A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 32
by Little PandaThe Girl in White
Father and Daughter Face Off
Jiang Chenyu, who had been hiding inside, saw Shen Hetang about to leave and quickly put on her shoes and got out of bed.
“Ah Tang, don’t go out!” she said, walking to her side.
Shen Hetang hadn’t seen anyone, so she returned to the room. Seeing that Jiang Chenyu had followed her, she said with calm composure, “It’s nothing. Go back to sleep. Even if someone is out there, they’re just playing tricks. Don’t be afraid.”
The wary and uneasy feeling in Jiang Chenyu’s heart was unexpectedly soothed by those two sentences. That’s right. If someone was really up to something, she would just wait and see.
The rest of the night was quiet. It wasn’t that Shen Hetang had completely dismissed the matter, but she knew that if she remained calm, Jiang Chenyu would feel much more at ease.
There are only a handful of people in this Hua Manor, she mused. We didn’t even see that bargain of a father-in-law on the first day. Could it be I clash with him, too? One after another, they’ve got me in a streak of Mercury retrograde1.
The next morning, the two of them changed their clothes and, after washing up, went to the old madam’s courtyard together. Madam Hua happened to be there as well, which saved Jiang Chenyu some awkwardness.
When the servant girls in the room saw them, their eyes lit up. Jiang Chenyu wore a red, high-collared cotton robe with gold embroidery over a mist-blue, patterned horse-face skirt2. Around her long, graceful swan-like neck, she wore a yingluo3 of pearls and agate, with round red agate beads forming a tassel that fell upon her chest.
Her hair was styled in a high chignon, secured with a gilded pearl circlet-pin that echoed the necklace at her breast.
Although she glittered with jewels, she didn’t look gaudy. Instead, the accessories complemented her beautiful face perfectly, like adding flowers to a piece of brocade.
But no matter how beautifully she was dressed, it couldn’t compare to the splendor added by the handsome husband at her side.
The young servant girls in the room stole glances at the Eldest Miss’s husband, none daring to look at him too boldly. If their eyes happened to meet his, they would immediately blush and look away.
They were truly a perfectly matched pair, as if made for each other.
Madam Hua glanced at Jiang Chenyu, her eyes lowering as she hid her thoughts. After leading Shen Hetang through the perfunctory greetings to the old madam, they all waited for the family banquet at noon.
Before the meal began, the head of the household and Jiang Chenyu’s birth father, Hua Rong, finally hurried back.
A ripple went through Jiang Chenyu’s heart; she could barely remember what her father looked like. She shifted to stand behind Shen Hetang, secretly squeezing his fingers to steady her nerves.
The old madam and Madam Hua were drinking tea, laughing and joking with Jiang Chenyu’s so-called younger brother. It was a scene of perfect harmony. To say that the old madam had missed her was a great overestimation; she probably found her an eyesore.
Watching the little chubby boy laugh and clown around to win the old madam’s affection, Jiang Chenyu knew this grandson was certainly the treasure of the Hua Manor. She understood even less why they had wanted her to come back.
“Madam, why haven’t I seen my younger sister?” Isn’t there an eleven or twelve-year-old girl? Why isn’t she here?
“Ah, Jinxiu has caught a cold these past two days, so it’s not good for her to come out and meet her elder sister. But Liaoliao, you must stay for a while longer. She’ll probably be better in a couple of days, and then she can get closer to you.” At the mention of her daughter, Madam Hua’s brow furrowed slightly, as if worried about her illness. But then she warmly urged Jiang Chenyu to stay longer, acting as if she truly cared about the bond between the younger generation.
Jiang Chenyu could sense that Madam Hua disliked her presence in the Hua Manor, so why did she repeatedly urge her to stay? What sort of scheme was she brewing?
As they were making small talk, Hua Rong walked in, followed by two young servants. Jiang Chenyu was stunned for a moment upon suddenly seeing her father, but she quickly recovered, lifting her head to look at him with a frank and open gaze.
“Master, you’re back! Come and see who’s here,” Madam Hua said with a smile, rising and walking to his side as he entered the room.
Hua Rong, seeing the daughter he hadn’t met in years, also felt a little awkward. But having navigated the world of officialdom for so long, he didn’t let his inner discomfort show on his face. He still appeared calm and serious.
Madam Hua’s opening line fell flat, because neither father nor daughter responded.
As if in a contest of wills, they both waited for the other to speak first, and the atmosphere instantly grew awkward. Hua Rong observed the grown daughter before him. She didn’t resemble her mother. She was far more clever than that woman who could never amount to anything. He remembered that when she had left with the Jiang woman, she hadn’t even reached his waist. Perhaps it was the bond of blood, but his heart suddenly softened. He thought of saying something, but there was no graceful way to do so. He could only clear his throat with a little feigned cough.
Shen Hetang was also momentarily surprised when she first saw this bargain of a father-in-law. He was clearly about the same age as Wu Daoyuan, yet he looked to be in his thirties. He had the same peach-blossom eyes as Jiang Chenyu, only they lacked the alluring charm in hers, containing instead a worldliness and composure that came with time.
It was rare to see a man of his age who hadn’t grown stout, whose posture was still as straight as a green bamboo. The official robes he wore seemed less about authority and more about a scholar’s elegance.
No wonder this Madam Hua had thrown herself at him to steal him away, even knowing he was a married man with a family. She was probably dazzled by his handsome face.
But even a beautiful shell, when paired with a selfish heart, was greatly diminished, becoming common and cheap.
“Lord Hua, this one is Chenyu’s husband. We only just received your letter as the new year approaches. We have come to impose, and hope your esteemed manor will not find us a bother.” Seeing the two at a standstill, Shen Hetang spoke up. But since Chenyu had not acknowledged her status in the Hua family, she couldn’t either. Besides, this father-in-law had invited them here, was he really going to put on airs now?
“Yes, Master, this is that girl Liaoliao’s husband. He truly is a man of outstanding presence!” Madam Hua chimed in.
“Mm… yes… The roads are slippery with snow. Was the journey smooth?” Lord Hua finally managed to utter a piece of filler.
“It was fine. We arrived at your esteemed manor safely,” Jiang Chenyu replied, offering an equally vapid response.
“You look much taller than before. And more like a descendant of the Hua family.” Looking at the daughter who had grown up away from him, yet whose features carried on his legacy, Hua Rong felt a mix of complex emotions, along with a strange sense of kinship.
“You, on the other hand, look much older. You must have worked hard managing matters both inside and outside the home. As for me, I’m now a married daughter, like spilled water4—and wasn’t it you who spilled me? I imagine it won’t be so convenient for me to visit as a guest in the future. This time, this little girl will consider it as having fulfilled her filial duty to the Hua family.” Jiang Chenyu’s words were blunt. She had intended to exchange a few pleasantries, but she couldn’t control herself. Paired with her sharp attire today, she lacked her usual delicate, easy-to-bully appearance, possessing instead a streak of cleverness and defiance.
Shen Hetang listened to their exchange, turning slightly and lowering her head to hide the smile twitching at her lips. This situation was unsalvageable. Best to just let her have her fun.
“Liaoliao yatou, you carry the blood of my Hua family. Don’t always call yourself Chenyu, Chenyu. Such a vulgar name could only come from your merchant maternal family,” the old madam, seated at the head, said with a frown.
“Old Madam, while Chenyu may not be the most elegant name, it carries a good meaning. It was born from my grandfather’s earnest love and care, and Chenyu is very fond of it. If the Old Madam finds it awkward to say, then please just call me Liaoliao. After all, my connection with the Hua family is that of a mere acquaintance.” Facing the old madam, Jiang Chenyu’s tone softened considerably, but her words were still not what the old woman wanted to hear.
The old madam was choked speechless. Just as she was about to pull rank as an elder, her daughter-in-law tugged at her sleeve, stopping her. Out of respect for her, she held her tongue.
Shen Hetang now understood Jiang Chenyu’s purpose in coming to the Hua Manor: she had come to pick a fight. So far, she had already taken down two opponents. Shen Hetang had almost never seen such a sharp-tongued Jiang Chenyu. With her, she was always soft and adorable. Right now, she was like a rabbit that had turned into a hedgehog, utterly bristling with aggression.
“Alright, it’s a rare occasion for Liaoliao to visit. Let’s eat first. She is a married woman now, so her husband can be the one to discipline her. We shouldn’t interfere!” Lord Hua’s expression was stiff and hard to read, but he finally spoke, ending the gunpowder-filled conversation.
“Yes, yes, everyone, please be seated. Jinpeng, come and call your older sister!” Madam Hua beckoned to her young son.
“Which older sister is she? Don’t I only have Jinxiu for an older sister?” The eight-or-nine-year-old boy seemed somewhat naive, not as sharp as other children.
“This is your eldest sister. You must call her ‘jiejie’ just like you do Jinxiu,” Madam Hua patiently explained.
“I don’t want to! I only have my own sister. How can some random person who comes to beat the autumn wind5 be my sister!” The boy didn’t know how to hide his true thoughts and blurted them out.
Hearing the boy’s words, Shen Hetang shot him a sharp glare. Her gaze met the so-called little brother’s, and a child’s intuition was quite sensitive. He immediately dared not say another word.
Madam Hua did not reprimand him, only offering a gentle word of caution. A child’s arrogance and tendency to look down on others was often subconsciously influenced by the adults’ attitudes. This showed that Madam Hua herself was usually high and mighty.
Jiang Chenyu looked at the chubby boy and curled her lips. This child probably didn’t know that his Hua Manor had only gotten its start by beating the autumn wind of the Jiang family.
Forget it. I didn’t really come here to argue. It was just years of pent-up emotions finding an outlet.
Before the meal began, a Cousin-Aunt from some unknown branch of the family also arrived. She looked to be under thirty and was quite pretty, but she swayed seductively as she walked, not at all like a respectable woman, and her eyes were restless.
There had been no mention of her yesterday. She was said to be the daughter of the old madam’s sister. After divorcing her husband, she had nowhere to go, so she was temporarily staying with her aunt.
As soon as this woman sat down, she fixed her gaze on Shen Hetang, her eyes roving over him with great interest. She spoke with a flirtatious laugh, “So this is the nephew-in-law. Truly a man as handsome as a tree of jade. I never thought I’d see a man whose looks surpass even my cousin’s. Liaoliao is truly blessed!”
This auntie, with her worldly air, was practically hooking Shen Hetang with her electric gaze. Shen Hetang merely gave a polite nod.
“Put away that cheap act of yours! Behaving so frivolously in front of the younger generation—what sort of behavior is this! You may have no shame, but the Hua family does!” Madam Hua clearly despised this cousin of hers. Seeing her act this way, her high-and-mighty demeanor of an official’s wife instantly vanished, and she became no different from a common woman from the marketplace.
Jiang Chenyu wasn’t angry that this cousin-aunt was staring at Shen Hetang. She keenly sensed the friction between the two women; there was likely some bad blood there. She and Shen Hetang just quietly watched the drama unfold.
The cousin-aunt lowered her eyes and didn’t argue. But when she turned to look at Lord Hua, her gaze was somewhat provocative. Hua Rong ignored her. Just then, servant girls streamed in with platters of food, and the meal could finally begin.
Thankfully, no more unpleasant topics were raised at the dinner table. With Madam Hua skillfully managing the conversation and everyone else cooperating, the family banquet finally came to an end.
During the meal, the old madam had seemed indifferent to her presence. Hua Rong appeared to have been slightly moved, but he didn’t show it. Only Madam Hua wore a look of relief, which puzzled Jiang Chenyu slightly.
She thought of the strange incident from last night but didn’t ask about it. The one person in this family with no blood relation to her was the most welcoming. Strange behavior always signaled trouble.
Back in their own quarters, Jiang Chenyu closed the door, turned around, and hooked her arms around Shen Hetang’s neck, hanging in his embrace. “We should have come after the New Year,” she grumbled. “I’ve only been here two days and I’m already sick of it. What am I going to do for another eight or nine days? I was so careless.”
She pouted, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Shen Hetang. In the dim candlelight of the room, her features were soft and indistinct, making her look exceptionally beautiful and graceful.
“If you really hate it, we’ll go back after the New Year. There’s no need to stay until the eighth.” Shen Hetang’s fingers measured the space around Chenyu’s waist. She found the atmosphere in the Hua Manor oppressive; even she had become much more reserved, nothing like her carefree and uninhibited self at home.
“Alright, I’ll listen to you. We’ll decide after the New Year. If it’s really no fun, I’ll just have a talk with Lord Hua. We won’t force ourselves to stay,” Jiang Chenyu said, relieved.
She had come to the Hua Manor, and in doing so, had let go of the little attachment she’d held on to. So this was all her grandmother and father were—no different from anyone else.
“Will that sound of footsteps come back tonight?” Jiang Chenyu asked, still feeling a lingering fear from the previous night.
“Don’t worry. I’ve placed some sharpened branches in the middle of the stone path. If she can still walk back and forth unscathed, then all I can say is her luck is too good!” A sharp glint flashed in Shen Hetang’s eyes. She was almost eager for midnight, waiting to see if she could catch her rat.
The wooden pegs she had made weren’t long, but everyone wore cloth shoes this time of year. If someone stepped on one, it was bound to draw blood.
Sure enough, around midnight, the crunch, crunch of footsteps sounded again. Unlike the patter from yesterday, a light snow had fallen, leaving a thin layer on the ground just deep enough to cover the soles of one’s shoes.
“Ah—… wuwuwuwu…!” A sharp cry pierced the night, followed by the clear sound of weeping.
Shen Hetang threw on her clothes and was about to go out, with Jiang Chenyu right behind her. The crying outside didn’t stop. The person didn’t seem afraid of being discovered, nor did they seem to be trying to flee.
Around a corner some distance away, a figure in white underclothes with disheveled hair was sitting on the ground, hugging her foot and wailing. Shen Hetang hurried over to check.
In the dim moonlight, the figure in white looked small, not like a grown woman.
“Who are you? What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?” Jiang Chenyu asked nervously, looking at the person on the ground.
The figure seemed not to hear, still cradling her foot and sobbing. Upon closer inspection, the girl was only about twelve or thirteen years old. A realization dawned on Jiang Chenyu—could this be her so-called little sister, Hua Jinxiu?
But why did the girl seem as if her soul was wandering far away? She just held the painful spot, and other than her fading sobs, she was motionless, completely ignoring them.
Seeing how odd the girl was, Shen Hetang glanced around, then bent down to gather all the wooden pegs, including the one that had been stepped on. With her hands behind her back, she snapped off the sharpened point. Now it looked no different from an ordinary twig.
Just then, from the other end of the corridor, the sound of several hurried footsteps approached.
Footnotes
- A modern astrological slang term (shuǐnì, literally 'Mercury reverse'), used anachronistically to describe a streak of bad luck.
- A mǎmiàn qún (马面裙), or 'horse-face skirt,' is a traditional Chinese skirt with flat front and back panels and pleated sides.
- A yīngluò (璎珞) is a type of decorative necklace or collar, often ornate and made of precious materials.
- A traditional proverb (jià chūqù de nǚ'ér, pō chūqù de shuǐ) emphasizing that a daughter severs ties with her natal family upon marriage and belongs to her husband's family.
- A colloquial idiom (dǎ qiūfēng) meaning to seek financial help or gifts from wealthy relatives; to freeload.
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