Chapter 80 (Escape Announcement) The Virtuous Consort's Visit Home (...
When Shanhe returned to the main hall with a belly full of sorrow, the door was already open, and everyone had returned to normal, continuing to listen to the opera and chat as usual. However, Madam Shi still had tear stains on her face. Shanhe quietly looked around and saw that Meng Shao and his son, as well as Liang Ye, were not there, and Zhang Fengliang was also nowhere to be seen.
Consort Xian offered Shanhe a seat below her and asked in a loud voice, "Madam Xue, how is Yingying doing right now?"
Shanhe glanced at the palace maids standing beside Consort Xian, unsure of how to begin.
Consort Xian saw her concerns: "It's alright, there are so many people outside, they already know what they need to know."
Shanhe then stood up, curtsied, and replied, "Your Majesty, the Second Miss is feeling better and has stopped crying, but it seems unlikely that she can be persuaded to stop for the time being."
Consort Xian pondered for a moment, seemingly somewhat ashamed: "She was spoiled too much by her father, mother, and me, which led to this disaster today."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Shi's eyes immediately welled up with tears.
Consort Xian frowned and softly offered a few words of comfort. A moment later, Meng Shao and his son, along with Liang Ye, returned to their seats. Consort Xian looked at Marquis Wenyang, who remained silent.
The play had reached the finale of the third act, "The Injustice to Dou E." Consort Xian glanced at the people below. In the main hall, there were still a few close relatives from the Meng and Shi families. Unmarried girls like Shi Mingrui had all been taken to a side hall by Madam Zhou.
Consort Xian stood up again, supporting her aching back, and paced slowly back and forth, looking down at the people below. What should she do? His Majesty must already know. Everyone was waiting for her final decision, and the Hall of Mental Cultivation was probably no exception. The Empress's position had been vacant for eight years since the Empress's passing. She had endured countless hardships to climb to her current position as Consort Xian; only Consort Zhu was above her. Consort Xian suddenly felt a pang of gratitude for Meng Chiying's actions today. Because of her pregnancy, she was unable to manage the affairs of the six palaces, and Consort Zhu had assisted in managing the harem. If she had handled Meng Chiying's matter well this afternoon, would His Majesty have looked at her differently? But what kind of outcome did His Majesty hope for?
Consort Xian lowered her head in thought. If she agreed directly, the Meng family would appear frivolous; if she refused, they would appear cold-hearted. Besides, given the situation today, Meng Chiying's life was ruined.
Before Consort Xian could get to the bottom of things, she saw someone kneeling below her—it was Liang Ye's inkstone maid.
Xue Shanhe knelt on the ground and said, "Your Highness, I have something to say."
Consort Xian looked at Liang Ye and said, "Speak."
Shanhe dared not raise her head, but respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. The Second Miss is young and impetuous, and her actions may have been inappropriate, but her heart is clear and her feelings are pitiable. The Second Miss and Lord Zhang are in love, which, although against etiquette, is in accordance with human nature. I have heard that Your Majesty's benevolence extends to the six palaces and is renowned for your virtue. If Your Majesty could understand the Second Miss's infatuation and grant them a happy marriage, wouldn't that not only preserve the bond between family members, but also demonstrate Your Majesty's magnanimity and boundless grace? At that time, not only will the Second Miss be grateful for her elder sister's kindness, but even outsiders will praise Your Majesty for handling the matter so prudently."
Shanhe paused for a moment: "Furthermore, although Lord Zhang's family has fallen on hard times, his talent and character are recognized by both the Earl and the Eldest Master. He is a promising young talent with a bright future. If today's matter is handled properly, it may not be a bad thing. If we suppress him, we may hurt the Second Miss's innocent heart and cause pain to her relatives... In my humble opinion, I humbly request Your Majesty to consider it carefully."
Consort Xian sighed upon hearing this, while Madam Shi was taken aback, clutching her handkerchief and saying, "No! Er Yatou cannot marry into such a family!" She raised her tearful eyes, "You, Xue Shanhe! How dare you say such things in front of Her Majesty! You yourself are an orphan, a concubine, and have been given such a marriage. And now you're advising others? My Yingying has such a respectable status; she could marry into a royal family. What right do you have to advise Her Majesty to let her marry someone who can only revive the family business through the imperial examinations?"
The virtuous concubine's eyes sharpened, and several palace maids beside her immediately drove away the maids, eunuchs, and all sorts of unrelated people who were listening to gossip near the main hall.
Although Mrs. Shi's words were directed at Shanhe, every single one of them struck Liang Ye squarely.
Among those in the hall who relied on the imperial examinations to revive their family businesses, besides Zhang Fengliang, there was also Liang Ye.
At that moment, Liang Ye squinted and walked to the seat of the Consort Xian, bowed and cupped his hands: "Your Majesty, what I said was foolish, but it is also reasonable. My second sister's actions today can only temporarily quell the storm by establishing a marriage alliance with the Zhang family."
Mrs. Shi sneered, "Those sitting outside are from the Prince Qi's Mansion and the Marquis of Zhen'an's Mansion. They are all families who have discussed marriage with Yingying these days. If Yingying is betrothed to the Zhang family, what will happen to these noble families outside? Won't it still cause trouble and make the Meng family lose face?"
Liang Ye paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Today's matter was not originally initiated by Second Sister. It was because Consort Xian, who has been living in the deep palace for a long time, heard that the newly appointed Jinshi Zhang Fengliang, who is currently the Supervisor of the Ministry of Works, is excellent in both talent and appearance, and intended to arrange a marriage for Second Sister. However, she did not expect that this would conflict with Madam Shi's plan for Second Sister."
Consort Xian immediately said, "I have lived in the inner palace for a long time, how would I know about Zhang Fengliang?" Liang Ye did not answer. However, Wen Yangbo Meng Shao, who had been sitting silently to the side, spoke up in a deep voice, "It was my father who wrote to you about it."
The main hall fell silent for a moment as everyone slowly pondered Liang Ye's meaning.
On the day of the imperial visit, Consort Xian, remembering her father's previous letter, intended to use the unprecedented favor of the visit to arrange a marriage for Meng Chiying. However, Madam Shi was already arranging a marriage for Meng Chiying, creating a conflict between the two. Furthermore, Meng Chiying was not yet married, yet rumors were already circulating that she was to be betrothed to several families. Meng Chiying, being easily embarrassed, could not bear it, and thus shed tears in court on the day of the visit.
This reason was barely acceptable; it could at least cover up the scandal of Meng Chiying's secret engagement with a man outside the family and also somewhat maintain the Meng family's reputation.
No one spoke, except for Madam Shi, who continued to weep, saying, "I absolutely cannot let Yingying suffer like this." Consort Xian thought for a moment, then said to the maids beside her, "Help Madam to the back to rest."
Although Madam Shi was unwilling, she was eventually forcibly helped down. The Consort Xian looked at Liang Ye again: "Then, in your opinion, what should I do next?"
Liang Ye smiled and helped Shanhe, who was still kneeling on the ground, to her feet. He said in a steady voice, "Please have Your Majesty write a letter of apology immediately, clearly explaining the cause and effect of today's events, and have Eunuch Tian from the side hall send it to the Hall of Mental Cultivation."
The Consort Xian was struck dumb, and immediately ordered someone to bring her ink. A short while later, she put down her brush, and Meng Shao personally presented a letter of apology and went to a side hall.
The opera had ended, and the eunuchs came to invite Consort Xian to stroll in the garden. Consort Xian saw that her father was preoccupied with this matter and that her mother was upset, but she could do nothing about it. She could only suppress her emotions and go to the garden alone with the others.
Along the way, there were steep rocks and clear waters, accompanied by a wonderful fragrance—the scent of the red plum blossoms planted in the garden. Seeing this, Consort Xian felt a little comforted. The eunuch recording the scene stood beside her, noting it down in the imperial register. When they reached the waterside pavilion, Shanhe and Mingrui, along with the other sisters, were already waiting. Meng Chiying sat in the far corner, silent and sullen, as if she had suddenly become a different person.
The virtuous concubine alighted from her carriage and entered the waterside pavilion. Seeing the young ladies playing the zither and painting, she was overjoyed and immediately decided to establish a poetry club there.
Logically, when Consort Xian established a poetry club, her younger sister Meng Chiying should have led the group of sisters to express their gratitude for Consort Xian's kindness and then invite Consort Xian to serve as the club president. However, at this moment, Meng Chiying sat alone in a corner, her eyes glazed over, looking dejected and as if isolated from the world. Upon seeing this, Shi Mingrui stepped forward, bowed first, thanked Consort Xian for her kindness, and then invited Consort Xian to serve as the club president.
Although Consort Xian was displeased, she could only proceed with the process as usual. She selected several topics and taught the girls to write poems based on them, and she also wrote one herself. Then she critiqued each one. The winner was Shi Mingrui, followed by Shan He and Chi Jin, all of whom were recorded by eunuchs for the emperor's review after the visit to her family.
By the time the poetry gathering at the waterside pavilion concluded, it was no longer as bright as midday. The eunuch leading the way hurriedly guided the Imperial Concubine's carriage to the next scenic spot. The young ladies were left behind at the waterside pavilion, staring at each other blankly before finally fixing their gaze on Meng Chiying in the corner.
Meng Chiying, who was always fond of showing off and was the younger sister of Consort Xian, didn't even rank in the top three for poetry today. The young ladies, though they hadn't witnessed the midday news firsthand, had heard of the commotion. While everyone said it was a conflict between the Empress and Lady Shi, no one believed it, as there were simply too many suspicious points.
Meng Chiying knew she had become a public spectacle, so she simply raised her head and said, "Ask me whatever you want! If you're not ashamed, I have nothing to be afraid of!"
After she said that, the girls didn't know what to say.
Shanhe stood to the side, unsure of what to say. She pursed her lips, about to say something conciliatory, when she saw Chengmin jog over. A moment later, Liang Ye also came over, standing with his hands behind his back under the eaves, and said to the room, "Second sister, go to the main hall in the front to receive the imperial decree."
As soon as she finished speaking, a group of people rushed in from outside. They were sent by Consort Xian to fetch Meng Chiying. The head eunuch announced in a high-pitched voice, "Second Miss Meng, Her Majesty summons you to the main hall to receive her decree."
Meng Chiying was stunned. She slowly stood up and stammered, "I received the decree... Has Sister issued the decree?" She hurriedly ran to the entrance of the waterside pavilion and saw Liang Ye standing to the side. She asked anxiously, "Zhang—where is he?"
Liang Ye looked away and said calmly, "Lord Zhang should kneel in the main hall to receive His Majesty's imperial edict."
Meng Chiying staggered half a step, looked up blankly, and in the next instant, she lifted her skirt and ran towards the main hall, with the palace servants following her with their heads down. Inside the waterside pavilion, Shi Mingrui and the others exchanged glances, feeling a similar itch in their hearts. Liang Ye's voice rang out again: "The imperial decree of marriage, aren't you going to go and see it?"
Your Majesty? A bestowed marriage?
The girls exchanged glances, then rose and crowded together toward the main hall.
For a moment, only Shanhe remained in the pavilion, sitting at her painting table. She looked down at the half-finished ink painting on the table, feeling somewhat regretful.
Liang Ye strolled in and quietly looked at her.
Shanhe looked up and smiled at him: "I can't finish drawing it."
"It's alright." Liang Ye walked over and stood beside Shan He, helping her tidy up the painting tools on the table. He tried his best to suppress his excitement, but his voice still couldn't hide his joy: "Shan Shan, His Majesty has bestowed a marriage upon Meng Chiying and Zhang Fengliang."
"Hmm." Shanhe covered the glass cup. "From now on, you will truly have people in the Ministry of Works."
"And then there's the harem." Liang Ye said with a hint of smugness, "For what happened today, Consort Xian had no choice but to cooperate with me."
"You are siblings."
Liang Ye turned his head and smiled at Shanhe: "That's different. Consort Xian and I were originally cousins, and we haven't seen each other for many years. No matter what, there are still many layers between us." He looked at Shanhe's face and said, "Shanshan, you did very well today. What you said in the main hall was insightful, and you protected Consort Xian and the Meng family. Now that you have made a name for yourself in front of Consort Xian, they will respect you more in the future."
Shanhe set out her art supplies, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly spoke up: "I want to go back earlier later."
"What's wrong?"
"Miss Shi and the others were here just now, and they had some wine. Then the Poetry Society's leader offered me more wine. I had a few sips, but I felt a little unwell. I want to go back and rest."
Liang Ye grasped Shanhe's hand: "Today is the day of the family visit, and the Earl's Mansion has invited female physicians in advance. If there's anything, just call them over."
Shanhe pursed her lips and said, "You forgot? I can't drink much alcohol. I'll be fine after I go back and lie down."
"There are many guest rooms in the Earl's mansion. Just pick one and stay there. Qingyue will keep you company. After dinner, come back with me when it's over."
Shanhe looked up at him, her brows furrowing slightly. "This is someone else's house. I'm just your maid. How dare I act like a guest? Besides, it's so noisy outside. I can't rest in peace." She reached out and grasped Liang Ye's face. "Master, please entertain the guests here. I'll go back and rest. When you return tonight, I'll help you bathe and go to bed. Wouldn't that be convenient?"
Upon hearing this, Liang Ye slowly smiled. He grasped Shanhe's hand, kissed her palm, and then said, "In that case, I'll have Chengmin escort you back."
"Chengmin should stay here and obey my orders. Just have Cheng'an escort me."
Liang Ye nodded and ordered someone to summon Cheng An, instructing him to drive Shan He back to Cangfeng Courtyard.
Having received the order, Cheng'an went to the hanging flower gate to get into the carriage. Shanhe led Qingyue from the garden to the main hall, then through the long corridor, and headed straight for the hanging flower gate. Laughter filled the air along the way as everyone recounted what they had seen and heard that day: how the second young lady of the Meng family had shed tears in public, how the Empress felt sorry for her younger sister and had written a memorial of self-reproach, and how His Majesty had shown compassion for the Empress and the Meng family by personally issuing an imperial decree to grant them marriage.
Shanhe pretended not to hear and walked straight ahead with Qingyue in her hand. Before they reached the hanging flower gate, a palace maid with a pale face came over and blocked Shanhe's way, saying that the Empress wanted to talk to her.
It turned out that Consort Xian had just returned from her stroll in the garden and was about to change her clothes and do her makeup, and also rest her spirits. Madam Shi and Meng Chiying were both accompanying her, but at this moment they called Shanhe over, I wonder what they were up to.
Shanhe had no choice but to go over. As soon as she entered the room, she was greeted by the refreshing fragrance of plum blossoms. Consort Xian leaned against the couch and scolded Meng Chiying: "The other day I specially sent someone to tell you to write about plum blossoms today. Why didn't you write them?" Consort Xian glanced at Shanhe, raised her hand to excuse her from the formalities, and then gestured for a palace maid to give Shanhe a seat.
Shanhe dared not act rashly and sat lightly on the edge of the embroidered stool.
Meng Chiying lowered her head and remained silent, but Mrs. Shi defended her, saying, "Your sister was in a bad mood today, so writing about crabapple blossoms is fine."
Consort Xian sneered, "Mother, you still spoil her, don't you? On a day like today, she dared to embarrass me and the Meng family in public. You're the one who spoiled her! I've already said that today's poems are for the Emperor's audience and the Ministry of Rites will keep records. How dare you act so recklessly? Do you think I don't know that the crabapple was given to you by that Zhang fellow?"
Mrs. Shi hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please don't say such things."
"What are you afraid of? The eunuchs who are recording are all resting outside. Every palace maid here was given to me by you. Mother, what are you afraid of?" Consort Xian leaned back on the couch, raised her hand, and pointed her enamel nail guards at Meng Chiying: "Meng Chiying, today is His Majesty's bestowal of a marriage, to clear up this shameful matter. Let me tell you, from now on, you are no longer the second young lady of the Meng family. You'd better rein in your temper. Whatever fortune Zhang Fengliang has, that's your fortune. Don't think that I and Father will help you! Get out of here!"
Upon hearing this, Chi Ying raised her eyes resentfully and gritted her teeth, saying, "I know, I'll leave right now. You are Consort Xian, someone by His Majesty's side, no longer my sister, much less my father and mother's daughter. My mother dotes on me and spoils me, but there's nothing she can do about it; who told her to only have me by her side? Why didn't you say anything when my mother used to dote on you? You don't need to blame my mother now. Do you dare say you won't protect the child in your belly in the future? Do you dare say you won't let my father and brother help you protect the child in your belly in the future!" After saying this, Chi Ying wiped away her tears and immediately turned and ran out.
Consort Xian stood frozen in place, her eyes slowly reddening. She tilted her head back, parted her mouth slightly, and exhaled a long, stale breath. Seeing this, Madam Shi instructed the nanny to check on Meng Chiying while simultaneously rising to look at Consort Xian, muttering, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. It's all for the sake of the imperial heir." She held a handkerchief and gently stroked Consort Xian's chest. This single gesture caused the tears Consort Xian had so painstakingly held back to well up instantly. She hugged Madam Shi, buried her face in her chest, and cried out, "Mother!" She had so much to say, but couldn't utter it; a thousand words could only be contained in this single cry of "Mother."
All the palace maids and eunuchs standing there knelt down, and Shanhe also knelt down with them.
After a while, Consort Xian finished crying in her mother's arms, her eyes red, and she broke free, her face blank, as the palace maids washed her face and did her makeup again. When she saw Shanhe still kneeling below, she said weakly, "Xue, get up. You've made a fool of yourself."
Shanhe raised her head and looked at the mother and daughter sitting on the seat, her heart filled with deep sorrow.
Consort Xian rested her forehead on her hand: "You're Liang Shaoqing's attendant, aren't you?"
Shanhe nodded in agreement.
Consort Xian continued, "Does she have a formal title?"
Shanhe felt a slight tremor in her heart, and answered more respectfully, "No."
"Did Liang Shaoqing ever say anything about giving you a formal title?"
“I…” Shanhe paused, “He did say that.”
"Alright..." Consort Xian said slowly, "Hurry up and get a title as soon as possible. If he forgets, send someone to tell your mother."
Mrs. Shi was just as confused as Shanhe, but Shanhe didn't dare to ask. Mrs. Shi, however, said directly, "Why should I care about what happens in Liang Ye's room?"
Consort Xian lifted her eyelids and said slowly, "Today's matter was the idea of Minister Liang. Father and Mother should thank him. A few days ago, when I went to serve at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, I would occasionally see Minister Liang. Speaking of which, Father and Brother have probably not visited the palace as many times as Minister Liang combined."
Mrs. Shi was stunned.
Consort Xian said calmly, "Xue, the child in my belly will be born in four or five months. When that time comes, you, my mother, and Chiying will come to the palace to take care of me for half a month."
Shanhe was completely stunned.
Consort Xian laughed, but her face was somewhat pale: "What's wrong, have you gone mad?"
Shanhe immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.
After emerging from the Plum Hall where Consort Xian had changed and sat, Shanhe was still somewhat dazed. Qingyue had been waiting anxiously at the door. Seeing Shanhe come out, she grabbed Shanhe's hand and led her towards the hanging flower gate, saying, "Hurry up! Cheng'an has come to urge us three or four times already! It's getting dark, Miao'er must have already started her operation!"
Shanhe finally came to her senses. She looked at the sky; dusk was falling, and the last rays of the setting sun had completely disappeared behind the painted beams and flying eaves. Not long after, the pipes in the main hall rang again, and the eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial hurriedly went to urge Consort Xian to start the banquet.
The banquet, as is customary, is the most important and final ceremony of the family visit.
Shanhe looked back and saw Liang Ye standing in the crowd, also looking at her from a distance. He nodded at her, and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up. The crowd was moving towards the various banquet halls.
Shanhe nodded, smiled at him, and immediately turned to follow Qingyue out of the hanging flower gate. She said, "Let's go!"
Liang Ye watched Shan He suddenly turn away, a vague unease creeping into his heart. Shi Yuanji brushed past him, urging, "Ji Chen, hurry up." Liang Ye agreed, but when he turned back, Shan He was already gone.
Shanhe and Qingyue ran quickly to the outside of the hanging flower gate, where Cheng'an was waiting anxiously. Shanhe and Qingyue nimbly boarded the carriage, and Cheng'an whipped the horse, sat on the carriage floor, and laughed, "Wife, are we leaving already?"
Shanhe: "Okay, I'm leaving." She thought for a moment, "Cheng'an, take care."
Cheng An frowned: "What do you mean, 'take care'? Isn't my wife going back to Cangfeng Courtyard?"
Shanhe smiled: "I know you'll still have to come back home after you take me back. There'll be a lot of drinking tonight, so please take care."
Cheng An chuckled twice and focused on urging his horse on.
The blue-curtained carriage sped through the alleys of Kyoto, heading straight for Soufu-in.
About twenty or thirty miles outside the capital, three horses and a carriage were also speeding along the official road.
As the sun set, the three horses in front suddenly galloped away, quickly leaving the carriage behind.
Liang Shao lay prone on his horse, galloping at the very front. The red-tasseled spear and the green frost sword on his back bounced back and forth.
Liang Shao shouted with a laugh, "Hurry up! Hurry up! We can't keep up with the time for the family visit at this speed!"
Zhuang Yizhao lay prone on his horse, the wind whistling past his ears. He said, "Miss Lan'er is still behind us!"
“The carriage doesn’t go very fast anyway, so it’s fine if she’s a little late.” Liang Shao cracked his whip again. “You all come back with me. If the Empress finds out, she’ll definitely reward you with wine! Even my brother will invite you if he finds out!”
The three men on horseback laughed, squeezed their horses' bellies, and sped up their journey towards Kyoto.
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Author's note: I've posted this first, I'll revise it later.
These chapters are packed with events, which makes it easier for Shanshan to escape. Originally, I wanted to write a judgment poem for the poetry club, but I'm afraid the momentum of the escape section will be weakened, so I'll write it later.
There's a giveaway in this chapter!
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