Liu Zhengjie was originally an expert in criminal justice. Seeing the increasing number of people from all walks of life gathering in the capital recently, he wasted no time. No sooner had he taken Man Niang and her son away than he arranged for them to be sent out of the capital in two separate groups. Unexpectedly, on the evening of the second day, Madam Liu suddenly arrived in a small sedan chair in a hurry. As soon as they met, she apologized and said that Chang Ge'er had been kidnapped.
Minglan was greatly shocked. "How did this happen?"
"His father didn't expect it either, and said straight away that this time the hunter got hunted!" Madam Liu looked ashamed, her words carrying a heavy Shu border accent. She kept twisting and rubbing the hem of her russet red jacket embroidered with silver thread patterns of treasure gourds.
"Yesterday, after his father drove that woman away and sent her outside the city gate, he had someone sternly threaten her, saying that if she was ever seen causing trouble again, she would definitely be sent to the border for hard labor! That woman agreed repeatedly, saying she wouldn't dare anymore, then turned and ran away." Madam Liu lowered her voice and leaned forward slightly. "Actually, according to my husband, this time we should have dealt with that woman once and for all, but..."
"It's alright." Minglan waved her hand. A temporary marriage like Man Niang's had reached its end. Any further fuss would only invite ridicule. For Gu Tingye and the Marquis household, what concerned them more now was the young child. To put it bluntly, if someone with ill intentions sold Chang Ge'er into some filthy place or led him astray into banditry or theft, that would be a huge disaster.
She urgently asked, "What exactly happened to Chang Ge'er?"
Madam Liu pressed a handkerchief to the fine sweat on her forehead. "Because we needed to find a wet nurse to take care of him along the way, Chang Ge'er's group left the city half a day later. Who would have thought that when passing by the foot of Fengyun Mountain near Eighteen Mile Village in the outskirts of the capital, a group of masked bandits suddenly rushed out and started attacking without explanation. While both sides were fighting, a female bandit who had been hiding in the back suddenly rode her horse to the carriage, knocked the old woman unconscious with a club, then grabbed the child and rode off on horseback. The escorting brothers were frantic. They quickly killed most of the bandits and interrogated the two survivors. Only then did they learn that they were from some Mountain Goblin Gang, hired with silver to kidnap someone. It's just that none of the brothers were wearing official uniforms, so the bandits thought they were just ordinary family servants, which made them so bold."
Minglan was momentarily stunned. She had a vague idea who that female bandit was.
To be honest, ever since their first meeting at the Yu residence, she had never underestimated this seemingly insignificant woman. Yet even so, she had still underestimated her. This remarkable woman could not only sing and act, but was actually trained in martial arts. Thinking back to their recent meeting, she had Cui Mama to thank for being cautious and insisting on searching and binding her. Otherwise, if Man Niang had suddenly attacked, with disaster striking from close quarters, she herself might have suffered.
She bit her lip and still asked, "Has Lord Liu found out who was behind it?"
Madam Liu sighed heavily, her brows tightly furrowed, making her appear even more aged and rough. "We asked. The survivors immediately pointed out that among the dead bodies on the ground was the brother of the woman who commissioned the job!"
Minglan gasped softly. "Man Niang's brother?"
Madam Liu slapped her thigh. "Exactly! I heard her brother has been hanging around the Zhili area these past few years and has gotten to know many shady characters who engage in petty theft. The survivors said they were also deceived. Her brother claimed his sister was some wealthy man's mistress, but the main wife was vicious and couldn't tolerate them, wanting to dispose of the child... Ah, if they had known they were dealing with government officers, who would have dared to be so reckless!"Minglan curled her lips mockingly: "That explanation isn't entirely wrong."
Lady Liu gave an embarrassed laugh and explained, "The masked female thief hiding in the back was Man Niang. The men wanted to shoot arrows to stop them, but Chang Ge'er was also on the horse. Fearing they might harm the child, they had no choice but to watch helplessly as the mother and son escaped."
Minglan remained silent for a moment before saying, "This can't be blamed on the escorting brothers. How could they have known such a seemingly insignificant woman would be so lawless? I hope none of the brothers were injured. If anything serious had happened to them, we would never be able to forgive ourselves." They were originally only tasked with delivery, yet ended up having to provide security and were caught completely off guard.
Lady Liu quickly waved her hands and shook her head: "No lives were lost, just some superficial wounds. Those petty thieves weren't particularly skilled, but they outnumbered our men. When they swarmed forward, our men got entangled, allowing them to kidnap Chang Ge'er."
Minglan felt slightly relieved and offered to provide silver and medicine for the guards as a token of appreciation. Lady Liu initially refused, but unable to withstand Minglan's eloquent persuasion, eventually agreed to deliver the items.
After discussing more details of the incident, Lady Liu couldn't help sighing: "I'm not trying to defend my husband, but truly, who could have imagined it? That woman appeared so frail and pitiful, utterly helpless. When the officers questioned her, she was too frightened to even speak. If anyone raised their voice slightly, she would cry as if on the verge of collapse, trembling like a leaf. Who would have thought she'd turn around and seek out her brother, arranging for people to follow us and hire thugs to ambush us? Tsk tsk, truly formidable!"
Being several years older than her husband, Lady Liu was like a half-sister, half-mother to Liu Zhengjie's trusted subordinates, so her inquiries were particularly detailed. When she first heard about the Man Niang situation, she had secretly blamed Minglan for being unable to tolerate even a child—after all, which high official doesn't have multiple wives and concubines, with plenty of illegitimate children? Now it seemed that mother and son truly couldn't be kept.
Minglan twisted her lips: "Both siblings are talented people from the opera world, accomplished in both literary and martial arts. It's not Lord Liu and the brothers' fault—without witnessing it firsthand, how could anyone have anticipated this? Besides, that woman has deceived more than just one or two people." The first and biggest fool was her dear husband.
Lady Liu clicked her tongue: "That woman is truly ruthless. When her brother was cut down by a sword, he cried out 'Little Sister' loudly, but she didn't even look back, just kept running. According to my husband, she intentionally used those thieves as human shields and scapegoats. To ensure the plan's secrecy and completeness, she probably even kept some information from her own brother." She shook her head repeatedly. To be willing to use even her own brother's life—this goes beyond mere cruelty.
Minglan remained silent for a long while before asking: "Where did the mother and son go? Does Lord Liu have any leads?"
Lady Liu smiled awkwardly: "Once they passed Fengyun Mountain Pass, the roads extend in all directions—east, west, north, and south. It's truly impossible to determine their whereabouts. Moreover, well... currently in the capital... we really can't spare the manpower..."
Minglan took her hand and said softly: "Sister, there's no need to explain. I fully understand Lord Liu's difficulties. I only pity that child—so young, having just enjoyed a few years of stability, now who knows where he'll be wandering and drifting."Lady Liu, having raised children herself and possessing a mother's compassionate heart, sighed deeply upon hearing this. Gently patting Minglan's hand, she advised, "My dear sister, allow this old woman to speak bluntly. Where could such a vicious woman end up with anything good in this world? You and your husband are both kind-hearted, honest people who couldn't bring yourselves to commit such heinous acts, otherwise you would have dealt with her long ago! Ah, that child must have accumulated bad karma in his previous life to be saddled with such a mother. No one else is to blame - may he be reborn into a better life!" She sighed repeatedly.
Bad karma from a previous life?
Minglan felt bewildered. In truth, Chang Ge'er had many opportunities to change his fate, but unfortunately missed every single one.
For herself, she wished nothing more than to never handle this hot potato, avoiding anything related to Chang Ge'er whenever possible.
As for Gu Tingye, due to his early experiences, he always believed that having one's birth mother nearby meant the child would receive proper care, which was better than entrusting them to complete strangers. Moreover, considering his legitimate wife and legitimate son, he didn't want Minglan to be burdened or Tuan Ge'er to be threatened.
As for Man Niang, she was truly a rare specimen - she should have either let go of Chang Ge'er earlier or lived properly with her son. Instead, she stubbornly clung to her delusions and refused to relent.
For some reason, since becoming a mother herself, Minglan had grown increasingly soft-hearted. Whereas she used to handle numerous tragic cases professionally before moving on, she now couldn't bear to see innocent children suffer, feeling an inexplicable tenderness in her heart.
After seeing Lady Liu off, Minglan summoned Rong Jie'er. After dismissing the servants, she told her everything in detail, sighing, "Ah, now no one knows where they've gone."
Rong Jie'er lowered her head, tightly clasping her hands. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she seemed to have lost weight these past few days. Her plump cheeks had slightly hollowed, tracing a maidenly delicate curve along her jawline. She remained silent after hearing Minglan's words, sitting quietly on the round stool before the kang, her nails digging deeply into her palms.
The two sat in silence for a long while. Just as Minglan was about to tell her to return, Rong Jie'er suddenly said, "Thank you, Mother." Her voice heavy with nasal congestion, making Minglan slightly startled.
Rong Jie'er wiped her nose with a handkerchief and said softly, "Thank you for worrying about Chang Ge'er and arranging for Mama Chang to foster him. Ever since... ever since learning about this matter, I've been extremely grateful... Thinking that Mama Chang is upright and that younger brother could still study and advance alongside Nian Ge'er is truly a great blessing. Who would have thought that after not seeing him for years, Chang Ge'er would become so perverse, listening to no one but... but Mother..."
Remembering the scene of meeting her birth brother, where siblings acted like complete strangers, tears welled up in her eyes and her heart ached with bitterness. "I begged Mother to agree to this proposal and properly persuade younger brother to go to the Chang family. If we forced him there and he insisted on making trouble, not only would it trouble Mama Chang, but it would also disrupt Nian Ge'er's studies and exam preparations. Who would have thought... who would have thought Mother not only refused, but scolded me... and, and..."
She couldn't finish the latter part. Her birth mother had demanded that she beg Minglan to let Chang Ge'er remain in the Marquis residence.
"...But... but Madam wouldn't agree." She remembered responding this way at the time. After all these years of interaction, she knew well that while Minglan appeared easy-going and gentle on the surface, she was actually very firm in her decisions.
"You useless girl! Then go cry, go beg, threaten to kill yourself! You're the Marquis residence's eldest young lady now - would she dare watch you die! This is your real brother - how can you bear to see him wandering outside without status or recognition?!"Watching her birth mother spew sweet words with a face full of calculation—one moment coaxing softly, the next shouting harshly—her undisguised intentions left Minglan speechless at the time.
She was no longer an ignorant young girl; she understood perfectly the hidden dangers and implications. Nor was she someone who overestimated herself, growing smug after just a few days of comfort and arrogantly thinking she could sway her biological mother's mind on major matters.
Rong Jie’er shook her head vigorously, trying to push away the chilling memory of that day. She looked up at Minglan, her voice trembling, "Mother, I truly don’t understand my birth mother’s thoughts. Shouldn’t all mothers want what’s best for their children? Why... why... must she ruin my brother?" She could no longer hold back, bursting into tears and sobbing softly into her handkerchief.
Minglan sighed and gently patted the girl’s back.
From a darker perspective, Man Niang didn’t love Chang Ge’er at all—her son was merely a pawn to be used as she saw fit. From a kinder angle, perhaps she did love him, but her idea of what was good for the child differed greatly from the norm.
It was like those melodramatic plots where a poor girl gives birth to twins from a wealthy man: one sent back to the rich family to live as a young master or princess, the other kept by her side. The outcome... well, depended on which one was the protagonist.
The matter ended unresolved, with Man Niang and her son vanishing like dandelion fluff in the wind. Minglan felt gloomy for several days, only lifting her spirits when Hualan visited to console her.
"You silly child, why trouble yourself over such things!" Hualan, still radiant and spirited, poked her sister’s forehead and laughed. "Someone as soft-hearted as you, pitying this one and unable to bear that one, would only cause chaos to reign in your household." Remember, debts have creditors—that boy has his own parents. What does it have to do with you?"
Minglan lowered her head, stroking her large belly, and murmured, "Lately, I’ve become more cautious, afraid that my actions might bring misfortune upon my child." As a former Party activist, Yao Yiyi had once been a staunch atheist—ah, those were days too embarrassing to recall.
Hualan, ever carefree and cheerful, laughed heartily. "When it comes to gods and buddhas, belief should be in moderation—don’t twist everything around it. Since your husband doesn’t want you involved, you should gladly step back. You’re not actually thinking of bringing that boy into the manor, are you?!"
"Absolutely not," Minglan declared firmly, lifting her head like a mother hen protecting her chicks and candidly mocking herself. "Pity is one thing, but a mother must protect her own flesh and blood first. If anyone dares harm or threaten my child, I’ll fight them to the death!"
Hualan pinched her sister’s cheek and grinned. "That’s more like it!"
Gazing at her elder sister’s bright, forgiving smile, Minglan sighed inwardly at her own unnecessary worries and changed the subject. "I heard Third Sister-in-law is pregnant. I sent some of her favorite dried fish the other day—I wonder how she’s been feeling lately."
Since Madam Wang returned to her hometown to serve her sentence, Hualan had often visited to assist Madam Liu, who had just taken over the household and might find it challenging. Smiling, she replied, "Your sister-in-law is blessed—she’s having a smooth pregnancy this time, eating and sleeping well, carrying on as usual."
As they spoke, Xiaotao brought in a bowl of freshly stir-fried garlicky green beans from the kitchen. Hualan frowned, covered her nose, and gagged slightly once more.Minglan frowned, "But these are all your usual favorites, how could you..." They had already replaced a plate of milk custard red bean rolls and candied honey apples, as Hualan felt nauseated by each scent, forcing the kitchen to hastily prepare new pastries.
Noticing Hualan’s slightly fuller figure, Minglan teased with a playful glint in her eyes, "Sister, could it be that you’re also...?"
Hualan abruptly stopped what she was doing and laughed, scolding, "Nonsense! At my age?" After years without any signs and with advancing age, she had long given up such hopes.
Though she said so, women having children in middle age wasn’t unheard of. Fearing any mishap, Minglan immediately arranged for the Marquis’s luxurious three-horse carriage with a soft gold-lacquered canopy to escort Hualan home. Within half a day, the Yuan residence sent word: Second Madam was indeed pregnant.
The messenger, Cuichan, clapped her hands joyfully, "Second Madam didn’t believe it at first. Only after two physicians confirmed the pregnancy pulse did she accept it. Second Master is overjoyed—like a hawk tethered by a yellow oriole’s leg, he now sticks to her side, refusing even to go beyond the pass."
Yuanwenshao had set his sights on a plot of land beyond the pass to develop into a horse pasture and had already requested leave from his superior. Now, with his beloved wife pregnant and the physician emphasizing caution due to her age, Yuanwenshao resolved to stay put.
"Your official duties matter most. You have great ambitions—don’t worry about me," Hualan insisted.
But Yuanwenshao, with the flair of a Hong Kong drama hero, declared, "Money can never all be earned. What truly matters is our family’s harmony and peace. You safely delivering our child is worth more than a mountain of gold."
Hualan blushed shyly, her luminous eyes gazing at him tenderly, while Yuanwenshao returned the affectionate stare. This sincere display of emotion between the middle-aged couple, whose combined age exceeded seventy, was almost overwhelming. They frequently leaned close, whispering intimately, making Cui Mama—who had gone to deliver gifts on Minglan’s behalf—utterly cringe.
“No wonder Sister Fang used to say that Madam couldn’t stand the eldest young lady and her husband,” Cui Mama mused, feeling she had misjudged Madam Wang.
Minglan collapsed onto the kang, clutching her stomach with laughter, the gloom of recent days completely dispelled.
A few days later, Tu Hu returned from outside the city with over forty militiamen, and Minglan busied herself again—arranging their lodging and meals in the outer compound, discussing with Tu Hu how to organize shifts for patrols and assign guards to various gates, walls, and courtyards.
Once internal affairs were settled, external intelligence gathering continued: many suspicious individuals had indeed arrived in the capital, clustering in groups before vanishing without a trace. Liu Zhengjie grew increasingly frustrated but had no leads. Shi Xiaodi was also annoyed—his and Xiaotao’s favorite bun stall had closed after the elderly couple, citing unsettled conditions, fled to their children in the countryside.
The Tingdi couple of the fourth branch were busy reorganizing their shops, gradually reviving their business. The first wife of the fifth branch’s Gu Tingxuan was occupied with seeking a bride for her eldest son, receiving enthusiastic responses from the Fu family. The Grand Old Madam remained largely secluded, likely scheming in secret. Third Master Gu continued his occasional outings for drinks and opera. Madam Yu Fang still visited Tingwei’s residence frequently. Master Liang persisted in playing the meek grandson—no, filial son...
Amidst these mixed joys and worries, the political awareness and decision-making skills of a minor court clerk only sufficed to have Minglan order the servants to reinforce gate security, unable to discern the underlying truths from surface phenomena.The weather was gradually warming, and within just half a month, her belly swelled up as if inflated. Several elderly maids said the due date was approaching. Before Minglan could grow accustomed to her heavy frame, Ruomei went into labor first.
Fortunately, the midwife and wet nurse had been prepared in advance. Spreading bedding, boiling water, sterilizing scissors—each task proceeded methodically. Minglan personally took charge in the main hall of Gongsun’s courtyard, and no one dared slack off.
From noon until the moon rose above the treetops, Ruomei’s agonized cries echoed intermittently. It was only when Minglan woke from her second nap on the soft couch that someone came to report Ruomei had given birth—to an exceptionally plump and sturdy baby boy.
Minglan wiped her drool, mustered her energy, and went to console the new mother. She saw the wet nurse sitting by the bed, holding a swaddling cloth embroidered with golden peonies on red satin. Though Ruomei’s face was pale, she was overjoyed, her eyes fixed unwaveringly on the infant in the swaddle.
Minglan leaned in for a closer look. Hmm, indeed robust—especially that notoriously daunting large head, a perfect replica of Gongsun Laotou’s unmistakable trait. Sitting beside Ruomei, she said gently, “The child is well and bears a strong resemblance to the master. You now have lifelong security.”
From excessive screaming, Ruomei’s voice was hoarse. Clutching Minglan’s sleeve, she looked up urgently, “When the master returns, please put in a good word for me. Tell him I risked my life to bear this son. Could… could I raise him myself?”
Minglan fell silent for a moment, then sighed, “I will speak on your behalf, but this is ultimately the master’s family matter. The final decision rests with him and his wife.” She added, “When you first decided to become his concubine, I warned you about this.”
With that, she gently withdrew her hand and, ignoring Ruomei’s tearful expression, turned and left, supported by Xiaotao.
During Ruomei’s postpartum confinement, Minglan did not visit again, instructing Liao Yong’s wife to provide extra care and ensure all daily necessities were attended to without neglect.
On the third-day bathing ceremony, Minglan had the maids set up two tables in Gongsun’s courtyard, inviting maids and elderly servants who were friendly with Ruomei to join the celebration and offer comfort. She hoped to lift Ruomei’s spirits, fearing her constant gloom and sighs would affect her postpartum recovery.
The day after the ceremony, a swift dispatch from the Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu shocked the court—
The son of the Jie Barbarians’ Left Guli Prince ambushed Shen Congxing’s army on the Qingshi River Plain in an attempt to rescue his father. Due to their recent major victory, Shen’s forces were burdened with excessive supplies, stretching their formation too long. Most commanders, complacent and unprepared, were caught off guard. The army was split into three or four segments by the lightning-fast Jie cavalry, while another surprise force struck the central command tent, killing key officers and rescuing the Left Guli Prince. Shen Congxing was severely wounded, and the army fell into chaos, with countless officers and soldiers dead or injured. General Duan Chengqian temporarily took command of the troops.
In another report, Marshal Bo Tianzhou had recently fallen from his horse and was now unconscious. His trusted General Fu and veteran General Gan jointly assumed command of the central army.
As for Zhang Gu’s army, which had been the subject of widespread rumors—having advanced deep into the grasslands—there was still no clear news. Whether the army had been defeated or annihilated remained uncertain.
Minglan counted on her fingers. Based on the courier’s schedule, Shen Congxing likely suffered the ambush shortly after his great victory, around the same time Marshal Bo fell gravely from his horse. As for her dear husband’s exact whereabouts, the mystery persisted.When the news arrived, the emperor was both enraged and deeply troubled. According to Old Master Sheng's account, compared to when the news of Zhang Gu's military defeat had come, this time he seemed genuinely frantic. Both the Empress and Little Shen wept until they fainted, while Zhang Shi, lagging half a step behind, "fell gravely ill from worry" half a day later—likely to align with public sentiment.
Old Lady Bo claimed to be so heartbroken she feared for her life, deciding to recuperate at a manor in the outskirts of the capital. Hearing this, Minglan couldn't help but mutter: "You've been a military wife for over fifty years—shouldn't you be numb to this by now? What's there to grieve?"
That year, Old Marshal Bo contracted a severe cold, and even the imperial physicians said it was critical. Old Madame Bo calmly patted her husband's quilt and said, "You go first, no need to wait for me. I'll find you."
Old Marshal Bo flew into a rage, roaring, "You heartless woman, I refuse to die just to spite you!" After this outburst of temper, his illness actually improved.
—When Gu Tingye recounted this story, he actually wore a look of yearning.
Military officials vied to submit memorials requesting reinforcements for the front lines, fearing to fall behind their peers. Civil officials submitted memorials like rain—some impeaching several generals for negligence and dereliction of duty, urging the emperor to punish them severely; others requesting the recall of the severely wounded Bo and Shen to the capital for further deliberation. Teahouses and taverns were abuzz with discussions, some cursing Shen, Zhang, and Gu for incompetence, others quietly criticizing the emperor for poor judgment in appointments and reckless military deployment—the capital was suddenly plunged into a peculiar cacophony.
Minglan remained silent.
In the following days, she felt extremely fatigued, too listless even to play with her son. She could only sit and watch Xianjie patiently and gently teaching the chubby toddler to speak, while Rong Jie'er sat quietly nearby, her eyes filled with both loss and longing.
Waking up this day, Xiaotao helped her sit up slowly. Cuiwei entered carrying a steaming copper basin, smiling as she wet a towel. "I went to see Ruomei this morning. She looks much better, and the young master is plump and sturdy. Two wet nurses aren't enough to feed him!"
Minglan struggled to push herself up by the bed edge, draped a cotton-padded jacket with ink-splash floral patterns over her shoulders, and slowly walked to the window. Cracking it open slightly, she reached out her hand, where fine raindrops landed on her knuckles. The drizzle, carried by a late spring chill, felt cool and refreshing.
"It's a bit cold outside today, Madam. You should wear more," Cuiwei said, wringing out the towel.
Minglan muttered, "I hate rainy days." Her eyes shifted mischievously as she added shamelessly, "Might as well sleep a little longer." With that, she shifted her bulky body, waddling like a plump penguin with splayed feet back toward the bed.
Cuiwei was both exasperated and amused, pressing the warm, damp towel into her hands. "You can sleep more, Madam, but at least wash your face and hands and have some porridge first. You may not be hungry, but the little one in your belly needs to eat."
Minglan slowly wiped her hands and returned the towel. Just as she was about to say, "Today I feel like having milk-scented steamed buns," Lüzhi suddenly rushed in frantically from outside—"Madam, Madam! Someone from the palace has come, saying they need to summon you to the palace!"
With a soft plop, the towel in Cuiwei's hand fell into the basin, splashing tiny droplets that landed on the crimson thick-pile carpet, staining it with dark, ink-like ominous spots.
Xiaotao remained the calmest, simply because she hadn't processed what was amiss about the situation. Minglan said firmly, "Help me change clothes."
Lüzhi stepped closer. "Madam, what about outside..."
Minglan collected herself and first asked, "Is it an Imperial Edict or an oral decree?"
Lüzhi looked confused for a moment, then after a quick thought, replied immediately, "It should be an oral decree, because Sister Liao didn't instruct us to set up the incense table." Having received imperial edicts or rewards multiple times at the Gu residence, the senior maids were well-versed in the procedures.
Minglan, no longer drowsy or lazy, spoke succinctly and decisively: "Tell Hao Guanshi to entertain the envoys in the front hall with tea and have them wait. Say that I haven't gotten up yet due to recent discomfort and am currently washing up and dressing."
Lüzhi acknowledged and was about to leave when Minglan called her back, instructing, "You and Xiahe, with your sharp eyes, go to the front and identify whether the ones delivering the decree are the female officials or palace maids from the Empress's side, or if it's Xia Gonggong and his group."Lüzhi, sharp and clever, sensed the urgency of the matter. After responding, she swiftly dashed out.
Minglan took a deep breath, stood straight, and spread her arms to let others dress and style her hair. Xiaotao struggled to put shoes on Minglan’s feet, while Cuiwei, tying the inner garment’s sash with trembling hands, said anxiously, "Madam is so far along in her pregnancy—she could go into labor at any moment. Why would the palace summon you now? If something were to go wrong..." Would she end up giving birth in the palace?
Beads of sweat formed on her forehead. "Could it be that the Marquis..." has suffered a defeat, and the family is to be punished?
Minglan shook her head slowly. "Let’s not frighten ourselves just yet."
The Empress, though often unreliable in some ways, was genuinely kind and gentle-hearted. Last time, because Minglan was pregnant with her chubby baby, the Empress had exempted her from the New Year’s Day court greetings. If there were no urgent matter, the Empress would never summon her at such a time.
But if there were something important, shouldn’t Little Shen have given a hint in advance?
Unless it was to deliver a judgment of guilt.
Yet in matters of military and state affairs, what role would the Empress play? In cases of defeat and family punishment, a single decree would suffice—why send palace attendants to deliver an oral command? Besides, Liu Zhengjie had sent no news at all. Unless it was the Emperor...
Once dressed in the ceremonial robes of the Imperial Mandate, Xiaotao helped Minglan turn before the mirror. Cuiwei carefully brought out the pearl crown, intending to place it on Minglan’s head, but Minglan gently waved her hand. "This thing is quite heavy. Hold onto it for now."
Just then, a drum-like patter of footsteps sounded from outside as Lüzhi and Xiahe rushed in, panting. "Hao Guanshi has managed to keep the imperial envoys calm. Xiahe and I observed them carefully from behind the screen. The leaders are a eunuch and a palace matron, claiming to be sent by the Empress’s order. But none of them or the people behind them are familiar to us!"
Minglan frowned deeply. The situation felt strange—she knew most of the prominent palace matrons and eunuchs around the Empress.
Cui Mama entered from outside and whispered, "The sedan chair is ready, Madam. You..."
Seeing the old woman’s worried expression, Minglan reassured her, "Don’t fret, Mama. In all my years, when have you ever seen me come to harm?"
Slightly comforted, Cui Mama assisted Minglan as she slowly walked out of Jiaxi Residence. Minglan stepped into the sedan chair and, braving the cool drizzle, the procession made its way to the front hall of the outer courtyard. Quietly bypassing the main entrance of the central hall, Minglan alighted and took a side path. Supported by Lüzhi and Xiaotao, she entered the main hall from the rear. Through the sixteen-panel vermilion lattice screen, she could faintly see Hao Guanshi flattering the imperial envoys upfront, urging them to partake of tea and refreshments.
As Lüzhi had mentioned, Hao Guanshi had already discreetly passed them a considerable sum of silver, which was why he could keep them so composed.
Minglan moved closer to the lattice screen, peering carefully through the openings. From the broad-faced eunuch to the gaunt, middle-aged palace matron, and even the row of junior attendants behind them—she truly recognized none of them. Could someone be forging an imperial decree?
As she pondered fruitlessly, Cui Mama approached quietly and whispered in her ear, "I had a few seamstresses take a look. The clothing, accessories, and insignia these people wear are undoubtedly from the palace."
Minglan frowned again, lost in thought for a moment. She then called Xiaotao over and murmured a few instructions before looking up and saying softly, "Just say that, and Hao Guanshi will understand."
Xiaotao immediately hurried out. Shortly after, Gu Quan strode into the front hall, leaned close to Hao Dacheng, and whispered, "The Madam is behind the lattice screen. These palace attendants may be impostors. Test them by asking if Palace Matron Han, who serves the Empress, has recovered from her cough."Hao Dacheng, ever astute, cast a discreet glance behind them before smiling and cupping his hands in salute. "Eunuch Chen, Attendant Huang," he said, "Her Majesty has sent numerous edicts and gifts to our household over the years, yet we've never had the pleasure of meeting you two. With so many esteemed figures in the palace, it's no surprise we haven't made your acquaintance."
The eunuch's expression shifted briefly before he chuckled. "The palace employs many hands—one today, another tomorrow. The Ningyuan Marquis Household is known for its generosity, and delivering edicts here is a coveted assignment. Plenty would jump at the chance."
Hao Dacheng humbly demurred, then turned an ingratiating smile toward the female official. "Attendant Huang, I have an impertinent request. Before our lady arrives, might I trouble you to pass a message to Palace Commandant Han in Her Majesty's service? I've recently acquired some excellent loquat syrup and wonder when it might be delivered. With the weather turning unpredictable these days, if the commandant's cough acts up again, it would be a grave concern."
The female official remained unmoved, her gaze sharp as a cold bolt of lightning. "Her Majesty has only two palace commandants—one surnamed Liu, the other Wu. There has never been a Commandant Han! Cease your tricks and summon the Marquess of Ningyuan's wife at once. If you delay this important matter, do you think your entire Gu family can afford the consequences?"
At these words, Minglan's taut nerves slackened as if unbound. Her legs weakened, nearly causing her to stumble. Leaning on Xiaotao, she slowly moved away from the partition, sat down, wiped cold sweat from her brow, and let out a long, relieved sigh.
It was true that there was no Commandant Han among the Empress's attendants, but there was a trusted Supervisor Han. The current Commandant Liu was growing increasingly frail and nearing retirement, and the Empress intended for Han to succeed her. Thus, since the start of the year, junior maids and eunuchs had already begun addressing her as Commandant Han.
Naturally, such matters were known among subordinates but not necessarily by those in higher positions. How could Attendant Huang, a mere minor official of the fifth rank, be unaware? How dare she show such disrespect?
Unless—she wasn't from the Empress's palace at all! Then that meant... Minglan narrowed her eyes slightly.
Gu Quan hurried into the front hall with another message. Hao Dacheng, who had been apologizing and flattering profusely, brightened upon hearing the whispered words. He turned with a hearty laugh and declared loudly, "Esteemed envoys, I am but an ignorant man. They say fabricating an edict from nothing is forgery, but what of falsely claiming the authority of the one issuing the decree? Does that not also constitute forgery?"
The two envoys paled dramatically. The eunuch slammed the table, his voice shrill. "How dare you slander us so brazenly!" The female official added venomously, "They say the Marquess of Ningyuan is all-powerful outside, and now we see it's true—he even scorns the words of the palace! If he dares defy an edict today, he'll be plotting rebellion tomorrow!"
"No need to burden us with such grave accusations," Hao Dacheng replied cheerfully. As a man of standing in his own right, he was not one to be easily intimidated. "Our household is no obscure, ignorant family. Given the friendship between Lady Zheng Xiao and our lady, we are well aware of who serves in Her Majesty's inner circle."
The two exchanged glances. Suddenly, the eunuch forced a smile. "Steward Hao, you have a sharp eye. Indeed, we are not from the Empress's palace. However, this edict truly comes from Her Majesty. With the recent busyness in the palace, she dispatched us to handle the matter."Hao Dacheng smiled and asked which palace they were from, but the two hesitated and couldn't give a clear answer, merely claiming to be ordinary palace attendants. Hao Dacheng immediately dropped his smile: "You two are looking down on me too much! Even if I were as foolish as a pig, I wouldn't believe such words! The rules in the palace are even stricter than those in officials' households. For such a large group to leave the palace, there must be an exit token. Speaking disrespectfully, no matter how generous and tolerant Empress is, she wouldn't casually hand over her palace token to others."
Seeing that Hao Dacheng was not easily fooled, the eunuch grew anxious. At that moment, the female official suddenly said, "We are from Empress Dowager Sheng'an's palace. The Dowager's rank is even higher than the Empress's. Surely you can rest assured now."
Hao Dacheng coldly replied, "How can I rest assured? You keep changing your story. With the Marquis currently away, we must be extra cautious in protecting the Lady. How can we hand her over to unclear individuals?"
"What do you want?! Are you defying an imperial decree?!" the eunuch snapped, his voice shrill with urgency.
"I just need to know whether you two are truly from the palace," Hao Dacheng said leisurely.
The female official stared coldly, slowly drawing a black token threaded with gold from her sleeve and slapping it on the table. Hao Dacheng leaned in to look—it was indeed an imperial palace pass. Unfortunately, the female official quickly retrieved it before he could see the serial number engraved beneath it.
The female official said, "We are indeed from the palace. Everyone in the palace is a master. Inviting the Lady of Marquis Gu to come along shouldn't be considered an imposition, should it?"
Hao Dacheng stroked his beard and was about to speak when he heard a commotion outside. A young maid stumbled in, crying out, "The Lady is in severe abdominal pain and has seen blood! She asks you to summon a physician at once!"
Hao Dacheng's mind raced, and he immediately adopted a "panicked" expression, elongating his tone as he cried out loudly, "Oh—no! This is terrible! The physician recently said the Lady's pregnancy was unstable, and now something has happened!"
He then turned to a servant beside him and scolded, "You fool, what are you standing there for? Go fetch a physician—now!"
The servant scurried out as if rolling on the ground. Hao Dacheng turned back and apologized with a smile: "As you see, our Lady is due to give birth any day now, so it's hard to say when... Alas, it seems she cannot enter the palace."
The female official and eunuch looked extremely displeased and were about to issue threats when Hao Dacheng turned to the messenger maid and said, "Quickly go back and tell the Lady that the physician will arrive shortly. Please urge her to hold on! She mustn't worry about entering the palace. I'm sure the masters in the palace are benevolent and kind—they wouldn’t deliberately endanger the lives of the Lady and her child!"
The little maid, as if terrified, wiped the tears from her face and darted out. She ran all the way to Jiaxi Residence, and by the time she entered the inner room, not a trace of fear or distress remained on her face. She said playfully and proudly, "Sister Xiaotao wanted to rub onion on me, but I said it wasn't necessary. My crying just now was so convincing—I fooled everyone!"
"Stop showing off, little girl! Tell us, what happened?" Lüzhi pulled her into the room, pressing for answers.
Cuixiu, following Xiaotao's lead, replied with feigned simplicity, "Nothing much. I finished speaking and came out. Oh, and Steward Hao said the physician would be here soon."
Lüzhi stamped her foot in frustration—who was asking about the physician!Minglan chuckled helplessly, "Why are you shouting at her? We sent her to put on a show, and she returned after finishing." Lüzhi glared at Little Cuixiu, then sighed in resignation before leading her out for some fruit.
Cui Mama and Cuiwei helped Minglan remove her padded coat, loosen her hair bun, and take off her shoes and socks. After much fussing, Minglan finally lay down on the bed, feeling sore all over with cramps in her calves.
As Cuiwei gathered the Imperial Mandate attire to take to the back for ironing and tidying, Cui Mama turned back, "Madam, is... is this really alright? After all, that is the Empress Dowager."
Rubbing her temples, Minglan replied softly, "She is indeed an Empress Dowager, but not Sheng'an Taihou—rather, Shengde Taihou." One was the biological mother, while the other... couldn't even be considered a stepmother.
Cui Mama gasped in surprise, "Ah, it's Shengde Taihou! We've never had any grudge against her, so why is she troubling you, Madam?"
"Exactly, everyone knows she's making things difficult for me. If that old woman wants to toy with someone and orders me to stand for two hours or kneel for half an hour, even if the Emperor and Empress come to rescue me, it could still end badly. Life is precious, safety comes first. So, even if this decree is genuine, I cannot obey. At worst, we'll argue it out before the Emperor later. In any case, we must not suffer this immediate loss..."
As Minglan muttered to herself, she suddenly saw Xiaotao run in with flushed cheeks, followed by an anxious Lüzhi, who twisted Xiaotao's arm and pressed urgently, "You were guarding outside for so long—tell us quickly!"
Xiaotao shook off Lüzhi's grip, glaring, "It hurts, let go! Listen to me!"
After catching her breath, she leaned close to Minglan and reported, "Steward Hao has now sent those people away. Madam, you wouldn't believe it—those two were furious earlier, slamming the table and cursing, even accusing our marquis residence of rebellion, insisting you come out! I was terrified, but Steward Hao seemed to grow bolder the more they argued. In the end, those two had no choice; they couldn't just charge in and fight, so they left."
A smile tugged at Minglan's lips as she asked for details about how the eunuch and court lady had lost their tempers and made threats. Xiaotao recounted everything, and finally, Minglan praised, "Steward Hao is perceptive. There's definitely something fishy about this decree."
Eunuchs sent to announce decrees at officials' homes usually acted arrogantly, looking down on everyone. If any family dared defy the decree, they wouldn't argue much—just sneer a few times and report back to the Emperor and Empress to lodge a severe accusation.
But today's two were frantic, as if they absolutely had to take her away.
"They were so angry; before leaving, they said we'd regret this," Xiaotao added as a final note.
Minglan snorted disdainfully, "Let them wait and see!"
Only the Emperor commanded the imperial guards and forbidden army, with the authority to arrest criminals, confiscate property, and conduct trials. If the decree were legitimate, Shengde Taihou would still need to petition the Emperor first, as the inner palace itself held no military power.
But if the decree was fake... hehehe...
—Ah, wait a minute!The smile froze on her face. Suddenly, alarm bells rang in Minglan's mind. She abruptly sat up from the bed, pounded the pillow forcefully, and exclaimed, "Oh no! Oh no! Quickly, Xiaotao, Lüzhi, go find Steward Hao immediately! Tell him to send trusted aides to first find Lord Liu Zhengjie and inform him of this matter. Then visit each household and warn them not to enter the palace!"
"Which households?" Xiaotao was startled, and Lüzhi also stared blankly.
"General Duan's residence, Uncle Shen's residence, the Duke of Ying's mansion, and the Bo, Zhong, Geng, Fu, and Zheng families... Start with these. I'll mention others if I recall more later. Go quickly, hurry!" Minglan urged anxiously, repeatedly patting the bed.
The two maids promptly acknowledged and rushed out.
Seeing Minglan's panicked expression, Cui Mama asked in a trembling voice, "Madam, what's wrong?"
Minglan's expression turned grave as she slowly replied, "Cui Mama, do you remember the 'Shenchen Rebellion' from that year? Many noblewomen were also deceived into entering the palace then."
Cui Mama's eyes widened instantly, and she cried out in disbelief, "Surely not!"
"I hope I'm overthinking it."
Exhausted, Minglan leaned against the headboard, her arms tightly wrapped around her abdomen, palms pressed against her belly, quietly feeling the rhythmic fetal movements.
—This time, the baby in her womb was very well-behaved. Unlike when she carried Fat Tuanzi, who would kick and move restlessly, this one only moved twice in protest when uncomfortable. It would likely grow into a quiet and sensible child.
She only hoped that by the time this child was born, the world would be at peace, free from turmoil and disturbances.
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