Chapter 2

After dinner, as the sky began to darken, my son Yun Jing returned from the academy.

At the sight of Yuying, he paused, visibly struck by her beauty. Only then did he bow properly and blush as he greeted her. “Cousin.”

Exactly like his father. Both of them liked girls who looked as delicate and innocent as little white flowers.

I noticed four enormous characters appearing above his head: Devoted Fourth Male Character.

I pressed a hand to my brow and sighed. Even my daughter had done better. He could not manage a more prominent supporting role!

He could not even make third place. Fourth! Utterly useless. He was well down the queue even among the lovesick fools.

I sternly rebuked him. “You are eighteen. How can you meet your female cousin so casually? Even if you care nothing for propriety, does she not have a reputation to protect? Go study in the front courtyard. I will examine your work tonight.”

Ashamed, my son hastily apologized and withdrew.

I had spent years carefully raising him. His studies were going well, and several ladies from suitably matched families had already hinted at an interest in arranging marriages.

Quite apart from Yuying’s identity as a convicted official’s relative, which could not bear scrutiny, I would never have accepted her as his wife even before her family’s downfall. Not with a father who preyed on the common people and a mother of such poor character.

All the more reason not to let her stay here, see my son every day, and foster affection between them.

Nurse Wang came to report that the private house next door was ready.

I took Yun Xiu’s hand before she could ask her cousin to stay a few days. “It’s getting late. Let us take your cousin to settle into her lodgings.”

Yun Xiu coaxed me affectionately. “Mother, why not let Yuying stay with me tonight? I’ve cleared out the screened alcove in my room. I have everything a girl needs here. It would be convenient for her.”

Cui Yuying lowered her eyes. “I’m not accustomed to sharing lodgings.”

Yun Xiu remained enthusiastic. “Then use Qiutong Courtyard beside mine. Mother has prepared it. It’s quiet and lovely, just right for you.”

Yuying had passed it when she arrived. It was a little smaller, and the flowers and trees outside were newly planted. Before bringing her here, I had had it thoroughly put in order and chosen every item with care.

Cui Yuying gazed covetously at Yun Xiu’s elegant, luxurious room. Her voice took on a deliberate humility. “Your rooms are so lovely, Cousin. In the end, I’m simply not worthy.”

There was a great deal packed into those words.

My daughter paused. She might be a little sheltered, but she was not stupid.

Understanding the implication, she reined in her enthusiasm. A wary look entered her eyes. “Do you want me to give you my courtyard?”

Cui Yuying pressed her lips together. Tears instantly misted her eyes: that same look of suffering in silence, enduring terrible wrongs.

For no good reason, it reminded me of my half sister. Once, whenever she had worn that expression, I would bring her whatever she wanted.

“I’ve lived here since I was little. I don’t want to give it to someone else.” My daughter rose and came to stand beside me, her enthusiasm gone. “It’s late, Mother. Please arrange somewhere for Cousin to rest.”

I stroked her head with relief. My daughter was cleverer and braver than I had been. She knew how to say no, too.

I stood and glanced at Yuying. “Come, then.”

My daughter did not follow. She no longer wanted to see Yuying. “Mother, I won’t see Cousin off. I’ll come and talk to you later tonight.”

Yuying followed me reluctantly. We crossed the garden, and I had the side gate opened to the dowry house next door.

It was a small residence with two courtyards. My mother had given it to me as part of my dowry so I would have somewhere to go if life in the marquis’s household became unhappy. After my mother-in-law died and I took full charge of the household, I had a side gate opened into it.

It was less lavishly maintained than the main residence, but comfortable and elegant. Servants had always tended it; the furnishings were in good condition, and the flowers and trees flourished.

As we passed through the residence, Yuying’s face grew darker and darker.

By the time we reached the room I had arranged for her, she was openly sulking, and her voice shook.

“Aunt, Mother said you would raise me as your own daughter. I don’t ask to live as well as Cousin does, but can I not even stay in the marquis’s residence?”

I suppressed my anger. “What do you want, then? To enter the marquis’s household as its young lady? To socialize as his daughter, and then have us arrange a husband whose family matches his rank?”

Her sobbing gradually stopped, and her gaze grew resolute.

“Aunt, I only want to be your daughter, like Cousin. Didn’t you promise Mother to raise me?”

I had guessed her thoughts. But what she wanted was a fool’s dream!

And I intended to burst that beautiful dream myself.

My face hardened. “I promised no such thing. Your mother only asked me to give you somewhere to live. She never asked me to bring you into the marquis’s household to take my daughter’s place as its young mistress.”

“Yuying, you must understand that sheltering a convicted official’s daughter puts me at enormous risk. I went to great lengths to get you out of the Court Entertainment Bureau and conceal your identity. That alone is enough for the Censorate to impeach me. If I openly raised you in the marquis’s residence and paraded you about, I would not have enough heads to lose.”

“Think carefully. This house came with my dowry. I cannot promise you the same luxuries you once enjoyed, but you will not lack food or clothing here, nor have to serve men at the Bureau. When you marry, I will contribute to your dowry. That is all I can do for you.”

“If you still feel wronged and refuse to live in a separate house, you are free to leave and seek a grander protector. I will not stop you.”

Cui Yuying panicked and shook her head repeatedly. “I won’t leave! I’ll do as you say, Aunt. I’ll stay here properly!”

“Live quietly. Put away every ambition you should not have.”

I said no more and swept out.

I hoped she would listen and suppress those improper ambitions.

I would give her a way to live. I would not indulge her greed.