Madam Yu, or more accurately, the former Madam Yu, had a maiden name of Fang. Her ancestors had held high positions and held great prestige, which was why she became the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yu family as a concubine. However, by the time of Yu Fangshi's generation, her position had declined. After Yu Fangshi was sent back to her natal family, her eldest brother, Master Fang, went to the Yu family to argue, but was pulled into the study by Lord Yu for a conversation and never said anything else.
The reasons for this, according to market sources, are that, firstly, the Fang family is now in decline, and most of its descendants are unfilial, so they have no confidence to argue with the Yu family; secondly, the brother and sister are half-brothers, and their relationship is superficial, so Master Fang did not put in much effort; thirdly... it is said that Lord Yu is very eloquent.
After being divorced and returning to the clan, the Fang family actually didn't make things difficult for Yu Fangshi. After all, her children were still in the Yu family, being raised personally by the Yu couple. If they had any potential in the future, Yu Fangshi might have a chance to succeed.
Unfortunately, Yu Fang had a very good life in the first half of her life.
When she was a girl, her biological mother doted on her as the most favored in the inner house, and her father loved her like his life. She had everything she wanted, and even her legitimate sisters did not dare to compete with her for the limelight. After she got married, she followed Master Yu on his official post outside for more than ten years, and she treated her husband like a spoiled child and had the final say.
Who would have thought that even after being divorced, she still couldn't change her bossy nature. She beat people and scolded dogs all day long, and quarreled with her sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. She was so upset that she could no longer stay in the Fang family and was eventually sent to Baiyun Temple in the suburbs of Beijing to practice as a nun.
Her story had already come to an end, but who knew that these two old witches would get together again.
“…Remember when we just separated from the Third Master, Yu Da…Oh no, didn’t Yu Fang go to look for the Madam, but was kicked out? Why now…?!” Such a brilliant way of thinking, even an honest person couldn’t understand.
Luzhi was much sharper and said directly with disdain: "What good things can these two say? When they get together, they are just thinking about how to harm others!"
Minglan was silent for a while, then said, "Just ignore them. Even if nothing happened, we still have to be on guard."
He lowered his head to flip through the account book, then looked up and said, "Tell Manager Hao to pass on a message over there. Tell them that Yu Fangshi is not a good person and has bad intentions. Please ask the Madam to have less contact with her."
Luzhi responded and was about to leave. Mother Cui hesitated and said, "Madam, it's useless to say that. Madam Tai won't listen."
Minglan smiled faintly: "There are too many useless words in this world. Just consider it as a kinship."
After hearing this, Luzhi did not delay any longer and immediately lifted the curtain to pass on the message. Manager Hao was experienced in his work and completed the round trip in just half a day. He quickly came to reply to Minglan. After the message was passed in, the lady-in-waiting only laughed coldly a few times and said, "Since you don't help someone in need, stop talking nonsense. I told your lady to take care of herself. It's not her turn to interfere in other matters."
Minglan was not surprised at all. She stopped Mother Cui who was about to speak angrily and waved her hand to tell Hao Dacheng to go down and rest.
This incident was like a tiny stone, which only caused a few ripples before returning to calm. From then on, every day, Minglan continued to take care of the pregnancy and manage the household, teach the little fat boy to speak, check the two girls' homework, listen to Xiao Shen's gossip about the interesting things in the princess's mansion and the second room, and occasionally worry about why Ruomei's belly was as big as a balloon.
Since the two families started to arrange the marriage, Xiao Changdong finally knew that he had a fiancée. He actually got a daughter-in-law with a generous dowry after carrying his old mother down the mountain. The return rate was higher than selling white powder. It turned out that good people will be rewarded.
Under the shining spring light of March, one day after school, little Changdong avoided his good friend Changnian and came to Minglan shyly. He said that he came to see Sixth Sister, but his words were unclear and his face was red as blood.
Minglan pretended not to understand and talked about other things. One moment she said that Shen's father-in-law was an excellent knife-swordsman and he could punish his son-in-law if he was not obedient in the future; the next moment she said that Shen's second brother was quite knowledgeable and they could learn from each other after they got married.
——Just don’t get to the point! Xiao Changdong was so anxious that he scratched his head and his head was smoking.
Mother Cui was a kind person. She rolled her eyes at Minglan, then pulled the young man aside and said gently, "Don't worry, Dong'er. Your sister saw that girl herself, so there's no mistake. She's virtuous and kind. She sent a purse the other day, and her needlework is also excellent."
Xiao Changdong's eyes lit up when he heard this. He said "oh" softly, but he secretly glanced at Minglan, seeming to want to say something but stopped himself.
Minglan knew it all, and she waved her arm proudly, "Mother Cui, let me tell you; there are some things you don't understand." Then she pulled her younger brother over, smiling maliciously, "Fourth brother, what did that girl give birth to..."
Little Changdong's heart was in his throat and his ears were pointed; Minglan felt amused.
——"Just like Cui's mother."
Little Changdong immediately opened his mouth wide and looked at Mother Cui's solemn face with wrinkles all over it.
Minglan pretended to comfort her brother, patting his shoulder, "Marry a virtuous wife. As for a daughter-in-law, it is most important that she is virtuous and capable."
Changdong was filled with despair, lowered his head, felt confused, and almost cried.
Mother Cui couldn't stand it any longer. She quickly pulled the boy over and said repeatedly, "Don't listen to your sister, Dong. She likes to play tricks on people lately. That girl is really good-looking!"
Hoping to return to the human world, little Changdong took a breath of warmth and looked at Mother Cui with gratitude. On the other side, his evil-minded elder sister lay on the kang, holding her belly, pounding the bed and laughing wildly.
After a few days of such joyful play and comfort, an unexpected visitor arrived: it was Zhu. Minglan was stunned for a moment, then uttered two words: "You are welcome."
Mother Cui was worried, so she not only sent several strong women to wait outside, but also personally led Xiaotao and the others to watch from the side, pretending to be indifferent as she served tea and water, but her eyes were like those of an old hawk, never leaving her. Seeing this, Zhu just smiled bitterly but said nothing.
The two sisters-in-law sat facing each other for half a cup of tea before Zhu slowly said, "My mother-in-law didn't know I was here today. She just thought I was going back to my parents' home..." She smiled self-deprecatingly, "Anyway, I've been going back to my parents' home often lately."
Minglan raised her eyebrows slightly, indicating her confusion.
Zhu looked into her eyes and whispered, "Mother-in-law came looking for you that day because of Sister Tingcan. You've always been smart, so you must have anticipated it, so you refused to see her."
Minglan said nothing, but instead said, "I think the first person the Madam would seek help from is your sister-in-law."
Zhu shook her head helplessly, her smile a bit bitter. "This isn't the first time, Sister Tingcan. The Chengping Marquis's Mansion may be a bit thin, but in the eyes of the royal family, how much does it count?" She paused and smiled faintly. "My parents and sister-in-law are all excellent. They promised me the other day that they would marry our niece to our good brother."
Minglan nodded.
The eldest granddaughter of the Chengping Marquisate was betrothed to the son of a branch of the Marquisate, a family without any title or power. The Zhus were indeed kindhearted. Even if Gu Tingye turned his back on her, the Zhus would still protect Xian'er's future. As the saying goes, good steel should be used where it is needed. It's not advisable for a married woman to ask her parents for help too frequently, or even the best of them would become annoyed.
"My mother-in-law told me several times, but I didn't respond. She got angry and pointed at me and scolded me for being unfilial, even mentioning my father and brother. I couldn't help but argue. Even if she is not the princess's daughter-in-law, how can sister Tingcan's words and deeds be worthy of my parents' stand up for her?" Zhu raised her voice unconsciously, as if she had been holding back for a long time and now it all came out all at once.
"I'm sorry to offend you. My second sister-in-law and I both have sons. If Sister Tingcan became a daughter-in-law like her, I'm afraid she would be furious. Not to mention her constant temper, let's just talk about filial piety. The princess's two previous daughters-in-law had children, but they still had to set rules. She has only served for two days and she is so sick that she needs to see a doctor and take medicine. When her son-in-law said a few words to her, she burst into tears, saying that her son-in-law did not sympathize with her and did not pity her..."
Zhu was so excited that a slight blush appeared on her face. After she said this, she was punished by her mother-in-law to stand for an hour.
Minglan's face was filled with black lines.
It is said that when Daqin had just married into the family, she had served her mother-in-law half a meal. Madam Zeng's chopsticks were still in the air when she fainted in front of the maids, old women and sisters-in-law in the room.
Gu Yankai, the volcano's filial son, rushed back, embracing Da Qinshi and refusing to let go. This steely warrior on the battlefield was nearly in tears, kowtowed and begged his parents. The old couple, frightened half to death by their eldest daughter-in-law and then furious at their son, were left half dead after a meal of such a result. Da Qinshi's plan to establish rules was abandoned.
When the news got back to the Qin family, the Duke of Dongchang and his wife praised it highly. The young Qin was probably very impressed by what she heard, so she promoted this as an advanced deed to her own daughter.
Oh my God, oh my God... Minglan was speechless when faced with such brainless fans.
Zhu spoke frantically, all the way to how Tingcan had been angry and refused to eat since the new bride arrived. Unfortunately, he only managed two days before giving up and accepting tea on the third day. Finally, she patted her chest, panting slightly, and concluded her story with a sheepish smile: "Don't laugh at me, sister-in-law. This is really hard to say."
Minglan personally poured her tea, smiled gently and softly, and sat quietly waiting for what would happen next. Although the two of them had not been together for long, she knew that Zhu was an absolutely practical and wise person and would not come to confide in her for no reason.
Zhu sighed, looked at Minglan sincerely and said, "As a daughter-in-law, I can't do anything about the elders' affairs. But I always think that when the children grow up, Tuan'er and Xian'er will still be cousins. They will have to interact with each other when they are looking for wives and taking on chores."
Minglan pondered for a moment, then raised her face and smiled, "Of course. With my younger sister-in-law's 'good' education, I think my third uncle's children will be sensible and sensible in the future." She understood Zhu's intention of coming.
Zhu heaved a sigh of relief and held Minglan's hands. "Second sister-in-law is so generous. It's a blessing for our family."
Before sending Minglan out, Zhu smiled and comforted her, "Brother is away, and I'm pregnant and alone at home. I'm sure you've been waiting anxiously. My family said they sent a letter a few days ago. Please be patient and wait."
Zhu's father and brothers were all in the army. Even though they were not serving on the battlefield, they were better informed than the average person.
As expected, just two days later, military reports from the front arrived in the capital - the Jie Nu relied on the geographical advantage and the agility of their wild cavalry to appear and disappear at will, making them difficult to capture; several armies searched for the enemy everywhere, but had some victories and some losses.
Among them, Uncle Shen's group was lucky enough to catch the Jie slaves led by Zuo Guli King who were looting a village. They fought a beautiful blocking battle and were on their way back with captives stretching for ten miles and Zuo Guli King himself, which made the emperor and empress very happy.
On the other hand, Marshal Bo marched with great fanfare and strength, as if he was going to the World Expo. Not only did the Jie slaves not dare to challenge him, but even the bandits and robbers who had been operating in the northwest for decades temporarily stopped their business and stayed away. Naturally, he didn't gain anything.
What is more bizarre is the news reported by Gu Tingye: Duke Yingguo was greedy for merit and advanced rashly, which resulted in his troops being isolated and deep in the enemy's territory. They were cut off from support and were ambushed in the area of Heishui River. Several generals were killed and they are now retreating to Heying Mountain to seek Fuling.
Is the Duke of England taking such a risk?! Minglan frowned. This was just as unreliable as saying that Father Sheng was a passionate young man.
Duke Ying and that earlier retired Lord Shen are essentially the same species: a thousand-year-old slick fox, a ten-thousand-year-old tortoise that remains unshakable. Even if you change emperors year after year, I remain unshakable. Even if you return empty-handed, you wouldn't be so reckless as to claim credit for it, right?
After reporting the news from the Empress, Xiao Shen's face was extremely grim. She was happy for her brother but also worried about Minglan, and her expression was difficult to control. Fortunately, Minglan was not like other women who would be shocked and burst into tears. Instead, she thanked her calmly and asked her to tell her as soon as she had any news.
After sending Xiao Shen away, Minglan sat there in a daze for a long time. Only after Mother Cui urged her several times did she eat and sleep foolishly.
——I can’t tell whether it’s fear or worry; or some other deep emotion, like a thin layer of fog, covering everywhere, but unable to explain.
As long as it is not a case of treason, the house should not be confiscated and the wife and children should not be harmed.
Then, the worst case scenario is that I will become a widow early. Fortunately, I have Tuan Ge'er and the one in my belly. The emperor and the Shen family are on good terms with me, and they will probably take care of me and my widow.
Being promoted to the position of a lady at a young age means that you can work less for decades and go directly from serving the boss to being your own boss. Thinking about it this way, it seems pretty good.
She had been dreaming all night, but when she woke up she couldn't remember what she had dreamed of. The pillow felt damp and cold, as if it had just ended, and nothing was real. She sat blankly at the head of the bed, watching the sky turn from gray to bright. She didn't even feel hungry, she just wanted to sit there forever, waiting for him to come back.
Don’t cry, don’t cry—she told herself over and over again.
You must hold on. Especially at times like this, you must be stronger and not show any weakness.
After the news spread, the lady-in-waiting first sent someone to say a few sarcastic remarks, pretending to be concerned, "I hope nothing happens to Ye'er"; Minglan immediately replied with greetings, "I heard that Seventh Aunt has a new sister recently. Congratulations."
Then came a few colleagues who were on good terms with her, Mrs. Zhong and Mrs. Duan who came to comfort her (their husbands were with Uncle Shen), Mrs. Geng who came to sympathize with her (Old Geng was with Gu Tingye), and Mrs. Zhang who came to cheer her up.
"Has the imperial edict been issued to reprimand him? Has the Ministry of War made a clear announcement? Everything is still unclear, and the court has not yet reached a conclusion. It's ridiculous that women like us are making random guesses!" Zhang, who used to be a typical female intellectual, now showed the true nature of a general's daughter. She treated people more calmly than before.
"Since I was little, every time my father went out, my mother would say this: Good fortune will come naturally to those who are lucky, and even misfortune cannot be avoided. My dear sister, as the family of a military commander, we must not lose our composure at this moment. And you are pregnant, so don't listen to what others say. Getting pregnant is the most important thing."
Minglan was moved, as if a warm current had washed over her. She put her arm around Zhang's and whispered, "Don't worry, sister. Tell me everything you know. I won't cry or panic like that woman. The more I know, the more at ease I'll be. If I were completely in the dark, that would really terrify me."
Zhang was relieved when she saw her clear eyes and steady attitude.
Over the next few days, people continued to visit. Liu and Hualan came to see Minglan separately, with the usual advice of taking good care of the baby and not to startle it. Then, worried women from the fourth and fifth wives came to inquire about the situation. Aside from Xuanda Madam Minglan personally offering some words of comfort and explanation, Shao was left to deal with the rest, including the sobbing Ruomei. Let them cry their hearts out, or pray together, Minglan ignored them all. Later, she simply feigned illness and told others to just assume she was "worried about her husband's safety."
This turmoil lasted for more than half a month. Minglan was so annoyed that she couldn't even read the unofficial history books. The fetus in her belly became more and more obedient, only kicking twice in protest when her mother couldn't sleep in the middle of the night.
As time went by, Minglan gradually calmed down and continued to calm the panicked people in the mansion. However, others could not notice this change and just thought that Lady Gu was always so calm.
That day, Boss Tu personally handed in a letter. The envelope was folded and slightly damaged. When he opened it, he saw a tiny eight-petal crabapple painted in the upper left corner. Gu Tingye was second in line, Minglan was sixth—one of the several secret signs he had given her before leaving.
Minglan read the letter hastily, snorting with disdain, a look of utter contempt and sarcasm on her face. She sneered to herself, "You're here so quickly! All right, then, come on, I'll welcome you!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
