After Old Mrs. Sheng had finished questioning her three granddaughters, she declared herself tired and dismissed her children and grandchildren to their own quarters so the elderly lady could rest. Sheng Hong, who had originally intended to say a few words on behalf of Molan, had no choice but to swallow his words and return to his room.
No sooner had they returned to their room and before they had even loosened their garments or washed up, Mama Fang from the old madam’s side suddenly arrived. Sheng Hong and his wife hurriedly invited her inside. As a senior member of the household, Mama Fang spoke briskly and concisely explained her purpose—the old madam had requested to take Minglan under her care.
Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong and his wife reacted as if they were worlds apart. Madam Wang was overjoyed, wishing she could immediately burn incense in gratitude, while Sheng Hong felt somewhat disheartened, thinking that the old madam ultimately refused to favor Consort Lin and her daughter.
"Master, your filial devotion has been fully acknowledged by the old madam. This old servant thanks you on her behalf... Madam, please take the time to pack for Liu Guniang. Once you inform me, I will come to fetch her."
Mama Fang, known for her straightforward nature, finished speaking, bowed, and left.
"What does the old madam mean by this? Among the girls in our household, aside from Hua'er, Mo'er is the eldest. Naturally, the elder sister should take on the responsibilities. How could she choose a young, inexperienced, and frail child instead?" Sheng Hong spread his arms, allowing Madam Wang to help him undress. No matter how he thought about it, Molan seemed more suitable than Minglan. "Not to mention, Mo'er has been serving diligently in front of the old madam these past days. Everyone praises her for her filial piety and thoughtfulness. What is the old madam still hesitating about?"
Madam Wang, feeling thoroughly pleased, smiled and said, "This is the old madam’s choice. What you think is good doesn’t matter—it has to be what she herself wants! I often tell Hua'er that she looks fresher and more vibrant in brighter colors, but she insists on wearing light ones. Master, in all matters, it must be done willingly. You can’t force something on someone just because you think it’s good. Out of respect for you, the old madam wouldn’t openly refuse, but she might not be comfortable with it. So, set your mind at ease. Whichever child the old madam chooses, isn’t she still your daughter? Now that the old madam has spoken, just follow her wishes. She’ll be satisfied, and you’ll have fulfilled your filial duty. Isn’t that a win-win? Besides, the old madam is kind and compassionate. It’s possible she’s taking pity on Minglan because Consort Wei passed away early and the child is frail and naive, wanting to elevate her status."
Sheng Hong found this reasoning plausible and grew more convinced the more he thought about it. No matter how much he wanted to promote Molan, he couldn’t force the old madam to accept her. However, Consort Lin and he shared a genuine love, and Molan was the fruit of that love. For the sake of that fruit, he decided to make one more effort.
The next day, just as Old Mrs. Sheng had risen, Mama Fang was holding a white porcelain bowl with an open rim, inlaid with a silver filigree pattern symbolizing longevity, serving the old madam bird’s nest porridge. A maid from outside announced, "The master is here," then lifted the thick indigo woolen curtain to let Sheng Hong in. Old Mrs. Sheng glanced at him briefly, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, and instructed Mama Fang to clear away the porridge.
"What brings you here so early in the morning? It’s cold—you should sleep a little longer," Old Mrs. Sheng said after Sheng Hong had finished his greetings and taken a seat.Sheng Hong said respectfully, "After Mama Fang left yesterday, I thought about it all night and still feel it's inappropriate. I know Old Madam is being compassionate towards Minglan, but your own health hasn't fully recovered yet. If we add another ignorant young child to your care, how could I rest easy? Why not let Mo'er come instead? She's sensible and well-behaved, speaks and acts appropriately, and serves you competently. What does Old Madam think?"
"This won't do," Old Madam Sheng shook her head. "Your intentions are good, but you haven't thought it through thoroughly. A child is a mother's heart and soul. When I took Hua'er in before, it was only three days before my daughter-in-law lost significant weight, almost wasting away. Though she didn't dare say it aloud, her heart was tormented. Having been a mother myself, how could I not understand? That's why even though you were registered under my name, I still let Consort Chun raise you. Although the wife is the children's legal mother, the blood ties cannot be severed. I truly cannot bear to separate Mo'er from Consort Lin at such a young age... Didn't you previously use the bond between mother and child as reason not to let the wife raise Mo'er? Why are you willing to part with her now?" She said, casting a sidelong glance at Sheng Hong.
Sheng Hong forced a smile: "Old Madam is right, but Minglan she..."
Old Madam Sheng calmly interrupted: "Minglan is naturally well cared for with the wife now, but the wife has to manage the household, prepare for Hua'er's wedding, and take care of Ru'er and Changbai - she's already overburdened. Besides, she's not Minglan's birth mother after all, so she inevitably acts with restraint. It would be convenient for both sides if Minglan came to me."
Sheng Hong was left speechless and chuckled dryly: "Old Madam is indeed thoughtful. I'm just afraid that Minglan's ignorance might tire you out - that would be my fault entirely."
Old Madam Sheng said leisurely: "Ignorant?... I don't think so."
Sheng Hong asked curiously: "Oh? What do you mean?"
Old Madam Sheng sighed slightly and turned away. Noticing this, Mama Fang quickly picked up with a smile: "It's quite pitiful, really. After we came to Dengzhou, during the first time the master brought his wife and children to pay respects to Old Madam, after breakfast, all the other young masters and young ladies were picked up by their mothers and maids. Only Sixth Young Lady's mother went to drink tea by herself, leaving the young lady waiting. While wandering around, Sixth Young Lady found her way to Old Madam's Buddhist shrine. When I went to look for her, I saw Sixth Young Lady kneeling on a cushion before the Guanyin statue, kowtowing. Poor thing, she was trying hard not to cry loudly, only daring to sob quietly."
Old Madam Sheng said gravely: "Everyone thinks she's foolish, but who would have thought she understands everything. She's just suffering inside, not daring to speak out, and can only cry secretly before the Bodhisattva."
Remembering Consort Wei, Sheng Hong felt somewhat heartbroken and bowed his head in sorrow. Old Madam Sheng glanced at him and said with slight sarcasm: "I know most of your heart belongs to Consort Lin. But Mo'er is clever herself and has such a mother - you wouldn't lose anything even if you worried less about her. As for Sixth Young Lady, she's frail and ignorant. For the sake of the late Consort Wei, you should pay more attention to her. She's the one who's truly helpless and unprotected."
Sheng Hong was rendered speechless.
After seeing Sheng Hong off, Mama Fang helped Old Madam to lie down on the kang by the window and couldn't help saying: "What a pity about Fourth Young Lady. Regardless of what Consort Lin is like, she's actually a good child."Old Mrs. Sheng chuckled softly: "Once bitten, twice shy. I've grown wary of those clever and astute girls. Their minds are too sharp and intricate—before I've even finished one thought, they've already spun seventeen or eighteen in their heads. It's far easier to have a simple-minded one who saves trouble. Besides, she isn't truly foolish. Didn't you say you overheard her murmuring about her mother before the Buddha that day? A child who remembers her departed mother has a good heart. Let it be her."
...
Madam Wang was in high spirits. Everything was unfolding exactly as she had hoped: the vixen had been thwarted, Rulan would not be taken from her, and she had managed to offload a troublesome burden. Dengzhou was truly a wonderful place—the feng shui was excellent, bringing her nothing but good fortune! The next day, she rose early and directed maids and servants to pack Minglan's belongings, planning to send her over right after the morning greetings.
Amid the bustle, Hualan sat authoritatively on the heated kang, while little Minglan perched on a low stool, listening to her eldest sister's instructions—no sleeping in, no skipping exercises, no being late for greetings, no allowing herself to be bullied... For every rule Hualan recited, Minglan gave a drowsy nod. Still groggy from sleep, Minglan marveled inwardly: though Hualan was merely a girl of fourteen or fifteen, she prattled on more incessantly than the dormitory matron from her own school days—truly an extraordinary creature.
"Are you listening? What are you grinning foolishly about all day?" Hualan tapped Minglan's forehead with her slender, onion-like finger.
Minglan jolted awake and murmured wistfully, "How fortunate he is to have such a thoughtful and caring elder sister."
"Who?" Hualan couldn't quite catch it.
"Elder sister's husband," Minglan widened her eyes, feigning innocence and simplicity.
The maids and servants in the room stifled giggles behind their hands. Hualan flushed crimson, torn between wanting to tear Minglan apart and hiding from embarrassment. Minglan blinked her large, innocent eyes at her, her body language clearly asking: What? Did I say something wrong?
Buoyed by her good fortune, Madam Wang felt exceptionally generous. To demonstrate what a virtuous and affectionate biological mother she was, she gifted Minglan over a dozen rolls of fine fabric—satin, velvet, singed wool, lightweight silk, damask, and kesi brocade. Since these were taken directly from Hualan's dowry, they were particularly respectable. She also gave Minglan several small gold and silver trinkets originally made for Rulan, adorning the child until she was practically dripping with jewelry.
After the morning greetings, Minglan was led by a nanny to see her new room, with Rulan skipping along behind. Meanwhile, Madam Wang and Hualan remained with Old Mrs. Sheng. Madam Wang, like an eager door-to-door saleswoman afraid of having her goods returned, lavished praise on Minglan's honesty, simplicity, and obedience until even Hualan grew restless and teased, "Old Madam, look—Mother is so afraid you might reject Sixth Sister that she's praising her to the skies."
The room erupted in laughter. Old Mrs. Sheng adored Hualan's sharp wit and retorted, "You little imp, even mocking your own mother! Watch out, or she might shortchange your dowry, and then you'll have nowhere to cry!"
Hualan flushed scarlet again and turned away in silence. Madam Wang smiled obsequiously: "Old Madam is right. I worry this girl has grown too accustomed to being impudent at home. If she carries on like this after marriage, she'll become a laughingstock."Old Mrs. Sheng turned slightly toward Madam Wang and said earnestly, "I was just about to mention this. Ever since Hualan's engagement was settled, I've been writing to my old friends in the capital, asking them to recommend a dignified and experienced governess—someone who had served in the palace, well-cultivated, well-mannered, and educated—to come to our household and help teach our Hualan some etiquette. I only hope you won’t think me meddlesome."
Madam Wang was overjoyed and immediately stood up, making a deep bow to the Old Madam. With a choked voice, she said, "Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, Old Madam. I’ve been worried about this as well. If she were marrying into an ordinary official family, it might not matter, but Hualan is betrothed to a marquis’ household. Although our family is considered an established lineage, the rules and customs in those ducal and marquis households are intricate and demanding—far beyond what ordinary families are accustomed to. Not to mention the Zhongqin Marquis’ residence, even the relatives and friends she’ll interact with in the future are likely to be from princely or noble families. Hualan has such a straightforward temperament—I’ve been fretting that she might lack the proper etiquette and end up being looked down upon. Old Madam, you’ve truly lifted a great burden from my heart today. Let me kowtow to express my gratitude! Come, Hualan, you come too and kowtow to Old Madam!"
As she spoke, tears streamed down Madam Wang’s face. Hualan hurried over but was pulled into Old Madam’s embrace before she could kneel. The Old Madam instructed Mama Fang to help Madam Wang up while holding her eldest granddaughter close. Gazing at her affectionately with tearful eyes, she said, "You are a fortunate child. Your father has gone to great lengths to inquire and compare for your marriage—the young man’s character and abilities are among the best. You’ll have the old marquis to protect you above and your husband’s family to support you below. In the future, be sensible and obedient. When the governess arrives in a few days, learn etiquette and conduct from her diligently so that you’ll earn respect in your marital home. Ah... I remember when you were no bigger than a pillow, and now you’re about to be married..."
Hualan tried to hold back, but tears still trickled down her cheeks. "Please don’t worry, Grandmother. I will do well. You must take good care of your health too—I’ll come visit you often in the future."
Feeling sentimental, Old Madam nodded to Mama Fang, who brought out a large, flat wooden box from inside. The wood appeared aged, but the cloud-and-dragon patterned gold clasps inlaid at its four corners gleamed magnificently. Mama Fang placed the box on the kang, and Old Madam took it, saying to Hualan, "Your dowry was prepared years ago in Quanzhou—your parents have spared no effort, and nothing is lacking. This ruby and pure gold headdress set was part of my own dowry when I married. Today, I’m giving it to you."
When the box was opened, the room was instantly bathed in a dazzling golden glow. The gold was brilliantly polished, clearly having been recently cleaned, and the rubies were enormous and sparkling, each as large as a thumb, fiery red and radiant. Even Madam Wang, who came from a wealthy family, was stunned and couldn’t tear her eyes away, while Hualan was so taken aback she held her breath.
Mama Fang smiled and pressed the box into Hualan’s hands. "Young Miss, take it quickly. These rubies were brought back by the old marquis from the Kyiv Kingdom beyond the great snowy mountains back in the day. They were crafted into a complete headdress set as part of Old Madam’s dowry—from headpieces to body ornaments and bracelets, eighteen pieces in total, meticulously set in pure gold. Two teams of craftsmen worked for three months to complete it. It’s even grand enough to wear when paying respects to nobility in the palace. Young Miss, this is Old Madam’s heartfelt gift—please accept it."Hualan, overcome with emotion, buried herself in Old Madam's embrace and wept, crying and thanking her at the same time. Madam Wang, standing nearby, also wiped her tears—this time, they were absolutely genuine.
...
The matter of Old Madam taking in Liu Guniang had already been settled, and by morning, it had spread throughout the Sheng residence. Upon hearing the news, Consort Lin immediately smashed a teacup. Mo Lan sat beside her, wiping her tears as they streamed down her face: "I said I didn’t want to go, I didn’t want to go, but you insisted I should. Look what happened—this time, I’ve been utterly humiliated!"
Several personal maids nearby dared not utter a word. The entire Sheng residence knew that Mo Lan had been diligently serving Old Madam these past few days, and everyone had assumed she would be the one chosen. Who could have predicted such a last-minute change? This time, the embarrassment was truly immense.
Consort Lin stood in the middle of the room, her hair ornaments askew, her delicate features twisted into a fierce expression. She spat out bitterly, "Hmph! That old hag has no money to speak of, and she’s not even the master’s birth mother. What airs is she putting on? If she doesn’t want you, we don’t care! Just wait and see how far she can flaunt herself!"
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