Not long after Hongxiao and Qiu Niang had arrived, Minglan was astonished to discover that quite a number of people were concerned about Gu Tingye's bedroom affairs.
One day, Granny Lai excitedly came running over. First, she showered Minglan with flattery and praise, comparing her to a blooming flower until Minglan's ears tingled with discomfort. Then, she got to the main point: "...Madam is young and might not know this, but in noble families like ours, there must be rules between the wife and concubines. When Madam finds the time, please arrange a schedule for the master to take turns resting in each room. Once that's done, everything in the household will be peaceful!"
Minglan was silent for a long while. For the first time, she felt genuinely angry. Her gaze turned icy cold in an instant, shooting straight at Granny Lai. The smile on Granny Lai's face froze, and she faltered into silence. Seeing Minglan's unfriendly expression, she attempted to ingratiate herself, saying, "Madam, please don't blame me for meddling. I only have your best interests at heart, to prevent you from gaining a reputation for 'jealousy.'"
Minglan sneered inwardly. Did they really think she knew nothing? How dare they bully her so blatantly! This system of rotating between the wife and concubines was essentially designed to guard against the concubines—to prevent a man from being so bewitched that he would neglect his wife in favor of a concubine. In short, it was a restrictive rule created to keep men from favoring one concubine exclusively.
In reality, however, very few prominent families actually enforced this rule.
Minglan managed to soften her icy gaze and put on a faint smile. "I truly am unaware of the rules, but it seems you are well-informed. I have a few questions for you. First, did the Old Marquis's first wife ever arrange such a schedule?"
Granny Lai immediately faltered. During Da Qin Shi's time, the Old Marquis hadn't so much as touched a female fly, let alone any concubines or bedroom servants.
Minglan pressed further, "What about Madam Bai or the current Grand Old Madam? Did they ever arrange such a schedule?"
Granny Lai choked on her words, unable to speak. There was no need to mention Baishi; even Xiao Qin Shi, who was renowned for her virtue, had never arranged such a schedule.
Minglan began to sneer, "Then, has my eldest sister-in-law or my younger sister-in-law ever arranged such a schedule in their households? Have you gone to advise them as well?"
Granny Lai was rendered speechless. She stood rooted to the spot, unsure whether to leave or stay, her expression uglier than if she were crying.
Minglan said calmly, "It seems you are only 'looking out' for me."
Only then did Granny Lai realize she was in trouble. This young madam was sharp-minded and articulate, harder to deceive than most mistresses. Panicked, she made to kneel, but with a glance from Minglan, Xiaotao suddenly exerted her "mighty eagle claw technique," forcefully stopping her. Minglan smiled very gently, "You are too precious, Granny. I dare not accept such a gesture."
Granny Lai broke out in a cold sweat on her forehead but could find no words to respond.
After seeing her out, Danju was furious. "Madam, we can't let this go! They're bullying you too much!" Xiaotao quickly offered a reckless suggestion, "Let's find a fault of hers and punish her severely. It'd be best to give her a beating with the rod—that'll teach her to stay quiet!"
Minglan's face was stern, her fists clenched tightly. It was unclear what she was thinking, but after a long while, she murmured softly, "How cunning. If I were to punish her harshly, it would likely play right into their hands. The more they want trouble here, the more I must maintain 'harmony.'"
Danju and Xiaotao exchanged puzzled glances, not understanding her meaning. Minglan looked up and asked, "Since Granny Lai came to the estate, has she had any disputes or arguments with anyone?""Of course there are," Xiaotao said. "Those nannies all rely on having served the elders, holding their noses higher than the sky! They love picking on others to show off their status. Granny Lai is especially detestable. Because she missed out on any good assignments, she always finds fault with those who have duties, making plenty of enemies."
"That's good," Minglan said calmly.
The next afternoon, Minglan promoted Wang Wu's wife from the back garden, putting her temporarily in charge of cultivating a patch of wasteland by the woods.
Everyone in the household was puzzled. This lucrative assignment was one many fought over. Wang Wu's wife had always been straightforward and stubborn, not skilled at currying favor—how did it end up with her? Actually, Minglan had originally intended this position for Cuiwei's husband. But He Youchang, who was learning management in the front courtyard, had just begun to get the hang of it when he voluntarily resigned. Minglan hadn't had a suitable candidate in mind at the time, so it had been delayed until now.
"Wang Wu's wife wants to come express her gratitude," Cuiwei reported as she entered.
Minglan waved her hand and asked instead, "Are you sure she's the most suitable?"
"Cui Mama and I have been observing discreetly. Among that group, she's the best," Cuiwei nodded. "She's sharp-tongued and straightforward, but still reasonable and somewhat clever. I asked around, and she gets along well with most people in the household. Her clashes with Granny Lai were mostly because she stood up against injustice. However, I haven't known her long, so I can't say for certain if she has other flaws."
"Who's perfect?" Minglan smiled wryly. "We're just making use of her temporarily. If she does well, she can keep the position; if not, we can dismiss her anytime."
Danju, who had been carefully watching at the door, turned and said softly, "Don't worry, madam. Didn't we review the records last night? Although Wang Wu's wife hasn't managed land herself, her husband has done farm work on the estate. The others might know farming, but they gossip and don't know their place."
Minglan nodded, making up her mind. "Cuiwei, tell her she doesn't need to come thank me. Just relay two things to her. First, do her job well and don't give anyone grounds to criticize—I'll be watching. Second..." Minglan smiled slightly, "Granny Lai is an old-timer of the marquis' household, very good-tempered and kind. Tell her to 'respect her properly.' Don't say anything else."
Cuiwei's eyes lit up, and she immediately nodded and went out. Danju seemed to understand too. Only Xiaotao, who was piecing together brocade scraps on the kang table, looked confused: "Will this work?"
Minglan said slowly, "If she's truly clever, she'll understand. From today onward, don't mention this matter again. If you see Granny Lai, be polite and never argue. Just report any news to me!"
Both girls solemnly agreed.
Cuiwei's judgment was correct—Wang Wu's wife indeed understood.
She managed her duties while picking quarrels with Granny Lai, balancing both perfectly. Some perceptive people in the household gradually saw what was happening. Those who used to yield and avoid Granny Lai now held back less. Whenever an incident occurred, a large group would gang up against Granny Lai, mocking everything from her husband's drinking and gambling to her eldest daughter marrying a pot-bellied old rich man, and other such ridicule.Granny Lai trembled all over with rage, yet there was nothing she could do. A single mouth could hardly contend with many, and even with Granny Diao as an ally, they were still outnumbered and outmatched. When it came to wailing and crying, their voices weren’t as loud as the others’; if it came to a physical fight, they’d only end up in a disgraceful state with disheveled hair and makeup smeared with sweat. Moreover, Granny Lai was, after all, advanced in years and would often turn purple with anger, her breath catching in her throat as her limbs trembled uncontrollably.
At such times, Minglan would make a grand show of summoning a physician, offering comforting words along with nourishing soups and medicines, spending silver generously. She would then "earnestly" reprimand a few of the quarrelsome servant women, punishing the more troublesome ones with moderate severity to demonstrate her "control over the scale of the conflict."
Once Granny Lai had recovered, the entire process would repeat itself.
By the time Minglan went to pay her respects to the Grand Old Madam for the third time, the latter couldn’t help but ask, "Is Granny Lai doing well in your household?"
"Of course!" Minglan replied with a clever smile, radiant as a flower. "Granny Lai was someone you trusted—how could she be anything less than excellent?"
"But I’ve heard... she often quarrels with others?" the Grand Old Madam asked hesitantly.
Minglan smiled gently. "Nothing of the sort! It’s just that Granny Lai is meticulous in her duties and strict with the servants, so she occasionally has to scold them." Changing the subject abruptly, Minglan added, "If there’s anything amiss, it’s actually about Granny Lai’s health."
The Grand Old Madam’s eyes flickered, but she maintained her composure. "What is it?"
Minglan lowered her voice uneasily. "It’s all my fault for not taking better care of Granny Lai’s well-being. She is, after all, getting on in years, and I’ve been burdening her with one task after another, which has made her fall ill. We’ve already called a physician twice—once it was Old Physician Zhang Shiji from Xuancaotang in the southern part of the city, and the other time it was Physician Li Chong, recommended by Madam Zheng. Both said that she’s overwhelmed by the mental and physical strain, and has also been agitated frequently. Ah... how did it come to this? If anything were to happen to her, how could I ever face you?" Minglan repeatedly apologized in a soft voice.
The Grand Old Madam’s expression flickered with surprise, though it vanished in an instant. Madam Shao, seeing Minglan’s deep remorse, gently reassured her, "Sister-in-law, don’t take it to heart. I’m familiar with both physicians—their skills and ethics are beyond reproach. Granny Lai is fortunate to have such care. Besides, managing a household has always involved dealing with grievances. Even I, with my mother-in-law’s guidance and the support of my sisters-in-law, endured plenty of insolence from subordinates back in the day!"
The Grand Old Madam’s expression softened into a kindly smile. "Your sister-in-law is right. Don’t blame yourself." She comforted Minglan with many gentle words and then tentatively suggested, "If Granny Lai truly isn’t up to the task, perhaps I could send you a few more people...?"
"Look at what you’re saying!" Minglan brightened, pretending to be playfully offended. "I already have so much help, and Rong Jie’er and the others are exceptionally easy to manage. The several grannies have been assisting me for nearly two months now. Even if I were utterly incompetent, surely I could manage this modest household! If I kept coming to you for this and that, people who didn’t know better would think my family didn’t raise me properly. Then I’d be too ashamed to show my face in public!"
"You silly girl!" The Grand Old Madam seemed greatly amused, pointing at Minglan and laughing heartily. Madam Shao also covered her sleeve to hide a light chuckle, while Madam Zhu laughed the most joyfully, though her eyes kept darting toward the Grand Old Madam.
...
"Not a single argument?" the First Wife of Gu Tingxuan asked in a hushed tone.
A young woman dressed as a married lady leaned in and replied, "Not only was there no argument, but there was also frequent laughter in the room. It was all very harmonious."First Wife of Gu Tingxuan glanced at the tightly closed doors and windows, let out a long sigh, and praised, "My cousin's wife is truly remarkable. Da Bomu has met her match. If Granny Tian hadn't secretly informed me, I would have thought nothing was amiss."
The maidservant, seemingly out of breath from running earlier, wiped her sweat with a handkerchief and whispered, "Clear Garden is guarded like an iron fence—it's hard to get any information. Luckily, you found Granny Lai's request for a physician suspicious and sent someone to ask Granny Tian."
"My sister-in-law is too cautious. What harm would a little gossip do?" First Wife of Gu Tingxuan narrowed her eyes with a smile. "With her thoroughness, everyone outside now praises her for her kindness and generosity in treating old servants well!"
"If I were Granny Lai, I'd just tear off all pretenses and make a scene! Better than enduring such humiliation. I heard she even went to apologize but was turned away by Second Wife Ye!" the maidservant said.
"What do you know? The reasons behind this cannot be spoken openly!" First Wife of Gu Tingxuan shot her a glare, then chuckled. "Could Granny Lai come to the marquis's estate to complain, saying Second Wife Ye got angry because she suggested a schedule for the wife and concubines to take turns, and then incited the servants to bully her? Hah, if that were said, Granny Lai would lose face for generations."
"Good miss, please enlighten me. What does that mean?" the maidservant asked curiously.
First Wife of Gu Tingxuan lowered her voice even further. "Look at our estate—which household has a schedule for the wife and concubines to take turns? Like Eldest Sister-in-law Yang, who's practically living like a widow—she might want to arrange a schedule, but would her husband even be willing to get close?" She laughed heartily, covering her mouth to muffle the sound. "My mother-in-law, Fifth Aunt, at their age, and all the old concubines in each household who've lost favor—how would such a schedule be arranged? If Granny Lai spoke out, should it be taken seriously or not? If taken seriously, they might be pleased, but the estate would be thrown into turmoil!"
"So that's how it is. My lady is truly insightful!" the maidservant put on an admiring, taught expression, adding a few flattering words. "Even if you arranged a schedule, our young master wouldn't agree to it."
First Wife of Gu Tingxuan beamed, thoroughly pleased. "Besides, the young couple is newly married and deeply in love. If Granny Lai not only picks a fight but also goes around shouting about it, no one would blame my sister-in-law for any fault. Instead, they'd criticize Granny Lai for bullying the weak—why not 'advise' all the wives and ladies in the estate, but only target a new bride? The legitimate son hasn't even been born yet, and she's already rushing to make room for the concubines? If that were the case, my Da Bomu would be in an awkward position—after all, she's the one who gave the concubines. Since nothing can be said, we can only watch her put on a show and let her earn a good reputation."
The maidservant joined in the laughter. "So, Granny Lai is finished?"
"If she's smart, she'll lie low and stay out of sight. Maybe this will blow over. Otherwise, hah, as my sister-in-law said, Granny Lai was given by the Grand Old Madam. Unless she commits some 'major offense,' she must be treated with respect."
The maidservant nodded repeatedly, heaping on more flattery. First Wife of Gu Tingxuan, having enjoyed herself enough, murmured, "...Da Bomu's plan has failed. I wonder how my sister-in-law will deal with those two young ones."Minglan's sister-in-law's concerns were quite prescient. There were certain matters that Minglan couldn't avoid managing, as Clear Garden had become particularly lively recently.
In ancient times, if concubines weren't favored, they actually had little opportunity to see their man. From the very first day of morning greetings, Minglan had made it clear: having grown up following her grandmother in Buddhist practices, she was accustomed to tranquility. Therefore, after completing the necessary inquiries and conversations during these greetings, Minglan would serve tea to signal the end of the visit. Consequently, they usually couldn't wait until Gu Tingye returned from court.
So far, Gu Tingye had shown no intention of visiting their beds, and Minglan naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to play matchmaker. They couldn't call him on a mobile phone saying, "Hey honey, tired of being with your wife? Come to my bed for some fun," nor could they wait at his workplace gate, batting their eyes seductively with a "Sweetheart, I've got a surprise for you."
If Rong Jie'er were a boy, Qiu Niang and Hongxiao might have used Gu Tingye's supervision of his son's studies as an opportunity to meet him—though whether Gu Tingye possessed sufficient literary talent for this was another matter.
After several days without any chance to see their man, these two women grew resentful.
Hongxiao, knowing she wasn't favored by Gu Tingye, stayed in her room most of the time, thinking of ways to get Rong Jie'er to talk more. But Qiu Niang couldn't bear it any longer and went to wait at the intersection leading to Jiaxi Residence. She managed to intercept Gu Tingye twice, but unfortunately, the attendants on both sides were terribly indiscreet, staring with their four ignorant eyes burning brightly. How could Qiu Niang express her feelings under such circumstances?
After several attempts, Qiu Niang's classic "Husband-longing stone" pose was seen by many, gradually giving rise to gossip. The women in the inner courtyard merely cursed her as "slutty" and mocked her briefly, but several foul-mouthed bachelors in the outer courtyard spoke more crudely: "She must be crazy for a man," "She's almost thirty—that age when women are like wolves and tigers," "If the master doesn't enjoy her soon, she'll probably find another way..."
Well, men who couldn't get wives tended to be rather imaginative.
These vulgar comments from the outer courtyard weren't widely spread, so it took several days before they reached the inner courtyard.
When Qiu Niang found out, she cried bitterly and nearly sought death. Danju hurried to report this, and Minglan flew into a rage. She immediately ordered an investigation, identified those who had spread the rumors, and dealt with them severely. Two who had always been unruly were sold off, while the others had two months' wages and rice allowances deducted and were tied up for twenty lashes.
Witnessing Minglan's authority, everyone understood the consequences, and even in the outer courtyard, they no longer dared to gossip recklessly about their masters' affairs.
After punishing the servants, Minglan immediately summoned Qiu Niang for questioning.
Knowing she had disgraced herself, Qiu Niang fell to her knees with a thud, desperately begging for forgiveness. Minglan said coldly, "The master has praised you many times in front of me, saying you're kind-hearted, understanding, and know propriety. You've been here only a short while, and already you've caused such a scene. Where did you learn such behavior?!"
Qiu Niang kowtowed repeatedly, tears streaming down her face: "I lost my senses for a moment... It's been years since I last saw the master, and I missed him terribly...""Whether you miss him or not is none of my concern." Minglan cut her off sternly, speaking directly, "But have you considered this: now that the master holds a high position, with countless eyes watching him, if even a shred of these vulgar rumors were to spread beyond Clear Garden's gates, wouldn't it make others laugh at the master for failing to maintain order in his household?! To allow a bedroom servant to chase after a man all over the residence!" How desperate would that seem.
Qiu Niang collapsed to the floor, weeping uncontrollably. Minglan issued a decisive order: "You are excused from paying respects for now. Xiaotao, fetch her a copy of the Heart Sutra. She is to copy it one hundred times and may only return after completing it!"
Watching Qiu Niang's dejected retreating figure, Minglan felt her anger rising. She had never possessed the virtue of covering up others' mistakes, so that very evening she recounted the entire sequence of events to Gu Tingye, sighing, "It's also my failure in managing the household strictly. If this were the Sheng family, no matter what happened in the inner quarters, who would dare let it reach the outer court?! How could a master's affairs become subject to others' gossip?! Only now do I understand why Grandmother said Madam Wang was so skilled at managing a household. Ah... it truly isn't easy."
She had previously looked down on Madam Wang to some extent, but now that she was managing a household herself, she had come to respect Madam Wang's capabilities.
"This isn't your fault!" Gu Tingye said with a dark expression. "You've only been managing the household for a few days. No matter how capable you are, these things can't be mastered overnight! Deal with this harshly and conduct a thorough rectification." After a pause, he added calmly, "Qiu Niang is becoming increasingly unreasonable."
His voice was even, but Minglan knew this was how he sounded when truly angry. She walked over and gently leaned against the man's shoulder, speaking softly, "It's not such a serious matter. Everyone makes mistakes occasionally. Now that she realizes her error, she'll improve in the future."
Gu Tingye held Minglan in his arms, gently stroking her loosened long hair. The room remained silent for a long while before he finally showed a faint smile, teasingly tapping Minglan's nose as he joked, "Why have her copy Buddhist scriptures? Shouldn't it be something like the Women's Precepts?"
Minglan replied triumphantly, "I've already considered that. If anyone asks, I'll say Qiu Niang has been influenced by me and has developed an interest in Buddhism. I'm currently guiding her in her initial steps! This way, no one can use our household affairs for gossip."
Gu Tingye was momentarily stunned, then burst into hearty laughter that shook his chest. His dark eyes filled with amusement as he pressed his forehead against Minglan's and said with unexpected seriousness, "The Heart Sutra has too few characters. You should have picked a thicker text! Fu Qinran has a partial handwritten copy of the Tripitaka - that fellow copied it out years ago to practice his penmanship. I'll borrow it for you later! I'll borrow the complete set!"
Minglan gasped sharply: "Husband, do you know how many volumes, chapters, and characters are in the complete Tripitaka?"
Gu Tingye, fearless in his ignorance, replied with complete composure: "No." He only knew that this collection of scriptures seemed quite impressive.
Minglan was speechless. Deciding to educate Comrade Gu, she sighed and said, "Let me put it this way: if Qiu Niang were to copy characters daily without rest, and managed to live to a ripe old age without her eyes failing or hands trembling, it would just about be enough time for her to complete the copying before being laid to rest."
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