Chapter 16: The Excuse Long Prepared

Chapter 16: The Explanation Long Prepared

Master Qian naturally refused, unwilling to let his cherished daughter marry into such a poor family. Even though Yan Huan was an elegant and talented scholar, what use was that if he could not provide food when hungry?

Lady Qian, however, did not give an outright refusal. She calmly explained that marriage was a lifelong matter, not to be taken lightly, and suggested postponing a few days to discuss it properly at home.

Thus, the mother and son from the Ba family were politely sent away.

Lady Qian’s sympathy likely stemmed from her father being a scholar himself, which gave her a natural fondness for literati. Moreover, Yan Huan was genteel, well-educated, and remarkably handsome—truly an outstanding figure.

She also understood the value of education and had some foresight. Seeing that Yan Huan was a promising young man who had already passed the county-level examination, despite his family’s poverty, she deemed him a suitable match for the eighth Miss.

Master Qian remained unhappy, persistently complaining about the Ba family’s poverty and unwilling for his daughter to suffer hardship.

Lady Qian urged him not to judge a young man by his present poverty, saying that fortunes change with time. Yan Huan may be poor now but showed no sign of despair, and she believed he would eventually succeed and rise above his current state.

Master Qian was still reluctant, fearing that his daughter would endure hunger and cold in such a poor household, possibly perishing before Yan Huan’s fortunes improved.

Lady Qian laughed and said if he worried about the hardship, they could simply provide a generous dowry. With money in hand, their daughter would have status in her new home. If Yan Huan truly succeeded later, he would surely remember the kindness shown and not mistreat their daughter.

Upon reflection, Master Qian found some truth in her words.

Lady Qian added that she had not interfered in the marriages of their older children, leaving those matters to Master Qian, but this eighth daughter was her own heart’s treasure, and she would take charge of her match.

And so, the marriage was settled.

The Qian family provided money to renovate the Ba family’s home, giving them a respectable place to live.

At the wedding, the Qian family gave no bride price but instead presented a house full of dowry.

At that time, Qian Fangguan’s eldest brother, Qian Shijiang, was still alive. He shared Master Qian’s temperament and cared equally for his younger siblings, often handling the arrangements for his sisters’ dowries.

In one night, the Ba family went from poverty to abundance.

With funds for Yan Huan’s studies secured and no worries about daily meals, they could even afford occasional meat dishes. The entire family’s complexion improved noticeably.

Ba Mu was deeply grateful to the Qian family, promising to cherish Qian Fangguan as her own daughter.

After marriage, Ba Mu kept her word and truly doted on Qian Fangguan. A year later, a grandson was born, bringing Ba Mu great joy. She was radiant, telling everyone that their ancestors had been virtuous to unite with such a good family as the Qians.

Yan Huan treated his beloved wife exceptionally well. Since the child’s birth, their love had grown even stronger.

In the midst of their affection, Yan Huan recalled their first meeting at the temple, where Qian Fangguan had been graceful and charming. He gave her the pet name “Graceful Dance,” which inspired the name of the Graceful Dance Residence.

Since marrying, Yan Huan had studied diligently, forsaking sleep and food, determined not to betray his in-laws’ trust and to give his cherished wife and child a life of prominence.

His hard work paid off. After years of study, he passed the highest imperial examination with top honors and gained the emperor’s favor, receiving the title of Sixth Rank Court Gentleman. At that time, he was young, promising, and full of ambition—a man who had just reached the first summit of his life.

When one is hungry, survival alone is the focus; but once full, one desires better things. This is the nature of insatiable ambition.

When someone helps a man in hardship, he is grateful; but if the help continues indefinitely, he begins to take it for granted.

This is the saying: “A bushel of rice feeds the benefactor; a peck of rice feeds the enemy.”

Perhaps all that awaited Qian Fangguan was destined from the moment of marriage.

Yan Huan sighed to himself. In the stillness of the night, he wondered if, had he never passed the imperial exam, would he have lived a freer, happier life in his small home?

Thinking of this brought him shame. After a moment’s hesitation, he stepped inside.

The room still bore the scent of blood.

Qian Yiniang looked pale and weak, leaning against the headboard with a cloth tied around her head, her breathing faint and pitiful to behold.

Nanny Qu held the swaddled infant nearby, her face full of worry.

A wet nurse stood beside them.

“Master has returned!” Nanny Qu looked up and saw Yan Huan, promptly kneeling and bowing. “Congratulations, Master, on the birth of your daughter.”

Yan Huan waved her off and went to the bedside.

Qian Yiniang tried to sit up at his approach but was too weak to do so properly. She whispered feebly, “Yi Lang…”

Yan Huan’s courtesy name was Tai Yi.

He hurried forward and took her hand. “Don’t try to get up. You just gave birth and suffered greatly. You must rest well.”

Tears welled in Qian Yiniang’s eyes. “Yi Lang, I have failed you… Our child…”

She glanced toward Nanny Qu.

Nanny Qu understood and carefully brought the swaddled infant closer. “Master, look at our Ninth Miss.”

Yan Huan did not reach for the child but gently parted the swaddling to look.

Born two months premature, the baby was frail and underdeveloped, smaller than a kitten. Her face was wrinkled and red, covered in fine downy hair, making only weak whimpering sounds.

Seeing the child, Yan Huan felt no joy. Remembering the words spoken by the monk, he looked away.

“This child…” Qian Yiniang’s voice faltered as tears fell. “It’s my weak body’s fault… I couldn’t carry her to full term…”

Her heart was heavy with sorrow, uncertain if the child would survive.

Yan Huan was silent for a moment, then spoke gravely, “This child is so weak, it will be difficult to raise her.”

Qian Yiniang looked up at him, puzzled.

Nanny Qu also sensed the underlying meaning.

“Everyone in the capital knows that the Unspeakable Monk from the Prajna Temple is a highly enlightened and compassionate monk. If we entrust this child to the temple, perhaps the blessings of Buddhism might protect her, and she might survive.”

Yan Huan had prepared these words before entering.

If he spoke plainly about the monk’s prophecy, Qian Yiniang would surely refuse, causing a scene of weeping and turmoil, which would solve nothing.

Qian Yiniang was stunned, as if doubting she had heard correctly.

After a moment of daze, tears streamed down her face. “Yi Lang, even if the child stays with me, she may not live. And you want to send her to the temple?”

“Don’t cry. That’s exactly why she needs the protection of Buddha’s blessings. Maybe it will help her survive this crisis…”

Yan Huan’s heart ached seeing Qian Yiniang weep in such sorrow.

But recalling the monk’s words, he steeled himself.

(End of Chapter)