We've Been Burgled

So your mother was choosing your future husband. Ah, Yingying, it was finally your turn to enjoy that blessing.

Women of the Jing Dynasty married relatively late compared with those of earlier dynasties. Most married at sixteen or seventeen; even eighteen or nineteen was no problem. In a household as prominent as the Xie Family, parents often chose a fiancé when their daughter was fourteen or fifteen. The families would agree to a wedding several years later. That settled the great matter of marriage while letting them keep their daughter at home for another two or three years.

Xie Ying was fifteen this year. She was indeed old enough to be betrothed.

Shen Lantang glanced over the portraits. Beside each was the young man's name and age, along with the official posts held by his father and brothers. Those were only the basics. More detailed information—even how many siblings he had and what prospects they held—was probably recorded in Xie Madam's private notebook.

Shen Lantang offered no opinion. She merely said softly, "Judging by their families and appearances, these young gentlemen all seem accomplished. My knowledge is shallow; I couldn't say which is better."

Xie Ying had her mother and aunt, not to mention her elder brothers and sisters-in-law. Her marriage was no concern of Shen Lantang's. Xie Madam had summoned her only to keep her informed, lest she, as a new bride, feel the family was withholding things from her. At her answer, Xie Madam said:

"As for a husband, Yingying must make the choice herself. Her second aunt and I are still considering the candidates. We'll tell her once we've narrowed them down."

In other words, Shen Lantang was not to tell Xie Ying yet.

"I understand."

The next morning, Shen Lantang and Xie Ying went out early.

The young hostess of the gathering was the daughter of Fan Changjin, a favorite of the emperor and a drafter in the Secretariat. A distant aunt of the Fan Family was also an imperial consort. The family was a rising power at court, so its guests were either imperial relatives and nobles or the families of newly prominent ministers.

Such circles had always been closed to outsiders, all the more so in an age with rigid distinctions of rank and family. With her former family standing, Shen Lantang could never have entered this circle. Even now that she had, she was not welcome.

From the moment she entered the courtyard, Shen Lantang sensed several pointed attempts to exclude her. Happy to be left in peace, she found a pavilion and watched Xie Ying play with her friends.

Xie Ying had a lively nature, and her family standing allowed her to indulge it. The Jing Dynasty offered plenty of amusements. In spring, women often went outside the city together for outings and ball games. But the weather today was stifling. Even ice set out around the courtyard and screens to block the heat did little good.

Since vigorous games were out of the question, the girls settled on something quieter. Pitch-pot was fashionable among Zhaojing's nobility. Several girls gathered around two narrow-mouthed pots with long necks and broad bellies. They divided themselves into two teams while servants kept score.

Shen Lantang had brought a book. Leaning against a cool pavilion pillar with plum drink at hand, she read a little, listened to the girls laughing nearby, and grew drowsy. Then startled cries rang out, followed by a swell of voices. She opened her eyes lazily and saw several young men entering the courtyard, all splendidly dressed and full of youthful vigor.

At their head was Fan Changjin's eldest son, Miss Fan's elder brother. As Shen Lantang watched him lead the others in, she suddenly remembered the nickname people in Zhaojing had given his mother: the Great Matchmaker Fan.

Of course. Madam Fan loved arranging marriages; everyone in Zhaojing knew it. The young men her son had brought were all around twenty. At a glance, Shen Lantang recognized several faces from the portraits on Xie Madam's table. Then she saw the other girls' shy expressions. Well, look at that. This was one enormous matchmaking party.

Miss Fan stepped forward, affecting a spoiled air. "Dear brother, I'm entertaining honored guests. How could you barge in and disturb them? How will you answer for it?"

Young Master Fan bowed his head repeatedly in apology. "It's my fault. I was thoughtless. I hope you ladies won't hold it against me."

"And we're simply supposed to forgive you because you ask?"

"Oh, come now..."

The other young women covered their mouths and laughed as the siblings traded accusations and meek replies.

"Are you two putting on a show to make fools of us?"

"Little Sister Qingqing, that hurts. I invited my friends over out of kindness, thinking they must be bored at home. How was I to know my foolish brother would bring men in? Brother, how do you propose to make amends?"

"You..."

"Since we've disturbed you ladies, why don't I make amends on Brother Yuheng's behalf?"

A young man in white robes and a jade crown stepped out from behind Young Master Fan. His face was fair, his bearing spirited, and he stood about five and a half feet tall. Shen Lantang knew who he was: the youngest son of the Vice Minister of Revenue, renowned in Zhaojing for being both bold and refined. He, too, was on the list of prospective husbands.

He bowed to the young women, his handsome face bright in the sunlight. "I see you ladies are playing pitch-pot. If I land all ten throws, will you forgive Brother Yuheng?"

Miss Fan's eyes danced as she retorted with a smile, "Who are you calling your elder sister? I'm younger than you. Very well. If you really land all ten, I'll forgive you on everyone's behalf. What do you say, girls?"

"Agreed."

"Let's see you make a throw first..."

Surrounded by several friends, Xu Mingyan walked behind the throwing line. When the girls had been playing, the pots had stood about two yards away. But now that someone had volunteered, one mischievous girl promptly moved a pot twice as far away.

Xu Mingyan accepted the challenge without a word. He lifted an arrow and, after a brief pause, tossed it.

Straight into the center.

"Again! Again!"

He threw another, then another. Every arrow landed. Soon he had made all ten throws. Showing no sign of pride, Xu Mingyan cupped his hands and said:

"You ladies were gracious enough to let me win."

Smiling, Miss Fan stepped forward and said with feigned reluctance, "Fine. You were lucky."

"All right, all right. We keep our word. We'll forgive you this time."

"Thank you, ladies. Still, we interrupted your enjoyment. By way of apology—" He took a sachet from his waist and drew out a small golden ball.