After hearing her mother-in-law lay everything out plainly, Madam Chang Hu finally grew embarrassed. She straightened her sitting posture and fell silent. Mama Chang shot her another glare before continuing slowly, "When my ill-fated son passed, it was Ye-ge'er who sent people to escort us. Only then did I dare bring his coffin back to our hometown with my children, allowing Nian Ge'er's father to rest in peace!"
As she spoke, her voice choked up and her eyes reddened. Minglan quickly comforted her, "Mama, don't grieve too much. Your health is what matters most. Sister-in-law Chang and her two children still depend on you." Chang Yan and Chang Nian also came to her sides to offer words of consolation.
"Look at me, truly making a spectacle of myself before Madam," Mama Chang regained her composure, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief as she smiled.
Just then, Mama Hua brought Rong Jie'er in.
"Rong Jie'er, see who's here?" Minglan said cheerfully. "Come, pay your respects to Mama."
Rong Jie'er was wearing a light red pearl-sheened satin gauze jacket, making her small face appear as tender and pale as fresh tofu. Her gaze swept over the Chang family members from Mama Chang to the siblings' faces before she bowed respectfully and said softly, "Greetings, Mama."
Mama Chang's expression was complex - seemingly pitying yet somewhat disdainful. After several shifts in her gaze, she finally said, "You... have grown quite a bit. Your complexion has become fairer too. That's good."
Rong Jie'er glanced up at Minglan, opened her mouth as if to speak, but ultimately remained silent.
Looking directly at Minglan, Mama Chang said frankly, "It's Rong Jie'er's good fortune to have encountered you, Madam. She's quite stubborn - please don't take it to heart. Just teach what needs teaching and say what needs saying."
Minglan nodded without comment, simply gesturing for Rong Jie'er to take a seat nearby. Mama Chang watched her for a moment before turning back to Minglan with a smile, "We've been talking for so long without asking how you're doing now? How is Ye-ge'er?"
Seeing genuine deep concern on the older woman's face, Minglan felt touched and replied gently, "All is well. I'm just beginning to manage household affairs, so there's much to learn. My husband is quite busy with official matters, but his spirits remain good."
Hearing Minglan's sincere words, Mama Chang's wrinkles crinkled into a joyful bunch: "That's good, that's good. I've always said Ye-ge'er would achieve great things. One day, he'll certainly bring honor to his ancestors!"
Minglan's gaze shifted to the children below. Noticing Chang Yan sitting beside Rong Jie'er speaking softly while Chang Nian sat upright listening to the adults, she smiled and asked, "After all this talking, I haven't inquired about Yan Jie'er and Nian Ge'er yet. What do they occupy themselves with nowadays?"
Mama Chang glanced at her grandchildren and chuckled, "Yanzi's just a girl who knows a few characters and can do some needlework - she'll marry into a good family eventually. But my Nian Ge'er is currently studying."
Minglan turned her eyes to Chang Nian. Seeing the adults discussing him, the boy stood up respectfully. Looking at the young lad, Minglan playfully tested him: "'As when we dislike a bad smell, and as when we love what is beautiful' - where does this come from?"
Chang Nian seemed surprised, glancing at Minglan before his youthful face took on a serious expression. "This is called knowing what is sufficient. It is said in the 'Great Learning': 'What is meant by "making the thoughts sincere" is the allowing no self-deception, as when we dislike a bad smell, and as when we love what is beautiful.'"
"What is its meaning?" Minglan pressed further.Chang Nian answered fluently: "What is called sincerity means not only being honest with others, but also with oneself. One must detest unpleasant odors and cherish beautiful colors alike—this is true sincerity." Though the boy's voice still carried a childish tone, his delivery was clear and his words substantial.
Minglan raised an eyebrow without comment, then asked: "Observing villages through villages, observing states through states—where does this come from?"
Chang Nian smiled, revealing two charming little canine teeth, and declared clearly: "Those skilled in the Way do not strive, those who hold fast do not lose, and their descendants will continue the ancestral sacrifices. Cultivate it in yourself, and your virtue will be genuine; cultivate it in your family, and your virtue will be abundant; cultivate it in your village, and your virtue will be enduring; cultivate it in your state, and your virtue will be plentiful; cultivate it in the world, and your virtue will be universal. Therefore, observe others through yourself, observe other families through your own family, observe other villages through your own village, observe other states through your own state, observe the world through the world. How do I know the world? Through this. This passage comes from the Tao Te Ching."
Without waiting for Minglan to ask again, Chang Nian explained: "Extend virtue to yourself, your family, your village, your state, and eventually the world, and morality can expand infinitely. By observing others through yourself, other families through your own family, and other states through your own state, you can understand all affairs under heaven."
This time Minglan smiled, secretly astonished.
To use a simple analogy: within the imperial examination scope, the Four Books and Five Classics were like required courses, while various other classics like the Tao Te Ching belonged to elective courses. She hadn't expected this young boy, studying only in rural areas, to have such solid knowledge. Minglan remembered when she first studied this passage—the commentary had filled an entire page, yet this boy had summarized it in just a few words. His explanation was concise, his delivery clear—truly remarkable.
Minglan turned and gave Mama Chang a deep look. The clear appreciation and slight surprise in her eyes made Mama Chang feel quite pleased. She looked at her grandson with proud satisfaction, her face radiant with happiness.
"Where is Nian Ge'er studying now?" Minglan asked.
Mama Chang sighed: "Back in our hometown, he studied for a few days with an old country scholar. After coming to the capital, being unfamiliar here, he attended a private school run by a local teacher. However, Nian Ge'er mostly studies on his own." Judging from their expressions and books, this Teacher Liu was clearly not very satisfactory.
Minglan lowered her head in contemplation. When it came to studying, natural talent indeed made a difference. Not to diminish her own family's reputation, but the Sheng family's scholarly atmosphere could be considered excellent. Not only did all the men in the family hold imperial degrees, but her father constantly urged them on from behind. Yet truthfully, Changdong's learning couldn't compare with this Chang Nian before her.
Though Chang Nian was even younger than Changdong, his manner and speech were open and upright. He showed no timidity before superiors, nor did he display resentment or envy when encountering wealth and luxury—only maintaining a bright appreciation while happily observing everything, neither servile nor overbearing, quite like the ancient gentlemen.
Only now did Minglan understand why Mama Chang had acted as she did.
If Chang Nian were to enter officialdom through imperial examinations in the future, he couldn't have flaws in his background, or he might easily be attacked in official circles. His grandmother could have served as a wet nurse, but must not have been registered as a servant. Perhaps this was how Mama Chang had considered matters for her only son back then.
Truly, parental love knows no bounds.Mama Chang noticed Minglan had been keeping her head lowered in silence, so she tentatively ventured, "Madam comes from a family of scholars. I've heard your brothers are all highly learned..." Minglan lifted her head and smiled faintly, "We can hardly claim to be a scholarly family, but my father does value education greatly. My youngest brother from my maiden home is about the same age as Nian Ge'er and is currently studying as well."
He was attending the renowned Hai Family private school, where a large group of stipend scholars, xiucai, jinshi, and even retired academicians, along with visiting literati and scholars staying for extended periods, took turns teaching. Every time little Changdong returned home, his eyes would be spinning like whirlpools of confusion.
Mama Chang's voice trembled as she said, "If Madam could help find a good teacher for him, this old woman would be eternally grateful!"
Education in ancient times wasn't widely accessible. Without modern advertisements plastered on lampposts, it was difficult for outsiders to know which teachers were truly competent. Take Zhuang Xiansheng for example - he maintained the demeanor of a recluse, living in a small alley without house numbers. Back then, Sheng Hong had to exert tremendous effort just to learn about him, and then went through even greater trouble to invite him to Dengzhou.
Minglan pondered for a moment before nodding, "I can ask my elder brother to look into it, but ultimately it will depend on Nian Ge'er's own fortune."
She understood Mama Chang's intention clearly, but she didn't resent it. Even in modern times, parents would go to great lengths to secure good education for their children.
Mama Chang's fingers trembled with emotion as she stammered excitedly. Minglan smiled gently and said, "Let's do this then. I'll assign Nian Ge'er a topic to write an essay on. I'll send it to my elder brother for evaluation and let him decide how to proceed. What do you think?"
Mama Chang hesitated, "Now? Perhaps he should write it after returning home."
Young Nian Ge'er became anxious for the first time and quickly said, "It's no trouble, I'm willing to write it now."
Minglan smiled at him and, after brief consideration, said, "'Things being investigated, knowledge became complete. Their knowledge being complete, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified, their persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their states were rightly governed. Their states being rightly governed, the whole kingdom was made tranquil and happy.' Is half an hour sufficient?"
A flush appeared on Nian Ge'er's slightly dark complexion as he bowed respectfully to the ground: "This student accepts the assignment."
Minglan felt quite pleased. Having lived in this era that belittled women for so long, she had begun to doubt her own intelligence. She slightly raised her voice: "Danju, escort Nian Ge'er to my desk and assist him with grinding ink for writing."
Danju stepped forward with a smile, acknowledging the instruction before leading him away.
This impromptu examination tested not only calligraphy and fundamental knowledge but also psychological resilience. If under such circumstances, Nian Ge'er could produce an essay that would earn Changbai's approval, then he truly had promising talent. Bringing another gifted and promising student to her maiden family wouldn't be a bad thing - perhaps he might even become a future ally in official circles.
Even if he didn't meet expectations, finding a school better than the rural private academy shouldn't pose much difficulty.
Afterward, Mama Chang couldn't sit still, constantly glancing toward the door. Chang Hu's wife had remained silent throughout, and whenever she attempted to speak, Mama Chang would glare at her fiercely. Mama Chang's own conversation became disjointed, clearly distracted.
Minglan wasn't in a hurry to engage them in conversation, instead casually exchanging pleasantries. Just then, Gu Tingye finally returned.Gu Tingye strode directly into the side hall without even changing out of his court dress, sweeping the front hem aside as he entered. The moment his tall, imposing figure appeared at the doorway, Mama Chang rose to her feet, her voice brimming with delight: "Ye-ge'er!"
"Please sit, Mama!" Gu Tingye moved with vigorous strides, crossing the room in a few steps to help Mama Chang sit back down. Minglan quickly yielded her own seat so Gu Tingye could sit closer to Mama Chang, taking a position herself on the opposite side of the upper seating area.
Chang Hu-shi, along with her daughter and Rong Jie'er, collectively bowed to Gu Tingye. After rising, Chang Yan stole a blushing glance at the man, but Gu Tingye seemed displeased, merely nodding faintly to Chang Hu-shi before turning away to converse with Mama Chang.
"Ye-ge'er looks much more spirited now!" Mama Chang patted Gu Tingye's sleeve, examining him up and down with glistening eyes, repeating warmly, "Good, good, this is how it should be. Now that you're married, you're a proper adult—you must take good care of yourself!"
Gu Tingye laughed with shameless pride: "Naturally."
"You rascal!" Mama Chang shot him a mock glare, then smiled toward Minglan. "See? Now that he has a delightful new wife, this old woman is just in the way! Fine then, I'd better hurry back home."
"That won't do; Nian Ge'er is still detained at my desk. Don't you want your grandson anymore?" Minglan teased.
Mama Chang pretended to be vexed, laughing: "Well now I'm trapped!"
Chang Hu-shi and her daughter, along with several maids in the room, joined in the laughter. Gu Tingye looked questioningly at his wife, and Minglan softly explained: "I noticed Nian Ge'er shows promise in his studies, so I asked him to write an essay. Later I'll have my brother review it to see if we can find him a good tutor."
Gu Tingye laughed heartily in approval, telling Mama Chang: "This is excellent. See what a fine wife I've married, Mama?"
Minglan flushed with embarrassment, her cheeks turning pink. Mama Chang pointed at Gu Tingye, scolding through laughter: "Oh, stop your boasting! Does your wife's excellence need your announcement?!"
The room filled with cheerful laughter. Seeing her tactless daughter-in-law about to speak again, Mama Chang quickly said to Minglan: "Since this is their first time visiting, why not have someone accompany them for a stroll in the garden? That way we can chat more freely."
Minglan glanced at Gu Tingye before nodding: "That's a fine idea. Wang Gui Xifu is quite articulate—she can accompany Sister Chang and Yanzi around the garden. Rong Jie'er may join them too if she wishes."
Sister Chang longed to say more, but under her mother-in-law's stern gaze, she had no choice but to lead her daughter and Rong Jie'er out of the hall.
Once the others had left, Mama Chang grew quiet, carefully inquiring after Gu Tingye's health and giving Minglan numerous instructions: "Ah, from now on Ye-ge'er will rely entirely on your care. He's like an unbridled wild horse—when his temper flares, he neglects his own wellbeing. He has several old injuries on his back and shoulders, Madam. You must keep watch over him—make sure he takes his medicine when needed and applies ointments properly. He must recuperate thoroughly!"
Gu Tingye chuckled interjecting: "There you go again, Mama. Those are ancient wounds from donkey's years ago. His Majesty already had the imperial physicians examine me—they're mostly healed now and no longer troublesome."
"Nonsense," Mama Chang glared. "Just a few winters ago, your old injuries flared up with the cold, leaving you sweating in pain. I had to rub ginger and medicated oil on you daily for over half a month before you improved! Don't think you can forget the pain just because the scars have faded!"Minglan lowered her head in contemplation. Gu Tingye indeed had several scars from blades and spears on his shoulders and back, with one particularly frightening one stretching from his left shoulder down to his back. She silently noted this, planning to prepare some tiger bone plaster and medicinal oil for him later.
Seeing Minglan looking as if she wished to immediately fetch paper and brush to record this, Gu Tingye felt both amused and touched. He said, "Didn't you mention before that you wanted to visit the manors?"
"Yes," Minglan replied. Reviewing account books daily felt like empty theory. Though she managed several manors with clear income and expenditure records, never having seen them in person left her feeling unsettled.
"I'll accompany you to inspect all the manors," Gu Tingye said lightly, his tone cheerful. "Mama Chang, why don't you join us?" But Mama Chang declined with a laugh, "You noble folks find farmland and manors novel. We've just moved from the countryside to the city - we've had our fill of mountains, waters, and forests."
Minglan was both surprised and delighted. "What? Do you have time off now?" The vacation system in ancient times was simply outrageous.
"Not exactly," Gu Tingye chuckled. "His Majesty issued an edict today to review military drills at the Western Suburbs Camp. I need to prepare there these next few days. Since it's closer to the manors, we can stay overnight there. Didn't you want to check the land registers against the actual fields and investigate the tenant families? Take your time. After the imperial review, I'll have two days free, then we can go to West Mountain to enjoy the hot springs."
Mama Chang's mouth fell open in surprise before she sighed with a smile, "The young master has learned to cherish his wife! Excellent, you young couple should indeed relax and unwind. Being busy like a spinning wheel every day must be stifling."
Hearing Gu Tingye's well-considered plans, Minglan knew he must have thought this through carefully. Feeling moved and equally pleased, she looked at Gu Tingye with soft, smiling eyes.
Seeing this, Mama Chang felt reassured about their marital harmony.
...
A small gray-oiled cloth carriage carried the Chang family homeward. Outside were the old coachman's calls, while inside unfolded a warm and friendly family discussion.
"Nian Ge'er, how did your writing go?" Mama Chang asked eagerly.
Chang Nian smiled comfortably, showing no tension. "Same as usual."
"How can that be?" Mama Chang grew anxious. "You must write your very best to succeed!"
Chang Nian comforted his grandmother, "Grandmother, don't worry. I feel Madame Gu genuinely intends to help us."
Mama Chang breathed a sigh of relief, somewhat reassured. Sitting opposite, Mrs. Chang couldn't resist complaining, "Mother, why did you have to reveal all our family affairs? Master Gu wouldn't have disclosed them! Now Madame Gu will look down on us!"
Mama Chang flared up, exclaiming, "What do you know?! We can hide matters temporarily, but can we conceal them forever?"
Seeing his mother still unconvinced, Chang Nian advised, "Mother, Grandmother is right. When she was speaking earlier, Madame didn't seem unaware of the situation."
"Nonsense! I thought Madame looked quite startled at that moment!" Mrs. Chang insisted stubbornly.
Chang Nian shook his head and persuaded further, "Madame was surprised, but not because she didn't know about these matters. She was just taken aback by Grandmother speaking so bluntly.""Nian Ge'er is the only one who sees things clearly!" Mama Chang declared proudly, looking at her grandson before turning to scold her daughter-in-law. "You good-for-nothing! Don't think just because the mistress is young, she's easy to fool. I've heard these days she's made Clear Garden as secure as iron bars! She'll find out about our affairs sooner or later. Better to confess ourselves than be looked down upon by others!"
"What about Yanzi then? Didn't you once suggest marrying Yanzi over there?" Chang Hu-shi glanced at her daughter.
At these words, Mama Chang flew into a rage. "What kind of mother are you! Such matters should be discussed among adults. How could you mention it to Yanzi? That matter is over! Don't ever bring it up again!"
Chang Hu-shi grew frantic. "Why?! Master Gu's official rank keeps rising. Great wealth is right before our eyes. Why won't you let Yanzi go now?"
Mama Chang exploded. "Bullshit! You featherbrained fool, losing your mind again! Back when my son was studying properly, it was you who grew envious seeing others' wealth, tricking Nian Ge'er's father into business and ruining our family! We've barely had a couple of comfortable days, and you're already itching for trouble again, aren't you?!"
Seeing their grandmother's fury, Chang Yan and her brother Nian Ge'er immediately fell silent. Chang Hu-shi flushed crimson from the scolding and mumbled, "Mother, the children are present," hinting she should save some face.
Remembering her son, Mama Chang's anger surged. She shrieked at the top of her lungs, "You family-wrecker! You disgrace! I must have been blind to ever take you as my daughter-in-law! You never lacked food or clothing, yet you had to go crazy and get my son killed! If not for Yanzi and Nian Ge'er, I'd have kicked you out long ago! Do you think Ye-ge'er thinks highly of you? He knows exactly what you are and can't be bothered with you!"
When enraged, Mama Chang never cared about the setting, cursing freely. Now in full swing, she pointed her finger almost in Chang Hu-shi's face. "I only considered it back then because Ye-ge'er had no one to care for him, thinking Yanzi could look after him. Now he's married a good wife and is living well. What are you stirring up trouble for?! I've had nothing but bad luck my whole life! They say life has three sorrows: losing a father young, losing a spouse in middle age, and losing a son in old age. I must have done evil in my past life to suffer all three! Now I only hope Yanzi can marry well and Nian Ge'er makes something of himself. If you keep causing trouble, I'll throw you out immediately! We'd be better off without a mother like you!"
Chang Hu-shi endured the spray of spittle without daring to retort, keeping her head bowed.
Seeing her mother too ashamed to look up, Chang Yan couldn't help saying, "Grandma, Master Gu is close to you. If I became his concubine, he'd treat me well too!"
Mama Chang's eyes widened. She grabbed her granddaughter's ear and scolded, "You're just like your mother, both so shortsighted! Let me ask you - in all these years, has Master Gu ever spoken ten words to you?"
Covering her sore ear, Chang Yan blushed and said, "Master Gu treats me like a child. He hardly pays me any attention.""Pah!" Mama Chang snarled, baring her teeth. "How old did you think the mistress looked today? About your age, right? So why doesn't Ye-ge'er treat her like a child?! Let me tell you, you'd better give up that foolish notion right now. After seeing the mistress today, take a mirror and look at yourself—compare her demeanor, learning, and appearance to yours. The two of you are as different as a phoenix in the heavens and a leech in the mud!"
Chang Yan's eyes reddened with grievance, and she pouted, "I was just saying! Fine, I won't go then!"
Still fuming, Mama Chang continued to scold, "Anyway, your father's mourning period is over. Once we return, I'll arrange a match for you—don't go out and embarrass yourself! You and your mother have already seen Clear Garden; there's no need to go again! Stay honest at home, or else you'll taste my rod—I'll beat the both of you!"
"Do you think it's easy being a woman in a wealthy household? Old Master Bai back then couldn't figure this out - he sent his eldest daughter into the Marquis' manor, and within just a few years, she was gone!" Mama Chang cried out in anguish, then went to pull her granddaughter's ear again. "With your temperament, entering such a deep mansion compound, not even your bone fragments would remain!"
Both mother and daughter of the Chang family remained silent under the scolding. Mama Chang sighed: "Relying on my old face, we can finally find some solution for your brother's future! If Nian Ge'er can achieve something, wouldn't you as his mother and sister share the glory? Ah... but passing the imperial exams isn't easy. My father used to say that commoners without connections would need decades more effort to succeed."
"Sister, Grandma is right, you should give up this idea. I can see Brother A'Qing next door likes you very much, and his family situation is quite good too - they have both farmland and shops. They won't let you suffer." Since losing his father, Nian Ge'er had gradually matured beyond his years and now added in a low voice, "Besides, I've noticed Master Gu is quite devoted to his wife. He wouldn't look at anyone else."
"Oh, you noticed that too?" Mama Chang asked with interest, having always trusted this grandson who had been sensible since childhood.
Nian Ge'er nodded, smiling shyly: "When I handed my essay to the Madame, I saw she had left a half-eaten fruit on the plate. Later, Master Gu picked it up and ate it."
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