Chapter Seventeen

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Chen Jiao was no longer merely a lady of the inner chambers; she had become the very face of the Prince of Huai’an’s residence. Among the common folk, she was revered as a female Bodhisattva.

The envoy from Jiaozhou saw her value keenly. Securing such a figure for Jiaozhou would bring countless benefits.

Five envoys had come to escort the bride; two had fallen ill and died, while three others had recovered after being treated with Chen’s mustard brine. They discreetly sought to learn from Cui Jue’s stance, as it was he who had originally proposed the marriage alliance.

Since the turn of the year, temperatures had warmed considerably. Cui Jue, who had earlier contracted a pulmonary abscess, was still not fully recovered despite taking Chen’s mustard brine and remained sensitive to cold. A charcoal brazier burned inside the room, thickening the air, so he ordered his servant to open the windows slightly.

The fragrance of winter plum blossoms wafted in intermittently. Reclining half-upright on the couch in simple white nightwear, Cui Jue gazed out at the bright sunlight streaming through the window. Birds chirped lively in the warm air.

Sunbeams filtered through the lattice, scattering splendid patterns on the floor. A bronze censer burned calming incense, wisps of smoke stirred by the gentle breeze outside, drifting into the sunlight to create a marvelous spectacle.

The swirling smoke shimmered with golden hues under the sun’s rays. The golden lights danced and shifted with the breeze, even displaying fleeting purple shadows.

Cui Jue was captivated, staring unblinking at the scene.

Suddenly, a servant’s voice outside announced the arrival of Fan Guoya, the envoy from Jiaozhou.

Snapping back to reality, Cui Jue responded, “Let him wait.”

The servant acknowledged.

A maid came to assist him in changing into informal attire, and after tidying his clothes and hair, some time later Fan Guoya was invited into the side chamber.

Dressed in a dark blue robe, of short stature, with a horse-like face, aged over forty, lean and sharp-eyed, Fan Guoya entered and bowed to Cui Jue, then inquired with concern, “I heard that Chief Secretary Cui recently contracted the epidemic. Has he recovered well?”

Cui Jue returned the bow and replied, “He has made a full recovery.” After a pause, he asked, “How are matters at the government offices?”

Fan Guoya sat down and said, “Thanks to the Prince’s household sending Chen’s mustard brine, we barely escaped with our lives.”

Cui Jue responded, “Glad to hear Officer Fan is well.”

Originally, Cui Jue had thought the envoy came only to discuss the marriage, as under normal circumstances, Chen Xianle would have left by the thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, yet it had been delayed nearly a month.

Fan Guoya was evidently moved by his experience in Huizhou. Surviving the epidemic filled him with immense gratitude, and he praised, “Thanks to Madam Chen’s discovery of the cure, we would have surely perished otherwise.”

Cui Jue agreed, “She truly rendered great service.”

Fan Guoya stroked his beard and praised, “That woman has the heart of a Bodhisattva.”

“I also heard that it was she who proposed publishing the recipe for Chen’s mustard brine.”

“The Prince of Huai’an cares deeply for the people of Huizhou; he not only saved Huizhou but countless others afflicted by pulmonary abscesses.”

Cui Jue took the cue and brought up the alliance between the two states. “Soon, Officer Fan will be able to return and report.”

Fan Guoya smiled and lowered his tone. “Wen Yun, it was you who initially pushed for this alliance between our two states.”

“Today, brother, why not be honest with me—would the Prince of Huai’an truly part with his daughter?”

Cui Jue carefully replied, “Our alliance is for the stability of our people. His lordship is wise and understands the necessary choices.”

Fan Guoya wagged his finger. “Don’t give me official platitudes.”

Cui Jue fell silent.

Fan Guoya opened up, “Our lord is in his early fifties, and the Chen family’s legitimate daughter is not even twenty, and I heard the Prince raised her personally. Would he truly part with her?”

Cui Jue glanced askance, a faint smile playing on his lips, suggesting meaning beneath his words. “Brother Fan, what do you mean?”

Fan Guoya schemed, “The alliance doesn’t specify which daughter must marry; there’s room for negotiation.”

Cui Jue lowered his gaze, fingers lightly stroking a hand warmer, remaining silent.

Fan Guoya continued, “The Fifth Miss Chen is the Prince’s legitimate daughter. If she marries out, the Zheng family will surely grow resentful.”

“That is His Lordship’s concern. Brother Fan need not trouble himself.”

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“Don’t put it that way,” Fan Guoya shifted tone. “I only have your best interests at heart.”

Cui Jue raised an eyebrow, silent.

Fan Guoya said, “Brother Cui, you still serve under the Prince of Huai’an. If you offend the Zheng family, life won’t be easy for you.”

Cui Jue couldn’t help but chuckle and pointed at him. “Look at Brother Fan, always enjoying a good drama.”

Fan Guoya pressed on, “As I said, there’s room to maneuver regarding this alliance. Why don’t we both take a step back?”

“We don’t have to insist on marrying Fifth Miss Chen. The other daughters will do.”

“And the groom doesn’t have to be our lord; his three sons could marry into the Chen family.”

Cui Jue laughed again, bluntly, “Brother Fan’s scheme is known all across the Central Plains.”

“Are you suggesting the other daughters mean Madam Chen Jiu?”

Fan Guoya chuckled slyly without answering.

Cui Jue rose slowly, holding the hand warmer, cleared his throat, and said loftily, “Madam Chen Jiu is now the very face of Huizhou. Brother Fan, do you think His Lordship would give her up for an unknown Fifth Miss Chen?”

Fan Guoya shamelessly replied, “Even so, giving up Madam Chen Jiu would ensure Brother Cui avoids being tripped up by the Zheng family.”

Cui Jue said nothing.

Fan Guoya continued to persuade, “If Huizhou agrees to have Madam Chen Jiu marry down, any of the three sons of His Lordship can take their pick. Jiaozhou will surely treat her as a guest of honor.”

Cui Jue scoffed, lacing his words with poison, deliberately asking, “As far as I know, all three sons of the Governor of Zhangzhou are already married. Whether divorced or widowed, why would Madam Chen Jiu, with her status, marry a second husband?”

Fan Guoya was speechless.

Cui Jue retorted sharply, “I know what matters more. Brother Fan, don’t tell anyone I mentioned this. I don’t want to be reprimanded by His Lordship.”

Fan Guoya began, “But—”

Cui Jue raised a hand to cut him off. “If you bring this up again, I’ll send you away.”

Fan Guoya had no choice but to keep silent.

Their intentions were clear: if Jiaozhou could take Madam Chen Jiu away, even venerating her like an ancestor would be acceptable.

Unable to persuade Cui Jue, the Jiaozhou envoys resorted to requesting the Prince of Huai’an directly for Madam Chen Jiu, which infuriated Chen En to the point of cursing them.

He considered himself worthless but had never encountered such shameless scoundrels.

Fearing complications, Chen En only wished to send the Jiaozhou envoys away quickly, so they could take Chen Xianle promptly.

Seeing his daughter still unwell and about to be sent away, Lady Zheng was unwilling.

Chen Xianle cried and resisted loudly.

Upon hearing that the Jiaozhou envoys had initially sought Madam Chen Jiao but were refused by the Prince, she blamed Chen Jiao for all their troubles.

News of the Jiaozhou envoys’ behavior also reached the Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

Madam Xu scorned them relentlessly, grateful that the Prince of Huai’an had finally shown some sense.

Chen Jiao showed little reaction; her concern was whether the pickled mustard planted in the public kitchen had successfully grown mold.

Of the five jars brought back, four had no reaction; only one contained a small amount of green mold.

Unable to grasp the reason, Chen Jiao gave up and stored the green mold pickled mustard for future use.

Madam Xu nagged incessantly in her presence, but it fell on deaf ears.

A few days prior, Madam Xu had also contracted a pulmonary abscess but caught it early and took Chen’s mustard brine preventively.

Madam Xu’s robust constitution meant she suffered no ill effects.

Now Grandma Jiang was nearly recovered and had returned to her duties, grateful to the mother and daughter pair.

When the maid from the Fragrant Pavilion came for them, Grandma Jiang immediately became alert.

Seeing that Chen Xianle was about to leave the residence, Grandma Jiang feared trouble and advised Chen Jiao not to provoke her.

Chen Jiao was unfazed. “She marries for the peace of the two states’ people. Before leaving, she wants to see me. I shall grant her that courtesy.”

Grandma Jiang worriedly said, “What if she—”

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Chen Jiao interrupted, “Madam Jiang, don’t you want to see what it’s like to walk on the wild side?”

Grandma Jiang was speechless.

Chen Jiao declared, “Today, I’ll show you a sight.”

So, mistress and servant graciously made their way to the Fragrant Pavilion.

Chen Xianle had been so well protected that she was unaware of the treachery around her and did not realize Chen Jiao’s visit was meant to serve as a warning.

Suddenly, a maid announced their arrival.

Chen Xianle, full of resentment, forced a smile as the pair were led into the side chamber. “Today, Ninth Sister is beyond my reach.”

Chen Jiao and her servant bowed; Chen Xianle turned her face away, full of discomfort.

Chen Jiao did not mind and said, “Fifth Sister, you jest. Your health is not fully restored, yet you are willing to marry into Jiaozhou for the people’s sake. Such wisdom and righteousness earn my utmost respect.”

Her words struck a nerve, and Chen Xianle snapped, “Don’t speak your sarcastic nonsense!”

She snorted coldly, her expression filled with contempt and malice. “A prostitute is a prostitute. You and your mother used the tricks of courtesans to manipulate Father. What right have you to flaunt yourselves here?”

Hearing this, Grandma Jiang’s heart sank.

Unsurprisingly, Chen Jiao’s face darkened; she coldly said, “Fifth Sister, say that again, I dare you.”

Unaware of the danger, Chen Xianle shot back fiercely, “Wretch! A prostitute’s bastard isn’t even worthy—”

Before she could finish, Chen Jiao struck her across the face with a sharp slap.

The sharp sound echoed. Chen Xianle was stunned, clutching her cheek, eyes wide with disbelief, fury blazing. “How dare you hit me?!”

Chen Jiao’s tone was icy. “So what if I hit you? Must I wait for an auspicious day?”

Chen Xianle refused to submit and tried to get up to retaliate but was violently pushed down again.

The maids wanted to intervene but were cowed by Chen Jiao’s fierce demeanor.

Chen Jiao’s face was ruthless as she looked down on her. “Fifth Sister, you’re venting your own frustration on me. What kind of person does that make you?”

“If you have the guts, go curse Master Cui; I hear he arranged this marriage.”

“If you truly feel wronged, curse Father, who cast you out.”

“Yet here you are, taking it out on me, Chen Jiao. What kind of hero are you?”

“You and your mother shamelessly schemed to make my mother and me scapegoats. That debt is far from settled.”

“Besides, Fifth Sister contracted the epidemic and was saved by me. You show no gratitude and now bully me? Who gave you the right?”

Her scathing rebuke was both justified and relentless, leaving Chen Xianle livid and speechless.

Grandma Jiang had never witnessed such verbal prowess and thought, “What a sharp tongue!”

Madam Zheng of the Golden Jade Courtyard, upon learning of the situation, hurried over.

Chen Jiao and her servant had already left.

Seeing her daughter bullied, Madam Zheng was both exasperated and heartbroken. “My son is foolish! Why do you bother with that scoundrel from the Ba Hall?”

Chen Xianle’s swollen face was high and puffy. Unable to swallow her humiliation, she insisted on going to the Bi Hua Hall to seek justice from the Prince of Huai’an.

Chen En’s head ached upon hearing of the daughters’ quarrel.

Listening to Chen Xianle’s tearful complaints, he was speechless for a long moment before saying, “Fifth Miss, why provoke Ninth Miss like that?”

Chen Xianle wiped her tears but stubbornly said, “I didn’t provoke Ninth Sister; she started it!”

Chen En pinched his forehead and openly took sides. “Ninth Miss is the face of Huizhou now. If it weren’t for her Chen’s mustard brine, you’d have lost your life long ago.”

“Fifth Miss owes her one life. What’s one slap?”

Hearing this, Chen Xianle’s expression turned incredulous.

Chen En was once a horse trader and lacked the scholar’s integrity; shamelessly, he said, “Even if she wanted to hit your father, I’d put my face out there and let her hit me, just to please her.”

Tears filled Chen Xianle’s eyes as she listened to his words, her values shattered.

A family of rascals—an old rogue, a little rogue, a family of shameless scoundrels!