Chapter 5

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The sisters in Locust Tree Lane chatted idly while steaming buns. Huang Yingzhi’s maid had bought half a catty of pork ribs and prepared a plate of sweet and sour ribs. At mealtime, Huang Yingzhi piled all the ribs into her younger sister’s bowl.

“Sister, you should eat some too,” Huang Shiyu offered, picking up a piece for her sister.

Knowing her sister’s nature, whenever the younger one liked something, the elder would never begrudge even a bite.

After the meal, Huang Shiyu sat on a round stool, letting her sister comb her hair.

Huang Yingzhi asked, “Do you still remember the menstrual band I taught you to sew?”

Huang Shiyu had just turned fifteen, and her period had yet to come, but it was surely not far off.

She answered honestly, “I’ve already made six. I boil them in hot water, then dry them under the fierce sun, and finally store them in the box where I keep my undergarments.”

Huang Yingzhi nodded with satisfaction. “Make six more. Change them often and don’t be lazy.”

Huang Shiyu replied sweetly and couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What exactly is this period thing?”

Huang Yingzhi spoke plainly, “It’s something that happens to girls once a month. If one day you feel discomfort down there and see blood, that’s what it is.”

Blood! Huang Shiyu was a bit scared. “Sister, will it hurt a lot?”

“Some girls feel pain, others don’t. Usually, it just makes the body tired. Avoid spicy and cold food, and it’s not too bad. Just endure it for a few days, and it’ll pass.”

Huang Shiyu half-understood but secretly wished she would never experience this troublesome thing.

Huang Yingzhi said, “Though most scholars at Lu Jin Academy have upright character and may become Jinshi degree holders in the future...”

To common folk, a Jinshi was like a dragon or phoenix—heard of but never seen. Huang Yingzhi thought the highest honor was to be a Juren degree holder and felt compelled to remind her sister, “But don’t be blinded by fame and fortune or believe any nonsense from those young masters, understand?”

Huang Shiyu smiled brightly, “Don’t worry, sister. We almost never meet them, and if we do, most are older than our father. There are no such young masters here.”

She then thought of Jian Xun and his five patrons, but in Huang Shiyu’s eyes, they were not men but untouchable great Buddhas from a different class.

Huang Yingzhi understood her sister well, knowing she had no such mischievous thoughts. “I’ve discussed with Father. Since you work at the shop, you should have your monthly wages. No matter what Madam Huang says, you must keep your money safe. Got it?”

“I got it, sister.”

“For a girl, when you marry into another family, your three taels of silver are your lifeline. Without money, you’ll always be looked down upon.”

Huang Shiyu treasured her sister’s words as if they were precious gems, remembering every word.

Huang Yingzhi had wanted to style two beautiful double buns on her sister but ended up with a small Taoist boy’s bun instead.

She patted her sister’s head and said, “Before the match is arranged... why not keep it like this?”

“Got it, sister.”

No matter how much reluctance, parting must come, and life must go on.

Huang Yingzhi reminded her over and over again and soon after the midday hour, she sent off her hesitant sister.

Before leaving, she wrapped a little dog-shaped steamed bun and tucked it into Huang Shiyu’s shoulder bag.

Meanwhile, another pair of sisters reminisced—the conversation between Jian Xinlan and Madam Cheng turned to the grand events in the capital.

Jian Xinlan smiled, “Next year’s provincial exam, our Xun brother will take it. Passing the Juren stage is no problem. But I wonder if you have plans for the national exam after that?”

In the Great Kang era’s imperial exams, after passing the provincial exam, candidates could take the national exam the following year.

However, there was an unspoken rule: before the Juren exam, candidates should pay respects to the chief examiner or co-examiners of the Ministry of Rites. The official they bowed to would become their mentor.

Just as great families share blood ties, officials in court have their own networks.

Without paying respects, one was like a solitary figure; even passing the Gongshi exam, advancement was difficult.

Even if one was brilliantly talented, ranking in the top twenty at the palace exam, their career would be full of hardships without recommendations or guidance.

Of course, mentors wouldn’t accept disciples without reason; as benefactors, they would protect and promote their students relentlessly, forming their own factions.

Thus, finding a good mentor was a matter of great importance.

Madam Cheng smiled faintly, “Late Shenyuan had old friends who would surely watch over him a bit.”

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Shenyuan was Jian Xun’s father’s courtesy name.

Jian Xinlan said, “Are you referring to Secretary Liu?”

Madam Cheng’s expression remained neutral, offering no confirmation.

“Perhaps you don’t know, but Secretary Liu has been bedridden since early spring and likely won’t survive the year.”

Madam Cheng’s demeanor visibly stiffened.

Jian Xinlan comforted her by patting her hand, “Our Xun brother is so promising; the An Guo Duke’s mansion surely won’t let such a pearl be overlooked...”

As long as Jian Xun was valuable enough, he would have the best teachers awaiting him.

Though the Jian family’s main line flourished, in this generation, the younger branches were far less impressive.

So much so that among all the younger members, not one caught the Duke’s eye.

A great family’s legacy over centuries depends on each head of the household.

The head is the family’s decision-maker and strategist.

The An Guo Duke could hardly see hope in these mediocre juniors and barely selected five for further observation and cultivation, Jian Xun included.

However, Jian Xinlan disliked gambling on uncertain prospects. Now that Prince Suqin was also an option, she was even less inclined to take risks.

But to attach to Prince Suqin’s family, Sister Yuan must have no prior betrothal, even secret ones.

Hence, Jian Xinlan had not forgotten the real purpose of her visit.

Blushing, she looked at Madam Cheng with shame and guilt, “I don’t know who started the gossip with the Empress Dowager, but the invitation to this year’s Flower Goddess Banquet fell on us, and Sister Yuan’s name was even listed.”

As she spoke, tears welled up, her expression full of helplessness, “Now I don’t know what to do. If Sister Yuan goes, it would be like betraying the emperor and breaking the friendship between our two families. But if she doesn’t go, it would offend the Empress Dowager. I could bear that, but poor Sister Yuan’s future...”

She broke down in sobs.

Madam Cheng smiled indulgently at her dramatic display. When she finished wiping her tears, she gently called for Xinyi.

Xinyi entered with something in hand and presented it to Madam Cheng.

Madam Cheng glanced at it and placed it on the glossy black lacquer table, then slid it toward Jian Xinlan.

It was Sister Yuan’s betrothal letter, in the handwriting of Minister Song.

Jian Xinlan’s eyes flickered.

“What do you mean by this?” Jian Xinlan clenched her handkerchief tightly, fighting the urge to snatch back the letter.

Madam Cheng said with a smile, “Marriage is about fate, something you cannot force. This sudden change is Heaven’s will. Besides, I am Sister Yuan’s maternal aunt; how could I let her suffer because of this?” She pressed the letter firmly into Jian Xinlan’s palm.

Not wanting to be bound by the betrothal but unwilling to lose Jian Xun, the plan was to arrange a “chance encounter” between Song Yuan and him by the lotus pond. Did Madam Cheng think she was unaware?

She was not only aware but also knew Jian Xun’s subsequent actions.

Hence, her disdain for Song Yuan grew stronger.

Gaining the letter without effort, Jian Xinlan felt an inexplicable panic, “If I keep this letter, it will seem too cold.”

Madam Cheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, but her voice grew gentler, “Sister, you’re too harsh. We can’t let the antics of our elders back then ruin the futures of these two children, can we?”

Jian Xinlan grabbed her hand, choking up, “Though I’ve taken the letter, as long as the groom remains unmarried and the bride unattached, this betrothal still holds in my heart.”

If she couldn’t marry Prince Suqin, then she would marry Jian Xun.

Jian Xinlan’s confidence was not unfounded.

No young man could resist Song Yuan’s beauty.

But this time there was the stain of betrayal, Jian Xun was an unknown great Buddha, and the Song family did not wish to sever ties. Since they dared to take back the letter, they naturally had a remedy.

The remedy was the collection and annotations of past national exam papers, even the emperor’s red ink notes.

It was priceless and rare.

It contained insights that talent alone could not guarantee, and whether Jian Xun could comprehend them depended on his own aptitude.

This was the Song family’s sincerity, barely offsetting their betrayal. Madam Cheng’s smile was calm, gentle, and subtle, revealing no emotion.

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Jian Xinlan couldn’t grasp it fully but guessed Madam Cheng had let go of her grudges and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Huang Shiyu returned home from Locust Tree Lane to find the kitchen woman had already boiled hot water to help her bathe and wash her hair.

Yinfang passed by the kitchen, sneering quietly.

The news soon reached Madam Huang’s ears. Though displeased, she rarely made indirect accusations, but inside she was deeply annoyed—disloyal servants who had served the short-lived lowborn were even more faithful than dogs.

She glanced sideways at Amber, who sat by the door threading a needle. No one in Zehe was better at needlework than Amber.

Madam Huang liked this maid but could not stop her from secretly sewing undergarments for Huang Shiyu.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Madam Huang grabbed a nearby folding fan and struck Amber’s back hard.

Amber took the blow silently, lowered her eyes obediently, picked up the fan, dusted it off, and returned to her sewing.

Before nightfall was the best time to pick mulberries. Without people around, the fruits were sweeter and plumper. The wet nurse mentioned this, and Huang’s four-year-old youngest son, Huang Yaozu, cried to have some.

Madam Huang snapped sharply at Huang Shiyu, who was drying her hair in the courtyard, “Are you deaf again? Didn’t you hear Yaozu ask for mulberries? Go pick them for him at once.”

Huang Shiyu made a small sound and had to gather her still damp hair behind her back and stand up.

Upon hearing she could pick mulberries, Yaozu wriggled free from the wet nurse’s arms, stretched out his small hands toward Huang Shiyu, chanting, “Second sister, fruit, fruit.”

Huang Shiyu bent down to lift him. The young brother’s milky scent was soft and warm. Despite seldom seeing each other, they were always close.

Young children can sense adult intentions best.

Huang Shiyu’s sincere affection for the pure child was as clear as the bright moon, deeply warming little Yaozu.

The people of Zehe loved planting mulberry trees, and the pond area was full of them.

Huang Shiyu and the Jian family shared a large pond, separated by a beautiful bamboo fence. When their families met, they often exchanged greetings and picked fruit together, enjoying a rustic charm.

Yaozu wanted to be held alternately by second sister and the wet nurse, playing happily until the wet nurse warned, “If you keep being naughty, second sister won’t be able to pick fruit for you.”

Only then did he settle down.

Approaching the beginning of summer, a dry warm breeze soon blew Huang Shiyu’s long hair half dry, dancing lightly in the wind.

Her cascading black hair framed her delicate white face, making her unusually enchanting.

Jian Xun almost failed to recognize her at first glance, thinking she was a lotus pond spirit transformed.

But the enchanting girl’s eyes fixed on him, sparkling with delight, “Jian Yunzang!”

His figure stiffened, and he gave a slight nod, feeling suddenly shy for some reason.

Song Yuan heard the noise and came over.

Her presence seemed to silence all sounds.

Huang Shiyu was stunned.

Many years later, recalling this scene, she would not help but marvel: a hidden flower not yet in bloom, a tender jade glowing—Song Yuan was truly the beauty Jian Yunzang longed for.

Just standing there, she radiated brilliance, a peerless beauty.

Jian Xun instinctively did not want Huang Shiyu to meet Song Yuan prematurely.

Song Yuan smiled slyly, “So this is the second daughter of Scholar Huang’s family?”

Jian Xun replied gloomily, “Yes.”

Song Yuan teased softly, “So Brother Xun’s neighbor girl is this pretty.”

“She won’t affect you,” Jian Xun blurted out.

Song Yuan ignored him and lightly lifted her skirt as she turned away, her eyes brimming with tears.