Chapter 14: A Masterstroke

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Zheng Sanniang knelt in the ancestral hall, facing the tablets of her forebears. After a long time on her knees, the numbness and soreness in her legs gradually gave way to complete loss of sensation. She knew her mother was not truly cruel in punishing her; otherwise, someone would have been watching over her. She could have sat down or stood to stretch without anyone noticing, but she insisted on kneeling. The food secretly brought by her attendant lay untouched by her side.

What puzzled her was why her mother, who had always doted on her and indulged her every wish, changed so drastically after reading those letters. Guan Lang was undoubtedly outstanding—a refined gentleman whom even her father praised endlessly. He treated her with the utmost propriety, his affection sincere yet measured.

Thinking of him, Zheng Sanniang’s cheeks flushed subtly, and she felt that all her endurance was worth it.

The heavy door creaked open with a sound. “Hey, go help Sanniang up,” the Duchess commanded her servants.

She approached Zheng Sanniang with a sigh. “Sanniang, why do you persist? Guan Yan is such a good match—why defy your parents like this?”

“Mother, I beg you to grant your blessing. I will marry no one but him,” Zheng Sanniang said, trying to free herself from the servants’ grasp, but her legs had long lost strength from poor circulation. She could only stubbornly meet her mother’s gaze.

The Duchess’s eyes grew icy, but her face showed a contrasting expression of emotion. “You’ve been strong-willed. I’ve discussed it with your father. If, after reading this letter, you still insist on your decision, I will abide by your wishes.”

Zheng Sanniang took the envelope from her mother and examined it with suspicion. What could be written inside to change her mother’s mind? But since her mother said so, she had to read it.

She tore open the letter and read every word carefully. It recounted the story of a poor scholar and a noble lady whose mutual affection ended in betrayal and abandonment—much like her own situation with Guan Lang.

That alone did not shock her. What startled her were the many details that perfectly mirrored her interactions with Guan Lang.

The letter’s author seemed like a third party who had been present at the time.

For example, it described how she was captivated by Guan Lang’s literary talent, how she pitied his impoverished background…

And how he had personally crafted grasshoppers from straw and clay figurines, which she treasured and kept in a box.

Xu Chengyue: A poor boy has no riches; he can only offer such humble tokens.

Every detail was as if witnessed firsthand.

No, this must have been extracted by her mother through questioning the maid, who then had someone write it all out to frighten her.

How could Guan Lang be like the man in this letter—starting with passion but ending with betrayal?

She refused to be cowed by this and betray Guan Lang’s true feelings.

“Mother, I will never change. I recognize only him in this lifetime.”

Though she had anticipated the answer, the Duchess was so angered that her heart ached.

True to her word, the Duchess had Guan Yan released as Zheng Sanniang wished, and discussions began regarding their marriage.

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After the scandal broke, Guan Yan was locked in the firewood storeroom. Upon his release, he found the servants’ attitude toward him had completely changed—from mere politeness to deep respect.

This sudden reverence inflamed Guan Yan’s vanity like never before, and he sneered inwardly, thinking them all opportunistic dogs who shifted with the wind.

Zheng Sanniang was also pleased; this meant Guan Lang had gained her mother’s approval.

Yet what troubled her was her mother’s strangely altered demeanor. She no longer held herself aloof or assumed the airs of a mother-in-law. Instead, she was kind and even somewhat ingratiating toward Guan Yan, as if a treasured possession were held hostage and she had to endure humiliation silently.

The last time she saw her parents behave like this was when dealing with nobles in the capital of Chang’an.

With her, they were utterly compliant, as if their time together was limited and they wished to treat her doubly well. In recent days, her mother busied herself preparing the dowry, often speaking about how she should live after marriage.

Guan Yan appeared unaffected, but Zheng Sanniang felt a tightening in her chest.

“Sanniang, why do you look so unhappy? Has someone hurt you?” Guan Yan asked with concern.

“No, I was just wondering if things will always be like this,” Zheng Sanniang replied, unwilling to reveal her worries, she made a casual excuse.

“Do you doubt me, Sanniang?” Guan Yan’s expression turned hurt at the suspicion. “My heart is open and true, as witness the heavens and earth, the sun and moon. If you never leave me, I shall never abandon you. If I speak falsely, may heaven strike me with thunder.” He pointed to the sky, swearing an oath.

Zheng Sanniang was deeply moved, wanting to tell him not to say such things, but in a flash, she recalled the letter her mother showed her—where the man in that story had said the very same words.

He swore by heaven and earth, never to leave or forsake, and thunder would strike him if he lied. But what happened afterward?

Xu Chengyue: The universal rhetoric of phoenix men across the ages—pretty much the same.

Her face darkened as she remembered the woman’s question in the story.

Tentatively, she asked, “Guan Lang, if I later have conflicts with my mother-in-law, whose side would you take?”

Guan Yan gazed at her tenderly. “Sanniang is well-read and virtuous; how could you quarrel with her? My mother may be uneducated, but she raised me with great hardship and supported my studies. If she falls short, I hope you will forgive her.”

Exactly so! The man in the book said the same. The woman thought her mother-in-law was simply an uneducated but diligent country woman. Later, urged by her husband’s reassurances—“You are the most virtuous; do not quarrel with her,” “Mother has suffered over the years”—she endured daily torment.

Zheng Sanniang’s heart sank. Would her life be the same?

“What if I cannot bear a son and you are forbidden to take a concubine? What then?” she asked.

Guan Yan was surprised by the depth of her question but smiled. “If no son is born, then none is born. We can adopt an heir from the clan; he will honor you as his mother.”

His words were sensible—at that time, the importance of male heirs made adoption common. But Zheng Sanniang’s doubts poisoned everything.

His words matched the story exactly. The man had later adopted a son born to him and his concubine outside, raising the boy at the woman’s knee.

She seethed with anger at such cruelty and malice.

“Guan Yan, let’s cancel our marriage for now. We’ll discuss it again later,” Zheng Sanniang said, turning away abruptly.

She intended to tell her father and mother she had reconsidered.

Seeing her sudden change, Guan Yan quickly reached out to stop her…

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“...After being expelled, the man loudly berated Duke Zheng at the gates of the manor, accusing him of favoring the wealthy and flattering the powerful, calling the young lady of the Zheng family fickle. The manor’s servants beat him thoroughly,” Xia He recounted with schadenfreude.

“That young lady must have been heartbroken to encounter such a man,” Qiu Lu said sympathetically.

“What’s there to fear? With Duke Zheng’s power, there’s no shortage of eligible men,” Xia He said carelessly.

Listening to their discussion, Xu Chengyue nodded repeatedly, swaying like a weather vane.

She hadn’t expected to gawk from afar like this.

They didn’t know the letter writer’s identity at first, but soon rumors about the Duke’s manor surfaced.

They said some man, greedy for power, tried to take a shortcut but failed, slandering Duke Zheng.

Others might believe it without knowing the truth, but after receiving the letter and considering the timing, they understood everything—though they kept quiet.

“That man was truly bold. If Duke Zheng hadn’t considered his daughter’s reputation, he’d have been driven out of Luoyang with no chance of return,” Xu Chengyue clicked her tongue in admiration.

All the hustle and bustle in the world is for personal gain; people risk everything for profit.

“Miss, how can you be so sure that man didn’t truly love the Zheng family’s daughter?” Qiu Lu hesitated.

“That’s simple. If he had no ulterior motives, how much time could he have spent with a maiden of the inner quarters? If he truly loved her, why not propose directly to Duke Zheng instead of secretly exchanging letters at great risk? He might say he’s unworthy or doesn’t want to delay her, but he showed no shame in writing,” Xu Chengyue quickly pointed out several flaws.

“Miss, you’re sharp!” Qiu Lu exclaimed, suddenly enlightened and full of respect.

“Duke Zheng said he would reward handsomely, but he doesn’t know where we live. How would he give the reward to the miss?” Xia He asked.

Xu Chengyue, reclining leisurely in her rocking chair, froze.

When she accepted this task, she hadn’t considered that readers’ letters first came to Shanhai Bookshop before reaching her.

But surely a duke wouldn’t renege on a promise? Xu Chengyue was uncertain.

No, she had no proof the letter came from Duke Zheng’s manor.

Perhaps to protect his daughter’s reputation, Duke Zheng would deny it.

Suddenly sitting up, she declared indignantly, “I will never do work without a labor contract guarantee again.”

Just then, someone knocked, saying Shanhai Bookshop had visitors seeking Mistress Xu.

Who could it be? Could it be Duke Zheng?!

Having just complained, the very person arrived, leaving Xu Chengyue somewhat guilty.

Surely not—the duke is a royal relative. How would he have time to see an obscure writer like her?

With Qiu Lu and Xia He attending her, Xu Chengyue quickly changed into suitable attire for receiving guests, styled her hair simply yet elegantly, and hurried out.

At Shanhai Bookshop, the shopkeeper anxiously awaited by the door. Seeing her carriage stop, he hurried forward to greet her. “Mistress Xu, your esteemed guest has been waiting for some time.”

He did not know the visitor’s identity but judged by their attire and demeanor that they were no ordinary person. He wondered where Mistress Xu had found such a distinguished figure.

He recalled wondering if he had offended her badly before, but now realized she was not only a talented storyteller but also of notable background.

Mistress Xu’s practiced composure belied her growing anxiety. Calmly greeting the shopkeeper, she strode steadily into the back room of the shop despite his anxious gaze.

Her eyes were immediately drawn to piles of radiant silk and satin stored in chests.

Her pupils trembled at the lavishness—was this for real?

She silently averted her gaze, then looked toward the person seated inside.