Chapter 19: Resentment and Blame

Madam Hou nodded, as if making up her mind. "We cannot wait any longer. Shuyao has suffered so much since childhood; I must ensure she marries in glory and comfort."

Madam Chen replied, "But will Lady Meng agree? The heir apparent values her so deeply now; if she causes a scene before him, who knows what might happen."

Madam Hou was silent for a moment, then said, "If I speak to Yunshao properly, she won't disagree. The concern is whether the heir will. It’s not just about taking a primary wife—he's probably infatuated with Yunshao now, unwilling even to take a concubine or a maid. In recent years, look how many proposals to take concubines he’s rejected. At first, I was careless, thinking Shuyao would marry him sooner or later. I didn’t want too many people in the household to trouble her, so I didn’t mind his refusals."

Madam Chen suggested, "We need a legitimate reason, preferably with Lord Hou’s involvement, so the heir cannot refuse."

Madam Hou glanced at her and said, "If it were that easy, we wouldn’t be waiting until now."

Madam Chen was anxious. "Oh no, it’s not that it’s hard to think of, madam. You’re just hesitant. She’s a foster daughter from a modest family—can she really shake up the Hou household? Forgive me, but I think you, like the heir, are bewitched by Lady Meng. One is your own family, the other a girl without blood ties; you should weigh this carefully."

Madam Hou frowned. "I know who’s close and who’s distant. But this matter can’t be rushed, or it might provoke the heir’s resistance. I could force it, but that might harm Shuyao."

Madam Chen offered another idea. "It’s true, we’re not in a hurry. The New Year is coming—a perfect opportunity. We could invite Miss Yue to stay briefly, so she can grow closer to the heir. Those from outside haven’t met him. The heir is kind and sentimental; wasn’t it only after Lady Meng lived with him for a year and became familiar that he accepted her into his household?"

Madam Hou sighed, "That makes sense. Let’s do that. I’ll find a reason to bring Shuyao here first." She paused before adding, "Yunshao was out in the snow for so long yesterday—she’s a young lady; we mustn’t let her catch a chill. It’s better to have a doctor come to check."

Madam Chen said, "Oh my! You’re still worried about her! I was just about to say—late last night, the heir already summoned the imperial physician Liao Huaichun to see her. He’s the disciple of the top gynecologist at the imperial medical bureau. If his master hadn’t been on duty at the palace and unable to leave, the heir might have summoned him as well."

Madam Hou’s brow furrowed deeply. "Really? So inconsiderate, and without a real illness, calling a doctor in the middle of the night?"

Madam Chen’s face tightened with concern. "Exactly so!"

Madam Hou was reluctant to believe it. "Liao Huaichun has always been close to the heir—perhaps they are old friends and overlook such things."

Madam Chen chided her for self-deception. "Oh, madam!"

Madam Chen was finishing arranging her hair, nearly done except for the final gold hairpin. She sifted through a large box of gold pins, comparing them but couldn’t find a suitable one. Either they clashed with the clothes, or Madam Hou didn’t like them.

After much fuss, Madam Hou grew irritated and finally pointed to the first choice—the colorful swallow and spring hairpin.

Madam Chen placed it in Madam Hou’s hair, but it was tied too tightly and the pin tugged painfully at the scalp. Madam Hou hissed softly and pulled it out herself, tossing it aside with displeasure. "No more! Today, I’ll wear a pearl velvet flower instead."

Seeing her displeasure, Madam Chen dared not argue and hurried to select a velvet flower.

...

He Zhiyao worried that Meng Yunshao, having been out in the snow so long, might develop a fever. Late at night, he sent for Liao Huaichun from the imperial medical bureau to examine her.

Meng Yunshao repeatedly declined, but He Zhiyao’s expression turned cold. He warned that if she fell ill, it would disrupt New Year preparations and the ceremonial proprieties of the Hou household. Only then did Meng Yunshao fall silent.

After examining her, Liao Huaichun said it was nothing serious but signs of a cold condition. He prescribed a warming herbal decoction and recommended she stay overnight for observation.

He Zhiyao quickly arranged a side room for the doctor’s stay.

Since Liao Huaichun and He Zhiyao were long-time acquaintances, he accepted without hesitation.

The next morning, Liao Huaichun took another pulse reading of Meng Yunshao and found no serious problem. He prescribed three more days of medicine and prepared to leave.

He Zhiyao accompanied him out, seeing him off carefully. He then arranged a carriage and gifts to thank the doctor.

...

Liao Huaichun was already getting into the carriage when He Zhiyao turned to leave. Suddenly, Liao lifted the curtain and called him back, stepping down from the carriage.

He Zhiyao was puzzled but cautious, fearing they might be overheard. He pulled Liao aside and asked carefully, “Brother Liao, is there something else amiss? Please speak freely.”

Liao hesitated, then said, “I hadn’t planned to mention it—somewhat uncertain—but since we’re close, I’ll say a few words.”

He Zhiyao replied, “Please, go ahead.”

Looking around to ensure no one was near, Liao spoke quietly, “Madam Hou’s constitution is cold and weak. I fear... this may cause difficulties regarding offspring.”

He Zhiyao was shocked. “A cold constitution? What causes that?”

Liao said, “It’s hard to say. Madam Hou’s internal chill is unusual; I’ve never seen the like. Perhaps congenital, or contact with something extremely cold, or mistaken consumption of cold-natured medicine. The pulse is peculiar; I can’t clearly explain it.”

He Zhiyao asked urgently, “Is there a cure?”

Liao shook his head. “Every effect has a cause; one must know the cause to remove the effect. Since we don’t know the origin of this chill, I cannot suggest a remedy. This morning I asked Madam Hou discreetly; she said she’s had a cold constitution since childhood and never took cold medicines. I feared mentioning this might worry her, so I only asked as routine.”

He Zhiyao said firmly, “Do not tell her.”

Liao nodded. “I understand the gravity. This is already beyond protocol. The difficulty concerns childbirth, but fate plays a role; it’s not necessarily impossible. Perhaps after some time, it might improve. But knowing you and I have been friends for years, and that your household has no concubines, it would be wise to prepare early. If in the future Madam Hou does conceive, that would be wonderful.”

He Zhiyao’s mind was filled with anxiety; he barely heard the rest of Liao’s words. He muttered, “Madam is virtuous; if she learns this, she will insist I take a concubine. Then I won’t know how to conduct myself.”

Liao was surprised by this and realized he had already spoken out of turn.

He Zhiyao, unaware, earnestly said, “Please do not disclose this to others. If my father and mother find out, Madam Hou’s situation will worsen. She is still young, yet I failed her yesterday; I must not cause her more trouble.”

Liao thought to himself, “She’s been married for years; how can he call her young?” He suspected that He Zhiyao’s affection made him see her as delicate.

He had heard Madam Hou was a famed virtuous and gracious wife, thought to be gentle and dignified but unable to truly capture her husband’s heart, relying on her kindness to maintain respect.

Now, hearing these words, he understood how deeply she mattered to He Zhiyao. He was glad he hadn’t listened to the fourth son of the Ministry of Rites’ Wang family urging He Zhiyao to take a concubine from their clan—no wonder He Zhiyao distanced himself from that man after a few suggestions.

Liao felt relief his words hadn’t been overheard and said, “Don’t worry too much, Zhiyao. Fate will decide. If the time is right, it may yet happen. I will keep an eye out for relevant texts or similar cases and inform you immediately.”

He Zhiyao bowed deeply. “Thank you, Brother Liao.”

After seeing Liao into the carriage, He Zhiyao lingered at the gate, still troubled by these worries.

Just then, his second brother He Zhiqi and fourth brother He Zhiling came out on errands and saw him standing there.

He Zhiqi smiled and patted his shoulder. “Zhiyao, what are you thinking?”

He Zhiyao snapped out of his thoughts, saw He Zhiqi, and replied coldly, “Nothing.”

He Zhiqi seemed unbothered by his coldness. “We were just talking about coming to find you. About yesterday—Yanyan acted improperly; I apologize to you on her behalf.” He bowed sincerely.

He Zhiyao refused with a cold laugh. “Brother, no need.”

Seeing his unpleasant expression, He Zhiqi said gently, “Yes, it was mishandled. But we’re brothers; don’t be angry. You like that Song Ziling painting ‘Thousand Rivers’ in my room, right? I want to give it to you as an apology.”

He Zhiyao was unmoved. “If a simple apology could fix everything, it would be too easy. Though she wasn’t the main instigator, my sister-in-law started it. If it weren’t for these baseless matters, my wife wouldn’t have been forced to kneel in the snow for hours.”

He Zhiqi forced a smile, thinking it was He Zhiyao himself who couldn’t stand up to his parents and made his wife kneel in the snow. What did Yanyan have to do with it? And it wasn’t even “several” hours, just over one.

If it were him, he would never do such a thing—even if it meant kneeling all night in the freezing cold, he wouldn’t let Yanyan suffer.

He Zhiyao continued, “Furthermore, if you are going to apologize, you should bring your wife from the golden chamber to apologize to mine, not come to me. Or are you afraid I won’t fulfill the tasks you entrusted me the other day? Is this apology just for show, without regard for the real victim? If so, I consider those tasks null.”

He Zhiqi’s face turned red and pale. Days ago, he had asked He Zhiyao to help a childhood friend find work and to use his influence with the Minister of Revenue. He feared falling out with He Zhiyao, who was successful and would have more requests in the future. He never intended to apologize to his low-born wife in person.

Though He Zhiyao’s relationship with his wife was mild, yesterday’s incident was a slap in the face to his brother. He spoiled his wife by sending her to provoke others—this was indeed wrong.

He Zhiqi was tongue-tied, unsure how to respond without offending or betraying Yanyan.

Nearby, He Zhiling laughed and tried to smooth things over. “Third brother, don’t be angry. It’s not worth it over some women.”

He Zhiqi hurried to agree. “Right, right, not worth it. Let’s three brothers go have a drink. It’s on me.”

He Zhiling’s mother was Madam Liu, the one who truly bullied Meng Yunshao.

He Zhiyao disliked him too, his face colder than the winter courtyard. “Fourth brother, you should advise your mother to stop spouting nonsense. Your daily womanizing and disrespect to your legitimate wife is bad enough, but spreading gossip about the imperial harem among your drinking friends—do you want to fail the imperial exams? If the emperor or father hears, it’ll be trouble.”

He Zhiling’s face went pale. He hadn’t expected his casual talk about the beauties of the imperial harem during a drinking party to reach He Zhiyao’s ears.

If the emperor knew such vile talk, he’d never be appointed an official, or worse, end up in jail. He had been a palace companion to the emperor from childhood; he must be careful.

He Zhiling smiled apologetically. “My fault, my fault. Next time I find a suitable beauty, I’ll bring her to apologize to third brother.”

He Zhiyao was speechless, feeling like talking to a wall, unwilling to continue.

He Zhiling took his silence as acceptance, thinking all men like new beauties. Only his silly second brother went around doting on his young wife, calling her “Yanyan” all day, inviting mockery.

In truth, He Zhiyao was busy with official matters and inexperienced in women’s affairs. If there were many pretty, clever women, would he have said such harsh words over a simple girl from a modest family? Even Lady Meng was just a brief novelty; two or three years was enough.

He Zhiling quickly added, “Third brother, just now I visited Madam Hou and overheard her calling your wife about inviting a cousin from the Yue family to stay here. The cousin’s name is Shuyao. Do you know her?”

He Zhiyao’s expression was cold. “No. What does it matter to me?”

He Zhiling grinned, putting an arm around his shoulder. “Third brother, can’t you tell? ‘Stay briefly’ is just a pretense. Have you ever seen Madam Hou invite any girl to stay? She’s planning to make her your concubine!”

He Zhiyao was startled, frowning at He Zhiling.

He Zhiling laughed. “Don’t worry. If she’s not good enough, I’ll find a better one for you.” He already plotted where to find a suitable woman to keep He Zhiyao from causing trouble.

He Zhiyao couldn’t argue and fell silent, his thoughts troubled.

He Zhiqi muttered to himself, having just defended his wife, now talking about taking a concubine—how hypocritical.

The three brothers, each with their own concerns, still walked together amicably.