Chapter 3 — Seeking Another Way Out

Leaning against the side of the wooden tub, Wanru stared blankly at the rippling circles on the water’s surface, replaying Xie Xianyu’s words in her mind.

“Once I’m married, I’ll have Grandmother send you to me as a concubine.”

Her gaze gradually chilled.
“When he marries his new wife, in the sweetness of their newlywed days, he won’t even remember me.”

“And what about that girl then?”

“Naturally, she’ll have to find another way out.”

Wanru was not ungrateful for Xie Xianyu’s kindness. But she was selfish by nature. She could never sacrifice her entire life for him.

A year had passed. Surely he was already tired of her. What difference would it make to his household if there was one less woman in the back courtyard?

But her own later years could not be spent confined in that small courtyard, living forever as a lowly concubine who had to bow and scrape.

---

The next morning, Wanru had only just risen and was combing her hair when Dingdong came in.
“Young Lady, Third Madam has sent word—she asks you to come to Wutong Pavilion.”

Wanru frowned slightly.
“Aunt has never liked me. Why would she suddenly summon me?”

“Maybe Sixth Miss has caused trouble again and wants you to clean up the mess?”

Wanru didn’t delay further. After a quick dressing, she carefully dabbed on extra powder to hide the faint marks on her neck before heading to Wutong Pavilion.

---

The Xie family was divided into four branches. The First Master and Fourth Master were full brothers of legitimate birth. The Second and Third Masters, however, had been born of concubines. In today’s Xie household, the eldest branch naturally held the highest position.

The First Master was the head of the family and already held a high post at court, serving as Vice Chancellor.

The Second Master had some skill in commerce, so most of the family’s business was managed by the second branch. The Second Madam assisted with the household and enjoyed considerable status.

The Fourth Master had little ambition, preferring a carefree life. But as legitimate blood and the First Master’s own brother, he remained beloved by the Old Madam, who indulged his every whim.

As for the Third Master—born of a concubine, talentless, and powerless—he was given only a nominal post with no authority, surviving off the family stipend.

Even so, when Madam Zhang had married him as a replacement wife, she had still climbed high, for the Zhangs were merely merchants. Her father had only purchased a petty title, hardly respectable.

Thus, after marrying into the Xie family, Madam Zhang disdained her own natal family, avoiding contact—even with her niece Wanru.

A year ago, when Wanru had sought refuge at the Xie household in desperation, Madam Zhang hadn’t even wanted to see her. She had wished only to send her away quickly, afraid that others might recall her lowly Zhang family origins.

During the past year Wanru had lived in the household, Madam Zhang never showed her warmth, instead deliberately keeping her distance, holding the lofty airs of a Xie family’s Third Madam, looking down on Wanru.

Yet today, Madam Zhang had summoned her.

---

Arriving at Wutong Pavilion, Wanru entered the courtyard and saw Madam Zhang feeding the fish.

“Aunt.” Wanru curtsied politely.

Madam Zhang sized her up with a smile of unclear meaning.
“In just one year, you’ve grown even prettier.”

Wanru’s heart clenched tight, her face paling. For a moment she feared Madam Zhang had discovered something.

“Thanks to Aunt’s care,” she answered steadily, forcing calm.

Madam Zhang gave a cold hum, tossed aside the fish food, and wiped her hands with a kerchief.
“Good that you know. If not for me, who knows what gutter you’d have fallen into by now.”

Wanru pressed her lips together. Since Madam Zhang didn’t press further, it seemed she had overthought it. If her aunt had truly discovered something, she would have exposed it at once.

“Aunt’s kindness, Wanru will always remember.” Her demeanor was deferential, leaving no fault to pick at.

Madam Zhang smiled.
“Yesterday, when Old Madam brought up the girls’ marriages, she even mentioned you.”

Wanru’s guard went up.

“As it happens, I have a good match to suggest. Master Yuan is looking for a concubine—someone educated and well-mannered.”

Wanru’s smile froze, her fingers tightening around her handkerchief.

Madam Zhang looked delighted.
“Master Yuan is remarkable! A royal merchant, wealth beyond measure, and the younger brother of the Marchioness of Yongchang! True, he has many concubines, but the Madam is generous. You’re still young and beautiful—if you can capture his heart, won’t your future be secure?”

Wanru’s eyes turned cold. So that was it. Of course Madam Zhang wouldn’t suddenly take her marriage seriously.

She’d heard of the Yuan family before. Their estate was infamous as a wolf’s den. Master Yuan was lecherous and violent, endlessly adding concubines, with rumors of sudden “illnesses” and deaths among them. Who didn’t know the truth?

And Madam Zhang would throw her into such a pit?

“Aunt, my father has only been gone a year. I ought to observe three years of mourning. The mourning period is not yet over—I don’t wish to marry.”

Madam Zhang sneered.
“If you truly cared about mourning, why didn’t you protest when Old Madam mentioned your marriage? Do you think you’re some noble lady who can cling to these dead rules? Who cares?”

It was true that in Daxing dynasty, proper mourning should last three years, but only officials needed to strictly observe it. Common folk rarely bothered.

“You’re just making excuses! What, the Yuan family isn’t good enough for you? To enter their gates is a blessing earned over several lifetimes!”

She slammed the table and scolded harshly.

Wanru’s expression hardened.
“If it’s such a blessing, why not give it to Sister Xiuyun instead?”

The words had barely left her lips when a shrill voice shrieked—

“What did you say?! You think that just because you’ve clung shamelessly to our family for a year, you can call yourself a Xie daughter? How dare you compare with me? Look at your station!”

Xie Xiuyun burst in, jabbing a finger at Wanru’s nose as she spat insults.

Wanru ignored her, only turning to Madam Zhang.
“I know exactly what my station is. I never dreamed of climbing high, but neither will I debase myself. My marriage is not for Aunt to decide.”

With a respectful curtsey, she said, “Since there is nothing further, I won’t disturb Aunt.” Then she turned and left.

Madam Zhang glared at her retreating back, snatched up a teacup, and smashed it furiously on the ground.
“That wretch! Since when did she grow so bold?”

Xie Xiuyun fumed.
“A shameless woman who lives under someone else’s roof—what good could she ever be?”

Madam Zhang sat down heavily on the stone bench, her face dark.

Xiuyun, however, grew anxious and clutched her mother’s arm.
“Mother, we can’t just let this go! If we don’t hand that slut Wanru to Master Yuan, how will he help me win the Marchioness’s favor and push for my match with the heir?”

Xiuyun was already fourteen, and Madam Zhang cared deeply for her marriage prospects. She had been searching carefully for two years, but her standards were lofty—only princes or nobles would do.

Yet the third branch had no power or influence, so Xiuyun was hardly a desirable match, especially with her cousin Xiuzhu outshining her in every way.

The Marquis of Yongchang’s household had originally planned to propose for Xiuzhu. Still, Madam Zhang wanted to fight for Xiuyun, and thus thought of currying favor with the Marchioness’s brother—Master Yuan.

Wanru was of low birth, but her beauty was strikingly alluring. Master Yuan was known for his lust for women. If such a beauty were delivered to him, how could he not lend Xiuyun his support?

Madam Zhang’s gaze turned venomous.
“Let it go? That shameless wretch dares threaten me? I’ll never let her stir up trouble in this house.”

---

Leaving Wutong Pavilion, Wanru’s own face had gone cold.

It was becoming impossible to stay in the Xie household. Xie Xianyu’s matter remained unresolved, and already Madam Zhang was scheming to sell her off. If she delayed any longer, who knew what fate awaited her?

The Xie family was no place for her to remain. She needed to plan early.

When she returned to her small courtyard, Dingdong came running in, delighted, holding two bolts of cloth.
“Tomorrow is the Spring Banquet, and the household even gave Young Lady extra fabric for new dresses!”

Wanru lifted her gaze.
“Spring Banquet?”

“Yes! I heard it’s mainly for the Eldest Young Master. Likely all the noble ladies of the capital will attend. But since the household’s young ladies are also seeking husbands, many young lords will be invited. And with the imperial exams approaching, lots of scholars have entered the capital too. Many students are said to be attending as well.”

Wanru’s eyes flickered. Thoughts began to take shape in her mind.