Youthful Glory

Madam Pei was just discussing with Ming Tingyuan that merely sending someone to the nunnery for reflection might not be sufficient. At that moment, Ming Tan and Shen Hua happened to arrive right on time and entered the room together.

The two of them first glanced simultaneously at the kneeling Consort Liu and the teary-eyed Ming Chu, their eyes filled with confusion. Suppressing their questions for the moment, they properly paid their respects.

Ming Tan: "Greetings to Father and Mother."

Shen Hua: "Greetings to the Marquis and Madam."

After paying respects, Ming Tan couldn't help but ask, "Third Sister and Consort Liu, what is this...?"

The room fell silent for a moment. Madam Pei coughed lightly and carefully explained the whole matter.

Upon hearing it, Shen Hua covered her lips with a handkerchief, shocked and fearful, while Ming Tan's face was full of disbelief. The two kept pressing for details, growing increasingly unsteady as they listened.

After a while, Ming Tan seemed to have processed the truth. Tears suddenly rolled straight down her face, and her voice trembled uncontrollably: "Third Sister, Consort Liu, have I ever wronged you in any way that you would harm me like this?"

Shen Hua also shed tears as she softly added, "A Hua knows she is only a distant relative of the Marquis's household. Third Sister is right—living under someone else's roof, one ought to be obedient and well-behaved. But if Third Sister is dissatisfied with me, she should have spoken directly. Why did she want to ruin A Hua's virtue?"

Ming Tan: "That day at Duke Ping's residence, Third Sister wanted to publicly reveal how I was tricked into falling into the water during the Lantern Festival. If Third Sister dislikes me, fine, but to repeatedly attack my reputation—I see now that Third Sister didn’t just want to ruin my and Cousin’s virtue, she wanted to destroy the reputation of Marquis Jing'an's household as well!"

At the time, Ming Tan had been too overwhelmed by the sudden imperial marriage decree to bring this matter to Madam Pei and Ming Tingyuan for justice, so they had been unaware. Now, learning of it, both were shocked: "There was such a thing before?"

Ming Tan nodded. "Fortunately, Cousin helped A Tan back then and didn’t let Third Sister finish speaking."

Shen Hua also said with lingering fear, "Third Sister's words that day were truly shocking. I don’t even know how she heard about the incident with the water."

How she heard about it? There was no need to guess—it had to be Consort Liu. Ming Tingyuan immediately glared sharply at Consort Liu!

He had always regarded Consort Liu as a confidante, never guarding his words when resting in her quarters. He had indeed told her about Ming Tan’s fall into the water, furious at Duke Ling’s despicable behavior. That day, not having vented enough during daylight, he had ranted freely in her chambers at night.

At the time, Consort Liu had looked worried and urged him not to harm his health with anger, even advising him that the incident could damage Ming Tan’s reputation and must not be spread.

Yet her idea of "not spreading it" was to turn around and tell Ming Chu! Ming Chu was her daughter—she knew her temperament best. Even if she told her, she should have restrained her. Instead, she allowed Ming Chu to publicly ruin Ming Tan’s reputation!

Though he wasn’t a woman of the inner household, he understood perfectly how crucial reputation was for women. If today’s scheme was originally aimed at Shen Hua and not Ming Tan, then what about the attempt to expose the water incident in public? This clearly wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment—it was deliberate malice, repeatedly using reputation as a weapon!

Ming Tan’s tears dripped onto the tip of her nose, lingering for a moment before falling in quick succession: "Actually, in the five years Father was away in Yangxi, A Tan often thought how wonderful it would be if, like Third Sister, she could always stay by Father’s side.""Father is not in the capital, elder brother has also taken up his post at Mount Pang, leaving only mother and A Tan in the capital. A Tan has been diligently learning etiquette, not daring to make any mistakes in speech or conduct, nor to take a single wrong step, all for fear of tarnishing father's reputation and that of Marquis Jing'an's household..."

Upon hearing this, Ming Tingyuan could hardly bear to meet Ming Tan's gaze.

He already felt guilty toward Ming Tan. Now, considering how Ming Chu felt aggrieved upon returning to the capital, finding life here vastly different from their days in Yangxi Road, what about Ming Tan?

For five years, Ming Tan had been alone in the capital. No matter how virtuous and kind Madam Pei was, she was still not her birth mother. Yet Ming Tan had never harbored resentment, nor had she ever acted out of jealousy or hatred to harm others. Instead, she constantly worried about the reputation of the marquis's household.

But what did the household's reputation mean to Ming Chu? Probably nothing at all!

Seeing this, Madam Pei softly added, "Young Master Yu went outside the city on business two days ago and should be returning soon. Most importantly, there's also His Highness Prince Dingbei..."

Yes, there was also Shen Yu and His Highness Prince Dingbei.

If Shen Yu learned that Consort Liu and Ming Chu had tried to swap his sister's marriage arrangement, and that the consequence of their exposed scheme was merely confinement in a nunnery for reflection, he would surely not let it go. Shen Yu was a promising young man; hosting him and his sister was meant to foster goodwill, not to make enemies. Not to mention, Prince Dingbei was still waiting for an explanation. Indeed, his earlier consideration had been inadequate.

Ming Chu was furious. Her father had clearly been inclined to let the matter slide, but after Ming Tan and Shen Hua came in crying, he was about to change his mind again! Without thinking, she drew the soft whip from her waist and lashed out at Ming Tan's face, wishing she could ruin the little wretch's face!

Ming Tan had been watching Ming Chu closely, wary of a sudden outburst. At the first sign of the whip, she dodged to the side, crying out to Ming Tingyuan, "Father!"

Ming Tingyuan reacted swiftly, stepping forward to shield Ming Tan. Not only did he take the stinging lash, but the strike also fanned the flames of his anger.

He seized Ming Chu's whip and slapped her hard across the face: "Smack!"

"I've tolerated your willful and spoiled behavior all this time, but to be so vicious toward your sisters at such a young age—how could I, Ming Tingyuan, have raised a daughter like you!"

Ming Chu was stunned. Ming Tingyuan was usually easygoing, and even when reprimanding her, he rarely did more than adopt a stern expression. Clutching her cheek, she was both aggrieved and shocked.

Seeing her unrepentant expression now only infuriated Ming Tingyuan further. Consort Liu, realizing he was serious, panicked and knelt up to cling to his leg, pleading desperately, "It's all my fault, all my fault! Chu Chu, she—"

"Of course it's your fault! Do you think you're blameless?!" Ming Tingyuan, burning with rage, kicked Consort Liu away. "I thought you were honest and unambitious! But behind the scenes, you've been scheming one thing after another—none of which an honest person would do—and you've raised your daughter to be like this!"

Already furious and further irritated by the weeping, he flicked his sleeves and barked, "Guards! Drag Third Miss and Liu Shi away—twenty lashes each! Afterward, lock Third Miss in the ancestral hall. Only food and water are to be delivered, and no one is to release her without my order! As for Liu Shi, throw her into the woodshed!"Twenty lashes wouldn't kill or cripple anyone, but they'd certainly leave one in pain and bedridden for ten days to half a month. Worse still, there'd be no proper rest allowed afterward.

Ming Chu cried out in protest, while Consort Liu sobbed and struggled. Seated at the head of the room, Madam Pei merely cast a faint glance, prompting maids to step forward and gag both women with handkerchiefs before leading them away.

Once the room quieted, Ming Tingyuan returned to his seat at the head and declared, "Ming Chu's temperament has been thoroughly corrupted by Consort Liu. The two must no longer stay together!"

Madam Pei nodded. "The Marquis speaks wisely."

After a moment's reconsideration, Ming Tingyuan continued, "I must trouble you, Madam, to find Ming Chu a husband. Disregard previous considerations—look for someone of lower standing, and not in the capital. Who knows what trouble she might stir up after marriage! Until she's wed, confine her to the ancestral hall for reflection. Don't let her out again!"

"As you wish," Madam Pei replied obediently.

"As for Consort Liu," Ming Tingyuan paused, visibly irritated, and waved his hand dismissively. "Household matters are your domain, Madam. Deal with her as you see fit—just ensure that venomous woman never appears before me again!"

This time, Madam Pei hesitated. Gently, she inquired, "Consort Liu is different from the other concubines. If I punish her according to household rules, and years later the Marquis remembers her and blames me for being too harsh, what then?"

"Why would I ever recall such a vile woman? Proceed as you deem fit!"

Madam Pei lowered her eyes. "Consort Liu was born a household servant, later became a chamber maid, and then a concubine—she remains of servile status. By household rules, we should retrieve her deed of sale, summon a broker, and have her bound for resale elsewhere."

At this, Ming Tingyuan fell silent.

Madam Pei added, "Consort Liu's offenses are indeed unforgivable. However, she bore the Marquis a daughter and served him for many years. If not for merit, then for past toil—"

She paused. "A few days locked in the woodshed should suffice for reflection. With me overseeing Ming Chu's marriage arrangements, Consort Liu truly has nothing left to concern herself with. In my view, sending her to a nunnery to atone for her sins through prayer and fasting would be most fitting.

"Second Brother and his wife are stationed in Mei'an—a place renowned for its spiritual aura, with many temples and nunneries. Sending her there would be ideal. Should any issues arise, Second Brother and his wife could provide some oversight."

Though both involved sending her to a nunnery, the implications differed vastly. Ming Tingyuan had initially intended for temporary penance, after which they might return. Madam Pei, however, proposed permanent monastic life—a fate of eternal prayer and solitude.

After brief consideration, Ming Tingyuan agreed. While this meant banishing her far away, it was still preferable to the wretched fate of being sold into slavery. Moreover, his second brother and sister-in-law were kind-hearted; they might not lavish care on a disgraced concubine, but at least they wouldn't let her perish shortly after arrival.

Below them, Ming Tan and Shen Hua understood all too well—life in the nunnery would be far from easy.

Consort Liu, accustomed to commanding servants and living without lifting a finger, would now have to perform all tasks herself as a tonsured nun. In distant Mei'an, she could neither play the victim nor beg for sympathy. Over time, her father would forget her entirely—and even if he remembered, retrieving her would be near impossible.

Only after settling Ming Chu and Consort Liu's fates did Ming Tingyuan turn his attention to comforting Ming Tan and Shen Hua.Ming Tan and Shen Hua were, of course, considerate and understanding. After chatting for a while, they both advised him not to let anger harm his health, and so on. Ming Tingyuan felt deeply comforted. As evening approached, he ordered dinner to be served right there in Lanxin Courtyard.

By the time they left Lanxin Courtyard, the sky had darkened.

Ming Tan and Shen Hua walked together toward the eastern garden, exchanging a few idle words. Suddenly, an evening breeze swept by. Ming Tan stopped fanning herself and shifted the conversation, asking softly, "There's something I don’t quite understand. Last night, Cousin told me that Prince Dingbei would also be going to Daxiangguo Temple. Was that really just to give me a heads-up?"

Shen Hua was candid: "Of course not. I was guarding against Third Sister’s next move, thinking that if Fourth Sister went with me, she might be able to help me in some way. As for my conversation with Third Sister later, I truly didn’t expect Prince Dingbei to overhear, let alone the matter of the carriage on the way back. Though I had my own motives, I never intended to harm Fourth Sister. Do you believe me?"

Ming Tan looked at her and nodded. "Since Cousin says so, I believe you."

In the past, their rivalry had always been confined to the usual tricks between young ladies, never causing real harm. Now, Shen Hua had even less reason to deliberately drag her into trouble. Fanning themselves, the two walked deeper into the fragrant garden.

With Ming Chu and Consort Liu’s affairs settled these past few days, the household had quieted down considerably. Ming Tan’s springtime heart stirred once more, and she spent her days obsessing over Prince Dingbei’s belt.

Originally, she had planned to wash and iron it before returning it to the prince’s residence, along with a thank-you note. But she worried that taking such initiative might remind Prince Dingbei of what Ming Chu had said that day.

Besides, just returning a belt—how could that showcase her thoughtfulness? Sending something extra along with it? No, no, that wouldn’t do. What kind of young lady casually sends gifts to a man? It would be far too forward. If word got out, she’d be mortified.

After mulling it over for days, Ming Tan still couldn’t think of a way to make her future husband feel her deep consideration without sending additional gifts.

Then one day, while flipping through a miscellaneous book, she came across a novel recipe for incense. It claimed the fragrance was crisp and refreshing, with the added benefits of repelling insects and warding off evil.

With summer approaching, insects were becoming more numerous, so the repellent properties would certainly be useful.

Moreover, returning the belt infused with this scent would neither leave room for gossip nor fail to highlight her thoughtfulness and virtue. Perfect!

Energized, Ming Tan immediately set to work in Zhaoshui Courtyard with her maids.

True to her nature, she was meticulous in her preparations. First, she had a physician examine the recipe. The physician confirmed that the combination of herbs and spices did indeed have insect-repelling properties.

After making the incense, she had the physician check it again. Only when he assured her of its efficacy did she steep her own clothes in the fragrance.

The scent was indeed crisp and unique. For two consecutive days, she wore the perfumed garments to areas of the garden teeming with insects, and none came near her.

Reassured, she personally steeped the belt in the same fragrance, then spent a long time selecting an elegant brocade box. After ironing the belt, she neatly folded it into the box and sent it to Prince Dingbei’s residence.

As the servant departed with the belt, a breeze rustled the pages of the miscellaneous book by the window, flipping several pages back to reveal a previously unnoticed line: "The seven-ingredient incense recipes previously recorded share one flaw: after several days, the fragrance fades, and an unpleasant odor gradually emerges."

Jiang Xu was not one for extravagance. When Ming Tan returned the belt, his attendants inspected it and found nothing amiss, so he accepted it. As for Uncle Fu’s mention of its insect-repelling and evil-warding properties, he paid it no mind.Jiang Xu usually wore black clothes tied with a black sash. After a few days, he rarely changed into a light-colored robe to discuss important matters with the generals at the capital garrison.

As they talked, he faintly caught a strange odor. The general closest to him also seemed to notice a scent that was both fragrant and foul. But considering that the prince was always fastidious when not on the battlefield—even the usual sweat stench common among military men was never detected in his presence—the general assumed it must be his own mistake and endured without speaking up.

Before long, however, the odor grew stronger.

Jiang Xu paused slightly, glanced at the sash on his arm, then leisurely began unwinding it, one loop at a time.

It was fine while still tied, but once loosened, the cloying yet foul stench intensified. By the time he fully unraveled it, the generals in the tent instinctively covered their noses and retreated half a zhang away.

Jiang Xu: "..."

Warding off evil.

So, was

he

the evil that needed to be warded off?