As parents of unmarried young adults, the potential for preparing weddings is limitless. Sheng Wei and the Kang Family hurriedly made all the arrangements, setting the wedding for the crisp, clear end of September so the new bride could offer New Year incense to the ancestors in the ancestral hall by year’s end. Upon receiving the news, Sheng Hong delayed going to his office that morning and gathered his children for a talk.
Minglan, stifling a yawn, was dragged into the room by Danju. She saw Sheng Hong and Madam Wang already seated in two high-backed tung wood chairs at the head of the hall—one on the east side, the other on the west. Their older siblings stood below in order of age on either side. Changdong, at the very end of the left row, secretly threw her a reassuring glance. Knowing all was well, Minglan lightly stepped to stand beside Rulan and took her place properly.
Sheng Hong took a sip of hot tea. Only after he set the cup down did Madam Wang speak: "You may all sit. The master has something to say."
Minglan sat and glanced at Sheng Hong, who said cheerfully, "Your uncle’s family is celebrating a joyous event—a marriage that strengthens family ties." He stroked his beard and chuckled.
No one dared press him further, so they all looked at Minglan. Playing along, she smiled and asked, "Is it Wu Er Gege and Yun’er Biao Jie? Da Bomu met Cousin Yun’er and liked her very much, praising her as chaste, serene, and elegant. Da Lao Taitai wrote that this is all thanks to our Old Madam’s excellent matchmaking. Father, did Uncle send a matchmaker’s red envelope?"
Sheng Hong pointed at Minglan and laughed heartily. "You child! Already a young lady, yet still so mischievous!"
Madam Wang said proudly, "Speaking of Yun’er’s character and family background, they’re truly impeccable. Your uncle’s family is fortunate to have such a daughter-in-law. It’s truly fate that this match came together!"
Yanran smiled gracefully. "Fate it is, but if we delve deeper, Uncle’s family enjoys such fortune partly due to Father’s reputation."
This was subtly put—a prestigious family like the Kang’s agreeing to marry their legitimate daughter into the merchant Sheng Wei’s household was somewhat influenced by Sheng Hong’s status. Yanran’s hint struck just the right chord with him. Indeed, Sheng Hong didn’t reply, but his expression grew even more pleased. He nodded repeatedly at Yanran, his eyes full of appreciation.
Minglan lowered her head, glancing at Rulan beside her, who was clenching her fists inside her sleeves, and sighed inwardly: If Yanran used to be an idol type, these past few years she’s transitioned to a skilled performer. No matter how she behaves in front of Rulan and Minglan, whenever Sheng Hong is present, she’s the gentle, attentive good daughter—caring for elders and thoughtful toward her sisters.
Sheng Hong smiled. "Da Lao Taitai wrote that she insists Old Madam must attend the wedding feast, or she’ll come personally to invite her. Yesterday, I discussed it with Old Madam, and we’ve decided to depart for Youyang at month’s end. I have official duties and cannot go; my term as prefect ends in late October. Changbai will soon leave for the capital to prepare our residence there. Changfeng needs to study for the Autumn Examination. Changdong is still too young. Minglan must accompany Old Madam. Yanran, Rulan, would you like to go?"
Rulan turned to glance at Minglan. In truth, Minglan was also surprised. Given Old Madam’s usual aloof and reclusive nature, Minglan had expected her to refuse this time and was already thinking of excuses to help her decline. Unexpectedly, Old Madam had agreed without hesitation.Molán glanced at Minglan and said with a smile, "I would have been delighted to attend such a joyous occasion, but with our entire family moving to the capital and Madam Wang overwhelmed with household affairs, we must pack our own belongings. I also need to help Fifth Sister and Third Young Master with their preparations, so I won't be going. Please convey my congratulations to Wu Er Gege on my behalf."
Minglan agreed cheerfully.
Compared to the bustling capital, Youyang seemed far less appealing—especially since Qi Heng was there! Rulan, thinking the same, retorted coldly, "Who needs your help? If Fourth Sister doesn’t want to go, so be it, but don’t use me as an excuse!"
Madam Wang frowned and glanced at Sheng Hong, who indeed raised his voice sternly, "How dare you speak like that? You’ve always been careless since childhood, and now your sister kindly offers to help—how can you be so ungrateful? With such ill manners, you shouldn’t go either, lest you embarrass us!"
Rulan’s face flushed red, but she dared not talk back. Worried the argument would escalate, Madam Wang quickly intervened, "Children will be children, and sisters do quarrel sometimes. Sir, please hurry with your instructions—it’s getting late, and you still have to attend the office."
Sheng Hong shot Madam Wang a glare before turning to Minglan with a gentle tone, "Minglan, you’ll accompany Old Madam to Youyang alone this time. She’s getting on in years, so keep an eye on her during the journey!"
Minglan was happy to travel, having never left home since arriving in this ancient era, but the thought of riding a carriage again made her frown. "Father, you’ve got it backwards. With my constitution, I get dizzy at the sight of a carriage—I’d only trouble Old Madam to look after me. Maybe I should walk there instead?" Seeing Minglan’s worried expression, Sheng Hong found it amusing but kept a straight face. "With those short legs of yours, even if you ran them off, you’d only make it in time for the full-month celebration!"
The tension in the room eased as everyone laughed, but Minglan grew more anxious. "Maybe I shouldn’t go either?"
Sheng Hong, fond of Minglan’s fair and lovely face, insisted, "You must go! It’s a chance to meet our relatives, visit the Ancestral Temple to light incense, and deliver any congratulatory gifts from your elder brothers and sisters."
With that, Sheng Hong stood up, and all the children rose with him. Madam Wang stepped forward to adjust the purple Cloud Crane Flower Brocade Ribbon on his robe. As Sheng Hong passed Minglan, he added, "Minglan, pack quickly and don’t trouble Old Madam. Mind your manners and observe etiquette while away. We’ll return to the capital just in time for the New Year, and I’ll take you to see the lanterns."
Minglan nodded eagerly, like pounding garlic. Sheng Hong smiled, patted her head, then beckoned to Changbai before striding out. Changbai followed, while Changfeng watched their retreating figures with a hint of loss.
"Father called for Eldest Brother—I wonder what it’s about?" Molán, noticing Changfeng’s preoccupation, asked casually as if it were of no concern.
Rulan shot her a disdainful look. "If you want to know, go ask Father yourself." Then, flicking her handkerchief, she followed Madam Wang into the inner room. Minglan, eager to avoid such tensions, slipped out the door in a hurry.Upon entering the inner chamber, Rulan was immediately met with a torrent of scolding from Madam Wang: "You truly regress as you grow older! Even if you can't learn the cunning of the fourth girl, at least emulate the sixth girl's sweet and pleasing nature. In recent years, how your father dotes on her! He never fails to praise her gentleness, kindness, and pure-heartedness in my presence, often reminding me that her daily necessities must never be lacking!"
Rulan snorted coldly: "She merely knows how to curry favor by making a few pairs of shoes and pouches!"
Madam Wang grew even angrier: "Though shoes are trivial, they represent filial devotion. Even I feel she puts heart into the shoes she sends me. Why don't you make any? All you do is quarrel and mischief with the fourth girl! This time, your father has Minglan offer incense at the Ancestral Temple and ancestral hall to signal to our hometown uncles and relatives that this child will soon be registered under my name!"
Rulan was shocked: "Truly? What about the fourth sister? She visited the Ancestral Temple years ago. Could she also...?"
"Who knows? We'll handle it as it comes." Madam Wang wearily collapsed onto the kang.
While mother and daughter were vexed, Sheng Hong—the source of their troubles—was strolling through the garden, speaking with Changbai: "I've had Laifu organize those chests of congratulatory gifts. Your mother will check them once more before we depart. I've written to your Liu Shishu. Barring unforeseen circumstances, after completing his term at the Grand Court of Revision, he'll be transferred to Vice Minister of Revenue. You should also write to Wu Ge'er, informing him of Liu Daren's preferences, character, and family background so he can prepare early and pay a visit upon returning to the capital."
Changbai nodded. After a moment, he suddenly remarked, "Uncle is quite capable."
At these seven words, Sheng Hong sharply turned to his son, his eyes filled with approval: "It's good that you recognize this. In this world, even among relatives, respect is mutual. Speaking of which, your uncle most resembles your great-grandfather. With just a little assistance from me, he built a vast family fortune from scratch. His elder son inherits the estate, while the younger pursues an official career. Their family will surely not decline. Bai, I only hope that you and Feng can support each other in officialdom. Dong shows no scholarly inclination but is clever and thorough. When he's older, let him engage in trade and acquire property. Thus, you three brothers will encompass both wealth and status!"
Changbai glanced at his father's enthusiastic profile and coughed lightly: "When Old Madam goes to Youyang this time, she'll likely encounter San Lao Taiye again. Da Lao Taitai... is also formidable."
Sheng Hong looked somewhat reproachfully at his solemn eldest son. Had Changfeng been present, he would have cheered and enthusiastically endorsed his plans, perhaps even clapping. But Changbai was utterly devoid of such flair. Yet, it was precisely this eldest son he relied on most. Sighing, he said, "San Lao Taiye's family has declined increasingly in recent years, constantly seeking favors from your uncle. Knowing that Song Ge'er and his wife have no sons, he even urged the clan elders to have his own grandson adopted by them. Now that Wu Ge'er is marrying, he's bound to make trouble again. Da Lao Taitai, constrained by clan face, can't be too harsh. Only your grandmother, with her high status and temper, can suppress this San Lao Taiye!"
Sheng Hong spoke with a bitter smile. Changbai raised an eyebrow and said no more.
...Minglan's trunks had long been nearly packed. Thinking she should bid farewell to her close girlfriends, she simply sent messages to most, but Hong Qingyu—two years her junior and her most mischievous fishing companion—deserved a specially written letter. After obtaining Old Madam's permission to personally visit Yanran for farewells, and knowing Minglan suffered from motion sickness, Old Madam instructed Mama Fang to prepare her personal Blue Cloth Four-Bearer Curtain Sedan for the visit.
About fifty meters from the Yu residence, Minglan sensed something amiss. Peeking through the sedan curtain, she saw the main gate shut tight with a crowd gathered outside, muttering phrases like "...Chen Shimei...abandoning wife and children...bullying with power..." Minglan immediately instructed Cui Mama standing outside to divert the sedan to the back entrance.
The Yu family's gatekeeper, usually familiar with the Sheng family's carriage, wore an awkward expression today, hesitating whether to admit Minglan. During the standoff, Yanran's wet nurse hurried over, welcoming Minglan inside while whispering tremulously: "Miss Ming treats our young lady closer than blood sisters, so this old woman won't hide it. This morning, an unnamed woman with two children knelt at our gate kowtowing, demanding to see the young lady and elders, threatening to dash her brains out if refused!...Ah, what's to be done? Why must our young lady suffer so?"
Hearing this disjointed account, Minglan pondered briefly before understanding. Hesitantly, she asked: "That woman...is she connected to Marquis of Ningyuan's Gu Er Gongzi...?"
The wet nurse nearly wept with agitation, covering her face with a handkerchief: "Such wickedness! What has this to do with our young lady? The woman keeps begging to serve tea to our miss, pleading for pity to grant her children legitimacy, vowing to kneel until accepted. The children's wailing echoes through the mansion! The old master vomited blood and fainted from rage, the old mistress is collapsing, and with Second Master's household away in Jinan...there's no one to take charge! Our gentle young lady only weeps helplessly...Buddha preserve us, what sin is this!"
Minglan's heart tightened as she quickened her pace toward the inner courtyard. Passing through the moon gate, she saw maids and matrons clustered about, whispering and gossiping. Turning to the wet nurse, Minglan commanded: "Fetch the Second Madam's stewardess! How can they gawk like this?!"
Startled into awareness, the wet nurse scurried off. Familiar with the Yu residence, Minglan proceeded directly with Xiaotao and Danju into the inner grounds. Crossing the courtyard, she saw a plain-clothed woman kneeling at the center, clutching a son and daughter, all three weeping incessantly. Minglan slowed her steps, deliberately bypassing them to enter the main house.
Inside, Old Madam Yu lay weakly panting on a couch while Yanran—pale and distraught—sat limply beside her. Spotting Minglan, Yanran clutched her hands tightly, murmuring through trembling lips: "You must think this ridiculous..." Then gathering strength, she called out to the woman: "Rise! I'll never accept your tea! Leave at once!"The woman lifted her head, revealing delicate features and a pitiable appearance. Bloodstains dotted her forehead, likely from kowtowing, and her eyes brimmed with red-tinged tears. "From now on, you shall be my mistress. If you refuse to accept me, where in this vast world can my child and I find shelter? If you do not grant my plea today, the three of us might as well die right here! Could you bear to watch us perish?!"
Yanran, always tenderhearted and easily flustered, was rendered speechless by this plea. Under Minglan’s gaze, she felt even more ashamed and helpless, weakly uttering, "Please rise... I—I won’t let you die..."
Minglan nearly rolled her eyes. Lord Yu had always been strict with himself and never took a concubine in his lifetime, allowing Lady Yu to live smoothly till now. With her daughter-in-law not daring to defy her, Yanran had grown up sheltered by her grandparents. Neither grandparent had likely ever witnessed such a dramatic scene, leaving Yanran ill-equipped to handle such pressure. If it were Madam Wang, Rulan, or Molan here... heh... Minglan suddenly missed those women’s formidable combativeness. Seeing Lady Yu struggling for breath, Minglan gritted her teeth and leaned close to the elderly lady’s ear. "Forgive my presumption, madam."
Lady Yu cracked open her eyes, recognized Minglan, and understood, though she lacked the strength to respond. With labored breaths, she managed, "You are like my own granddaughter... Go... lend some backbone to my useless girl!"
Minglan stepped to the doorway, looking down at the woman on the steps, her voice clear and crisp. "Who kneels there? If you wish my sister to accept your tea, you ought to state your name!"
The woman gently raised her head. Noting the servants’ respectful demeanor toward Minglan, she assumed this was a young lady from the Yu family’s second branch. Suppressing her sobs, she replied, "I... I am Man Niang. These are my two unfortunate children!"
Minglan smiled gently. "Accepting a concubine isn’t merely about the mistress drinking a cup of tea. Disorder in the household often stems from internal strife. Even common families inquire into a concubine’s background—how much more so for the Marquis of Ningyuan, a distinguished noble lineage in the capital? If my sister were to casually drink your tea without knowing your origins and past, wouldn’t it invite ridicule that the Yu family lacks propriety?"
Her words were clear and logical, earning nods of agreement from the onlookers. Man Niang stared at Minglan in surprise, taken aback. A maid brought Minglan a soft stool, and she seated herself gracefully, smiling as she asked, "Now, on behalf of my grandmother and sister, I have a few questions. Once clarified, my sister can properly drink your tea! Would you prefer to kneel or stand while answering?"
Witnessing Minglan’s commanding presence, the surrounding servants gradually quieted their murmurs, watching the mother and children as if they were a spectacle. Man Niang clenched her teeth, stood up, and murmured, "As the young lady commands."
Another maid presented a tray to Minglan, who leisurely picked up a teacup and took a sip before amiably inquiring, "Are you from the Gu household?" Man Niang hung her head and muttered, "...No."
Minglan chuckled inwardly. "Ah, so you’re from outside. What of your parents and siblings? What trade do they pursue?"
Man Niang’s pale face suddenly turned ashen. Her lips trembling, she stammered, "...I have no parents. Only an elder brother... He runs a small business...""What business?" Minglan pressed urgently, while the surrounding servants widened their eyes in anticipation.
"At... the canal transport docks," Man Niang's voice was almost inaudible.
Just as Minglan was about to remark that dock laborers were still respectable work, an elderly maid from the matriarch's household leaned over and whispered something. Minglan frowned, "Then what connection do you have with the Six Happiness Troupe?"
Man Niang's voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, "My brother used to do odd jobs there."
Suddenly understanding dawned on Minglan. She had always known that a profligate young master like Gu Er would only encounter women from either brothels or opera troupes. She said with difficulty, "This complicates matters! I'm afraid my sister cannot make such decisions. Why don't you plead directly with the Gu family?"
With a thud, Man Niang knelt again, tears streaming down her face as she kowtowed repeatedly. "The Gu family despises my lowly status and refuses to accept me. I have no other choice... I beg the young lady to take pity on us! My children are growing up—they need their household registration settled!"
Minglan observed the two toddlers, innocent and unaware, and felt a pang of compassion. She tentatively suggested, "Even if the Gu family doesn't acknowledge you, they would surely want the children, right? Though I fear you might suffer some indignity."
Man Niang panicked, exclaiming, "Would you separate a mother from her children? The young lady appears jade-like in virtue, yet your heart is so cruel! If I'm parted from my babies, I... I'd rather die..."
She heavily knocked her forehead against the ground, prompting nearby servants to hastily restrain her.
Minglan's heart grew cold, her tone hardening. "You've calculated this well, haven't you? Knowing the Gu family won't accept you, you want my sister to become an unfilial daughter-in-law before she's even married—defying her elders from the very start!"
Man Niang's eyes darted nervously before she lowered her head mournfully. "Young lady, please show mercy! Saving a life surpasses building a seven-story pagoda. The lives of my children and me rest in your hands! In the future, when I serve the same husband as your sister, I'll be reverent and obedient, following her every command. My children will be as hers..."
Before she could finish, Yanran's muffled sobs emerged from the inner chamber, followed by Old Madam Yu's labored gasps: "Drive her out! Break off the engagement! Break it off..." The words were too faint for outsiders to hear, but Minglan, standing by the doorway, caught them. She abruptly rose and shouted sharply, "Silence!"
Her girlish voice, though high-pitched, carried startling volume, stunning everyone in the courtyard. Minglan strode to the edge of the steps, looking down imperiously at Man Niang. "What nonsense about 'serving the same husband'? Without matchmakers or betrothal gifts, what connection does my sister have with the Gu family? If you spew such filth again, I'll slap your mouth!"
Man Niang was stunned. She hadn't expected this flower-like girl to become so terrifying in her fury—gentle and courteous one moment, ruthlessly turning on her the next. Fear crept into her heart, but emboldened by the crowd, she cried out, "If the young lady won't let us live, then none of us will!"
Clutching her children, she rushed toward the wall as if to dash her brains out, but was immediately intercepted by the servants. She then broke into loud, unrestrained wailing. Her frightened children joined in with piercing screams and cries, filling the air with chaotic shouts of "Mother!" and "Children!" until the scene descended into utter bedlam.
At that moment, the wet nurse finally arrived with the stewardess. Taking in the scene, she immediately dismissed the onlookers and directed two sturdy matrons to seize Man Niang by both arms. Terrified into silence, Man Niang ceased her weeping. Minglan waved her hand lightly, her gaze icy as she regarded them, her voice clear and measured: "Though your origins are humble, you've committed no grave offense. Had you married an ordinary commoner and lived quietly, you might have led a peaceful life. Yet you knew full well your lowly status would never be accepted by noble families, and that the Gu residence would never tolerate you. Why then did you become a man's mistress? And having chosen that path, why come here weeping and wailing as if your life were ending? Do you mean to claim you were forced into this predicament? ... Hmph! You demand my sister accept you—a person the Gu family rejects—thereby making her unfilial. You've thrown the Yu household into chaos and drawn public scorn, making her unjust. You prattle on about wives and concubines, yet my sister is pure as gold and jade—her reputation sullied for no reason! You're no kin to my sister, yet you barge in uninvited to make her unfilial, unjust, and tarnish her virtue! Were I to have you beaten out of here today, it would be no more than you deserve!"
Minglan's rebuke was so thorough that even servants who had initially pitied Man Niang now looked at her with contempt. Seeing the tide turn against her, Man Niang opened her mouth to argue, but Minglan cut her off: "You have two choices now. First: leave properly on your own, escorted by the Yu family servants back to the capital. Second: be gagged, bound, carried out through the back door, and thrown onto a returning boat or carriage. Choose one." The shrewd stewardess immediately ordered ropes and restraints upon hearing this.
Man Niang's delicate face shifted through several shades of color. Biting her lower lip, she gazed pitifully at Minglan and attempted to speak: "Young lady, I—"
Minglan interrupted her again, looking down on her coldly. "You need only say yes or no! Stewardess, are the ropes ready?"
This last question was directed at the stewardess, who promptly replied, "Ready and waiting, young lady! We await your command!" Several sturdy matrons stood poised to act at the word.
Man Niang stared fixedly at Minglan, who met her gaze unflinchingly. Having witnessed years of rivalry between Madam Wang and her daughter against Consort Lin and hers, this minor scene hardly intimidated her.
After a prolonged standoff, Man Niang slumped in defeat. Pulling her two children to their feet, she allowed the servants to lead her away.
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