Chapter 484 — Clamor

"Obey your father at home; obey your husband when wed." Dou Yan smiled unconcernedly. "I obey my husband—that is only natural. Could my father-in-law possibly find fault with me for it?"

Guo Shi thought this over and saw the sense in it.

She could not help saying bashfully, "It is only that my courage is too small."

Concubine Bai had given birth to a second son by the concubine just a few days before.

This was already the second son Concubine Bai had borne.

Dou Yan said, "Pick the soft persimmon to squeeze. If we ourselves dare not speak or act, how will others ever take us seriously?"

Guo Shi lowered her head, lost in thought.

From the warm pavilion came the joyful laughter of Pinyuan and Yuanheng.

Dou Xin tugged at Guo Shi. "Come, let us go play with the children. We must not neglect them over these vexing affairs."

Guo Shi smiled and answered "All right," and went with Dou Yan to the warm pavilion.

Miao Zhi lay on the bed, tears flowing like a river. She asked her wet nurse, "If I wished to divorce Song Han, whom should I seek out?"

Her marriage to Song Han had been bestowed by the Emperor; seeking a divorce would hardly be simple.

Miao Zhi's wet nurse was badly startled. She said hurriedly, "My good madam, you must never harbor such a thought. If you were to divorce, where would you eat, where would you live? Do not be deceived by the fine show the Miao family's young master is putting on now—if you were to return to your natal home for good, he would be the first to refuse you."

Miao Zhi knew this well enough.

It was only that the thought had surfaced in her mind more than once. This time she had spoken it aloud without thinking.

A clamor came from outside.

Miao Zhi's wet nurse frowned at the sound. "I will go see."

Miao Zhi gave a listless "Mm."

The wet nurse soon returned.

Her face was livid. "That wench Liu Hong grows more outrageous by the day. It was only that the kitchen sent the hot water a little late because of some business, and she flew into a rage—never mind what sort of stock she comes from! Borrowing the tiger's might to bully others—she had better mind she does not twist her back at it..."

Miao Zhi was struck dumb at these words.

The wet nurse was badly frightened. She shook Miao Zhi in panic. "What is the matter with you?"

"I am fine." Miao Zhi came back to herself, and the more she thought, the more sense her own reflections seemed to make. She said softly, "Nurse, tell me—Liu Hong was never so unreasonable before. How is it that she has suddenly grown so wildly insolent?"

The wet nurse said indignantly, "These flighty creatures—give them an inch and they forget their own weight. Do not grieve, madam; just see how I deal with her..."

"No," Miao Zhi said, "that is not what I mean. I mean that Liu Hong has not been serving Song Han for a single day, so why has she suddenly changed as if into another person? Has Song Han promised her something? Or has she decided to cleave to Song Han's side from now on? Song Han is a cold and heartless man—even Ji Hong knows that. How can she be so certain that Song Han will treat her differently? There must be something in it."

The wet nurse could think of no reason.

Miao Zhi had the wet nurse summon Ji Hong in, and spoke with Ji Hong alone in whispers for a quarter of an hour.

Ji Hong hesitated a moment, then nodded.

A few days later, she told Miao Zhi, "The Second Lord has promised to make Liu Hong a concubine!"

Miao Zhi sneered. "She believes Song Han's word? Let her not forget—if Song Han wishes to raise her to concubine, and I do not consent, then he can only go beg my father-in-law. Is my father-in-law the sort to set store by a serving maid?"

Ji Hong said, puzzled, "But from the look of Liu Hong, she is utterly certain."

For a time both fell silent.

What sort of temper the maid she had chosen to bring with her as dowry possessed—no one knew better than Miao Zhi.

If Ji Hong seemed a little dull-witted out of sheer loyalty, then Liu Hong was quick and sharp, clever to a fault.

Without absolute certainty, why would she help Song Han slap her own face in such a reckless manner?

Could it be that Liu Hong had gotten hold of some hold over Song Han?

Miao Zhi's eyes lit up, and she said to Ji Hong, "You must have found some way to get to the bottom of why Liu Hong is so sure she can become Song Han's concubine?"

Ji Hong nodded.

But all the way until the autumn winds rose, she had gained nothing at all.

The Prince of Liao, however, returned to the capital from Liaodong.

※

Fortunately I managed to write most of a chapter at work.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

o(n_n)o~

I have been living so long I no longer even know what day it is... Have I really sunk to the point of knowing only "March 8th Women's Day"...