Shortly after the New Year, the manor sent word to Longevity and Peace Hall that Cuiwei’s father was critically ill and wished for his daughter to marry as soon as possible to bring auspicious fortune, begging Old Madam for her grace. Cuiwei was the youngest child born to her parents in their later years, with all her elder siblings already married. Her parents were only uneasy about her, so Old Madam nodded in approval and instructed Mama Fang to allocate thirty taels of silver to her family for the dowry.
Upon hearing the news, Minglan immediately retrieved twenty taels of silver from her room to add to Cuiwei’s dowry. Cuiwei waved her hands in refusal: "Good miss, this won’t do. You’ve already given me two sets of gold and silver hair ornaments and five bolts of satin—that’s more than generous. Think of it: when Caizan from the lady’s household got married, the lady only gave twenty taels. Because I’m considered part of Old Madam’s household, the gift was already more generous. If you give more, not only will it reflect poorly on the lady, but also, when other sisters in the courtyard marry later, how will you manage?"
Minglan was deeply moved, knowing Cuiwei was thinking of her, and felt somewhat embarrassed: "I understand your kindness, sister, but… if it weren’t for your concern for me, you would have married last year."
Seeing no one around, Cuiwei quietly closed the doors and windows and lowered the curtain to the side room before saying: "There’s something I’ve long wanted to ask you, miss. Once I leave, you’ll have to promote someone. The younger ones have been eyeing the position eagerly. Do you have anyone in mind?" Minglan had already considered this and asked first: "What do you think?"
Without hesitation, Cuiwei replied: "In terms of seniority, it should be Yancao. In terms of efficiency and capability, it should be Jiuer. And in terms of… appearance and temperament, it should be Ruomei." Since most maids who accompanied a bride were expected to become the groom’s bedroom servants, Cuiwei hesitated slightly at the mention of Ruomei.
After a moment of contemplation, Minglan said gravely: "I want to promote Lüzhi."
Cuiwei was surprised: "Lüzhi has a sharp tongue—why would you consider her?"
Minglan smiled without answering and instead asked: "If one is promoted, we’ll need to bring in a new young maid. Mama You has been recommending her daughter to me quite often lately. What do you think?"
Cuiwei thought for a moment and shook her head: "Mama You is not an easy one to deal with; it’s only your authority that keeps her in check. Bringing her daughter in now would only stir up trouble. It would be better to directly ask Old Madam, the lady, or the elder young mistress for someone. Firstly, it shows your respect for your elders, and secondly, after what happened that year, they likely won’t send anyone unreliable."
Minglan nodded and said seriously: "Good sister, every word you say makes sense." She then pushed the box containing the twenty taels of silver back across the table and said firmly: "Over these years, you’ve not only worked hard for me but also offended many. You must accept this silver. If you’re worried about attracting attention, keep it quiet and hide it at the bottom of your chest."
Cuiwei choked up slightly. It was common for masters to boast about their generosity when rewarding servants, but this Liu Guniang was genuinely kind-hearted, making her own efforts worthwhile. Suddenly, she recalled Mama Fang’s hint the other day—that when Liu Guniang married in the future, she would have her family accompany as part of the bridal entourage. Cuiwei felt a stir of emotion.
As Cuiwei was trained under Mama Fang’s direct guidance, news traveled quickly. The next day, Old Madam summoned Minglan and asked with a faint smile: "You want to promote that girl Lüzhi? What are your thoughts?"Minglan answered honestly: "Jiuer won't stay with me long-term. Mama Liu will definitely keep her daughter, so mentioning her would be useless. Both Yancao and Danju have gentle temperaments and lack authority. Ruomei is too arrogant—even now she looks down on this person and dislikes that one. If she were promoted to senior maid, she might cause trouble. Finally, I thought Lüzhi would be best. Though she's sharp-tongued, she lacks arrogance and has a strong sense of justice. With proper training, she could be useful... That was my initial thought."
Old Madam asked with interest: "Initial thought? And now?"
Minglan shook her head with an adult-like manner: "Later I reconsidered—no need to create resentment among the sisters. Better to promote Yancao based on seniority. She's thorough and kind-hearted, keeping her by my side would bring stability."—Efficiency wasn't the priority, stability overrode everything.
Hearing this, Old Madam nodded slightly: "I originally thought it inappropriate too. Your current thinking is very good. Ah... some matters are better left to take their own course... You've truly grown up." Her tone carried some emotion as she looked at Minglan's fair and elegant face, remembering the chubby little girl from years past who could now make decisions and manage affairs with careful consideration, feeling a motherly pride well up inside.
Just after the first month passed, Hai Shi's father Official Hai was about to leave the capital. Before departing, Madame Hai specially visited the Sheng residence, holding her daughter's hand to give many instructions and speaking with Madam Wang for quite some time, her manner consistently humble and gentle. After Minglan and the others went out to pay their respects, they returned to their rooms. The three Lan sisters gathered as usual in Minglan's room for tea.
"Madame Hai is truly amiable, so polite and proper in speech," Molan said with great admiration for that refined dignity. "I heard Official Hai is being appointed as a Provincial Administration Commission Vice Commissioner, rank 3b."
Rulan laughed: "Naturally, they're in-laws after all."
Molan glanced at Rulan while blowing on her teacup: "That's not necessarily true. Last time we visited the Loyal Diligence Count residence, eldest sister's mother-in-law wasn't nearly this pleasant. We sat for ages before she served refreshments and tea."
Rulan was about to glare and retort.
Damn, can't you go one day without bickering! Minglan sighed and changed the subject, pretending curiosity: "Eh, is it true sister-in-law's family doesn't permit concubines? Then sister-in-law's sisters-in-law must be quite content."
Successfully diverted, Rulan said proudly: "Theirs is a generations-old scholarly family with countless jinshi and juren graduates. Their rules are extremely strict. But because of this, many powerful and influential families want to marry into the Hai family. They select daughters-in-law more carefully than the Emperor choosing top scholars—requiring good character, talent, beauty, and family background all to be perfect, and they only consider legitimate daughters for marriage~~!"
She deliberately drew out the last sentence for the other two Lan sisters to hear. Minglan, thick-skinned, wasn't much affected, knowing she was only half-legitimate at best, and simply said "Oh." But Molan felt anger surge up and sneered: "What's so great about their family rules? Sure, they can't take concubines, but that doesn't mean they lack bedroom servants. Oh, and some keep separate residences outside. Hmph, it's just reputation-hunting and feigned compliance."
"Really?!" Minglan, slow to realize, deeply felt her intelligence network was too outdated.
Rulan argued forcefully: "Where there's a forest, you'll find all types of birds. Those collateral branches of the Hai family have complex populations—how could they possibly manage them all?"
Minglan watched in terror as Molan slammed her favorite cup heavily on the table. Fortunately, it didn't break.Mo-lan sneered, "I didn't say much, just thought that fame beyond merits is hard to sustain. If she can't maintain it, why put on such airs?"
Ru-lan was furious, but Ming-lan felt indifferent. Seeking monogamy in ancient official families was as difficult as looking for an innocent man in a stallion novel. Since she had become an ancient woman, she had to be open-minded and not make things hard for herself.
A few days later, Cui-wei bid farewell to Old Madam and Ming-lan and was taken home by her family. Yan-cao was promoted, and the sisters congratulated her together. A young maid named Cui-xiu, only eleven or twelve years old, was sent from Longevity and Peace Hall to fill the vacancy. She was clever and quick-witted and soon blended in with the girls of Twilight Cang Study. Seeing everyone happy, Ming-lan asked Dan-ju to cut two or three taels of silver with copper scissors and give it to the kitchen mothers, asking them to prepare two simple tables of food. Then, she had the courtyard gate bolted early, allowing the girls to drink a little and enjoy themselves.
"Young lady is too kind, indulging these little minxes until they're all stumbling drunk. Luckily, Mother You isn't here, or who knows what gossip she'd spread. Now that they're all tucked into their beds, I can finally relax." Dan-ju had only toasted one cup of wine before coming out to watch over the rooms. "Yan-cao is fine, but what's infuriating is that careless Xiao-tao didn't even come to tend the stove. Ruo-mei, at least, has some sense—she didn't drink much and is now checking the rooms with a lantern."
Ming-lan had also drunk a few cups and felt dizzy. Watching Dan-ju busily making her bed and folding quilts, she said leisurely, "They've been so busy during the New Year and haven't had any fun. They're at an age where they love to play—it's pitiful. Consider it drinking Cui-wei's wedding toast. Ah, I wonder how Cui-wei is doing? Is her groom treating her well? Has he bullied her?"
Dan-ju turned around and smiled, "That marriage was vetted by Mama Fang—it won't be bad." Then she sighed sadly, "For a maid to have as dignified a life as Sister Cui-wei is already a blessing. We're fortunate to have a mistress like you. If we were under someone who didn't care, who knows how we'd be mistreated."
"...How is Ke'er?" Ming-lan suddenly asked.
Dan-ju smoothed the bedding and spread a blanket over the incense burner to warm, sighing softly, "Consort Lin is truly ruthless." While Old Madam was away in Youyang and the madam was busy moving to the capital, she matched such a delicate, flower-like girl with the filthy son of Mother Cheng at the front gate. That man drinks and gambles—how despicable. Ke'er was tied up, gagged, and dragged there. She was gone within two months."
"Did Third Young Master say anything?"
Dan-ju's usually gentle face showed a trace of disdain. "Third Young Master cried bitterly for a while, but after a few days, he let it go. Now his favorite is a girl named Rou'er."
Ming-lan felt somewhat sad and said softly, "Old Madam was right—the greatest fear for a woman is greed." After feeling down for a moment, she collected herself and said seriously, "Starting tomorrow, you, Yan-cao, and Xiao-tao must strictly discipline everyone's behavior. No casual joking or chatting with the outside servants. We must secure our household strictly."
Seeing Ming-lan's solemn expression, Dan-ju responded earnestly.
...Minglan was lying on the heated kang in the side room, copying a sutra with larger characters for Old Madam. Old Mrs. Sheng sat on the luohan bed in the main hall, while Madam Wang and her daughter Hualan below kept craning their necks to look outside, their conversation disjointed and incoherent. The originally relaxed Old Madam couldn't stand it anymore and said, "Settle down. The He family lives at Huichun Alley—even if they left before dawn, they wouldn't arrive this quickly. Now you're anxious, but why did you keep it all secret earlier?"
Hualan smiled sheepishly, "Grandmother, your granddaughter... didn't want to trouble you." Old Madam shot her a glare and scolded, "If you'd understood the seriousness earlier, you wouldn't have dragged this out for so many years!"
Though the three spoke vaguely, Minglan inside could guess what was going on.
Just as they were talking, a maid announced from outside: The guests have arrived.
Old Madam hurriedly said, "Quick, call Ming'er out from inside," while promptly inviting the guests in.
Amid the sounds of movement and chatter, Minglan lifted the curtain and went out, seeing He Laofuren whom she hadn't met in a long time, accompanied by a tall, slender young man. Old Mrs. Sheng, unusually warm, said, "We've finally been waiting for you. Please, have a seat."
He Laofuren looked just as before—her rosy, plump face framed by neatly tied gray hair in a bun, secured with a flat white jade hairpin engraved with four coins for good luck. After exchanging pleasantries, the elders had the younger generation pay their respects. Hualan and Minglan first kowtowed to He Laofuren, then He Hongwen bowed to Old Mrs. Sheng and Madam Wang.
Madam Wang pulled He Hongwen closer, looking him over left and right, exclaiming in admiration, "What a handsome young man, no wonder Old Madam hasn't stopped praising you since returning to the capital." She then gently asked about his age, what books he had read, and what foods he liked. Old Madam couldn't help interrupting with a laugh, "Alright! Let the child sit down. Are you interrogating him or collecting a debt?"
Everyone in the room laughed. Hualan stepped forward to pull Madam Wang back, turning to smile, "He Laofuren, please don't mind her—my mother is just delighted." He Laofuren shook her head, then spotted Minglan and smiled, "Ming'er has grown taller after the New Year." Old Madam chuckled, "This child only grows in height, not in wits—all she knows is mischief."
Hualan's face lit up as she chided playfully, "Grandmother, even if you want to be modest, you shouldn't disparage Sixth Sister like that. My little sister is very filial and sensible."
Madam Wang chimed in, "That's true. Among my daughters, Sixth Girl is the most agreeable."
Such lavish praise left Minglan stunned, a strange feeling rising in her heart. She glanced at He Hongwen sitting opposite, who had flushed cheeks and evasive eyes—when she looked at him, he shifted his gaze away like a startled rabbit.
Alarm bells rang loudly in Minglan's mind. She looked at the five women of varying ages present and wondered silently: Is there something they know that I don't?
After everyone chatted for a while longer, Old Mrs. Sheng pointed at Hualan and said with a smile, "My eldest granddaughter brought several bolts of high-quality thick velvet fabric. I thought they were excellent and was planning to send some to you. Why don't you come inside and see which ones you like?"
He Laofuren's wrinkled eyes crinkled into a flower-like smile, twinkling with a hint of mischief as she pretended to ponder, "Since it's your eldest granddaughter who brought them, why not have her accompany me to take a look?""Let's go together, let's go together." Old Mrs. Sheng beamed with smiles. Hualan seemed to blush but quickly stood up and followed the two elderly ladies into the inner room. The maid from the He family who had accompanied them, carrying a chubby box, also followed inside.
These words were spoken like a secret code. Minglan thought to herself: Is all this really necessary? It's just a fertility specialist consultation!
Once they went in, it seemed they wouldn't come out anytime soon. Leaving behind a distracted Madam Wang making idle conversation with He Hongwen. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, when Madam Wang had asked He Hongwen "How is your mother?" for the third time, she couldn't bear it any longer and said with an unnatural smile: "I'll go check inside too."
Then only Minglan and He Hongwen remained. They sat facing each other - one carefully examining the patterns on her teacup, the other staring at the floor as if a crabapple flower had grown from the carpet. They were acquainted, having joked freely during previous meetings, but this time Minglan distinctly felt the atmosphere was different, so she resolutely refused to speak first.
The room fell into silence, broken only by the crackling of charcoal in the seven-layer lotus-shaped brass heater in the center. He Hongwen was the first who couldn't bear it, coughing lightly twice before saying: "How come they're still not done looking at the fabrics?"
Minglan answered with equal seriousness: "Must be because there are too many fabrics."
"No matter how many fabrics, they should have finished by now." He Hongwen seemed somewhat restless.
"Must be because the fabrics are too exquisite." Minglan remained perfectly calm.
After another moment of silence, they glanced at each other and both burst out laughing. He Hongwen's handsome eyes sparkled with the warmth of a spring lakeside, making people feel cozy. He sighed heavily: "Being a physician isn't easy."
"Why bother? Couldn't they just consult you openly?" Minglan also let out a breath.
He Hongwen smiled at the corners of his mouth: "There have always been people who conceal their illnesses from doctors, let alone women. The words 'serious illness' can be most hurtful. Your elder sister has no choice."
Minglan looked at him quietly: "Do you also think it's difficult being a woman?"
He Hongwen's expression was gentle and sincere, like warm spring water: "If my grandmother had been born male, her medical skills would surely be known throughout the land. It's lamentable that she could only manage household affairs in the women's quarters, teaching this unaccomplished grandson of hers in her old age."
Minglan laughed: "Not at all, how could you be unaccomplished? I've heard you've already started practicing medicine. But since it's a medical clinic, I won't wish you booming business and great prosperity."
Amused, He Hongwen glanced at Minglan's unusually flushed cheeks and got an idea. Putting on a stern face, he said: "Since you mistakenly praise me as accomplished, I must say something."
"Please do." Minglan didn't mind.
"Don't drink cold wine, especially before bed."
"Uh—" Minglan reflexively covered her mouth, feeling the annoyance of being caught red-handed. Mumbling "You—" she initially thought to deny it, but seeing He Hongwen smiling at her with a knowing expression, she admitted defeat and said resentfully, "You can even tell that?!"
He Hongwen pretended to sigh: "Can't be helped, who asked me to be so accomplished?"
Minglan buried her face in her sleeves, laughing so hard she nearly bent over.Hongwen gazed at Minglan across from him, her lips curved to reveal two adorable little white teeth, her expression a mix of embarrassment and vexation. Her emerald-green eyebrows stood out against her fair, almost translucent skin, creating a hue as exquisite as peacock blue.
His heart warmed, and he lowered his head, not daring to look any longer.
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