Chapter 118 The Scholar Who Favored His Concubine Over His Wife (Part 10) Carrying on Pure Love to the End…
Liu Wanyao lowered her head slightly, her fingertips clenching the hem of her skirt.
A gentle spring breeze outside the pavilion carried pear blossoms, brushing against everyone's hair. As soon as Xia Xiangjun finished speaking, a young lady chuckled softly, her handkerchief covering her face. Wang Yuran, leaning on Liu Xinhui's shoulder, couldn't hide her smug delight.
“Sister Xiangjun’s interpretation of this poem is exquisite, but…” Liu Xinhui raised her hand and lightly clapped her palm, the double jade bracelets on her wrist making a soft tinkling sound. “Although you come from humble origins, you are now a daughter of the Liu family. Sister Xiangjun’s words are perhaps inappropriate…”
Before Liu Xinhui could finish speaking, Xia Xiangjun gently interrupted her, "I was just discussing poetry in general, Sister Liu, you don't need to overthink it." After saying that, Xia Xiangjun caught a glimpse of Liu Wanyao's reddened fingertips out of the corner of her eye, and her smile deepened.
"I've heard that Miss Liu is newly married. I wonder if she has read any poetry or books? It would be good to add some elegance to this poetry gathering."
Liu Wanyao slowly rose and bowed to everyone, saying, "I am certainly not as learned as you sisters, but I have a question, and I wonder if Miss Xia can answer it for me?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Xinhui's hand holding the handkerchief tightened abruptly, causing Wang Yuran to sit up straight as well. Xia Xiangjun smiled proudly, looked directly at Liu Wanyao, and said loudly, "Since you have doubts, then tell me."
Liu Wanyao smiled faintly, her words gentle: "If it is to remain pure and fragrant on its own, then why must the pear blossom bloom in the third month of spring, needlessly attracting gossip? In this light, can the pear blossom truly laugh at worldly affairs?"
Xia Xiangjun's expression changed slightly after hearing this, "This..."
Liu Wanyao bowed again, her voice as soft and gentle as before. "Wanyao just wrote a poem, but I dared not show it to anyone for fear of making a fool of myself." Before anyone could respond, she slowly said, "Cold beauty overshadows spring and surpasses all flowers, simple makeup does not envy bright red makeup. After the wind and rain have blown away the flowers, the lingering fragrance still enters the painted hall."
The pavilion fell silent, save for the rustling of pear blossoms in the wind. Xia Xiangjun bit her lower lip, and after a long pause, she sneered, "Miss Liu is quite the opportunist; she's merely picking up scraps from the work of her predecessors, changing a few words of an old poem..."
Before she could finish speaking, a gentle and graceful female voice came from not far away, "What a fine poem! What a fine poem! This poem has both the proud spirit of the pear blossom and noble character. Compared with Gu Shengren's poem, Miss Liu's poem has more of a woman's resilience and magnanimity."
The women looked in the direction of the voice and saw Li Dajia, dressed in pure white, holding a plain scroll, walking slowly towards the pavilion. Her gaze swept over the people at the table and finally landed on Liu Wanyao's porcelain-white face. She smiled gently and said, "I heard that today's Morning Pear Poetry Gathering is a gathering of many talents, so I thought I would come and join in the fun. I never expected to hear such a wonderful work as soon as I entered."
Li Dajia's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples. Liu Xinhui watched as Li Dajia walked straight to Liu Wanyao's side, held her hand, and kept praising her, her nails almost breaking off in her palm.
Wang Yuran, who was standing to the side, also changed her expression, stood up and bowed, saying, "So it's Master Li. What brings you here today?"
Li Dajia smiled slightly and said lightly, "I was just bored in my spare time and thought I'd come out to relax." After speaking, she turned to look at Liu Wanyao and said gently, "Miss Liu, would you mind giving me this poem? I would like to take it back to my residence to copy it and add it to my 'Lingchun Ci' at a later date."
Li Dajia's "Lingchun Ci" is a collection of poems and essays by many famous writers, and it is highly sought after by literati. Not to mention a small Qizhou County, even in the capital city, countless noble ladies and talented women considered it an honor to have their works included in "Lingchun Ci".
Liu Wanyao was flattered by the words and quickly curtsied, saying, "It is my honor to be favored by Master Li."
Liu Xinhui could no longer sit still. She stood up and interjected with a smile, "Master Li, you may not know this, but my younger sister grew up in the countryside and has not received much education. I'm afraid this poem was written by chance and should not be taken seriously."
"Oh?" Li Dajia raised an eyebrow slightly and said loudly, "What makes you say that, Miss Liu? Poetry comes from the heart, how can it be a matter of chance? Besides, Miss Liu Er just had a unique insight into the poem recited by Miss Xia, which shows that she has real talent and learning. Such a good poem should not be buried here."
Xia Xiangjun's face flushed red. She opened her mouth to refute, but when she met Li Dajia's clear eyes, she didn't know where to begin.
Li Dajia looked thoughtfully at the various expressions on the faces of the crowd, and asked with a smile, "Why haven't I seen Miss Liu Er at poetry gatherings before?"
Seeing that no one spoke, Wang Yuran held Liu Xinhui's hand and added fuel to the fire, saying, "Master Li, you don't know this, but this Miss Liu was just a girl who was sold into prostitution. Half a month ago, Madam Liu took pity on her and bought her back to the mansion to adopt her as her goddaughter. That's how she became the popular Miss Liu today."
"Oh, is that so?" Li Dajia exclaimed softly.
Seeing Li Dajia's curious expression, Wang Yuran could no longer hold back and said quickly, "That's true. However, Second Sister Liu is a very thoughtful person. Previously, her mother, Madam Liu, was troubled by rumors about changing her makeup. How heartless Second Sister Liu was! She didn't even defend her. She just got married beautifully and stopped caring about her family's affairs."
Upon hearing this, all the women showed disdain. The two girls who were slightly closer to Liu Wanyao even covered their mouths and noses with handkerchiefs, as if they had seen something dirty.
Li Dajia picked up a pear blossom from her sleeve and said softly, "Upon closer listening, Miss Liu's actions were indeed inappropriate."
Seeing that Li Dajia had said this, Wang Yuran smiled proudly and continued, "You are renowned and you know what you're talking about. I'm just indignant on your behalf. How can the poems written by such an ungrateful woman be worthy of being included in your 'Lingchun Ci'?"
Seeing that Li Dajia didn't speak again, the women all assumed that she had grown tired of Liu Wanyao, and they joined in the conversation in twos and threes.
"What Sister Wang says is absolutely right. Madam Liu saved her from dire straits, and her actions are truly despicable!"
"How can such a morally corrupt woman be allowed to enter this Morning Pear Poetry Gathering? Doesn't she fear defiling this sacred Buddhist site!"
“My sister, do you not know? This woman married into a good family. Although her husband was a scholar in the previous dynasty, they are still a family of scholars, so naturally she was able to come with him.”
"How hateful that scholar is so clueless! He married such a vicious woman; I'm afraid his household will be in turmoil from now on."
...
Upon hearing this, Li Dajia simply smiled faintly, and looking at Liu Wanyao, who remained calm and composed, he secretly praised her.
"Ladies," Li Dajia said with a slight gesture, surprised, "So, this Miss Liu has only been in Qizhou for a little over half a month?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Xinhui bowed gracefully and said softly, "Indeed. My mother took pity on her and went to help..."
Before she could finish speaking, Li Dajia interrupted her casually: "Then I don't understand, since Madam Liu has accepted this daughter, why did she marry her off in just a few days?"
Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.
Upon hearing this, Liu Xinhui's fingertips, gripping the handkerchief, turned slightly white. She never expected that Li Dajia would ask such a question. Clearly… clearly everyone had just belittled Liu Wanyao to nothing, so why? Why was Li Dajia still relentlessly pursuing this?
"This..." Liu Xinhui forced a smile, "My sister is not young anymore, so my mother wants to find her a good husband as soon as possible..."
“I must ask you this,” said Li Dajia, gently twirling a pear petal in her hand. “Miss Liu is older than Miss Liu, so why didn’t your mother arrange a marriage for you first?” Her gaze seemed to casually sweep over Liu Xinhui’s flushed face as she spoke softly, “As far as I know, in ordinary families, it usually takes several months to find a suitable match for a daughter, exchange birth dates, prepare the wedding dress, and discuss the betrothal gifts. How can a marriage be hastily concluded in just half a month?”
The women in the pavilion looked at each other in bewilderment after hearing this, and whispers began to rise between them.
Xia Xiangjun frowned as she sized up Liu Wanyao. Although she was straightforward, after Li Dajia's analysis, she could tell that there might be some hidden story behind it.
"Sister Liu, I just don't know whether this Young Master Song will ask a matchmaker to come to our door to propose marriage, or whether the two families will arrange it themselves?" Seeing the tense atmosphere, Miss Qu quickly smiled and tried to smooth things over.
At this moment, Liu Xinhui's thoughts were in turmoil. Clutching the handkerchief in her hand, she said anxiously, "It was...it was Young Master Song who came to propose marriage."
Miss Qu smiled slightly, "Since Young Master Song is so interested, it seems that we are mutually interested in each other."
Upon hearing this, Liu Xinhui finally felt a slight sense of relief, "That's true."
"Oh?" Xia Xiangjun had already realized what was going on. She looked directly at Liu Xinhui and asked without hesitation, "Then how did Young Master Song know that the Liu family had recently recognized a second young lady? Didn't the second young lady only arrive in Qizhou half a month ago?"
Seeing that things were not going well, Wang Yuran hurriedly interjected, "My sisters, you may not know this, but Sister Liu's husband, Song Ce, had a marriage agreement with the Liu family long ago. This is just fulfilling the agreement."
These words should have been avoided, for as soon as they left her mouth, Li Dajia chuckled: "A marriage agreement? Miss Wang, are you saying that the Song and Liu families have already arranged a marriage?"
Liu Xinhui's nails dug deeply into her palms. Looking at the suspicious, confused, or thoughtful gazes of the crowd, she forced a smile and replied, "Master Li, you are unaware of the inside story. This marriage was arranged by my father and Uncle Song when they were alive. Later, the Song family fell into poverty, and my mother, fearing that my sister would be wronged, personally prepared twenty-four loads of dowry for her. This is what gave the unruly servants in the manor an opportunity to take advantage..."
“I see. But…” Li Dajia gently tossed the pear petals into the air and said with a light smile, “Miss Liu has only been in Qizhou for half a month since she was recognized as an adopted daughter, and she already has a marriage contract from more than ten years ago. That’s quite a coincidence.”
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Liu Xinhui's forehead, and the double jade bracelets on her wrists swayed gently with her trembling body.
"The engagement...the engagement was..." Liu Xinhui's voice seemed to be squeezed out of her throat, "It was because Young Master Song was eager to marry me, and I couldn't refuse him, so...I...I originally wanted them to have a grand wedding, but...but time was too short, so..."
"So eager to marry?" Li Dajia suddenly chuckled, looked at Wang Yuran beside him, and said gently, "Miss Wang, we have been talking for a long time, but we do not know the identity of this Young Master Song."
Seeing Li Dajia ask the question with a smile, Wang Yuran naturally wanted to make an excuse for Liu Xinhui, so she said without hesitation: "Although Song Ce's family has fallen on hard times, he used to have academic titles. Although they have been revoked, he can still be called a scholarly family."
"The family fortunes have declined... In that case, it's not surprising." Li Dajia smiled faintly.
These words were like a sharp dagger, piercing straight into Liu Xinhui's heart. She subconsciously looked at Wang Yuran, only to find the other woman with her head down, not meeting her gaze.
The women in the pavilion all understood by now. It was clearly Miss Liu who was betrothed to Young Master Song; however, times had changed, the Song family had fallen on hard times, and both his parents had passed away. With no one to stand up for him, the Liu family had found an opportunity. Madam Liu, feeling sorry for her daughter, went to the trouble of adopting Miss Liu as her goddaughter and hastily fulfilling the marriage agreement. In this way, Miss Liu's marriage was no longer related to the Song family.
Standing to the side, Liu Wanyao's skirt billowed slightly in the wind. She suddenly spoke softly, "Master Li, actually..."
“Sister, there’s no need to say anything more!” Liu Xinhui abruptly interrupted her, her voice shrill and piercing. “Now that you’re married, you should be careful with your words and actions. Why bother with pointless arguments at the poetry gathering?”
Xia Xiangjun scoffed upon hearing this, "Sister Liu, this Poetry Gathering isn't your Liu family's private quarters! What, are you saying that only officials are allowed to set fires, while commoners are forbidden to light lamps?"
The pavilion fell silent instantly upon hearing this. Liu Xinhui's face turned deathly pale, and she trembled, unable to utter a word.
Having said that, Lady Li did not linger any longer. She looked at the people in the pavilion and sighed softly, "Today's poetry gathering is even more wonderful than a play. It's just a pity that this garden of pear blossoms has been unnecessarily tainted by worldly affairs. Well then, everyone, please enjoy yourselves. I'll take my leave now."
"Please take your time, Miss Li." The women curtsied.
Even after Li Dajia left, the atmosphere remained oppressive. Liu Xinhui slumped onto the stone bench, the double jade bracelets on her wrists making a soft, tinkling sound as her hand trembled slightly.
Wang Yuran panicked, squatted down and took her hand, saying urgently, "Sister Liu, don't scare me. What, what should we do?"
Liu Xinhui bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with hatred. She looked directly at Liu Wanyao and said angrily, "Are you satisfied now, sister? If it weren't for you, how could I be in such a sorry state today?"
"I don't understand what Miss Liu is saying." Xia Xiangjun felt as guilty as she did before, but now she felt as disgusted as she did. "It was clearly you who disliked the Song family's decline, so you found Miss Liu to marry in your place. What, now that your lie has been exposed, you can't help but make a scene in public?"
Liu Xinhui suddenly stood up, her skirt sweeping across the pear blossoms on the ground, and said coldly, "Sister Xiangjun, I've certainly learned your lesson today. Sister, you've joined forces with others to bully your own elder sister. I hope you'll behave yourself in the future." With that, she shook off Wang Yuran's hand and strode towards the hanging flower gate outside the garden.
Xia Xiangjun watched Liu Xinhui's departing figure, chuckled softly, and turned to look at Liu Wanyao, her eyes showing a hint of admiration: "Second Miss Liu, you'd better be careful in the future. Given your sister's temperament, she certainly won't let this go easily."
Liu Wanyao nodded and bowed again: "Thank you for reminding me, Miss Xia. I understand."
As the crowd gradually dispersed, Liu Wanyao stood alone in the pavilion, gazing at the pear blossoms covering the ground, lost in thought.
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Author's note: All the classical poems are taken from Baidu and made up. I easily get inspiration when writing about bad guys being exposed [doge emoji].
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