Chapter Eight

Later, after Jiang Pozi departed, Madam Xu entered the room, unable to hide her astonishment at Chen Jiao’s bold maneuver. She pulled Chen Jiao behind the folding screen and whispered, “My son scared Jiang Pozi like that—do you think she’ll go along with it?”

Chen Jiao replied coldly, “She has no say in the matter.”

Madam Xu’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably as she stammered, “You still have the nerve to meet with Master Cui? I’m terrified! That pale-faced man looks sickly and ghostly, like a harbinger of death. Do you really think following Ah Ying’s path will work?”

Chen Jiao, desperate and determined, said solemnly, “Right now, we have no other choice. Cui Jue is the second-in-command in Huizhou and trusted by Father, so he must have some skill. If I’m lucky, perhaps I can gain his guidance.”

Madam Xu fell silent, unwilling to face the thought of dealing with Cui Jue, for she found him frightening just to look at.

Meanwhile, Jiang Pozi returned to her servant’s quarters, her face clouded with resentment. She had indeed been frightened by Chen Jiao’s boldness. Jiang Pozi had a son and a daughter and was a household servant, with her entire family employed within the mansion. In these chaotic times, having a powerful protector was essential. They had lived fairly well over the years, at least with food and clothing secured. But now, Chen Jiao had shattered their peace. If she were to be sacrificed by marrying off to Jiaozhou, Jiang Pozi felt a throbbing headache. At her age, she had no desire to leave her homeland to fend for herself.

Fretting over the situation in Jiaozhou, Jiang Pozi was restless. Should Chen Jiao marry off, she imagined the Prince of Huai’an would comply with any request she made. Muttering curses at the ill fate that had befallen them, she decided to visit her daughter the next day in the kitchen to discuss matters.

Her daughter, Ma Chun, worked in the mansion’s kitchen and was over thirty. Unlike Jiang Pozi’s gaunt face, Ma Chun was dark-skinned, round-faced, and sturdy, much taller than most women, with famously large feet. Skilled in pastry-making, she worked as a pastry chef in the kitchen. At that moment, she was busy assigning tasks to the kitchen girls when she heard her mother calling and promptly went out to greet her.

Jiang Pozi, weighed down by worry, pulled Ma Chun aside and said gravely, “I need to discuss something important with you, Ah Nu.”

Ah Nu was Ma Chun’s nickname. She did not notice her mother’s anxiety and replied, “Mother, I’m busy right now.”

Jiang Pozi was insistent. “This concerns life and death.”

Those words alarmed Ma Chun, who asked anxiously, “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Pozi whispered, “We’re in grave danger.”

Seeing her mother’s unusual demeanor, Ma Chun quickly arranged her kitchen duties before leading Jiang Pozi to the underground storeroom. It was stacked with dry goods and grains and seldom visited, making it a quiet place.

Jiang Pozi glanced around before quietly explaining the entire situation. Ma Chun’s expression darkened with anger. “How can that Ninth Miss be so shameless?!”

Jiang Pozi was deeply troubled. “If she truly marries off as a substitute, our whole family will suffer. Right now, the Pear Fragrance Courtyard is filled with people from the main household, so I can’t act openly. Ah Nu, you must quickly consult your father and brothers. She wants to see Master Cui, so perhaps she has a way to avoid this disaster. We are powerless except to do her bidding.”

Though furious, Ma Chun was at a loss, for no matter what, Chen Ninth Miss was still their mistress.

Jiang Pozi could not stay long and instructed, “This matter cannot be delayed. Act quickly.”

Ma Chun nodded. “I’ll see my brother this afternoon; he comes and goes freely and can discuss plans with Father.”

“Very well, I must return,” Jiang Pozi said.

The mother and daughter parted soon after.

That afternoon, after finishing her work, Ma Chun went to the gatehouse. Her elder brother, Ma Chong, served as a gatekeeper in the mansion, responsible for controlling visitors and aware of their comings and goings.

Tracking Cui Jue’s whereabouts was not difficult. The challenge lay in the fact that the women of the household rarely ventured beyond the inner gates. To learn Cui Jue’s movements, they would first have to get Chen Ninth Miss out of the mansion.

Ma Chun said, “Leave the arrangements to Mother. The urgent matter is for Brother to first find out where Master Cui is.”

Ma Chong nodded, “Don’t worry, Sister. If I hear anything, I will inform you promptly.”

The siblings discussed their plan further.

Later, when Ma Chong’s shift ended, he took the opportunity to leave the mansion.

Within two days, Jiang Pozi received news of Cui Jue’s whereabouts and urged Chen Jiao and her daughter to find a way to leave the mansion.

Madam Xu stood guard at the door, wary of eavesdroppers.

Chen Jiao paced with her hands behind her back, frowning. “You say he will be at Captain Xu’s residence the day after tomorrow during his day off?”

Jiang Pozi nodded. “The morning after. But the young lady must find a way to get out. I can arrange things outside the mansion, but inside, I have no sway.”

Chen Jiao inquired, “Is this information reliable?”

Jiang Pozi nodded solemnly. “My son gathered it. It is trustworthy.”

To facilitate their plan, she suggested Chen Jiao first take refuge at the Linglong Pavilion, then discreetly slip over to the Xu residence, which was only across the street and housed a cosmetics shop where a young woman could easily find an excuse to visit.

This suggestion came from Ma Chong, who knew the city well and wanted to avoid any mishaps.

Escaping the mansion was not difficult. That night, Madam Xu humbled herself and asked Jiang Pozi to summon the Prince of Huai’an.

Chen En did not want to see her. Now that Madam Zheng wished to adopt Chen Jiao, he was simply waiting for his approval. Once he consented, the marriage to Jiaozhou would certainly fall to Chen Jiao.

Chen En was displeased, unwilling to bow to the pressure of his wife’s family. Both sides remained deadlocked, unwilling to yield.

Jiang Pozi, experienced and respectful, stood behind the curtain and said, “These past few days, the young lady has persuaded Aunt Xu thoroughly and finally convinced her. She asked me to tell the head of the house that she knows her mistake and hopes for a chance to make amends.”

Chen En listened skeptically. “Did Madam Xu really say that?”

Jiang Pozi nodded solemnly. “Miss Ninth is clever. She analyzed the pros and cons with Madam Xu and, after much persuasion, she understood.”

Chen En felt somewhat relieved and stroked his beard. “You may return. I will come after dinner.”

Jiang Pozi bowed and withdrew.

As evening fell, the Prince of Huai’an did indeed visit the Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

Though Madam Xu was inwardly displeased, she lowered her pride to coax him, admitting her fault and apologizing for offending him.

Seeing her contrition, Chen En did not press further. “Hui Niang is too headstrong; that temperament is troublesome.”

Madam Xu pouted coquettishly, settling into his arms and wrapping her arms around his neck. “I’m quick-tempered, as you know, Chen Lang.”

Chen En grasped her hand firmly. “Thankfully, Hui Niang bore an understanding child; otherwise, she’d suffer.”

Madam Xu said nothing.

He patiently soothed her a while.

Taking advantage of his good mood, Madam Xu suggested taking her daughter to Linglong Pavilion to select some head ornaments and rouge.

Chen En did not suspect a thing. “Send someone to the mansion to select them; why make the trip?”

Madam Xu rubbed his shoulder affectionately. “After all this time in Huizhou, we haven’t even stepped outside once. I’ll have Mother Jiang accompany us, and Chen Lang will agree. If Ah Ying must marry off someday, I want to personally pick her some beautiful ornaments so she can leave the house in style.”

Her words hinted at accepting Chen Jiao’s substitute marriage.

Chen En took the bait and readily agreed. “Very well. Tomorrow I will have Mother Jiang get some funds from my accounts. Buy whatever you want.”

Madam Xu was delighted. “Ah Ying has a wealthy father; that’s good fortune!”

Chen En, charmed, felt this mother and daughter were far more agreeable than those from the main household.

On Cui Jue’s day off, Madam Xu and her daughter, accompanied by Jiang Pozi and a maid, left the mansion in the morning.

A carriage waited at the side gate. Seeing them emerge, the coachman set down a stool.

Jiang Pozi helped the two into the carriage, and once seated, it departed for Linglong Pavilion.

Around mid-morning, they arrived.

The shopkeeper warmly welcomed the well-dressed mother and daughter. As honored guests, they were not left to browse the displays like ordinary women but escorted to a private reception room.

Madam Xu was generous, ordering the shop to bring out several sets of the latest rouge and fine head ornaments for them to choose from.

While the mother and daughter busied themselves with selections, Jiang Pozi deliberately sent the accompanying maid away and signaled Chen Jiao to slip out through the pavilion’s back courtyard.

That day, Ma Chong and Ma Chun had taken half a day off in advance.

They had arranged with the shop staff for this moment. As Chen Jiao reached the back courtyard, Ma Chun waved and whispered, “Miss Ninth.”

Chen Jiao quickly lifted her skirt and went to them.

Jiang Pozi had already explained the plan, so Chen Jiao knew exactly what to do.

Ma Chun opened the back door, where a small sedan chair awaited.

Ma Chong stepped forward, bowed, and gestured for her to enter.

Chen Jiao did not ask; she climbed in, guessing the two were Jiang Pozi’s children.

The sedan chair was carried swiftly through the adjacent street and soon reached the Xu residence.

They were cautious, entering through the back gate.

Inside, Xu Zhao and Cui Jue were discussing affairs when a servant reported that Miss Chen had arrived to visit.

Both men were surprised.

Xu Zhao was puzzled and muttered, “Miss Chen?”

The servant explained, “They are at the back gate, saying their visit is urgent and asking for the master’s permission to see Master Cui.”

Cui Jue frowned.

Xu Zhao looked at him, “They’ve come for Wen Yun.”

Cui Jue silently rubbed his sleeve. His fingers were clearly jointed, nails neatly trimmed, with a scar on his thumb. The pale skin on his hand made his veins stand out.

When Cui Jue remained silent, Xu Zhao asked, “Do you want to see her?”

Cui Jue replied coldly, “If I get involved with a woman from the mansion’s inner household, what would the Prince of Huai’an think?”

Xu Zhao understood immediately and told the servant, “Send them away for now.”

The servant hurried down to deliver the message.

A hush fell over the room. Cui Jue sipped tea, an unpleasant expression briefly crossing his pale face.

Xu Zhao was baffled. “How strange. Why would Miss Chen come looking for you?”

Cui Jue snorted coldly and said nothing.

Soon, the servant returned, looking somewhat embarrassed.

He hesitated, “That woman is fierce. She said if Master Cui refuses to see her, she will report to the Prince of Huai’an tomorrow. She claims to have received Master Cui’s care in Minzhou and formed a bond, begging the Prince to allow her to marry Master Cui instead of being sent to Jiaozhou.”

Xu Zhao nearly dropped his jaw in shock.

Though usually composed, he widened his eyes, unable to meet Cui Jue’s gaze.

“Did she really say that?”

The servant nodded sheepishly, “Every word true.”

Xu Zhao twitched the corner of his mouth and stole glances at Cui Jue.

As expected, Cui Jue was enraged by the woman’s shamelessness. His unnaturally pale complexion flushed, lips tinted red from the heat of the brazier, and his amber eyes shone with murderous intent.

He was clearly angered.

Rubbing his nose with his index finger, Cui Jue controlled his revulsion and said coldly, “Such a reckless woman—I must see her.”

In truth, he had been intimidated by Chen Jiao’s audacity.

Before long, Chen Jiao was summoned inside.

For her, dealing with Cui Jue was far easier than marrying a fifty-year-old man; she felt no fear at all.

The servant led her into a side chamber, and Chen Jiao bowed to both men.

Xu Zhao returned the bow.

Cui Jue remained motionless.

Chen Jiao, brazen as ever, smiled and said, “Since parting in Minzhou, Captain Xu and Deputy Cui, how have you both fared?”

Xu Zhao, uneasy, replied, “Thank you for your concern, Miss Chen. I am well.”

Chen Jiao adopted a tone of nostalgia.

Xu Zhao felt a headache coming on and glanced silently at Cui Jue, who bore an expression that clearly said, “I don’t know you—don’t come wasting my time.”

In short: strangers keep their distance.