Chapter 10: Husband and Wife Face to Face
The boat stirred the water’s surface.
The sound of splashing water.
I stood at the ferry terminal, asking in surprise, “What did you say?”
He smiled, closed his mouth, and simply looked at me with a bitter expression.
The ethereal sunset dyed the distance between him and me with a dim yellow hue. The boat drifted leisurely north, and he grew further and further away from the ferry terminal, further and further away from me. Until the boat became a tiny black dot on the river, gradually disappearing from sight.
I have a very deep impression of people’s faces. If I’ve seen them, I should remember. But as I carefully thought about everyone I’d met in my life, I didn’t recall his appearance. When exactly did he meet me?
Was he making it up?
Such a thing, there’s no need to put on an act. Even if we were old acquaintances, what benefit would it bring him? I am just an ordinary commoner, while he already holds power.
Having lost my senses at the ferry terminal for a moment, I got into the horse carriage and returned to the Cheng Residence.
The Third Young Miss had also just returned.
She was dressed very charmingly today.
She wore a lake-blue brocade garment, with orchids embroidered on the cuffs, her hair styled in a flowing cloud bun, two small braids hanging to her chest, a silver moon hairpin adorning her hair, and a thin layer of rouge on her lips.
“Second Sister-in-law—” she looked up and called me.
Only then did I notice the look of disappointment on her face.
I held her hand, “Qing Shi, what’s wrong?”
“Today at Qionghua Temple, there was a poetry competition. I, I, I prepared for a long time. I went early in the morning…”
I remembered this matter.
That day, at the counter, she had invited Qin Mingxu to the poetry competition.
I stroked her braid, “There must have been many young talents from Yangzhou Prefecture at the poetry competition. With Qing Shi’s beauty, she must have attracted many young masters to converse with.”
She leaned dejectedly on my shoulder, “What’s interesting about those people? The one I wanted to attract didn’t come. Second Sister-in-law, Mingxu Ge today is very strange. He came, glanced in my direction, and then hurried away. What does he mean? Is it that my attire doesn’t suit his taste?”
“Perhaps he suddenly had something to attend to,” I comforted her. “Qing Shi, your attire is very beautiful. Chang’e in the moon is nothing more than this.”
“Really? Second Sister-in-law.”
She spun around, her lake-blue skirt fluttering like flowing water.
“Second Sister-in-law, Mingxu Ge’s Mother’s birthday is approaching. At that time, Mother will take me to the birthday banquet. What should I give as a gift?” she mused, “The Qin Family is wealthy. Madam Qin must lack nothing. Jewelry and silks are unoriginal…”
I thought for a moment and said, “I’ll paint a peony painting for you to take as a birthday gift. As the saying goes, when peonies bloom, wealth and prosperity will follow. Peonies are elegant and graceful; I believe someone of your age will like it.”
The Third Young Miss smiled happily, “Great, Second Sister-in-law, you’re so kind.”
She shook my arm.
I let out a sigh of relief.
Thus, I wouldn’t have to personally deliver the peony painting that Qin Mingxu asked me to paint to him.
It avoided suspicion, fulfilled my promise, and also satisfied the Third Young Miss’s wishes.
At this moment, Cheng Huaishi came out with a friend and walked into the courtyard.
The Third Young Miss flew over like a lark, exclaiming excitedly, “Second Brother! Second Brother! You’re back! Do you know? Everyone said you were dead back then, but I was certain you weren’t dead! They all thought I was talking nonsense, humph, I wasn’t talking nonsense. Second Brother is the most capable person in the world, how could he die? Even the King of Hell wouldn’t dare to take him!”
She cried and laughed.
Cheng Huaishi dotingly patted her head, “Alright, you’re already a grown young lady, and you’re still crying.”
The Third Young Miss said, “Second Brother, do you know? Mother married a Second Sister-in-law for you. Second Sister-in-law is an exceptionally good person. You must not bully her!”
Cheng Huaishi glanced at me gently and said to the Third Young Miss, “Alright.”
A servant woman came forward and took the Third Young Miss to change her clothes.
She left cheerfully.
The scholars had also left.
In the courtyard, only he and I remained.
The lingering warmth of the setting sun.
Two branches of cold plum blossoms.
He slowly walked towards me, and after a long while, asked, “Are you cold?”
Back in the North Courtyard earlier, I hadn’t had the chance to speak with him.
At this moment, opening my mouth, I didn’t know what to say.
The speculations before marriage, the worries that had entangled me these past days, all converged into the person before me.
After a long pause, I shook my head.
The first time we met, it was at the ferry terminal. He wore a mask and held a knife to my throat.
The second time we met, it was in the storeroom. He hid the petition in the tea, and I barged in.
But only now, are we truly facing each other as husband and wife.
He no longer had to wander and hide in the shadows.
I no longer had to live in constant fear and unease.
In the courtyard of this Cheng Residence, in our mutual gaze, my affections, with the slowly descending night sky, seemed to have found the most peaceful and fitting place to rest.
He clenched his fist and brought it to his mouth, clearing his throat lightly, “Where did you go just now when you went out?”
“I… I went to the ferry terminal.”
“What did you go to the ferry terminal for?”
I mumbled, unsure whether to tell him. He originally detested the Eastern Depot intensely. If I mentioned Feng Gao’s name, I feared he would be displeased. We were newlyweds, and I didn’t want to create unnecessary discord.
“I went to the ferry terminal to see if the cargo ships departing for Southern Yue today were proceeding smoothly.”
I lied.
He suddenly took my hand and led me into the manor.
His fingertips were cool and damp, like flowers in the garden after the rain, half-asleep.
We walked all the way to the West Courtyard and entered the room.
He Hua heard the commotion and came to greet us. Seeing the situation, she seemed a bit embarrassed and quietly closed the door.
Inside, on the desk, lay an unfinished half-painted picture.
He looked at me, his stern face showing a complex expression.
I leaned against the desk.
The lamp had not yet been lit.
Only a sliver of residual daylight filtered through the window lattice.
On the bookshelf, the books he usually enjoyed reading were neatly arranged.
The scent of Huizhou ink, mingled with the tea aroma from his body, enveloped me.
He spoke, “Mother said that my safe return was all thanks to your maneuvering.”
“It’s good that you returned safely.”
I said, lowering my head.
“Do you know that we scholars of Jiangnan are filled with aspirations to serve the country, unwilling to see the state sink into the mire, and wish to dismantle the Eastern Depot to restore peace and order to the world?”
He leaned beside me.
His eyes were so pure and passionate.
“Prefect Liu colluded with the Eastern Depot, embezzled official grain, and then framed Lord Xun. Pitiful Lord Xun, with his integrity, a loyal official, was unjustly killed. After Lord Xun’s death, I rescued his orphaned child, collected evidence everywhere, and wrote petitions. Because of this, I was pursued by Prefect Liu and the Eastern Depot. I had no choice but to abandon the blood-stained clothes and feign death to escape disaster… Although the Eastern Depot has not yet fallen, and only the Eunuch has changed, thankfully Lord Xun’s name has been cleared. For me to advance further, I must succeed in the imperial examinations and, in the future, stand in the Imperial Court as an upright and virtuous minister by His Majesty’s side.”
He bowed towards me.
“These past days, I have troubled Madam to manage affairs in the manor, comforting our elders and maintaining domestic order. Your husband thanks you. For repeatedly causing Madam to be alarmed, it is my negligence.”
I quickly helped him up.
He swept me up in his arms and carried me towards the bedroom.
The bed had somehow been adorned with red gauze curtains, which, in the dim light, exuded a melancholic sensuality.
“That day at the ferry terminal, when you revealed your identity, I kept wondering what kind of woman would keep her promise to this extent, willingly marrying a spirit tablet…”
He placed me on the bed and lay down beside me, fully clothed.
My heart was beating so fast, as if I were holding a rabbit in my arms.
He turned his head on the pillow to look at me and smiled, “Why is Madam’s face so red?”
I turned my back to him.
He held me and whispered in my ear, “What your husband owes you, it’s time to repay…”
