Cui Lanyin slowly sat up, wrapped in her quilt. The golden sunlight filtered through the gauze curtains, casting mottled patterns across the room. The faded bed curtains and aged furniture seemed outlined in a soft golden hue. On the side table, a few winter plum blossoms had begun to bloom, their subtle fragrance drifting in, instantly brightening the atmosphere and dispelling the gloom that had clung to her.
The continuous drizzle over the past days had left a lingering dampness in the air, and even the constant burning of incense couldn’t fully mask the musty odor. For someone already ill, it was unbearable. This time, Cui Lanyin had been bedridden for an extra day compared to usual.
Hearing movement, Sangzhi and Aiye hurried in. "Miss, you're awake?"
"Yes!" Cui Lanyin stretched lazily. "The rain has finally stopped. I feel like mildew has seeped into my bones. Prepare some water—I need a bath."
If she could get up, she’d be fine. It had always been this way for years. Sangzhi and Aiye acknowledged her request, one going to fetch water while the other opened the wardrobe to pick out fresh clothes.
After her bath, Cui Lanyin changed into a faded eggplant-purple dress and was helped by Sangzhi to the daybed by the window in the outer room. Aiye brought her a cup of tea, warmed to just the right temperature, and fed her a sip before setting another steaming cup on the small carved magpie-and-plum-branch table to cool.
Leaning against a well-washed olive-green pillow with a subtle pattern, Cui Lanyin let Aiye dry her hair while Sangzhi moved behind her, skillfully massaging her shoulders and back.
Burying her face in the pillow, Cui Lanyin sighed. "As they say, a wretched life is better than a good death—that’s me."
Not wanting her to dwell on such gloomy thoughts, Aiye changed the subject. "Master and Madam, along with Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master, visit you countless times a day. Even Eldest Miss, no matter how busy, never forgets to write and ask after you. The whole family spends their free time praying for your recovery at temples. Your illness will surely pass, and better days lie ahead."
"Have Father and Mother gone to Uncle Tan’s house?" Cui Lanyin’s mind finally cleared, remembering that today was the sixth day of the third lunar month.
Tan Shixian was the cousin of Cui Lanyin’s father, Cui Sheng. Though the older generation had passed, the Cui and Tan families remained close.
Years ago, the first wife of Senior Mr. Tan, Lady Yao, had died shortly after giving birth to their eldest daughter. Senior Mr. Tan later remarried Lady Zhang, and both Tan Shixian and Cui Sheng were descendants of Lady Zhang’s line.
Though there was no blood relation between them, propriety dictated that Tan Shixian and Cui Sheng still maintain ties with the Yao family. However, the Yaos had long remained secluded in Suzhou, so apart from exchanging seasonal gifts, interactions between the families had dwindled.
This time, the Yao family had unexpectedly traveled to Yingcheng, so Tan Shixian chose the sixth—his day off—to host a banquet, hoping to rekindle familial bonds.
"Master and Madam were worried about you and gave many instructions before leaving," Aiye replied with a smile.
Cui Lanyin chuckled. If they were all at home, they’d have been hovering around her already.
Once her hair dried, her appetite returned slightly. Sangzhi went to the kitchen and prepared a congee with chicken broth skimmed of fat, stewed with gastrodia root, along with two light side dishes.
Since falling ill at sixteen, Cui Lanyin had been forced to drink a bowl of this gastrodia chicken congee daily. By now, the mere smell of it made her nauseous.
But compared to the agony of her illness, this disgust was bearable. Holding her breath, she forced down spoonful after spoonful, tears welling up by the last gulp.
After several dry heaves, she finally managed to wash it down with tea and recover.
Sangzhi and Aiye were heartbroken. "Miss, why not try another remedy for a while? You shouldn’t have to suffer like this."
Cui Lanyin repeated her usual answer: "We’ll switch once we’ve saved enough money."
But given the Cui family’s current financial state, making money was easier said than done. Sangzhi and Aiye turned away, rubbing their eyes fiercely.
After digesting for a while, the warmth of the sun-drenched daybed lulled Cui Lanyin into a deep nap. When she woke, she felt refreshed and mostly recovered.
Around mid-afternoon, the sound of commotion outside signaled the family’s return from the Tan residence.
Among close relatives, formalities were unnecessary. Soon, Cui Sheng and Lady Jiang, along with their two sons, Cui Su and Cui Jian, came to see her.
This time, Cui Lanyin had been bedridden for three days—longer than ever before—terrifying the whole family. The four of them scrutinized her from head to toe, relieved to see her truly recovering.
After some conversation, Cui Sheng shooed his sons away. "Time to refocus. Go back and review your studies."
"We’ll go right away," Cui Su and Cui Jian said, standing quickly. To Cui Lanyin, they added, "Second Sister, just call if you need anything. We’ll come running."
"Don’t worry, I won’t let you off easy," Cui Lanyin replied with a smile.
Seemingly struck by a thought, Cui Sheng tugged at Lady Jiang. "I just found an old recipe for pastries in a book. Let’s make some to give Lanyin a change of taste."
"Ah, yes!" Lady Jiang agreed, standing with him.
Cui Su had never been one for books, and Cui Jian was still too young to study seriously. Any excuse would have been more convincing than this.
Every time she fell ill, her family lingered with her for ages before leaving. And now, suddenly, they were rushing off to make pastries?
Cui Lanyin narrowed her eyes and caught Lady Jiang’s hand. "Mother, stay and chat with me a while. Let Father and the boys go ahead."
None of the four were good at hiding things. The father and sons exchanged meaningful glances with Lady Jiang before reluctantly leaving, glancing back every few steps.
Pretending not to notice, Cui Lanyin motioned for Lady Jiang to sit again. "Mother, has Cousin Shao become engaged to a Yao family daughter?"
"N-not yet… How could an engagement be settled at a banquet?" Lady Jiang’s hands trembled slightly, and she smoothed her skirt. "Zixun said he’s collected many things you’d like and asked me to bring them to you."
"You didn’t accept them, did you?"
"Of course not. You’re both at the age of considering marriages—it’s no longer proper to act as casually as in childhood." Realizing she’d touched on a sore subject again, Lady Jiang clapped a hand over her mouth in dismay.
Seizing the moment, Cui Lanyin laid it out plainly. "Mother, let’s not entertain false hopes. Cousin Shao and I are impossible."
"But… how…? Zixun would never…" Lady Jiang stammered.
"Aunt Tan’s heart is set on a family that can aid Cousin Shao in the imperial examinations and official career."
Seeing she couldn’t hide anything, Lady Jiang admitted, "It’s the seventh daughter of the Yao family’s third branch."
"A marriage between relatives—Cousin Shao is fortunate. With the Yao family’s guidance, he’s sure to pass the provincial, metropolitan, and palace exams in succession." Cui Lanyin suppressed the bitterness in her heart. "I thought Aunt Tan would take longer to come around. With this happy addition today, Uncle Tan must be overjoyed."
"They’re only nominal relatives—who takes that seriously?" Lady Jiang muttered. Relieved to see no sorrow on her daughter’s face, she couldn’t hold back her news. "It’s not that your aunt changed her mind—it’s that the Yao family’s status has risen."
"How so?"
"You’ve been ill these past days and wouldn’t know. The day before yesterday, Prince Wei returned with Empress Dowager Chen. His Majesty was overjoyed, and since the ninth is Empress Dowager Chen’s birthday, he’s ordered grand celebrations."
"The same goes for Prince Wei—His Majesty bestowed upon him a grand residence occupying the entire Yongjia Lane. I heard both Prince Kang and Prince An had their eyes on that estate and pleaded with His Majesty repeatedly, but to no avail."
That explains it.
The elder generation of the Yao family had already retired to their hometown, while the younger members maintained a low profile. After passing the imperial examinations, none of them took the Hanlin Academy's selection test but were instead assigned to provincial posts. The highest-ranking among them was merely a fifth-rank vice prefect.
Tan Shixian, also a fifth-rank official, held the position of a Ministry of Rites secretary. A fifth-rank capital official was incomparable to a provincial one.
With her limited perspective, Lady Xiang believed whatever the Yao family could offer, Tan Shixian could also secure for her eldest son.
Moreover, Tan Shao had been renowned for his talent since youth—handsome, refined, and achieving the rank of xiucai at just eighteen. If he succeeded in the autumn provincial exams this year, his prospects for marriage would broaden significantly.
This was why Lady Xiang had delayed discussing her eldest son’s marriage, waiting to see the outcome of the exams.
Now that Prince Wei had returned, and His Majesty seemed intent on compensating him, the Yao family—his maternal relatives—were clearly on the rise. Lady Xiang naturally wanted to secure this match without delay.
"Brother Shao has found a good match; we should be happy for him. With the autumn exams approaching and his betrothal arrangements, it’s best for Brother Su and Brother Jian to avoid disturbing him too much."
"The betrothal might not proceed so quickly. If Zixun refuses, you..." Lady Jiang still couldn’t let go of her worries.
"Whether he agrees or not has nothing to do with us," Cui Lanyin interjected. "Mother, a woman’s life is confined to the inner courtyard. Pleasing one’s mother-in-law is the key to a good life—everything else is secondary."
"If you wanted to, you could charm anyone."
"Brother Shao is the eldest son and heir. How could the matriarch of his household be a sickly woman? Even if I could deceive them for a while, it wouldn’t last."
"It’s just occasional headaches—hardly a ‘sickly’ condition," Lady Jiang retorted, unwilling to hear such talk. Changing the subject, she added, "Your brothers weren’t planning to visit the Tan family anyway, so don’t worry."
Thinking of her brothers’ protectiveness, Cui Lanyin felt a warmth in her heart. She leaned into Lady Jiang’s embrace with a smile. "Mother, how could a daughter as beautiful as me remain unmarried? Good things take time—your ideal son-in-law is still out there."
Yet Lady Jiang couldn’t muster a smile. "Our family has relied on you to keep things afloat. Even the dowry your grandmother left you was used to cover the household’s debts. If we’d arranged your marriage two years earlier, things wouldn’t be so difficult now. It’s the family that’s held you back."
Lady Jiang and Cui Sheng had always assumed Cui Lanyin and Tan Shao were destined to marry. Families who cherished their daughters often waited until they turned eighteen before arranging marriages, so they hadn’t rushed.
Now, as Cui Lanyin turned eighteen, the couple had recently discussed approaching the Tan family to propose a wedding after the autumn exams.
But in the blink of an eye, the situation had changed. Starting marriage discussions at eighteen, with their family’s circumstances, risked her becoming a spinster. Even the most easygoing mother would fret, and Lady Jiang couldn’t help but resent her own naivety.
Not wanting to dwell on her mother’s sorrow, Cui Lanyin shifted the topic. "Mother, technically, Grandmother and Consort Yao were cousins, so Father is a sort of cousin to Prince Wei as well."
"With the Yao family around, who would acknowledge us?" Lady Jiang waved dismissively.
But Cui Lanyin recalled, "Grandmother once mentioned that in Consort Yao’s final year, the entire Yao family returned to their ancestral home in Suzhou. Consort Yao, lacking companionship, often summoned Grandmother to the palace for conversation."
"Both your grandmother and Consort Yao are gone now. Prince Wei was just a child then—how would he remember?"
Cui Lanyin pressed on, "I wonder who Prince Wei’s consort is?"
Lady Jiang shook her head. "They say he remains unmarried—and he’s already twenty-six."
The mother and daughter chatted a while longer until Geng Shun’s wife came to fetch Lady Jiang.
Once alone, Cui Lanyin sat in quiet contemplation. Though she’d braced herself for this moment, the reality still left her disheartened.
The children of the Tan and Cui families had grown up together. A refined and gentle young master like Tan Shao, who treated her with such thoughtfulness—even Tan Lian had remarked on his favoritism toward her. Over the years, how could she have remained indifferent?
Only after recognizing Lady Xiang’s disapproval had she resolutely abandoned such hopes. Tan Shao was admirable, but she valued herself too much to live a life of compromise.
Perhaps it was for the best. Given her family’s situation, she shouldn’t have expected too much. Finding a practical match was the sensible path.
The past two years had exhausted her. She longed for a wealthy, leisurely partner to help shoulder her family’s burdens. Aside from refusing to be a second wife, she was open to other concessions.
Yet as the daughter of a hollowed-out noble house, she carried little weight. Perhaps with a prestigious connection, respectable scholar-official families might consider her?
Her thoughts drifted to Prince Wei. But with him unmarried, how could she possibly visit?
After much deliberation, she found no proper pretext. A distant "niece" paying respects to an unwed "uncle" was hardly appropriate.
Perhaps she’d wait until Empress Dowager Chen’s birthday banquet to assess the situation further.
