New widow
Seeing that Kang'er had woken up shortly after welcoming Xichun into the house, Zhang Yunyao had no choice but to believe what Doctor Feng had said. If Kang'er could recover to his former state after marrying Xichun, she would be willing to accept Xichun as her daughter-in-law.
"Has the master set a date?" Seeing Wei Changsong return from finding Doctor Feng, Zhang Yunyao put down her teacup and stood up to greet him.
"Hmm." Wei Changsong walked to the rosewood tea table in the hall, poured himself a cup of tea and drank it all before slowly saying, "It's March 16th. Doctor Feng calculated that it's an auspicious day for a wedding."
Zhang Yunyao nodded upon hearing this, turned around and sat down on the official's chair against the wall. After thinking for a while, she asked again, "Master, what are you going to say to Kang'er? If we say it's for the purpose of bringing good luck, Kang'er will definitely not agree, given his temperament."
Wei Changsong sat with his back to Zhang Yunyao on a plum blossom stool next to the tea table. His belly was bulging, and his handsome face was looking out the door. He rested his elbow on the tea table and tapped his knuckles on the surface.
Zhang Yunyao watched Wei Changsong's increasingly broad back, her heart filled with contempt. Wei Changsong's official position had remained unchanged for years, always relying on her money to navigate the officialdom. He acted like a good man outside, a tiger at home. No wonder Yunyi couldn't survive after becoming his concubine. Thinking of this, a mocking smile unconsciously tugged at the corners of her lips.
“In that case, I will tell Kang’er that Xichun married him because she had nowhere else to go. Xichun is too young and doesn’t understand the ways of the world, and it will be very inconvenient for her to live alone. If she marries him, Kang’er will definitely treat her well. If anything happens to Kang’er, we will also be Xichun’s family. Whether she stays or remarries is up to her.”
After the couple finished discussing it, they asked Granny Wang to find Xichun so they could clarify things with her first.
"Xichun, whether Kang'er is here or not, we are all your family and will treat you well." Wei Changsong added this sentence to Xichun before leaving.
Seeing his sincerity, Xichun smiled and nodded in agreement. Uncle Wei was still the kind elder who had treated her well, and she believed his words.
"March 16th, what does that mean? Didn't I tell Xichun to leave? Why is she coming back to marry me?"
After listening to his parents' explanation, Wei Changsong also felt that something was amiss. They could take care of Xichun even if she didn't marry him, so why did they insist on making her marry him?
"Brother Wei Kang, I'm willing to be your wife. I'll take good care of you. Please don't send me away, okay?"
Faced with Xichun's gentle words and the marriage certificate she brought, which he had personally written years ago, Wei Kang finally nodded in agreement to the marriage.
"Xichun, come here, I have something to give you."
One day, Xichun came to Weikang's room to keep him company. Weikang mysteriously took out a black lacquered wooden box about six inches wide and placed it in front of Xichun. He solemnly instructed, "Xichun, this is your dowry from your brother Weikang. Don't let anyone else know about it. Keep it safe."
Xi Chun did not open the box, but held it up with both hands. She was deeply moved, and looked at Wei Kang with an expression that suggested she was about to cry.
Wei Kang chuckled at Xi Chun's comical face and reached out to stroke her hair, "Silly girl."
On the tenth day of the third lunar month, carriages and horses surrounded the gates of the Wei residence, and guests filled the house. Everywhere was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.
Strangely enough, ever since the marriage was arranged and he took the medicine prescribed by Physician Feng, Wei Kang improved day by day. His cough lessened, and he regained some color in his complexion. By early March, he was even able to get out of bed and move around, with Wei Tian or Xi Chun helping him walk around the house each day. The Wei family all felt that Wei Kang was getting better, and Wei Kang himself thought so too. On his wedding day, Wei Kang put on his red wedding attire and prepared to bow to Xi Chun in the traditional wedding ceremony.
Wei Changsong constantly told people about how his family had repaid a debt of gratitude by marrying the daughter of his former benefactor, regardless of her social status. Everyone praised the Wei family's good character. Zhang Yunyao also took advantage of the happy occasion to set up a porridge stall outside for several days. All the beggars in the capital knew that the eldest son of the Wei family was getting married, and by the tenth day of the month, many beggars were still crowding outside the mansion. Wei Changsong instructed his steward to scatter over ten strings of cash as a token of celebration.
Xi Chun sat in front of the dressing table, letting the fortune teller Zhang Yunyao had invited comb her hair. Looking at herself in the bronze mirror after her makeup was done, and then at her exquisite wedding dress, a smile appeared on Xi Chun's face. If her grandfather were watching from heaven, he would surely be happy for her and her brother Wei Kang getting married.
After Quanfu adorned Xichun with various hairpins, he smiled and carefully examined her, exclaiming, "Today's bride is truly the most beautiful girl I've seen in decades. Young Master Wei is so lucky!"
Xi Chun blushed at the exaggerated praise, but she was secretly pleased. Her grandfather had also said she was the most beautiful girl in the world.
As the auspicious hour approached, Quanfu covered Xichun's head with a red veil embroidered with twin lotus flowers, and then Cuizhu and Granny Wang helped Xichun to the main hall in the front courtyard.
Xi Chun's view was blocked by the red veil, but she could sense that many people had come to her wedding with her brother Wei Kang. The noisy voices were like the chirping of cicadas in summer.
When the auspicious hour arrived, the master of ceremonies' booming voice instantly silenced the hall.
Helped by Granny Wang, Xi Chun walked to the center of the hall. There, she saw another pair of bright red wedding shoes—those belonged to her brother Wei Kang. From this day forward, she and Wei Kang would be husband and wife, and they would have children and grow old together. Thinking of this, a shy smile appeared on Xi Chun's face.
"Young Madam, please take this."
Granny Wang handed Xichun a piece of red wedding silk, which Xichun held tightly, feeling incredibly sweet inside.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth."
"Bowing to the parents twice."
"Husband and wife bow to each other."
Just as Xichun was about to turn to face Weikang and bow in greeting, she heard a loud thud as the silk ribbon slipped from her hand.
"Kang'er!" Zhang Yunyao cried out in alarm. Wei Changsong's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately got up and went to Wei Kang's side.
"Young Master Wei, you seemed perfectly fine at first, how did you suddenly faint again?"
"Oh dear, who can say for sure? They've been bedridden for half a year."
Xi Chun then realized that Wei Kang had fainted in front of her. She pulled back the red veil and saw Wei Kang lying on his side on the ground, his eyes closed and a few streaks of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. One of his hands was pointing towards Xi Chun, still clutching the piece of red silk.
Xichun experienced another funeral. Compared to her grandfather's simple ceremony, her brother Weikang's was more solemn and grand, but both were farewells, another farewell to her loved one.
Before she was even sixteen, Xichun became a widow. She moved into Shoujingzhai, but the mistress wouldn't allow her to live in the main room, only giving her a room in the west wing. Her only companions were her inkstone and the black cat that was supposedly Wei Kang's favorite.
It was June, and some time had passed since Wei Kang's funeral. His memorial tablet at Guangji Temple had been placed there by a familiar monk. Only then did Zhang Yunyao have time to sort through Wei Kang's belongings. Wei Kang was her only son, and her heart was always with him. Over the years, whenever something good came her way, she would think of Wei Kang first. Wei Kang was a minor deputy commander in the capital's military command, an incorruptible official who never took a penny of bribes; his annual salary was only a few dozen taels of silver. Knowing her son's character, Zhang Yunyao worried he wouldn't have enough money, so she secretly sent many nice things to Wei Kang's room under various pretexts.
Wei Kang disliked drinking, gambling, and whoring, and his annual expenses were limited. As far as she knew, Wei Kang's treasures were kept in a black lacquered box in his bedroom, but she couldn't find it even after searching several times.
Xichun stayed in her room, gazing through the latticed window at the pomegranate tree in the courtyard outside. The fiery red pomegranate blossoms were in full bloom in the early summer weather. She had nowhere to go and nothing to do. Xichun could sense the dislike she received from her master and mistress. When her mistress came to guard the quiet study, she would stay inside and not go out.
A sparrow in the pomegranate tree was startled by the footsteps and flew away. Xichun saw Zhang Yunyao leading a group of people towards her with unpleasant expressions. Xichun quickly got up and went out to greet them.
"Madam." Xichun stepped out of the door and bowed respectfully to Zhang Yunyao.
Zhang Yunyao ignored Xichun, only glancing at her sideways as she passed by. Zhang Yunyao stopped at the door of Xichun's bedroom, and Wang Mama, understanding, waved for the maids to go in and search.
Xi Chun didn't know what the madam was looking for in her room; it was empty, and there was nothing hidden there. Xi Chun wanted to go up to Zhang Yunyao to explain, but two maids blocked her way.
A short while later, a maid's joyful voice came from inside the room, "Madam, Madam, we've found it!"
The maid brought a black lacquered box from the wardrobe to Zhang Yunyao. Zhang Yunyao hugged the box to her chest, turned, and left the room. When she saw Xichun, she let out a heavy snort.
Seeing the hatred in Zhang Yunyao's eyes, Xichun lowered her head and looked at her red embroidered satin shoes. She only dared to steal glances at Zhang Yunyao when she passed by. Seeing that Zhang Yunyao was holding the things that Brother Weikang had given her, she panicked, pursed her lips tightly, and stared intently at Zhang Yunyao and her group as they left.
The madam came to search her room, did she think she had stolen it? She had never stolen anything; her grandfather had taught her from a young age to be upright and honest. Tears of grievance welled in Xichun's eyes. Lifting her skirt, she hurried towards Zhang Yunyao, the maids quickly blocking her way. Zhang Yunyao, noticing the commotion behind her, turned to look at Xichun.
Xi Chun's face flushed with shame and indignation. "Madam, I didn't steal anything. This box was given to me by my husband!"
Zhang Yunyao scanned Xichun up and down. Xichun was wearing a light blue grape-patterned cross-collar blouse. If she remembered correctly, Kang'er had asked her for this fabric. Her resentment grew, and she glared at Xichun with a sharp, menacing look.
"Even now, you still try to argue in front of your mother-in-law. There's no law at all. Kang'er's things are not even given to me, his mother, but to you, his wife who wasn't even married into the family yet. Don't think I'm a kind-hearted person and start spouting nonsense here."
As soon as Zhang Yunyao finished speaking, a group of maids cast disdainful glances at Xichun.
Xichun shook her head, tears streaming down her face, muttering, "I didn't, I really didn't."
Seeing Xichun's tears, Zhang Yunyao's expression turned even more disgusted. She declared loudly, "From today onwards, the eldest young mistress will move to Qingwu Garden. The kitchen has also been instructed that from today onwards, the eldest young mistress will pray for the eldest young master, and her meals must not contain a trace of meat. If I find out that anyone has tried to ruin the eldest young mistress's piety, you'll be in big trouble!"
Time flies, and another spring has arrived.
Xichun has been in Qingwu Garden for almost a year. The leaves of the parasol trees have turned yellow and then green again. On the broad, palmate leaves, flower buds are beginning to take shape. In another month, the tender yellow parasol flowers will adorn the branches.
As dusk approached, Xichun carried a bamboo food box out towards the kitchen to fetch dinner. Mozhi, perched on a sycamore tree with its long, thin tail held high, barked loudly at her as it saw her about to leave.
Mozhi came with her when she moved to Qingwu Garden. Zhang Yunyao had wanted to take Wei Kang's beloved cat back to raise herself, but when she went to Shoujingzhai to pick up the cat, Mozhi cut her hand and gave up the idea. Seeing that Mozhi loved to cling to Xichun and had followed her all the way to Qingwu Garden during the move, she figured it would be easier to bring it back, so she let Mozhi follow Xichun. However, a maid would bring it specially prepared cat food every day.
Cuizhu left less than half a month after Xichun moved in. She was Wang Mama's niece and had originally intended to become a concubine, wanting to seize the opportunity first, but she didn't expect Weikang to die so suddenly. Xichun was a mistress with no future, so she asked Wang Mama to plead with Zhang Yunyao, and Zhang Yunyao tacitly allowed her to leave.
"Young Mistress, come here quickly." Caihuan, the kitchen helper, waved to Xichun as she entered the kitchen.
Smiling, Xichun walked past the busy kitchen staff to Caihuan's seat. Caihuan took the food box from her, and glancing around to make sure no one was looking in their direction, quietly slipped a duck leg under Xichun's rice. Caihuan was the youngest daughter of the kitchen manager; in the kitchen, no one would bother her.
Xichun and Caihuan's encounter stemmed from an accident. Caihuan, on her mother's orders, went to find Granny Wang to retrieve the bird's nest soup Zhang Yunyao wanted for stewing. On her way back, however, she lost her mother's name tag. Fearing her mother's punishment, she hid and cried under the laurel trellis in the garden. Xichun, returning from the kitchen with food, happened to meet Caihuan and, knowing the reason, accompanied her on a day-long search, finally finding the name tag hidden among the branches of the nandina by the roadside. Thus, the two became acquainted. Knowing Xichun's situation in the household, Caihuan didn't dare openly help her, only occasionally stealing a little meat and burying it in Xichun's food—her small act of kindness.
Xichun glanced at Caihuan, who was serving her food. Caihuan was short and slightly plump, with fair skin, a round head and face, and round almond-shaped eyes. Today, Caihuan was wearing a peach-colored jacket and silver begonia-shaped earrings. She looked quite adorable. Xichun couldn't resist gently poking Caihuan's cheek, which made Caihuan make a face at her.
"What are they busy with?" As soon as Xichun entered the kitchen, she saw a busy scene. She usually came to the kitchen after the busiest mealtime. Apart from a few maids helping with the kitchen, the rest of the cooks would rest in the room next to the kitchen. In the evening, the cooks would go home early.
Caihuan looked up at everyone, handed the food box in her hand to Xichun, and said with a smile, "You don't know yet, do you? The second young master is back and has been promoted to a high-ranking official position. The master is going to hold a banquet with ten tables in the front hall tomorrow to celebrate."
As Xichun left the kitchen and passed through the small garden, she deliberately glanced towards the Xuesong Hall across the street. She happened to see a servant following a young man in a red official robe into the Xuesong Hall.
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