Xianglan watched in a daze, unable to help but admire Jiang Xiyun's skillful maneuvering. She had initially thought only Su Meiru could distort the truth, but Jiang Xiyun proved even more adept—her performance was flawless, blending singing, recitation, acting, and fighting with perfect expression and tone. She glossed over the matter lightly, feigning weakness and pleading, her tear-streaked face as delicate as rain-kissed peonies, evoking deep sympathy.
As the two knelt on the ground weeping bitterly, Lin Zhaoxiang remained silent, his hand tightening around the carved Bixian beast head on his cane. He turned to Qin Shi and said, "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 complied immediately, ordering four matrons 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 and rest as well." Before Qin Shi could react, the perceptive Shu Ran stepped forward promptly, helping Jiang Xiyun up with a gentle yet firm hand and a slight smile. "This way, Miss Xi," she said, "let me take you for a cup of hot tea." With swift steps, she half-guided, half-pulled Jiang Xiyun out of the room.
With those two gone, the room felt half-emptied, leaving only Wan, Qi, Xiu, Miao, Qin Shi, and Xianglan. Lin Zhaoxiang then addressed the maids and matrons, "All of you, leave as well." Hongjian, understanding that the Old Master had private words to share, hurriedly ushered the servants out, closed the door behind her, fetched an embroidered stool, and sat guard not far away.
Once everyone had departed, Lin Zhaoxiang let out a long sigh and thumped his cane on the floor with a "thud." "Now, behind closed doors, let’s address the 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. And now that she herself remained standing in the room, a tumult of emotions stirred within her.
Lin Zhaoxiang sighed slowly and said, "Over the years, I was first burdened with official documents and tangled government affairs, unable to attend to household matters. After retiring, I assumed my children were grown and each had their own fate and fortune, so I grew lax in managing family affairs. Naturally, those in charge seized power for their own gains. I thought that even if some of my descendants were willful, their conduct would generally remain proper. 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 floor and said, "Old Master, please calm your anger. All that has happened in the household is due to my negligence and failure in duty. I have no ground to stand on—I beg for your punishment."
Following Qin Shi’s lead, everyone else in the room knelt down, murmuring, "Old Master, please calm your anger, it was your granddaughter’s fault," or "It was your granddaughter-in-law’s fault," and similar pleas.
Lin Zhaoxiang’s gaze swept over each face before he spoke, "By reason, a married daughter is like spilled water—when she returns, she is an honored guest and should be welcomed with utmost courtesy. There’s no justification for making you kneel and admit faults. But today’s events were absurd, and your words and actions, even in your marital homes, would only bring disgrace to the Lin family. Rather than let others criticize us behind our backs, it’s better to discipline you now. Since you all claim it’s your fault, Eldest Girl, tell me—where exactly did you go wrong?"Lin Dongwan had been on tenterhooks earlier, uncertain how much Lin Zhaoxiang knew. When her name was called, she jolted as if struck by lightning. Lifting her head to force a smile, she saw Lin Zhaoxiang’s face dark as a thundercloud, reminiscent of a stern courtroom interrogation, and hastily withdrew her smile. Stammering, she said, “Your granddaughter… your granddaughter should not have quarreled with her sister.” Having uttered these words, Lin Dongwan’s heart steadied. She was, after all, a smooth talker, and continued fluently, “As the eldest, I ought to yield to my younger sister. Even teeth bite tongues sometimes—it’s inevitable for sisters to occasionally upset each other with a word or two, but we’ll reconcile in a few days. What harm is there in letting my younger sister vent her anger by scolding me? I was being narrow-minded.” After speaking, she smiled at Lin Dongxiu and said, “Dear sister, please don’t hold a grudge against me. Your elder sister offers you her sincerest apologies.”
Lin Dongxiu, however, snorted disdainfully, her face etched with sarcasm as she tilted her head slightly to the side, clearly unappeased.
Lin Dongwan wore an awkward, unsettled expression, but inwardly she rejoiced, thinking, “Go ahead and make a scene with your unreasonable fuss. The more unruly you are, the less favor you’ll find with the Old Master. Then he’ll see how I’ve been wronged.”
Lin Zhaoxiang then turned to Lin Dongxiu and asked, “Your elder 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 could no longer suppress the fury in her chest. Straightening her neck, she declared, “She’s evading the main issue! Now she acts the magnanimous elder sister, yet her actions lack any trace of an elder sister’s integrity. She plays the virtuous one here, but I care not for such an apology!”
Qin Shi, finding this unacceptable, could not help interjecting, “What do you want then? Should sisters tear each other apart and become like strangers?”
This was precisely what Lin Dongxiu had in mind. She glanced at Lin Zhaoxiang, feeling a twinge of trepidation, but then remembered she was now the wife of a marquis, no longer the insignificant, cautious concubine who trailed meekly behind her sisters at home. A surge of courage welled within her. Gazing directly at Lin Zhaoxiang, she said, “Your granddaughter believes that when a family gathers, it is due to 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 is joy and keep our distance when there is displeasure. Those who treat me as a younger sister with genuine sincerity, I shall acknowledge as elder sisters. But those who harbor deceit and are quick to scheme—it is better to keep them at a respectful distance.”
No sooner had her words fallen than a teacup came flying through the air, striking Lin Dongxiu 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 as he raised his cane, pointing it at Lin Dongxiu, his arm trembling with fury. “You wretched creature! I am not yet dead, and the Lin family has not fallen! Must you stage a drama of familial discord right under my nose?”
Everyone was aghast, not daring to utter a sound. Lin Dongxiu lowered her head, clutching her temple, not even daring to wipe the tea from her face.
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Dongwan began to weep softly, crying out, “Grandfather, please calm your anger. It is all your granddaughter’s fault. Do not punish Fourth Sister…”
Lin Zhaoxiang shot her a sidelong glance and said, “Enough. Cease your posturing.”
Lin Dongwan choked, the rest of her lamentations stuck in her throat.
Lin Zhaoxiang looked at her and said, “Do not try to be clever in front of me. Remember, going too far is as bad as not going far enough. Your quarrel with Xiu began with you. What of the overseas goods? How much silver did you add?”
Lin Dongwan’s heart sank. Twisting her handkerchief in her hands, she hemmed and hawed, unable to form a coherent response.Lin Zhaoxiang turned his gaze to Lin Dongqi, who hesitated for a moment before whispering, "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, allowing Lady Yin to raise you by her side. You were meant to be a young lady of a noble household, yet you’ve picked up all the vulgar habits of the streets!"
Lin Dongwan was taken aback, not expecting Lin Zhaoxiang to speak so harshly. She felt a mix of shame, embarrassment, and resentment, her eyes quickly welling up with tears. Lin Dongxiu, on the other hand, felt a sense of satisfaction upon hearing this. She stopped holding her forehead and straightened up to listen to Lin Zhaoxiang’s reprimand.
Lin Zhaoxiang shook his head and said, "Your vision is far too narrow—placing profit above righteousness. For a mere two hundred taels of silver, you’d sell the bond between sisters. 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 gives life meaning is human connection, yet you prioritize silver over sentiment—how utterly devoid of humanity! No wonder your sisters are disheartened. You greedily seize every trivial advantage today, and tomorrow you’ll scheme for another. If this continues, who would ever wish to keep your company? You are cutting off your own path. Remember this: 'Those who covet small gains will never attain great wealth.' You were born into a respectable family—do not lower yourself to the narrow-mindedness of the vulgar!"
Each word struck like a blade, and this time, Lin Dongwan truly broke down in tears, covering her face with a handkerchief as she wept softly.
Lin Zhaoxiang then turned to Lin Dongxiu and said, "Among your sisters, you married the highest-ranking official. What of it? Have you now become so puffed up 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 precisely what you’ve done! The moment you gained power, you became swollen-headed!" Lin Zhaoxiang’s voice boomed like thunder, and Lin Dongxiu lay motionless, not daring to move. "Search your conscience and ask yourself: if you were still unmarried or had married into an ordinary family less prominent than your eldest sister’s, would you have dared to quarrel with her today? Your boldness stems solely from your belief that you are now superior, no longer regarding your siblings as equals. When your own flesh and blood are less fortunate than you, even if they err, you ought to show understanding and forbearance. How could you use your position to dominate them? Had you possessed even an ounce of sisterly affection, you would have preserved your elder sister’s dignity in front of outsiders today. I accused your eldest sister of being heartless—but how much humanity do you yourself possess?" His cane struck the ground with a thud as Lin Zhaoxiang sternly declared, "You must understand: fortunes change like the tides. When one is riding high, one must leave room for retreat. Those you look down upon today may very well rise above you tomorrow. If you insist on being overbearing and refuse to yield, how can there be harmony in the family? Rein in your pride, learn humility and generosity, lest you make enemies at every turn and find yourself hindered in all your endeavors!"
Lin Dongxiu could not hold back her tears anymore. Pressing her forehead to the floor, she said meekly, "Your granddaughter admits her wrongdoing, she admits it!"Lin Zhaoxiang ignored Lin Dongxiu and turned his gaze to Li Miaozhi. Li Miaozhi hurriedly lowered her head, straightened her posture, and knelt properly, her hands already drenched in cold sweat. Lin Zhaoxiang shook his head slightly and said, "Second granddaughter-in-law, I had heard that you were raised like a boy in your maiden family, and everyone called you 'Miaoge'er.' You were adept at managing both internal and external affairs. Since you married into our family, your mother-in-law has also spoken highly of you, and I felt relieved. Your mother-in-law is gentle by nature, and Tingge'er is somewhat frivolous—it was comforting to know he had a virtuous wife to support him. But today, I am deeply disappointed in you. When the situation turned chaotic, you should have mediated and resolved the conflict. Instead, driven by personal resentment, you escalated the matter, nearly pushing it beyond control. I ask you, which is more important: the Lin family's reputation or your own momentary satisfaction?"
Li Miaozhi stammered, unable to speak, and kowtowed to the ground, tears in her eyes as she said, "At that moment, I was blinded by rage and lost my senses."
Lin Zhaoxiang said, "You were not only blinded by rage but also by shortsightedness. In such a large family, instead of protecting your own, you instigated internal strife, even directing accusations against your own household. External threats are manageable, but internal discord is the true danger. Throughout history, countless families have fallen due to such infighting. No matter how flawed Concubine Su may be, she is your father-in-law's concubine. You should not have allowed others to insult her, let alone fueled the conflict!"
Cold sweat beaded on Li Miaozhi's forehead as she realized the extent of her mistake. She repeatedly kowtowed and admitted her fault.
Lin Zhaoxiang sighed deeply and said, "Managing a household is no easy task. It is not about appearing authoritative or wielding power arbitrarily. In a family, there are elders above and juniors below, along with siblings, uncles, aunts, sisters-in-law, and countless servants—dozens, even hundreds of mouths to feed. How can one earn their respect? Mere intelligence and capability are far from sufficient. For a woman who holds the position of the principal wife, she must possess a compassionate heart. If she marries into an influential family or ascends to a position of power, she needs even greater wisdom. Oppressing others with authority or currying favor through flattery are not sustainable strategies, let alone engaging in endless scheming and turning the household into a battlefield. Enduring humiliation with grace, showing leniency, and prioritizing the greater good 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 responsibility can one demonstrate vision and stability in upholding the responsibilities of a noble wife. Remember this!"
His words resonated deeply with everyone present. They stood in stunned silence for a moment before collectively bowing and saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Old Master." They added, "We recognize our mistakes."
Lin Dongxiu could not help but recall how, during the initial dispute in the room, Xianglan had repeatedly tried to mediate with gentle words, while she herself had stopped her, telling her to mind her own business. A complex feeling stirred within her, and she instinctively turned to look at Xianglan, who was kneeling beside a small table, her head bowed, revealing only an exquisitely graceful profile.
After finishing his speech, Lin Zhaoxiang looked weary and said, "Enough, all of you may rise. Wan, I will have Lou Ge'er arrange a suitable position for your husband—one within his capabilities. It may not bring glory or wealth, but it will allow him to support the family. This is far better than you resorting to unscrupulous means to scrape together money out of stubborn pride."
These words filled Lin Dongwan with unexpected joy. Choking back tears, she said, "Old Master..." and prepared to kowtow again.Lin Zhaoxiang waved his hand and said, "Enough, the birthday banquet hasn't concluded yet. Everyone should go to the flower hall." Only then did the crowd rise and file out one by one. Lin Zhaoxiang specifically called Lin Dongqi to stay behind, his face showing a pleased expression as he said, "Qi girl, you've done well. This demeanor truly resembles that of a young lady raised by the Lin family." After speaking, his smile faded, and he sighed, "But your eldest sister and fourth sister... their breadth of mind and temperament cannot be cultivated overnight. I fear that although they verbally claim to submit and reconcile, resentment may still linger in their hearts. You'll need to mediate between them and resolve this knot of conflict."
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 invite the Jiang family young lady over. I have a few words to say to her." Lin Dongqi verbally agreed and withdrew.
A moment later, Jiang Xiyun arrived, standing before Lin Zhaoxiang with her hands tightly clutching her handkerchief, 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. 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 shared a profound friendship. Before he passed away, I often visited the Jiang family and practically watched you grow up. Since I'm an elder, I'll speak with you as one."
Jiang Xiyun immediately stood up, curtsied, and looked at Lin Zhaoxiang with reverent admiration, saying, "This junior humbly listens to the Old Master's instruction. Please teach me, Old Master."
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