A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 67
by Little PandaFresh Gossip
“Prepare for the Wedding”
The fallen snow enveloped the red plum blossoms like a delectable pastry—pure white and soft, with a single dot of crimson right in the center. With even the slightest stir of the branches, the loose snow would rustle down to the ground, a scene of incomparable beauty.
Jiang Chenyu propped open half of the window and moved the charcoal brazier closer to her feet. Her wrist, adorned with a colorful string of glazed glass beads, rummaged through a paper bag. The pastries inside were still warm to the touch, offering five or six different flavors. Which one should she eat?
In the end, she picked out a red bean pastry and popped it into Shen Hetang’s mouth.
“Is it good?” She looked sweetly at the person wrapping dumplings beside her.
“Not bad. It’s fragrant and sweet,” Shen Hetang replied. “But don’t eat too many. We’re having dumplings in a bit.” The ingredients were semi-prepared fillings from the kitchen; they were only wrapping them to mark the festive mood. The one who had originally promised to wrap the dumplings had gone on strike the moment she saw the pastries, slipping away to indulge in her snacks.
Once Shen Hetang finished wrapping thirty dumplings, she carried them to the kitchen, where a cook hired on a temporary basis was busy preparing the meal.
She then brewed a pot of jasmine tea on her way back to their small room, pouring a generous cup into a celadon teacup, releasing a refreshing, fragrant aroma.
Having eaten two or three pastries, Jiang Chenyu was beginning to find them a bit too rich. Spotting the tea, she picked up the cup, blew gently over the surface, and took small, slow sips.
“Pack up your things and get ready to marry by the end of the year,” Shen Hetang suddenly said.
“Pfft—cough, cough, cough! Marry who?” Startled, Jiang Chenyu choked as the hot tea scalded her throat.
“With me, of course,” Shen Hetang explained. “How else am I going to welcome you through my doors in a proper, upright manner?”
“Can we really get married again?” Jiang Chenyu chuckled, her lovely peach-blossom eyes shining bright, even more radiant than the stars in the sky.
“Of course we can. If you like, I can have you wear wedding robes in bed every single day,” Shen Hetang teased.
The beauty set her teacup down, wiped her pastry-dusted fingers with a handkerchief, and before Shen Hetang could react, lunged forward to pin her down onto the green, embroidered silk quilt.
Staring at those soft red lips, Jiang Chenyu pressed her own against them. She cupped Shen Hetang’s face, planting an endless flurry of light, pecking kisses. Shen Hetang’s lips parted into a helpless grin, her eyes overflowing with warmth.
“How do you plan on marrying me?” After they finished messing around, Jiang Chenyu asked with great enthusiasm, her long hair now a tangled mess.
“First, I’ll send you back to the Hua Manor to stay for a couple of days,” Shen Hetang said. “This time, I’ll make it crystal clear to him that if anything happens to you, I won’t let his wife off easily. Bring both of your maids along so you can prepare your own meals. Still, I don’t think the Hua family would dare try anything this time. I’ll only have you stay there for seven days at most. Can you bear with it for just a little bit?” Sending Jiang Chenyu to stay at the Hua Manor still left Shen Hetang with lingering apprehensions, but marrying out of the Hua family would save her from more than half of the troubles she would otherwise face after the wedding.
Even if Jiang Chenyu chose not to associate with Hua Rong, outsiders would still lump them together. It was better to bring their relationship into the open early on, securing her status as the daughter of a high-ranking official. This would make it much easier for her to move about in high society later on, sparing her from the sneers and condescension of others.
“It’s fine, I’m not afraid,” Jiang Chenyu replied. “It’s only for a few days. Last time, I didn’t expect Madam Hua to be so direct, but now that I’m on my guard, I won’t fall for her tricks again. If she dares to play any more games, I’ll make sure to provoke her to her face until she’s utterly consumed by rage. If she hadn’t been wedge-driving1 back then, my mother might not have divorced him. If she pushes me too far, I’ll settle all our accounts—old and new—all at once.” Jiang Chenyu had not intended to bring up the past with Madam Hua again. But if that woman kept poking her nose into her business, Jiang Chenyu would have to threaten the very thing Madam Hua held most dear.
“I believe Master Hua knows what is important,” Shen Hetang said, sharing the gossip she had gathered. “He secured his latest promotion through Princess Shunhe. Our dear father-in-law might find it quite difficult to extricate himself in the future.”
“Princess Shunhe? How did Hua Rong get mixed up with the Princess?” Jiang Chenyu was dumbfounded.
“Princess Shunhe is the Emperor’s only younger sister,” Shen Hetang explained. “She has taken three husbands. The first was a Tanhua scholar who couldn’t let go of his childhood sweetheart after the wedding. Princess Shunhe divorced him, which completely ruined his career. The second was a rising general when the Great Qian wasn’t as peaceful as it is now; he passed away within three years from severe wounds. For her third marriage, she wanted someone stable and thought she could lead a quiet life with an imperial merchant. But that man used the Princess’s name to amass wealth unscrupulously, violating the laws of the land. Once he was denounced before the throne, the Princess placed justice above personal feelings and sent him straight to prison.”
“Since then, she has never remarried. She is over forty now, and though she remains officially single, no one knows if she has companions in private. It’s just kept quiet to preserve the royal family’s reputation.”
“But the Princess and my father shouldn’t even be in the same orbit,” Jiang Chenyu said, still shocked by Hua Rong’s sudden connection to the imperial royalty.
“Their initial meeting was likely an accident,” Shen Hetang could not help but chuckle. “Let’s just say our father-in-law is destined to face this particular peach blossom debt2. Perhaps it’s because he still possesses some middle-aged charm3.”
“Hmph, and you’re still laughing,” Jiang Chenyu huffed, not knowing what to say.
“The Princess is no longer young, and her figure has grown quite plump and round. I don’t think our father-in-law will necessarily yield to Princess Shunhe easily. Besides, you and I have actually met her before.” Shen Hetang laid out everything she had uncovered. Naturally, the Princess’s intentions had not been made entirely obvious; about half of this was Shen Hetang’s own speculation.
“We’ve met her? When?” At this point, Jiang Chenyu was entirely at a loss for words.
“Do you remember that noblewoman we ran into at the Hot Spring Estate? That was Princess Shunhe. I hadn’t recovered my memories yet, so I didn’t recognize her back then. She had only seen me when I was a child, and we weren’t close anyway.”
“It was her?” Jiang Chenyu recalled. “No wonder she mistook me for a concubine back then. I suppose what goes around comes around.” Thinking of her mother’s past struggles, she wondered what kind of end awaited Madam Hua. She would simply have to wait and see.
There was no time to dwell on other people’s affairs. With only two months left before the New Year, she had to ensure Jiang Chenyu was wed and brought into her household before then. Otherwise, she might have to leave the capital after the New Year.
Thus, the two split their tasks. Shen Hetang would wait for County Princess Qingyang to have her final talk with the Dowager Empress before formally proposing to the Hua family, having her mother prepare the betrothal gifts, and finalizing the marriage. Meanwhile, before returning to the Hua family, Jiang Chenyu needed to prepare her own dowry and simply wait for the sequence of wedding rites to unfold.
Since Jiang Chenyu’s original dowry was still back in Qingyuan County, the limited time meant she could only procure a new set of items. Fortunately, this was mostly for show between the two of them anyway.
Inside the luxurious palace hall, top-grade silver charcoal burned warmly, filling the air with the scent of pine branches—a light, crisp fragrance touched with a hint of bitterness.
The Dowager Empress gazed at the granddaughter sitting beside her, her eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotions. After a long silence, she spoke softly, “Have you truly made up your mind to return there all by yourself?”
“The current situation in the southern border is unstable and chaotic,” she continued. “For a young woman like you, governing it will be incredibly difficult. Do you really have to leave? Are you no longer going to stay here and accompany this grieving widow?” Lacking the heart to let go of her youngest son’s only remaining bloodline, the Dowager Empress held onto the County Princess’s hand, reluctant to release it.
“Imperial Grandmother, your granddaughter wants to go back,” Zhao Lanyin replied. “I cannot let my royal father and mother’s sacrifices be in vain. No matter how difficult it is, I must avenge them.” She had already re-established contact with her father’s former subordinates. No matter the hardships, she was determined to try.
“Ah, go then, if you’re confident,” the Dowager Empress sighed, leaning back against the carved backrest as she looked at Zhao Lanyin’s resolute gaze. “Your grandmother is old and useless now, but I won’t stand in the way of the younger generation standing tall. I only have one piece of advice: be careful in everything. If you can win, fight; if you cannot, run. You’re a girl, there is no shame in it. If all else fails, your grandmother will still support you.”
Zhao Lanyin leaned into the Dowager Empress’s embrace and murmured her agreement. Before arriving in the capital, she had never met her grandmother. Yet the bonds of blood were a silent, invisible tie, offering an inexplicable sense of warmth and security she could lean on.
“It is just a pity about that child from the Shen family,” the Dowager Empress murmured. “Your Imperial Uncle made it clear that you could only choose between the southern border and General Shen. Now that I think about it, it’s a blessing the two of you didn’t take a liking to each other. Otherwise, my Qingyang would surely have been left with regrets.”
“Imperial Grandmother sees through everything! I can’t hide anything from you,” Zhao Lanyin said, coaxing the elderly woman.
“Hmph. What does liking someone have to do with it? Spend enough time together and feelings will eventually grow,” the Dowager Empress countered with a disapproving look, though she knew it was pointless to dwell on it now.
Zhao Lanyin spent a long time in the Dowager Empress’s palace. As she finally stood up to leave, the Dowager Empress stared at her slender back and suddenly spoke up, “Ah Yin, if it gets too lonely down there, take that person back with you!”
Hearing this, Zhao Lanyin froze on the spot. Then, she spun around, hurried back, and planted a firm kiss on the elderly woman’s wrinkled cheek.
This drew a stream of affectionate scolding from the Dowager Empress.
“Thank you, Imperial Grandmother! You love Ah Yin the most!” Zhao Lanyin cried, wrapping her arms around her grandmother and rocking her back and forth.
“If you’re leaving, leave quickly. Stop bothering me here,” the Dowager Empress grumbled, though her words belied her feelings. Even a kitten raised for a few years would evoke deep attachment, let alone her own granddaughter. Seeing her prepare to depart left a hollow ache in her heart.
“Then your granddaughter is really leaving this time?”
“Go on, go on,” the Dowager Empress urged, waving her hand.
Zhao Lanyin stole one last look before stepping out of the Dowager Empress’s bedchamber.
Both of them understood that given the Dowager Empress’s advanced age, it was uncertain if they would ever meet again. Yet the elder knew she had to let her granddaughter go so she could grow on her own.
The Dowager Empress rubbed her eyes and instructed, “Pack the County Princess’s belongings carefully. Have the Emperor’s men bring them along when the time comes.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. This servant will have someone check the inventory lists immediately,” the managing nanny beside her complied.
“Mhm.” The Dowager Empress gave a faint hum. Having sat with her granddaughter for half the day, she felt exhausted. She had struggled with the decision for a long time, but ultimately, she could not bear to see her granddaughter live a solitary, desolate life. No matter who that other person was, as long as they could accompany her and keep her company in that land of pain and desolation, it was enough.
Down there, the sky was high and the Emperor was far away4. Let her do as she pleased. After holding out for so long, the Dowager Empress had finally surrendered.
The howling wind and snow of the past few days finally ceased, giving way to a bright, clear day. Holding eight formal gifts, Shen Hetang escorted Jiang Chenyu to the gates of the Hua Manor in a highly proper and ceremonious manner.
When Madam Hua saw Jiang Chenyu arriving with her husband, her expression shifted from shock to awkwardness, and then to disdain—a veritable kaleidoscope of emotions.
“Madam, please inform my father-in-law that this son-in-law has brought Chenyu to pay our respects,” Shen Hetang prompted as Madam Hua stood in the courtyard, making no move to assist.
“Yinxing, go to the study and tell the Master that the Eldest Miss has returned,” Madam Hua instructed reluctantly.
It was unclear how Master Hua had disciplined her after their last encounter, but despite treating the visitors like poor relatives coming to seek financial help5, she nevertheless invited them into the main hall and had tea served.
“I wouldn’t dare drink this tea of yours, Madam,” Jiang Chenyu remarked, staring at the teacup. She still remembered how the previous incident had nearly frightened Shen Hetang to death.
“Look at what the Eldest Miss is saying,” Madam Hua replied, managing to salvage a shred of her dignity. “Last time, it was only because I, as a mother, was desperate to protect my own daughter that I resorted to such a scheme. Now that your sister is out of harm’s way, I naturally won’t make the same mistake again.”
As she spoke of the matter, her tone shifted noticeably, and she averted her eyes.
Meanwhile, back in the study, Hua Rong heard that his eldest daughter and son-in-law had arrived. He hurriedly stood up, straightened his robes, and rushed toward the main hall in anticipation.
Footnotes
- Literally 'prying at the corner of a wall', a Chinese slang term meaning to meddle in, disrupt, or steal someone else's romantic partner or spouse.
- A traditional Chinese concept referring to troublesome romantic entanglements or unresolved love affairs arising from peach blossoms.
- A traditional Chinese idiom used to describe a middle-aged or older person who still retains their physical charm and elegance.
- A highly famous Chinese proverb highlighting regional independence or lack of imperial oversight due to physical distance.
- A traditional Chinese colloquial term for leveraging familial connections to seek financial assistance or gifts from wealthy relatives.
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