Chapter 6
Meilin
Telling Ailin the truth did not produce the action that Meilin hoped for nor the calamity that Mama feared.
Despite knowing how terribly Fan Fulan had insulted her, Ailin chose to embrace the move to Suzhou rather than confront their sister-in-law.
Though not unexpected, it was disappointing.
It wasn’t fair for the family to be driven from their rightful home because of Fan Fulan, but Ailin made Meilin promise not to make a fuss over moving.
Because Ailin was losing so much more than she was, Meilin didn’t want to seem like a petulant child by complaining louder.
Nevertheless, she was surprised by the speed with which Ailin worked. Within a fortnight, her sister had drawn up a list of everything that needed to be packed. Meanwhile, Meilin was still trying to reconcile herself to the idea of leaving Nuolan Garden.
Afternoon sun streamed through the papered lattice windows of Mama’s room as Meilin handed her Ailin’s list. “Mama, can you look over this? Ailin wants to know if she’s missed anything we need to pack before Uncle Meng arrives.”
“Your sister prepared this much already?” Mama marveled as she took the sheet of paper.
“She and Begonia have started to clean out her room already,” Meilin said sullenly.
Mama’s eyes moved down the list, then her forehead wrinkled with doubt. “She thinks we can move my canopy bed?”
“Why would we not take it with us?” Mama’s giant rosewood bed, carved with intricate designs of clouds, had been a gift from Father to celebrate their marriage. Meilin couldn’t imagine Mama parting with it.
“Isn’t it too big? How can anyone carry it?”
Meilin walked around the bed to observe it more closely.
She had not thought about this question before and was annoyed they had to consider the issue at all.
Meilin mentally cursed Fulan. “Ailin wouldn’t have written something on the list if she didn’t mean to include it.
Perhaps we could disassemble the bed and put it back together once we get to Suzhou. ”
“Disassemble?” Mama rubbed her temples, as if the move was suddenly a reality. She looked older than her forty-some years. “Maybe I’ll get your Uncle Meng’s opinion once he arrives. It should be any day now.”
The sound of a child wailing drifted in from the courtyard outside. A tear-streaked Heli ran into Mama’s room with an exasperated Ming-ming and a worried-looking Enze trailing behind.
“Grandma! Auntie Ming-ming said you’re all leaving Nuolan Garden. It’s not true, is it?”
“Oh dear.” Mama pulled Heli into an embrace and dabbed at his red face with a handkerchief. “Why are you crying, little one? Suzhou is not so far away, and Grandma will love you all the same no matter where she is.”
“But if you’re not here, who will play with me and give me sweets when Mama says no?”
Ming-ming fumbled with the untrimmed hems of her hemp sleeves. “I’m sorry. It slipped out when we were playing wéiqí, and Heli burst into tears. I couldn’t get him to stop.”
“Are you really leaving Nuolan Garden, Madame Duan?” Enze asked. “I heard whisperings, but I didn’t think the news could be true. At least, I had hoped it wasn’t true.”
Meilin looked at Mama to see how she would respond.
Mama had told them all to keep their move secret until she informed Junyou, but perhaps word had already spread to Fan Fulan and Enze through the servants.
Meilin would be glad if that was the case.
While she had promised Ailin not to argue with Fan Fulan, if Enze knew about the situation, then maybe he would say something to his sister.
“Are you leaving Nuolan Garden because my presence here has made things uncomfortable?” Enze asked.
“Of course not, dear boy,” Mama protested warmly. “You have nothing to do with this decision at all.”
Meilin held her breath. How would Enze respond? With Heli present, they couldn’t say anything negative about Fan Fulan. She was still the boy’s mother even if they disliked her as much as they liked him.
Enze’s brows knitted together. “If there is anything I could do to prevent you all from leaving, would you tell me?”
“Are you going to miss us, dear boy?” Mama asked. “You know, just because we’re leaving does not mean that we don’t want to see you again. We will welcome you in Suzhou anytime you choose to visit us.”
Heli sniffled. “Can I come visit too?”
Meilin wondered about the likelihood that Enze and Heli would be able to visit Suzhou while Mama’s eyes lit up in delight. “Of course, dearest. Perhaps your Uncle Enze can bring you. I daresay, Enze, you are very familiar with the environs of Suzhou, are you not?”
“Yes. I grew up in the city because Teacher Pang’s school was there.”
Meilin’s spirits lifted slightly.
Mother seemed to feel the same way. “How wonderful. If you come visit, it will feel just like home.”
“You wouldn’t find it a burden if I came to see you?”
The hint of disbelief in Enze’s voice made Meilin’s ears perk up. There was more to his question than mere politeness.
“Of course not. We all love you like family,” Mama said matter-of-factly.
“But will you all be there if I come?” Enze’s voice was even shakier than before.
“What do you mean?” Mama asked. “Why would we not all be there?”
“The young ladies—Miss Duan, for instance—she wouldn’t be . . . already married?”
Meilin’s jaw dropped open, and she quickly covered her face with her sleeve and looked away. How bold Enze was acting for once!
“If Ailin was not married by the time you visit, would you ask to marry her?” Though Mama’s eyes held a trace of teasing, her hands were clasped in a dignified manner, showing that she was very serious about her question.
Meilin didn’t understand how someone usually so sentimental could maintain her composure so well after such a momentous moment.
“I . . . I don’t mean to be so bold.” Enze stumbled over his words. “I’m not even worthy to ask. It’s just that I—”
“Do you care for my eldest daughter?” Mama asked directly.
Enze straightened. “Most definitely.”
For once, his answer didn’t sound unsure at all.
Mama smiled, clearly pleased with his response, though still in a mood to tease.
“I can’t guarantee that no others will ask for Ailin’s hand while you prepare your proposal, but I will say that I am disinclined to betroth her to anyone who will not treat her like the absolute treasure she is.
I also won’t let her settle for marriage short of the full Three Letters and Six Rites.
If you can promise that, then I can make sure she waits for you until the end of her mourning period for her father.
However, I sincerely hope to hear good news from you before the end of that period. ”
Enze bowed deeply. From his position of deference, he made a vow. “From this day on, I will try my best to make myself worthy of Miss Duan Ailin. You have my promise.”
“I said Uncle Enze should marry Auntie Ailin weeks ago,” Heli exclaimed excitedly. “Do I get a prize for being right?”
Everyone laughed. How Meilin had missed the sound.
She was more satisfied than she had felt for weeks.
Now, even if they still had to leave Nuolan Garden, at least they had Ailin’s betrothal to look forward to.
Enze was timid by nature, so if he expressed his desire to marry Ailin—and in Mama’s presence—then it must mean he was serious.
Such love was exactly what Ailin needed.
In the upcoming week, Meilin would make sure to carefully pack the umbrella Enze gave to Ailin when they first met. It would be the perfect token to return to them when they were united for good.