Chapter 3
Edward Quan ·
“All right, don't stand about here. Go and attend to your own affairs!”
“Yes, Mother.”
Outside Songhe Hall, my sister-in-law deliberately leaned close to my ear, her voice full of spiteful insinuation.
“Qingyue, who would have thought my brother-in-law would give Liu Wanning Qiushui Pavilion? It's the finest courtyard in the residence! Even you, the mistress of the household, have never lived there!”
“If you want it so badly, ask him yourself. It's not my decision.”
I signaled to Caiwei. She stepped forward to block my sister-in-law while I walked briskly away.
“The eldest madam never misses a chance to make trouble!” Even Cailian could no longer stomach this family.
“There's nothing new about her lack of sense.”
Du Cheng had one brother, six years his senior.
He had died the year before Du Cheng placed third in the palace examinations.
Sickly from childhood, he had left no children.
After his death, his widow—only two years older than Du Cheng—had begun to set her sights on her brother-in-law.
She wanted him to serve as husband to both branches of the family, continuing his elder brother's line as well as his own.
The old madam had entertained the idea too.
Unfortunately for them, Du Cheng thoroughly disliked his sister-in-law. He thought her vulgar and stupid and wanted nothing to do with the arrangement.
She, however, refused to give up.
To please him, she agreed with everything he said and supported everything he did.
It was unusual for her to object today.
Liu Wanning's arrival must have made her feel seriously threatened.
2
That evening, just after dinner, another messenger came from Songhe Hall.
“Second Madam, the old madam requests your presence. There is an important matter to discuss.”
“Very well.”
After the messenger withdrew, Caiwei straightened my clothes, muttering.
“What could be so urgent it can't wait until tomorrow?”
“I suspect it really cannot.”
They had intended to discuss the wedding that morning. Liu Wanning's theatrics had delayed them.
Her growing belly would not wait.
But a performance had to be carried through to the end, so they had put it off until evening.
No matter how late it became, she would insist on settling the matter today.
My Lanzhi Courtyard lay some distance away, in a more secluded part of the residence.
By the time I reached Songhe Hall, everyone else was already there.
“Qingyue, I've had the dates consulted. The eighth of next month is auspicious for a wedding. That will be Cheng and Wanning's wedding day. See that all the preparations are made.”
“Mother, I'm afraid I cannot.”
“Su Qingyue, there are limits to jealousy! Wanning is carrying my child. She will marry me whether you agree or not!”
“You misunderstand, Second Master. I have no objection. There are only ten days until the eighth, and I'm not well enough to manage the arrangements.”
“Hmph! What a feeble excuse!”
“Have you forgotten how recently my father died?”
Du Cheng had no answer.
He really had forgotten.
The Grand Tutor had been dead only a fortnight. Su Qingyue had handled every part of his funeral herself.
She had lost her closest kin and exhausted herself with all that work. Anyone would have struggled to bear it.
But Du Cheng could hardly admit he had forgotten.
“Hmph! As long as you're not doing this because you resent my marrying Wanning!”
He turned to his mother.
“Then I must trouble you to arrange my wedding, Mother.”
The old madam nodded, though somewhat reluctantly.