Chapter 79 The Virtuous Consort's Visit Home (Part 1)
On the day of the imperial visit, it was precisely at dawn. A palace eunuch announced that Consort Xian was on her way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to receive the imperial decree for the visit. After receiving the decree and expressing her gratitude, she would need to proceed to the Chengen Temple of the Great Yan Kingdom to pay respects at the ancestral temple. Only after all the rites were completed could she depart.
The Wenyang Marquis's residence was brightly lit all night, and no one in the entire household slept. However, the Shi family members and Liang Ye's maternal relatives from the Cangfeng branch did not have to stay up all night like the Meng family's main branch members.
Before dawn, Liang Ye had already gotten up and washed. Shan He, still sleepy-eyed, was helping him change.
Liang Ye looked down and saw that Shanhe's face was bare, but her almond-shaped face, peach-like cheeks, red lips and white teeth, and her two eyes, which were just awakened, were half-open. She was even more charming than when she was dressed up in the past. He couldn't help but pick up Shanhe, hold her in his arms and kiss her deeply for a long time.
Cai Xiang, Cai Ping, and Qing Yue were all serving him. The two Cais lowered their heads and held their breath, not daring to speak. Only Qing Yue saw this and secretly rolled her eyes at Liang Ye. When she walked behind him, she muttered under her breath, "You scoundrel! You forgetful bastard!" but dared not let him hear it.
Liang Ye released his grip, touched Shanhe's face, and turned to ask Caixiang, "Why haven't you brought my wife's clothes yet? Today is the grand occasion of visiting her family; we mustn't delay it."
Originally, according to regulations, Shanhe was not qualified to meet the Consort Xian, firstly because she was not a relative, and secondly because she had no official rank. However, she was the only one in Liang Ye's household, and the Consort Xian loved lively gatherings. She specially ordered the eunuch to relay a message to the Earl of Wenyang: during the afternoon stroll in the garden, find some girls from the family to write, paint, play the zither, or enjoy tea. If they produced good poems or paintings, the Consort would select some to be included in the list of family visits to be presented to the Emperor. Unfortunately, the Meng family was not prominent, and after searching extensively, they could only find five. The Earl of Wenyang wanted to make it an auspicious number, and suddenly remembered that Shanhe was only eighteen years old. Although she had no official rank, she could serve as a maid and be present. So he instructed Liang Ye to bring Shanhe along. Liang Ye wanted to use this opportunity to gain some prestige for Shanhe and pave the way for her future marriage, so this was exactly what he wanted.
Therefore, Liang Ye began preparing Shanhe's attire and headwear for the day of her visit home ten days in advance. He wanted something within the bounds of propriety, yet elegant and refined to best suit Shanhe's appearance and figure. He ultimately chose a pale yellow satin jacket embroidered with gold cloud patterns, featuring butterflies amidst flowers. Since it was already deep winter, Liang Ye also prepared a pink satin cloak with a silver fox fur lining, its hood adorned with a thick, even white fox fur collar. The yellow, pink, and white color scheme perfectly complemented Shanhe's gentle, smiling, and unassuming demeanor.
Upon hearing Liang Ye's question, Cai Xiang hurriedly replied, "My lady got up a little late, and her clothes are still drying in the incense burner. I was thinking of serving you first, then helping you change."
“No need.” Liang Ye took Shanhe’s hand. “It would be more reasonable for my wife to come with me earlier.”
Upon hearing this, Cai Xiang and Qing Yue quickly helped Shan He sit down in front of the dressing table and began to dress her up; the other went to fetch Shan He's clothes.
After finishing his business, Liang Ye leaned back in his armchair, using his fingers as a pillow, and tilted his head to look at Shan He's thick, long black hair, which was easily styled into a cloud-like bun. Cai Xiang, while combing her sideburns with a wooden comb, took a hairpin from her dressing case and put it in her hair. Shan He raised the mirror and saw her reflection behind her. He was leaning back in his chair, resting his forehead on his hand, smiling faintly at her. He noticed her gaze in the mirror, drifting across the room, and couldn't help but think of the phrase "a couple who are of one mind and equal standing," feeling a surge of warmth in his heart. He parted his lips to make the shape of "beautiful," but made no sound; only he and she knew.
After Shanhe finished dressing and grooming, Liang Ye approached and noticed that in addition to the gold, silver, and agate hairpins he had prepared for her, she also had a jade plum blossom hairpin in her hair. He remembered that Shanhe had worn this hairpin when she was still Liang Shao's wife, and his heart sank. He immediately pulled out the jade plum blossom hairpin and threw it on the dressing table: "It's fine to wear such an old hairpin every day, but on a day like today, it would be shabby to wear it out." After saying this, he took Shanhe's hand and led her out to the carriage, heading towards the Wenyang Earl's residence.
At exactly 9:00 AM, Consort Xian arrived at the gate of the Marquis of Wenyang's residence. The vermilion gates were wide open, colorful banners hung high, and two rows of eunuchs in blue robes stood in a triangular formation. Marquis Meng Shao of Wenyang led his male relatives in kneeling greeting on the left side of the road, while Madam Shi led her female relatives in kneeling greeting on the right. Those without rank, like Shanhe, waited in the side rooms under the eaves, only allowed to kneel and pay their respects when Consort Xian entered the residence.
The imperial entourage stopped at the gate of the Wenyang Earl's residence. The Wenyang Earl and Madam Shi led the crowd in kneeling and bowing, and Consort Meng extended a slender hand, being helped down from the carriage by a female official. The crowd then prostrated themselves in reverence, chanting in unison, "We respectfully wish Consort Meng a thousand years of blessings and peace."
Upon seeing this, Consort Xian smiled and nodded to the lady-in-waiting beside her. The lady-in-waiting then called out loudly, "No need for formalities, rise!"
Once everyone had stood up, two eunuchs led the way, respectfully saying, "Please return to your quarters, Your Highness!" Immediately, soft music filled the air, and the two eunuchs, carrying gilded incense burners, led the Consort Xian slowly in. Behind her were four ornate canopies and an eight-person cloud-shaped palanquin. Behind the palanquin were Meng Shao, Madam Shi, and other relatives. The entire procession was filled with the clear sounds of pipes and sheng, and embroidered curtains and screens provided privacy.
Upon ascending the throne in the main hall, after receiving the homage of family and clan members, before they could exchange even a few intimate words, it was already noon, time for lunch. Meng Shao hurriedly invited them to move to the banquet hall, where the Virtuous Consort sat alone facing south, with Meng Shao and Madam Shi attending to her on either side, and the others arranged in order. During the meal, elegant music was played frequently, and singing and dancing were performed. After the main meal, the leftovers were cleared away, and fresh fruits, delicacies, and fragrant tea were prepared. On the high platform in front of the banquet hall, a curtain had already been drawn, ready for the rehearsal of a play.
Meng Shao bowed and presented the playbill, and Consort Xian selected three plays. Once the zither was tuned and the actors took the stage as usual, singing, reciting, acting, and fighting, Consort Xian finally gained a little more freedom. She pointed to two embroidered stools beside her and instructed Madam Shi and Meng Chiying to sit on them. The three of them, amidst the clamor of the opera's gongs and drums, quietly exchanged private words that were not meant for outsiders.
After the opera had been performed for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Liang Ye left the banquet with Meng Shao's son, Meng Ke, and went to a side hall to entertain Eunuch Tian from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs and other officials from the Ministry of Rites.
After kneeling to pay her respects to Consort Xian in the morning, Shanhe was led by a maidservant from Madam Shi to the waterside pavilion in the garden to await Consort Xian's summons in the afternoon. Unable to sit at the main table, Shanhe's lunch was also brought by the maidservants and eaten while seated in the pavilion. Painted curtains and brocade drapes hung on three sides, the waterside being more open, letting in the still water and the pale clouds, as well as the chill of late November. Qingyue pushed the incense burner next to Shanhe and sat down at the lower end of the table to eat with her.
Halfway through the meal, the curtain was suddenly lifted, and Liang Ye walked in against the cold wind, his nose red from the cold. He rubbed his hands together, stood in front of the incense burner, and warmed his hands with the steam. Cheng Min and Cheng An followed shortly after, each carrying various painting tools, all of which Liang Ye had prepared beforehand. The two Chengs then placed the items on a large, carved rosewood table to the side. Cheng Min arranged the glass cups filled with various colors of pigments and arranged the jade dishes containing pine soot ink in order, while Cheng An lit two braziers underneath to prevent the ink from freezing.
Liang Ye sat down next to Shan He, looked at the food in her bowl, and smiled, "You're eating more these days, and you look better than before."
Shanhe stared blankly at Ercheng's movements, then asked in a hushed voice, "Is he going to paint?"
Liang Ye nodded: "It will be quite a while before Consort Xian summons you. You and Qingyue are bored here, why don't you paint to pass the time?" He paused, "Paint well, paint carefully, paint this Imperial Garden well, and paint everything that is happening today. If Consort Xian takes this painting away and enters the palace, your future will be bright."
Shanhe pursed her lips: "I understand." Then she asked, "Aren't you going to stay with Eunuch Tian in the side hall?"
Liang Ye smiled: "How did you know?"
Cheng Min and Cheng An were squatting by the incense burner, warming their hands. Hearing Liang Ye's words, Cheng An laughed and said, "I know that. Just now when we were having dinner in the main hall, Qing Yue sent someone to ask me. I said that after you finish eating, you will probably have to go to the side hall to serve Eunuch Tian."
Upon hearing this, Liang Ye couldn't help but smile. He stretched out his still slightly cold fingers and gently squeezed Shanhe's hand, saying softly, "The second play is about to begin. After that, it'll be the Empress's Garden Tour. During the tour, you'll accompany Meng Chiying and the others to compose poems and paint. Even if the Empress summons you, it will be quick." As he spoke, Liang Ye gave Shanhe a series of instructions, all about the things to pay attention to during the garden poetry gathering later, which Shanhe agreed to one by one. Liang Ye felt a little relieved and watched Shanhe finish her food. He then got up, dusted himself off, and prepared to leave. Suddenly, the painted curtain was flung open. It was Meng Ke's maid, panting heavily, who exclaimed, "Lord Liang, something terrible has happened! There's a commotion in the main hall!"
Liang Ye frowned: "What's going on?"
The maidservant clutched her chest, panting, "The Second Miss somehow brought a man into the room and forced Her Majesty to grant her a marriage. Right now, the room is full of relatives, and there's even Eunuch Tian and officials from the Ministry of Rites in the side hall—it's complete chaos!"
Liang Ye's temple throbbed with anger. He muttered under his breath, "Two fools!" He patted Shanhe's shoulder, telling her to wait quietly, then strode off with the maid, followed by Cheng Min and Cheng An. Only Shanhe and Qingyue remained in the pavilion. Qingyue, confused, asked hesitantly, "What marriage decree? Who is it for? Isn't Miss Meng currently negotiating a marriage with the Prince of Qi's heir?" Shanhe, remembering Liang Ye's words, lowered her gaze and walked to the sandalwood table, laid out the painting paper, and said softly, "Don't worry about it, it's none of our business."
Meanwhile, Liang Ye followed his maid to the main hall, only to find that the surrounding side halls and rooms were full of guests, and the play was still being performed on the stage, but no one paid any attention. The crowd was silent, their eyes constantly glancing towards the main hall.
Liang Ye was led inside, where he saw Consort Xian seated at the head of the table, with Madam Shi close beside her, wiping away tears with a handkerchief. Below them were Meng Shao and Meng Ke, their faces ashen, and Shi Maotong, too, remained silent with a somber gaze. Further down, Meng Chiying and Zhang Fengliang knelt side by side on the ground, and Liang Ye felt a dull ache in his temples.
Seeing Liang Ye enter through the curtain, Consort Xian, with her pregnant belly protruding, stood up, supporting her back, and asked loudly, "This must be my cousin Ye, right?"
Liang Ye's heart tightened, thinking that Meng Chiying and Zhang Fengliang had reported him. He pondered this inwardly. On the surface, he performed the customary salutation, kneeling and saying, "Your subject Liang Ye pays respects to Your Highness, the Virtuous Consort."
Consort Xian, supporting her aching back, paced back and forth slowly. "Get up," she said irritably. "I've heard that this Zhang Fengliang is your classmate?"
Liang Ye lowered his hands and replied respectfully, "Yes."
Consort Xian fell silent again, stroking her five-month pregnant belly, her cloud-patterned brocade shoes treading silently on the scarlet carpet. The only sound in the hall was the still-playing "The Purple Hairpin" from the stage outside, which only accentuated the stillness of the place.
With tears streaming down her face, Meng Chiying looked up and saw everyone keeping their eyes downcast and silent. She was always one to speak her mind, so she immediately spoke up: "Anyway, everyone already knows, so my sister will grant the marriage. Otherwise, we won't lose face for our family."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Shi immediately scolded, "You fool! What day is it today that you dare to make such a scene? Your sister's trip back home is so difficult, how can you be allowed to disturb her like this? Not to mention that there are people from the Prince of Qi's Mansion, the Marquis of Zhen'an's Mansion, and the Earl of Yongping's Mansion sitting outside. I was waiting for this day to arrange a marriage for you, and you've lost your mind. You've ruined the rest of your life!"
Meng Shao glanced at Madam Shi and sneered, "No matter what day it is, you can't act like this! You've spoiled Er Ya so much that she's become lawless, which is why she dares to be so reckless today!"
Upon hearing this, Meng Chiying straightened her back even more: "What do you mean by 'arranging a marriage for me'? What high-sounding words! They're truly awful! I've already said I don't like it. It's clearly you who are forcing me to marry! Father, you don't need to blame Mother. You're so understanding. You didn't stop Mother from spoiling me back then, but now you're blaming her. My willful and spoiled behavior is also partly due to your indulgence!"
Zhang Fengliang, who was bowing his head on the ground, tugged at Meng Chiying's sleeve upon hearing this and said in a low voice, "It's best not to trouble the Empress, the Lord, and the Madam. It was our fault."
Upon hearing this, Meng Chiying immediately burst into tears: "Look! It's come to this, you, my father and mother, are blaming each other, blaming me for being useless, blaming each other for not disciplining me properly. You have no regard for family ties, but he is thinking of me and advising me to be patient and not upset you. Father, Mother, Eldest Sister, let me tell you the truth! He wouldn't tell you, he had already said that no matter if I marry into the Qi Prince's mansion, or the Zhen'an Marquis's mansion, or the Yongping Earl's mansion, he would wish me well! The other day he submitted his resignation and was about to be transferred to the south to build a dam. It was my cousin Liang Ye who found out and said that someone of his talent should not go to a local post, but should stay in the capital, so he intercepted the resignation at the Ministry of Revenue. Otherwise, I would never have seen him in this life!"
Consort Xian stopped in her tracks, pointed a finger at Meng Chiying's face from a distance, and immediately scolded her sternly: "You unfilial daughter! You actually helped outsiders to curse your parents, and you even dared to lash out today, uttering such shameless words. How can you face the ancestors of the Meng family!"
Meng Chiying, with tears in her eyes, said, "I know I've disgraced you, Consort Xian. I'll listen to your scolding! But I just made it clear that I don't want to marry any of the men my mother chose. Why do you have the right to bestow a marriage upon me? You're doing well, you've become Consort Xian, that's your good fortune. You like a life of wealth and luxury, that's your destiny. Why do you have the right to dictate my destiny?" Meng Chiying wiped away her tears, "If you're really doing so well, why is it so difficult for you to even go back to your parents' home to see them?" Zhang Fengliang quickly pulled on Meng Chiying's sleeve, urging her to stop talking.
Hearing her younger sister's words, Consort Xian's eyes were already red. She pointed at Meng Chiying's face, her wrist trembling, but she couldn't utter a single word. She clutched her stomach and sat back down, looking at Meng Chiying with a mixture of disappointment and frustration.
Upon seeing this, Liang Ye quickly cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health and do not be angered by this matter." He glanced at Madam Shi, "Second Sister is currently emotionally agitated and should not remain here. The ladies and gentlemen of various families are waiting outside, and it is truly improper for us to stay for so long. Perhaps we should ask Second Sister to leave temporarily and find someone to persuade her. Your Majesty, Lord, and Madam must make a decision on today's matter as soon as possible, otherwise it will be detrimental to Second Sister's reputation and Your Majesty's reputation as well."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Shi immediately wiped away her tears and said to Meng Ke, "Ke'er, go and call your wife here, and take Yingying down to talk things over."
Meng Ke was rising and bowing when Liang Ye turned and glanced at Meng Chiying. His cold, sharp gaze startled Meng Chiying, who cried out, "I don't want her! She's one of you! All she does is try to persuade me to marry someone else!" She then looked at Zhang Fengliang, gritted her teeth, and said, "If they don't agree today, I'd rather die. What about you?"
Hearing this, Zhang Fengliang couldn't help but shed tears: "Never say such things to your parents, it would hurt them so much."
Upon hearing Meng Chiying's words, Mrs. Shi pounded her chest, wailing and cursing Meng Chiying for being unfilial.
Liang Ye said at the right moment, "Although Sister Chijin and Sister Mingrui are very close to Second Sister, neither of them is married yet. I'm afraid we can't ask them to step in on this matter." He paused, "How about I call Madam Xue over?"
Desperate and grasping at straws, Madam Shi immediately summoned Shanhe upon hearing this. Consort Xian, however, gave Liang Ye a deep look: "Who is Xue Shi?"
Liang Ye cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Xue is a maidservant who serves me in my room. She came here today just to make up the numbers."
When Consort Xian heard him say this, she understood somewhat, but she had no other choice but to nod in approval.
A short while later, Shanhe was brought in. She first knelt and bowed before Consort Xian, gave her name, and was then hurriedly led by a maid to a side room. Inside the side room, Meng Chiying sat on the edge of a small four-poster bed, wiping away tears with a handkerchief.
Meng Chiying raised her tearful eyes and scolded the maid behind Shanhe, "Get out of here!" The maid lowered her head and retreated. Just as she was about to close the door, Meng Chiying said, "Don't close it! Everyone knows you were going to hide behind the door and eavesdrop!" The maid hurriedly retreated, leaving the door open.
Shanhe frowned and walked closer, sitting down beside her. She took out a silk handkerchief from her bosom and gently wiped away Meng Chiying's tears.
Shanhe sighed deeply: "Why must you do this, Second Miss?"
Meng Chiying smiled coldly through her tears: "If it didn't happen to you, of course you could say 'why bother'. But for me, it's a must, something I had no choice but to do. If I don't break free, I'll be crushed by them sooner or later!"
"How can you say that? Everyone knows that Mrs. Shi and Lord Meng both dote on the second young lady the most."
“They love me, but that doesn’t stop them from controlling me. They love me, but that doesn’t mean they have to make decisions for me in everything. They only listen to me say cute things in front of them, only listen to me say what they want to hear according to their wishes, but they can’t bear to hear me be sad, can’t bear to hear me say things like ‘I don’t want to get married’!”
Shanhe paused for a moment, then slowly said, "I heard Master say that he was going to ask for a marriage decree for you two today. So, is this situation Master's idea?"
Meng Chiying sneered, "If I had listened to him, my marriage would have been arranged before he even helped me. Right after the opera started, my eldest sister called my mother and me over to sit and talk. My mother told her she was going to choose a husband for me from the Qi Prince's mansion, the Zhen'an Marquis's mansion, or the Yongping Earl's mansion. I said I didn't want one, but they acted like they didn't hear me and went on choosing! My eldest sister even said she would tell His Majesty and have him personally issue an imperial decree to grant the marriage!" She suddenly burst into tears, "They are my own mother and sister! I told them I didn't want one, how could they pretend not to hear!"
Shanhe raised her hand and grasped Chiying's face, wiping away her tears: "So, you made the decision yourself back then?"
“Yes! Zhang Fengliang told me to wait for Liang Ye to return and for him to come up with a plan for us. But Liang Ye has disappeared. I can’t find him in the side hall, and I don’t dare send anyone to look for him at your place. I know we can’t let them know that Liang Ye is helping us, otherwise it will be even worse.” Chi Ying grasped Shan He’s hand in return. “So I went straight back. I sat down in front of them and told them that I had someone I liked, and that I wanted to be with the person I liked. Madam Xue, do you know what? They both smiled and then continued to discuss which young master was good, which young master was a good match for me.”
Shanhe's heart trembled as she listened, thinking: No wonder Chiying is so disheartened. Shanhe continued, "And then?"
“Then, I went to my elder sister’s seat, knelt on the ground, and loudly begged her to grant me and Zhang Fengliang a marriage.” At this moment, Chi Ying gradually calmed down, and her tone became colder and colder.
Shanhe couldn't help but shed a tear. In her memory, Meng Chiying had always been the pampered and noble second young lady of the Marquis's mansion, spoiled by her parents and often given gifts by her elder sister, the Consort Xian in the palace. She was cheerful and lively, always talking and laughing, and although she could be a bit sharp-tongued at times, she was generally a very likable person. Shanhe didn't know why Chiying had become like this, but she suddenly remembered Liang Shao, who had refused to marry her two years ago.
Shanhe asked out of the blue, "Then, if you hadn't met Lord Zhang, would you be in the same situation as today?"
Chi Ying looked up blankly, thought for a moment, and then slowly shook her head.
Shanhe pursed her lips, wiping away Chiying's tears, and said steadily, "Second Miss, the Master sent me here, which means he still wants to help you. Seeing you like this, I think you also want to be with Lord Zhang. I am but a humble person, and my words may not be able to influence the will of the Empress and the Earl, but after hearing what you just said, I think what you are doing may not be wrong. If possible, I can help you put in a good word, okay? However, I have one last question: what kind of person is Lord Zhang, and why do you insist on choosing him?"
Holding his full gaze towards the void, his eyes gradually welled up with tears again.
The strains of singing drifted in from the stage outside. Chi Ying remained silent for a long while before slowly saying, "Madam Xue, he is the best person. He listens to me! Whether it's good or bad, he listens patiently! He has a gentle nature. I know I'm arrogant, and my mother has said that if I don't change this, I'll suffer a lot in the future. But he never gets angry or loses his temper, as my cousin Ye knows. I secretly sent someone to inquire, and even before today, my father said he had a good character."
Shanhe sighed: "Second Miss, is it just because of his good personality? The Madam and the Empress chose him for you. Although his personality may not be as good as Master Zhang's, how is he inferior to him in terms of family background and family fortune?"
Chi Ying said, “I know his family background isn’t as good as those people’s, but he’s not poor either! His family has just fallen on hard times. His ancestors included a third-rank minister, a rank higher than Uncle Shi’s. Why do they look down on him? Besides, the first time I saw him, I knew he was good. The first time he saw me, I knew he was looking at me. That’s more important than anything else! My mother always tells me to choose someone for me whose family background and wealth are commensurate with mine, but I don’t want any of that. I want someone with a good temperament, someone I like, someone with a refined appearance. That’s enough. I don’t care if he’s poor or from a less prestigious family. At worst, I’ll go with him to the provinces and avoid the cold looks of the capital.”
Chi Ying sniffed hard: "Madam Xue, I don't know how to put it. But I feel that one cannot have everything. I chose his personality, so I accept that his family background is not as good. My older brother and sister are all children that my parents approve of, so why should I be like them and not be able to make my own decisions?"
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Author's Note: Sorry! Sorry! I've been too busy these past two days, so the update is a bit late. I should still update normally tomorrow.
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