The man had deep-set features and eyes as dark as night. Standing quietly in place, the dappled shadows of a few crabapple leaves slanted across his face, half-concealing his expression in ambiguity. He wore a black robe woven with subtle golden silk patterns, its edges faintly worn.
Minglan’s upper body leaned slightly backward as if to turn away, yet her legs remained rooted to the spot. Finally, she curtsied and forced a wry smile. "Greetings, Second Uncle. I hope you have been well lately?"
Gu Tingye approached slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. His inscrutable dark eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Minglan, his thoughts unreadable. The air grew uncomfortably still. Minglan kept her head lowered, feeling the delicate pearl petals adorning her hair tremble faintly.
After a moment, Gu Tingye spoke tersely, "It has been a year since my father passed away."
Minglan responded swiftly, "My condolences, Second Uncle. May you find solace."
Gu Tingye suppressed the twitch at the corner of his mouth, hesitated, and then asked, "Has the Eldest Miss of the Yu family... been well in her marriage?"
Minglan abruptly looked up. His expression was gentle, his tone carrying a hint of apology. Puzzled, she met his gaze. Noting her confusion, Gu Tingye gave a slight smile and added, "I have always held Lord Yu in high esteem. What happened... was not my intention."
Minglan began to understand—Gu Tingye had likely waited here specifically for her. Lord Yu had lived a life of integrity, yet in his later years, both his granddaughters had suffered misfortunes involving the Gu family. One had married far away to Yunnan, and the other had passed away within half a year. Though Lord Yu’s son’s greed had played a role, this "prime culprit" before her seemed to harbor some remorse.
After a moment’s reflection, Minglan replied, "Yunnan is distant. In over a year, I’ve only received three letters from Elder Sister Yu. She is well-married—her in-laws are kind, and her husband is gentle. Though Yunnan’s customs remain rustic, its vast skies, flowing waters, and breathtaking scenery bring her contentment."
In her letters to Yanran, she had also mentioned that Gu Tingye had left home abruptly, only to return in haste when his wife fell ill—arriving just in time for her funeral. Shortly after the mourning rites, his father had passed as well. The sequence of events had unfolded rapidly. Since then, little had been heard of Gu Tingye in the capital.
Occasional rumors claimed he had "fallen from grace," mingling with lowlifes from the jianghu, indulging in vice and recklessness. It seemed he had even gained some notoriety—though such "achievements" were beneath the notice of the nobility and officials.
Hearing her words, Gu Tingye seemed to relax, straightening his tall, well-proportioned frame. He spoke gently, "Should she ever face difficulties, please inform me. Though I may lack talent, I will spare no effort to assist."
Minglan struggled to conceal her astonishment, murmuring an acknowledgment. Her gaze toward Gu Tingye held a trace of bewilderment. She glanced up at the sun—had it risen from the west today?
Gu Tingye carried himself with effortless grace, seemingly unbothered by Minglan’s uncertain expression. He smiled and said, "You are Minglan, if I recall? By relation, you are connected to the Qi family." Minglan nodded emphatically, her expression earnest despite her inner thoughts.
With humility, Gu Tingye added, "On previous occasions, I may have caused offense. I hope you will not hold it against me. Man... It was my error in misjudging character."Minglan couldn't help but glance up at the sun again. What on earth was happening?! She had only met Gu Tingye twice before - once when he came to demand answers, and once when he was watching her embarrassment. Both times ended with Minglan fleeing in disarray. She remembered clearly his sharp, aggressive aura, his cold sneers, and words that cut like knives. Before three sentences were exchanged, she'd wanted to slap him.
But now... Minglan stole a glance at his handsome profile. His thick, dark temples bore traces of hardship, his fair noble complexion tanned to a light brown by worldly travels. Between his brows lay a world of weariness, as if this past year hadn't been comfortable. Yet he appeared relaxed, spoke sincerely, and carried himself with open dignity - as if he'd suddenly transformed into a 'gentleman'.
After a moment of silence, Gu Tingye said gravely, "If you ever face urgent difficulties, you can tell me. I might be able to help somewhat."
What urgent difficulties could a young lady raised deep in the women's quarters have, with fathers and brothers above her and family below? Though she'd heard he'd been roaming the martial world - perhaps if her future husband ever strayed, she could ask him to find someone to beat the man with a sack?! Given the Ningyuan Marquis Household's current precarious state, he still dared to act so arrogantly. Well, quite the character! Minglan chuckled a few times without responding.
Perhaps sensing her thoughts, Gu Tingye smiled faintly and said calmly, "That Liang Han is quite righteous and honest, though somewhat vain about his romantic exploits. The Qi household has complicated affairs, but the princess is protective. Qi Heng is gentle and kind - having their protection isn't bad either."
Minglan drew a sharp breath, widening her eyes as she stammered, "You—"
Gu Tingye stepped before Minglan, looking down at the girl from his height, speaking with natural authority: "A child like you should listen more to your Old Madam's advice instead of making your own decisions."
With that, the man strode away, stirring a cluster of crabapple branches into dancing motion. Minglan stood frozen for a long while, touching the cold sweat on her forehead: Had he opened a private detective agency in the martial world?
Despite such an encounter, Minglan managed to calmly continue attending the banquet. Molan was playing the refined lady, sipping wine delicately with pursed lips while occasionally conversing with noble ladies around her. Rulan and Wenying, taking advantage of being unnoticed, actually finished a pot of Nu'er Hong wine. In the end, Madam Wang watched with a livid expression as her daughter, cheeks flushed red from drinking, boarded the carriage. Molan remarked sarcastically: "Her explosive temper - she's been pretending all morning but finally showed her true colors. Did she really think a prodigal could reform?"
For once, Minglan agreed with Molan. As a court worker, she was a faithful skeptic of the 'prodigal son redemption' theory, for which she was often criticized by the old judge for lacking awareness and the Party member's enthusiasm for learning from past mistakes to prevent future ones and curing the sickness to save the patient. No wonder she never got outstanding evaluations.
Since it wouldn't concern her anyway, Minglan simply stopped thinking about it.
Without the Old Madam around, Minglan's days became quite dull. Before, she would write a couple of characters and bring them to her grandmother to show off, or embroider a few petals and leaves to parade before Mama Fang. But now... ah, perhaps after playing the child for so long, she'd truly lost her self-discipline? Did she need encouragement and supervision to continue studying?
Thus, with nothing better to do, she often visited Hai Shi's room to play with her little nephew. The tiny thing had tender, lotus-root-like arms tied with bright red strings inside his sleeves, waving them with difficulty. Quange had a sweet temperament - he loved to laugh, never cried, and would show his toothless mouth in endless giggles at the slightest teasing, laughing until his eyes disappeared.Madam Wang repeatedly chanted "Amitabha," grateful that her grandson didn't inherit his father's stoic expression like Changbai. Her incense offerings had not been in vain. Hai Shi, now content with her son, beamed with joy daily. Her complexion glowed with health, and after her postnatal recovery, with slight grooming, she appeared even more radiant than when she first married.
"Why does he keep blowing bubbles?" Minglan used her jade-like index finger to pop the Nth bubble at the corner of the baby's mouth.
Hai Shi laughed. "All babies do this. Sometimes they even spit up milk."
Holding the soft swaddled bundle, Minglan suddenly had a whimsical thought. "Has Big Brother ever held Quange?"
Hai Shi covered her mouth with a light chuckle. "Him? He held him a couple of times but looked as awkward as Zhang Fei trying to wield a brush. When the lady of the house saw it, she teased him a little, and he immediately put on a stern face, quoting some sage's saying about 'doting on grandsons but not sons.'"
Minglan gently rocked the swaddle, watching the baby's rosy lips and soft cheeks as he slept soundly with closed eyes. She was utterly charmed, carefully counting the infant's long eyelashes.
"Young lady, let me take him. The young master is asleep—no need to tire yourself," a plump, fair-faced wet nurse offered kindly. Knowing her own arm strength wouldn't last long, Minglan carefully handed the child over.
The room, kept sheltered from drafts, felt somewhat stuffy. Hai Shi, reclining on a rattan daybed, pulled Minglan to sit beside her. Wielding a white silk palace fan, she gently fanned Minglan and said warmly, "Our Quange is truly blessed to have three aunts, each more thoughtful and attentive than the last."
The bamboo curtain at the entrance rustled softly as Goat Hair entered, carrying a tray of fruit chilled in well water. She placed it on the small table before the daybed. Minglan admired the vibrant assortment of fruits arranged on a celadon plate with parrot-tail patterns, adorned with silver picks and glistening with moisture—a fragrant and lovely sight.
"Madam, young lady, please help yourselves," Goat Hair said efficiently, tidying up before respectfully withdrawing.
Minglan watched Goat Hair leave, then turned to Hai Shi with a hesitant expression. "She... isn't she leaving?"
Hai Shi speared a slice of apple and fed it to Minglan, remarking with a hint of self-mockery, "In families like ours, it wouldn't do for your elder brother to have no one attending to him. Otherwise, people might start gossiping again about the Hai family daughters being jealous. Not long ago, someone at a banquet even tried to offer your brother a concubine. Fortunately, with her around, he had grounds to refuse."
Minglan puffed her cheeks as she chewed, mumbling indistinctly, "I can't stand those people who gift concubines! Why not give something else—gold, silver, jewels, estates, or shops? Any of those could express camaraderie between colleagues. But concubines? How utterly tedious! They must be terrible officials."
Hai Shi chuckled softly, shooting Minglan a mock-stern glance. "Hush, don't talk nonsense." Noticing the slight wrinkles on Minglan's honey-colored "Six Harmonies" patterned robe, she smoothed them out and added, "Goat Hair is an honest girl who knows her place. We'll keep her."
Minglan swallowed the apple and glanced at Hai Shi's gentle demeanor, thinking to herself: The most crucial point is probably that Goat Hair is plain-looking and not particularly clever or agile. Changbai hardly visits her once a month, so she poses little threat. Otherwise, why were Shuxu and Zhumao the first to be dismissed after Hai Shi entered the household?
"Ah, I have a favor to ask of you, sister-in-law," Hai Shi said, taking Minglan's hand. "That sachet you made for Quange last time was wonderful. What did you put inside? It smelled so clean and fresh, and it keeps insects away when worn."Minglan thought back, counting on her fingers: "Dried osmanthus, osmanthus oil, sun-dried mugwort..." She couldn't recall the rest - it was He Hongwen's herbal formula, written on a list for her. Harmless to children and pleasantly scented.
Hai Shi didn't actually want to know the secret recipe, so she said directly: "Make another one for your sister-in-law. Last time my cousin saw it and liked it very much. When you have time, make three or four."
Minglan straightened her neck, wide-eyed: "Three or four?! Do you think that's like growing cabbage - harvesting dozens from one patch?! I haven't even finished the one Elder Sister wants, let alone these delicate sachets. They're not hard to make, but making them well isn't easy."
Pretending to be angry, Hai Shi pointed her slender index finger at Minglan's forehead and scolded laughingly: "You naughty girl! Hasn't your sister-in-law always saved you the best tea and treats? Haven't you heard 'he who pays the piper calls the tune'?! Since you've eaten mine, you must work for me!"
Minglan stared for a long moment before sighing in defeat: "Sister-in-law, you collect debts faster than a loan shark."
Hai Shi covered her mouth with her fan, chuckling as if quite pleased, and continued making requests: "I want the same embroidery as last time - the one with a little cricket climbing on a big cicada's back, with a small rock standing beside it. So amusing."
Minglan looked strangely at her: "You... all like that?"
Hai Shi nodded: "Yes, it's quite novel, different from ordinary ones, and the symbolism is good too."
"What symbolism?" Minglan was confused.
"You silly girl - 'knowing one's place'!" Hai Shi poked Minglan's head again.
Minglan suddenly understood. So that was it. She had thought Director Li's potential audience spanned across time.
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