Chapter 3 – Imperial Edict

The Jingguo Duke’s Mansion.

Xu Chun was accompanying his grandmother, who hailed from the distinguished Jiangzuo Wang clan, a branch of the direct lineage. Although her family’s prestige had waned, she always prided herself on their scholarly heritage and maintained strict adherence to etiquette and decorum. Yet, she doted on Xu Chun.

At this moment, she was lecturing her second daughter-in-law, Sheng Shi, who stood below her: “I’ve said it before, a few trustworthy and well-bred maids should be placed in Chun’er’s quarters. Once he marries, they can be sent away. This is how our noble clans educate our young masters. You’ve been paying lip service to my advice, never truly heeding it. Now, Chun’er spends every day out of the house—mark my words, you’re merely taking advantage of your ample dowry, thinking you have control. Go find out for yourself; in the entire capital, which aristocratic son at eighteen doesn’t have attendants in his chambers?”

Sheng Shi kept her eyes lowered. “Your daughter-in-law dares not.”

Xu Chun interjected: “Grandmother, it was me who didn’t want them. I found them too noisy. Father has plenty of people in his rooms, yet he still runs out every day.”

His grandmother chided him: “Impertinent. I’m speaking with your mother, and you interrupt. Why emulate your father’s lackluster ways? If you care for your mother, stay home and read your books. Running around every day, nowhere to be seen! I’ve chosen two clean-spirited, well-bred maids for you. Take them home today, no more mischief!”

Xu Chun glanced at his silent mother below, and asked: “Thank you, Grandmother. What about Big Brother?”

His grandmother patted his hand lovingly: “What is your status, what is his? I’m arranging things for you because I love you. Let your mother handle matters for Gu Ge. The household funds are tight, there isn’t the luxury of using the matriarch’s private fortune to arrange concubines for illegitimate sons. Teaching him is already fulfilling a mother’s duty. When he earns his own fame and salary, he can have as many maids as he likes. Then we’ll discuss his marriage, and that will be that.”

Hardly had the words left her mouth when a maid outside the curtain chuckled: “Madame and the ladies have arrived, as have the eldest and third lords.”

The grandmother smiled warmly: “Come in quickly, you always arrive at the perfect time for greetings.”

A voice came through first: “Mother is here to pick me up, Grandmother mustn’t blame us for being late.”

The curtain lifted as a young woman in purple brocade entered, arm in arm with Madame. Following behind were two young lords and two ladies, all still in their youth.

The grandmother laughed: “Kui, you’re visiting today? I must have miscalculated the dates. Has your husband come along? We have excellent crabs; let your uncles treat him while we catch up.”

Xu Chun saw Xu Kui enter and his lips curled slightly. Before her marriage, Xu Kui and Xu Chun hadn’t gotten along, and she still held herself high above others. She approached and nestled by the grandmother’s side, cooing: “I knew Grandmother would spoil me. I’ve been craving crab roe buns, but Mother insisted they were too cold for my constitution.”

Madame Bai, always reserved and aloof, cast a faint glance at Xu Kui. The grandmother smiled: “Your mother has your best interests at heart.” Seeing the girls present, she refrained from saying more, but couldn’t help but glance subtly at Xu Kui’s belly, which showed no signs of pregnancy after nearly a year of marriage.

Xu Kui, however, was unbridled, regardless of her unmarried sisters and brothers present. She bluntly said: “Previously, due to the mourning period for the Han family, our wedding was delayed for three years. They were at fault first, how could my mother-in-law say anything? Besides, my mother-in-law only urges my husband to focus on his studies for next year’s Spring Examination. This lack of news isn’t solely my fault…”

Madame Bai scolded sharply: “With your siblings and brothers here, how dare you speak so recklessly even after your marriage.”

The grandmother chuckled: “Kui hasn’t lost her candid nature, proving she’s not mistreated there. Put your mind at ease, don’t rush. After all, we’re daughters of the founding nobility, with dignity and respect. Focusing on the Spring Examination is right. If your husband passes the Imperial Exams next year, he’ll eventually earn a title and honor for our Kui, bestowing her an imperial edict.”

Xu Kui laughed, genuinely relieved, and glanced at Xu Gu standing silently below. “Big Brother, you’re also preparing for the Spring Examination next year, right? Coincidentally, your brother-in-law is here today; you should exchange ideas with him later.” Among the three cousins, she seemed to ignore Xu Chun and Xu Wei, as if not noticing Sheng Shi, who was her senior, and only addressed Xu Gu.

Xu Gu’s icy demeanor softened slightly as he stood up and bowed: “Thank you for your concern, Elder Sister.”

Xu Chun felt a pang of hurt nearby. The grandmother patted his hand and smiled: “True, the young lords should go out and entertain your father’s guests. The eldest son-in-law is renowned in the capital for his erudition; seek his guidance.”

Xu Kui snickered, her tone filled with disdain: “Gu Ge is acceptable, but the other two haven’t even passed the preliminary examinations. What could my husband possibly discuss with them? Poetry and prose? It’d be laughable. It’s a waste to have a scholar like Master Jia in our household. I heard he wanted to resign, if not for Gu Ge passing the Provincial Exam, he might have left the academy.”

Xu Chun rose and walked away without a word. Xu Kui scoffed coldly. Xu Gu and Xu Wei hurriedly bowed and followed Xu Chun out.

The grandmother scolded Xu Kui: “Kui, since you’re back, why not improve your bond with Chun? He’s your legitimate brother, the future inheritor of the dukedom. Instead, you elevate your illegitimate younger brother, not trying to mend your relationship with your legitimate brother.”

Xu Kui looked down on Sheng Shi with contempt: “In my opinion, Second Auntie should hope Gu Ge succeeds in the Imperial Exams. As the matriarch, she could earn an imperial edict. Relying on Second Brother, forget it. I heard he frequents brothels and theater gardens. Young as he is, he’s following in his father’s footsteps. The pair’s notorious reputation is known throughout the capital. Even in the Han household, mentioning Second Uncle and Second Brother brings no honor. People say a woman’s natal family is her face in her husband’s home, alas, Second Uncle and Second Brother…”

She sneered, and Madame Bai rebuked: “Is it your place to criticize elders?”

Xu Kui feigned hurt, her eyes reddening as she looked to the grandmother: “Grandmother!”

The grandmother’s face flushed with embarrassment, but she could only vent her frustration on Sheng Shi: “As the saying goes, marry for virtue. You failed to properly advise the Duke, and now you haven’t raised Chun well. A distinguished founder of the nobility, and look at us now… watching the dukedom decline day by day, who knows when we’ll lose the hereditary title. How can I face the old duke…”

Her eyes welled up, and Madame Bai and Xu Kui consoled her. Sheng Shi remained expressionless, and the two remaining second and third daughters, seeing their matriarch criticized, dared not intervene, only lowering their eyes in silence.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside. After a while, the grandmother’s attendant rushed in to report: “The Duke sent word for the Grandmother, Madame, and all the ladies to change into their formal attire immediately. A eunuch from the palace has arrived with an imperial edict, and the main gate is open, with an incense table set up.”

The grandmother was startled and stood up: “A eunuch has come? Did he mention what edict?” Was it a change of office? Commemoration of ancestors? Or perhaps a punishment?

She wondered aloud: “If it’s regarding the title, commemoration, or imperial edict, shouldn’t the Ministry of Rites send someone? Why a eunuch?”

Madame Bai shared the same thought, murmuring: “Eunuchs… usually deliver messages on behalf of the emperor… Could the Duke have been impeached by the censors?”

The grandmother’s expression changed. Had her second son gone too far, leading to some misdeed being reported to the emperor? She glared at Sheng Shi, venting her anger: “If you don’t govern your household and educate your children properly, sooner or later, you’ll bring disaster upon us!” Her wrist trembled, but she knew further inquiries would only spread panic. She quickly ordered: “Quickly fetch my imperial edict robes.”

Yet, her mind raced, asking a series of questions: “It’s been a long time since we received an edict. Perhaps the second son doesn’t know the protocol. Has he arranged for the eunuch delivering the edict to be taken care of? Do we know which inner court department the eunuch comes from? We mustn’t offend him. Have the young lords been arranged for?”

Madame Bai hurriedly responded: “I’ll see to the arrangements immediately, but which eunuch from the Office of Ceremonies has come? Did he bring guards?”

The maid replied: “It was Mr. Feng from the Duke’s side who sent the message. The eunuch in charge of the Office of Ceremonies, Su Huaibao, has arrived. He came by carriage with a few junior eunuchs, carrying gifts. It seems to be a reward. The young lords are currently entertaining the eunuch with the Duke. His demeanor appears good, smiling pleasantly. The Duke introduced the young lords to him, and he was amiable. It should be good news…”

First, the grandmother was shocked, then her heart steadied somewhat, but she still said: “Su Huaibao, he’s close to the emperor, how could we easily discern his thoughts? However, if it’s a reward, it’s likely a routine gift for meritorious officials. Today isn’t a festival or holiday, perhaps the emperor had a sudden whim? In previous years, minor eunuchs were sent for holiday gifts, why did he personally come today?”

Pushing Madame Bai, she said: “Hurry and change into your imperial edict robes, Second Daughter-in-law can serve here.” Glancing at Sheng Shi, she added impatiently: “The treasury may not have much money. I remember Su Huaibao is originally from the south. Ordinary items won’t impress him. I saw a pearl and glass screen in your room with an exquisite design, suitable for presentation. Have it sealed, and regardless of the outcome, have it delivered to him.”

Sheng Shi acquiesced demurely. Over the years, whenever she wore jewelry or had decorations in her room that were presentable, the grandmother would take them under various pretexts. That glass screen was shown to her by a shopkeeper, and within days, it was coveted again. But with the eunuch’s visit, uncertain whether it was a blessing or a curse, she was preoccupied with her son who had gone ahead, so she didn’t dwell on it.

After a flurry of activity, the grandmother finally led the female members of the dukedom out. They saw the great hall adorned with an incense table, and a purple-clad eunuch stood on one side, holding Xu Chun’s hand with a smile, saying: “Duke, don’t overly criticize the young lord. He’s destined to inherit the dukedom, so there’s no need for him to compete with other families’ sons by attending the Imperial Academy. I see that the young lord has tiger-like eyes, bright and spirited, extraordinary heroism. Truly a son of a tiger general, destined for a bright future.”

Xu Chun was beet red, feeling utterly uncomfortable. Usually, such occasions highlighted Xu Gu as the one praised by the Duke and guests. Due to his unusually pale, yellowish eyes, different from ordinary people, even the grandmother once asked Sheng Shi if their ancestors had foreign blood. This was the first time someone praised his tiger-like eyes and bright future.

Duke Xu Anlin, at that moment, was trembling inside, not daring to say anything. He flattered: “So it turns out that Eunuch Su is skilled in physiognomy. Hearing this, I’m relieved.” Clearly a first-class duke, he showed a fawning expression to Su Huaibao, bowing and calling himself a subordinate official. Su Huaibao chuckled, patted Xu Chun’s hand, and upon seeing the grandmother approach, said with a smile: “Grand Lady and Duchess of the Duke have arrived. In that case, let’s proceed with the proclamation.”

He stood in the great hall facing south, and everyone hastily knelt in order of seniority. Su Huaibao slowly read the imperial edict in a four-character couplet style:

“You, Consort of the Duke of Xuanfu Xu Anlin, possess a gentle disposition, conduct yourself with propriety, show warmth and respect, maintain decorum, support your husband according to the rites, and raise your children successfully. Therefore, by imperial grace, you are bestowed the rank of First-Class Duchess. Oh, how dignified is the attire of the imperial court…”

Amidst the silence, Su Huaibao finished reading the edict. Smiling, he said to the Duke: “Congratulations to the Duke and Consort Sheng. Receive the edict.”