The Spring Festival of the second year of Chongde was the quietest New Year Minglan had experienced since transmigrating. There were no grand banquets, few firecrackers, and even new clothes were scarcely made. Yet this quietness couldn't conceal Sheng Hong's fervent mood. On New Year's Eve, the Sheng family huddled together for the reunion dinner, staying up late into the night to see the old year out.
Priding himself on their literary heritage, Sheng Hong naturally forbade uncultured activities like finger-guessing games or gambling. As per tradition, Changbai kicked off the festivities. Rising expressionlessly from his seat, he recited clearly: "Next year will surely come again, yet fears of wasted dreams remain. Strive to cherish this night's end, for youth's praise we can still extend!"
It was Su Shi's "Staying Up on New Year's Eve" – positive, uplifting, and deeply inspirational.
After the recitation, the room remained deathly quiet. Only toothless, chubby Quange gave his father face, giggling and waving his limbs joyfully. Sheng Hong's eye twitched. Minglan curled her lips slightly. Rulan was lost in her own thoughts. Changfeng stared down at his wine cup. Madam Wang rolled her eyes while continuing to serve Old Madam, nearly howling at the ceiling – even she had this poem memorized by now!
Changbai was truly a marvel. Every New Year's Eve, he'd recite this exact same poem with identical content, intonation, rhythm, and expression – which was to say, no expression at all.
The first year, his newlywed wife Hai had gazed at her husband with tender affection and blushing cheeks, listening to his recitation with shy admiration. Two years later, she now looked out the window with nonchalance – my, how white and large the New Year's Eve moon appeared.
Next, Changfeng passionately recited Meng Jiao's "After Passing the Imperial Examination," concluding with cadenced flourish: "With spring breeze pride, my horse's pace is light; in one day I've seen all Chang'an's flowers in sight!" Sheng Hong listened with a smiling beard-stroke, but sternly chastised him afterward: "...Stay humble and cautious! No wild fantasies! Flashy complacency is a scholar's greatest taboo!"
Changfeng hung his head gloomily. Originally a dashing young master roaming flower gardens, he'd dreamed of traveling since passing the provincial exams, only to be confined at home for study. He'd hoped to relax during the New Year, but Sheng Hong demanded absolute low-profile behavior from the entire household, forbidding any ostentatious displays.
Minglan understood Sheng Hong's reasoning – just as lottery winners might flee overnight, one must tuck their tail and play humble when riding high. With the emperor's investigation into treason cases still ongoing, numerous noble families in the capital were anxious and uneasy. Any household appearing too joyous might have gas tanks thrown at their doors overnight!
Thus, despite his inner delight, Sheng Hong maintained a worried expression, occasionally sighing deeply to show their minor family happiness meant nothing – only the nation's wellbeing truly mattered.
Inwardly amused, Minglan quickly lowered her head, adopting solemnity to mask her expression.The polished mahogany round table was laden with dozens of steaming New Year's dishes, their bases immersed in hot water to keep warm—auspicious dishes symbolizing blessings, prosperity, and family reunion... along with several soups brimming with chicken, duck, fish, and meat, more for display than consumption, barely touched by chopsticks. Minglan selected a vibrant green dish, picking up two cabbage hearts stuffed with minced fish and lamb, savoring them slowly as fresh flavors bloomed in her mouth.
After Sheng Hong finished reprimanding Changfeng, Old Madam declared her fatigue and retired to rest first. Minglan watched with longing eyes but couldn’t follow—this was her last New Year’s Eve in her maiden home, and Old Madam had instructed her to dutifully keep vigil with Sheng Hong and Madam Wang to fulfill her filial duties.
The moment her mother-in-law departed, Madam Wang joyfully set down her chopsticks, turning with a smile toward Hai Shi—now it was her turn to enjoy the benefits of having a daughter-in-law! But before she could speak, Hai Shi was seized by another wave of morning sickness, covering her mouth as she rushed outside to vomit violently. When she returned supported by servants, her face was pale and lips bloodless.
Sheng Hong waved his hand, dismissing his daughter-in-law to lie down. Changbai also gestured for his wife to take their son away. After both men had waved their hands, Madam Wang found herself speechless and alone, left to glare helplessly at the two Lan sisters.
Outside, goose-feather snow fell thickly, and despite the under-floor heating system and stoves indoors, the cold persisted. Among the entire household, only Madam Wang glowed with ruddy vitality. Minglan glanced at her a few times, sighing inwardly that a couple of calming oral liquids would be ideal.
Swamped in melancholy, Madam Wang poured herself small cup after cup of wine, occasionally stealing glances at Minglan. She considered herself not a malicious legal mother and had always taken the concubine’s children into account, planning for Minglan even before the girl was born.
Back then, she thought: if Consort Wei gave birth to a boy, she would sideline her; if a girl, she would continue to elevate her. As heaven willed, a beautiful baby girl arrived with a cry, and the rivalry between Consort Lin and Consort Wei continued, securing Madam Wang’s position like an iron fortress.
As the infant gradually revealed her features, it became clear she was an exceptionally rare beauty in the making. Madam Wang then envisioned arranging a highly beneficial marriage for her or securing a substantial dowry.
Later, Consort Wei passed away, and Minglan didn’t stay long with her before being moved to Longevity and Peace Hall. Day by day, Minglan blossomed into an orchid-and-jade tree of unparalleled elegance, her disposition delightful and endearing. On one hand, she successfully diverted Sheng Hong’s favor from Molan, but on the other, she made Rulan appear increasingly inadequate by comparison.
Wine deepening her sorrows, Madam Wang grew more despondent.
If only Minglan had entirely resembled Consort Wei—beautiful yet timid and provincial, she wouldn’t have been a concern even when taken out. But Minglan bore not a trace of her birth mother’s demeanor; her features were bright and open, her manner poised and generous, cautious in conduct yet as free and effortless as flowing water brushing clouds. Standing beside Rulan, one might mistake her for the legitimate daughter.
Destiny twisted and turned, and in the end, among all the girls, it was Minglan who married into the highest status. Slightly intoxicated, Madam Wang hazily recalled the scene years ago when she eagerly ushered Consort Wei into the household. Could it be that the fruits of this life truly stem from karmic ties of a past one?Sitting nearby, Minglan noticed Madam Wang's unpleasant expression and knew she had been frustrated lately while preparing the dowry. She quietly turned her head away and happened to see Rulan, who was lowering her head with a flushed cheek, her sidelong profile revealing affectionate eyes gazing dreamily out the window. Minglan inwardly scoffed—it took no genius to guess Rulan was again thinking of her beloved Brother Jing!
After the incident, Sheng Hong and his wife had initially held their prospective son-in-law in low regard. However, Wen Jiefu, resilient and self-reliant, once recovered from the injuries inflicted by Changbai, personally visited the Sheng residence to kowtow and apologize. At first, Madam Wang lost her temper, ignoring him as he knelt on the ground, while Sheng Hong offered a few perfunctory words before retreating to his inner study to read.
Upon hearing the news, Rulan rushed over frantically. The moment she saw Wen Jiefu, tears streamed down her face like a torrent. The two ill-fated lovebirds knelt facing each other, weeping bitterly as if their hearts were bleeding. Witnessing this scene, Madam Wang could no longer hold her ground and had no choice but to drag Sheng Hong out.
Minglan wasn't clear about the exact details of what followed, but she gathered that Wen Jiefu had fervently declared before his future parents-in-law his unwavering, profound love for Rulan, vowing that not even a dozen princesses could sway him! It was said that Madam Wang was moved to tears on the spot. The mother-in-law quickly resonated with Old Mrs. Sheng's longstanding belief: indeed, a priceless treasure is easy to find, but a true lover is rare. Even the seasoned official Sheng Hong had moist eyes, grasping his future son-in-law's hands and offering earnest advice on his studies, career, and marital happiness.
—The above scene was strictly confined by Nurse Liu, with Xiaoxi Juan risking her life to provide Minglan exclusive insider information.
Minglan was astounded. In her understanding, Madam Wang had likely been genuinely moved—women are inherently more romantic than men, and even the most pragmatic woman is still a woman at heart. As for Sheng Hong... well, since this son-in-law couldn't be returned anyway, and their anger had subsided, why strain the relationship? It was best to offer a way out for everyone to save face.
Afterward, Rulan's former melancholy vanished, replaced by daily exuberance and a smiling face as she meticulously embroidered verses sent by Brother Jing onto her handkerchief—"Moonlight drapes the willow tips by the lotus pond, wild geese soar in clouds, fish swim in water, yet melancholy lingers, this love hard to convey."" Minglan found it so cloying it gave her goosebumps, but Rulan cherished it, blushing delicately as she embroidered with care.
Witnessing this, Minglan fell into silent contemplation.
What is love? Is it Anna Karenina abandoning husband and child for an illicit affair before throwing herself under a train? Is it Wang Baochuan forsaking her noble life to endure eighteen years in a cold cave? Minglan's thoughts suddenly turned absurd—should she ask Second Uncle Gu, if she were to jump, would he jump too?
Don't be ridiculous! Minglan scorned her own wild fancies.
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