The Story of Ming Lan

Ling'er hurried through the covered corridor, her head bowed as she made her way toward the desolate row of courtyards on the western side.

Though it was the sweltering heat of August outside, her heart felt as if it had plunged into an icy cavern, chilled to the bone. Everyone said that among the imperial princesses, Princess Qingning was the most formidable, but in her view, her own mistress's mother-in-law possessed a far more subtle power. The princess and her consort had four sons, yet only her own young master was scholarly and had earned an official rank. If things went wrong this time, she dreaded how Princess Qingchang might deal with her.

Inside the room, Tingcan paced restlessly. In the courtyard, three or five lazy matrons were yawning lazily. When they saw Ling'er enter the yard, they immediately sneered, "Oh, if it isn't our Third Mistress's favorite! Where have you been all this time? The Third Mistress has nearly worn a path in the floor with her pacing." The others burst into mocking laughter.

Before Ling'er could respond, the door creaked open. Tingcan stood coldly in the doorway, barely containing her anger. "I need to speak with Ling'er. It's hot today—all of you matrons may go rest." She had never spoken so politely to servants before.

One of the matrons slowly rose to her feet, a false smile plastered on her face. "Oh, Third Mistress, you flatter us. How could we servants be so precious as to rest whether it's hot or cold? Shouldn't we be attending to our duties? Ah well, we'll just have to endure, alive or dead. Otherwise, you'll soon be running around the mansion again, complaining that 'the servants are all neglecting you'!"

Tingcan bit her lip, wishing she could whip these insolent matrons. In her mother's time, she would never have suffered such humiliation. Seeing the situation turning sour, Ling'er quickly stepped forward before Tingcan could speak again. She fumbled in her pocket, pulled out a purse without checking how much silver or copper was inside, and handed it directly to the speaking matron. Forcing an ingratiating smile, she said, "Matron, you jest. Our mistress has always been straightforward—she often speaks without thinking. Please take this and buy some wine."

The matron weighed the purse in her hand and smiled with satisfaction. "Since Miss Ling'er is so generous, we can only accept respectfully. Very well, let's go and relax a bit."

Watching the matrons leave the courtyard, Ling'er hurriedly followed her mistress inside and closed the door behind them.

Tingcan sat down furiously behind the desk, slapping its surface as she cursed, "Those black-hearted wretches! Now that they see that low-born woman gaining favor, they think they can disregard me! Hmph! They treat that little slut like she's something special. That ungrateful man still dares to call himself a scholar and a relative of the imperial family? They're all ill-mannered! Even the princess—"

Seeing her mistress becoming increasingly indiscreet and on the verge of criticizing her mother-in-law, Ling'er coughed loudly and shot a meaningful glance at the young maid standing nearby. She said with a forced laugh, "Mistress, there you go again. The heat is affecting your temper—what are you saying? Concubine Yan comes from a respectable family. I heard her brother recently passed the imperial examinations, so it's only natural that the princess and the Third Master value her more. Besides, the son born to Concubine Yan still has to call you 'Mother,' doesn't he?"

Tingcan was about to retort, "Who wants that low-born seed calling me Mother?" when she noticed Ling'er's meaningful look and caught sight of the young maid in the corner. Swallowing her anger, she said, "Ling'er, come with me to the inner room." Then she snapped at the maid, "You—go wait outside under the corridor. Don't let anyone in, or you'll pay for it!"Little Lotus was only twelve this year, but already quite sensible. Hearing the words, she promptly agreed without uttering a single extra word.

Just as she was about to step out of the room, Ling'er called her back and slipped two small silver pieces into her hand. "The weather is terribly hot. I'm not sure if there's any mung bean left in the house. After I finish speaking with the mistress, go to the kitchen and ask the cook for an iced dessert bowl."

Looking at Ling'er's gentle and kind face, Little Lotus felt touched. She took the silver and hurried out.

As she walked, she thought to herself: Everyone says the Third Madam of the estate is the most difficult to serve, and indeed it's true. Not only is she spoiled and fond of putting on airs, but she also shows no consideration for others. The several senior maids who came with Third Madam as part of her dowry have all disappeared to who knows where, leaving only the capable Ling'er to work like a slave for her mistress, everywhere putting on a smiling face, speaking pleasant words, and swallowing insults, yet Third Madam still orders her about as she pleases. Seeing that Sister Ling'er is nearly thirty, all these years Third Madam has never seemed to consider finding her a marriage match, just letting her waste away day by day.

She heard that many years ago, Steward Han's son, who became a shop manager outside, took a liking to Ling'er and wanted to marry her, but Third Madam flatly refused. She wondered if that was true...

Thinking of this, Little Lotus couldn't help but sigh inwardly, grateful that she at least had her parents and that her brothers were promising. She just needed to endure a few more years, then she could request permission to leave and marry.

Inside the inner room, Tingcan grew even more furious. She heavily sat down on the kang, stared blankly for a moment, then suddenly tears fell. "If mother were still here, seeing me in such a state where even a little maid needs sweet-talking, she wouldn't know how heartbroken she'd be."

Ling'er poured a bowl of tea and, without bothering to wipe her own sweat, first brought the tea to comfort her mistress. "Don't be angry, Madam. Even a tiger may be bullied by dogs when it's down - these things can't be helped. At any rate, the Third Master still has some affection for you. Our food, clothing, and monthly allowance have never been short. We should look at the bright side, shouldn't we?"

After being coaxed for quite some time, Tingcan reluctantly regained her spirits and asked, "...Stop talking nonsense. Well? Did you manage to see Sister-in-law Xiang when you went out?"

Wiping her forehead, Ling'er said quietly, "I saw her. Sister-in-law Xiang said that although that censor surnamed Xu isn't high-ranking, he has an excellent reputation among scholars and his words carry weight. Since he received support from our Grand Old Madam back then, he ought to repay the favor. He's willing to submit our memorial, but..."

"But what?" Tingcan asked urgently.

Ling'er looked troubled. "Madam, think about it - someone who needed patronage must not be well off. The memorial can't reach the Emperor directly; it has to go through several levels, and along the way there are expenses for greasing palms..."

Tingcan already understood. She slapped the kang table and snorted lightly, "It's just about money! Fine! As long as it can help me avenge my mother properly, any amount of silver will do!"

Ling'er felt a chill in her heart. "...Madam, this... you should think twice. If the Princess finds out, what will we do?"

"What do you mean what will we do?" Tingcan said carelessly. "Can she kill me?!"

Looking at her mistress's perpetually willful and immature manner, Ling'er very much wanted to remind her that over the years, her originally substantial dowry had been nearly depleted by the Qin family's constant requests for favors and other various expenses and bribes. But her mistress never cared about such mundane matters, always thinking her silver was endless. Considering how this course of action was like an egg striking a rock, Ling'er couldn't help but look despondent.Tingcan saw her expression and smiled, "Don't be afraid. Our dynasty governs with filial piety. No matter what my mother did, she is still Gu Tingye's stepmother after all. If he dares disregard human ethics and poison his stepmother, I'll make sure he regrets it deeply!"

Ling'er couldn't help saying, "Mistress, please listen to my advice. We can't throw everything away just for revenge. Your most urgent task is to quickly bear the legitimate son for Third Master. Put other matters aside for now!"

Hearing this, Tingcan stamped her feet and scolded, "Don't mention that heartless man! Look how my father treated my aunt - it took nearly ten years before she gave birth to elder brother! If he truly cared for me in his heart, he should treat me the same whether we have sons or not! Only a few years have passed, and he's already anxious for sons, bringing that wretched woman into the household without regard for my wellbeing. I've seen it clearly now - that heartless man isn't even fit to shine my father's shoes!"

Every time this topic came up, her mistress would always compare him to the late Old Marquis Gu. Ling'er had nothing to say to that. Third Master Han had married late to begin with - how could he not be anxious for sons? Moreover, her mistress didn't understand how to be a proper daughter-in-law, constantly quarreling and causing trouble. What kind of person was Princess Qingchang? She was no ordinary mother-in-law who would consider her daughter-in-law's feelings. She wasn't like the Grand Old Madam of old who had been helpless against Da Qin Shi.

"Besides," Tingcan sobbed softly, "now that my mother and brother are gone, those people over there would be delighted if I died. Two years ago, when His Majesty said the Qin descendants were unworthy, our title was revoked and our home confiscated. What support do I have left? I might as well take this opportunity to assert my authority properly, so the people in this residence don't dare look down on me! Don't try to persuade me anymore - are you afraid of death?"

Seeing her mistress so stubborn and even voicing suspicions, Ling'er quickly wanted to defend herself when they heard Little Lotus outside call loudly, "Third Master, ah, you're here!" The voice carried into the room, startling both mistress and maid. Ling'er hurriedly stepped aside.

Han Cheng pushed the door open and strode into the inner room. Seeing his wife sitting calmly on the heated platform as if nothing was wrong, he couldn't help but angrily say, "Perfectly fine like this, why haven't you been paying respects to mother these past few days? Fourth sister-in-law has just entered the household and needs to learn the rules. As her elder sister-in-law, you're not setting a good example, making me suffer lectures from eldest and second brother for no reason!"

Seeing that her husband, absent for several days, came only to blame her, Tingcan's tears rolled down like pearls. She cried mournfully, "Third Lang, your heart is so cruel! In such hot weather, knowing how weak my constitution has always been, you still force me to go out under the scorching sun to do this and that! Do you want me to die?"

A thirty-year-old woman putting on such a delicate, flower-like fragile posture was rather jarring. Han Cheng's veins bulged as he roared, "You're not the only one feeling the heat! Second sister-in-law is pregnant and still accompanies mother! Besides, mother's room has plenty of ice basins - how could the heat possibly kill you! Filial piety comes first among all virtues. In ancient times, people lay on ice to catch carp and buried their sons to feed their mothers! You're well-read - don't you understand this basic principle?!"

Tingcan couldn't stand hearing such moralizing. She immediately stood up from the heated platform and cried loudly, "So it seems you're the only filial son under heaven! You don't just have a mother - you have a wife too! My father was much more capable than you, yet he knew to cherish my aunt and would do anything for his wife. It takes a hundred years of cultivation to share the same pillow - I should be the one you cherish and treasure most! Only knowing blind filial piety without any consideration for your wife's suffering - what kind of man are you?!"Han Cheng rubbed his temples, utterly baffled. Asking his wife to pay respects to his mother and show filial piety was such a universally accepted principle that no one could possibly object. Yet when it came to his own wife, it was like talking to a brick wall.

He had genuinely loved Tingcan once.

Since childhood, he had feared domineering women like Princess Qingchang, yet found gentle women dull and uninspiring. That year at the Chrysanthemum Hairpin Poetry Gathering, when he read the poems of the seventh young lady of the Gu family, he was thoroughly captivated. Hearing that this beauty resembled the legendary Xi Shi, he eagerly begged his mother to propose marriage. Unfortunately, their marital bliss lasted only a few short months. Soon, all sweetness was replaced by endless arguments. His wife was like a child who never grew up, constantly demanding to be coaxed and pampered, throwing tantrums at the slightest dissatisfaction.

Han Cheng deeply envied his mentor. His teacher’s wife could compose poetry in response to her husband, manage household affairs with ease, and even gracefully accommodate two or three charming and understanding concubines. What an elegant and fulfilling life! How had he ended up in such a mess?!

Tingcan was still crying, growing angrier with each sob. "The classics say, 'Do not treat a concubine as a wife.' What kind of scholar are you? With multiple wives and concubines in your household, taking a second wife while neglecting your properly wedded spouse—breeding one child after another with those little sluts! If my father were still alive, he’d beat you to death, you worthless son-in-law..."

Han Cheng took a deep breath to calm himself, sat by the kang, and said patiently, "Canning, listen to me. All these years, Mother has never liked you. Lady Yan was brought in by Mother’s decision. If not for my sake, then for hers... if this continues..." He recalled what Princess Qingchang had said to him a few days earlier and felt a chill.

"What if it continues?" Tingcan shook off Han Cheng’s hand and sneered. "Can the prestigious Princess’s Residence actually divorce me? No matter what, I am the legitimate daughter of the Ningyuan Marquis Household! You might be willing to lose face, but the Gu family won’t tolerate it! And you call yourself a man? Always ‘Mother’ this, ‘Mother’ that—can’t even protect your own wife! Hmph, when my eldest aunt failed to conceive for seven years, my father..."

"Enough!" Han Cheng could bear no more. Out of filial duty, he had never spoken ill of the Old Marquis Gu all these years, but the summer heat and irritation finally pushed him to retort sarcastically, "Your father meeting that woman from the Qin family was the worst luck of his life! Not only did he nearly end up without an heir, but in the end, he almost lost his family and home—that decades-old residence was burned down by your dear third brother! I may be useless, but I’d never dare emulate my father-in-law!"

"You... how dare you insult my father!" Tingcan flew into a rage, snatched the inkstone from the kang table, and hurled it at him.

With a crack, the inkstone shattered on the floor, splattering ink everywhere. Fortunately, Han Cheng dodged swiftly, or his head would have been smashed. Staring at his wife—her hair disheveled, eyebrows furrowed, face twisted with unreasonable defiance, a far cry from her former delicate beauty—Han Cheng roared, "You... are utterly unreasonable!" Then he flung his sleeve, kicked the door open, and stormed out.

Tingcan grew even angrier, smashing everything in sight before collapsing over the desk, sobbing uncontrollably. Ling’er quietly instructed Xiao Hehua to fetch water and carefully clean up the chaotic mess in the room.After a long while, Tingcan slowly stopped her tears, lifted her head, and said through gritted teeth, "I will have my revenge, I must have my revenge! They all think I have no parents to rely on now, so they bully me! If I suffer, I won't let them have it easy either!"

The mistress and servant whispered a few words of discussion, and Ling'er pleaded softly, "Madam, this sum of silver is not small—we can no longer afford so much. Please think it over again."

Tingcan pondered for a moment before resolutely declaring, "Tonight, have Sister-in-law Xiang come to see me. I will give her instructions in person."

Ling'er had no choice but to agree.

That night, Ling'er bribed the gatekeeper woman, begging her to let someone in. Seeing it was the Xiang family daughter-in-law who often visited the third madam, the gatekeeper woman suspected nothing, accepted the silver, and allowed her entry.

Sister-in-law Xiang was actually only in her forties, but her hair had already turned gray.

Seeing her aged and haggard appearance, Tingcan, for the first time ever, showed concern. The tears that usually came so easily were now hard to summon, so she covered her face with her sleeve and pretended to weep: "Sister-in-law Xiang, you have suffered these past few years."

Sister-in-law Xiang knelt on the ground and cried, "With the young lady's compassion, life has been bearable. But I often think of the Grand Old Madam's kindness, and of my late husband and mother-in-law. I, I... truly..."

Tingcan was extremely satisfied with these words and smiled faintly. "Mother always trusted and valued Mama Xiang the most. It seems your whole family is truly loyal. Now, I have only you and your brother-in-law to rely on. Everyone in this mansion bullies me..."

As she spoke, she couldn't hold back her tears again.

Sister-in-law Xiang prostrated herself on the floor, weeping loudly. "Young lady, you humble me too much! The kindness the Grand Old Madam showed us—even if my son and I died ten thousand times, we could never repay it. You are such a precious and noble person, raised by the Grand Old Madam as her own flesh and blood. That wretched Han family doesn't know their place, failing to treat you properly and causing you such grievance. They deserve to be hacked to pieces!"

Tingcan felt deeply comforted. Seeing that her mistress had not asked the woman to rise, Ling'er whispered softly, "Sister-in-law Xiang, please get up quickly. This stone floor will hurt your knees if you kneel too long."

Before Tingcan could speak, Sister-in-law Xiang cheerfully waved her hand. "No harm, no harm! Just seeing the young lady, this old woman's heart is sweeter than eating honey. Kneeling before the young lady for a while is more comfortable than lying down outside! What kind of person is our young lady? When you were just born, didn't the Grand Old Madam have your fortune told? They said you were a fairy from the Queen Mother's court, sent to earth to repay kindness. Even the Old Marquis believed it. Even if you face some hardships, sweetness will follow bitterness."

Tingcan felt as if she had returned to her pre-married days—with a doting father above, an all-powerful mother below, and flattering servants all around. She couldn't help but feel elated, proudly swaying her sleeves slightly and smiling with noble arrogance. "Still, you should rise. Ling'er, give her a seat."

Ling'er quickly brought over a small stool. Sister-in-law Xiang sat only on the edge, and only then did Tingcan ask, "Sister-in-law Xiang, that matter... are you confident...?"

Sister-in-law Xiang promptly replied, "Originally, I wouldn't dare speak of this matter. But haven't there been repeated reports from Shu recently about Marquis Gu's various missteps? Official Xu said it would be better to seize this momentum and strike while the iron is hot."Tingcan knew little of political affairs, but had vaguely heard that the Prince of Shu seemed deeply dissatisfied with Gu Tingye. She smiled and said, "If that's truly the case, then wonderful! Hmph! Gu Tingye drove his stepmother to her death and poisoned my nephews and nieces—heaven will not tolerate such crimes! It's just hateful that the Han family is too timid to get involved. Once the memorial is submitted, I'll see how he withstands the condemnation of all under heaven!"

Ling'er inwardly sighed with bitter amusement—she truly couldn't understand how someone as shrewd and capable as the Grand Old Madam could have raised such a naive daughter who understood so little of the world. How could a frontier official heavily relied upon by the emperor be "condemned by all under heaven" over these baseless accusations? The "people of the world" had far better things to do.

Tingcan took a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Sister Xiang, saying, "This is my personal letter. Deliver it to Minister Xu and tell him that once the matter is accomplished, I will have further substantial rewards."

Sister Xiang humbly accepted it with both hands, listened to more instructions, and hurriedly left the residence.

That night, Tingcan slept especially soundly, dreaming that the wrongs suffered by her mother and brother were finally redressed. The emperor had thrown Gu Tingye into prison, exiled him to military service, never to return to the capital, and had sentenced that Sheng Shi to the pleasure quarters, where she would have to flatter men with her charms daily. She herself became the noble Seventh Miss of the Gu family once more, with her mother-in-law and husband too timid to offend her. Of course, that wretched woman surnamed Yan wouldn't get off lightly either—sold into the lowest brothel, with the several brats she bore sold into servitude elsewhere...

In the midst of her sweet dream, she was suddenly startled awake by a loud commotion outside. A large crowd surged into her room. Frightened, she shrank against the inner side of the bed, but three or five sturdy matrons rushed forward, grabbing her—some tying her hands, others binding her legs, and one stuffing a cloth into her mouth.

Struggling to lift her head and kicking her legs wildly, Tingcan saw a familiar woman's figure standing at the doorway—it was precisely Mother Pan, the most trusted servant beside Princess Qingchang.

Mother Pan said coldly, "The Third Young Madam has fallen ill with madness. Quickly take her to the quiet room in the rear courtyard. We'll have a physician attend to her properly later."

Tingcan shook her head violently, trying to spit out the cloth in her mouth. Just as she was about to scream, she suddenly noticed the envelope in Mother Pan's hand—wasn't that the very letter she had given to Sister Xiang just hours ago?! Tingcan was stunned.

Mother Pan looked at her indifferently and said, "From now on, the Third Young Madam should focus on recuperating. No more writing letters."

Tingcan understood immediately. After a dazed moment, she began shrieking like a madwoman, "What have you done to Sister Xiang?! Where's Ling'er?! How dare you?! My father is the Marquis of Ningyuan! I am a legitimate daughter of the Gu family!... You lowly scum, how dare you be so insolent! Ling'er, Ling'er, come quickly!..."

The matrons paid no heed to her protests, efficiently binding her tight. As the struggle wore on, Tingcan grew terrified and began crying out recklessly, "...Husband, I didn't know, I knew nothing about that letter... Go ask Ling'er... It must have been her acting on her own, yes, she wanted to vent my anger for me... She knows how to write too..."

Soon, the Seventh Miss of the Gu family was gagged, unable to utter another word.

...

In the main hall of the central compound, doors and windows were tightly shut. The Han family—father, mother, and son—were either seated or standing. Princess Qingchang held several thin sheets of letter paper in her hand, bearing the familiar handwriting of Han Cheng's wife."What did I tell you? I warned you this troublemaker couldn't be kept, but your son insisted on being softhearted. Now what do you father and son have to say for yourselves?" Princess Qingchang swayed the letters leisurely in her hand. "Fortunately, my daughter-in-law is a fool. Had she been slightly cleverer and actually bribed some censors to expose this matter, how could we continue associating with Marquis Gu in the future?"

Han Cheng's forehead was drenched in cold sweat, unable to utter a single word in response.

Prince Consort Han, nearing sixty yet still robust in voice and posture, slapped his son Han Cheng across the face and roared, "You unfilial son! How many times have you ignored your mother's warnings? Now you've nearly brought disaster upon us! Gu Tingye and Wang Shanzhi were sent to Sichuan by imperial decree—one to reclaim military authority, the other to take charge of governance and finances. Their actions carry the Emperor's mandate! How dare we offend such men recklessly?!"

Princess Qingchang sighed faintly, "Some matters remain unknown to outsiders, but not to us. Remember the great fire at the Ningyuan Marquis Household? The Emperor, wishing to avenge Marquis Gu, initially intended to punish your mother-in-law as well. It was only when the imperial physician reported she had but days to live that Marquis Gu pleaded with the Emperor to grant her a peaceful end... And yet, in your wife's account, it became 'Marquis Gu forcing his stepmother to her death'—preposterous!"

After saying this, she let out a self-mocking laugh, "Strange, how did I fail to see what a fool she was back then?"

Prince Consort Han glared at the letter and fumed, "And what of Gu Tingwei's children? Wasn't that case closed long ago? Lord Yu personally delivered the abandoned wife Lady Fang to the authorities, and she confessed everything—claiming it was revenge for Qin Shi's schemes. She nearly exposed the scandal about Marquis Gu's first wife Yu Shi committing adultery, terrifying the senior officials at the Court of Judicial Review so much they hastily closed the case. How... how could your wife still try to implicate others..."

Han Cheng slowly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his expression gradually steadying as he whispered, "This is all my fault. Such a wife is unworthy. I beg Father and Mother to advise me on how to proceed."

"Leave these inner household matters to us."

The princess extended her well-maintained slender fingers, picked up the letter, and lightly tossed it toward the candle flame before dropping it to the floor. The fire quickly consumed the thin papers, leaving behind only a small pile of dark ash in moments.

"Marquis Gu has made it clear—as long as you don't divorce her and tarnish the Gu family's reputation, he cares not for the rest. Your father and I aren't heartless either. After all, she entered our household with full ceremonial honors. From now on, your wife shall remain in the quiet chamber in the rear courtyard, never to step outside again."

Han Cheng recalled that damp, gloomy room—guarded only by a few eccentric mute women—and felt a pang of pity. Though it was midsummer, he suddenly shivered as if in late autumn. A faint yet rich chrysanthemum fragrance seemed to linger in the air, reminiscent of that autumn day when chrysanthemums blanketed the hills, and he first read Tingcan's poetry at the literary gathering, utterly captivated.

The princess gently helped her son up and said softly, "My child, you've been wronged. Your unfortunate marriage has hindered so much. After this, think of her no more. Focus on your own future."

The chrysanthemum scent vanished abruptly. Han Cheng nodded calmly, "As Mother wishes."

Perhaps it was all an illusion. Or perhaps he had married the wrong woman.

...

In the main chamber of the eastern compound of the Han residence, Lady Yan tenderly smoothed the covers over her sleeping young son before turning to leave the inner room. Entering the side chamber, she noticed a shadowy figure standing in the corner.

"You've worked hard," Lady Yan said, taking a bag of silver from the table and offering it.

The figure retreated a step, a low female voice emerging, "This servant dare not accept it. I only beg Your Ladyship to show mercy and allow me to leave the residence."Lady Yan smiled faintly and set down the silver pouch. Petite and charming by nature, her speech carried a natural sweetness, even when her words had nothing to do with sweetness.

"You guessed right. The maids who went there reported that before your mistress was gagged, she was still shouting about shifting the blame onto you."

The evening breeze whispered through the room, causing the lamplight to flicker and dance across the other woman's face. Her fair complexion and delicate features were unmistakably those of Ling'er.

Ling'er remained silent.

Yet Lady Yan seemed in a talkative mood. Gazing absently at the ceiling, she murmured, "That year, Shuang'er from the mistress's household pushed me, causing me to lose a fully formed baby boy. I was utterly heartbroken, but there was no proof. Had your mistress spoken a few words on Shuang'er's behalf, she might have been spared... But the third mistress said nothing. Alas, a life was lost, beaten to death by the princess's order... And before that, Min'er, Liang'er... all gone."

Ling'er still did not speak.

Lady Yan suddenly turned to look at her, smiling slightly. "Now you can tell me. Was it Shuang'er acting on her own to defend your mistress, or was it done under your mistress's orders?"

Ling'er's expression was icy, her voice even colder. "Hasn't my lady already known all along? Why ask me? I rather admire you, my lady—despite all the suffering you endured back then, you managed to endure through it all."

Lady Yan gave a faint, bitter smile, though her voice remained sweet as water. "What choice did I have? I wasn't as fortunate as your mistress. I had to endure on my own. Ah, the third master still holds affection for his wife. If only your mistress would make less of a fuss, perhaps there would be no place for me here."

Recalling past sorrows, her heart ached. After a long daze, she suddenly looked up at Ling'er. "One last question—don't you feel guilty for betraying your mistress? Doesn't it trouble your conscience?"

Ling'er abruptly lifted her head, her eyes blazing like fire. "I entered my mistress's service at seven. Now I'm twenty-seven—twenty full years. I have never done a single thing to betray my mistress, nor ever intended to. Before Shuang'er breathed her last, she told me: 'Of all our sisters, only you remain. We have repaid our debt to our mistress. From now on, think more of yourself.'"

Lady Yan stared, stunned.

Ling'er's voice held no emotion. "These past days, I urged my mistress time and again to pull back from the brink. Every word, every syllable, was sincere, spoken from the depths of my heart. If even half a word was false, may I be struck by lightning and die without a whole corpse!"

She exhaled deeply, as if expelling years of pent-up bitterness, and fixed her gaze on the other woman. "...Enough of this. Give me your answer, my lady—will you let me go or not?"

Lady Yan studied Ling'er for a long moment. "You won't turn around and bite me the moment you're free, will you?"

Ling'er replied bitterly, "Who would believe the words of someone who betrayed their mistress?"

...

The sky was beginning to lighten. Not far from the rear gate of the princess's estate, a gray-canopied carriage stood waiting. A young man sitting at the front, holding the reins, kept anxiously peering toward the estate. After a long while, he cried out joyfully, "She's coming, she's coming! Mother, she's here!"

Immediately, a gray-haired woman leaned out from inside the carriage—it was Aunt Xiang. She peered intently and exclaimed, "Ah, it's her!"Linger, dressed in plain clothes with a simple thorn hairpin, emerged from the small back gate of the Princess’s residence, carrying a modest bundle. She walked gracefully to the carriage and tearfully said to Sister Xiang, "Good child, you’ve finally come. We’ve been waiting for half the night, afraid... afraid something might go wrong..."

"Enough, don’t say more. Hurry and get in the carriage—we must leave quickly." The man, beaming with joy, promptly jumped down from the driver’s seat and solicitously helped Linger into the carriage. Then, with a crack of his long whip, he swiftly drove away.

Inside the carriage, Sister Xiang patted Linger’s hand, her eyes brimming with tears as she smiled. "We were so afraid they wouldn’t let you go. Thankfully, heaven has eyes... You’ve suffered so much..."

"I was afraid too," Linger murmured softly, leaning into Sister Xiang’s embrace. "But I told Concubine Yan that if I died in the Princess’s residence, rumors would spread throughout the capital, accusing the Yan family of framing the principal wife and all sorts of wicked deeds. As a mere maid, I couldn’t harm the mighty Princess’s residence, but ruining a concubine’s reputation isn’t so difficult."

Sister Xiang clapped her hands and laughed. "That’s true. With the principal wife about to fall and the Yan family’s father and brothers now in official posts, how could she not want to be elevated? This is no time for any mistakes."

After a moment, she sighed and asked, "How long do you think Seventh Miss can hold on?"

Linger’s face turned pale. "Given her temperament, not long." The kind of bleak and arduous life she faced was something Gu Tingcan, a delicate flower raised in a greenhouse, could never endure.

Seeing Linger’s somber expression, Sister Xiang comforted her, "Don’t take it to heart. I know Seventh Miss’s nature—even if we hadn’t helped, she would have found a way herself. It would only have meant you dying for nothing."

"I have no regrets," Linger shook her head indifferently. "Staying by the mistress’s side would only lead to one end. I... I still remember Miss Tingyan."

Mentioning the eldest daughter of the Gu family, who had married early and cut ties with her natal home, Sister Xiang grew animated and slapped her thigh. "Exactly! The Qin family are no good! I’ve heard the elders say that Miss Tingyan’s mother was utterly loyal to her mistress. A suitable marriage had already been arranged, but that ailing woman, on her deathbed, still had to cause harm! To spite Madam Bai and to ensure someone would care for Young Master Tingyu, she... ah..."

Recalling the long-deceased Concubine Qiu, Sister Xiang grew bolder. "The Qin family kicked away the ladder after crossing the river. They promised everything under the sun, but as soon as Grand Old Madam entered the household, she began to despise Miss Tingyan and her mother. Poor Miss Tingyan—Grand Old Madam coaxed the Old Marquis into marrying her off so far away. Who knows if she’ll ever return to the capital in this lifetime!"

Linger nodded softly. "To our masters, we servants are nothing but objects—useful when needed, discarded when not." Suddenly remembering something, she reached out to massage Sister Xiang’s knees. "I recall your chronic rheumatism hasn’t healed. You knelt for so long last night—does it hurt now? Let me rub them for you."

As her hands touched the knees, Sister Xiang hissed softly and cursed bitterly, "That mother and daughter are cut from the same cloth—they never treat servants as human! Our family has slaved for them for generations. My husband was implicated and beaten to death, and when my mother-in-law passed, Grand Old Madam never gave us any explanation, just ordered us to keep toiling away! Pah!""Alright, what's past is past. Let's quickly leave the capital and find a quiet place to settle down," Ling'er said. "With this silver, we won't have to worry about making ends meet."

Sister-in-law Xiang smiled. "Exactly, exactly." Then she suddenly grew anxious. "But will Princess Qingchang let us go? Could she change her mind again?"

Ling'er broke into a smile. "If the princess hadn't tacitly approved of this matter, do you think Concubine Yan could have acted on her own authority?"

Sister-in-law Xiang was startled. "Could it be... the princess wanted to deal with Seventh Miss?"

"If the mistress had behaved properly, the princess might have tolerated her," Ling'er said coldly. "But the mistress kept urging Third Master to defy his mother. The princess had long wanted to be rid of this daughter-in-law. However, after the Grand Old Madam passed away, she didn't want outsiders to say the princess's household was opportunistic or afraid of the Gu family's power, so she delayed all these years."

"Good child, you're so clever!" Sister-in-law Xiang exclaimed joyfully, hugging Ling'er. "From now on, our family will live well together."

Ling'er, skilled at playing humble, showed deep gratitude. "I'm two years older than Qing. Thank you for not despising me. I will serve... serve..." Her face flushed crimson with shyness.

Sister-in-law Xiang smiled. "What will you call me?"

Back in the Gu mansion, living in luxury, she would never have considered Ling'er as a daughter-in-law. But after years of hardship—being cheated in business, bullied in manual labor, and struggling to make ends meet—she realized the family desperately needed a capable wife.

Someone like Ling'er—clever and capable, wholeheartedly devoted to her son, with no relatives to rely on except their family—was perfect. Besides, being older, she'd fear being abandoned and would surely double her respect for her.

Ling'er quietly observed Sister-in-law Xiang's smug expression and smiled inwardly, though her face remained as shy as a young girl's. She said meekly, "I will serve Mother well from now on."

Life is what you make of it. With a strong, obedient husband and a not-too-difficult mother-in-law, she refused to believe she couldn't live well.