Lin Dongqi slumped her shoulders and said, “Before my mother-in-law, I can neither cry nor laugh—she finds fault with everything I do. She sends people to make veiled criticisms while maintaining a façade of warmth, often causing me to cry. I keep all this to myself, not even telling Mother, fearing she’ll worry and get upset. Besides, I can’t hide under my parents’ protection forever. I already feel guilty about not being able to serve them in person, how could I add to their worries? I don’t know how to continue this life. My husband passed the imperial examinations and entered the Hanlin Academy. After a year, he’ll be posted elsewhere, and I’ve heard my mother-in-law plans to keep me at home, not letting me go with him.”

Li Miaozhi angrily gritted her teeth and said, “I also fear Su Meiyu that vixen’s scheming. The other day, she was spreading rumors that my husband and father-in-law had ulterior motives, possibly embezzling money from the household, saying the accounts surely wouldn’t match. Father-in-law heard this and flew into a rage, striking out without investigating. My husband’s back is still black and blue.”

The two women exchanged glances and sighed simultaneously. Li Miaozhi said, “Well, let’s drink.”

Jiang Xiyun looked at Lin Dongqi, then at Li Miaozhi, and lowered her voice, saying, “I have two recent pieces of news to share that might amuse you both—perhaps after hearing them, all your troubles will be solved.”

Li Miaozhi asked curiously, “What news?”

Jiang Xiyun said leisurely, “Minister Wang from the Ministry of Personnel, in his old age, entered the flower garden—he took a new concubine two years ago and favored her immensely. Not only did his wife of decades have to step aside, even his children had to give way before this concubine.”

Li Miaozhi laughed, “That’s just like my father-in-law—these two should become sworn brothers.”

Jiang Xiyun continued, “The Minister’s wife tried everything—crying, making scenes, even threatening suicide—but nothing worked. Until her brother brought an even more beautiful courtesan from Yangzhou to be the Minister’s concubine. The woman’s contract was in the Minister’s wife’s hands, and they worked together. As the saying goes, one only hears the new person’s laughter, never the old one’s tears. With this new competition for favor, Minister Wang’s attention was half drawn away, and he no longer listened to everything the first concubine said. Now the household is relatively peaceful.”

Li Miaozhi was clever and immediately understood, saying, “You mean… I wonder if Mother-in-law would mind if Father-in-law took another concubine…”

Jiang Xiyun said calmly, “Rather than suffering Concubine Su’s bullying day and night, why not find an equal opponent for her? Your mother-in-law has your husband, the eldest son, to rely on in the future. Now she just needs help to have some peaceful days—what’s there to fear about taking another concubine? Moreover, if Su Meiyu continues to sow discord, causing father and son to grow apart, the family will fall apart!”

Li Miaozhi thought for a moment, then said through gritted teeth, “You’re right, that’s one solution. When I visit my parents next time, I’ll discuss it with my mother. She’s close to my mother-in-law—it would be more appropriate coming from her.”

Lin Dongqi’s eyes widened as Jiang Xiyun looked at her and said, “There’s another story circulating—about Scholar Zhao from the Hanlin Academy. His daughter-in-law and wife often quarreled, with his wife being particularly fierce and domineering. Then Scholar Zhao became infatuated with the famous courtesan Hua Yuchi and spent a thousand taels of silver to free her from prostitution and bring her home. After that, his wife no longer had the heart to quarrel with their daughter-in-law, focusing instead on competing with Hua Yuchi. The daughter-in-law often went to comfort her mother-in-law, and the two grew closer.”

Lin Dongqi was stunned, then suddenly understood, mumbling, “But… my father-in-law isn’t particularly fond of women…”

Jiang Xiyun replied, “The Marquis only has two elderly concubines, and he’s still in his prime. If siblings came forward to suggest taking another concubine from a commoner family, it might work. What other solution is there? Despite being related by marriage, your mother-in-law is plotting against you. As the younger generation, you can only endure it—if you dare talk back even once, you’ll be blamed for being unfilial. Are you willing to suffer like this forever?”

Lin Dongqi bit her lip and remained silent.

Jiang Xiyun paused, then continued, “Why not ask your eldest brother for help? I heard he once saved your father-in-law’s second brother’s life in battle, so they have an unusual relationship. Go cry to him, exaggerate your grievances tenfold or hundredfold. He’s protective of the family—he’ll surely speak to the Marquis’s second brother on your behalf. Brothers giving concubines as gifts is common enough—things would work out then…”

Lin Dongqi was tempted but still felt uneasy: “But… doing this… isn’t right…”

Then they heard Jiang Xiyun sigh softly: “Women should see life clearly—first secure your money, treat yourself well, then raise your children properly. Everything else is insignificant. In life, naturally, your happiness matters most.”

After these words, all three fell silent, hearing only the music from outside. No one noticed that Lin Dongwan, lying on the kang bed, had slightly opened her eyes to look, then closed them again.

Xiang Lan had been standing and serving for half the day. When Madam Qin and others finished eating, the wine and dishes were cleared away and replaced with fruits and pastries. Madam Qin told Xiang Lan to eat, and the maids had already set up a table for her in the corridor. Just as Xiang Lan sat down and picked up some food with her chopsticks, she saw Lin Dongqi and Li Miaozhi approaching.

Halfway there, Lin Dongqi hesitated and said, “Never mind,” turning to go back.

Li Miaozhi quickly grabbed her, saying, “Didn’t we just agree? I’ll accompany you—if you can’t speak up, I’ll help smooth things over.” She lowered her voice and added, “Xiang Lan is your eldest brother’s favorite—if you ask her to put in a few good words for you, it’ll be even more foolproof.” As she pulled Lin Dongqi along and saw her still hesitating, she added, “Come on, this is for your good. You’re being more anxious than the emperor’s eunuch!”

Seeing them whispering to each other, Xiang Lan knew they had something to discuss. She put down her chopsticks and stood up, saying, “Second Young Madam, Third Madam, is there something I can help with?”

Li Miaozhi smiled and said, “Indeed there is—we’ve come to ask a favor.” She pulled Lin Dongqi over.

The two sat down at the table, and the three looked at each other. Li Miaozhi kicked Lin Dongqi under the table, giving her a meaningful look. Lin Dongqi’s face reddened slightly, and after stammering for a moment, she said, “Xiang Lan, I have something to ask of you.”

“Yes, Second Young Madam, please speak.”

Lin Dongqi glanced at Li Miaozhi, hesitated again, then steeled herself and said, “My mother-in-law… treats me very harshly, finding fault with everything I do. She says I lack eloquence and cleverness, to the point where even the old servants put on airs before me. I’ve endured all this, but now that my husband will be posted elsewhere next year, my mother-in-law won’t let me go with him. She wants to elevate one of her maids to concubine status to accompany my husband. I…” As Lin Dongqi spoke, she became truly emotional, unable to help wiping tears with her handkerchief. Taking a breath, she continued, “Someone just suggested having Father-in-law take a new concubine, so Mother-in-law would focus on someone else instead of me. My eldest brother has an excellent relationship with the Marquis’s second brother—I thought of asking him to have his second brother arrange a banquet to take a respectable concubine. I need you to help me plead with my eldest brother… I know it’s outrageous for a daughter-in-law to suggest her father-in-law take a concubine, but I… I have no other choice…” She began crying again.

Xiang Lan was shocked by these words. Li Miaozhi added from the side, “Yes, Second Sister’s situation is so difficult now—we need you to put in a good word with your Young Master.”

Xiang Lan pondered for a moment, then said, “I’m sorry, Second Young Madam, but I’m afraid I cannot help with this.”

Both women were stunned.

Lin Dongqi asked, “Why not?”

Xiang Lan replied, “In the Four Books, Zigong asked which saying could be practiced throughout life. Confucius answered: forgiveness. ‘Do not do to others what you would not want done to you.’ Second Young Madam, you know how painful it is that your mother-in-law wants to force a maid upon your husband. If you don’t wish to experience such pain yourself, don’t inflict similar troubles on others.”

Li Miaozhi said, “That’s the way of the gentleman, which is how things should be. But Second Sister’s mother-in-law’s actions are despicable. With such a petty person, we should give her a taste of her own medicine!”

Xiang Lan smiled at this and said, “‘Do not do to others what you would not want done to you’ shouldn’t distinguish between petty people and gentlemen. Let’s consider this plan—would taking in a respectable concubine resolve things? The Marquis’s wife might become even more resentful and angry. If she’s unhappy, she might take out her anger on her daughter-in-law, tormenting Second Young Madam even more. Besides, no wall is completely windproof. Even if we keep it secret, what if your mother-in-law later discovers it was our family’s idea? That would be disastrous—such enmity might never be resolved in a lifetime. If word spreads outside, we’d lose face everywhere. What if things become unmanageable? Furthermore, even if we retaliate against your mother-in-law’s tyranny, it would only provide temporary satisfaction. Once such seeds are planted, it will surely lead to factions, opposition, mutual harm, and revenge—each time more vicious than the last, each grudge deeper than before. Living in constant conflict, spreading gossip, setting traps—can such a life bring happiness?”

Lin Dongqi nodded slightly and couldn’t help asking, “Then what should I do?”

Xiang Lan said, “First, stop the evil and don’t hate. When hatred grows too strong, it leads to endless cycles of harm. You must first have the magnanimity to endure.”

Li Miaozhi said, “If we endure everything, won’t we become cowards? What if they keep bullying us more and more?”

Xiang Lan smiled again: “In family life, fighting evil with evil only treats the symptoms, not the root cause, especially when dealing with elders. As the saying goes, ‘No one strikes a smiling face’—few people are completely unreasonable or cruel; everyone has compassion. Close one eye to their faults, open the other to their virtues, and treat them with sincere kindness. If they err, don’t confront them directly—find another way. Just as ‘three feet of ice doesn’t form in a single day,’ building relationships takes time—trust is gained bit by bit. This is the path to lasting peace. Responding with revenge might bring temporary victory but plants seeds of future trouble, while responding with gentleness brings true peace.” After thinking for a moment, she added, “The posting is still next year’s matter. First, try to move them with sincerity. If it doesn’t work then, Madam and Young Master won’t stand idle, and I’ll certainly help too. I urge Second Young Madam and Third Madam to think this through carefully.”

Lin Dongqi took a deep breath and said, “What you say, I…”

Xiang Lan looked at Lin Dongqi sincerely and said, “Every word I speak comes from my heart, some from painful personal experience. Life inevitably has its frustrations—filter out the bitterness and evil, don’t stir them up and let them spread. Treating others with kindness is difficult at first but makes life increasingly easier; responding with hatred might bring quick satisfaction but creates more enemies, making life increasingly difficult.”

Lin Dongqi appeared thoughtful and slowly stood up to leave. Li Miaozhi hurriedly followed behind her. After walking some distance, Lin Dongqi suddenly stopped and turned around, saying, “I’ve decided to follow Xiang Lan’s advice—’Do not do to others what you would not want done to you.’ I’ll start with tolerance and patience.”

Li Miaozhi was momentarily speechless, watching her without speaking.

Lin Dongqi gazed at the faint clouds on the horizon and said slowly, “You know, initially, Madam didn’t treat Xiang Lan well. She thought her too delicate and proud, feared she wouldn’t know her place. Even though she had saved me once, Madam still found many ways to suppress her. Xiang Lan never complained and still showed great benevolence in saving Madam and Fourth Sister. Though Madam treated her better afterward, she remained wary and never fully trusted her, yet Xiang Lan never uttered a word of complaint. I used to think she was just ‘bowing her head while under someone’s roof,’ unable to offend Madam, keeping her resentment buried in her heart. But hearing her words today, I realize she truly never harbored resentment—I was the narrow-minded one. My mother is extremely astute, and her current fondness for Xiang Lan comes from Xiang Lan’s daily sincerity, forgiveness, and kindness. If she can do it, so can I.”

Li Miaozhi still couldn’t quite wrap her head around it, but being a sensible person, she slowly nodded, then suddenly sighed thinking of Jiang Xiyun.

Meanwhile, Su Meiyu, supported by two young maids and cradling her belly, was walking gracefully toward the Grand Flower Hall. Along the covered corridor, she saw Lin Dongwan approaching with a smile, saying, “Let me have a look—oh, your belly is even bigger than a few days ago. It must be quite tiring carrying it?”

Su Meiyu smiled back, “Thank you for your concern, Elder Young Madam. I’m doing well. The supplements you helped acquire from overseas have been very beneficial.” But in her heart, she thought, “Shameless thing, never satisfied with profits, squeezing who knows how much silver from me through her trading. If I didn’t need her, I wouldn’t bother with her at all!”

Lin Dongwan smiled like a spring breeze: “Of course, these medicines are extremely precious.” Her smile gradually faded as she looked around. Su Meiyu immediately understood and dismissed those nearby, asking, “What is it?”

Lin Dongwan said, “I heard something—but don’t tell anyone it was me… Earlier, I had too much wine and was lying in the inner room when I overheard Jiang Xiyun telling Li Miaozhi about plans to persuade the elders to take a concubine for Second Uncle, to share your favor. Oh my, when I heard this, it gave me such a fright! I was worried about you and hurried to let you know.”

Upon hearing this, Su Meiyu immediately flew into a rage, her willow eyebrows rising as she sneered, “That little frozen rat who can’t climb high, trying to scheme against me? Truly doesn’t know heaven’s height from earth’s depth. I’ll let her know my methods!” Then she softened her expression toward Lin Dongwan, smiling, “Thank you for telling me. In the future, if you hear any such whispers, please let me know. Otherwise, helpless as I am, these fierce people might eat me alive with their schemes. Next time you arrange for goods to be imported, I’ll order more things—I’ll give you fifty taels as a deposit first.”

Lin Dongwan thought to herself that this meant incoming silver and smiled broadly, “Don’t worry, I understand. You must take good care of yourself. After you give birth to a son, with the Second Uncle’s affection for you, you can do as you please in the second household. Don’t let this upset you and harm your health.”

Su Meiyu sighed pretentiously, “In this entire household, only you truly care about me. Others may show respect on the surface, but who knows what they’re thinking? They watch from the sidelines, sow discord, make veiled attacks, and use indirect criticism—all their tricks, none with good intentions, all waiting to see me fail. You’re my only confidante, yet you’re often not around.”

Lin Dongwan sighed, “How true.”

Su Meiyu said, “Dear sister, in the future, if they say anything, please let me know quickly—I don’t want to die without knowing how.”

Lin Dongwan hurriedly replied, “Of course, you don’t even need to ask specifically.”

After they talked a while longer, Su Meiyu parted from Lin Dongwan and entered the flower hall through the side door. Madam Wang spotted her immediately, her face darkening. Li Miaozhi quickly stepped forward and whispered in Madam Wang’s ear, “Mother, please don’t show your displeasure—there are so many eyes watching from all directions. Even mortal enemies must pretend to be close as honey now, especially on Grandmother’s birthday. Showing a dark face would reflect poorly on Grandmother. At times like these, we must show magnanimity.”

Madam Wang forced a nod and managed a slight smile, saying to Grandmother, “Look, we told her not to come because of her condition, but she came anyway. Come, sit down.” Then her face immediately fell.

Li Miaozhi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, understanding why her mother-in-law wasn’t well-regarded. She was too straightforward—at least in this setting, she should put on some airs. Her mother had advised her that in dealing with people, one should be sweet in words but firm at heart, always letting others save face. Her mother-in-law was exactly the opposite—harsh in words but soft at heart—ending up mistreated and bullied, losing either way.

Grandmother Lin lifted her head to look at Su Meiyu once, responding faintly.

Su Meiyu appeared completely unbothered, as if she hadn’t noticed, stepping forward to bow slightly and say, “I wish Grandmother fortune as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity like the Southern Mountains.” She added with a smile, “I should kneel, but my condition prevents it—please forgive me, Grandmother.”

Grandmother Lin said, “Of course, we don’t blame you. Quickly sit and watch the opera.”

Su Meiyu sat down with a face full of smiles as tea and snacks were immediately served. She was seated right next to Xiang Lan and gave her a slight smile. Xiang Lan recalled some recent rumors she’d heard about the household—that this Su Meiyu had been Lin Jinlou’s lover. Seeing her now made Xiang Lan uncomfortable, but she managed to return a slight smile before turning her gaze outside, paying no further attention. Though Su Meiyu tried to engage her in conversation several times, Xiang Lan only responded with faint smiles, refusing to say more. Eventually, Su Meiyu stopped trying and just ate peanuts and melon seeds.

The opera hadn’t been performing long when someone announced, “The Old Master has arrived!” This announcement startled everyone in the room.