After seeing Gu Tingye off, Minglan half-listened as several stewardesses reported various matters: the connecting wall between the two mansions had been completely demolished, awaiting timber and bricks for reconstruction... monthly allowances had been distributed with some accounting discrepancies... cotton fabrics had been purchased, with the procurement team requesting Minglan's inspection, while the sewing team announced winter clothes for the household could commence tomorrow... the construction site kitchen submitted accounts... along with routine requests for verification tokens—a jumble of tasks that Minglan patiently addressed one by one.
Glancing sideways, she noticed Danju checking accounts by the window. Over the years, her abacus skills had grown remarkably swift, completing several ledgers in moments.
Liao Yong Xifu, well-connected, had identified several suitable bachelors for marriage: from prosperous merchant families to landowners with abundant fields, and even stewards proposing matches for their sons—all offering households with servants. After the New Year, external shop managers would gather in the capital, presenting opportunities to evaluate promising young men or those with ambitious sons.
Minglan's head throbbed from the considerations. When she attempted to solicit Danju's personal opinion, the girl flushed crimson and turned away. Pressed further, Danju grew irritated and refused to speak.
"It's improper for the mistress to ask a young woman to comment on potential husbands and marriages herself," Cui Mama chuckled.
Minglan wrinkled her delicate cheeks. "What's the harm in discussing it? How else would I know her preferences—scholarly types, cheerful personalities, steady and reliable men, or those who are humorous and considerate? This concerns her entire life. Why should she be shy?"
What if their temperaments clashed after marriage? Hmm... perhaps she was overthinking.
"Old Madam used to fret over her subordinates' affairs just like this. You've learned it perfectly, and the household staff are fortunate for it," Cui Mama remarked tenderly, her gaze growing more affectionate. Lacking experience, Minglan feared mismanaging Danju's match and requested Cui Mama's assistance in screening candidates—her track record with nieces' marriages proved reliable.
"Rest assured, Mistress. Having watched Danju and Xiaotao grow up, and with your instructions, this old woman understands her responsibility," Cui Mama assured.
After Cui Mama withdrew, Minglan reclined on the Xiangfei couch, holding an account book like a poetry collection, frowning in contemplation. Qinsang remained the least troublesome. Recently, her family traveled from the countryside to petition through stewards, stating Qinsang had reached marriageable age and begging permission to redeem their daughter. Minglan promptly summoned them.
Qinsang's parents and elder brother appeared honest and simply dressed. Trembling as they entered, they immediately knelt and kowtowed upon seeing Minglan, weeping so vehemently it startled her.
Learning the proposed match involved good character and stable circumstances, Minglan felt somewhat relieved.
"...Heaven has blessed us with noble patrons. She eats well, dresses well, and even learns to read and write," Qinsang's mother expressed with sun-weathered, ruddy-wrinkled face full of humble gratitude, her sincerity palpable. "Our family will remember your and Old Madam Sheng's boundless kindness forever, vowing to repay it even in our next lives."She repeatedly explained that selling their daughter had been a last resort, and the pain of being separated from their own flesh and blood, not knowing where she might end up or what she would suffer, had tormented the entire family like being fried in boiling oil. Qinsang’s father and brother were simple, honest farmers, not particularly eloquent, so they wept and kowtowed repeatedly, only rising after much persuasion, then standing timidly off to the side.
When Minglan said they needn’t pay a redemption fee, the family of three knelt again in unison, overwhelmed with gratitude, weeping and thanking her profusely, their heads knocking against the floor like pounding garlic. Minglan had never received so many kowtows in her life; it made her scalp tingle. After exchanging a few more casual remarks, she quickly had someone lead them away to reunite with their daughter. With Minglan’s assurance, Qinsang’s family expressed endless thanks before returning home, relieved to prepare a proper room for her and arrange the wedding. By the middle of next year, when they came to fetch Qinsang, everything would be nearly settled.
“I wonder what kind of family they’ve found for her? What’s the man’s character like?” Minglan murmured to herself, resting her head on the couch pillow.
Lüzhi entered carrying two sun-warmed pillows that smelled wonderfully fresh. Hearing this, she laughed, “Madam, there’s no need to worry. Before your marriage, didn’t you allow Qinsang to visit her family? She already went with her parents to meet him herself.”
Minglan was slightly surprised. “Qinsang has seen him already?”
“Exactly!” Lüzhi tucked the warm, plump pillow under Minglan’s waist and chuckled, “The family is well-off in their village, all decent and honest folks. They have plenty of land and tenants, and the man is quite handsome too.”
“That sly girl! She’ll tell you all but stays tight-lipped as a clam around me!” Minglan felt somewhat relieved but then murmured softly, “…I just hope they won’t look down on her for having been a maid.” Sold at a young age, she’d spent nearly a decade in the capital, growing distant from her parents and brothers, and now marrying into an unfamiliar situation—if anything happened, Minglan would be too far away to help.
Lüzhi laughed in mock surprise. “Madam, what are you saying? They know she served as the personal maid of a young lady from an official’s family in the capital, and now she’s a senior maid in the Marquis’s residence. Plus, look at Qinsang’s dignified manner and gentle, unpretentious nature—they adore her! Look down on her? You’re thinking of those sour scholars from the outer courtyard!”
Minglan shot her a reproachful glance, knowing exactly whom she was hinting at. Lüzhi was capable and upright but lacked a bit of gentleness, her words often sharp. Unfortunately, Ruomei was equally stubborn, and the two were constantly at odds. Afraid of angering their mistress, they never argued openly but competed in secret, both denying any conflict like children—it was both irritating and amusing.
Lately, her mind had been growing foggier. Though she had just woken up early in the morning, she already felt drowsy again. Minglan dozed off on the couch, her head drooping. Lüzhi, tidying up, noticed the sudden silence and looked up to see her asleep. Smiling to herself, she tucked the thin quilt securely around Minglan and slipped out quietly.
The nap left her body sore and heavy, lost in a deep, dreamless sleep until mid-morning when she gradually woke. Just then, Danju lifted the door curtain and entered, smiling cheerfully. “We have a guest, Madam. You should get up now.”
…
“We’ve just come from the palace. Sticking to all the rules and afraid of making a mistake, we hardly dared move a muscle. We’re here to beg a cup of tea from you.” Little Shen’s cheeks were flushed with vitality as she laughed brightly, her voice clear and youthful like silver bells.The waterside pavilion was laid with a full table of tea and pastries. It was a fine autumn day with crisp air, and the pond shimmered with rippling reflections. A few red-leafed trees transplanted from the Western Hills stood by the water's edge. A gentle breeze stirred, scattering a sparse shower of crimson leaves—some dotting the dry, yellow-green grass, others floating on the emerald, undulating surface—truly a scene to lift the spirits.
"You, keeping to propriety? Afraid to move too much?" Madam Geng, seated nearby peeling an orange, widened her eyes. "From childhood till now, whether you were climbing hills or rolling in muddy ponds, Her Majesty the Empress never once laid a finger on you. How can you have the nerve to say such a thing!"
Little Shen laughed merrily, wrinkling her delicate brows. "Isn't the Empress Dowager here today? If it were only the Empress, would you have kept such a straight face? My sister is so kind and lenient—when has she ever restrained any of you?" Turning to Minglan, she added with a smile, "Since we've been standing for over an hour, I noticed everyone looking tired and weary, so I suggested coming here to rest awhile. I hope you don't mind."
Minglan responded with a wry smile, "I am honored that you, Madam Zheng, deem my humble abode worthy of your visit, truly lending it splendor. Please, feel free to come—no need for 'politeness'." Little Shen didn't reply, merely chuckling with satisfaction.
Figures moved about the pavilion as seven or eight maids brought warm water and handed out towels.
Madam Duan took a warm towel from a young maid and passed it to Madam Geng, her expression gentle and kind. "Quickly wipe your neck—you're the one sweating the most, your powder is smudged, and people might laugh; why not just wash your face properly?"
"Thank you for that. Why don't you wash up too?" Madam Geng accepted the towel generously, patted her shoulders and neck, had a maid wrap a cloth around her chest, and another maid held a mirror and basin, carefully assisting her as she washed and reapplied her makeup.
Madam Duan thought for a moment, then said cheerfully, "Alright then." She too bent over and lowered her head to be attended to.
Nearby, Madam Zhong observed the maids serving with efficiency and respect, their movements skilled and gentle, so quiet that only the rustle of clothing could be heard. As she pressed a damp towel to her forehead, she turned to Minglan and said, "Last time I was here, I meant to mention—even your lowest maids surpass the personal attendants in my household." Her gaze swept over the demure, bowing girls, a smile appearing on her slender face. "Lovely in appearance, capable in talent, and impeccable in manners."
Minglan feigned a light scold, pretending to be greatly flattered, and laughed, "Sister Zhong, your words are so sweet—they truly warm the heart. I have a few baskets of fresh bamboo shoots just delivered from the mountains; take some back with you to try later."
Madam Zhong chuckled, but before she could speak, Little Shen cut in, "Oh, you're so easily swayed! A few kind words and you're over the moon. What about those of us who aren't as smooth-tongued? Do we get nothing?"
"Yes, yes, everyone present gets a share—will that do?" Minglan quickly waved her hands in mock surrender, looking as if she'd been robbed. Little Shen and Madam Zhong burst into laughter together.Madam Geng had finished washing her face and was tilting her head to have hairpins, earrings, and bracelets fastened. Finally freeing her mouth to speak, she hurriedly said, "A while ago, I sought out several slave traders again, demanding maids with this and that quality, and ended up making a huge fool of myself! They said that proper upper-class families train their top-tier maids from childhood, observing their character and conduct over the years before selecting them to serve the young masters and ladies. Sigh... I can only hope to find a few strict, rule-savvy governesses to train them slowly."
Amused by her story, everyone burst into laughter, with Little Shen especially delighted, clutching the armrest of her chair as her shoulders shook uncontrollably. Madam Duan suppressed her laughter and teased, "Why look elsewhere? You yourself are the most formidable troublemaker!"
The Duan Chengqian couple both hailed from prominent families in Shu, and though they were from collateral branches, they had received all the necessary upbringing and understood all the proper etiquette. This time, accompanying her husband to the capital, both his family and her maternal clan had provided many capable servants, ensuring a smooth transition.
After laughing for a while, Madam Geng frowned again and sighed, "Since coming to the capital, I haven't found much else difficult, but I feel it's hard to get by smoothly. So, I've been buying servants left and right. But the older ones are either too cunning if they're clever or too dull if they're honest, and the younger ones are simply useless. The capital has its own rules. Last time I hosted a banquet, something went wrong here or there, and I nearly made a spectacle of myself."
"Perhaps your standards are too high, sister. You've been buying and selling maids five or six times a month—how could it not be difficult? Though they may not be perfect, they should suffice," Madam Zhong said softly, her eyes fixed on the lake surface.
Madam Geng pursed her lips and grumbled, "How could I let those scheming, troublesome vixens corrupt the young and old masters?!"
"It's common for men to have multiple wives and concubines. You're almost at the age of seeking a daughter-in-law, yet you still can't accept this?" Madam Zhong half-joked.
It was said that General Zhong and Comrade Lao Geng were as close as brothers, bound by deep loyalty. After each married, Zhong Dayou couldn't stand seeing his good friend utterly henpecked, and even Madam Zhong often made pointed remarks in front of Madam Geng.
"Alright, alright, here you go again!" Seeing Madam Geng about to lose her temper, Madam Duan quickly stepped in to mediate, "What use is a wife serving a dish if her husband isn't willing to eat it? Every family has its own way of living—let's all say less!"
This topic had a generational gap, and the young, childless wives found it hard to interject. Minglan and Little Shen simultaneously covered their faces with teacups, silently sipping their tea. After pretending to be timid for a while, Minglan remembered she was the hostess today and couldn't just play dumb. Clearing her throat, she changed the subject: "Why did your palace visit to express gratitude take so long this time?""
The last time she went to express gratitude, it was over in just half an hour, including intermission and commercial breaks.
Xie En followed set protocols. Except for major annual celebrations, large crowds couldn't enter the palace at once to maintain its solemnity, so visits were scheduled in batches. As a newly minted first-rank lady who had received extra imperial festival gifts, Minglan was among the first to enter the palace, blissfully enjoying the imperial favor, and even made a cameo in a soap opera.
The summons should have continued the next day, but... well, a minor incident occurred."What other reason could there be? The one in Yining Palace has been displeased these past few days." Madam Geng, being straightforward and blunt, spoke quickly. "With the noble ladies above at a stalemate, how dare we move? We've been standing for half the day."
Madam Zhong gracefully blew on her tea leaves: "Sister Geng, mind your words."
"Mind what? When we left the palace gate, your face was longer than the horse tethered to the carriage!" Madam Geng snorted coldly.
Madam Zhong's face flushed red, while Madam Duan coughed repeatedly.
Minglan nearly sighed, turning to Little Shen: "What exactly happened? I haven't gone out these past few days and know nothing... Is it convenient to say?" She deliberately lowered her voice for the last sentence.
Little Shen had been in high spirits recently and replied boldly: "What's there that can't be said? Early this morning, His Majesty already issued an edict, everything is settled. The palace is releasing two thousand palace maids."
"This is a good thing, beneficial for the country and the people." Minglan smiled cheerfully. With the palace staff halved, considerable expenses could likely be saved.
Madam Duan nodded gently, her tone mild: "It is indeed a good thing. Those low-ranking palace maids wait idly as their youth fades, with no settlement for their entire lives. Those with families to turn to are better off, but most end up pitiful in old age. His Majesty is wise, and the Empress Dowager and Empress are benevolent and generous. Truly, heaven blesses harmony—a blessing for the state and society."
"But this time, it's not just low-ranking palace maids being released." Madam Geng lowered her voice, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Minglan smiled, revealing two neat, white little teeth: "That's natural. How could just low-ranking palace maids make up two thousand? If that were really the case, then who would do the rough work in the palace?" A normal, reasonable way to reduce staff would be to cut a little from each rank.
Madam Zhong couldn't help laughing. Minglan's smiling face dazzled her—this kind of childishly sly smile was something she often saw on her own five-year-old daughter's face. She said with a smile: "Her Majesty the Empress said that with military campaigns and river repairs ongoing, money is needed everywhere. Not only must the palace staff be reduced, but the allowances for each palace's primary occupants must also be cut. From the Emperor and Empress down to the consorts, as well as the princes and princesses, only a fixed number of palace maids may be retained; the rest must be dismissed. Of course, the two Empress Dowagers are also included."
"But... aren't the palace maids and eunuchs in Yining Palace the most..." Minglan was somewhat confused, her heart stirring. As a veteran court heavyweight, Shengde Taihou had far more attendants than the newly established Sheng'an Taihou and the Emperor and Empress.
"Who says otherwise?" Madam Geng's tone was full of schadenfreude.
"Did... the Empress Dowager agree?" Minglan asked, startled and uncertain, timidly.
"I heard there were disputes at court for several days." Madam Duan said softly. "But now the state treasury is empty, and while the investigation into the silver is still unclear, His Majesty is willing to reduce palace expenses on his own. Few dared to speak against it. Besides, the number of attendants the two Empress Dowagers can retain is already the highest—even more than His Majesty."
Minglan's mind cleared, and she was speechless for a long time, frozen in place. The Emperor's move was truly ruthless.
The pavilion was quiet for a long while before Little Shen's voice was heard."The Yining Palace has been quite lively these past few days. Several beauties have grown particularly attached to their master, crying and pleading not to leave the palace, even threatening to end their lives." Her voice was so light it seemed about to take flight. "This morning the Imperial Household Department went to Yining Palace with an imperial decree to collect them—oh, the first ones were those two exquisitely charming—" she drew out her words delightedly, "but didn't the Empress Dowager say that day, 'They've reached the age, we shouldn't delay them any longer'? Now they've gotten their wish."
The waterside pavilion grew quiet again. After a long pause, Minglan murmured, "I wonder who they'll marry?" Why was she so preoccupied with this question today?
Madam Geng felt extreme indignation toward any woman aspiring to be a concubine. She sneered coldly, "What else is there in life? Working, bearing children, managing household affairs—isn't this how every woman lives? As long as they're willing to live properly without wicked intentions, they'll naturally find peace and stability. Those qualified to marry palace women aren't likely to be bad matches. Otherwise, hmph..."
This "hmph" carried tremendous force, likely violating the Marriage Law's provisions against domestic violence.
After all, when they truly reached the distant northern frontier as wives of minor military officers, there wouldn't be much they could stir up. For ordinary women content with simple lives, this might actually be a good outcome. But for those extraordinary women who measure happiness by material wealth and see manipulating the powerful as their life's purpose, the future might be different. Moreover... Minglan quickly glanced at Little Shen. Once they left the palace, the marriages of those particular women probably wouldn't be decided by the palace anymore.
Madam Duan laughingly changed the subject to domestic matters, and the atmosphere became harmonious again. After more conversation, Minglan invited them to stay for lunch, smiling, "The Marquis said he won't be back today. We've prepared a fine table with game from the mountains—why don't we have some wine?"
Though the invitation was sincere, they all politely declined.
"Can't do, can't do." Madam Duan waved her hands repeatedly, laughing heartily. "I know your food is excellent, but I have matters to attend to this afternoon and must return." Madam Zhong smiled, "Exactly. We just returned from the palace today, and our families are waiting to hear the news. We need to go back." Madam Geng added, "Next time. When your garden renovations are complete, let's pick a date to gather for some wine."
Minglan smiled and turned to Little Shen, chiding playfully, "What about you? You don't have a whole family to look after!"
Unexpectedly, Little Shen also shook her head and waved her hands, sighing heavily. "I need to go to Ziyan Studio. My young niece is entering girls' school, and I promised my sister-in-law I'd accompany her to look at writing materials for young ladies. I specially pre-ordered a set of celadon jade pieces."
"My, what a thoughtful sister-in-law!" Madam Duan teased. "The Zheng family truly married a virtuous wife."
Little Shen blushed, embarrassed. "The eldest sister-in-law is like a mother."
What depressed her most was that while her mother-in-law was frail and amiable—not difficult to serve at all—she had the most protocol-conscious sister-in-law in the entire capital, solemn and taciturn, and much older. All relatives and friends respected Zheng da furen for her dignity and virtue. When she fixed her stern gaze on Little Shen, the young woman feared it more than facing the emperor himself.
Minglan personally saw her guests out, finally bidding farewell to Little Shen with deep sympathy: "You know I'm the laziest of all and don't like going out. If you feel bored, come find me for conversation.""Nonsense, you lazybones. Three times I've come looking for you, and twice you were crawling out of bed."
Little Shen felt touched. Having come from the countryside, she still struggled to integrate into the noblewomen's circle in the capital, whether in terms of habits, accent, or etiquette. She had to put on a formal front in front of others, fearing ridicule, but she could relax in Minglan's presence.
Minglan instantly withdrew her sympathy: "That's nonsense. It was just the Xiangfei couch."
Before Little Shen could ask, "Is there a difference?" she was pushed into the carriage by Minglan, who wore a stern expression.
Having been somewhat stimulated, after lunch, Minglan felt it wouldn't do to be too lazy and decided against taking her usual nap. Instead, she sent for Rong Jie'er to check her studies. She eagerly assumed a serious posture, only to find Rong Jie'er stammering and unable to answer even the simplest questions.
It was one thing for her to be unable to recall passages from her books, but the most outrageous part was that she couldn't even recite the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars. Stumbling over her words, she randomly made up a few examples, managing to cobble together about a third of them. For instance, where there was "Tasting Feces with Anxious Heart," she invented "Tasting Excrement with Worry"; and for "Burying the Son to Feed the Mother," she came up with "Slaughtering the Daughter for Meat."
Minglan nearly fainted from disbelief. Without Xianjie around to supervise and motivate her, Rong Jie'er's studies had once again rapidly declined.
"...Perhaps such things truly exist." Rong Jie'er murmured in a small, uneasy voice, offering a timid defense. "They just haven't become widely known."
Minglan gazed wearily at the young girl, all sleepiness gone. Well, she couldn't entirely blame the child.
She had long noticed that Gong Hongxiao possessed rather limited knowledge. Not only was her teaching dull, but her scholarship was shallow—unable to withstand questioning. Worse still, she occasionally made mistakes. It seemed whatever she might have learned in childhood had largely faded over time. Thus, with students lacking both respect for their teacher's character and admiration for her knowledge, the teaching was naturally ineffective.
Truth be told, Minglan herself was perfectly qualified for the task. She had diligently studied the complete set of "Four Books for Women," "Women's Precepts," along with "Biographies of Chaste Women" and "Ode to Virtuous Women"—all those feudalistic texts. Moreover, she had greatly benefited from sitting in on Zhuang Xiansheng's lectures.
Teaching a young girl would be more than sufficient for her capabilities. Yet, she was unwilling.
The longer they spent together, the more Minglan realized Rong Jie'er took after her father in nature—wild and stubborn, brimming with vigorous interest in challenging established rules, and full of twisted logic. Just the other day, when Minglan discussed the chapter in "Women's Analects" about "still not leaving bed when the sun is high," the girl had immediately fixed her with an intrigued, almost scholarly gaze.
Minglan felt a wave of embarrassment, struggling to explain the importance of "flexible application of knowledge."
In her previous life as Yao Yiyi, most of her interactions had been with naive victims or scheming defendants, leaving her severely lacking in experience with children. Even if she had her own child now, she'd likely be unsure how to raise them properly—let alone an illegitimate child like this one?
After much mental wrestling and tangled thoughts, compounded by the information she'd just heard, Minglan decided—for the sake of her own mental hygiene and psychological well-being, as well as the child's holistic personality development—to leave this matter to professionals.
"Alright then," Minglan exhaled deeply. "You shall go to school."
Rong Jie'er blinked her dark, bright eyes, innocent and unpolished like a wild young creature.
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