After another low-key Lantern Festival, Madam Wang packed her bags and headed north to Fengtian. All affairs in the Sheng residence were now managed by Hai Shi. Since Hai Shi had already been involved in many matters previously, the transition went smoothly. Even when a few tactless servant women tried to act arrogantly, Hai Shi would timely display morning sickness symptoms and then summon Rulan, who often assisted Madam Wang in household management, for help.
Whether it was the subtle influence of Brother Jing’s noble character or Rulan truly having matured—coupled with the scolding she had recently received from Sheng Hong and Madam Wang, leaving her with pent-up frustration—she unleashed her full fury, berating those women relentlessly.
"You blind fools! How dare you contradict my eldest sister-in-law?! Did you speak like this when my mother was in charge? Tired of your comfortable life and looking to be reassigned, are you?!"
"You came from the Wang family as part of the dowry. The accounts from my maternal grandmother’s house are crystal clear, yet you present this figure today? Is this how you bring honor to the Wang family?!"
"Enough nonsense! Relieved of your duties for now! Seems your bones are itching for a beating—a good thrashing will set you straight!"
...
After the fierce scolding, Hai Shi’s morning sickness subsided, and Rulan felt thoroughly relieved, returning contentedly to embroider her dowry. Minglan was stunned. After a long pause, she couldn’t help but say, "Fifth Sister, you’re about to be married. Shouldn’t you be a bit more lenient, lest..."
Minglan hesitated, unsure how to continue. Rulan smoothly finished the sentence, "Lest they gossip about me outside, right?" Minglan stared at her—if you already know, then why...?
Rulan gazed tenderly at the half-embroidered "Mandarin Ducks Playing Among Lotus Leaves on Blue Water" on her embroidery frame, not lifting her eyes. Suddenly, she remarked out of nowhere, "Last time you went out with me and met Old Madam Wen, what did you think of her?"
Minglan averted her eyes and stammered, "Um... she seemed quite talkative, straightforward, and decisive..." In truth, she was very noisy, sharp-tongued, domineering, and loud—but it wouldn’t do to speak ill of Rulan’s future mother-in-law to her face.
Rulan looked up and shot Minglan a sidelong glance, stating bluntly, "She’s not an easy mother-in-law to deal with!"
Minglan fell silent, but Rulan continued, "I’m not truly foolish; I know well whether someone is genuinely good to me or not. When I was young and returned to our ancestral home in Youyang, I saw how Old Madam Sun mistreated Eldest Sister Shulan, and that wretched Scholar Sun. Sixth Sister, I’ve taken to heart all the reminders you’ve given me over time. I’ve also pondered whether Brother Jing truly treats me well."
Minglan watched Rulan’s solemn expression and listened quietly. Rulan’s voice gradually softened as she said, "I say Brother Jing is good because he never hides anything about his family from me—his mother’s favoritism, his brother’s lack of ambition, and his repeatedly delayed marriage. He told me everything! He also said that being the eldest daughter-in-law in his family isn’t easy."
"Then why still..." Minglan murmured.
Rulan cut her off, declaring resolutely, "I told Brother Jing then: I will respect his mother and treat his siblings kindly, but on one condition—he must stand united with me. As long as that’s the case, I fear nothing!"Minglan felt a stir in her heart. These words sounded familiar—she had heard similar sentiments from Hualan before. She slowly fell silent. It seemed the past conflicts between Madam Wang and Sheng Hong, and their crushing defeat at the hands of Consort Lin, had left deep scars in the hearts of these two daughters.
Rulan suddenly laughed lightly and said, "Brother Jing promised me that if anyone bullies me, he won’t take sides—at most, he’ll just slip away! So I thought, I’d better start practicing my courage and voice now, so I won’t be defeated when the time comes!"
Minglan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She shook her head and let it be. As the saying goes, "playing the pig to eat the tiger"—who was the pig and who was the tiger remained to be seen.
"Fifth Sister will surely live well!" Minglan said sincerely.
Rulan rolled her eyes and snorted, "Of course! You’ve all married into prestigious families, while I’m the only one marrying beneath us. I simply have to live well, so none of you can laugh at me!"
Minglan looked up at the sky, speechless. This was the Fifth Miss of the Sheng family. Every time she felt even a hint of positive emotion toward Rulan—such as fondness, admiration, or sympathy—it never lasted more than five minutes before turning negative.
...
Day by day passed. Rulan only needed to focus on embroidering a few handkerchiefs and jackets for herself, as Madam Wang had already prepared most of her dowry long ago. Minglan, however, was far from ready. Old Mrs. Sheng had originally planned for Minglan to marry half a year after Rulan’s wedding, but with this sudden change, she had to rush the preparations.
A few days earlier, a letter arrived from Youyang saying that Pinlan and Cousin Taisheng had married in the twelfth month of the previous year. The congratulatory gifts sent from the capital had been received, and all was well. The Old Madam carefully questioned Yun’er, who had returned for the New Year, about Pinlan’s dowry. Then, mustering her energy, she threw herself into the battle of preparing Minglan’s dowry.
For young ladies of wealthy and official families in ancient times, the dowry was an extremely important matter. In some meticulous, well-established families, the elders would begin accumulating dowry items for their cherished daughters from the moment they started babbling.
Even with dowries of similar value, there were two approaches: elaborate or simplified. The elaborate approach included not only maids, matrons, stewards, and fixed assets but also everything from large furniture like beds, tables, and cabinets to small items like seasonal clothing—even mahogany, gold-hooped chamber pots and bathing basins. In extreme cases, burial garments might even be prepared. For example, Old Mrs. Sheng and Hai Shi possessed complete, meticulously regulated dowries from head to toe.
However, such cases were rare. Many official families had to move around for their posts, leaving little time to slowly accumulate a dowry. Others had only recently risen to prominence and lacked the time to prepare a comprehensive dowry, so they resorted to the most effective solution:
Silver!
After careful consideration, Old Mrs. Sheng decided that aside from the antique bronzes and porcelain retrieved from the old family residence in Jinling, which were to be left to Changbai to pass down to the Sheng descendants, there was nothing she couldn’t give to Minglan. She retrieved the deeds for farmland and shops from her chests and explained each one in detail."...This estate is located in the suburbs by the Baitong River, with about five to six hundred mu of fertile land in total. The estate manager is your Cui Mama's husband. That couple seems honest to me, so they'll accompany you as part of your dowry. Beside the farmland, there's also a small wooded hill. Though not large, it has excellent feng shui. I bought it two years ago and had Old Cui's sons manage it to plant some fruit trees." Old Mrs. Sheng rarely spoke so much at once, pausing to ask questions as she went. "Don't just stand there dumbfounded!... Do you remember what your grandmother taught you about managing estates?!"
Minglan immediately snapped to attention and replied fluently: "Yes! Employ people with emphasis on trustworthiness, but conduct regular inspections! Even the most honest servants may develop divided loyalties over time without proper supervision, yet we must not be overly suspicious and chill the hearts of those below us."
The old madam nodded with satisfaction, then sighed: "Originally, there was a large tract of fertile land next to that estate - a full thousand mu - confiscated from disgraced officials and put up for sale. But since that plot was too close to the imperial estates, I thought it inappropriate to purchase it. Had I known you'd marry like this, I would've... Ah!"
"No need, this is enough, more than enough!" Minglan quickly responded. Molan only had two hundred mu of paddy fields plus some dry farmland, and even Hualan's dowry estate was merely seven hundred mu. Of course, Madam Wang had given her other things as well.
"Enough? What nonsense!" Old Mrs. Sheng glared at her, making Minglan shrink back. She couldn't stand seeing Minglan act so inexperienced. "There are also several shops in Jinling and our hometown, overseen by your uncle, plus dividends from several business ventures..."
"Grandmother!" Minglan finally couldn't listen any longer. The farmland and woodland alone were worth seven to eight thousand taels. She couldn't help interrupting, "This amount would be enough to marry off a duke's daughter! Why would I need so much?... Besides, you should keep some for yourself. As the saying goes, thousands of sons are not as good as the silver by your side... Ouch!"
Minglan received a sharp knock on the forehead and retreated into the kang blankets, clutching her head. Old Mrs. Sheng scolded loudly: "You useless girl! Do you think life in those great households is easy? From sisters-in-law, mothers-in-law, and young misses down to stewards, matrons, and maidservants - which of them is simple?! You'll have plenty of uses for silver after you enter!"
Minglan understood her grandmother's meaning but shook her head: "Everyone knows my background - there's no need to pretend to be some generous patron. I'll live according to my means and manage carefully. But you, at your age, should keep more silver with you!" If there was one skill Minglan had mastered since coming to this era, it was playing the fool.
Though touched, Old Mrs. Sheng continued lecturing: "I've kept funds for myself - no need for your unnecessary concern! It's precisely because you're marrying above your station that you need a larger dowry!"
Remembering Hualan's situation in the Yuan residence - she hadn't lacked money, yet had she lived well? - Minglan understood that silver couldn't buy respect or affection. Looking seriously into the old madam's eyes, she said: "Grandmother, please listen to me. If I'm destined for good fortune, I won't want for anything in the future. If my fortune is thin, no amount of dowry will benefit anyone but others! You should keep more for yourself. With your poor health... if there's inadequate care or inefficient servants, what couldn't you accomplish with money in hand?!"These were words that pierced the heart, even carrying undertones of filial impiety and defiance. Only in such circumstances would Minglan dare speak them. How could Old Madam not understand? Tears welled in the corners of her eyes as she whispered, "Don't worry, they wouldn't dare neglect me!... Moreover, I see your Eldest Sister-in-law understands propriety and treats me with great filial respect. I only worry about you, silly child..."
Minglan's eyes moistened as she forced a cheerful expression, laughing, "I heard from Xiaotao that there's a saying in her village: 'Marry a man, marry a man, for clothing and food.' After all, I'm marrying into a higher status—I won't struggle to make ends meet!"
Hearing this, Old Madam couldn't help but chuckle, then sternly said, "Good! Since he went through such elaborate schemes to win you, he surely won't let you starve!"
The grandmother and granddaughter talked for a long time, finally deciding that the fixed assets to accompany the dowry would only include farmland and forested hills, supplemented with more silver and several large chests of precious fabrics Old Madam had accumulated over the years.
Dowry items were inanimate objects—once decided, they were settled. The real trouble lay in the accompanying servants.
When Hualan married, besides the maids and matrons from Weirui Pavilion, Madam Wang provided Caizhan, and Old Madam gave her beloved eldest granddaughter Cuichan. Nearly a decade later, Caizhan had been elevated to Concubine and bore a illegitimate eldest son, inevitably arousing Hualan's suspicion. Meanwhile, Cuichan married the most capable steward in the Yuan residence, becoming Hualan's most trusted right-hand woman.
Molan was an exception—neither Madam Wang nor Old Madam provided extra servants, only bringing along those from her Shanyue Residence.
For the remaining Rulan and Minglan, Madam Wang followed Hualan's example, giving Rulan Caipei and Minglan Caihuan. Old Madam assigned the most mature and steady Cuiping to Rulan. As for Minglan, since Xiaotao and Danju were essentially from Longevity and Peace Hall, and the four "green" maids were trained by Mama Fang, plus Cuixiu, Old Madam provided no additional people.
Miss Caihuan was a petite beauty with almond eyes and peach-blossom cheeks. At first glance, Old Madam grew furious, exclaiming angrily, "Who knows what ill intentions she harbors?!"
Minglan quickly comforted her, saying, "In terms of looks, she's not even a match for Ruomei, let alone your granddaughter me, who could make fish sink and geese fall, outshining the moon and putting flowers to shame!"
Old Madam staggered, nearly tumbling headfirst off the kang.
Returning to Twilight Cang Study, Minglan pondered the matter and asked Danju, "Old Madam and I are selecting the accompanying servants. Go ask them if any are reluctant to leave their parents or have someone they wish to marry. Don't miss this chance."
Xiaotao, listening nearby, hastily interjected, "Danju and I will naturally follow you, miss!"
"Nonsense!" Minglan glared at her. "Be quiet—I'm asking Danju!"
To her surprise, Danju looked troubled, fidgeting with her fingers. Minglan, greatly puzzled, asked, "Are you unwilling to go with me? Speak frankly."
Danju, startled, waved her hands repeatedly. "No, no! How could I leave you? It's... Yancao and Ruomei."
Minglan frowned slightly and said softly, "Tell me! I suppose many have approached you these days."Since her engagement to Gu Tingye was finalized, her status had risen significantly. Many maids, matrons, and stewards hoped to follow her to her new household. Thus, they either openly or discreetly sought to relay their requests. Xiaotao was notoriously simple and blunt—asking her to convey messages might backfire. Lüzhi had a sharp tongue and would likely mock them rather than help. Consequently, the gentle and kind-hearted Danju became the primary target for such appeals.
Danju looked troubled, stammering, "Ruomei... she was bought from outside, and there's also the matter of Third Master Changfeng... She has no one to rely on but you, miss."
Minglan remained silent, lost in thought. Ruomei was the first candidate Mama Fang had suggested removing, citing her exceptional beauty, literacy, and proud nature. There were concerns that her ambitions might lead to trouble later on.
"What about Yancao? Aren't her parents arranging a marriage for her?"
Danju's expression grew even more uneasy. She whispered, "...She said she can't bear to leave you, miss, and wishes to serve you for a few more years."
At this, even Minglan's face darkened.
Xiaotao, who was slowly freshening the room with a blue-and-white porcelain incense burner after making the bed, turned and remarked, "Sister Yancao's mother visited the estate a few days ago. They hid in her room and talked for a long time—so that's what it was about."
Caught off guard by the revelation, Danju felt deeply embarrassed.
Minglan glanced at her, and Danju lowered her head, standing properly. Minglan said calmly, "You are always too soft-hearted." Danju, flustered under Minglan's gaze, dared not withhold anything further and mumbled, "We've all grown up together. She said we're going to enjoy good fortune and shouldn't leave our sisters behind."
Minglan's heart sank. After a moment of silence, she declared, "Take Ruomei with us. Yancao stays."
Danju was startled. Minglan looked at her and continued, "...Starting tomorrow, have Lüzhi take over her duties. Let her focus on preparing for her wedding. Given our years of friendship, we will ensure her dowry is generous."
Danju acknowledged the order. Before lifting the curtain to leave, she couldn't help turning back to say, "Miss, over all these years, Yancao has been diligent and never made any mistakes." Having served Minglan for nearly a decade, she knew that while Minglan appeared gentle and accommodating, she was resolute in her decisions and rarely changed her mind. Still, Danju felt compelled to plead one more time.
"I know," Minglan replied, sitting before the dressing mirror, resting her delicate, jade-white elbow on the table. She spoke slowly, "But her harboring such intentions is problematic. In influential noble families, even those without ill intentions might be tempted, let alone someone as wavering as her. This way, we can preserve the affection between us."
She wasn't afraid of being deceived or betrayed. What she feared was that the ones deceiving and betraying her would be those she trusted and cherished.
In early February, the spring chill had already half receded. On the second day of Jinggege and Changfeng's imperial examinations, Madam Wang returned from Fengtian. Though travel-worn, she couldn't conceal her cheerful mood and rosy complexion.
"Mother has been coughing lately, so she won't be able to attend the two girls' weddings. She said once the weather warms up, she'll bring your aunts, cousins, and their wives to visit as relatives!" Madam Wang exclaimed excitedly, and Sheng Hong listened with a hearty laugh.Inside the room, a large circular marble-topped table was piled high with fluffy furs and thick velvets that looked quite valuable, along with several boxes of ginseng tied with red threads. Madam Wang kept saying, "...Here now, these are from your maternal grandfather for you youngsters. Pick whatever you like - these were just hunted this past winter! Ming Yatou, don't just stand there! Your maternal grandmother has been thinking of you - she said there's a share for you too!" Her recent return to her maiden home had been a complete triumph. Wang Laotaitai had softened when her youngest daughter pleaded and knelt before her, ending with mother and daughter embracing in tears, all past grievances forgotten and reconciliation achieved.
Minglan smiled and stepped forward, joining Rulan in examining the thick, fluffy furs. They felt warm and soft to the touch - truly superior quality. While praising them aloud, she thought to herself that based on her understanding of Madam Wang, merely having good fortune herself wouldn't make her this happy. There must be someone else's misfortune making her gloat. Could it be that Cousin Wang and Cousin Kang were having marital discord, or that there was conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?!
Just as she was thinking this, Rulan unexpectedly leaned close to Minglan's ear and whispered: "Sixth sister, I'm afraid Cousin Kang isn't having an easy time in the Wang household!"
Minglan felt inwardly amused and tilted her head to whisper back: "Great minds think alike!"
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