2. A Thunderclap on the Day of the Betrothal

It was mid-March, and spring always arrived early in Jiangdong. Though the maids still had to sweep a thick layer of frost from the window frames each morning, the city of Lanyou was already suffused with the fragrance of blossoming flowers and the clarity of lush green leaves—a scene brimming with vibrant life and joy.

Today was a grand occasion in Lanyou—the betrothal banquet of the third young lady of the Xu family and the seventh young master of the Ren family. Not only were the Xu and Ren families leading households in Lanyou, but their reputations resonated throughout Jiangdong, and this union of their direct descendants was a cause for the entire region’s delight. To the local people, long content with peaceful lives, it was nothing less than the happiest of events.

“Oh dear, my third young lady, why are you not yet dressed? The Ren family’s people will be here any moment!” A woman of graceful features and moderate build hurried into the maiden’s chamber, her cry ringing out before she had even steadied herself, as though she feared the entire courtyard might not be sufficiently alarmed. The maids at the dressing table were startled so badly their hands trembled.

“Aunt, you’ve frightened my maids,” replied the young lady in a blue-green silk dress, fixing a golden petal to her brow in the mirror, her tone lazy but not without a hint of reprimand. She did not turn, however, her attention wholly absorbed by the face in the bronze mirror—a face acclaimed by Jiangdong’s scholars as the region’s most beautiful.

Realizing her loud call had startled only the young maids, not the main subject, Madam Jiang, the Xu family’s third wife, forced an awkward smile and swallowed her intended words.

“My dear, I’m only anxious for your sake. Your father and mother are both busy receiving guests in the main hall and cannot come see you. I’m worried about you, so I came to check in,” Jiang said, quickly shifting to the gentle tone of a caring elder.

The maids took the final steps—applying lip color, evening her brows, and pinning the last gold hair ornament in place. The young lady rose gracefully and turned, revealing an oval face, lips tinted red, and eyes like autumn waters, their beauty accentuated by the ivory radiance of her complexion.

Even Madam Jiang, herself a woman, was momentarily awestruck. She rushed forward to take the girl’s hand, showering her with praise: “Oh, you are exquisite! Delicate brows, jade-like face, crimson lips. Our third young lady truly is the most beautiful in Jiangdong.”

The young lady smiled gently. “Thank you, Aunt,” she replied in a voice as elegant as it was melodious.

Her name was Xu Guiyi, the legitimate granddaughter of the Xu family, known as the third young lady because she was the third among her female cousins.

“Aunt, has the Ren family arrived?” Xu Guiyi asked, her eyes bright and curved with her smile—her beauty was undeniable, especially when she smiled.

“Not yet, but they will soon. A young lady must be composed and not appear impatient,” Jiang teased, pinching Xu Guiyi’s soft, rosy cheek.

“I’m not anxious; it’s you who keeps urging me,” Xu Guiyi replied, deliberately furrowing her brows, making Jiang laugh and protest, “All right, all right, it’s me who’s anxious. But the Ren family is wealthy and refined, and your father’s judgment is always impeccable.”

Xu Guiyi’s smile deepened—not because she was particularly pleased with the young master of the Ren family, but because she knew her father had put much thought into finding her a good match.

A loving parent always plans far ahead for their child.

The young master of the Ren family was indeed outstanding, but to Xu Guiyi, this was still a matter of parental arrangement and the matchmaker’s word.

“Now that you’re ready, let us go to the side hall. Your sisters are already waiting,” Jiang said kindly, projecting the demeanor of a benevolent elder.

Xu Guiyi was a bit puzzled; Madam Jiang was known for her sharpness, yet today she was uncharacteristically gentle. Was it only because of the betrothal?

No matter, she thought. This is an important day. “Let us go then, Aunt,” Xu Guiyi replied with a gentle smile.

Jiang nodded, overjoyed as if it were her own daughter’s wedding. Just as her eyes narrowed with delight, a shrill, panicked cry erupted in the courtyard: “Something terrible has happened, Madam! Terrible news!”

The caller had yet to enter, but those within were instantly tense—what calamity could disrupt such a joyous day?

“You wretched girl, how dare you shout nonsense on the third young lady’s betrothal day? Mind your tongue or I’ll have it torn out!” Jiang’s kindly mask fell away, replaced by a fierce glare at the servant.

She still held Xu Guiyi’s wrist, and the sudden outburst startled the young lady, who then glanced at the maid—it was indeed one from the third household.

Madam Jiang was notoriously strict with servants; for one to scream in her presence, it must be a grave matter.

The maid froze, face ashen, lips quivering as she struggled to speak, curiosity mounting among the onlookers.

“Aunt, don’t be angry. Ruqiu, tell us what has happened,” Xu Guiyi soothed her aunt’s temper and slipped her hand free, addressing the trembling maid with gentle patience.

Ruqiu, startled to be addressed by Xu Guiyi, glanced fearfully at Jiang before stammering, “Madam...”

She had witnessed Jiang’s methods in the third household many times.

Knowing Ruqiu’s fear, Xu Guiyi coaxed patiently, “You are already here, Ruqiu. If you don’t speak, Aunt will be displeased anyway.”

Jiang rolled her eyes inwardly—what a shrewd girl, always adept at using others to her advantage.

But she didn’t lose her composure. With a forced smile, she said, “Since the third young lady has asked, speak. What is it?”

All eyes turned to Ruqiu, waiting to see what matter could warrant such alarm on a festive day.

“Madam, third young lady... our fourth young lady is... missing...” Ruqiu stammered, voice trembling.

At the news her eldest daughter was missing, Jiang’s composure shattered, her voice shrill, “What do you mean, missing? Explain yourself, or I’ll have your mouth torn apart!”

“Aunt, let her finish,” Xu Guiyi interjected with a slight frown, increasingly displeased with her aunt’s lack of decorum.

At the city’s garden parties, Xu Guiyi had often overheard others remark that among the Xu family’s wives, none was as excitable or prone to changing expressions as the third wife.

Jiang, for her part, held no real affection for Xu Guiyi, but she still had to consider the second master’s opinion. She barked at Ruqiu, “Speak!”

Ruqiu, legs weak with fear, knelt to answer: “When we rose early, fourth young lady changed into new clothes, saying today was a happy day. After breakfast, she complained of chest tightness and stomach discomfort, so I went to fetch Doctor Hu. But just as I returned with him, Wu Wan told me that the fourth young lady... was gone...”

“A useless lot, always shirking! If the mistress is unwell, why weren’t you attending her?” Jiang’s words were as harsh as ever.

Ruqiu replied timidly, “The household is busy today; all the girls were called to help in the main hall.”

Usually, Xu Guiyi got on well with her sisters. Worried something might have happened to Xu Zhuhua, she said urgently, “Finding fourth sister is most important. Aunt, you must go check at once.”

Jiang’s face was still fierce, and fearing she would continue to intimidate the staff, Xu Guiyi quickly added, “Aunt, let me go with you. There’s still time.”

Under Xu Guiyi’s combined persuasion and urging, Jiang finally composed herself and hurried toward Huahua Court.

Supporting Jiang, Xu Guiyi had barely entered the courtyard when she saw a row of guards lined up at the gate, but the courtyard itself was almost deserted. Such an ostentatious display sent a jolt of alarm through Xu Guiyi’s heart—could something truly serious have occurred?