A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 31
by Little PandaClouds of Suspicion at the Hua Manor
First Arrival at the Hua Manor
Before they set off, Chuntao had already prepared the carriage. Shen Hetang carried the clothes box aboard; inside were four outfits Jiang Chenyu had meticulously coordinated, which could very well be called her battle armor.
“Chuntao, is everything ready?” She was asking about the meeting gifts to be taken to the Hua Manor. Naturally, she hadn’t genuinely prepared anything good—they were all things that looked nice on the surface but were entirely impractical. It wasn’t as if she had a child being held hostage by the Hua family that she needed to barter for; she absolutely refused to spend a single extra copper coin on them.
The carriage would take a few days to reach Jialing. Now, setting foot on this road again, she was no longer as helpless and weak as she had been back then. Moreover, aside from the Hua Manor’s coldness on that previous trip, she had also gained the best gift of her life. At this thought, her limpid eyes fixed upon Shen Hetang’s face. As she gazed at him, her hands crept up to wrap around his neck.
“What are you doing? Zhuzi is still outside.” Seeing her press close, Shen Hetang hastily leaned back, but behind her was the carriage board; she had reached the end and had nowhere to hide.
“This… this… Zhuzi is still outside driving the carriage… it’s broad daylight, this isn’t good.” Looking at the beauty who was determined to be intimate with her, she wondered if refusing would be a massive slight to the beauty’s face.
“What’s the matter? Does a husband need Zhuzi’s permission to kiss his own wife? Then I’ll go ask him right now if my husband is allowed to kiss his wife inside the carriage,” Jiang Chenyu whispered in her ear, her smiling eyes brimming with fragmented light.
“You’re spouting more and more nonsense,” Shen Hetang muttered. She pulled the person onto her lap and held her securely.
Seeing his eyebrows twitch in exasperation, his expression utterly helpless, she giggled like a squirrel that had hidden away a trove of nuts, looking deeply satisfied and smug.
The carriage continued along the official road, but the interior remained quiet for a long time. Through the curtain, only the driver’s occasional shouts and the clatter of horse hooves could be heard.
At this moment, the Black Horse and Chuntao, who had been left behind at home, were staring at each other, wide-eyed.
“Hurry up and eat. Who are you being picky about at a time like this? Who would have thought you were a horse that served dishes according to the person1? If you aren’t going to eat, I’m taking it away.” Chuntao waved a few carrots in front of the Black Horse.
Because he had seen Shen Hetang get into a different carriage, the Black Horse was throwing a temper tantrum and going on a hunger strike.
There were no delays on the road. They spent one night sleeping at an inn, and by the afternoon of the second day, they finally arrived in Jialing.
Shen Hetang helped Jiang Chenyu, who was draped in a crimson cloak, out of the carriage. The gatekeeper still failed to recognize that this gorgeously dressed, breathtakingly beautiful woman standing before him was his family’s Eldest Miss. As far as the household was concerned, the current Eldest Miss was Hua Jinxiu, born to Madam Hua. The daughter of the original wife who had left the manor had long been forgotten.
“May I ask who you two are?” Seeing that they were immaculately dressed, the gatekeeper didn’t dare to be overly neglectful.
“Zhuzi, give him the letter from the Hua Manor to look at,” Shen Hetang signaled.
“Yes, Master.” Er Zhuzi-gege didn’t drop the ball at the crucial moment, meticulously conducting the handover with the Hua family gatekeeper.
Upon reading the letter, the gatekeeper’s eyes widened. He couldn’t believe the Hua family actually had an Eldest Miss living outside. He stood frozen on the spot for a moment, not knowing what to do.
“What are you standing around in a daze for? Hurry up and report to your master! Do you expect my young miss to wait?” Zhuzi looked at the dumbstruck gatekeeper with utter disdain, perfectly nailing the aura of a fiercely loyal lackey2. He likely knew his miss hadn’t been well-received by the Hua family in the past, so he alone put on the imposing attitude of four men. Fortunately, he was tall and burly enough that he genuinely intimidated the gatekeeper.
Seeing this, Shen Hetang felt she should have stepped down alone and let Jiang Chenyu remain sitting in the carriage. Having her stand outside so early felt like it put them at a disadvantage.
Jiang Chenyu, however, said it didn’t matter. She had confidence now and didn’t need to rely on empty posturing; it was no hindrance. Furthermore, in the eyes of outsiders, she was of the younger generation. Having her elders come out and invite her down from the carriage wouldn’t look good to onlookers.
“Mm, I’ll listen to you.” Shen Hetang didn’t know Jiang Chenyu’s exact purpose for returning, but she could stand by her side.
A short while later, the gatekeeper emerged with the steward. His expression couldn’t be described as either pleased or disgusted, but his words were appropriately respectful as he welcomed the three of them into the courtyard.
“Sorry to trouble you, Steward,” Jiang Chenyu said. Her expression was faint—neither enthusiastic nor neglectful. She wasn’t here to curry favor. She was, at best, a guest, and she didn’t particularly care about the attitudes of the people in the Hua Manor. She just felt she ought to take a look, to see that man once more.
The Hua Manor of today was no longer a household that had to rely on a wife’s dowry to survive. As Hua Rong’s official career flourished, the manor’s extravagance, food, and daily expenditures had taken a qualitative leap. Naturally, aside from his own abilities, this was also inextricably linked to his father-in-law. It wasn’t for nothing that he had played the role of a Chen Shimei3—abandoning his wife of many years and discarding his daughter just to marry his new madam.
It seemed it had indeed brought him quite a lot of tangible benefits. Looking at the courtyard’s scenery and the servants shuttling back and forth, Jiang Chenyu understood perfectly.
The steward led them past the festooned gate and into the main hall, then asked them to rest for a moment while he went to invite the Madam to receive the young miss. Jiang Chenyu agreed. Zhuzi did not follow them through the second gate, remaining behind to be entertained at the gatehouse.
Glancing at the tea beside them, the two didn’t drink. They had drunk warm water in the carriage and weren’t thirsty.
After less than a quarter of an hour, Madam Hua arrived with a trailing entourage of maids and nannies.
Madam Hua looked to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven, likely the result of meticulous maintenance. If calculated by age, she had to be in her early thirties at least. Since she was born an official’s daughter and the husband she later married had risen steadily through the ranks, she naturally carried the airs of an official’s wife.
Catching her first glimpse of Jiang Chenyu, she was taken aback. This quiet, unassuming eldest girl had actually blossomed into someone with such breathtaking, unmatched beauty. Even as a woman, she found it dazzling to look at.
Standing beside her was a young man as handsome as Pan An4, even better-looking than her own master had been in his youth, though his aura was somewhat cold and aloof, making him seem difficult to approach. Madam Hua seamlessly assessed the two of them before speaking up at precisely the right moment:
“You must be Liaoliao. You’ve truly grown into someone as beautiful as a celestial being. Since you’ve come home this time, you must stay for a few more days. Your grandmother has missed you dearly.” Madam Hua appeared affectionate, yet she spoke very slowly, carrying a slightly condescending attitude while simultaneously seeming to genuinely want her to stay—a very contradictory feeling.
“Wishing Madam good health. Coming to your esteemed manor this time is truly an intrusion, but since the Old Madam wishes to see this junior, it is naturally right to fulfill the elder’s wish.” Jiang Chenyu appeared polite, but in reality, she hadn’t placed herself in a position to be easily manipulated.
“Listen to this child, we are all family here, what kind of talk is that? Although your father might have been somewhat neglectful in the past, your mother did remarry. Naturally, it wasn’t appropriate for him to disturb your lives. It was only recently that we heard the news of your mother’s passing. Worrying about you, we thought to invite you over to see you. You mustn’t blame your father.” Madam Hua was certainly a smooth talker; at least on the surface, her words were watertight.
It was just that Jiang Chenyu didn’t believe a word of her nonsense. They were both thousand-year-old foxes, stop playing Liaozhai5. If she and her mother hadn’t left, how could this woman have ever crossed the threshold? Jiang Chenyu couldn’t be bothered to waste breath on her. No matter how noble she pretended to be, she was still someone who disregarded righteousness and shame. Sure enough, after sitting in the position of the principal wife for long enough, they all forgot how they had shamelessly schemed their way up in the first place.
“Chenyu has never blamed Father. I am already recorded under another person’s name now. I can only blame the shallow familial ties between my father and me.” She was referring to her stepfather; on the household register, she had long severed ties with Hua Rong.
“Let’s not talk about these things anymore. Since you’re back now, stay here with peace of mind. It will also comfort your grandmother’s heart.” The pleasantries had run their course; keeping the person here was the main business.
“I haven’t asked yet—who is this young gentleman, elegant as a jade tree?” Madam Hua’s gaze shifted to Shen Hetang.
“This one is surnamed Shen. I am Chenyu’s husband,” she said, giving a slight bow.
“Liaoliao is already married?” Although it was obvious the two had an unusual relationship, she hadn’t expected the girl to already be married. Madam Hua’s expression showed a flash of astonishment before she recovered her composure.
“It hasn’t been a short time; it’s been almost a year.” Jiang Chenyu’s expression cooled. She had nothing to reminisce about with Madam Hua.
“Oh, then I’ll have someone settle you in to rest first. After noon, once the Old Madam wakes, I’ll take Liaoliao to visit her grandmother. How does that sound?”
“Everything will be as Madam arranges.” Saying the Old Madam missed her was nothing short of a blatant lie. She truly didn’t know what a kind and benevolent Hua family Old Madam would even look like!
A maid led the two of them down a long corridor. The winding path led to secluded spots, offering a different view with every step. Even in the dead, silent winter, it had its own unique charm. However, the further they walked, the dimmer the light became, until they finally stopped in front of a modestly sized room. The interior furnishings weren’t entirely neglectful, at least.
Parting the bead curtain, they saw the room was fully equipped. The bed wasn’t wide, but it was enough for two people. The charcoal fire had been lit in advance, and a wave of heat washed over their faces as they entered. This could be considered a semblance of hospitality, though she now entirely refused to view herself as of the Hua family bloodline.
After closing the door, Shen Hetang took the cloak from Chenyu’s shoulders and the clothes from the box, draping them over the carved wooden rack.
There was nothing particularly special about this West Courtyard, except Shen Hetang felt it was rather empty. The Hua Manor didn’t have a large population; aside from the Old Madam, it was just Hua Rong’s family of four, all of whom lived in the East Courtyard. This was indeed a guest room. It seemed no one lived in the small rooms to the left and right, and the maids and older servants all lived by the gatehouse in the first courtyard.
She thought it was a good thing she had tagged along; otherwise, if the young lady were arranged to stay here alone and something happened, she wouldn’t be able to get a response even if she cried out to the heavens and the earth.
Going by her personal sixth sense, this place made her quite uncomfortable.
Around the Hour of the Sheep, the Old Madam leisurely woke from her sleep, and Jiang Chenyu and Shen Hetang were led into her bedroom by Madam Hua.
Old Madam Hua was nearing sixty. Her face was sagging, the wrinkles prominent, but the apricot-yellow satin embroidered lined jacket gave her aged face a bit of vitality. Between her brows lay a trace of stubbornness.
“Chenyu greets the Old Madam!” Jiang Chenyu bowed gently, and Shen Hetang followed suit, cupping her hands in greeting behind her.
The Old Madam examined her closely and spoke slowly: “You are Liaoliao yatou? You’ve actually grown so big. In a flash, it’s been ten years since I last saw you. How time flies like an arrow!” This girl looked too much like the Hua family; her features were incredibly similar to her father’s.
“I heard the Old Madam was celebrating her birthday and missed the younger generation living outside, so I came to visit.” Originally, she thought she would despise this stubborn, harsh grandmother upon seeing her. But perhaps it was because she had been in such a good mood lately, or maybe because seeing her so old and frail—no longer that strict, rule-obsessed old woman—she found she actually didn’t hold much hatred.
“Good, good. You at least knew to come back and take a look, which shows you have a heart. And who is this?” The Old Madam also knew that sending the eldest granddaughter back to the Jiang Manor back then had been an unseemly thing to do. Expecting her to be as obedient as a granddaughter raised by her side was impossible. If her daughter-in-law hadn’t reminded her, she would have forgotten this eldest granddaughter altogether. Back then, she had disliked her mother—a merchant’s daughter—to begin with, and then she had sickly given birth to a girl, which made her even more annoying. Now, perhaps because she was old, she actually hoped the Hua family would have more descendants. Looking at her outstandingly beautiful granddaughter, her annoyance faded.
“He is my husband, surnamed Shen.” Jiang Chenyu pushed Shen Hetang forward a bit so she could get a better look, afraid her eyesight was poor.
“This grandson-in-law is good-looking. Very handsome, a good match for you.” Old Madam Hua gave a rare smile.
Jiang Chenyu was very surprised to see a smile from the Old Madam, and her awkward, resistant feelings lessened a bit.
“Tomorrow, when your father returns, the whole family will have a meal together. These past few days he has been tied up with official business and hasn’t returned home,” the Old Madam said, shifting her body slightly.
A maid beside her stepped forward and adjusted the Old Madam’s cushions.
“Alright, then Chenyu will come see Grandmother again tomorrow. We will head back to rest for today. Grandmother, please take good care of your health.” There really wasn’t much to say to a grandmother she hadn’t seen in ten years.
“Mm, you may withdraw.” After saying this, the Old Madam leaned back against the pillows and closed her eyes to rest.
She didn’t know what kind of official this cheap father-in-law of hers was, but looking around, this courtyard indeed had a sparse population; it felt somewhat desolate and rigid.
At dinnertime, since the family head was absent, Madam Hua sent word that, out of consideration for the exhaustion of their journey, there was no rush to hold a welcoming banquet. For today, food and wine had been prepared for them in their guest room; tomorrow, when the family head returned, they would officially welcome them.
Jiang Chenyu didn’t care whether she ate with Madam Hua or not. She was genuinely tired today, so not going was even better. After the two of them washed up respectively, they lay down to rest.
This bed wasn’t as large as the one at home. She was quite unaccustomed to the sudden change of environment, but thankfully the person beside her was still there. As long as he was there, anywhere was the same.
They bolted the door, blew out the lamp, and dropped the bed curtains, making the space enclosed, small, and safe.
Smelling the fresh, leaf-like scent on Shen Hetang’s body, Jiang Chenyu held her hand and gradually fell asleep.
But Shen Hetang found the space oppressive, pitch-black, and suffocating. Yet, if she pulled open the curtains, outside was just an empty row of rooms and a courtyard full of strange rocks and tree shadows. In short, something felt off no matter what.
She didn’t know how long she had slept when she felt she couldn’t catch her breath, as if someone were forcefully choking her neck, and someone was pushing her.
“Ah Tang, wake up. Did you hear a sound?” It was Jiang Chenyu. Her arms were hanging around Shen Hetang’s neck, her entire body practically draped over her. No wonder she had felt some weight on her.
“What’s wrong?” She had gone to sleep late and was still groggy.
“Listen, it sounds like someone is pacing back and forth in the corridor outside,” Jiang Chenyu said, her voice soft but laced with tension.
Shen Hetang rubbed her eyes, letting her mind clear for a moment. Listening closely, there really were some sounds. She quietly lifted the curtain and rose in a crouch.
“Where are you going?” Jiang Chenyu tugged at the hem of her clothes from behind.
“I’m going to meet whatever ghost is keeping people from sleeping!” Honestly, playing god and acting the ghost6 in the middle of the night to keep people awake—who were they trying to scare? They’d better hope she didn’t catch them, or she would beat them until their teeth were scattered all over the floor.
She crept silently to the door and pressed her ear against it to listen. Patter, patter, patter, patter. It sounded like someone walking back and forth in oversized shoes.
Quietly, she slid back the door bolt, violently yanked the door open, and darted outside. In the corridor, the moonlight was hazy and dim. The biting weather and the freezing wind mixed with snow were enough to make anyone in sleeping clothes shiver uncontrollably.
Shen Hetang looked back and forth. There wasn’t a single person in sight. She knew that if someone was deliberately playing ghost, they wouldn’t be caught so easily.
Just as she was about to turn back inside, she lowered her head and saw two rows of footprints left in the fresh snow. Her expression turned serious. Sure enough, someone was playing tricks. So, what was their goal?
Footnotes
- A colloquial idiom meaning to be snobbish, treat people differently based on their status, or show preferential treatment according to one's own preferences.
- Literally 'dog's legs'; a derogatory term used to describe an obsequious follower, henchman, or thug who eagerly does their master's bidding.
- A reference to Chen Shimei, a well-known cultural figure who abandoned his wife for the Emperor's daughter.
- Pan An was a famous literary figure of the Jin dynasty, celebrated as a symbol of ideal male beauty in Chinese culture.
- A modern colloquialism referencing 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio' (Liáozhāi) to mean 'don't play tricks when we both know what's really going on.'
- A Chinese idiom (zhuāng shén nòng guǐ, literally 'to play god and act the ghost') meaning to deliberately mystify things, play tricks, or deceive people, often by creating a spooky or mysterious atmosphere.
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