Chapter 3 The Family’s Honor

“First, ten of our household guards must accompany you, along with two servants. They’ll escort you on the journey and protect you and Dalang once you reach Nanshan. All expenses will be paid by the household. Dalang must never suffer any hardship.

“Second, you must send a letter every month, telling us that you’re safe and how things are going. Dalang must write as well.

“Third, if anything happens here and we send for you, you must bring him back as soon as possible. Dalang will always be the legitimate eldest grandson of the House of Zhenbei. This will always be his home.”

“Of course.”

I agreed at once.

I had expected all three conditions, and none was unacceptable.

“When will you leave?”

“Once the Grand Tutor’s departure is confirmed. We’ll travel south with his party. The two groups can look out for each other, which will make the journey safer.”

He nodded. His expression eased a little, and his voice was gentler.

“A-Yun, take care of yourself on the road. If Nanshan isn’t comfortable, or Dalang misses the capital, you can come home at any time. There will always be a place for you here.”

I smiled without answering.

His kindness was a tie too.

* * *

The next morning, I had just finished washing and combing my hair when a maid came to summon me.

“My lady, the old lady has sent her senior attendant. She asks you to go to Rongshou Hall.”

The jade comb stopped in my hand.

So it had come.

Our conversation in the outer study had reached my mother-in-law before the night was out.

News traveled very quickly through the rear courtyards of the House of Zhenbei.

I set the comb down.

“Very well. Help me dress.”

I changed into a plain moon-gray outer robe. I wore no heavy makeup, only lightly darkened my brows.

I was going to see my mother-in-law, not to confess some wrongdoing. I would observe the proper courtesies, but I would not shrink from her.

I was the lawful wife whom the family had formally married to its heir. I was no offending junior summoned to be reprimanded.

Rongshou Hall stood deep within the women’s quarters. A tall, old osmanthus tree grew in its spacious courtyard. It was not in flower yet, so there was no scent in the air.

Inside, the room was comfortably warm from the brazier.

My mother-in-law sat upright in the principal seat, wearing a dark-blue brocade robe embroidered with gold. There was a sternness about her brows that came from years of authority in the marquis’s household.

A few maids and older attendants stood to either side. The atmosphere was tense.

I stepped forward and bowed.

“Good morning, Mother.”

“Sit.”

Her voice was even. I could not tell whether she was pleased or angry.

I took a seat below her and lowered my eyes, waiting for her to speak.

After a while, she looked at me over her teacup.

“I heard about your conversation with my son in the study last night. You intend to take Dalang to Nanshan Academy, a thousand miles away, to study?”

“Yes.”

“Dalang wishes to become Grand Tutor He’s pupil. It’s a rare opportunity. I can’t let him travel so far alone, so I thought I would go with him and look after him.”

“Study.”

She repeated the word softly. There was a faint curve to her lips, but no warmth in it.

“A-Yun, you’re clever. Don’t use Dalang’s education as an excuse. You’re avoiding my son’s taking a concubine. Aren’t you?”

She was direct. I offered no hasty defense.

“You’re perceptive, Mother. That is part of the reason. But Dalang’s education matters most.”

“The Grand Tutor once taught the emperor. Such an opportunity doesn’t come to everyone. I can’t stand in Dalang’s way.”

“And can he not study in the capital?”

She set down her cup.

“The capital has no shortage of famous teachers. Couldn’t you find one to teach him well? Must you travel all the way to Nanhu?

“Dalang is only six, and you’re a woman. How are you to endure such a journey?

“And you’re my son’s wife. Your place is in this household, in the capital. If you go away for years, what will people say about the House of Zhenbei?”

That was what mattered most to her.

The family’s honor.

I slowly gave the explanation I had prepared.

“Mother, Grand Tutor He is retiring and going south to teach. Many children from distinguished families are preparing to follow him. Dalang won’t be the only one.

“People will praise your son’s foresight in allowing his legitimate eldest son to gain experience away from home. They won’t speculate about our private affairs.

“As for the journey, the Grand Tutor will have a large party, with plenty of guards and servants. Dalang and I will travel with them. We’ll be quite safe.”

“Once Dalang has completed his studies, we’ll come back to the capital.”

She listened without speaking, watching me as though she were trying to discover what I really intended.

“A-Yun, I know you’ve been wronged.”

Her voice softened with an elder’s attempt to persuade.

“You and my son have known each other since childhood. You’ve been married for seven years. I’ve seen how much you care for each other.”

“First, ten of our household guards must accompany you, along with two servants. They’ll escort you on the journey and protect you and Dalang once you reach Nanshan. All expenses will be paid by the household. Dalang must never suffer any hardship.

“Second, you must send a letter every month, telling us that you’re safe and how things are going. Dalang must write as well.

“Third, if anything happens here and we send for you, you must bring him back as soon as possible. Dalang will always be the legitimate eldest grandson of the House of Zhenbei. This will always be his home.”

“Of course.”

I agreed at once.

I had expected all three conditions, and none was unacceptable.

“When will you leave?”

“Once the Grand Tutor’s departure is confirmed. We’ll travel south with his party. The two groups can look out for each other, which will make the journey safer.”

He nodded. His expression eased a little, and his voice was gentler.

“A-Yun, take care of yourself on the road. If Nanshan isn’t comfortable, or Dalang misses the capital, you can come home at any time. There will always be a place for you here.”

I smiled without answering.

His kindness was a tie too.

* * *

The next morning, I had just finished washing and combing my hair when a maid came to summon me.

“My lady, the old lady has sent her senior attendant. She asks you to go to Rongshou Hall.”

The jade comb stopped in my hand.

So it had come.

Our conversation in the outer study had reached my mother-in-law before the night was out.

News traveled very quickly through the rear courtyards of the House of Zhenbei.

I set the comb down.

“Very well. Help me dress.”

I changed into a plain moon-gray outer robe. I wore no heavy makeup, only lightly darkened my brows.

I was going to see my mother-in-law, not to confess some wrongdoing. I would observe the proper courtesies, but I would not shrink from her.

I was the lawful wife whom the family had formally married to its heir. I was no offending junior summoned to be reprimanded.

Rongshou Hall stood deep within the women’s quarters. A tall, old osmanthus tree grew in its spacious courtyard. It was not in flower yet, so there was no scent in the air.

Inside, the room was comfortably warm from the brazier.

My mother-in-law sat upright in the principal seat, wearing a dark-blue brocade robe embroidered with gold. There was a sternness about her brows that came from years of authority in the marquis’s household.

A few maids and older attendants stood to either side. The atmosphere was tense.

I stepped forward and bowed.

“Good morning, Mother.”

“Sit.”

Her voice was even. I could not tell whether she was pleased or angry.

I took a seat below her and lowered my eyes, waiting for her to speak.

After a while, she looked at me over her teacup.

“I heard about your conversation with my son in the study last night. You intend to take Dalang to Nanshan Academy, a thousand miles away, to study?”

“Yes.”

“Dalang wishes to become Grand Tutor He’s pupil. It’s a rare opportunity. I can’t let him travel so far alone, so I thought I would go with him and look after him.”

“Study.”

She repeated the word softly. There was a faint curve to her lips, but no warmth in it.

“A-Yun, you’re clever. Don’t use Dalang’s education as an excuse. You’re avoiding my son’s taking a concubine. Aren’t you?”

She was direct. I offered no hasty defense.

“You’re perceptive, Mother. That is part of the reason. But Dalang’s education matters most.”

“The Grand Tutor once taught the emperor. Such an opportunity doesn’t come to everyone. I can’t stand in Dalang’s way.”

“And can he not study in the capital?”

She set down her cup.

“The capital has no shortage of famous teachers. Couldn’t you find one to teach him well? Must you travel all the way to Nanhu?

“Dalang is only six, and you’re a woman. How are you to endure such a journey?

“And you’re my son’s wife. Your place is in this household, in the capital. If you go away for years, what will people say about the House of Zhenbei?”

That was what mattered most to her.

The family’s honor.

I slowly gave the explanation I had prepared.

“Mother, Grand Tutor He is retiring and going south to teach. Many children from distinguished families are preparing to follow him. Dalang won’t be the only one.

“People will praise your son’s foresight in allowing his legitimate eldest son to gain experience away from home. They won’t speculate about our private affairs.

“As for the journey, the Grand Tutor will have a large party, with plenty of guards and servants. Dalang and I will travel with them. We’ll be quite safe.”

“Once Dalang has completed his studies, we’ll come back to the capital.”

She listened without speaking, watching me as though she were trying to discover what I really intended.

“A-Yun, I know you’ve been wronged.”

Her voice softened with an elder’s attempt to persuade.

“You and my son have known each other since childhood. You’ve been married for seven years. I’ve seen how much you care for each other.”