Unlike her two elder sisters who were wailing and lamenting, Minglan's first reaction upon hearing that classes were canceled was to send Xiaotao to Changdong with a leave note—morning self-study would be suspended for three days, as her elder sister needed to rest and recuperate.
Having studied for over a decade in her previous life as Yao Yiyi, she had long grown weary of reading. Initially, she attended Zhuang Xiansheng's classes to learn more about this era—after all, she couldn't just randomly ask the maids and elderly servants in the inner household about the current emperor's name and surname. But after several years of study, she had already learned all she needed to know about worldly affairs. In recent years, Zhuang Xiansheng had intensified his focus on eight-legged essays and policy discussions. Minglan, who in her past life only knew how to write courtroom transcripts—which required no parallelism, antithesis, or word limits—would grow drowsy as soon as Zhuang Xiansheng began his lectures. She had long been itching to slip away.
After dinner, she pushed her books aside, washed her face and little feet, and happily went to visit the Old Master of Zhou. With no burden of having to wake up early the next day, she slept soundly and deeply. Upon waking, she stretched lazily, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
It was the transition between summer and autumn, and the daylight was clear and bright. Like a child just released for summer vacation, Minglan paid her respects and then asked Cui Mama for a fishing rod and basket to angle in the lotus pond within the estate. Knowing that Minglan had always been sensible and well-behaved, and having seen how hard she had studied and taught her younger brother over the years, Cui Mama agreed. She even provided a basin of bait and carefully instructed Danju and Xiaotao to keep a close watch on Minglan, warning them to stay far from the pond's edge lest she fall in and end up being eaten by the fish instead. Minglan nodded repeatedly like a pestle pounding garlic.
The Sheng estate had two ponds: one larger, closer to the main residence of Sheng Hong's wife and concubines, and the other no bigger than a palm, near the Longevity and Peace Hall and the family school. The lotus seed pods, lotus roots, fish, and shrimp in the larger pond were all tended to by someone. After some thought, Minglan headed straight for the smaller pond. Once she selected a spot, Danju set up a small bamboo chair and held up a large silk parasol for her. Yancao and Qinsang brought tea, fruits, and pastries, placing them on a small bamboo table. Seeing such an elaborate setup, Minglan felt it would be a shame not to catch at least a dozen fish. But the more anxious she grew, the less activity there was. Fortunately, Xiaotao, who was originally from the countryside, was experienced in fishing and catching shrimp. She taught Minglan how to bait the hook and watch the float. Under her expert guidance, two foolish fish were caught almost immediately. The fish in the small pond, accustomed to a life of ease and never having been caught before, were rather dim-witted. In less than half an hour, Minglan had caught eight or nine fish. Feeling quite pleased with herself, she noticed a dark, shadowy mass in the clear pond water. An idea struck her, and she took a long-handled net. Together with Xiaotao, she vigorously scooped in that direction and lifted the net. Everyone saw that it was a large-headed, fat turtle, clinging stupidly to the net. Minglan was delighted. With a wave of her small hand, she triumphantly gathered the foolish fish and the plump turtle and headed straight for the private kitchen on the west side.
Back when Consort Lin had successfully entered the household, for various reasons, Old Mrs. Sheng had grown increasingly unwilling to socialize. Using the pretext of wanting to eat vegetarian food, she set up a small private kitchen with only five or six stoves, completely separate from the main estate's kitchen. This practice was continued when they moved to Dengzhou. The private kitchen was solely responsible for preparing meals for those in the Longevity and Peace Hall. When they saw Liu Guniang, whom Old Mrs. Sheng doted on, arriving, the kitchen staff smiled respectfully and bowed.Minglan emptied the fish basket, having Danju take the carp and softshell turtle back to be kept in water, while the five crucian carps were used for cooking. Two were simmered into bowls of crucian carp soup, and three were made into two portions of scallion-scented crucian fish fillets. Following memories from her past life, Minglan instructed the head cook on the preparation. By lunchtime, one portion of soup and fish fillets was served at the table, while the other was sent to Cui Mama, Danju, and Xiaotao.
Minglan sat cheerfully at the table, her large eyes blinking as she gazed at Old Mrs. Sheng. However, the old lady kept looking toward the door without starting the meal. In a wealthy household, etiquette was strict—without the elder’s permission to eat, Minglan couldn’t even touch her chopsticks. Just as she was about to ask her grandmother, the door curtain was lifted, and a tall, slender figure drifted in. Recognizing the newcomer, Minglan’s jaw dropped...
"Eat well, Heng’er. You have studies this afternoon and need to be full and satisfied. Treat this place as your own home," Old Mrs. Sheng said kindly to Qi Heng, then instructed Mama Fang to serve him dishes. With rosy lips and white teeth, Qi Heng responded with an elegant smile, "This fish is delicious, Old Ancestor, please eat too... Hmm? Why isn’t Sixth Sister eating?"
Minglan had been keeping her head down over her bowl and only looked up slightly, forcing a stiff smile. "Please, you eat."
Old Mrs. Sheng chuckled, "These two fish dishes are Ming Yatou’s idea today. She caught the fish and directed how to prepare them—they truly taste wonderful."
The wild crucian carp was naturally fresh and delicious. The crucian carp soup was made by briefly frying the fish in hot oil until golden, then immediately transferring it to a clay pot with bamboo shoots, fresh mushrooms, shiitake, and tender tofu. Seasoned generously with ginger and spices, it simmered over a small red clay stove for two full hours until the tofu was porous. The milky-white soup was rich and savory, prompting both Old Mrs. Sheng and Qi Heng to have two small bowls each.
As for the scallion-scented crucian fish fillets, the fish was sliced, marinated with salt, ginger juice, and wine for an hour, then repeatedly pan-fried in warm oil with small peppercorns and scallions. Fragrant with scallions, slightly spicy, savory, and subtly sweet and sour, it was incredibly appetizing and refreshing. Qi Heng found it so delicious that he unconsciously devoured two bowls of rice, somewhat tarnishing his ethereal, graceful image and leaving his attendant gaping in astonishment.
After the meal, tea was served. Qi Heng sat on a tall wicker stool woven from ivy beside Old Mrs. Sheng, elegantly wiping his fingers before picking up his tea bowl. "Thank you so much, Sixth Sister, for going to such trouble for me."
Trouble my foot! Minglan was curled up in a large blackwood chair carved with blooming flowers beside him, her short legs dangling since the chair was too high. Staring enviously at the wicker stool she usually sat on, now occupied by Qi Heng, she giggled lightly, "Just a coincidence, really," suppressing a soft grind of her teeth.
Old Mrs. Sheng laughed, "This little monkey is quite mischievous. As soon as she heard there was no school yesterday, she went fishing with her basket today—all for fun. Don’t thank her, Heng’er!"
Qi Heng’s eyes twinkled with amusement. "Sixth Sister, what shall we eat tomorrow?"
West Lake vinegar fish and stewed softshell turtle soup, but you won’t get to taste them—they’ll be on the table tonight! Minglan resolved inwardly, while wearing an innocent smile. "Brother Yuanruo asks a good question. I’ll go check with the kitchen later."Old Mrs. Sheng recalled something and said, "How come I heard you've been keeping a few live carps and a softshell turtle in the courtyard?"
Qi Heng immediately turned his burning gaze toward Minglan, who could only respond with another foolish laugh before reluctantly confessing with an excuse: "...The carps and turtle need to be kept for a couple of days until they've completely expelled the mud and sand before they're suitable for cooking..."
"When will they finish expelling the sand then?" Qi Heng pressed, suddenly seeming very interested in food.
Apart from inwardly cursing 'Are you a starving ghost reincarnated?', Minglan could only resign herself and say: "Probably, perhaps, around the day after tomorrow, hehe..."
Qi Heng cheered delightedly: "Then it's settled! We'll eat carp and softshell turtle the day after tomorrow! Little sister, don't be stingy and refuse to serve them."
Minglan gave a few embarrassed laughs, lowered her head and fiercely took a bite of loquat fruit. Her eyes shifted thoughtfully before she looked up and said innocently: "Grandmother, will Yuanruo brother be having lunch here regularly from now on?"
A glint flashed in Old Mrs. Sheng's eyes as she smiled: "Heng'er and your eldest brother will soon be taking the imperial examinations, so they must focus on their studies. For now he'll eat here first. Once the family school is properly arranged, he'll have meals there with your two brothers."
Minglan was overjoyed and immediately turned toward Qi Heng, clapping her hands: "Wonderful! Wonderful! Zhuang Xiansheng said in his lectures on the Analects that Confucius said: When three walk together, one must be my teacher. If Yuanruo brother and eldest brother study and discuss learning together, they'll achieve twice the results with half the effort! They're sure to pass the exams together!"
Qi Heng was amused and reached out to pinch the buns on Minglan's head, finding the texture quite pleasant: "I appreciate your auspicious words, little sister."
Having her head touched against her will, Minglan's depressed little face turned rosy. Puffing her cheeks, she stopped speaking. Unexpectedly, Qi Heng found her utterly adorable and couldn't resist patting her head again.
After tea, Mama Fang arranged for Qi Heng to take his noon rest in the right chamber, directing several maids to fetch water and prepare towels for his washing. Minglan had originally wanted to linger with Old Mrs. Sheng for conversation, discussing her daily schedule now that she didn't need to study. But with that big trouble sleeping in the adjacent room, she completely lost the mood and returned to her own Pear Blossom Cabinet.
After Cui Mama finished preparing the bedding and mats, she took Xiaotao to teach her ironing. The four green-clad maids rested in the outer veranda, while Danju attended to Minglan's undressing and washing. The Pear Blossom Cabinet was quiet and cozy, with only Danju's gentle murmuring in her ear: "...Miss is growing up after all, why are you still wearing these childish buns? They look rather silly. Mama Fang already taught me how to style hair - let me arrange a pair of elegant hanging chignons for you and add some hairpins and pearls, wouldn't that look pretty?"
Minglan made a funny face at Danju in the mirror and smiled wryly: "Let's wait a bit longer; these little buns are convenient to style."
Danju seemed to think of something and whispered in Minglan's ear: "...That Young Master Qi seems quite amiable. I noticed he likes you, so why do you act so indifferent?"
Minglan turned to look at Danju's sisterly concern, and in an extremely low voice said seriously: "I know you mean well, sister, but haven't you considered? He's the descendant of nobles, the son of prominent officials, while I'm just a magistrate's concubine-born daughter. I have both an elder sister born of the principal wife and outstanding sisters born of concubines. What's the point of such pointless closeness? Let's not invite trouble for nothing."How embarrassing. As a pragmatic modern woman, she knew Qi Heng was neither relative nor friend, nor would he ever marry her. In this strictly regulated ancient society, how could they possibly develop a pure "friendship"? Even if he became her brother-in-law, she'd still need to maintain distance. No matter how she thought about it, she couldn't find any necessity to befriend this young man - instead, dangers lurked everywhere. If she accidentally provoked those two love-struck sisters, it would be truly disastrous.
Danju was intelligent and understood immediately, her expression dimming as she whispered: "...What a pity. For your sake, Miss, I truly think Young Master Qi is wonderful..."
Minglan observed Danju for a moment, then shook her head with a smile. Pulling Danju to sit beside her, she said quietly: "Sister Danju, I know you mean well for me. Now that we're growing older day by day, I have some words of advice for you today."
Danju sat up straight seriously. Minglan looked earnestly into her eyes and spoke softly but clearly: "For us young ladies, reputation is paramount. Even a few rumors could be fatal. Given my status - only able to live this dignified life through Old Madam's grace - I must be especially cautious and proper in conduct, whether for my own sake or out of gratitude to Old Madam. Every word and action should at least not bring shame to her, if not bring her honor!"
Seeing Minglan suddenly speaking with such maturity, Danju listened attentively. Having served Minglan these years, she knew her mistress might appear childish but possessed remarkable insight. Minglan continued: "...You're the head maid in my chamber. Not only do I rely on you, but Xiaotao is too simple-minded, and the four green-clad maids need your supervision too. If more young maids come later, since I can't personally scold and teach them, that will also be your responsibility. Therefore, you must first maintain discipline yourself, not allowing the younger maids to break rules or act recklessly. I entrust all this to you."
Her words were earnest and solemn, growing stricter toward the end. Danju understood this was Minglan affirming her position, feeling both happy and burdened with responsibility as she nodded seriously.
...
After settling Qi Heng, Mama Fang went to the Buddhist shrine. She noticed a delicate white jade incense burner with twin dragons spitting pearls sitting in the shrine, incense smoke curling upward. On the table before it was a silver tray engraved with floral patterns holding fresh fruits. Old Mrs. Sheng sat nearby, an open Buddhist scripture before her, fingering her usual sandalwood prayer beads with closed eyes, though she wasn't chanting.
Entering, Mama Fang smiled: "Since Old Madam's eyesight isn't good, why not have Liu Guniang read the scriptures? Her voice is pleasant to hear, so clear and melodious even I enjoy listening."
Old Mrs. Sheng smiled: "Let her sleep. Children need ample sleep to grow well. Besides, she's been burdened with many thoughts recently, her mind full of troubles. Let her rest properly."
Mama Fang chuckled softly: "When Young Master Qi came for dinner today, did you see how surprised the young lady was? Her eyes nearly fell into her bowl! Quite amusing, but thinking carefully, the young lady is truly sensible, worthy of your affection."
Old Mrs. Sheng opened her eyes and turned a page of the scripture: "The master chose her name well. Being so perceptive, thoughtful, and careful to avoid suspicion, she truly deserves the character 'Ming' in her name."
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