Household division could be considered the second most significant event in ancient family life, after marriage.
According to official discourse, ever since Shang Yang promulgated the Separation Edict, explicitly decreeing that "households with more than two adult males who do not separate shall pay double taxes," the practice had accumulated over time to not only promote small-scale farming economy but also mitigate family conflicts. Thus, household division had become a deeply ingrained concept.
From the perspective of clan elders, just as a large tree with deep roots and lush branches thrives when its limbs spread to nourish the saplings, so does a family prosper when its members remain united in heart and purpose, advancing together.
For elderly parents who struggled to manage their descendants, they would sigh and lament: "Hearts have drifted apart, and the team is hard to lead."
When it came to Gu Tingye, his reason was simpler: his stepmother had tried to burn his wife alive. To prevent further deterioration of the situation, curb ongoing internal divisions, and preserve what little familial affection remained, he believed it was better to maintain distance for the sake of harmony.
On his first day attending court to report to the emperor, Gu Tingye wore a clean court dress, but traces of soot and smoke still marked his cheeks, temples, and the back of his hands. After briefing on his work in the Huai River regions, the emperor, as the supreme authority, naturally inquired further. Gu Tingye skillfully described the scene of the fire, then with a tone of somber indignation hinted that his family would likely separate.
The emperor had heard rumors about the affairs of the Ningyuan Marquis Household even before ascending the throne. He had expected Gu Tingye to expel his stepmother immediately upon inheriting the title, but instead, the marquis had shown remarkable forbearance, waiting over half a year and even securing a good position for his younger brother. Yet the stepmother remained unrepentant. The great fire at the Gu residence had been visible to half the capital, and the emperor, with his widespread intelligence network, was well aware of it.
His loyal subject had undertaken a distant mission, completing it flawlessly, only to nearly lose his wife and child upon return. The emperor felt compelled to uphold justice in this matter. He comforted warmly, "We have often heard that when families divide, stepmothers typically follow their biological sons. Your consideration is not unreasonable." After expressing gratitude, Gu Tingye took the opportunity to reaffirm his loyalty for the umpteenth time. Indeed, the emperor favored such ministers—competent, devoted, and occasionally facing troubles that required his moderate assistance. Ah, but if commoners could divide their households, when would he ever manage to separate that domineering stepmother of his from the palace?
Having secured the emperor's tacit approval, the rest became straightforward. After two days of preparation, Gu Tingye went directly after court to dote on his beloved wife and son, only to have his well-fed son spit up milk on his lapel. He had intended to wear his court dress to the negotiation, but the little rascal disrupted his plans. The chubby infant, who had just begun to recognize faces, remained oblivious, merely tilting his head with innocent, round eyes wide open.
Gu Tingye chuckled and scolded, "You little scamp," carefully cradling his son's head before handing him to Minglan. He said softly, "I'm going over there now. I'll be back soon." Understanding the situation, Minglan took the swaddled child, kissed their son, and looked up to murmur, "There's no need to anger yourself with those people. Just settle the matter calmly, my lord." Gu Tingye stroked Minglan's cheek, gave a low hum of acknowledgment, changed his clothes, and departed.The sun dipped westward, casting a golden glow over the tranquil Xuānzhǐ Garden, where plants stood silent under the scorching summer heat. After the fire at Clear Garden, even the most oblivious servants had begun to sense something amiss. Yet for several days, Gu Tingye had taken no action, maintaining the garden’s routine as usual, which only heightened the tension—like the ominous calm before a storm. Finally, on this day, as the Marquis led a solemn procession of guards clad in dark sheaths and gray attire, the servants hastily retreated to their quarters.
The mastermind behind it all, however, remained unperturbed. Upon hearing the report, she calmly seated herself in the main hall’s principal chair, serenely flipping through a Buddhist sutra. When Gu Tingye entered, she lifted the corner of her mouth slightly and said, "The Marquis is such a busy man now. To what do we owe the honor of your visit?"
Gu Tingye entered alone, scanning the room to find it stark and chilly, with only Mama Xiang standing by in attendance. He smiled faintly. "There’s a matter concerning Mama Xiang that I’d like to discuss with you."
Grand Old Madam, as if prepared, replied with composure, "What matter?"
"A few days ago, during the fire, someone claimed to have seen Mama Xiang leading people carrying firewood." There was no need for pretense now. Gu Tingye cast a cold glance, yet Mama Xiang remained bowed, her expression unchanged.
Grand Old Madam let out a light, mocking laugh. "A servant setting a fire is no small matter—if proven, the consequences would be severe. I wonder which sharp-eyed servant claimed to have witnessed it?"
Gu Tingye curled his lip. "It was Man Niang."
At once, Grand Old Madam emitted two sharp, cold laughs and turned to Mama Xiang. "Do you confess?"
Mama Xiang replied impassively, "There is no such thing. If the Marquis doubts me, I am willing to confront Miss Man Niang, whether before officials or the clan elders."
"Heh heh..." Gu Tingye seemed to find something absurd. Leaning one hand on the armrest and covering his mouth with the other, he burst into laughter, his body shaking so hard it seemed to reverberate through the entire room.
The old woman before him was indeed meticulous—the arson had been meticulously planned. As dusk fell that day, the servants were anxiously awaiting the mistress’s childbirth, leading to lax oversight. Clear Garden, vast and sparsely populated, had many vacant courtyards. Initially, a fire broke out in a remote area, drawing some servants to extinguish it. Soon, sporadic fires erupted elsewhere. Though the servants under Minglan’s charge were usually disciplined, they had not been under her management for long. The sudden crisis quickly descended into chaos.
Then, the danger spread to Jiaxi Residence. Amid the panic and commotion, several individuals dressed as servants of the Gu household rushed toward the residence. Fortunately, Tu Er was alert, leading a group of guards to firmly secure the main quarters. Despite the surrounding turmoil, they stood their ground, ensuring that Minglan, who was in labor inside, remained undisturbed.
Whether it was the two suspicious individuals caught at the scene or those identified afterward, all insisted they had been at Clear Garden to fight the fire. In fact, they had indeed been carrying water buckets. In the darkness and confusion, with everyone rushing about, no one had paid them any heed. Gu Tingye noted coldly that these individuals were all former retainers brought by Grand Old Madam, their contracts and families firmly under her control.They all knew perfectly well in their hearts that if they remained tight-lipped about the arson, there would be no evidence and they might still have a chance at survival. But if they confessed, not only would their families suffer, but they themselves might not escape punishment.
Even if Gu Tingye managed to extract a confession through torture, the Grand Old Madam could point to the bruised and battered servants and claim they had been forced to confess under duress. If even one of the die-hard loyalists recanted, Gu Tingye would be accused of "coercing his stepmother and framing her with false charges." And if the Grand Old Madam theatrically threatened suicide with a rope, it would make the situation even more absurd.
But why had Man Niang personally witnessed Mama Xiang?
Gu Tingye slowly stopped laughing, his gaze fixed intently on this pampered middle-aged woman before him. How much of the hardship in his life had been caused by her? What vile schemes lay hidden in her heart?
Mama Xiang was old, and there was no need for her to personally lead the arson—she had deliberately let Man Niang see her.
"How you exaggerate," Gu Tingye stood in the center of the room, his tone icy yet polite. "Lately, the capital has been dry, and fires have broken out occasionally. There’s no need for family members to suspect one another. That wretched woman failed in her schemes and now seeks to sow discord. I’ve already sent her away."
This cunning woman had deliberately stirred up Man Niang, luring him into confronting her. If he had acted rashly in anger, she would likely have sought outside allies immediately. But what if he refused to fall into either of her traps...
The Grand Old Madam was not surprised. Her smile was like thin ice on a lake—warmed by the winter sun on the surface, yet bitterly cold beneath. "I always knew you were soft-hearted. Even now, you remain so. Protecting Man Niang like this—aren’t you afraid your wife will be heartbroken?"
"No need for your concern," Gu Tingye smiled even more gently than she did, though a faint bitterness inexplicably rose in his heart. "I’ve already spoken to Minglan, and she understands." He composed himself slightly and turned. "I came today for another matter."
He raised his voice abruptly, "Bring him in."
Before the Grand Old Madam and Mama Xiang could react, two sturdy guards dragged a man inside and threw him heavily to the ground. The man groaned in pain, and Mama Xiang cried out in shock, "Biao'er, how is it you?!"
The man lifted his head, his face covered in bruises, and pleaded pitifully to Mama Xiang, "Mother, save me!"
Mama Xiang panicked, flustered, and turned helplessly to the Grand Old Madam.
The Grand Old Madam said coldly, "What is the meaning of this?"
Gu Tingye drew two sheets of paper from his sleeve and slowly placed them on the small table beside the Grand Old Madam. "Over the past few years, he has relied on the Marquisate’s influence to commit atrocities outside—forcibly seizing commoners’ land. Now, he has driven someone to their death. The victims have filed a lawsuit with the authorities, and the evidence and witnesses are conclusive."
The Grand Old Madam picked up the papers. They contained confessions, colorful promissory notes, and signed statements. The more she read, the more labored her breathing became.
Gu Tingye watched the two old women’s expressions intently and said unhurriedly, "Xiang Biao is a servant of our household. The Shuntian Prefecture Magistrate has done me a favor by allowing me to handle this internally. What do you think?"
The Grand Old Madam seemed choked, struggling to catch her breath as she forced a smile. "This matter should not be publicized. If it escalates, it will reflect poorly on you as well." The censors were always eager to accuse nobles of "letting their servants run amok"—a charge with ample precedent and easily gathered evidence.Gu Tingye laughed heartily, taking a long while to compose himself. "You worry too much. All of Xiang Biao's unlawful deeds were committed two or three years ago." Back then, he was still risking his life who-knows-where. At worst, he merely tarnished his father and elder brother's reputation.
Grand Old Madam’s face turned pale. In truth, ever since Gu Tingye had inherited the title, she had sensed trouble brewing. She had immediately tightened control over the servants, forbidding any further mischief. Thus, Xiang Biao’s actions could in no way be linked to Gu Tingye.
"What do you intend to do?!" Without turning her head, Grand Old Madam knew Mama Xiang must be utterly distraught. She had served her loyally for many years, always putting her mistress first, with only this one son to her name.
Gu Tingye watched them like a cat toying with mice, his gaze calm and steady. "Mama Xiang, what do you think?"
Mama Xiang’s hands and feet trembled. Hearing her son’s desperate cries for help, her heart felt as though it were being torn apart. She glanced at Grand Old Madam, then suddenly gritted her teeth, hardening her resolve. With a venomous glare at Gu Tingye, she rasped, "This wretch has brought disgrace upon the Marquis’s household. Whatever punishment the Marquis deems fit, let it be carried out."
"Good!" Gu Tingye said with a smile. "Two lives—that should be worth at least a hundred heavy strokes. Guards, carry out the punishment."
Two guards, well-prepared, responded immediately. Two burly servants entered from outside, carrying thick clubs as wide as bowls. The guards pinned Xiang Biao firmly to the ground, and the servants began striking him methodically. Each blow landed with a solid, heavy thud, and Xiang Biao immediately wailed in agony.
Watching her son being punished, Mama Xiang was beside herself with despair. Grand Old Madam’s face was ashen, but she remained silent. Such flogging was unbearable for an ordinary person even at thirty strokes; sixty could cripple, and a hundred would surely be fatal. She knew Gu Tingye’s temperament well—pleading would be useless, threats would be futile, and she would only invite a lecture from him on principles.
At first, Xiang Biao could still cry out, but as the blows continued, his screams grew weaker. Mama Xiang swayed unsteadily before collapsing to the ground, wailing in anguish, "Marquis! The fire was all my doing! It had nothing to do with Grand Old Madam! Please, take my life instead!"
Gu Tingye sat in his armchair, his expression stern and detached. "Mama Xiang, you’ve lost your senses. I’ve already said that dry weather can easily lead to accidental fires." Summers in the capital were the most humid and stifling of the year—hardly "dry weather"—yet he insisted on saying so.
Unable to bear it any longer, Mama Xiang threw herself over her son, crying out, "Then beat me to death! Let me pay for his life with mine!"
The two servants, well-trained, acted swiftly. One stopped his club and restrained Mama Xiang, pulling her aside, while the other continued the flogging. Mama Xiang struggled helplessly, her cries choked with sobs.
As Xiang Biao’s breathing grew shallow and Mama Xiang hovered on the brink of unconsciousness, Gu Tingye suddenly smiled. Turning leisurely, he remarked, "In all my travels over the years, I’ve met many people and noticed something curious. Human nature is truly strange. No matter how vicious a person may be, no matter how ruthless they are to others, when it comes to their own flesh and blood, they are no different from anyone else."
Grand Old Madam remained as still as a wooden statue, her face so pale it seemed almost inhuman.
"But then again, this isn’t so strange. Even animals cherish their young, let alone humans," Gu Tingye continued mockingly.
Grand Old Madam forced out a question through gritted teeth, "What do you want?"
Gu Tingye’s smile vanished. He barely moved his lips as he uttered, "Divide the family."Grand Old Madam suddenly turned her head, her venomous gaze fixed on him. Gu Tingye stood as immovable as a mountain, coldly meeting her stare. Without waiting for her rebuttal, he continued, "Although the fire was fierce this time, fortunately no one was harmed. Not only did Minglan safely give birth, but Third Brother and my nephew are also unharmed. Truly, heaven—blesses—harmony—and—people!"
He deliberately drew out the last four words, each syllable ringing with metallic sharpness, carrying a palpable bloodthirsty aura.
Grand Old Madam breathed rapidly, staring fixedly at the tall, robust man before her. Gu Tingye glanced at the unconscious Mama Xiang and sighed softly with a smile, "What a loyal servant. An ordinary person, for the sake of their own child, would probably abandon all else."
The dull, despairing sound of wooden clubs striking flesh still echoed in their ears. Beneath Xiang Biao, a pool of blood spread, and he had long fallen silent. A chill gripped Grand Old Madam's heart—for the first time in her life, she felt utterly helpless.
...
Due to numerous household affairs, Minglan simply skipped the third-day baby washing ceremony. However, during her confinement period, relatives from both sides came to visit one after another. Everyone had heard about the fire at the Gu residence coinciding with Minglan's delivery, and their expressions and conversations inevitably carried traces of suspicion.
The sisters-in-law, all well-acquainted with the internal affairs, were particularly suspicious but dared not ask too many questions, cautiously offering congratulatory words instead. As for Hualan, she straightforwardly remarked, "Your mother-in-law is even more ruthless than mine!" Minglan immediately corrected her—strictly speaking, her only mother-in-law was that memorial tablet. Old Mrs. Sheng also came personally to see her, tenderly stroking her hair with heartache, but only briefly saying, "After extreme adversity comes bliss. This little boy is truly destined for future blessings."
Within a few days, news came from the estate that Mama Xiang's son had died. From that day on, Mama Xiang remained bedridden with illness, and even Grand Old Madam fell seriously ill. Before Tuan Ge'er even reached his first month, the matter of dividing the family estate was brought up, and Grand Old Madam surprisingly acquiesced silently. Clan elders and four or five senior relatives were invited to oversee the division.
Minglan was not present and only learned the final outcome: the meritorious fields remained untouched, the ancestral estate remained intact, and the marquis' residence stayed unchanged. The remaining assets were divided into two and a half shares—with daughters counted as half a son—so half a share went to Xianjie, while the remaining two shares were split equally between the two brothers.
Grand Old Madam had initially opposed this proposal. According to Gu family traditions, regardless of whether the father was deceased, a married daughter only needed a dowry. However, Gu Tingyu had after all served as the marquis and lineage heir, so his sole surviving daughter was naturally exceptional. Gu Tingye cheerfully threw back the very words Grand Old Madam had used to elevate Gu Tingyu's funeral status, additionally drawing comparisons with Tingcan's marriage.
Grand Old Madam had no choice but to accept. Madam Shao wept tears of joy on the spot. Her own maternal family was ordinary, and she only possessed some of Da Qin Shi's dowry, which had dwindled significantly over the years. Now, everything was fine—Xianjie would have no worries about her future.
Later, Grand Old Madam raised objections about the family assets, suspecting that Gu Tingye had concealed much. However, no matter how they investigated, aside from the estates bestowed by the emperor, Gu Tingye truly had no other properties—no shops, dividends, or lands whatsoever.
When brothers divide family assets, it’s hardly appropriate to split the emperor’s rewards too. Yet aside from Minglan, no one actually knew how much private wealth Gu Tingye possessed. Grand Old Madam could only grudgingly let the matter drop.Upon learning of this matter, Minglan couldn't help but jump out of bed and move to the inner room to touch the twin-fish lock wrapped in a steel chain. Behind the partition lay a hidden compartment built into the wall. She then clasped her hands together, thanking heaven for blessing her with a calm temperament.
Gu Tingye had naturally accumulated substantial family assets—recently transferred southern properties, generous military campaign rewards (war was quite profitable), unofficial gains from confiscations, and direct imperial grants. Gold bars of identical specifications were whimsically stacked by her into a delicate miniature pyramid reminiscent of South American structures, while thick bundles of silver certificates were rolled into scrolls alongside scattered deeds and account books, not to mention the numerous rare antiques and curios bestowed by the emperor stored in Clear Garden's treasury. Minglan had initially intended to make some financial arrangements herself, but with the flurry of wedding preparations and her mind preoccupied with vigilance, she had been too overwhelmed by constant alarms to establish any significant assets. Amitabha! Hallelujah!
During the family division process, the First Wife of Gu Tingxuan's performance was particularly noteworthy. Having maintained good conduct and an excellent reputation for over a decade, her words carried considerable credibility. Through her diligent promotion and vivid embellishment, the Clear Garden fire had become an open secret, leading people to regard the Grand Old Madam with either evasive glances, disgusted accusations, or—from the more compassionate—unspoken criticism that "you've been too obvious." This conveniently saved Gu Tingye the effort of spreading rumors externally.
Of course, the Grand Old Madam's propaganda skills were not to be underestimated. She forcefully argued that her own son's courtyard had also suffered fire damage, thus proving her innocence. Unfortunately, humans tend toward confirmation bias. After two years of Gu Tingye's efforts, people had gradually come to believe this stepmother was not as pure as a lamb. Following this logic, the fire in Tingwei's courtyard was interpreted as a smokescreen created by the stepmother to conceal her crime.
Moreover, even using only one's toes to think, it was clear that Marquis Gu, nearly thirty years old and still without an heir, would not risk losing his legitimate son by setting a fire to frame his stepmother on the very day his wife was giving birth—no matter how much he disliked her.
On the day of the family division, the Fifth Old Master remained silent, maintaining a stern Confucian facade as mere decoration. The Fourth Old Master, remembering how the Grand Old Madam had treated him when he established his own household, vigorously undermined her position. Thus, by the time Tuan Ge'er's full-month banquet approached, the family division was completed, with only the banquet remaining before the Grand Old Madam would move out with her son and daughter-in-law.
For the full-month banquet, Minglan deliberately stayed awake for two nights to make her already fair and delicate complexion appear haggard, adding a dazed expression to complete the image of a fragile woman still shaken by fright. Attending relatives and friends found her particularly pitiable, offering gentle condolences and earnest encouragement. Minglan forced smiles and responded in a weak, sorrowful tone that she was fine and asked everyone not to worry.
The intended effect was successfully achieved.
The only slight imperfection was the little chubby bundle who only ate and slept. Plump, round, and with vigorous cries, he appeared so endearing that when people touched him a few extra times, the tiny fellow actually grew angry, glaring at them with large eyes—full of energy and vitality, utterly unlike a child who had suffered fright in the womb. Witnessing this, the Grand Old Madam was infuriated, barely maintaining a smiling face while seething with bitter resentment.Watching the crowd gather around to offer congratulations and flattery, Minglan radiated wealth and glory. Molan barely managed to restrain herself, only uttering a few sour remarks before falling silent. Rulan gazed at the child, unable to conceal the envy in her eyes. Madam Wang merely glanced a few times before going to console Rulan. With the in-laws proving unhelpful, Hualan, as the eldest sister, took it upon herself to entertain the guests. Her skillful and charming hospitality earned her much praise.
Gu Tingye was genuinely overjoyed. Excitedly, he carried his son out to show him off like a treasure. Brazenly boasting about the child from his fingers to his nostrils in front of his close colleagues and friends, he even claimed the little one’s yawns were stylish, unique, and extraordinary.
Eventually, Uncle Shen could no longer stand it and decided to stir up trouble. He had the young officer Zheng Xiao lead the teasing, and everyone raised their wine cups to urge Gu Tingye to drink. Only then did the nanny manage to bring Tuan Ge’er back.
Old Mrs. Sheng was especially delighted, hugging the chubby little one and covering him with kisses. Tuan Ge'er happened to take a liking to her too, dozing off with soft snores in her embrace. Gazing at his sleeping face, the old lady's eyes grew moist, as if a lifelong void within her had been filled.
Nestled in Old Mrs. Sheng's arms, Minglan felt truly content. It was enough that everyone could find happiness.
On the day Grand Old Madam moved out, Madam Zhu visited Minglan's quarters. She quietly drank two cups of tea without saying much, sat for a while, then prepared to leave. Just before stepping out the door, she suddenly turned back and murmured with a wistful expression, "As women, we actually have little choice in many matters."
Minglan understood Madam Zhu's meaning. She wasn't unaware of Grand Old Madam's actions, but having married into her husband's family, how could she expose her own mother-in-law even if she disapproved? All she could do was cowardly and selfishly play deaf and dumb.
Gu Tingwei had his official duties, an elder brother who, though unwilling to assist or promote him, wouldn't harm him either, and the prestige of the Ningyuan Marquis Household to rely on. Madam Zhu herself possessed a generous dowry, and Grand Old Madam had substantial private savings. If they moved out and lived properly without coveting what didn't belong to them, peace and happiness weren't impossible—it all depended on one's perspective.
Minglan rose with a gentle smile to see her out.
Standing in the courtyard, Madam Zhu performed an elegant and respectful curtsey. The two sisters-in-law thus bid farewell.
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