Xianglan watched in a daze, unable to help but admire Jiang Xiyun's skillful tactics. She had initially thought only Su Meiru could distort the truth, but Jiang Xiyun proved even more adept—her performance was flawless in both speech and action. With a light touch, she glossed over the matter, appearing vulnerable and pleading. Her tear-streaked face, delicate as rain-kissed peonies, evoked deep sympathy.
The two women knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly, yet Lin Zhaoxiang remained silent. He gripped the carved Bi An beast head on his cane and turned to Qin Shi, saying, "Concubine Su is with child and shouldn't kneel for long. Help her back to rest. After all this commotion, she might be unwell—call a physician to examine her." Qin Shi acknowledged the order and immediately instructed four old women to escort Su Meiru away.
Though filled with resentment, Su Meiru dared not make another scene and left covering her face, sobbing as she went.
Jiang Xiyun was taken aback, surprised that Lin Zhaoxiang hadn't even questioned her. But then he addressed her, "Miss Xi, you may go to the Flower Hall to rest as well." Before Qin Shi could act, the perceptive Shuran stepped forward promptly, helping Jiang Xiyun up with a gentle pull and a supportive arm. Wearing a slight smile, she said, "Miss Xi, this way please. Let me take you for a cup of hot tea." With brisk steps, she half-guided, half-dragged Jiang Xiyun out of the room.
With their departure, the room seemed half-emptied, leaving only Wan, Qi, Xiu, Miao, Qin Shi, and Xianglan. Lin Zhaoxiang then addressed the maids and old women, "All of you, leave as well." Hongjian, understanding that Lin Zhaoxiang had matters to discuss, quickly ushered the servants out, closed the door behind them, fetched an embroidered stool, and sat guard not far from the entrance.
Once everyone had left, Lin Zhaoxiang let out a long sigh and thumped his cane on the floor with a "thud." "Now, behind closed doors, let's address our family's disgrace," he declared.
Xianglan's eyelids twitched involuntarily. Only then did she realize that Lin Zhaoxiang had never regarded Su Meiru as part of the Lin Family. Standing there in the room, her heart swirled with complex emotions.
Lin Zhaoxiang sighed slowly and said, "Over the years, I was first burdened with official documents and complicated government affairs, unable to attend to family matters. After retiring, I thought since my children were grown, they would each find their own fortune, so I grew lax in household matters. Naturally, those in charge seized power. I assumed that even if some descendants were temperamental, their conduct would generally follow rules. I never expected things to come to this state. Now, my heart aches with regret, and I feel ashamed before our ancestors!"
At these words, Qin Shi was so startled she lost half her composure. With tears in her eyes, she knelt on the ground and said, "Old Master, please calm your anger. All the family's troubles are due to my negligence and failure in duty. I have no place to stand—please punish me."
Following Qin Shi's lead, everyone else in the room knelt down, murmuring, "Old Master, please calm your anger, it is your granddaughter's fault," or "It is your granddaughter-in-law's fault," and similar phrases.
Lin Zhaoxiang's gaze swept over each face in turn. "By reason, a married daughter is like spilled water—those who return are honored guests and should be welcomed with respect. There is no justification for making you kneel and admit faults. But today's absurd events have shown that your behavior, if taken to your in-laws' homes, would only bring shame upon the Lin Family. Rather than let others criticize us, it is better to discipline you now. Since you all claim fault, eldest girl, tell me: where did you go wrong?"Lin Dongwan had been on tenterhooks all along, uncertain how much Lin Zhaoxiang actually knew. When her name was called, she jolted as if struck by lightning. Lifting her head to force an apologetic smile, she saw Lin Zhaoxiang’s face dark as thunder, reminiscent of a stern courtroom interrogation, and hastily withdrew her smile. Stuttering, she said, “I—I shouldn’t have quarreled with my sister.” Having uttered this, Lin Dongwan’s composure returned. She was, after all, a smooth talker, and continued fluently, “As the eldest, I ought to yield to my younger sister. Even teeth bite the tongue sometimes—sisters are bound to have disagreements now and then, but we’ll make up in a few days. What harm is there in letting my sister vent her anger by scolding me a few times? I was being narrow-minded.” With that, she turned to Lin Dongxiu with a smile and said, “Dear sister, please don’t hold a grudge against me. Let me apologize to you.”
Lin Dongxiu, however, snorted disdainfully, her face twisting into a sneer as she turned her head slightly away, clearly unimpressed.
Lin Dongwan wore an awkward expression, caught between emotions, but inwardly she rejoiced, thinking, “Go ahead and make a scene. The more unruly you are, the less favor you’ll find with the Old Master. Then he’ll see how unfairly I’ve been treated.”
Lin Zhaoxiang then turned to Lin Dongxiu and asked, “Your sister has apologized to you. What do you have to say?”
Lin Dongxiu had initially intended to make a show of reconciling with Lin Dongwan, but she couldn’t suppress the fury burning in her chest. Straightening her neck, she retorted, “You’re evading the real issue! Now you act like a magnanimous elder sister, but your actions show no trace of an elder sister’s grace. Playing the good person here—I don’t care for such an apology!”
Qin Shi, finding this unacceptable, couldn’t help interjecting, “What do you want then? To tear apart all familial ties and treat each other like strangers?”
That was precisely what Lin Dongxiu had in mind. She glanced at Lin Zhaoxiang, feeling a twinge of fear, but then remembered that she was now the wife of a marquis, no longer the insignificant daughter of a concubine who had to tread carefully in the Lin Family, always trailing behind her elder sisters. A surge of courage welled up within her. Fixing her gaze on Lin Zhaoxiang, she declared, “I believe that when a family comes together, it’s fate, and we should cherish that bond. But no feast in this world lasts forever. In the future, as relatives, we should draw closer when there’s joy and keep our distance when there’s displeasure. Those who treat me as a younger sister with genuine sincerity, I’ll acknowledge as my elder sisters. But those who harbor ill intentions and scheme against others—it’s better to keep them at a respectful distance.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than a tea bowl came flying through the air, striking Lin Dongxiu squarely on the temple with a sharp crack. Tea splashed everywhere, drenching her head and clothes. Lin Dongxiu was instantly stunned.
Lin Zhaoxiang’s face was icy with rage. Raising his cane, he pointed it at Lin Dongxiu, his arm trembling with fury. “You wretched creature! I’m not dead yet, and the Lin Family hasn’t fallen! How dare you stage a scene of familial discord right under my nose?”
Everyone was petrified, not daring to utter a sound. Lin Dongxiu clutched her temple and bowed her head, not even daring to wipe the tea from her face.
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Dongwan began to sob softly. “Grandfather, please calm your anger. It’s all my fault. Don’t punish Fourth Sister—”
Lin Zhaoxiang shot her a sidelong glance and said coldly, “Enough. Spare us the theatrics.”
Lin Dongwan choked, her subsequent pleas stuck in her throat.
Lin Zhaoxiang stared at her and said, “Don’t try to play clever in front of me. Remember, going too far is as bad as not going far enough. This quarrel with Xiu started because of you. What about the overseas goods? How much extra silver did you add?”
Lin Dongwan’s heart sank. Twisting her handkerchief in her hands, she stammered, unable to form a coherent reply.Lin Zhaoxiang turned his gaze to Lin Dongqi, who hesitated for a moment before whispering softly, "Two hundred taels."
Lin Zhaoxiang let out a long sigh, closed his eyes briefly, and said, "I should never have turned a blind eye all those years ago, allowing Madam Yin to raise you by her side. You were meant to be a young lady of a noble family, yet you've picked up all the vulgar habits of the common streets!"
Lin Dongwan was taken aback, not expecting Lin Zhaoxiang to speak so harshly. She felt both ashamed and wronged, her eyes already brimming with tears. Upon hearing this, Lin Dongxiu felt a sense of satisfaction and stopped holding her forehead. She straightened up to listen to Lin Zhaoxiang's reprimand.
Lin Zhaoxiang shook his head and said, "You are too short-sighted, prioritizing profit over righteousness. For a mere two hundred taels of silver, you would sell the bond of sisterhood. Is the Lu family truly on the brink of starvation? Or do you take everyone else for fools, unable to see through your petty schemes? What makes us human is this very sense of kinship. When you place silver above sentiment, you strip away your humanity—no wonder your sisters are disheartened. You only covet these trivial gains, seizing advantages today and benefits tomorrow. If this continues, who would want to be around you? You are cutting off your own path. Remember this: 'Those who chase small profits will never attain great wealth.' You were born a young lady of a noble family—do not adopt the narrow-mindedness of the lower classes!"
Every word was like a blade, and this time Lin Dongwan truly broke down in tears, covering her face with a handkerchief as she sobbed quietly without end.
Lin Zhaoxiang then turned to Lin Dongxiu and said, "Among you sisters, you married the husband with the highest official rank. What of it? Have you now transformed so completely that you no longer hold me in any regard?"
Lin Dongxiu hurriedly prostrated herself on the ground and said, "Your granddaughter would never dare!"
"Hmph, you wouldn't dare? Yet that is exactly what you've done! The moment you gain power, you become swollen-headed and forget your roots!" Lin Zhaoxiang's voice boomed like a bell, and Lin Dongxiu lay there, not daring to move a muscle. "Search your conscience and ask yourself: if you were still unmarried or had married into an ordinary family inferior to your eldest sister's, would you dare quarrel with your sister today? Your boldness now stems solely from feeling superior and no longer valuing your siblings. Even if your siblings are less fortunate than you and make mistakes, you ought to be understanding and tolerant everywhere. How can you use your position to pressure them? If you had even a shred of sisterly affection, you would have considered your sister's dignity in front of outsiders today. I accused your eldest sister of lacking humanity—how much do you possess?" With a thud, his cane struck the ground, and Lin Zhaoxiang said sternly, "You must understand that fortunes change like the shifting sands of a river. When one is successful, one must leave room for retreat. Those you look down upon today may very well rise above you tomorrow. If you are aggressive and unwilling to yield, how can there be harmony in the family? Rein in your heart, be generous and humble in your conduct, lest you make enemies everywhere and find yourself hindered at every turn in the future!"
Lin Dongxiu could not hold back her tears any longer. Bowing her head submissively, she said, "Your granddaughter admits her fault, admits her fault!"Lin Zhaoxiang ignored Lin Dongxiu and turned his gaze to Li Miaozhi. Li Miaozhi quickly lowered her head, composed her expression, and knelt properly, her hands already drenched in cold sweat. Lin Zhaoxiang shook his head slightly and said, "Second grandson's wife, I originally heard that you were raised like a boy in your maiden family, and everyone called you 'Miao Ge'er.' You were skilled in managing both internal and external affairs. Since you married into our family, your mother-in-law has also spoken highly of you, which put my mind at ease. Your mother-in-law has a gentle disposition, and Ting Ge'er is somewhat frivolous by nature, so I was glad he finally had a virtuous helpmate to support him. But today, I am particularly disappointed in you. When the situation turned disgraceful, you should have mediated and resolved the conflict to quell the dispute. Instead, driven by personal resentment, you escalated the matter, nearly pushing it beyond control. I ask you, is the Lin Family's dignity more important, or your own momentary satisfaction?"
Li Miaozhi stammered, unable to speak, and kowtowed with her head to the ground, tearfully saying, "At that moment, this granddaughter-in-law was blinded by rage and lost her senses."
Lin Zhaoxiang said, "You were not only blinded by rage but also by your judgment. In such a large family, instead of protecting your own, you stirred up trouble from within, even helping outsiders direct their attacks at your own household. External threats are manageable, but internal strife is the true danger. Throughout history, countless families have fallen because they turned on each other. No matter how unworthy Concubine Su may be, she is still your father-in-law's concubine. You should not have allowed others to insult her and added fuel to the fire!"
Cold sweat broke out on Li Miaozhi's forehead as she realized she had gone too far today. She repeatedly kowtowed and admitted her mistake.
Lin Zhaoxiang sighed deeply and said, "Managing a household is no easy task. It is not about appearing grand and powerful, wielding authority, or having the power of life and death. In this family, there are elders above and juniors below, siblings, uncles, aunts, sisters-in-law, and countless servants and staff—dozens, even hundreds of mouths to manage. How can you command their respect? Mere intelligence and capability are far from enough. For a woman who holds the position of the Main House's lady, she must have a heart of compassion. If she marries into an influential family or climbs into a wealthy household, she needs even greater wisdom. Oppressing others with authority or currying favor with flattery will not last, let alone engaging in endless scheming and turning the household into a battlefield. Enduring humiliation with grace, showing leniency, and considering the bigger picture are the hallmarks of a true matriarch. Acts of kindness, integrity, and tolerance in daily life will cultivate blessings for the future. Only by being magnanimous can one achieve greatness; only by bearing responsibilities can one demonstrate vision and stability in upholding the role of a noblewoman. Remember this!"
Everyone was deeply moved and stunned into silence. After a moment, they all bowed in unison and said, "Thank you for your teachings, Old Master." They added, "We acknowledge our mistakes."
Lin Dongxiu couldn't help but recall how, when the quarrel first broke out in the room, Xianglan had often softened her words to mediate, while she herself had stopped her, telling her to mind her own business. A complex feeling stirred within her, and she couldn't resist turning to look at Xianglan, who was kneeling beside a small table, her head bowed, revealing an exquisitely graceful profile.
After finishing his speech, Lin Zhaoxiang looked weary and said, "Enough, all of you may rise. Wan girl, I will have Lou Ge'er find a suitable position for your husband, one within his capabilities. It may not bring glory to the family, but it will allow him to stand on his own and support the household. That is far better than you stubbornly seeking crooked ways to scrape together silver."
These words filled Lin Dongwan with unexpected joy. Choking up, she said, "Old Master—" and made to kowtow again.Lin Zhaoxiang waved his hand and said, "Enough. The birthday banquet isn't over yet. Everyone, return to the Flower Hall." The crowd then rose and filed out one by one. Lin Zhaoxiang called out to Lin Dongqi alone, his face showing a pleased expression as he said, "Qi girl, you've done well. This demeanor truly reflects the upbringing of a young lady from the Lin Family." After speaking, his smile faded, and he sighed, "But your eldest sister and fourth sister—their magnanimity and bearing aren't things that can be cultivated overnight. I fear that even if they claim to submit and reconcile verbally, resentment may still linger in their hearts. It will be up to you to mediate and resolve this knot between them."
Lin Dongqi repeatedly agreed and comforted him, saying, "Grandfather, there's no need to worry so much. They both took your words to heart just now."
Lin Zhaoxiang said, "Go and invite Miss Jiang over. I have a few words to say to her." Lin Dongqi agreed and withdrew.
A moment later, Jiang Xiyun arrived and stood before Lin Zhaoxiang, tightly clutching her handkerchief with both hands, extremely anxious and uneasy.
Lin Zhaoxiang pointed to a chair below and said, "Sit."
Jiang Xiyun sat down. Lin Zhaoxiang poured himself a cup of tea and said, "I've thought it over repeatedly—whether I should invite you here or not. After all, you're not a member of our Lin Family, and speaking too deeply or too lightly would be highly inappropriate. However, your grandfather and I were very close friends. Before he passed away, I often visited the Jiang Family and almost watched you grow up. Since I am your elder, I will speak with you frankly."
Jiang Xiyun immediately stood up, curtsied, and looked at Lin Zhaoxiang with a reverent expression, saying, "This junior humbly listens to the Old Master's teachings. Please instruct me, Old Master."
First update, more to come shortly.
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