Wives and Concubines

Li Xi heard the double meaning in her words and quickly turned around, hooking a finger under Cui Yingying’s chin. “Girl, are you mocking me for not understanding the ways of the world?”

“I wouldn’t dare. In my heart, you are as lofty as the sky itself, and how could the heavens ever be at fault? It is people who err, for they do not understand the heart of the sky.”

“My, you still dare to jest at my expense?” Li Xi pinched her petite nose in playful punishment. “I know you, Cui Yingying, are a woman of great wit. But in the way of husband and wife, sincerity is what matters most. If ever you find fault in anything I do, speak directly—don’t skirt around the issue. Your husband is a simple man; if I misunderstand your intentions, would that not be a waste of your kindness? Have you remembered this?”

“I have. But about what happened just now…”

“Let’s leave that behind. I’ve inquired—someone like her, the ceremonial attendant, charges two strings of coins per transaction. Generous families might give three, and she’d thank the Buddha for such fortune. Four would be considered extravagant. And what did I give her? Five! Five full strings, my dear wife—enough for her to be secretly delighted for half a day.” Li Xi spread his fingers with pride, instructing his new bride.

“I called you generous beyond your means, husband. I hope you don’t mind. She wished to see the matron; if we had accompanied her and given her three strings, she would not only have been pleased herself, but would have praised the Yang family to all. Now, after five strings, she’s profited, yet she’ll go around telling people the Yang family snubbed her, not even allowing her to see the matron, and that she was wronged.”

Li Xi was momentarily taken aback—he hadn’t considered these things. Still, he wasn’t too concerned; gossipy old women could never be silenced. Let her talk—what’s the worst that could happen? Was there any point in getting upset? What surprised him more was that Cui Yingying, not yet thirteen, already possessed such keen insight. How could she understand so much? Was this the same girl he’d sent to the Cui household just two days before? Had he known this, he might have examined her more closely last night… though, thinking about it, that would have yielded nothing.

Moved by her words, Li Xi changed his mind on the spot and decided to bring her along to go over the gift lists. Yesterday had been too busy, and last night too tense—he hadn’t had a chance to look at the guests’ gift records.

A wedding could be handled with some carelessness in other matters, but not in this.

Last night, Li Xi had already ordered Wang Cai to deliver the gift lists, calling cards, and the accounts ledger to the study first thing in the morning. Mu Yaxin was probably sweating over them right now.

The study was Mu Yaxin’s domain. Originally, he hadn’t intended to bring Cui Yingying there—the official wife was still young and not ready to manage the household. He’d thought to let her enjoy a couple of carefree years, with Mu Yaxin acting as housekeeper for now. When Yingying came of age, he’d hand over the reins. Li Xi believed his authority in the Yang household was absolute—a word from him could appoint or dismiss the housekeeper at will. What could two young women do, even if they didn’t like it?

Yet now, seeing Cui Yingying’s capability, he changed his mind. If she had such understanding, she could certainly be housekeeper. Their family was not large; there wasn’t much to manage. In the inner quarters, there were Ruhu and Siyu—though a bit slow, they were competent enough for sweeping, chamber pots, laundry, cooking. Even if things were in some disarray, what real trouble could come of it?

Wang Cai, the taciturn one, managed the outer household with perfect order—diligent, efficient, and, most importantly, absolutely loyal.

As for errands and purchases, Li Shisan could handle those.

Thus, by counting it all up, Mu Yaxin would become an idle lady. Which was just as well—she could spend her leisure reading and writing with him, drinking and painting, enjoying poetry and the pleasures of life.

Very well, she might lose her position as chief steward, but as compensation, he’d make her a Scholar of the Inner Study. A scholar—and a lady scholar at that. Amused by the thought, Li Xi’s mind conjured a charming face, and he frowned, remembering: wasn’t Guo Wuyou also a lady scholar? Ah… so that’s how it is!

Mu Yaxin was bent over the accounts, busily sorting calling cards, gift lists, and ledgers, so focused she didn’t notice Li Xi enter until he was upon her. Seeing him, she was thrilled and called out joyfully, “The cash gifts alone total two thousand eight hundred strings! We’re rich now!”

When she saw Cui Yingying, her excitement was less genuine—a mere show.

After the customary greetings, Li Xi took her right arm, Cui Yingying her left, and together they helped her to her feet. Mu Yaxin smiled, but there was a trace of plaintiveness in her eyes as she looked at Li Xi.

Just two days earlier, Li Xi had promised she would manage the household after the wedding. Only yesterday, he’d sent Wang Cai to tell her he’d come to the study with her that very afternoon to check the gift lists. And now, he’d brought the official wife instead. She, as a concubine, could not even sit comfortably before the mistress; how could she possibly feel at ease?

Cui Yingying, too, was awkward. Li Xi had said she’d help check the accounts, but she hadn’t known Mu Yaxin would be there. She didn’t even know where Mu Yaxin had been living since entering the Yang household, but she certainly hadn’t expected her to be in the study. Cui Yingying knew well enough the importance of the study in a wealthy household. Remembering how Li Xi had feigned madness last night to avoid consummating their marriage, she felt as though her heart were weighed down with lead.

Li Xi saw the situation and understood at once—hoping for harmony between wife and concubine was a lost cause. Very well, if they could not be sisters, let them be colleagues, working together for one husband.

He thought himself rather inventive for this idea. So he set Cui Yingying to hold the ledger and brush, Mu Yaxin to assign numbers to each calling card and gift list she’d organized, while Li Xi read out the amounts on the gift lists for Cui Yingying to check against the ledger.

It seemed a trivial task, but Li Xi was sure that with careful accounting, many discrepancies would be found. The work took a full hour, leaving all three of them exhausted. Mu Yaxin, who had run back and forth searching for cards and lists, was especially weary, her forehead beaded with sweat.

But the effort was worthwhile. Even a quick check revealed numerous errors—amounting to thirty-eight strings’ worth. The two women looked at each other in disbelief. Mu Yaxin said bitterly, “If they can’t even keep the books balanced, it shows just how brazen they’ve become. Of the neighbors’ gifts, some didn’t even include a gift list. They must have already pocketed those privately.”

Li Xi smiled, handed his handkerchief to Mu Yaxin, and turned to Cui Yingying. “What do you think, my wife?”

Cui Yingying replied, “The cash gifts alone total nearly three thousand strings, and there are many valuable items as well—worth at least another thousand. Discrepancies of thirty-some strings are not a great matter; I suspect it is merely carelessness. I suggest we return the lists and have them checked again. I’m sure they’ll be more diligent and won’t make mistakes a second time.”