Qiu Niang returned to Kouxiang Garden with red-rimmed eyes. Rong Jie'er was sleeping in the inner room. At the sight of Hongxiao, tears immediately streamed down her face. Having accompanied each other for many years, they could be considered sisters who had weathered hardships together. They held hands and went to the side chamber to talk.
"Sister must be laughing at me," Qiu Niang wiped her tears, overwhelmed with sorrow. "It's all my fault for causing the master to become the subject of gossip."
Hongxiao inwardly sneered, 'You're the only one being laughed at,' but warmly said, "How could this be blamed on you, sister? The master and you share a bond since childhood! The master treats you differently from others. The mistress simply doesn't understand yet. Don't take it to heart—didn't the mistress say that the master praises you constantly even in her presence? What an honor that is!"
Qiu Niang sighed through her tears. After a long while, she said, "I'm already old and faded—how could I compete with the mistress? I only want to see if the master is doing well. The mistress is still young, and I worry she might not take proper care of him. What if the master suffers..."
"Exactly! After all these years of waiting, how could we have any ulterior motives? The mistress is overthinking things." Hongxiao sighed along, shedding tears and sharing grievances with Qiu Niang for quite some time before they returned to their respective rooms.
"Has she left?" A maid with double buns stood up to greet her. Her features were delicate and charming. After entering the room, Hongxiao reclined lazily on the daybed: "She went back to copy scriptures. Where's Wu'er?"
Jinxi cheerfully poured tea for Hongxiao: "Where else? Probably off chatting idly with someone."
"...Speaking of this Miss Qiu, she's quite an interesting person." Hongxiao narrowed her eyes slightly, holding her teacup with a playful expression. "If you say she's foolish, she's utterly foolish—unable to see that the master now is no longer the second young master of the past, and even going to seek Granny Lai for connections as soon as she entered the residence. But if you say she's clever, she's quite skilled at playing dumb, putting on a simple-minded, honest appearance. Surprisingly, she's managed to stay peacefully all these years."
Jinxi whispered, "Yes, otherwise our lady wouldn't have tolerated her."
Hongxiao's face showed sarcasm: "Even in the past, it wasn't as if the master particularly liked her. She just relied on being a trusted servant since childhood, putting on the act of a devoted maid worrying about her master. The master merely remembered their past bond. But after all these years, times have changed! If she were smart, she should be hurrying to curry favor with the mistress now. Does she still think it's like before?"
After all, Qiu Niang wasn't involved in literary work and didn't dare write carelessly, so her progress was somewhat halting. Even writing diligently, it took two days to complete the punishment copying. On the third day, she brought her work to pay respects to Minglan. Minglan reminded her to 'mind her conduct,' but as she spoke, even she found it tiresome, and the matter was considered closed.
The next day, Minglan realized why she had been so irritable and uncomfortable—her monthly courses had arrived.
Danju routinely set up the small sand stove, brewing medicinal tea with brown sugar for Minglan to drink. Xiaotao went to Granny Ge to stir-fry a bag of scalding hot salt, carefully wrapping it in several layers of oil paper and cloth before covering it with thick velvet satin for Minglan to press against her abdomen.For two full days, Minglan lay listlessly on the soft couch, gazing distantly at the picturesque window as if looking over reeds by a lake, her expression melancholic and posture elegantly delicate... though it would have been better if she were holding a poetry collection instead of account books.
Feeling unwell and unable to focus on the accounts, Minglan recalled another important matter. Recent gossip had caused some disturbance, and Liao Yong's wife had discreetly reminded her that having too many unmarried men and discontented women in the estate was detrimental to unity and stability.
Under the detestable feudal indenture system, all servants in Clear Garden, regardless of whether they had parents or siblings, required their master's consent for marriage. Minglan issued an order: those with family elders could report their intended matches. For those without anyone to care for them, she had Danju bring the records and, with Liao Yong's wife's explanations, matched them based on their duties and character, following the principle of optimal resource allocation.
After just a few words about marriage arrangements, Danju blushed and hurried out. Xiaotao, however, was eager to hear more but was shooed away by two sharp glances from Cuiwei.
"That girl! Still so childish," Cuiwei sighed, shaking her head as she watched Xiaotao leave. She turned to Minglan and asked, "Madam, the others are manageable, but what about the girls in our own quarters? Do you have any plans?"
Minglan propped herself up slightly, perking up a bit. "I've made some inquiries. Gongsun Xiansheng knows a few young men from poor families who seem decent. The master also has several capable soldiers under him, and there are the sons of a few senior stewards in the estate. None of them have reported any marriage intentions yet, so I plan to reserve them for the maids in our courtyard."
Cuiwei found this amusing and chuckled softly. "Madam, you've truly changed. Ah, these girls are fortunate..." At this point, she seemed to remember something and suddenly lowered her voice. "Madam, you should pay extra attention to Ruomei."
"Oh? What about her?" Minglan asked, surprised. Ruomei had always prided herself on being aloof, never mingling with the other maids. To avoid any suspicion, she wouldn't even show her face whenever Gu Tingye was around.
Hesitating for a moment, Cuiwei finally spoke. "To be honest, Ruomei is the oldest among the maids here. I've seen her frequently lingering near the front courtyard and getting friendly with the maids and servants attending the outer study. I suspect... she might have developed some ideas."
Minglan was startled. "With the scholars and clerks from the outer study?"
Cuiwei sighed helplessly. "You know Ruomei—she's always fancied herself as someone who appreciates poetry and literature. She probably looks down on the servants within the estate." Seeing Minglan's dazed expression, she quickly added, "Regardless of whether outsiders would be willing to marry a maid, granting such a favor is your decision, Madam. But before that, we cannot tolerate any secret dealings! If mishandled, it could ruin the reputation of all the girls in our quarters and yours as well."Minglan was about to tease a little, but seeing Cuiwei's anxious expression, she quickly nodded and said, "Though I think they are both excellent, they must also meet the right families. Very well, we still have a few years to observe slowly. Later, go and speak to Ruomei, and Danju as well—that girl must have relapsed into her old habit. Since they live next door, they must have known about Ruomei’s situation early on, but out of sisterly affection and a soft heart, they kept it hidden. I’ll talk to her later."
Cuiwei looked slightly uncomfortable and gave a bitter smile. "Madam, as long as you are aware of it, that’s enough... Ah..."
As they spoke, voices from the courtyard announced, "The master has returned."
With a gust of wind, the curtain was lifted, and Gu Tingye strode into the room with his head held high. Cuiwei curtsied, offered her greetings, and then withdrew. Minglan tried to rise, but he gently pressed her back down. Seeing her pale complexion, Gu Tingye said softly, "Rest, don’t get up."
Minglan did not insist and instead called for Xia Zhu to help him change his clothes. Leaning back against the couch, she noticed the man’s spirited brows and cheerful expression, clearly in high spirits. She smiled and asked, "You seem so happy, my lord... Could it be...?"
Standing tall, the dark red gem embedded in his purple-gold high crown sparkled brilliantly. His brocade robe and jade belt accentuated his mature, heroic demeanor and distinguished presence. Turning, he caught sight of Minglan’s wide, expectant eyes, bright and sparkling.
He immediately feigned a glare and laughed, scolding, "It’s not a promotion or a fortune!"
Minglan, having been seen through, gave an embarrassed smile and listlessly leaned back onto the soft couch. Gu Tingye changed into a stone-blue, silver-patterned thin crepe satin casual robe and dismissed Xia Zhu with a wave. Sitting beside Minglan, he touched the warm compress on her belly and asked, "Does it still hurt?"
Minglan lowered her soft ears and shook her head. "I just feel weak."
Gu Tingye gently stroked her cheek and slowly leaned in until their heads rested side by side. His skin, warmed and slightly rough from the sun, and the prickly stubble of his beard brushed against Minglan’s soft, cool cheek in a gentle caress. After a long while, the couple sighed softly in unison and spoke at the same time, though their words were completely opposite.
"Let’s have children later."
"Let’s have children sooner."
As the words left their mouths, the pair stared at each other in astonishment, their expressions a mix of surprise and amusement. Gu Tingye spoke first, "You silly girl, focus on recuperating properly first. What’s the rush to have children? We have plenty of time."
A blush spread across Minglan’s fair, delicate skin, like a layer of radiant rouge. "That’s not it. Those with experience say that after having children, the monthly discomforts become easier."
"Really?" Gu Tingye sounded skeptical. "But isn’t it said that conceiving too early or in haste can harm the body?"
"Who said that?" Minglan chuckled. "The elders have always said that as long as the body is properly nourished, it’s fine to have children."
It must be said that although this man was quite vigorous in bed, he was considerate in other ways. Ever since Minglan began following He Laofuren’s regimen to regulate her health, she had tactfully requested if they could take a break for a few days each month, ideally waiting until she had finished two rounds of medicinal soups before trying to conceive. When she made this request, Minglan had been somewhat apprehensive, as this era emphasized that having children early brought greater blessings. To her surprise, Gu Tingye agreed without hesitation and repeatedly urged her to focus on recuperating her health."Being a widower once was enough. I'm counting on you to hold out for several more decades." Gu Tingye had joked at the time.
Of course, the result of such consideration was that the remaining days were filled with particularly intense battles, fierce enough to darken the heavens and earth, overflowing with passion.
Hearing this, Gu Tingye slightly relaxed his furrowed brow, rubbing Minglan's small hand as he comforted her, "Take care of yourself, when you're outside..." He paused, then said cheerfully, "I've heard that some peasant women can still bear children even at fifty."
Minglan was greatly embarrassed and annoyed, forcefully pinching the man's arm. Unexpectedly, she encountered hard, firm muscles that made her fingers go numb instead. Feigning anger, she scolded in a low voice, "Aren't you ashamed!"
After the couple bantered for a while, they blankly remembered what topic they had been discussing initially. Minglan asked again, and Gu Tingye's face lit up with joy: "Mama Chang is coming tomorrow."
"Thank Buddha, she's finally coming." Minglan smiled and clasped her hands together. "If Mama Chang didn't come soon, I would have gone to find her myself."
Since Gu Tingye returned to the capital, Mama Chang had moved from the outskirts with her widowed daughter-in-law and grandchildren to live in Cat Ear Alley. Because her only son had passed away, Mama Chang had to observe three years of mourning in Mourning Garments. At the time of Gu Tingye's marriage, she still had one or two months left in her mourning period. To avoid dampening the newlyweds' joyous atmosphere, she had been avoiding visits.
"Mama Chang is overthinking it. There aren't that many taboos." Minglan had long held this Mama Chang in high regard.
Gu Tingye laughed: "Mama Chang grew up in the countryside and believes strongly in these things. She's also stubborn by nature. Since it's only a matter of a few days anyway, we might as well humor her. If I haven't returned home when she comes tomorrow, please keep her for a while."
Minglan smiled and agreed. The couple continued chatting intimately about private matters when Danju announced from outside: "Miss Qiu is here."
Gu Tingye was momentarily startled, his ink-dark brows furrowing once again.
Minglan quickly pushed the man away, straightening the clothes and hair that had become disheveled during their intimacy before speaking: "Please invite her in." She made to get off the soft couch but was pressed back by Gu Tingye.
Qiu Niang entered with a small bundle, dressed in an autumn-fragrance colored waist-tied soft gauze jacket, walking slowly and gracefully. Seeing Minglan sitting reclined on the soft couch and Gu Tingye sitting upright beside her with hands on knees, she quickly lowered her head and first bowed in greeting. Minglan smiled and invited her to sit.
"What brings you here?" Gu Tingye asked patiently.
Qiu Niang's face was full of tenderness as she slightly tilted her cheek and looked up at Gu Tingye, saying softly: "As the days are getting hotter, I remember the master has always suffered in summer. I've made several cool summer robes and trousers for the master. There are also some small sachets - I've put in the eaglewood fragrance the master likes, along with pine resin and mugwort to repel mosquitoes." As she spoke, she unfolded the small bundle in her hands and gently offered it forward. But Gu Tingye remained motionless, leaving Qiu Niang somewhat embarrassed.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Minglan quickly intervened: "Take it over, I'll examine the needlework later. Danju... go check if lunch is ready." It was better to have fewer people witnessing this.
Danju took the bundle and gently placed it on a nearby curved-leg table before respectfully exiting.
Qiu Niang stared blankly at Gu Tingye's calm expression and said softly: "Master... I..."
Gu Tingye only looked at Qiu Niang. Minglan watched his handsome profile, his eyes deep in thought. He looked at Qiu Niang and slowly said: "Have you made these things for Rong Jie'er?"Qiu Niang froze for a moment. "I—I was planning to make some for Rong Jie’er after finishing yours."
"Since your return to the estate, have you done any needlework for the mistress?" Gu Tingye pressed.
Qiu Niang quickly stood up and knelt before Minglan, trembling as she said, "It was my oversight. I’ve been busy copying scriptures these past few days and only had time to make something for the master."
With no maids present to assist Qiu Niang, Minglan had no choice but to smile gently and reassure her, "It’s nothing serious. Taking care of Rong Jie’er is more important. Please rise."
But Qiu Niang dared not stand. She shifted her knees slightly toward Gu Tingye and opened her mouth to speak, only for him to raise a hand and cut her off. Suddenly, he asked, "Did you pay your respects to the mistress this morning?"
Qiu Niang hurriedly replied, "Of course. How could I dare neglect my duties?"
"Then why didn’t you give the items to the mistress this morning?"
At these words, Qiu Niang looked up in disbelief. Seeing the reproach and even a hint of sarcasm in Gu Tingye’s eyes, she was struck speechless. Her eyes reddened, and tears threatened to fall.
The room fell into silence. Minglan felt extremely awkward and wished she could slip away, but half of her skirt was pinned under Gu Tingye, leaving her unable to move. She could only tilt her head slightly away, pick up a copy of Classic of Mountains and Seas from beside the couch, and pretend to read.
"If you no longer wish to stay, I can provide you with a generous settlement and have the mistress find you a good match. You may leave and marry well," Gu Tingye stated bluntly.
"No!" Qiu Niang cried out sharply, her face filled with terror. She kowtowed repeatedly, tears streaming down her face. "I have never been disloyal to you! My feelings… my feelings… How could you not know, Master? I’d rather die—let my corpse rot, fester, and turn to ashes—than leave this house!"
Minglan felt intensely uncomfortable, wishing she could cover her ears. Such a desperate, fervent declaration was something she had never heard in either of her lifetimes. Her heart grew numb, and she couldn’t help but glance sideways at the man beside her.
"Not everything in this world can go as you wish," Gu Tingye replied unmoved, though with a trace of melancholy. His eyes seemed distant, as if recalling something from the past. He continued slowly, "I know your feelings, and I thought you understood mine. It seems I was mistaken."
Qiu Niang wept softly, while Minglan nearly buried her face in the book.
Gu Tingye’s tone was solemn yet calm. "These past few days, you’ve been hopping about, disregarding propriety, and making a spectacle of yourself. Out of respect for our past, I said nothing. Did you truly believe you were the rightful mistress and forgot your place?"
Qiu Niang’s lips trembled, her heart chilled to the core. She no longer dared to look at him and quickly lowered her head. Having served Gu Tingye since childhood, she knew well his stern and unyielding nature. Though he had matured, his core remained unchanged. He rarely lost his temper, but when he did, the consequences were severe.
This was the first time Minglan had witnessed Gu Tingye’s anger—so composed, yet every word struck deep. The atmosphere was deceptively calm, like a gentle breeze under a warm sun, yet it carried the ominous tension of an impending storm."You've followed me for so many years, always loyal and thorough. The dignity and wealth you deserve, I won't shortchange you. A century from now, someone will still provide you with a bowl of rice." Gu Tingye spoke with increasing detachment. "But you should also know to cherish your blessings. I've entrusted Rong Jie'er to you—how you ought to treat her need not be taught by me. If you don't know how, there are plenty of others who do."
Qiu Niang knelt on the floor, holding back tears, not daring to look up.
"Go now, and reflect well on your duties."
After Gu Tingye said this, Qiu Niang wiped her tears and bowed her way out. At the doorway, Gu Tingye suddenly called her back. Qiu Niang turned around with hopeful eyes, only to hear him say, "From now on, if you have anything to give, deliver it directly to the mistress."
This was the final straw. Qiu Niang's face instantly turned ashen, and she staggered out.
The two people in the room fell silent. After a long while, Minglan let out a deep sigh. "Even if you wanted to reprimand her, you should have let me leave first. Like this... wouldn't she lose face?" How awkward.
Gu Tingye leaned back slightly, resting his head on Minglan's lap, and said briefly, "She grew greedy."
Minglan silently agreed. Qiu Niang had mistaken the hardships they endured together over the years for the potential to develop into romantic love. For a bedroom servant and concubine, this was more than just greed—it was both irritating and pitiable.
Gu Tingye appeared harsh, but it was actually for her own good. For a grown man to lecture a bedroom servant so earnestly was already an act of sentimentality. Compared to Bao Yu, who spoiled his maids into lawlessness only for them to meet tragic ends, this approach seemed far better.
"Do you pity her?" Gu Tingye looked at Minglan and asked softly.
Minglan nodded, then shook her head.
Humans are social animals; comparisons yield conclusions.
Minglan used to think her reincarnation was stifling, that she lived exhaustingly like a monkey. But compared to those servant girls and boys, or impoverished families struggling to eat, her lot was already decent. Qiu Niang was indeed pitiable, but compared to many bedroom servants who met untimely ends, she was quite fortunate—because her master had some sense of responsibility.
The Sheng family could be considered benevolent. Sheng Changfeng was somewhat of a romantic, but when Ke'er died, it was as if she never existed. No one would accuse Changfeng of being heartless. The remaining bedroom servants around Changfeng lived precarious lives, entirely at the mercy of the future mistress.
As some great figure once said, people in the third world have no love. This society was strictly hierarchical; those in lower positions seemed unqualified to pursue such extravagant emotions. Survival always came first.
Seeing Minglan silent and her expression somewhat strange, Gu Tingye asked again, "Are you angry?"
Minglan shook her head, then nodded.
Gu Tingye frowned, tugged Minglan's ear, and said sternly, "Speak."
Minglan had no choice but to sigh. "It's like when a minor official constantly rushes ahead to handle affairs that should be the minister's duty, worrying about everything. Do you think the minister would be pleased?" He'd be lucky not to be demoted or dismissed. Similarly, if a bedroom servant or concubine appears more concerned and passionate about the man than the mistress, she's courting death.
Gu Tingye couldn't help but laugh. "That's a good analogy."
He thought for a moment, then added, "Seeing how soft-hearted you are, I thought you'd 'magnanimously' urge me to visit her chamber."Minglan immediately shook her head like a rattle-drum and retorted: "If you were Wei Qing, would you surrender your commander's position to a veteran general like Li Guang who remained obscure his entire life?"
Gu Tingye pondered for a moment before slowly shaking his head: "No. Not only would it be improper, but more importantly, my military merits were earned blade by blade, spear by spear. Why should I yield them to others? It wasn't I who doomed him to lifelong obscurity."
"Excellent, that's precisely my view." Minglan clapped her hands, her face radiant with smiles. "Firstly, it wasn't I who made Qiu Niang a bedroom servant. Secondly, it wasn't I who told her to wait for you. Thirdly, I only marry one husband in my lifetime—why should I be expected to compensate her with my own man?!"
Even if we consider a husband as a boss, what CEO would tolerate a scheming administrative assistant competing for favor and showing off before the chairman? Please! Have some professional integrity.
Even in ancient times, one must uphold professional ethics. Even if feigned, one ought to at least pretend to be deeply concerned about one's man.
Gu Tingye scrambled up, staring wide-eyed at Minglan, who returned an innocent gaze. The two locked eyes for a long moment before suddenly bursting into simultaneous laughter, their faces flushing crimson. Gu Tingye pressed heavily against Minglan as he chuckled into her shoulder, the vibrations from his chest resonating through her body. Their noses brushed, breath misting damply against each other's cheeks.
The man murmured low, "Your last sentence was exceptionally well said."
Minglan blinked, "Which one?"
Seeing Gu Tingye's eyes narrow with mock threat as he moved to tickle her sides, she quickly pleaded with coquettish laughter. After their playful tussle subsided, they lay panting on the couch. When her breathing steadied, Minglan rested her cheek against the man's chest and said softly, "Except for one person, no one can make me surrender my man."
Gu Tingye chuckled, "Who possesses such power?"
"You," Minglan sighed with a bitter smile. If a man's heart were to change, she would be utterly helpless. Thus, preparing for rainy days and preventing trouble before it arises by considering countermeasures early was the true necessity - life must always go on.
The girl's bright eyes remained clear as the sky, her teasing expression belying the faint helplessness deep within their depths.
Gu Tingye watched her quietly.
Extra: Beast Furnace Sinks Water Mist, Emerald Pond's Scattered Petals (Published Taiwan Edition Extra)
How many three-year periods does a woman truly have in her lifetime? Qiu Niang only knew that her most helpless, beautiful, sweetest, most anxious, and most despairing years were all spent waiting.
The year she entered the mansion, she was merely seven years old. Being diligent with her hands and feet and skilled with needlework, she was soon assigned to serve in the courtyard of the Marquis of Ningyuan's second son. It wasn't until many years later that Qiu Niang learned his name - for a long time, he had simply been her "Second Young Master." Though knowing it proved useless anyway, as she remained illiterate; unlike the newly wed Madam Sheng, who was not only literate but knowledgeable, her handwriting reportedly being called "hairpin-flower regular script," exquisitely elegant.
When she arrived, the Second Young Master was not yet ten, yet his courtyard was already filled with pretty girls. With the marquis household's generous allowances never lacking flowers or powders, they all vied to dress in the most dazzling fashions - three first-class maids, six or seven second-class maids, over a dozen third-class maids, plus errand boys, rough-work wives, gatekeeping grannies... all orbiting like stars around their single master.
Unfortunately, their charming glances were wasted on blind eyes - the Second Young Master had loved horseback riding and martial arts since childhood, rarely mingling with girls.
This concerned her little either, as she was merely an inconspicuous young maid then, performing trivial tasks like sweeping and mending, often going ten days or half a month without seeing her master. Yet being neither outstanding in appearance nor quick-tongued spared her many fantasies. Unnoticed by others, she harbored no schemes, simply waiting patiently for her family to come retrieve her.
Three years passed in a flash, with still no word from home, though her chest had begun swelling with painful tenderness. Then one summer noon, as if destined by fate, while she was sweeping the courtyard with a broom, the Second Young Master returned like a sudden gust of wind.
Even decades later, Qiu Niang vividly remembered his appearance that day - a tall, handsome youth wearing a beaded silk brocade arrow robe in vermilion and black, belted with a black double dragons grabbing pearls kudzu embroidery inlaid jade belt, a finger-wide golden python forehead ornament on his brow, his thick black hair loosely tied, his handsome face glistening with warm sweat.The young man seemed somewhat puzzled that someone was still sweeping the floor during such a sweltering noon. His dark, bright eyes briefly swept over her before he strode back to his room to wash up and change clothes.
Qiu Niang stood frozen in place, leaning on her broom. Her cheeks, which hadn't even reddened under the harsh summer sun, suddenly burned fiercely.
Thus began her girlhood.
Unlike ordinary noble sons, the second young master radiated brilliance and heroic spirit. So vibrant and dignified, he could draw his bow with divine accuracy on horseback and wield all Eighteen kinds of weapons on foot. Empty-handed, his Smashing Fist moved like swift wind and rolling thunder. His laughter was hearty and unrestrained, his actions decisive and efficient. Even throughout the entire capital, the Gu family's Erlang was a renowned name. Those refined young gentlemen who came visiting appeared like pale, feeble castrated roosters and country dogs standing beside him.
The girls in the compound watched their master like flies and hungry wolves. How dare Qiu Niang voice her feelings? She could only seize every opportunity to find more tasks, hoping to catch one more glimpse of him. If she happened to see him on any day, her heart would race and her face flush for half the day.
During that period, her greatest wish was to see the young man once daily - falling asleep waiting for dawn to sweep, at dawn waiting for him to emerge, after dark waiting for the next day... Thus, three more years passed in waiting.
She gradually developed a maiden's figure - full bosom, slender waist. But when she saw her plain features in the diamond-patterned mirror, she would feel disheartened. Not to mention those already in the second young master's chambers, even the beautiful Qingyuan, charming Zhufeng, and her roommate Sister Huangying bloomed like dazzling peonies that captivated all eyes. Recognizing reality, Qiu Niang became more dutiful - speaking less, listening more, avoiding gossip, burying herself in work. She woodenly observed the girls' intense covert rivalries.
Though slow-witted, she knew this wasn't right, wondering why no one intervened. Later, she learned from a sweeping matron that the Grand Old Madam... oh, still the Marquis' wife then - was kind-hearted and, being a second wife, rarely restrained people in the second young master's courtyard. Thus, as the second young master grew older, the girls' petty jealousies and squabbles evolved into vicious schemes.
Ziyan, who had served longest in the second young master's chambers and enjoyed the greatest trust, was discovered to be pregnant!
The Old Marquis flew into a rage, even scolding the Grand Old Madam. He immediately had Ziyan bound for personal interrogation. Ziyan wept and pleaded, insisting she'd never missed her contraceptive brew - someone must have sabotaged her. The investigation uncovered numerous underhanded secrets, making the Old Marquis stagger in fury as he pointed at the second young master and roared "Lecherous wastrel, utterly useless!"
The young man stood dumbfounded, initially bewildered before turning stubborn. Hiding in a corner, Qiu Niang ached at the hurt in his eyes. A vigorous youth of fourteen or fifteen, surrounded by flowers and beckoning butterflies, had blundered through several affairs. With no one to guide or warn him, how could he understand the intricacies?
At that time, the Old Marquis was seeking a marriage match for the second young master. If an illegitimate child appeared before marriage, what respectable family would ally with them?
The youth understood the seriousness but stubbornly insisted on taking responsibility, vowing to protect Ziyan: "I'll answer for what I've done!" The infuriated Old Marquis had him bound and severely beaten. The Grand Old Madam wept nearby, sobbing pleas for mercy.
For some reason, Qiu Niang suddenly detested this Grand Old Madam who only knew how to play the good person.After forcing Ziyan to take medicine and expelling her, the Old Marquis personally dealt with the others, especially dismissing many beautiful girls. In no time, the second young master's quarters were half emptied. When the Old Marquis was leaving, he looked up and saw Qiu Niang silently sweeping the floor. Finding her dutiful, honest, and plain-looking, he casually pointed at her and ordered her to serve in the room. Thus, as if in a dream, Qiu Niang came to the young man's side.
The second young master was deeply sentimental. Even before his wounds had fully healed, he sent someone to inquire about Ziyan's whereabouts. Upon learning that she had been hastily married off to another region, he fell silent for a long time, refusing to speak to the Old Marquis for several months. Knowing she was clumsy with words and unable to offer comfort, Qiu Niang simply served him attentively in silence. As days passed, the young man began to trust and value her.
Although the Old Marquis and the second young master grew increasingly at odds, and the young master's reputation outside worsened, Qiu Niang felt dizzy with happiness. Her beloved was before her every day, treating her gently and kindly, and even bringing back small trinkets for her after his outings—though she hardly understood most of what he said.
Who were Wei Qing and Huo Qubing? They seemed remarkable, as the second young master often mentioned them. If cavalry was so effective, why not just have all the soldiers ride horses? And what did "flanking maneuvers" mean?
But it didn't matter. No matter how many beautiful and clever newcomers arrived, no matter how much the second young master caroused and caused trouble outside, as long as she could stay by his side and serve him day after day, she was content. Those were her most beautiful three years—until Man Niang appeared.
Qiu Niang knew he had taken a mistress outside, leading to countless arguments and fights between father and son. But she never dared to voice an opinion, only staying silently by the side. Strangely, she didn't feel much jealousy toward Man Niang. Although the second young master stirred up chaos for her, Qiu Niang sensed subconsciously that he wasn't as fond of this mistress as the rumors claimed.
In her view, the second young master had failed to protect Ziyan, which left him with a lingering guilt. This time, he was determined to protect Man Niang and was fiercely defying the Old Marquis—the more he was forbidden, the more he insisted... Of course, there was some affection involved too.
Three more anxious years passed like this when suddenly news came that the mistress had already given birth to a son and a daughter?
Qiu Niang was reluctant to recall those days. The once spirited and bright second young master gradually took on a silent, brooding demeanor, as if deliberately provoking the Old Marquis out of spite. All sorts of messy incidents ensued.
The situation worsened day by day. Qiu Niang prayed to the moon every night, begging for the second young master to quickly marry a kind and gentle lady so that everything would improve; even if the mistress were brought into the household, it would be acceptable. Once the new lady gave birth to a legitimate son, she too might have a child of her own.
Amid these daily prayers, another three years passed, and the new lady finally entered the household. The second lady, Yu Shi, also known as Yanhong, was as dazzling as flames. But within just three days of her arrival, Qiu Niang wished she had never made that wish.
In just a few months of marriage, the second young master and the second lady seemed to have exhausted a lifetime's worth of arguments. Yu Shi had a fiery temper, and the second young master was not one to be trifled with. They quarreled fiercely every few days, causing constant uproar. As for the concubines and bedroom servants, Yu Shi showed no mercy. Those days felt like a nightmare to Qiu Niang. Fortunately, she was plain-looking and had been personally assigned by the Old Marquis, which allowed her to escape unscathed.The second young master could no longer stay in the mansion and finally left home. Qiu Niang hid in her room trembling, not daring to inquire about anything. Before long, the second madam and the Old Marquis passed away one after another. During this time, the second young master returned once to attend the funeral, but unfortunately, she did not see him.
When Mama Chang came to ask about the arrangements for the bedroom servants and concubines, everyone else assumed the second young master would not return and pleaded to leave. Only she and Hongxiao requested to stay. Mama Chang then assigned them a small courtyard in a remote corner, telling them to live there and raise the child.
Lonely as a nunnery, silent as death, even little Rong Jie'er wore a gloomy face all day long. Their daily necessities were inevitably reduced, and the three of them lived in melancholy. In the blink of an eye, another three years passed.
When she learned that the second young master had returned in glory, Qiu Niang was overjoyed beyond words. The servants in the mansion caught wind of this and immediately changed their attitudes, serving them attentively with good food and drink. Hongxiao was quite pleased, but Qiu Niang paid no mind, only longing to see her master soon.
Yet when she finally saw him, Qiu Niang suddenly dared not approach. His gaze toward her no longer held the intimacy of before, only pure concern and compensation. Her second young master had completely changed.
He was now a mature man, steady as a mountain and deep as an abyss. The sharpness at the corners of his mouth and the stubbornness in his brows were gone, replaced by a faint mockery, calm silence, and subtle cunning. Tempered by the years, like osmanthus wine aged to perfection, rich and fragrant, the man had grown even more outstanding.
More importantly, standing beside him was a young and beautiful new wife, graceful as a willow, her laughter like a gentle breeze—kind and virtuous. The couple stood together, a perfect match, exactly the kind of mistress she had once prayed for day and night.
But she could not feel happy. For some reason, upon seeing the new wife, a jealousy she hadn't felt in decades inexplicably soured within her.
Gazing at the new wife's jade-like beauty, Qiu Niang couldn't help but touch her own cheek. She was already a year or two older than the second young master, and now she felt even more ashamed. In her despair, she repeatedly encouraged herself: No, no, I was never outstanding to begin with, and the second young master never minded.
Life afterward was nothing like she had imagined. The second young master had no intention of rekindling their past relationship.
The master's eyes and heart were entirely devoted to the new wife. When the couple chatted, they were absorbed in each other, perfectly in tune. Every time Qiu Niang witnessed this, her heart ached anew.
The new wife seemed to understand everything. When the master lamented about Li Mu, she would say, "With unclear governance and an unenlightened ruler, even a fine general is helpless." When the master was newly promoted and scorned the incompetence of various officials, the new wife would console him: "A general who knows nothing of politics is not a good general," calming him and bringing him clarity.
Qiu Niang felt a pang of bitterness. Could no one understand her heart? She would never compete for favor with the wife. If the wife disliked her, she was willing to remain a bedroom servant for life. She wanted nothing—only to stay by the second young master's side.
But even these small wishes could not be fulfilled.
Publicly rebuked by the one she loved, shamed by the wife's reproaches, and repeatedly humiliated, Qiu Niang sat before the rhombus-patterned mirror, looking at her worn and coarse reflection. Finally, her heart died—it wasn't that the new wife couldn't tolerate her, but that there was no room for anyone else in the second young master's heart.She was an utterly ordinary woman, with only one redeeming quality—she was willing to accept her fate.
When she first entered the marquis's household as a servant and her family failed to fetch her for a long time, she grieved briefly, then let it pass. When the courtyard was filled with rivals vying for attention and the one she loved never noticed her, she contented herself with stealing glances at him twice a day, and let that pass too. When she came to serve her master and learned he had someone outside, she felt dejected for a while, yet again, she let it pass.
In truth, she had already resigned herself to living out her days on scraps for Gu Tingye. Now, she was clothed in silks and fed delicacies, no one in Clear Garden dared to slight her, and she had Rong Jie'er by her side—what more could she possibly want?
She would focus on raising Rong Jie'er well. In less than three years, it would be time to start planning her marriage.
Another three years, and Rong Jie'er would be of age to marry. Yet another three years, and she might even get to see her grandchild...
So be it.
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