Chapter 13: The Arrival

Grandmother Han seethed with silent anger, but Liu Chuyan was genuinely delighted. Most likely, by tomorrow she would see her third cousin, whom she hadn’t met in over a year. Though she was a daughter brought back into the clan, she was only eighteen—a blooming, beautiful flower. Life in the nunnery must have been so austere; she was surely thinner now.

“Songling, have the kitchen prepare flour and date paste. I want to make date cakes for my third cousin—they’re her favorite.”

“Yes, miss.” Songling, seeing her mistress’s joy, couldn’t help but be happy too. “Should we also prepare some lotus leaf tea? Third Miss loves to drink it.”

“Of course. Go and fetch the lotus leaves and lotus dew I collected this year. Once everything’s ready, she’ll have it as soon as she returns.”

“Yes, miss.”

“What’s made you so happy, Cousin Chuyan?” It was Han Zhen. He’d been watching for days, and finally managed to intercept her. With everyone else busy waiting on the elders in the Tranquil Abode, and no one around outside, it was the perfect opportunity. He grinned, an unsavory look spreading across his face.

Since returning to the manor, Liu Chuyan had done her best to avoid him. Even if unable to escape, she’d quietly stand behind the old madam. Still, he’d managed to catch her. But simply walking away wouldn’t do, so she gave a slight curtsy. “Good day, Eldest Cousin.”

“Why so formal with me, Cousin? Others may like such polite gestures, but I don’t care for them.” Han Zhen waved his hand dismissively and glared at Songling behind her. But Songling bowed her head, pretending neither to hear nor see, refusing to leave. Annoyed by the maid’s lack of tact, Han Zhen could do nothing. In these delicate times, all he could do was feast his eyes on Liu Chuyan a little longer.

Today she wore a plain emerald dress, simple and elegant, making her skin appear even more delicate, her cheeks like peach blossoms. The agate earrings she wore glimmered softly red in the sunlight, making her radiant and captivating. Yet the earrings were clearly not new—the style was old. Han Zhen was reminded of her awkward position in the family and chuckled. “Chuyan, you’ve worn those earrings for years, haven’t you? They’re out of fashion now. Just the other day, I saw a pair of ruby ones and bought them—they’d look perfect on you, a flawless match for your complexion. I’ll have Baodong deliver them to you later.”

So he was trying to entice her with trinkets again. Liu Chuyan lowered her eyes politely. “Thank you for your kindness, Eldest Cousin, but I lack for nothing. It would be better to give such pretty things to Eldest Sister-in-law. I heard she lost an earring recently—surely she’ll be delighted to receive a pair of your carefully chosen ones. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

She was about to escape when Han Zhen, growing anxious, stepped forward to block her path. “Why rush, Chuyan? The weather is glorious, the scent of osmanthus still lingers though the blossoms have faded. Why not join me in the garden for some tea?”

“Eldest Cousin, Third Cousin will return tomorrow, and I have preparations to make. You and she have always been close—closer than with me. Shouldn’t you also prepare some gifts? After all, she’s had nothing but plain things at the nunnery. She’ll love whatever you choose.” Liu Chuyan invoked Han Shujing’s name, hoping to divert him.

Thinking of Han Shujing, Han Zhen nodded in agreement. “That’s right. Third Sister is coming home.”

“Since you have things to do, I’ll be on my way.” Liu Chuyan tried to slip past him.

But Han Zhen wouldn’t let her go, reaching out to grasp her wrist. “Why not accompany me to the jade shop to choose some new ornaments? You have exquisite taste—help me pick something. I’m hopeless at it.”

“What sort of scene is this, cousin, you pulling and tugging at me?” Liu Chuyan glared, unable to break free.

“If you come with me, I’ll let go,” Han Zhen replied with a rogue’s crooked smile.

“Eldest Cousin, though we’re close, propriety must be observed. Besides, if Sister-in-law were to see us, she’d misunderstand. Please, let go—for her sake.”

“Oh, I see now.” Han Zhen suddenly feigned enlightenment. “You’re afraid of your sister-in-law. I know she’s jealous by nature. But she’s still attending the old madam, so don’t worry—”

He hadn’t finished speaking when an orange figure appeared at the end of the corridor—a face full of fury, hastening towards them. Startled, Han Zhen let go of Liu Chuyan at once.

Seeing his expression, Liu Chuyan knew who stood behind her. Sighing, she turned and forced herself to face the woman. “Sister-in-law, I just happened to meet Eldest Cousin here. He was saying he has a pair of ruby earrings for you, and asked what kind of bracelets you like. He thought of choosing chicken-blood jade, but worried it was too red. Since you’re here, you can tell him yourself. I’ll be going.”

Madam Rong, eager for an excuse to visit her family, did not make things difficult for Liu Chuyan. With a cold snort, she returned to her own Peach-Rui Court. Han Zhen knew he’d angered her again, but this time her reaction was different—he wondered what she might do. Back in his courtyard, he tread carefully, anxious not to provoke her further.

Soon enough, Madam Rong changed her clothes, sent her maid to inform the eldest madam, and ordered a carriage to leave.

Han Zhen realized she was at her old tricks again. And every time, it was because of Liu Chuyan—he was always led by the nose. If he wanted it to stop, the only way was to make Liu Chuyan his own; then Madam Rong would have no reason to be angry.

But how to achieve that? Even this first hurdle was proving difficult. However, Han Shujing would return tomorrow—perhaps she could persuade Liu Chuyan. If she agreed, Grandmother would be easy to handle, and his parents could not object. Then he wouldn’t have to worry about Madam Rong any longer. The more he thought of Han Shujing’s return, the more beautiful it seemed—he almost felt he could reach out and claim his beloved already. He sent for some amusing jade trinkets from outside, then lay down to sleep in peace.

Second Madam was indeed efficient. By midday the next day, Han Shujing had returned to the manor. First, as was proper, she went to pay her respects to the old madam. The old lady, seeing her dressed all in plain white with only a poor-quality jade hairpin, felt a pang of pity and her eyes grew red. She pulled her into her arms. “Oh, my precious child—you’ve grown so thin, almost out of shape. And these clothes—how dreadful! Quickly, have some new ones made.”

“Grandmother, clothes are not urgent. But you seem thinner than before. I’ve been unfilial, not caring for you these years.” As she spoke, Han Shujing’s eyes filled with tears.

Madam Han, understanding her granddaughter’s sorrow and her longing for kin, gently stroked her cheek, allowing her to cry. When she’d calmed, the old lady gestured to the assembled relatives. “Come, greet your aunt and cousin. Chuyan and Weiwei have been waiting to see you.”

Han Shujing rose and offered her respects to the eldest madam and Han Zhen. Noticing Han Ruoyu was absent, she was startled. “Has Uncle not returned yet? I heard the bandit suppression is over, and the troops have come home.”

The eldest madam awkwardly scratched her cheek. “Your uncle is ill—he really can’t get up. But he heard you were coming and sent a painted screen for you. It’ll be brought over later.”

Han Shujing looked uncertain but nodded, “I’ll visit Uncle later, then.”

“You’re so thoughtful, Jing’er. But your uncle needs quiet—wait until he’s better.”

Han Shujing was surprised at this obstruction, but noticed Second Madam subtly shaking her head and the others looking uneasy, so she agreed meekly.

“Eldest Cousin.”

Han Zhen had been watching Liu Chuyan all along. Today, to welcome Han Shujing home, she wore a festive peach-red dress, changed her earrings, and adorned her hair with a carved wooden hibiscus—outshining even the flowers, her joy radiant. Startled by Han Shujing’s approach, Han Zhen was momentarily dazed before recovering himself. “Third Sister, you’re finally back.”

“Yes, but where is Sister-in-law? I remember she was here for your wedding.” Han Shujing looked around, surprised not to see Madam Rong. It was one thing for Uncle to be absent, but how could Sister-in-law also be missing?

The old madam, having not noticed before, frowned. “Where is Mingxiu?”

Han Zhen broke out in a cold sweat. His father had only just been punished yesterday; would he suffer the same fate today? He rubbed his backside, remembering the pain from the last beating.

Madam Han, seeing his reaction, understood. But since Han Shujing had just returned, she didn’t want to trouble her further. “Jing’er, I’m sure Chuyan and Weiwei can’t wait to talk with you. Go and catch up, girls.”

Liu Chuyan and Han Shuwei, delighted by the old madam’s words, linked arms with Han Shujing. “Thank you, Great-Aunt.”

“Thank you, Grandmother!”

But before the three could leave, a maid hurried in. “Old Madam, Eldest Madam, Second Madam—the Chief Censor is here.”

“The Chief Censor?” Everyone exchanged glances, puzzled by his visit.

The Marquis of Wukang’s household had little connection with the Duke of Xinguo’s family, and Xue Ao had seldom spoken with the Han family. His arrival could only mean official business.

The maid, uncertain, added, “I heard the Chief Censor asked for the eldest master as soon as he entered and has gone to the east wing. He looked displeased, so I came to report just in case there’s trouble.”

Liu Chuyan, having never liked Xue Ao, felt sure nothing good would come of his stern arrival. She tugged at Han Shuwei. “Let’s go back quickly—we mustn’t run into him.”