The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 91
Childhood sweethearts from their early years, and someone so dazzling, how could he not stir her heart? At the age when feelings first bud, before she had even understood what that feeling truly was, he had already left the Eastern Capital.
When he returned, he was another woman’s husband.
Even though he was more striking now than in those years, and her own composure had wavered somewhat in the instant she saw him, yet what could be done?
He had already married and had a wife of his own.
She had seen that Second Young Lady Wen: born bright and lovely, an endearing creature like a luminous pearl, whose looks were, perhaps, even above her own.
To say she felt nothing would be a lie.
The one she had secretly admired in her youth, like moonlight itself, beyond compare. No matter how fine a woman in this world, none seemed worthy of him.
If that Second Young Lady Wen could make Brother Xie willing to marry her, she must surely have something beyond the ordinary; what Brother Xie valued was either looks or talent. Yet now, to learn it had been this manner of marriage instead, her heart went sour and swollen, and a trace of resentment rose up in her.
What she had longed for but could never have, yet someone else had received so easily. Who wouldn’t feel a pang of bitterness?
Beside her, Sixth Young Lady Yang read her mind exactly and reproached herself. “How could Your Highness be at fault? If anyone’s to blame, it’s me, for holding a birthday feast and shutting Commander Xie and Young Madam Xie out at the door. I deserve a penalty.” She turned to instruct the maid at her side. “Go and invite Young Madam Xie over. Say that today was my oversight, better late than never. I hope she’ll do me the honor, and I’ll penalize myself three cups.”
With the swapping of peach for plum only just exposed, anyone with eyes could see well enough what was behind this invitation of hers. She’d likely been summoned over to be made a spectacle of.
The maid went out, and the Second Princess at her side made no sound to stop her.
—
Today, it was only by borrowing his little wife’s face that the two of them had managed to find a seat in this Mixian Tower, a place that didn’t bow to high officials. Though he was injured and could not drink, tonight was not for his own pleasure. It was to make his little wife happy. He could not drink, but his little wife could.
Xie Shao planned to wait for the servant to come in, then order every one of the best wines and dishes here, spending a great sum to treat his little wife to a grand meal.
After waiting nearly half an hour, the servant finally returned, carrying a gold-bodied teapot in his hand. Still wearing a smiling face, he stepped forward and filled their teacups.
“This morning’s dew transported from Lingshan this afternoon. The tea leaves are tender buds from Yunshan, and only the single middle bud is taken. At first sip, it tastes somewhat bitter and astringent, but afterward, a faint sweetness lingers between the lips and teeth. Commander Xie and Second Young Lady, please have a taste…”
Immediately after, Mixian Tower’s maidservants filed in one after another, carrying all manner of dishes in their hands.
The servant stood to one side and introduced them one by one. “Fragrant pan-seared deep-sea cod, steamed tiger grouper, baked sea cucumber, salt-baked conch, stir-fried clams…”
Plate after plate, gold dishes and silver platters were set before the two of them. Even the young master, who was accustomed to luxury, found his gaze gradually freezing in place. His fingers lightly rubbed against the teacup.
Behind him, Minzhang was already dumbstruck. Even imperial tribute might not be this extravagant.
Things from the deep sea were not something ordinary people could obtain. They were more precious than gold and jewels. This meal was likely more complete than even the current emperor could necessarily enjoy.
It was not strange for a great restaurant like Mixian Tower to privately keep a few treasures that served as its pride. What was strange was that they were actually willing to bring them out to entertain Young Master and Third Young Madam.
How much would this cost…
Minzhang had never been one to lose his composure, yet even now, his complexion changed. After tonight’s meal, Young Master would probably return to the way he had been before.
Instinctively, he glanced at Young Master. Sure enough, the spring breeze that had hung on Young Master’s face all day clearly showed signs of collapsing.
By contrast, Third Young Madam was much calmer. Her eyes were fixed on the plates and dishes in surprise and delight as she asked excitedly, “You even have these things?”
The servant straightened and smiled. “This year’s seafood harvest has been quite good. These treasures were all specially kept for the Second Young Lady. Unlike other dishes, what matters most with these is freshness. They have been kept alive in seawater tanks all this time, waiting for Second Young Lady and Commander Xie to come.”
Even Commander Xie himself had been stopped outside. He truly did not know what sort of honored guest could enjoy such thoughtful treatment at Mixian Tower.
His little wife was not an ordinary gold-devouring beast. She could devour gold and the sea. The young master’s heart sank lower and lower.
The young lady looked up and thanked the servant. “You’ve gone to so much trouble.”
“Of course.” The servant bowed. “Second Young Lady and Commander Xie, please enjoy your meal at leisure. This servant will be waiting outside. If you need anything, simply call.” With that, he led the serving maidservants out in single file.
The moment they left, the young lady picked up the bamboo chopsticks on the table and handed them to her husband across from her. “Husband, hurry and eat. Today, we’ve truly been blessed with good fortune.”
Good fortune, yes.
But those several hundred taels of gold were likely going to be emptied out.
Wen Shuse seemed deliberately intent on teasing him. “Husband said that whatever I liked, I could order. I’ve tasted everything else these past few days. The only thing I kept thinking about was this seafood. Has this made things difficult for you?”
“Not difficult.” Even if he were about to lose his entire family fortune, even if his waist snapped, he would still crawl back up and support her.
“Husband, hurry and eat.” The young lady served him some food, placing a piece of sea cucumber into his bowl.
Xie Shao stared at it without moving. One bite was more expensive than gold. His rough stomach should not waste such fine grain. “My wife should eat it.”
“Could it be that you plan to watch me eat everything by myself? The silver has already been spent. Husband shouldn’t mind such things. Let’s eat our fill today, and as for tomorrow, we’ll think of a way…”
His little wife’s nature of spending however much she had was already famous far and wide. It could not be changed. He could only work a little harder himself. Fortunately, his injury had healed, too. He might as well report for duty tomorrow…
—
While the two of them were inside devouring gold, the Second Princess’s dishes of apology were also delivered.
The kitchen steward from Mixian Tower brought the dishes over. Seeing the young servant, he handed him the food box. “Just now, the Second Princess sent a palace maid with a message and ordered a few dishes, saying they were meant as an apology to Commander Xie. Take them inside.”
Wen Shuse wanted to keep her identity as the hidden young lady boss of the establishment under wraps, so Uncle Wen could only keep her status a secret. At present, not many people within Mixian Tower knew who Wen Shuse really was. Only the servant from that day and Uncle Wen did.
Right now, the young lady was eating delicacies with her husband. Where would she still have room in her stomach for these ordinary dishes? The servant accepted the food box from the steward, but did not deliver it inside.
Naturally, the young master and young lady inside also knew that this meal was astonishingly expensive, so they wasted nothing at all. Most of the table full of seafood ended up in the young lady’s stomach.
She was so full she could not even drink tea. Wen Shuse stood and held her breath, drawing in her stomach with a troubled expression. “A’Yuan used to be much plumper than me. Now I fear I may be even plumper than she is…”
Her husband looked her over carefully, then said in a firm tone exactly what the young lady most wanted to hear. “My wife is thinner.”
So, this was why one had to find a husband of one’s own. At crucial moments, he would stand on her side and coax her to be happy.
She was so full she could no longer sit still. Tonight, the entire front building had been reserved by the Second Princess, so they could not listen to any music. But the scenery in Mixian Tower’s rear courtyard was quite lovely.
“Husband, let’s go out and enjoy the breeze and help digest the food.”
The young master was naturally happy to accompany her and went to fetch his little wife’s cloak.
The servant outside heard the movement within and estimated that it was about time. He was just about to send the food box inside when the maidservant from Sixth Young Lady Yang’s side came again, inviting Wen Shuse to attend her birthday banquet.
The young master and young lady inside had just reached the doorway when they heard every word the maidservant said.
She and her husband had unintentionally intruded upon Sixth Young Lady Yang’s birthday banquet tonight. Now that she had specifically sent someone to invite them, it was a gesture of courtesy that shouldn’t be refused.
Both she and her husband were newcomers to the Eastern Capital, and many high-ranking families had come to today’s banquet. Maintaining good relations was most important.
Since Sixth Young Lady Yang was the one inviting her, her husband’s so-called little sister, the Second Princess, must surely be there too. If the princess called him Brother Xie in front of her again, Wen Shuse did not know whether she could still restrain herself.
It would be more reassuring to leave her husband behind.
“Today is Sixth Young Lady Yang’s birthday, and the people gathered around her are probably mostly ladies. Husband would only find it dull if you went. Why not go to the waterside pavilion in the rear courtyard instead? There should be young masters over there, and you will have someone to talk to.”
Tonight, aside from his little wife, he had no interest in anyone else. Knowing that she liked lively occasions, he handed her the cloak in his hand. “I’ll stay here. When it’s almost over, send word to me. I’ll wait for you in the carriage.”
Wen Shuse said yes. After taking two steps forward, she suddenly turned back and rushed to him. Standing on tiptoe, she planted a kiss directly on his cheek.
After kissing him, she turned and left at once, not looking at her husband’s stunned expression, nor caring about the surrounding gazes watching the excitement. Lifting her skirt, she hurried after Sixth Young Lady Yang’s maidservant toward the front hall.
It was her first time meeting Sixth Young Lady Yang, and it was also the other party’s birthday banquet. She could not very well go empty-handed. Before stepping up to the elegant room on the second floor of the front hall, she fell a few steps behind and leaned close to give that young servant an instruction.
“Go. If you handle this well, the grievance between us from before will be written off in one stroke. I’ll have Uncle Wen promote you and raise your wages.”
The corners of the servant’s eyes crinkled into a broad smile as he nodded repeatedly. “Lady Boss, rest assured. This little one will get it done properly.”
Wen Shuse continued forward with the maidservant. When they reached the largest elegant room, the maidservant turned back and stepped aside. “Young Madam Xie, please enter.”
The maidservant guarding the curtain announced inside, “Your Highness, Sixth Young Lady, Young Madam Xie has arrived.”
Inside, a group of noblewomen had gathered around the Second Princess and Sixth Young Lady Yang, chatting and laughing. At these words, the room that had been lively just a moment ago suddenly fell silent as a flock of crows. Every pair of eyes turned toward her.
When they saw the young lady step out from behind the pearl curtain, amazement flashed through everyone’s eyes. The Eastern Capital was vast and prosperous and had never lacked beautiful young ladies. But beauties like her, who seemed radiant with vitality at first glance, were rare.
Half the room was still stunned. The other half had already recovered, each wearing a different expression as they waited for the Second Princess and today’s birthday young lady to speak.
After Xie Shao was injured, many people came to the residence to visit him. But among those present today, Wen Shuse recognized only two familiar faces: one was the Second Princess, and the other was Eldest Madam Wei.
Wen Shuse had never been afraid of strangers. Since she had already met the Second Princess last time, she first stepped forward and curtsied. The Second Princess smiled and gave a light gesture of support. “Madam need not be so formal.”
Guessing that the young lady seated beside her, dressed in splendid brocade covered with flourishing blossoms, must be today’s birthday girl, Wen Shuse stepped forward and offered a blessing. “I have disturbed Sixth Young Lady’s birthday today. I hope Sixth Young Lady will forgive me.”
Sixth Young Lady Yang had a pair of phoenix eyes. When she smiled, she gave off an impression of sharp intelligence. “What is Second Young Lady saying? It’s just a birthday, making such a grand affair of it and taking up so much space, if anything, I’m the one being ostentatious. I’ve caused you trouble, and I should be the one apologizing.”
The words sounded polite, but anyone with an attentive ear could hear the significance in them.
She had not called her Madam Xie, but Second Young Lady.
“Sixth Young Lady’s coming-of-age ceremony happens only once in a lifetime. You merely wished for it to be lively. How could that be called ostentatious?”
Her attitude was sincere and generous, and her words left no fault for anyone to pick at. Sixth Young Lady Yang smiled and said to the maidservant behind her, “Why haven’t you brought Second Young Lady a seat yet?”
The seats in front were already full, so Wen Shuse could only be placed near the doorway.
After she sat down, Sixth Young Lady Yang continued chatting with her. “When did Second Young Lady come to the Eastern Capital? How did I receive no word of it? The Xie family and my Yang family can be considered old family friends. Had you sent word in advance, Father would certainly have sent someone to receive you.”
Sixth Young Lady’s birth father was General Yang’s eldest son, the Shizi of the Duke Mansion.
After the former crown prince had been deposed, who did not know how she and Xie Shao had come to the Eastern Capital? These words were far too much for show.
Second Young Lady Yang was the birthday girl today, seated together with the Second Princess on the raised platform. She could see Wen Shuse at a glance, but if Wen Shuse wanted to look at her, she had to lean slightly forward before she could see her.
Wen Shuse replied, “The Shizi is busy with affairs of the court. My husband and I merely came to the Eastern Capital for a visit, not on official business. How could we have the face to trouble Lord Yang?”
The moment Sixth Young Lady Yang said those words, she regretted them somewhat. She had dragged court affairs into it, and the Xie family at that. Not only had she failed to gain the slightest advantage, but she had nearly invited trouble upon herself.
If the Xie family could not be mentioned, then surely the Wen family could. She asked again, “Second Young Lady, are you from Fengcheng?”
Wen Shuse nodded. “Yes.”
“Last time, I heard the Assistant Minister’s wife say that your father does some small business in Fuzhou. What kind of business is it, exactly?”
Her earlier words had still been relatively polite, but this sentence carried some contempt.
Wen Shuse seemed not to hear it and smiled. “My father and elder brother have been trading at sea in Fuzhou for several years now. They’ve been there for several years. Only this year did Father remain in Fengcheng and secure a minor official post as an Assistant Investigating Magistrate.”
An Assistant Investigating Magistrate, just as the name suggests, was it not an official post bought with money?
There was no need to ask. It must have been Third Young Master Xie, for the sake of his own face, who had bought the Wen family’s second branch an official post.
Sixth Young Lady Yang covered her mouth and laughed. “Young Lady Wen was in Fengcheng, so perhaps you don’t know how imposing Third Young Master was back then. So many young ladies admired him. In terms of fortune and luck, I fear no one can compare to Second Young Lady Wen.”
She was just short of saying outright that with a family background like hers, being able to marry Xie Shao meant she had stepped into dog’s luck.
Wen Shuse nodded and smiled. “That, I truly did not know. But from what I see, my husband is not much better now. He was born with a face that attracts bees and butterflies. If he had not married, he would inevitably be plucking flowers and stirring up grasses, making all the wild blossoms outside think of him.”
Sixth Young Lady Yang froze. The Second Princess, beside her, also changed expression slightly and lifted her eyes to look at Wen Shuse.
The smile on Wen Shuse’s face was utterly genuine, half complaint, half pride. She wore the shy air of a young wife, showing off to the fullest.
The Second Princess felt stifled in her chest. No longer wanting to listen to them talk, she glanced away with waning interest.
Sixth Young Lady Yang saw that after calling Wen Shuse over to herself, not only had she failed to feel satisfied, but she had instead made herself feel worse. Her composure slipped, and in her eagerness to strike quickly, she asked, “Just now, I heard Second Young Madam of the Earl Mansion say that Second Young Lady and Young Master Xie’s marriage came about in a truly shocking way. Was the one Second Young Lady originally wished to marry not the Third Young Master?”
The Second Young Madam of the Earl Mansion had not expected Sixth Young Lady Yang to drag her into the water on the spot, and her expression turned extremely awkward. This sort of matter was one thing to discuss behind someone’s back. But exposing it to her face was not forcing her to tear all pretenses apart with the other party?
Fortunately, Wen Shuse did not ask who the Second Young Madam of the Earl Mansion was. Instead, she openly laid the matter out herself. “How did this matter spread? But whoever passed it along only knows one part and not the other. My husband and I had known each other for a long time. I was just thinking that perhaps we were destined to miss each other in this life, but who would have thought I would meet him on the wedding night? Now, whenever my husband and I mention it, we both still find it unbelievable. I imagine that even when we are old, it will remain an unforgettable memory…”
They had thought she would hide it and clutch at it, but now that she had spoken of it so generously, those present no longer felt the same eagerness to watch the excitement.
Even if the two families had switched bride and groom at the last moment, the two of them had already bowed to Heaven and Earth and become husband and wife. The people involved had said nothing and were living well together. What right did outsiders have to make comments?
But Sixth Young Lady Yang couldn’t let it go. She lifted her teacup and took a sip, then said lightly, “Young Master Xie was born into a scholarly and prestigious family and has always valued propriety. Even if the wrong person was chosen, he surely would not say any…”
Before she could finish, a maidservant hurried in from outside to report, “Third Young Master Xie has arrived.”
Sixth Young Lady Yang’s expression paused. The Second Princess, beside her, also turned her head.
Before the people inside could react, the pearl curtain had already been lifted aside. Her husband looked at the young lady seated at the very end. His face was calm, and his voice was extremely gentle as he extended a hand toward her.
“Wife, it is time to go home.”
Wen Shuse lifted her head. Without asking why he had appeared, she nodded and rose.
Only then did the Second Princess react. “Brother Xie…”
Xie Shao paused, but did not look at her. Instead, he looked toward Sixth Young Lady Yang. “Since Sixth Young Lady Yang is so curious about my past with my wife, you may ask me directly.”
Sixth Young Lady Yang had only dared to invite Wen Shuse over after hearing Second Young Madam Zhu’s words. She had never expected Xie Shao to come looking for her, much less question her like this. He must have heard what was said inside.
Being caught gossiping on the spot was enough to make anyone lose face. Her cheeks flushed crimson. “Young Master Xie has misunderstood. I didn’t mean to…”
“The bride switch was my idea. Though the method was not honorable, my wife and I share genuine affection. Afterward, we also went to the authorities to register the marriage. It is proper and lawful, so I need not trouble Sixth Young Lady to worry about breaking apart my marriage.”
A young lady who had only just reached her coming-of-age was publicly accused by a third-rank commander at her own birthday banquet of trying to break apart his marriage. If this spread, how would she have any face left? It would likely become a lifelong knot in her heart.
Her face instantly burned scarlet, and she was so anxious that even the corners of her mouth began to tremble.
The Second Princess was not much better off. When Xie Shao had entered just now, forget paying respects, he had not even greeted her.
She knew his temperament well. Once someone provoked him, he would give no one face. In his heart, perhaps the fact that she had been sitting here tonight meant she, too, had become one of those bullying his wife.
Did he truly like her that much?
Her heart was anxious and aching. She very much wanted to ask him, if it were her and the Second Young Lady Wen, who would he choose? But she was also afraid that if she asked, he would never pay attention to her again.
Forget it. He was already married. Even if she asked clearly, what could she do?
The mood had grown heavy, and all enjoyment had vanished. She rose, intending to follow him out and apologize, when suddenly, a streak of light flashed past the carved window behind her. A moment later came a loud bang, and brilliant light illuminated half the night sky.
Sixth Young Lady Yang, still dazed and adrift, also froze.
Why were there fireworks today?
The young servant soon came in and said to her with a smile, “Young Lady Boss said that since it was her first time meeting Sixth Young Lady and she had not had time to prepare a gift, these fireworks are her birthday present to Sixth Young Lady.”
Sixth Young Lady Yang grew even more bewildered. “Young Lady Boss?”
The servant bent at the waist and no longer concealed it. “Second Young Lady Wen, who came in just now, Commander Xie’s wife, is our Young Lady Boss.”