Chapter 265
Chapter 265
Ji Hanyi’s step toward the inner room halted. She motioned for Rongchun beside her to stop as well.
The deliberately muffled voice behind the screen continued. “Exactly. The Shen Residence was supposed to send a formal proposal at any moment. Who could have expected something to happen to Second Uncle? Otherwise, the marriage between the two families would have been settled long ago.”
“It truly is a pity. Everyone said Second Sister and Marquis Shen were perfectly matched.”
At that, Ji Hanyi took a small step back and quietly headed upstairs.
Rongchun hesitated, distressed by what she had heard and wanting to offer comfort, but this was not the proper place to speak.
As Ji Hanyi rounded a turn on the stairs, she encountered Second Young Lady Cui, Cui Chaoyun, coming down.
Seeing Ji Hanyi returning upstairs, Cui Chaoyun paused, then hurriedly asked, “Was something downstairs not to Madam Shen’s satisfaction?”
Ji Hanyi studied her concerned expression. Cui Chaoyun’s cool, ethereal face was slightly pale. Dressed simply, she radiated quiet elegance and purity. Seen this way, her temperament truly did resemble Shen Si’s aloof serenity.
In truth, even Ji Hanyi felt that Cui Chaoyun and Shen Si would look exceptionally well matched standing together.
Ji Hanyi shook her head. “Halfway down, I remembered there were still a few things I had not said to Sister Su.”
Then she asked, “Why is Second Young Lady Cui coming downstairs?”
Cui Chaoyun smiled and came to Ji Hanyi’s side, friendly without overstepping. “I was worried about Madam Shen. I feared my two younger sisters might behave thoughtlessly, so I came down to keep you company.”
Smiling, she added, “Second Madam Shen and I are close in age. I will turn nineteen in two months. Perhaps we will find much to discuss.”
Cui Chaoyun did not seem naturally talkative, but she was considerate and warm. Every word showed care for Ji Hanyi without making her appear overly shrewd. Instead, she possessed a calm detachment that Ji Hanyi found very appealing.
Even after overhearing those remarks, Ji Hanyi could not summon the slightest dislike for Cui Chaoyun.
She smiled. “You are right. We are close in age and should have much to discuss.”
Cui Chaoyun invited her upstairs and instructed a maid to brew fresh tea. As they walked, she said, “Almond tea is my favorite. I made this batch myself. Second Madam Shen must try it and tell me whether you like it.”
Ji Hanyi naturally agreed. She had always liked sweet teas, and almond tea suited her taste perfectly.
Upstairs, Qin Fuyu still leaned eagerly out the window. From time to time, she tugged Madam Su’s sleeve. “Sister-in-law, look! Brother Cui is the best archer.”
Madam Su shook her head helplessly and urged Qin Fuyu to behave. They were guests in another residence, after all. Then she turned to Cui Chaoyun with a sigh. “Second Young Lady Cui, forgive her.”
Cui Chaoyun smiled. “Third Young Lady Qin’s temperament is refreshing. I admire such honesty most. Ordinary young ladies suppress themselves so much that they may even miss a fine marriage.”
Ji Hanyi paused and looked at Cui Chaoyun. Her voice was gentle and warming, and there was truth in her words.
Genuine openness was rare among women of the inner household. Most wrapped themselves in layers of propriety. Qin Fuyu liked what she liked and did not hide it. Was that not proof of how well her parents and brothers protected her, of a happiness rarely granted to such women?
When the almond tea arrived, Cui Chaoyun invited Ji Hanyi to sit at a nearby table. They had talked only briefly when the banquet began in the front, so they descended.
As a daughter of the Cui family, Cui Chaoyun needed to help receive the guests and went ahead.
Before leaving, she said to Ji Hanyi, “I felt an immediate affinity with Second Madam Shen. I also love landscapes. I was fortunate enough to see one of Madam’s paintings several years ago and have studied diligently ever since. If Madam has time after the banquet, would you look at my landscapes and offer me some guidance?”
Ji Hanyi studied Cui Chaoyun. Her manner was sincere, her face as exquisite as carved jade. Ji Hanyi could not bring herself to refuse and readily agreed.
Cui Chaoyun was visibly delighted. She curtsied to Ji Hanyi before leaving.
Her elegant bearing was composed and courteous. Ji Hanyi almost felt that Cui Chaoyun ought to be several years older than she was.
On the way, Ji Hanyi linked arms with Madam Su and suddenly asked, “Young ladies of noble families ordinarily mourn for only a year. Why must Second Young Lady Cui observe mourning for three?”
Madam Su smiled at the question and leaned close to whisper, “That involves a secret.”
“Few people know it, but we are family now, and I know you are not one to gossip. There is no harm in telling you.”
Ji Hanyi tilted her head slightly to listen.
The rear courtyard of the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence was secluded. Qin Fuyu had gone off with several young ladies she knew. Ji Hanyi and Madam Su strolled slowly behind the others with no one around to overhear them.
Madam Su lowered her voice. “Second Young Lady Cui is not actually a daughter of the marquis’s family.”
Ji Hanyi paused.
Madam Su continued, “Second Master Cui was stationed at a strategic border post for many years. More than a decade ago, the Xiongnu raided the frontier and pillaged the surrounding towns. Second Young Lady Cui was a child he found in one of those towns.”
“I heard she was exceptionally beautiful even then, like a little doll carved from jade. Her mother was a great beauty, and that beauty brought calamity upon her.”
“The Xiongnu abducted her mother and killed her father’s entire family. The child was only three, alone and crying among corpses and pools of blood. Second Master Cui could not bear to abandon her. Without his help, she would never have survived, so he carried her home.”
“Second Madam Cui was kindhearted as well. The child was lovely and quiet, and such tragedy at so young an age inspired pity. She raised Cui Chaoyun as her own and told everyone she was her daughter. The Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence has always maintained the same account publicly.”
“But as Second Young Lady Cui grew older, she likely learned the truth of her birth. She honors her elders and protects her younger siblings. Everyone praises her virtue.”
“When Second Master Cui died at the frontier two years ago, Second Young Lady Cui insisted upon mourning him for three years, despite being unmarried. Even now, she personally tends his eternal memorial lamp every day.”
“Whatever else may be said, such filial devotion is truly rare.”
“I heard she nearly secured an excellent marriage back then, though the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence never discussed it outside the family, so I could hardly inquire. After three years, that fine match has probably long since vanished. What family would wait so long?”
Indescribable emotions welled in Ji Hanyi’s heart. A woman like Cui Chaoyun truly deserved affection.
She said softly, “Perhaps an even better marriage awaits her.”
Madam Su nodded with a smile. “You are right. With her temperament and beauty, who would not like her?”
Then she looked at Ji Hanyi and added in a low, smiling voice, “Come to think of it, you and Second Young Lady Cui are alike in certain ways.”
Ji Hanyi blinked and asked curiously, “How are we alike?”