At the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, the north wind suddenly blew. Because it was a period of national mourning, Molan's coming-of-age ceremony was very simple. Wang only invited a few wives of officials with whom she had always been on good terms, made a new dress for her, and set up two or three tables as a token of her appreciation. Aunt Lin felt that her daughter was wronged, but she also knew that the recent crackdown was very strict and even powerful eunuchs and nobles were punished, let alone the Sheng family. How could she dare to be lavish?
For this reason, Aunt Lin cried bitterly in front of Sheng Hong for half the night, expressing her understanding and grievance at the same time. Sheng Hong softened his heart and offered three hundred taels of silver to buy Molan a set of red gold headwear. Judging from the generosity of Sheng Hong, Aunt Lin's service that night should not have been just crying.
The capital city is not like Dengzhou and Quanzhou. It is dry and cold as soon as winter comes. The maids and servants in the mansion have changed into bulky winter clothes one after another. Looking through the white air, there are groups of people. Minglan doesn't like going out in this cold weather. It would be so comfortable to lie on the kang with a warm hand warmer and stare blankly. However, things do not go as planned.
The old lady wrote to say that the eldest lady would pass away in a few days. Molan was about to arrange a marriage, so it was inconvenient for her to attend the funeral for fear of offending her. Rulan "unfortunately" caught a cold, Changfeng had to prepare for the exam, and Hai had to take care of Quan Ge'er. Sheng Hong counted them on his hands, so he asked Minglan to pack her luggage and go back with Changdong first.
Looking at his young son and daughter standing before him, Sheng Hong suddenly felt guilty. He recalled the decades of brotherhood between him and Sheng Wei. Every year, Sheng Wei would bring cartloads of money and New Year's goods to him. Now that his mother was dying, he had only sent his youngest children. How...
"This... doesn't seem appropriate. It's better for me to go there in person." Sheng Hong hesitated.
"I understand what you're worrying about, father." Changbai stood up and bowed to his father. "The matter is still uncertain, and the new emperor has just ascended the throne. It's time for the Censorate to make great achievements. Father, it's not appropriate for you to ask for leave. Let your sixth sister and fourth brother go there first to show their filial respect. Later... I can ask for leave to attend the funeral."
Sheng Hong sighed softly. He knew that as a freelance scholar in the Hanlin Academy, it was okay for Changbai to take leave occasionally, but as a fourth-rank Left Censor-in-Chief, it was not easy for him to take leave just because of his aunt's illness or death, otherwise he would be criticized for being arrogant.
Changbai looked at his father's face and knew his temper. He added, "Father, don't be too sorry. My second cousin has already taken leave to return home. If the eldest old lady really... he will have to mourn for her. Then, father can help out a little more."
At this point, Sheng Hong relaxed his frown and turned to Minglan and Changdong and asked, "When are you leaving?"
Minglan stood up and said respectfully, "Father, Brother Changwu has already hired a boat and carriage and will come to pick up my daughter and fourth brother in five days."
Sheng Hong nodded and said solemnly, "When you go to Yuyang, be careful what you say and do. Don't act naughty or cause trouble for your uncle and aunt. Take good care of the old lady and don't let her get tired. And listen to your cousin on the way."
Minglan and Changdong bowed in greeting. Sheng Hong listened to their childish voices and sighed again. Wang, who was sitting beside them, smiled kindly at them and gave them a few instructions: "Don't leave the carriage without permission," "Don't run around on the boat," "Don't get too close to the side," "Don't show your face," and so on. Finally, she reminded Minglan, "You're the elder sister, so keep an eye on Dong-ge on the road."
Seeing Wang's kindness towards his concubines' sons and daughters, Sheng Hong turned his head and looked at Wang with satisfaction.
After returning, Minglan gathered everyone in the house and instructed the people left behind in the courtyard one by one about what to do. Then she asked Danju and Xiaotao to go to Shou'an Hall. When the maids guarding the courtyard saw Minglan, they all made way. Minglan went straight into the inner room and asked Danju to take out a warm hat decorated with ginger sable fur, a fur coat with a large black grey squirrel lining, a dark brown silk grey squirrel cloak, and several other winter clothes from a black lacquered wooden mother-of-pearl wardrobe that was as tall as a person. Xiaotao helped fold and pack them.
Minglan walked to the back of the old lady's bed, took the key from under her skirt, opened several large boxes that were locked tightly, and took out a large bag of silver and a stack of banknotes. Thinking that she would also be going out, it would not be safe here, so she simply took all the real estate deeds in the box and put them into the small bag she carried with her.
For the next few days, Minglan was busy packing her own boxes. Xiaotao was very active, stuffing the boxes with gold, pearls, and emeralds. Minglan couldn't help but laugh at her: "This time you are going..., why don't you bring more silver jewelry? What if all these treasures are stolen?"
Xiao Tao said seriously: "I'll redeem you."
Minglan: ...
Danju had just put away the two inkstones and a few brushes when Lvzhi came in through the curtain and said with a smile, "The wife of the Marquis of Yongchang is here. The madam wants the young lady to come over." As she spoke, she blinked her eyes.
"Are Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister going over?" Minglan felt that Luzhi looked a little strange.
"No, the madam just called the young lady, saying that the Marquis's wife happened to be back to her parents' home today, and knowing that the young lady would be leaving tomorrow, she stopped by to see the young lady." Luzhi's face was full of pride, and she said, "Go quickly, young lady."
Danju and Xiaotao knew about the He family. They looked at each other with a gloomy expression.
Although Madam Liang had come to the Sheng Mansion twice in the past six months, she was accompanied by someone else each time. The first time, she asked Hualan to accompany the wife of the Marquis of Shoushan and herself, and the second time, she came with several other wives of officials. In fact, the relationship between the Sheng Mansion and the Yongchang Marquis Mansion was a distant relative, and there was no need for any contact. Her behavior caused some rumors in the mansion that the wife of the Yongchang Marquis was here to choose a daughter-in-law. This aroused the interest of Aunt Lin, and she often asked Molan to come forward and show off her flattery.
But Mrs. Liang was a cautious and meticulous person. She never leaked any of her feelings in her words. Even Wang couldn't figure out her thoughts. As a woman, Wang was reserved and refused to ask about the marriage in advance. She also pretended to be confused and said nothing. Every time she just asked the three Lans to come out for a walk and that was it.
When she first came, Madam Liang was cold to everyone. She only heard Wang's lively conversation with others, and she would occasionally join in the fun, but most of the time she just sat there quietly. As for Molan's enthusiasm, she only smiled faintly and never responded, which made Molan embarrassed several times in front of others.
But when she came the second time, Mrs. Liang clearly showed her kindness towards Minglan. After sitting down, she pulled Minglan aside and asked her detailed questions with a very gentle expression. Her attitude towards Wang Shi also became closer. Molan gritted her teeth. She wanted to say directly, "Minglan has been promised to the He family." But as a girl, if she talked about her sister's secrets in front of outsiders, her reputation would be ruined.
Finally, a chance came up, and a lady mentioned that the imperial physician was inaccurate in his diagnosis. Molan quickly interrupted, saying, "The old lady of the He family in Baishitan also came from a distinguished family of doctors. My old lady is very close to her, and she always asks my sixth sister to accompany her."
At that moment, Wang's tea bowl slammed down on the table. No one in the room responded, some lowered their heads to drink tea, some talked to themselves. Molan felt a little embarrassed. She stopped showing off her poetry, lowered her head, and started flattering, serving tea and setting saucers, and her witty remarks made all the ladies laugh so hard that they couldn't stop. They kept praising Wang's good fortune. Even Madam Liang praised her a few times. Molan was just feeling proud when Madam Liang said lightly, "The fourth young lady in the mansion has reached the age of marriage. It's time to arrange marriage for her. Don't delay."
With just a few words, Molan's eyes suddenly turned red.
After the guests left, the three Lans returned home. Molan sneered in front of the two sisters, "What's so great about this family? The Yongchang Marquis's Mansion has so many houses, and the Marquis has so many sons. If they divide it among them all, how much will be left?!"
In the middle of winter, Rulan smiled brightly and said, "You're right, sister." Anyway, Wang had hinted that her future husband's family would be very rich.
Minglan does not participate.
Today is the third time that the wife of Marquis Yongchang has come.
The maid opened the curtain, and Minglan bent sideways slightly. From her left shoulder to her waist, to the hem of her skirt, and then to her toes, she was as quiet and elegant as a flowing line of water, and as beautiful as a still cup of water. Mrs. Liang, who was sitting next to Wang, couldn't help but show some admiration in her eyes.
Minglan bowed to Wang and Madam Liang. She saw a box in front of Wang, which looked like something furry inside. Wang said with a hint of trepidation, "Madam, you're too polite. How can I handle this?"
Madam Liang said slowly, "My brothers from my mother's family live in the north. It's freezing there, but the furs are excellent. They send some here every year. I picked up a few and sent them to you. They're very crude, so don't despise them."
Wang quickly waved her hands and said with a smile, "How could I? Look at what Madam said. I'm so grateful. Tsk tsk, I've never seen leather this fine before. I'm so grateful to Madam for giving it to me today. I'll have to talk to the needlework people later. Please be careful not to spoil this good stuff. Hey... Ming girl, don't just stand there. Come and thank Madam."
Minglan secretly complained that the fur was not given to her in full, but she still stepped forward respectfully to thank her. Madam Liang did not move, but only looked at Minglan kindly, and her words seemed to contain pity: "When you go out in such a cold weather, you must take care of yourself and wear warm clothes." For someone as cold as her, these words were already very gentle.
Minglan smiled and said, "Minglan, thank you, Madam, for your advice. Madam has made me a wonderful fur coat. I am not afraid of any cold weather." In fact, that coat was for Rulan. The seamstress measured her body in the spring, but who knew that by winter Rulan had grown a lot taller and the coat no longer fit her.
Seeing Madam Liang smiling at her, Wang felt very comfortable. She scolded him with a smile, "You naive child! Madam Liang just sent you a fur, and you're already showing off yours. Isn't that a joke?"
Minglan lowered her head, her face flushed with shyness.
After Madam Liang left, Minglan felt a sinking feeling in her heart. She always felt a little uneasy. Such a deliberate private meeting, such obvious concern, plus Wang's unusually warm attitude, it seemed that the matter was already settled. Minglan frowned and slowly walked back to Mucangzhai. She saw Changdong was there. Xiaotao was holding a bowl of hot tea for him with a bitter face. When Changdong saw Minglan, he smiled and said, "Sixth sister, this is the third night tea. You are finally back. I will take a leave of absence from the school starting today."
Minglan said with a stern face, "Don't be happy too soon. I'll ask Aunt Xiang to take all your books. You have to study hard on the way back!" She handed the ermine fur handcuff that Madam Liang had given to Danju, and asked her to put it in the box as well.
Changdong's chubby little face was full of smiles: "Sixth sister, don't rush to put the bridle on me. I have done a great deed this time. It's been half a year, and I finally found out..."
Before she could finish her words, the thick cotton-wrapped brocade curtain at the door was opened with a swish, and Molan was seen standing there angrily, with her fists clenched and her face ashen. Minglan could not help but take a few steps back, waved to Changdong behind her, and winked at Xiaotao.
"Okay, okay!" Molan sneered and walked in step by step. "I underestimated you. I didn't expect that you are such a greedy person!" Her eyes were red and seemed to be about to burst into fire. Several maids wanted to come up to persuade her, but she pushed them all out and locked the door.
Minglan said in a deep voice: "Sister, be careful with your words! Even if you don't care about yourself, you should think about the reputation of our family." She was not afraid of fighting, and she might not be unable to beat Molan, but it would be bad if the conflict between sisters culminated in violence. No matter who was right or wrong, they would all be branded as mean and fierce.
Molan's face was almost ferocious, and she shouted angrily: "You little bitch! You are always accusing me of big hats! Today I will teach you a lesson!" As she said that, she stepped forward and overturned the round table in the middle. The hot tea that Changdong had just brewed fell to the ground, and a few drops of hot tea splashed on Changdong's face and hands.
Minglan had never imagined that Molan could have such a violent and fierce side. She looked at Changdong, who was covering his face and the back of his hands, with heartache, then turned around and smiled, "Fourth sister is indeed a man of both letters and martial arts. She can write poetry and also overturn tables! No matter what I did wrong, since I have vented my anger, let it go."
Unexpectedly, when Molan saw the ermine handcuffs, she became even more furious. Her pretty face twisted violently as she pointed at Minglan and cursed, "You shameless little whore! You talk nicely about a simple life and not fighting. You look good on the outside, but inside you're filthy and dirty like a bitch. You say one thing and do another..."
Changdong was so frightened that he didn't know what to say. Molan's scolding became more and more unpleasant, and her words gradually brought out the old lady's style. Although Minglan's expression did not change, her eyes were angry, but her tone became calmer. She said quietly: "Fourth sister is possessed by a nightmare. She dares to say anything dirty and smelly. I'll ask someone to come and take a look at her." She thought that she would just forget it, but it seemed that she had to teach her a lesson after all.
As Minglan was about to go out, she counted her steps slowly, and sure enough, she heard footsteps behind her. Molan rushed over, threw Minglan to the ground, and slapped her. Minglan gritted her teeth and endured it, turning her head to face her. Before Changdong came over to persuade them to stop, there was a "bang" sound, and Molan was stunned. She just wanted to scold Minglan and then smash her house to pieces; but looking at Minglan's jade-like face, she became angry, grabbed the broken porcelain pieces on the ground, and slashed them at Minglan's face!
Seeing that her self-torture trick had worked, Minglan was unwilling to suffer any more. She pushed Molan away with her arms and tripped her to the ground. Minglan touched her hot cheek. She didn't need to look in the mirror to know that there must be a red palm print on it - her skin was the kind that easily left marks.
Minglan rubbed her body and cleverly twisted Molan's arm with a backhand. To others, it looked like the two sisters were just tussling. Minglan leaned over and whispered, "Let me tell you something. Your mother came in after drinking the mistress's tea in January of the fourth year of the Qianyuan era, but your brother was born in May of that year. They say a pregnancy takes ten months, but do you know what that means?"
Molan's face flushed red as she struggled desperately, spewing curses that were quite unpleasant to the ear. Minglan deliberately used a soft voice and leaned over to continue, "Your mother is the real bitch! She's the one who says one thing and does another. She's under the care of the old lady, eating and using her things, and then she's crying tears of gratitude, and then she turns around and gets into Daddy's bed! She's ungrateful!"
At this moment, a clear shout came from outside: "Madam! You are finally here!" It was Xiao Cuixiu's voice!
Minglan immediately let go of Molan and jumped three steps away from her. Then there were violent knocks on the door and shouts. Changdong hurried to open the door. Wang came in and saw the mess in the room. Molan's face was full of anger. Minglan stood with her head down, her expression unclear. There was a clear palm print on her face. Changdong also saw several red burns on his face and hands.
Wang was furious, "You've turned the tables!" Then she turned and scolded the maids, "Are you all dead? Hurry and help the Sixth Young Lady down to rest! ... Caihuan, go find Liu Kun's family and ask for family discipline! You guys, arrest the Fourth Young Lady!"
When Molan heard the family rules, she became panicked and frightened.
Unexpectedly, a female voice was heard outside: "They were arguing, why did the wife hit them without asking any questions?!"
Aunt Lin came swaying in a moon-willow-colored brocade jacket, followed by Zaiyun, who was by Molan's side, and several maids and old women behind her. Seeing her biological mother coming, Molan suddenly got up the courage, shook off the maid who was trying to grab her, and stood beside Aunt Lin in a flash.
Looking at the mother and daughter, Wang couldn't help but sneer: "Who the hell are you? How dare you crawl out here and yell? Do you have the right to speak here?"
Aunt Lin gave a fake smile and said, "I've endured this mansion for nearly twenty years. Now that something is unfair, can't I even speak up? Madam, are you afraid of what others will say about me being unfair?"
Wang was furious and pointed at Molan, saying, "You raised a good girl! She's so rude and rude, beating and scolding her younger sister-in-law. Can't you punish her?"
Aunt Lin covered her mouth and laughed sweetly, her voice like a silver bell. "Madam, you are joking. When sisters quarrel, even if there is a few pushes and shoves, it's no big deal. It's just a matter of fifty lashes each."
Luzhi couldn't help herself and shouted, "Bah! What do you mean by fifty lashes each? The fourth lady beat our lady's face until it was swollen, and the fourth master's hands and face were burned. We all have eyes, so who is the blind man who can't see?!"
Aunt Lin's face changed and she scolded, "You little chatterbox! What's your turn to say?!"
Molan poked her head out from behind and retorted, "You're all Ming's men, all in the same gang. How can you believe what you say? It was Ming who started it, and I only fought back a few times!"
Luzhi was about to stand with her hands on her hips and lose her temper, but was pulled by Yancao from behind, so she had to shut up angrily. At this time, Liu Kunjia arrived and heard Wang's angry voice: "I am the mistress of the family. I want to discipline my children. What does it have to do with you? You are just a servant in my family. Don't think that you have power just because you gave birth to children!" Liu Kunjia frowned. It was like this every time. When Wang got angry, she would be provoked into talking nonsense, and then she would be exaggerated and suffer again.
Wang cursed heartily, while Aunt Lin kept denying everything. In a rage, Wang ordered the maids and servants to arrest Molan. However, the men brought by Aunt Lin were no match for her, and a fight immediately broke out. With Molan's miserable cries and Aunt Lin's shrill cries of "Call the Third Master! Her sister is going to be beaten to death!", Mu Cang Zhai was bustling with activity.
Not long after, Chang Feng arrived and wanted to protect Aunt Lin and her daughter. The servants were cautious and there was another commotion. In the end, Wang was half-supported and half-climbed by Liu Kun's wife and could only breathe.
——Minglan sighed as she listened inside and wanted to go out and give some advice. Wang’s fighting skills were too simple and lacked variety, making them easy for the opponent to see through.
"Stop!" A clear female voice rang out, and everyone turned around to see Hai standing at the entrance of the courtyard. Her cold and majestic gaze swept over everyone without saying a word. She turned to Liu Kun's wife and said, "The madam is not feeling well. Please help her go back and rest first, Madam Liu."
Liu Kun's wife had been waiting for this sentence for a long time, and immediately, half-forcefully, helped Wang back. Hai watched Wang leave, then turned to look at Chang Feng and said calmly, "Aside from the head of the family, I've never heard of men interfering in the affairs of the inner house. Third brother is well-read, is there any profound truth in this? ... You'd better go back to study quickly, because next year's autumn examination is very important."
Chang Feng's face turned red and he walked away dejectedly.
Seeing that Hai had sent everyone away one by one, Aunt Lin said with a fake smile, "After all, she comes from a scholarly family. The eldest lady is really sensible and knows what is right and wrong. I thank you in advance. Mo'er, why don't you thank your eldest sister-in-law? Let's go."
"Wait!" Hai suddenly spoke up, addressing the maids on either side. "You three, go and help the fourth young lady over here. Come sit in my room. Don't leave for a moment, not even a wink."
Aunt Lin raised her eyebrows and was about to speak again, but Hai Shi spoke first, saying, "In an hour, the master will be leaving the government office. I've sent for him to return quickly, and then I'll ask father to arbitrate. Everyone has seen the palm print on Sixth Sister's face, but Fourth Sister...how about this? Go to my room and stay. I'll have the maid take good care of her and not touch her." The last half of the sentence was so pronounced that Aunt Lin's heart trembled. She knew she had run into someone powerful. She forced a smile and said, "Why bother? Or..."
Hai interrupted her and said bluntly, "If Fourth Sister gets hurt without my eyes, it won't be clear what to do! Aunt, if you insist on taking her back, then go ahead."
As she spoke, the three maids beside Hai went to ask Molan for help. Molan was frightened and wanted to ask Aunt Lin for help again. The maids and servants behind Aunt Lin were ready to make a move. Hai raised a sarcastic arc at the corner of her mouth and said coldly: "Everyone in this yard today will not be able to escape. If anyone dares to pull or wrestle again, I will write down their names one by one. Humph! Others are noble, I can't deal with them, but you..." Hai sneered lightly, "If you want to beat them or sell them, I'm afraid I can still make the decision. If I can't solve all of them, I will pick a few who stand out and beat them!"
The voice was murderous. Aunt Lin stayed there, and the maids and servants looked at each other. No one wanted to be the first to do so, so they all withdrew their hands and feet and behaved themselves.
Minglan nodded secretly, thinking that Brother Changbai was destined to have a wife.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com