Chapter Forty-Six: Forced Marriage (Part Two)

Lady Li felt as though a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her head, chilling her to the bone and making her all the more resentful. The future daughter-in-law, a noble princess, had not yet married into the family, and already the old matron was displaying such blatant favoritism. What would happen after the marriage? She could only imagine the disdain she would be subjected to.

Though jealousy gnawed at her, Lady Li was not without sense. Now was not the time to openly challenge her mother-in-law. Instead, she spoke with wounded dignity, “Mother, everything I do is for the good of our family. If you will not listen, so be it, but please do not be angry. I shall take my leave.”

Watching Lady Li’s retreating figure, the Dowager Lady Chai sneered to Madam Zhu at her side, “My eldest daughter-in-law will not give up so easily. No doubt she’ll stir up my eldest son against me. But this time, I won’t let her have her way.”

The old lady was nothing if not stubborn. Ordinarily, she would have compromised for the sake of family harmony, but now that there was hope for her younger daughter-in-law, she was determined to stand her ground. Madam Zhu, ever quiet and plain-spoken, simply smiled and said, “I will do as you wish.”

This was nothing new for the Dowager. Pointing at Madam Zhu with a laugh, she said, “You’re still as taciturn as ever. Very well, help me change. I must go and speak with my eldest son. I can’t let that shallow-minded woman sow discord between the brothers.” She could ignore the daughter-in-law, but not her own son; old age brings its own calculations.

Meanwhile, Wei Baofu felt a calm settle over her heart. She knew that panic would do no good—on the contrary, it would only lead to mistakes. No matter what others said, her only worry was that her grandmother might fall ill from anger. She hurried as much as she could and finally returned to the palace before nightfall.

Upon entering, Wei Baofu did not even pause to freshen up before hurrying to see the Empress Dowager. The moment the old lady saw her, she grasped her hands and looked her over anxiously. “Are you hurt? How did you encounter assassins? Those wretches—may the heavens punish them! How dare they drag you into this mess!”

A warmth blossomed in Wei Baofu’s heart. How fortunate it was to have someone who always cared for your safety, no matter the circumstances. Smiling, she helped the Empress Dowager to sit.

“Please be at ease, Grandmother. I had many guards with me—it was nothing serious. But it pains me that my troubles have caused you such distress.”

Though it was dark when she returned, she had not failed to notice the strange looks cast at her by the palace servants. The Empress Dowager frowned deeply and said with grave concern, “My clever Baofu, you must have heard the rumors swirling in the palace. Calamity like this is hard to avoid. I’ve had people investigate Lord Zhenbei these past days; apart from some trivial old scandals, there is nothing of real concern. Fortunately, he has no one currently serving at his side. What do you intend to do?”

Wei Baofu had considered this outcome. If an engagement were arranged now, she would not be particularly happy, but neither would she find it unbearable. After all, such a man was not repellent, even if love was not part of the equation.

“Grandmother, do I still have any real choice? If I could, I would prefer to keep things as they are. I do not wish to commit myself so soon.” With her dearest kin, there was no need for pretense.

The Empress Dowager, too, struggled with this. After a moment, she looked at Wei Baofu and said resolutely, “If you truly do not wish it, then we can always return together to the Jianzhang Palace. I refuse to believe that my granddaughter—so gifted and virtuous—would fail to win anyone’s heart.”

A sudden heat pricked Wei Baofu’s eyes. She grasped the Empress Dowager’s hand, her voice choked. “How could I let you go back there, Grandmother? Though the place is fine, it’s not the life you deserve. Rest assured, I have a plan. If Lord Zhenbei is sincere, then what harm is there in accepting him? Such a man is worthy enough.”

Her confidence pleased the Empress Dowager, who loved to see her so strong, as though nothing could overwhelm or defeat her—stronger, even, than her own grandmother. The old lady felt comforted.

“Grandmother, I do not object to this match, but I will not bear a tainted name. We must act as we ought and respond as we must. What matters now is how sincere Lord Zhenbei proves to be.” Having reached her decision, Wei Baofu no longer hesitated.

The Empress Dowager nodded, composed. “You’re quite right. Tomorrow, the Empress and the other consorts will come to pay their respects. They will surely take the opportunity to cause trouble. You must be prepared. Have you thought about how to handle it?” Her heart ached at the thought of her granddaughter facing those palace women, as fierce as wolves and tigers.

“Please do not worry, Grandmother. Truly, I have no great enmity with any of them. At most, they dislike seeing me prosper, but they would not go so far as to destroy me. Even if they are determined to crush me, I will not yield so easily. I am prepared for whatever comes.”

The Empress Dowager said no more, only urging her gently, “Go and rest now. Tomorrow’s troubles will be dealt with in their own time. No matter what, you still have me.”

Wei Baofu nodded—she was indeed weary. She rose to take her leave, but the Empress Dowager’s tone turned cold. “Leave those two maids of yours. I want Madam Feng to give them a proper lesson in decorum.”

Though Pearl and Linglong trembled, not a word of pleading escaped their lips. Clearly, their mistress’s disgrace pained them more than anyone. Wei Baofu was not one to punish her servants lightly. Smiling, she said, “Grandmother, I am no longer a child. They were careless, but I do not blame them entirely. As their mistress, responsibility lies with me. Docking their wages for three months will suffice.”

She did not believe that physical punishment would make them more careful, nor did she feel they were truly at fault. What more could the Empress Dowager say? She tapped Wei Baofu’s forehead with a finger and sighed, “You always shield your own. Very well, I will not play the villain. Let Madam Qian instruct them instead.”

Wei Baofu smiled and agreed. Though Pearl and Linglong kept their heads down, their eyes were red. They trailed after their mistress, unsure how to express their gratitude. Madam Qian was already waiting by the door, overjoyed to see Wei Baofu return safely.

“My lady, you’re finally back safe and sound!” Madam Qian wiped her tears in excitement. Wei Baofu, too tired to respond, said wearily, “Madam, I am truly exhausted. I just want a hot meal and a good night’s sleep.”

Madam Qian’s heart ached. “Of course, of course, I’ll see to it at once. Jadepot, Bingxin, see to her needs, the two of you come with me.” The last words were for Pearl and Linglong. Wei Baofu said nothing further—she trusted Madam Qian’s judgment; she cherished the young maids and would not harm them.

Whatever awaited her tomorrow, Wei Baofu faced it calmly. These were but petty people eager to see her stumble—what was there to fear? That night, she slept soundly. Only well-rested could she fight the battles ahead.

As expected, the next morning, the Empress led all the palace consorts to the audience. Even Consort Yao, who had been under house arrest, appeared. In Cining Palace, Wei Baofu faced them: some wore smug, gloating expressions; some seemed to come merely for the spectacle; others looked truly worried.

Those concerned for Wei Baofu, apart from the Virtuous Consort, were only Wei Baozhen and her mother. Wei Baofu maintained a gentle smile and greeted the assembled ladies with poise, betraying not a hint of unease. The Empress, most irked by this composure, put on a lofty, mocking air and said, “I must admire your calm, Kangping. One trip outside the palace and you’ve stirred up a storm. Perhaps you owe us all an explanation?”

Wei Baofu feigned innocence. “What does Your Majesty mean? Am I to blame for being attacked by assassins?”

The Empress sneered, “You are ever so glib. There’s no need for such evasions. I have no wish to speak of your sordid affairs with Lord Zhenbei.”

Wei Baohua chimed in gleefully, “Mother, Cousin Kangping lacks a mother’s guidance. You must discipline her. So many noble girls remain unmarried—if our reputations are tainted by her, it will be most unfortunate.”

But the Empress Dowager would not allow this insolence. She snatched up the cup on her desk and hurled it to the floor, scolding, “What nonsense is this? Who gave you the nerve? Baofu was raised by my own hands—are you questioning my virtue?”

Wei Baohua, terrified, fell to her knees. “Please don’t be angry, Grandmother. I merely meant that Kangping’s conduct has brought shame—I never meant to question your character. How could I be so unfilial?”

The Empress Dowager, seizing the moment to vent her long-held frustration at this tribunal, snapped, “And why wouldn’t you dare? You think because I am old and powerless, you can bully me? Baofu is my only true companion, and even she is not safe from your malice. This is nothing but wickedness.”

The Empress, ever mindful of her reputation, could not bear this accusation. She was about to retort when Consort Yao, brimming with arrogance, interjected, “Why must you defend that girl, Your Majesty? Her impropriety is plain for all to see. Should the rest of our noblewomen suffer for your partiality? We deserve an explanation.”

Consort Yao, eldest legitimate daughter of Elder Yao, was notorious for her arrogance. Having been confined so long, she relished the chance for drama. The Empress concurred, “Consort Yao speaks wisely. Kangping is still young. In my view, Lord Zhenbei—though somewhat dissolute—is a suitable match.”

Wei Baofu despised the Empress’s tone. With a calm expression, she replied, “According to Your Majesty, it is a crime to save a national hero? Am I to be faulted for that? Should I not have intervened? I would like to ask my Imperial Uncle—how is it that one who protects the nation is not worthy of rescue, and how have I become a woman of tarnished virtue for doing so?”