CENTIE Chapter 90

This chapter is for PetCodePeter on Ko-Fi.

The Old Madam, upon learning that Xiao Jinghu’s future was actually in Xiao Jingduo’s hands, gasped in shock.

“Even if he’s not directly in charge, it’s practically the same thing,” Xiao Yumang felt her grandmother had it wrong and corrected her. “In officialdom, there are certainly taboos—they won’t allow clansmen brothers to have direct dealings. But Eldest Brother is in the Ministry of War. If he helps smooth things over through his connections, that would be far more effective than us exhausting ourselves talking.”

“Oh heavens above!” The Old Madam cried out in dismay. “Why didn’t you say this earlier?”

“Granddaughter didn’t understand these matters of officialdom before—didn’t I just find out myself?”

“What are you all standing around for? Hurry and call Duo’er over!”

Only then did the maids come back to their senses and rush out to find Xiao Jingduo.

At that moment, however, Xiao Jingduo was still in the front courtyard entertaining the people from the Marquis of Runan’s household.

Since it was Xiao Yumang’s return visit today, Chen Liulang of the Runan Marquisate had accompanied her back, and was now chatting in the front hall with the Xiao family men.

A maid peeked in timidly from outside the door. Sharp-eyed, Xiao Jingduo noticed her, but inwardly frowned at the impropriety.

If you have something to say, then say it openly—what’s with this sneaky behavior?

Seeing the displeasure on Xiao Jingduo’s face, Chen Liulang smiled and asked, “Brother-in-law, what’s wrong? Did something upset you?”

“Nothing.” Xiao Jingduo smiled faintly. “I was just distracted.”

“This morning you were on duty at the Ministry of War and only just returned home after the public meal. It’s truly my fault, disturbing you from your official business and time with colleagues.” As he spoke, Chen Liulang even bowed apologetically.

“Think nothing of it.”

“By the way, I see Brother-in-law is so refined in bearing and accomplished at such a young age—I admire you greatly. Only, I don’t yet know, how old are you this year?”

“Brother-in-law flatters me; there’s no need for such courtesy.” Xiao Jingduo felt uncomfortable from the excessive praise and answered honestly, “I am twenty-one this year.”

Chen Liulang paused. “How many did you say?”

“Twenty-one.”

The expression on Chen Liulang’s face stiffened. After a long while, he muttered, “So you’re actually a year younger than me.”

Now that was awkward. By seniority, Xiao Jingduo was Xiao Yumang’s elder brother, so no matter what, Chen Liulang had to address him as “Brother.” Yet unexpectedly, Xiao Jingduo turned out to be younger than he was.

An awkward silence fell over the room, until Third Uncle Xiao smoothed things over: “Enough, enough. We’re all one family, don’t fuss about such formalities.”

Xiao Jingduo lifted his teacup, hiding the smile tugging at his lips. Since he was the one being addressed as “Brother,” of course he didn’t mind.

Chen Liulang composed himself and forced a smile, once again addressing him as “Brother-in-law.” “Brother-in-law is even more promising than I imagined. But tell me, since you’ve already passed the age of coming-of-age, do you have a wife?”

Why ask about this? Xiao Jingduo hated others prying into his private affairs. His face turned cold at once. “Not yet. And why does Brother-in-law ask?”

Hearing the displeasure in his tone, Chen Liulang gave two awkward chuckles and quickly dropped the subject. Winning over Xiao Jingduo was a matter for the long run; there was no need to press it at this moment.
At this moment, the maid who had been lingering outside finally gathered her courage, stepped to the doorway, and reported:

“Eldest Young Master, the Old Madam requests your presence.”

After loitering at the door for so long, it turned out she had been looking for him. Xiao Jingduo was a little surprised, but he could only rise to his feet, bow slightly to those present, and say, “Excuse me.”

“Of course, Brother-in-law, please attend to your matters first.”

Once Xiao Jingduo left, Chen Liulang’s manner also grew more casual. In the Marquis of Dingyong’s household, there were only two people of real importance: the Marquis himself, Xiao Ying, and the Assistant Director Xiao Jingduo. Xiao Ying had made little progress in court over the years; his rank was middling and stagnant, and because of that, the entire household of Dingyong Marquis held little weight. But Xiao Jingduo was different—barely in his twenties and already holding a significant office. Though his post did not yet match his father’s, the room for advancement was far greater. Everyone could see this plainly.

As Marquis, Xiao Ying would never take the initiative to sit and chat with a nephew-in-law; it was only when the heir of the Runan Marquisate, Chen Liulang’s elder brother, visited that Xiao Ying would personally step forward. In noble households, seniority and rank were strictly observed. Short of the imperial family, when the younger generation visited, it was always Xiao Jingduo who played host. Thus, once he left, Chen Liulang no longer felt much inclination to talk.

Third Uncle Xiao felt rather embarrassed—his son-in-law valued Xiao Jingduo more than his own father-in-law. That was hardly a flattering situation. Second Uncle Xiao, however, looked at Third Uncle with schadenfreude. Sure enough, the wheel of heaven turns, and retribution never fails. Only a few days ago, Second Uncle himself had suffered when his son-in-law made distinctions in treatment, and now the very same thing had happened to Third Uncle. Second Uncle gloated inwardly: So you mocked my son for being unpromising, but in the end, you too are slighted by your own son-in-law.

When Xiao Jingduo reached the inner courtyard, he realized that the Old Madam had summoned him so discourteously because of Xiao Jinghu’s affairs.

“Duo’er, I hear you’re in charge of the Imperial Guards. As it happens, Hu’er is also in the Guards. Could you perhaps speak with your superiors and have him transferred elsewhere? For example, give him a post in one of the Six Ministries, just like you. It doesn’t have to be high, any minor position would do.”

How absurd. Xiao Jingduo hardly wanted to speak to the Old Madam at all, but bound by filial duty, he forced himself to answer patiently:

“I’ve only just arrived at the Ministry of War. In many matters, I don’t yet have the standing to speak. The Imperial Guards are already a fine assignment for the sons of noble families. Let him temper himself there for a few years first.”

“But—” The Old Madam’s heart ached for her grandson. “The training in the Guards is terribly harsh. Since you’re in charge, wouldn’t this be just a small favor for you?”

This time, Xiao Jingduo no longer wished to speak at all. His face turned cold, and he left only one sentence:

“Let him serve his full eight years in the Guards before we speak of it again.”

“Eight years? Must it truly be eight years? Couldn’t you make some allowance for your younger brother?”

Second Madam chimed in: “That’s right, eight years is far too long. You can’t be climbing in rank yourself while leaving your younger brother to suffer at the bottom.”

“If Grandmother and Second Aunt are so capable, then why not petition the Ministry of Justice to rewrite our Great Xuan’s laws? For this is written plainly in the statutes.”

The Old Madam and Second Madam fell silent. “So it’s in the law? But why must it be so long—that he can only be transferred after serving a full eight years?”

Xiao Jingduo said nothing, lowering his head to toy with his teacup. Seeing his expression, the others dared not press further on this topic.

Fearing she might truly provoke Xiao Jingduo’s displeasure, Xiao Yumang quickly shifted the subject:

“Eldest Brother, it was only when my husband mentioned it that I learned—the double-sided embroidery, it actually came from the county you governed?”

“Mm.”

“Wow!” Xiao Yumang exclaimed in surprise. “I had no idea! That’s amazing—I couldn’t believe it when my sisters-in-law told me.”

The Old Madam was drawn in as well: “So it came from Duo’er’s county? Then as county magistrate, wouldn’t Duo’er have handled many of those embroideries?”
“Jinjiang County’s double-sided embroidery is official embroidery. All the pieces are distributed through the government; they are not sold in the private market.” Since this touched upon his official duties, Xiao Jingduo could not help but explain a little.

The Old Madam clutched at her heart, feeling that she had been startled far too many times in a single day. “So the double-sided embroidery was released under Duo’er’s hand? Child, why didn’t you say so earlier? If we had known it was yours, why would we waste money buying it in the marketplace?”

Second Madam’s thoughts also began to stir. “If you were the magistrate there, then doesn’t that mean you held back a great many embroideries?”

It was no wonder she thought this way. In her few dealings with officialdom, she had seen that county offices and county magistrates were invariably greedy; anything that passed through their hands was shaved down by a layer. What more when Xiao Jingduo had held in his grasp such a profitable enterprise as embroidery? Second Madam simply did not believe he had not taken the chance to skim off some for himself.

Her gaze toward Xiao Jingduo had already changed. If that was the case, then his wealth must be far greater than she had imagined. To let such fortune fall cheaply into the hands of Xiao Su’s daughter was truly a pity.

The Old Madam and Xiao Yumang were thinking along the same lines. The Old Madam began to itch with desire: “Duo’er, you’re a young man, all this brocade and embroidery is of no use to you. Why not bring some out and make dowries for your younger sisters? Though, in the end, dowries end up belonging to another household. Better yet, keep them to use as your younger brother’s bride-price.”

With a loud clang, Xiao Jingduo set his teacup down hard on the table, startling the women who had been spinning such pretty dreams.

“Skimming from official revenues is bribery. Anyone who takes more than one hundred strings of cash will have his rank reduced or his office stripped. More than one hundred strings, and he is stripped of office and exiled. For taking gifts of silk: one foot earns a hundred blows of the cane, eight bolts mean a year of penal service, fifty bolts merit exile two thousand li away. Moreover, the punishment extends to one’s entire clan.” Xiao Jingduo rose to his feet, his eyes cold as he swept them over the women in the room. “If you still wish to live peaceful, stable days, then never speak such words again. Contributing my salary to the public household is my duty. If you dare covet more than that, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”

Leaving those words behind, Xiao Jingduo turned on his heel and walked out, leaving the women staring at one another, none daring to speak.

Because of this matter of Xiao Yuman’s return visit, Xiao Jingduo had once again been provoked into a fury. He remained seething until he returned to his post at the Ministry of War, where he gradually calmed down.

To be angered by the Xiao family’s womenfolk was hardly worth it. Yet Xiao Jingduo found it a headache nonetheless. His parents had left behind no private fortune, much less an independent household of their own. At present, he had no way to move out of the Marquis of Dingyong’s residence, and so from time to time he suffered such fits of vexation. But he could say nothing—he could only endure.

The Six Ministries conducted business only for half the day. In the afternoons, everyone else dispersed, leaving only those on duty to remain behind, overseeing matters through the afternoon and night in case of urgent affairs. This duty rotated among officials, and today it happened to be Xiao Jingduo’s turn in the Division of Personnel Affairs.

By afternoon, all idle folk were gone, and the vast office of the Division was left with only Xiao Jingduo. Rarely enjoying such quiet, he sat by the window and read in peace.

Before long, thunder rumbled in the distance, and soon after came the rain. Countless fine threads of rain pattered against the eaves, darkening the roof tiles, then gathered into silver streams that dripped down onto the flagstones below.

Outside, the rain whispered steadily. Accompanied by that sound, reading grew all the more tranquil.

From within the palace city, a cool, damp breeze swept in, carrying raindrops through the window. A palace maid, dressed in a high-waisted ruqun, hurried forward and pushed the tall wooden shutters closed with force.

“It’s already May, and the weather grows ever more fickle—saying rain comes, and down it pours.”

In the time it took to close the window, the palace maid had already been half-soaked. Another maid, seeing this, hurried over to lend a hand, helping to lower the latch.

“Isn’t that the truth? Her Highness is still inside reading memorials. Quickly, close all the windows tight—we mustn’t let the rainwater soak the ministers’ memorials.”

As the maids were speaking, sudden footsteps sounded behind them. Startled, the two turned at once and bent in salute, hands folded. “Your Highness.”

“Rise.” Rong Ke walked past the two maids and looked out toward the hall doors.

Liangyi Hall was built tall and stately, its colors black and white, solemn in the extreme. Standing on the threshold of the hall doors, Rong Ke lifted her gaze toward the curtain of rain.

The downpour had come so suddenly that the towering palaces were shrouded in mist and rain, leaving only vague outlines visible. The foundation of the Hall of Two Principles was high; from its doors Rong Ke could see most of the inner court, and even the eunuchs and maids below the steps who had yet to find shelter, scurrying with heads covered through the storm.

“Your Highness, were the windows not tightly shut? Did the rain disturb you while you were reviewing the memorials?”

Rong Ke let out a self-mocking smile. “Whether those memorials are approved or not makes no difference. With that time and effort, one might as well enjoy the cool breeze.”

Xia Lan, the senior maid of Yonghe Palace, braved the rain and hurried to the Hall of Two Principles. As soon as she ascended the side steps, she saw her princess standing at the grand hall’s entrance, fine rain drifting onto the hem of her skirt—and no one even warning the princess.

Xia Lan frowned, folded her umbrella, and, taking the cloak from a young maid, walked quickly to Rong Ke. “Your Highness, the wind is strong at the doorway. How can you stand exposed to the drafts?”

As she spoke, Xia Lan’s gaze swept harshly toward the younger maids behind. Terrified, they lowered their heads, not daring to make even a word of protest. Finally Rong Ke herself intervened to ease matters: “I wanted to come here to take in some fresh air—it has nothing to do with them.”

Xia Lan’s expression softened. She draped the cloak across Rong Ke’s shoulders and agreed, “That’s true. These past few days Chang’an has been unbearably stifling. A rain like this is the best relief.”

Rong Ke did not answer, but instead asked: “And Rong Lang? How is he now?”

“He’s under the Grand Tutor’s watch, studying. When I went to deliver rain gear to His Majesty, His Majesty was still in class.”

Good—no slacking off just because of rain. Rong Ke felt reassured, and once again cast her gaze into the curtain of rain. After a while, as if recalling something, she lowered her voice and asked: “Today… isn’t it Xiao Jingduo who is on duty?”

Her voice was so soft that Xia Lan did not catch it. “Your Highness, what did you just say?”

“Nothing.” Rong Ke drew out a token from her sleeve and said, “I wish to walk in the rain. Go outside and summon him here.”

Xiao Jingduo had been inside reading through past records when he suddenly received the princess’s summons. Startled, he immediately returned the records to the shelf, locked the room, and followed the eunuch into the palace.

“Why has Her Highness suddenly summoned me to the palace?”

The leading eunuch’s robe hem was already soaked through. Hearing Xiao Jingduo’s question, the eunuch replied,
“Replying to Attendant Xiao, this servant does not know. This servant dares not presume to guess at Her Highness’s thoughts.”

Xiao Jingduo nodded and asked no further. Acting on impulse—this was indeed very much Rong Ke’s style. But ever since she had assumed the role of Regent Princess, she had rarely allowed herself such willfulness. She was always dressed meticulously in her black court robes, speaking little, never smiling, striving to appear steady and composed. To see this rare glimpse of her acting on a whim—it stirred a sense of nostalgia in Xiao Jingduo.

When they arrived at Liangyi Hall, palace maids soon came forward. They offered Xiao Jingduo graceful bows, took the umbrella from his hand, and said softly,
“Her Highness has been waiting. Gentleman Xiao, please follow me.”

Xiao Jingduo returned a partial bow. These were the close attendants serving at Rong Ke and Rong Lang’s side—he dared not be careless with them. The maid stepped aside and took the lead up the stairs, guiding him into the hall.

Rain had washed the jade-white stone steps until they gleamed. Xiao Jingduo stepped across shallow pools of water, following several maids up the side stairway.

Liangyi Hall was where the emperor handled the daily affairs of state and received his ministers. It was built to a grand height, second only to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Stairs encircled the hall on all sides; the central stairway was tall and imposing, reserved for figures of great rank. Palace maids and eunuchs in ordinary service always used the long winding stairways on the east and west sides.

Xiao Jingduo followed the maids around the balustrade and reached the eaves of the hall, where the rainfall finally eased somewhat. The maids closed their umbrellas. One maid, clearly the leader, came forward, bowed in palace etiquette, and said, “This must be Gentleman Xiao. Please come with me.”

The surrounding maids and eunuchs all bowed their heads and addressed her as “Aunt Xia.” Xiao Jingduo understood that this was one of Rong Ke’s personal female officials, and he dared not show disrespect. He said, “My thanks to Lady Xia for the trouble.”

Xia Lan gave him a small smile, then turned to lead the way. Xiao Jingduo followed at a measured distance. Perhaps it was only his imagination, but he felt this Lady Xia had stolen several discreet glances at him.

Passing through the long colonnade, Xiao Jingduo finally saw Rong Ke at the northeastern corner of the hall. Perhaps hearing movement behind her, Rong Ke turned. When she saw him, she smiled and said, “You’ve come.”

T/N: It’s been a loongg time. Please let me know if you see any inconsistencies in naming or terms from the previous chapters.