Qinglan was startled and quickly lowered her head, murmuring, "I... I know I was wrong..."
Qin Shi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? Then tell me, what exactly were you wrong about?"
Qinglan was dumbfounded. Right, what had she done wrong? She was clearly the one being bullied and marginalized...
"You think you've done nothing wrong, that you're full of grievances and injustice," Qin Shi said calmly. Qinglan initially wanted to nod, but meeting Qin Shi's stern expression, she grew timid and hurriedly bowed her head, stammering, "I... wouldn't dare..."
Qin Shi spoke slowly, "You've been quite impressive these days. Despite your pregnancy, you took charge of the poetry club single-handedly—hosting banquets, composing poems, stealing the spotlight to such an extent that even Zhao Yuechan had to step back. I've heard whispers behind your back, saying that if the Concubine's belly proves fruitful and she bears a son, she’d dare to challenge Da Nǎinai as an equal. Tell me... is that your intention?"
These words struck right at Qinglan's heart. Cold sweat trickled down her forehead, and despite the heaviness of her pregnancy, she prostrated herself on the kang, kowtowing repeatedly. "I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare! I’d never dare!" Clumsy with words and consumed by guilt, she could only repeat these phrases over and over.
Qin Shi glanced at her, then looked ahead and said, "Whether you dare or not, I’ve observed that your words and actions grow increasingly undisciplined. When you wanted to start the poetry club, I thought it unwise, but I didn’t stop you. You’re new to the Lin family, with no one to rely on. If this endeavor succeeded, it would help you establish your place here and prevent others from looking down on you. That was the dignity I silently granted you. I thought you were a clever girl who would understand my difficulties and know your limits. Moreover, you’re with child and ought to be resting quietly. Yet, what do you do? You jump about, busying yourself left and right, desperate to show off, intent on competing with the rightful wife. Now, when Eldest Master wishes to promote a maid, and Da Nǎinai hasn’t even spoken, you dare to show jealousy—fainting in public, no less, and then putting on a tearful display for everyone to see? Qinglan, though you come from a respectable family, you are, after all, a concubine. Do you need someone to teach you how a concubine ought to behave?"
Qin Shi’s words felt like a sharp slap across Qinglan’s face. Trembling, her tears fell in large drops, and she couldn’t hold back her sobs.
Qin Shi let out a long sigh and said sternly, "I know you feel wronged, but this path is one you chose yourself. If you can’t content yourself with being a concubine, you shouldn’t have entered the Lin family in the first place!" Though her words were directed at Qinglan, her eyes remained fixed on Xianglan.
Xianglan felt that those eyes were identical to Lin Jinlou’s—sharp as an unsheathed cold sword. A chill ran through her, and she quickly lowered her face, refusing to look up again.
Zhao Yuechan wept, "Madam, all of this is my fault. But... but Qinglan is with child and shouldn’t kneel for long. Please, punish me alone..."
Qin Shi observed Zhao Yuechan’s tear-streaked, sincere appearance and then looked at Qinglan’s wilted, sobbing form. She sighed silently to herself; this Zhao Yuechan was truly cunning, while it was almost laughable that Qinglan, with her petty schemes, thought she could challenge her.
Ignoring her, Qin Shi turned to Wu Mama, who was kneeling by the bed, and said, "Wu Mama, you’re an elder. Lou Ge'er was nursed by you since he was a child, and even Old Madam shows you some respect. Yet today, I’ve made you kneel. Do you accept this?"Wu Mama thought to herself that Qin Shi intended to thoroughly curb the improper conduct in the main household today. Realizing she couldn’t avoid it either, she kowtowed and said, “I accept the blame. This old servant deserves punishment. The Concubine is now with child, and Madam sent me here to serve her, showing her trust in me. When the Concubine wanted to organize a poetry club, I should have advised against it, but…”
Qin Shi shook her head. “Your mistake lies elsewhere. Wu Mama, you are an experienced servant, yet you committed a grave folly. The mourning period for Old Madam Zeng has not yet ended—how could you encourage the Eldest Master to take a concubine?! If any disgraceful incident occurs and others seize upon it as a weakness, spreading it as a scandal, the Lin family’s reputation would be utterly ruined.”
Wu Mama, filled with shame, bowed her head and said, “Madam’s reprimand is justified.”
Seeing that she had admitted her fault, Qin Shi said no more.
The room fell silent, broken only by Qinglan’s soft sobbing.
Qin Shi felt the timing was right. Having delivered a blow, it was time to offer a sweet date—a few words of comfort. She said, “Lately, I’ve been observing all of you coldly. None of you are behaving as you should. The wife does not act like a wife, and the concubine does not follow the rules of a concubine. You’ve stirred up nothing but chaos in this household. As the saying goes, ‘Harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all endeavors.’ With all this commotion, how can there be harmony and prosperity both inside and outside the home?” She paused, then turned to Zhao Yuechan and said, “Daughter-in-law, from now on, you must lead by example and manage the inner household affairs properly. You must not only enforce discipline strictly but also show compassion and care for those under you. This time, I am deducting one month’s allowance from you and ordering you to kneel in the ancestral hall for half an hour to reflect on your mistakes.”
Zhao Yuechan secretly seethed with resentment but nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice, saying, “Madam is merciful. I accept the punishment.”
Qin Shi turned slightly and reached out to pat Qinglan on the shoulder. “Stop crying. The physician has just examined you—what if you harm your health by crying again? As long as you abide by your duties, take good care of your health, and serve the Eldest Master and Da Nǎinai properly, I will stand up for you if anyone dares to bully you in the future…” As she spoke, she took a handkerchief and personally wiped Qinglan’s face.
Qinglan dared not accept such attention and hurriedly wiped her face with her sleeve.
Qin Shi softened her voice and said, “But your behavior this time was improper. Because you are with child, I will not punish you severely. You will also forfeit one month’s allowance and copy the Admonitions for Women ten times.”
Qinglan lowered her head and murmured, “Qinglan is grateful for Madam’s leniency.”
Qin Shi lowered her gaze and looked meaningfully at Wu Mama. “Wu Mama, you are an elder. You’ve watched Lou Ge’er grow up since he was a child—you should know his temperament and nature… This time, I will not punish you, but do not betray the trust I have placed in you.”
Wu Mama kowtowed repeatedly and said, “This old servant knows her mistake and will never dare again!”
Qin Shi nodded in satisfaction. “If you truly understand my intentions, I will be content.” She stood up to leave but suddenly stopped and turned back. “Xianglan, come with me.”
Xianglan’s heart raced with anxiety. Having witnessed Qin Shi’s methods once again, she didn’t know whether this summons would bring fortune or misfortune. But she had no choice and could only follow Qin Shi out.
Zhao Yuechan and the others saw them off respectfully.
After seeing them off, Zhao Yuechan stood at the entrance of the Hall of Knowing Spring, watching Qin Shi’s retreating figure. Yingshuang hurried over and whispered, “Da Nǎinai, how did it go?”Zhao Yuechan's willow-shaped eyebrows shot up as she sneered coldly, "What happened? What else could happen? That old woman keeps finding ways to bully me with her cunning schemes. She punished me to kneel in the ancestral hall for two hours, yet let that little slut Wang Qinglan get off with just copying a few pages of characters. It's all because she values the flesh in that little slut's belly!" Gritting her teeth, she whispered, "But let's see if she has the fortune to actually give birth to that piece of flesh!" Having said this, she turned and strode quickly back.
Yingshuang hurried to keep up behind her, saying, "Madam ordered you to kneel in the ancestral hall for a full two hours? Heavens! Your body is delicate and weak, how can you kneel for so long? Besides, the ancestral hall is gloomy and filled with negative energy—what if you catch some illness? I'll go prepare a thick cushion for you and fetch a warm incense burner..."
Zhao Yuechan, suppressing her anger, said, "Don't bother preparing anything for me now. Quickly, take the key to the storeroom, pick out some good medicinal ingredients to nourish the body and send them to the east wing. Also, add a few extra dishes to the east wing's evening meal. As for the bolt of cloth for Xianglan, send one exactly the same to Qinglan." She then rubbed her chest and said bitterly, "Go get me two Silver Dew Pills. All that kneeling and crying just now made my liver ache from anger. I need to take a couple of doses to ease the congestion." She turned her head toward the direction of the east wing and sneered, "Wang Qinglan, you little slut, just you wait. One day, I'll make you experience my methods."
Setting aside Zhao Yuechan's fury for now, let's turn to Yindie, who was in the side room with Xianglan and others. When she heard how Qin Shi had dealt with the situation, she naturally felt gleeful. Being close friends with Huamei's maid Xique, she slipped out and recounted the events to Xique with added exaggeration, then indulged in laughter and curses. After Yindie left, Xique immediately reported this to Huamei, who promptly took some needlework she had completed over the past couple of days and went to Qinglan's room.
The east wing was utterly tranquil. Qinglan, shamed and humiliated by Qin Shi's reprimand, had completely subdued her behavior. Not daring to lie in bed weeping anymore, she simply leaned against the headboard in a daze. The moment Huamei entered, she smiled and said, "I've made a child's garment these past couple of days. The stitches are a bit rough, but it's a token of my affection. Please don't disdain it, sister."
Because of the poetry club incident, Qinglan regarded Huamei as a confidante and wanted to share some heartfelt words. Huamei coaxed her with a few questions and spoke some comforting words, eventually leading Qinglan to recount what had just happened. Seeing that no one else was around, Huamei whispered to Qinglan, "Sister, why wear such a sorrowful face? From my perspective, Madam ultimately cares more about you. Didn't you see? She made that Ogress kneel in the ancestral hall but only punished you by copying a few pages. Which is more severe is obvious at a glance."
Qinglan stroked her belly and sighed, "That's only because Madam is considering this child... You don't know how harshly Madam scolded me. I even thought about throwing myself into the river to end it all." She briefly recounted what Qin Shi had said.
Huamei laughed heartily and said, "Oh, my dear sister, didn't you grasp Madam's meaning? She punished you not because she dislikes you, but simply because you overstepped the rules..."
Qinglan hesitated, "Really?"
Huamei smiled, "Of course." Lowering her voice and leaning closer to Qinglan, she said, "To speak treasonous words, in time, when Eldest Master divorces that Ogress and elevates you to the rightful position, you'll become the esteemed Da Nǎinai of the Lin family. Would Madam still be angry at you for overstepping rules then? When it comes down to it, it's all about status."
Qinglan was startled and said, "How dare you say such things!"Huamei waved her handkerchet dismissively and said carelessly, "Sister is just too timid, why don't you dare to speak? Over a decade ago, who would have dared to say the Eighth Prince would become Emperor? Yet he ascended the throne..."
Qinglan was shocked and went to cover Huamei's mouth: "Have you lost your mind? How can you say such things?"
Huamei pulled Qinglan's hand down, smiling playfully: "I'm speaking the truth, sister, think about it, isn't it so? I feel Madam is biased towards you, and her current arrangement is merely to maintain peace within the household."
Qinglan pondered carefully and felt Huamei's words indeed held some reason. The knot in her heart gradually loosened, and she truly began to regard Huamei as one of her own, addressing her affectionately as "sister" and "younger sister" with increasing intimacy.
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