Chapter 106: White Silk

Xu Yaohui ordered Madam Yang to hold her tongue and called Mother Huang aside, demanding to know the truth of the matter.

Mother Huang had not been attending to Madam Yang recently, so she had not heard the conversation between her mistress and Xu Zilin. Furthermore, she was unaware that Madam Yang wished to keep Xu Zilin’s involvement a secret from the Master. Although she tried to be discreet when explaining why the Second Young Miss had requested white silk, she inadvertently let slip Xu Zilin’s name, mentioning that she had overheard a conversation between the Mistress and the Eldest Young Master, which had sparked the entire incident.

Hearing this, Xu Yaohui saw no need for further questioning and dismissed Mother Huang. Beside him, Madam Yang saw the Master’s face darken like ink and realized things had taken a turn for the worse. The previous series of events had been triggered by her argument with Madam Mo at the Magistrate’s residence, and the Master had already forbidden her from interfering further. She had dared to bring it up today only because she hoped that enough time had passed for his anger to subside. Who would have thought that a single lapse in her instructions would lead Mother Huang to betray both her and Xu Zilin? What was she to do now?

Xu Yaohui sat there in silence. Emboldening herself, Madam Yang stepped forward. "Master, I only acted because I received word from Madam Jiang, and so I..."

"I have already told you that this matter does not concern you." Xu Yaohui repeated his warning, his voice cold. "Spend these next two days properly preparing the house. Magistrate Yan’s youngest son is coming to Zhonglin County for the New Year."

"Yes—wait, what?" Madam Yang asked, startled. "Why is his son coming?"

"Magistrate Yan is already aware of this affair. Do you still not understand why his son is coming?" Xu Yaohui stared at her. "I have already been severely reprimanded by Magistrate Yan because of this. I am giving you one final chance: if you dare to interfere recklessly or make decisions on your own again... do not blame me for being heartless."

Madam Yang felt a chill in her heart. Xu Yaohui looked at her steadily. "There is still a small nunnery on the back mountain of Lingkong Temple."

The final sentence caused Madam Yang to collapse to the floor, limp with terror. Tears welled up in her eyes instantly. She had never imagined that the Master would threaten to send her to a convent over the marriage of a wretched girl. While it was not a formal divorce, it was barely any different. Could it be that the bonds of a marriage spanning over twenty years were worth less than that dead girl?

Xu Yaohui was well aware of her thoughts. He stood up and walked over to her. "The rise or fall of the Xu family rests on this single occasion. You would do well to consider your actions carefully."

Seeing Xu Yaohui head for the door, Madam Yang scrambled to stop him. "Master, where are you going?"

"I am going to see Ruojin."

Watching his retreating figure, Madam Yang felt as if her soul had been drained away. Reflecting on the Master’s warning, she suddenly realized she might have made a grave mistake—but this mistake was nothing compared to the steadily growing status of Xu Ruojin in the Master’s eyes. A deep, bone-gnawing hatred for Xu Ruojin took root in her heart. That little vixen was her nemesis, the bane of her entire life!

Xu Ruojin was surprised when her father arrived at her courtyard. She signaled for her maid, Chuncao, to prepare a pot of tea, but Xu Yaohui waved it away. "Is there not a new batch of wine? Bring some for me to taste. That day, it managed to knock quite a few people off their feet."

Xu Ruojin was taken aback. She paused before asking, "Father, you have been working hard lately. Would you prefer something that nourishes the spirit and enriches the blood instead?"

"As you wish."

Xu Ruojin curtsied and went to retrieve a jar. In front of Xu Yaohui, she scraped away the wax seal with a knife, poured a cup, and filtered it through a piece of fine cotton. "Please have a taste, Father, and give your daughter your opinion."

Xu Yaohui nodded, lifted the cup, and sniffed. "The aroma is strong." He took a sip, his eyes brightening. "A potent spirit?"

"When Jiang Ming-shuang came by a few days ago, she also had a taste. She said this wine is not for women, but better suited for men." Xu Ruojin smiled faintly. "Ever since I was downed by a jar of this, I have been unable to stomach the taste myself, so I have only followed the suggestions of others."

"She was right. It is indeed a man’s drink." Xu Yaohui took another sip before setting the cup on the table.

Xu Ruojin understood that he had not come to sample wine, but to discuss serious matters. She dismissed her maids, Chuncao and Hongxing, leaving herself alone with him.

"I heard you sent your maid to request white silk. Why is that?" Xu Yaohui asked, having stationed his servant, Chen Cai, at the door.

Xu Ruojin lowered her head. "I do not wish to enter the Zhang family as a concubine. To live such a life would be worse than death."

"Give me your reasons."

"I will never admit that my purity was tainted, yet I would rather spend my life in isolation than abandon my reputation. Since I refuse to abandon it, why should I marry into a family as a mere concubine?" Xu Ruojin did not hide her thoughts, speaking with brutal honesty. "I ask Father to grant my wish. My stubbornness is, in truth, for the sake of the Xu family."

"Well said!" Xu Yaohui slammed his hand on the table, exclaiming, "This is the daughter of Xu Yaohui!"

"In a few days, someone from the Yan family will arrive. I think you know very well how you should behave then." Xu Yaohui stood up. "I expect that when the time comes, you will say the same thing: that you would rather die than enter the Zhang family as a concubine. Can you do that?"

Xu Ruojin frowned slightly. "The Yan family?"

"Indeed."

"Father..." Xu Ruojin paused, then summoned the courage to ask, "If the Yan family were not involved, would you still demand this of me? That I would rather die than be a concubine?"

Xu Yaohui was taken aback by the question. Seeing the searching gaze in her eyes, his smile faded. "Nonsense. Is that a question you should be asking?"

"I truly wish to know."

"Without the Yan family, this marriage would not exist in the first place." Xu Yaohui’s tone was cold. "Do you understand now?"

"I understand." A chill settled in Xu Ruojin’s heart. "It is not that you cannot tolerate me being a concubine, but that Magistrate Yan will not allow it. It would cause him a great loss of face, and you would be implicated. No matter how much pride I have, it is useless. I am nothing more than a pawn on a chessboard."

"In truth, I do not wish to marry at all."

"That is impossible."

Xu Yaohui did not answer, staring at her intently for a long moment. "You are intelligent and brave. I will say no more; think on this carefully. This is your final chance."

Xu Ruojin looked up at him as he summoned Chen Cai back inside. Chen Cai handed over a box, which Xu Yaohui pushed directly toward Xu Ruojin. "This is what you asked for."

With that, Xu Yaohui left with Chen Cai.

Xu Ruojin stared blankly at the box for a long time. Chuncao and Hongxing rushed back in, looking at their mistress in a daze. She reached out and opened the box, revealing the blindingly white silk inside. Chuncao let out a sharp cry, and Hongxing immediately turned her head away. They had thought the Master had come to comfort the Second Young Miss, not to leave her with such a thing! Could the Second Young Miss truly be intending to...

Xu Ruojin took the white silk out and examined it closely. After a moment, she began to laugh, though her laughter was filled with boundless desolation and disappointment—disappointment in her own kin.

"The final chance... has the true test arrived at last?"