17. Chapter 17 (Typographical Corrections)

The Zhao family resided in the western part of the city. The head of the household was Zhao Bing Song, Left Metropolitan Censor of the Censorate and father of Zhao Lan.

The elderly couple had three sons and two daughters, with Zhao Lan being the youngest. The second eldest sister was married and held a post in another region with her husband.

The remaining three sons were officials in the capital, each married with children. The entire extended family lived together under one roof, though a bit cramped, it was lively and bustling.

This was evident the moment Shen Lingyue stepped into the backyard, where a dozen cousins took turns greeting her, and even a few little nephews and nieces clung to her, begging for candy.

The men had all gone to court, leaving only Zhao’s grandmother and three aunts in the backyard. These elders doted on Shen Lingyue, the youngest child of the youngest branch, to the core—hugging her, pinching her cheeks, and stuffing fragrant sachets, jade pendants, earrings, and pearl flowers into her hands.

Shen Lingyue, unaccustomed to handling so many relatives at once in both her current and past lives, struggled to wriggle free from the arms of her third aunt, her hair in disarray, looking somewhat embarrassed.

No wonder the original daughter had been so spoiled and pampered—it was all the indulgence of her own kin.

Desperately, she escaped to Zhao Lan’s side and whispered, “Where exactly is this excitement you said I’d see?”

It seemed more like Zhao Lan was enjoying watching her than the other way around.

“Don’t worry, it’s about to start.”

Zhao Lan raised his chin, and Shen Lingyue glanced toward the door as a maid entered to deliver news.

“Master Tian and Master Fang have arrived; they are having tea in the front hall.”

The eldest aunt smiled and said, “Invite them to sit for a while and give them a proper welcome. We must not neglect them.”

Tian? Fang?

These familiar surnames made Shen Lingyue tentatively ask, “Could they be those two…”

Zhao Lan nodded with a smile but said nothing.

Noticing Shen Lingyue’s expression, the eldest aunt explained, “Your eldest cousin passed the imperial examination last term and was assigned to the Hanlin Academy to compile history. Today, he is inviting these two newly minted scholars over in his name.”

Understood—it was an arranged meeting between families.

Shen Lingyue vaguely recalled that among the cousins who had greeted her earlier, a few remained unmarried.

She turned her eyes slyly and whispered into Zhao Lan’s ear, “Are you trying to intercept Consort Liu’s prospects?”

Zhao Lan wouldn’t admit it, chuckling softly, “It’s an old tradition to ‘catch a son-in-law under the examination list.’ Which family wouldn’t want a scholar as a son-in-law?”

He promptly sent Shen Lingyue to the back, “Stay put quietly and don’t embarrass the family.”

Shen Lingyue wrinkled her nose. She hadn’t fallen on purpose, after all.

No one in the Zhao family wished her harm.

She cooperated, hiding behind a screen with several cousins, and soon met Master Tian and Master Fang.

Just as Zhao Lan said, Master Tian was of average build, slightly dark-skinned, with unremarkable but decent features.

However, he was witty and charming; just a few words had Zhao’s grandmother laughing heartily. The cousins behind the screen pressed their handkerchiefs tightly over their mouths, afraid of making noise.

Master Fang, the only son of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments, had a mother who was a distant cousin of the fourth aunt. He was no stranger to the Zhao household and thus appeared relaxed and at ease.

His talent and looks rivaled those of Qi Xiuyuan, with the added grace and confidence of a well-bred aristocrat from the capital.

Shen Lingyue’s eyes darted about busily, scrutinizing each one and silently rating them.

Her father really had poor connections. Because of a quarrel with the Minister of Imperial Entertainments, he had missed out on a good son-in-law.

A rustling sound came from beside her. She turned to see cousin Xuan from the fourth uncle’s side being silently teased by the other girls. Blushing deeply, she lowered her gaze, shy and unwilling to look toward the screen.

Got it—these cousins were clearly a match made in heaven, likely having long harbored feelings for each other.

A group of young girls hiding behind the screen inevitably made some noise.

Zhao Lan sat beside the screen, sighing helplessly as he gave a slight cough and signaled with his eyes that it was time to leave.

Only after leaving the room and entering the small garden at the back did everyone dare to speak freely.

“Xuan Xuan, I think Madam Fang will soon come to propose marriage, right?”

“Yes, yes, this brother-in-law looks promising to me.”

“Look at Master Tian standing next to Master Fang—he looks like a little black melon in comparison. The difference is too stark.”

“I think he’s fine. I heard his family owns many trading ships; you can see the sea just by opening the window.”

“You like him? Then I’ll tell Auntie to marry you off to him—”

“No way, I’ll smack your mouth!”

The excited chatter sounded like a cage of warblers, filling the garden with springtime liveliness.

Shen Lingyue sat by the stone table, sipping tea gracefully while watching her cousins laugh, chase, and play, washing away the frustration from being wronged by Shen Songyi the night before.

On the carriage ride home, she eagerly asked Zhao Lan, “Has the matter of Master Fang and cousin Xuan been settled? What about Master Tian?”

---

“Your eldest and third aunts still want to observe a bit longer. Though the Tian family is wealthy, they are merchants by trade. Marrying into the Zhao family is quite a stretch for them.”

Zhao Lan pondered, “But they’ve promised to send word to their respective maternal families to see if there is a suitable girl of equivalent status. Surely there will be a proper match.”

Shen Lingyue covered her mouth to laugh, “And you said you weren’t trying to intercept Consort Liu’s prospects?”

Zhao Lan, who rarely showed such enthusiasm for matchmaking, teased, “You ungrateful little one, who else could it be for?”

He flicked her nose and looked out the window with a light hum, “If she dares to slander my daughter, I’ll make sure her daughter never marries well.”

*

In the east courtyard, Consort Liu personally prepared a feast and invited Shen Hang over.

After Shen Hang drank himself into a haze, she coaxed him to agree to invite Masters Tian and Fang to their home in a few days.

Despite his drunken stubbornness, Shen Hang protested, “No way, I won’t have my daughter-in-law be from the Fang family!”

Consort Liu, furious yet restraining herself, softened her tone, “Cousin, they say enemies should be reconciled, not made. I heard Master Fang’s character and talent rival Qi Xiuyuan’s. Don’t let a moment’s anger cause Yi’er to miss a good match.”

After much persuasion, Shen Hang reluctantly agreed.

But a few days later, he returned with a strange expression, telling Consort Liu,

“This year’s successful candidates are truly sought after. Within days, both Tian and Fang have already become betrothed.”

Master Tian was engaged to the granddaughter of the director of the National University.

Master Fang was to marry the third daughter of his fourth uncle’s family.

Unaware of the deeper implications, Shen Hang told Consort Liu, “Though that Fang fellow won’t be my son-in-law, he’ll still have to call me ‘uncle-in-law’ when we meet.”

Well, not a total loss.

The Zhao family?

Consort Liu clenched her handkerchief in anger.

Zhao Lan’s methods were impressively swift!

Shen Songyi, upon hearing the news, was flustered.

“What should I do? Has Madam deliberately sabotaged my marriage?”

She felt a twinge of regret and wished she hadn’t pinned the blame on Shen Lingyue.

“Don’t panic, Yi’er. We still have a chance.”

Consort Liu comforted her, “Have you forgotten? Every year, Princess Tong’an holds a banquet at Qiyun Mountain outside the city, inviting eligible youths from the capital. Many matches have been made there.”

“As long as we get an invitation, with your talent and beauty, how could noble sons and heirs not be interested?”

Convinced, Shen Songyi suddenly laughed proudly, “I never wanted to marry some scholar anyway—those named Fang or Qi—who can give me a life of luxury and power?”

She only needed one opportunity, one chance to be seen by prominent families.

*

“This is basically a disguised matchmaking event, right? I’m about to marry, so I won’t bother with this.”

Shen Lingyue flipped through the invitation list with no interest and tossed it aside.

Zhao Lan, holding an account book in one hand and an abacus in the other, replied without looking up, “Princess Tong’an’s banquet is held annually. Attending is not just for matchmaking but also a symbol of imperial favor.”

Receiving an invitation itself signifies status and prestige.

“Besides, your father is worried about Shen Songyi’s marriage. The candidates he favored have been taken. She must attend this banquet.”

Zhao Lan told Shen Lingyue, “You’ll go with her and keep an eye out, so no embarrassing incidents occur.”

He hinted meaningfully, “Every year at the banquet, there are those who fall into water, get drunk, lose handkerchiefs, or lose their way… it’s quite the spectacle.”

Shen Lingyue thought, If you say so, I’m wide awake now!

She happily pocketed the invitation, “No problem, I’ll complete the mission!”

The next day, she found an excuse to slip out of the mansion and meet Yan Yi at the dowry shop.

Noticing Yan Yi looked worn, she quickly asked, “Is the stepmother bullying you again?”

Yan Yi shook her head, “I’ve been auditing the dowry left by my birth mother. The warehouse records are a mess, with many bad debts. Even the shopkeeper knows nothing.”

Shen Lingyue was surprised, “I heard your birth mother was a major northern merchant specializing in border trade, owning dozens of trading houses. Her dowry should be substantial.”

Otherwise, her maternal family wouldn’t have married her off with a large dowry to curry favor with General Zhou.

However, General Zhou only coveted Yan Yi’s mother’s beauty and wealth. They grew estranged within two years of marriage due to incompatibility.

Yan Yi’s birth mother, already frail and neglected, passed away within two years after giving birth to her.

Later, General Zhou remarried Lin Qiyu, sister of a colleague, who was of similar background and temperament. They were inseparable, having two children in three years, completely forgetting the first wife and her eldest daughter.

The original daughter had fought the stepmother for over ten years. If she hadn’t been tough, she might have perished early.

Sometimes Shen Lingyue couldn’t help but worry for Yan Yi. The Zhou family’s beginning was disastrous; it might be better for her to marry early and find companionship at the Marquis of Changning’s residence.

“I suspect my stepmother has been embezzling all these years, bribing my mother’s staff and turning the shop and estate profits into her own treasury.”

Yan Yi rubbed her temples, troubled and helpless. “I’m powerless in the Zhou household and can’t investigate the accounts. I can only hint to her not to go too far. After all, my marriage was decreed by the emperor, and if the dowry looks too shabby, it might harm General Zhou’s career.”

She harbored no goodwill toward her biological father, always referring to him simply as General Zhou.

“By the way, did you receive an invitation to Princess Tong’an’s banquet?”

Shen Lingyue, wanting to distract her from worries, changed the subject.

Yan Yi nodded, “My stepmother’s younger sister is seventeen this year, also at the marriageable age.”

“My second sister too.”

Shen Lingyue felt a pang of sympathy, “So we’re both sent to look after the children.”

Still, openly strolling the gardens with Yan Yi was pleasant, and she heard there would be much excitement to witness!

Shen Lingyue shared gossip from past banquets, causing the usually reserved Yan Yi to cover her mouth in surprise, “That can happen?”

After gossiping for a while, Shen Lingyue’s mind wandered, “By the way, have you had any dreams lately?”

Yan Yi shook her head, also puzzled.

“Since parting from you last time, I haven’t had such vivid dreams.”

“Could these prophetic dreams only occur under certain conditions?” Shen Lingyue mused. “We should do a controlled experiment.”

Why not try again today?

She pulled Yan Yi onto the bed eagerly, “Come on, try sleeping now.”

Yan Yi replied, “...I’m not sleepy.”

“Then just rest your eyes,” Shen Lingyue lay beside her, holding her hand, “We’ll lie down together and eventually fall asleep.”

Yan Yi found it amusing but cooperated, closing her eyes.

Strangely, though not sleepy before, the presence of Shen Lingyue—the only person she relied on in this world—filled her with unparalleled comfort and relaxation.

The room was quiet, the faint scent of agarwood incense lingering on Shen Lingyue’s clothes.

Yan Yi emptied her mind and suddenly felt her body grow heavy, drifting into a dream.

…It was coming.

That long-missed familiar sensation.

She looked down at her body, moving her hands and feet nimbly.

Where was this place? It seemed mountainous.

Surrounded by lush woods, birds chirping and wind rustling.

Instinctively, she walked forward, the view widening until she reached a clearing by a stream. Many young men and women were gathered—some composing poetry, painting, playing traditional games—laughing and chatting in a lively scene.

Nearby stood several mothers with dignified and noble airs, dressed differently from ordinary servants.

Yan Yi drifted closer and overheard two mothers mentioning Princess Tong’an.

Could this be the banquet Princess Tong’an was to hold in a few days?

Suddenly, Yan Yi lost control of her body.

She floated higher and higher, crossing the stream and garden, arriving at a sprawling, winding corridor with pavilions and water terraces—a vast, secluded estate.

Along the corridor, she saw a tall, handsome young man in a blue robe, flushed and furrowing his brow, staggering into an empty room. Pressing his back to the door, he gasped as though suppressing something intensely.

Not long after, a richly dressed young lady arrived at the other end of the corridor, excitement barely contained in her eyes, lifting her skirt as she ran and asked her attendant, “Did you see Qi Xiuyuan coming this way?”

“Yes, County Lady. Qi Xiuyuan has locked himself in that room.” The maid pointed.

Their gazes met Yan Yi’s as if trying to pierce through her standing outside the door.

Startled, Yan Yi suddenly opened her eyes.