Despite her mind being filled with questions, overwhelming exhaustion took over. Minglan buried herself in the soft, warm bedding and fell asleep instantly, this time without any dreams. Tuan Ge'er nestled against her, whimpering softly before he too drifted into slumber, tear stains still visible on his little face. In his deep sleep, his tiny fingers unconsciously clung to his mother's sleeve.
The mother and son slept like the dead, only waking at noon—the auspicious hour when the market square officially opened for business.
Tuan Ge'er seemed to have matured overnight. After waking, he neither cried nor fussed, obediently eating each bite Cuiwei fed him. However, he clung tightly to Minglan, eyeing anyone who tried to hold him with suspicion, his small hands firmly gripping his mother's clothes. But with countless matters awaiting her attention in the estate, Minglan had no choice but to coax the chubby child: "Shall we go see your sister? Her hand hurts badly. How about you go help blow on it to make it better?"
The little one blinked his clear, bright eyes, hesitated briefly, then nodded obediently and allowed Cuiwei to carry him to the side chamber where Rong Jie'er was resting. Immediately afterward, stewards hurried forward in an orderly line, quietly waiting under the corridor before taking turns to report various matters.
The night of chaos and half a night of fire had resulted in significant losses.
The old residence was nearly seventy to eighty percent destroyed, though fortunately, the ancestral hall remained unscathed. Minglan thought the Gu ancestors had shown foresight by building it in a secluded, shaded area. Unfortunately, the other side hadn't been as lucky—the entire mountain forest was reduced to ashes. It was lamentable: the red plum blossoms that had just begun to bloom, the peach grove bearing young, vibrant fruits, and the rows of elegant flowering trees transplanted at great expense—all had turned to charred wood.
While searching the forest, several charred corpses were discovered. Minglan, already distressed over the innocent deer and cranes burned to death, irritably ordered them wrapped in old straw mats. These, along with the bandits' corpses left outside the gate, were sent to the Shuntian Prefecture office.
Aside from these two areas, the rest of Clear Garden suffered little damage—if one disregarded the half-collapsed stove Granny Ge had accidentally destroyed in her panic.
No matter how severe the damage to buildings and forests, they were ultimately inanimate objects and could eventually be restored. The real tragedy lay elsewhere.
After a detailed inventory, it was found that the estate's servants and guards had suffered thirty-two casualties during the night: fourteen minor injuries, nine severe injuries, and the rest... had passed on to the afterlife. Minglan sighed deeply, instructing Hao Dacheng to arrange dignified burials for the deceased and provide generous compensation to their families and the injured.
As Minglan dictated each amount, Xiahe recorded it in the ledger, while Lüzhi's abacus clacked noisily beside her, her face even grimmer than Minglan's—a rough estimate showed that compensation alone would cost over ten thousand taels!
By the time all the stewards had finished reporting and filed out, Lüzhi's complexion had turned as green as watermelon rind. Minglan had no choice but to comfort her while reassuring herself: "...Think carefully. If no one had fought desperately last night, we'd be ghosts by now! Now that the storm has passed and the sky is clear, we must not forget those who dug the well when we drink water. We mustn't let our subordinates lose heart."
Lüzhi nodded reluctantly.
Even so, factoring in the future costs of rebuilding the residence, the savings Minglan had diligently accumulated over years of careful household management would be nearly halved—Damn it! It truly was as Brother Bohu said: "The wind blows the eggshell away, wealth departs and people find peace!"
Minglan clutched her chest, heart aching for a long while before she could recover. Before she could catch her breath, she noticed the sun dipping westward. Suddenly, word came from outside that the British Duke's residence had sent a messenger.
"The Zhang family wasn't attacked by bandits last night?" Minglan exclaimed upon hearing the news, both shocked and suspicious.The reporting maidservant stood by the door and announced clearly, "Indeed. The Zhang residence was peaceful throughout the night yesterday, so Madam Zhang hadn’t anticipated the situation at our mansion. As soon as she heard the news this morning, she promptly sent someone to inquire after your well-being."
Minglan then asked, "And what about the State Duke’s residence?"
The maidservant replied, "The messenger said that the curfew is still in effect outside, and communication is cut off. The details... remain unclear."
Minglan fell silent for a long while. The question that had lingered in her heart all night now surfaced with an increasingly clear answer.
Afterward, she summoned several stewards from the outer courtyard for further inquiries and continued managing household affairs. Tu Long, looking exhausted, reported that the mansion had been thoroughly cleaned, and no trace of the bandits remained outside the front and back gates. Hao Dacheng and Liao Yong’s wife had already assigned servants and laborers to tidy and restore the courtyards and rooms... It took another hour or so before Minglan finally had a moment to herself. Remembering Rong Jie’er, she quickly rose and, with support, went to the side chamber to check on her.
Just as she was about to step out, she saw Xiaotao scurrying back from outside, her lips sweetly curved and her face wearing an annoyingly blissful expression. Minglan halted, slanting her eyes, and drawled, "Back already—? How is Second Young Master Shi’s injury?"
Xiaotao replied with half-witted innocence, "Injury? Oh... Brother Stone only suffered a few cuts on his skin. Uncle Tu said it’s nothing serious."
Minglan retorted sarcastically, "Then why did it take you so long to return?" The mistress had already woken up and finished managing affairs, yet her personal maid was nowhere to be seen.
Xiaotao said sheepishly, "Brother Stone said... he said last night was truly terrifying, with blood splattering everywhere and dead bodies lying at both the front and back gates. The thought of it makes his heart pound, and he’s too scared to close his eyes and sleep!"
Lüzhi, who was still inside diligently checking accounts with her brush, shuddered upon hearing this, nearly plunging headfirst into the inkstone. Xiahe, who was supporting Minglan, visibly swayed, biting her lip and restraining herself repeatedly before finally blurting out, "And you believed that?"
Xiaotao blinked blankly, "Why would Brother Stone lie to me?"
Xiahe, without thinking, blurted out, "He wasn’t afraid to wield a sword and kill—why would he be scared of nightmares! He was tricking you. He likes you and wanted to spend more time with you!"
Xiaotao’s face instantly flushed pink. With her sturdy, plump arm, she "gently" shoved Xiahe and cooed in feigned annoyance, "Oh, what’s all this about liking or not... You’re so annoying!" Then, turning to Minglan with shy embarrassment, she said, "Madam, I’ll go help Lüzhi." With that, she waddled her round little body into the room.
Xiahe stumbled from the push, nearly banging her forehead against the doorframe. Minglan kindly steadied her and said sympathetically, "Don’t argue with that girl, and don’t bring up that Shi lad. You’ll only end up frustrated."
That pair—one fearless in her ignorance, the other shamelessly thick-skinned—were a match made in heaven, as if struck by lightning. Minglan pondered further and thought she might as well write to the Shi couple later. Once the child in her womb was born, they could begin preparing for the wedding.
Thinking of Xiaotao’s impending distant marriage to Jianghuai, Minglan felt a pang of sorrow in her heart. She walked on silently with her head bowed and, after a few steps, arrived at the side chamber. Faint sounds of children’s laughter and chatter could be heard from within.
Turning left after stepping through the door and entering the inner room, she saw Rong Jie’er reclining against the headboard. On the inner side of the bed, Tuan Ge’er was curled up with his chubby legs clinging to his sister, while Xianjie’er sat on the edge of the bed. By the window, Madam Shao and Qiu Niang sat on either side of a small table. Cui Mama sat alone by the round ruyi table, gently blowing on a bowl of dark, murky medicine, with two small plum-blossom-shaped medicinal plasters still stuck to her forehead to disperse blood stasis.When Minglan entered, the expressions on everyone's faces varied. Qiu Niang rose with a smile to greet her, but Madam Shao sprang up even faster, leaping from her seat like a startled rabbit, her face a mask of panic and unease, as if she had just lost another husband. Minglan nodded to Qiu Niang and, without so much as a glance at Madam Shao, walked straight to the bedside.
Rong Jie'er had been frowning at the bitter medicine in Cui Mama's hands, but upon seeing Minglan, she brightened and said, "Mother, you're here..." and made to rise. Minglan hurried over to press her back down, saying gently, "What are you getting up for? Stay lying down." She then asked if the injury still hurt and if there was any other discomfort. Rong Jie'er shook her head, "After taking the doctor's medicine, it doesn't hurt at all."
Minglan's heart ached with pity, knowing that once the medicine wore off, the pain would surely intensify. She brushed aside the girl's thick bangs to examine the wound: about two or three inches behind her forehead, a patch of scalp was smeared with a pungent dark green ointment, with traces of gruesome, bloody flesh still visible beneath. She sighed, "Thank goodness you have such thick hair. If it were thinner, how could you ever cover the wound? Ah, with an injury like this, you won't be able to wear heavy gold and pearl hairpins for at least half a year—they'd pull painfully on your scalp."
Rong Jie'er touched her head and said breezily, "Xianjie said that I don't look good with a falling horse bun anyway, so I might as well always wear a proper topknot from now on. Besides, Mother just gave me a box of fresh silk palace flowers—it's no trouble." Her features were bold and dignified, and whenever she wore those soft, delicate styles of coiled buns, it always looked awkward.
Mention of Xianjie drew attention to her. Unlike her usual bright and clever self, she had kept her head lowered since Minglan entered, only lifting it slightly at these words to cast a cautious glance at Minglan.
Minglan reached out to gently stroke the girl's cheek and said kindly, "You two are as close as real sisters. With you here to comfort Rong Jie'er, I feel at ease."
Tears welled in Xianjie's eyes, her young face bearing a prematurely mature look of shame as she nodded softly. Madam Shao, standing nearby, opened her mouth to speak, but when she met Minglan's cold gaze, she immediately fell silent. She wanted to offer an apology, but found it difficult to speak in front of everyone in the room.
Minglan turned back and picked up Rong Jie'er's left hand, which was wrapped in bandages, examining it carefully. She had inspected the robber's dagger afterward—it was exceptionally sharp. Fortunately, the girl had a fierce temper; in her stubborn fury, she had clenched the blade tightly. If she had loosened her grip even slightly at that moment, the sharp edge would have slid and likely split her entire palm in two.
Even so, the blade had cut to the bone, splitting skin and flesh, a sight that made Minglan's heart race with fear. According to the doctor, even after the wound healed, her hand might never be as nimble as before.
"In a few days, once the curfew is lifted, I'll write to your tutor. Ah, at least it's your left hand that's injured—it won't hinder your writing much. But embroidery... what are we to do?" Large embroidery pieces required stretching over a frame, with one hand above and one below, both swiftly guiding the needle. "I'm afraid there's no way you can continue Madam Hong's lessons..."
Rong Jie'er brightened and blurted out, "Really? I don't have to study with Madam Hong anymore? Ouch..." Before she could finish, a finger poked her under the covers. Seeing Xianjie giving her a stern look, Rong Jie'er understood immediately and lowered her head, saying in a feeble tone, "I feel very sorry for wasting Madam's careful instruction."
Minglan, who had been filled with worry, couldn't help but chuckle at this scene.The facial expressions were stiff and unnatural, the tone awkwardly forced, with poorly coordinated movements—far from the effortless acting skills she had mastered in her youth. Back when the sisters used to compete, even the least skilled among them, Rulan, far surpassed these two girls, let alone Mulan and herself, who were practically seasoned performers. Was it true that competition truly bred improvement?
Seeing Minglan laughing at them, the two girls lowered their heads in embarrassment and frustration. Minglan chuckled and patted their little cheeks, saying, "Hmm, that's much better now, almost passable. Keep it up and show your teacher this expression later."
At her words, the entire room burst into laughter. Cui Mama paused her stirring of the cooling medicine and shook her head with a smile. Xianjie leaned against Rong Jie'er's shoulder in amusement, while the two girls covered their mouths and whispered to each other, giggling. Qiu Niang stepped forward and chimed in, "As expected, Madam knows best. Reading and accounting are no challenge for our young ladies—it's just those tedious needlework tasks that vex them!"
Minglan smiled faintly. "Embroidery is meant to cultivate one's temperament and showcase a woman's virtue and skill. Girls from families like ours don't necessarily need to master it to perfection—otherwise, what would professional embroiderers do?" Her words carried a tone of mature wisdom, and she felt quite pleased with herself. After a moment's thought, she added, "Forget about intricate embroidery, but they should at least learn some basic mending." Turning to Qiu Niang, she said, "You'll have to work harder and teach the girls carefully."
Rong Jie'er immediately nodded her head vigorously, like a rattle drum. Xianjie covered her mouth and teasingly poked Rong Jie'er's cheek, stifling a laugh. Qiu Niang quickly assured her, "Don't worry, Madam. This is my duty, after all." Strictly speaking, this wasn't entirely appropriate—a concubine's duty should be to serve the master and the principal wife. But by now, she had unconsciously shifted her role toward that of a nanny.
Minglan smiled slightly and then asked Cui Mama about the injury on her head. Cui Mama repeatedly insisted it was "nothing serious."
Qiu Niang, ever perceptive, noticed Minglan's lingering concern and volunteered, "After the physician prescribed medicine for Cui Mama, he said it doesn't seem serious for now, but he'll come back to check on her in a few days."
Minglan nodded. In her opinion, it would be best to get an X-ray for safety, but in this era, where could one find such a thing? She could only instruct Cui Mama to rest more.
Encouraged by the praise, Qiu Niang became even more enthusiastic and added, "I went to see Concubine Mei at noon today. She was sitting and nursing the little boy. Both mother and son looked in high spirits."
Minglan's face brightened. "That's good to hear. Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to explain it to Gongsun Xiansheng."
Last night's chaos had affected almost everyone—some were frightened, others suffered physical injuries. Yet, the ones who emerged completely unscathed were the usually unreliable Qiu Niang and Ruomei.
Since the two had moved to the side rooms in Madam Shao's courtyard, they had been extremely anxious and fearful.
The two maids attending to Ruomei had long received instructions from the mistress and were well aware of this delicate concubine's sensitive and fretful nature. Rather than risk her causing a disturbance, they quietly brewed a strong sedative tea and discreetly mixed it into her medicine.
Ruomei slept soundly until dawn, completely unaware of the fierce struggles that had taken place during the night. By the time she woke, the storm had passed. Not only did she feel refreshed and clear-headed, but her son was also sleeping peacefully in the wet nurse's arms, his little face flushed. Early in the morning, the mother and son energetically demanded to return to their own courtyard.
Minglan greatly praised the cleverness of these two maids and the wet nurse, rewarding each of them with ten taels of silver.As for Qiu Niang, she spent the night in her room feeling anxious. When Rong Jie’er went missing, she had wanted to go search for her but was stopped by an elderly maidservant.
“Has Concubine forgotten Madam’s orders again? Madam specifically told you that no matter what happens, you are not to leave the room. If the young lady is missing, the maids and servants will search for her. If you go too, and one person searches for another, everyone might get lost and make things worse!”
Having recently been disciplined by Minglan’s stern enforcement of rules, Qiu Niang feared the authority of the mistress and obediently stayed in her room, not daring to move about on her own. She simply strained her ears to listen to the commotion outside—the first half of the night was uneventful, but the latter half was lively.
The sounds of clashing blades and fighting echoed right at the courtyard gate, mingled with screams that reverberated in the deep night, frightening her so much that her legs nearly gave way and she almost lost control. She even considered jumping out the window to escape. But before she could muster the courage to open it, the intruders were swiftly dealt with by the guards stationed outside the courtyard.
Shortly afterward, the guards sent the elderly maidservants inside to report that all was safe. She and the other maids breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing the sky begin to lighten and feeling utterly exhausted, both mentally and physically, they each found a room to rest in. From start to finish, Qiu Niang had only been frightened in spirit—her body remained perfectly safe, as if she had merely listened to a terrifying ghost story.
“…Everyone says last night was dangerous, but we didn’t even catch a glimpse of what the intruders looked like.” By the end of her account, Qiu Niang wasn’t just flattering the mistress; she genuinely felt grateful for Minglan’s thorough protection. “Concubine Mei asked me to kowtow on her behalf to thank you, Madam. She said it was all thanks to your careful planning that she and her son remained safe and unharmed, without even a single hair out of place.”
She said this without any sarcastic intent, yet Madam Shao still felt a surge of shame, her face changing colors several times. Unable to hold back, she stepped forward and said, “…Sister-in-law… I, I… it was all my foolishness… I nearly implicated Tuan Ge’er…” As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she covered them with a handkerchief. “If anything had happened to him, I… I would truly have no face to see you…”
No face to see me?
Minglan sneered inwardly. Such a light and careless remark! If her son had truly been harmed, she would have wanted to tear Madam Shao apart!
“What fault is there with Eldest Sister-in-law? Human hearts are varied, and everyone has their own thoughts. It’s only natural that Eldest Sister-in-law didn’t trust me and wanted to find a hiding place on her own.” Her words were sharp and biting, making Xianjie lower her head in embarrassment.
Madam Shao grew increasingly anxious and repeatedly apologized. Minglan deliberately left her hanging for a while, curious to hear what else she might say. But Madam Shao was neither articulate nor profound, repeating only the same phrases: “I was foolish, it was my fault.” Her words lacked sincerity, and her tears were not convincingly pitiful. Even Xianjie shook her head inwardly, feeling that such an apology could never earn forgiveness.
After sobbing for a while, Madam Shao had assumed that her sister-in-law, known for her good temper, would give her a way to save face in front of everyone, even if she was still angry. But no matter how long she waited, Minglan did not offer any words of forgiveness. Instead, she coolly shifted the topic and turned to play with Tuan Ge’er, leaving Madam Shao standing awkwardly where she was.
Minglan could only sigh inwardly once again: the Sheng family truly produced remarkable talents.
If it were Consort Lin in this situation today, faced with such a self-incriminating scenario, she would undoubtedly have been able to cry from lamenting her own miserable fate all the way to the vastness of heaven and earth, painting a picture of having no one to rely on—thus leading her to make foolish mistakes. She would have spoken so movingly that listeners would be heartbroken and onlookers would shed tears, pitying her unfortunate fate and willingness to become a concubine, until everyone forgot all about her wrongdoing.Shaking her head inwardly, Minglan wasted no more time. After giving Rong Jie'er a few more instructions, she turned to Madam Shao and said, "There's something I originally planned to discuss in a few days. But since Eldest Sister-in-law seems to be in better spirits now, we might as well settle it today."
Madam Shao's heart raced as she forced a smile. "Wh-what matter...?"
"What else could it be? Concubine Ren, of course." Minglan rose slowly, turning around. "She led the thieves all over the garden—so many eyes witnessed it. There must be an accounting for this."
With these words, she leaned on Xiahe and led the way out of the room. Madam Shao turned deathly pale, swaying unsteadily, almost reluctant to go. Xiazhu, who had been waiting nearby, hurried forward to support Madam Shao's arm, half-guiding and half-dragging her along.
The group made their way to the rear Veranda, exiting Jiaxi Residence through a side door. They followed a pebble-paved path heading north. Minglan, holding her belly, walked slowly and unsteadily. Madam Shao didn't dare urge her on, enduring the pace as she followed closely behind.
Though they hadn't walked far, Madam Shao felt as if an eternity had passed, breaking out in a cold sweat. The group arrived at the westernmost room in the rear row of houses. Inside, there were few furnishings—just a round Ruyi table with three or four stools beside it. By the window stood an enormous flowerpot, its soil dry and plants withered, clearly unattended for a long time.
Xiahe said softly, "We only had time for a quick cleaning in such haste. Please don't mind the simplicity, Madam."
Minglan looked around, noting the clean windows and spotless floor, and nodded with satisfaction. "We'll only be here a short while—no need to go to any trouble. This is perfectly fine." As she sat down at the round table, she added, "No dawdling. Bring them in quickly."
Xiahe acknowledged and left. Seeing this, Xiazhu shoved Madam Shao onto a stool before hurrying around the table to attend to Minglan.
Before long, Xiahe returned, followed by three groups: first came Tu Hu, then two guards escorting a woman with bound hands and feet, and finally two matrons dragging a tightly bound maid. The guards threw the woman to the ground, then stood alert on either side with arms crossed. The matrons followed suit, tossing the maid in front of Minglan.
Madam Shao looked down and saw that the woman on the ground was plump in figure, with one of her lovely almond-shaped eyes bruised, her appearance disheveled, hair in disarray, and clothes stained with mud. It was none other than Concubine Ren.
As for the other figure rolling on the ground, it was naturally Bisi.
Clutching her chest, Madam Shao remained startled and uncertain, but then she heard Minglan say with a slight smile, "Master Tu the Second has been working hard since last night and should be resting. This matter could have been handled by others—why trouble yourself to come?"
Tu Hu laughed. "The outside has been cleared up. Once we deal with this, everyone can rest easy." As he spoke, he bent down and pulled the cloth gag from the woman's mouth. "Madam, you may question her now!"
Bisi was also gagged, able only to emit muffled whimpers as she looked up at Minglan with pleading eyes.
Ignoring her, Minglan turned to Madam Shao with a smile. "What is there for me to ask? This is Eldest Sister-in-law's close confidante. You should be the one to question her."
Madam Shao's face flushed with heat. Not daring to look at the three burly men opposite, she fixed her gaze on Concubine Ren and said weakly, "...I, I... Why did you lead the thieves in...?" Having never managed household affairs in either her maiden or marital home, her questioning lacked authority, growing softer with each word.When Concubine Ren saw Madam Shao, she immediately burst into tears and wailed, "Madam, I've been wronged... How would I dare... It was that villain who threatened me... He held a knife to my neck..."
Before she could finish speaking, Minglan laughed. "I say, Concubine Ren, you should at least pick the right place to fool people. Look at the current situation—do you really think you can get away with deceiving your mistress?"
Hearing this, Concubine Ren glanced at Tu Hu and the two guards, shrinking back in fear.
Since Madam Shao was a widow, the maids and servants around her also dressed in dull, old-fashioned styles. They were usually forbidden from wearing makeup or adorning themselves with hairpins and jewelry. Minglan hadn't paid much attention before, but now, upon closer inspection, even with dark circles under her eyes and swollen cheeks, it was clear that Concubine Ren was quite beautiful. "Were you forced to lead the thieves to Kouxiang Garden, or were you colluding with them? Do you think everyone else is blind?"
Concubine Ren knew that Minglan was not like Madam Shao—she was a formidable opponent. Yet, she still clung to a sliver of hope and stubbornly insisted, "It was pitch dark... maybe I made a mistake..." Then, twisting her bound body, she repeatedly kowtowed toward Madam Shao. "Madam, we've been together for so many years. You must stand up for me!"
Madam Shao's lips moved slightly, but when her eyes met Minglan's frosty gaze, she swallowed her words.
"What a stubborn creature who won't admit defeat until faced with reality!" Minglan sneered coldly. "Fine, I'll make it clear for you."
She pointed at Madam Shao with her left hand. "Your mistress lives a quiet life, paying no attention to matters outside her own affairs. How would she know where I hid Tuan Ge'er? Mama Qiong from your quarters said it was you who reported it to Eldest Sister-in-law and kept urging her to investigate further."
Madam Shao's face flushed crimson, her head nearly dropping to her chest. Concubine Ren was left speechless. Minglan continued with a cold laugh, "I pride myself on being discreet, yet you managed to catch wind of it. Don't tell me you just overheard it by chance! It's clear how deeply you've been scheming all along!" Matters like this couldn't be picked up through casual gossip—they required constant vigilance around Jiaxi Residence.
Concubine Ren trembled, weakly protesting, "...I... I was only paying attention for the sake of Madam and the young lady..."
Ignoring her excuses, Minglan pressed on, "After persuading Eldest Sister-in-law, you took advantage of the chaos in the outer courtyard to summon Bi Si for questioning. Eldest Sister-in-law isn't skilled with words and merely sat there while you, with your clever talk and promises of great rewards, coaxed the details out of her."
Bound like a shrimp, Bi Si twisted violently, making muffled sounds, her eyes blazing with hatred as she glared at Concubine Ren. Concubine Ren, after all, was not an experienced schemer and couldn't bring herself to meet Bi Si's gaze.
"Alright! Even if what you said earlier were true—that you were keeping an eye on my courtyard for your mistress—once you found out Tuan Ge'er's whereabouts, you should have gone with Eldest Sister-in-law and the others to hide and protect them closely! So where did you run off to?"
Minglan's eyes were full of mockery as she fired questions one after another, leaving Concubine Ren unable to respond.
"You claimed you needed to relieve yourself and slipped away. First, you ran into Granny Yan from Warm Fragrance Pavilion. You told her you were going to fetch some late-night snacks for Eldest Sister-in-law. Granny Yan said that at that time, neither side had caught fire yet. Then, Mama Chong at the second gate saw you running westward, just as the eastern side of the old residence was already engulfed in flames. Finally, Uncle Fu, who watches the woods, spotted you when the western forest had just started burning."Minglan gradually raised her voice, her tone growing increasingly sharp. "As an inner household woman, why would you run toward the outer courtyard woods during the chaos? Clearly, you were coordinating with the intruders! Moreover, everyone who saw you last night said no one held a knife to your throat. How dare you still quibble?!"
Concubine Ren was flustered by the relentless questioning. Tu Hu, standing nearby, revealed a cruel expression and said darkly, "Madam, why waste words on this lowly servant? Hand her over to me. I'll break her bones one by one and see if she talks or not!"
Minglan waved her hand dismissively. As a law-abiding professional of the modern era, she believed in trying persuasion before force.
Concubine Ren trembled in terror, curling up as if seized by spasms, desperately scrambling away from Tu Hu. She shrieked, "Second Madam, spare me! I'll confess everything—I won’t dare deny it anymore!"
Minglan stared coldly at her. "You know what I want to ask."
Concubine Ren bit her lip, enduring the numbness in her limbs, and stammered, "...It was the Grand Old Madam’s side... they sent someone to contact me."
Minglan closed her eyes briefly and murmured, "I thought as much."
"...N-no, it wasn’t just me. The Grand Old Madam also had people in the outer courtyard. They agreed to open the gates and let the intruders in, but who knew the two Tu masters would summon so many guards from the estate at the last moment? They personally watched the front and back gates, leaving no chance to act." Concubine Ren spoke in broken phrases.
Tu Hu flew into a rage upon hearing this, roaring, "Which traitorous scoundrel was it?!"
Concubine Ren, terrified out of her wits, hurriedly replied, "It... it was Han San, the gatekeeper..."
Tu Hu froze. "Han San...? But that fellow died from an arrow wound last night." Then he grabbed Concubine Ren and shook her, bellowing, "Are you falsely accusing him to save your own skin?!"
Concubine Ren wailed as if her life depended on it. "It really was Han San! Truly! Originally, I was only tasked with gathering information, but last evening, Han San secretly sent word that the situation had changed. Both gates would likely remain shut, and they couldn’t get the men inside. He told me to find out where Tuan Ge’er was hidden and then go to the western woods to coordinate!"
Tu Hu released her, cursing in frustration. "To think we had a spy right under our noses!" He then repeatedly apologized to Minglan.
Minglan found it both exasperating and amusing. The man was already dead, and the mission had failed—what was the point of cursing misfortune? Tu Hu, still fuming, insisted that after investigating, he would revoke the compensation for Han San’s family.
Madam Shao had been listening silently all this while and could no longer contain herself. In a hoarse voice, she said to the figure on the ground, "...We grew up together and shared a husband. I’ve always treated you well... Why would you...?"
Concubine Ren, who had been crouched and weeping softly, suddenly erupted like a volcano. She straightened up with effort, glaring venomously at Madam Shao, and screamed, "You dare say you treated me well?! It’s all your fault! All of it! You hypocritical, foolish woman!"
Her full chest heaved with ragged breaths. "...All the sisters who came with you as dowry were married off one by one. I was the youngest—I thought when I came of age, I’d be given a respectable match. But then... then you gave me to that consumptive wretch...! How many days did the elder master have left to live? You weren’t content to be a widow alone—you had to drag me down with you!"Madam Shao was stunned by her outburst, taking a long moment to recover before shrilly retorting, "How dare you call the master... a consumptive?! After giving birth to Xianjie, I showed no signs of pregnancy for years. Seeing you had the appearance of bearing sons, I intended to elevate you. Had you borne a son, wouldn't that have brought you immense honor!"
"Pah! Elevate my foot!" Concubine Ren seemed a completely changed person, her hair disheveled as she screamed madly, "Didn't you know the master's condition?! In his later years, he couldn't even perform marital duties - how could he father any son! I told you long ago I was unwilling, but you foolishly insisted I was just being shy and modest. You even eagerly reported your 'achievement' to the Grand Old Madam to show your virtue, and she directly arranged the wedding feast for me..."
Recalling the past, tears streamed down her face. "At that point, I had no choice but to comply."
Madam Shao looked utterly devastated, murmuring, "So you truly were unwilling..." In her mind, Gu Tingyu was the finest man in the world, the Marquis of the household. Moreover, from what she usually saw and heard, maids were always trying to climb into their masters' beds to become concubines. How could this be...?
Minglan watched coldly from the side. Normally, the private affairs of the former Marquis of the Gu family shouldn't be discussed. However, considering this couple - one had bullied her husband while alive, the other had nearly harmed her son last night - Minglan made no move to stop them. A faintly mocking smile played on her lips as she sat quietly listening.
"I served that consumptive wreck less than five times in total! While he was alive, you made me live like a widow. After he died, you still wouldn't let me go! Talking about depending on each other for survival! How old was I then? How could you be so cruel!"
Madam Shao felt her hands and feet turn cold with panic. "I... I genuinely wanted the household to provide for you in your old age, I..."
"Your mother's nonsense! What old age? At my age and with my looks, I still have most of my life ahead of me!" Concubine Ren shrieked viciously. "You're just bored being a widow yourself and wanted to drag someone along to relieve your boredom!"
Madam Shao was so thoroughly cursed that she felt the world spinning, unable to form a rebuttal, her face flushing deep purple. Minglan felt quite satisfied watching this, only speaking leisurely when she saw Madam Shao trembling with rage: "What an eloquent and sharp tongue indeed. Eldest Sister-in-law has truly been wasting your talents. However, I have one question - having accompanied Eldest Sister-in-law for so many years, how could you not know her gentle, accommodating nature? If you truly wanted to remarry, you could have simply told her directly. Even if it displeased her, she likely wouldn't have punished you and would eventually have let you go. What you wanted probably wasn't just to remarry, was it?"
Seeing Concubine Ren's sudden change of expression, Minglan knew she had guessed correctly.
For a concubine who lost her master to remarry wasn't particularly difficult, but to marry well was another matter - why would any respectable family specifically want someone like you, a faded flower, unless you came with a large dowry or some other form of elevation?
Concubine Ren had originally wanted to marry one of the Marquis household's respected stewards. But with the Gu brothers on bad terms, how would Minglan ever match a concubine who had served Gu Tingyu with a capable steward as his wife? Moreover, after becoming a widow, Madam Shao had become increasingly concerned about money, wanting to save more for Xianjie's dowry. If she herself proposed remarriage, it would naturally displease Madam Shao, who would at most release her contract without providing a generous dowry.
After much consideration, it seemed better to align herself with the Grand Old Madam's faction, where she could still strive for a better future.
"I..." she began, about to offer some defense, but Minglan raised her hand to stop her."Even if you had your reasons and were forced into it," Minglan slowly withdrew her hand, "I have never treated you unfairly. Neither have Rong'er and her brother. Neither did Old Uncle An, who was stabbed to death by the woods, nor those maids and grannies who died tragically at the entrance of Kouxiang Garden! Just because you've suffered, does that give you the right to collude with outsiders and take lives?"
Minglan slammed her palm on the table, her face icy as she stared coldly. Concubine Ren was left speechless, her face ashen as she lowered her head. Minglan turned and said, "The questioning is done. Please have Master Tu the Second hand her over."
Tu Hu had been waiting for this. Upon hearing the order, he picked up the cloth gag and stuffed it back into Concubine Ren's mouth. As the two guards lifted her, he led the way swiftly outside, leaving only Concubine Ren's muffled cries fading into the distance.
Madam Shao stood frozen for a long moment, clutching her handkerchief tightly. Her expression shifted between embarrassment, anger, and sorrow before she finally murmured, "...Where... where will she be taken...?"
Minglan gestured toward the door, signaling Xiahe to close it, and casually replied, "To Lord Liu Zhengjie." A slight curve touched her lips. "Our family upholds kindness. Even for a traitor within, we cannot casually decide life and death. Best to hand her over to the authorities."
Even Madam Shao, slow as she was, detected deeper meaning in Minglan's words. After a pause, she asked quietly, "Luniang... what will become of her...?" Luniang was Concubine Ren's personal name.
"That depends on Lord Liu's investigation. If last night's attackers were merely common thieves, then Concubine Ren will only be labeled a thief's accomplice. But if they were rebels..." Minglan spoke without expression.
The usual fate for rebels was hanging or beheading. For ringleaders, they might even enjoy the "privilege" of lingchi—a punishment requiring advanced technical skill.
Madam Shao's thoughts swirled, shifting between grief and fear, until she suddenly slumped over the table, weeping softly. Minglan showed no pity, coolly remarking, "Eldest Sister-in-law, don't rush to cry. Let's settle this matter first, shall we?" Only then did Madam Shao notice Bisi still kneeling on the floor, flanked by two matrons, and she awkwardly wiped her tears and sat upright.
At Minglan's signal, one of the matrons pulled the gag from Bisi's mouth. Having heard Concubine Ren's confession, Bisi knew she had committed a grave mistake. Terrified and tearful, she immediately began pleading as soon as her mouth was free: "Madam, this servant knows she was wrong! I deserve death, but I beg you to spare me this once!" She kowtowed repeatedly, her words a frantic babble.
Xiahe, seeing the mud and blood staining Bisi's delicate face, couldn't help but feel a pang of pity. Suddenly, she heard Minglan address her: "Bring it out." She snapped back to attention and quickly retrieved a small bundle from her sleeve, placing it on the table.
It was a pair of bracelets wrapped in silk. Made of solid gold, they were crafted into wide, rounded bands resembling lotus leaves, studded with several dazzling pearls. At the clasps, each was inlaid with a cat's eye stone the size of a soybean.
At the sight of them, Madam Shao's face flushed then paled. She glanced guiltily at Minglan, who was idly toying with the bracelets. "These were part of the betrothal gifts the Gu family gave to Eldest Sister-in-law, weren't they? Truly fine pieces."
Madam Shao dared not reply, only nodding vaguely.
"Was it for these bracelets that you sold out me and Tuan Ge'er?" Minglan's voice was soft.Bisi trembled violently as if sifting grain, weeping, "No, it wasn't... I saw it was the First Madam. Since Madam often trusts the First Madam, I thought it wouldn't hurt to tell her..."
"What did Cui Mama tell you? Even if it were the Emperor himself, you weren't to breathe a single word." Minglan's tone was indifferent. "Have you forgotten all those instructions?"
Bisi had nothing to say, could only kowtow repeatedly begging for mercy, and glanced at Xiahe and Xiazhu, hoping they would plead on her behalf.
Xiazhu's heart softened and she was about to speak, but Xiahe tugged her sleeve, stopping her.
It wasn't that Xiahe was heartless, but she understood their mistress's temperament better. Once Minglan made up her mind, few could change it, and besides—she glanced around before slowly lowering her head.
What was the meaning of Minglan bringing her and Xiazhu to serve at such a scene today?
Xiaotao would soon marry far away, Lüzhi was also approaching the age to be released from service. Within a year or two, all the senior maids of Jiaxi Residence would be replaced; Cuixiu and Chunya were quite liked by Madam, but they were still too young. That left... Xiahe understood clearly, secretly resolving to be more diligent in her duties recently and refrain from being clever.
Minglan looked at the continuously kowtowing Bisi with sadness in her heart. "You've never had great ambitions since childhood—neither clever nor diligent, nor particularly loyal. As long as you had good food, drink, and clothing, you were content." In modern times, she would have made perfect mistress material, never aspiring for more.
"You've never really acted like a maid by my side—always avoiding work and seeking comfort, shirking difficult tasks. It's only because Danju and the others are tolerant that they never held it against you. Though I never particularly liked you, we've been together ten years after all. People aren't made of wood or grass."
They say liking to reminisce means one is growing old. Minglan suddenly felt as if awakening from a Yangzhou dream, past events vividly appearing before her eyes—betrayals and hurts, departures and separations. Looking back, she realized with a start that she had grown old.
"However, you never caused any major trouble either." Bisi had a lazy nature—neither as aloof as Ruomei, nor as scheming as Yancao who planned her future early on. "I originally thought that after Xiaotao and Lüzhi married out, I'd find you a kind man from a well-off family to marry, so you'd be warm and well-fed all your life. Our master-servant relationship would thus have a proper beginning and end."
Bisi was filled with panic, not understanding what Minglan meant by all this. Suddenly she heard light clinking sounds and saw golden light and pearl flashes before her—Minglan had thrown the pair of bracelets along with a silk handkerchief in front of her. Minglan's cold voice reached her ears.
"I won't punish you, nor beat or scold you. However, our relationship has come to an end." Minglan sighed lightly. "I remember you have an elder brother, his wife, and an old mother at home. I'm sending you back to them now. Take these bracelets, and all the silver and silk you've saved over the years. Whether you buy land or acquire a shop... anyway, from now on, you must take care of yourself."
After saying this, Minglan waved her hand toward the two matrons.
Bisi's ears were ringing, only hearing the words 'sending you back home'—No! She didn't want to go home! Ever since her grandfather and father passed away one after another, her family had been declining day by day, which was why she had been sold into the Sheng household. Her mother was weak-willed, her brother incompetent, and her sister-in-law harsh. Moreover, life at home was impoverished—she would have to toil over household chores, counting every copper coin three times over. How could that compare to the luxurious life by Minglan's side, where her hands never touched harsh labor and she lived in leisurely comfort?
She immediately wanted to wail and beg for mercy, but the old woman moved like lightning, swiftly stuffing the cloth gag back into her mouth, rendering her speechless.
She struggled desperately, whimpering and screaming wildly, pleading with her eyes toward Minglan. She could only hate how the two old women's hands were like iron clamps, restraining her so she couldn't move an inch. Helplessly, she watched herself being dragged away from Minglan's presence.
Once outside, one of the old women sneered softly at her, "I say, little mistress, you'd better quiet down! Do you still think you're some precious noble?" The other added, "Madam is far too merciful. A lowly servant like this nearly cost the young master his life. If it were up to me, she should've been sold off to some distant place to vent our anger!"
Their cold, mocking words drifted intermittently into the room. Xiahe's eyes stung with tears. Over the past two years, she had shared a room with Bi Si, living side by day and night. Even if they weren't as close as sisters, seeing Bi Si meet such a fate filled her with profound sorrow. At that moment, she thought to herself that once she had more freedom to come and go, she would visit Bi Si regularly to offer some assistance.
Little did she know that things would not go as planned. Several years later, she married a capable junior steward and followed her husband south to manage the Gu family's estates. They were away for years, and by the time she saw Bi Si again, a full decade had passed. She could hardly believe that the coarse, loud-voiced woman with rough hands and feet was the same slender, willow-waisted girl who once loved jade-green hues and elegant pastimes, living a carefree life.
After Bi Si's punishment was carried out, Minglan also felt downcast. After a moment, she said, "Xiahe, go pack her belongings. Make sure every needle and thread is taken with her—don't let others take advantage. Xia Zhu, you go keep watch outside. I need to speak with Madam Shao."
The two girls responded softly, one heading straight out the door, the other gently closing it from the outside.
Now alone in the room, Madam Shao tensed up entirely, restless as a startled bird. Noticing Minglan staring intently at her, she grew even more flustered: "Sister-in-law, don't scare me! This time, I was wrong! It's my fault... I..."
After hearing Concubine Ren's confession, her words of apology, though still the same old tune, carried more sincerity, each syllable coming straight from the heart.
"Where exactly did Eldest Sister-in-law go wrong?" Minglan pressed. "Was it listening to Concubine Ren's instigations, or was it not listening to me?"
Madam Shao was stumped by the question, her face flushing dark red with stifled embarrassment.
"Let me take Eldest Sister-in-law's pulse," Minglan pressed on relentlessly. "Eldest Sister-in-law made two mistakes: First, you refused to trust me; second, you were too quick to trust others! In the end, Eldest Sister-in-law simply didn't trust me. When Concubine Ren said I was using you as a decoy for Tuan Ge'er, you actually believed it, didn't you?"
Madam Shao didn't dare respond, only waving her hands repeatedly: "No, no, no... How could I?""Let me make this clear!" Minglan clapped her hands together and rose from the table, leaning on its surface. "With the capital in chaos, only two types of people would dare cause trouble at the Marquis' estate - those after wealth, and those with ulterior motives. I deliberately had the main hall of Jiaxi Residence brightly lit to lure greedy thieves. Hah! Is there any place in the entire estate more richly endowed than my residence? After looting my quarters, those petty thieves would likely be too burdened to even walk away!"
Madam Shao gaped, stammering, "I... I was wondering why your courtyard was so brilliantly lit...!"
"If they're after people... hmph! The discord between the Marquis and his brother is no secret - it's been known throughout half the capital! Whether it's palace guards coming to arrest someone or our dear stepmother, they'd only target me and my children. What does that have to do with you? Very well, even if they insist on entering... your courtyard is built right against the lake! Two and a half of its four sides border water - are you suggesting thieves would carry rafts for a night assault?! With only one entrance, it's easy to defend but hard to attack. I've stationed numerous guards there. Chief Tu already said unless the attackers outnumber us three to one, they'd never get in!"
Minglan remained leaning on the table with both hands, her imposing manner so intimidating that Madam Shao nearly crawled under the table.
"To be frank with you, what I was most wary of was actually the Grand Old Madam's side! It's not like she controls the rebels - there's a limit to how many troublemakers they can send. What I fear is that it's easy to dodge an open spear thrust, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow! This mansion employs so many old servants from before. Human hearts are unfathomable. When the mansion was in chaos, with maids and servants coming and going - a single hairpin, a packet of poison, a stone, or a thorn... Tuan Ge'er is still so young, how could he possibly guard against all that? But before the incident occurred, how could I voice such distrustful words?"
Madam Shao looked utterly wretched, almost ready to kneel before Minglan. Slumping over the table, she pleaded: "Sister-in-law, I was blind and foolish, unable to distinguish good from bad. If... if something really had happened... I would pay with my life for Tuan Ge'er..."
"I won't make Eldest Sister-in-law pay with her life," Minglan said coldly. "I've always been fond of Xianjie. Even if the Marquis dislikes her, I intend to secure a good future for her. But if Tuan Ge'er had really died because of you, what do you think I would feel?"
Madam Shao shuddered violently, waving her hands frantically: "No, no... This has nothing to do with Xianjie..." Suddenly she felt immensely grateful to Rong Jie'er. If she hadn't desperately saved her brother, even if she and her daughter had survived, their future would have been difficult.
"It was so close... just half a step away..." Minglan's eyes showed deep retrospective fear. "If not for Rong Jie'er's fierce courage, Tuan Ge'er would have lost his little life. I dare not imagine what the situation would be like now."
Madam Shao didn't dare think further. Even setting Minglan aside, Gu Tingye's wrath alone would have been more than enough to burn her and her daughter to ashes - the more she thought about it, the more terrified she became, her palms and back instantly drenched in cold sweat.
Minglan stared coldly at her for a long time before speaking: "What I'm saying today isn't for your sake, but for Xianjie's."
Madam Shao raised her head woodenly, not understanding.
"When you sneaked away to hide in Kouxiang Garden, you only intended to take Xianjie, didn't you?" Minglan sighed. "Xianjie is a good child. Even in that critical moment, she remembered Rong Jie'er and called her to come along."
Tears immediately welled up in Madam Shao's eyes as she looked up and cried: "My good daughter! Your mother nearly harmed you, yet you saved your mother!"
Xianjie had called Rong Jie'er along, Rong Jie'er had saved Tuan Ge'er, which indirectly saved her and her mother's situation - it seemed heaven's will indeed rewarded good deeds with good fortune! She suddenly felt immensely reverent toward heavenly principles and the cycle of cause and effect.
Minglan pushed the door open and, before stepping out, said solemnly: "Eldest Sister-in-law, rest assured. As long as you don't act foolishly from now on, I will treat both girls as my own daughters." She paused. "I keep my word."
After saying this, she didn't look back, but took the arm of Xiazhu waiting outside the door and left directly.
That evening after dinner, Lüzhi reported news passed along by Nanny Qiong - Madam Shao had told Xianjie the whole story. Mother and daughter had embraced and wept bitterly. Though Madam Shao blamed herself immensely, she also felt relieved.
Early the next morning, Xianjie came to pay respects to Minglan with swollen, red eyes, fidgeting uneasily. Minglan patted her head pityingly and told her to go play with Rong Jie'er and Tuan Ge'er.
But toward Madam Shao, she wasn't so gentle. Though she still observed proper etiquette, her expression remained solemn and cold, never speaking an unnecessary word, which thoroughly intimidated Madam Shao into complete submission.Minglan had once thought that if Madam Shao had feared her as much as she feared the Grand Old Madam, then no matter how vigorously Concubine Ren urged her on, Madam Shao probably wouldn't have dared to charge into Tuan Ge'er's hiding place—Qiu Niang was a perfect example of this.
Petty people fear authority, not virtue. Gentle persuasion doesn't work on everyone.
Faced with this frustrating reality, Minglan sighed with profound regret.
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