Chapter 59: Calculations

After the incident with Rong Mingxiu, Liu Chuyan had come to appreciate Xue Ao’s abilities. Though he appeared unreliable, he was in fact resourceful, courageous, and shrewd. She was curious to hear what method he might have to rid the Marquis of Wukang’s household of future troubles once and for all. Yet, as they reached the entrance to the Pure Heart Residence, Old Madam Han stopped her. “Yanyan, go brew two cups of triple-flower lotus tea.”

So she wasn’t to listen in. Liu Chuyan pursed her lips in silent protest, glancing sidelong at Xue Ao, who wore a faintly amused expression despite his composed face. Oh, so they wanted a private conversation. Very well, she would make the tea.

Liu Guanju, though simple-minded, understood the situation. If they were not to listen in, Xue Ao must have his reasons. Besides, she cared little for the affairs of the Marquis of Wukang; she was more interested in drinking tea brewed by Liu Chuyan herself. Tugging at Liu Chuyan’s sleeve, she said, “Big Sister Chuyan, two cups aren’t enough. You should make plenty—I want some too.”

“Alright, I’ll brew two large pots—enough for you to drink your fill.” Liu Chuyan couldn’t help but laugh at her childishness, brushing dust from her clothes before leading her away.

Yun Ling then dismissed all the servants, leaving only herself to stand guard at the door.

Xue Ao watched Liu Chuyan first sulking, then smiling as she was teased. Her happiness brought him joy as well. Seeing Old Madam Han step inside, he quickly caught up to her, offering his arm to support her and laughing as he sought to claim credit: “Aunt, I’ve truly done my utmost today—more than I ever have for my own affairs.”

Old Madam Han saw through him as if gazing into a clear mirror. She understood his little schemes but only sat slowly on the couch, turning her prayer beads, saying nothing in response.

Her silence signaled disapproval. Xue Ao considered this. Though Old Madam Han was the elder, he could not allow himself to be slighted as a man. Besides, to always give without return would earn him no respect. After a moment’s pause, he composed himself, stood quietly before her, and straightened his back as rigid and dignified as a stone pillar.

Neither spoke; Old Madam Han’s silence made the atmosphere increasingly awkward.

In the end, age and cunning prevailed. Old Madam Han sat as serenely as a monk in meditation, but Xue Ao could not endure. He bowed deeply. “Aunt…”

She suddenly let out a short laugh, lifting a hand to silence him. “Zisheng, though you respectfully call me ‘Aunt,’ the Han and Xue households have only become acquainted these past two months. You and Yanyan have known each other for even less time. Do you understand my meaning?”

Xue Ao had prepared to answer all manner of difficult questions, but had not expected her to raise this point. He hesitated briefly before replying, “Aunt, this is fate decreed by the heavens; when destined, two people will meet.”

“Is that so?” Old Madam Han sounded half convinced. She stood, paced slowly through the floral hall, and stopped before the Eight Treasures Auspicious Cabinet. After scanning it from top to bottom, she took an unremarkable black box from the rightmost compartment.

Xue Ao did not know what it was or her intention, so he kept silent, knowing that sometimes silence was the best response.

She gave no explanation, only continued, “Zisheng, you have hardly faced any storms in your life. Even in officialdom, you’ve always been shielded—first by the old Marquis, now by the Duke of Faith. Your maternal uncle is an imperial merchant, your grandfather has military honors, and you yourself have smoothly risen to Second Rank Censor-in-Chief. But do you know what Yanyan has endured?”

“I do,” Xue Ao replied unhesitatingly, having understood her purpose.

“Oh? You do?” Old Madam Han eyed him skeptically, leaning on the chair as she sat again.

“Yes, I know. I…” Before he could confide in Liu Chuyan, he did not wish anyone else to know their past, so he paused before continuing. “I’ve investigated her background.”

She had intended to ask when he first took a liking to her, but now there was no need. She nodded slightly. “Then what do you like about her?” Liu Chuyan’s beauty was common knowledge; no man disliked a beauty. If Xue Ao was only shallow, she would see him sent away.

Xue Ao broke into a radiant smile and turned to gaze at the tree of Gongsun outside the veranda. A few withered leaves clung stubbornly to its branches, poised to fall but not yet gone. He recalled the magnolia leaf bookmark she once gifted him. Through his careless keeping, it had long since dried and withered, but he could not bear to throw it away, for it was from her. Yes, he liked her—of that there was no doubt. But what, exactly, did he like about her?

To list them all would take three days and nights, but Old Madam Han’s intent was for him to say it in just three sentences.

“Zisheng, is it that you cannot answer?” Old Madam Han gazed at the tall Gongsun tree, recalling fond memories of her late husband. She grew wistful, but Xue Ao seemed even more sentimental than she.

Teased so directly, Xue Ao was neither embarrassed nor angry. He turned back, his expression solemn. “Aunt, I said our meeting was fate. I don’t know how deeply I love her; I only know that even when I am old, I will cling to her as those leaves to their tree, unwilling to fall. I wish to grow old with her, to spend a lifetime together. That is my heart.”

Old Madam Han listened and thought that, long ago, someone had said much the same to her—though by then, she was already old. At that time, he had no strength left for romance, and she no energy to mind his past debts. But he said that in his life, he had only ever loved her. Sadly, he realized too late, and so did she.

Now, a young man stood before her, telling her he loved her most cherished grand-niece, that his feelings for Chuyan were no less than those she had once received.

She ought to support him. However, the Xue household was no simple place—there was the Duke of Faith and tangled ties to the imperial house. Xue Ao was even the Imperial Tutor to the Prince of Faith. Should turmoil arise in court, he would be the first target. If Chuyan married him, she would be implicated. For this reason, she favored Jin Ling, whose family, being imperial merchants with military honors, would remain secure so long as they pledged loyalty to the throne, untouched by the turbulence of court.

But Xue Ao was different. She worried.

Xue Ao read the concern in her face, knowing she had been moved by his words, yet her expression grew clouded after careful thought. “Aunt, my feelings for Chuyan are as clear as the sun and moon. If I am fortunate enough to marry her, I will honor, love, and cherish her. In this life and the next, I will never fail her.”

“I understand, Zisheng. But…” Old Madam Han sighed deeply before continuing, “Never mind. Children must have their own fortune. Why should I worry so much? If Chuyan has feelings for you, who am I to stand in the way? And if she does not, then I need not be troubled.”

“Then, Aunt, do you mean… to let her decide?” Xue Ao could hardly believe it. Marriage was always dictated by parents and matchmakers. Though Old Madam Han was not Liu Chuyan’s direct kin, she was closer than any blood relative. Any marriage would need her approval, which was why he had striven so hard for her favor.

As Yun Ling knocked and brought in the triple-flower lotus tea, Old Madam Han nodded at him. “Come, try some of Chuyan’s tea. The lotus leaves are from this year’s fresh growth, the tea water is dew collected in summer, and the triple flowers have been dried and roasted by her own hand. Her skill surpasses anything you’ll find outside. When I’m troubled, I always drink this.”

Xue Ao accepted the tea, watched Yun Ling leave and close the door, then brought the cup to his nose. “It truly is fragrant.”

“Most importantly, it soothes the spleen, aids the stomach, and calms the heart.” Old Madam Han took a sip, visibly cheered. “Though this place is called Pure Heart Residence, there’s little peace of mind to be found here. So I must rely on her tea to dispel my worries. Today’s matter, however, cannot be solved by tea alone. But since you claim to have a solution, let’s hear it.”

Xue Ao understood—she was tacitly permitting him to pursue Liu Chuyan, but expected him to offer something in return: to help the Han family eliminate future troubles. He smiled faintly and began to explain.

At first, Old Madam Han nodded repeatedly as she listened, but as he continued, her brows knitted in worry. Only after Xue Ao elaborated on the intricacies did the deep lines of concern on her face finally ease.

Meanwhile, Liu Chuyan and Liu Guanju played in the Flower-Laughter Pavilion until long after lunchtime, yet things at the Pure Heart Residence were not yet settled. The Han family’s affairs were vast and complex; it would take considerable effort to resolve them, so she sent word to the kitchen to have food delivered so they could eat and continue their discussion.

Liu Guanju, having tasted her tea and homemade pastries, now wanted to sample her cooking too, pestering her until she agreed. Liu Chuyan, unable to refuse, promised to personally cook several dishes for lunch to satisfy her cravings.

As the two were eating, Han Shujing and Han Shuwei arrived.

“Oh, here come two more lovely sisters! Come, sit and eat with us.” Liu Guanju leapt up to pull Han Shujing to the table. “These dishes were all made by Sister Chuyan herself—you must try them, they’re delicious!”

“Thank you,” Han Shujing replied with a gentle smile, saying little more.

Even Han Shuwei, usually lively, was uncharacteristically quiet.

“What’s wrong with you two?” Liu Chuyan, having worked up an appetite, had eaten a few bites before noticing something amiss.

“It’s nothing. It’s just that Zhou Fuyun is there, making it inconvenient for us, so we came here for a bite,” Han Shujing explained, taking chopsticks from Song Ling and sampling a small bite.

“What’s so inconvenient about Second Uncle inviting Master Zhou to lunch? You’re not eating with them,” Liu Chuyan pressed. “And Shuwei, you’re off as well today.”

“She’s fine, just tired,” Han Shujing replied casually.

“Tired? Were you fetching water and scrubbing floors at home?” Liu Chuyan joked, noticing Han Shuwei’s flushed cheeks—a sign of recent exertion. She hadn’t seen her in the east wing earlier, which was odd for someone as curious as Han Shuwei.

Han Shuwei pouted, tears welling in her eyes. “Father says I’m too frivolous and not dignified enough for a proper lady. He specially invited a governess to instruct me. You don’t know—she used to serve in the palace, she’s strict and unyielding. If I make the slightest mistake, she doesn’t spare the rod. Even when there was a death in the household, she wouldn’t let me go see. She said I’d see even greater spectacles in the future; what, should I go gawk every time? She lectured me endlessly. Since Father invited her, I can’t disobey. I had to practice walking all morning, back and forth until my legs are sore. I don’t even want to talk anymore.”

“For someone who claims not to want to talk, you’ve spilled everything like a bamboo tube full of beans,” Han Shujing teased. In truth, Shuwei did need some discipline, or her temperament would only bring her harm in the future. Once married, no one would indulge her as dearly as her family did. Han Ruogu had made the right move. Liu Chuyan comforted her with a few gentle words, urging her to eat and drink to vent her frustration.

With food before her, Han Shuwei quickly forgot her morning woes and ate heartily.

Watching her, Liu Chuyan thought she still didn’t act like a proper lady—perhaps the governess’s lessons had been wasted. Smiling helplessly, she turned to ask Han Shujing a question, but before she could speak, Qinghe, who had been waiting outside the Pure Heart Residence, came in to report, interrupting her.

“Cousin, Third Miss, Fourth Miss, Old Madam and Second Master Xue have finished their discussion. Now, she’s summoned the Master, Madam, Second Master, Second Madam, Eldest Young Master, and Third Young Master. She’s also sent for Second and Fourth Young Masters from the academy, saying there’s an important matter. She said that after the young ladies finish lunch, they are to join as well.”

“Such a grand assembly? Even Second Cousin and our younger cousin are being called back?”

“Yes?”

“Did Old Madam say what for?”

“No, only that the clan head is to be summoned too.”

The young ladies exchanged uncertain glances, unable to guess what Old Madam Han was planning.

“Could it be…” Liu Chuyan hesitated, but ultimately said nothing. She exchanged a look with Han Shujing; both had their suspicions, but it was not yet time to speak.

Author’s note: Do you prefer shorter chapters, updated sooner, or longer chapters, updated later?