The Story of Ming Lan

Upon stepping into the Northern Wei Marquis Manor, Minglan sensed an unusual tension in the air. Instinctively wanting to slip away, she immediately smiled and said, "My aunt recently sent a jar of pickled fern shoots, so I brought some for Sister Zhang. It's nothing urgent, so I'll take my leave now."

The one who came out to greet her was one of Zhang Shi's personal maids, surnamed Fan. Minglan had met her a few times before and knew her to be the most composed, but now her eyes were slightly red-rimmed. "Madam Gu is an honored guest. If you leave like this, our mistress will surely blame us for lacking propriety."

Reluctantly, Minglan followed her inside, asking as they walked, "How is Sister Zhang's health?"

Mama Fan replied hoarsely, "Not well." After a pause, she added, "The Duchess is here too. They've already sent for the Duke. I was waiting outside earlier."

Hearing that even the Duke of Ying was coming, alarm bells rang in Minglan's mind. But they had already reached Zhang Shi's courtyard, and turning back now would be terribly rude. She had no choice but to proceed, inwardly cursing her luck a thousand times. If only she had let Gu Tingye come instead!

Entering the central hall, she found it empty. Mama Fan directly led Minglan to the western side chamber of the main residence. The courtyard was filled with maids and matrons coming and going in haste, carrying water and basins, yet remarkably quiet. As they moved further west, before even entering the room, they could hear voices inside, accompanied by soft weeping.

"...I don't blame you for missing your former wife. After more than ten years of marriage, it's only natural," came Zhang Shi's voice. "But my daughter was properly wedded with full ceremonies, bestowed by His Majesty's decree! Do you think no one from the Zhang family would marry her, that she needs your pity, Uncle Shen?"

Then a low male voice responded, "Mother-in-law, please calm your anger. This matter was truly unexpected..."

Extremely embarrassed, Minglan glanced at Mama Fan and whispered, "Your household has much to attend to today. Perhaps I should come another time..." Before she could finish, the maid standing at the door lifted the curtain and announced inside, "Madam Gu has arrived."

—Damn her quick mouth, Minglan gritted her teeth inwardly.

The room fell silent. After a moment, Zhang Shi's voice came from within: "Please, invite her in quickly."

Steeling herself, Minglan entered the crowded room. Zhang Shi sat in an official's armchair, constantly dabbing the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. Shen Congxing, Marquis of Northern Wei, stood waiting beside her, his expression extremely grim, while Little Zou Shi crouched in a corner, weeping softly.

Seeing Minglan, Shen Congxing slightly lowered his hands and spoke with difficulty, "Sister-in-law Gu has come."

Minglan quickly curtsied to Zhang Shi and said, "Auntie, may you be well. Uncle Shen, may you be well."

Shen Congxing was actually quite handsome—a tall, straight-backed man in his mid-thirties with dignified and heroic features, as Minglan had observed during previous encounters. Now his face was clouded with gloom, yet his eyes showed a hint of relief upon seeing Minglan. Later, Minglan would learn that before her arrival, Zhang Shi had been weeping for some time, publicly reprimanding Shen Congxing and putting him in an awkward position.

The atmosphere in the room was strained. Minglan had to break the silence: "I received a jar of fern shoots today and thought of Sister Zhang's fondness for them, so I brought them over. How is Sister Zhang... is she well?" She immediately felt foolish for asking—given the circumstances, how could she be well?

Zhang Shi wiped her tears. "Good child, you remember her so kindly. I won't forget this." Choking up, she added, "Guifen... she's going into labor..."Minglan had actually guessed some of it, but still felt slightly startled: "Wasn't there still over half a month left?" She clearly remembered that Changfeng's wife, Madam Liu, was due half a month earlier than Zhang Shi, and Madam Liu hadn't given birth yet.

Hearing this, Madam Zhang flew into a rage, shooting a fierce glare at Little Zou in the corner before covering her face with a handkerchief and weeping: "My poor, unfortunate daughter..."

The Shen family had few members—no mother, sisters-in-law, or older female relatives from collateral branches. As Madam Zhang wept bitterly, Shen Congxing felt it inappropriate to approach her, leaving no one to offer comfort. Minglan glanced around and had no choice but to step forward to support Madam Zhang, speaking softly: "Aunt, you must steady yourself. Now that your daughter is in labor, it's precisely when you need to stay strong. You mustn't fall apart."

Madam Zhang took her words to heart, gradually calming her sobs as she leaned against Minglan and slowly wiped her tears. Shen Congxing felt slightly relieved.

Unfortunately, not long after, a blood-stained matron rushed into the room in a panic, kneeling with a thud and wailing: "Madam, come quickly! The young lady... she's failing..."

Minglan's mind went blank. Madam Zhang had already stumbled out, and since Minglan was supporting her arm, she unconsciously followed along.

Crossing half the courtyard to the door of a side room, they found it crowded with maids and matrons, with basins of bloody water being carried out. Even Shen Congxing felt his heart racing at the sight.

Weak cries of pain came from inside the room. Madam Zhang called through the window lattice: "Fen'er, you mustn't come to harm..." She was about to enter when a neatly dressed servant rushed into the courtyard in haste, still clutching a horsewhip. He knelt on the flagstones before Madam Zhang and shouted: "Madam, the Duke is coming!"

Madam Zhang halted and quickly called into the room: "Good child, your father is almost here! You must hold on!"

Zhang Shi seemed to hear this—her cries of pain paused briefly. But moments later, the matrons inside suddenly exclaimed: "Oh no! Quick, fetch cloths!" Then, a piercing, heart-rending scream tore through everyone's hearts—

"Father, your daughter has fulfilled her filial duty!"

"Duke!" the kneeling servant in the courtyard suddenly cried out.

Everyone turned to see a dust-covered old man in military attire leaning against the corridor pillar, his body trembling slightly.

...

Little Shen's face was ashen, her knuckles white as she clenched her handkerchief. "Did sister-in-law... really say that?"

Minglan wiped cold sweat from her forehead and said weakly: "I've never heard such a scream before. I couldn't sleep half the night after returning."

Seeing how terrified Little Shen looked, she comforted her: "At least she gave birth safely, and both mother and child survived. Don't take it too much to heart."

The previous day's fright had been severe—even imperial physicians were summoned in the end. Zhang Shi finally gave birth to a boy by evening. Once Minglan saw the situation stabilizing, she hurried home. Seeing Gu Tingye, she exclaimed she must have had the worst luck in eight lifetimes to witness such private family matters, then recounted everything she had seen and heard. The couple sighed over it for a long while.

Minglan worried whether there would be consequences—would she be silenced?

Gu Tingye laughed briefly, thought for a moment, and said: "I suspect the Zhang family will make this matter public."

Having slept poorly that night, Minglan slept heavily the next morning until noon. By afternoon, General Zheng's residence had already sent someone to fetch her."Everything was fine, how did it escalate to this?" Little Shen had received the news last night, but the Zheng family prevented her from going out. She sent several elderly servants to inquire, but their reports were unclear.

Minglan sighed. "A minor matter that blew up."

Ever since Zhang Shi became pregnant, the physician checking her health came every ten days. Each time, Concubine Zou would complain of headaches or foot pains, detaining the physician for about half an hour before letting him go. Though not seriously disruptive, it annoyed Zhang Shi enough to give her some satisfaction.

Zhang Shi, being aloof by nature, couldn't be bothered to argue, but her maids had long been resentful.

Yesterday morning, when the physician arrived, Concubine Zou pretended to be ill as usual and detained him. Coincidentally, her elder brother and his wife from the Zou family visited. Learning that the physician was a renowned doctor in the city, there to examine Zhang Shi, they immediately put on airs, insisting he examine them from head to toe and prescribing expensive medicines (naturally billed to the Marquis' residence).

This delay lasted half the day. This time, not only the maids but even Zhang Shi grew quietly angry. Over time, she and Concubine Zou had reached an unspoken understanding—normally, the detention was brief, but this time, the physician was held up for too long.

Zhang Shi sent someone to fetch him. Shortly after, a young maid returned in tears, saying the Zou uncle had accused the messenger of disrespect and ordered servants to tie her up and beat her. Enraged, Zhang Shi ignored everyone's advice and went to confront them, holding her belly.

The Zou uncle and his wife were extremely arrogant, hurling insults and humiliating Zhang Shi to her face. Furious, both sides began shoving. Seeing the situation worsen, Concubine Zou hurried out to mediate. In the chaos, Zhang Shi was somehow pushed to the ground. Panic ensued, and the Zou couple fled home in the confusion.

Minglan learned all this in detail because she had been so frightened that her legs went weak. While sitting in a corner sipping tea to calm down, she overheard the story.

"Why did she give birth so early?"—she had merely asked casually, but the attendant Fan Mama promptly and thoroughly recounted the entire incident, startling Minglan. Reflecting later, she realized that the maids accompanying Zhang Shi as part of her dowry wouldn't be careless. Since Fan Mama dared to speak, it seemed the Zhang family didn't intend to let this slide lightly.

The real drama unfolded afterward.

After Zhang Shi gave birth, her mother comforted her briefly. Once her daughter fell asleep, Madame Zhang suddenly seemed possessed, furiously cursing Concubine Zou. When Shen Congxing tried to defend her, Madame Zhang pointed at his nose and yelled, "You're blind!"

Then a maid knelt and declared loudly, "Does the Marquis truly believe Concubine Zou is virtuous? She has deceived you for a long time."

She revealed that Concubine Zou's story of saving the children of the elder Zou sister by jumping into the water was entirely fabricated. In truth, her pregnancy had already been unstable, and the physician had said the fetus couldn't be saved. So, the Zou family plotted to stage a rescue, ensuring Shen Congxing would always remember Concubine Zou's "sacrifice."

Concubine Zou, of course, denied it. Madame Zhang declared that her daughter had uncovered the whole truth long ago but had kept silent for the sake of household harmony. Now, with things having reached this point, she held nothing back—the physician who had diagnosed Concubine Zou, the one who treated her after the "rescue," the prescriptions before and after, and the maid who lured the children to the pond...

Minglan seized the moment while Madame Zhang was summoning witnesses and evidence to make a quick escape.Little Shen's lips trembled violently. "...The Zou family... how dare they deceive us like this!"

Minglan comfortingly patted her hand. "You only treated the Zou family so generously because you were thinking of your former sister-in-law. You can't be blamed for this."

Little Shen stared blankly for a long moment, her expression changing several times, before suddenly throwing herself onto the bedside and bursting into tears. Startled, Minglan quickly asked what was wrong, and only then did she sob out the story.

"...I don't dislike my current sister-in-law because of my former sister-in-law! I intentionally treated Concubine Zou well because... before we came to the capital, the Zhang family was already discussing marriage with the Zheng family. It was only delayed because of the previous emperor's passing. My... my husband was originally supposed to marry that Zhang Shi!"

Little Shen's face was flushed red from crying, seemingly overwhelmed with shame. "...After entering the household, my parents-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law have all been nothing but good to me, and my husband treats me so... every time I think about how poorly my sister-in-law is living, I feel like a thief, deeply uncomfortable in my heart..."

Minglan's mouth fell open, her mind in chaos for a long moment. "You ungrateful thing! Since that's the case, you should treat her even better!"

"I know I was wrong, I know! I'll definitely treat her well from now on... I won't lose my temper anymore..."

Little Shen cried until she couldn't speak, burying herself in Minglan's arm with continuous sobs. Minglan had no choice but to pat her back and comfort her for a long time before Little Shen gradually calmed down.

Zheng da furen entered, followed by two maids carrying soup bowls. After setting down the bowls and dismissing the maids, she sat by Little Shen's bedside and said gently, "You silly child, I told you not to inquire, but you insisted on getting to the truth. Now that you know everything, you mustn't worry about it anymore... and you even cried, truly still a child..."

Little Shen nestled in Zheng da furen's embrace and said softly, "I've made you worry, sister-in-law. I'll take good care of my health."

"That's right." Zheng da furen stroked her head, then turned to Minglan with a smile. "Sorry you had to see this embarrassing scene."

Minglan repeatedly waved her hands saying it was nothing, but in her heart she thought of that pale, weak woman. Ah, if not for fate's tricks, it should be Zhang Shi nestled in her kind elder sister-in-law's embrace, peacefully resting during her pregnancy.

Returning home, Minglan saw that Gu Tingye had already returned and was sitting in a rattan chair playing with their chubby son. After changing clothes, she leaned against him and slowly recounted the day's events. After hearing this, Gu Tingye shook his head disapprovingly. "After all this commotion, the old duke has fallen ill too. He didn't attend court today."

The Duke of Ying was already advanced in years, but had been working doubly hard to win the new emperor's trust.

Zhang Shi was the late-born daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ying, who had always doted on her excessively. They had kept her until seventeen or eighteen without being able to choose a son-in-law, and her marriage to Shen Congxing was ultimately unavoidable. Yesterday, the old duke rushed back over a hundred li from the Western Camp, stepped into his daughter's courtyard, heard that heart-wrenching cry, and combined with days of exhaustion, fell ill upon returning.

"The emperor sent imperial physicians to examine him. They said the old gentleman had been overworking for many days, and upon suddenly hearing the tragic news, his blood failed to circulate properly, damaging his foundation."

Gu Tingye placed his son on his lap, bouncing him up and down. The little meatball giggled with delight, stretching out his chubby arms to encircle his father's neck. Minglan lifted a handkerchief to wipe the fine sweat from her son's forehead."The Emperor went directly to the Empress's chambers after court. Within two hours, an imperial decree was issued to the Imperial Brother-in-law's residence, stripping Concubine Zou of her honorary title. She was slapped fifty times by two palace matrons and ordered to behave properly without any further insolence."

Minglan sighed softly: "I heard from Zheng da furen that the Imperial Brother-in-law has already confined Concubine Zou." After fifty slaps, her face was probably swollen and bruised.

Gu Tingye said: "The Emperor is planning military campaigns recently and needs the support of the Duke of Ying. Yet Brother Shen caused trouble at this very moment. How could the Emperor not be angry?" He had never approved of the Shen family's attitude toward the Zou family. Gratitude was one thing, principles another. Elevating a concubine to be more dignified than the legal wife was a recipe for domestic chaos. There were many ways to repay the elder Miss Zou's kindness. Taking this misguided path not only harmed the younger Miss Zou but also implicated himself, potentially even affecting the children of the elder Miss Zou.

"Word from the palace says the Emperor seemed to have reprimanded the Empress."

Ears were everywhere inside and outside the palace. Most noble families maintained some level of vigilance, and Gu Tingye was no exception.

"Was the former Madam Zou really that remarkable?" Minglan couldn't help asking.

Gu Tingye sighed: "She was a virtuous woman, utterly sincere and genuine in treating others, willing to give her whole heart. When she passed away, Brother Shen nearly didn't survive the grief."

Minglan raised an elegant eyebrow, lightly mocking: "But he did survive, didn't he? Now he holds high position, with a beautiful wife and charming concubines."

—If he were truly devoted, he should have held firm! Forget about glorifying ancestors and enjoying wealth—he shouldn't have remarried at all. Hah! Feigning deep affection—anyone could do that! She refused to believe the Emperor would have beheaded Shen Congxing if he had refused to take another wife.

Gu Tingye gazed steadily at her. She pouted slightly, brows furrowed, unconsciously revealing a scornful expression.

"Deep affection with shallow fate is always a regret..." he lamented.

"But shallow affection with deep fate makes an unhappy couple," Minglan blurted out.

Gu Tingye immediately glared angrily: "There are also those with deep affection and deep fate who grow old together!"

Minglan quickly said: "Yes, yes, that's true." Mere apology wasn't enough; she diligently provided examples, "Like Lord Yu and his wife—didn't they share a loving life together?"

Gu Tingye, frustrated, glared at her with thick eyebrows raised for a long moment, then suddenly deflated. He helplessly ruffled Minglan's hair and pulled both his unreasonable wife and child into his embrace—unhappy couple or not, as long as they could grow old together.

...

At this moment, more than one unhappy couple needed reconciliation.

In the side chamber of the main courtyard at Wei Bei Marquis Residence, the room still faintly retained the bloody scent left after childbirth. Madam Zhang sat steadily in an official's armchair by the bed, her face showing none of yesterday's grief and devastation.

"Even your father has fallen ill this time. If you still don't understand clearly, you don't deserve to be a daughter of the Zhang family."

Zhang Shi had just changed into clean undergarments. Hearing these words, she murmured: "Mother, why must you..."

"Why must I?!" Madam Zhang erupted in fury, pointing at the infant held by a nursemaid beside the bed. "You are a daughter of the Zhang family, the legal wife of this Marquis Residence!" Yet even the servants dared to lay hands on you—this shows how far that Zou woman's influence has reached! Today they dared to push you; tomorrow they might dare to take this child's life!"Seeing her daughter bow her head in silence, Madam Zhang sneered coldly, "Be sensible! You are married off after all—how much can your natal family truly help? However much effort we exert, it still depends on you yourself. Now that your father and I are still here, but if someday we pass away and your elder brother and his wife take charge, that would create another layer of separation. What then of this child's future?"

Zhang Shi raised her head, her expression slightly moved.

Madam Zhang spoke earnestly, "Though women may be weak, as mothers they become strong. If it were just you alone, death would be but death—only us two old fools grieving. But now you have a child. Can you bear to see him live meekly, unloved by his father, bullied by his elder siblings, and disrespected by the servants?!"

The infant seemed to understand, letting out a soft, kitten-like coo. Zhang Shi hurriedly gathered the child into her arms. Gazing at his small, red, wrinkled face, all her pride and lofty aspirations vanished, melting entirely into a surge of maternal love.

She kissed the baby’s cheeks repeatedly, tears falling as she said, "Mother is right. I was mistaken, but now..."

The nursemaid who had been holding the infant quickly wiped her tears and took the baby back. "My dear young lady, you must not shed tears during the postpartum month. Today, the palace sent someone to slap that vile woman, knocking out several of her teeth. As long as you have the will, everything else can be managed. How dare the Zou family, such a fallen household, contend with our family? Hmph, they’re tired of living!"

Seeing her daughter change her mind, Madam Zhang revealed a faint smile. "We are not cruel people. Originally, we thought since Madam Zou died early, if you got along well with her younger sister, it might have worked. Who knew that wretch would dare use her sister’s child in her schemes? That’s when I knew her heart was wicked and she had to be dealt with..."

Zhang Shi suddenly looked up and asked, "Mother, back then I wanted to tell the Marquis. Why did you stop me?"

"Silly girl, what use would it have been then? After all, she had lost her child—perhaps the Imperial Uncle would have pitied her. Such leverage must be saved for a critical moment to strike decisively!"

Gazing at her mother’s cold face, Zhang Shi felt a chill in her heart.

The nursemaid, seeing Zhang Shi’s confusion, said respectfully to Madam Zhang, "I nursed the young lady since she was born; she has always had an honest and kind nature. How could she know such things? Please teach her gradually, Madam."

Patting the baby, she continued, "The Shen family has been too bullying—not only granting that vile woman an imperial title but also elevating her at every turn. The young lady could not touch her and had to endure her control—how could she not be angered? But now it’s fine. Let’s see if that wretch dares act unruly again?!"

Madam Zhang said solemnly, "Exactly so. From now on, none of you are to harm her!"

The nursemaid asked in surprise, "Madam, why is that?"

"If she were truly dead, the Imperial Uncle would grieve again." Madam Zheng sneered repeatedly. "I want to keep the Zou family alive, letting those brothers cause endless trouble, constantly implicating the Marquis’s household, forcing the Marquis to clean up their messes one by one. You must also strongly urge your son-in-law to assist. Hmph, let’s see how long his deep affection and loyalty can last?"

The nursemaid smiled, "This servant understands. We will certainly not cause trouble for you, Madam." After a pause, she added, "Hmph, both you and the young lady are kind-hearted. How dare the Zous step all over the Zhang family? They didn’t even bother to inquire properly? Fortunately, Madam was prepared early on."

Zhang Shi said softly, "Mother, I’ve long been well. Send the physicians away."In truth, the collision back then hadn't been severe, nor was her life in danger during childbirth. It was only when the pain became unbearable that she felt fate had been cruel to her, and in utter despair, she cried out—only now did she realize it was all her mother's arrangement.

"Young mistress, this won't do," the nanny quickly interjected. "Since we're putting on a show, we must see it through. That physician is one of our own. Even if you don't need treatment, you should still take good care of your health. Later, when you bear more sons, this old servant will still be here to care for them."

Zhang Shi looked at her nanny's affectionate face and felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.

"This coldness between you and your husband can't go on. You're too proud to humble yourself, so I must find you a way out—if not today, then another day." Madam Zheng said seriously, "This is an excellent opportunity. Not only has half the trouble been removed, but your husband must feel guilty toward you now. When he comes to see you again, you mustn't give him the cold shoulder. For the child's sake, you must yield—cry when you should, voice your grievances when appropriate, appear vulnerable when needed. You must win him over, do you hear me!"

Zhang Shi flushed, feeling utterly humiliated: "Mother, I'm afraid I can't..."

"You must, whether you can or not!" Madam Zhang raised her voice angrily.

Zhang Shi trembled, and the infant started crying from the fright. The nanny hurriedly soothed the child.

Madam Zhang softened her tone and whispered, "Fen'er, do you remember Madam Liang from the Yongchang Marquis Manor?"

Zhang Shi nodded: "You've mentioned her before."

Madam Zhang recalled the past with deep melancholy: "Ah, she was my dear childhood friend, truly just like you in temperament. Back then, she also married someone she didn't like and became willful, giving him the cold shoulder for three days straight. This created a rift between husband and wife, allowing a bedroom servant to seize the opportunity and bear a son before her. Ah... She wouldn't listen to my advice either, and now the illegitimate eldest son has climbed above her and her own child."

Actually, having an illegitimate eldest son wasn't uncommon in noble families. But once she had her own son, the legal wife should have made plans early—either take the illegitimate eldest son under her wing to foster affection, or simply render him useless to eliminate future troubles. It was quite rare for someone like Madam Liang to remain aloof and detached, only to end up raising a resentful, capable, and shrewd illegitimate eldest son.

Zhang Shi had naturally heard about the affairs of Yongchang Marquis Manor. Now learning the inside story, she felt particularly unsettled.

Madam Zhang stood up and sat beside her daughter, stroking her back affectionately: "Fen'er, nothing in this world goes exactly as we wish. We must live through good days and bad alike—and make the best of them."

Zhang Shi held back tears and nodded.

Madam Zhang held her daughter's shoulders and said thoughtfully, "When I had an audience with Empress Jing An back then, she told us young girls something—don't always say everything is fate. If you don't overcome fate, fate will overcome you."

All traces of Madam Zhang's usual gentleness vanished as her gaze turned resolute. She said solemnly, "What a wonderful person Empress Jing An was—such a pity she fell victim to villains and died young. But I've always remembered her words, and I'll never forget them! You must remember them too!"