Studying
Raindrops slid from Qu Sheng’s forehead down her cheek. Qu Sheng’s eyes were wide open as she looked at the man holding her. Not only was there no fear in her heart, but a sense of mockery had arisen. This was the Marquis Qu’s Manor, and the Qu family had been a military family for generations. How could an outsider enter and leave as he pleased?
Not long after, when the man met up with his accomplice outside the wall, he had just raised his head before he fainted.
Qu Sheng was caught steadily. Qu Ming held her and looked down upon the person collapsed on the ground. A moment later, he lifted his head, his gaze as sharp as a falcon’s, and stared at the position above the wall where the man’s contact had been.
“The person has already run off,” Qu Sheng’s guard, Feng Qi, reported with a bow after vaulting over the wall from outside.
It was not that he could not catch him, but that it was intentional.
The next day, outside the Capital Prefecture Office1, a man with shattered bones all over his body, beaten until his face and eyes were unrecognizable and barely breathing, was lying prone before the gate. The on-duty bailiffs were so alarmed they rushed inside the office to call for help.
Qu Ming, dressed in a blue and white robe, stood at the man’s feet, unafraid of the surrounding gazes, waiting for the Prefect2 from the government office to come out and greet him.
Qu Ming had been in the capital for three years. Although he only held a minor official post, everyone knew he was very likely to become the heir to the marquisate of the Qu family of the Southeast3.
By bringing the man here, Qu Ming was informing the people of the capital that anyone who intended to make a move on Qu Sheng would absolutely not have a good end.
Qu Ming was invited into the prefecture office to observe the Prefect’s interrogation of this person who had broken into their Marquis Qu’s Manor late at night with ill intentions. The case was tried with almost no argument; the evidence was conclusive. The man was made to press his handprint on a confession4 and was thrown into the great prison, to be executed in three days.
Qu Ming did not follow the vine to find the melon5, but that did not mean he was unaware of who was behind it. In the imperial court, the only one who would dare to openly oppose the Qu family was the Empress’s own younger brother, State Uncle Cheng.
The Empress had always wanted her Cheng family’s daughter to marry into the palace. If Qu Sheng had been chosen yesterday, then the Cheng family would be at a disadvantage in the future. Therefore, the only ones who would dare to act against Qu Sheng so quickly were the Cheng family.
Qu Ming had acted with restraint only because he had been instructed to do so by Qu Jinian. Otherwise, the person on the wall last night would not have gotten away and been allowed to let the wind through to report the news6.
This was also a way to rap their knuckles while giving the Cheng family some face7. After all, if they were to tear the face8, it would be bad for everyone.
Breakfast had just been finished when the Qu family welcomed another guest: the daughter of General Zhao, Zhao Jiayu9.
“Jiayu has come today to apologize to Sheng-meimei. Yesterday, in the hall of Her Majesty the Empress, I got into a verbal spat with Miss Cheng and frightened Sheng-meimei. My father has already scolded me, and today I’ve specially brought some new little trinkets for Sheng-meimei…”
Zhao Jiayu could speak eloquently among her peers, but she was slightly timid in front of adults. Today, she was here carrying brambles to ask for punishment10, and her face had already turned bright red as she spoke, unable to get the rest of her words out.
Hearing this, Jin Yunfei looked at the little girl’s shy appearance and smiled kindly, “Sheng’er only just arrived in the capital yesterday, and her old illness relapsed from the long journey. It has nothing to do with Miss Jiayu. Let me take you to see Sheng’er.”
Hearing Jin Yunfei’s gentle tone, not at all like someone who would transfer resentment onto her because her own child had been wronged, Zhao Jiayu’s favorable impression of her instantly multiplied, and her conversational floodgates opened.
“Is Sheng-meimei feeling better?” Zhao Jiayu’s tone became relaxed.
Jin Yunfei glanced to the side and curved her lips into a smile, “Much better. She’s playing by herself in the courtyard right now.”
Zhao Jiayu nodded and followed Jin Yunfei into Qu Sheng’s small courtyard. Qu Sheng was sitting in the yard, waving a small, thin branch in one hand and holding a snack in the other, smiling foolishly at a little bird in a cage in front of her.
Seeing Qu Sheng teasing the bird, Zhao Jiayu grinned and walked over quickly, not bothering to lower her voice. “Sheng-meimei is in high spirits! Is this a lark?”
Zhao Jiayu burst into Qu Sheng’s line of sight as if she were naturally familiar. The former Qu Sheng would naturally have looked at her and answered, but the current Qu Sheng had to pretend to be frightened, jumping down from the chair and running into Jin Yunfei’s arms to hide her little head.
Seeing Qu Sheng was afraid of her, Zhao Jiayu figured she must have scared her during the fight yesterday. She scratched the back of her neck in embarrassment and said, “It was my fault yesterday. I shouldn’t have fought in front of Sheng-meimei and scared you. I… I apologize to you.”
Zhao Jiayu was simple-hearted by nature. Although she was only a three-year-old child, she was using a sincere tone to express her apology.
Hearing her voice, Qu Sheng revealed two dark eyes. Zhao Jiayu met her gaze and gave a simple, honest smile. “My family raises lots of little birds. If Sheng-meimei likes them, I’ll bring you a few tomor’w.”
Hearing this, Jin Yunfei looked down at Qu Sheng hiding in her arms. For a fleeting moment, she felt that this was how her three-year-old daughter was supposed to be.
Qu Sheng did not speak, but she did not forget to eat the snack in her hand. Zhao Jiayu slowly began to notice that something was amiss. She stared at Qu Sheng for a stunned moment, then forced a smile onto her face. “If Sheng-meimei doesn’t like birds, I have other little trinkets here.” As she spoke, Zhao Jiayu had the maidservant behind her bring a box over. “These are all the little things I’ve collected over the years. Sheng-meimei, take a look and see if there’s anything you like. Pick whatever you want.”
Qu Sheng had been eating, but her gaze was quickly drawn to the small objects before her. She stared at a wooden lump for a long time. Zhao Jiayu followed her gaze, picked up a crab made of wood, and placed it on the ground. With a light press and release, the crab began to scuttle sideways.
Seeing this, Qu Sheng’s eyes lit up slightly. She had the urge to go and investigate how it worked, but she did not move for a long time. Seeing Qu Sheng remain still, Zhao Jiayu observed her for a moment before taking out a few more trinkets. She finally managed to sway Qu Sheng, who began to play with her.
Jin Yunfei watched from the side without interrupting. Zhao Jiayu was also happy to play with Qu Sheng. In Zhao Jiayu’s eyes, Qu Sheng was just a small child, without any cunning, simple and cute, just a bit slow and unable to understand words. She would be fine when she got a little older.
After playing for the whole morning, Zhao Jiayu could not refuse Jin Yunfei’s warm invitation and stayed for lunch.
Seeing Zhao Jiayu eating happily, Jin Yunfei served her some dishes11 and said, “Sheng’er has just arrived in the capital and doesn’t know any friends. Thank you, Jiayu, for playing with her. Eat some more.”
Zhao Jiayu, with her mouth full of food, quickly swallowed and said with her eyes curving, “Auntie, you don’t have to be so polite with me. Just let Sheng-meimei play with me from now on. I can’t promise much else, but I definitely won’t let her be bored.”
Jin Yunfei looked at the simple and straightforward Zhao Jiayu and felt a sense of fondness. She was not unaware of what had happened in the palace hall yesterday. Among so many people, only she and the young lady from the Prime Minister’s Manor had stood up for Qu Sheng. If the young lady from the Prime Minister’s Manor had not been sent by the Son of Heaven, she would have treated her in the same way yesterday.
After lunch, Zhao Jiayu still did not leave. When Qu Sheng was finished being fed by her wet nurse, she played in the courtyard, and Zhao Jiayu patiently kept her company. However, Qu Sheng still did not like to talk or laugh, but Zhao Jiayu did not mind.
It was not until night fell that Zhao Jiayu finally came out of Qu Sheng’s room. Qu Sheng was already asleep.
Jin Yunfei walked side-by-side with Zhao Jiayu, who suddenly asked for some reason, “Auntie, has Sheng-meimei not studied before?”
Jin Yunfei was stunned for a moment upon hearing this and said, “She hasn’t studied yet, she…”
Jin Yunfei’s wishing to speak but stopping did not make Zhao Jiayu think anything of it. Hearing that Qu Sheng had not studied, she thought that she would have to study now that she was in the capital, and said, “The venerable teacher invited by the Prime Minister Lin’s Manor has taught two Zhuangyuan12 before. I’m also there. Auntie, why don’t you have Uncle Qu put in a word and let Sheng-meimei go over too.”
Jin Yunfei clearly had not expected the little girl to be so enthusiastic, but she still agreed, “Alright, when the Lord Marquis has some free time, I’ll have him go and ask.”
Hearing this, Zhao Jiayu’s eyelashes fluttered. As if thinking of something, she smiled and said, “Don’t wait for Uncle Qu, I’ll go and say it! Auntie Lin is very easy to talk to, she’ll definitely agree.” Zhao Jiayu was very confident she could persuade the wife of the Lin Manor.
Jin Yunfei had not yet asked her daughter or her husband. Agreeing like this might lead to Zhao Jiayu’s disappointment later. Just as she was about to try and delay, she heard the steward hurry over to report that the daughter of State Uncle Cheng, Cheng Mianrong13, had come to visit Qu Sheng.
“It’s already this late, what is she coming for?” Hearing that Cheng Mianrong was coming, the resentment in Zhao Jiayu’s heart flared up again, and her displeasure showed on her face.
Jin Yunfei heard Zhao Jiayu mutter and then watched as she turned back to her and said, “Auntie Qu, where is the back door to your manor?” Can’t afford to provoke, can afford to hide14.
“Mianrong pays her respects to Auntie Qu. Mother gave me too much homework today, so I only just now found the time to visit. I hope Auntie will forgive me.” After entering the manor, Cheng Mianrong met Jin Yunfei and immediately dropped her assessing gaze, curtsying obediently.
Jin Yunfei was amicable as always, saying in a warm voice, “It’s no matter. Let’s go inside and talk.”
Jin Yunfei invited Cheng Mianrong to her courtyard to talk. After they went in, Cheng Mianrong looked around but did not see Qu Sheng, and asked, “Where is Sheng-meimei?”
Jin Yunfei replied, “Sheng’er has already gone to sleep.”
“How unfortunate. I was hoping to have a chat with Sheng-meimei.”
After Cheng Mianrong finished speaking, Jin Yunfei smiled and said, “I’ll go wake Sheng’er up.”
Hearing this, Cheng Mianrong pondered for a moment and said, “No need to wake her. I’ll just go and see her.”
Jin Yunfei stopped in her tracks, looked back at Cheng Mianrong, and nodded with a smile, leading her to Qu Sheng’s small courtyard.
At this moment, Qu Sheng was indeed asleep. Cheng Mianrong entered the room, and the candles within were lit. She glanced around before following Jin Yunfei into Qu Sheng’s inner chamber.
The sleeping Qu Sheng was as exquisite as a porcelain doll. Her long eyelashes covered her lower eyelids, and her breathing was light and even. She looked very sweet.
The disgust in Cheng Mianrong’s eyes was concealed when Jin Yunfei looked back at her, replaced by a smile of someone seeing something they liked. She praised, “Sheng-meimei is so beautiful. She’s even more well-behaved when she’s asleep.”
Jin Yunfei smiled at her words, but her smile froze when she heard what Cheng Mianrong said next.
“The other day, the younger sister from the Zhao family was being insensible, and I had a couple of arguments with her in my aunt’s hall. At the time, I accidentally knocked over some pastries, and Sheng-meimei picked them up and ate them.” As she spoke, Cheng Mianrong deliberately glanced at Jin Yunfei’s eyes. Seeing Jin Yunfei’s frozen expression, she feigned self-reproach and added, “It’s my fault for not stopping her in time and letting Sheng-meimei eat dirty pastries. I came specially today to offer my apologies.”
Jin Yunfei stood there awkwardly, listening to the words coming from this little girl of only seven or eight, and felt a chill run down her spine. It was clearly she who had deliberately thrown the pastries on the floor, yet here she was, inverting right and wrong15 without the slightest guilt. The people in the capital were always hooking hearts and fighting with horns16. Her Sheng’er was still so young; if she really entered the palace in the future, how would she survive?
Jin Yunfei did not respond for a long time, and Cheng Mianrong got the message. This morning, a message had come from the palace telling her to come and see if Qu Sheng was truly a simpleton. It seemed there was no mistake.
Cheng Mianrong smiled obediently, and after sizing up Jin Yunfei for a few moments, she said again, “It’s late today. Since Sheng-meimei is asleep, I’ll be heading back. In a couple of days, I’ll have someone send over some pastries from the palace to help relieve the gluttony worm in her belly.”17
“There’s no need to trouble yourself. Sheng’er just hadn’t had breakfast that day…” Jin Yunfei refused. This little girl was not the least bit timid when speaking to an elder like her, nor did she carry herself as a junior.
“I know.” Cheng Mianrong cut Jin Yunfei off. Regarding Jin Yunfei’s attempt to cover up, which only made things more obvious, she already understood, so she had no intention of exposing that Qu Sheng was a simpleton. “At Sheng-meimei’s age, she’s always a bit greedy. I understand completely.”
Cheng Mianrong’s words had already made it clear that she had seen through everything but was willing to help cover it up.
As Cheng Mianrong exited the room, a triumphant look appeared on her face. But in the next moment, an arrow shot over and struck the doorframe right above her head. In that instant, terror filled Cheng Mianrong’s eyes, and her whole body trembled.
“Oh dear, my apologies. I didn’t have a firm grip on my arrow.” Qu Yu, from the third branch of the Qu family, put away his bow and looked at the still-shaking Cheng Mianrong with a harmless smile.
Qu Sheng was already asleep; no one would believe he was practicing archery here. When Cheng Mianrong returned to her manor, she had her mother take her into the palace that very night, where she ran to the Empress and cried her grievances.
Qu Sheng was a fool, and to stop her from telling anyone, the Qu family had used a bow and arrow to threaten and intimidate her.
The next day, the di daughter18 of Prime Minister Lin’s Manor, Lin Xizhao, paid a visit, inviting Qu Sheng to study at their manor.
Yesterday, after leaving the Marquis Qu’s Manor through the back door, Zhao Jiayu had gone to the Prime Minister’s Manor and personally persuaded the Prime Minister’s wife. But when she returned home that evening, she received another beating.
The day before, the Empress had told her niece, Cheng Mianrong, to go and find out if Qu Sheng was a simpleton. Cheng Mianrong was unwilling to go, so State Uncle Cheng sent someone to try and take Qu Sheng away. Unexpectedly, the person he sent had all his bones broken and was dumped outside the gate of the prefecture office.
Later, because she had no absolute proof that Qu Sheng was a simple-minded child, she had her daughter pay a visit, only to be publicly intimidated by the Qu family. Unable to quell the resentment in her heart, she took it out directly on the Zhao family. State Uncle Cheng personally visited their home and demanded that the Zhao family give him an explanation for the matter of his daughter being “assaulted.”
A higher rank of official crushes a person to death19. Although the Zhao family was a hereditary family of military generals, they could not compare to the current State Uncle. General Zhao gave Zhao Jiayu a beating that very night, causing her to be unable to get up from her couch even now. But even so, she did not forget to have someone send a message to Lin Xizhao, telling her she must personally go and speak to the Qu family.
Lin Xizhao first felt sorry for her and went to the manor to visit. Later, unable to stand Zhao Jiayu’s nagging, she personally came to invite Qu Sheng to study at their manor.
According to the reason Zhao Jiayu had initially given, Qu Sheng was pretty, low-maintenance, didn’t cry, and having one more person would be livelier. But Lin Xizhao knew about Zhao Jiayu’s ghost abacus20; it was because Qu Sheng was young that the teacher would definitely have to invest a lot of time in her. This way, she could attract the teacher’s attention so he wouldn’t be staring at her doing her lessons all day.
Lin Xizhao explained the reason for her visit, and Jin Yunfei agreed. Long before this, the people in the manor had already discussed it. Since they intended for outsiders to learn that Qu Sheng was a fool, sending her to the Prime Minister’s Manor would be even more convincing.
When the time came, as long as the teacher found her troublesome, Qu Sheng would be sent back. As for the problem of her future husband once her reputation spread, that could be discussed later.
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “Who needs a husband? I’m going to go flirt with a wife.”
Lin Xizhao: “…”
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