Minglan was well aware that the benefits of residing in the Longevity and Peace Hall extended beyond improved food, clothing, and daily necessities—it was the comfort of a harmonious lifestyle. Here, she didn’t need to live under others’ scrutiny or cater to their whims, allowing her to lead a carefree and contented existence. Over the years in the hall, Minglan had never faced harassment from Madam Wang and had scarcely exchanged words with her siblings. Each day, she stayed close to Old Mrs. Sheng, studying, practicing calligraphy, or doing needlework in her presence, and at night, she slept in the adjacent room.
Whenever Rulan felt discontented and considered causing trouble for Minglan, she had to navigate multiple obstacles: the main gate of the Longevity and Peace Hall, Mama Fang in the central chamber, and Cui Mama in the side room. By the time she fought her way to the pear-blossom cabinet to confront Minglan, Old Mrs. Sheng would be chanting scriptures next door, leaving Rulan no opportunity to pick a fight. Even Minglan’s morning greetings to Madam Wang were excused by the old lady, who cited her youth and poor health as reasons to temporarily forgo them.
Since moving into the Longevity and Peace Hall, no one had ever bullied or scorned Minglan. She fully understood and deeply appreciated Old Mrs. Sheng’s unwavering protection. However, with Molan’s relocation to the Weirui Pavilion, Minglan knew these pleasant days were drawing to a close.
“…The girls are growing up and should have their own quarters. There’s still an empty space in Weirui Pavilion—why not let Minglan move there? It would give the sisters more time together before they marry and part ways, unsure when they’ll meet again.” One day after Changbai’s return from passing the imperial examinations, Madam Wang said cheerfully to Old Mrs. Sheng during her morning visit.
Hearing this from the inner room where she was practicing calligraphy, Minglan’s heart sank. She glanced at Danju, who was grinding ink for her across the kang table, and saw her equally startled. For a moment, silence fell in the outer room, broken only by Old Mrs. Sheng’s soft coughs. Then Mama Fang interjected with a smile, “You’re quite right, Madam. Just yesterday, the Old Madam mentioned that Liu Guniang ought to have her own residence… However, as you know, these years have been much livelier and more vibrant thanks to Liu Guniang’s presence. Although the Old Madam’s health has improved somewhat, if she were to…”
Mama Fang trailed off meaningfully, and Madam Wang looked somewhat embarrassed. “How thoughtless of me. Of course, the Old Madam’s health comes first. But if others learn that Minglan is the only one without her own room, they might think I’m being harsh on her…”
Mama Fang quickly responded, “You make a valid point, Madam. Not only should the sisters spend more time together, but a young lady must also learn to manage her own household—she can’t cling to her grandmother forever and remain immature. Therefore, the Old Madam suggested clearing out the vacant row of rooms on the east side of the Longevity and Peace Hall for Liu Guniang. It’s close to both the hall and Weirui Pavilion, isn’t it?”
This proposal was perfectly amicable, and Madam Wang agreed, immediately directing servants to tidy the rooms. Anxious, Minglan emerged from the inner room and approached Old Mrs. Sheng. Head bowed, she took her grandmother’s aged hand and swayed it gently. The old lady pulled the young girl onto the kang, holding her tenderly. After a long pause, she said, “You must learn to live independently—how to manage maids and servants, handle finances, and interact with your siblings… Grandmother can’t shield you forever.”
Minglan looked up at Old Mrs. Sheng’s wrinkled face and her dim, aged eyes, feeling a pang of sorrow. Tears welled up and fell silently as she buried her face in her grandmother’s embrace. “…Minglan will be good and won’t ever bring shame upon you, Grandmother.”
…The embroidered towers where young ladies resided were mostly a specialty of the south. Northerners, favoring spacious and airy dwellings, preferred independent courtyards. The small courtyard east of Longevity and Peace Hall was originally just a detached retreat for admiring snow and viewing the lake, its scale not even half that of Weirui Pavilion. After Madam Wang tidied it up three times in succession, Old Mrs. Sheng still found it displeasing, deeming it too crude for habitation. When Sheng Hong learned of this, he promptly hired masons and carpenters to thoroughly renovate the courtyard inside and out, repainting and repairing it. It wasn’t until just before the New Year that Old Mrs. Sheng finally nodded in approval, decreeing that Minglan would move there after the New Year. Through this ordeal, everyone in the Sheng residence came to understand that Liu Guniang Minglan was Old Mrs. Sheng’s cherished darling. Even after moving out of Longevity and Peace Hall, no one dared to neglect or belittle her.
Because of this, Minglan spent the New Year in particularly low spirits. When kowtowing to the ancestral tablets, her eyes welled with tears; she would shed tears inexplicably at the sight of fireworks. Day after day, she clung to Old Mrs. Sheng, unwilling to let go, even sleeping in her grandmother’s room. Often, she would wake with a damp face. Each time Old Mrs. Sheng saw this, she would sigh deeply but remain silent.
After the first lunar month, the old madam chose a fine, sunny day. Mama Fang marshaled the troops, packed up all of Minglan’s belongings, and moved in a grand procession. Minglan bid farewell to Old Mrs. Sheng, turning back every few steps as she left Longevity and Peace Hall—the first and perhaps only safe harbor in this world for her, where her grandmother cared for and protected her with utter selflessness. Yet, no one in this world could shield her from wind and rain forever. Ultimately, she had to face this world on her own.
The day before moving to her new home, Minglan brought a newly made fan case to Sheng Changbai, asking him to name her small courtyard. In truth, she had a bellyful of elegant names like ‘Xiaoxiang Lodge,’ ‘Hengwu Court,’ ‘Qiushuang Study,’ ‘Daoxiang Village,’ and ‘Luxue Hermitage,’ each more literary than the last. But recalling the tragic fates of those ill-fated women, she thought it better not to tempt misfortune.
Brother Changbai, having received his writing fee, immediately felt a surge of inspiration. With a flourish of his brush, he wrote—Twilight Cang Study.
Twilight Cang Study consisted of three large rooms facing south. Minglan used the central one as the main hall, serving as a reception room. The left side chamber became her bedroom, and the right side chamber her study. On either side of the main rooms were smaller side rooms, with two additional verandas at the front and back for the maids and older servants to reside. The location was very close to Longevity and Peace Hall, essentially nestled within the garden outside it. A covered corridor connected the two places; if Minglan were to scream here, Old Mrs. Sheng over there could hear it immediately and rush to her aid. The old madam’s thoughtful planning moved Minglan deeply.
The basic allocation for Sheng family’s Liu Guniang included one Cui Mama, two senior maids, four to six junior maids, and an unspecified number of outer room attendants and errand boys—far less elaborate than the arrangements for Molan and Rulan. However, Twilight Cang Study was originally small, and Minglan, fearing more people would bring more trouble, was content to keep the modest setup under the guise of humility. Moreover, Sheng Hong valued his official reputation and was unwilling to foster an atmosphere of extravagance. Thus, the monthly allowance for Sheng family’s young ladies was two taels of silver. But this was only the official account; in reality, Rulan received support from Madam Wang, Molan had backing from Consort Lin, and Old Mrs. Sheng also sent Minglan additional money each month. It was an unspoken understanding among them.On the day of the housewarming, Old Mrs. Sheng presided over the main hall as siblings came to offer congratulations. Elder brother Changbai presented a Ru kiln flower vase glossy as jade, adorned with fresh red plum blossoms. Rulan gifted a marble brush holder carved with colorful flowers and birds. Changfeng contributed a complete set of "Records of Mountains and Seas." Molan presented a pair of handwritten door couplets and a self-painted "Old Fisherman Angling" scroll. Finally, timid Changdong brought forth his gift—a full set of four-season bed curtains embroidered by Concubine Xiang in pink, jade, blue, and apricot hues, exquisitely depicting vibrant flora and fauna. Noting Changdong's shy demeanor, Minglan whispered in his ear: "Tell your mother I adore them."
Young Changdong's face immediately brightened with joy.
The next morning, breaking her usual habit, Minglan rose early and went to pay respects at Longevity and Peace Hall. Finding Old Mrs. Sheng also puffy-eyed, grandmother and granddaughter embraced for a long reunion. The old lady scrutinized Minglan thrice from head to toe, as if the girl had shed three pounds overnight, anxiously inquiring about drafts in the warm chamber, the under-floor heating system's warmth, and the kang bed's heating.
Sipping tea nearby, Madam Wang wore a complicated expression. During earlier harmonious years, she too had been a dutiful daughter-in-law. Truthfully, Old Mrs. Sheng was difficult to please—proud and aloof by nature, she disliked excessive cheer as noise, found earnest attentions bothersome, and perceived solicitude as interference. Even when Consort Lin had been raised under her care, no particular closeness developed. Thus Madam Wang had initially resisted sending Rulan to endure such chill treatment at Longevity and Peace Hall. Who could have guessed what divine favor this sixth daughter had curried to receive such devotion? When Liu Kun's wife suggested relocating Minglan, she hadn't paid much heed, though upon reflection it made sense.
If Minglan were to be formally recognized as her own daughter someday, she ought to assume the maternal role properly—cultivating bonds where needed, providing guidance when required. Moreover, a growing girl remaining constantly at Longevity and Peace Hall created complications with Qi Heng's frequent visits. Crucially, she'd recently observed how Minglan's conduct had refined under the old lady's tutelage, with notable progress in studies and needlework, while her own Rulan remained naively straightforward, constantly bickering with Molan without improvement. Having Minglan move out might allow Rulan to spend more time with her and absorb positive influences. Lastly, it would bolster Madam Wang's public reputation.
These thoughts eased Madam Wang's mood considerably as she took another sip of tea. Three daughters paying respects certainly appeared more impressive than two.
On her second day at Twilight Cang Study, Minglan diligently fulfilled her duties. After breakfast at Longevity and Peace Hall, she left Danju to mind the house and brought Xiaotao and Yancao to pay respects at the main courtyard. Finding her two elder sisters already seated in the room, she observed them positioned opposite each other on the quilt-covered kang bed—Molan and Rulan exchanging occasional frosty glances like turtles meeting beans.Minglan sighed inwardly, thinking the moment had finally come. Walking to the center of the room, she smiled and said, "Good morning, elder sisters. It seems I'm late." As she spoke, she calmly took a seat beside Rulan. Old Madam had held her back for a few extra words, and the Longevity and Peace Hall was quite far from Madam Wang's quarters. Had she been able to summon the energy of her past life's 800-meter dash, she might have arrived on time. Unfortunately, young ladies in this era weren't even allowed to take large strides, forcing her to secretly practice calisthenics and yoga behind closed doors to stay fit.
Molan immediately sneered, "Sixth Sister is Old Madam's darling. What does it matter if she's a little late? Would Madam dare to punish you over a mere moment's delay?"
Minglan smoothed her sleeves and straightened her collar, as if soothing her own emotions, before replying leisurely, "Fourth Sister, you're quite fiery this early in the morning. From what you're saying, if Madam doesn't punish me, it means she lacks courage. But if she does punish me, Old Madam would surely be displeased. With just one sentence, you've managed to implicate two elders."
Rulan widened her eyes and turned to look at Minglan, her expression full of disbelief and hidden delight. Meanwhile, Molan was rendered speechless. As a transmigrator, Minglan might not remember clearly, but Molan vividly recalled how timid and easily bullied Minglan had been before the age of five. She had ordered Minglan around numerous times, and Rulan had often shouted at her too. But after Minglan was taken to the Longevity and Peace Hall, they had rarely interacted for years. Their occasional meetings were limited to polite exchanges, leaving Molan with the impression that Minglan was still simple-minded and meek.
Molan's gaze sharpened abruptly. "What... did you say? How dare you slander me like this!"
Minglan chuckled inwardly. Just like Consort Lin, Molan appeared delicate on the surface but was fierce underneath. If she were truly weak, how could she have thrived so well? Minglan smiled faintly. "Oh, it seems I misunderstood. So Fourth Sister didn't actually want Madam to punish me?"
Molan was fuming internally, while Rulan gaped in delight. Overjoyed, Rulan linked arms with Minglan affectionately and said, "Sixth Sister used to be in poor health, so Old Madam exempted her from morning greetings to Mother. It's nothing if you're late for the first time today! Earlier, after Concubine Xiang served Mother her breakfast, Nanny Liu needed to discuss something with her. All the concubines were summoned too and haven't emerged yet. It's really no trouble!"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend"—this was the principle Madam Wang had instilled in Rulan. In her usual squabbles with Molan, she lost seven out of ten times. Now, with unexpected reinforcements, her spirits soared. Minglan was well aware of the underlying dynamics, but she knew that fence-sitting was the worst strategy when choosing sides. With Consort Wei's death looming in the past, there was no chance of her getting along with Consort Lin's faction.
Having found an ally, Rulan chattered excitedly to Minglan—one moment promising to send her some of the newly arrived pork belly, the next suggesting they view her newly acquired "Nine-Nine Cold Dispelling Diagram" together. "When we were little, Sixth Sister and I lived together. It's a pity we grew apart after you moved to the Longevity and Peace Hall. How wonderful it would be if we still shared quarters!"Molan had long since suppressed her anger, elegantly stirring the tea leaves with the lid of her cup as she remarked mockingly, "Fifth Sister, you jest. Sixth Sister enjoys all the luxuries before Old Madam—she’s living in great splendor. Why would she ever come to Weirui Pavilion? Ah—come to think of it, I was unfortunate from the start, unable to enter Longevity and Peace Hall. But Fifth Sister, you were far better off than either of us, so how is it that Old Madam didn’t take a liking to you either?"
When it came to skill in verbal sparring, Rulan was indeed no match for Molan. She excelled at outright scolding, but in these refined exchanges, she often left openings. With just this one remark, she was left speechless, her grip on Minglan’s hand tightening instantly. Minglan mourned her aching arm and said, "Fourth Sister, you’re so amusing. Back then, Fifth Sister and Madame were deeply attached as mother and daughter—it was out of reluctance to part that she faced difficulties. Fourth Sister, on the other hand, was exceptionally filial, but Old Madam always considered not tearing apart familial bonds, which is why she chose me instead."
Rulan immediately caught the hint and chuckled, "That’s right! Fourth Sister was so filial, willing to part with Concubine Lin, yet Old Madam couldn’t bear to separate them!" She then relaxed her grip, and Minglan hastily withdrew her poor, plump little arm.
Molan stood up, fixing her gaze on Minglan as she spoke word by word, "How dare you speak of your elders and sister in such a manner?"
Minglan smiled sweetly and replied, "How have I spoken of them? Fourth Sister, please point out which part of what I said was wrong, so your younger sister may correct herself." Go ahead, try to find fault in her words.
Back in the day, that judge, an old lady, had once declared: "A courtroom is, by definition, a legally designated place to corner someone." During debates, every sentence was backed by clauses and statutes, appearing impartial while targeting individuals all along. Legal battles were fought over people, yet no one could voice a complaint. Back then, the handsome lawyer Yao Yiyi admired could infuriate the plaintiff to the brink of collapse, all while maintaining a sincere and serious expression.
Molan stared at Minglan in surprise, her beautiful eyes wide open. Minglan met her gaze calmly and steadily. She hadn’t intended to confront Molan, but from the moment she entered, Molan had been relentless, pressing her advantage and lacing her words with sharpness. If Minglan appeared too weak now, not only would she be looked down upon by Rulan, but she’d also have to prepare for daily bullying hereafter. Baring her claws was merely to let others know—she wouldn’t provoke unless provoked. Though she lacked biological brothers or a concubine mother, she wasn’t entirely without support.
The two girls locked eyes, sparks flying in the air. Rulan grew excited, her eyes gleaming. Minglan subtly averted her gaze, feigning fear, and stood up to approach Molan. She curtsied obediently and said meekly, "It’s all your younger sister’s fault. If I hadn’t been late, I wouldn’t have been so cheeky with my words. Fourth Sister, please don’t be angry. Let your younger sister apologize to you."
Rulan inwardly cursed Minglan for being spineless—her resistance was far too weak, crumbling so quickly. She immediately rolled up her sleeves, ready to join the fray. Just then, the door curtain was lifted aside by Caihuan, who announced, "Madame has arrived."
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