The first thing Minglan did after completing her postpartum confinement was to wash herself thoroughly from head to toe three times in a row. Thereafter, she bathed twice daily, scrubbing herself repeatedly. Just thinking about enduring the sweltering summer heat for so many days without proper bathing made her scalp crawl. She urged Xiaotao to scrub harder, until her skin turned red in patches. Cui Mama watched with aching heart—during the confinement period, she had diligently wiped Minglan's body several times daily with soft cloths soaked in warm water. How could she have become so filthy as to need such vigorous scrubbing, as if trying to peel off a layer of skin to feel satisfied?
Steam rose from the half-person-high bathtub, meticulously crafted from fragrant cypress wood transported from the southwest and reinforced with fine copper wires. Minglan relaxed inside, the essential oils in the water releasing a room-filling fragrance when heated by the steaming water. There was still plenty of the fragrant milk and flower dew bestowed by the palace last time. She had refrained from using it during pregnancy for fear of adverse effects, so it had been saved up. Not knowing if it had an expiration date, she simply poured it into the water, causing Cui Mama's mouth to twitch involuntarily once more.
With no fierce beasts or venomous snakes lurking by her bedside for now, Minglan felt an unprecedented sense of ease. No longer did she have to pay respects every few days, carefully weighing every word before speaking, fearful of falling into traps. From the moment she opened her eyes each day, she no longer had to strategize about defense and counterattacks. Upon deeper reflection, she personally held no grudge against the Grand Old Madam—there was no need for such a life-and-death struggle. But that old woman, unable to confront the powerful Comrade Gu directly, could only target her fellow women, making Minglan a major casualty—purely collateral damage.
This job was truly tough—Minglan couldn't resist pouring two more bottles of the imperial fragrant dew into the bathtub. Priceless and rare, it was utterly satisfying.
Amid the hazy fragrance, Cui Mama felt both helpless and amused as she wiped Minglan with a clean, fine cotton cloth. Her own face had grown terribly thin, wrinkles meandering like the cypress wood grain along the bathtub's edge. Minglan felt a pang of sorrow—Cui Mama was no longer young, and the recent mental and physical strain had aged her ten years. Though Minglan urged her to return home and rest properly, she stubbornly refused, spending all her time guarding Tuan Ge'er as if fearing wolves or villains would snatch the child away at any moment.
Only after Danju, Xiaotao, and others pleaded exhaustively, and Minglan deployed her ultimate tactic—coaxing that she would have seventeen or eighteen more children in the future, all relying on Cui Mama's care—did Cui Mama finally relent.
After bathing, Minglan draped herself in a snow-white satin inner garment and turned three times before the half-person-high mirror. Her large eyes, arched eyebrows, and rosy, fair complexion glowed with a pink flush. Thanks to the Grand Old Madam's meticulous scheming, her poor appetite and sleep had prevented any significant weight gain, swiftly resolving postpartum obesity concerns. Very good, very good—Minglan was thoroughly pleased.
Once dressed, she walked to the bedside and picked up the child. Gazing at Tuan Ge'er's chubby neck full of fleshy folds, she joyfully planted a firm kiss. The little meatball had a remarkable talent for storing all the fat on himself, leaving none for his mother.
"Madam, Hao Guanshi sent word that Old Master Ding has arrived," Lüzhi entered and reported softly.
"Have Hao Guanshi take the master to inspect the house. You and Liao Yong's wife accompany them," Minglan said without looking up, as the little meatball in her arms kicked his limbs and gurgled. "The rooms damaged by fire aren't urgent. The priority is preparing the courtyard where Eldest Sister-in-law will reside. If I find they've skimped on timber, they won't be forgiven."Originally, with the Grand Old Madam having moved out and the main hall left vacant, it should have been Gu Tingye and his wife moving in. However, the Grand Old Madam had held power for decades, and every brick and stone there was imprinted with the former owner's presence. Not only did Minglan refuse to live in that gloomy old house, but even Gu Tingye felt uneasy about it. After discussing it together, the couple decided to shift the center of the residence and completely renovate the original main hall of the marquis's mansion, using it only as a detached courtyard.
As a result, Madam Shao and her daughter, who had been residing in a side wing of the main house, also had to move. Whether it was due to guilt over not coming to help during the previous fire or because Xianjie had unexpectedly gained half a fortune, Madam Shao was particularly accommodating this time. Minglan only mentioned it once, and after thinking it over for a night, Madam Shao agreed the next day.
The new residence was located in the southwest of Clear Garden, bordered by a lotus pond to the east and a bamboo grove to the west, boasting excellent scenery and feng shui. Madam Shao initially felt some reluctance to leave behind the lingering presence of her late husband, but when she saw how delighted her daughter was upon seeing the new home—like a bird freed from its cage, eagerly pointing out how to arrange this area and that, and rushing off excitedly to visit their new neighbor Rong Jie'er—her slight melancholy faded away.
From a child's perspective, the old residence, though grand and dignified, was dark and oppressive everywhere. Having grown up surrounded by the shadow of death, how could it compare to the new home, bathed in sunlight, with fresh air and the sounds of birds and fragrance of flowers filling the room as soon as the windows and doors were opened?
After playing happily with her son for a while, Tuan Ge'er began to grow sleepy. Minglan gently rocked him and continued giving instructions: "Send the tortoiseshell screen with Su embroidery that the Fu family gifted last time to them. Whatever Rong Jie'er has, Xianjie should have too. Danju, later on, tell the servants attending Eldest Sister-in-law that if they lack any decorations or items, they can simply take them from the storeroom."
For every instruction Minglan gave, Danju responded with an acknowledgment. Lüzhi couldn't help but laugh: "Look at you, Madam. Sister Danju has already gone to tell them, but Eldest Sister-in-law is being cautious and insists that everything is sufficient."
Madam Shao was relatively easy to get along with—the type who didn't offer much help but rarely caused trouble either. She occasionally indulged in self-pity and melancholy, but she seldom displayed it in a way that bothered others. After all, as a widow, it was only natural for her to feel sorrowful rather than cheerful all the time. In any case, Minglan had no intention of becoming close sisters with her; as long as they treated each other politely and maintained surface courtesy, that was enough.
"Also, tell Old Ding that with so few people and so much land in the mansion now, the empty spaces only make it feel desolate. We might as well expand the wooded area a bit more. Plant a few bamboo groves and some bamboo shoots and mushrooms, and set aside a separate section—I want to build a greenhouse. Eldest Sister-in-law will surely like it. And enclose the garden behind the original marquis's mansion to raise some deer, rabbits, pheasants, and the like, to make it feel more lively."
This was an idea Minglan had just come up with last night. Gu Tingye found it quite novel and naturally approved. In truth, Minglan's thought was that with such a large mansion and so much vacant land, along with so many idle hands, they could even set aside fields to grow vegetables, which would be enough to feed the entire household. Unfortunately, that would be too unsightly, so they could only raise some wild mushrooms and game, both to enrich their meals and save on unnecessary expenses.
"With so many groves and gardens in the mansion, the fences and inner walls must be built solidly. Tell Old Ding not to skimp on effort. If he does a good job, I will always reward him."
Lüzhi smiled and acknowledged each instruction, still careful not to speak too loudly for fear of startling Tuan Ge'er, then turned and lightly lifted the curtain to go out.With the departure of her formidable rival, Minglan felt completely relaxed and grew rather lazy. Watching the chubby little bundle in her arms already fast asleep, she couldn't help but yawn herself. Though she had just risen not long ago and attended to few matters, she already found herself longing for her pillow again. Minglan had always been lenient with others, and naturally even more so with herself. Without further resistance, she cuddled her son and decided to take a short nap.
When Gu Tingye returned from court and entered their chambers, he found his beloved wife and child sleeping head to head. Seeing their equally fair faces, his heart softened immensely. These days, Tuan Ge'er had grown bigger and became particularly energetic when he fussed. Minglan, constantly concerned about the child, hadn't been sleeping well at night. Now she was sound asleep, while the little chubby bundle beside her had already slept his fill and woken up at some point. His round eyes wide open, he looked around until they settled on his father. Fixing his gaze, he began to babble softly.
The wet nurse nearby said happily in a low voice, "The young master can recognize people now."
Gu Tingye was also delighted. He bent down and carefully picked up the swaddled baby, feeling that his son was the most beautiful infant in the world—he could never get enough of looking at him. He kissed Tuan Ge'er's little face again and again.
"Little rascal!" Gu Tingye laughed affectionately. Though Tuan Ge'er hadn't fully developed yet, he was quite strong, managing to kick his legs twice within the swaddling clothes. "This boy is really strong." Gu Tingye gently bounced the child in his arms with slight pressure, and Tuan Ge'er immediately became very happy, giggling with laughter.
The commotion woke Minglan. Rubbing her eyes, still somewhat dazed, she murmured, "You're back, my lord. Why so early today?"
Gu Tingye smiled. "I didn't mean to wake you, but it's almost time for lunch. You should get up now."
Minglan looked out the window and saw the sun was nearly at its zenith. She blushed, feeling rather embarrassed. Lately, she had been like a lazy woman, never seeming to get enough sleep. Gu Tingye didn't notice this, however. His attention was caught by the red strings tied around their son's arms and legs. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he frowned and asked Minglan, "Why are you binding him like this?" It wasn't as if they were capturing a villain.
Truth be told, Minglan wasn't entirely sure either. She could only explain, "Cui Mama said so. All of us siblings were treated this way when we were young. This is just light binding—when he grows bigger, we'll need to do more extensive binding. My eldest brother was taken care of by Cui Mama when he was little." She speculated that it was probably to prevent bow legs or to keep his little hands from retracting into the sleeves.
Gu Tingye recalled how Sheng Changbai stood as upright and noble as an ancient pine, and immediately felt more confident in Cui Mama's methods. Looking again at Tuan Ge'er, whose features and temperament so resembled his own, though he was fond of this, he couldn't help but worry: "They say nephews often take after their maternal uncles. If he could be like your eldest brother, that would be for the best." He had always admired his eldest brother-in-law from the Sheng family. Even the somewhat weak Changfeng and the honest, diligent Changdong were at least proper and striving, willing to listen to their father. Unlike himself—from the time he could walk, he had been practically capable of flying through the skies and diving underground, causing trouble wherever he went.
Tuan Ge'er's tender little mouth moved slightly like a nursing animal, making sucking motions. But his parents were talking and didn't notice him at all. He immediately let out a whimper and began to cry earnestly. The wet nurse, who had been waiting nearby, stepped forward with a smile to take him: "It's about time—the young master is probably hungry. Allow this servant to take him and attend to him."Though it was called crying, there wasn't a single tear in sight—only a flushed little face sulking in frustration. Gu Tingye found it amusing and chuckled as he handed the child over. Watching the sturdy, plump wet nurse turn to leave, Minglan sighed softly, "This little one is far too voracious, needing two wet nurses to tend to him. If he were born into an ordinary family, he'd likely eat them out of house and home."
Loosening the collar of his court dress, Gu Tingye laughed, "Being able to eat and sleep well is a great blessing, and here you are complaining. Back when Brother Zhong's son was born, he vomited everything he ate, and even now that he's older, he's still sickly and frail. Brother Zhong was beside himself with worry."
Bringing up this topic reminded him of another matter, and his tone turned serious. "That wicked woman has a heart of stone, not even sparing a young child. Thank goodness Old Madam was alert, or disaster would have struck!"
Minglan, draped in her inner garment, got out of bed and began helping Gu Tingye remove his robes and jade belt. "That's all in the past now. Don't dwell on such foul matters. Aren't we perfectly fine now?"
Months earlier, when Minglan had begun selecting wet nurses, Cui Mama, as usual, acted as the informant. Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Sheng suddenly felt inexplicably uneasy and instructed Mama Fang to discreetly search for candidates. Among the wives on several of the Sheng family's estates, two had just given birth and were producing ample milk. They were gentle, honest, and steady in temperament. Once the selection was made, Old Mrs. Sheng kept it completely secret, instructing Minglan to continue her search for wet nurses as a decoy. Two days after Minglan gave birth, the two chosen wet nurses were sent over along with their contracts, while all the previously selected candidates were dismissed with some reward money.
At the time, Minglan had thought Old Mrs. Sheng was being overly suspicious but had complied out of filial piety. Later, however, after Gu Tingye conducted a thorough investigation, it was discovered that the two originally selected wet nurses did indeed have some inexplicable issues.
One of the wet nurses was the wife of a servant bestowed by the palace and should have had no connection to the Grand Old Madam. Yet, after digging deeper, it was found that her long-lost former husband and son had reappeared and were settled in the countryside. The "kind-hearted helper" in this matter was vaguely linked to the Grand Old Madam's steward, Little Chen.
The other wet nurse was from a respectable family outside the estate. Cui Mama and Mama Chang had investigated her repeatedly and found nothing amiss. The family was honest and sincere, and after receiving the deposit, they were determined to do their job well, often preparing lactation-promoting foods for the wife. Around that time, a neighbor suddenly moved in nearby, who was very friendly. This neighbor raised many chickens and ducks and had relatives with a fishpond, so they often supplied carp, silver carp, and poultry to the wet nurse's family at low prices. Being able to nourish themselves while saving money, the wet nurse's family naturally agreed.
By the time Minglan gave birth, the wet nurse had been consuming the neighbor's poultry and fish for nearly two months. A few days earlier, Mama Chang suddenly sent word that the wet nurse and her mother-in-law had fallen gravely ill, suffering from high fevers, body rashes, and convulsions. Minglan sent Tu Er to investigate, and while nothing else seemed amiss, the only suspicious element was the food supplied by the neighbor.
Of course, by then, the neighbor had already moved away without a trace.
Hearing all this, Minglan felt a chill run through her, a cold dread rising from the depths of her heart. It must have been a slow-acting poison, undetectable at first but accumulating in the body until it took effect. If this was the effect on adults, what would have happened to a newborn infant who drank the milk of a poisoned wet nurse?That old witch truly schemes meticulously, with a vicious heart. Whether she could destroy me or not, she had no intention of sparing the child.
Fortunately, the wet nurse’s family was quite filial. When there was good food, they reserved it strictly for the wet nurse herself and her chronically ill elderly mother, sparing the children and men in the household. Minglan felt deeply apologetic. She sent for a physician to examine them and provided a generous sum of silver, hoping they could turn danger into safety.
Gu Tingye was still seething with hatred, his voice cold as he said, "Heaven’s justice is clear—retribution will come!"
At that moment, he felt like tearing the Grand Old Madam apart with his bare hands, regretting that he had been too lenient during the family division. "Thankfully, Old Madam was a step ahead in her strategy, otherwise…" He hardly dared imagine little Tuan Ge’er’s small body convulsing with high fever.
Minglan lowered her head as she untied her sash. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t angry, but what she felt more was gratitude. She was thankful to heaven for granting her such a wonderful grandmother, thankful that the old witch’s schemes had failed, and thankful that her little chubby bundle was now so healthy and lively, able to eat and sleep well.
Old Mrs. Sheng had even issued stern warnings to the two wet nurses sent over: if they served well, she would hand over their families’ contracts of servitude and allow their entire households to enjoy a life of comfort in the marquis’ estate; if anything went amiss, their families would be sold off immediately, sent to the harshest and coldest places, leaving not a single one behind! How could they dare not be obedient? How could they dare not give their utmost?
Thinking of how Old Madam’s caution and thoroughness today stemmed from the pain of her youth, Minglan felt a bitter sorrow in her heart. She said softly, "Let’s set up a couple more porridge kitchens later. I hope goodness begets goodness."
Minglan handed the court dress to Xia Zhu, who was standing nearby in attendance. "Marquis, please go wash your face first, and then we can have our meal." Gu Tingye nodded and headed straight for the washroom. After washing away the sweat and dust, he returned to find the dining table already set in the room, with an ice basin placed in the far corner. The couple sat down to eat.
"The cicadas have stopped chirping, so why is it still so hot?" Minglan had always suffered in the summer. After just a few sips of soup, fine beads of sweat already dotted her forehead, and her cheeks were flushed and damp. Gu Tingye, however, remained perfectly still, his tan face calm and composed. "This year’s heat has indeed lingered longer. Let’s hope it doesn’t disrupt the agricultural taxes."
Minglan paused for a moment, then quickly asked, "Should we reduce the tenants’ rent a little?" Gu Tingye shook his head and replied in a deep voice, "Not yet. Let’s see how things unfold in the Lianghuai region. If the reforms there prove effective and we recover more salt tax revenue by the end of the year, then everything will be manageable."
Currently, the entire court was focused on the Lianghuai region, with overt and covert struggles intensifying. Shen Congxing had finally completed his period of reflection and returned to court duties, which eased Gu Tingye’s mind considerably and lightened the pressure on him. He had no desire to offend all the meritorious nobles and relatives at once. The emperor was the male lead, but surely the first male supporting character deserved a bit more screen time, didn’t he?
The topic was somewhat heavy, so Gu Tingye changed the subject. "How have things been in the estate these past few days? If there are any troublemakers, let me know, and I’ll handle them. You should focus on recuperating and not overexert yourself."
Minglan set down her chopsticks and personally ladled a bowl of soup for him, smiling as she said, "With the great Buddha moved, would the monks still chant sutras in an empty temple? Marquis, rest assured, the old-timers in the estate have become much more obedient now."When the family divided, Grand Old Madam took away many servants—either her staunch confidants or reliable and capable ones. Those left behind were mostly muddle-headed old hereditary servants who not only loved to flaunt their seniority but also constantly sought to enjoy privileges and skim benefits. It was then that Minglan came up with an idea: simply empty out the entire original marquisate residence, renovate what needed renovating, tidy up what needed tidying, and only keep a few honest ones to watch over the house.
With this move, those who were used to bossing others around were left with nothing. Without masters, how could there be tasks? And without tasks, how could they strut about outside or seek gains?
"If only... there were a great amnesty recently..." Minglan muttered to herself, biting her chopsticks.
Gu Tingye's eyes flickered, and he raised an eyebrow. "It doesn’t necessarily have to wait for a great amnesty. Start by releasing a few of the most disobedient ones, and it should still have some effect." Minglan looked embarrassed. "How did you know..." She did want to let some people go but was afraid others would call her cold-hearted. She had been hoping for some royal or court celebration so she could take advantage of the chaos and generously 'bestow favors.'
"In families like ours, it’s inevitable that some servants have followed their masters to the battlefield to serve. These are considered to have risked their lives. There are a few such families who are particularly fond of putting on airs and are quite annoying." Gu Tingye smiled faintly. "Find some pretext, whether as a show of favor or as punishment, and deal with one or two households first. The rest will likely become more obedient."
Minglan understood—the principle of handling matters gradually to achieve smooth results. She nodded. "Then we’ll see if any others dare to step out of line. Otherwise, we can wait for the right opportunity to release them all at once." Even for future tasks like developing gardens, forests, or tending to flowers, plants, and animals, Minglan didn’t want to entrust them casually. Who knew if the beloved Grand Old Madam had left many 'hidden traps' among these old servants?
After the meal, Minglan, as usual, attended to Gu Tingye’s midday nap. Having just woken up herself, she felt too embarrassed to lie down again. Just as she was about to get up and leave, Gu Tingye pulled her back. His dark hair spilled over the pillow, and the man looked lazy, hooking his fingers to tug at the hem of Minglan’s skirt, sincerely inviting her to join him for a nap. Minglan refused righteously: "Do you take me for your precious son? Eat and sleep right away?"
Gu Tingye smiled ambiguously. "That’s good—grow fast and put on more meat." What kind of talk was that? It sounded like a slogan from a breeding farm. Minglan retorted sarcastically, "Why don’t you go raise pigs instead? Your business would surely thrive." The man buried his face in the pillow, pulling Minglan’s hand to press against his cheek, chuckling softly. "I am raising them—two of them, both plump and growing splendidly." Minglan struggled to free herself from his iron grip, her face stern. "I’m going to check on Tuan Ge’er. I won’t disturb the marquis in his pig-raising endeavors!"
Gu Tingye held onto Minglan tightly, then suddenly looked up, his smile fading. "Do you feel wronged, having married me?" Minglan was baffled by the question. "Wronged about what?" Gu Tingye said, "This messy situation nearly caused you harm."
Minglan immediately laughed. "The husband deals with external affairs; the wife manages internal ones. Matters of this residence are originally my responsibility. Why should I feel wronged?" It wasn’t as if she had married some 'phoenix man' where she’d have to spend her own money on cars and houses, suffer from her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law’s bullying, and take care of the husband’s entire family on top of that."In large families with many members, the daughter-in-law has to deal with parents-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, and grandchildren. Four or five layers of relatives living together, constantly calculating and bickering back and forth—it’s hardly ever comfortable. Heaven’s way is balanced: since the heavens have spared me this burden, they must compensate me elsewhere." Well, with Grand Old Madam’s combativeness, she could indeed offset a whole crowd of relatives.
"You’re quite philosophical about it," Gu Tingye chuckled, then hesitated and said, "You... don’t resent me?" Minglan sat on the edge of the bed, slowly leaning closer, and said softly, "I understand what you mean." It was he who had brought her numerous life-and-death trials.
"But I understand even more clearly how well you’ve treated me." To be honest, if she had to choose between a crowd of concubines, illegitimate children, and a witch-like stepmother, she’d rather choose to battle the dragon.
Gu Tingye gazed at her steadily for a moment before suddenly burying his face in the pillow again, behaving like a sulky child. His muffled voice came from beneath the pillow: "Stay and nap with me, or I won't be able to sleep." His hand still held hers tightly, refusing to let go.
Minglan felt troubled, then suddenly had an inspiration: "Tuan Ge'er is probably asleep again. Shall I bring him over so you two can take an afternoon nap together?" Placing a little piglet beside the man would solve both problems at once, and she might finally have a peaceful afternoon to review the account books. Gu Tingye chuckled again, lifting his head to look at her with a curved smile: "That works too."
The little meatball was an excellent sleeping companion. Once asleep, he wouldn't even notice if someone carried him off to be roasted and eaten. He never minded who he slept with, obediently dozing off with anyone. Sometimes when Gu Tingye returned late at night, he would fetch his son from the partitioned room; Minglan often woke to find a soft, fragrant little bun nestled beside her. If the child woke from needing a diaper change, his father would get up to call for someone to change him. If he woke hungry, his mother's modest milk supply happened to be just enough for the little meatball's midnight snack.
Time flowed gently by. Though raising a child was tedious, it held its own unique joys.
When Tuan Ge'er gradually learned to lift his head, Minglan drew upon knowledge from her previous life, having the child practice lying on his stomach several times daily for about a minute each session. The first time Gu Tingye saw his son lying prone on the soft mattress like a little puppy, he was so startled he immediately scooped up Tuan Ge'er and sternly scolded the wet nurse and maids. Minglan quickly explained the various benefits of tummy time—how it strengthened neck muscles, promoted brain development and limb coordination, and would make him more agile whether studying or practicing martial arts in the future.
The father remained skeptical, but seeing his son lying quietly without fussing or crying, he reluctantly allowed Minglan to continue her methods. Once, feeling mischievous, Minglan noticed Gu Tingye reclining on the daybed reading, so she positioned Tuan Ge'er to lie prone on his father's chest.
Gu Tingye's broad shoulders, strong arms, and solid chest provided a stable surface for the little meatball. One parent dared not move, terrified of dropping his son, eyes wide with tension; the other strained with effort, working hard to keep his little forehead from touching the surface. Father and son stared at each other, wide-eyed and unblinking, while Minglan watched from the side, thoroughly amused.
After a short while, the little meatball began to notice the movement, gently rising and falling with his father's breathing. He immediately burst into giggles. Feeling the small, soft body so dependently pressed against him and seeing the strikingly similar features, Gu Tingye felt overwhelming joy. He wrapped his arms around his son and laughed heartily.
Minglan suddenly felt a pang of sorrow. Deep in Gu Tingye's heart, his feelings toward his late father remained complex.
On the very day the Grand Old Madam moved out, Gu Tingye carried his son to the ancestral hall. After dismissing everyone, he stood alone before Old Marquis's memorial tablet for a long time, only emerging when Tuan Ge'er began crying in his arms. Decades of grievances between the Gu father and son had long since dissipated like smoke. Now that the departed was gone, any words seemed superfluous.
Yet one couldn't help but wonder: when Gu Tingye was first born, Gu Yankai was already nearly forty. With one son, Tingyu, sickly and frail, and another who resembled him so closely—a robust, lively, chubby little boy—what must have been going through his heart?
He must have been happy too.Perhaps he too had once held and kissed Gu Tingye, feeling immense joy and pride, just as Gu Tingye now treated Tuan Ge'er. Only when raising a child does one understand parental love—life has come full circle, returning to its origin.
...
That morning, Minglan lay lazily against the bedside, amusing the chubby little one, when it was announced that Little Shen had arrived. Minglan quickly smoothed her hair and rose to greet her guest.
Lately, Little Shen had been a frequent visitor. She was currently utterly fascinated by children, especially since this little fleshy bundle was so round-headed and utterly adorable. Since the full moon banquet, she'd been visiting every few days—partly to unwind, partly to bask in the joyful atmosphere. She never came empty-handed either.
Last time she brought two large fresh lotus roots, the time before a small basket of sweet cherries, and the visit before that, a tiger-head infant hat with a crookedly embroidered "king" character and rather crude stitching. Little Shen had hesitated for a long time before presenting it, feeling quite embarrassed, but Minglan was genuinely touched, knowing it came from sincere intentions.
This time, however, Little Shen seemed different. Not only had she come empty-handed, but her eyes were swollen and red, her expression pained. She sat down without a word, looked at the plump Tuan Ge'er, picked him up, and began shedding tears continuously. Tuan Ge'er's forehead grew damp from her tears; he lifted his head in confusion, staring at Little Shen without understanding.
Minglan was greatly startled and quickly called the wet nurse and Danju to take the child away. She hurriedly fetched a handkerchief to help wipe the tears: "What's happened to you? Oh dear, don't just cry—tell me what's wrong."
"Is it something with the Empress?" This was Minglan's first thought, but Little Shen shook her head through her tears.
"Did your sister-in-law scold you?"—Little Shen shook her head again.
"Then... did you quarrel with General Zheng... Did he hit you?" Minglan directly thought of domestic violence.
Little Shen burst out with a teary laugh: "What nonsense are you talking? He wouldn't dare!" Seeing she had stopped crying, Minglan pressed urgently: "Then tell me! What's the use of just crying? You're making me anxious."
Little Shen sighed deeply, tears glistening in her eyes, and choked out: "My sister-in-law... she... is with child..."
"Your sister-in-law is pregnant?" Minglan found this both bewildering and somewhat envious. "General Zheng and your sister-in-law are truly blessed. But... why are you so upset?Little Shen didn't know whether to laugh or cry, poking Minglan's hand forcefully as she lamented: "It's my maternal family's sister-in-law!""
"The wife of the Marquis of Wei Bei?Minglan was taken aback, then puzzled: "Even if it's your maternal family's sister-in-law, why would you cry about it?"
"What do you know!" Little Shen couldn't hold back her tears, crying out: "Her relationship with my brother is so distant, yet she can conceive; while I and... still haven't... Heaven is truly blind!"
Minglan, having been shouted at, sat back down in stunned silence.
Little Shen buried her face in the table and wept for a long time. Minglan didn't know how to comfort her, only gently patting her back. She must have been suppressing her distress terribly—she couldn't show anger or resentment about Shen Zhang Shi's pregnancy, and had to pretend to be happy in public. Her only close sister was deep within the palace, rarely seen, so she could only come to Minglan's place to vent.
Minglan sighed softly and offered one piece of advice: "Why compare yourself to her, of all people? The wife of the Marquis of Wei Bei? Let me ask you this—would you truly wish to trade places with her?"Little Shen gradually stopped crying, though her shoulders still trembled slightly. Minglan continued to console her: "Everyone outside praises your good fortune. You’d just reached marriageable age when His Majesty ascended the throne. Your elder sister became Empress, your brother a Marquis, your in-laws are kind, and General Zheng shares a deep bond with you. The only strictness comes from your sister-in-law, but her character is beyond reproach. As for your natal family’s sister-in-law... well... you know..."
The longstanding discord between the Marquis of Weibei and his wife was no secret in the capital. Rumors circulated that Uncle Shen rarely saw Zhang Shi more than twice a month, instead favoring his concubine née Zou.
This unconventional consolation proved effective. Little Shen slowly raised her head, still sniffling but with indignation written across her face. Like a petulant child, she burst out: "It’s not that I’m narrow-minded and can’t bear to see her happy. But... hmph! She’s too arrogant! I know she looks down on our Shen family! Her Zhang family of British Duke lineage are distinguished nobles, pillars of the founding era. For her to become my brother’s Remarried wife was a tremendous injustice!"
Her throat dry from crying, Little Shen took a large gulp of tea and continued: "Hmph! But she never considers that this marriage wasn’t forced by my brother—it was His Majesty’s gracious intention! Her Zhang family didn’t dare defy the imperial decree, so they take their frustration out on our Shen family! All day she mopes around with that lifeless demeanor, putting on a sour face for whom?"
Once started, the words flowed more easily. "I also know she dislikes Sister Zou. She thinks my brother elevating such an honorable concubine undermines her dignity! But after all, she’s just a concubine—even if she reached for the heavens, could she surpass the principal wife? These past two years, it’s as if my brother never married! She keeps her doors shut, avoids social interactions, practically wanting the whole world to know she’s been wronged!"
On this point, Minglan held a different view and couldn’t help interjecting: "Well... we shouldn’t put it that way. What if General Zheng had taken an honorable concubine right before your marriage? How would you feel?"
Little Shen choked on her words, stubbornly retorting: "That’s different! My brother had his reasons."
Minglan teased lightly: "Every family has their difficulties. Let me think... ah, yes. What if the Zheng family had a great benefactor who insisted on marrying their daughter into the household, and your in-laws couldn’t refuse? What would you do then?"
Little Shen’s face flushed crimson. After struggling for a long moment, she declared loudly: "Then I wouldn’t have married!"
"But the Lady of Weibei had no choice but to marry," Minglan said calmly.
Little Shen deflated like a punctured balloon, slumping into her chair. After a long silence, she whispered: "Actually... my elder brother initially felt guilty toward the Zhang family too. Right after the wedding, he tried to treat his new wife well, but she remained cold and distant. No matter how gently he spoke to her, she barely responded. Last year, when my little nephew nearly fell into the water, Sister Zou protected him but miscarried as a result. My brother felt terribly remorseful, yet she still responded with cold remarks..."
Minglan fell silent, suspecting Little Shen had suffered numerous cold treatments from Zhang Shi. Over these two years, Lady Zhang had lived like a nun who’d taken vows—devoting herself to Buddhist prayers, ignoring the affairs of the Marquis of Weibei’s household, making no effort to socialize with relatives, frequently declining banquet invitations under pretext of illness, and rarely even visiting her natal family.She hadn't attended Tuan Ge'er's full-month celebration. It seemed this Zhang Shi was a proud noble daughter, cherished and pampered since childhood by her parents—it was understandable she couldn't adjust her mindset quickly.
After chatting idly for quite some time, Minglan felt it was about right and called for a basin of water. She personally wrung out a towel for Little Shen to freshen up, then had Xiaotao bring out her dressing case to help Little Shen apply powder and draw her eyebrows.
"Your powder is excellent—it adheres well and has a lovely fragrance, rivaling even the imperial court's," Little Shen exclaimed, admiring herself in the mirror. Minglan laughed, "This isn't regular powder. It's made from Yunnan camellia flowers mixed with rice powder, pearl powder, and several other fragrances. It was concocted by my former maiden sister's husband during his leisure time."
Seeing how much Little Shen liked it, Minglan instructed Xiaotao to pack a small box for her to take home—after all, she seldom used powder herself.
"You're still so young, no need to wear powder often. If you dress like some seductress, your eldest sister-in-law will surely give me disapproving looks," Minglan teased, watching Little Shen's enthusiastic reaction to the powder box.
Little Shen rolled her eyes, "You're actually afraid of my eldest sister-in-law!"
"Your eldest sister-in-law is such a wonderful person—I've been envious of you for quite some time!" Minglan deliberately bantered, "Let me ask you, has your eldest sister-in-law ever mentioned the matter of heirs to you?"
Little Shen whispered, "Never. She even told me to focus on recuperating properly, saying it will happen eventually."
The main branch of General Zheng's household was blessed with abundant offspring—four sons and one daughter born to the principal wife, plus one son and two daughters by concubines. Therefore, from the elder Zhengs to General Zheng and his wife, no one had ever pressured them. It was just Little Shen herself, feeling deeply indebted to her loving husband, who unnecessarily burdened herself with anxiety.
"Those are wise words," Minglan said, sitting beside Little Shen and speaking gently, "You've only been married two years. Relax and don't worry yourself sick." Then she couldn't resist adding humorously, "Think about it—if everything goes smoothly for you and you have two children in three years, eight in ten years, how will the rest of us who struggle manage? Heaven would be far too biased! Remember when I gave birth to Tuan Ge'er, I nearly got roasted alive!"
Little Shen couldn't help laughing, pointing at Minglan in mock anger, "Serves you right! That's what you get for your sharp tongue—a taste of hardship!"
Then she deliberately scrutinized Minglan from head to toe, "Don't play the victim—I can see right through you! Tell me, why do you look so exhausted early in the morning?"
Minglan instinctively touched her face, smiling awkwardly, "No help for it—Tuan Ge'er kept me up all night, so I..." Actually, that wasn't true.
"Still pretending to be clueless?!" Little Shen slapped the table, laughing and scolding, "Do you think I'm blind? I can tell exactly why you're tired! Someone who genuinely didn't sleep well all night wouldn't look so enchantingly radiant—my goodness, you're practically glowing! Must have been quite the busy night..." She trailed off, blushing herself. Even having grown up wild in the mountains, she couldn't finish that sentence.
Minglan was utterly embarrassed, her porcelain cheeks flushing crimson, the redness spreading all the way to the tips of her ears.
Truth be told, breastfeeding was truly high-risk work. With garments half undone, husband and wife inevitably got carried away; often, just after feeding one, she had to feed the other. Working double shifts through the night was genuinely exhausting."You shameless creature, daring to say anything!" Minglan flushed with anger and embarrassment, her voice filled with resentment. "Just wait until I tell your sister-in-law!"
Little Shen was greatly amused and deliberately teased her: "Go ahead, go ahead! Let's see who you'd dare tell."
"You... you..." Minglan was both furious and ashamed, all her usual dignified composure gone as she childishly turned her face away. "I'm not friends with you anymore. I won't speak to you ever again!"
Her cheeks burned like fire, yet against her fair complexion they resembled crimson Western wine spreading across white silk. Her large, watery eyes glared angrily, much like the crystal lanterns bestowed by the Empress the other day - though emitting only faint firefly-like glow, they were exquisitely translucent. When each colorful lantern was lit, they created a splendor as radiant as blooming peach blossoms.
Seeing Minglan like this, Little Shen was rather amazed, thinking to herself: No wonder Marquis Gu is so fond of her. Noticing Minglan was genuinely upset, she didn't dare go too far and began apologizing earnestly. Ironically, it was she who had come seeking comfort in the first place.
"By the way, I have some white tea here and some local specialties. Would you mind taking them back for me?" Minglan said grumpily.
Little Shen laughed: "You're being too polite; I only prefer Longjing tea."
Minglan sighed in exasperation: "They're not for you, they're for your eldest sister-in-law. I want to thank her for recommending that team of masons."
"But didn't you already thank her last time?"
Minglan sighed softly: "You don't understand. My previous thanks were merely for courtesy's sake. This time, it's genuine gratitude. The craftsmen your sister-in-law recommended are truly excellent." Though not widely known, they were modest and practical.
She carefully chose her words: "During the recent fire, other buildings were more or less damaged, but the newly built walls and several drainage houses remained completely intact. My husband personally inspected them - each layer of tiles and timber, the mortar mixed thoroughly with rice paste, and premium glutinous rice at that. That's why they're both sturdy and fire-resistant, truly quality workmanship. These days, such reliable craftsmen are hard to come by."
"Oh, so you've given them more business because of this," Little Shen observed keenly.
Minglan nodded with admiration. Thinking of her own sister-in-law, Little Shen could only sigh in admiration: "My sister-in-law calls things as they are, most steady and reliable. The Empress often praises her too, telling me to learn from her instead of being mischievous all day."
Minglan agreed: "Her Majesty judges wisely."
"But my sister-in-law wants me to worship Buddha more and do good deeds, saying that's how to receive Buddha's protection," Little Shen said gloomily.
Minglan found this strange: "But don't you often pray to Buddha?"
"My sister-in-law says I only turn to Buddha in times of need. That my intentions are too utilitarian when seeking help." Little Shen lowered her head. "She says I should practice constantly - showing compassion to the elderly and young, accumulating virtue through good deeds. Whether I need anything or not, I should always maintain a kind heart."
Minglan blushed at these words, realizing that she, too, was much the same. Modern people's spiritual cultivation really wasn't high enough.
After some reflection, when Gu Tingye returned to their room, Minglan was about to announce her resolution to do more good deeds for future blessings of children, prosperity, and promotion (still rather utilitarian), but Gu Tingye spoke first.
"Lord Yu has almost fully recovered."
Minglan was taken aback, instinctively responding: "Did you ask Doctor Lin?"Gu Tingye nodded, his hands resting on the armrests of the official's chair, his expression darkening. "Let's settle everything thoroughly this time, to avoid endless troubles."
Lord Yu had begun to regain clarity half a month ago and had been recuperating with continuous medical treatment and medication. Recently, he had visibly improved a great deal.
Minglan remained silent and sat down beside the man. "Don't... go too far. Lord Yu likely had no knowledge of this."
Gu Tingye snorted coldly. "That Yu has gone too far. I didn’t bother with his previous offenses, but he actually dared to let his wife pressure you! Hmph, now that they’ve come right to our doorstep, what is there for us to fear?"
He glanced at Minglan and softened his tone. "Don’t worry, I have no grievances with the rest of the Yu family. I won’t involve too many people."
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