Chapter 6 Comparison

Chapter 6 Comparison

Past the hour of Si, the officials dispersed after the imperial audience.

Lord Zhang, alongside Marquis Xuanping, persisted in securing a promise from the latter to visit his marquisate on a specified date and time in the coming days. Meanwhile, clusters of other officials engaged in hushed discussions about the principal affairs of state addressed that day, artfully probing one another's sentiments on the matters at hand.

Next month, Emperor Jingwu will turn sixteen, an age at which he is due to select both his empress and concubines amidst the intricacies of courtly intrigue.

Amidst the mixed emotions of joy and disappointment, those with eligible daughters held onto hope, while families without daughters could only sigh in resignation. Marquis Xuanping, on the other hand, remained composed. Lady Shen had already discussed with him that should the Emperor decide to choose consorts, their manor would present Yuan Ruo for the selection.

As for Lady Yuanjun, Lady Shen favored her maternal nephew's prospects. Both the Marquis of Xuanping and the Marquis of Changqi originated from the same noble household. During the reign of the previous emperor, their households were equally influential. However, with the new emperor's ascension, the Marquis of Changqi's family had fallen out of favor and was now inferior to the Marquis of Xuanping's. Hence, when Pei Yuanjun marries the heir of the Marquis of Changqi, it would seem like an equal match on the surface but in reality, she would be marrying down.

Yuanxi's situation was unique; she didn't possess the qualifications to enter the palace for selection. Yuan Hua was too young, not yet of age for such matters.

Marquis Xuanping didn't have strong opinions about sending his daughters to the palace. Everyone knew that the emperor was merely a figurehead, with the Grand Marshal holding the true power. Moreover, considering the emperor's peculiar habits that were hard for ordinary people to tolerate, if given a choice, he wouldn't want to send any of his daughters into the imperial court.

General Hong had a loud voice and, while asking about the criteria for past maidens entering the palace, his eyes kept darting towards Marquis Xuanping. "So it seems only ladies of fourth rank or above, with proper looks and no disabilities or hidden illnesses, are eligible. That fool surely doesn't meet those standards."

Marquis Xuanping scoffed coldly, "One who can't even read a few characters wouldn't pass the initial selection, yet still has the audacity to mock others."

General Hong, resembling a cat whose tail had been stepped on, immediately bristled, "At least my daughter made it through the first round, unlike some who don't even have the basic qualifications."

"Boasting just for making the first round? How pitiful. Unlike me, I have four daughters. Any one of them being chosen is better than being eliminated in the initial stage," he said smugly.

"Having four daughters is nothing to brag about. Perhaps His Majesty prefers a unique woman," General Hong shot back, with some people around trying to mediate.

Prime Minister Zhang was also persuading Marquis Xuanping not to waste his anger on a brute like General Hong. Amidst the crowd's efforts to defuse the tension, Marquis Xuanping and Prime Minister Zhang walked away on a different path.

From afar, he could hear General Hong gloating about having three sons, unlike someone whose household only had a single scion, an illegitimate one at that.

"Three, two of them born from the main wife," General Hong emphasized.

Prime Minister Zhang hurriedly pulled Marquis Xuanping further away, fearing that they might come to blows right at the palace gates. Fuming when he arrived for court, Marquis Xuanping left with even more pent-up anger, courtesy of General Hong.

The blazing midday sun scorched the throat like fire.

Pei Qing, his attendant, had been waiting outside the palace gates. Upon seeing his lord emerging, he promptly served the iced tea he had prepared beforehand. Despite downing half a flask, the heat did little to alleviate his irritation.

Numerous officials grumbled about the unfriendly weather as they hurriedly scrambled into their carriages and sedan chairs, urging their drivers and bearers to make haste.

Scholars ride in sedan chairs or carriages, while military officials mostly mount horses.

Marquis Xuanping's preference for traveling in a palanquin was a source of particular disdain for General Hong. A distinguished military marquis by birth, he had adopted the effeminate ways of the civil officials, which truly tarnished the illustrious reputation of the former Marquis Xuanping.

The palanquin came to a halt outside the Marquis's residence. The journey from the entrance to the study in the front courtyard would take a little over a quarter of an hour under the blazing sun, which beat down mercilessly upon one's scalp. Unlike women, who could take shelter beneath the fashionable parasols made of paper to shield themselves from the harsh rays, men had no such luxury and were left to endure the unrelenting heat.

"Father." At the entrance stood a young maiden, none other than Pei Yuanxi.

Despite standing in the shade, the scorching sun still flushed her cheeks a deep red. Upon encountering Marquis Xuanping, her rosy face blossomed like a flower, exuding an enchanting charm.

Marquis Xuanping's face flashed with a hint of distress. "Why are you here?"

"I'm here to meet Father," said Pei Yuanxi, holding a small basket in her hand. The basket was covered tightly with a small cotton quilt. "I've brought him some chilled mung bean soup."

In the sweltering heat of summer, the Marquis's residence would daily brew mung bean soup, which was then chilled with ice to be readily available for the lords and ladies to enjoy at their whim.

"How long have you been waiting?" Marquis Xuanping asked.

Pei Yuanxi tilted her head, pointing at the shadow of the stone lion on the ground as she gestured with her hands. "I came when it was this long, and now it's almost gone."

It must have been more than two hours.

Marquis Xuanping was deeply moved. He always hurried along this path from the entrance to his study, and no one had ever considered that he might feel the heat in those fifteen minutes.

Pondering in his heart, Pei Qing thought that the green bean soup, chilled beforehand, must have turned warm by now, covered with a cotton blanket for so long. The young lady's filial intentions were commendable, but her method was ineffective; the soup needed to be kept iced constantly.

Pei Yuanxi had already lifted the cotton blanket to retrieve the green bean soup. She had thought of everything – the bowl was even covered with a plate. Holding it up before Marquis Xuanping, she smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Father, drink quickly. Once you do, you won't feel hot anymore."

Tiny droplets of water condensed on the bowl, and a cool vapor rose from the soup.

Pei Qing exclaimed, "This soup is still icy?"

Marquis Xuanping was also surprised. Both he and Pei Qing had assumed that the soup would have warmed up under the sun, covered with a cotton blanket for such a long time. Yet, it was unexpectedly as refreshing as if it had just been taken out of crushed ice.

After downing the chilled green bean soup, he felt rejuvenated.

"San Niang, how did you know about this method?"

Pei Yuanxi looked up with confusion in her big eyes. "I don't know, I just do."

Marquis Xuanping chuckled. His Third Sister was truly extraordinary; her mind held ideas that were distinct from others. Heaven envied perfection, and it seemed that this was the case for his Third Sister.

"My Third Sister is clever indeed. This method is excellent. If it spreads, every household could save a significant amount of ice each year."

"Of course, I am Father's daughter, after all." Pei Yuanxi wore a proud expression.

Marquis Xuanping usually had his lunch in the front courtyard, accompanied by Pei Ji, who had just returned from school. Seeing his younger sister, Pei Ji was not surprised, and he began to share with their father what he had learned from his teacher that day.

The father and son engaged in an insightful discussion, and Pei Yuanxi did not find it boring at all. She rested her chin in her hand and listened attentively to their conversation.

"Father, it seems like Sister can understand," Pei Ji remarked in surprise.

Marquis Xuanping turned to look at her. "Can you, Third Sister?"

Pei Yuanxi shook her head. "No, I don't."

The hope in Marquis Xuanping's eyes faded, but he wasn't overly disappointed. After all, his expectations had never been high. Compared to the average person with cognitive disabilities, his Third Sister was already quite remarkable.

To everyone's surprise, Pei Yuanxi repeated the conversation between father and son word for word after admitting her ignorance.

Marquis Xuanping was utterly astonished, while Pei Ji stood there with his mouth agape.

"Father, Sis... she recited it perfectly."

"Yes, not a single word was missed," Marquis Xuanping said, now stirred with emotion. He had been careless. For Sanniang to remember every character he taught her ten years ago despite her condition proved that her memory was exceptional.

Neither he nor his son were born with extraordinary talents. He had heard of prodigies and knew that some people possessed photographic memories. Such individuals were extremely rare, perhaps one in ten thousand.

He knew Sanniang was clever, but he had underestimated her genius. If she had not become mentally impaired, she might have already achieved fame and respect as an esteemed scholar.

"Come here, Sanniang. Let Father test you again." He took out a difficult historical text, read a page, then looked at his daughter expectantly.

Confused, Pei Yuanxi stared blankly. Under her father's hopeful gaze, she began to recite the text doubtfully. As before, she recited it flawlessly.

Marquis Xuanping felt as if his heart was being seared by hot oil; how unfair fate was to make his most intelligent child a fool. Then, he felt as if he had plunged into icy water, grateful that he had discovered this sooner. With such remarkable calligraphy skills and an incredible memory, Sanniang would not be seen as a fool for the rest of her life.

"Dad, Sis is so amazing!" Pei Ji was stunned, unable to articulate his emotions. Only now did he realize how talented his sister truly was. How wonderful it would have been if she had never lost her wits.

"Indeed, how remarkable." Marquis Xuanping composed himself and exhorted his son not to reveal Sanniang's photographic memory to anyone. Like a tall tree attracting strong winds, exceptional brilliance often invites harm. It was sufficient for Sanniang's reputation as an excellent calligrapher to spread; he feared that any further display of her talents might stir unnecessary troubles, providing opportunities for ill-intentioned individuals to exploit.

In the blink of an eye, Pei Ji understood his father's painstaking efforts.

"Rest assured, Father, I understand my role."

With a son like this and a daughter like that, Marquis Xuanping felt a profound sense of contentment. He vaguely recalled them as two innocent children; in the blink of an eye, they had grown into refined individuals, blossoming like orchids and jade trees amidst peach blossoms and willows.

His heart ached with a swelling sentiment, filled with indescribable emotions. He even entertained a further thought – perhaps his Sanniang need not marry out; he could invite a son-in-law into their home instead. He believed that the Marquis's Manor had ample means to support their entire family and trusted that his son would treat this pitiful younger sister with kindness.

He instructed his servants to set up the midday meal in the front courtyard, where he would dine with his son and daughters.

Upon hearing this news in the inner courtyard, each person had their own thoughts.

As the legitimate daughter, Pei Yuanjun had never been summoned to her father's study, let alone have a meal alone with him. Naturally, a tinge of jealousy arose in her heart. What made her even more uncomfortable was that after dining with their father, Pei Yuanxi was given the privilege to continue studying with him in the afternoon.

Feeling sympathetic for her daughter's disappointment, Madam Shen consoled her with gentle words. She emphasized how pitiful Pei Yuanxi was, being both an elder sister and a legitimate child, and there was no need for Yuanjun to compete with her silly, concubine-born sister.

It was fortunate that Pei Yuanxi was mentally challenged; if it were Pei Yuanruo or Pei Yuanhua in her place, not only would Pei Yuanjun feel sour, but Madam Shen herself would also be deeply affected.

Pei Yuanxi had just moved into Xuanting Courtyard and was not yet acquainted with Pei Yuanjun.

Pei Yuanjun found her silly and thus paid her little attention. After returning at three quarters past the afternoon, Yuanxi stood in a daze, too afraid to move. She then followed Jiaoshen meekly like a little tail. Jiaoshen sighed inwardly and wanted to send her back to her room for some rest. But upon seeing her expression, she inexplicably felt like crying.

"You child, what are you following me for? Shouldn't you return to your room to rest or go find your second sister to play?"

Pei Yuanjun shook her head like a rattle-drum. "I want to be with Mother, I like Mother."

Jiaoshen's heart melted, and she sternly warned the servants of Xuanting Courtyard to treat Third Young Lady with respect, ensuring that all her needs were met, even surpassing those of the first daughter.

For dinner, Pei Yuanxi ate with Jiaoshen, as well as Pei Yuanjun.

As the matriarch, Jiaoshen had a generous dowry and was willing to spend on her daughters. Thus, the dishes served in Xuanting Courtyard were the finest and most exquisite. Staring at the food with a foolish look, Pei Yuanxi was too intimidated to touch her chopsticks.

Lao Ma brought out a few bowls of carefully cooked bird's nest, placing them before each mistress. The bird's nest was cooked to perfection, with the papaya giving it a luscious, appealing color.

"Go ahead and drink," said Jiaoshen.

Pei Yuanxi gazed into the white jade bowl containing the bird's nest, her eyes veiled by a subtle glimmer.