The thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month was the day the Chen family was to marry off their daughter.
As the wedding date approached, the Prince of Huai’an still refused to adopt Chen Jiao, leaving Madam Zheng and her daughter restless.
Chen Xianle threw another tantrum, smashing everything in her room to pieces.
Madam Liu, who served her, could not calm her down and had no choice but to send someone to the Jinyu Courtyard.
Chen Xianle sat on the floor with her hair in disarray.
She had inherited Madam Zheng’s round face, with beautiful willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, and a delicate cherry-like mouth.
When she smiled, dimples would appear on her cheeks.
She was naturally beautiful, the perfect image of a classic beauty.
As the legitimate daughter of the main wife, she had been pampered since birth, living a life of luxury.
She had never suffered such humiliation and could not resign herself to marrying into Jiaozhou.
Before long, Madam Zheng hurried over.
Seeing the mess in the room, she could only sigh helplessly.
Tears filled Chen Xianle’s eyes as she asked sorrowfully, “Mother, does Father really have to force me to my death before he’s satisfied?”
Madam Zheng’s heart ached as she rushed forward to help her up, scolding, “What nonsense are you saying?”
Chen Xianle wiped her tears and said, “I know he dislikes my uncles, but I am his own daughter. They say even a tiger will not eat its own cubs, yet he is cruel enough to send me to Jiaozhou and ruin my entire future?”
These words made Madam Zheng’s heart tighten with sorrow.
Faced with her daughter’s accusations, she was too pained to speak.
It took a great deal of effort to calm Chen Xianle down, and only after making many promises did Madam Zheng return to her own courtyard.
Seeing her exhaustion, the old maid, Madam Cao, suggested, “Since Master refuses to agree, Madam, you should humble yourself and plead for Fifth Miss.”
Madam Zheng slumped in despair, saying, “I don’t know how many times I have pleaded already. Every time I bring it up, we end up arguing. How could I possibly convince him?”
Madam Cao patiently advised, “Madam, do not forget that you were married into the Chen family through a proper three-matchmaking and six-betrothal ceremony.
“The only legitimate children are those born from your womb. No matter where the others come from, they will never be considered true heirs.”
Madam Zheng looked at her in silence.
Madam Cao continued seriously, “Husband and wife are one. If he prospers, you prosper; if he suffers, you suffer. Lower yourself, and remind him of all the hardships you have endured together over the years.
You have given birth to five children for him. Even if there is no merit, there is hard work. Fifth Miss is right. Even if Master resents his in-laws, he should not take it out on his own daughter. No matter what, Fifth Miss is his legitimate daughter.
Madam, lower your stance and speak to him properly. Who knows? You may be able to persuade him.”
Madam Zheng hesitated. “Would that really work?”
Madam Cao reassured her, “There’s no harm in trying.”
After a pause, she reminded, “Madam, do not bring up your maternal family. If necessary, you must even stand on Master’s side and complain with him.”
Taking her advice to heart, Madam Zheng specially instructed the kitchen to prepare dishes that the Prince of Huai’an liked.
That evening, when Chen En returned home, Madam Cao went to invite him over.
Not wanting to argue with Madam Zheng, Chen En refused, saying, “I am tired today. Whatever it is, we’ll talk tomorrow.”
Madam Cao quickly added, “Please, Master, go and console her. Madam is quite upset and full of grievances against her brother, Zheng Zhizhong.”
Zheng Zhang, the Zhongshi (senior official) of the Zheng family, was Madam Zheng’s elder brother.
Chen En was intrigued.
After all, whenever the Zheng family was mentioned, Madam Zheng had always defended them.
But today was different.
Curiosity prompted him to go.
The unconventional approach proved surprisingly effective.
When Madam Zheng came to greet him, she began to complain and criticize her own brother with a look of annoyance.
Chen En was filled with suspicion and could not help but ask, “What has your brother done this time to upset you so much?”
Madam Zheng grumbled, “My brother meddles too much in our affairs.”
Chen En said nothing.
Madam Zheng continued, “He used to control me when I was in my maternal home, and even after I married into the Chen family, he still insists on interfering. I find it unbearable.”
She then went on to gossip about how her sister-in-law was greedy and how her brother, Zheng Zhang, had many flaws.
Although these were trivial matters, Chen En found them oddly satisfying to hear.
As they entered the side chamber, Madam Zheng personally helped Chen En remove his hooded cloak and hung it on the rack.
A maid brought in a copper basin for him to wash his hands.
Servants brought in dish after dish—each one a favorite of Chen En’s.
Madam Zheng smiled and said, “I was feeling down today and wanted to drink with you.”
Seeing her docile attitude, Chen En relented and said, “Very well.”
The couple sat across from each other.
Madam Cao dismissed the servants and stood guard at the door.
Madam Zheng warmed the wine and poured a cup for Chen En, filling another for herself.
Chen En reminded her, “You have a low tolerance for alcohol. Drink less.”
Madam Zheng sighed, “You are right, but I feel truly stifled today.”
She then picked up some food for him, saying, “Try this wine-braised duck.”
Chen En took a bite with his chopsticks and nodded.
“It’s good.”
Madam Zheng smiled and continued serving him more dishes, even ladling a bowl of soup for him.
The couple had not sat down for a calm and sincere conversation in a long time.
Feeling sentimental, Madam Zheng said: “If I think about it, I have been in the Chen family for over twenty years now.”
Chen En nodded and thoughtfully responded, “This year marks the twenty-seventh year.”
Madam Zheng raised her cup to toast him and said sincerely, “Now that our children have grown up, more than half of our lives have passed. When I was young, I was arrogant and often clashed with you, always protecting my maternal family.
Looking back today, I feel regretful. This cup is my apology to you, my lord. It is only because of your tolerance that I have been able to live peacefully until now.”
After all, she was a woman of education, and her words carried an elegance that the concubines could never match.
Chen En was also touched.
Though he had harbored resentment toward his wife, there was still the bond of a long-standing marriage between them.
“Hearing you speak like this today, Moon Maiden, feels unfamiliar.”
Madam Zheng gave a bitter smile.
“Thinking back, my arrogance must have made things difficult for you. I should punish myself for that.”
Chen En said nothing.
Madam Zheng took a sip of her wine.
Chen En reminded her, “You have a low tolerance for alcohol. Don’t drink too quickly.”
The wine burned as it went down her throat.
She took a few spoonfuls of soup to suppress the burning sensation, then, wanting to appeal to their past, she reminisced: “I remember when San Lang (Third Son) was ten, he caused trouble and was punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall. He ended up falling ill.
I was so angry at the time that I quarreled with you, accusing you of favoring Da Lang (First Son) and Er Lang (Second Son). Looking back now, it was indeed San Lang’s fault, and the punishment was meant to teach him responsibility.
But I acted like a shrew, blindly lashing out. That time, I must have truly angered you.”
These words stirred up memories for Chen En, and he recalled, “You always accused me of favoring the first two sons.”
Madam Zheng sighed, “That was because I was misled by my father and brother. I was foolish back then. Thinking about it now, I deserved punishment.”
Chen En gave her an easy way out, “I was also at fault for letting San Lang fall ill in the ancestral hall. I was careless.”
The two of them raised their cups to each other and drank.
Madam Zheng continued reminiscing about her twenty-plus years in the Chen family, speaking in a calm tone.
She brought up old grievances but also admitted her own faults.
Though the couple had their conflicts, they were not enemies.
With such a softened attitude, even if Chen En understood her true motives, he did not say anything to provoke her.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, Madam Zheng became slightly tipsy.
Holding her cup, she looked downcast and murmured, “I suppose my lord resents me.”
Chen En noticed her expression and said, “You must be drunk, Moon Maiden.”
Madam Zheng shook her head. “I am not drunk.”
After a pause, she added, “All these years, I have always defended my maternal family, forgetting that in the end, it is my husband I must rely on. You must have laughed at my foolishness.”
Chen En replied, “You are drunk.”
With hazy eyes, Madam Zheng let out her true thoughts: “I have always carried a sense of resentment, always wanting to suppress the Second Household. I was jealous of Li Chunqin’s closeness with you, envious that Da Lang and Er Lang received your affection.
I wanted to fight them, but I also despised myself for stooping to that level. Chen Lang, tell me, am I not a fool?”
She seemed truly upset, looking at him with pleading eyes.
Chen En remained silent for a moment.
Madam Zheng took another sip of wine and mumbled to herself, “I know you think I am petty and unreasonable. I admit it—I have a small heart, many faults, and have angered you countless times over my maternal family’s affairs.
When it came to Fifth Miss’s marriage to Jiaozhou, I quarreled with you so many times. But after thinking it over, I accepted it. Perhaps this is simply her fate.”
Mentioning Chen Xianle, her eyes turned red.
She looked at him with sorrow and said: “I understand that you dislike my brother’s interference. But our Fifth Miss has been obedient and well-behaved since childhood, never causing any trouble.
Just because her mother’s surname is Zheng, does she have to suffer such a fate? To her, this is simply unfair.”
“Whether you admit it or not, Fifth Miss is innocent in all of this. If you insist on marrying her off, I have nothing more to say. But as her mother, when I think of everything, I cannot help but feel guilty.”
Feeling she had lost her composure, she wiped her tears with her sleeve.
Madam Cao, who was observing from the doorway, quietly studied Chen En’s expression.
He was clearly moved.
“Fifth Miss truly is a good child.”
Madam Zheng, having regained her composure, smiled fondly.
“She is like me when I was young—spoiled and indulged. If we are speaking of sensibility, Yuan Niang and Second Miss are much more mature than she is.”
Chen En said nothing.
Madam Zheng sighed lightly, “Let’s not talk about this anymore. I don’t want to ruin your mood.”
With that, she poured him another cup of wine.
Chen En remained silent, drinking several cups of wine in a somber mood.
Seeing his discomfort, Madam Zheng felt that her strategy of using an unconventional approach had been effective.
Later that night, Chen En returned to his own courtyard instead of staying.
That night, he lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
For so long, he had been determined to suppress the Zheng family, but now, his resolve wavered.
Perhaps Madam Zheng was right—after all, Chen Xianle was his legitimate daughter, raised by his own hand.
If he truly destroyed her future just to undermine the Zheng family, was it truly worth it?
He had many daughters, but Chen Xianle was born of the main wife.
There was still a difference between legitimate and illegitimate children.
As Chen En wavered, contemplating whether to adopt Chen Jiao into the main household as a replacement, Cui Jue made his move.
This winter had been particularly rainy.
Though the south rarely saw snow, it was far colder than the north with its damp chill.
That kind of cold seeped into the bones.
Every winter, Cui Jue’s knees ached—a reminder of when they had been broken in his youth.
Inside, the charcoal brazier burned brightly.
A normal person would have found the room stiflingly hot, but Cui Jue seemed unaffected.
One man, one couch, one chessboard.
Outside, the rain drizzled continuously.
Cui Jue studied a chess manual while analyzing the game set before him on the low table.
He had received an excellent noble upbringing—skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Yet he had also experienced the cruel realities of life: “The righteous are often butchers, while the treacherous are scholars.”
His slender fingers picked up a white stone and placed it on the board.
His thoughtful expression carried an air of elegance.
Just then, a voice came from outside—it was Wang Ni.
“M-Master.”
Cui Jue lifted his gaze slightly.
“You’re back?”
Wang Ni replied, “I have brought the man.”
Cui Jue: “Bring him in.”
With a creak, the door swung open.
The cold wind, mixed with rain, rushed into the room.
A man, blindfolded, was pushed inside by Wang Ni.
The door closed behind them.
Sitting behind a screen, Cui Jue tilted his head slightly, glancing toward the scene outside.
The man was shoved to his knees, his blindfold roughly removed by Wang Ni, revealing a delicate and pleasing face.
He was handsome and fair-skinned, with red lips and white teeth—a face that perfectly fit conventional beauty standards.
Cui Jue raised an eyebrow.
Chen Fifth Miss had good taste.