CH 5

Liu Yuru was somewhat blindsided by Zhang Yue’er’s order to ground her.

Though Zhang Yue’er treatment of her could not be considered good, she’d always portrayed herself as a warm, caring mother to please Liu Xuan. She behaved as if she were the primary wife despite being a concubine. In these past years, while she took no special care in her education, there was no precedent of confining her. That she would detain her over Gu Jiusi’s antics was therefore somewhat of a surprise to Liu Yuru.

Guixiang, the maid who came to relay the news to Liu Yuru, smiled as she explained, “I ask that you not hold it against Concubine Yue, Miss. Concubine Yue said that things are not like before. She has to ground you to show others that the Liu family takes rules and discipline seriously. It’s for the sake of your reputation, so please try to understand.”

Guixiang’s words sounded reasonable and fair. If Liu Yuru wasn’t so intimately familiar with the nature of Zhang Yue’er’s character, she might have thought of Zhang Yuer’er as a wonderful mother.

Liu Yuru knew Zhang Yue’er to be a woman highly driven by self-interests. Unsettled by this sudden display of kindness, she concealed her uneasiness as she accepted this news meekly. After she sent Guixiang off, she took out a sewing needle from inside the house and began embroidering flowers with Yinhong in the small courtyard.

Yinhong, the straightforward type, blurted out in puzzlement, “Miss, what do you think sparked Concubine Yue’s change in personality? Why has she become so concerned for your welfare?” 

Liu Yuru’s sewing hand hovered over her embroidery. She thought about it before saying at last, “She’s concerned about my engagement with the Ye family, I think. She doesn’t want any changes to upset her plans.”

After all, her marriage meant more gleaming silver for Zhang Yue’er. Her lack of blood brothers  meant that Zhang Yue’er’s son was heir to the Liu family inheritance.

The lack of conflict in core interests spawned a relationship akin to allies, and it was thanks to this that they were able to enjoy years of domestic harmony between the ladies of the Liu family. Liu Yuru knew that marrying well was the only way to ensure her mother could live with dignity and ease, even without a son.

A good marriage would oblige Zhang Yue’er to treat Su Wan with due respect and consideration.

For women, to be born is to experience rebirth for the first time; it dictates her fate before marriage; when a woman marries, she experiences rebirth for the second time; it dictates her fate for the rest of her life. Liu Yuru was such a firm believer in this concept that she worked hard from an early age just to land a good marriage. Now she was on the brink of realising her wish. Perhaps that was the reason for Zhang Yue’er’s change in attitude.

Feeling her eyes smart after she was done embroidering a pair of mandarin ducks, she set her sewing needles down, stood up and headed for the house.   

“Miss,” said Yinhong. Knowing what Liu Yuru was about to do, she asked a little disbelievingly, “You’re reading again?”  

Liu Yuru answered in the affirmative. She took out a book titled Records of the Little Rocky Mountain and said softly, “Last time I went to the Ye Mansion, A-Yun¹ told me that Young Master Ye was very fond of this book. I am determined to keep up. I must if I am to have common topics we can talk about.”

Yinhong sighed at these words. “Miss, I daresay you’re thinking too far ahead. You’ll turn yourself into a renaissance lady at this rate.”

Liu Yuru smiled but made no reply. 

She bent her head over the Records of the Little Rocky Mountain and began to read.

Ever since she made up her mind to marry Ye Shi’an, she would routinely fish for news about him from Ye Yun. A bosom friend who was no stranger to her intentions, Ye Yun hid nothing from her; Liu Yuru knew exactly which books Ye Shi’an had read and the things that he liked. To ensure that she’d be able to get along with Ye Shi’an in the future, she made sure to read the books Ye Shi’an had read, studied the Four Arts (zither, Go, calligraphy, painting), learnt how to compose reasonably presentable poems, and even practised calligraphy in the small regular script style by copying his handwriting; as a result, her handwriting bore a strong resemblance to Ye Shi’an’s.

For years, she worked hard stoically in preparation for marriage with Ye Shi’an some day. When one has worked hard for a long time, invested much time and energy in something, the mind inevitably starts conjuring impressions that feel real; she had met Ye Shi’an only a couple of times and had barely spoken to him—he had gone away to White Heron Academy ever since he was thirteen; her memories of him had stopped at his thirteen year old self—Yet she felt that she likely, surely, fancied Ye Shi’an.

The thought of marrying someone else never crossed her mind. 

As she read Records of the Little Rocky Mountain, she tried to imagine Ye Shi’an flipping the book; tried to guess the sort of thoughts he might have had when he encountered this passage or that. When she had finished reading the book, she sighed, looked over at Yinhong and said pensively, “Say…when do you suppose Young Master Ye will return?” 

“Fret not,” said Yinhong with a smile. “Young Master Ye shall return very soon.” 

She lowered her voice to a whisper, “He shall return soon to marry you!”

“You and your nonsense—” Liu Yuru gave her a playful shove, the smile on her face showing no signs of waning. Liu Yuru allowed herself to let loose a little in private; Yinhong knew this about her. After exchanging some light hearted banter, Liu Yuru washed up and went to bed. As she lay there staring at the book beside her, a whisper escaped her lips before she knew it, “Come back soon, Young Master Ye. My life depends on you.” 

She hugged the book tightly to her chest as if cradling all of her hopes.

The next morning, Liu Yuru woke up as usual. Shortly after completing some calligraphy exercises, she heard some commotion outside. Intrigued, she told Yinhong, “Could you go out there and find out what’s going on?”

Yinhong replied in the affirmative and did as she was asked. She hadn’t been gone for long when she returned to say, “Miss, the guard outside told me you’ve been grounded. I, too, will not be able to enter or leave freely. He has sent someone to check it out, and will return with answers presently.”

Liu Yuru nodded, still feeling unsettled. Breakfast was sent in sometime later. Liu Yuru said to the maid serving the breakfast, “I’ll have to trouble you to pass on a message to Concubine Yue. Please inform her that I would like permission to see my mother.”

The maid assented and left while Liu Yuru waited inside. Yinhong said to her, “Miss, why don’t you have something to eat? Surely it can wait till after breakfast.” 

Liu Yuru knew that Yinhong was right; there was no sense in losing her head now, especially when she didn’t even have a handle on the situation. So she composed herself, took her breakfast, and waited.

Hardly had she been seated when her eyes began to tire. No longer able to keep her concerns about this abrupt and overwhelming bout of drowsiness to herself, she remarked at last, “Yinhong, I feel awfully tired. I can’t imagine why that is so.” 

“You’re feeling tired?” echoed Yinhong, sounding somewhat perplexed. “Would you like to take a nap then, Miss?”

Somewhat dazed and terribly sleepy, she nodded absent-mindedly and let Yinhong help her to her bed. Yinhong smiled as she said, “Miss, did you not sleep well last night? That might explain your exhaustion.” 

Liu Yuru said nothing—she dropped off to sleep the moment her head touched the pillow. 

It was a long, uninterrupted nap. By the time she awoke, it was noon. Yinhong softly called out to her, “Miss, Miss—”

Liu Yuru looked at her blearily. Yinhong hastily said, “Miss, you need to get up. Concubine Yue’s here. She said there’s something she’d like to talk to you about.”

Liu Yuru sat up sharply.

Her head throbbed, slightly. Alarmed by these out of sorts sensations, yet clueless to its cause, she got up, got washed and dressed, and headed to the outer hall.

Zhang Yue’er had been waiting for some time. When she saw Liu Yuru coming in, sorrow appeared on her face, “Yuru…”

Liu Yuru’s heart gave a jolt when she saw Zhang Yue’er’s expression. Zhang Yue’er sighed and said, “Yuru, there’s something I have to talk to you about today. Today…” Zhang Yue’er said, paused. “You see, the Gu family sent their betrothal gifts here today.” 

Liu Yuru’s eyes widened abruptly.

She understood the gist of what had transpired in an instant.

There was, however, something she couldn’t wrap her head around. 

The Gu family sent betrothal gifts.

Why would the Gu family send betrothal gifts?!

Liu Yuru swayed where she stood. Yinhong rushed forward to support her. Yinhong was in a right state. She was acutely aware of how much Liu Yuru wanted to marry Ye Shi’an. She knew how Liu Yuru had been looking forward to Ye Shi’an’s return everyday. 

But how could it be? …Why did the Gu family send betrothal gifts?

“Father—” Liu Yuru said while being supported by Yinhong. “And what of Father? …What did he say?”

“Master has accepted it.”

Liu Yuru shut her eyes miserably.

Zhang Yue’er stood up, held Liu Yuru’s hand, and said gently, “Yuru, I understand that you’re feeling very upset about this. But know that your father only did it for your own good.” 

Liu Yuru shook slightly as she gritted her teeth in silence. Zhang Yue’er eased her down into a seat and said in a sincere tone, “In truth, your father had reservations about letting you marry into the Ye family. The Ye family is a scholarly family with strict rules; we are merchants by trade. Should you marry into their family, I fear they’ll turn up their noses at you. Besides, Ye Shi’an has gone to take the imperial exams, and has a bright future ahead of him. If he becomes an official in the capital, there’s no telling what sorts of people he’ll meet. If he turns out to be like Chen Shimei (TN: Chen Shimei’s a chinese opera character who’s infamous for being a heartless and unfaithful man), you’ll end up as an ill-fated wife whose life is filled with hardships.”

Zhang Yue’er looked heartbroken again. “The capital is so far away, it’d be very hard for you and your father to meet again if you were to marry into the Ye family. Your father was deeply troubled by this when the Gu family came to propose marriage. Consider your father’s perspective: Gu Jiusi, though a mite incompetent and dissolute, has a wealthy and powerful family; Lady Gu’s brother holds a high position in the capital, while Master Gu is the richest man in Yangzhou. Having no noteworthy accomplishments to recommend him, Gu Jiusi will not be marked for the capital in the future. This will allow you to stay in Yangzhou and live in luxury for the rest of your life. Besides, the Gu couple’s regard for you was plain to see. When you’re married into the Gu family, you’ll be the principal wife to the Gu family’s firstborn son, a most stable and fortunate position to be in—you’d be the one calling the shots. With your days being yours to make, you can just let Gu Jiusi live as he pleases.” 

Liu Yuru said nothing. She had gradually calmed down over the course of Zhang Yue’er’s speech. 

She understood the situation now.

The Gu family came to propose marriage. Given their wealth, they must have offered a princely sum. What was a mere daughter compared to material wealth? So what if they offended the Ye family? Getting their hands on the riches came before all else.

Why did Zhang Yue’er ground her? Why did she feel so tired after having breakfast? They were all part of Zhang Yue’er’s plan to secure this marriage; they feared that she would kick up a fuss, feared she would not go along with her plans.   

But how could she just accept this?  

Liu Yuru gnashed her teeth.

For years and years she’d been at this, waiting for Ye Shi’an, and the wait was finally coming to its end.

She had pinned all her hopes on Ye Shi’an, only to be told that she had to marry Gu Jiusi, the nightmare of every lady born of a respectable family, the widely denounced devil incarnate.

It was all well and good if her spiel about the marriage “being for her own good” and setting her up for a life of luxury came to pass, but it would be a different story if the dream proved to be prescient.

The current governor of Youzhou was already Fang Xuan. If the dream was real, marriage with Gu Jiusi would not only mean ruining her future, it would mean forfeiting her life.  

She did not fear death, but she found it hard to imagine what would become of her mother if she died. 

Her mother had no other children aside from her. Her death would render her mother a childless woman who could be abandoned at any time. There would be no one to speak for her mother, no one to care for her.

Moreover, would her mother be able to live on without her?

These thoughts thoroughly chilled her. 

Seeing Liu Yuru’s silence, Zhang Yue’er patted Liu Yuru’s hand and said kindly, “Yuru, don’t take it so hard. Your mother will live very well indeed should you marry into the Gu family. Take your mother’s illness for starters. The doctor did say that she required treatment that called for some rare herbs to maintain her health. It is unfortunate that our family lacks the means to obtain the medicine that your mother needs. Marry into the Gu family, and even the most precious medicinal treasures could be yours. Yuru,” Zhang Yue’er said half warningly, half coaxingly, her eyes brimming with concern. “Spare a thought for your mother, hm?” 

Liu Yuru kept silent and opened her eyes. 

She calmed down rapidly and regarded Zhang Yue’er quietly. Zhang Yue’er felt chilled by her clear gaze—it was as if Liu Yuru could see through her thoughts…

Zhang Yue’er dismissed the idea as quickly as it surfaced—what could a girl of fifteen know?

She watched as Liu Yuru lowered her head and said sadly, “May — May I discuss this matter with my mother?” 

“Oh you silly child,” Zhang Yue’er said gently, “Your father has made his choice. The betrothal gifts have been accepted. There is no turning back.”

“Annul this marriage, Yuru, and you shall not find another family quite like the Gus again.”

Zhang Yue’er was right. If she broke off this match, her future marriage options would be limited to men of no fortune, butchers, traders and the like.

Liu Yuru lapsed into silence. Appearing resigned, she said, “You and Father have accepted the match, so I will accept it too. But the Ye family…will require an explanation.”

“That you do not have to worry about,” Zhan Yue’er said briskly. “I’ve sent someone to explain things to Old Madam Ye. The Gu family sent the betrothal gifts so suddenly, so unexpectedly; given their influence and standing, we cannot possibly dare to offend the Gu family—Old Madam Ye will understand.” 

Liu Yuru said nothing. Zhang Yue’er had everything planned out; she had meant to leave her with no choice.

She felt a strong urge to shed all pretences of courtesy and go down in flames with her, consequences be damned.

But reason held her back.

So she stymied her impulse, lowered her head with teary eyes and said hoarsely, “You’ve thought of everything, Concubine Yue. It’s very reassuring.” 

She stood up and said softly, “Concubine Yue, it’s time for my mother to take her medication. I  don’t think I can rest easy unless I check on her. May I?” 

Zhang Yue’er fell silent for a moment as she mulled over her request. Liu Yuru’s marriage was a foregone conclusion. It would be prudent to avoid starting feuds. Liu Yuru had yet to fully grasp the situation she was in, it seemed. She might as well play the part of a good stepmother for now; there would be bigger fish to hook in the future. 

So she said softly, “By all means do so, if you don’t mind the trouble. Take good care of your mother. Now that you are engaged, there’s no need to confine you for appearance’s sake. You are no longer grounded.”   

“Thank you, Concubine Yue.” 

After Liu Yuru expressed her thanks, Zhang Yue’er left contented. 

After she left, Liu Yuru raised her head and clenched her fists, her expression icy.

“Miss…” Yinhong said, sounding a little scared. “What…what should we do?”

Liu Yuru simply told Yinhong, “Can you fetch a girl from the outer courtyard called Yunyun? I’m taking her to Mother.” 

Not knowing what Liu Yuru was planning to do, Yinhong did as she was bid. 

After Yinhong left, Liu Yuru sank into a chair. Gritting her teeth, she finally hung her head and let her tears flow out. 

This was it.

She was painfully aware that nothing she did from this point on would make a real difference.

Her life was effectively over.

TN:

A-Yun¹: “A-” (sounds like “Ah” in English) is a common, informal prefix that expresses intimacy or familiarity when attached to a given name. 

Side note: A new trailer for the drama adaptation of LWC, Destined, has been released by iQiyi.