Having settled this matter, Minglan felt a sudden relief in her heart and immediately called Rong Jie'er back with a beaming smile. Sending children to school should only involve enrollment and payment, but in this place full of tedious formalities, it had to come with all sorts of fuss.
That evening at dinner, Minglan brought up the matter with the girl’s father. She had meticulously prepared a mental draft with five main chapters and twelve subsections, ready to elaborate on the importance of sending Rong Jie'er to school from four aspects and six levels, such as "adolescents need peer environments to refine their personalities," covering all angles comprehensively. However, as soon as she began her opening statement, Gu Tingye dismissed her with five casual words:
"You decide."
The man elegantly wiped the corners of his mouth, rinsed his mouth, washed his hands, then reached out to stroke Minglan’s recently fuller cheek, his eyes curving into a satisfied, handsome arc. "Keep eating. I’m going to discuss matters." With a gentle smile, he brushed his robes and strode off to his outer study.
In Gu Tingye’s view, this was a perfect example of "knowing how to employ people and trusting them without doubt." But in Minglan’s eyes, it was clearly irresponsible behavior (What, just because I’m not the favorite, our daughter doesn’t matter?). Perhaps due to the dry autumn weather, Minglan inexplicably harbored half a bellyful of anger. When it was time to sleep that night, she turned her back to her husband. Oblivious, Gu Tingye returned late at night and, quite contentedly, wrapped his arm around her waist and pressed against her back. Her skin was smooth and delicate, her back petite and graceful. He nuzzled her with his chin, finding the sensation quite pleasant, and casually nibbled a few times before falling into a sound sleep.
The next morning, Danju was shocked to discover several neat rows of bite marks on Minglan’s shoulders and back, orderly as troops lined up in formation. She immediately glanced at the mirror on the dressing table, itching to report the matter on the spot, but then recalled Mama Fang’s warnings. Swallowing her anger, she gritted her teeth and helped Minglan dress.
Equally unaware, Minglan didn’t notice anything amiss, only feeling that her undergarments were slightly irritating her back today. She paid it no mind. After breakfast, seeing how lovely the sunlight outside was, she felt the weather was cooperating and cheerfully ordered Danju to fetch a few high-quality furs from the storeroom, along with four seasonal gift boxes, then had the gatekeeper prepare the carriage for an outing.
The late autumn sun was not harsh but warm and drowsy. Minglan nearly dozed off again in the carriage before finally arriving at the Zheng residence in the middle and rear section of Lotus Root Alley. Little Shen had just finished some needlework and was idly bored when she heard Minglan had come. Delighted, she hurried to the courtyard to greet her: "Did the sun rise from the west today? You actually came to see me!"
Minglan had to shatter her illusion, chuckling, "The sun still rose from the east. I’m here to see your eldest sister-in-law."
Little Shen was astounded: "You’re here to see my sister-in-law?!"
Her expression and tone fully conveyed the ferocity of Zheng da furen.
As they were about to exchange a few more words, an elderly maid hurried over from behind and said clearly, "Greetings, Second Madam. The First Madam has heard that the Marquise of Ningyuan has arrived and has prepared tea and fruits in the hall. She invites you and the Second Madam to join her."
Little Shen had to suppress her questions and, linking arms with Minglan, walked inside. Minglan seized the opportunity to whisper in her ear, "Weren’t you still 'Second Young Madam' a few days ago? How did you get promoted?" Little Shen tilted her head and replied softly, "My eldest nephew is discussing a marriage arrangement. This household will soon have a new daughter-in-law."After walking a few steps to the door, Minglan saw Zheng da furen standing solemnly. The serious demeanor made Minglan somewhat apprehensive, so she quickly put on a bright smile and stepped forward to curtsey. Zheng da furen returned the gesture with reserved courtesy. After exchanging pleasantries, they sat down.
With Eldest Sister-in-law present, Little Shen sat primly and properly, not daring to be frivolous, though she kept shooting meaningful glances at Minglan. Since the Gu and Zheng families were not particularly close, after a few words, the conversation lulled. Zheng da furen sat quietly, neither asking Minglan the purpose of her visit nor suggesting that Minglan and Little Shen go off on their own, leaving the atmosphere somewhat chilly.
Minglan, however, remained unflustered. Drawing from her experience dealing with her elder brother Changbai, she knew that such silent, solemn individuals were often perceptive and insightful. Rather than beating around the bush, it was better to get straight to the point. Taking a deep breath, she said, "To be frank, I’ve come today to ask a favor of you."
Zheng da furen’s eyebrows didn’t so much as twitch. She set down her teacup without a word and fixed her gaze on Minglan.
Minglan made an effort to sound sincere as she continued, "I have a daughter under my care, eight years old this year. Though she is innocent and pure-hearted, she lacks literary education and is ignorant of worldly affairs. I feel it would be a disservice to neglect her upbringing, so she must be properly taught. Yesterday, while listening to some sisters chatting at home, I happened to overhear that your esteemed daughter is also attending a girls' school. This gave me the idea to send my girl to study as well, and I’ve come to ask for your assistance in this matter."
Upon hearing this, Little Shen was the first to be surprised. What did Minglan mean by "a daughter under her care"? Minglan had been married for less than a year, and even Gu Tingye’s first wife had only passed away three or four years ago. An eight-year-old girl could only be a child from a concubine. The thought that Gu Tingye had a daughter before marriage filled her with disdain, and she barely resisted curling her lip. Yet she was also taken aback that Minglan would come to her sister-in-law for help with such a matter.
Over on the other side, Zheng da furen was also inwardly startled, though her expression remained unchanged. She said, "The Ningyuan Marquis Household is a distinguished family of founding merit, with such prestige and influence. How could I dare to show off my meager skills before an expert? Why doesn’t your household hire a private tutor?"
Minglan had anticipated this question and replied promptly, "You may not be aware, Madam. Currently, there are only two girls in our household: my own daughter and the niece from Eldest Sister-in-law’s quarters. For one thing, it would seem excessive to go to great lengths just for two girls. For another..." She smiled slightly, "To be honest, I am young and not well-acquainted with many people. How would I know of any virtuous and learned female tutors? Even if I did, I might not be able to secure their services."
A hint of disapproval flickered at the corner of Zheng da furen’s mouth as she remarked coolly, "In managing a household, it’s better to have a thriving family. If this is the situation now, why was there such a rush to divide the family back then?"
Minglan’s heart skipped a beat, but she did not hesitate in the slightest. Her voice was clear as jade: "A thriving family is indeed desirable, but it must also be united in heart. Otherwise, it’s merely a temple where each monk chants his own sutra."
"Lady Gu’s words are well-chosen," Zheng da furen said indifferently, her expression still unmoved. "I had long heard of your sharp wit, and today’s conversation proves the rumors true. No wonder even the Grand Old Madam of your household has had to yield to your prowess."Minglan felt a surge of indignation churning in her chest. She had always known that the old schemer hadn’t built her reputation over twenty years for nothing—she must have been putting on quite a show outside these days. Suppressing her anger with effort, it took a moment for her to steady her voice before she spoke calmly: "Madam, though we are not well acquainted, I have always respected your character. I believe that any girls' school you would entrust your daughter to must be exceptional. That is why I’ve mustered the audacity to come here, hoping my child might benefit from your influence. That is the first reason."
Flattery may wear thin, but it never fails entirely. Sure enough, Zheng da furen’s expression softened slightly at these words, her demeanor growing somewhat milder. What followed was the crucial part. Minglan continued, "As for what you have heard…"
She slowed her breathing and met Zheng da furen’s gaze directly. "When I was young, I followed my grandmother in Buddhist practices and firmly believe in the cycle of cause and effect. In this lifetime, if one dares to act, one must dare to bear the consequences. Whoever strays from the right path will face retribution, whether in this world or the next—none should cry injustice. I stand by these words!"
The room fell so silent one could hear a pin drop. Even Little Shen held her breath; though the words were wrapped in obscure rhetoric, she grasped their meaning well enough.
Zheng da furen studied Minglan, and after a pause, the corners of her lips finally relaxed—the first expression Minglan had seen from her all day. "Have you not heard of returning good for evil?"
Minglan’s voice was soft but resolute: "If we all return good for evil, then how do we repay good? Only by meeting straight with straight, and good with good, can we distinguish between virtue and vice in this world."
Zheng da furen sighed faintly and fell silent, though her expression was no longer as aloof as before.
Minglan furrowed her brow and spoke slowly, "As for that girl, there are indeed matters I could choose to ignore or address. A drop of dew on a leaf tip may seem insignificant to a person, but to an ant, it is a life-giving shower. A simple gesture from someone might alter another’s fate. I am not claiming any extraordinary compassion—I merely do what I ought to, for the sake of a clear conscience."
If Rong Jie'er had been docile by nature, perhaps things would be simpler—raise her well and find her a good match. But she was wild and stubborn; if mishandled, she could easily go astray.
Zheng da furen watched intently, but seeing Minglan’s sincere tone and candid gaze, her icy demeanor began to thaw. After a moment, she said gently, "They say your scholarship is excellent. Why not teach the child yourself?"
Noting the shift in her expression, Minglan knew the matter was as good as settled. She smiled playfully, "Is your scholarship not excellent, Madam?" Little Shen had once mentioned that her formidable Eldest Sister-in-law had been quite renowned for her talent before marriage.
Zheng da furen finally broke into a smile, understanding Minglan’s concerns. A stepmother who wasn’t blindly doting seemed more genuine and credible.
She shook her head helplessly. "Very well, I’ll take care of it. The girls' school is located behind my elder brother-in-law’s residence. The head instructor is the biological younger sister of my elder cousin’s wife. It was originally established in our ancestral home in Xunyang."
"Xunyang?" Minglan’s eyes lit up. "Could it be the one known as ‘Xue Dajia’?"
Zheng da furen smiled. "Indeed, it is her."
This Xue Dajia had once been a celebrated talent in the capital. After being widowed young, disdaining the attitudes of her husband’s relatives, she relied on her natal family’s support to raise her son independently, managing the household and running the girls' school.She taught the girls not only the classics from books but also covered medicine, astrology, finance, household management, law, and even worldly wisdom. Over time, she gained quite a reputation in Xunyang, making a name for herself.
It wasn’t until a few years ago, when her son secured an official position and married, that she closed the girls' school and retired to enjoy a life of leisure. As a side note, her current daughter-in-law was one of her most accomplished former students. Having been personally taught by her, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was exceptionally harmonious.
While in the Sheng household, Minglan had heard Old Madam mention this woman with high praise.
Little Shen, who had been quiet for a long time, finally found an opportunity to contribute. Seeing that Eldest Sister-in-law was in a better mood, she chimed in cheerfully, "She was originally in Xunyang. But her son has been assigned to a distant post and, fearing the hardships of travel for his mother, did not want her to follow. Xue Dajia couldn’t bear to separate the young couple, so she insisted her daughter-in-law accompany him. My eldest uncle’s family has many daughters who are in need of guidance. Seizing the opportunity, my eldest sister-in-law promptly invited her to the capital, so the sisters could look after one another and ease the worries of Xue Dajia’s son. There’s also a music teacher and an embroidery instructor."
Minglan was delighted, clapping her hands with a smile. "This is truly a stroke of luck! Minglan thanks you, Madam, sincerely." She then thought of something else and seized the moment to ask, "I also have a niece. Would it be possible for her to join as well?"
In ancient times, information was not easily accessible. A good teacher’s reputation spread only by word of mouth. Even hiring Zhuang Xiansheng had been difficult, let alone finding a female instructor specializing in more obscure subjects, which was ten times rarer.
Zheng da furen smiled gently. "At most, one more. Any more might overburden Madam Xue."
"Thank you, thank you! I’ll inform my eldest sister-in-law as soon as I return. She’ll surely be overjoyed." Minglan beamed with childlike excitement.
The atmosphere remained pleasant as the three chatted and laughed for a while longer before Minglan took her leave. Little Shen accompanied her out and, along the way, teased playfully, "You, Gu Shengshi, are quite bold! Even my eldest sister-in-law was taken in by your charm!"
Having been out for so long, Minglan was genuinely exhausted and replied weakly, "If your eldest sister-in-law weren’t perceptive, no amount of talking from me would have made a difference. Ah... some matters are tricky—defending yourself can backfire, but staying silent isn’t ideal either. It’s truly a headache."
Little Shen, having learned some details from her elder brother, spoke sincerely, "Don’t worry, not everyone is blind. Let people say what they will." Minglan curled her lip skeptically. "Not necessarily."
Once in the carriage, Danju quickly placed a warmed cushion behind Minglan’s back. Seeing Minglan’s weary expression, she couldn’t help but feel distressed and grumbled, "That Zheng da furen—how could she speak like that? As if we were in the wrong."
"No surprise there," Minglan murmured, her eyes half-closed, her voice soft as if talking to herself. "I’ve anticipated this for a long time. Today, I finally found the opportunity..."
She was not unaware of the actions and words Grand Old Madam spread outside—it was just difficult to counter them.
Most of the women from the Gu family’s longstanding social circles had formed friendships of varying depths with Grand Old Madam over the years. With decades of rapport, and Minglan—a newly arrived concubine-born daughter—suddenly becoming the Marquess’s wife, there were likely many who felt envious or resentful. Why should they trust or respect her?
Moreover, Grand Old Madam never explicitly said anything outright. She only needed to put on a wronged demeanor to garner sympathy. Coupled with her habit of selectively sharing snippets of household affairs, misunderstandings were easily sown.Partial truths are still truths. Since not a single bad word had been spoken, how could Minglan refute them? No matter what, a stepmother is still an elder. If she were to desperately defend herself in public and contradict the Grand Old Madam's words, it would only make Minglan appear as an arrogant and ill-mannered person. Yet she couldn't simply ignore the situation either. If things were allowed to escalate to the point where accumulated slander could destroy one's reputation, it would spell disaster.
Thus, this matter was difficult to handle.
Rather than trying to plug every leak, it was better to take a different approach and strike from an unexpected angle. Minglan pondered for over half a month before vaguely thinking of Zheng da furen. However, she couldn't just show up at her door without a reason, as it would seem too calculated and artificial. Now, she had finally found a suitable opportunity.
First, Zheng da furen came from a prestigious background—both her maiden family and her husband's family were renowned aristocratic clans. Second, her character and virtue were widely praised throughout the capital. Third, this lady had a unique personality and seldom engaged in idle chatter, with only a handful of people considered her friends. If such a distinguished noblewoman of the capital acknowledged Minglan, wouldn't it make her efforts twice as effective?
Most importantly, their families shared the same stance, and Zheng da furen was clear-headed. Through various channels, she could obtain some inside information about the Gu residence, making it highly likely that she could be persuaded.
Today's initial victory put Minglan's mind at ease. In this world, socializing wasn't just about sweet-talking, being overly familiar, or casually addressing others as sisters. In the future, she would have her own circle and more and more friends who would speak up for her.
Not being properly introduced to familiar social circles? It didn't matter—she didn't care. She had her own two feet and would steadily move forward, step by step, carving out her own path.
The carriage swayed gently, and she closed her eyes, feeling drowsy and on the verge of falling asleep again.
Just before drifting off, it suddenly occurred to her: it was truly unfair to call her a lazybones who only loved to sleep. With a generous salary, she didn't just sleep all day without working. Work required a balance of labor and rest. If she were constantly meticulous and full of schemes every day, she would die young.
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