Volume One: Flames on the Border Chapter Forty-Four: Reconciliation

Li Jun was a man of rough temperament, rarely losing his temper outside of official matters. How could he have come to their home and clashed with Deng’er for no apparent reason?

He was utterly perplexed, hastily making his way toward the inner courtyard. As soon as he stepped through the gate, he heard Deng’er sobbing within the house.

Startled, he rushed inside. In the middle of the room lay a shattered celadon teacup, its contents spilled across the floor.

Upon seeing him, Deng’er threw her arms around him, crying, “Li Bojun, he has gone too far! I chased him away, and I won’t let him come here again, never…”

Li Jun, upright by nature and never lacking female company, would not have acted improperly toward Deng’er. There could be only one cause: arrogant behavior toward her, provoking a hornet’s nest.

Deng’er, once a maid, had seen her status rise steeply after marrying him, so that everyone in the manor regarded her differently. Her gentle manner made her beloved by all, and no one saw her as a servant anymore.

Li Jun alone was the exception, always viewing Deng’er as nothing more than his brother’s concubine, repeatedly advising him to divorce her and marry someone else. To Li Jun, it was sincere concern for a friend; to Deng’er, it was unbearable.

Whenever Li Jun came to the Plum Pavilion to discuss affairs, he treated Deng’er with the airs of a superior—ordering her about, demanding tea and water—which infuriated her, though she endured it for her husband’s sake.

Today, someone in the manor had asked Li Jun to propose their daughter as a concubine for him. Li Jun, remembering that he had sought favor from Chen Qingyun on his friend’s behalf and been rebuffed, saw this as an opportunity to repay the debt, eagerly agreeing to act as matchmaker.

After finishing his business, he went excitedly to the Plum Pavilion. Finding him absent, he spoke to Deng’er instead.

In ancient times, it was commonplace—indeed expected—for a wife to select concubines for her husband.

But Deng’er, long dissatisfied with Li Jun, was enraged at the suggestion and refused at once.

Li Jun, having boasted too much in public, was left red-faced and unable to fulfill his promise. He angrily berated Deng’er for being a shrew, low-born and unworthy of her husband.

This struck at her sorest spot; her emotions spiraled out of control, and she hurled a teacup at him. Li Jun dodged, furious yet unwilling to quarrel with a woman, and retreated in defeat. At the gate, he ran into her husband and, in his anger, shifted blame onto him.

He was left at a loss, inwardly lamenting, “Damn it, Li Bojun, what a mess you've made! He can’t even sort out his own marriage but meddles in mine. Heaven help me—Deng’er has been troubled about her origins, shaken by Murong Shanshan’s beauty a few days ago, and then pestered by Chen Qingyun on our return. What am I to do?”

After crying herself out, Deng’er lifted her face and asked, “Husband, did you know Li Bojun came here as a matchmaker?”

He held Deng’er, forcing a bitter smile. “I’m with you every day—how could I know? Bojun is meddlesome, a coarse fellow, not worth your anger.”

She pressed further, “Then tell me honestly, husband—now that you’ve achieved success, do you intend to take concubines?”

He shook his head like a rattle drum, protesting, “No, absolutely not. In this life I wish only to grow old with you, never to marry another.”

Seeing his anxious denial, Deng’er wiped her tears and pinched his lips, pouting, “If that’s so, why are you so flustered?”

Her question was unreasonable, so he denied it outright: “No, not at all—how am I flustered? You tease me!”

She paused, then smiled, “If you won’t take a concubine, I will arrange it. That way no one can accuse me of jealousy. Let me go—I’ll speak to her myself.”

Deng’er seemed to have resolved something, leaping from his lap and heading out.

He couldn’t fathom her intentions and grabbed her. “It’s late, where are you going?”

She pointed toward the Orchid House, smiling, “I’m off to see Lady Chen. Rather than let someone unwilling covet you, I’d rather give you to her. I’ve considered this for days—don’t stop me.”

Her tone was so earnest that he realized she was serious. He refused to let her go. Coming from the modern age, the principle of one man, one wife was ingrained in him. Deng’er’s beauty and gentleness made her his only love, and he had never considered taking another.

He declared with deep feeling, “You saved my life, treated me with devotion. I can repay you only with a lifetime of love—my sole wish is to marry you and you alone. Do not let others’ words weigh on your heart.”

Deng’er trembled, tears welling up as she threw herself into his arms. “Husband, what am I to do… it’s so difficult…”

Tenderness filled the room.

In the Eastern Jin, even a country squire would have a wife and a concubine, much more so given his current status. Deng’er loved her husband deeply and wanted to do right by him. After much deliberation, she decided to yield her place to Chen Qingyun.

The next day, Deng’er found an opportunity and, unbeknownst to him, went to visit Chen Qingyun. Chen’s pursuit of her husband had long irked Deng’er; the bond of mistress and servant was gone, as was any fear. Sometimes, they exchanged cold words. Chen Qingyun, feeling guilty, was single-minded in her pursuit of him and no longer bothered with Deng’er.

When her maid announced Deng’er’s arrival, Chen Qingyun was startled, anxiety rising. “These days I’ve spent much time with him—Deng’er surely comes to confront me.” In the past, the two clashed, but at least he was there to mediate. Now Deng’er came alone—surely a showdown was imminent.

Deng’er was no longer a slave; it would not do to press her as mistress. Besides, her husband was now a pivotal figure in the manor—if she went too far, he would not tolerate it.

“If Deng’er makes a scene, everyone will know—what of my reputation, or my family’s? And Li Bojun has always admired me; if he learns my heart, what will he think?”

Should she meet Deng’er or not? Chen Qingyun was at a loss.

Xue Nu’er, observing her anxiety, whispered, “Madam, it’s best to see Sister Deng’er. I’ll go fetch Captain He immediately.”

Her words brought relief; Chen Qingyun instructed, “Go quickly through the back gate—make sure he comes at once.”

The maid led Deng’er upstairs; Chen Qingyun, her heart pounding, deliberately put on an aloof air, sitting behind her desk, pretending to read.

Deng’er entered, offered a polite greeting, and said calmly, “Deng’er greets Lady Chen.”

Chen Qingyun set aside her book, bristling like a hedgehog, ready for the expected attack. “What brings you here, Deng’er?”

Deng’er ignored her indifference, seating herself opposite, fixing Chen Qingyun with her gaze and smiling, “Today, I come only for his sake. I have just one question: Would you marry him?”

Chen Qingyun was surprised by her directness, her cheeks flushing. She looked away, sighing softly, “I love him as you do, but you had the advantage—I cannot be a concubine… I… I owe you an apology. Scold me if you wish.” Though spirited and bold, she knew that to seize love by force was unjust, and so her words faltered.

Deng’er thought, “Well, you’ve already started calling him ‘He Lang.’ Very well, today I’ll grant your wish.”

Though bitter within, her face remained composed. “If you truly desire it, follow my arrangement. I am willing to yield him to you.”

She loved her husband dearly, and though she had resolved to do this, her heart ached as the words left her lips.

Chen Qingyun’s eyes brightened, then dimmed, shaking her head in disbelief. “If you’re angry, rebuke me, but don’t deceive me. Everyone knows how much you love him—how could you hand him over?”

Deng’er sighed, “Precisely because I love him, I am willing to let you have him. I am unfortunate, low-born, and though he has never despised me, I must think of his future. I have considered it long—better to give him to you than another. I will be the concubine.”

The word “concubine” brought her to tears.

Chen Qingyun was silent for a long time, then asked, “Did you come here at his request?”

Deng’er’s face showed a hint of tragic resolve as she answered, “He knows nothing—it was my own idea. If you truly wish it, you must follow my plan, gradually convincing him.”

A blush stole across Chen Qingyun’s face. She rose and bowed, saying, “I have acted foolishly in the past; please don’t hold it against me. If this comes to pass, I swear to treat your children as my own.”

In the Eastern Jin, concubines were essentially servants; their children acknowledged only the legal wife as “mother,” and called their birth mother “aunt.” Chen Qingyun’s promise was meant to reassure Deng’er that she would not be treated as a concubine.

Yet, though the words were kind, status would always differ, and the future was uncertain. In effect, Deng’er was surrendering her happiness.

She helped Chen Qingyun up, choking back tears. “Please don’t—wait for news from me. Farewell.”

She needed a good cry, but found a small comfort: “Once he marries Lady Chen, his future will be secure. With his character, he will not neglect me for another. I won’t bear the reputation of a jealous wife—perhaps a blessing amid misfortune.”

As Deng’er was about to leave, the bead curtain parted and Xue Nu’er led him in.

He was about to speak, but noticed that Deng’er and Chen Qingyun had not quarreled. Though Deng’er’s face was tear-stained, she seemed calm, which puzzled him.

Deng’er felt her burden lift, her mood much lighter. She smiled, “Husband, what brings you here?”

He glanced at Xue Nu’er, whose clear eyes showed equal surprise. Chen Qingyun smiled, “You must have thought Deng’er and I were fighting, and rushed to mediate.”

Deng’er laughed, “That would have been trouble for you.”

He could not fathom why the two had suddenly made peace, nor why Chen Qingyun addressed him so intimately, while Deng’er showed no displeasure. He laughed, “Harmony is precious. In a few days, Deng’er and I will go south; we’ll bid you farewell then.”

This was no place to linger. He took Deng’er’s hand, ready to leave—any misstep could reignite the storm.

Yet Deng’er was in no rush, pointing at Chen Qingyun with a smile, “No need to say goodbye—she’s coming with us to the south.” Deng’er had already resolved to use the journey to bring Chen Qingyun and her husband together.

Chen Qingyun understood Deng’er’s good intentions, blushing. “I am willing to follow him all my life.” Her cheeks glowed, radiant with beauty.