Chapter 3
I had a fair idea why Song Yin never told anyone about us.
My father died when I was eight, leaving behind two tea shops. My mother struggled to keep them afloat for three years.
Business was simply not her strength, so I took over at eleven.
After stumbling along for a year, I finally found my footing—meeting suppliers, training stewards, traveling to inspect goods…
Over the next nine years, our two shops became thirty-six. As the business grew smooth and prosperous, I became a merchant through and through.
Merchants might have money, but they ranked low. Song Yin, meanwhile, already had one foot in officialdom.
He feared that if his classmates learned who I was, they would laugh at him.
He feared that the smell of money would cling to him, that his mentor, the Chief Grand Secretary, would despise him, and that the upright scholarly circles would shut him out.
That evening, Song Yin came to see me. I returned the jade pendant that had sealed our engagement.
“You made your choice. Do not entangle yourself with me again. Chase after power if that is what you want. I hope it gives you everything you desire.”
“Jiaojiao, listen to me. Nothing improper has happened between the princess and me,” he explained from the doorway.
I shook my head. The whole thing felt pointless.
“You know my temper. Leave now and I will still spare your dignity. Keep pestering me, and you can wait for your name to be ruined.”
I closed the door and ignored him.
Song Yin stood outside for a long time before leaving.
That same day, Songshan Academy sent me an invitation asking me to visit.
“I had intended to call on you myself, but there is far too much on my hands. I had no choice but to impose upon you and ask you here.”
The headmaster poured tea and sat with me in the academy’s Wind-and-Moon Pavilion.
“It is my good fortune to share in the academy’s refinement.”
“Hardly. You may be a merchant, Mistress Xu, but you have a generous heart, beauty, and talent. Even this old man falls short of you.”
I answered modestly and waited for what he truly wished to say.
“The tenth day of the sixth month will mark sixty years since the academy was founded. I wish to hold a banquet for our friends and patrons, but my abilities are limited. I fear some oversight will create disorder and make us a laughingstock.”
The headmaster stroked his graying beard, embarrassed.
The academy’s guests would be either renowned scholars or high court officials. His concern was understandable.
“And so I have an impertinent request. Could you take charge of the affair?”
Afraid I might refuse, he spoke more urgently. “I have looked everywhere. You are truly the only person capable of doing it well.”
His repeated explanations came from his concern that I was a woman.
Whether from friendship or reason, I could not refuse.
I nodded. “Very well. I will rearrange my schedule and begin preparations the day after tomorrow.”
A month and a half was tight, but it should be enough.
“Thank you. Do not worry about the silver. Spend whatever you need.” With the burden lifted, the headmaster’s whole face relaxed.
He had plainly worried over this for a long time and approached me only after failing to find anyone suitable.
I smiled and agreed. Once I understood the scale he wanted, I rose to leave.
The headmaster escorted me to the entrance, where we happened upon Song Yin, Yang Ling, and their companions leaving class.
Yang Ling’s eyes lit up. He called, “Sister Song, you know the headmaster?”
“What Sister Song?” the headmaster scolded. “This is Mistress Xu—and Song Yin’s fiancée. Do not speak such nonsense.”
Yang Ling froze and stared at Song Yin in shock.
Song Yin gave an awkward smile.