Breaking Off the Engagement

When Shen Lantang arrived at her mother-in-law's quarters, she found her aunt there too. Seeing Shen Lantang look her way, Madam Zhou said, "There were a few things I didn't finish discussing with your mother-in-law yesterday. We aren't keeping you from breakfast, are we?"

"Of course not."

The three sat down, and breakfast began to the occasional clink of bowls and chopsticks.

There might be some conversation toward the end of breakfast, but the first half was usually quiet. Today, a peculiar stillness hung over the room. A flicker passed through Madam Zhou's eyes as she glanced at Shen Lantang now and then. When she turned, she happened to meet Xie Madam's gaze drifting in the same direction.

They understood each other without a word.

As Shen Lantang ate the familiar breakfast, she had the odd feeling that something was off at the table today. Had she slept so poorly last night that she was imagining things?

Xie Madam suddenly gave a soft hum and brought up the matter as though in passing.

"I thought about it last night, Lan Tang. You're right that we must be careful about a marriage. I've already sent someone to look into Xu Mingyan further."

Shen Lantang paused. She had considered that Xie Madam might change her mind after a night's thought and dismiss what she had said. Instead, Xie Madam had actually taken her advice. Things were going more smoothly than she had expected.

Whatever the case, it was good news.

"The thought only happened to occur to me yesterday. I'm glad if it can be of help to Yingying."

Disappointment washed over Xie Madam. She hadn't heard Shen Lantang's thoughts.

"Mother—you're here after all!" At a young woman's clear call, Xie Ying ran into the room.

"Good morning, Aunt. Good morning, Sister-in-law."

After a brief greeting, Xie Ying hurried to her mother's side and settled against her. "Mother, I've been looking for you."

Madam Zhou patted the back of her hand. "What did you need me for?"

"Sister Fan invited me to her home."

"Didn't you just visit her last time? Why are you going again?"

Xie Ying flushed and fumbled for words. "Last time, there were too many people. Sister Fan said she didn't get a chance to talk with me properly. This time, she's only invited a few close friends, along with some of her brother's friends. We'll make friends through poetry and see what everyone can do."

If Xie Ying hadn't mentioned Young Master Fan, Shen Lantang might not have thought of Xu Mingyan, whom she had seen at the Fan Family's home last time. But one look at Xie Ying's expression told her everything. This supposed poetry gathering was merely an excuse for unmarried young men and women to meet.

The Xu Family had sent someone to propose a marriage last time, and the Xie Family had not refused. A matchmaker who had arranged countless marriages would know that a proposal not immediately rejected was likely to succeed. Sure enough, Xu Mingyan had wasted no time inviting Xie Ying out through his friend.

As the pieces fell into place, Shen Lantang spoke without thinking—

"You can't go!" Two voices rang out together.

The two voices had spoken at the same instant.

Xie Ying startled. "Mother? Sister-in-law?"

Madam Zhou fell silent.

Shen Lantang put on an innocent look. "I meant that I want to go too. Yingying, why didn't you invite me along?"

Xie Ying stumbled over her words. "Sister Fan said she was only inviting a few friends and asked me not to bring anyone."

Seeing how awkwardly Xie Ying struggled to say it, Shen Lantang shook her head inwardly. Oh, you little thing. You're already lying just to see your sweetheart. That would be one thing if he were a good match, but your sweetheart is trash. He keeps a mistress and visits brothels, too.

"Ah—" A maid beside Xie Ying suddenly cried out.

Several pairs of eyes turned toward her.

The maid's lips trembled. Horror filled her eyes as her gaze darted around the empty air.

Xie Ying asked, "Nian Chun, what's wrong?"

Nian Chun's voice shook. "Miss, just now, I—"

Before she could finish, Madam Zhou abruptly rose and scolded her. "I told you to make sure the young lady wore her veiled hat whenever she went out. How could you forget?"

Nian Chun's mind was in chaos. She hurriedly knelt. "It was my fault."

"Mother?"

Madam Zhou was usually gentle with others and rarely scolded a servant. Xie Ying stared at her in surprise.

Shen Lantang was puzzled too. Why is everyone acting so strangely these past two days? Is it something about June?

Xie Madam rose as well. She patted the back of Madam Zhou's hand and said soothingly, "That's enough. It's a small matter. Don't be angry. Nian Chun, go fetch the young lady's veiled hat."

"Yes." Nian Chun quickly bowed and withdrew.

Only then did Xie Madam lower her hand. As she turned, her gaze swept over the other maid beside Xie Ying.

With the matter of the "inner voice" dealt with for the moment, Madam Zhou turned her attention back to Xie Ying's plans. She was quick-witted by nature; a single thought from Shen Lantang had been enough for her to guess the reason. The Fan Family was well known for matchmaking.

Several thoughts raced through Madam Zhou's mind before she looked at Xie Ying and spoke.

"Yingying, I'm not trying to stop you from going out. But I think the heat has made me unwell, and Qin Yan and Ling Jia have no appetite either. They've always listened to you. Would you stay home and look after them today?"

"Of course," Xie Ying said at once. "Mother, where do you feel unwell?"

Seeing Madam Zhou dispel Xie Ying's suspicions in just a few words, Xie Madam relaxed.

After breakfast, Madam Zhou left with Xie Ying, and Shen Lantang took her leave as well. Xie Madam returned to her bedroom, still going over what had happened at breakfast. What was this inner voice? Could people hear it only when Shen Lantang was especially worked up?

But if that were so, why could some hear it and others not? Yesterday, only she and Madam Zhou had been present. Today, Xie Ying, her maids and several of Xie Madam's own servants had all been there, yet none had reacted except Nian Chun.

If Xie Ying couldn't hear it because the person being discussed couldn't hear it, what explained Nian Chun?

Xie Madam had so many questions. Combined with the matter of the Xu Family, they made her head ache.

"Does your head hurt, my lady?" Her longtime attendant stepped forward to massage her temples.

The attendant had come with her when she married and had later wed the son of the Residence's kitchen steward. She had remained at Xie Madam's side ever since. Xie Madam let out a breath as the massage eased her discomfort.