One day, Madam Yue suddenly said to me, "Young Master Xie has returned to the Capital City."
I responded indifferently, feeling nothing.
Madam Yue looked at me and said, "In two days, several of your distant cousins from the city will be visiting our mansion. You should tidy yourself up and not spoil everyone's fun."
I didn't expect there to be so many relatives in the Capital City, all of whom I'd never met. I didn't feel like seeing them, so I said, "I haven't been feeling well lately; I don't want to see anyone."
Madam Yue completely ignored my feelings, saying firmly, "Our Yue Mansion is, after all, a prominent household. Those distant cousins of yours are also from prominent families. You haven't interacted much with them, so you should take a good look at what daughters of prominent families are like."
I could only agree. At this time, Madam Yue had already ordered Xin'er to bring over new clothes—a vibrant peach-red, embroidered with phoenixes in gold and silver thread, both alluring and elegant.
But I usually prefer to wear slightly worn clothes; they are much more convenient when I work. I feel uncomfortable even walking in such precious clothing.
Madam Yue's orders had been given; the cousins would be arriving at the mansion the next day. Madam Yue also reminded Yue Xiaochan to pay extra attention to her appearance, so as not to be outshone by the visitors.
Yue Xiaochan was very obedient to Madam Yue, listening attentively without blinking. I began to wonder if Madam Yue was actually a good person, and if I was being too sensitive? A beautiful and elegant woman, liked everywhere she goes, yet she always seems distant from her own daughter.
The more Madam Yue wanted to turn me into someone like her, the more I resisted. In the past, because of the birthmark on my face, I was very insecure, dreaming of one day becoming a beauty. Later, the birthmark disappeared, but I no longer seem to care about beauty.
Sure enough, the next day, four cousins arrived—distant relatives beyond three generations, with whom we rarely interacted. Two were sisters, one named Lin Feifei and the other Lin Momo; the other two were Jiang Yuan and Xie Min.
Each of them was dressed elaborately. As soon as they entered the mansion, it became lively, attracting everyone's attention. They all held their heads high, with reserved smiles, acknowledging us.
Yue Xiaochan, Yue Xiaojuan, and I followed behind Madam Yue. Madam Yue was dressed very brightly. I wore a peach-colored dress, Yue Xiaochan was in red, and Yue Xiaojuan wore a light green, dark-patterned garment made of ordinary satin, showing no desire to compete.
The cousins greeted us one by one, surrounding Madam Yue and affectionately calling her "aunt." It seemed as if they were very familiar with her. Madam Yue said, "You've all grown so tall! The last time I saw you was five or six years ago."
Madam Yue confused Lin Feifei and Lin Momo, and later mistook Xie Min for someone else. Xie Min, true to her name, had a small face, delicate brows and eyes, and a lively spirit in her expressive eyes. She playfully pouted, saying, "Auntie, you don't love Xiao Min anymore. Xiao Min is so sad." While speaking, she held Madam Yue's hand, winking and smiling. Madam Yue tapped her forehead with her finger and laughed, "You little rascal, Auntie has been looking forward to your visit."
Yue Xiaochan, Yue Xiaojuan, and I mingled with the four women. My distant cousins were particularly curious about how I removed the birthmark on my face. In their memory, Yue Moyuan was an ugly, silent girl who was bullied without daring to say anything.
They had only met me once or twice. The older Jiang Yuan said, "Fortune favors those who wait. Unexpectedly, Moyuan, you've become successful." The others echoed her sentiments.
After lunch with the cousins, I went to my room to rest. Liansheng followed me, complaining that the relatives were too noisy and that the noise was bothering her. She wondered why Madam Yue had invited them to the mansion.
I smiled faintly. Madam Yue probably wanted to show them off. Although they were beautiful, they usually stayed in their boudoirs and rarely went out. Jiang Yuan and Xie Min were already engaged.
But what did I have that was worth showing off? My medical practice, which she considered useless and inappropriate for a woman to do publicly. My lack of interest in dressing up and my disregard for appearance, which she considered slovenly and unbecoming of her daughter.
After resting in the afternoon, I went flower viewing with the cousins. They could discuss an imported perfume for a long time, or talk endlessly about a box of rouge. Jiang Yuan and Xie Min also had many feelings about their upcoming marriages.
Jiang Yuan was marrying the current Vice Minister of Revenue, and Lu Min was marrying Xie Liang'an's cousin, Xie Yishan. I seemed to understand. Both of them were marrying very well. Was Madam Yue using them to influence me?
Jiang Yuan and Xie Min talked about the Xie family. The Xie family was a renowned aristocratic family in the Yong Dynasty, with considerable power and a very good reputation. The Xie family also produced handsome men. Xie Yishan was already quite handsome, but Lu Min whispered, "Actually, my mother prefers Xie Liang'an. He's cultured, handsome, and kind. Except for his unruly and unreasonable younger sister, he's perfect."
Lu Min continued, "Xie Susu is truly unreasonable. I attended a banquet with her. Her clothes were extremely gaudy, and her head was covered in gold and silver—she has no taste. But her brother is refined and elegant. Which woman in the Capital City wouldn't want to marry Young Master Xie? Unlike other young masters, Young Master Xie doesn't frequent brothels looking for courtesans. He's even more beautiful than a woman, and he's wholeheartedly devoted, never straying."
As Lu Min spoke, everyone agreed. Then the younger Lin Feifei said, "Such a perfect man! I'm not engaged yet. I must give it a try."
Lin Momo said, "Feifei, lose ten pounds first. You've gained weight this year. If you continue like this, you'll become a mountain."
Lin Feifei was a plump beauty with fair skin, whose eyes disappeared when she smiled. She confidently said, "I don't want to lose weight. Skinny women are boring. Look at the wealthy ladies in the Capital City—aren't they all my size?"
I didn't expect my cousins to be so engrossed in gossip. I tried to remind them, "Shouldn't we talk about something else?" They ignored me and continued to discuss Xie Liang'an as if intoxicated.
Suddenly, someone mentioned Chang Yunshang—it was Lin Momo. Lin Momo said, "I heard that our General Dingyuan is eighteen and unmarried."
I found it strange that there were no rumors about Chang Yunshang and me. Had they never heard of it? That's not right. Chang Yunshang had requested an imperial marriage grant from the Ze Emperor for me, and was repeatedly refused—this was once big news in the Capital City. At that time, many people said that I wasn't good enough for him. How did these rumors disappear, as if no one cared anymore?
Liansheng and Yue Xiaochan listened from the side; Yue Xiaojuan had already left. When they talked about Chang Yunshang, Liansheng looked at me with a mischievous smile and served a plate of salted peanuts. Everyone shelled them while chattering away.
They were indeed not fond of Chang Yunshang. Lu Min, taking the lead, naturally expressed her opinion first: "Chang Yunshang is really strange, and it is said that he is naturally unlucky for his family. He was only a few years old when his parents died." Jiang Yuan added, "I heard that when his temper flares, he even contradicts the Emperor. Now, relying on his military achievements, he doesn't care about anything, but if one day he suffers a defeat, or if the Emperor loses trust in him, his downfall will be only a matter of time."
Lin Feifei laughed, "I know the person you're talking about. I saw him from afar once. He had a furious expression, and I was scared. He has a bandit-like air. It's understandable, considering he lost his parents at a young age."
Lin Momo continued, "The ladies of the Capital City dislike him, and no one wants to marry him. Who wants to risk their life?"
They were talking animatedly. Seeing that I didn't speak, Lu Min asked for my opinion. Seeing their excited expressions, it was clear they were enjoying the drama. It was really hard on Madam Yue to use so many people to tell me that Chang Yunshang was unsuitable, and that Xie Liang'an was the best choice. But just because others wouldn't marry him, shouldn't I marry him? Just because others admired him, should I fight for him?
I peeled a peanut and ordered Liansheng to pour tea. The sisters ate the salty peanuts and continued to discuss the prominent young masters in the Capital City without getting thirsty.
I smiled, "You only heard rumors. I have a degree of familiarity with General Dingyuan, and he isn't as bad as you say. It's true that he has a bad temper. It's true that his father died young. It's also true that he dares to speak up against injustice."
The sisters, eating salted peanuts and sipping tea, were shocked by my statement.
Jiang Yuan said, "My older sister also married a man with a bad temper. He was handsome and a military man, but only a lieutenant. After marriage, he often beat and scolded her. My sister told me never to marry a military man—they are completely insensitive and either endure separation or cannot communicate properly. My brother-in-law's colleagues are also rough and barbaric. They can spend hundreds of taels of gold on pleasure, but they won't even buy their wives a hairpin."
I felt that their words were pointed; it must be Madam Yue's scheme.
The next day, I secretly slipped out for a while to get some fresh air. I took a carriage and rushed to Chang Residence. Chang Yunshang had been resting at home more often these days. The last time he was detained in the Palace, he lost almost a month of freedom. The Ze Emperor had given him a month's leave.
When I arrived at Chang Residence, I saw Ying Zhitian, but not Chang Yunshang. Upon inquiring, I learned that Chang Yunshang had gone to the drill ground to inspect the troops. How could he really stay at home? I couldn't help but feel disappointed. Ying Zhitian said to me with a serious expression, "The General is sleepless night and day for the sake of the country. I heard that the border is unstable again."
I returned to the mansion listlessly, feeling utterly tasteless until evening. Suddenly, I felt that what the cousins said wasn't entirely unreasonable. After dinner, they continued their conversation under the moonlight.
Lu Min talked about how her parents fell in love. Her father was once an official in Fengcheng, and he had a month's leave every half year. To return to the Capital City as soon as possible to see his wife and children, he took the shortest route. Once, he almost became tiger food. Luckily, her father had also practiced martial arts. This incident was kept secret, and she didn't tell her mother until she passed away.
Everyone was envious, and they praised Madam Yue and her husband for being deeply in love. I smiled politely. They rarely visited Yue Mansion and had probably only met Yue Xingshan twice.
That night, I couldn't sleep. I seemed particularly concerned about not finding Chang Yunshang today. What if I couldn't find him often in the future? Today he's inspecting troops, tomorrow he's going to war, the day after tomorrow he's on the battlefield where life and death are uncertain, and if he's unlucky, it's either an open attack or a hidden arrow...I regretted meeting him.
Liansheng couldn't sleep either, but she was excitedly sleepless. I asked, "You haven't seen Chang Yong for quite a few days, have you?"
Liansheng said happily, "The last time I saw him was like yesterday. Seeing him once makes my whole year feel like it's bathed in sunshine."
I suddenly realized and couldn't help but laugh.
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