Chapter 119: Complications in the Wedding Arrangements

Just one day after Shen Yu’s escape, Prince Mu, Nie Peihan, set off south for Jingzhou under the pretext of attending to his marriage. Chuxiu knew he was pursuing Shen Yu; otherwise, he would not have departed in such haste. However, the Prince gave no indication of his intent before leaving, nor did he leave a single word for the Yun estate. Consequently, Chuxiu could not discern how much the Prince knew or how much he suspected.

On the surface, the Prince still had need of the Yun clan and would not act against them for the time being. But looking to the long term, Chuxiu realized she must hold fast to her relationship with Luan Su, hoping that when the truth eventually came to light, the Prince might show mercy out of regard for the fact that the Yun clan was Luan Su’s maternal family, or perhaps out of the friendship she shared with Luan Su.

Chuxiu knew that given the speed of the Yun clan’s secret guards and Shen Yu’s determination to flee, the Prince would certainly fail to catch him. Furthermore, with their own people providing assistance and resources along the way, hiding one person was not difficult. This allowed Chuxiu to breathe a secret sigh of relief, waiting only for news that Shen Yu had successfully escaped Fangzhou. Once he was out of Fangzhou and beyond the Prince’s fief, the rest could be handled by the Yun clan’s secret guards, and surely the Fourth Prince, the Prince of Fu, would not stand idly by.

However, the matter eventually reached the ears of the Old Madam. Chuxiu was subjected to family discipline—not for helping Shen Yu escape, but for defying the Prince and playing the formidable, feared Prince of Mu for a fool. Moreover, she had likely exposed a flaw, jeopardizing the future of the Yun clan.

The punishment was not severe, as they had to maintain Chuxiu’s dignity as the mistress of the house; the injuries were hidden beneath her clothing. After the discipline, the skin on Chuxiu’s back was nearly flayed, looking so bloody that Danxin wept at the sight. Fortunately, thanks to the precious medicinal herbs Shen Yu had left behind and proper subsequent care, there were no lasting complications or significant scars.

Even so, Chuxiu remained bedridden for over half a month before she could walk again. Yet, she never regretted her actions.

By the time she had fully recovered, a month and a half had passed, bringing them to the end of August and the beginning of September. At the same time, news arrived from the secret guards: Shen Yu had successfully returned to the Marquis of Wenchang’s estate in Jingzhou, while the Prince of Mu was still on his way.

Chuxiu could scarcely imagine how Shen Yu had covered the distance from Fangzhou to Jingzhou—a journey that took at least two months—in a single month. Had he traveled without sleep or rest? Even with the arrangements made by the Yun clan’s guards along the route, he must have suffered greatly.

Though she felt deeply moved, she had to play her part for the sake of appearances. The day after the news of Shen Yu’s return reached them, Chuxiu petitioned the Old Madam to personally write a letter to the Marquis of Wenchang’s estate, pressing for the marriage.

The process went smoothly and all was kept simple. Knowing the marriage was a certainty, as soon as the letter was sent, the Second Concubine, Hua Wuying, began impatiently preparing the dowry for her daughter. In recent years, the Yun estate had been plagued by death and departures, leaving it cold and gloomy. Thus, the marriage of the eldest young lady, Yun Xiangrong, was highly anticipated by the servants, seeming to bring a long-awaited air of celebration to the household.

Everything was veiled in undercurrents, yet proceeding silently toward the desired outcome. If one ignored the feelings of the individuals involved, every event appeared perfect and satisfactory to all.

On the tenth of October, the Prince of Mu was married in Jingzhou to Zhuang Xiaoran, daughter of the Left Chancellor, Zhuang Qing. As early as the end of September, Chuxiu had written to Yun Xian, who was in Jingzhou, asking him to attend the wedding banquet on behalf of the family. Since the Yun estate was currently populated mostly by women—those who had lost their husbands or were waiting to be wed—and their only male heir, the young Yun Cheng, was still a child, it was only natural and proper for the Third Master, Yun Xian, to offer congratulations.

As fate would have it, the day after the Prince of Mu’s wedding, the betrothal gifts from the Marquis of Wenchang’s estate arrived at the Yun residence. Hua Wuying was all smiles, and Yun Xiangrong appeared coy. Just as they were about to finalize the arrangements, a storm arose: the Ninth Prince of Nanxi, the Prince of Cheng, Nie Peixiao, suddenly sent someone to propose marriage. The object of his proposal was none other than the eldest young lady, Yun Xiangrong—but only as a secondary consort.

This left Hua Wuying in a dilemma. If her daughter married Shen Yu, it would be legitimate and proper, and she would be the legal wife. However, the situation of the Marquis of Wenchang’s estate was delicate, its future uncertain, and it would likely depend on the Yun clan for survival. If her daughter married Nie Peixiao, she would enter the imperial family, adding prestige to the Yun clan’s status. But the Ninth Prince was known for his profligate nature—perhaps not as reckless as Shen Yu, but close enough—and furthermore, Yun Xiangrong would only be a secondary consort.

In the end, Hua Wuying favored the Ninth Prince and went to consult with Yun Xiangrong, who remained passive and non-committal. With no other choice, Hua Wuying went to the Rongjin Hall to find the Old Madam, determined to secure this match for her daughter regardless of any humiliation.

As it happened, she encountered Chuxiu, who was there for the same purpose. Hua Wuying felt a prick of embarrassment; logically, as the mistress of the house, Chuxiu should have been consulted first, yet she had bypassed her to go directly to the Old Madam. Being caught red-handed made the situation awkward.

"Second Aunt, you’ve come at the right time. I was just about to send for you," Chuxiu said, her expression neutral.

Hua Wuying faltered for a moment, then swallowed her pride and stated her business: "Old Madam, Madam, I have come regarding Xiangrong’s marriage."

"I am here for the same reason," Chuxiu replied.

Hua Wuying decided to test their intentions: "I will not hide it—what are your thoughts on the Ninth Prince coming to propose?"

The Old Madam glanced at Chuxiu, who understood the cue and spoke: "The Marquis of Wenchang’s estate belongs to the Fourth Prince’s faction, while the Ninth Prince is close to the Seventh Prince. This is clearly a struggle for power masked as a marriage alliance. The Ninth Prince’s sudden proposal is likely an attempt to prevent the Yun clan from falling into the Fourth Prince’s camp, or perhaps to sever our ties with him entirely."

Hua Wuying, only half-understanding, pressed on: "Madam, that is not what I am asking. I want to know, whom do you intend to betroth Xiangrong to?"

Chuxiu replied without hesitation: "Naturally, we shall proceed as planned and have Xiangrong marry into the Marquis of Wenchang’s estate."

"Marry into the Marquis of Wenchang’s estate?" Hua Wuying was indignant. "Then why were you consulting with the Old Madam? Is this the result of your discussion?"

Chuxiu was taken aback: "The Old Madam and I were not discussing whom Xiangrong should choose, but how to decline the Ninth Prince."

"Decline the Ninth Prince?" Hua Wuying could no longer contain herself. "No! That cannot be! I have already discussed it with Xiangrong, and we have chosen the Ninth Prince! He is a prince, yet he does not mind that she is born of a concubine or that she is already betrothed. He is sincere in his request—we must accept! The young Marquis was reluctant to marry her from the start; what kind of life would she have there?"

At this point, Chuxiu finally realized the issue: "Second Aunt, you said you discussed this with Xiangrong? Is she not deeply devoted to the young Marquis? How could she agree to marry another?"

Hua Wuying stammered for a moment before admitting: "It was my idea, but Xiangrong did not object."

Chuxiu sighed and urged her to change her mind: "Second Aunt, the Ninth Prince’s motives are not pure; he seeks to rope in the Yun clan. In such a political marriage, would Xiangrong truly find happiness? Moreover, the Ninth Prince is notoriously fickle, whereas we know the young Marquis well."

Hua Wuying had her arguments ready: "Are we not close with the Prince of Mu? He has married the Left Chancellor’s daughter, so his chances of success are high! The Ninth Prince is close to the Prince of Mu; if he marries Xiangrong, he will treat her well for the sake of the Yun clan. Wouldn't that be a double blessing? It would protect us should the Prince of Mu turn against us!"

She continued, sensing the Old Madam and Chuxiu listening: "The Ninth Prince is the Emperor’s youngest son and a favorite. Even if the Prince of Mu fails, the Ninth Prince will likely remain unscathed. If we follow the young Marquis, and the Fourth Prince falls, the Marquis of Wenchang’s estate will be the first to suffer!"

"Nonsense!" the Old Madam snapped. "Do you think marrying into the imperial family protects her? She would only be a concubine! Do you not understand the status of a concubine? If the Seventh Prince wishes to turn against us, even if she were his legal wife, it would not matter!"

The Old Madam did not hold back: "You have been a concubine your whole life and want your daughter to be the same? How base! Our Yun clan’s daughters are worthy of being empresses, not concubines! The Ninth Prince’s offer is an insult, yet you see it as an honor!"

Hua Wuying was silenced. Chuxiu softened the blow: "Second Aunt, you are confused. The young Marquis is a man of honor, and he will not treat Xiangrong poorly. As for the Ninth Prince, the outcome is unpredictable. The Yun clan’s decline is only temporary."

Chuxiu felt a pang of heartache but continued: "Xiangrong and the young Marquis are mutually fond of one another; let us not create further complications. The betrothal gifts have already been received. Tomorrow, notify the Marquis of Wenchang’s estate to come and collect the bride."

Hearing this, Hua Wuying finally understood why her daughter had remained silent on the choice—she had known all along that her destination was Shen Yu, and that she could only marry him. She had remained silent to avoid offending her mother, the Old Madam, or Chuxiu.

Having lived for most of her life, Hua Wuying finally realized that the thing she should be most proud of was having raised such an exceptional daughter.