Yu's First Wife—or more accurately, the former Yu's First Wife—was born into the Fang family. Her father and grandfather had held high-ranking official positions, and the family was influential and prosperous. It was thanks to this that she, a daughter born of a concubine, was able to become the principal wife of the eldest son of the Yu family as a step-wife. However, by her generation, the Fang family was already in decline. After Yu Fang-shi was sent back to her maiden home, her eldest brother, Master Fang, went to the Yu family to argue on her behalf. But after Lord Yu took him into the study for a talk, he never brought up the matter again.
The reasons, as rumored in society, were threefold. First, the Fang family was now in decline, and most of its descendants were incompetent, lacking the leverage to confront the Yu family. Second, Master Fang and Yu Fang-shi were only half-siblings, sharing the same father but different mothers, so their bond was weak, and he didn’t put much effort into helping her. Third... it was said that Lord Yu was exceptionally persuasive.
After being divorced and sent back to her maiden family, the Fang family didn’t give Yu Fang-shi too hard a time. After all, her children remained with the Yu family, raised personally by Lord Yu and his wife. If they achieved success in the future, Yu Fang-shi might still have a chance to regain some standing.
Unfortunately, Yu Fang-shi had been too fortunate in the first half of her life.
As a young lady, her birth mother was the favorite in the inner household, and her father doted on her as if she were his very life. She got whatever she wanted, and even her legitimate sisters dared not compete with her. After marriage, she spent over a decade accompanying her husband, the eldest son of the Yu family, at his official posts outside the capital. She had him completely under her thumb, and her word was law.
Who could have expected that, after being divorced, she still couldn’t shake off her domineering temperament? Day in and day out, she cursed servants and quarreled incessantly with her sisters-in-law and nieces-in-law. Eventually, the Fang family could no longer tolerate her, and she was sent to the White Cloud Nunnery on the outskirts of the capital to live as a lay Buddhist.
Her story should have ended there, but who knew when these two old hags had gotten together again?
"...Remember when we first separated from Third Master? Yu's First... oh no, that Yu Fang-shi went to see the Grand Old Madam, only to be driven out. So how come now...?!" The logic of scoundrels was something honest people could never understand.
Lüzhi was much more sharp-tongued and said disdainfully, "What good could those two possibly have to talk about? When they get together, it’s surely to plot how to harm others!"
Minglan remained silent for a long moment before saying, "Let’s ignore them. Even without this, we shouldn’t let our guard down."
She lowered her head to glance through the account books, then looked up and said, "Send for Hao Guanshi to deliver a message over there. Tell them that Yu Fang-shi is not a good person, that her intentions are wicked, and advise the Grand Old Madam to keep her distance."
Lüzhi acknowledged the order and was about to leave when Cui Mama hesitated and said, "Madam, saying this will be a waste of breath. The Grand Old Madam won’t listen."
Minglan smiled faintly. "There’s no shortage of wasted words in this world. Consider it fulfilling our duty as relatives."
Hearing this, Lüzhi didn’t delay any further. She lifted the curtain and went out to relay the message. Hao Guanshi, being experienced and efficient, completed the task in just half a day and promptly returned to report to Minglan. He said that after the message was delivered, the Grand Old Madam only laughed coldly a few times and said, "Since they refuse to help in times of need, they should save their breath. Tell your mistress to mind her own business—this is none of her concern."
Minglan wasn’t the least bit surprised. She stopped the indignant Cui Mama from speaking further and waved for Hao Dacheng to go rest.
The incident was like a small pebble, causing only a few faint ripples before settling back into calm. In the days that followed, Minglan continued to nurture her pregnancy, manage the household, teach the little chubby one to talk, check on the two girls’ studies, listen to Little Shen’s gossip about the princess’s mansion seeking a second wife, and occasionally worry about how Ruomei’s belly was swelling up like an inflated balloon.Since the two families began discussing the marriage arrangements, young Changdong finally learned he had gained a fiancée. Carrying the old woman down the mountain had actually earned him a wife with a generous dowry—the return rate was higher than selling drugs. Was this truly the reward for good deeds?
Under the spring sunlight of March, one day after school, young Changdong avoided his friend Changnian and hesitantly made his way to Minglan’s quarters. He claimed he was there to visit his sixth sister, but his words were incoherent, and his face flushed crimson.
Minglan pretended not to understand, steering the conversation elsewhere. At one moment, she mentioned that his future father-in-law from the Shen family was skilled with a blade and could discipline his son-in-law if he misbehaved. At another, she praised the scholarly achievements of the Shen family’s second son, suggesting they could study together after the marriage.
—But she deliberately avoided the main point! Changdong grew so anxious he scratched his ears and cheeks, practically steaming with frustration.
Cui Mama, being kind-hearted, shot Minglan a disapproving glance and gently reassured the young boy, "Don’t worry, Master Dong. Your sister saw the girl with her own eyes—she’s a good match. She’s virtuous, amiable, and even sent over an embroidered pouch recently; her needlework is excellent."
Changdong’s eyes lit up, and he let out a soft "oh," but he still stole glances at Minglan, hesitating to speak his mind.
Minglan knew exactly what he was thinking. With a bold wave of her hand, she declared, "Cui Mama, let me handle this. There are some things you wouldn’t understand." Then, pulling her younger brother closer, she grinned mischievously. "Fourth Brother, as for that girl’s appearance…"
Changdong’s heart leaped into his throat, his ears perking up intently. Minglan found it highly amusing.
—"She looks about the same as Cui Mama."
Changdong’s jaw dropped instantly as he stared at Cui Mama’s stern, wrinkled face.
Minglan feigned consolation, patting her brother’s shoulder. "When choosing a wife, virtue matters most. What’s important is that she’s capable and kind-hearted."
Overwhelmed with despair, Changdong hung his head, his mind blank and on the verge of tears.
Cui Mama could bear it no longer. She quickly pulled the boy aside and insisted, "Master Dong, don’t listen to your sister! She’s been teasing everyone lately. That girl is quite pretty!"
Hope returned to Changdong’s heart. He took a relieved breath and looked at Cui Mama with gratitude. Meanwhile, his mischievous sister clutched her stomach, collapsing onto the kang in fits of laughter, pounding the bed in amusement.
After several days of such lighthearted fun, an unexpected visitor arrived—Madam Zhu. Minglan was taken aback for a moment before calmly uttering two words: "Please invite her in."
Cui Mama, uneasy, not only stationed several sturdy maids outside the room but also personally led Xiaotao and others to keep a close watch. They pretended to casually serve tea, but their eyes never left Madam Zhu, sharp as a hawk’s. Faced with this display, Madam Zhu could only offer a bitter smile but said nothing.
The two sisters-in-law sat facing each other for the time it took to drink half a cup of tea before Madam Zhu slowly began, "My mother-in-law doesn’t know I’m here today. She thinks I’ve gone back to my parents’ home…" She gave a self-mocking smile. "Not that it matters—I’ve been returning there often lately."
Minglan raised an eyebrow slightly, signaling her confusion.
Madam Zhu looked directly into her eyes and said softly, "That day, when Mother came to see you, it was about Tingcan. You’ve always been clever—I’m sure you guessed as much, which is why you refused to even see her."
Minglan neither confirmed nor denied it, instead remarking, "I suppose the Grand Old Madam sought help first from you, her own daughter-in-law."Madam Zhu shook her head helplessly, her smile tinged with bitterness. "This isn’t the first time for Tingcan. Though the Chengping Earl’s household holds some modest prestige, in the eyes of the imperial family, how much weight does it truly carry?" She paused briefly before continuing with a faint smile, "My parents and sister-in-law are truly good-hearted. They’ve already agreed that their eldest granddaughter will be betrothed to our Xian Ge’er in the future."
Minglan nodded.
The legitimate eldest granddaughter of the Chengping Earl’s household being promised to a son of a non-titled, powerless branch of the Marquis’ family—Madam Zhu’s brother and sister-in-law were indeed quite generous. Even if Gu Tingye were to stand aside and do nothing in the future, Xian Ge’er’s prospects would still be safeguarded by the Zhu family. As the saying goes, good steel should be used for the blade’s edge. A married woman seeking help from her natal family should not do so too frequently; otherwise, even the most accommodating brother and sister-in-law would grow weary and resentful.
"My mother-in-law has spoken to me several times about this, and I’ve refused each time. She grew angry, pointed at me, and scolded me for being unfilial, even bringing my father and brother into her words. I couldn’t help but argue back—even if Tingcan weren’t the daughter-in-law of a princess, where in her words and actions was there any reason for her natal family to stand up for her?" Madam Zhu unconsciously raised her voice, as if finally releasing long-suppressed grievances in one breath.
"Forgive me for saying this, but both Second Sister-in-law and I have sons. If we had a daughter-in-law like Tingcan, I’m afraid we’d be infuriated too. Never mind her daily fits of temper—let’s just talk about filial piety. The princess’s first two daughters-in-law had already borne children, yet they still had to observe the rules of serving their mother-in-law. Tingcan served for only two days before claiming she was too ill and weak, acting as if she were on the verge of death, demanding medical attention and medicine. When her husband gently admonished her, she burst into tears, accusing him of being inconsiderate and lacking compassion…"
Madam Zhu spoke with such agitation that a faint flush spread across her cheeks. She recalled how, after saying these words back then, her mother-in-law had punished her by making her stand for two hours.
Minglan’s face darkened.
It was said that when Da Qin Shi first married into the family, she had only served her mother-in-law for half a meal before fainting in front of the entire room of maids, matrons, and sisters-in-law—while the former Grand Old Madam’s chopsticks were still suspended mid-air.
The filial son Gu Yankai rushed back in a panic, clinging to Da Qin Shi and refusing to let go. The iron-willed man of the battlefield nearly shed tears, kowtowing and pleading tearfully with his parents. The old couple, first terrified half to death by their eldest daughter-in-law’s collapse, were then infuriated half to death by their son’s behavior. With half a meal ending in such a farce, the matter of Da Qin Shi observing the rules was ultimately dropped.
When news of this reached the Qin family, the Marquis of Dongchang and his wife praised it endlessly. It was likely that the young Xiao Qin Shi, hearing this as a child, grew enamored with the story and later promoted it to her own daughter as a model to emulate.
Heavens, earth… Faced with such a brainless level of fandom, Minglan could only remain speechless.
Madam Zhu vented her frustrations in one go, recounting how after the new bride entered the household, Tingcan had refused to eat in anger—only to give up after two days and accept the tea of respect on the third day. Finally, she patted her chest lightly, catching her breath as if concluding a chapter. She smiled sheepishly, "Second Sister-in-law, please don’t laugh at me. Truly, there’s nowhere else I can speak of these matters."
Minglan personally refilled her tea, her smile gentle and warm as she quietly waited for Madam Zhu to continue. Though they hadn’t known each other long, she understood that Madam Zhu was an utterly practical and sensible person—she wouldn’t unburden herself without reason.
Madam Zhu sighed, looking at Minglan with sincerity. "As a daughter-in-law, there’s nothing I can do about the affairs of the elders. But I keep thinking—when the children grow up, Tuan Ge’er and Xian Ge’er will still be cousins. Whether it’s taking wives or assuming duties, they’ll need to interact with one another."Minglan paused briefly before lifting her head with a smile. "Naturally. With Sister-in-law’s 'careful' guidance, I trust Third Uncle’s children will grow into sensible and understanding individuals." She now understood Madam Zhu’s purpose in visiting.
Madam Zhu breathed a sigh of relief, clasping Minglan’s hands. "Second Sister-in-law is magnanimous and generous—truly a blessing to our family."
As she saw Madam Zhu to the door, the latter offered comforting words with a smile: "With Second Brother away and you alone at home, heavy with child, you must be longing for his return. My family mentioned that news from the front should arrive in a few days. Please be patient, Second Sister-in-law."
Madam Zhu’s father and brothers served in the military; even if not on the front lines, their access to information was far better than most.
Sure enough, within two days, military reports arrived from the front. The Jie Barbarians, leveraging their familiarity with the terrain and the agility of their cavalry, moved like ghosts—elusive and hard to pin down. Several army divisions scoured the area for enemy traces, with mixed results.
Among them, Uncle Shen’s forces were fortunate enough to intercept the Left Guli Prince’s tribe of the Jie Barbarians as they pillaged a village. They dealt a resounding blow in a successful ambush, and were now returning with captives stretching for ten li, along with the Left Guli Prince himself. The Emperor and Empress were overjoyed.
On the other hand, Old Commander Bo’s division marched with great fanfare, their troops robust and well-equipped as if heading to a world exposition. Not only did the Jie Barbarians avoid confronting them, but even the seasoned bandits and robbers of the northwest temporarily ceased operations and laid low. Unsurprisingly, they returned empty-handed.
More perplexing was the news from Gu Tingye’s front: The Duke of Ying, driven by a desire for merit, had recklessly advanced too far, leaving his forces isolated and cut off from reinforcements. Ambushed near the Blackwater River, he lost several key generals and was now retreating to Qiuling Peak in the Heying Mountains.
The Duke of Ying, acting rashly?! Minglan’s brows furrowed tightly. This was as unbelievable as claiming her own father was a hot-blooded youth.
The Duke of Ying and the retired Senior Grand Secretary Shen were cut from the same cloth—sly old foxes, unshakable as ancient tortoises. No matter how many emperors came and went, they remained steadfast. Even if he returned without achievements, he would never recklessly seek glory.
Little Shen, having relayed the news she heard from the Empress, looked equally troubled. She was happy for her brother’s success yet worried for Minglan, her expression difficult to control. Fortunately, Minglan did not react like most women—panicking or weeping hysterically. Instead, she remained calm, thanked Little Shen, and urged her to share any updates promptly.
After seeing Little Shen off, Minglan sat in a daze for a long while. Cui Mama had to urge her repeatedly before she mechanically ate and slept.
—She couldn’t tell if it was fear, worry, or some other profound emotion. It hung over her like a thin mist, pervasive yet indescribable.
As long as it wasn’t rebellion or the like, it likely wouldn’t lead to family confiscation or harm to wives and children.
In the worst case, she would become a widow earlier than expected. But with Tuan Ge’er and the child in her womb, the Emperor and families like the Shens who were on good terms with them would probably look after the orphaned mother and children.
Becoming a Grand Old Madam at a young age meant she could skip decades of struggle—transitioning from serving a master to becoming one herself. Thinking of it that way, it didn’t seem so bad.
She endured a night of relentless nightmares, yet upon waking, couldn’t recall any of them. Her pillow was damp and cold, as if everything after the millet dream was unreal. She sat dazed on the edge of the bed, watching the sky shift from murky gray to bright dawn, unaware of hunger, wanting only to sit there until he returned.
Don’t cry, don’t cry—she repeated to herself over and over.You must hold on. The more critical the situation, the stronger you must be, without a trace of weakness.
After the news spread, first came Grand Old Madam's messenger with insincere, sarcastic remarks, pretending concern: "I do hope Ye-ge'er comes to no harm!" Minglan immediately retorted: "I heard the seventh young lady recently gained another sister. My sincerest congratulations!"
Then came several usually friendly colleagues: Madam Zhong and Madam Duan (whose husbands served under Uncle Shen) came to console; Madam Geng (whose husband Lao Geng followed Gu Tingye) came to share mutual distress; and Zhang Shi came to offer encouragement—
"Has an imperial decree of reprimand been issued? Has the Ministry of War released any official bulletins? Everything remains shrouded in mist. The court hasn't reached any conclusion, yet we womenfolk are already making wild guesses—how ridiculous!" Zhang Shi, once the epitome of a delicate literary maiden, now fully displayed her general's daughter temperament, handling people and situations with even greater composure than before.
"Since I was little, whenever my father went away, my mother would repeat one saying—Heaven protects the good; if disaster strikes, it cannot be avoided. Dear sister, as military families, we must avoid panic most of all at times like this. You're with child—don't listen to others' gossip. Don't let anxiety harm your health—that's what matters most."
Minglan felt deeply moved, as if warmed by a gentle current. Holding Zhang Shi's arm, she whispered: "Sister, don't worry. You can tell me any news. I absolutely won't imitate those women who weep and panic, acting as if life or death hangs in the balance. The more I know, the calmer I feel; being kept in the dark is what truly frightens me."
Seeing Minglan's clear gaze and steady attitude, Zhang Shi finally felt reassured.
In the following days, visitors kept coming. Madam Liu and Hualan each visited Minglan, offering the usual advice to rest well during pregnancy and avoid fright. Then the fourth and fifth branches came anxiously seeking news. Except for personally comforting and explaining things to First Wife of Gu Tingxuan, Minglan left all others—including the weeping Ruomei—for Madam Shao to handle. Whether they cried oceans of tears or gathered to pray to Buddha, Minglan paid no attention. Later, she simply claimed illness and stopped receiving visitors, letting outsiders think she was "too worried about her husband's safety to rise."
After nearly half a month of such disturbances, Minglan grew weary of it all. She couldn't even focus on reading unofficial histories and novels. The fetus in her womb grew quieter, only kicking in protest when its mother lay awake at midnight.
As days passed, Minglan gradually settled her mind and calmly continued steadying the frightened household. Outsiders couldn't detect this change, assuming Lady Gu had always been this composed.
One day, Tu the elder personally delivered a letter. The envelope was somewhat worn from folding. Tearing it open, she saw an extremely small eight-petaled begonia drawn in the upper left corner—Gu Tingye being the second son, Minglan the sixth daughter. This was one of the secret marks they'd agreed upon before his departure.
After hastily reading the letter, Minglan snorted contemptuously, her face revealing extreme scorn as she sneered to herself: "How prompt!" Very well, come then. I await your esteemed presence!"
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