Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Coercion Su Qingluo stiffened at her words. It was no secret that Maternal Grandmother’s health was poor. The doctor had said that if she could make it through this winter, she might have another year; if she couldn’t, then this year might be her last. Seeing Su Qingluo’s expression, Second Aunt knew she didn’t dare. She immediately added, “Good girl, I know you’ve been wronged in this matter, but it really doesn’t warrant breaking off the engagement. “Besides, men taking three wives and four concubines is nothing unusual. Even if you brought it up with your maternal grandmother, I’m afraid she’d advise you to be accommodating. “Think about it. Once a young woman breaks off an engagement, people will think poorly of her. What good marriage could she hope for after that? “Yan’er knows he was wrong. How about this: I won’t let him go out again before the wedding, and he can spend more time with you. Surely that’ll help you calm down? “Think of your maternal grandmother. She’s been looking forward to your marriage so much…” She had even brought out her maternal grandmother. Su Qingluo felt a lump of frustration rise in her chest. She felt as though Second Aunt had her trapped, and for a moment she didn’t know what to say. She could only go back first and think it over carefully. If she didn’t break off the engagement, she feared she would relive the nightmare she’d had in her dream. But if she did break it off, she didn’t care what people thought of her. What if her maternal grandmother couldn’t bear the news, though? Her maternal grandmother was the only family she had left in the world. She remembered the day she’d first arrived at Lu Residence. Her maternal grandmother had held her in her arms as she slept and told her, “From now on, think of this as your own home. Don’t worry. As long as your maternal grandmother is here, no one will be allowed to bully you.” All these years, her maternal grandmother had treated her so well. If Su Qingluo’s actions caused the old woman’s health to suffer, how could she ever live with herself? The next morning, when Su Qingluo went to pay her respects to her maternal grandmother, her mind was still elsewhere. As she was about to leave, Maternal Grandmother smiled and said, “Qingluo, stay and draw a flower pattern for Yue’e. I’ve had a headache these past two days and would like another medicinal sachet…” Second Aunt glanced at Su Qingluo and said with a smile, “Qingluo has always been so good at drawing patterns. It’s the perfect chance for her to show Maternal Grandmother her filial devotion while she’s still unmarried.” She deliberately stressed the words “filial devotion.” The daughters-in-law left one after another. Maternal Grandmother looked at Yue’e, who immediately went out and stood guard at the door. Old Madam Lu leaned back in her wisteria chair and beckoned Su Qingluo over. “Come here, to your maternal grandmother.” Su Qingluo hurried over and sat beside her. Maternal Grandmother took her hand, her voice kind and gentle. “Qingluo, has something been troubling you these past few days?” Su Qingluo’s eyes reddened slightly. Her maternal grandmother was in poor health, yet she still took the time to notice that Su Qingluo was unhappy. She quickly said, “Nothing’s wrong, Maternal Grandmother. I’m fine.” Old Madam Lu patted the back of her hand. “You’re such a dear girl. All these years, even when you’ve been wronged here at Lu Residence, you’ve never told your maternal grandmother. I thought that although Second Aunt can be slippery, she still has some sense. And I watched Yan’er grow up, too. I thought he wouldn’t treat you poorly after you married him…” “But you’ve seemed so unhappy these past two days. Have they done something to you? Don’t worry. Your maternal grandmother will see that justice is done.” Su Qingluo bit her lip and looked at Maternal Grandmother, but in the end, she only shook her head gently. Her maternal grandmother cared so much about her that it made it even harder to speak. Old Madam Lu sighed and drew her gently into her arms. “Good girl, remember this: no matter what happens, all your maternal grandmother wants is for you to be well. Only then can I rest easy. If you aren’t well, how will I ever face your mother when I’m gone…” Tears rolled down Su Qingluo’s cheeks. Sobbing, she said, “Don’t say such things. You have to live to be a hundred.” After talking with her maternal grandmother for a while, Su Qingluo went back feeling even more miserable. She had to break off the engagement. But Second Aunt wouldn’t agree. How could she end it without alarming her maternal grandmother? For days, Su Qingluo couldn’t come up with a good solution. One afternoon, after lunch, she was sitting beneath the window, lost in thought, when Ziyuan came in from outside. She lowered her voice. “Song Wen is here. He says he’s come to collect Third Master Heng’s things.” Su Qingluo stiffened slightly and came back to herself. She hurried to the trunk and took out the white cloak. The day before yesterday, she had specifically asked Ziyuan to find someone to wash and dry it discreetly. She had scented it herself and tidied it carefully. She sent it out along with the umbrella and the colored-glass lantern. Only after Song Wen left did Su Qingluo finally breathe a sigh of relief. She didn’t know why, but having that man’s belongings with her had kept her on edge. She didn’t even know what she was afraid of. Soon after, Lu Yan came looking for her again. He had been coming to see her every day lately. At first, he would wait nearly half an hour for her. But she never agreed to see him, and he eventually lost patience. He would say a few kind words outside the window, then leave. As soon as Lu Yan had gone, Ji Yinzhu, the Second Young Madam of the First Branch, came to visit. Ji Yinzhu had married into the household only a year ago. They were close in age and saw each other now and then, though they weren’t particularly close. Ji Yinzhu soon explained why she had come. “Third Master Heng’s birthday is in half a month. First Master specifically told us to make a grand affair of it. Everyone in the household, men and women alike, will attend. We need a folding screen, but after looking around for ages, none of them seemed quite right. So I had no choice but to come to you.” When Su Qingluo had first arrived, she had brought some valuable old possessions from home. Among them was a landscape screen carved from rosewood, its grain fine and its workmanship exquisite. She had brought it out for Maternal Grandmother’s birthday celebration before, so everyone in the household knew about it. Third Master Heng’s birthday was in half a month? He had never celebrated his birthday at Lu Residence before, so Su Qingluo hadn’t known when it was. Lu Hengzhi was the Grand Secretary. Given his position and status, the Lu family must be the ones insisting on celebrating his birthday for him. Lu Hengzhi had helped her, after all. And even if he hadn’t, Su Qingluo couldn’t very well refuse. She agreed. Ji Yinzhu thanked her with a smile and chatted with her for a few more moments before suddenly asking, “I think I caught a glimpse of Song Wen just now. Why was he here?” Song Wen was someone Lu Hengzhi could hardly do without. The people of the First Branch could rarely even see him, so why would he come to Su Qingluo, in the Second Branch? Su Qingluo’s heart raced, but she kept her expression calm. With a touch of surprise, she asked, “Who’s Song Wen?” Seeing that Su Qingluo didn’t seem to be pretending, Ji Yinzhu smiled. “He’s one of Third Master Heng’s people. I must have mistaken him for someone else.” She had nearly wondered whether Su Qingluo had some sort of connection with that man. Ji Yinzhu chatted a little longer, then got up to leave. Only then did Su Qingluo’s heart settle. She touched her palm and felt a layer of cold sweat. After wiping it away with her handkerchief, the image of Lu Hengzhi’s calm eyes suddenly came to mind, and her heart skipped. A bold idea flashed through her mind: should she ask Lu Hengzhi for help? He had said that day that he would see justice done for her. Should she give it a try? Even when Lu Hengzhi’s birthday arrived, Su Qingluo still hadn’t made up her mind. His birthday banquet was held at night. Everyone in the household dressed in their finest and attended, except for Maternal Grandmother, whose health was poor. The men were in the outer courtyard, while the women sat inside the hall. A screen stood between them, obscuring their view of one another, though they could hear each other clearly. Su Qingluo heard Lu Hengzhi’s cool voice from outside. “Let the banquet begin.” His voice rang out like jade striking stone, so pleasant that she found herself momentarily distracted. One dish after another was carried in, while birthday greetings rose and fell around her. Maternal Grandmother’s health was poor, so she hadn’t attended. Su Qingluo had been deliberately seated to the left of Second Aunt and was bored out of her mind. After the banquet had been underway for a while, a young maid came over carrying a bowl of crab steeped in wine. In a clear voice, she said, “Fourth Young Master specially sent this for Miss Su. He said you like it, and asked that you have his share as well.” Lu Yan ranked fourth among the men of the main family, so the people of the other branches called him Fourth Young Master. Crabs were scarce at this time of year, and this dish required quite a few of them. There had only just been enough for each guest to have a bowl, with none left over. Teasing remarks immediately broke out around the table. “Who’d have thought Yan’er would dote on his future bride so much?” Second Aunt chimed in at once. “Isn’t that the truth? The young couple are so devoted to each other. I’m just waiting for Qingluo to marry into the family and give me a big, healthy grandson.” Su Qingluo gripped her handkerchief until her fingertips turned white, feeling nauseated. She had never liked crab. The mother and son were putting on this show in front of everyone for no other reason than to make sure people knew how good Lu Yan was to her. If she broke off the engagement, she would only seem unreasonable. She resisted the urge to throw the porcelain bowl away and rose, making an excuse to go and change. The women at the table assumed she was shy. They merely laughed and didn’t stop her. Su Qingluo took Ziyuan down the winding corridors to the small garden in the back, hoping to get some air. As soon as she entered, the scent of flowers on the breeze mingled with the smell of wine. Su Qingluo stiffened and looked up. A colored-glass lantern sat on the stone table in the pavilion. Lu Hengzhi stood there, tall and straight, his blue robe lending him an air of refined elegance. At the sound of footsteps, he turned abruptly. Su Qingluo was in the shadows. She knew he probably couldn’t see her clearly, but for some reason, in that instant, she still felt his gaze fall intensely upon her. They had met again. Su Qingluo’s hands curled into fists. Was this Heaven giving her a chance? Her thoughts raced, and she made up her mind: she would take the gamble. As he had said, why not give it a try? She quietly instructed Ziyuan, “Go watch the entrance. If anyone comes, come tell me at once.” Ziyuan looked surprised, but nodded and did as she was told. Su Qingluo took a deep breath and walked into the pavilion one step at a time. A clear note of anger showed between Lu Hengzhi’s brows. It was his birthday today. Who would dare to upset him? But to her surprise, the anger vanished the moment he recognized her, replaced by his usual cool, indifferent expression. Lu Hengzhi looked her over and said calmly, “You’re quite bold today.” He hadn’t needed to summon her; she had dared to come to him herself. Su Qingluo bowed. “Third Master, I’m taking the liberty of asking: does what you said before still stand?” Lu Hengzhi looked at her. Under his scrutiny, Su Qingluo grew more and more nervous, twisting her handkerchief tightly in her fingers. After a moment, the man finally answered, “Of course.” He asked evenly, “How do you want me to see justice done?” Su Qingluo gritted her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut. “I want to break off my engagement to Lu Yan.” Lu Hengzhi abruptly lifted his head, his gaze fixed directly on her face.