Chapter Eleven: Conflict

Although Master Wang did not utter words of praise, the gentle expression on his face was enough for Xu Ruojin to know she had passed his test.

In her previous life, though she studied pharmaceutical theory, dictation was something she’d been doing since kindergarten, wasn’t it? At the very least, she had shown Master Wang her potential, and he should now hasten his teaching pace.

After pondering in silence for a while, Master Wang instructed Xu Zimo to fetch a copy of “The Thousand Character Classic.” He handed it to Xu Ruojin, telling her to practice writing by imitating the text, marking any unfamiliar characters.

Xu Ruojin buried herself in practice, like a famished wolf, eyes gleaming green at the sight of books.

Xu Zimo was not so fortunate.

With Xu Ruojin’s diligence and drive as a stark contrast, he was scolded by Master Wang for a full half-hour.

His palms were punished again, needless to say, and his homework doubled.

The lessons that day left Xu Ruojin brimming with motivation. Master Wang read aloud each unfamiliar character, and Xu Ruojin committed them to memory, fearing she might forget, and reviewed them all again before leaving the study.

Another two days passed, and Xu Ruojin’s progress convinced Master Wang to fully accept her as his student.

Having memorized “The Three Character Classic” and “The Thousand Character Classic,” Xu Ruojin had also read through “Miscellaneous Five-Character Poems” and “Miscellaneous Seven-Character Poems” in the past two days. Not only could she recognize the characters, she could recite them fluently.

Master Wang was now inclined to let her study the “Analects.”

Xu Ruojin jumped for joy at the prospect, immediately nodding in agreement, promising to study earnestly and diligently.

Clutching her books as she left, Xu Ruojin had barely begun to smile when she saw Spring Grass standing at the doorway, her face clouded.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Ruojin asked quietly, gathering herself.

Spring Grass saw the Second Miss emerge from the study and hurried to whisper in her ear, “Madam Huang has arrived.”

“Where is she?”

Spring Grass motioned toward the garden, “As soon as she entered the courtyard, Forsythia pulled her away. I fear she’s brought up that matter.”

Xu Ruojin’s heart gave a jolt. What must come always arrives. Forsythia’s eager attentiveness these past days had made it clear. Yet her fawning only made Xu Ruojin more repulsed; perhaps it was best to face it sooner.

Madam Huang had come today specifically for Xu Ruojin.

Early this morning, the Zhang family sent word.

They said Young Master Zhang, because he had caused the Second Miss to fall into the lake and nearly perish, had been kneeling in the ancestral hall for several days and was unwell. He would not be able to visit the Xu residence tomorrow.

He would visit again in seven days, as a guest at the Xu family.

Madam Yang promised to host two banquet tables in seven days, inviting more guests to gather, but the manager from the Zhang family shook his head.

He claimed that the Second Miss was delicate and weak, and that such lively occasions were unsuitable, so the young master would merely pay a brief call and leave, and Madam Xu need not trouble herself.

What did “delicate and weak” mean? It was merely disdain for a girl not favored even in her own home.

The Zhang family looked down on them, and Madam Yang understood well. The only reason for this match was that the master had once served under Lord Yan, who acted as a go-between.

Lord Yan now served as a Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Revenue in the capital. With his word, even the Zhang family would hesitate to refuse.

If the Zhang family used the girl’s fall into the water as an excuse to break off the engagement, what then?

She had fallen into the water, and had been rescued in public by the young master of the Liang family. The Zhangs were surely resentful.

Whether that girl lived or died, Madam Yang had no interest, but if something truly went wrong, the Xu family would be thoroughly disgraced, and she herself would have no face left in Zhonglin County.

Madam Yang turned these thoughts over, anxious and uneasy.

Madam Huang offered advice at this critical moment, pointing again to the Second Miss.

If the Second Miss was knowledgeable, well-mannered, clever and charming, with the matchmaker’s endorsement, the Zhang family would not refuse so easily.

As long as the Second Miss obeyed her, what harm was there in elevating her a little?

Whether by threat or coaxing, they must make the Second Miss understand: without the Xu family supporting her, even if she entered the Zhang household, she would not enjoy a good life!

Madam Yang was unwilling, but could only agree, as the master would soon return from the capital!

Thus Madam Huang came, waiting for the Second Miss to finish her lessons, hoping for a heartfelt conversation.

Yet after Forsythia’s words, Madam Huang’s mind was unsettled; the Second Miss’s transformation was disturbing.

Xu Ruojin felt no regret now. She soon saw Madam Huang and Forsythia looking her way.

Madam Huang stepped forward with a smile and bowed, “Here I am to trouble you again, Second Miss. I hope you don’t find this old woman tiresome.”

“Madam Huang, what are you saying? You’ve come especially to see me? I’m delighted,” Xu Ruojin replied, smiling as she linked arms with her. Madam Huang had no intention of lingering in the Third Young Master’s courtyard: “I do wish to see Second Miss. Shall I accompany you back?”

Xu Ruojin nodded and led Spring Grass and Madam Huang back to her humble courtyard.

She instructed Spring Grass to serve tea, making small talk: “There’s nothing here as tasty as in Mother’s courtyard, Madam Huang, please don’t mind.”

“That’s embarrassing for me to hear.”

Madam Huang glanced around the shabby room, a flash of distaste in her eyes, though she blamed herself aloud: “It’s my negligence. Madam has long told me to find someone to tidy your courtyard, but I’ve always worried about your health, fearing rough folk might disturb your rest and delay your recovery.”

Xu Ruojin’s eye twitched.

Though she could exchange pleasantries, her skill at hypocrisy fell far short; she could never match Madam Huang. “Madam Huang, don’t say that. Your concern for me is a blessing—I’m grateful.”

“The one who cares most for Second Miss is Madam,” Madam Huang continued, bringing Madam Yang’s name to the fore, and praises followed.

“Madam has endured much over the years. When she married the master, he was not yet the county registrar. She left home and followed him from place to place, through many ups and downs. Her gentle nature grew ever more spirited. Kindness invites abuse, just as a gentle horse is ridden—she was forced by circumstances…”

Though Xu Ruojin’s smile remained, she did not believe Madam Yang was ever gentle.

The Xu family was thin in numbers; her father had never taken a concubine. Could Madam Yang’s methods ever be soft?

Yet such thoughts could only be held silently, not spoken.

Seeing Xu Ruojin remain silent, Madam Huang continued recounting the past: “I know Madam is sometimes strict with you, Second Miss, but much of this is resentment toward the master. She’s not without tolerance, but the master suddenly brought you home…”

“That incident not only grieved Madam, but subjected her to slander. Some called her jealous, others said she lacked the ability to manage the household. Such grievances she could only swallow, with no one to confide in.”

Here, Madam Huang showed some genuine feeling. “Fortunately, with the years gone by, Madam has gradually let go of those grudges. She now treats Second Miss as her own daughter, arranging the Zhang family match for you. Yet her temperament has grown sharp; if you suffer, please don’t take it to heart—Madam truly cares for you.”

Opening with tales of hardship, Madam Huang hoped she would feel grateful to Madam Yang.

Xu Ruojin mocked silently. If this old woman enjoyed acting out this drama, she was happy to play along to the end.