A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 60

Ascending Wanxiang Pavilion

The Eldest Miss Who Brought a Concubine Back to Her Natal Home for Dinner

The Shen Manor was situated in the deepest alley of Yongxing Street. There were only two households on the entire street; the other belonged to the estate of an old Grand Tutor, whose household size was on par with the Shens’. Consequently, the liveliest things on this street were the sparrows in the trees.

            

Passing the estate of Grand Tutor Zhou and walking another three hundred meters brought one to the grand General’s Manor. Its entrance was exceptionally wide with double vermilion doors, a standard large three-entry courtyard¹ layout, complete with two rows of gatehouses opposite the entrance.

Roof tiles cascaded in layers; the red doors and green pillars exuded a soft elegance; the bluestone paths were level and smooth; and the winding corridors were adorned with intricate, colorful paintings. Everything appeared grand and comforting. Even a Hall crabapple² tree in the courtyard, thriving in the cool, pleasant air of October, had bloomed in vibrant hues like a splash of pink sunset clouds—flamboyant and passionate.

Inside the spacious main hall, things were exceptionally lively today. A long mahogany table was nearly fully occupied. Madam Shen and Shen Hetang sat at opposite ends. On the right sat Concubine Ru and Third Young Master Shen Yunjie, while on the left sat the Eldest Miss and Concubine Sheng, whom the Heir had recently taken in.

            

Madam Shen had been in an exceptionally good mood due to Shen Hetang’s return. Normally, she was the type of person who loved to take a few jabs at Concubine Ru, but today at the dining table, she hadn’t even thrown any sour looks her way.

However, when she saw the concubine who had tagged along with her eldest daughter, the expression on her face became wonderfully complex.

“A’shu, is there no food to eat at your Marquis Manor? Why did you have to rush over here to sponge a meal?” Madam Shen looked askance at that little vixen, wishing she could tear her to pieces on her daughter’s behalf.

            

It was precisely because of this flamboyantly beautiful little wench that her daughter had become the laughingstock of the capital. Yet, she actually had the audacity to shamelessly come along for a meal. If not for today being a joyous occasion, Madam Shen would have driven her out with a broom.

Sitting to the side, the elegant beauty lowered her head in silence, not daring to argue in the slightest.

“Mother, the manor’s cooks have all gone to the old Marquis’s quarters these past two days. The only servant left in our courtyard is a nanny who only knows how to steam buns. Concubine Sheng has had a poor appetite lately, so I told her to come with me. Please don’t be so picky,” Shen Yunshu spoke, her head aching. It wasn’t that she had wanted to bring her along, but rather that she couldn’t shake her off.

            

“Well, this is certainly a novelty. Having lived this long, I suppose I’ve truly opened my eyes today.” Madam Shen looked at her docile eldest daughter, completely at a loss for words.

“What of it? It only goes to show that the Eldest Miss possesses the true bearing of a principal wife, treating those around the Heir with such generosity and kindness,” Concubine Ru chimed in from the side. She tilted her slightly dark, round face as if watching a spectating drama, her eyes gleaming with a desire to enjoy the gossip.

“Are you implying that I’ve mistreated you? Look at that face of yours. The fact that you can even sit at this long table today and eat is already a miracle akin to green smoke rising from your ancestral graves³.” Madam Shen didn’t even want to cast a glance at Madam Ru. She seriously suspected that when her late master had consummated their marriage, he must have had to close his eyes to manage it.

            

Concubine Ru wanted to say more, but she was interrupted by her son beside her.

“Mother, say less,” Shen Yunjie urged. He was quite intimidated by Shen Hetang, so he hastily held his mother back.

Hearing her son’s words, Concubine Ru indeed held her tongue.

            

Madam Ru had always accompanied General Shen at Xixing Pass. She had never once regarded herself as a mere concubine. After all, having reigned supreme at the border for so many years, she had always referred to herself as “Madam Ru.” Madam Shen, however, took great pleasure in calling her “Concubine Ru,” specifically to watch her fume with rage.

General Shen had divided his life equally between these two women. In his youth, he had married Madam Shen, but they had remained childless for many years, yet he had never spoke of taking another wife. Later on, not long after they finally welcomed their eldest daughter, he departed for the border.

The very next year, he took Concubine Ru into his household, who then gave birth to Shen Yunjie. Everyone speculated that General Shen had only “sacrificed himself” for the sake of continuing the family line. Dramatically, however, Madam Shen also gave birth to a baby boy that same year, and she had delivered even before Madam Ru did. The Shen Manor, which had gone years without a child, suddenly welcomed three in the span of three years, and the one most delighted by this was Old Madam Shen.

            

Old Madam Shen had passed away when Shen Hetang was in her teens. Now, the only masters remaining in the Shen Manor were Madam Shen, Madam Ru, and that nominal half-brother, Shen Yunjie.

Since General Shen’s passing, Shen Yunjie’s marriage prospects had devolved from being overly picky to entirely non-existent. For the long-term prospects of the Shen household, Madam Ru actually hoped that Shen Hetang was alive, wishing to ride on her coattails to secure a good wife for her son.

Even if she refused to admit it, nothing could alter the fact that her own child couldn’t compare to a single finger of Shen Hetang’s. For her son’s sake, it was naturally far better to have a reliable brother to lean on.

            

However, during the year or so that Shen Hetang had disappeared, the Shen Manor had grown increasingly desolate day by day. Madam Ru turned her nose up at prospective daughters-in-law whose natal families were of too low a standing, and thus her son’s marriage was delayed. Consequently, even now at twenty years of age, he remained an unmarried bachelor, ridiculed day in and day out by Madam Shen.

Squabbling with the concubine was Madam Shen’s daily amusement. With Old Madam Shen no longer around to act as a mediator, the wife and the concubine were completely unleashed. They had a minor spat every three days and a full-blown scuffle every five. Even Madam Shen’s skill at beating the errand boys had been honed through her real-world combat with the concubine.

It wasn’t that Madam Shen was looking for trouble without reason. Rather, seeing the concubine’s son living peacefully by her side, enjoying food and daily necessities that were all bought with her own daughter’s life-risking efforts, how could she not be furious? If not for the schemes that woman had pulled back then, why would she have been forced to disguise her precious daughter as a boy, sending her out to fight alongside men day in and day out? Even now, there was still no way to resolve the situation. She never dared to imagine what would become of her daughter in the future; she simply didn’t dare to think about it.

            

Since the lesson he was taught last time, Shen Yunjie seemed to have matured a great deal, or perhaps he had simply been frightened out of his wits. At any rate, he had behaved himself considerably. He could neither persuade his mother nor advise Madam Shen, so he could only keep his head down like a quiet quail.

“Alright, let’s eat. The noise is giving me a headache,” Shen Hetang said flatly, her expression showing no significant displeasure.

The effect was immediate. The bickering at the table instantly ceased. Now that she was the head of the Shen family, her words carried immense weight.

            

Throughout the meal, Madam Shen was solely focused on piling food into her daughter’s bowl. After a moment, fearing her eldest daughter might feel jealous, she also placed a piece in Shen Yunshu’s bowl. On the other end, Madam Ru followed suit, taking care of her own son, thinking to herself, as if she’s the only one with a child.

After this round, Concubine Sheng was left out in the cold. She kept her head lowered, taking tiny bites of the rice in her bowl. Left with no choice, Shen Yunshu placed the last spare rib into her bowl. The look Concubine Sheng gave that spare rib was as sweet as if it were coated in honey.

As Shen Hetang observed this concubine of her brother-in-law’s, fragmented images kept flashing through her mind. It was a vague memory of an alluring, masked woman directing a group of people to do something. That woman’s brilliant, expressive foxlike eyes were exactly like those of the concubine who was currently eating with her head lowered.

            

Where on earth had she seen her before? She truly couldn’t recall. With such a striking appearance, she should have some impression of her if they’d met.

Only when Madam Shen saw her eldest daughter putting food in the concubine’s bowl did she remember to ask about her son-in-law’s whereabouts. If her daughter was going to bring someone along, shouldn’t she have brought her own husband?

“Huh? Him? Well…” Shen Yunshu had no idea where the Heir was or where he had gone to eat. She felt deeply embarrassed.

            

“To answer Madam, the Heir went to Ning’an Temple,” Concubine Sheng replied softly.

No matter how carefree Madam Shen tried to be, she had still heard some rumors regarding her son-in-law’s romantic escapades. She was instantly choked with frustration.

Glancing at her eldest daughter and then at Concubine Sheng, she thought to herself that this son-in-law of hers was probably even more blind than her late husband. Helpless, she urged, “Well, A’sheng, eat more.”

            

Madam Shen probably had no desire to say anything more.

Hearing Madam Shen speak to her, Concubine Sheng hastily nodded in agreement, with joy shining in her eyes.

Shen Hetang didn’t know why her jiejie had married such a spineless husband, but it definitely wasn’t out of affection. If her jiejie really wanted to live in mutual respect with Heir Wei, she would’ve kept him on a tight leash. Why would she let him run wild like this?

            

In any case, the welcoming feast finally came to an end. This General’s Manor of theirs could only truly be considered a General’s Manor now that its general had returned.

For a time, the courtyard was bustling with activity. Madam Shen, full of energy, was directing the servants to hang up red lanterns so that the courtyard would remain brightly lit throughout the night.

After chatting for a while in the study with Shen Hetang, Shen Yunshu departed with Concubine Sheng. Not long after, her half-brother came over and stayed to chat for an awkward while, expressing that he had been immature in the past but was now willing, in their late father’s absence, to shoulder the heavy burdens of the Shen Manor alongside Shen Hetang.

            

Shen Hetang merely remarked that it was good as long as he mended his ways. Truth be told, this half-brother of hers was indeed the sole continuation of the Shen family line. So long as he didn’t stir up trouble, she would treat him well for the sake of their late father.

By nightfall, things had finally quieted down. Lying in her warm alcove with its openwork railing, she began to miss the spacious bed she had shared with Jiang Chenyu. Having been exhausted for days on end, she could finally enjoy a good night’s sleep, hoping she would have a sweet dream featuring her niangzi…

The progress of the two parties differed. While Shen Hetang had already been in the capital for nearly two months, Jiang Chenyu and her entourage had only just leisurely set off.

            

Li Xiangrong, who was in contact with Jiang Ning, was a member of the Rongxin Guild, one of the prominent merchant chambers in the capital. Having befriended Jiang Ning during an overseas voyage, he had generously promised that should Jiang Ning ever come to the capital, he would certainly lead the way for her.

Members of the various merchant chambers would pool their resources to pursue mutual development, uniting their strength like a tightly twisted rope so they could stand firmer. Originally, such guilds were built upon foundations of kin and regional ties, making it rare for outsiders to participate. However, it just so happened that Li Xiangrong was a minor leader who carried some influence, and Jiang Ning had once done him a massive favor when they were in foreign nations.

Now that they were on his own turf, if he failed to look after Jiang Ning, he would be ridiculed by his peers once word got out.

            

Since their twenty carriages of cargo had arrived in the capital, if they wanted to establish a long-term presence, they naturally needed to secure a place of their own. Jiang Chenyu and Jiang Ning split up into two routes; Jiang Ning followed Li Xiangrong to make acquaintances with friends from the merchant guild.

Meanwhile, Jiang Chenyu took her two maidservants to scout the prime commercial properties throughout the capital, observing their layouts, interior decor, and pricing.

During this time, she even leased a two-story shop with a total area of five hundred square meters. The location was conspicuous and spacious, though it required a complete renovation. The store had previously sold ready-made garments. Although their current goods were novel, the varieties were quite jumbled and would need to be organized gradually.

            

“I knew bringing you along was the right choice. It’s practically like adding wings to a tiger! To think you’ve already secured a shop so quickly—what incredible efficiency!” Jiang Ning spoke, her tongue tripping over her words from the alcohol.

“It was quick, but I only decided after comparing several places. This one had the best location, and since the shopkeeper was in urgent need of silver, the price was quite reasonable, so I quickly finalized the deal.”

“You’ve had too many social engagements these past few days, drinking yourself into a stupor day after day. You’re a woman after all; you must remember to be careful out there.” Jiang Chenyu felt deeply uneasy seeing her like this, yet she also understood that connections were vital in business. Aside from eating and drinking together, how else could one build a network?

            

“I know, you’re acting like a nagging housekeeper. People outside are already calling you Madam Jiang. If that person surnamed Shen finds out later, he’ll surely eat vinegar⁴.” Jiang Ning always dressed in men’s clothing when outdoors. The men at the banquet tables had assumed she was a man, and she neither denied nor confirmed it; it would be best for them to find out only after she had secured a firm footing. Meanwhile, since Jiang Chenyu wore her hair in a married woman’s bun, some addressed her as Madam Jiang. Unknowing outsiders naturally mistook the two of them for a married couple.

The two of them tacitly refrained from correcting the misunderstanding. Even the brothers who had been following Jiang Ning joined in on the joke, calling her Madam Jiang. Jiang Chenyu didn’t particularly mind being rumored to be with Jiang Ning; everything could wait until the shop opened. She’d never actually admitted to anything, after all.

“I had Chuntao prepare your bathwater. Go rest after you’ve washed up. For a woman to visit a brothel—I truly don’t know how I should praise you.” Sigh. Conducting business among men was truly no easy feat. Drinking today was one thing, but hearing from Chuntao that Jiang Ning had actually gone to a brothel and ordered a courtesan made her break into a cold sweat on her behalf.

            

This was only the beginning, yet the networking had already reached such a deep level. She truly didn’t know if this Li Xiangrong was reliable, or if he was merely a swindler trying to catch a wolf with empty hands. They hadn’t actually needed to be in such a rush, but breaking into the local circles as quickly as possible would save them a great deal of trouble later on.

Jiang Chenyu and Jiang Ning were staying at an inn. After returning to her own room, she instructed Chuntao to go in and look after Jiang Ning, fearing she might fall asleep in the bathtub.

Chuntao carried the sobering soup and entered Jiang Ning’s room.

            

The caravan brothers had booked ten rooms at another inn. The forty men guarded the cargo in two shifts, with those off-duty sharing a room in pairs, making exactly ten rooms sufficient. It appeared that besides the shop, they would also need to rent about twenty houses.

However, there weren’t so many houses available for rent. For a long-term plan, it would be better to build their own. These brothers couldn’t be treated the same as temporarily hired laborers; they had to be better looked after in terms of food and lodging. Once they established a firm footing here in the future, these men might very well want to bring their wives and children over. Jiang Ning certainly wasn’t lacking the money for a large compound.

In the future, they’d still have to rely on these men to continue purchasing goods from elsewhere. A single shop was hardly worth their journey to the grand capital.

            

Shen Hetang had no idea that Jiang Chenyu had arrived in the capital. She had sent a letter back home, but it wasn’t yet time for a reply.

Ever since the Dowager Empress had urged the marriage last time, she truly couldn’t keep up the act any longer. She had been avoiding the County Princess for several days, even running off to the Marquis Manor. She felt no affection from the County Princess toward him, only a sense of perfunctory obligation.

What, then, was the reason behind the princess’s stubborn insistence on marrying her? Helpless, she had discussed it with Shen Yunshu for a long time, eventually uncovering a subtle clue from her.

            

Shen Yunshu had suggested she go to Wanxiang Pavilion to find a courtesan named Qingyao, as she might find some answers there.

However, she had been short on time lately. Her former mischief-making friends, upon hearing that she was in the capital, had all come over to gawk at her like a side-show curiosity. Today someone would host a banquet, and tomorrow another would invite her to a pleasure boat. Since she needed to maintain her disreputable reputation anyway, she had agreed to all of them.

Furthermore, she also wanted to establish connections with others; otherwise, under the instigation of those with hidden agendas, the General’s Manor would soon find itself completely isolated. One only had to look at her half-brother to see this—no matter how useless Shen Yunjie was, it shouldn’t have reached the point where he couldn’t even find a wife.

            

Relying solely on Shen Yunshu to maintain ties with the Marquis Manor wasn’t enough, and the General’s Manor wasn’t so aloof that it had to remain entirely isolated.

Having finally carved out some time today, she had to make a trip to Wanxiang Pavilion. The Dowager Empress was already selecting an auspicious day; if she couldn’t come up with a solution soon, she would truly have to get married.

If she were to claim that she was already married, the Dowager Empress would inevitably inquire about the bride’s name and family. This would essentially drag Jiang Chenyu into the open, and she didn’t dare gamble on the Dowager Empress’s temper.

            

Although she had managed to delay things for a while by feigning illness previously, it wasn’t a sustainable solution.

As night fell, Shen Hetang dressed in an understated black robe with dark silver patterns, which made her complexion appear even more fair and translucent like jade. She had deliberately reined in her sharp demeanor; holding a folding fan inscribed with poetry, she exuded the effortless grace of an elegant scholar, bearing absolutely no resemblance to a military general.

At night, Baihua Alley was brilliantly illuminated. Multi-colored banners fluttered, and revolving lanterns⁵ hung before every doorway—each establishment rivaling the other in gaudy extravagance.

            

The laughter and teasing of the patrons, combined with the soliciting calls of the women, lent a bustling, suggestive air to the surreal night.

Shen Hetang arrived at the renowned Wanxiang Pavilion. Before she could even cross the threshold, she was surrounded by a swarm of women.

Wait, at such a peak hour, are these ladies really this free?

            

“Oh, where did this handsome young master come from? To think you’re so exceptionally good-looking! Why don’t you come with me? This jiejie won’t charge you a single copper—how about it?” A scantily clad woman grabbed Shen Hetang’s arm, swaying her slender waist as she leaned in and rubbed against her.

With a slight sidestep, Shen Hetang slipped away from this pack of man-eating tigresses. Although she had not concealed her face, she certainly didn’t wish to be spotted by any acquaintances out here.

“I must head inside to find someone. Next time, dear jiejies—next time for sure!” As she spoke, she even turned back to wink flirtatiously before making a run for it.

            

The woman who had just grabbed hold of her was left thoroughly vexed and unwilling, stamping her feet in frustration.

Leaving a trail of broken hearts among the ladies, Young Master Shen headed straight for the second floor to seek out the madam.

“Hey, hey, hey? Which young master are you looking for, sir?” Just as she reached the second floor, she was intercepted by a brothel runner⁶.

            

“This young master is looking for the madam in charge of your establishment!”

The brothel runner led Shen Hetang into a luxuriously decorated room. The heavy scent of incense burning inside nearly choked her.

“I heard that the young master was looking for me?” After a brief moment, a woman in her thirties walked slowly into the room.

            

She wasn’t dressed in the typical style of a brothel madam, merely wearing exceptionally bright and colorful garments.

“Might I ask if you have a lady named Qingyao here?” Shen Hetang went straight to the point.

“Qingyao?” The madam shook her head unhurriedly, though her eyes seemed to hold a secret.

            

“Madam, won’t you think about it carefully? Is there really no such person?” Shen Hetang pulled out a two-hundred-tael silver note directly from her robes and pressed it onto the table.

“Oh, I remember now. You must be referring to Qingdai. There’s indeed such a person, but she’s quite difficult to see!” The madam said, feigning difficulty.

“Why is that?” Shen Hetang was puzzled. Could there actually be a woman in this place who didn’t receive guests? Even a courtesan⁷ who only performed music and poetry would still have to receive patrons!

            

“It’s really not that this mama wants to make things difficult for you. This Miss Qingdai has been exclusively reserved by a patron and rarely comes out to entertain guests.” The madam stared at the silver note in Shen Hetang’s hand, her resolve wavering as she struggled internally.

“Rarely?” Shen Hetang pressed for confirmation.

“What about this then? Madam, please do me a favor. I’ve merely heard others praise her and have long admired her from afar, wishing only to catch a glimpse of her beauty.” Shen Hetang pulled out another three hundred taels in silver notes. This was by no means a small sum.

            

“No, no, that won’t do. If the patron finds out about this, there will be hell to pay!” Although the madam’s eyes were practically beaming with light, she still refused to relent.

Having no other choice, Shen Hetang grit her teeth and pulled out another five hundred taels, bringing the total to a thousand taels. She was really bleeding money this time.

It pained her heart to no end. That damned madam was putting on such airs! If Jiang Chenyu ever found out that she had taken a thousand taels in silver notes to a brothel just to seek out some woman, she definitely wouldn’t hear the end of it!

            

Had she known, she’d have snuck in by stealth. Yet, she had no idea which one was Qingyao, and it would be rather difficult to explain if she were caught by the County Princess. Sigh, forget it.

“Deal! I’ll arrange for you to meet her. However, let me lay down the ground rules first: you may only look, but you must not touch.” The madam’s hands moved so quickly they left afterimages, and the three silver notes vanished into her purse in the blink of an eye.

Shen Hetang stared painfully at the empty table for a few moments. It was truly exorbitant. She couldn’t help but wonder just how much silver the County Princess had spent to reserve this woman.

            

The County Princess, of course, hadn’t spent much silver at all. She had primarily utilized a few underhanded methods to intimidate the madam. How could a mere brothel madam ever dare to offend such a notorious terror?

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