Chapter 33: This Is Heaven's Will

Wei Xiaoniang was of a gentle and submissive nature, always mindful of her status as a concubine. Even if she were given ten times the courage, she would never dare to disregard the rules just because her daughter had earned the favor of the Old Madam. In any case, as long as it displeased Lin Qinshuang, it was a wonderful thing for her.

Inside the cabin, Wang Ruofu reclined on a soft couch, idly playing a game of pitch-pot with Nanny Liu. Rulan, head tilted, was copying calligraphy with a look of utter reluctance. Since they were on a boat, she had nowhere to hide from her chores and had to remain constantly vigilant against Sheng Hong coming to inspect her progress. Hualan, meanwhile, sat quietly to one side doing needlework; her slender fingers held a silver needle, her willow-leaf brows occasionally furrowing or softening into a look of satisfaction.

A woman’s dowry often included items she had embroidered herself, such as quilts and pillowcases, usually featuring auspicious patterns like mandarin ducks playing in water or symbols of a harmonious marriage. These items were rarely used for daily purposes; they were meant to showcase a young lady’s upbringing and the standing of her family.

"The results of the metropolitan examination will be posted in half a month. I am truly anxious. I only hope that young Master Zhao can bring my Huaer a title of nobility and a life of luxury," Wang Ruofu said, drawing a deep breath and speaking to herself.

Nanny Liu offered comfort: "Our eldest young lady is blessed; you should set your heart at ease, Madam."

Wang Ruofu glanced down at the arrow in her hand, then at the bronze three-mouthed pot placed not far away. The central opening of this pot was narrower, while the two on the sides were slightly larger. However, Wang Ruofu’s skill was poor, and she had been playing for a long time. The arrows either flew past the ears of the pot or struck the body with dull, clanking sounds.

"If young Master Zhao places high, I shall land this arrow!"

With that, she closed her eyes, gave her wrist a light flick, and the arrow traced a graceful arc—

The next second, a sharp metallic "clack" echoed. A direct hit in the center!

Both mistress and servant widened their eyes, their faces brimming with joy. "Madam, look! I told you, this is heaven’s will!" Nanny Liu’s voice trembled with excitement.

Wang Ruofu gaped, speechless for a long moment, secretly deciding that when Changbai eventually took his examinations, she would have to play pitch-pot again.

On the other side, after much deliberation, the Old Madam sent Mother Fang to summon Sheng Hong for a talk that evening.

***

In the cabin, Sheng Hong sat somewhat stiffly beside the Old Madam. He occasionally cast a glance at her expression, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the jade pendant at his waist.

"Mother, is there something you wish to say to your son?" Sheng Hong ventured, his voice a few decibels lower than usual.

The Old Madam’s expression remained composed as she set down her teacup and said calmly, "We are about to reach Bianjing. The girls have Mother Kong to teach them the rules, but shouldn't we also establish the rules of our own household?"

At these words, Sheng Hong straightened his back, a look of confusion flashing across his face. "What do you mean, Mother? Hasn't our household been quite peaceful lately?"

The Old Madam’s gaze was steady, a string of prayer beads turning slowly in her hands. It was true that Wang Ruofu held the power of the household, but given Sheng Hong’s disposition, she feared it wouldn't last more than a few months. Once Lin Qinshuang played the victim, shed a few tears, and whispered some intimate words, the Sheng household would revert to being managed by a concubine.

Thus, she said faintly, "In Yangzhou, the Emperor is far away, and no matter how big a mess is made, it can be easily suppressed with money and favors. But under the feet of the Son of Heaven, there are countless eyes watching—censorate officials, political rivals, and colleagues just waiting to see a joke."

"If another scandal breaks out, it will not be so easy to clean up."

"You have served as an assistant magistrate; surely you know what the charges are if a man elevates his concubine above his wife and is impeached by the censorate?"

Though the Old Madam’s voice was soft, it weighed upon Sheng Hong’s heart like a mountain. The *Code of Household and Marriage* clearly stated: those who treat a concubine as a wife shall be sentenced to one and a half years of penal labor. Those who disrupt the order between wife and concubine shall receive eighty strokes of the cane. A few years prior, an official had been impeached, demoted, and exiled for favoring a concubine and abusing his legal wife.

"You have given that Lin Qinshuang not only farmland but also shops, making a concubine live more grandly than the mistress of the house. The wife does not look like a wife, and the concubine does not look like a concubine."

"I have said all I care to say. If you insist on having your own way, I will not stop you. After all, I am not your birth mother, and I cannot manage your private quarters!"

At these words, the cabin fell into a terrifying silence, broken only by the sound of the river striking the hull.

Sheng Hong suddenly looked up at the Old Madam. After a long silence, he said, "Mother, I will take your words to heart. From now on, only the Madam shall manage the household. As for the Lin woman, I shall visit her less, and as for the Wei woman... I will certainly ensure she suffers no more grievances."

The Old Madam lowered her eyelids slightly and waved her hand, signaling for Sheng Hong to leave. Sheng Hong bowed deeply and took three steps back before turning to depart.

***

Upon returning to the Sheng residence, Sheng Wei had the kitchen prepare a nourishing dinner. During the meal, seeing Zhao Han looking weary, he refrained from speaking much, and even the usually boisterous Pinlan sat quietly beside Shulan.

After dinner, as Zhao Han was preparing to return to his quarters, an apricot-red figure suddenly appeared in the corridor.

"Brother Zhao, this is the calming incense my second sister recently prepared. It is made from top-quality white sandalwood and borneol, perfect for soothing the nerves and relieving fatigue. She specifically asked me to bring it to you."

Zhao Han accepted the incense from Pinlan and smiled slightly. "Please thank the Second Young Lady for me." He paused and cupped his hands in a salute. "And many thanks to you, Miss Pinlan, for making the trip."

"That’s more like it." Hearing this, a smile bloomed on Pinlan’s face. "Rest well, Brother Zhao, I’ll come bother you again in a few days!" With that, she hitched up her skirt and hurried away.

Back in his small courtyard, Zhao Han carefully scooped a pinch of the incense into the burner. As the flame from the lighter touched it, a wisp of blue smoke curled upward; the mellow richness of the sandalwood intertwined with the cool sharpness of the borneol, permeating the room like a babbling brook.

The night passed in silence. The next day, the weariness that had clouded Zhao Han’s brow was finally swept away. The incense had long since burned out, leaving only a faint, lingering fragrance.

Now that the examinations were over and he no longer needed to study day and night, Zhao Han planned to hire a skilled martial arts master once he was settled in the capital. Being proficient in archery was not enough; he needed to learn more self-defense. It would be a pity to let his strength go to waste.

By the time it neared the hour of the dog, Changqing had the carriage ready. "Young Master, we should depart. Before we parted yesterday, Young Master Gu reminded us several times not to be late."

"Let's go," Zhao Han replied with a smile.

The Guangyun Pavilion was exceptionally lively today; lanterns had been lit early, carriages arrived in an endless stream, and the interior was brilliantly illuminated and filled with the scent of incense. An attendant with a sharp eye recognized Zhao Han and hurried forward to lead the way. "Greetings, Young Master Zhao. Head Performer Wei has reserved a prime seat for you, and the second young master of the Gu family is already waiting for you there."