A few more days passed, and the day of Madam Wang's departure arrived. Changbai saw his mother off on a cool morning, while Hualan and Rulan clung to each other in tearful farewell. Madam Wang was already weeping uncontrollably, yet Changbai actually said, "Leave early and return soon"—ten years! How could she possibly return soon from a ten-year absence?! This made her gnash her teeth in frustration.
Afterward, the Sheng household was managed by the two daughters-in-law, with Concubine Xiang solely attending to Sheng Hong's daily needs. Everything was handled in an orderly manner. Without anyone to bicker and quarrel with daily, and surrounded only by docile concubines, Sheng Hong actually felt a sense of loneliness. One day, he said to Changbai wistfully, "Your mother isn’t inherently bad. Over all these years, I’ve also had my shortcomings toward her."
When Hai Shi came to visit Minglan, she inadvertently let this slip. Minglan laughed so hard she collapsed onto the couch, covering her mouth with a handkerchief.
"The Old Madam is getting much better. She can now walk half a circle around the pond and has been eating half a bowl more at each meal. Your brother says that if she continues like this, by the time he finishes his official duties, they can take up their post together."
Minglan smiled and said, "This time, take all three children along."
Hai Shi’s eyes lit up—this was what pleased her most—but she demurred, "Your brother wants to start Quange’s education and teach our daughter proper manners. He says… well, when elders raise children, no matter how sensible they are, they can’t help but be indulgent."
Minglan teased, "Of course, who could compare to my brother? He was born with the solemnity of an old soul!"
She deeply sympathized with Changbai’s children. With such a father, how bleak their childhood must be! When Gu Tingye returned, she told him about it, but to her surprise, he held the opposite view. Rubbing their son’s head with his large hand, he said, "I’ve thought about it before. If our son loves martial arts, that’s fine—I can find plenty of skilled masters for him. But if he wants to study literature… he’ll have to be handed over to your brother."
Minglan was aghast. "How could you bear to do that?" Hadn’t he witnessed Changbai’s severity? Even his own mother wasn’t spared—without lifting a finger, his reprimands alone could make one want to jump into a river.
Gu Tingye hoisted their chubby son onto his shoulders and sighed, "It’s precisely because I can’t bring myself to be strict that I need someone else to do it."
Minglan: …
The heat at this time was uniquely stifling, making it hard to breathe. Minglan had to be especially cautious with using ice, which made her wish she could tear off her clothes and go naked. Such sweltering heat was already hard on a pregnant woman, but it was even more challenging for a woman who had just given birth.
In early September, Little Shen finally went into labor. After a day and night of agony, she gave birth to a daughter, and it was said she nearly lost her life. Minglan couldn’t visit, but Zheng da furen came by once, bringing a red-thread-wrapped talisman for good fortune.
"I obtained this a few days ago from Guangji Temple. One was for my sister-in-law, hoping she’d have a smooth delivery. Later, when I heard you were also expecting, I got one for you too." Zheng da furen looked weary and listless. "But you don’t have to wear it. I don’t think it’s very effective."
"Why do you say that?"
Zheng da furen sighed. "This time, my sister-in-law suffered terribly. The imperial physician said she’s developed an illness and may not conceive easily again. Ah… she’s so young. What is she to do now?"
Minglan was silent for a long moment before consoling her, "Eldest Sister-in-law, you’ve always treated me with kindness. Today, I’ll be bold and say this: Please set your heart at ease. Perhaps it was precisely because of this talisman that Sister Shen escaped disaster. Who’s to say it wasn’t?"Lady Zheng, a devout Buddhist, sighed and clasped her hands together. "Let it be. Consider it a tribulation fate has ordained." She murmured softly, "This child has had little parental affection since childhood, raised by her elder brother and his wife. Now I can only pray for Buddha's blessing, that her children may enjoy abundant happiness."
Faced with such genuinely noble character—so tolerant and benevolent—Minglan found herself at a loss for words. After an awkward silence, she could only have Tuan Ge'er brought out and placed on the soft couch to perform his signature wobbly "S-curve frog walk."
The chubby toddler, unsteady on his feet, would totter a few steps before executing what could only be described as a "sandpiper landing—posterior first." Each time he tumbled, the little fellow would indignantly pound the soft couch with his plump fists, then struggle upright to continue his teetering journey. This spectacle finally broke Lady Zheng's usual solemn composure—she laughed heartily, scooping up Tuan Ge'er to plant two hearty kisses on his cheeks, a rare display from someone typically so reserved.
After seeing Lady Zheng off, Minglan felt grateful for her current pregnancy for the first time—otherwise, what could she possibly say when visiting Little Shen?
Fanning herself, Minglan sighed. Her self-cultivation still needed refinement.
During the sweltering summer heat, Rong Jie'er and Xianjie had already begun their summer break, attending school only one or two days per week. With leisure time now, Minglan taught them household management, determined not to let them become second or third versions of Gu Tingcan—all refined airs but no practical skills.
Retrieving several aged account books from the storeroom, she selected three or four recording grain purchases for the girls to study separately, forbidding them from comparing notes. After ten days, they were to report their findings. Xianjie identified five discrepancies, while Rong Jie'er spotted eighteen.
Fanning herself with an elegant folding fan, Minglan encouraged them to speak freely.
Rong Jie'er went first, pinpointing all eighteen errors: "...Since the estates supply grain, the manor only purchases externally two or three times yearly. Yet these accounts show each purchase costing more than the last. While seasonal variations might explain some price differences, I compared records from the same months across years—every transaction was more expensive than its predecessor! There's clearly foul play here!"
She grew increasingly indignant, as if ready to have the embezzling servants seized and punished.
Xianjie spoke next with a gentle smile. "I believe household management shouldn't be overly strict. Penalizing every minor expense might cause us to lose sight of larger matters. However..." She blushed slightly, "Comparing with supplementary records, I noticed notations about 'flood-induced grain price surges' those years. I've heard 'floods bring three lean years'—perhaps that explains it."
Rong Jie'er flushed immediately. "I... I also checked the supplements. But everywhere listed various difficulties that sounded like excuses, so I thought they were fabricated..."
"Did either of you verify this?" Minglan asked mildly.
Both girls shook their heads—how could they verify events from decades ago?
"Very well. Take a few more days to see what else you might discover."
Exchanging uncertain glances, Rong Jie'er and Xianjie withdrew. After another ten days, they came rushing back to Minglan in excitement.
Xianjie spoke first, not even pausing to wipe the glistening sweat from her brow. "I found an elderly cleaning maid in the back courtyard whose family originally farmed near the capital. She said thirty-eight years ago, the weather was perfect—she'd eaten steamed buns since childhood. It was only in her thirties when disasters struck that she had to sell herself into service with her children."Rong Jie'er was also beaming with excitement. "I borrowed an annual record from Teacher Xue. It stated that although those years saw favorable weather and abundant harvests, Emperor Wu needed provisions for military campaigns and urgently levied grain supplies. Thus, grain prices in the capital and surrounding areas rose significantly. But the following year, when Emperor Wu returned victorious, grain prices returned to normal."
Minglan smiled and invited them to sit, then asked Xiaotao to serve tea.
"So, it's reasonable that grain prices are higher this year than last," Xianjie remarked, flipping through the fragile old ledger that seemed ready to crumble. "But in the subsequent years, despite peace and plentiful harvests, grain prices kept rising annually. That's indeed suspicious."
Rong Jie'er took a sip of tea and nearly scalded herself, stammering, "We think... it's because this steward had been in his position for many years. He was honest at first, but after gaining his master's trust, he became less cautious."
Conclusion: Even long-serving old retainers must be regularly supervised by their masters, or they may easily become corrupt.
Minglan greatly appreciated their answer and applauded repeatedly. "Our girls are no longer the ignorant children they once were. Well done, very well said!"
The two girls blushed sweetly at the praise, lowering their heads with a mix of pride and delight.
Minglan had Xiaotao bring out two hairpins she had prepared in advance for them to choose from. One was made of red gold with ruby accents, adorned with several large pearls that tinkled softly, radiating brilliance. The other was crafted entirely of white jade, smooth and luminous, with only a thumb-sized emerald embedded at the top, gleaming with a vibrant green glow.
The moment these two treasures were revealed, the room seemed to brighten instantly. The girls stared in stunned silence.
Minglan had often given them small pieces of jewelry to wear, such as little earrings or rings, mostly for daily amusement. But these two rare items were truly extravagant.
Xianjie was the first to react, quickly declining the offer. Rong Jie'er flushed red and stubbornly refused as well. After Minglan gently persuaded them for a long while, they hesitantly stepped forward, each deferring to the other. In the end, Xianjie took the white jade and emerald hairpin, while Rong Jie'er accepted the gold, pearl, and ruby one. That evening, the two girls dined at Minglan's place, drank quite a bit of fruit wine, and then returned to their rooms happily, cheeks flushed and prizes in hand.
When Madam Shao first saw the white jade hairpin, she was startled. Holding it up to the lamp for a closer look, she murmured, "...This is a rare treasure." Even among the belongings left by her late husband, few could compare.
Xianjie chirped happily, "Auntie said we're both good children—not only diligent in our studies but also clever and eager to learn." She radiated a sense of pride, as if thinking, "I earned this through my own efforts."
Madam Shao pondered for a long while before suddenly saying, "It seems your aunt is planning to find a marriage match for Rong Jie'er... Well, she is of age now. It wouldn't do to give such a gift only to her, so she included you as well."
Xianjie cupped her warm little face in her hands, stared blankly for a moment, and then exclaimed, "Oh, Mother, here you go again! Always overthinking things!"
Madam Shao pulled her daughter into an embrace, speaking with tender affection. "Silly child, you don't understand. Back then, your father... wasn't very kind to your second uncle. Before he passed, his only worry was that your second uncle would hold a grudge."
"I think Second Uncle is quite nice," Xianjie said, resting her head against her mother's bosom.
Madam Shao tapped her daughter's little nose and teased, "After just one meal, you think he's nice already?""Second Uncle isn't home tonight. He went to the Zheng family's full moon banquet."
Madam Shao shook her head: "Who knows if he still holds a grudge against your father. But your aunt is quite decent..."
After the mother and daughter embraced for a moment, Xianjie lifted her head: "Mother, is Aunt really going to find a marriage match for Rong Jie'er?" She truly couldn't bear the thought - if Rong Jie'er married, she would be left all alone.
Madam Shao smiled: "How would I know? Your mother has never been particularly perceptive. Perhaps I'm wrong again, maybe I'm just overthinking."
However, this time Madam Shao had guessed correctly.
Just as the morning watch drum sounded at chen hour, Gu Tingye returned home carrying the faint scent of alcohol. For some unknown reason, he began rambling nonsense while touching Minglan's belly.
"...The Zheng family's daughter isn't bad looking, just a bit too delicate. Her eyes could barely open, unlike our son. During his full moon celebration, facing a table full of fierce-looking rough men, he wasn't scared at all, and even scratched Lao Geng, hehe..."
Gu Tingye placed his hand on Minglan's belly, laughing unsteadily: "This time, let's have a daughter. She should be fair-skinned, petite, with big eyes, and a pair of dimples at the corners of her mouth..." He pointed at the dimples beside Minglan's mouth. "She should be well-behaved and pretty, not like that naughty boy who never stops causing trouble... But she shouldn't be too docile either..."
After listening to his foolish talk for a long time, Minglan rolled her eyes inwardly. Those who knew would understand it was just a foolish father envisioning his daughter; those who didn't might think he was shopping on Taobao, with such specific and comprehensive requirements.
"...In the future, I'll carefully select a son-in-law. If he studies martial arts, he must be the bravest among all warriors! If he studies literature..." Gu Tingye wasn't very clear about literary standards - just 'exceptionally talented' wasn't enough for him. Finally remembering something Fu Xueqin had said, he declared grandly: "He must achieve the top three honors in imperial examinations! Otherwise, don't even think about marrying my daughter!"
Minglan nearly spat out her tea. Slapping the table with one hand and pulling the man's ear with the other, she exclaimed: "Wake up, father! Since the founding of the dynasty, only two people have achieved the top three honors (and both were middle-aged men). How long do you want our daughter to wait?!"
Rubbing his ear, Gu Tingye generously smiled: "Then just someone who ranks in the top three. It doesn't matter whether he's the zhuangyuan, bangyan, or tanhua... that should be acceptable."
"What if it's not a daughter?" Minglan was already exhausted. "Or what if she's not good-looking, an ugly girl?"
"How is that possible?"
"Why not? Madam Duan is beautiful, right? But her second daughter... tsk tsk..." Both Madam Duan and her husband have dignified appearances, yet their daughter somehow inherited all their worst features.
Gu Tingye was so frightened he sobered up immediately - this couldn't be happening, please no.
"Alright, let's talk about serious matters... I didn't want to bring this up now, but since you mentioned it, I'll say it." Minglan shook him vigorously. "Your little daughter doesn't even exist yet, but your elder daughter needs attention now."
"...Rong Jie'er?" It took Gu Tingye a while to react. "But she's still so young."
"She's eleven now, and will be twelve after New Year." Minglan thought to herself: How old was that 'fair-skinned, petite, big-eyed daughter' you were just describing so vividly?
Gu Tingye was stunned for quite some time: "That's... still rather early, isn't it?""What do you mean 'early'? Do you think sons-in-law are like vegetables growing in the backyard, ready to be plucked whenever you want one?" Minglan retorted. "Good in-laws are hard to come by—how could it possibly happen without several years of searching?"
Adopting the demeanor of a matchmaker, she began counting on her fingers. "We need to start looking now, then it'll take several years to finalize a match, followed by preparing the dowry and going through the six wedding rites—and that's for a local marriage. If she marries far away, we'll definitely need to visit the groom's family to see what they're really like..."
Especially since Rong Jie'er had an awkward background. If she were simply a maidservant's daughter, it would be easier. But being stuck in this neither-here-nor-there position made finding a suitable family even more difficult.
"...I truly admire how thoughtfully you're considering this for her," Gu Tingye said honestly, speaking from the heart.
Minglan whispered, "Even when Grandmother was fatally poisoned, I never thought of taking it out on my aunt's children." Transferring blame went against the most fundamental principles of justice, even if she could barely remember any legal statutes now.
"So, what should we do about this? I await my lady's instructions." Gu Tingye cupped his hands respectfully, smiling like the spring breeze.
Minglan's spirits lifted immediately. Bored during her pregnancy, she'd been idle for so long she felt moss growing on her.
She pulled several papers from beside the bed and read them out energetically: "It's not that difficult. When you dine with colleagues, compete in martial arts tournaments, plan strategies during war games, or hear about promising young men from relatives and friends—just pay more attention."
"Absolutely no hot-tempered killers who can slaughter without batting an eye! Either find someone who's mastered self-control in martial arts, knows when to show mercy, or simply find a non-martial artist. Those half-trained types would definitely beat their wives without restraint!"
"Good health is essential—we can't have her widowed young. Not necessarily bull-strong, but you should observe their physique, check their bone structure, and ask whether their elders lived long lives."
"Family status should be neither too high nor too low. Too high and she'll suffer after marriage; too low and it's beneath her. You decide the specifics, Marquis—the art lies in your discretion."
"Preferably from a simpler family, but if it's a large household, they must have good family values, harmony, and warmth. Harmony is most crucial in daily life."
"Especially investigate scholars thoroughly. Often the most righteous come from humble backgrounds, while the most heartless are scholars. Don't be fooled by their gentle appearances—who knows what evil schemes they harbor? Those who become arrogant with minor achievements are the most detestable! Cough, Marquis, you wouldn't know, but I once had a wretched cousin-in-law... never mind, forget him!"
"There are still two jars of Bamboo Leaf Green wine in the storage. Since Minister Liu Zhengjie likes it, send them to him later. Ask him to help investigate backgrounds—we can't have some Chen Shimei-style fraud who already has a wife..."
"My lady, are you finished?" Gu Tingye looked at his wife's flushed, excited face.
"Well, just a little more—roughly three main points with nine subpoints."
Gu Tingye chuckled: "Take your time, my lady. Would you like some tea first?"Minglan pushed the teacup away, her words ringing with conviction: "We absolutely cannot be like Sister Tingcan, thinking ourselves rare treasures and becoming complacent, sitting idly by the fishpond. We must guard against arrogance and impatience! The world is ever-changing—who can guarantee anything before the wedding ceremony? We need to investigate from multiple angles and scout more candidates. If one doesn’t work out, there are others to fall back on. Family background, household reputation, in-laws’ character, and personal virtues and talents—none of these can be fully understood in a single day... So we must plan early! If the first daughter’s marriage goes wrong, how can the younger sisters fare well? As the saying goes, only a victorious first battle can boost morale and lead to triumph in a hundred battles!"
Gu Tingye: ...
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