◎【Transition】The four words “cold heart, cold feelings” are enough to make families who cherish their daughters unwilling to set foot there.◎

When Lan Shanjun returned home for the third-day visit, Nanny Qian had also wanted to come along, but she persuaded her to stay behind: “Why don’t you stay home and help calculate the shop accounts?”

Today she would definitely have to pay respects to Grandmother. In her previous life when she married Song Zhiwei, the family status was high, and during the third-day visit she received a few kind looks from Grandmother. But now, marrying Yu Qingwu, plus the matter of Third Brother going to Suzhou, given Grandmother’s temperament, she would surely make a scene.

She didn’t hide it, smiling and saying, “My third brother will leave Luoyang in a few days to find my eldest brother. The household is in chaos right now.”

Since it involved Duke Zhenguo manor’s family affairs, Nanny Qian couldn’t insist. She only said with concern, “Go early and return early!”

Lan Shanjun acknowledged with a sound. Indeed, when they arrived at Duke Zhenguo manor, inside was complete chaos.

Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo’s manor was holding Third Brother Lan in the hall crying bitterly, sarcastically scolding Zhu Shi: “Who exactly incited you to be so heartless toward your own biological son!”

Zhu Shi wiped her tears. “When children grow up and go out to gain experience, it’s only proper. Why must Mother be so suspicious?”

Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo: “Don’t I know you? You’re an honest and kind person. Someone with a wolf’s heart and dog’s lungs must have incited you!”

From her mouth, besides Lan Shanjun, no one else “deserved” those four words “wolf’s heart and dog’s lungs.”

Hearing this, Third Young Madam felt dizzy, already knowing Grandmother was going to cause trouble again.

She painfully closed her eyes, supporting her belly and taking a deep breath. “Grandmother, this was A’Zhang’s own idea. It doesn’t involve others.”

Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo: “A perfectly good position in the Ministry of Revenue, yet he insists on going to that desolate backwater. How could this be A’Zhang’s own idea? I wonder who finds him disagreeable and wants to harm him!”

Before coming, Lan Shanjun had already calculated there would be such a scene. Her expression didn’t change as she entered. Fourth Master, who was leading them in, was extremely embarrassed, murmuring explanations: “It wasn’t like this just now.”

When he went out to receive them, everything had been perfectly harmonious.

But didn’t these words only confirm that Old Madam had deliberately chosen the moment of their arrival to point fingers and curse?

Yu Qingwu found it amusing. He first comforted Fourth Master, “It’s natural for elders to cherish their grandchildren.”

That such an honest person could serve in the Ministry of War for many years—surely it was because everyone was unwilling to strike him down, otherwise his position would have been taken by others long ago.

Then he said softly, “It’s just that when Grandmother speaks this way, we husband and wife feel extremely anxious… We hope Fourth Uncle will speak well of us before Grandmother.”

Fourth Master was very grateful for his magnanimity—which new son-in-law on his first visit home would be treated to such crying and wailing?

These past days, he had first befriended Minister Yu of the Ministry of War through Yu Qingwu, who often enlightened him, giving him much more confidence. Then through Yu Qingwu and Lan Shanjun’s marriage, he became lifelong friends with Young Master Xu, learning quite a few eloquent phrases. Without realizing it, he became a bit more resolute, steeling himself to advise: “Mother, today is Shanjun’s homecoming day. You should stop crying.”

How inauspicious.

But Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo was very unreasonable: “How many more years can I live? Now that I’m old, even crying will be scorned by you?”

She scolded again: “Shameful thing, actually currying favor with the younger generation. What, do you expect him to support Duke Zhenguo manor’s gate? Your father and third brother aren’t dead yet. It’s not your turn, you muddled fool, to make decisions!”

Fourth Master was ashamed and resentful. Looking at his wife and son who were worried about him, then at the newlywed couple whose brows were already furrowed, he felt dejected and lost face. Suddenly, a surge of determination arose. He beat his chest and stamped his feet, saying, “Mother, why make it so difficult? If it really won’t do, then separate us out! This son is unfilial. Let Third Brother return to serve you properly.”

As soon as these words came out, silence fell all around. Even Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo forgot to cry, only staring wide-eyed in astonishment, as if hearing something incredible from his mouth.

Lan Shanjun swallowed the words she was about to say.

She had never seen Fourth Uncle like this.

But perhaps everyone ultimately has a backbone—timid people hide it away, and once discovered, even ten oxen couldn’t pull it back. Fourth Master said forcefully, “Yes, let Third Brother return. Let’s divide the family!”

These words—whether just thought of or long in the making—Fourth Master spoke louder and louder. “A useless person like me, how am I worthy of living in Duke Zhenguo manor!”

Zhu Shi became extremely anxious, hurriedly saying, “What kind of talk is this, Fourth Brother? Mother has no ill intent. You must not take it to heart.”

She persuaded again: “Today is Shanjun’s homecoming day. Let’s remain calm!”

Hearing this, Fourth Master also felt that today was a joyous day, not suitable for discussing family division. He softened and nodded. “Alright.”

But seeing him soften, Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo immediately cried out loudly, “Good, a rebellion! You want to anger me to death! Get out, get out, all of you get away. Don’t pay attention to this old woman!”

Lan Hui had been sitting to the side without speaking. Only now did she say, “Then Grandmother can stay here and cry with Third Brother.”

She stood up. “We’ll go elsewhere to talk.”

Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo looked at this usually filial granddaughter in astonishment. “Huihui, what, even you want to defy me now?”

Lan Hui said, “I’m merely following Grandmother’s wishes.”

She now somewhat understood that sometimes elders controlled juniors with nothing more than the word “filial piety.” Once one saw through those two words, everything suddenly became open.

She couldn’t help thinking: Would Grandmother really go around saying she and Fourth Uncle were unfilial?

Certainly not.

Then Duke Zhenguo manor would become a laughingstock. Grandmother valued Duke Zhenguo manor’s status and face above all.

She let out a breath. “So, does Grandmother still want to cry?”

Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo, repeatedly contradicted by two people who usually never defied her, couldn’t react for a moment. She quickly lowered her head to look at her beloved third grandson, only to see Third Brother Lan looking dejected: “Grandmother, let it go. I’ll go for a few years and then return.”

Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo patted him. “Child, how can you just accept your fate?”

Clearly, he had complained to her, asking her to make a scene when Lan Shanjun returned home, so the family would change their minds.

Third Young Master Lan had indeed planned this. But looking at Huihui, then at Fourth Uncle, he saw that both remained unmoved—Huihui could sway Mother, and though Fourth Uncle seemed insignificant, he still held the highest official position in the family.

They had just taken a stand in front of the entire family. What more could he say?

He looked at Third Young Madam with a face full of resentment. At first, he had refused to go no matter what, but his wife had said, “You’re so reckless, you’ll cause great trouble. I’m already an unfilial daughter and don’t want to implicate my family. If you truly refuse, we can divorce.”

Third Brother Lan’s face flushed red then purple with anger, yet he didn’t dare contradict her. After sharing a bed for so long, he could distinguish truth from lies.

Hanging his head, he actually gained some insight. “If you’re useless, even parents, wife, and children look down on you, let alone others.”

Hearing this, Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo wailed mournfully and was about to faint. Zhu Shi and Fourth Madam hurried to support her, causing another tumult.

As chaos erupted in the room, Yu Qingwu tugged at Lan Shanjun’s sleeve, leading her to stand aside, saying, “We’re still young and don’t understand these things. We should ask Mother to settle Grandmother.”

Lan Shanjun hadn’t planned to intervene anyway. Hearing this, she paused, then smiled and said, “You’re right.”

Yu Qingwu walked forward a few steps and pulled the still-dazed Fourth Master aside. “Is Grandmother misunderstanding that I have a wolf’s heart and dog’s lungs? I truly never thought to make Third Brother suffer. If it really won’t do, let Third Brother stay? I don’t want Fourth Uncle to receive such blame from Grandmother because of Shanjun and me.”

Fourth Master was originally trembling with fear—he truly was a filial son, otherwise he wouldn’t have been willing to indulge Old Madam of Duke Zhenguo’s foul temper for so many years.

But hearing Yu Qingwu speak thus, he hardened his heart instead. “If he stays any longer, he’ll truly become a disaster.”

Let Mother make a scene today, another tomorrow—where would there be any good days?

He remembered what Minister Yu had told him: “You’ve devoted decades to the family, yet how many remember? In this household, you’re not useless—you’re simply unvalued.”

Remembering these words, Fourth Master’s heart ached. Even outsiders knew of his hardships—why didn’t Mother know?

So he pulled Yu Qingwu along to drink, pouring out his heart once drunk. With his heart blocked up, he confided in Yu Qingwu: “Back then, I was slow-witted, but Father and my three brothers never scorned me. Mother also loved and protected me. My days were the best in all of Luoyang.”

“Until that year, when Father was going to Shu Province to quell the rebellion…”

He tapped the table with his chopsticks. “His Majesty gave one hundred thousand troops!”

He said drunkenly, “One hundred thousand troops—how many were in Shu Province at the time?”

Yu Qingwu knew which battle he was referring to. He poured Fourth Master a cup of wine. “Less than thirty thousand.”

Fourth Master cried, “When they left, Eldest Brother and Second Brother swore they would return within a year. They were going to check my studies. Father also smiled and patted my head, telling me to obey Third Brother and Mother at home.”

Back then, the family was distinguished. Wherever he went, people flattered him. Even though he wasn’t clever, he still earned a reputation for being “steady.”

But Father was defeated, Eldest Brother and Second Brother died, and he became what others called an idiot.

Fourth Master couldn’t understand no matter how he thought. “Shu Province is naturally treacherous terrain. Given Father’s abilities and those of Eldest and Second Brothers, they shouldn’t have lost.”

He said, “My father was valiant and never lost a battle. Otherwise, why would they send him that year? My eldest and second brothers had followed Father in campaigns since childhood. How could they all die in Shu Province at once?”

When the news came back, he didn’t believe it.

He slammed the table and roared, “I still don’t believe it!”

“If my father, eldest brother, and second brother were useless, why does His Majesty still want my third brother to go? Why doesn’t he send someone else?”

These words actually made some sense—not like drunken ravings.

Yu Qingwu’s hand paused. He said hesitantly, “I heard that Father-in-law grew up at His Majesty’s side… His Majesty trusts him greatly.”

Fourth Master replied, “No matter how much trust, at such a critical moment, he shouldn’t call someone who’s never fought a battle and only knows armchair strategy, should he?”

All these years, because he was a waste, many people didn’t believe his words and wouldn’t listen to him speak carefully. Now with Yu Qingwu’s patience, he poured out his grievances. “Is it I who’ve lost my mind, or has the court lost its mind?”

“Nearly twenty years have passed. No one mentions this matter, no one mentions my father. But I still remember—Father was an extremely intelligent person. He wasn’t… wasn’t the incompetent person later generations say he was.”

So every time he went to see Father, he felt unbearably sad.

“He was once a famous general—but now? Mother resents him, eldest sister-in-law also resents him and Third Brother. They kneel before that Daoist ancestor daily, not knowing how much longer they can live—”

He collapsed on the table, weeping inconsolably.

Yu Qingwu comforted him. “Everything is fate, not a bit up to people. Fourth Uncle, try to see past it.”

Fourth Master said, “What good does seeing past it do? Now we’ve already fallen. I only hate that I’m useless and can’t support the family.”

He drank several more pots of wine, cried bitterly, and only then fell asleep.

Thus ended this homecoming banquet. Third Young Madam came to see off Lan Shanjun, saying softly, “Don’t worry. No matter what, your third brother will leave later this month.”

Lan Shanjun held her hand. “Third Sister-in-law, for you to be so decisive, you will surely have future blessings.”

Third Young Madam smiled with pressed lips. “Things being as they are, if I don’t struggle and seek help, should I wait for others to save me?”

She said, “It’s just that there are some matters in the family that truly require a sensible person. If we must ask you, please for the sake of being one family, don’t grow distant from us.”

Lan Shanjun replied, “What kind of talk is this?”

After boarding the carriage, she sighed. “Third Sister-in-law isn’t having it easy either. For a woman to reach this step is truly rare.”

Yu Qingwu came back to his senses and acknowledged. Lan Shanjun asked curiously, “What are you thinking about?”

Yu Qingwu recounted what Fourth Master had said, considering carefully: “I’m thinking that actually, Fourth Uncle’s words make some sense.”

Lan Shanjun asked, “What did Wu Qingchuan tell you?”

For such a major matter, he surely knew something about it.

Yu Qingwu said, “Elder Wu said that after the case of the late Crown Prince, the court was unstable. At the time, there was no one available and they didn’t dare use people recklessly, so they used your father.”

Lan Shanjun thought carefully. “That does make sense.”

But she truly had no good impression of Duke Zhenguo and his sons. “I’ve only seen them once and never heard them say anything. Looking at their faces…”

She actually couldn’t quite remember.

Seeing her drilling into a dead end trying to recall again, Yu Qingwu didn’t dare let her strain herself—that would be a sin. He immediately said, “Shanjun, look outside!”

Lan Shanjun paused and lifted the curtain to look. “What is it?”

Yu Qingwu’s tongue became clumsy whenever he encountered her. Just then, a candied hawthorn seller passed by. He said stiffly, “There are candied hawthorns outside.”

Lan Shanjun didn’t understand his meaning. “You want to eat them?”

Yu Qingwu: “…Yes!”

Lan Shanjun found it amusing. “For a man to love sweets is nothing shameful. If you want to eat them, then eat.”

She told the driver to stop and said to Yin Qiu who was accompanying them, “Go buy two strings of candied hawthorns.”

Then pausing, she added, “I want to eat candied hawthorns.”

Yin Qiu smiled and said, “Madam, please wait for this servant.”

She hadn’t asked who wanted to eat them anyway.

But she bought back an entire pole of candied hawthorns.

Seeing this, Nanny Qian said, “Oh my, who wants to eat these?”

Why buy so many?

Yin Qiu replied, “Madam wants to eat them.”

Yu Qingwu never said a word.

—What use was this clumsy thing anyway?

In the following days, he attended court and left court, no different from before. The only difference was getting in and out of bed required spreading and collecting bedding.

After living with Shanjun for just a few days, he actually felt this kind of life was quite good.

Aside from not sharing a bed, what difference was there from being a real married couple?

Men shouldn’t indulge in bedroom matters, thinking of this and that. Someone like him who single-mindedly only thought of Shanjun in his heart—that was true devotion.

Thinking this way, his days became even better.

But Lan Shanjun was very busy.

She now entered the palace every five days to teach the young princess swordsmanship. Having moved to a new home, she also invited the young ladies and young madams she was friendly with to gather.

Qin Pingting arrived fastest. Before the banquet began, she still had to tell Lan Shanjun about Song Zhiwei’s affairs.

She said, “Young Lady Su has fled Luoyang!”

Lan Shanjun poured her tea. “She really fled?”

Qin Pingting replied, “Of course! Why wouldn’t she flee? With us two going ahead and testing the waters, do those coming after dare fall into his family’s trap? Anyway, Young Lady Su, seeing she couldn’t avoid it, ran away overnight.”

Lan Shanjun didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but she also felt vindicated. She said slowly, “Who would dare marry such a person? Who knows what schemes he’s harboring inside?”

Qin Pingting said, “Exactly. Ha, now Madam of Duke Songguo must be dying of anxiety.”

…

Madam of Duke Songguo was indeed very anxious. She had proposed three young ladies in succession, and all three refused—two of them immediately became engaged, and the remaining one, well, directly ran away.

Out of Luoyang.

When the news spread, she angrily smashed an entire room’s worth of teacups and vases, cursing at home: “Those who spread false rumors are truly detestable!”

She also cried to Duke Songguo, “Why did you have such a foolish idea to have me propose to the Su family’s young lady? One look and you can tell she has the fate to bring misfortune to father and mother. I didn’t want to, but you insisted I go propose, saying the Su family was suitable. Now look, our family has truly become the laughingstock of Luoyang!”

But Duke Songguo sensed something amiss from this matter. “Senior Minister Su wouldn’t go to such lengths.”

In his view, though Su Huairen was a horse keeper, he had cultivated his position at the Court of Imperial Stud for decades. This time proposing changes to horse administration, he was proceeding gradually, not making any drastic reforms—this was his consistent style. His Majesty had already praised him several times.

That was why he had set his sights on the Su family.

He pondered for a moment. “Have Zhiwei come see me.”

Madam of Duke Songguo was mentally exhausted. “You just don’t take it seriously. When your son truly can’t find a wife later, then you’ll know to cry.”

Duke Songguo said with a laugh, “As long as our family continues to prosper, what is there to fear?”

Such a woman’s thinking.

But Madam of Duke Songguo was unwilling to listen to him anymore. After thinking for a long while, she had someone invite Madam Wu.

Madam Wu: “…”

So why did she agree to go to Duke Zhenguo manor back then?

She regretted it deeply but still had to smile and ask, “What matter does Madam need me for?”

Please don’t let it be another marriage proposal? This time she truly wasn’t willing.

But then she heard Madam of Duke Songguo say, “I remember your youngest daughter is also fourteen now?”

Madam Wu: “…”

Madam of Duke Songguo, seeing the unwillingness in her eyes, immediately said, “You know about my family’s affairs. From beginning to end, no one knows more clearly than you. Those words outside are all false rumors, not a bit true—you know that, right?”

Madam Wu: “…”

No, actually she didn’t know either.

She certainly had to refuse. Putting aside everything else, just these past six months of being sent here and there by Madam of Duke Songguo—always unpredictable moods, bad temper, harsh words—she was unwilling to let her daughter have such a person as mother-in-law.

Moreover, precisely because she knew so clearly how the Song family’s reputation had deteriorated step by step, she felt even more strongly that Song Zhiwei was not someone to entrust one’s life to.

A person who cared so little about what kind of person his wife was, what she looked like, what her temperament was—it was truly frightening.

The four words “cold heart, cold feelings” were enough to make families who cherished their daughters unwilling to set foot there.

So Madam Wu said frankly, “To be honest with Madam, my youngest daughter is also promised to someone. It’s just that we haven’t told others yet.”

Madam of Duke Songguo didn’t believe it, her face turning sallow. “You’re not deceiving me, are you?”

Madam Wu swore earnestly, “It’s my maternal nephew. When he came during New Year, he took a liking to her. A while ago, my husband saw his learning was good and nodded in agreement. We’ve already written a letter to my maternal family, just waiting for my elder brother and sister-in-law to reply. I’ve calculated the days—the reply is probably on the road now.”

She said hesitantly, “I’m also an honest person, otherwise Madam wouldn’t trust me. Since Madam trusts me, I dare not hide this matter, otherwise what kind of person would I be?”

“But if Madam doesn’t mind, if my brother and sister-in-law don’t agree, then we can…”

The implication—letting Madam of Duke Songguo wait as a backup—made her chest heave with anger. Since when had the legitimate eldest son of Duke Songguo manor become something to be picked over like this?

But Madam Wu’s words were well-spoken, so she couldn’t lose her temper. She could only suppress her anger and say, “Then let it be.”

She even said with affected dignity, “How can one daughter be promised to two families?”

Madam Wu: “…”

Your family has proposed to more than just one daughter.

She also suppressed her anger, smiling as she stood up. “This is truly regrettable.”

She hurried out, not daring to stop for a moment. Returning home, she cried to her daughter-in-law, “Yet she still spoke ill of our family. This is too much bullying. Even if she wanted to propose marriage with our family, she should have sent someone to our door. How could she directly summon me there? Poor me, having to bow and scrape, being careful about everything.”

Her daughter-in-law, Madam Zhou, was furious. “From beginning to end, this is truly bullying.”

She said, “Since it’s like this, we might as well confirm their family’s reputation!”

When Lan Shanjun heard the news, it was already a month later. As usual, it was Qin Pingting who told her—she practically had ten pairs of eyes watching the Song family.

She said, “This time, it’s the Wu family—Madam Wu is a matchmaker. Even her family hurriedly arranged a match. Doesn’t that say something?”

If Lan Shanjun didn’t know the full story, hearing this suddenly, she would surely believe it.

But lately she hadn’t been paying much attention to this. She had been looking with Yu Qingwu at documents the Court of Imperial Stud had submitted this year.

This year horses everywhere were suffering from horse plague. To resolve this matter, Yu Qingwu left early and returned late, sometimes not even coming back to sleep. Lan Shanjun, concerned about this matter and wanting to probe the Grand Prince’s intentions, said to the Grand Princess Consort when entering the palace, “I don’t even know what he’s so busy with.”

But the Grand Princess Consort smiled and said, “Nothing more than those matters.”

Lan Shanjun knew she didn’t want to discuss court affairs, so she smiled and changed the subject. “A’Man is getting better and better with the sword.”

The Grand Princess Consort was just about to offer some praise when she heard someone outside report in a panic, “Senior Minister Su Huairen of the Court of Imperial Stud entered the palace for an audience with His Majesty. Before all the officials, he’s accusing Prince Qi’s brother-in-law of embezzling military funds. They’re confronting each other right now.”

Lan Shanjun stood up abruptly.

She didn’t remember this happening before.