Chapter 38: Taking a Concubine

The steward of the Shen household felt deeply aggrieved. Bowing his head, he gave a bitter smile and said, "Old Madam, how can you say that? We of the Shen family are people of integrity; we would not resort to this if we were not at our wits' end. But given the situation between that woman and our young master, with so many eyes watching, there is truly no other way."

"Besides, that woman is the Princess's personal guard; she is not exactly an outsider. Taking her as a concubine will not affect the Princess in the slightest. Once the Princess and our young master are wed, she will simply be someone close at hand to attend to her."

"Ha, that sounds pleasant enough," the Old Madam retorted, unmoved. "But to take a concubine before the legitimate wife has even crossed the threshold—what kind of logic is that?"

"It is not much of a lead time; just one day," the steward said, suppressing his impatience. "Merely one day before the Princess."

"One hour early is still early!" The Old Madam exhaled heavily. "Why not just have her enter on the same day? Once she follows the procession, you could simply register her as a concubine then, could you not?"

A flash of mockery and impatience crossed the steward's eyes. "Old Madam, we would like that, but the circumstances are different this time. The incident occurred at the Su residence. For our Master and Madam to agree to take this woman as a concubine is already an act of consideration for the Su family. If not for this... I fear the consequences would be far more unsightly."

He cupped his hands in a salute. "Old Madam, the message has been delivered. I take my leave."

He turned and strode away. Ridiculous. The Su family was angry, but so was the Shen family. Their young master had gone to visit for tea and ended up in such a scandalous mess that half the capital had seen him walking through the streets wrapped in a tattered sheet. Now, they were being forced to take that soiled woman as a concubine.

Who would want this? It was more nauseating than swallowing a fly. Yet, if they did not comply, Hao Mengye would not release the young master. Behind him, the sound of the Old Madam smashing a teacup echoed, but the steward did not break his stride.

As he reached the courtyard, he ran into Madam Su.

"The Shen family intends to take Rujian as a concubine? How can this be? Where does that leave my Yi'er?"

"You should speak with the Old Madam, Madam. I have already explained the situation to her." The steward tried to leave, but Madam Su blocked his path. "What about my son? Why has Shen Zhiyuan returned, but my son has not?"

"I do not know, Madam. I must take my leave."

Madam Su shouted in anger, "No, you cannot leave!"

At that moment, the Old Madam’s voice rang out from within: "Let him go."

Madam Su glared at the steward and hurried into the house. "Mother, why can Dingqin not return yet? Shen Zhiyuan has already arrived home safely."

"Mother, we must find someone to pull some strings. One layer of skin is peeled off just by entering that place; how can my son endure it..." She wept, tears streaming down her face.

The Old Madam snapped, "Stop crying! It is all because you insisted on bringing that jinx back. If it weren't for her, none of this would have happened."

As she spoke, a servant rushed in. "Old... Old Madam, Miss Sheng has returned to the manor."

Madam Su immediately stopped crying and turned to head outside. "What about Dingqin? Did Dingqin come back with her?"

The Old Madam sat as steady as a mountain. "Tell her to crawl in here and see me."

"Old Madam, she... she was escorted back by the Crimson Dragon Guard."

The Old Madam froze. "What?"

Jin Baobao helped Yu Shengsheng out of the carriage, and the Crimson Dragon Guard drove away. Yu Shengsheng took a deep breath and looked up at the gates of the Su residence—soon, she would be able to leave this place for good.

Just as she was about to step inside, Madam Su rushed out like a gale. She glanced left and right, catching sight of the Crimson Dragon Guard's carriage as it pulled away. She grabbed Yu Shengsheng, asking urgently, "Where is Dingqin? Where is your older brother?"

Yu Shengsheng caught her breath and pulled her hand away. "The young general did not return. I do not know his situation."

Madam Su paused, her frantic expression hardening into something vicious. "How could you not know? Was it not agreed that you would plead for him? You didn't do it, did you? You want to see him die, don't you!"

She grabbed Yu Shengsheng’s arm, pushing her forcefully. The bandages on Yu Shengsheng’s arm began to seep with fresh blood. Jin Baobao quickly pulled her away. "Let go! You are hurting the young lady!"

"My son is still in the Zhenning Tower, facing torture. What is to become of him?" Madam Su stared at Yu Shengsheng. "Go back. Kneel, kowtow, do whatever it takes, but get him out for me."

Yu Shengsheng lowered her eyes and pulled down her sleeve to cover the glaring red stain. "I do not have that kind of influence. You overestimate me, Madam Su."

"You..."

"Sheng-sheng," the Old Madam arrived, her tone surprisingly gentle. "Since you are back, go and rest first."

Yu Shengsheng did not know what game she was playing, but she was exhausted to the bone. She curtsied and turned to leave, but the Old Madam added, "Rujian is to be taken as a concubine by the Shen family, entering their doors one day before the wedding. Sheng-sheng, did you know of this?"

Yu Shengsheng looked surprised. Recalling Hao Mengye’s words—that she would understand once she returned—she realized this was what he had meant. "With all due respect, Old Madam, I did not."

The Old Madam nodded and said no more. Yu Shengsheng left.

"Mother, Dingqin, he..."

The Old Madam whispered sharply, "Do you think I do not care about Dingqin? But did you not see? It was the Crimson Dragon Guard who brought her back. Until we determine what connection she has with them, can we afford to act rashly?"

"And you—resorting to force with her, do you think that works? You are her mother, yet you know nothing of her. You are truly foolish beyond belief!"

The Old Madam returned to her quarters, leaving Madam Su standing where she was, tears streaming down her face. "What sin have we committed to deserve this..."

Back in her own courtyard, Yu Shengsheng saw the anxious Grandma Wu and Nanny Zhou, and her heart finally eased. Her tense body collapsed, and she fell into a deep slumber on the bed. Since dawn, she had not had a moment's respite; her body and spirit were exhausted to the limit.

Just as her eyes closed, she still retained a sliver of consciousness and heard whispers in the outer room.

"The Madam is still out there under the sun, saying that if she doesn't see the young lady, she won't go back."

Yu Shengsheng sighed inwardly. She suddenly wondered if, when she was taken away to the villa to learn etiquette years ago, Madam Su had felt this same sadness and tossed and turned in her sleep. Probably not.

A mocking curve touched the corner of Yu Shengsheng’s mouth. She turned over, facing the wall, and fell into a deep sleep.

It was a long, rambling dream. She dreamt of Qi Mubai, his smile warm, his hands dry and comforting—just as she remembered him. He smiled and said, "Sheng-sheng, I have come to take you home."

She ran toward him, filled with joy.

The dream broke. She opened her eyes; the lamps had been lit in the room. She lay there for a while with her eyes closed, sighing secretly. If only she could have dreamt a little longer, if only she could have spoken a few more words to him.

A moment later, she sat up and looked out the window. The bright moon hung high, and the wind still carried a hint of heat. Jin Baobao heard the movement and came in. "Young lady, you are awake."

"Dinner is prepared. Would you like to eat now?"

Yu Shengsheng was still hungry; she had barely eaten all day. "Yes."

"I will bring it in. You are still injured, so it is better not to move around too much. Just eat at this small table."

"That is fine."

The meal was laid out. Yu Shengsheng felt reasonably well and ate more than usual. "This cake is quite good," she said with a faint smile, "but it is still not as delicious as what Grandma Wu used to make."

Just as she was about to ask for Grandma Wu, Nanny Zhou entered and whispered, "Young lady, the Madam is still waiting outside."