Chapter 1.1 - Fang Fei (1/2)

In the fifth month of the lunar calendar, spring was barely over, but the hot weather was already eager to arrive. Please read this at bloomingtranslation blog, any other site is stealing our work and reposting without permission.

The sun’s hot rays shone on the capital city of Yanjing. All the street peddlers rested under the shade of trees to avoid the heat. In this kind of blistering hot weather, both the young misses and young masters of rich households loathed to go out and suffer the harshness of the sun’s rays. Roaming on the streets were only the laborers, who carried things over their shoulders. At the well in the city center, they would immerse rice wine to make it ice-cold. They spared no effort in going back and forth to each and every gambling den and tea house, hoping for a thirsty and weary person to spare five copper coins to buy a bowl. With this coppers they would be able to buy a bag of rice. And this bag of rice, when boiled, would give them two pots of porridge, which was equal to three days of hard labor.

At a turn in the corner of the east city wall, there was a brand-new residence. A board was hung high in the middle of the door with four characters written on it: “Imperial Examination Top Scorer”. Bright and dazzling, the residence together with the board were bestowed by the Emperor to represent the utmost honor and glory of being the top scorer in the imperial examinations. For a scholar, to be able to achieve this much, made the whole family cry in tears and thank the ancestors for their blessings.

A brand-new residence, a board bestowed by the emperor. In the middle of a courtyard, people moved back and forth hurriedly. Despite the scorching heat outside, the interior of the residence was comfortably cool thanks to the ice cubes that were placed inside to relieve the heat. However, if one went beyond the courtyard towards the end of the garden, one would feel a chill at once.

Leaning against the wall, there was a room tucked at the foremost end. At that moment, three people were sitting outside the door: two young servant girls wearing pink, thin skirts, together with a plump middle-aged woman. The three people were facing a small stool where a pile of red-skinned melon seeds and a pot of pickled plum soup were placed. One hand eating while gossiping at the same time. Unexpectedly free and unrestrained in the presence of their master.

The servant girl on the left turned around to glance at the window and said: “Today, the smell of medicine still drifts off without fail; suffering yet not dying, really don’t know when this will end.”

“You little hussy1, talking behind madam’s back?” the middle-aged woman admonished her, “Be careful not to have your skin peeled by the madam.”

The servant girl objected: “How is that possible? The master hasn’t set foot inside madam’s courtyard for three months already.” She continued while lowering her voice, “that affair caused such a ruckus outside. Our master can be considered kind-hearted, had it been anyone else…” She curled her lips, “I say, it would be better to kill herself straight away. In any case, her reputation is already completely ruined, leading this kind of life, isn’t it just to burden other people.”

The middle-aged woman hadn’t replied yet when the other servant girl said: “Actually, madam is also pitiful, to be born so beautiful and talented with a sweet temper. Who would have imagined, she would face this kind of matter…”

Although they spoke in low voice, the afternoon was extremely quiet. With the partition not being too far away, each word and each sentence was transmitted clearly into the ear of the person inside the room.

On top of the bed, Xue Fang Fei was lying on her back. Clear, dried stains of tears could be seen at the outer corner of her eyes. Her thinning face was wan and sallow, drained of all color. Despite her sickly look, her quiet courage shook one to the core and made her look increasingly lovely.

In the past, she had a beautiful complexion, otherwise she wouldn’t have obtained the reputation of being the number one beauty of Yanjing. When she got married, a bored young master ordered a beggar to crash into her bridal sedan chair. Her veil slipped and revealed a delicate and beautiful face, which caused the people on both sides of the street to be unable to look away. Her father, Xue Huaiyuan, was the county deputy of Tongxiang, in Xiangyang province. At that time, he was deeply worried before sending her off to marry to the capital city of Yanjing, and said: “Ah2 Li, with your good looks, I’m afraid Shen Yurong won’t be able to protect you all the time.”

Shen Yurong was her husband.

Before Shen Yurong became the top scorer in the imperial examinations, he merely was a poor scholar. His family lived in Yanjing. However, his maternal grandmother Old Madam Cao, lived in Xiangyang. Before the end of the New Year, Madam Cao passed away due to illness. He became acquainted with Xue Fang Fei when Shen Yurong returned to Xiangyang to attend the funeral.

Tongxiang was a small county in Xiangyang province. Xue Huaiyuan was just a minor government official and Xue Fang Fei’s mother passed away after giving birth to her younger brother, Xue Zhao. After her mother’s death, Xue Huaiyuan did not remarry. Their family was very simple with only the brother and sister together with their father, and they all depended on each other.

When Xue Fang Fei reached the marriageable age, her appearance was extremely beautiful, making many noble and rich families’ young masters come from near and far to propose marriage. Even Xue Huaiyuan’s superior wanted Xue Fang Fei to be his second wife. Naturally, Xue Huaiyuan was not willing. Since his wife had passed away when Xue Fang Fei was still small, he especially doted on this daughter. In addition, Xue Fang Fei was an intelligent and lovable child, and he had never shorted her of any food or drink.

Since Xue Huaiyuan treasured her like a pearl in his palm3, he was extremely worried about Xue Fang Fei’s wedding. Entering the door of a rich family would provide a life of luxury, but regretfully, Xue Fang Fei took a fancy to Shen Yurong.

Shen Yurong looked bright and with good moral conduct, and he was brimming over with talent. Taking a single look showed a talented person with attractive looks, and it was a matter of time for him to stand out among his peers. But if this happened, then Xue Fang Fei would have no choice but to follow Shen Yurong to Yanjing when she got married. Furthermore, Xue Fang Fei’s looks were just too beautiful. There was Xue Huaiyuan to protect her in Tongxiang. However, one just couldn’t count how many nobles lived in Yanjing.In the event that there was any evil intention from them, Shen Yurong might not be able to protect her.

In the end, Xue Huaiyuan still let Xue Fang Fei marry Shen Yurong because she was in love with him.

Although Xue Fang Fei’s mother-in-law was harsh and she suffered many grievances after marrying Shen Yurong and moving to Yanjing, Shen Yurong was considerate to her in every possible way. Therefore, those hardships vanished into thin air right away.

At the beginning of spring last year, Shen Yurong passed brilliantly the imperial examinations and became the top scorer. The Emperor gifted an official residence and personally bestowed a name board. Not long after, Shen Yurong was appointed as an official in the Ministry of Rites. In the ninth month of the lunar year, Xue Fang Fei also got pregnant, which coincided with Old Madam Shen’s birthday. The Jia family invited guests from Yanjing’s nobility to celebrate the two simultaneous happy events.

That day became Xue Fang Fei’s worst nightmare.