Concubine Chang appeared to be a little bit embarrassed, couldn’t help but step back. Qin Yunuan spoke with a smile, “Yunuan had no other way. But there is a man in the Mansion that could help.”
Meeting the surprised eyes of Concubine Chang and the doubtful ones of Concubine Liu comprehendingly, Qin Yunuan continued, “My cousin Su in the east wing of the house. He has been in Beijing for more than half a month as a businessman. Maybe he knew someone or some plans that could help.
They didn’t have much time and Qin Zhi could never know about it. In this way, it was not a bad idea to seek help from Su Chenghai.
Just as Concubine Chang head for the east wing along with Concubine Liu and Qin Yunuan, a blue shadow flew through the air above the quiet courtyard in the east wing. If you observed carefully enough, you could see the flapping cross straps and the bloodstain on his shoulder. Stepping on the ridge of the grey tile-roofed house, he jumped down without a sound.
“Master.” Xiao Si opened the door quickly to greet Su Chenghai with blood on his shoulder.
Xiao Si tore the clothes on Su Chenghai’s shoulder neatly with a knife, exposing the narrow wound that was about half a finger deep. Crimson blood flowed out of the wound under pressure, making it even more hideous.
“Master, you are injured.”
“He escaped.” Su Chenghai was pale but calmly pointed in two of his acupoints to prevent excessive blood flow. “They had slight wounds on their hands, the part between the thumb and the index finger. Sword-bearers of East Qin are most likely to get hurt in this way. Fortunately, everything transported was fine.” Tilting his head, he stopped Xiao Si from wrapping gauze onto his wound. “Don’t wrap too much. People will see it.”
After simple treatment, Su Chenghai put on a loose-bodied reddish-blue robe made of brocade. Hardly had he covered up the wound and put away gauze and plasters. The little servant girl came to report the arrival of two concubines and Third Miss.
Su Chenghai laid down the hot tea that had been brought to his lips gently. His eyebrows stretched pleasantly when hearing the words “Third Miss” as if the spring breeze was blowing on his face.
Outside the door, Concubine Liu was stamping her feet anxiously. It was almost dusk, and this time tomorrow Qin Zhi would marry another concubine. The ready-made clothes they were looking for were not for typical occasions but for the wedding. Even the clothing stores wouldn’t always have one prepared.
“If it doesn’t work, Third Miss, isn’t your mother a tailor? I heard that she embroidered the cerise dress she wore at the wedding. We could take it as a substitute.” Concubine Liu was full of wicked ideas.
“Concubine Liu must be joking,” Qin Yunuan nodded slightly. She was too greedy to not even let go of her dead mother. “My mother passed away. Her wedding dress is nothing more than her remains. Tomorrow was a day of great joy for my father. It could be too unlucky for the new Concubine Li to wear a dress like this. Aren’t you afraid that my father would blame?”
Concubine Liu blinked her narrow eyes, “Yes. Newcomers are entering the house, and the elders couldn’t even say anything.” From a distance, she saw Su Chenghai striding and greeted softly, “Master, you came finally. We have been waiting for a while.”
“Cousin, you don’t seem to be in a good mood?” Qin Yunuan was the only one to notice Su Chenghai’s pale lips and weary eyes.
Su Chenghai bowed to greet them, “It seemed that I didn’t rest well last night. I wonder what was the reason for your arrival?”
While Concubine Liu and Chang told the details of the story, Su Chenghai kept a calm smile from beginning to end. Then he turned back casually to order Xiao Si, “Take my seal to the Yuman Embroidery Shop. He would think of a resolution when he saw it.”
Concubine Liu opened her mouth, finding it surprising that Su Chenghai solved the problem with few words. It was the same problem that gave her numerous headaches. Concubine Chang was so pleased with the burden lifted, and she thanked him again and again.
“That should be alright,” Qin Yunuan chimed in with Concubine Chang, “Cousin Su was a relief for Concubine Chang’s anxiety.” It also destroyed the purpose of Dou Qing’e to do evil tricks. Dou Qing’e had great ambitions. She was troubling around, creating obstacles for Concubine Chang and Liu in housekeeping before. But now she seemed willing to show her troubles to Qin Zhi.
She had done everything, but she didn’t expect that this cousin that she despised was a businessman of such capability.
“Two Concubines could rest assure that before noon tomorrow, an embroidered bright red wedding dress would be delivered to the Qin Mansion.” Su Chenghai said. His eyes were as tender as the moonlight. Having restrained and concealed his emotions successfully for a long time, he found himself failed in the face of Qin Yunuan. His eyes could not help but linger on Qin Yunuan’s body, on the tip of her eyebrow, and at the corner of her mouth. If Chang and Liu came without her, he will definitely find a reason to reject. He didn’t like any involvement with the Qin Family, except for her.
Concubine Chang and Liu returned first as they had a lot of work to do. Liu walked forward vigorously with her head holding high. Concubine Chang followed and crossed the threshold, lifting her skirt.
Qin Yunuan and Su Chenghai were left alone in a warm atmosphere, warmth lingering between their noses.
Su Chenghai didn’t mention about sending Qin Yunuan back. Qin didn’t leave, either. Her eyelashes were gilded in the golden sunset. Half of her face was immersed in the warmth. Everything was tranquil and beautiful.
Qin Yunuan chuckled suddenly, “Cousin Su, you seemed to be well acquainted with Yuman Embroidery Shop?”
Su Chenghai replied calmly, “We had some transactions in business and became familiar.”
Qin Yunuan looked into the distance, “I guess you are also familiar with the White Horse Academy.” She tilted her head with a smile on her face, “Chances are you met them in your business dealings, right?”
Su Chenghai didn’t answer, his silhouette was pulled long by the setting sun. Even the biting wind gentled when passing this yard, stroking faces almost like smooth satin. Su Chenghai turned back gently and met with Qin Yunuan’s next sentence. “I reckon that you also have some business dealings with East Qin, am I right?”
Su Chenghai nodded faintly without particular emotions.
“It’s getting late, and Yunuan should go back.”
Fuxi Courtyard.
As soon as Qin Yunuan stepped into the gate of the courtyard, she noticed the dim candlelight flickering in the small study room. This afternoon before visiting Su Chenghai with Concubine Chang and Liu, Qin Yunuan took Qin Baochuan to Qin Zhi. She thought of the complicated and slightly disgusted look on her father’s face when he heard that Baochuan was waiting outside.
“I appreciate his kindness for coming. My room is a mess. Don’t bother letting him in.” Qin Zhi’s words struck hard on Baochuan’s immature heart. It was not the first time that his father refused to see him. In his memory, father was always a vague and indifferent figure, appearing mostly and only on the few family dinners he could attend.
“Father, Baochuan is waiting outside. He also brought a pair of ink bamboo from his recent painting. Baochuan is filial. Besides, you had recovered, so how can he be ill?” Qin Yunuan was confused about how her father avoided his son in every way. He was even willing to see her, the daughter of a concubine. Despite all the mud that Dou Qing’e and Concubine Liu threw on Baochuan’s name, he was the Second Master of the Qin Family.
Was there any other reason?
Qin Yunuan stood ten steps away from the study. In her mind, Baochuan was pouting and holding a pen to practice writing. Perhaps, stubbornness was in the blood of her mother, herself and her brother. As a child, Qin Yunuan heard unintentionally from her mother Yang that she came from a well-educated family in Yangzhou. She also had excellent handwriting, but she was kicked out by her brothers and struggled her way to the Royal City. She made a living on her embroidery before becoming Qin Zhi’s concubine. After giving birth to a girl and a boy, her temper was softened. After all, it took much stubbornness to live peacefully in a family full of conspiracy and thirst for power like the Qin’ s.
“When the young master came back in the evening, he kept himself in the study and practiced writing for a long time. He didn’t even take a break or eat dinner. Third Miss….” Nurse Liao’s frowning expressed her concern.
“It’s dim,” Qin Yunuan said quietly, “send a soybean oil lamp to Baochuan.”
Qin Yunuan didn’t try to persuade Qin Baochuan. She knew her brother too well, that he couldn’t be convinced at this moment. Baochuan just wanted to prove himself by working hard.
Maner and Tong waited upon Yunuan until she fell asleep. Two new servant girls were in charge of taking water and keeping watch at night.
Taking the last hairpin off, Qin Yunuan started brushing the long hair around her waist with a mahogany comb and said to Maner beside her, “Do me a favor tomorrow and inquire about the relationship of young master Su Chenghai and the Iron General Leng Changxi. Did they know each other for a long time? Anything happened between them?”
Maner was stunned, feeling that the two men were irrelevant. One was a young master, gentle and modest, spending thousands on business. The other was a gloomy General who had just returned from the battlefield, his blades were as cold as his heart. Why would her girl feel that these two people were related?
Su Chenghai was trustworthy, sending a pink wedding dress to Concubine Chang before noon on the next day. In the evening, a soft sedan that four men carried on their shoulder sent Li Qiqi, the best singer in the regions south of the River from the temporary aisle on the west to the east end of the courtyard, Hai Tang Courtyard.
Hai Tang Courtyard, as the name implied, grew begonias all over. In autumn, begonia flowers of four colors bloomed together like a fragrant sea. To welcome Li Qiqi, Qin Zhi had ordered Dou Qing’e in his letter before he returned, that he would like the Hai Tang Courtyard to be refurnished. The exquisite and magnificent courtyard became even more beautiful than the Cui Xuan courtyard nearby.
Marrying a concubine was not the same as marrying a wife. There were fewer rules to follow and also fewer people came to congratulate.
Dou Qing’e was in charge after all. Every concubine in the door should pour a cup of tea in a toast to her.
Dou Qing’e on the main seat looked thin and pallid, her tone also gentled like the flowing stream. “Come on, get up.” Unexpectedly, Dou Qing’e didn’t embarrass Li Qiqi. She called Cui’e out, handing her two sparrow-shaped hairpins made of colored glass. “I want you, my sister to accept my welcome gift.” She smiled and said
