Chapter 5

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Yu Ying was displeased after encountering Cheng Xianzhang and stormed back to the Yu residence in a huff. Yet, upon entering her room, she was surprised to find Madam Feng, who usually attended her mother, sitting in the main hall of her room. Nearby, a maid stood by nervously. As soon as Madam Feng saw her, she rose and said, “Miss, you’ve finally returned. The old master requests your presence; please come with me at once.”

Yu Ying was puzzled. “Grandfather wants to see me? For what?” And why was Madam Feng the one sent to summon her?

Madam Feng replied, “You’ll know once you go. I’ve been waiting here quite a while. If we wait any longer, the old master might lose his temper.”

“But I just got back. I need to change my clothes first.” The weather was hot, and after venturing out in heavy garments for the palace visit, she was drenched in sweat.

She tried to step inside to change, but Madam Feng blocked her path with a solemn expression. “My dear Miss, don’t worry about your clothes. To be honest, something’s happened.”

Yu Ying looked up, “What’s the matter?”

The maid standing nearby, Xue Luo, lowered her head and said quietly, “Miss, a letter came from Luoyang. The family… they know everything.”

Hearing this, Yu Ying’s spirit wilted, though she still clung to hope. “Know what exactly?”

Madam Feng sighed, “Miss, better go now. What else could they know? Madam is so angry she’s almost ill.”

So it was confirmed—they truly knew about that matter.

Resigned to her fate, Yu Ying followed Madam Feng to the ancestral hall to face the storm that should have come long ago.

She wondered silently who had sent the letter—was it a direct betrayal?

Upon entering the hall, three elders of the Yu family had gathered: her grandfather, father, and mother—the three mountains pressing down on her.

Doomed.

As she stepped in, her mother, Madam Yu, sternly commanded, “You irresponsible girl, kneel at once!”

Yu Ying pouted in grievance but obediently knelt, casting a pitiful glance at her mother before bowing her head meekly. Seeing this softened Madam Yu’s anger considerably.

Her grandfather spoke first. “Your aunt sent a letter, saying she only recently discovered that your marriage to Third Young Master was a sham—that you have not lived together for five years, is that true?”

Yu Ying looked up. “Aunt’s letter? Why on earth would she write? Seems like stirring trouble for no reason!”

“Trouble? How dare she not write? Such a big matter can’t be kept under wraps. If she hadn’t confessed, when the truth came out, how could she face me?”

Yu Ying lowered her eyes.

So it was Aunt’s own confession.

Indeed, her marriage to her third cousin was a sham.

At that time, nearly driven mad by Cheng Xianzhang’s behavior and utterly disheartened, she had gone to her aunt’s home in Luoyang.

Only there did she learn that Third Cousin Gu Junyue was locked in conflict with Aunt. Gu Junyue had a lover named Wen Xu who had been disgraced and sent to the entertainment bureau. Despite this, he insisted on marrying her. Aunt opposed it vehemently. When Wen Xu became pregnant, Aunt demanded Gu Junyue marry first and then bring the child home to raise. He refused, insisting on marrying the woman he loved.

He told her he suffered from a brain illness and might not live long. He wanted to secure a legitimate future for Wen Xu and their child by marrying properly. This was the only way he could ensure their well-being.

At that sorrowful moment, Yu Ying was deeply moved and immediately said, “Why not marry me instead? I have nothing to do and want to support such a beautiful love.”

Third Cousin hesitated, but Aunt was pleased, thinking that since he had a brain illness and frequent headaches, and since she herself had been married before, it was a fair match. Besides, his illness might improve.

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The hesitation lasted half a month. Then Cheng Xianzhang’s letter of divorce arrived. Yu Ying resolved herself, and Third Cousin also made up his mind after Wen Xu’s near miscarriage.

So they quickly wed. A few months later, Wen Xu was released from the entertainment bureau and entered the Gu household.

Actually, Yu Ying’s agreement to help Third Cousin wasn’t entirely selfless.

Cheng Xianzhang favored his childhood sweetheart, his cousin, and planned to take her as a concubine after accompanying her to release lanterns. Yu Ying wanted to marry Third Cousin to show Cheng Xianzhang she didn’t care. After all, everyone had cousins; hers was far better than his!

Looking back, it was a bit theatrical, a bit impulsive, but at the time it was cathartic. She even wanted to flaunt Third Cousin before Cheng Xianzhang. Apart from his illness, he was quite admirable and certainly not less handsome than Cheng Xianzhang.

Within two years, Third Cousin’s health deteriorated; headaches increased in frequency. Yet their daughter, Nian Nian, was obedient every year. Wen Xu remained devoted by his side, caring for him. When he passed away, Wen Xu held his hand.

Aunt initially despised Wen Xu, thinking she only clung to Third Cousin to escape disgrace. But after Wen Xu bore his only daughter and sacrificed her youth for him, even Aunt’s cold heart softened. She wept at his bedside and promised that as long as Wen Xu remained in the Gu family, she would treat her well.

Now, with everything settled, Yu Ying had returned to Chang’an only to face this belated judgment.

The Yu family knew Nian Nian wasn’t her biological child but were unaware that Third Cousin’s brain illness had been diagnosed long ago, nor that she and Third Cousin had been fake spouses from the start.

Grandfather Yu said, “Your aunt and Third Young Master acted for themselves, hiding the truth from us. I don’t even know your true reasons! You abandoned Cheng Zijun’s proper marriage for divorce, then made a sham marriage without planning for your future. This is because you were spoiled from childhood, reckless and thoughtless!”

Yu Ying retorted, “I’m not thoughtless. I just think differently from you. Cheng Xianzhang was poor and stingy, tormenting me with his mother. Marrying someone else would have been the same. It was better at Aunt’s house.”

Grandfather Yu angrily said, “And now? Seven years ago, I had someone ready ahead of others, but you disappointed me!”

Yu Ying snapped, “Grandfather shouldn’t say that. It wasn’t that he didn’t want me; I didn’t want him. It’s his fault for being unworthy of our family.”

“You…” Grandfather Yu was both angry and helpless, slamming the armrest of his chair.

Madam Yu interjected, “It’s come to this. Don’t insist on saving face and only anger your grandfather more.”

“I’m not saving face; I’m sincere,” Yu Ying said.

“Now he’s promoted to Deputy Censor-in-Chief, and you’re a widow. How many outside are laughing at you?” Madam Yu said.

Yu Ying opened her mouth but said nothing.

Madam Yu glanced at her husband and said, “I think you should stay home a few days. Later, I’ll find someone to arrange a match for you. You’re not too old yet—find a suitable man and settle down.”

Upon hearing this, Grandfather Yu was silent, and Yu Ying’s father nodded in agreement.

Indeed, the previous marriage had been a mess. The urgent task now was to mend the breach and secure a good marriage.

Fortunately, all Yu daughters were beautiful; the youngest’s looks were no cause for worry.

But Yu Ying was displeased, “I just got back. Haven’t even stayed home a few days.”

“Start looking first. From finding a match to betrothal and marriage will take time,” Madam Yu said.

She resented her daughter’s reckless behavior and disregard for marriage, but was angrier at the young aunt.

Ha! Claiming to only now know about the sham marriage? She didn’t believe it!

Clearly, the foolish niece was willing to marry her ill son to become his lawful wife, and the aunt went along with it, pretending ignorance and letting them marry.

That marriage benefited the nephew-in-law, the young aunt, and Wen Xu and the child. Only her own daughter, the big fool, wasted five years in vain!

Madam Yu, annoyed yet fearful of the old master’s punishment for their daughter, skillfully steered the conversation toward remarriage—both her true wish and a means to shield her daughter.

Unaware of her mother’s plans, Yu Ying felt no interest in marriage so soon after returning. She quietly protested, “Can’t I… not marry? I’ve been married twice already. That’s enough. Let it be.”

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Then she rose and knelt before Grandfather Yu, coaxing, “Grandfather, I rushed back just to see you. Please let me stay at home a few more years. Why rush me to serve others? I’ll serve you instead.”

Though in her twenties, her coaxing was disarming. Grandfather Yu looked at his pitiful granddaughter and, though he had planned a severe punishment, found himself reluctant.

“Grandfather…” Yu Ying tugged his sleeve, pleading.

Grandfather Yu sighed, “Thinking you were gone for five years, I thought you were well off there, but it turned out to be a sham marriage!”

“It was precisely because it was a sham that I was better off. Aunt and Third Cousin treated me like a guest. A real marriage would have been suffering!” Yu Ying defended herself.

Grandfather Yu didn’t want to listen to her twisted reasoning and declared decisively, “From today, you are confined to your room. No going out. The eldest daughter-in-law will be examined for a match. Find a suitable betrothal quickly.”

Madam Yu agreed, “Very well.”

Yu Ying: …

If only she hadn’t come back.

From that day, she was confined. Madam Yu moved swiftly. A few days ago, she said she’d arrange a match, and within five or six days, a suitable candidate was preliminarily decided. Reportedly, he was well-born, of good character and ability, only twelve years older than Yu Ying.

Yu Ying was startled. “Only twelve years older… only?”

Madam Yu said, “He’s just over thirty, from the Zheng family of Xingyang, a Jinshi graduate, now Deputy Minister of Justice. He’s no worse than Cheng Zijun.”

Yu Ying paused, inhaling sharply, incredulous, “Twelve years older and still no worse?”

“But his family background is good. Didn’t you always say Cheng Zijun was poor and stingy?” Madam Yu asked.

“I won’t meet him! Especially not meet an old man!” Yu Ying refused.

“If you refuse, you can’t go out,” Madam Yu said seriously.

Yu Ying: …

“So annoying!” She thumped the cushion beside her in frustration.

Madam Yu tried to persuade her, “This Second Master Zheng, named Zheng Boru, is only about thirty-five or thirty-six but already Deputy Minister of Justice. I hear he’s handsome and dignified. His wife died three years ago; he hasn’t remarried or taken a concubine—a devoted man. Who wouldn’t want such a match? If you miss this chance, there won’t be another.”

Yu Ying was uninterested and unwilling to listen or meet him. Then she suddenly realized something and asked her mother, “The Ministry of Justice and the Censorate… they should be well acquainted, right?”

Madam Yu understood immediately and nodded, “Of course. Both are among the Three Judicial Offices. For major cases, they often try cases together.”

So Zheng Boru and Cheng Xianzhang knew each other?

Cheng Xianzhang married a seventeen-year-old girl, and now she was to marry a man in his thirties. Wasn’t that humiliating?

She would rather die at home!

Seeing her sullen face again, Madam Yu said, “Your grandfather is satisfied with this match. Honestly, I’ve just come to inform you, not to discuss. If you refuse to meet him properly, you’ll remain confined.”

Yu Ying groaned miserably and lay down on the couch.

“If only I had stayed in Luoyang as a chaste widow. I shouldn’t have come back!”