Chapter 12: Visit

Chapter 12: A Visit

◎I have a close friend who entered a matrilocal marriage and runs a scholar's studio in the West Market.◎

Today, Teacher Cen was lecturing on "The Essay on Direct Governance," but just as she reached the part about "the sentiments of the people being blocked and unable to reach the ruler," a commotion erupted outside.

She couldn’t help but frown. The outing for today’s lesson had already been reported to the Earl of Guangcheng's residence, and the Countess of Guangcheng had even specially arranged to reserve the entire pleasure boat. How could there still be disturbances?

Li Ci, who tended to doze off at the sound of such scholarly texts, had long pricked up her ears, eager to catch the excitement outside.

Teacher Cen, noticing her darting eyes, knew her mind was no longer on the lesson. She decided to pause and sent someone to check what was happening.

As the classroom quieted down, the noise outside grew clearer. Zhou Ying listened intently and frowned, whispering, "That voice... it sounds a bit like Huang Ying, who serves Cousin Chun."

Zhou Ling remained silent but nodded slightly.

The voice grew increasingly shrill: "This boat was clearly reserved by my master. How could you let outsiders board? I’d like to see which little hussy dared to take someone else’s boat!"

The words were utterly offensive, and Zhou Ying immediately stood up. Her senior maid, taking the hint, opened the window and retorted, "You’re the one who’s forgotten your place! How dare you spout such filth?"

Li Ci listened with relish. She didn’t understand what "little hussy" meant but found it novel and amusing.

However, once the window was opened and both sides saw each other, they began to care about saving face, and the quarrel quickly died down.

Huang Ying helped Zhou Chun aboard. Dressed in an autumn-spice-colored spring brocade dress with a pattern of auspicious ruyi clouds and a full set of gold-inlaid red coral hair ornaments, she looked more mature than she had as a maiden in the estate, though undoubtedly wealthier.

The boat owner followed them aboard, and after his repeated apologies, both sides finally understood the situation.

In short, both parties had reserved the boat under the name of the Earl of Guangcheng’s residence, and both had chosen the same one. The boat owner, assuming they were together, had brought them to the same location.

The owner apologized profusely, saying, "This is truly a case of ‘the flood washing away the Dragon King’s temple.’ If you don’t mind, today’s boat rental fee is on me. Consider it my humble honor to host you ladies here."

Huang Ying snapped, "What nonsense are you talking? Do you think either of us can’t afford the fee? My mistress simply doesn’t want her peace disturbed. Understand?"

"Huang Ying, enough," Zhou Chun chided lightly before smiling gracefully. "You flatter us, boat owner. You earn your living through hard work—please accept the payment as usual. Very well, you may leave now."

The owner profusely thanked her before departing.

Zhou Chun covered half her face with a fan, greeted Teacher Cen, and said, "I apologize for interrupting your lesson, Teacher Cen. But since us sisters rarely have the chance to meet, might I ask for your indulgence to let us chat for a while?"

"Very well, let’s take a fifteen-minute break," Teacher Cen replied, not one to be unreasonable. She nodded and temporarily retreated to another cabin.

"It’s been a year since I last saw Sister Ying after my marriage. I truly miss her," Zhou Chun said, her gaze sweeping over her half-sister and maternal cousin with mild indifference. "Sister Ling, Sister Ci, you’re here too."

Zhou Ling reluctantly curtsied, and Li Ci followed suit.

Though Li Ci had been in Yingtian for three years, she had spent most of her time recuperating from illness. Zhou Chun, who had been betrothed to the son of the Marquis of Jingde early on and was busy preparing for her wedding, had little interaction with her, so they were not close.

Among them, only Zhou Ying had a passable relationship with Zhou Chun. She spoke up, "Indeed. Sister Chun, how have you been faring in the Marquis of Jingde’s household?"

Zhou Chun waved her round fan, causing the coral and turquoise gold bracelet on her wrist to sway. "Naturally, very well. My husband originally intended to accompany me on this boat ride today, but official duties kept him away."

Zhou Ying pursed her lips. "That’s good to hear. Earlier, I thought you looked a bit thinner and was worried. But now I’m relieved."

"You may be relieved, but I’m not," Zhou Chun said, lowering her voice slightly. "Look at you, always mingling with a half-sister and a merchant’s daughter. What kind of example is that?"

Zhou Ying, tired of hearing such remarks, immediately turned away.

Zhou Chun glanced at the copy of "The Essay on Direct Governance" on the table and sighed repeatedly. "You’re the legitimate daughter of the Earl of Guangcheng’s household. Why strive for a reputation for talent? For women, virtue outweighs talent. In the marquis’s household, I only claim to have read the Four Books for Women."

She seemed to realize her words were inappropriate and added with a smile, "Oh, Sister Ling, I’m not referring to you. As a half-sister, your circumstances are different."

Zhou Ling remained silent, staring down at the essay on the table, her lips pale from being bitten.

As a half-sister, her mother was merely a concubine who could be easily controlled by the primary wife. She did not want to cause trouble.

Zhou Chun smiled, her tone tinged with boastfulness. "I was once immature too, even quarreling with Sister Ling over a silver-gilt tasseled hairpin with auspicious patterns. Now that I’ve married into the Marquis of Jingde’s household, I have everything I want. Looking back, I was truly shortsighted."

That hairpin had been a reward from their father for Zhou Ling’s poetic talent. The sisters’ fight had not been solely about the hairpin but about pride.

Zhou Chun’s current behavior was no different. She removed the coral and turquoise gold bracelet from her wrist and tossed it toward Zhou Ling, announcing condescendingly, "Sister Ling, I give this to you."

The bracelet traced a crooked arc through the air before landing on Li Ci’s desk.

Zhou Ling was nearly driven mad by the provocation and was about to discard propriety and confront Zhou Chun when Li Ci picked up the bracelet.

She examined it carefully and blurted out, "Cousin Chun, this bracelet is also silver-gilt."

Li Ci’s voice, clear and sweet like a mountain spring, had a soothing quality.

Zhou Ling gradually calmed down as her younger cousin continued, "The coral is dull in color, and the turquoise is coarse with uneven hues."

Li Ci handed the bracelet back, pointing to a narrow seam. "Cousin Chun, bracelets of this quality usually have mediocre craftsmanship. Look, there’s already a crack here. If you like it, you shouldn’t toss it around anymore."

Now it was Zhou Chun’s turn to be furious. Her earlier composure vanished as she snatched back the bracelet and snapped, "What do you know?"

"Don’t be angry, Cousin Chun," Li Ci said kindly. "Perhaps I’m mistaken. It might even be copper-gilt."

Zhou Ling finally burst into laughter.

Zhou Chun clenched the bracelet tightly, the irregular edges of the coral digging into her palm.

Her jealousy peaked when she noticed the intricate gold phoenix hairpin adorned with pearls and gemstones on Li Ci’s head. The fine filigree work alone was exceptional, and the rubies embedded in the phoenix’s tail were of such quality that she had only seen one like them on her mother-in-law’s headpiece on her wedding day.

Zhou Chun, being older and more experienced, suppressed her anger with effort. She forced a false smile and said, "Never mind, I was being presumptuous earlier. Speaking of which, you sisters are all nearing the age of coming of age. The Marquis of Jingde’s household is hosting a flower banquet this month, and I’ve asked my mother-in-law to reserve invitations for you. Don’t mind my bluntness, but the marquis’s household is of higher status. If any of you catch someone’s eye, I, as your elder sister, can easily make introductions. After all, we are sisters, and I genuinely wish you well."

Having said this, she complained about the lack of refined incense in the cabin and the headache caused by the breeze from the open window before taking her leave.

With the outsider gone, the three sisters spoke more freely.

Zhou Ying couldn’t resist pinching Li Ci’s cheek. "Ah Ci, you were quite impressive today! Tell us, how did you come up with those words to anger her?"

Li Ci, her fair and tender cheeks flushing red, shook her head and mumbled, "Mmm, I didn’t mean to."

"Stop pinching her," Zhou Ling said, swatting Zhou Ying’s hand away and rescuing Li Ci. For once, she defended her. "Ah Ci wouldn’t do such a thing intentionally. It’s too cunning for her."

Zhou Ying, who had been holding back her laughter, finally let it out.

After the fifteen-minute break, Teacher Cen returned and resumed the lesson.

She said calmly, "Though women cannot directly participate in governance, your husbands and sons are all subjects of the state. Your words and actions can influence them. Even within the inner chambers, you can harbor concerns for the world. Now, let us continue with ‘the sentiments of the people being blocked and unable to reach the ruler’..."

After the lesson ended and they disembarked, Teacher Cen asked Li Ci to stay behind.

Though Li Ci had often daydreamed in class and left her assignments incomplete, this was the first time she had been detained after class, leaving her quite uneasy.

Teacher Cen said gently, "Ah Ci, do you know why I asked you to stay after class today?"

Li Ci shook her head, thinking to herself that she definitely hadn't dozed off in class.

“The 'Essay on Governance' states, ‘Communication brings peace; lack of communication brings disorder.’ When the people’s sentiments cannot reach the rulers, it cannot be called ‘peace’.” Teacher Cen took out her assignment and spoke earnestly. “Your essay shows unique insight, highlighting the drawbacks and difficulties faced by a minority in marriages where the husband joins the wife's household. It’s quite rare and shows great potential.”

Li Ci shook her head even more vigorously.

She wondered if it was too late to admit that this essay was something Xie Zheng had taught her to write.

“I have a close friend who is in such a marriage and runs a bookstore in the West Market. I plan to take you there for a visit, to observe firsthand. It will be both a reward and a chance for a deeper understanding. How does that sound?”

Li Ci nodded immediately. “Thank you, Teacher Cen.”

The carriage traveled all the way to the West Market. Li Ci lifted the curtain and spotted a familiar figure entering the bookstore with a scroll of painting paper, then leaving empty-handed.

Squinting, she recognized him clearly—it was the young servant from Xie Zheng's household.