Chapter 19
After my midday nap, my father called me over.
He said that if Zhang Jincan’s marriage was settled, there would be no energy left in the family to arrange mine.
He had found two families for me to consider.
The first candidate was Liu Qingshan, a General Xuande of the fifth rank, serving under the Marquis of Wuan.
The second was Wu Zhongkang, the legitimate second son of the Pingchang Marquisate. He is already twenty-three, with a young son. His wife passed away the year before last, and he has not remarried since.
A feeling of helplessness welled up in my heart. I had humiliated Li Rongchuan so much; how could I marry a general serving under the Marquis of Wuan? As for Wu Zhongkang, not only could a legitimate second son not inherit the family estate, but he was also seven years older than me and already had a son. Would I become a stepmother as soon as I married into the family?
Noticing my expression, my father frowned in displeasure. “What kind of face is that? Don’t entertain wild thoughts. To live a peaceful and stable life is also a blessing.”
“Go on. Later, you’ll meet the two young gentlemen on the Stationary Painted Boat (called ‘Bu Xi Zhou’) by Bishui Lake. The new lotuses have all bloomed.”
By the shore of Bishui Lake, there was a building modeled after a painted boat, decorated just like a real one, but fixed firmly to the water, unable to move-used only for admiring lotuses and enjoying tea. This kind of structure was also called the Stationary Painted Boat (Bu Xi Zhou).
Once I boarded the Stationary Painted Boat, Liu Qingshan stood up, waving to greet me. In his haste, he knocked over the teapot and, while shaking out his robe, looked at me awkwardly and said, “Second Miss.”
I nodded to him, noticing the large, dark wet patch on his robe. “Perhaps you should go back and change your clothes?”
He raised both hands and managed a restrained smile. “It’s fine.”
He was broad and powerful, but his movements were full of youthful awkwardness.
“Qiuhe (Second Miss Zhang), you are much more beautiful than in your portrait.” He said this carefully, and then his spirits seemed to sink.
After a moment of silence, he sighed. “I don’t know what merit I have to be fortunate enough to discuss marriage with you, Qiuhe. Someone like you deserves to be cherished in a golden house (classical idiom). I am truly unworthy. I have been rude today, so I shall take my leave.”
Before I could react, he stood, lifted his robe, and left.
An indescribable emotion rose from deep within me. I stared blankly at the lake, feeling both saddened and soothed.
I don’t know how much time passed before the sound of music rose across the water. An exquisite painted boat, with bells tied to its four corners, sailed through the lotus leaves.
The boat stopped beside the Stationary Painted Boat (Bu Xi Zhou), and two young ladies disembarked hand in hand. The one in pink spoke in a clear voice, “This boat makes my head ache; it’s enough to make me want to vomit. Cousin is unwell and insists on admiring the lotuses.”
The one in purple replied coolly, “Weren’t you the one who wanted to pick lotus pods yesterday?”
The two of them sat in front of me. Judging by their attire, they must be ladies from a prominent family.
I turned my gaze from that mysterious, exquisite painted boat, and Wu Zhongkang approached with his maid. “Second Miss.”
Wu Zhongkang was neither as thin nor as tall as in his portrait.
We had barely exchanged a few words when his maid suddenly produced a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow.
“Second Miss may not know, but our young master fears the heat,” the maid said timidly, bowing to me with a pitiful expression. “Please do not blame him.”
“Enough,” Wu Zhongkang waved his hand impatiently. “I am not hot; don’t do this again.”
I guessed that this maid might be a Chamber Maid, so I asked casually.
Wu Zhongkang looked troubled, sighed, and finally told the truth. “No, she was my late wife’s chief maid. Since my wife passed away, she has devoted herself to taking care of Yu-ge’er. My mother intends, once the new wife enters the household, to raise her as a Concubine.”
“Since it’s a matter of your Marquis Mansion, there’s no need to tell an outsider like me,” I said blandly.
“Miss Zhang, what do you mean by that? You’re about to become the Second Young Mistress of our Pingchang Marquisate – the main wife of the second young master.” Before Wu Zhongkang could speak, his maid interrupted, “You’re just a Concubine’s Daughter. Even being our second young master’s main wife is already a stretch… Or do you think our second young master isn’t good enough for you?”
Before I could retort, the pink-clad lady slapped the table with a loud crack. “You’re shameless! You’re just a maid. How dare you point fingers at others? Aren’t you embarrassed?”
The purple-clad lady tried to hold her back but failed. The pink-clad lady strode over to stand before me, pointing at Wu Zhongkang and scolding, “This young lady is beautiful, and look at your ugly mug – it’s enough to make one sick.”
“And who are you?” the maid retorted anxiously. “Our young master is the second son of the Pingchang Marquisate.”
“Yurong, Henyu, you two only know how to cause trouble for me.” Yin Jiuyi strolled over, holding a folding fan.
Upon seeing him, Wu Zhongkang’s eyes widened in shock. He pulled his maid down and knelt. “Prince An, I failed to recognize your eminence and have offended the Princess Consort and Concubine Consort. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
The maid trembled uncontrollably, then collapsed weakly onto Wu Zhongkang.
“Enough.” Yin Jiuyi glanced at those on the ground, tossed his fan onto the table, and ordered without room for argument, “Take your maid and leave at once.”