Fate-Holding Women

CHAPTER 2:

9

I bought some fruit and distributed it to the other girls, subtly inquiring about Yin Niang's death.

From their chatter, I slowly pieced together what had happened.

The illegitimate son of the main branch of the Shi family, his name was Shi Liang.

The Shi family of Hezhong was once a prominent clan, but they moved South during a war many years ago.

Shi Liang fell ill during the journey and was secretly abandoned by his stepmother.

He admired Yin Niang's talent and promised to take her South with him, where she would become a respected wife of a prominent family.

Yin Niang thought that this timely help would surely lead to a good life, based on their debt of gratitude.

Several of her friends had advised her against it, saying that he was not a suitable match and that she should find a more down-to-earth, stable partner, such as a small merchant.

For a courtesan to aspire to become the wife of a prominent family was an utterly impossible dream.

Yin Niang, however, felt that they looked down on her, and after a heated argument, she became even more determined to marry Shi Liang.

In the end, she was completely stripped of her possessions, including the money she had borrowed from other women.

Once he had the money, Shi Liang changed his demeanor and avoided her completely.

When Yin Niang confronted him, he turned on her, calling her a madwoman obsessed with marrying into a prominent family.

Unable to repay her debts and having lost all hope of redemption, Yin Niang, in a moment of despair, hanged herself.

That's just like her, I suppose.

So she'll save me.

Based on the timeline, she must have already decided to end her life that day.

Yin Niang was foolish, mean-spirited, quick-tempered, and muddle-headed.

She bullied the weak but feared the strong; when wronged, she wouldn't confront the culprit, instead taking her anger out on those weaker than herself.

But she shouldn't have died here.

I leaned against the window, carefully studying Shi Liang's features. He was handsome and refined, the face of an intelligent man.

He must have known of Yin Niang's death, yet his expression was calm and open, as if he'd never known a fading courtesan.

Yin Niang's biggest mistake was readily giving him all her money.

Once she was no longer useful, what reason did Shi Liang have to keep her?

Good. I mused to myself.

Such a nature... it's only fitting he was my Song Xian's first husband.

10

Shi Liang, who always acted like a son of a prominent family, would spend his last penny to maintain appearances.

He is arrogant and conceited, yet also insecure and self-conscious, afraid of being looked down upon by others.

He was both lustful and fond of poetry. He claimed to admire Yin Niang’s talent and came to seek her manuscripts, but he was unsuccessful. He occasionally argued with her.

He frequently attends poetry gatherings.

He desperately wants to climb the social ladder, but his strong self-esteem prevents him from flattering others.

He aims high but lacks the ability to achieve it.  

I recalled the news I'd gathered at the Chunzhu Building over the past few days and put down the final stroke on the paper.

Since I came of age, I've been looking for my first husband.

His destiny/fate cannot be too unusual.

Someone with a destiny like Qi Changlan's, while easily able to borrow luck, risks backlash; it's best not to take such risks unless absolutely necessary.

He shouldn't have overwhelmingly good fortune either.

Borrowing luck during a time of strong fortune is like holding an umbrella in a hurricane—it only makes things harder and leads to losses.

It's not worth it.

His family background shouldn't be too prominent/high-ranking.

Otherwise, his family would never accept a wife from Chunzhu Building.

But it shouldn't be too low either.

If his background is too low, I won't be able to connect with higher social circles, and I'll be trapped in a lower class.

He should have some sins on his hands.

Even if he's wounded or killed, my karmic burden will be minimized.

He should have a weakness that I can exploit.

That way, I have room to negotiate.

Shi Liang, just right.

Adding to the blood debt owed for Yin Niang's death, what reason do I have not to choose him?

“Ah Xian, have you finished writing the new poem?”

“Reporting to Miss, it's finished.”

I folded the top sheet of paper and tucked it into my sleeve. I handed the remaining papers on the table to Yao Niang.

I'm the maidservant of the talented courtesan and flower queen of Chunzhu Building; whoever I serve becomes a talented woman.

Soon, I will also have a scholar husband.

11

The next day, under the pretext of buying paper and brushes for Yao Niang, I went to the bookstore Shi Liang frequented.

According to custom, he would arrive there in about an incense stick's worth of time.

I waited patiently, and the moment Shi Liang entered, I happened to turn my head, presenting him with my flawlessly smooth half-profile.  

A flash of astonishment crossed his eyes.

I adjusted my hair, lowered my head, and pretended to be engrossed in the book in my hands.

He enthusiastically approached me, but I frowned slightly and turned my thin back to him.

Shi Liang's position allowed him a clear view of my fair, white neck.

The bookstore was very quiet, quiet enough to hear his barely audible swallow.

“Is this Lady reading about Lan Yu (orchids)?” He peered at the book, then recited a few famous lines about orchids.

Initially, I was quite cold, but he was enthusiastic and very good at finding topics of conversation.

Slowly, my tone softened, and I began to converse with him about poetry and literature.

“I was inspired today and wanted to compose a rhapsody on orchids. But halfway through, I became lost. So I came to the bookstore to seek the wisdom of the ancients.”

I took the half-finished orchid rhapsody from my sleeve and handed it to him.

He glanced at it casually, then his eyes widened suddenly.

As he continued reading, his breathing became gradually heavier.

“This... this was written by you, Lady?”

“Yes,” I turned my head, answering without any suspicion. “I read a few books when I was young, and I don't know whether my writing is good or bad. Now that there's no one to teach me, I just write for fun.”

As I spoke, my full appearance was completely revealed.

The large mole on my face caught his eye; he involuntarily took a step back, his face registering disgust and astonishment.

After a long moment, he regained his composure, managed a weak smile, and reluctantly returned the paper to me.

What he said, however, were the various flaws in the half-written rhapsody.

“While quoting classics is good, these allusions are too common and somewhat cliché… This metaphor is also inappropriate, offending a nobleman from the previous emperor's reign…”

He rambled on for a long time, finally stating solemnly that he couldn't bear to see such talent go astray.

He hopes to meet with me again after I finish writing the second half. He needs to read the whole article carefully before he can correct it for me.

“Alright,” I said softly, “My name is Ah Xian. If you need to find me, come to Chunzhu Building.”

 

With that, I took my book to settle the bill and turned to leave without a second glance.

12

Unbeknownst to me, within a few days, Shi Liang couldn't contain himself and came looking for me. I showed him some of my earlier writings; his eyes lit up, but then he feigned hesitation and asked:

 

“Yin Niang and Yao Niang are both known as talented women. Since you are their maid, their poems…”

 

I put on a look of sadness and dejection, lowering my head. “They are my mistresses. If they want something, how could I refuse?”

 

His expression immediately changed to one of righteous indignation.

“Those courtesans, stealing the names and works of others—how despicable! I heard that Yin Niang died; it must be due to her lack of virtue.”

 

I stared at him in astonishment, almost applauding his audacity.  

But I merely said, “No one has ever spoken to me like that before. They are stunningly beautiful courtesans, and I am merely an unattractive servant girl. They must be good people; I must be the one who is lying."

 

At this point, I shyly raised my head, my eyes full of tender affection. “Sir, you truly are my kindred spirit.”

 

The mole was too striking; he could only awkwardly avert his gaze. Yet, he seized my hand, “Xian Niang, you've had it so hard all these years. I truly pity you.”

13

Within a few days, Shi Liang rose to prominence at a poetry gathering with a brilliant orchid-themed poem.

As everyone buzzed with surprise and discussion, he went on to compose several more elegant and impressive poems.

The wealthy young masters who had previously looked down on him now flocked around him, calling him brother and seeking his guidance.

The ink that the young master uses now is all pine smoke ink, costing two taels of silver a piece.

These days, he's been rushing to Chunzhu Building, always asking me if I have any new writings as soon as he sees me.

I looked at him with grievance, “Shi ¹Lang said he would marry me, and I've been worrying about it day and night. How could I possibly have the heart for poetry or writing?”

His face stiffened. “It's not that I'm unwilling, Xian Niang. Don't you know my feelings for you? It's just that I'm now penniless, with nothing to my name. How can I marry you? I can endure hardship, but you are the best woman in my heart. How can I easily wrong you!”

If she were a foolish woman, the next line would inevitably be a heartfelt declaration: “I'm not afraid of hardship; I love you, not your money!”

Then, she would surrender her defenses, allowing the man to gradually push her, making concession after concession.

Actually, when faced with a man's doubts, the best approach isn't self-justification, but to throw the doubt right back at him.

I lowered my head and cried, covering my face. “I knew it! You don't say it out loud, but you must secretly dislike me! You think I'm not beautiful enough, so you keep putting it off. You never truly intended to marry me!”

He was struck to the heart, his face faltering. “Xian Niang, how could I?”

 

“How could you not?” I wiped my eyes. “My lord, don't try to make excuses. I've seen it all in my years at Chunzhu Building! This talk of not wanting to wrong me is just an excuse! If a man truly loves a woman, his passion will overwhelm him. If he sees her today, he'll want to marry her tomorrow, regardless of anything else! You've thought about this so much, it's clear you're not swept away by love! Don't say another word; you simply don't love me!”

 

“I... I didn't!”

 

He was frantic, pacing around me and trying to console me for a long time before finally coming up with a new excuse.

 

He sighed, “It's not that I'm unwilling, it's that my family is very strict. I'm from a prominent family, Xian Niang, and you're from Chunzhu Building. If I were to marry you, and one day return to my clan, I'd be killed by the clan leader! How about this, Xian Niang? I'll take you as a concubine first, then marry someone for show. After a few years, I'll claim she died of illness, and then make you my wife!”

Me: “...”

 

He actually said that! Doesn't he fear divine retribution?

 

I sobbed, “It's not that I'm unwilling. Actually, I'm also from a prominent family. Otherwise, how would I have this calligraphy, this education? Before my father died, he called me to his bedside and made me swear that Song ²Erniang would never be a concubine!

If I break this oath, our ancestors will never rest in peace! I promised my father that if I became a concubine, I would kill myself the day I signed the contract! Let him take a spirit tablet instead! You can't marry me, and I can't be a concubine. It seems we are destined not to be together.

 

If that's the case, let's not see each other again. Shi Lang, even if I marry another man, Ah Xian will always remember you, praying every day that heaven blesses you with happiness and safety.”

 

After saying this, I cried a few more times and turned to leave, covering my face.

14

Later, Shi Liang came to find me many times, but I avoided him.

  

He hadn't produced any new works for a long time, and doubts began to surface in the outside world. 

Some mocked him for running out of talent, while others found his recent writings too delicate and refined, unlike his usual style, suspecting he'd hired a ghostwriter.  

Frantic and stressed, Shi Liang went directly to the madam and said he wanted to buy my freedom.

The madam accepted twenty taels of silver and readily released me. He came before me with the deed of sale, nervously saying, “Xian Niang…”

 

I looked at him calmly, “My lord, have you come to take me as a concubine with this deed?”

 

He said humbly, “I've bought your freedom. You don't have to stay at Chunzhu Building anymore. Can we go home and discuss this?”

 

I pulled out a copper hairpin and held it to my neck, smiling sadly. “Xian Niang may not be intelligent, but I understand propriety and shame. If I were to break my oath and go back with you today, how could I face my dead father?

 

If you force me today, Xian Niang will only have to die here! To report to my ancestors!”

 

He was startled by my determination. “Xian Niang, no, no!”

 

Seeing his distraught state, I softened my tone.

“Actually, there's a way to resolve this. Shi Lang, I swore to my father that I would never be a concubine. You only need to take me to the government office to register our marriage. Officially, without the proper wedding ceremony, who would know you've taken a wife?

 

After you go South to join your family, you can then marry a suitable wife to manage the household. Xian Niang will accept that.”

 

Seeing my compromise, Shi Liang finally believed my story about the oath.

He was moved, “Xian Niang, you treat me so well, I will never let you down.”

 

I threw myself into his arms, “My lord, Xian Niang believes in you!”

15

We went to the government office, cancelled the deed of sale, and registered my name in Shi Liang's household register.  

I became a Shi family wife. I looked up at the aura surrounding Shi Liang's head; that good fortune was like a fine dish, emitting an alluring fragrance.

Shi Liang, Shi Liang. After all this planning, you've finally fallen into my hands, become a delicious morsel for me to enjoy.

That night, Shi Liang hesitantly confessed about using my poems and writings without my permission.

I smiled, “What's the big deal? Yin Niang and Yao Niang also used my poems before, and they beat and scolded me. You're my husband; why can't you use them?” I told him that I could not only write, but also imitate other people's writing styles. And political essays are no problem either.

“If some wealthy young master wants a ghostwriter, I'm sure I can handle it. That way, our family will be more comfortable financially.”

 

Shi Liang was deeply moved and repeatedly praised himself for marrying such a capable wife.

I slowly absorbed his vitality and good fortune, and he began to grow thin.

As time went on, the mole on my face slowly shrank, becoming a charming beauty mark on my cheek.

It didn't detract from my beauty, but added a touch of allure.

I finally escaped the identity of an ugly woman.

From then on, Shi Liang looked at me without disgust, only with infatuation.

________________

Glossary:

¹‘Lang’ in names like ‘Shi Lang’ is a term of respect used for older men. It's similar to using ‘Mr.’ or ‘Sir’ in English. It signifies politeness and deference towards someone older or of higher social standing.

 

- Shi: These are the given names of the individuals.

- Lang: A term of respect for older men, similar to ‘Mr.’ or ‘Sir.’

 

So, ‘Shi Lang’ would be like saying ‘Mr. Shi’ or ‘Sir Shi.’

²‘Erniang’ in this context is not a term of respect for an older woman, but rather a formal and respectful way for a young woman to refer to herself. 

- Song: The family name of the individual.

- Er: In this case likely signifies the second daughter of the family.

- Niang: Is a respectful suffix used by women to address themselves, similar to ‘Lady’ or ‘Miss’ in English.

 

So, ‘Song Erniang’ translates to something like ‘Song, the Second Lady,’ or ‘Miss Song, the Second Daughter,’ emphasizing her family background and status.

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