Chapter 2

Chapter 2 Marrying a Playboy After eating and drinking her fill, Yu Lingchun began seriously considering her situation. More precisely, she was lying on a couch in the sunlight, chewing on a piece of Osmanthus Cake while thinking about it absentmindedly. The original owner had not left her many memories, but she did know the important details. Her father was Yu Changshan, a Lower Sixth Rank Court Recorder whose job, roughly speaking, was to follow the Emperor around and take notes. Her mother, Madam Pei, was his second wife. Above her, she had two elder sisters and an elder brother, all born to his first wife. She was eighteen this year, which in this era already made her an “old maiden.” Women in the current dynasty were supposed to marry at fifteen or sixteen. The reason she had been delayed until eighteen was entirely because her father had been waiting for the highest bidder. “Waiting for the highest bidder” was Yu Lingchun’s own summary. It was not that she was being uncharitable. It was simply that her father’s abacus had been clacking so loudly that one could hear it from two streets away. His first two daughters had both married into official families, earning Yu Changshan promotions. When it came to her, the old man’s sights had risen even higher. The original owner was very beautiful, and he felt that marrying her to an official would be a waste. If she was going to marry, she had to marry into royalty or nobility. As it happened, he had truly managed to climb that high, arranging a match for Yu Lingchun with Earl Dingshan’s Residence. The Earl of Earl Dingshan’s Residence was the Deputy Commander of the Palace Front, a powerful official of the Lower Third Rank. The Earl’s younger son, He Zhaoran, was eighteen and notorious throughout Bianjing as a Playboy. He was also Yu Lingchun’s fiancé. Yu Lingchun searched through her memories for this fiancé’s “glorious achievements.” Fighting roosters and walking hounds, causing trouble in gambling houses, drinking flower wine in the Wazi—in addition, he had cracked someone’s head open a few days ago and paid a thousand taels in compensation. Oh, right. The betrothal gifts the Earl’s Residence had given Yu Lingchun also amounted to a thousand taels. A thousand taels might sound like very little, as though it lacked the grand generosity of the nobility. In truth, a thousand taels had considerable purchasing power in this dynasty. For an ordinary family living fairly comfortably in Bianjing, annual food, clothing, and other expenses came to no more than ten taels of silver. A thousand taels could support them peacefully for a hundred years! Besides, when all was said and done, he was the Earl’s son. And she? She was merely the daughter of a Lower Sixth Rank official. Giving any more in betrothal gifts would have been out of keeping with their respective statuses. When her father received the betrothal gifts, he had probably grinned so broadly that the corners of his mouth had nearly split. “Third Miss, what are you thinking about?” Baizhi came in carrying a plate of cherries. The bright-red fruit was arranged on the white porcelain dish, beautiful as a painting. “I’m thinking about how much my father sold me for.” Yu Lingchun picked up a cherry and popped it into her mouth. Its sweet-and-sour juice burst across her tongue, delicious enough to make her eyes narrow with pleasure. Baizhi’s face turned white with fright. “Third Miss! You mustn’t say things like that!” “How is that saying things I shouldn’t?” Yu Lingchun ate another cherry and said slowly, “A thousand taels of silver, a gold headdress set and gold bracelets, and two bolts of fine Sichuan brocade. If that isn’t selling me, what is?” Baizhi opened and closed her mouth. She wanted to argue, but could not think of what to say, and her face flushed with anxiety. Seeing her expression, Yu Lingchun could not help laughing. “All right, all right. I was only teasing you. Bring me a small dish. I need somewhere to spit the cherry pits.” Baizhi hurried off to find one. Leaning against the couch, Yu Lingchun continued thinking as she ate cherries. In truth, she understood that this marriage might not be a bad thing for her. First, the Earl’s Residence was wealthy. A Lower Third Rank high official with a substantial family fortune—once she married in, she would be a Young Madam and never have to worry about food or clothing. Second, the Earl owed her grandfather his life. Back when Old Master Yu had served as an Imperial Physician, he had saved Marquis Dingshan on the battlefield. With that favor between them, the Earl’s Residence would at least not mistreat her. Third, that Young Master He was a Playboy. A Playboy was a good thing! It meant he spent all day carousing outside and would not be around the house bothering her every day. She would move into a large house, eat and drink well, and spend her days growing flowers and raising birds. Her husband could do whatever he pleased, while she enjoyed the peace and quiet. Just thinking about such a life was wonderful. “Baizhi,” she suddenly asked, “does the Earl’s Residence have a garden?” “It—it should…” Baizhi was caught off guard by the question. “Is there a pond? Can I keep fish?” “This… I’m not sure…” “What about birds? I want to raise a parrot, the kind that can talk.” Baizhi was completely bewildered. “Third Miss, you… why are you suddenly asking about this?” Yu Lingchun spat out a cherry pit and said with a beaming smile, “I’m planning my married life.” Baizhi: “…………” She felt that Third Miss seemed to have become a different person, but she could not say exactly how. If she had to name what was different… perhaps it was that Third Miss had always worn a frown, quiet and still, like a flower kept in a vase. Pretty, certainly, but lacking any vitality. Now, although Third Miss still looked somewhat sickly, her eyes were remarkably bright—especially when she was eating. They shone as if every bite were some extraordinary delight. “Third Miss,” Baizhi asked softly, “have you… really come to terms with it?” “I have.” “You won’t make a fuss anymore?” “I won’t.” “Then… what about your wedding dress? Shall I embroider it?” Yu Lingchun thought about it. “Embroider it? Why bother? We’ll buy one ready-made. My father received a thousand taels in betrothal gifts. Can’t he even bear to buy his daughter a wedding dress?” Baizhi: “…………” She felt that Third Miss’s words… were not actually unreasonable. Yu Changshan came in the evening. He had probably come directly from the Front Courtyard. He was still wearing a moon-white long robe, with a dark-green silk sash tied around his waist. He was dressed neat and tidy. When he entered, he wore an expression that was precisely three parts concern, three parts relief, and four parts smugness that said, “I knew you would come around.” “Chun Niang, are you feeling better?” He sat down on the round stool beside the bed and gazed at his daughter with a gentle expression. “Much better, Father.” Yu Lingchun leaned against the headboard. Her face was still somewhat pale, but she looked to be in good spirits. On the small table beside the bed sat a dish of cherries, half a plate of Osmanthus Cake, and a bowl of Tremella Soup that was half-finished. The scene looked lively enough. Yu Changshan glanced at the food and nodded in satisfaction. “It’s good that you’re willing to eat. Chun Niang, Father knew you were a sensible child.” Yu Lingchun smiled but did not reply. Yu Changshan moved a little closer and lowered his voice, as though confiding in her. “Chun Niang, Father knows you’re unhappy. But think about it—how many families in Bianjing have daughters who want to enter the Earl’s Residence but cannot? Although my official position isn’t very high, I’ve risked my reputation and done everything I could for this marriage of yours.” “You’ve worked hard, Father.” Yu Lingchun’s tone was calm and even, revealing no emotion. Thinking she was still being difficult, Yu Changshan tried another angle. “Besides, although Young Master He’s reputation isn’t very good, he is still the Earl’s son. Once he inherits the title, you’ll be the Countess. By then, your elder brother will have someone in the court to look after him…” Oh. So that was what he had been waiting for. Yu Lingchun understood perfectly, but showed nothing on her face. She merely nodded. “You’re right, Father.” Seeing how obedient she looked, the final stone in Yu Changshan’s heart settled to the ground. He rose, patted down his robe, and smiled in relief. “Then rest well. I’ll discuss your dowry with your Eldest Aunt. You’ll have all the proper trappings—nothing will be lacking.” Yu Changshan had an elder brother who had inherited the skills of Senior Imperial Physician Yu and also served as an Imperial Physician at court. The two brothers had not yet separated their households and still lived together in the same residence. Madam Lin generally managed the household affairs. “Father,” Yu Lingchun suddenly called after him. “What is it?” “I’ll prepare my own dowry.”