SLH | Chapter 1

The Second Young Master of the Song Family

The cold wind howled, and people hurried along.

Inside the Song family’s residence, the maids and servants were up early, bustling about.

Passing townsfolk stretched their necks to admire the grand courtyard, then hunched their shoulders and disappeared into the biting wind.

“Father, Mother, I will not marry! That Liu family from the countryside can’t even afford decent clothes, and the betrothal gift they scraped together is only ten taels of silver. If word gets out that my husband’s family is like this, my happiness is a small matter, but where would your dignity go? People might think our family has fallen so low that we’d marry our only daughter to a country bumpkin!”

A woman’s sobbing voice came from the main courtyard, and a young servant shoveling snow at the door perked up his ears to listen.

Inside, Song Madam dabbed at her daughter’s tears with a handkerchief, glancing at Song Old Master standing nearby. “I don’t agree with this marriage either. I never thought much of the Liu family back then. They had no prospects at all. And after ten years, they’re still the same poor lot. I asked around, and the Liu family borrowed money for the betrothal gift just to connect with us. They’re so poor they can hardly keep food on the table. If Rui’er marries into that family, will she have to live on gruel?”

Song Rui’er saw her father frowning without speaking and tugged at her mother’s sleeve.

Song Madam patted her daughter’s hand reassuringly and turned to her husband. “Besides, Rui’er is right. If we marry our daughter into such a poor family, the Song family will become the talk of Xunyang’s people. Those competitors waiting to see us fail will add fuel to the fire, affecting our business.”

Song Xing’an furrowed his brows even more. “Then what do you suggest? The Liu family brought the marriage contract, all in black and white. Even if I want to back out, I can’t.”

Twenty years ago, Song Xing’an was just a small peddler. He was saved by Liu Dasheng from Yunxi Village when he encountered mountain bandits in Lianxi Town. To repay the favor, Song Xing’an thought about marrying into the Liu family.

Though the Liu family was poor, they got by. But as years passed, Song Xing’an’s business grew, and the Liu family’s attempts to cling on made him uncomfortable.

His Song family was well-known in Xunyang Prefecture. Why should the Liu family, with their low status, be allowed to connect with them? Even the Chen family, who owned a grain store in the east of the city, he looked down on. But the marriage contract was signed and sealed, so how could he back out?

Song Madam knew about this matter too. After thinking it over, she said, “Let Zhu Ge’er go instead. The contract doesn’t specify a name, and Zhu Ge’er is also a child of the Song family, so it wouldn’t be breaking the agreement.”

Song Rui’er’s eyes lit up. “Yes, let Zhu Ge’er go.”

The second brother was born of a concubine, so it was most fitting for him to go.

Song Xing’an didn’t agree immediately. The mother and daughter persuaded him repeatedly before he nodded.

“Will Zhu Ge’er be willing?”

Song Madam smiled. “Don’t worry, Master. I’ll talk to Zhu Ge’er.”

Half an hour later, in the other courtyard of the Song family.

“It’s really cold today.”

“Yes, with the New Year approaching, it’s getting colder by the day. If Madam doesn’t send down some charcoal soon, Second Young Master, with his weak health, might not make it.”

Two young maids and a young man in thin winter clothes stood on the wind-sheltered side of the courtyard wall, whispering toward the main house.

Occasionally, a few muffled coughs came from inside, and both of their faces showed worry.

After a while, the round-faced maid couldn’t help but speak, “I’ll go to the main house to boil some hot water and bring it to the Second Young Master.”

“Be careful not to let anyone from over there see you.”

“Okay.”

“Ouch!”

Before she could leave the courtyard, she bumped into Jin Cui, the head maid from Song Madam’s quarters.

Jin Cui staggered from the collision and scolded with raised eyebrows, “What are your eyes for? If you can’t see people, you might as well gouge them out.”

Hongmei quickly lowered herself. “I’m sorry, Sister Jin Cui. I was in a hurry and didn’t see you coming into the courtyard.”

Seeing her attitude was decent, Jin Cui didn’t make things difficult and gestured for the young servant behind her to carry things into the courtyard.

Hongmei watched as boxes were carried in and couldn’t help but ask, “Sister Jin Cui, what’s this?”

“Madam is worried about Second Young Master’s health and sent me to bring some warming supplies.” Jin Cui glanced toward the main house, raising her voice deliberately. “There was a bit of trouble at the shop, and Madam has been so worried she can’t sleep, which is why she forgot to send supplies to Bamboo Garden. But now that she remembered, she immediately sent me to bring charcoal to the Second Young Master.”

She had the boxes opened. “This is top-quality charcoal. Even the Eldest Miss only got a hundred pounds, but Bamboo Garden has two hundred pounds!”

Hongmei was shocked and exchanged a look with Qing He, both showing disbelief.

In previous years, not to mention charcoal, even firewood was often short. Why were they suddenly sending so much charcoal this year?

As the saying goes, when something unusual happens, there’s always a reason. Qing He, being thoughtful, took out a few coins from her pouch and slipped them to Jin Cui.

Jin Cui, holding the copper coins, softened her attitude considerably.

Though the Song family was grand outside, they didn’t treat their servants well. The rewards during the New Year and festivals were pitifully small, so the five coins Qing He gave her, though little, were enough to buy a snack.

“What do you want to know? Ask away.”

Qing He said, “I saw many people come to the house yesterday. Sister Jin Cui, you serve by Madam’s side. Do you know what happened?”

“This matter.” Jin Cui glanced at the main house, then pulled them aside and lowered her voice. “The visitors were from Yunxi Village in Lianxi Town. Our master had a marriage agreement with the Liu family back then, and they came yesterday for the betrothal and wedding!”

She spat to the side. “A bunch of country bumpkins wanting to marry our Eldest Miss. Dream on!”

Qing He nodded along. “The Eldest Miss is well-educated and well-mannered. Not just in Xunyang Prefecture, but even in Kyoto, she wouldn’t have trouble finding a match.” Seeing Jin Cui wasn’t impatient, she continued probing, “So is the master planning to break the agreement?”

“How could he? The Liu family brought the marriage contract.” Jin Cui glanced through the window at the main house and whispered, “The house doesn’t only have the Eldest Miss waiting to marry. There’s also the Second Young Master.”

Qing He’s heart sank. “Does the master and madam want the Second Young Master to marry in the Eldest Miss’s place?”

Jin Cui nodded, giving Qing He a sidelong glance. “Madam said not to let the Second Young Master know. Though you and Hongmei work in Bamboo Garden, you’re Madam’s people. Don’t forget who your master is.”

With that, she led the young servants away.

“The Second Young Master is coughing again. I’ll go light the brazier.” Hongmei took a basket and picked out some charcoal.

Qing He reminded her, “Don’t forget the hand warmer for the Second Young Master. It’s almost midday, and Granny Liu hasn’t returned. I’ll go check outside.”

“Okay.”

Exiting through the back door and taking a few steps, Qing He reached a bustling street. Before turning into the alley, she heard a familiar voice.

“The Second Young Master is getting married, and I hear the husband’s family is something else. Granny Liu, as the Second Young Master’s wet nurse, you might get to enjoy a good life with him.”

“Indeed, I saw the Liu family yesterday, and they were dressed well, something rare even in Xunyang Prefecture.”

Two plump women with vegetable baskets stood on either side of Granny Liu, speaking kindly but with faces that suggested otherwise, clearly mocking her.

Qing He paused, waiting for them to leave before stepping forward.

“Granny.”

“Ah.” Granny Liu responded, lifting the basket on her arm for him to see. “Sister Qiao said there’s cheap greens at the east end of the market, so I went and grabbed some.”

Qing He peeked in. “Still dripping with water.”

“Yes, fresh as can be.”

They walked back to Bamboo Garden, and after closing the back door, Granny Liu’s face creased with worry.

“The cook from Madam’s side said the Second Young Master is getting married. What’s going on?”

Qing He was about to explain. “The master has a marriage agreement in Lianxi Town. It was originally for the Eldest Miss, but she refuses to marry the countryside Liu family. So Madam wants the Second Young Master to marry instead.”

Qing He sounded anxious. “Granny, you must think of a way. The Liu family even borrowed for the betrothal gift. The Second Young Master is weak. If he marries there, they might not even afford his medicine!”

Granny Liu was both angry and upset upon hearing this.

Isn’t Song Rui’er also a child of the Song family, just like Zhu Ge’er? Even if he’s born of a concubine, he’s still the master’s flesh and blood. How can they be so heartless?

She’s heard of the Liu family. After not contacting them for ten or twenty years, even sending anyone over might go unnoticed. This must be Qin Yueniang’s doing, who has disliked Zhu Ge’er for years, using illness as an excuse to send him to the remote Bamboo Garden. Now she can’t even tolerate his presence.

Overwhelmed with anger, Granny Liu felt dizzy, almost fainting.

She steadied herself and asked, “Do you know when the wedding is set?”

“Jin Cui was wary of me, only saying after the New Year, but no specific date.”

Granny Liu’s face darkened, and she handed the basket to Qing He, hurrying to the main house.

“Zhu Ge’er is awake.”

Upon entering and seeing the frail young man leaning against the bed, her heart ached, and her eyes reddened further when she spotted the new quilt covering him.

Bamboo Garden, located in the northwest corner of the Song family estate, was not only remote but also had much worse living conditions compared to other courtyards, as instructed by Song Madam. While the Eldest Miss used silk quilts that were warm in winter and cool in summer, Song Tingzhu had been using a patched-up old quilt for three years. Now, being pushed to marry in his sister’s place, he finally got a taste of better treatment. How could that not make one feel bitter?

Yet, the Second Young Master of the Song family seemed indifferent, as if none of this concerned him.

“Granny, stop.”

Song Tingzhu’s eyes were dull, watching Granny Liu rummage through the boxes.

Granny Liu’s back stiffened momentarily before she continued packing.

“I am willing to marry.”

Song Tingzhu’s face was pale, his wrists as thin as twigs, looking as if he were at death’s door. To him, it made no difference where he lived, but if he could leave the Song family, even if he were to die elsewhere, it would be better.

The room fell silent, and after a long pause, Granny Liu spoke with a sob in her voice.

“Why put yourself through this…”

She covered her face, crying that it was her fault for not taking better care of him.

“Granny, don’t blame yourself. It’s Tingzhu’s ill fate.”

Song Tingzhu tugged at the corner of his mouth, though his expression remained unchanged, like a lifeless puppet.

“To be able to leave this cage before I die, you should be happy for me. It’s just that I feel sorry for the Liu family.”

“Spit, spit, spit!”

Granny Liu couldn’t bear to hear him talk like that and spat three times.

“What’s this talk of dying? I went to Lingshan Temple yesterday, and the monk said Zhu Ge’er has a long life of wealth and prosperity. Once you get through this hurdle, your days will be smooth.”

“Then I thank Granny for her good words.”

This was just to comfort him. He had long since given up hope.

Living in Bamboo Garden all these years, he hoped to recover soon and see the outside world. But unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. His enthusiasm, pride, and ambitions were all trapped in this frail body.

Now, only a void remained. He didn’t know why he was alive. His mother’s dying wish prevented him from seeking death, so he could only live like a walking corpse.

In the kitchen, Qing He furrowed his brows.

Hongmei sat dejectedly by the stove. “I can’t keep things to myself. When the Second Young Master asked, I couldn’t lie, so I told him about Jin Cui coming to the courtyard.”

Qing He added a ladle of water to the pot and sighed. “Never mind, it’s better that the Second Young Master knows so he can plan ahead.”

At dinner, Song Tingzhu, as usual, lost his appetite after a few bites.

Qing He and Hongmei saw Granny Liu enter the kitchen with a worried expression. Learning that the Second Young Master had no intention of escaping the marriage, they immediately became anxious.

Hongmei, being younger, couldn’t help but cry softly. “Let Hongmei marry in the Second Young Master’s place. I’m a girl, and the Liu family won’t suspect.”

Years ago, when her mother was gravely ill, if it weren’t for the Second Young Master giving her his jade pendant, her mother would have been gone.

Though she was Madam’s person, her heart had long belonged to the Second Young Master. She would willingly marry in his place, even if it meant facing life-threatening dangers.

“Silly child.” Granny Liu tenderly patted the young maid’s hair. “If Zhu Ge’er knew you married in his place, he would never be at peace.”

“Second Young Master…”