Lord Yu was born into a poor family, but blessed with exceptional intelligence, he gained his mentor’s favor at a young age. The mentor not only betrothed his beloved daughter to him but also provided frequent support, allowing Lord Yu to rise swiftly in his career. Though he experienced ups and downs, he ultimately retired unscathed and in glory. However, despite his vast life experience, when Gong Hongxiao, sent back by the Marquis’s household, laid bare the past events, he was so shaken with shock he could hardly believe it.
How could he, Lord Yu, have such an outrageously foolish son and daughter-in-law?!
“Your Lordship, please see the truth! The Grand Old Madam of the Gu family holds absolute power within the Marquis’s household! My very life was in her hands—how could I dare disobey whatever she ordered me to say?” Hongxiao knelt on the ground, weeping and sniffling. “It was my cowardice and fear of death that kept me from revealing the truth, causing the First Wife to suffer unjustly. I beg Your Lordship to show mercy and spare me!”
In front of his parents and sister-in-law, having his daughter’s adultery exposed, Lord Yu (the son) flushed red and pale with shame, unable to even lift his head. Beside him, Yu’s First Wife glared fiercely at Hongxiao on the floor, her eyes blazing with fury, yet she dared not act out in the presence of her parents-in-law. Stealing a glance at his father’s expression, Lord Yu (the son) noticed his heaving chest and cautiously said, “It is all my unfilialness that has troubled Father. All the faults are mine—I beg Father to calm his anger and take care of his health above all!”
Lord Yu shot his son a sarcastic look. “So now you remember to be filial? You even dared to bribe a Taoist priest, turning black into white! You and your wife have shamed the reputation I’ve built over a lifetime. Do me a favor and fetch me a bowl of arsenic—let me close my eyes early and spare myself the sight of the filth in your household!” Just as Gu Tingye had predicted, Lord Yu, having weathered decades of officialdom’s storms, was as shrewd as an old fox. Short of a catastrophe like rebellion that would implicate the entire clan, few things could rattle him, and his health was hardly at risk from anger. Now, as he berated them, his voice was full of vigor.
Lord Yu (the son) flushed crimson but dared not argue, dropping to his knees with a thud. Seeing this, Yu’s First Wife gritted her teeth and knelt as well. With the eldest son and his wife kneeling, the third and fourth branches of the family dared not remain standing, and all knelt in pairs. Lord Yu remained unperturbed, addressing the trembling Gong Hongxiao: “The Gu family’s letter states that you have been delayed all these years. Now that you are returned, arrangements will be made for you to marry into a suitable family.” He then turned to Fourth Madam and said, “Fourth Madam, after we return to Dengzhou, you will handle this matter.”
Fourth Madam glanced at her kneeling elder sister-in-law and hesitated. “Father, this…” Before she could finish, Yu’s First Wife lifted her head, her face filled with resentment, and glared at Gong Hongxiao, exclaiming, “How can things be so easy! This vile little wretch has harmed us deeply with her malicious schemes—even beheading would be too light a punishment! How can we just…”
Lord Yu slammed his hand on the table and cast a cold gaze downward. Lord Yu (the son) hurriedly tugged at his wife’s sleeve. Yu’s First Wife turned and, meeting her father-in-law’s icy stare, shuddered and fell silent.Gong Hongxiao was far too clever. Seeing the situation, she immediately kowtowed repeatedly, weeping so hard she could barely speak: "This is all my fault! Please don't be angry, Grand Lord—your health is what matters most! I know I don't deserve forgiveness, but I keep thinking of my aged and frail mother. As her child, how could I abandon my elderly mother? I only beg for your mercy, to grant me a way out so I may care for my mother in her final years!"
Lord Yu slowly turned his head and said calmly, "Though you're the eldest in the household, you're actually a relative from the First Wife's maternal side—neither servant nor maid. How could the Yu family dispose of you? We're merely seeing that you're currently unsettled and, out of regard for our elders' connection, arranging a marriage for you." At this point, a peculiarly cold smile suddenly surfaced at the corner of his mouth. "Originally having you accompany Yanhong as a concubine when she married was already an injustice. It should be the Yu family who owes you—an—apology."
He deliberately emphasized the last two words, implying something unspoken. Gong Hongxiao's heart gave a violent jolt. Lifting her head in full panic, she saw the flickering lamplight in the room casting shadows, the old man's wrinkled face appearing as terrifying as the King of Hell himself. She hastily lowered her head again, all pretense gone, genuinely trembling as she thought: This old man is truly formidable—he actually saw through it.
Yes, regarding some matters... she had indeed been intentional.
Back when she discovered Yu Yanhong's affair, she knew full well how improper it was—a scandal that would utterly ruin one's reputation—yet she hadn't strongly opposed it. Later, when the Grand Old Madam of the Gu family asked her to help deceive Yu's First Wife, though there was coercion and temptation involved, she herself had also wanted to harm the First Wife. But why had she done all this?
Her father had been a rural scholar, with several dozen acres of modest farmland. Their family had been comfortably well-off and harmonious. As the only daughter, she had been doted on, held on her father's lap. Who could have expected that once her beloved father passed away, her paternal uncles would attempt to seize the land and force her widowed mother into remarriage? Fortunately, a loyal old servant was clever enough to help her and her mother pack their valuables overnight and flee to seek refuge with relatives. After many twists and turns, they ended up under the care of Yu's First Wife. To live comfortably, she strained every nerve to please the First Wife and Yanhong, humbling herself in every way, flattering and currying favor.
But what was the result? When trouble arose, Yu's First Wife, worried that the Ningyuan Marquis Household was too complex for her precious daughter to handle, unhesitatingly ordered her to accompany Yanhong as a concubine. It wasn't that she was too proud to admire the wealth and status of the Marquis Household, but with the notorious reputation of the Gu family's second son, what good could possibly come to her? Moreover... Hongxiao glanced sideways at the Third Master and Third Madam kneeling slightly ahead to her right, then withdrew her gaze wistfully.
In her heart, she had long held another hope.
She was an orphaned girl living under others' roofs; he was the overlooked illegitimate son of the third branch. A young man and woman, they had fallen in love.
That year, on that day, as dusk settled, he came running to see her, sweating and so overjoyed he didn't even notice his hair ribbon had come loose. He told her with boundless delight that Third Madam had noticed their budding relationship. Though she hinted they should be discreet, she wasn't unwilling—only afraid that proposing it rashly might make the First Wife suspicious. If only the First Wife would give the first word of approval, Third Madam would grant their wish.
At that time, she felt as joyful as if in a dream. How she had loved the Yu family then! Most Yu men were upright and virtuous, without any wicked habits. The Yu women, from the Old Madam down to the Third and Fourth Madams, were all gentle and tolerant, never looking down on her for being an orphan. Right then, she resolved that if her wish came true, she would redouble her efforts to please her elders, take on some responsibilities in the future, bring her mother to live with them, and the whole family would live well together.What a pity... she could never forget the expression on Yu's First Wife's face at that moment—so selfishly resolute, so utterly self-assured. She knew this woman all too well; when it came to personal gain, all affection was false, and further pleas would be futile. She said no more, merely smiling mechanically and promising to 'take good care' of Yu Yanhong, while deftly extorting a hefty sum of silver from the madam.
The year Yanhong's scandal broke, when she hurriedly sought help from the Yu residence, she coincidentally learned something. Lord Yu had a close classmate, over sixty years old, who only had one granddaughter to his name. Facing the extinction of his family line, and seeing the Yu family's abundance of male descendants, the friend earnestly requested a son-in-law to marry into his family. After deliberation, the Yu father and son settled on a son from the third branch. By the time she found out, he had already left for Qiongzhou to marry into another prominent family.
At that moment, her heart suddenly turned to ashes. The Gu residence, the Yu family—what did any of it matter? Even if the heavens themselves intervened, she couldn't be bothered anymore.
Perhaps they would never meet again in this lifetime. So be it, so be it.
Lost in her dazed recollections, Hongxiao barely registered what Lord Yu was saying. She only knew that matrons on either side were helping her up and dragging her outside. The moon was bright, the stars sparse, and the night was as clear as day. A breath of chilly air filled her lungs, jolting her mind into sudden clarity. She felt the inside of her skirt, where a hidden pouch held three or four small-denomination silver notes—her savings. The rest of her gold, silver, jewelry, and loose coins had long been secretly sent to her mother.
She pressed a hand to her chest, where a five-hundred-tael silver note lay—given to her by Lady Gu when she left today.
"You're resourceful and capable. No matter how heaven has wronged you, you've never held back," the young, beautiful marquise had said with a peculiar pity in her eyes. "Take this silver. Think of me as a hypocrite, sending you away yet pretending to be kind. I'll only say this: let the past die. Live well from now on."
Unable to distinguish between sorrow and joy, Hongxiao stumbled forward in a daze.
After she left, the old matron guarding the door closed it firmly again. A few servants stood at a distance, leaving only the Yu family inside. "You may rise," Lord Yu gestured. His voice was not loud, but no one dared disobey. The three Yu daughters-in-law quietly stood up, leaving only the three Yu sons kneeling on the floor.
Lord Yu said, "Fourth Madam, I entrust Gong Shi to you. Find her a reliable family in the countryside where she can live quietly and peacefully. Make sure this matter is handled neatly." Fourth Madam bowed her head respectfully. "As Father commands, your daughter-in-law will spare no effort."
For many years, the daughters-in-law had grown accustomed to their naive mother-in-law who stayed out of worldly affairs and their formidable, all-capable father-in-law. From the day she married in, Fourth Madam had always reported directly to Lord Yu, so her response came naturally.
Yu's First Wife, resentful, couldn't help objecting again: "Our family has fed and housed her all these years, only to raise a thankless wretch! Father, this is far too lenient! Please reconsider—"
"Silence!" Lord Yu (the son) roared, instantly cutting off his wife. "With Father here, how dare you speak! Have you no manners? Look at your sisters-in-law—is this how an elder daughter-in-law should behave?"
The first wife's ears rang with shock as she stared at her husband. He had never been so harsh with her before.The Third Madam standing nearby curved her lips into a faint smile and spoke slowly, "Don't be angry, Eldest Sister-in-law. Father must have his reasons for doing this. This matter concerning niece Yanhong would be considered disgraceful anywhere. The Gu family acted generously by quietly settling it, yet you insisted on making a scene."
Though her words were refined, each sentence carried hidden sharpness. "How could the Gu family not take precautions? What if one day you get worked up again, stubbornly claiming your niece was wronged and demanding compensation or even someone's life? Wouldn't the Ningyuan Marquis Household suffer in silence then? After all, the Marquis of Ningyuan can't possibly go around proclaiming that his wife committed adultery. Therefore, this child Hongxiao must be kept alive."
Before this matter came to light, everything could remain ambiguous. But once exposed, as the only remaining witness, Hongxiao ironically couldn't be allowed to die.
Firstly, she couldn't remain with the Gu family, as any future testimony would be suspected of being coerced or instructed by the Gu family, making it unreliable. Thus, the Yu family had to take her back themselves. Now, to avoid any suspicion of evasion, not only could the Yu family not let Hongxiao die, but to demonstrate transparency, they actually had to ensure she lived well, with everything appearing natural and straightforward.
Such a simple matter, and Yu's First Wife still hadn't grasped it, yet had the nerve to lose her temper.
"Just moments ago, your elder brother was praising your sister-in-law for her propriety, and now you speak to Eldest Sister-in-law like this?!"
In truth, Yu's First Wife hadn't fully understood the reasoning, but that didn't stop her from erupting. She raised her sharp, upturned eyes and immediately launched her attack. The Third Madam showed no fear, her expression unchanged as she lightly responded, "Oh, Eldest Sister-in-law, you misunderstand. I'm just anxious. If even a whisper of niece Yanhong's affair leaks outside, how could any of the Yu family's young ladies maintain their reputations?"
Yu's First Wife instantly fell silent, like an engine that had run out of steam.
The Third Madam's words pierced like needles through skin—painful to the core yet drawing no blood. She continued in her gentle tone, "Not to mention Yanrong and Yanqing; even those already married like Yanran and Yanqiao—how would they stand in their husbands' households? Sister-in-law, please don't take this lightly. Though niece Yanyu is still young, if people were to learn her own elder sister had such a scandal, how would she ever find a respectable marriage?"
Struck speechless, Yu's First Wife thought of how this might affect her beloved youngest daughter and was suddenly filled with dread. Having said her piece, the Third Madam respectfully stepped back to stand beside her husband and spoke no more.
Lord Yu sighed softly. Marrying this eldest daughter-in-law had been one of the great failures of his life—not only was her character flawed, but she was also foolish. When he first learned of the matter, he had been speechless for a long while, his head spinning. It wasn't so much anger he felt as sheer disbelief.
How could someone so gullible and reckless exist within his household, given his lifelong shrewdness!
He and his wife had four sons. Except for the second son who died young, the other three had all grown up, married, and started families.
The fourth son was naturally indifferent to worldly affairs, preferring music, painting, and calligraphy. Official careers and financial pursuits were as distant to him as the journey to the Western Heaven for Buddhist scriptures. Fortunately, his fourth daughter-in-law was capable of managing the household. The third son was intelligent and talented, but had somehow acquired the habits of a lofty scholar, looking down on those who sought fame and fortune—even the lice on him seemed to carry an air of refined aloofness. Only the eldest son had inherited his drive for advancement, yet he was ambitious without matching ability. His capabilities were limited—neither successful in studies nor particularly distinguished as an official, perpetually lingering at the fifth or sixth rank.Lord Yu had always adhered to the Daoist principle of following fate. He understood well that officialdom also required innate talent—some could be taught, while others would never learn no matter the instruction. Since his sons showed no aptitude for this path, he did not force them. If Heaven willed it, perhaps two outstanding talents might emerge among his grandchildren, offering hope for the Yu family's prosperity. Otherwise, peace and stability would be blessing enough. After all, with his legacy and his eldest son's official status, his descendants could still lead leisurely, affluent lives in their hometown.
"A thousand-mile dike can collapse due to an ant's nest; the governance of a household lies in its descendants, rooted in domestic harmony," Lord Yu sighed, leaning back in his grand chair, his figure appearing increasingly frail. "If we had properly nurtured the children, molded their character, and guided them with righteousness, how could such a disaster occur today? Fortunately, Old Madam Sheng and the Marquis of Ningyuan's wife share some past connections. If the Ningyuan Marquis Household holds a grudge and our families become enemies, once I am gone, how will you withstand the calamities that come crashing at our door?!"
Upon hearing their father's words, the three sons kowtowed in acknowledgment. Lord Yu (the son), in particular, was already weeping uncontrollably. He crawled to his father's feet, clutching the old man's legs, and sobbed, "Father's teachings, your son will engrave them in his heart! I dare not act recklessly again! I have been unfilial—I failed to restrain my wife and, swayed by others' instigations, committed such a foolish act. I have even shamed my younger brothers... I... I am unworthy to be their elder brother! I only beg Father to take care of his health and allow me to repent and fulfill my filial duties!"
As he spoke, he kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead striking the blue brick floor with loud thuds. The Third and Fourth Masters Yu also pressed their foreheads to the ground in solidarity. Seeing this, their wives had no choice but to kneel once more. Lord Yu stroked his son's shoulder, noticing the bruised and bloodied forehead, and felt a pang of pity, letting out another long sigh.
Yu's First Wife, though lacking great wisdom, was sharp in catching implications. She sensed her father-in-law's indirect criticism and, though kneeling obediently, felt resentful. She pulled out a handkerchief and pretended to cover her face, wailing, "It is all your daughter-in-law's fault! I knew the Gu family was a den of wolves, yet I forced Yanhong into that marriage. So young, and it cost her her life! Well, at least Yanran is doing well now. That poor child has borne this disaster in her sister's stead..."
Lord Yu's face turned ashen with rage—her words blatantly accused him of favoritism, caring only for Yanran's lifelong happiness while disregarding Yanhong's fate. Lord Yu (the son) could no longer contain his fury. He sprang up and delivered a sharp slap across his wife's face, roaring, "You vile woman! How dare you spout such nonsense?! The marriage with the Gu family was my own foolish mistake—what does it have to do with Father?! That disgrace brought shame upon our family and deserved to die! Even if she hadn't died in the Gu household, she should have ended her life with a white silk cord upon returning!"
Yu's First Wife covered her face, stunned into silence.
Lord Yu (the son) continued to berate her, "How dare you mention Yanran! If it were her, would she have lost her virtue after just a few months of neglect?! With my daughter Yanran's gentle and virtuous nature, she would have endured temporary grievances and persevered. In three or four years, once her husband returned, all would have been well! Isn't it your fault—'a mother's failure to teach her daughter is her own fault'? And you still refuse to repent?!"In truth, what he thought was that if Yanhong hadn't made such a mistake, even if the couple remained at odds, considering her years of lonely widowhood, the position of the principal wife would have been secure. Now, with Gu Tingye holding power and authority, a stroke of wealth had slipped through their fingers, leaving him filled with regret!
Knowing his son better than anyone, Lord Yu could see the bulging veins on his eldest son's jaw and understood exactly what was on his mind. Half-sneering and half-bitter, he couldn't be bothered to say more and simply waved his hand. "Enough, all of you, go back now. Make sure those around you keep their mouths shut, lest they harm your own daughters."
Seeing how exhausted the old master was, everyone bowed and filed out. As they crossed the threshold, Third Master Yu and his wife exchanged a glance, both stealing a look at Yu's First Wife ahead of them. Then, with a shared, knowing smirk, they lowered their heads and walked on.
Yu's First Wife was the remarried wife Lord Yu had taken while serving in his official post. Having spent little time attending to her parents-in-law, she was unaware of Lord Yu's severity. Yet both she and her husband were sharp and perceptive. They knew their elder brother was too blinded by anger to think clearly about the implications. Now that the First Wife had caused such a disaster, if Lord Yu had meted out a harsh punishment, it might have been better. Instead, after questioning her for most of the night, the old master had not specified how she would be dealt with. ... The eldest branch was likely in for serious trouble.
After the children had left, Lord Yu rose wearily and entered the inner chamber. There, he found Old Lady Yu sitting by the bed, silently weeping. He moved to sit beside her and said gently, "Don't trouble yourself with this matter. Your health is poor—I wouldn't want you to fall ill before I've even breathed my last."
Old Lady Yu's eyes were red and swollen from crying. "It's all my fault for being incompetent and failing to teach the children properly, making you worry at this age."
Lord Yu chuckled wryly. "In this world, parents can give birth to their children's bodies, but not their hearts. When children grow up, they have their own plans. As parents, we've done our duty."
Old Lady Yu sobbed, "Can this matter... be resolved peacefully? I've heard that Marquis Gu is not an easy man to deal with."
Lord Yu patted his wife's back, doing his best to comfort her. "Don't worry. If that Gu Tingye from Ningyuan had intended to turn against the Yu family, he wouldn't have sent Gongshi back." Old Lady Yu had always trusted her husband implicitly. Once he spoke, she cast aside her doubts, dried her tears with a handkerchief, and smiled. "You're right. Didn't you say that the tea permit for the Duan family was also arranged by him? I think he's a reasonable man."
"Hmph! Reasonable? How much more reasonable must he be! They cuckolded him, and he didn't hold a grudge—that's already generous enough. Yet they had the audacity to go to his door and try to extort him!" Lord Yu stood up and began pacing slowly around the room, wishing he weren't so old and frail. Otherwise, he would have taken up the family law and given his eldest son a sound thrashing. "Back when I learned that Marquis Gu had helped the Duan family with the tea permit, I felt at ease. Now, I'm utterly ashamed! Look at how he handled things—clean, efficient, showing utmost generosity. Even if the matter were exposed in the future, no one could fault him for it! He thinks three steps ahead with every move he makes. And then there's our good-for-nothing scoundrel..."
The more Lord Yu thought about it, the angrier he became. His chest heaved with fury, and he couldn't help but blame his wife. "And you! How could you listen to the eldest branch and allow her to go cause trouble at the Gu residence!"Old Lady Yu was at a loss, saying in shame, "It was foolish of me, but..." she lowered her voice, "that Taoist insisted that a wedding to ward off bad luck was the only solution. If it could make you better, I wouldn’t even fear charging into the King of Hell’s court."
Lord Yu couldn’t bring himself to vent his anger at his old wife. He stomped his feet repeatedly beside the table and cursed, "I know what the eldest branch is scheming. They’re eyeing the fact that the child’s birth mother was an actress, thinking that if the child really inherits the title, he’ll have to acknowledge her family to save face!"
Old Lady Yu was also astonished: "She’s truly lost her senses. How could she act so recklessly? Does she think Marquis Gu is easily fooled? If he’s provoked, he’ll uproot them entirely—what advantage would she gain then?"
Lord Yu loudly agreed and couldn't help but curse even more vehemently: "It's one thing for women in the inner household to be foolish, but that wretched son of ours is especially stupid, only knowing how to listen to his wife! I told him back then—he's weak-willed, indecisive when facing matters, lacks firmness of character, and worse still, can't distinguish right from wrong. He's simply not cut out to be an official! Back then he wasn't convinced and complained that I, his father, wouldn't help him. With his limited capabilities, if he were truly assigned important tasks and given major responsibilities, wouldn't he be devoured until not even his bones remained!"
Though his eldest son had countless flaws, at least he wasn't reckless. The reason Lord Yu had felt assured letting him take an external post was precisely because he was timid and obedient. Paired with a well-educated and reasonable wife, even if he couldn't achieve remarkable political accomplishments, he wouldn't cause major disasters. Unfortunately, Yanran's biological mother wasn't blessed with long life and passed away early, while the replacement remarried wife was defective—not only narrow-minded and foolish but also fond of inciting her husband!
"Later, take Yanyu to your quarters and raise her properly," Lord Yu declared firmly, his voice deep and commanding.
Old Lady Yu looked up, her gaze uncertain and startled: "You... what about the eldest's wife..." Even though she had lived a lifetime in naivety, she was well aware of her husband's ruthless methods. Lord Yu said calmly, "She's a calamity and cannot remain."
Once the decision was made, the Yu family acted swiftly. First, Old Lady Yu picked a cool, pleasant day and prepared generous gifts to visit Old Mrs. Sheng. After offering sincere apologies, Old Mrs. Sheng, familiar with her gentle and weak nature—knowing she had relied on her husband all her life and that further reproach would yield no results—reconciled with her old friend amid tears.
Two days later, Fourth Madam prepared lavish gifts and went to the Ningyuan Marquis Household to see Minglan, offering apologies once more.
Fourth Madam was naturally elegant and detached, disliking entanglement in such matters. Compelled by Lord Yu's orders, she had to visit and apologize, stumbling over her words and nearly weeping from embarrassment. Minglan had never intended to hold grudges against those unaware of the situation. To stop Fourth Madam from continuing her apologies, she quickly called for Tuan Ge'er to be brought out as a distraction.
Tuan Ge'er had just been fed and was fragrant with the scent of milk. Having been recently roused from his blankets, he swayed drowsily in the wet nurse's arms. At the sight of this dazed, plump little bundle, Fourth Madam immediately smiled through her tears, hugging, kissing, and soothing him. Looking up at Minglan, she said, "What a beautiful child. Good people are truly rewarded—you are a blessed one." After handing the child back to the wet nurse, she untied a red gold Pixiu from beneath her skirt: "Your Fourth Uncle went to Mount Yunxia to worship Buddha earlier this year and had this blessed by a high monk. Let the child wear it for good luck."
Minglan took it and laughed, "I never stand on ceremony with your kindness, Aunt." She instructed Danju to fetch a brocade pouch for the gold Pixiu while adding with a smile, "I still remember when I was little, you used your fine pulled sugar candy to make sugar-glazed cherries for us. Sister Yanran could never outcompete me for them." Fourth Madam chuckled, "You two! If you liked eating them, you could have just taken some home. But both of you were so mischievous, always fighting over them!" Minglan retorted playfully, "Aunt, you don't understand—food tastes better when fought over!"After this exchange, the atmosphere finally eased. Fourth Madam brought up Yanran again, and Minglan smiled, "In her last letter, Elder Sister Yanran spoke about cultivating camellias with such expertise, truly like a master." Fourth Madam chuckled, "That's rare indeed. Father-in-law feared she'd follow in Fourth Uncle's footsteps, becoming incompetent in practical matters and household management, so he never allowed her to indulge in flowers, birds, insects, or fish. Now it seems his efforts were in vain."
"Actually, Elder Sister Yanran greatly admires Fourth Uncle, but with Lord Yu watching closely, she didn't dare emulate him."
The two shared a laugh. Speaking of Lord Yu reminded Fourth Madam of her task for the day. She wrestled with her thoughts internally before steeling herself to speak: "My sister-in-law was sent back to her maternal home by Father-in-law the day before yesterday."
Minglan was startled, her expression turning peculiar—half-surprised, half-not. Could it be? Did Father Tuanzi actually predict this?
Fourth Madam said awkwardly, "The charge was one of the seven grounds for divorce—unfilial conduct. She was negligent in attending to the sick and disobeyed her elders."
This accusation was irrefutable. With her own parents-in-law bringing the complaint, it was nearly impossible to dispute. Lady Tang Wan's marriage had foundered on this very charge. Minglan stammered, "How could this... What about Lord Yu... Wouldn't this offend his in-laws?"
Fourth Madam recounted calmly, "At first, Elder Brother refused, but Father-in-law was resolute, so he had to comply. As for the in-laws... well, after the in-law lord passed away, Sister-in-law had little contact with her maternal family."
Yu's First Wife was a concubine-born daughter. Only because her mother was favored did her father arrange her marriage to Lord Yu. Now, the head of her maternal family was her legitimate eldest brother, with whom she had long been at odds. Being sent back in this manner was truly a death sentence.
"Father-in-law was truly enraged this time. He even drafted a memorial impeaching Elder Brother for unfilial conduct," Fourth Madam whispered. These past few days had been turbulent for the Yu family, full of storms and towering waves.
Lord Yu was unyielding in his decisions. For decades, he had managed both internal and external affairs with a firm hand, never hesitating to discipline the inner household. Yu's First Wife finally experienced the methods her father-in-law had once used against political rivals—she collapsed in terror, wailing loudly on the floor, begging for mercy and threatening suicide. Lord Yu didn't even bat an eye, simply ordering the maids to bind her, carry her into a carriage, and send her away, telling her to die elsewhere if she must. Then, Lord Yu summoned the children born to Yu's First Wife, smiling amiably as if nothing had happened, and gently instructed them that they would now reside in their grandparents' quarters.
The son and daughter, aged fifteen and twelve, were about to plead for their mother when Lord Yu coolly stated, "Any descendant of the Yu family who disobeys household rules or defies their elders will be expelled." Immediately, the children's personal nurses hurriedly pulled them away. It was worth noting that the Yu family had over a dozen legitimate and illegitimate grandsons—they were hardly indispensable. By then, Lord Yu was so weak with fear he could only tremble.
"Now, Father has instructed Third Sister-in-law to sort through Sister-in-law's dowry list, sealing and storing every item intact. If Sister-in-law comes to claim it, it will be returned; otherwise, it will go to her son and daughter." Sending the dowry back abruptly would likely see it swallowed up by her elder brother.
Considering how thoroughly Lord Yu had planned this, Fourth Madam shuddered, unsure how long he had been scheming. She never expected this usually amiable and kind old man to strike with such finality.Minglan fell silent for a moment. Back in Dengzhou, she had once admiringly praised how kind Yanran's grandfather was, to which Zhuang Xiansheng remarked with a smile, "The more refined and accomplished one becomes, the less they show it." Thinking about it, it made sense—how many in official circles were truly mild-mannered?
"...It's all because of my family affairs that the Yu household has been so unsettled. I truly feel sorry," she said, though in truth she felt no remorse at all, but such words had to be spoken.
Fourth Madam hurriedly reassured her, "Don't overthink it! It's our Yu family who owes you an apology. Father said that Eldest Sister-in-law is unvirtuous and feared that Elder Brother might be incited again to do something that would bring disaster upon the whole family. When Elder Brother defended her, saying she only wanted him to rise steadily in rank, Father became furious and resorted to family law, severely..." She quickly stopped herself, afraid that Minglan might read too much into it. In her eagerness to explain, she had let slip even the matter of her elder brother-in-law being beaten.
Minglan smiled faintly. "With high rank comes great fortune and greater responsibilities; with low rank comes lesser fortune and smaller stakes. Lord Yu's paternal affection runs deep—Lord Yu will understand in time." As the saying goes, one shouldn't take on a task beyond their capability. That Lord Yu wasn't even fit to handle bronze, let alone something as delicate as porcelain. If he were to shatter a priceless piece and bring about confiscation of property or execution, it would be no laughing matter.
"Yes, yes, that's exactly what Father meant," Fourth Madam said cheerfully. "Back when Father had just recovered from his illness, he was furious upon hearing that Eldest Sister-in-law had come to see you. He made her kneel all night and intended to apologize to Marquis Gu in person once he felt better. But after learning the full story, he realized she could no longer be forgiven!"
After chatting a while longer about everyday matters, Fourth Madam said, "In a few days, we'll return to Dengzhou. Father has entrusted Hongxiao's matter to me—you needn't worry." Minglan nodded slightly. "With Fourth Aunt handling it, how could I not be at ease? I only wonder if Lord Yu has fully recovered. If not, perhaps he should stay in the capital a while longer to recuperate."
Fourth Madam looked embarrassed. She truly didn't wish to discuss these matters, but Lord Yu had insisted that the Gu family be informed. Clearing her throat awkwardly, she said, "Ahem... well... Father and Mother won't be returning to Dengzhou. They say that the eldest son should be responsible for caring for his parents in their old age, so they'll be accompanying Elder Brother to his provincial post. And, um... after some time passes... ahem... they'll arrange another marriage for Elder Brother."
Minglan twitched the corner of her mouth, suddenly finding herself at a loss for words.
After seeing Fourth Madam off, she returned to her room to find Tuan Ge'er awake. His wet nurse was shaking a rattle to amuse him, and the little chubby bundle stretched his hands out eagerly, laughing so hard he drooled. His bright, clear eyes shifted and, upon seeing his mother, he began babbling excitedly. The wet nurse stood up to greet her, her round face looking very honest as she smiled and said, "The young master recognizes people now—he knows his mother has come."
Minglan sat on the edge of the bed holding her child, smiling as she leaned in to kiss his plump cheek, only to end up with a mouthful of drool. Wiping it with a handkerchief, she sighed, feeling somewhat dejected. Last night, the little one's father had told her that Yu's First Wife would likely either "succumb to illness" or be divorced, and that Lord Yu would quickly remarry.
At the time, Minglan had naturally expressed admiration: "Gongsun Xiansheng is truly remarkable, to see everything so clearly."
Gu Tingye corrected her: "It wasn't Gongsun Xiansheng who said that. I surmised it myself."Minglan adopted a deliberately unreasonable attitude, insisting on recognizing only status over character. With a stern little face, she said, "No matter how flawed Yu's First Wife may be, she has been married into the Yu family for many years and has borne them children. If not for her sake, then for the children's—and besides, Lord Yu protects her fiercely. When she schemed against Sister Yanran before, Lord Yu considered divorcing her, but in the end, it came to nothing. The Marquis is a brilliant commander and strategist, but what does he know of the intricacies of the inner household?"
Gu Tingye raised an eyebrow, teasing her with a smile. "The art of war lies in the mind; planning and strategy require anticipating the enemy's moves. If one must calculate events a thousand miles away, how much more these trivial matters?"
The man had been in a particularly good mood lately, so Minglan grew bolder with her words, joking playfully, "Later, I'll make the Marquis a feather fan—that'll complete the look." You think quoting a few lines makes you Zhuge Liang?
Gu Tingye didn’t argue further, only smiled and tossed out a remark: "My lady, just wait and see."
Well, now she had seen. Working backward from the outcome, Lord Yu had initially been willing to tolerate his daughter-in-law, intending to punish her severely and personally visit to apologize. But when he learned of the scandal and discovered that the daughter-in-law had dared to show up and attempt deceit, he realized he couldn’t confront Gu Tingye directly. The matter had to be settled privately among the women. At that point, a mere verbal apology wouldn’t suffice—the Yu family had to offer some substantial compensation.
Of course, judging by the culprit’s behavior, she truly was beyond keeping. Once Lord Yu remarried, even after his parents passed away, the first wife would have no chance of returning. Besides, her charm likely wouldn’t last forever. A man with weak convictions listens to anyone—once the new wife entered the household, it was hard to believe Lord Yu would remain loyal to the first wife.
Gu Tingye was in his prime, while the Yu family lacked promising successors. Thus, if the Yus were to apologize, they had to satisfy the Gu family completely. As long as Minglan still cherished past affections, in eight or ten years, the two families might even restore friendly relations.
After professional training from Gongsun Xiansheng, Tuan Ge’er’s father was clearly becoming more adept. Minglan hugged her little chubby bundle, burying her face in the pillow, and whispered conspiratorially against his plump cheek, "Little Bun, do you think your father has forgotten your mother’s tiny mistake by now?"
The little meatball blew two drool bubbles in disdain.
That evening, she specially prepared a table of delicious dishes, diligently helped Gu Tingye remove his court dress and court hat, and brought out their chubby son to cheer him up. Having eaten and napped well all afternoon, Tuan Ge’er was now full of energy, wriggling in his father’s arms. Gu Tingye’s arms were strong and steady, unfazed by the squirming.
Gu Tingye cast a calm glance at the guilty-looking person, his expression neither smiling nor angry, and calmly removed the chubby little hand that was almost poking into his mouth. Then, he guided the small fingers to touch his stubble. The short bristles felt prickly and ticklish, and Tuan Ge’er seemed to find it amusing, giggling as he touched. His little hands were growing more dexterous, with a surprisingly strong grip—when Minglan held him, she never dared wear earrings, afraid he’d grab and pull. As he tugged forcefully at his father’s hair hanging over his shoulder, Minglan clearly caught a fleeting wince of pain on Gu Tingye’s face. Yet, to maintain his dignity, he kept a composed poker face.
Minglan lowered her head, secretly laughing. Serves you right for pretending!When the dining table was set, Minglan instructed the wet nurse to take Tuan Ge'er away so Gu Tingye could eat. But Tuan Ge'er was having too much fun playing - with one hand clutching a lock of Gu Tingye's hair and the other gripping his collar, his little face flushed red as he stubbornly refused to leave. Normally, the task of prying his fingers loose would fall to Minglan, but currently she was shrinking her neck and pretending to be obedient. The wet nurse didn't dare to intervene, leaving them at an impasse.
Tuan Ge'er at this moment resembled an unweaned young animal, recognizing people more by scent. Gu Tingye's strong masculine aura made the child particularly attached to him. Watching his son burrow into his chest like a little puppy, Gu Tingye's paternal heart overflowed. He decided to hold his son with one arm while eating with the other hand. Minglan flatteringly served dishes and ladled soup, being quite supportive.
Gu Tingye would dip his chopsticks in wine and let the fat little bun suck off two drops (Minglan twitched her mouth corner, barely restraining herself). When he ate a bite of food, he would share half a spoonful of soup for the chubby child to taste. Minglan separately picked out soft, finely textured and easily digestible hibiscus tofu and tender fish meat, chewing it before feeding him. Surprisingly, the plump child ate with great relish, sometimes even smacking his little lips begging for more.
The wet nurse smiled nearby and chimed in: "The young master has grown quite a bit recently, already able to eat rice porridge. His appetite keeps getting better."
This meal lasted nearly half an hour. Fortunately, hot water was periodically added beneath the dishes to keep them warm. When they finally finished eating, Tuan Ge'er - whether from tiredness from playing or slight intoxication - began yawning and growing sleepy. The wet nurse finally managed to carry the child away smoothly.
After washing hands and face, bathing and changing clothes, Gu Tingye sat upright at the desk reading, dressed in a light-colored inner garment woven from pine ink brocade cotton. He pretended nonchalance: "I heard the Yu family sent someone today?"
Minglan glanced at the ceiling and haltingly summarized what Fourth Madam Yu had said that day.
"Oh, really?" Gu Tingye held his book in a proper posture, his loose hair cascading slowly, carrying an elegance reminiscent of sword-carrying scholars from the pre-Qin era. Unfortunately, after reading for a long time, he hadn't turned a single page.
Minglan checked the water clock and whispered: "It's time to rest. Is the Marquis still reading?"
"Even a rough military man like me knows some characters. I should read more to prevent my wife from making feather fans." Gu Tingye's eyebrows remained still, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, his voice carrying a hint of teasing.
Minglan pouted, strode over to Gu Tingye, snatched the book from his hands, sat on his lap, and fiercely bit his earlobe. She narrowed her eyes seductively, panting softly: "Am I not better looking than books!"
The collar of her snow silk inner garment had come loose, revealing a bright scallion green satin tube top crossed with a dark, rich twisted embroidery with dark green trim. This accentuated the slightly trembling cleavage between her full snow-white breasts, adding an alluring sensuality.
Having multiple skills never burdens a person. The subsequent developments fully proved that those 10GB she'd watched back then weren't in vain... [Harmonized content - lights out]
"My wife hasn't made feather fans yet." The man propped himself up on one elbow, lying sideways by the pillow, his mouth curved with affection, his brows relaxed. Actually, Minglan was already exhausted with sore back and aching legs, but she wouldn't admit defeat. She draped herself over his chest and said in a coquettish voice: "I'm afraid even if I made them, you wouldn't be able to wave them."
Gu Tingye hadn't expected her to still dare provoke him. He suddenly flipped over and pinned Minglan down, chuckling lowly: "Then let's see about that waving."Fortunately, this grand bed was crafted by imperial artisans, made of red sandalwood with four posts and four railings, sturdy enough to withstand the turmoil. In the whirlwind of passion, she lost all sense of time, unaware of how late it had grown outside. Exhausted, Minglan hazily thought to herself, this man was becoming increasingly difficult to fool.
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