Chapter 25 — Better a Concubine in a Noble House

Xie Xiulin hastily pulled her hand back, clutching at her handkerchief.
“It’s nothing. I was just thinking—I’m only fourteen. Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister’s marriages aren’t even settled yet. There’s no need for me to rush.”

But Wanru suddenly noticed the bracelet on her wrist—fine mutton-fat jade, smooth and flawless, nearly without any blemish. It was clearly a top-quality piece.

“Where did that bracelet come from?”

Life in the Third Branch hadn’t been easy for Xiulin. Even her monthly allowance was often withheld. Such a fine thing shouldn’t have fallen into her hands.

Xiulin touched the bracelet, biting her lip, hesitating before speaking the truth.
“I’ll tell you, but you mustn’t breathe a word to anyone.”

“Oh?”

“It was given to me by the Heir of the Duke of Zheng.” Xiulin lowered her head, her tone shy and timid.

Wanru froze for a moment before coming back to her senses.
“You know him?”

“I didn’t before. But that day at Lake Taiming, he stood up for me. Later, when I was crying by the lake, he came to comfort me. He said he pitied me deeply. These past days, he’s sent people to check on me every day.”

Her cheeks were already flushed red. She gripped Wanru’s hand tightly.
“You mustn’t tell anyone about this!”

The Duke of Zheng’s heir?

But Wanru remembered seeing case files in Xie Xianyu’s study—the Zheng household was also implicated in the salt tax case.

Was she being overly suspicious? Or was this timing just too convenient?

Wanru held her hand.
“If the Heir truly likes you, then let him make a formal proposal.”

If the Duke’s household proposed openly, the elders would weigh the matter carefully. If nothing was amiss, the marriage would be agreed to. If the Zhengs had problems, then rejection would be easy.

But Xiulin shook her head.
“No, it’s impossible. He said his family already arranged a marriage for him—with the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yongchang. Her status is too high. Someone like me… His family would never allow it.”

Wanru was stunned.
“Then why are you still entangled with him?”

“But he said he would find a way to fight for me—that he’s determined to stay with me for life!” Xiulin’s eyes shone as she declared, “And I care for him as well. Even if it means becoming his concubine, I’m willing.”

“You’re being foolish! You’re a daughter of the Xie family—why lower yourself to be someone’s concubine?!”

“What’s wrong with being a concubine? Look at Eldest Brother. Even though his engagement is set, countless families still long to send their daughters to him as concubines, but they can’t! The Duke of Zheng’s household is a noble line with a hereditary title. If the Heir truly likes me, he won’t let me suffer.”

Wanru frowned.
“But a concubine must live under the main wife’s shadow. Have you forgotten your mother’s life?”

“How could my mother and I be compared? She was a maid, raised to a concubine—just a lowly one at that. She was given to Father by Old Madam, never favored, and bore only a single daughter. Naturally, she had no voice.

“But if I enter the Duke of Zheng’s household, I’ll be a high-ranking concubine. And if the Heir likes me, and I bear him a son, then as the child’s mother, even the main wife won’t be able to suppress me.”

Wanru shook her head.
“You’re thinking too simply.”

In great houses, there were countless concubines. A man’s favor was the most unreliable thing of all. As for a main wife—there were endless ways to torment a concubine. In the Xie household alone, though only the Third Madam had a reputation for cruelty, which concubine in the First or Second Branch dared to be unruly now?

“Better to let Second Madam handle your marriage…”

“What good marriage could she arrange for me?” Xiulin’s voice suddenly rose.
“At best, she’ll choose some poor scholar for me, to flaunt the Xie family’s reputation as a house of virtuous repute!”

Wanru was taken aback.

“Wasn’t it the same for Third Sister? Eldest Madam married her to some impoverished scholar, one barely scraping by as a lowly county magistrate in distant Qingzhou. They said it was honorable to be a proper wife, but now she suffers in hardship. No family background, no influence—after twenty years of toil, he may never even earn a return to the capital.”

The Third Young Lady—illegitimate daughter of the First Branch—had been married off three years ago.

“I’d rather be a concubine in the Duke’s household than endure such a life! Besides, the Heir hasn’t even said for sure I’ll be a concubine. He likes me. He said he’ll fight for the position of wife. Even if it’s a gamble, I’ll take it!”

Wanru pressed her lips together, silent for a long while before speaking softly.
“Then wait and see. But secret exchanges are improper. If someone finds out, it’ll mean trouble. Don’t wear that bracelet in public again.”

Xiulin beamed.
“I know. I only wore it because I was coming to see you.”

She glanced at the sky outside.
“It’s getting late. I’ll go now.”

Wanru nodded.
“All right.”

Still uneasy, she added another warning.
“Xiulin, no matter what, be cautious.”

“I understand. Don’t worry!”

Xiulin smiled brightly, then turned and left.

But Wanru’s brows stayed tightly knit.

Suyue came to refill her tea and muttered,
“Listening to Seventh Miss, it doesn’t sound entirely wrong. Wealth in a grand household is real—even a handful of loose silver would last a poor family a lifetime. If you think about it, that Lin Gongzi is also from Qingzhou, from a poor family. If you married him, wouldn’t you suffer too…”

Wanru looked at the banana tree outside the window, her expression cool.
“But what’s the meaning of being locked in a gilded cage for life?”

A wife could still go out and be seen. But concubines were forever confined to the inner courtyards, hidden away from the sun.

And there were decades yet to live.

Wanru pressed her lips.
“Everyone has their own aspirations. Xiulin values different things.”

“That’s true. And if the Heir really does like her sincerely, maybe it’ll turn into a love story.”

But Wanru only frowned faintly, a sense of unease tugging at her. Perhaps she was just overthinking.

The next morning, the Old Madam of the Xie family went to Zhaojue Temple to offer incense.

Almost all the women of the Xie household went, save for the Third Madam and Xie Xiuyun.

The long line of carriages stopped at the temple gates. Eldest Madam helped Old Madam to the front, where the abbot personally came to welcome them.

They first entered the Great Buddha Hall to offer incense and make donations, then burned handwritten scriptures, praying for the family’s fortune.

When all was done, Old Madam grew tired and retired to the rear courtyard meditation rooms to rest. The other women also settled there.

Wanru, walking last, waited until the family had gone before stepping forward, kneeling on a prayer cushion. She bowed three times, folded her hands, and silently prayed:

“May all go smoothly.”

When she rose, Suyue came to steady her and asked with a smile,
“Did you pray for marriage prospects, Miss?”

“I haven’t the leisure for that.”

“I heard the cherry blossoms on the back mountain are in full bloom. Fifth Miss already ran off to play, and I think Seventh Miss too. Shall we also go for a stroll?”

Wanru was just about to agree when a surprised, delighted voice called from behind.
“Miss Xu!”

She turned, and there stood a youth in indigo robes—Lin Han.

Startled, she asked,
“What are you doing here?”