Chapter 129: Chang Zaiqing

Since Shen Xin returned to the capital, this was the first visitor to their new house. Luo Xueyan sat in the main hall talking with a young woman.
When Shen Miao arrived, Luo Xueyan was drinking tea with her—both merry—so happy they did not notice Shen Miao enter.
Luo Tan, picking pastries, saw her and called warmly. "Little Cousin—today's new cakes have milk—want some?"
Shen Miao smiled, shook her head, walked to Luo Xueyan, eyes on the young woman. "Mother—who is this?"
The woman stood quickly—bean-green dress, no excess jewelry—only a loose wooden hairpin, plain silver bracelet—somewhat poor dress—yet bookish air on her brows—face only fair—but elegant grace that could not be slighted—pleasing to see.
"Your grandfather's benefactor's daughter—Chang Zaiqing—Jiaojiao probably never met." Luo Xueyan smiled. "Qing sister—this is our family's girl—Jiaojiao."
Shen Miao smiled slightly, nodded. "Aunt Qing."
Luo Xueyan pulled Zaiqing down again, had Shen Miao nestle beside her. "What Aunt Qing—you're so young—calling aunt ages you. If you didn't tell your age I'd think barely older than Jiaojiao—go out together—sister would suit."
"Madam mustn't tease." Zaiqing smiled.
Luo Tan grinned at Shen Miao. "Little Cousin—Aunt Qing came to Ding—can visit often—loves chess and books—I don't understand—but you'll have a companion."
Shen Miao smiled. Luo Tan was straight-tongued—Luos were sincere like Luo Xueyan and Luo Tan—warm to all. She looked at Zaiqing across the table—to please Luo Xueyan was not easy—martial house disliked literary types—Luo Xueyan and Luo Tan were bold—no patience for word-weavers—yet half a day and Luo Xueyan called her sister, adored her—Shen Miao's gaze cooled.
Seeing her silent, Luo Xueyan took her hand. "Jiaojiao's hands are so cold—winter outside—don't catch chill."
Jingzhe and Guyu behind lowered heads uneasily—Shen Miao had changed, drunk ginger tea, rushed here on hearing a guest—no rest. Luo Xueyan did not know today's affair with Ming'an—both maids felt guilty.
"Winter comes cold these days. In my hometown we have medicine sachets—warming spices—hang by the bed—wake warm. If Fifth Miss doesn't mind—I'll make several."
"You can even make those?" Luo Xueyan laughed. "Liuzhou daughters are clever—I never saw—now I know seeing you. Not like our girls—" she glanced at Luo Tan and Shen Miao, sighed in mock despair—"can't even embroider a handkerchief."
Shen Miao disliked needlework—waste of time—Luo Tan was boyish. Luo Tan pouted. "Aunt—you're the same!"
Luo Xueyan speechless—glared at Luo Tan.
"Aunt Qing is from Liuzhou?" Shen Miao turned, smiling. "Liuzhou is far from Ding—what brings you?"
Zaiqing's face showed embarrassment—Luo Xueyan hurried to cut in. "Nothing much—play in Ding a few days."
Shen Miao smiled. "Where is Aunt Qing staying?"
Zaiqing smiled. "Now at Shen mansion."
Shen Miao said flatly. "Oh—at Grandmother's then." She added: "Since Aunt Qing's father was Grandfather's benefactor—Grandmother will surely care well—reassuring."
Luo Xueyan knew Old Madam's temper might not be kind—yet Shen Miao's words pleased her. "That is so."
Zaiqing's smile stiffened slightly. Shen Miao went on: "Aunt Qing lived in Liuzhou—I hear it's lovely—never been. At Guangwen Hall a classmate was from Liuzhou—perhaps you know each other."
"Chang family is small—" Zaiqing lowered head—"Fifth Miss's classmate likely never heard of us."
"However small—with Aunt Qing such a standout—you would not be unknown." Shen Miao smiled easily. "But Aunt Qing came to Ding—did your husband not come?"
Zaiqing grew more awkward—Luo Xueyan laughed. "Jiaojiao don't talk nonsense—Qing sister is still unwed."
Shen Miao paused, looked at Zaiqing. "May I ask Aunt Qing's age?"
Asking an unmarried woman's age—especially when Zaiqing was already old—was rude. Even Luo Tan stopped eating, staring—Shen Miao was usually proper—why today?
Zaiqing answered calmly, unembarrassed, frank. "Twenty-six this year."
Shen Miao widened eyes on purpose—quickly smiled. "Without your words I'd think eighteen or nineteen—enviable." Her measuring look was subtle—not hostile, yet not warming.
Zaiqing smiled silent. Luo Xueyan laughed. "Such a fine person—fear not finding a husband. I don't know Liuzhou men—but Ding has countless excellent sons—stay longer—perhaps you'll meet your true heart."
Zaiqing waved hands, begged no teasing. More talk—night approached—Shen Xin, Shen Qiu, and Luo Ling would return from the Ministry—Zaiqing rose to leave. Luo Xueyan urged: "Master and the boys are back soon—stay for dinner—Master seeing you would be glad."
"No need." Zaiqing smiled. "Dark soon—hard walking. Madam's kindness I accept—visit again—today is already late."
Luo Xueyan looked outside—night falling—held her hand. "Then I won't keep you—slippery roads—today I felt kin at first sight—very happy—come again—talking with you is rare joy—haven't met such a match in long."
Zaiqing smiled. "Madam's honor—I dare not refuse—must accept respectfully."
Luo Xueyan ordered a carriage—Shen Miao and Luo Tan followed. Luo Tan sighed. "Aunt Qing from small Liuzhou house—yet manners finer than palace—gentle and kind—never wed at such age—whoever wins her is blessed."
Shen Miao watched Zaiqing's back, silent. Luo Tan whispered in her ear. "Little Cousin—you don't like this Aunt Qing?"
Shen Miao was surprised—she did not expect coarse Luo Tan to see it—raised a brow. "No grudge—why dislike?"
"Hey—others can't tell—I can." Luo Tan proud. "You seem good to all—but always light. Today you asked many things—even rude ones—you don't make such mistakes—on purpose. And your eyes on her—strange—not like others."
Shen Miao laughed. "You think too much."
"I don't—you're like that." Luo Tan said. "She's good—won Aunt at once—frank and sincere—but… something's off."
"Where off?" Shen Miao asked.
"Think—her father was Old General's man and savior—a fierce warrior. Tiger father, no dog daughter—even you look gentle—inside like Uncle—fearless before Turks. But Aunt Qing—too mild—frank yet no martial air at all."
Shen Miao's lip curled cold inside—no martial air? Wrong—Zaiqing was more martial than any general's daughter—strategy perfected—step by step—only acting hid her edge.
She looked at Luo Tan—did not correct "fierce"—only said. "Not every martial child must be fierce—raised in Liuzhou—perhaps Madam Chang was scholarly—Aunt Qing took her mother's temper."
Luo Tan pouted. "Maybe. I quite like her. But if you don't—I won't either—we're together."
Shen Miao said. "Thank you then."
"But why don't you like her?" Luo Tan curious. "Jealous she's smarter?"
Shen Miao glanced at Zaiqing boarding the carriage—cold flashed. "Nonsense—such a clever person—I should be glad."
……
Soon after Zaiqing left, Shen Xin returned. Luo Xueyan told of Zaiqing—Shen Xin surprised, then sighing. Old General had often praised Chang Hu's loyalty—Shen family repaid debts—after the general died Chang moved to Liuzhou—years silent—now appearing. Shen Xin had seen Zaiqing as a girl—said if trouble came, help.
Zaiqing did have trouble—but not before the young. After dinner Luo Xueyan hurried Shen Xin to their room—likely Zaiqing's story.
Shen Qiu and Luo Ling were busy with Ministry affairs—Luo Tan played all day, tired early. Deep night—only Shen Miao's lamp still burned.
Jingzhe and Guyu were sent to sleep—the maids thought she worried over Ming'an. Alone she rubbed her brow—the book page unmoved.
Ming'an she did not fear—Huangfu Hao lost face before Xie Jingxing—Ming'an would quiet awhile. What troubled her was today's visitor Chang Zaiqing.
At Fengxian testing Ji Yushu, on the road home she had glimpsed a figure—startled—gone in the crowd—she thought her eyes lied—now it was real—Zaiqing then.
Some things had changed—some people, fate or not, appeared on schedule.
Shen Xin's branch—from first collapse—besides lost military power—hearts in the house turned. Shen Xin would not yield—battle bravery made him fearless of problems—yet cornered by Fu Xiuyi—much was not only Fu's pressure.
Shen Qiu died for Jing Chuchu—in this life Zaiqing's arrival would cost Luo Xueyan her life.
Luo Xueyan was Liuzhou-born—in her past life at this time she had appeared before the Shen family—house not yet split—Zaiqing gentle, measured speech—all Shen loved her, including Luo Xueyan.
Luo Xueyan was a warrior—Ren Wanyun too smooth, Chen Ruoqiu too proud—surface peace but Luo could not be close—Zaiqing came—soon intimate.
Young Shen Miao thought Zaiqing good—married to Fu Xiuyi, visits home—talked pleasantly. Zaiqing spoke cleverly—to Chen Ruoqiu, poetry—to Luo Xueyan, strategy—to Shen Miao, how to please a husband—kind, always plans—Shen Miao liked her.
Later—Zaiqing unwed at twenty-six because a Liuzhou magnate's son wanted her as concubine—no one dared offend that house to propose—years passed—the house grew worse—Zaiqing fled to Ding for Old General's friends.
Shen Miao pitied her—such grace without a good match—thought she would stay as guest—until Chen Ruoqiu produced a marriage document—Shen Xin and Zaiqing—written by Old General and Chang Hu—so old all thought jest.
Yet it changed things.
Rumor—Zaiqing never married not only from coercion—but keeping herself for Shen Xin.
Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan were deeply in love—the document was awkward.
Zaiqing knelt before Luo Xueyan—no other mind toward Shen Xin—elders' joke—she forgot—wanted quiet life—no marriage thought—if inconvenient she would shave and enter a temple—never disturb Shen house.
A good girl seeking shelter—benefactor's daughter—how send her to be a nun? All persuaded—Chen and Ren especially—finally Old Madam said take Zaiqing as concubine.
Shen Xin refused—his rear court was clean—one more woman for what? Zaiqing refused too—yet Luo Xueyan agreed.
Luo Xueyan—no sand in her eyes—fiercest temper—married Shen Xin on condition of one woman only—Shen Xin kept it—yet she asked him to take Zaiqing.
Zaiqing "helplessly" agreed—only the name of aunt—no duties of a concubine—only to settle worry—daily she did nothing.
Then Shen Miao thought Zaiqing most reasonable—world's kindest—concubine in name only, no sharing favor—stable—unlike Ding ministers' women sent to vex her.
Zaiqing became nominal concubine—little passion with Shen Xin—like siblings—with Luo Xueyan very close—worry eased—seemed fine.
Soon Luo Xueyan pregnant—Zaiqing cared daily—yet Luo miscarried in her own yard—after, depressed—soon died.
Shen Xin shattered—hair white overnight—without Luo Xueyan he lost spirit—aged fast—later no heart for war—Fu Xiuyi cornered him—second and third branches drilled holes.
Shen Miao hated Zaiqing's methods most—setting aside why Luo miscarried—Luo was a heroine—how wither in days? Only Zaiqing stayed beside her, spoke with her—Zaiqing could not be innocent.
Shen Xin investigated—no clue—Zaiqing clean. After Luo's death he did not remarry—Zaiqing kept aunt's title—first branch needed a mistress—Zaiqing naturally became "madam" in servants' eyes—gentle, invisible grip—mistress's air.
That was what terrified Shen Miao.
Zaiqing knew Shen Xin's heart held no other woman—she did not want his heart—she worked on Luo Xueyan—won trust as kin—then stabbed from behind. Words wound—Zaiqing's "comfort" on a sickbed could kill.
Shen Xin denying her did not matter—Zaiqing wanted outsiders' eyes—Luo dead—she was Shen's only woman—Shen Madam—for life secure. Most realistic—never chased vague romance.
Clear and clever—hateful woman.
Without accident Zaiqing might live as wronged victim—Shen Miao might pity her—paper cannot wrap fire—two years after Luo died—Zaiqing's husband and son from Liuzhou came.
Yes—husband and son—a gambler husband, sick son. Zaiqing had married long ago—perhaps once in love—poor couple, hundred woes—proud Zaiqing could not live in mud raising peonies—took silver, abandoned husband and child, fled to Ding.
Husband searched—found her Shen Xin's concubine—brought son—scandal—gentle Zaiqing abandoned sick child—lies exposed—loathed.
Zaiqing was taken away—Shen Xin became Ding's joke—raising another man's wife for years—cuckold?
Shen Miao closed her eyes.
Past like smoke—she had guarded against repeat—yet late. Zaiqing came—same as past life—soon won Luo Xueyan's heart.
For acting, Shen Miao knew two masters—Zaiqing and Lady Mei—Mei sometimes showed wild truth—Zaiqing so careful—no handle.
This life was not that life—Zaiqing would not have ease. How to use this pawn—must plan well.
Thinking—a lamp flickered—a voice at her ear. "Thinking what?"
She started—body leaned back—nearly fell—he caught her arm, steadied her back, withdrew, stood straight.
Lamplight—his face impossibly handsome—familiar wicked smile—bending to look. "So lost in thought—how will you repay me?"
"What are you here for?" She no longer bothered anger at Xie Jingxing—yet wondered—she had Mo Qing add guards outside—he still entered like empty land—his men so skilled—Liang methods truly overbearing.
He raised a lip. "I came for my cloak."
At Ming'an's he had given his black cloak—she remembered—he looked at the floor with meaning.
She returned in haste—hurried to see Zaiqing—changed—cloak tossed on a chair—slid to floor—crumpled—wretched heap.
Arms folded, cool voice. "You are truly rude."
Prince Rui's cloak was precious—tossed like a table rag—under heaven only Shen Miao dared. She did not indulge him. "Highness's cloak is on the floor—thanks." No courtesy words—Liang royalty had silver—one cloak nothing. She scanned him—such looks—new robes daily—how did Liang afford this spendthrift—treasury on clothes—no war because no pay?
He watched her, interested. "You're odd today—sudden temper—so much fire." Raised brow. "For that woman in your house—Chang Zaiqing?"