Chapter Twelve: The Thoughts Weighing on Caiyun's Heart

“Father, I want to study too.”

Liu Qin’s heart was stirred when she heard her father tell young Jiang Li to attend school. Though studying could be dull, the manor was hardly entertaining. Hai and Jiang Li were off to school, Changsheng and Second Egg had their own affairs, none of it was fun—truly, not at all. She thought, since learning was inevitable, she might as well go with Jiang Li; at least it would be lively.

“You said last time that studying wasn’t fun, so why do you want to go now?” Father Liu smiled fondly at his daughter, looking her up and down, from every angle—she was more adorable with each glance.

Little Liu Qin’s eyes darted mischievously as she hugged her father’s neck and coaxed him in a sweet, childlike voice, “Brother Li said father’s knowledge is the best, that you are the person he admires most. I want to be just like you, the most learned person of all.”

Jiang Li, seated below, was taken aback. When had he ever said that? He glanced up and saw the little girl winking at him secretly, her face full of pride, as if to say: Brother Li, see how well I flatter father for you—praise me! He felt both amused and touched. Though his sister seemed young, she was cleverer than most, and above all, she always thought of him, always stood up for him—no real sister could be more devoted.

As the saying goes, flattery works every time. Father Liu was thoroughly delighted by Liu Qin’s words, laughing heartily, his gaze upon his daughter and Jiang Li growing ever gentler.

The family dinner began in this warm, harmonious atmosphere, and ended in much the same way. The old lady, seeing such happiness and unity, was especially pleased, so much so she drank a few extra cups and was escorted back to her room before the feast was formally over. Father Liu lingered a while with the others and only then did the gathering disperse.

Tonight’s tea talk could not take place. Father Liu retired to his study. Eldest sister-in-law Cai had intended to escort Liu Qin back to her chambers, but Liu Qin refused. Seeing her tipsy husband and the little Hai trailing behind, Cai could only give a few reminders to Cui Liu, then instructed those taking care of Hai and Jiang Li to look after them well, finally letting her husband carry Hai away.

Stepping through the guest hall’s courtyard gate, Liu Qin bid farewell to Jiang Li and Hai, each heading their own way. The guest hall was not far from the main house; after turning down two corridors and crossing a small garden, they would arrive. Cui Yu led the way with a lantern, Cui Liu held the young mistress’s hand, and the three laughed together about amusing incidents from the feast.

A faint whimpering sound drifted on the wind, intermittent and indistinct, eerie in the quiet night. All three stopped talking and halted in their tracks.

“There’s... a sound, who... who is it?” Cui Yu, usually loud and brash, was actually quite timid. Liu Qin’s courage was not great either, a side effect of watching too many horror movies. Both edged closer to Cui Liu.

Cui Liu, older and more experienced, picked up the young mistress and scolded Cui Yu with a smile, “Look at you, your nerves are thinner than a needle’s point. It’s just some crying—maybe some young maid is upset and venting her feelings. Instead, you’ve frightened the young mistress.”

Cui Yu, emboldened by these words, laughed. “Who’s so inconsiderate, up late at night instead of sleeping, running around the garden to scare people? I must see who it is and give her a good scolding.”

Cui Liu rolled her eyes, too tired to argue, and carried the young mistress onward. As they turned the corridor, the crying grew clearer. Though the moon was dim tonight, Cui Yu raised the lantern, illuminating a ten-foot area ahead. Beneath a rockery by the pond, a blurry figure squatted on the ground, weeping sadly beside the lotus pool.

“Who’s there?” Cui Yu, still disgruntled from her earlier fright, called out loudly.

That person, startled by the shout, fell back in a panic and turned to look toward the source of the voice.

Cui Liu, her eyesight keen, peered for a moment, then said hesitantly, “I think it’s Sister Caiyun.”

Cui Yu had already run over, lantern held high, and exclaimed in surprise, “It really is Sister Caiyun! Why are you crying here so late at night? You gave me and the young mistress a scare.”

Cui Liu, carrying Liu Qin, also approached. “Yes, Sister Caiyun, you’re an old hand in the manor. If the old lady finds out, it wouldn’t be good. If you have troubles, why not talk to your sisters?”

“I... I...” Caiyun kept her head down, rising with Cui Yu’s help and wiping her face with a handkerchief, not meeting their eyes. She knelt before Liu Qin and pleaded, “I have disturbed the young mistress; please punish me.”

Liu Qin pondered—could it be about Madam Liu’s matchmaking? But it was not her place to ask. She whispered a few words into Cui Liu’s ear, who nodded and said to Caiyun, “The young mistress says it’s no trouble, but if someone else sees you, it might cause gossip. Sister Caiyun, why not come with us to the mistress’s courtyard, tidy yourself up, and avoid any unwanted attention?”

Caiyun knew she had been reckless and nodded, following them back to Liu Qin’s Plum Courtyard.

In the main house, Cui Yu helped Liu Qin wash up, while Cui Liu, about the same age as Caiyun, was sent to the side room for tea, to probe Caiyun’s troubles and offer comfort.

Cui Yu bathed the young mistress thoroughly, dressed her in inner garments, and settled her on the bed. She knelt beside her, drying her hair with a clean cloth, when Cui Liu lifted the curtain and entered, sighing as she sat at the table, her eyes vacant, clearly troubled.

How strange, thought Cui Yu, diseases might be contagious, but worries? She was impatient and blurted out, “Sister, what’s going on? Caiyun was upset, but why do you look as if you’ve lost your soul too?”

Cui Liu glanced at the young mistress, hesitating. Liu Qin knew matters of marriage were not discussed in front of unmarried girls in respectable households; though the rules in the Liu manor were not strict, they were not absent either. She quickly reassured her, “Is it because Madam suggested Sister Caiyun become her daughter-in-law, but she doesn’t want to?”

“You know?” Cui Liu, seeing the young mistress understood, gave in. “You don’t know—Madam Liu’s son, Feng Da, is no good. He drinks and gambles, and stares at pretty girls like a wolf. We all avoid him, but he has his eye on Sister Caiyun. When she heard, she was beside herself with despair.”

That Feng Da is truly rotten, Liu Qin thought. Perhaps it’s true: too much indulgence spoils children, and those without fathers lack discipline. Then again, Jiang Li has no father either, yet he is refined and dignified. The problem must be bad roots producing rotten fruit—the Feng family’s genes are simply poor.

“If Feng Da likes Sister Caiyun, why are you so upset?” Cui Yu was too young to care about marriage matters.

“We’re all sisters in the manor. Can’t you have a bit of sympathy?” Cui Liu chided, sighing. “I just find Sister Caiyun pitiful. Sold here as a child, she has no family. Though the old lady treats her well, she can’t control her own fate in matters of marriage. If she gets lucky, fine; if not, her whole life will be ruined... alas!”

Liu Qin heard the sigh and understood it was not just for Caiyun, but for herself as well. No matter how kind the Liu manor was, maids could not choose their husbands; when the time came, the household would arrange a match with one of the servants, and whether he was good or bad was left to chance. Not just the maids—even for herself, when she came of age, a red veil would cover her head, she’d be carried to the bridal chamber, drums beating, and the person who unveiled her face might be a stranger, perhaps with shifty eyes—one glance and she’d be disgusted. Alas, her whole life would be over.

With all this talk, everyone was somewhat downcast. They tidied up quickly and retired for the night.