Chapter 6.1

“Miss, there’s a young lady in the front hall claiming to be your friend from the capital. She wishes to see you!” a maid announced as she entered Du Bingyan’s music room.

Du Bingyan was momentarily stunned. She had just returned to the Du family a day ago, and already someone was visiting her? She didn’t have any friends in the capital! It had been six days since she left Chang’an, and the city was already buzzing with unfavorable rumors about her; even among the servants, there was whispering.

In just one day, she could already feel the impact!

“Did she give her name?” she inquired.

“She said you would understand once you met her.”

“Well then—please bring her here!” It would be nice to have someone to talk to, as she had had enough of her family’s constant reproaches. She knew she wasn’t at fault, but due to face-saving reasons, she had to endure the unjust treatment.

Before long, a figure in a white dress appeared at the end of the corridor, lightly skipping toward her with a clear and delicate voice: “Sister Du! Sister Du! We meet again!”

Ah! It’s her! The Li Cuiyu whom she had a chance encounter with in Luoyang!

Du Bingyan joyfully moved forward to greet her, taking her hands.

“Cuiyu! How did you know I was in Yangzhou? Did you come with family? How did you get here?”

Li Cuiyu pointed at the two burly men behind her, pouting, and said, “Look, if I didn’t bring them with me, they would have threatened to kill themselves and wouldn’t let me go. But I finally managed to escape successfully this time! Originally, I went to Yuan’s residence to find you, but the servants said you had returned to Yangzhou! So I had them arrange for a carriage, and we traveled day and night to find you in Jiangnan! Can I stay and play for a month?”

“Of course! But won’t your family be worried?” She could see that the two men behind Cuiyu looked worried, likely because Cuiyu’s impulsiveness had alarmed them.

“I already informed my family! Don’t worry! Let’s go out and have some fun! The scenery along the way was so pleasant, and there are so many beautiful boats on the lake. I want to go for a ride!” Li Cuiyu’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Oh, those are called painted boats! My family has one as well, docked by the lake. We can take a ride and watch the performers,” Du Bingyan explained with a smile.

“Great! Let’s go quickly!”

Du Bingyan chuckled.

“Look at you, so dusty and tired. First, take a rest! I’ll have someone prepare a room for you. You should wash your face and let your attendants catch their breath. It’s almost time for lunch, and we’ll go boating in the afternoon. The performance will be better then. How does that sound?”

“Okay, that works.”

As Du Bingyan was about to lead Li Cuiyu to the guest room for some rest, her eldest and third sisters-in-law approached. Her expression darkened; she feared another round of blame and criticism from them. They must have heard more gossip from outside and felt the need to vent their frustrations on her.

“Ah! A guest? Bingyan, I heard from the doorman that it’s a young lady from the capital,” said her eldest sister-in-law, Qiu Shi, with a sharp tone, casting a dismissive glance at the travel-stained Li Cuiyu.

“She is a friend from the capital who has come to visit and enjoy herself,” Du Bingyan explained.

Her third sister-in-law, He Shi, replied with a forced smile, “It seems you’ve picked up quite a few bad habits from the capital. A young lady going out to play before marriage—no wonder the general doesn’t want you! Young lady, where are you from? Don’t your parents discipline you?”

“Impudent!” The two burly men accompanying Li Cuiyu sternly shouted in unison, drawing their swords.

The sudden display of aggression frightened Qiu Shi and He Shi, making them scream and cower, attracting a crowd of servants and family members.

“Step back!” Li Cuiyu’s youthful face took on an imposing, regal air that made it hard for anyone to look directly at her.

“Yes, Miss!” The two men sheathed their swords and stood aside respectfully.

“What’s going on?” Du Zhixiang asked calmly, his disinterest clear as he addressed the two most talkative of his five daughters-in-law, already suspecting they had caused trouble for his daughter.

“Father! The aunt’s friend is trying to kill people! They must be bandits come to rob and kill us!” Qiu Shi cried dramatically, clutching her father-in-law’s sleeve.

“Stop embarrassing yourself! Stand aside!” Du Bochuan scolded, pulling his wife behind him.

Their commotion would likely fuel more gossip the next day! Du Zhixiang glared at his two daughters-in-law and then turned to his daughter. “Are they staying?”

“Yes, Father,” Bingyan replied softly, her eyes showing a hint of sadness.

Du Zhixiang patted her shoulder sympathetically. “Don’t let them draw swords and cause trouble. Our people aren’t equipped to handle such threats. It’s rare for you to have a friend visit, so make sure to treat her well, understood?”

“Thank you, Father.” Du Bingyan’s eyes brightened.

Du Zhixiang then turned his attention to Li Cuiyu, recognizing her as a girl of noble background, with a certain dignity about her. He was displeased that his two ignorant daughters-in-law had offended her. His face remained stern.

“Where are you from, young lady?”

“Chang’an.”

“What does your father do?”

“A minor official,” Li Cuiyu waved her hand dismissively, feeling that Du Zhixiang was a decent person but somewhat long-winded. The real troublemakers were Du Bingyan’s two sisters-in-law, who would get their comeuppance someday. She turned to Du Bingyan and said, “Sister, let’s go for a walk!”

Du Bingyan nodded and led her to the guest room. The two burly men followed closely, leaving behind a group of confused onlookers and the cold-eyed Qiu Shi and He Shi. “Apart from the constables and guards, who else dares to carry swords? I say, those three people from the capital must be up to no good!” He Shi continued to stoke the fire of gossip in Qiu Shi’s room.

Among the five brothers of the Du family, only the eldest and third had taken concubines, neglecting their wives. They had no children and lacked the elegance of daughters from wealthy families. Instead, they were fond of gossip and criticizing others; exchanging information with idle wealthy ladies only made their husbands intolerant. Over the years, the two of them had become a faction of their own! Qiu Shi was envious but not very bright, while He Shi was good at stirring trouble but lacked courage. They were a perfect match!

After being reprimanded by their husbands for spreading harmful rumors about Miss Du the day before, and with He Shi sporting dark circles and Qiu Shi with a visible slap mark, their resentment had shifted from Du Bingyan to the young lady and her two male companions from the capital.

Qiu Shi nodded, “Everyone treats her like a high-ranking official from Chang’an, fawning over her! I’m an official’s daughter too! My elder brother is the county magistrate in Yangzhou! How dare they enter the city with swords, so contemptuous of the law!”

He Shi’s eyes glinted.

“Eldest Sister, why not use your elder brother’s influence to throw them in jail? Accuse them of being bandits, and they’ll be punished severely!”

“But that girl’s father is an official, probably a high-ranking one in Chang’an! If he finds out—” Qiu Shi hesitated.

“If he is an official, he must be a minor one! Moreover, Chang’an is far from here; we’ll deal with her first. No one will know! Besides, didn’t your elder brother always want to make Bingyan his fourth concubine but was repeatedly refused? If she’s involved with bandits, no one will want her, and she’ll definitely become your elder brother’s concubine!” He Shi’s provocation stirred Qiu Shi’s emotions.

With such encouragement, Qiu Shi agreed, “Let’s go to the county office to see my elder brother this afternoon.”

The two disgruntled and malicious women smiled with satisfaction.

~

“You really shouldn’t have returned to Yangzhou to endure these baseless rumors! Some idle people just enjoy spreading gossip. Your return only gave them more material. It wasn’t worth it!” Li Cuiyu nibbled on a plate of pastries and candied fruits on the table, chatting with Du Bingyan in between bites.

Du Bingyan lightly plucked at the guzheng, her smile serene. With Cuiyu’s company over the past few days, life had become much more pleasant. Her eldest and third sisters-in-law had ceased their complaints, granting her a few peaceful days. As for the rumors circulating outside, she felt no need to concern herself with them. Perhaps before she was married, she might have felt ashamed by such rumors and even considered ending her life to make a statement. But now, things were different. She wouldn’t devalue her own life over the opinions of irrelevant people, creating suffering for herself and satisfaction for others. She had wronged no one; she had acted with integrity and propriety. If she were to commit suicide out of momentary impulse, it would only lead to others calling her “wronged”—perhaps the evaluations would not be negative, but so what? Her life was given by her parents, and her future was entrusted to Yuan Buqu. Even if public opinion condemned her as shameless and suggested she die to clear her name, the gossip and curiosity about when she might succumb to “fear of public opinion” would ultimately be all people cared about.

For a woman criticized by society, fate seemed to be such. If she did not die, it would disappoint people.

Some took the opportunity to add to her woes. For example, Qiu Chaoxing, the county magistrate, who, after being rejected a year ago, now came boldly to propose taking her as a concubine, thinking the Du family would see her as a hot potato, eager to offload her. The result nearly saw him thrown out by the irate fifth brother of the Du family. Qiu Chaoxing, infuriated and embarrassed, spread rumors in neighboring counties, further embellishing her story as a concubine in the capital. This led to the neighboring wealthy families, who had originally intended to propose marriage, withdrawing their interest.

For her, this was a good outcome, but it shamed her family. The Qi family from Quanzhou also had a poor opinion of the Du family. When Du Zhixiang discovered that Li Yuhu was marrying into the Qi family, he had a big falling out with them and scolded Li Yuhu, reportedly causing a miscarriage. The business dealings between the two families had stalled. Yesterday, Du Zhixiang and his eldest son decided to travel south to Quanzhou to apologize to the Qi family and also address the matter concerning Bingyan. Given the circumstances, he intended to have Bingyan become a concubine of the Qi family. He felt that if Bingyan stayed with the Du family, the rumors would only worsen, and he did not trust the less reputable suitors who came to propose. At least the Qi family’s young master was distinguished, courteous, and would likely treat Bingyan well. This was Du Zhixiang’s thinking, which he did not disclose to his daughter, only saying they were going south for business and to apologize.

Hearing that Li Yuhu’s marriage was happy, Du Bingyan felt a heavy weight lift from her heart. Previously, when she developed feelings for Yuan Buqu and he was gentle with her, she always felt guilty, thinking she was shamelessly depriving Li Yuhu of her happiness.

It seemed that fate had already arranged their future. She had met Ziren, and Li Yuhu had received the affection of The third son of the Qi family. It must be that Li Yuhu’s lively spirit brought joy and vitality to Qi San Gongzi. They were the ones suited for each other.

“Sister Du, let’s return to Chang’an! General Yuan must be going mad looking for you!” Li Cuiyu pulled at her hand, trying to bring her back to reality.

Du Bingyan was momentarily stunned.

“No, I’ll wait for him to come, if he will come—”

“Are you worried he might marry the princess?”

“He should be grateful for the emperor’s favor,” Bingyan said softly, unable to hide her sadness.

Li Cuiyu lifted her chin.

“Don’t worry! There won’t be a wedding! Yuan Buqu won’t marry the princess, and the princess doesn’t intend to marry him. The princess detests cold, unsmiling men like him! Besides, the princess’s heart is already set on someone else.”

Bingyan couldn’t help but smile at Cuiyu’s passionate outburst.

“You seem to understand the princess’s feelings quite well?”

“Of course. It’s just that the emperor has become senile, intent on playing matchmaker.”

“Miss!” Two loyal attendants interrupted her disrespectful comments.

Li Cuiyu stuck out her tongue, impatiently saying, “Zhang Zhong, Shi Jing, step back ten paces and stop bothering me, okay?”

“Miss, we find it difficult to comply. It’s been ten days since we left the capital. Perhaps we should return—”

“Return on your own if you want! I won’t stop you!” Li Cuiyu waved her hand as if shooing away mosquitoes, eager for them to disappear from her sight. She had failed to escape, refused to return to the palace, and had ended up dragging them along.

Du Bingyan had already guessed that Cuiyu must have left home without permission, explaining why her attendants constantly followed her, trying to persuade her to go back. They even privately asked her to act as a mediator. However, she had ended up being the one persuaded, as Cuiyu vigorously encouraged her to return to Chang’an, disliking how the people here spread malicious rumors about her.

“Let’s not discuss depressing matters. Shall we go on a pleasure boat ride instead? I really enjoy watching the performers.”

“Sure! I’ll have the servants prepare the carriage.” Du Bingyan stood up to call for someone, but a doorman hurried towards them.

“Miss, it’s bad news! Some officials have come to the front courtyard…

Sansukini: Chapter 6 is the last chapter. It will be divided into 3 separate post ending Thursday.

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