Chapter 56 Part 2

She took the roster passed to her by a maidservant, saying again and again, "Many thanks, Mistress!"

Holding the bamboo slip roster, Madam Han was quickly led away by a maidservant to find those palace staff.

However, Madam Zhang did not expect her to be so quick. By the time of the morning meal, Madam Han had returned, her eyes red and swollen. Her face, which she always took great care of, was now bare of makeup, making her seem even more aged.

Madam Zhang had someone set an extra place at the table and invited Madam Han to join her. She then asked, "How did it go? Did the Governess find her relatives?"

"I found them!" A smile appeared on Madam Han's face. "Thanks to the Mistress's help, I found my younger sister and an old friend!"

Her old friend was named Ziyin, the very princess from the state of Han whose story Madam Han had once told to Liu Zhen and the others. She had been forcibly brought to the Qin State, along with Madam Han's younger sister. After so many years, Madam Han had gone searching with a one-in-a-million hope, never expecting that they would actually still be alive. But time had flown by, and the beauties of yesterday were now white-haired old women, just like her. The three of them, reunited after so long, embraced and wept. If Madam Han had not remembered that she needed to return and report to Madam Zhang, she likely would have been reluctant to leave.

Madam Zhang smiled. "That is wonderful news! Governess Han, you have taught Ah Zhen and Ah Wan and the others; it is only right that our Liu family treats you with due courtesy. I wonder, which palace chambers do you like? I will have someone prepare it later for you to move into!"

Madam Han wiped away her tears and kowtowed respectfully before Madam Zhang. "I will never dare to forget the Mistress's great kindness and virtue. From this day forward, if the Mistress will not cast me aside, I will certainly do my utmost to serve by your side!"

She had been proud all her life and was seldom impressed by others. After entering the Liu family, although she taught Liu Zhen and the other two girls, over time she came to understand the family's situation. She always felt that Madam Zhang was not fit for her role, far inferior to the mistresses of other great houses. However, Madam Zhang had one good quality: she was extremely respectful toward Madam Han, almost to the point of being deferential. Although Madam Han felt a certain satisfaction from this, she was not optimistic about Madam Zhang's future and had never considered helping her strategize.

However, this incident had finally moved her. No one has a heart of stone; there are always people and things that can touch the soul. For the solitary Madam Han, who had already resigned herself to dying alone, she had suddenly been reunited with her sister and old friend, both long lost to her. The joy of regaining what she had lost made Madam Han feel so profoundly grateful toward Madam Zhang that she kowtowed in prostration. Only then did the genuine desire to help her truly take root in her heart.

Madam Han thought to herself that even if Madam Zhang was not clever, she had shown her great kindness and was willing to listen to her advice. It was not impossible to guide her slowly. Otherwise, if things continued on their current path, Madam Zhang was certain to be divorced by the King of Yu. When a new mistress arrived, her own treatment would surely not be any better than it was now.

Hearing her say this, Madam Zhang was naturally overjoyed. She quickly rose from behind the dining table, came around, and helped Madam Han to her feet. "If I have the Governess's help, then I will have no more worries!"

Previously, whenever a matter arose, Madam Zhang would always ask for Madam Han's opinion. Although the latter would answer every question, there always felt as if a barrier stood between them, as if something was missing. Now, hearing her personally declare her loyalty, even someone as slow-witted as Madam Zhang understood what this meant.

But Madam Han did not allow herself to be helped up. Instead, she said, "I have a word of advice, but I do not know if I should speak it."

Madam Zhang was surprised. "Governess, if you have something to say, please speak directly. There is no need for such ceremony with me."

Madam Han said, "Mistress, are you aware that your current situation is like treading a narrow path? One small misstep, and I fear you will plunge into a bottomless abyss!"

Madam Zhang was startled and utterly bewildered. "What do you mean by that?"

Madam Han asked, "The matter concerning the King of Yu's father and brothers wanting to exchange residences with the Zhang family—did the Mistress inform the King of Yu about it?"

Madam Zhang replied, "I have not had the chance to tell him yet, but Second Uncle An and the others will surely report it. My husband also dislikes that bunch of scoundrels from the Liu family, so he will probably not blame me for this matter."

Hearing this, Madam Han was at a loss for words. It seemed Madam Zhang had never understood her own husband. Her understanding of Liu Yuan was likely still stuck in the past. For the Liu Yuan of old, who was not even a village official, a falling out with his own family was something he would surely not take to heart. But the Liu Yuan of today would definitely not want his wife to work against him and hold him back.

Madam Han said gravely, "Mistress, you are gravely mistaken! The reason the King of Yu has not sought you out is precisely because he is extremely concerned about this matter! Mistress, I ask you to think back: ever since the King of Yu took charge of Yingchuan Commandery, has he ever discussed important matters with you? And for household affairs, has he ever sought your opinion?"

Listening to her words, Madam Zhang thought back carefully and realized it was true. Although Liu Yuan rarely interfered, whenever he made a decision, he would never discuss it with Madam Zhang beforehand. The couple often parted on bad terms. Over time, Madam Zhang had actually grown accustomed to this mode of interaction. It was only now, with it being pointed out by Madam Han, that she realized this pattern was in fact highly abnormal.

Madam Han continued, "Mistress, do not forget that the King of Yu is now one of the great vassal lords, second in station only to the Emperor of Chu. Even the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, though head of the vassal lords, has no authority to command the King of Yu to obey him. You have borne him sons and daughters, managed his household, and shared hardships with him along the way. By both sentiment and reason, the King of Yu ought to treat you as his principal wife. But this is merely sentiment and reason, not an unshakeable power. The King of Yu is a discerning man. The matter of the residence exchange, the matter of Concubine Tao—he must already be fully aware of them in his heart, but is simply holding his tongue. If this continues, the King of Yu will inevitably grow estranged from you, Mistress. When that time comes, if the King of Yu wishes to divorce you and remarry, I fear no one will dare to stop him, and no one will stop him!"

To put it bluntly, with Liu Yuan's current status, he would face no resistance whatsoever if he wanted to divorce Madam Zhang. Among the children who had his ear, Liu Zhen was not Madam Zhang's biological daughter. If she were to speak up for Madam Zhang, it would be a kindness, not an obligation. In this world, not even the Emperor of Chu has the right to demand that Liu Yuan not divorce his wife. An Zheng and Xu Zhongfang might offer a few words of persuasion, but they would not go against Liu Yuan's wishes, as they had no deep friendship with Madam Zhang. The only one who might speak up for Madam Zhang is Wu Yu, because he married her sister, but Wu Yu is now far away in Zhu County, and distant water cannot put out a nearby fire. When all is said and done, Madam Zhang's position rested entirely on Liu Yuan's whim, with no security to speak of.

Hearing this, Madam Zhang grew flustered, yet also a little defiant. "Madam Tao is merely a concubine, and one who entered our Liu family with another man's child at that. What virtue or ability does she possess that would make the King of Yu look upon her with special favor? Furthermore, that rumor about her bearing a child of strange destiny was spoken by a shaman-physician, not by me. It is clearly a warning from the heavens!"

Madam Han retorted, "Did the King of Yu ever request to bring Concubine Tao to Xianyang in the first place?"

If you had not brought her along on the journey, would any of the subsequent troubles have occurred?

Madam Zhang was finally left speechless.

Madam Han said no more, waiting for her to come to the realization on her own.

Fortunately, Madam Zhang was not beyond saving. With only the two of them in the room, she fell to her knees before Madam Han with a thud and wept, "Please, Governess, teach me!"

Madam Han helped her up and asked in a solemn voice, "Is the Mistress sincerely asking for guidance?"

Madam Zhang nodded repeatedly. "After hearing your words, Governess, I finally realize how wrong I have been. Please, Governess, save me! I... I do not want to be divorced!"

Madam Han said, "Then it will be simple. Mistress, there are three things you must do right now!"

Madam Zhang looked at her expectantly.

Madam Han said, "Move palaces, change your attire, and go before the King of Yu to beg for forgiveness!"

——————

When Liu Yuan saw Madam Zhang enter wearing a simple thorn hairpin and a coarse linen dress, he could not help but glance past her toward the main door.

That's not right. The sun didn't rise from the west today!

So how could Madam Zhang have had such a change of heart?

Although Liu Yuan was often left speechless by Madam Zhang, he did understand his wife to a certain extent. Ever since he became the Governor of Yingchuan and the family moved to Yangdi County, Madam Zhang had not once worn coarse cloth garments. Her clothes and ornaments were all of the most opulent style. In short, she wished she could plaster a label reading "Noble Status" on her body, for fear that others would look down on her.

But today, Madam Zhang's attire, combined with her unadorned, powderless face, suddenly reminded Liu Yuan of their impoverished days back in Xiang Town. At that time, he was looked down upon everywhere, and life was hard, but to be honest, their family had been much more harmonious and at peace back then.

The moment Madam Zhang entered, before Liu Yuan could speak, she prostrated herself on the ground. "I, your wife, have come to beg for forgiveness!"

Liu Yuan raised his eyebrows in surprise, wondering what strange medicine Madam Zhang had taken. He did not rise to help her up, merely making a small gesture with his hand, indicating for her to rise.

"What is it? Rise and then speak."

Madam Zhang did not rise. She lifted a sleeve to her face, sobbing softly, and poured out a torrent of words: "My husband, you know that I come from a merchant family and never received a good upbringing in my youth. It was through your grace that you did not abandon me and took me as your wife. Though I have borne you a son and two daughters, these are merely my duties, nothing worthy of praise. Who knew that you, my husband, were so capable, that you would rely on your own strength to become a great vassal lord, wielding power over the world, your status no longer what it once was. I know that I am not worthy of you, and I have always been trying, with a trembling heart, to manage the inner household for you. But I never expected that my lack of vision would cause me to make so many mistakes. My heart is filled with terror and guilt, so I have come specially to beg for your forgiveness, to repent for all my past errors, in the hope of obtaining your understanding!"

Liu Yuan had been listening nonchalantly at first, but the further she spoke, the more she evoked memories of their past. Seeing Madam Zhang weeping so sorrowfully, he could not help but sigh. A sense of pity and compassion arose in his heart, and he personally helped her to her feet, saying, "If you can truly change for the better, then let us let these matters pass!"

Madam Zhang looked up in great joy, her eyes red and her face streaked with tears.

She was no great beauty, so she could hardly be described as a pear blossom bathed in rain, but as Liu Yuan looked at her, and as scenes from their past flashed before his eyes, his heart could not help but soften a little. He said, "I have already ordered for Madam Tao to be moved to Baihua. A concubine is ultimately a concubine, but the children they bear are of the Liu family. In the future, do not use them to test me again!"

Madam Zhang naturally nodded repeatedly. "I would not dare! I will never dare to do so again!"

By the time Liu Zhen discovered that Liu Yuan and Madam Zhang had reconciled, two days had already passed.

To be more precise, Liu Yuan had temporarily set aside the idea of divorcing his wife and would occasionally dine with Madam Zhang. And Madam Zhang was no longer filled with resentment as she had been before. In Liu Zhen's eyes, she was now handling the matter of settling the Emperor of Qin's Palace staff in a well-organized manner, a clear improvement from before. As for Madam Tao, although she had been sent to the secluded Baihua, Madam Zhang did not treat her harshly. All her daily necessities were fully provided, and Song Hong was even permitted to visit her often.

After more than a month passed in this manner, Madam Tao finally went into labor and gave birth to a son.

Perhaps because of the rumor about the child of strange destiny, Liu Yuan had grown very distant toward Madam Tao, and he never once went to visit her in person.

But as fate would have it, the day Madam Tao gave birth was none other than Liu Yuan's own birthday.