Chapter 9

“Could it be that he wants to drag our entire family into some case over such a trivial matter?” Yu Ying could hardly believe it and asked seriously, “Grandfather, be honest with me—are we really in such a bad state? Could the Emperor really be planning to depose the Empress?”

Old Master Yu was shaken to the core, sensing ill fortune. He quickly said, “Nonsense, that’s impossible. Deposing the Empress is not so easy, and Her Majesty has done nothing wrong. It’s just that we must be vigilant in times of peace; without foresight, one will have worries nearby. Do you understand?”

Yu Ying nodded in understanding, then asked, “So, Grandfather wants to establish connections with the Ministry of Justice?”

Old Master Yu nodded. “Even if the case goes to the Court of Judicial Review, it still needs to be examined by the Ministry of Justice and supervised by the Censorate. If we have allies in these three offices, it won’t go terribly wrong, and we’ll be able to receive news early enough to respond.”

Having finished her mung bean cake, Yu Ying wiped her hands with a handkerchief and muttered gloomily, “Grandfather is trying to sell his granddaughter’s beauty to get in with Zheng Boru!”

Old Master Yu found her words harsh but not entirely off the mark. With a stern face, he said, “Nonsense! What do you mean by selling? Where is the fault in Second Master Zheng? This is for your own good—you must marry eventually. Even if he’s not from the Ministry of Justice, Zheng Boru is not a bad match. It would be a shame to miss such a chance.”

What Old Master Yu didn’t know was that Yu Ying had met Cheng Xianzhang and offended him, had looked favorably upon Zheng Boru but had actively rejected him... At first, she thought it didn’t matter, but now that her grandfather brought up that official named Li, she was genuinely afraid.

She had also heard of Chen Qing from the Court of Judicial Review, a man of common origins unlike the officials of the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate, who had no bottom line—he was like a madman, arresting whomever he wished. It was said that even the toughest bones couldn’t endure the three punishments of the Court of Judicial Review, so many feared him. Her grandfather’s meaning was clear: he feared Chen Qing would set his sights on the Yu family.

Her head ached. It was impossible for her to try to please Cheng Xianzhang—that would be as good as killing her. But she didn’t want to marry at all...

She sighed deeply.

Old Master Yu said, “In a few days, the Emperor will hold a first birthday banquet for the princess, inviting all officials. I want you to attend and see if you can find an opportunity to meet Second Master Zheng.”

Yu Ying rolled her eyes beside him, thinking her grandfather was trying every means possible. She alone had offended the Censorate and rejected the Ministry of Justice—her grandfather didn’t know this, so she felt somewhat guilty. Reluctantly, she agreed with a dull “Mm.”

Old Master Yu continued, “That’s good. If you marry into the Zheng family, you won’t be wronged.”

Yu Ying said nothing. She only thought that judging from her grandfather’s and parents’ attitudes, she would definitely have to marry. If Zheng Boru didn’t work out, they would look at a second man, then a third. Even if she resorted to the same tricks, it wouldn’t work.

Zheng Boru was indeed a decent person.

Perhaps next time she should ask him: Would he interfere if she woke up late; if she ate meals from the small kitchen; if she visited her natal home; if she went out with her sisters; and if she quarreled with his mother, whose side would he take? If all could be as she wished, marrying him wouldn’t be so bad.

On the day of the palace banquet, Lady Yu knew Old Master Yu had not given up on Zheng Boru, so she held back her frustrations and had Yu Ying dress in full makeup and finery, no longer in mourning attire.

After all, that selfish little aunt refused to behave herself; she didn’t want her daughter to observe mourning for her son. So she dressed her daughter beautifully, to show everyone the grace of the Yu family’s lady.

Yu Ying wore a vermilion strapless dress paired with a yellow upper garment and a pale blue silk shawl. Vermilion was a dazzling color that many could not carry off, but she did. Whether the color enhanced her delicate beauty or she made the color brighter, it was impossible to say.

After nearly four months of wearing silver jewelry, today she adorned herself with jewels and pearls piled high, a floral hairpin, filigree dangling ornaments, and cloisonné hairpins. Even under the blazing sun, she shone brilliantly.

Lady Yu hoped that Second Master Zheng would see clearly what he was missing, while Yu Ying herself wished to outshine all others, letting the ladies of Chang’an know who was the fairest of them all.

Feeling proud and triumphant as she entered the banquet hall, she saw Cheng Xianzhang enter with a young woman.

The girl was familiar to her—around seventeen or eighteen, dressed simply and elegantly, exuding the aura of a scholar. She lowered her head slightly, speaking softly with Cheng Xianzhang, then lifted her gaze with a smile tinged with shyness.

Yu Ying recalled: this was Su Rudai, bearing some resemblance to Su Ruoyue. She had met her a few years ago when Su Rudai was just over ten.

Suddenly, a mix of jealousy and anger surged within her.

Her desire to compete in beauty vanished, and she turned her face away, sitting silently.

Shortly after, Cheng Xianzhang bid farewell to Su Rudai, and each took their seat.

***

The banquet hall was divided into two rows: at the upper end sat the Emperor, Empress, and Noble Consort Su; at the lower end, ministers and generals on the left, other female attendants on the right. Cheng Xianzhang was near the front among the officials, while Yu Ying was in the middle among the women’s section, with elders and titled princesses before her.

She could see Cheng Xianzhang but, separated by two people, could not see Su Rudai, who was behind her.

However, the wife of the Grand Tutor and Lady Li of the Chancellor’s family seemed to have noticed the pair entering together and whispered among themselves.

“Are they together now?”

“Yes, it’s almost certain.”

“I heard from Lady Yu before it wasn’t supposed to be with Master Cheng...”

“Just a few days ago, mother and son from the Cheng family went specially to the Su household—probably to explain something and come to an agreement.”

“Hm... after all, someone like Cheng Zijun is not easily given up.”

Yu Ying listened silently from behind, taking a sip of wine.

When her family arranged the betrothal with Cheng Xianzhang, his mother had never once visited the Yu household.

The Yus had invited her, but she said that as a newcomer to the capital, unfamiliar with the language and etiquette, it was inconvenient to come. So she never came.

Now, however, they were all deferential to the Su family.

The Su family was truly something—daring even to marry into them!

Turning her gaze, she saw the palace wet nurse holding the little princess approach, and the Emperor and Noble Consort showed tender, sweet smiles. Her eldest sister, the Empress, also wore the gentle smile befitting the Mother of the Nation.

Yu Ying felt a surge of resentment toward the Emperor. When the Crown Prince was deposed, the ambitious Second Prince and the Fourth Prince who controlled the military were eyeing the throne. The Emperor was the Third Prince and not the most favored heir.

Yet the Yu family had married their daughter to him, offering much support. Her eldest sister had nearly lost her life in the succession struggle. At that time, the Su family had no involvement; now, Su Ruoyue was radiant, and the Empress who had accompanied the Emperor all along was forced to smile alongside.

Simply put: no man was a good man!

Yu Ying disliked putting on a show. Feeling increasingly stifled, she sat quietly for a while before slipping out unnoticed.

Outside the banquet hall of Yuchang Palace lay the Taihe Pond, filled with koi fish. She loved feeding koi. At the pond, she asked the palace attendants for dried fish and shrimp feed and scattered handfuls into the water, drawing a flurry of jumping fish.

After feeding for some time, a voice came from behind: “It seems even the fish here have come to the feast today.”

Yu Ying turned to see Zheng Boru, the young man she had looked upon before.

In a sour mood, she glanced at him without speaking and continued scattering feed.

Zheng Boru did not leave but stood nearby watching.

Yu Ying turned back. “Why are you out here instead of drinking inside?”

Zheng Boru said, “My tolerance for alcohol is poor; I came out to avoid it.”

He indeed wanted to escape the banquet, but not this way. Seeing her here, he had inexplicably changed course.

Today, she was even more beautiful than at Fengle Pavilion.

They had agreed not to continue their acquaintance after that day—a minor matter—but over the past two days, he found himself thinking of her often, unsure whether it was her beauty or his unwillingness to be rejected.

She possessed a youthful vitality and liveliness that stirred him, a man past thirty, aging gradually. Being near her made him feel younger.

Yu Ying handed him a cup of feed from the tray. “You feed them.”

Zheng Boru took it, stood beside her, and sprinkled two grains into the water.

Yu Ying smiled, “What’s the use of that? Scatter more, and they’ll all jump up!”

Zheng Boru poured half the cup in, and indeed the koi leaped to compete for the food.

He asked, “Miss Yu, why did you come out?”

Yu Ying answered, “I saw someone I dislike and felt bad.”

“Someone you dislike?”

“Not you, at least. Though we only met once, you’re decent enough.”

“Why do you say that?” he asked.

Yu Ying said, “You were the one who refused when I expressed willingness; otherwise, my grandfather would have nagged me to death.”

“That means I’m quite good. I’ve been wondering if I’m too easygoing.”

Yu Ying turned to look at him, smiling knowingly: “Regret it?” Then lightly snorted: “But you can’t go back on your word and tell the matchmaker silly things.”

She suddenly recalled her grandfather’s earnest entreaty just a few days ago, wanting this young man as his grandson-in-law.

She had also realized that if she truly refused to marry and stayed home, neither her grandfather nor her parents would agree.

The Yu family estate was not built by the wind; it was the collective effort of the clan. Men needed to achieve merit and establish careers; women needed to marry well to maintain the noble family’s reputation.

While enjoying fine clothes and exquisite food, she also had to bear the responsibilities assigned by her family.

So, should she consider Zheng Boru?

Zheng Boru, uncertain why she looked at the koi with a frown, quietly said, “Don’t worry, I won’t say silly things.”

Yu Ying pondered for a moment and asked, “Are you in your thirties?”

He was caught off guard by the sudden question. In the official world, he wished to be seen as older to show seniority; among others, he didn’t mind appearing young to seem talented. But now, being asked so directly, he felt nervous, wondering if he was too old for her.

He said, “Thirty-five.”

Yu Ying asked again, “Does your family have the custom of morning and evening greetings?”

Of course the Zheng family did. But Zheng Boru guessed her intent and hesitated before answering, “Not in the capital, naturally. At the old residence, my mother is kind and may not insist on it.”

Yu Ying thought that if she married Zheng Boru, she wouldn’t go to Xingyang; she would stay in the capital.

Thinking this way, she suddenly felt he wasn’t so bad.

Then she asked, “Why did you bring brocade that day? Did you think you wouldn’t fancy me?”

“I...” Zheng Boru hesitated, then smiled, “I was careless then.”

That was regret, wasn’t it?

She knew it!

Yu Ying said proudly, “I knew you had some status—you should have good taste.”

Zheng Boru couldn’t help but laugh. “Do I have a chance to regret?”

The End.