each had been shocked to see the other, they had always gotten along harmoniously afterward. Especially after going through hardship together, her husband had practically granted her every request.
In the past, as long as she called him husband, what he answered her would inevitably be little wife or simply wife.
Now that he had suddenly turned cold, she was not used to it for a moment.
Watching his retreating figure ahead of her, it felt as though he meant to part ways with her completely, that from this day on, they would walk as strangers.
But those words last night had been spoken by her own mouth. She had scorned him for being poor, mocked him for being useless, and every word had stabbed into his heart. The fact that he was still willing to come back was already more than she deserved. Wen Shuse ignored his coldness and continued following him. “Husband hasn’t eaten yet, right? I had Aunt Qing keep some food warm. I’ll go bring it to Husband right now…”
“Many thanks. There’s no need.” A single curt sentence. He didn’t even turn around.
He did not want to speak to her anymore.
Wen Shuse stopped talking and quietly followed behind him.
The gauze lanterns from last night had not been sold by Wen Shuse after all. Instead, she had hung them all around the courtyard, especially in the main courtyard, making the lights much brighter than yesterday.
One in front and one behind, the two of them walked beneath the corridor, silent the entire way.
When they reached the door, Xie Shao stopped and turned back, saying flatly, “May I trouble you to open the door? I’m going in to get two things.”
At last, he had spoken. Wen Shuse hurried forward to push the door open for him, taking the chance to chat with him. “I already washed the two sets of clothes Husband left in the room. It’s late now, so after Husband bathes, you should rest early. I also took the bedding outside to air in the sun today. They’re scented with the one you like, the…”
That morning, she had gone into the main courtyard room to take a look. The bedding on the bed had been perfectly neat, without any sign that it had been slept in. She did not know where he had spent the night, but he had probably not slept at all. Today, she had prepared everything for him in advance, as a way of making amends.
“Young Lady Wen.” Xie Shao cut her off, his feet remaining outside the room, unmoving.
So he really was angry.
Wen Shuse carefully savored that address of Young Lady Wen. Xie Shao then said, “There is no need to curry favor with me.”
“Young Lady Wen is virtuous and gracious. As a wife, you have already done very well. I am deeply grateful to have had your company along the way.” His tone was calm and polite, without the anger she had expected, and without the slightest trace of emotion. “I will do my best to satisfy Lady Wen’s requests. If Young Lady Wen is not satisfied, you may seek a better path for yourself.”
What did he mean by that?
Wen Shuse’s brow twitched, and she lifted her head.
Last night, after saying those words, she had left at once and had not looked to see what expression he wore. Now, facing him directly, the two gauze lanterns beneath the eaves happened to hang right above his head, illuminating his expression clearly as day.
His eyes were calm and distant. When they met hers, they were only coldness, without even the slightest tenderness from before.
Even at the very beginning, when the two of them could not stand the sight of each other, even when he had been shamelessly pestering her, mocking her openly and secretly, there had still been warmth in his gaze.
Over these past few months, his gentle words had given her the illusion that he was someone easy to handle. Only now did she realize that once this man turned cold, he could be so utterly heartless.
What path was she supposed to seek?
She had married him. Aside from relying on him, what other path could she possibly find?
“I know those words last night were hard for you to accept, but I was also doing it for…” Wen Shuse drew in a deep breath, forcing down the sour swelling in her chest. After a pause, she turned her head aside. “I do not think what I said last night was wrong.”
She was a vain, status-loving woman. There was no way to explain it, and she did not want to argue in her own defense.
Xie Shao seemed not at all surprised. He said nothing, nor did he look at her again.
He turned sideways and stepped past her into the room. Raising his worn, old sleeve, he slowly took out a purse and gently placed it on the wooden table. “Twenty taels of silver. I’ll leave it here.”
Then he turned and went inside, picked up the clothes she had folded by the head of the bed, and left without another word.
He had just come out of the main courtyard when he ran straight into Minzhang, who was carrying a bundle of bedding.
On the way back earlier, his master had suddenly told him to go buy bedding. Minzhang did not understand what had happened. Now, seeing him come out of the main courtyard, he was still puzzled when he heard his master say, “Find any room and take it in to make the bed.”
By the time the room had been tidied up, it was nearly midnight. After blowing out the lamp, Minzhang came out from the inner room and finally sensed that something was wrong.
His master had most likely fallen out with Second Young Madam.
And this time, it was even worse than before. They were not only separated by a room, but by an entire courtyard.
—
Early the next morning, after Xie Shao finished washing up, he did not eat in the residence either. He left early and hurried to the Two Offices.
Yesterday, he had already had the Minister of War stamp his appointment document. Today, he went directly to the Imperial Guard Cavalry Command to assume his post.
No sooner had he gone in than the news reached Jing Wang. “Your Highness, Second Young Master went to the Imperial Guard Cavalry Command today to assume his position.”
Jing Wang paused, surprise showing on his face. “He has actually come around all of a sudden.”
Because of Xie Daoyuan’s treason, the Xie family would likely find it difficult to gain a foothold in Fengcheng from now on.
After spending time with this Second Young Master along the way, Jing Wang had long since seen his talent. A mere Fengcheng truly buried his abilities.
From the very beginning, Jing Wang had never intended to let him return. Originally, what he had wanted to obtain for Xie Shao was a civil post.
The Eldest Master Wen was a relative through his wife’s family, and from what he knew, Eldest Master Wen had not taken the Crown Prince’s side. If Xie Shao went over there, Eldest Master Wen would likely look out for him.
The Emperor, however, did not nod in agreement. Instead, he had directly ordered Liu Kun to prepare brush and ink, and on the spot, wrote out an appointment document for him as Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry Command.
Seeing the official post written on the appointment document, Jing Wang looked surprised. “Father may not know this, but the Second Young Master Xie does not have ambitions in officialdom. This time, I took the liberty of acting on my own.”
“Do you think I do not know what state the Xie family is in?” the Emperor said something that seemed to come out of nowhere. “Take it to him. I owe his family a debt, and sooner or later I will repay it.”
Jing Wang was left thoroughly confused.
But the Emperor said no more and instead asked about the affairs of his household. “How has Shizi been lately?”
Jing Wang smiled, shaking his head with a sigh. “Still that same little monkey.”
“Isn’t that how all hot-blooded youths are? When you were young, you were far wilder than he is. You even dared to charge into an enemy camp alone at night…”
Jing Wang’s face filled with shame. “I made Father worry…”
The two chatted for a while, as though they had returned to the days when they had conquered the realm together on horseback. Both of their hearts eased.
The Emperor suddenly asked him, “Have you gone back to see your mother?”
“I went two months ago.”
After the Emperor ascended the throne, he granted the two Zhou brothers the titles of princes, yet Madam Zhou had not been posthumously granted a title. Because of this, Jing Wang had once asked the Emperor on his mother’s behalf for the title of princess.
But several times, the Emperor had brushed the matter aside. Seeing that he often mentioned his mother and had not forgotten her, Jing Wang also let it go and no longer insisted.
“We are old now, and my children are few. In the future, come to the palace more often.”
How could Jing Wang not understand the meaning behind those words? His expression changed, and he hurriedly knelt on the ground. “Father, please rest assured. This son vows to serve His Highness the Crown Prince unto death.”
He wanted to serve loyally, but the other party wanted his life.
“Get up.” The Emperor glanced at him. “Look how frightened you are. We are father and son, what is wrong with talking a little more? What law of the realm forbids me from enjoying the simple pleasures of family?”
For the past two days, Jing Wang had entered the palace almost every day, going in the morning and only returning after the palace gates were locked. When he heard the news of Xie Shao’s appointment, he was also in the palace.
He had just finished hearing the report from his subordinate when an eunuch from the rear palace came to the door. “Your Highness has been in the Eastern Capital for several days now. Her Majesty the Empress has been thinking of you constantly. Today, she has prepared wine and dishes and invites Your Highness over to taste them.”
—
The Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry Command was a fifth-rank position, belonging to the Imperial Guards and governed under the Two Offices.
When Commander Xu saw the name on the appointment document, he still found it somewhat hard to believe. “It’s Second Young Master Xie?”
His subordinate smiled and said, “That’s right. He’s already at the gate.”
Ever since Xie Shao had come to the Eastern Capital, Commander Xu had invited him several times to come as a guest at his courtyard, but Xie Shao had politely declined each time. He had never imagined that Xie Shao would actually become his subordinate.
He personally went out to the gate to welcome him in, then laughed heartily twice. “Young Master Xie, it seems we really are fated.”
Xie Shao raised his sleeve and bowed to Xu Xun. “This subordinate, Xie Shao, pays respects to Commander Xu.”
Xu Xun stepped forward and supported his arm at once. “Young Master Xie, no need to stand on ceremony. We can do without these formalities.” Back then, if not for Chancellor Xie recognizing his worth and accepting him as a student, how could he have held the position he holds today?
“Young Master Xie, please come. I’ll show you around.”
Compared with the cold treatment he had received at the Chancellor Office yesterday, this was the complete opposite. With Xu Xun’s introduction, after entering the Cavalry Command Office, everything went very smoothly for Xie Shao.
—
The news received by the eldest branch of the Wen family still stopped at yesterday.
The Second Young Master Xie had caused a great disturbance at the Chancellor Office and, on the spot, dislocated the wrist of Chancellor Yuan’s eldest son, Young Master Yuan. In less than a moment, this matter had spread out from the Chancellor Office’s walls.
The Eldest Young Master Wen was on duty at the Hanlin Academy. Their group usually busied themselves with minor revisions and patching things up, without any truly urgent affairs. Once they had free time, they loved gossiping.
After the Eldest Young Master Wen heard about it, he returned and told Eldest Madam.
When the Eldest Madam in the Eastern Capital heard the news, she once again counted herself fortunate that it hadn’t been her own daughter married off to the Xie family. She remarked scornfully, “A newborn calf fears no tiger. He truly has no idea how high the heavens are or how deep the earth is. Stirs up trouble wherever he goes.”
Wen Suning, however, asked, “What official appointment did he receive?”
The Eldest Young Master shook his head. That, he truly did not know.
“With the Xie family escaping punishment at all, they’ve already had a stroke of fortune. What kind of appointment could it possibly be? They spent a fortune buying that senior deputy post, surely they wouldn’t let it go to waste…”
It was only after returning from duty that the Eldest Master Wen heard the news. He made a few inquiries and then learned that his own niece had also arrived in the Eastern Capital.
The moment he was back at the residence, he summoned the Eldest Madam. “Gao Xian has also come to the Eastern Capital. Go find out where she is staying. Having just arrived, she probably can’t even tell north from south. Go bring her here, clear out a room, and let her and the Second Young Master Xie stay for the time being.”
The Eldest Madam had been keeping the news of Wen Shuse’s arrival in the Eastern Capital a secret, precisely because she feared this very outcome. Her expression darkened on the spot. “Hasn’t the Second Young Master Xie already taken up his post? This compound is only so big. With the eldest and second sons with their families, and the two young ladies, we’re already packed in so tightly there’s no room to even place a foot. Where on earth is there another room to clear out…?”
The Eldest Master Wen had always detested this petty, small-minded side of her.
He hadn’t noticed it as much in the past, but over these last two years, she had grown ever sharper-tongued and more grudging. In both conduct and bearing, she was not even comparable to that of Concubine Xue, all the way back in Fengcheng.
Back when she had abandoned the Old Madam and come alone to the Eastern Capital without a word, he had let it go, knowing that the Second Master had already returned to the Eastern Capital and that Concubine Xue was also there. But now…
And now here she was, behaving in this same manner. His tone could not help turning cold and hard. “Even if she has married into the Xie family, her surname is still Wen. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. This is a sprawling compound with four courtyards and four passages, over twenty rooms. Is it truly so difficult to free up just one?”
Seeing that she still did not move after so long, Eldest Master Wen was so angry that he pointed at her nose. “Fine! If you won’t go, I’ll go myself.”
Only then did Eldest Madam grow anxious and chase after him. “Master…”
—
After Xie Shao left that day, Wen Shuse secretly slipped into the room where he had slept last night and had Aunt Qing quietly add an extra palm-fiber mat beneath his bedding.
Then she took out the bedding he had newly bought and set it in the sun to air.
She was right in the middle of all this when Uncle Wen arrived. Before he had even reached the corridor, he was already calling out impatiently, “Second Young Lady, Second Young Lady…”
Wen Shuse poked her head out from behind the bedding. “Uncle Wen, I’m here.”
Uncle Wen crossed the passageway and came up to Wen Shuse, his face full of delight. “Young Master Xie went to take up his post at the Imperial Guard Cavalry Command Office today. I especially went to ask around. His official post is Deputy Commander of the Cavalry Command Office.”
Wen Shuse froze. “Truly?”
“Absolutely true. It’s an official rank of the fifth grade, second class.” Uncle Wen held up one hand, then added two fingers. “His monthly salary is eighty strings of cash…”
She thought of the twenty taels of silver that wretched man had left on the wooden table last night.
No wonder he had been so confident.
The money wasn’t what mattered. Neither his Xie family nor her Wen family lacked silver. What mattered was that he was willing to become an official.
It seemed that the strong medicine she had administered the night before had taken effect. Although it had gone somewhat too far, fortunately, it had finally worked.
The heavy burden on her shoulders lifted, and even the breath he had blocked up in her chest yesterday dispersed along with it. She said to Uncle Wen, “Tonight, I’ll take Husband to Mixian Tower.”
If he truly entered officialdom, then there was no need for her to keep hiding things from him anymore. To say nothing of how exhausting it must be for him, even she had long since had enough of these bitter days of sneaking around.
She wished she could immediately go buy several chests of new clothes and wear all her gold hairpins and jade bracelets on her hands.
“Second Young Lady, rest assured. I will go back and arrange it at once.” Then he remembered something. “Eldest Master seems to have sent people to look for Second Young Lady. Second Young Lady, do you think we should tell him where you are…?”
Wen Shuse paused, only then remembering this matter.
Since she had come to the Eastern Capital, she would have to meet him sooner or later. “No need. I’ll go myself.”
—
The people sent out by Eldest Master Wen had only just left when someone came to report at the door, saying that Wen Shuse had arrived.
Eldest Master Wen quickly had her invited in, welcomed her into the front hall, and asked with concern, “Have you found a place to stay?”
Wen Shuse nodded. “A relative of a former servant left behind a residence. This time, I happened to run into them, so I’m staying there temporarily.”
The First Madam let out a breath of relief. “That’s wonderful, then.”
Eldest Master Wen frowned. A servant’s residence, how good could it be? “Family should still live together. Tomorrow, bring Young Master Xie over as well. Make do here for now. Once your father arrives in the Eastern Capital, we’ll rent a larger residence.” He turned and instructed First Madam, “Go clear out a room.”
“How am I supposed to clear one out? Should I clear out the young masters’ rooms, or the two young ladies’ rooms?” Eldest Madam had not expected him to be so stubborn, insisting on playing the magnanimous host. The girl had already married out. Since when was there a rule that a married daughter could live in her maiden family’s home? What a joke. Unable to hold back, she stiffened her neck and said, “In my view, we might as well clear out our own room. It’s spacious.”
“You…” Eldest Master Wen had not expected her to humiliate him so openly in front of Wen Shuse. He glared at her angrily. “How dare you speak like that?”
Eldest Madam knew that if she softened today, the days ahead would become unbearable.
Ignoring Eldest Master Wen’s expression, she said to Wen Shuse, “Don’t blame your aunt for speaking bluntly. You also know that your eldest uncle has been in the Eastern Capital for less than a year and has no savings on hand. Being able to rent a residence like this is already very difficult. Your two elder brothers are both married, and the children at their knees are noisy as well. Your eldest uncle wants the family to be lively, and all live together in one place, but with things as they are now, you can see it too. Even if you moved in, you wouldn’t live comfortably.”
Seeing that she was still talking, Eldest Master Wen slapped his palm onto the wooden table. “Quiet!”
The Eldest Madam jumped in fright. Though her heart was also somewhat weak, she did not yield in the slightest. “I’m only speaking the truth …”
“It’s only asking you to clear out one room, yet you have come up with a hundred reasons why not. Is this how an elder behaves? Fine, then we’ll do as you said. Clear out your room.”
Eldest Madam froze for a moment, then cried out with a bellyful of grievance, “So after all my toil for this family, I’m still in the wrong? Clearing out one room today is easy enough, but tomorrow, when Old Madam and Second Master also arrive, will we have to clear out an entire courtyard? Second Young Master still hasn’t been betrothed. Once he comes, will Master also have to arrange his marriage for him, prepare the betrothal gifts, and build him a new house…”
Eldest Master Wen’s expression went blank. Clearly, he had not thought of these things. But he quickly reacted. “It is still too early to speak of that now. We’ll think of a solution once they arrive.”
“What solution can there be? Don’t tell me my eldest branch is supposed to support them for the rest of their lives…”
Eldest Master Wen’s face turned ashen. “Where does such a thing even come from?”
“Is that not what Master means?”
Seeing that the situation was about to spiral beyond repair, Wen Shuse could not help but rise. “Many thanks, Eldest Uncle. My current residence is quite good, so I won’t trouble the family further.”
Since things had already reached this point, Eldest Master Wen knew she would never move in now. For a moment, anger clogged his chest, and he could not speak.
Some things ought to be made clear.
Her father and elder brother could not bring themselves to say them, so she would say them. “All these years, Eldest Uncle stayed at home to accompany Mother, while Father went out to earn money and support the household. Neither had it easy. If one truly counts it out, no one owes anyone.”
“Now, Eldest Uncle has risen in rank, and your official career is bright. It is our second branch that has failed to live up to expectations and squandered the family fortune. Not only can we be of no help to Eldest Uncle, but we even have to rely on Eldest Uncle’s relief. Father and Elder Brother also feel ashamed. Before I left, they gave me instructions. Since Eldest Uncle and Eldest Aunt are both here today, I will pass on their words. Father sincerely wishes Eldest Uncle a smooth rise to high office. Eldest Uncle and Eldest Aunt may rest assured. From now on, you may freely seek your future. When Father returns this time, he will no longer go to Fuzhou. He will stay behind to care for Grandmother. From now on, whether our second branch fares well or poorly, we will not come to trouble you again.”
The room finally fell quiet.
Eldest Master Wen’s brows knitted tightly.
Eldest Madam, however, let out a long breath of relief. “Second Master is quite reasonable and understa…”
Before she could finish, Eldest Master Wen could no longer endure it. He rose and swung a slap across her face. “The An family is considered a prominent household in Fengcheng. I would truly like to ask Master An how he teaches his daughters, to have taught up such a snobbish thing as you.”
—
When Wen Shuse left, the eldest branch of the Wen family had already descended into complete chaos.
Sitting in the carriage, Aunt Qing sighed. “Why did Eldest Master lose his temper so badly?”
“Eldest Uncle was abandoned by both parents when he was young. Compared with others, he understands better than most how precious family ties are. And precisely because he is not Grandmother’s biological son, the weight of that nurturing grace he carries is heavier than Father’s. This time, Madam An crossed his bottom line.”
She herself had no mind to bother with the eldest branch’s affairs. The words had already been made clear. In the future, even if the second branch did well again, after what had been said today, they would have no face to come knocking on their door.
It was best for each family to live its own life.
After returning to the residence, Wen Shuse went nowhere else and simply waited for her Deputy Commander to come back.