Volume One, Chapter Six: Visiting Mrs. Chen

After a while, her unfocused gaze gradually returned, and the world before her came into clear view. Yunxi saw the tassels swaying gently beside the bed, and for a moment she could not tell whether this was reality or a dream.

It was not until Hongying cried out in delight, “Miss, you’re awake!” that she finally turned her head.

Hongying came over carrying a bowl of medicine and a tureen of congee. She lifted the spoon, blew on it, and brought it to Yunxi’s lips. “You’ve at last come round. You slept through the whole afternoon. The doctor said you fainted because you hadn’t eaten.”

Yunxi glanced at the sky and saw that night had already fallen.

Hongying fed her a little water. The liquid slid down Yunxi’s parched throat, and she coughed once before asking, “Has the elder master come?”

Today she had fainted. She did not know whether Yunxiang, driven mad by jealousy, had gone so far as to consummate the marriage with the elder master.

Hongying raised the medicine bowl, blew it cool, and offered it to her with a tone so gleeful it could hardly be concealed. “Miss, how perfectly fortunate. The elder master came today. The eldest young lady had meant to spend the night with him, but after supper he left and did not linger one step longer.”

“It’s a pity you weren’t there, or you would have seen the eldest young lady’s face darken like a pot bottom.”

Hearing this, Yunxi’s face twisted up at once, not from emotion but from the bitterness of the medicine.

Yet her heart eased.

Ji Yu absolutely could not have reached the truth through Yunxiang’s guesswork, or else she too would be branded as a deceiver, and there would be even less hope of rescuing Mama Chen.

Today she had deliberately arranged an “accidental” meeting with the elder master. Just as she had expected, it aroused his suspicion and left an impression on him; after that, any attempt to lure him would become much easier.

She had not expected to be interrupted by Yunxiang.

The bitterness lingered all the way to the root of her tongue. Yunxi pressed her lips together and concealed the thoughts in her eyes.

Since the elder master had already put his doubts aside, the method of appearing before him in the guise of a maid was now useless. If anything, it might backfire. She would have to find another way.

Seeing that Yunxi had drunk it all in one go, Hongying brought over a bowl of plain rice porridge to wash away the lingering bitterness.

“Miss, the eldest young lady got what she deserved. Making you do such a thing, now she’s finally getting her retribution. The elder master clearly does not care for her at all. She isn’t having any better a time than anyone else.”

Yunxi had already settled on her next move and turned to ask after Hongying’s condition. “And you? Has that Mama Li given you any more trouble? Tomorrow I will certainly go find her...” Her throat suddenly grew itchy, and she coughed. “You...”

“Don’t worry, Miss. That old witch can’t do anything to me,” Hongying said, then ground out a curse through clenched teeth. “That wretched old hag, making such trouble for you! May she die without heirs and descendants! When she’s dead, no one will even burn paper money for her!”

Yunxi felt a dull ache in her heart. Hongying had already suffered far too much by following her.

She moved her legs, intending to get out of bed, but a stabbing pain shot through her knees.

Mama Li knew how to punish people. Forcing her to kneel on a cushion could humiliate her without leaving visible marks.

Hongying hurried over and applied ointment for her. “Miss, this is the medicine that old demon sent over. She said it works very quickly.”

“That vile woman must be afraid you’ll bear marks and be unable to stand in for the eldest young lady.”

Hongying’s tongue was sharp indeed; she spared no one, and compared with Yunxiang, she was likely even more formidable.

Listening to Hongying’s endless muttering, Yunxi closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.

Early the next morning, she was awakened by the clamor outside.

“Be quick. The madam has started pressing already.”

“Today is the first return to her parents’ home. Keep your wits about you.”

...

Yunxi jerked awake, sat up from the bed, and shook Hongying beside her. “Hongying... Hongying.”

Hongying rubbed her face and asked, “Miss, what is it?”

“Today is Eldest Sister’s return home. We should hurry and get ready so we can go back and see Mama Chen.”

As she spoke, Yunxi endured the soreness in both legs, climbed out of bed, and dressed. The medicine Mama Li had given her was indeed effective; today she already felt much better. Lowering her eyes, Yunxi tied the sash at her waist with an expressionless face.

Hongying, hearing this, hurriedly changed as well. Once they were dressed, the two of them went to the main house.

Yunxiang emerged from the side entrance. When a maid lifted the curtain of the carriage, she looked up and saw Ji Yu already seated inside with his eyes closed, as if resting.

Ji Yu had not forgotten the matter of the return visit. After all, the marriage between the two families had been something he had deliberately arranged in order to curry favor with Minister Yun. Though he did not regard Yunxiang with much affection, he still had to show some respect to the Yun household behind her.

After the carriage set off, husband and wife remained silent.

Yunxiang tried several times to start a conversation, but Ji Yu’s attitude from first to last was one of disinterest, and in the end she fell quiet.

When they alighted, they saw Minister Yun and Madam He waiting at the gate with a large group of servants.

“Father-in-law, mother-in-law.”

“Father, mother.”

The two spoke almost at once, and the smiles on Madam He and Minister Yun’s faces deepened.

Teased by her parents, a blush rose to Yunxiang’s cheeks. She glanced sideways at Ji Yu, only to see that he was busy exchanging courtesies with Minister Yun.

The family of four entered the residence in apparent harmony, a truly lovely scene.

Yunxi lowered her head and stared at the ground.

Once they arrived at the estate, Yunxiang went with Madam He to the Green Lotus Courtyard.

“Does the elder master treat you well?” Madam He held Yunxiang’s hand, looking at her with a face full of motherly affection, occasionally smoothing the loose strands of hair at her temples.

“Yes.” Yunxiang’s face flushed. She nodded, but then turned slightly disheartened and said, “Yet sometimes I feel my husband is rather cold.”

“This is how all couples are at the beginning. Your husband is young and promising, has been to the battlefield, and won glorious military merits. If not for your mother-in-law blocking the way for her own son’s sake, that marquis title would already belong to your husband. Men always have their pride; it must be we women who make allowances.”

Looking at her daughter’s lovely face, Madam He smiled as she comforted her. “Besides, my daughter is so delicate and beautiful, accomplished in the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting alike. The elder master taking a liking to you is only a matter of time.”

Hearing this, Yunxiang’s expression brightened at once. The gloom on her face turned to pride as she smiled faintly, looking at the red nail tint on her fingers. Her mood improved considerably, and the frustration she had suffered before Ji Yu scattered like dust on the wind.

Indeed, what was that bitch Yunxi worth? Her husband would still spend his life with her.

The mother and daughter talked and laughed a while longer. Then, as if remembering something, Madam He’s expression darkened. “There was no flaw on the wedding night, was there?”

“No.” Yunxiang felt somewhat guilty. She did not dare tell Madam He about having secretly switched people last night.

“That’s good.” Madam He’s tone softened, and the crease between her brows eased. “Ah, your body was ruined by the chill when you fell into the lake that year; otherwise, how would it have been that base-born girl’s turn to bear children for you?”

“Once she gives birth successfully, your position will be secure.”

“By then, even if the elder master takes concubines, there will be no need to worry...”

...

While the mother and daughter spoke in confidence, Yunxi followed behind Mama Li.

Madam He had promised her that on this return-home day, she would be allowed to see Mama Chen.

As they drew near the gate, a stench of mildew struck her full in the face, so foul it made one cover her nose at once.

Mama Li pushed open the door. Wood shavings and flakes of ashen plaster rained down, and the dust choked her into several coughs.