The Wife of a Loyal Servant - Chapter 44

That night, she lay on the bed, letting Cheng Shaotang massage her sore, aching body, her face contorted with distress. “Could you find a chance to plead with His Highness the Crown Prince? I refuse to learn these rules and etiquette! A common woman like me learning the customs of high-ranking families—wouldn’t everyone just laugh at me?”

In truth, the tutor had only taught her the necessary etiquette and precautions when encountering important people. Everything was appropriate for her status; nothing of the high-class rules was included. Ling Yu, uncomfortable with an outsider suddenly in the house and unwilling to accept favors without reason, exaggerated the situation, hoping Cheng Shaotang might help her avoid it.

Cheng Shaotang felt a little sorry for her but also thought that learning more couldn’t hurt. After all, life in the capital wasn’t like life back home; everywhere here required proper manners.

“Do you know how difficult it is for the ladies of wealthy families in the capital to hire a reliable tutor? Not to mention this one comes from the Crown Prince’s residence; countless families would love her, but cannot. Besides, the Crown Princess appointed her—what would it look like if I went to beg the Crown Prince?”

“I’ve never met the Crown Princess. How could she appoint someone to teach me manners? It must be the Crown Prince’s idea. He must be holding a grudge for my repeated disrespect on the journey back to the capital, but he cannot strike a woman like me, so he devised this method to torment me. I suspect that when he summoned Xiao Shitou yesterday, it was also with revenge in mind. That man is truly petty and vindictive!”

“You’re talking nonsense again, aren’t you? How dare you question the Crown Prince?” Cheng Shaotang scolded sternly, yet he also felt that his young mistress truly needed proper instruction in manners from the head tutor.

Ling Yu realized she had misspoken and quickly adjusted her words. “This head tutor is so rare, yet she was assigned to teach me. If people found out, who knows what nasty rumors they’d spread? Last time, Commander Chu only had us stay in the Crown Prince’s residence for a few days, and the servants there spread rumors that I was his mistress.”

Cheng Shaotang frowned. “Such a thing actually happened?”

“Would I lie to you about this? Fortunately, they were wary of Commander Chu and didn’t dare exaggerate. Later, I explained things carefully, and it all settled down,” Ling Yu added.

Cheng Shaotang thought for a moment and comforted her, “You don’t need to worry this time. Since the person was sent by the Crown Princess, she will handle it properly. At most, others might just think she’s trying to curry favor with me.”

Currently, in the Crown Prince’s residence, besides Chu Liang, Cheng Shaotang is among the most favored, spending the most time by the Crown Prince’s side each day. Indeed, many of the Crown Prince’s concubines try to curry favor, hoping to gain an advantage in the competition for favor.

“She is the high and mighty Crown Princess, the future Empress! Why would she need to curry favor with you?” Ling Yu muttered. “I said you’re a bit dense, and I wasn’t wrong. Is it only others who speculate? Wouldn’t the Crown Princess as well? No matter how much others guess and talk nonsense, it’s not as serious as her suspicion.”

Cheng Shaotang frowned even more deeply, realizing after a moment’s thought that this was indeed a problem. Although he and his wife had clear consciences and he believed the Crown Prince had no ulterior motives, he couldn’t control what the Crown Princess might think.

“I understand. Tomorrow, when I’m on duty, I’ll find an opportunity to mention this matter to the Crown Prince.”

Ling Yu finally relaxed. “That’s more like it! As long as I can greet nobles politely and avoid offending anyone or causing trouble, that’s enough. Why bother learning anything else?”

The Crown Prince’s concubines certainly had their own opinions about the Crown Princess sending a tutor to instruct a subject’s wife, and even the Crown Princess’s maids were baffled by her mistress’s decision.

“No matter how capable Cheng Shaotang is, he’s still just a servant in the household. Why would Your Highness put on such a show for him?”

The Crown Princess replied slowly, “This man is highly valued by His Highness, and his future is limitless. I’ll do him a favor now, and it will benefit me in the future. Moreover, a virtuous wife brings less trouble. His wife is well-mannered and sensible, which is good for him. With the household in order, he can serve His Highness without worry.”

“Furthermore, Nanny Chen knows her limits and understands what she should be learning given her status. She won’t waste time teaching useless things.”

“Yesterday, His Highness even summoned her son and had the kitchen prepare a table full of snacks, but for some reason, they were all thrown away later. Your Highness, His Highness seems so attentive to that child and even had someone teach that woman manners. Could it be…” The maid hesitated for a moment before voicing her concerns.

The Crown Princess paused, then shook her head. “You’re overthinking it. I once saw that child from afar; he looks exactly like Guard Cheng. If someone claimed they weren’t father and son, no one would believe it.”

“Furthermore, don’t speak such things again. Do you know how much gossip can harm a woman? If it causes the couple to grow distant, it would be my fault,” she added seriously.

“This servant knows her mistake!” the maid hurriedly admitted.

Although Cheng Shaotang had agreed, the next day, he was assigned a temporary task and had no time to mention the matter to Zhao Yun. Being gone for several days, Ling Yu, unable to see him, could only grit her teeth and continue learning etiquette from Nanny Chen.

Ling Yu had always been someone who refused to admit defeat easily. Since she couldn’t avoid learning, she insisted on doing it to the best of her ability. Over time, Nanny Chen, who had initially looked down on her, secretly nodded in approval, acknowledging her efforts. Later, upon seeing that Ling Yu could read and write, Nanny Chen was genuinely impressed.

Ling Yu noticed the change in the tutor’s attitude but didn’t mind, continuing to treat her with politeness, care, and respect, while remaining neither servile nor arrogant. Gradually, Nanny Chen’s feelings toward her became genuinely sincere.

Having lived to her age, Ling Yu could distinguish sincerity from pretense and understood that genuine sincerity begets sincerity.

Having established a friendly rapport, her teaching became much stricter, causing Ling Yu to secretly groan, yet she could only grit her teeth and persevere.

Despite the strict instruction, Ling Yu herself didn’t realize that in less than a month her demeanor and manners had undergone a dramatic transformation, much to Nanny Chen’s satisfaction.

“Guard Cheng is now a favorite of His Highness the Crown Prince. As his wife, your every word and action reflects on him. Being impolite in public wouldn’t just be your issue; it could also affect your husband’s future. You’re doing quite well. If you continue, I can guarantee no one will find fault with your manners!” Nanny Chen said, watching her demonstrate everything she had learned from start to finish, still maintaining a stern expression.

“Yes, thank you for your guidance, Nanny Chen. Ling Yu will remember it well.” She lowered her head, showing deep respect, which pleased Nanny Chen even more.

Watching the lively Xiao Shitou hop over, Nanny Chen beckoned him to repeat the greeting she had taught him yesterday.

The little fellow tilted his head, thought for a moment, and soon began bowing convincingly.

“This child is still young. He only needs to know the basic greeting gestures, enough to leave no room for criticism. There’s no need to be overly meticulous, as that would take away the most precious part of his childlike innocence,” Nanny Chen said, taking his hand and sitting beside him.

Ling Yu was momentarily stunned, then immediately became respectful. “Nanny Chen is absolutely right!”

She had always regarded her interactions with Nanny Chen as something obligatory, merely fulfilling her duties as a student and never taking it to heart. But now, hearing Nanny Chen’s words, she realized that, regardless of her initial intentions or mindset, the tutor was genuinely teaching her.

Nanny Chen glanced at her and said calmly, “If you think these lessons are useless, you are sorely mistaken. It’s always better to be prepared; learning more will only benefit you. Moreover, Guard Cheng is highly valued by His Highness the Crown Prince. Who knows if your Cheng family might not rise in status in the future? Then you’ll naturally become the ‘high-ranking family’ you mentioned.”

Ling Yu didn’t care about Cheng Shaotang’s future. Her only hope was for him to stay alive; wealth or power, if gained, would be fortunate; if lost, it would be fate—she didn’t concern herself with such things.

As long as life was preserved, even if she returned home penniless, she could always start over. With a pair of hands, she surely wouldn’t starve to death.

Nonetheless, she humbly accepted Nanny Chen’s advice.

“Nanny Chen is absolutely right; I was short-sighted.”

A few days later, Ling Yu welcomed back Cheng Shaotang, who had been away on business. To her surprise, Yang Suwen was with him.

As soon as he saw her, Yang Suwen rushed over, embracing her and sobbing as he poured out how much he had missed her.

Ling Yu offered a few words of comfort, then led her inside. After watching her sip some tea, she asked, “Why did you come to the capital? What about the family business?”

Yang Suwen had been thinking about returning home for a while, since she would likely be staying in the capital for a long time. She had left in such a hurry that many things remained behind, especially the money she had painstakingly saved. She couldn’t just leave it at home, could she?

Moreover, the house she lived in in the county was allocated to Cheng Shaotang by the magistrate. Now that he no longer worked in the county office, the house had to be returned, but she still needed to sort out her belongings.

“I was bored at home without you and restless being alone, so I decided to come find you. I didn’t expect to run into Brother-in-law Cheng on the way, so I came to the capital with him. As for the family business, I don’t need to worry anymore. Your brother Dachun hired a few more people, so manpower isn’t a problem,” Yang Suwen replied calmly.

Ling Yu eyed her suspiciously, sensing something amiss. “You just went out like this? Do Brother Dachun and Sister Xiao know?”

“Of course they do. Sister Ping even packed my things for me!”

Ling Yu still had many questions, but didn’t know where to begin. Seeing how travel-worn Yang Suwen looked, she felt a pang of sympathy. “I’ll boil some water for you to wash up. Rest first; we can talk more another day.”

The next morning, Nanny Chen completed her task and returned to the Crown Princess’s residence to report. Ling Yu personally saw her off, thanking her repeatedly. Nanny Chen patted her hand, nodded slightly, and was turning to get into her sedan chair when she stopped, noticing Yang Suwen curiously peeking out.

Ling Yu followed her gaze, puzzled. Seeing it was Yang Suwen, she beckoned her over, took her hand, and introduced her: “Nanny, this is my sister, Suwen.”

Nanny Chen sized up Yang Suwen from head to toe, brows furrowed. “Miss Ling?”

“No, no, my surname is Yang. Just call me Suwen,” Yang Suwen said, waving her hands repeatedly.

“Surname Yang… indeed, she should be surnamed Yang, rightfully so,” Nanny Chen said with a faint smile, leaving the cryptic remark before stepping into her sedan chair and returning home.

“What does she mean by that? Why should I be surnamed Yang, rightfully so?” Yang Suwen asked, utterly bewildered.

Ling Yu shared her confusion.

When the Crown Princess learned that Nanny Chen had completed her task, she only asked a few brief questions about Ling Yu’s progress and did not pry further. Yet Nanny Chen took the time to explain carefully, “Cheng Ling shi* is somewhat headstrong, but she is not ungrateful. Likely because she is the daughter of a scholar, she is literate, and her speech is not as coarse or rude as that of ordinary women from the marketplace.”

(*TL’s note: 程凌氏 (Chéng Líng-shì) is a formal, classical way to address a married woman: Madam Ling of the Cheng family)

“I understand. Thank you for your efforts, Nanny Chen,” said the Crown Princess, naturally realizing that Nanny Chen meant to convey that Cheng Ling Shi was someone worth cultivating.

“There’s one more thing. Your Majesty, do you remember Yang Bochuan, the renowned palace physician from back then?” Nanny Chen suddenly asked.

Hearing this, the Crown Princess immediately straightened up. “Could it be that you know Yang Bochuan’s whereabouts, Nanny?”

After so many years of marriage without bearing a child, the Crown Princess had long been anxious. She had consulted countless imperial physicians, even summoned famous doctors from outside the palace, yet none had been effective. Naturally, someone eventually mentioned Yang Bochuan, the once-renowned imperial physician, famed especially for treating women’s ailments, who had later been expelled from the palace for an offense and vanished without a trace.

“Today at the Cheng residence, I saw a young girl,” Nanny Chen said. “She looked no more than seventeen or eighteen, yet her features strongly resembled Physician Yang’s wife in her youth. Coincidentally, her surname is also Yang. If my guess is correct, she may be Yang Bochuan’s daughter—though we should still send someone to investigate.”

“If she truly is Physician Yang’s daughter, then we’ve finally found her after searching so long,” the Crown Princess said, both startled and delighted. Once the daughter was found, the father’s whereabouts would naturally follow.

“Tomorrow, Madam Cheng Ling will enter the residence to express her thanks. I’ll remind her to bring Miss Yang along. Your Highness can ask her personally then.”

There was no reason for the Crown Princess to refuse.

Meanwhile, Yang Suwen had learned that Ling Yu had spent these past days at home diligently studying all manner of rules and etiquette, so much so that even Xiao Shitou had begun imitating her. Clicking her tongue in amazement, she hugged Xiao Shitou and said, “They say the rules in the capital are strict. Turns out that’s really true. But…”

She suddenly broke into a sly grin. “But after being put through all that ‘training,’ Sister, you look even more like a proper madam now.”

Ling Yu poked her irritably. “You’re the one who never stops running your mouth.”

“Running your mouth!” Xiao Shitou echoed, delighting Ling Yu and making her laugh for quite a while.

Yang Suwen gently pinched the little fellow’s chubby cheeks, putting on a mock-ferocious expression. “You little brat—how dare you scold me…”

Xiao Shitou wriggled free and dove straight into his mother’s arms, giggling nonstop.

“Is everything alright back home?” Ling Yu asked once the laughter died down.

“Your family of three suddenly vanished without a word. Lord Guo and Constable Cui nearly turned all of Qinghe County upside down looking for you. Aunt Cheng and Aunt Zhou cried at home every day, and Sister Bi was so anxious she nearly went to search for you herself—it took quite some effort to talk her out of it.”

“Later, Constable Cui found the horse Brother-in-law Cheng had been riding. I heard he also uncovered some other clues, which he reported to Lord Guo in a very secretive way, without telling the rest of us. After that, a gentleman surnamed Mu sent someone to pass along a message, saying Brother-in-law Cheng had urgent business to attend to and no time to escort you and the child back, so he brought you along instead, telling everyone not to worry.” Yang Suwen didn’t know the details either and could only give a rough account.

“But now everyone’s heard that you’ve entered the capital, that Brother-in-law has earned the Crown Prince’s favor and is serving at his side. Everyone’s happy for you.”

Was that really something to be happy about? Ling Yu smiled bitterly to herself. Every time Cheng Shaotang returned from an assignment, he carried with him a bloodstained scent that never quite washed away. Even without asking, she knew just how dangerous those errands truly were.

The more favor he earned from the Crown Prince and the higher his position rose, the more Ling Yu found herself living on edge, never able to sleep soundly.

In her previous life, he had been nothing more than an ordinary guard in the Prince of Qi’s residence, yet he still met such a grim end. In this life, he had become a trusted aide by the Crown Prince’s side—what kind of future and fate awaited him was something she truly dared not imagine.

Yet she could not speak of any of this to anyone. From an outsider’s perspective, this was a blessing many people would beg for; to voice dissatisfaction would only mark her as ungrateful.

Thunder or rain, all are imperial grace. Whether it is the “favor” one wants or not, once it is bestowed from above, one can only accept it and offer thanks.

After lunch, Yang Suwen took Xiao Shitou outside to play for a while. When she returned to the room, she found Ling Yu frowning, clearly lost in thought, and the look she cast her way was oddly unsettling.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Yang Suwen asked suspiciously, glancing over herself, unable to find anything amiss.

“I’m going to the Crown Prince’s residence tomorrow to give thanks,” Ling Yu said slowly.

“I know—you told me earlier. Go on without worry. I’ll watch Xiao Shitou for you,” Yang Suwen replied casually.

“Just now, Nanny Chen sent someone over and told me to bring you along tomorrow.”

“I’m going too?” Yang Suwen pointed at herself in disbelief. “What am I going there for? I don’t even know those people!”

Ling Yu mulled it over again and again, and felt that the issue likely lay in Nanny Chen’s parting words—“she should be surnamed Yang, rightfully so.” Yet now that Nanny Chen was no longer around, there was no way to ask even if she wanted to.

“Forget it. Since word has already come from the residence, you may as well come with me tomorrow,” Ling Yu said. “It’ll be a good chance for you to see the Crown Prince’s residence for yourself.”

Thinking it over, Yang Suwen brightened at once. “That’s true. When we go back later, I’ll have something to brag about to Sister Ping and the others.”

The next morning, the two sisters finished dressing and preparing themselves. Worried about leaving Xiao Shitou alone at home, Cheng Shaotang simply brought him along, intending to take him back after Ling Yu had finished paying her respects to the Crown Princess.

After escorting them to the second gate and watching them go inside, Cheng Shaotang turned a corner with his son and headed toward the training grounds.

Xiao Shitou scampered along behind his father on his short legs. Cheng Shaotang glanced back at him from time to time and, seeing that he was as lively and playful as ever, utterly unaffected by the recent flight and pursuit, finally felt completely at ease.

That his son was bold and open-hearted was, indeed, his greatest comfort.

Meanwhile, Ling Yu and Yang Suwen followed behind the guiding maid, heading straight for the main courtyard where the Crown Princess resided. They passed through a long corridor, stepped onto a cross-shaped pathway, and stopped before the side hall, where the maid went inside to announce their arrival.

Any excitement or curiosity Yang Suwen had felt earlier had long since been worn away by the careful, breath-held walk with her head lowered. Now, standing there waiting, she couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of nervousness.

Ling Yu gently squeezed her hand and gave her an encouraging look, putting her at ease at once.

What was there to be afraid of? She hadn’t done anything wrong—she was merely here to see the world, and it wasn’t as though she had come of her own accord.

“You’ll need to wait a little longer,” an unfamiliar maidservant said as she came out of the room shortly after. “Her Highness is currently receiving guests and may not be free for the moment. Please come with me and wait over there.”

Ling Yu and Yang Suwen followed her to another waiting area.

They had only been seated for a brief while when another maidservant arrived to summon them, saying that the Crown Princess was ready to receive them.

Ling Yu tugged Yang Suwen to her feet, and the two hurriedly followed the maidservant out. Before they reached the main hall, they suddenly saw two women in splendid brocade attire emerge from inside. The woman in front wore a pink palace gown, while the one close behind her was dressed in the style of an unmarried young lady, her head lowered as she descended the stone steps.

“There’s no need to trouble yourself, Miss Caiyun,” the woman in palace dress said with a smile, stopping to address the guiding maid. “If my younger sister should fall short in any way in the future, I hope Miss Caiyun will kindly offer her guidance.”

The elegantly dressed young woman behind her halted as well and offered Caiyun a graceful curtsy.

“I wouldn’t dare. Please rise, Miss,” Caiyun said quickly, helping her up.

The woman slowly raised her head, a restrained, polite smile curving her lips—but the sight struck Ling Yu, who happened to be looking over, with such force that her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

At the same time, the woman lifted her gaze as well and met Ling Yu’s eyes. Her pupils shrank, her expression stiffening instantly.

It’s her?!

It’s her?!

Sensing her sudden halt, Yang Suwen followed her line of sight and nearly cried out, but remembering where they were, she quickly turned her face away, forcing down her wildly pounding heart as she followed Ling Yu across the threshold.

Wasn’t that the deceased wife of Cheng’s younger brother? How could she have appeared in the Crown Prince’s residence?

Or was it possible that there were truly two people in this world who looked so uncannily alike?