A middle-aged man in a sapphire blue twill embroidered thin silk robe hurried towards the inner chamber, causing the maids and matrons in the courtyard to show astonished expressions: over the years, unless summoned by the mistress, the master never set foot in the main house.
Kang Yima was sitting upright in the hall speaking with her son Kang Jin. Her expression was gentle: "Do your duties well. I've already spoken with your uncle. Once your current term ends, he'll arrange an external posting for you." Kang Jin, nearly thirty with a fair and honest face, replied softly: "Mother, please don't trouble Uncle anymore. Recently, Yuan'er wrote criticizing Aunt. If you keep doing this, Uncle will be put in a difficult position again."
"Don't concern yourself with this. As long as your grandmother lives, your aunt won't be the one making decisions in the Wang family."
Just as Kang Yima was about to say more, she suddenly noticed her husband standing at the doorway. She froze momentarily. Kang Jin quickly bowed in greeting, saying respectfully: "Father is here." Old Master Kang glanced at his eldest son and said coldly: "Leave us. I need to speak with your mother."
Kang Jin, who had always been in awe of his father, didn't dare say more and immediately withdrew.
"What a rare guest. What wind has brought you here, Master?"
Kang Yima looked coldly at her husband, who seemed like a complete stranger. Though nearly fifty, he maintained the elegant appearance of a man in his thirties. Thinking of how she had aged prematurely with gray hair and faded beauty from worrying over household affairs day and night, she felt a surge of resentment.
Old Master Kang strode in, waved away the surrounding maids, and his expression darkened: "If I didn't come now, you might have sold off my children without my knowledge!"
Kang Yima's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained composure: "For families in difficult circumstances, selling sons and daughters isn't unheard of."
Mention of money made Old Master Kang flush with shame, but he shouted: "Where have you taken Zhao'er?"
"She's been unwell for several days. With this hot weather, I feared she might have contracted a seasonal plague that could endanger the family, so I sent her to the estate to recuperate." Kang Yima had prepared this explanation and delivered it without blinking.
"Nonsense!" Old Master Kang swore, "Even now you're full of lies. A proper young lady of the Kang family - you treat her like a servant, selling her off or making her a concubine as you please! Do you still regard me at all?!"
Knowing the matter was exposed, Kang Yima steeled herself and retorted sarcastically: "So the Master now acts like a father, showing concern for his daughter. I wonder how many times you've seen Zhao'er in these past ten-plus years? Probably if you passed each other face to face, you wouldn't even recognize her!"
"Stop changing the subject!" Old Master Kang's eyes turned fierce, "Just tell me - where is Zhao'er?"
"Since you already know, why ask! I've found a good future for Zhao'er."
"You... you..." The master pointed at his wife, his three-strand beard trembling violently with rage, "You actually made Zhao'er become a concubine! You've completely disgraced our Kang family!"
"Disgrace?" Kang Yima snorted coldly and raised her voice, "I'm not the one disgracing the Kang family! What about your dear second brother, who married off a concubine-born daughter as a minor wife two years ago? Why didn't you play the elder brother then and accuse them of bringing shame?"
Remembering his disrespectful younger brothers, Old Master Kang felt another wave of anger."Moreover..." Kang Yima's tone shifted, softening her voice, "I'm doing this for the Kang Family. Wasn't the master trying to secure a reappointment recently? If Marquis Gu could lend him a hand, wouldn't that achieve twice the result with half the effort!"
Ever since she resolved to wade into these muddy waters, she had prepared her arguments. "Before, we only had a distant marital connection with the Gu family, and we had to watch my sister and brother-in-law's moods. Didn't you always look down on your brother-in-law, saying he was slick and solely focused on currying favor, having lost all the integrity of a scholar? Now, if the Gu family accepts Zhao'er, though it might sound unpleasant, we'd gain practical benefits. Our niece, caring about family face, surely wouldn't treat Zhao'er poorly. As long as Zhao'er can bear a son or daughter, we could interact directly with the Gu family. Wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone?"
In truth, this was only half the reason. The other half was deliberately meant to make Minglan uncomfortable. Seeing that little low-born daughter acting so high and mighty these days irritated her, and she wanted to vent her frustration.
Master Kang listened from beginning to end, his face alternating between pale and flushed, as if somewhat tempted yet also extremely angry, his beard trembling uncontrollably. "You... you've done a fine thing!" After a long pause, he finally spat out these words, then slammed a piece of paper in front of Kang Yima. "See for yourself!" Kang Yima, full of suspicion, slowly picked up the paper to read. After just a few lines, her expression changed dramatically.
"Utterly incompetent at succeeding but expert at ruining things!" Master Kang paced back and forth in the room, cursing, "I originally asked my brother-in-law to watch out for me in the Censorate, to avoid another impeachment memorial ruining things like last time! Everything was going fine, but a few days ago someone accused me of habitual misconduct, and yesterday the Ministry of Personnel rejected my proposal."
Kang Yima's mind was in turmoil. Panicked, she said, "Didn't they say brother-in-law has been transferred to the Ministry of War to manage grain transport? Perhaps he couldn't suppress matters in the Censorate—that's possible." This was the first time in her life she had spoken up for the Sheng family.
"Transferred? That's a promotion!" Master Kang, both jealous and resentful, felt fury rising. "By convention, one needs to be third-rank to serve as Vice Minister. Sheng Hong has only been promoted to fourth-rank for a year! And he's in charge of military provisions and grain transport—a lucrative and crucial post. Do you know what this means?"
He took a deep breath, jealousy burning in his chest. This means the higher-ups intend to reuse him! The Emperor treats him as one of his own, that's why he's placed in such a critical position!" As for why the Emperor considered Sheng Hong one of his own, Kang Yima didn't ask.
"People in official circles are sharp-eyed. Now that Sheng Hong's star is rising, and he just left the Censorate, who wouldn't give him some face? If he had intended to suppress it, how could this have happened?!"
The more Master Kang spoke, the angrier he became. He walked up to his wife and reproached her bitterly: "With this prestigious marriage, the Sheng family is now riding high. Why would they share any benefits with others? And you rush to send them a noble concubine to divide favor? That's undermining their foundation! You tried to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice, didn't get to eat the mutton but came away smelling of sheep!"
Kang Yima was both shocked and frightened, the paper in her hand trembling uncontrollably. Having no retort, she could only say, "You... why didn't you tell me earlier? You only said you asked old family friends, not that you begged brother-in-law again!" Had she known earlier, she wouldn't have run into the line of fire at this time.Master Kang choked back his words. He had always looked down on Sheng Hong, whose scholarly achievements were inferior to his own, yet whose official career had surpassed his. Compounded by Kang Wangshi's pretentious and haughty demeanor, he was extremely reluctant to admit to his wife that he needed to ask Sheng Hong for a favor.
Kang Yima took several heavy breaths, the malevolence in her eyes intensifying. Through gritted teeth, she said, "Since things have come to this, and we've already offended my brother-in-law, we might as well go all the way and ensure this matter succeeds!" Suddenly recalling Grand Old Madam's promise—that once Zhao'er entered the household, she would help her gain favor and bear a son—the memory was like a drowning person clutching at a life-saving straw. Kang Yima began murmuring to herself, continuously trying to convince herself: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Even if it's difficult now, it will be better in a few years."
After all, her husband was not of one mind with her. If he were to gain promotion and wealth, it would only embolden those little vixens. It was better to plan for the future—once Zhao'er established her footing, she could still benefit her own children.
Slap! A heavy blow landed, quickly raising a red mark on the pale cheek.
Kang Yima covered her face, staring at Master Kang in disbelief, her voice hoarse: "You... you dare hit me?!"
"Utterly foolish!"
Master Kang's face was dark and terrifying as he lowered his hand. "Do you know how I learned of this? Your proud, fine son-in-law was just here! He said he couldn't bear to see his sister-in-law become a concubine, and that if he had our permission, he and his wife would take charge of Zhao'er's marriage. I was so ashamed I had nowhere to hide my old face." He finally understood why Sheng Hong had suddenly refused to help. Thinking of his carefully laid official plans going up in smoke once again, he was filled with hatred!
"If not for your three years of filial mourning for my parents, I would have given you a letter of divorce!" Master Kang snarled through clenched teeth.
"Don't make me laugh!" Kang Yima scrambled to her feet, shrieking, "If you had any guts, you'd divorce me right now! You just can't bear to lose the support of my Wang family, can you? Do you think I want this life?! Endlessly taking in concubines—this huge mansion can hardly hold them all! Why don't you just drive me and my children out so you can live happily with your little vixens!"
Master Kang flew into a rage: "It's common for a man to have three wives and four concubines! You're just jealous and malicious—don't try to justify yourself! A virtuous wife brings fewer troubles to her husband. It's because I married a calamity like you that I've been frustrated and unsuccessful for half my life! If not for my parents' order, how could I have married you!"
"Kang Haifeng! Do you only have three wives and four concubines?!" Kang Yima, looking like a madwoman, rushed forward and grabbed her husband's sleeve. "You lecher! Do you think others can't see your black heart?! If you were capable and could establish yourself as head of household, letting me live peacefully without worrying about our children's futures and money, even if you took a hundred concubines, I wouldn't say a word! But you pretend to be righteous while being completely incompetent—today begging my brother for help, tomorrow entrusting matters to my brother-in-law, and even using my dowry to fill your holes!"
She pounded on her husband fiercely, crying and cursing simultaneously, "You good-for-nothing! If only you treated me and our children better! You should at least succeed in one area! All you do is put on airs while constantly scheming to use my dowry—you've ruined my entire life!"
"Unreasonable!"
Disgusted and annoyed by her crying and clinging, Master Kang shook her off violently, strode out of the room without looking back.
Kang Yima collapsed on the floor, covering her face as she wept bitterly. She didn't even know who to blame anymore.Her father had been kind and not particularly insistent on the marriage with the Kang family, while her mother had always looked down on that flashy, arrogant scion of the Kang clan. It was she herself who had chosen him from behind the screen. Yet now, the very Sheng Hong she had once scorned was growing increasingly distinguished, and her supposedly dull and incapable younger sister was becoming more and more prosperous. Even her doting elder brother, now with a wife and children of his own, was gradually less responsive to her every demand.
She felt the heavens were blind. Clearly, she was both beautiful and resourceful, yet fate had been so cruel to her. After weeping alone for a long while, she suddenly remembered an urgent matter. Hastily wiping away her tears and suppressing her sorrow, she tidied her appearance and ordered a carriage to be prepared for an outing.
The carriage headed north, and after about an hour, arrived at the gate of a tranquil residence. A small, elegant three-courtyard house, it was tastefully and neatly arranged, with willows green and flowers blooming in the vibrant summer scenery.
"Madam, even if you hadn't come, I was about to seek you out," said an elderly woman, leading Kang Yima inside. "Something terrible has happened. Our young mistress has been crying since this morning and hasn't eaten a thing."
Kang Yima, frantic with worry, had no desire for further conversation and hurried inside. As soon as she entered the inner room, she saw Kang Yun'er looking utterly dejected, her eyes swollen like large peaches. Her heart ached at the sight, and she drew her daughter into her arms, comforting her incessantly.
"Since he received the letter from Youyang late last night, he hasn't spoken a word to me. He left first thing this morning," Yun'er sobbed, tears streaming down her face as she struggled to catch her breath. "After reading the letter, I finally understood what happened. Mother, why did you do this?"
Kang Yima fumed, "Is that foolish boy unable to distinguish closeness from distance? You are his wife, the one who has borne his children, and he dares to be angry with you over a cousin? Let me go and give him a piece of my mind!"
Yun'er, gentle by nature, knew full well that her mother was in the wrong but dared not rebuke her too harshly. She wept, "I’ve told you before—the bond between the two Sheng brothers is stronger than that of blood brothers in ordinary families, not to mention the debt the elder branch owes to their aunt. This morning, I questioned the messenger and learned that my father-in-law flew into a rage as soon as he received the aunt’s letter. Even Aunt Yun scolded me! Your son-in-law is such a filial man—how could he possibly go against his elders’ wishes?"
Kang Yima knew these words were entirely true but couldn’t help cursing, "They’re nothing but merchants! If it weren’t for your age being unsuitable for delay back then, how could they ever have been worthy of you? Don’t be afraid—let’s see which of the Sheng family dares to take their anger out on you!"
"Mother!" Yun'er cried out mournfully, choking back sobs before continuing, "The letter says my mother-in-law wants me to return to Youyang!"
Kang Yima was momentarily stunned. "Why would she want you back? Who will take care of Changwu’s daily needs? Who will manage the social engagements with the official families in the capital?"
Yun'er wept, "The letter says the family will send capable maids from the old home to serve him. I’m to take the children back—first, to fulfill my filial duties; second, so my in-laws can see their grandchildren; and third, if Father agrees, to arrange a marriage for Zhao'er. My in-laws said that since they are somewhat removed from the matter, I, as her own sister, should be there to help find a suitable match for her…"
"You’re not the eldest daughter-in-law—why should you be serving your in-laws?" Kang Yima retorted, though even she knew this was an unreasonable complaint.Yun'er's tears fell like strings of pearls, her eyes blurred from weeping: "Mother, ever since I married into this family, I've been managing the household myself. Originally, my mother-in-law wanted me to stay in the hometown for several years to learn the rules. Besides, many officials serving outside the capital have their wives remain at home to serve the parents-in-law while the husbands take concubines to their posts. It was only because Auntie pleaded for me that I've lived so comfortably and freely, and even had children. Now that my mother-in-law has personally spoken, how dare I disobey? After all, I haven't fulfilled my filial duties to my husband's elders for more than a few days!"
Kang Yima felt the world spin around her. After a long moment of dizziness, she gradually steadied herself: "Did your husband say nothing about this?"
"He only said one thing." Yun'er kept wiping away tears, heartbroken. "Before Grandmother passed away, while she was still clear-minded, she repeatedly held Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, and Aunt Yun's hands, urging them to be filial to Auntie, otherwise she would not rest in peace!"
Actually, this choice was not difficult for Changwu at all. On one side was an unreliable in-law family, and on the other was his dear and respected Aunt Sheng, with deep affection and close ties between the two families (officials and merchants helping each other), plus a powerful cousin-in-law currently in office. To offend his close cousin who was also the legitimate wife of a marquis for the sake of a half-sister of his wife—whom he had never met and didn't know if she would be favored—was like discarding a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed, and he wasn't even sure if he could pick it up.
Whether emotionally or practically, he unhesitatingly followed what his parents said in their letter. Of course, he still loved his wife, but the rationality of the Sheng family told him that in official circles, the charge of being unfilial was no joke.
It was only at this moment that Kang Yima felt deeply guilty toward her daughter. She murmured for a long time without being able to speak; Yun'er couldn't bear to see her mother like this and instead comforted her with a few words. Kang Yima, as if possessed by madness, glared with red eyes and hoarsely said, "I will never let them off! Just wait and see, just wait and see..." She cursed repeatedly, referring to Old Mrs. Sheng and Minglan.
Hearing this, Yun'er immediately cried out sharply: "Mother! You must not be foolish again! Although Father-in-law and Mother-in-law are furious now, as long as I serve them well, diligently and dutifully, and your son-in-law pleads for me, I believe there will be a day when this passes. If you take any more... actions, I'm afraid I'll never be reunited with my husband in this lifetime!"
Actually, the Sheng Wei family had good traditions. When the eldest daughter-in-law, Wen Shi, had no children for several years, her parents-in-law never asked for a concubine to be taken. This was fine for a short time, but if it were ten or twenty years, or even until the parents-in-law passed away before the couple could reunite, then it would be hard to say.
Hearing this, Kang Yima threw her head back and fainted. The room fell into chaos. Yun'er pinched her philtrum and forced tea down her throat. After a long while, Kang Yima slowly regained consciousness and squeezed out words through gritted teeth: "They... dare... use you to threaten me!"
...
When Minglan heard the news that Yun'er was returning to her hometown, she felt inexplicably guilty and said softly, "Grandmother has always liked Second Cousin-in-law. Now, for my sake, she doesn't even care about her."
Cui Mama felt relieved and comforted her: "She's not being beaten or scolded, just going back to serve her parents-in-law. Which daughter-in-law doesn't do that? Besides, the daughter pays for the mother's debts—it's only fair. If anyone's to blame, it's her mother, who accumulated no virtue for her children!" She was rarely so articulate that even Minglan was left speechless.After instructing Danju to prepare some items to send to Yun'er, Minglan still felt unsettled, a shadow lingering in her heart that refused to disperse.
What exactly was the Grand Old Madam planning?
This woman was cunning and calculating, far surpassing the shallow and ostentatious Kang Yima. Even if Kang Zhaor entered the household, was it certain she would gain favor? Moreover, the entire scheme was riddled with flaws. If Minglan struck back forcefully, she had a ninety percent chance of dismantling it. That old woman, with her false benevolence and habitual pretense of kindness, was now risking an open confrontation—was it merely to irritate her in such a trivial, insignificant way?!
Minglan grew increasingly perplexed.
At that moment, the very person she couldn't fathom was calmly listening to a report.
"So, the path through the Kang Family is blocked?"
In the dimly lit room, the Grand Old Madam deftly lit a stick of incense and slowly inserted it into the incense burner. On the altar before her stood a sandalwood statue of Maitreya, its surface darkened with age.
"Madam Kang has fallen ill. It was her attendant, Mama Wang, who came out to speak with me," Mama Xiang said, her head bowed.
"She is formidable. We have met our match," the Grand Old Madam murmured softly, as if entirely unperturbed. "What a masterstroke—cutting the ground from under my feet. Even if I expose it now, the girl has already been sent away. I cannot produce another relative to stir up trouble so quickly. Hmph, that useless creature! All my efforts wasted on her—loud in voice but worthless in action!"
"Who would have thought the Second Madam, so young, would act so decisively? She left no traces, keeping everything tightly concealed," Mama Xiang sighed, glancing briefly at her mistress before hesitating. "Perhaps it would be best to let it go now."
The Grand Old Madam shook her head. "It's too late. Once the gong has sounded, the play must go on."
"Madam…"
The Grand Old Madam raised a hand, silencing Mama Xiang. She turned to face the Maitreya statue, her eyes suddenly distant and hazy. "This Buddha was brought back by the Old Marquis that year from a revered monk in the South Sea. They say his ever-smiling face ensures no dust of worldly affairs remains. Tell me, what do you think the Marquis prayed for all those days he spent worshiping here?"
Mama Xiang was taken aback and smiled wryly. "How would anyone else know?"
"I will tell you," the Grand Old Madam's voice turned cold as jade. "Maitreya is the Buddha of the Future. He was praying to reunite with his sister in the next life."
A suffocating silence filled the room. Mama Xiang looked up at the woman she had nursed from infancy, her aged eyes reddening. The Grand Old Madam gazed intently at the foot-tall Maitreya statue and said tonelessly, "In truth, the Marquis knew perfectly well that his sister was no ideal match—she was frail in health, poor at managing a household, and destined to die young. Yet he loved her nonetheless. No one else, no matter how virtuous or capable, could compare."
Here, she suddenly laughed, a strange light flickering in her eyes. "Over this past year, watching their intimacy over there, I've come to realize that Lao Er is just like his father—stubborn to the core, beyond anyone's influence."
Mama Xiang's heart ached with sorrow, and she forced a smile. "Don't torment yourself with these thoughts. The Old Marquis treated you so well—he was fond of you."
To her surprise, the Grand Old Madam let out a self-mocking snort. "Fond? You don't know this, but he also fancied that impulsive woman from the Bai Family, and he cared for Tingyan's birth mother too. But it wasn't the same. None of it was…" None of it was love.
"His obsession with his sister was a blindness of the heart, a debt from a past life. There will never be another bond like it." The Grand Old Madam stared blankly, her tone unbearably bitter.Suddenly, a chilling intensity flashed in her eyes. "Do you know why we've been hitting walls and suffering setbacks all this time? Hah! It's not because those two are exceptionally clever—it's because husband and wife share one heart, trusting each other completely. No matter how outsiders scheme, they can't break their foundation. That's the crux of the matter!"
"This time, I only want Sheng Minglan's life!" The Grand Old Madam gazed up at the Buddha statue, her tone suddenly fervent. "Has Lao Er ever not fancied that actress outside or Qiu Niang? Hmph, men! For the sake of their heart's treasure, they'll abandon everything! Even if Lao Er remarries later, such deep affection won't exist again. Hmph! As long as husband and wife aren't united as one, it's manageable!" Sow discord, instigate—even if the child in Minglan's womb survives, there'll be a long drama between it and the stepmother.
Mama Xiang felt sorrowful, her voice choked with emotion. "But this way, you won't escape unscathed. Why not wait a bit? Perhaps something will happen on their side naturally."
"There are only two paths: either let Lao Er simmer me slowly over a gentle fire, or choose a swift end myself." The Grand Old Madam spoke with nonchalance. "As long as there's no concrete evidence, at most he'll drive me out. Wait? Hmph, wait until they have a houseful of children, all grown up? By then, even if something happens to that couple, it won't be Wei Er's turn."
"Besides, will there ever be such a good opportunity again?" The Grand Old Madam grew excited thinking of her arrangements. "There are plenty in the south who want Lao Er dead. He thinks he's covert, but if someone close to him leaves traces along the way, we'll see which group kills him! Even if he doesn't die out there, when he returns, he'll only find Madam Sheng's corpse."
Gu Tingye was a man who distinguished clearly between gratitude and grudges. Knowing Gu Tingwei was truly unaware, he'd never strike ruthlessly. In these turbulent times, with weapons having no eyes on the battlefield, who knew if Gu Tingye would leave behind an heir before dying!
As long as Gu Tingwei remained safe. If we don't act now, it'll be harder later! After Gu Tingye finishes mourning and remarries, the new wife might not be as difficult to deal with as Sheng Minglan. Who knows how many years it'll take for a legitimate son to be born. A husband mourning his deceased wife, a potentially discordant family—then we can scheme and instigate (she had much experience in this), far better than having no opening now. Besides, I'm growing old, while the Tingye couple is in their prime. If I die swallowing my anger, I'd be unwilling even in death.
The Grand Old Madam slightly composed herself and slowly sat down. "How has Lao Er's wife been looking these past few days?"
Mama Xiang collected herself and replied clearly, "Although the Kang Family matter is resolved, she still seems deeply troubled. I observed carefully—it doesn't appear feigned."
"She's a clever one, knowing things aren't that simple." The Grand Old Madam laughed. "Deeply troubled is good—more thoughts, more worries, excellent! Pity we can't wait, or it'd be better to let her fret longer... By the way, how about the other side?"
"Rest assured, everything is arranged. Like mother, like daughter—equally foolish. Perfect as pawns!"
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[Author's Note]
Actually, Madam Wang's situation is quite understandable.
Sheng Hong was initially a promising young man whose greatest need was career advancement and wealth accumulation. Thus, he could largely endure his wife's various shortcomings (plain appearance, stubborn and muddle-headed nature). But as marital conflicts accumulated and he gradually gained footing in his official career, his emotional needs rose to equal importance with career needs. Consequently, the beautiful and clever Consort Lin emerged at the right moment.
Everything follows logical reasoning.—It seems most men follow this life trajectory: during their struggling years, they want a hardworking and devoted wife to strive alongside them; once successful, they'd rather discard the "yellow-faced wife" and replace her with a sweet young mistress.
I think those incels who can't find wives shouldn't resent modern girls for being materialistic. Just look at how few Chinese millionaires maintain the miracle of not abandoning their original wives - that alone should serve as a warning to young women. Before criticizing women, men should first examine their own inherent flaws (I'm not advocating for mistresses, remember that!)
Kang Yima's situation is also quite understandable.
A normal disposition doesn't become twisted overnight - it accumulates gradually. Her misfortune began with marriage, forming a stark contrast with Old Mrs. Sheng.
When facing adversity, one's attitude is crucial: whether to confront it bravely, struggle resiliently, and maintain a kind heart towards others - even those who've wronged you; or to maliciously harm innocent people, vent anger indiscriminately, and destroy others.
After all, Kang Yima has her own biological children who are relatively filial, while Old Mrs. Sheng genuinely transformed from a carefree marquis' daughter into a young widow. Most crucially, she had no biological children - in that patriarchal society, this was the real fatal blow!
Her tragedy also stemmed from marriage, but how did she handle it?
A truly noble and kind character won't change due to life's unfairness.
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