Chapter 2

I had barely finished speaking when Fourth Concubine swayed into the reception hall, before either of my parents could answer.

“Oh, young miss, this is hardly the occasion to say whatever you please.”

“What dirty cucumber?”

“Young Lord Chu is handsome and distinguished!”

“Don’t think you can behave outrageously just because your father dotes on you!”

Mother’s expression darkened. Here we were discussing her eldest legitimate daughter’s marriage, and a mere concubine had the nerve to come into the hall and make a scene.

Father looked flustered. He turned to find Mother’s face livid.

True, Father had grown stout; standing there, he looked positively round.

And he had taken one concubine after another.

But though he had risen to chancellor, he had always treated Mother, his first wife, with the utmost respect.

Nor would he ever let his daughter suffer an injustice.

Now his own concubine was openly challenging Mother and me on an occasion like this.

It was surely time for him to keep her in line.

Father rose.

“Fourth! Step aside! How dare you behave like this in the mistress’s presence!”

Fourth Concubine gave a sniff, but swayed off to one side.

Chu Lanzhi had come to our residence alone.

He carried a bouquet of vivid, dewy flowers. Together with the line of cucumbers above his head, it made quite the striking display.

What a pity nobody else could see such an amusing sight. Only I could appreciate this masterpiece.

Chu Lanzhi bowed to my parents.

“Uncle Gu, Aunt Gu, please hear me out. I sincerely wish to marry your daughter. What have I done to offend her, that she should slander me like this?”

“My character is known throughout the capital. Heaven and earth can bear witness to my earnest desire to marry her.”

To everyone else, Chu Lanzhi radiated rectitude. Perhaps it was because I could see what lay beneath,

but all I saw was a haggard face and a man who had overindulged himself.

His eyes, especially, looked utterly hollow.

Father cleared his throat from the seat of honor, assuming a dignified expression.

“Young Lord Chu, marriage is a serious matter. Our daughter must agree to it. Both parties must be willing.”

“Perhaps there is more to this. Why don’t you have some tea here while we clear up the reasons, and then discuss the match?”

Chu Lanzhi stood.

“Of course.”

Mother came to my side, patted my shoulder, and sent me into the rear courtyard.

“Qianyu, you’ve had your hairpin ceremony. There are things you must decide for yourself now.”

“Everyone praises young Lord Chu’s reputation. You should consider carefully whether there has been some misunderstanding.”

After hearing her out,

I wiped my tears with the handkerchief in my hand.

“Mother, you may not believe me, but I can see things other people can’t. Chu Lanzhi is certainly not as chaste as people say.”

“Besides, you can’t trust rumors. People outside say you and Father are deeply in love, too.”

The moment I said it, Mother glanced all around.

“Qianyu, can you… see unclean spirits?”

I hastily shook my head. “You’ve misunderstood, Mother!”

“It’s just something I can’t explain. And this is my marriage. Why don’t we investigate privately before deciding?”

“Look closely at Chu Lanzhi. He may seem upright, but see the dark shadows under his eyes? Doesn’t he look as though he’s been overindulging?”

Mother turned to look at Chu Lanzhi in the hall.

After a moment’s thought, she nodded.

“Very well.”

“There’s something else, Mother.”

She looked at me, her eyes full of questions.

“Fourth Concubine is having an affair with the steward.”

Mother merely patted my hand.

“Oh, that. I’ve known for ages. Your father still thinks he’s some dashing young gentleman, with women falling all over him. He ought to take a look at himself.”

So Mother had known all along.

Nothing to worry about, then.

We returned to the hall together, and Mother spoke for us.

“Young Lord Chu, marriage is no trifling matter. Let us put this aside for the moment.”

“We can discuss it another day.”

After Fourth Concubine’s performance, Father had little to add.

He could only send Chu Lanzhi on his way with a few kind words.

Chu Lanzhi was displeased, though he managed not to show it.

He walked out with his headful of cucumbers.

I nearly threw up.