Chapter 8

After the scolding she endured that morning, she left Yi’an Courtyard feeling stifled, a weight pressing on her chest. It wasn’t until she made her way to the West Courtyard that she managed to compose herself, feigning an air of unaffected calm.

The Second Madam, having noticed her knack for accounting, had assigned her to check ledgers and inventory for the past several days. These tasks demanded sharp eyes and focus, and even the Second Madam herself found them exhausting. But Song Yan, young and quick-witted, could sum up the figures in no time, much to the Second Madam’s delight.

Most of Song Yan’s time was spent either in the storeroom or by the Second Madam’s side. She hadn’t seen Wei Xiu, except during the wedding festivities when she was swept along with the crowd to watch the excitement in the courtyard. There, she caught sight of Wei Xiu, resplendent in red wedding robes, leading the other young men of the Marquis’s household outside. The moment he turned and glanced her way, she hurriedly hid behind the others.

More than an hour later, Wei Xiu returned with his new bride.

Princess Funing’s bridal sedan was lavishly embroidered with dragons and phoenixes using Shu brocade, the canopy’s four corners tipped in what was rumored to be real gold, gleaming brilliantly. Thirty maids and ten matrons trailed behind, followed by countless guards and servants. When she stepped out, her wedding gown—phoenixes soaring among peonies, woven of gold thread and kingfisher feathers, adorned with pearls—made even a single scrap of fabric seem worth a fortune. Everyone watched in awe, Song Yan among them, entranced.

She didn’t stay for the subsequent wedding rites, but instead hurried to the kitchens to help inspect the dishes.

The wedding banquet lasted until nightfall. Guests gradually dispersed, but the bustle in the rear courtyard didn’t let up until the last table of drinkers departed. There was so much to do: cleaning up, tidying the banquet hall, settling overnight guests, preparing the tea service for the next day—endless tasks.

While she was busy with preparations in the back, a sudden crash of breaking porcelain echoed from the bridal chamber.

Third Madam Madam Feng paused, her face turning grave, but Second Madam only laughed, “Shards bring peace, as they say—may the house bloom with prosperity. Even the maids from the Princess’s household can be flustered and make mistakes at a time like this.”

Madam Feng echoed her laughter.

Then Second Madam said, “Oh, I think I just saw Master Qi heading toward the East Courtyard. Yan’er, you’d best hurry back. Newlyweds shouldn’t be kept waiting—you’ve already been delayed.”

Song Yan, now much more adept with the accounts, had lost track of time entirely. Jolted by the reminder, she quickly bid farewell to her aunts and headed back to her own courtyard.

The Marquis’s residence was imposing at any time, but tonight, with the festivities, every corner blazed with light. Lanterns lined the path between the East and West Courtyards, turning night into day—there was no difficulty finding her way.

Rubbing her slightly sore wrist, Song Yan made her way east, cutting through the corridors and winding through the garden.

Just as she neared the boundary between the two courtyards, a voice called out, “Yan’er—”

Startled, she turned to see Wei Xiu, who by rights should have been in the bridal chamber.

She stared at him in disbelief before finally managing, “Fi… Fifth Brother, why aren’t you with your bride? What are you doing here?”

He stepped closer. “I don’t want to marry her. Not at all. I’m sorry… I never thought things would come to this. I only regret—”

“Fifth Brother, have you been drinking too much? Maybe you should get someone to make you some sobering soup. It might help.”

“I’m not drunk. I’m quite clear-headed,” Wei Xiu said bitterly. “I’ll never let myself be drunk again, not in this lifetime.”

Song Yan, anxious to move on, quickened her pace toward the east, but Wei Xiu caught up, “Yan’er, I’m miserable. I can’t bear to see her.”

“Fifth Brother, you must be truly drunk. I have things to do, so I’ll go ahead.” She hurried away, but Wei Xiu reached for her. His hand brushed her sleeve; she shrank away and sped toward the East Courtyard. In the blink of an eye, she saw Wei Fu not far off, holding a lantern and watching them.

In that moment, Song Yan’s heart sank. Disaster.

From Wei Fu’s vantage, hadn’t she and Wei Xiu just been caught in a compromising struggle?

No matter what Wei Fu actually saw, she would assume the worst and go straight to tell Wei Qi.

Song Yan had always felt something strange toward her husband. He was always gentle, but she knew he was not a man one could cross. Perhaps it was the fathomless look in his eyes, or the way his face revealed nothing of joy or anger, or the commanding undertone in his few words.

She didn’t believe he would tolerate her being entangled with her former fiancé after sharing a bed with her the previous night. If he deemed her unfaithful, she would be ruined.

The only thing to do was to see Wei Qi before Wei Fu did, explain everything, and plead for his trust.

She hurried back to her courtyard, only to learn that Wei Qi had never returned.

Where had he gone?

She could only send someone to find out and wait nervously in her room. Who knew how long she waited before the two older maids returned from their inquiries to report that the Master had come from the West Courtyard and gone directly to Jinghe Hall.

Jinghe Hall stood right in front of her own courtyard; Wei Qi’s main hall and study were both there.

She had intended simply to wait, thinking he would return eventually, but now she feared delay would only make things worse. After a moment’s hesitation, she made her way to Jinghe Hall.

It was her first time there, but a familiar maid led her to the quarters where Wei Qi spent his days. As they arrived, she saw Wei Fu coming out of the room.

Their eyes met; Wei Fu sneered in disdain and strode away without a greeting.

Song Yan felt certain she had come to tattle, eager to tell Wei Qi about her meeting with Wei Xiu in the garden. No doubt Wei Fu would paint the incident in the worst possible light.

Standing in the courtyard, Song Yan was suddenly at a loss. Did she still have any hope of clearing her name?

Just then, Wei Qi emerged from the room and, seeing her, asked, “Why have you come?”

His tone was still gentle, as always.

Song Yan couldn’t tell if he was truly calm or merely concealing anger. “I came to see when you’d be returning, Master.”

Wei Qi approached. “Come on, then.”

She followed him in silence, her heart pounding as she rehearsed what she would say.

They passed through several lanes and reached her courtyard. Wei Qi entered the room, removed his headpiece, and acted as if nothing had happened.

Song Yan took the initiative. “Mother told me not to visit Third Aunt today, worried that it would cause gossip. I disobeyed and went anyway.”

Wei Qi said nothing, so she quickly explained, “I promised Second Aunt yesterday that I’d come. I didn’t want to break my word. Besides, if I suddenly didn’t go on Fifth Brother’s wedding day, it might seem suspicious, as if I had something to hide. I told Mother my conscience was clear, and she finally agreed, though she must have been displeased.”

Wei Qi replied, “That’s reasonable.”

Her hope rekindled, Song Yan pressed on, “I know Second Sister must have told you what she saw… On my way back from the West Courtyard, as I passed the bamboo grove, someone called my name. I turned and saw Fifth Brother.”

She watched Wei Qi’s expression carefully, and, as his gaze met hers, she quickly lowered her head.

She hesitated between making up a story or telling the truth, but after a long moment chose honesty.

If no one had seen, if no one reported her, she could have said she simply congratulated Wei Xiu in passing. But since she had been seen and was being accused, she couldn’t afford to lie. One falsehood would taint everything else she said.

“Fifth Brother must have been drunk, not quite himself. He said he didn’t want to marry the princess at all. I told him to find someone to make sobering soup, and since it was dark, I thought it best not to linger, so I left. But he tried to pull me back, and I hurried away—only to look up and see Second Sister standing there.

“She looked as if she misunderstood. I wanted to explain, but she was already gone.”

Wei Qi was silent for a moment, studying her.

Song Yan was tense. If he did not believe her, then…

Then she would give up any hope of a peaceful life, withdraw from the world, and simply let the days pass.

Wei Qi took two steps toward her and said, “Second Sister did tell me she saw you. I told her not to overthink it or spread rumors.”

He paused before continuing, “I know what’s in Fifth Brother’s heart. He was reckless, speaking under the influence. The one he truly wanted was you, but by a twist of fate, he had to marry Princess Funing. That he acted thus tonight is youthful folly. It matters little for him, but for you, it could be disastrous. He was thoughtless.”

Song Yan hadn’t expected him to say that. For a man, such things were of little consequence; at most, a scolding. For a woman, it could mean ruin.

She asked again, “Are you not angry with me, Master?”

Wei Qi replied, “Next time you walk at night, bring someone with you. Even at home, it’s safer.”

He truly did not blame her.

For reasons she couldn’t name, Song Yan’s nose prickled with sudden emotion. Perhaps it was relief after so much tension, or perhaps she had braced herself for the worst, or maybe it was simply that she had no one to lean on. Wei Qi’s lack of reproach moved her deeply.

Feeling her eyes grow wet, she wiped them quickly. Across from her, Wei Qi watched her with gentle concern and said softly, “The changes in the wedding were Fifth Brother’s fault, and the Marquis’s household’s fault. It’s you who have suffered.”

Song Yan hurried to reply, “No… No matter what, you are of noble birth, admired by many ladies of high standing. My family is humble, I’ve married above my station.”

Especially since Wei Qi could have married the far more suitable Second Miss Guo.

Wei Qi steadied her by the shoulder. “We are husband and wife now—there is no high or low between us. I’m many years your senior and this is my second marriage. To have you as my wife is my good fortune.”

Song Yan’s tears dried. With such words from Wei Qi, she knew she ought to put all else aside—Fifth Brother, Second Miss Guo—those were outsiders. Now that she and Wei Qi were husband and wife, she must focus on her own life.

Collecting herself, she said softly, “Allow me to help you bathe, Master.” As she spoke, she reached to untie his sash.

Wei Qi replied, “There’s no need. I’m not one to need waiting on at every turn. I’ll manage myself.”

Song Yan withdrew her hand, and Wei Qi went to the bath.

While he bathed, she removed her hair ornaments and makeup. By the time she was ready, he had finished as well, so she went to the bath herself.

In the previous nights, Wei Qi had been busy and they hadn’t consummated their marriage. Tonight, by both timing and atmosphere, it seemed the proper night. In this, they seemed to share an unspoken understanding; whenever she sensed it was time for their conjugal rites, so did he.

She bathed carefully, but as she dressed, she discovered her monthly courses had arrived—two days early, though they often shifted slightly. There was nothing to do but send Chunhong for the necessary cloths and, after dressing, return to the bedroom, feeling uneasy and apologetic.

Wei Qi sat by the bed reading. Song Yan glanced over a few times, giving her maid the signal to withdraw, then went to the bedside herself.

Wei Qi looked up and asked, “Did you tire yourself out in the West Courtyard today?”

“It was all right. I just helped with the inventory and accounting.”

“I recall your brother once sat for the mathematics exam and won first place.”

Song Yan brightened. “You know about that, Master?”

Her brother loved arithmetic. The mathematics exam was a recognized subject, though it only led to minor posts, so few families encouraged it. Her brother pursued it out of passion and placed second at eighteen, but the next year, on the eve of the special exams, he was injured and left lame.

Wei Qi said, “That year’s examiner, Vice Minister Du of the Ministry of Works, mentioned him to me.”

Song Yan couldn’t help but sigh. Her brother must have excelled if the examiner remembered him. Had he not been injured, he would surely have gained office by now.

Wei Qi placed a wooden marker in his book, ready to close it. Seeing this, Song Yan quickly gathered her thoughts and murmured, “Master, I have my courses tonight…”

She blushed as she said it, lowering her head.

Wei Qi was caught off guard, looking a bit awkward himself. He coughed lightly and said, “Then get some rest.”

Song Yan didn’t know what more to say.

Resting was fine—her courses never troubled her much—but she had spoiled his mood.

Or perhaps there had been no “mood” to spoil; she didn’t think he cared much for such matters, most likely seeing them as a duty for the sake of heirs.

Awkward silence hung in the room. Embarrassed and remorseful, Song Yan considered and then suggested, “Perhaps, Master, you should go to Madam Jiang’s room tonight. Though I am newly wed, she is an old member of the household…”