Chapter 5

Qin Tianzhu was exactly fifteen years older than Qin Xiangyi. Qin Xiangyi was the daughter born late to an elderly general and his wife. Before the old general passed away, he had specifically instructed Qin Tianzhu, “The only one I truly worry about is the youngest daughter. Tianzhu, you must take good care of your sister and ensure she is not mistreated in her husband’s family.”

Qin Tianzhu intended to look after her, but he already had a wife, daughters, and a son, and his duties at the Hanlin Academy kept him busy. Naturally, he entrusted the care of his sister to his wife. He would only intervene occasionally if his wife went too far; it wasn’t that he completely ignored the matter.

Qin Tianzhu couldn’t discern the meaning behind his sister’s words. Qi, however, noticed but pretended not to hear and quickly changed the subject.

“Speaking of which, Grandmother’s birthday is approaching. In my opinion, it should be celebrated grandly this time.”

The matriarch waved her hand dismissively, “There’s no need for a grand celebration. Why bother with that? Save the money to make a dowry for Ling’er.”

Qi responded, “Grandmother, regarding Ling’er’s marriage, this birthday should be a grand affair. Forget the past; Ling’er is about to marry into the He family. It’s time to restore the Qin family’s lost dignity. Invite Father’s old acquaintances and the He family too. Let’s make a lively occasion so everyone knows the He family is our future in-laws.”

Qi’s words were difficult to argue against. The old matriarch reluctantly agreed, “You’re right. Let it be as you say.”

As soon as the matriarch consented, Qi steered the conversation toward Qin Xiangyi.

“The family’s silver is counted penny by penny. If we are to hold a birthday banquet for Grandmother, there just isn’t enough money in the account right now. Xiangyi, you’re the daughter of this family. Shouldn’t you contribute half the cost?”

In this world, it was truly rare for a sister-in-law to ask her sister-in-law for money, but today was such an occasion. The reason Qin Xiangyi was included was because she tacitly accepted that everything Qi said was with her brother’s approval, despite Qin Tianzhu’s displeased expression.

Although Qin Tianzhu looked displeased, he pursed his lips and ultimately said nothing. After all, the family lacked money. His monthly salary was limited. If he didn’t ask his sister for money, who else could he turn to?

When the old general was alive, he left behind considerable wealth and jewelry, some gifted by the late emperor, others by the current sovereign. Neither Qin Tianzhu nor Qi was good at managing assets. Over time, they never thought to invest in land or shops. The family fortune slowly dwindled.

In any case, the family should not turn its sights on Qin Xiangyi. When she married out, her dowry was modest but proper — neither too much nor too little.

The old matriarch also considered this unreasonable. Although her daughter had returned after divorce, she was now a woman waiting for marriage. How could her brother ask the family for money from a sister still unmarried?

The old matriarch was about to speak but noticed her son remained silent. Thinking about the birthday banquet she wished to hold, and lacking funds, she chose to hold her tongue.

Qin Xiangyi was unambiguous. It was right to contribute to her mother’s birthday banquet. Even if she was married, she ought to bring a generous gift home.

“Sister-in-law says there’s not enough money for the banquet. The expenses are mainly threefold: the feast, the opera troupe, and decorations like lanterns and embroidered ribbons. The biggest cost is the feast. Sister-in-law, please calculate how many tables and guests we need. I’ll pay and buy the feast directly from Huixian Restaurant, so the servants won’t have to handle it. Besides, many servants have been dismissed over the years, so the grandeur can only be achieved by hiring outsiders.”

She dared to say this, but it depended if her brother dared accept. Regardless, the bulk of the birthday banquet’s expenses should not fall on her. If she had to pay, she would make sure everyone knew the feast was funded by the Qin family’s daughter.

The family fortune and the house left by their parents belonged to her brother and sister-in-law. This home was theirs. She, returning after divorce, was treated as a disliked presence. She wanted to see how her sister-in-law would dare ask her for money.

Their mother had always resented her return after divorce, saying a married daughter was like spilled water. It was only right that their brother supported their mother. Why should she have to do so?

She was not unwilling to pay, but once she did, she could no longer be the superfluous divorced woman of the Qin family.

Qi’s face changed repeatedly. Originally, she only wanted to squeeze some silver from her, but now this response complicated matters.

“Xiangyi, you know you’re not suited to attend such a grand banquet with your status.”

This meant she wanted money but did not want her to appear.

Qin Xiangyi neither intended to pay that much nor to stay hidden.

This home was not where she was meant to remain. What use was pride in contributing more than her brother? The house and family wealth would remain with her brother and sister-in-law. She would get nothing. Once their mother passed away, even her small place to stay would likely be taken back.

The old matriarch finally lost patience and spoke stiffly, “Enough. Where did all the money left by your father go? I don’t believe it’s all been spent. Use what’s needed. Xiangyi, you’re responsible for hiring the opera troupe. The rest of you make the arrangements.”

Since Qin Xiangyi had to pay, she wouldn’t refuse, but she would insist on appearing. That was certain.

The old matriarch did not intend to keep Qin Xiangyi hidden any longer. The Qin family had many scandals no one could hide. It was better to let her meet new people and find a husband quickly. Even a less-than-ideal match would do, as long as she was not a concubine. She could not remain a burden in her natal home forever.

Facing Qin Xiangyi, the old matriarch instructed, “Go home and tidy yourself up. Don’t always wear such dull clothes. Dress more brightly. Your urgent task now is to marry quickly. The more you appear in public, the more I can speak well of you to other matrons.”

Qin Xiangyi lowered her head and replied, “Mother, I will try my best.”

If a suitable man wished to marry her, that would be wonderful.

She had everything but a home. A man might be useless, but at least he provided a family.

She could not resist the ways of the world; she had to find a path for herself within its rules.

After the family discussed this important matter, Qi took out a rhombus-shaped mirror left by He Yanzhou. Then everyone returned to their own courtyards.

Before leaving, her mother called her back.

“Xiangyi, this birthday banquet is a good opportunity. You must seize it. You have no other advantages left except your face. Using your looks is your last resort. Don’t be stubborn about your temperament.”

The old matriarch believed her advice was heartfelt. Isn’t seducing men just a handful of tactics? Without it, could Qin Xiangyi possibly marry through proper channels now?

Qin Xiangyi did not refute this. She nodded and said, “Mother, I will do my best.”

By the time she returned to the Chunji Courtyard, night had fully fallen. The temperature after the start of autumn was noticeably cooler.

Qin Xiangyi glanced at the sky. The full moon on the fourteenth day of the eighth lunar month was stunningly bright. Tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Her pale face was full of loneliness. Qiansong came forward and draped a cloak over her shoulders. In his eyes, the young lady rarely showed such emotions.

“Miss, are you thinking of the late general?”

When the old general was alive, she still had a home.

Qin Xiangyi tightened the cloak and lowered her eyes in silence.

The great fire at the palace today had yet to be resolved. Tomorrow, it was her turn to be on duty at the Imperial Treasury. If there were no other notices, she would go on time, hoping nothing major would happen in the palace.

Just as Qiansong was about to escort her back to her room, they heard the rustling of bamboo leaves outside.

The two exchanged glances, suspecting Qin Yuling was sneaking out again.

“Miss, let’s go back and rest. No need to bother with her.”

Qin Xiangyi had never really controlled Qin Yuling’s nightly escapades. She might have wanted to at first, since Ling’er was a child she had watched grow up. But when she found out Ling’er had dealings with Master Tang, it was too late to intervene. If she had interfered, who knew what her sister-in-law might say, perhaps even accusing her of corrupting Ling’er. Or if Master He hadn’t come to the Qin residence, the sister-in-law might have blamed her for ruining Ling’er’s good match.

But Qin Xiangyi suddenly recalled the face of Master He, a truly courteous young man with rosy lips and white teeth, someone she liked immensely. He had just visited the family today. Ling’er already knew the He family wished to arrange a marriage. Perhaps Ling’er had come to an end with Master Tang. If so, she had to go and help her niece, to prevent Master Tang from acting out of spite.

Though deep down she doubted Ling’er would completely break with Master Tang, as her aunt, she felt she must at least check. Just one look. If she couldn’t pull her niece back, she would give up.

As she reached the door, Qiansong saw her clutching her shawl and turning back, stepping outside.

“No, I have to see for myself. Before, I didn’t interfere, but now Master He has proposed, and he’s such a good person. I must see how she is.”

Qiansong had no choice but to accompany the young lady into the night again.

Qin Yuling’s secret meetings with Master Tang of the Ministry of Revenue always took place in the same location. She carefully avoided everyone but not Qin Xiangyi, knowing she wouldn’t meddle. Qin Xiangyi was already marginalized in the Qin household. Their mother often belittled her, portraying her as a hopeless divorced woman. Life was hard enough; no one paid attention to Qin Xiangyi.

In the small grove out the back gate of the Qin residence, such families shouldn’t allow people to slip in and out so easily. But Qi had repeatedly complained about tight finances, so most of the night guards had been dismissed. This inconspicuous back gate was naturally easy to come and go through.

Qin Xiangyi sighed, following Qin Yuling at a neither too close nor too distant pace, passing through this gate.

The two had already met. Qin Xiangyi heard the warm, whispered chatter.

She stopped behind a wall, calm and composed, and began to listen quietly in the corner.