Chapter 471 — Married Off

Song Yan listened, his brow arched, and gave a cold laugh. He took Yuan Heng from Dou Yan's arms and strode inside without a backward glance.

Wuyi and the others dared not say a word, keeping their heads down and their eyes lowered as they followed behind.

Dou Chiyou observed a moment of silence for the man who had sought Song Han's intercession—given Song Yan's loathing for Song Han, the fellow would have done better to keep away from Song Han altogether. By dragging Song Han into it to plead on his behalf, he had likely forfeited any chance he would ever have with the Five Cities Military Command.

Yet to the surprise of both Song Yan and Dou Yan, Song Han did not step forward—instead, Miao Anping privately approached Jiang Yi, claiming the man was a cousin of his and begging Jiang Yi to arrange a post for him. He even hinted that, should the matter be settled, he would gladly pay Jiang Yi five thousand taels of silver in gratitude.

Anyone else might have scrambled to place the man and then found an opportunity to mention it before Song Yan, reasoning that Song Ke would owe him a favor for it—and there were five thousand taels to be had besides. But Jiang Yi knew full well that the Song brothers did not get along. One inquiry revealed that Miao Anping was nothing but a idle hanger-on, and Jiang Yi began to wonder whether the man was borrowing the tiger's skin to make himself a banner. If Miao Anping was deceiving him, and he helped the man only to have Song Sui refuse to acknowledge the debt, he would be at a terrible loss.

He found an excuse to visit Yizhi Hall and delicately asked Song Shi whether he knew anything of the matter.

Song Yan had not expected Miao Anping to be so brazen. His face darkened at once. Jiang Yi needed no further explanation—he knew the man was fishing with an empty hook. On his return he turned Miao Anping down flat, saying, "Matters concerning the Five Cities Military Command are for Lord Song alone to decide. Since you are related by marriage, ask Lord Song to write a note, and you may have your pick of the best posts. Why go the long way round?"

Miao Anping was beside himself with distress.

He had taken six thousand taels from the man and slapped his chest in promise that the matter would be done. Now it had come to nothing, and he had already spent two or three hundred taels of the money. How was he to plug such a hole?

Miao Anping had no choice but to go to Miao Zhi again.

Harried past endurance, Miao Zhi sought out Dou Ci.

Dou Yan laughed outright when she heard. "You know as well as I do—I have never dared meddle in the heir's affairs outside this house, and buying and selling offices even less." She added, "Such a thing ill becomes a worthy wife. Sister-in-law would do well to think carefully."

Miao Zhi said with a sour face, "He really is our own kin—I cannot simply push him off, which is why I came to you. Please, sister-in-law, put in a word with the eldest brother for me. As for the silver, that can all be discussed."

Dou Xin merely served tea.

Miao Zhi left in disappointment.

When Song Shi learned of it, he was furious. "If that Miao woman comes pestering you about such things again, just send her to me! I have seen plenty of this sort of hoodwinking and deceiving. As for Miao Anping's little tricks—they are not worth my notice. Tell him to stop making a spectacle of himself."

Dou Xin handed him a cup of tea and said gently, "Do not lose your temper. In any case, we need not concern ourselves with the Four Lanes matter." Then she turned to the subject of Jiang Yan's marriage. "When the Chen family comes for the trousseau, you must not wear a sour face."

At the mention of his sister's wedding, Song Zhi's expression softened of its own accord.

He laughed. "When have I ever worn a sour face? I do whatever you tell me to do—have I ever said a single 'no'?"

Dou Yan snorted. "You say nothing, true enough. But that look on your face tells the whole world you would rather not. You might as well stay shut up in your study and not come out at all, so that a perfectly happy occasion is not turned cold and cheerless by your presence—so cold that no one even dares tell a joke."

"I will be all smiles when the time comes, I promise." As he spoke, he pushed Dou Yan down onto the bed and murmured low, "Why must you quarrel with me over outsiders' affairs? Our first duty is to live our own little life well." And with that, his hand wandered dishonorably into Dou Zhiwei's collar.

Dou Shi knew he was out of sorts and let him have his way.

On the fifth day of the twelfth month, when the Chen family came for the trousseau, Song Yan's face, though showing no particular joy, was mild and gentle enough—which set the Chen family's attendants greatly at ease.

For the lady of good fortune, Dou Yan invited Madam Cai.

After Madam Cai, with Yinghong in tow, departed with the Chen family's people to set up the bridal chamber in Yuqiao Lane, Madam Ji and the others also took their leave.

Dou Yan went to Jiang Yan's rooms and spoke with her a while on the ways of husband and wife.

Jiang Yan had been married before, so Dou Yan did not speak to her of intimate matters, only reminding her of a few things about managing the household and its provisions. Jiang Yan's face burned red as fire; she gazed at Dou Yan, words hovering on her lips.

Dou Ji smiled and took her hand, saying gently, "What is it?"

"I—I..." Jiang Yan lowered her head and murmured uneasily, "Will he... will he despise me?"

Dou Yan understood Jiang Yan's worry. She stroked the girl's dark hair lightly and smiled. "He will not. Our Ah Yan is gentle and sweet-natured, and so lovely besides—Chen Zanzhi should count himself fortunate to have you. How could he despise you? If you do not believe me, when you return home for the visit, you may whisper all your secrets to me then."

Jiang Yan's face flushed scarlet. "Twelfth Sister said the very same thing."

Dou Ji bolstered her spirits. "Then you must keep your chin up and live well and properly with Chen Zanzhi."

Jiang Yan nodded shyly.

A heavy cough sounded outside the door.

Dou Chu knew at once that it was Song Yan.

Smiling, she went to lift the curtain.

Song Yan walked in with a stern face.

Jiang Yan looked at him timidly, twisting the hem of her sleeve into a pickle.

Song Yan drew a sheet of paper from his sleeve and handed it over. "These are the deeds to two shopfronts on West Street. They are not on the dowry list. Keep them safe. In future, should there be anything you do not wish Chen Zanzhi to know about, draw on the income from these two shops."

Jiang Yan could not make head or tail of the phrase "anything you do not wish Chen Zanzhi to know about."

Baffled, she looked at Dou Yan, then at Song Yan, and stammered, "You have already given me twenty thousand taels of silver for my dowry. There is nothing left I could possibly need money for. I cannot accept these farms—you should keep them for Yuan Heng!"

Song Yan was exasperated beyond measure. He shot Jiang Yan a fierce glare, slapped the deeds down on the kang table, and swept out through the curtain with a "swish."

Jiang Yan turned pale with fright. She quietly tugged at Dou Zhiwei's sleeve and looked at her imploringly.

Dou Yan sighed. "Your brother is only providing against a rainy day. Once you are married, will you not need to tip the Chen family's old servants? Will you not need to grease the palms of Chen Zanzhi's attendants? And when you send word to your natal family, do you not think the errand boys will run all the faster for a little silver?"

Jiang Yan understood at last, and then her face flooded with shame. "Sister-in-law, I will go and beg my brother's pardon."

"That won't be necessary." Dou Yan pressed the deed into Jiang Yan's hand. "Keep it safe, and mind you don't lose it. Your brother won't blame you."

Jiang Yan gave a meek "Mm" and tucked the deed away.