Zhao Yuankun
Of the three Zhao brothers, the marquis, Zhao Yuanxun, was tall and thin, with a sickly complexion. One look was enough to tell he was a sickly man. Zhao Yuanliang, by comparison, was on the slender and small side. Neither looked like the descendant of a military family.
Only Third Master Zhao Yuankun was very tall, with a sturdy-looking build.
His expression was solemn. He merely gave Xu Xi a slight nod and said, "It's good that you're back." He raised a hand in a gesture, and a servant woman likewise brought over a box and opened it for everyone to see. Inside was a pair of jade paperweights, quite fine judging by their material and carving.
With that, Xu Xi had met all the principal masters of the marquis's household.
Zhao Yuanliang said, "Have your living quarters been arranged? Is someone accompanying you there?" As he spoke, he raised his eyes and looked around the room.
Matron Ruan, who had been following silently behind, hurried forward and bowed. "Second Master, the old madam and First Madam sent this old servant to escort Fifth Young Lady back. Second Madam, Fourth Young Lady, and Sixth Young Lady are also waiting to accompany Fifth Young Lady back to the second branch."
Only then was Zhao Yuanliang reassured. He nodded and said, "Good, then."
Xu Xi tactfully bowed. "In that case, Xi'er will take her leave."
"Go on."
When Zhao Jingli and Zhao Jing'an saw Xu Xi leave, they hurried out after her and saw her all the way to the courtyard gate before turning back.
On the way back, Matron Ruan said with a smile, "As Fifth Young Lady has seen, the masters of the household, whether the old madam, the masters and madams, or the young masters and young ladies, are all the very best of people, and they get along harmoniously. Seeing you, Young Lady, they have shown you nothing but concern and affection."
"Yes, thank you for the guidance, Matron Ruan," Xu Xi replied, though inwardly she disagreed.
Although the novel had devoted little ink to the relationships within the marquis's household, it had mentioned them from time to time. The household appeared harmonious, but there were quite a few conflicts beneath the surface.
The story had hinted in passing that the marquis, Zhao Yuanxun, had not been born so frail, but had been harmed by one of the duke's concubines. Because of this, the old madam did not treat her husband's sons by concubines well. Not only did she refuse to lift a finger to help their prospects, she also found ways to suppress them from time to time, for fear that if they made something of themselves, the sky over the marquis's household would change.
Zhao Yuanliang was not much of a problem. He was incapable and had little ambition, so he could not stir up much of a storm. But Zhao Yuankun was both highly ambitious and highly capable. He was determined to distinguish himself in the military examinations, yet because of his di mother's suppression, he had no choice but to remain in the marquis's household, living an idle, unaccomplished life. He was deeply resentful.
The overwhelming calamity that eventually befell the marquis's household was brought about by him.
Zhao Yuankun had married only his wife, Lady Su, and taken no concubines. Lady Su seemed so delicate as to be weak and ineffectual, but in truth she too was deeply scheming. Although the novel had not mentioned her doing anything bad, the female lead, Zhao Ruyu, had a very poor impression of her.
The relationships in the marquis's household were so complicated, and everyone harbored ulterior motives, yet Matron Ruan called them harmonious. To Xu Xi, that was a joke.
The two had not walked long before they saw Lady Wei's maid, Lüqi.
"Fifth Young Lady, Madam, Fourth Young Lady, and Sixth Young Lady are waiting in the pavilion ahead. They were worried you might take a wrong turn, so they sent this servant to wait for you here," Lüqi said with a smile.
Seeing this, Matron Ruan stopped and said to Xu Xi, "Since Second Madam is waiting for you here, Young Lady, this old servant will return and report to the old madam and First Madam."
"Thank you, Matron Ruan, and thank you for your trouble."
Xu Xi had traveled abroad often in her previous life and, following the local custom, had developed the habit of giving tips. Matron Ruan had worked hard running back and forth these past few days and had been reasonably respectful toward her, so Xu Xi felt she should reward her now. But although she had received quite a few meeting gifts just now, she had not received a single piece of silver or copper coin. With her purse empty, she could only pretend the matter had never occurred to her.
Matron Ruan returned to the main courtyard, while Xu Xi followed Lüqi to the pavilion.
"Why did you take so long?" Lady Wei frowned and complained as soon as she saw Xu Xi. Without inviting her to sit, she took her time finishing the pastry in her hand and drinking a cup of tea before rising leisurely and heading toward the second branch.
That was right. In just that short while, Lady Wei had somehow obtained pastries and tea and sat by the lake, where a gentle breeze was blowing, drinking tea and eating pastries. Even after all that, her face was full of complaint.
Xu Xi said nothing. It was a hot day, and she had grown hot from walking just now, so this was a good chance to stand there and rest for a while. When Lady Wei finished eating and rose, Xu Xi leisurely followed behind her, looking completely at ease.
Zhao Rurui and Zhao Ruyu, by contrast, kept their heads lowered and said nothing, probably because of Lady Wei's foul mood. They looked timid and put-upon. Now, seeing Lady Wei and Xu Xi leave one after the other, the two rose and followed behind.
Lady Wei walked so fast, supported by a maid, that one might have wondered whether a ghost was chasing her. Matron Li and Lüqi followed close behind. Xu Xi could not be bothered to chase her and simply followed at her own unhurried pace. The five servants assigned to her naturally followed at her side as well.
Zhao Rurui had not wanted to pay Zhao Ruyu any attention, but seeing the situation, she could not help tugging at Zhao Ruyu's sleeve. She gestured for her to look ahead and used her eyes to ask whether they should hurry after Lady Wei.
Zhao Ruyu ignored her, however, and hurried forward a couple of steps to strike up a conversation with Xu Xi. "Sister, what made you think of taking the entrance examination for the Women's Academy? I want to take it too, but I hear it's very hard. Not one of the young ladies I'm friends with has managed to get into the academy."