Refusing the Marriage Alliance, I Founded a Dynasty - chapter 2

With Xiang Ke’s disturbance, the atmosphere of my Coming-of-Age Ceremony was thoroughly ruined. I called everyone to take their seats, fearing the food would grow cold in this freezing weather. Yet my Concubine Sister, Ling’er, knelt in the corridor and refused to rise.

Her birth mother, Lady Song, had witnessed the entire scene today and naturally understood her daughter’s odd behavior. She hurriedly knelt as well, afraid I would vent my anger on her child.

I knew-she was afraid of me!

Why should sisters of the same family be like this?

Father sat down and asked my kneeling sister, “Why are you kneeling?”

Aling kowtowed to Father and said, “Father, I have sinned. The Third Son of the Xiang Family broke off the engagement and humiliated Elder Sister today, and it is related to me.”

Father responded with a faint hum, his mood unreadable.

Aling said, “When Elder Sister and Second Brother had not yet returned home, the Xiang Family’s young master often came to visit Eldest Brother for his studies. Since Elder Sister was absent and the young master was new to our house, he mistook me for Elder Sister. Later, he frequently visited, playing with the younger siblings. I always thought he was kind to us for Elder Sister’s sake, but half a month ago, he…”

At this point, she seemed unable to continue and covered her face, sobbing bitterly.

I turned the teacup in my hand and said, “Concubines, take the younger siblings and leave for now. If I hear even a word of Ling’er’s story outside, I’ll see how many beatings you all can endure.”

The younger siblings all replied, “Yes.”

My youngest sister tripped over the threshold as she left, trembling all over.

Aling shivered, and I remained silent. It was Lady Xiao, my stepmother, who could not bear it and said, “Ling’er, come inside. You’re still young-don’t catch a chill.”

The girl finally came in, but still did not dare to sit, kneeling as she replied, “He climbed into my room at night, claiming he was deeply in love with me and would marry no one else. I dared not commit such a sin. He said I was bullied by Elder Sister and could not face it. As he spoke, he tried to force himself on me. If not for the maid’s quick thinking and entrance, I might have died on the spot. Elder Sister and Father were in the camp these days, so I dared not speak out. Today, he came to break off the engagement, and I am terrified he will do something again!”

I quietly instructed Aman on a few matters. She received the order and left silently.

Seeing me sip my tea in silence, Lady Song immediately kowtowed and said, “Young Lady, it is all the Servant’s fault for failing to teach Ling’er properly. I beg you, for the sake of Ling’er’s youth and your close kinship, to spare her. The Servant will strictly discipline Ling’er and never let her commit such disgraceful acts again.”

I rubbed my brow and asked her, “Concubine, do you remember your own status?”

Lady Song trembled and bowed low to the ground.

I said, “It seems you do. When Mother was alive, she told me you came from a scholarly family, but after your family fell on hard times, you became a concubine. Before the Lady entered the household, Ling’er lived in my courtyard. I thought you and your daughter had a hard life, so I did not separate you. Now you say you have taught Ling’er poorly. Concubine, let me ask: how could a concubine from a scholarly family raise Ling’er to be so timid and unable to distinguish right from wrong?”

At this, I lost all pleasantness and threw the teacup in my hand. The cup shattered, and Lady Song shuddered in fright.

Ling’er was so scared that even her sobs ceased.

I asked her, “Did Concubine know about this?”

Ling’er nodded through her tears.
“Was it also her who forbade you to speak of it?”

“Yes.”

I sneered, “A man from outside, and your future brother-in-law at that, barges into your boudoir. Father and I were absent, but Mother was still here-she is your mother. Yet you did not go to her about this, but chose to tell the Concubine instead. So you told her, and when the Concubine told you not to speak, you actually obeyed? You are the Second Young Lady of the Marquis of Boyuan, a noble daughter of a military family-how can you have no backbone at all? If this had happened in another household, or at another time, it would be an illicit affair without a matchmaker. Then a length of white silk to hang yourself would be what you wanted?”

Ling’er was already in tears.

Lady Song pleaded, “Young Lady.”

I laughed in anger, “Is the Concubine plotting to marry Ling’er into the Xiang Family? Xiang Sanlang visits a young lady’s chamber in the dead of night, ruining my sister’s reputation-how could he be any sort of upright gentleman? The mansion is so strictly guarded; if a single sound were raised, he would be seen as romantic, but Ling’er would have to throw herself into the river. I truly did not know the Concubine was so muddle-headed!”

Lady Song moved her lips as if to speak, but in the end said nothing.

Lady Xiao had seen enough and called Aling to rise. Aling glanced timidly at me, but my anger had not subsided, and my expression was still unpleasant. She trembled and remained kneeling, shivering.

Lady Xiao was in no hurry. She personally left her seat and helped Aling up, her tone gentle and soft, “From now on, Ling’er will live in my quarters and study with your brothers. Good child, there is no need to belittle yourself. What have you done wrong?”

The Mistress asked her, “Did you do wrong?”

Aling’s tears had stopped, but she still dared not speak.

Lady Xiao’s gaze was gentle and intent.

Aling whispered, “I did nothing wrong.”

“Louder.”

“I did nothing wrong.”

Father also showed a gentle smile.

Aman returned and nodded to me. I said, “Lord, Mother, Ling’er has been frightened today. Let her go and rest!”

Lady Xiao looked to Father, and seeing him nod, she said softly, “Ling’er, go and rest! Move into my quarters today. Do not be afraid-Father and Mother are both here.”

Ling’er was led away by the maids, but Lady Song still knelt on the ground. At some point, she found the strength to throw herself at Father’s feet, crying and begging, “Lord, Lord, Ling’er is my life! You cannot let the Mistress take her away.”

Father kicked her hand aside and said, “The Mistress ought to discipline the children. You have brought my daughter to this state; this account will be settled as the Mistress sees fit!”

He glanced at me and said, “A Yu, come with me!”

I answered, “Yes,” and followed him, leaving all the tangled matters behind.

Lady Xiao watched the figures of father and daughter and sighed. She was only twenty-five or twenty-six this year. Her family had fallen early, and she had supported her mother alone. Later, she married into the Marquis of Boyuan’s Mansion. Though she was skilled in dealing with people and confident in her abilities, handling such a mess was truly beyond her strength.

Her youth was in full bloom, yet she felt she was aging before her time.

Looking at Lady Song, who was nearly fainting from crying, she said to the maid, “Find a few sturdy matrons, gag Lady Song, and lock her in the North Courtyard. From today, she will copy scriptures and pray for Ling’er, and not take a single step outside.”

The maid accepted the order and left.