Xiang Lan watched in amazement, unable to help but admire Jiang Xiyun’s skillful handling of the situation. She had thought only Su Meiyu was capable of turning black into white, but unexpectedly, Jiang Xiyun proved to be even more masterful. Her performance was impeccable—from speech to gestures, delivering everything with perfect timing. She downplayed the situation while showing vulnerability and pleading, her tears falling like gentle rain on peonies, effectively winning sympathy.

While these two were kneeling and crying miserably, Lin Zhaoxiang remained silent. His hand gripped the Bixie beast head carved on his walking stick as he turned to Madam Qin, saying, “Concubine Su is with child and shouldn’t kneel for long. Help her back to rest. After all this commotion, she might be unwell. Send for a doctor to examine her.” Madam Qin acknowledged the order and immediately commanded four elderly servants to help Su Meiyu up and away.

Though Su Meiyu was deeply unwilling, she dared not make any more scenes and left while covering her face, sobbing.

Jiang Xiyun was stunned, not expecting Lin Zhaoxiang to dismiss the matter without any questioning. She then heard him say, “Miss Xi, you should also go rest in the flower hall.” Before Madam Qin could move, Shu Ranmei, with her alluring eyes, quickly stepped forward to help Jiang Xiyun up. With a slight smile, she said, “Miss Xi, this way, please. Let me take you for some hot tea.” She moved swiftly, half-pulling half-supporting Jiang Xiyun out.

After these two left, the room seemed half empty, with only Wan, Yi, Xiu, and Miao, along with Madam Qin and Xiang Lan remaining. Lin Zhaoxiang then addressed the maids and servants: “All of you, leave as well.” Hong Jian, knowing Lin Zhaoxiang had matters to discuss, promptly led the servants out. She closed the door behind them, brought over an embroidered stool, and sat near the door to keep watch.

Seeing everyone had left, Lin Zhaoxiang finally let out a long sigh. His walking stick struck the ground with a “dong” as he said, “Now, let’s discuss our family’s private matters behind closed doors.”

Xiang Lan’s eyelids twitched, suddenly realizing that Lin Zhaoxiang had never considered Su Meiyu as part of the Lin family. Still standing in the room, she felt a mix of emotions.

Lin Zhaoxiang sighed slowly and said, “These years, I was first occupied with official duties and complicated politics, unable to attend to family matters. After retirement, thinking the children were grown with their fortunes to make, I became negligent in family affairs. Naturally, those in charge took control. I thought that even if some among the younger generation were willful, they would still maintain basic propriety. Never did I expect things to become like this. Now I feel deep pain and shame before our ancestors!”

At these words, Madam Qin was shocked half to death. Kneeling with tears, she said, “Old Master, please calm your anger. All the household matters went wrong because of my negligence and failure of duty. I have no right to stand here. Please punish me.”

When Madam Qin knelt, everyone else in the room followed suit, saying, “Old Master, please calm your anger. It was your granddaughter’s fault.” “It was your granddaughter-in-law’s fault.” And similar words.

Lin Zhaoxiang’s gaze swept across everyone’s faces as he said, “By reason, married daughters are like spilled water, and those who return home should be treated as honored guests, welcomed from afar. There should be no reason for you to kneel and admit fault. But today’s events are absurd. Such behavior in your married homes would only bring shame to the Lin family. Rather than letting others point fingers at us, better to discipline you now. Since you all admit fault, eldest girl, tell me what you did wrong?”

Lin Dongwan had been nervous, unsure how much Lin Zhaoxiang knew. When called upon, her whole body trembled. She raised her head intending to smile apologetically, but seeing Lin Zhaoxiang’s dark expression like a stern judge, she quickly suppressed her smile. Stammering, she said, “Granddaughter… shouldn’t have quarreled with sisters.”

After saying this, Lin Dongwan felt more composed. Being naturally eloquent, she continued smoothly, “I’m the eldest and should yield to my younger sisters. Even teeth and tongue clash sometimes—sisters are bound to have occasional disagreements that will pass in a few days. What harm is there in letting my sister vent her anger with a few harsh words? I was being narrow-minded.” Then she smiled at Lin Dongxiu, “Dear sister, don’t be angry with me anymore. Your elder sister apologizes.”

Lin Dongxiu merely snorted, her face showing contempt as she slightly turned her head away, clearly not accepting the apology.

Lin Dongwan’s expression became awkward, caught in an uncomfortable position, though secretly pleased, thinking, “Go ahead and make a scene. The more unreasonable you are, the less Old Master will favor you. Then he’ll know I’m the one being wronged.”

Lin Zhaoxiang turned to Lin Dongxiu and asked, “Your elder sister has apologized to you. What do you say?”

Lin Dongxiu had intended to make a show of reconciling with Lin Dongwan, but truly couldn’t suppress her anger. She straightened her neck and said, “She’s avoiding the real issue, now pretending to be a magnanimous elder sister when her actions showed no such grace. And here she is playing the good person—I don’t care for such an apology!”

Madam Qin found this response inappropriate and couldn’t help saying, “What do you want? Do you mean for sisters to become strangers?”

This was exactly what Lin Dongxiu wanted, but after glancing at Lin Zhaoxiang, she felt somewhat intimidated. However, remembering that she was now a Marquis’s wife, no longer the powerless concubine-born daughter who had to carefully follow behind her sisters, she suddenly felt emboldened. Looking directly at Lin Zhaoxiang, she said, “Granddaughter believes that family gathering is fate, and we should cherish such bonds. But no feast lasts forever. In future dealings between relatives, naturally, we’ll be closer to those who bring us joy and keep our distance from those we don’t enjoy. Those who truly treat me as a sister, with sincere hearts, I’ll acknowledge as elder sisters. But for those who harbor ill intentions and constantly scheme against others, better to maintain a respectful distance.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a teacup flew across the room, striking Lin Dongxiu’s forehead with a “pa” sound. Tea splashed all over her head and clothes, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Lin Zhaoxiang’s face turned cold as he pointed his walking stick at Lin Dongxiu, his arm trembling with anger: “Outrageous creature! I’m not dead yet, and the Lin family hasn’t fallen, yet you dare to act out family discord right before my eyes?”

Everyone was shocked into silence. Lin Dongxiu covered her forehead and lowered her head, not daring to even wipe the tea from her face.

Lin Dongwan seized the opportunity to start crying softly, “Grandfather, please calm down. It’s all your granddaughter’s fault. Please don’t punish Fourth Sister…”

Lin Zhaoxiang glanced at her sideways and said, “Enough, stop putting on an act.”

Lin Dongwan choked, swallowing the rest of her prepared speech.

Lin Zhaoxiang looked at her and said, “Don’t try to be clever in front of me. Know that too much is as bad as too little. Your quarrel with Xiu girl started the trouble. What’s this about overseas goods? How much silver did you add?”

Lin Dongwan’s heart sank. She twisted her handkerchief, stammering without being able to form words.

Lin Zhaoxiang looked at Lin Dongyi, who hesitated briefly before saying softly, “Two Hundred Taels.”

Lin Zhaoxiang closed his eyes and sighed deeply, “I was wrong to stay uninvolved back then, letting Madam Yin raise you by her side. You should have been a proper young lady of a great family, yet you learned the ways of common merchants!”

Lin Dongwan was stunned, not expecting Lin Zhaoxiang to speak such harsh words. She felt shame, guilt, and grievance all at once, her eyes brimming with tears. Lin Dongxiu heard these words with satisfaction and stopped covering her forehead, straightening up to listen to Lin Zhaoxiang’s scolding.

Lin Zhaoxiang shook his head and said, “You’re too shallow, valuing profit over righteousness. You sold sisterly affection for a mere Two Hundred Taels of silver. Is the Lu family so destitute? Or do you take everyone for fools who can’t see through your schemes? Human life is about these bonds of feeling—putting money before relationships is thoroughly inhuman. No wonder your sisters are disheartened. You only chase immediate small gains, taking advantage here today and there tomorrow. In the long run, who will want to associate with you? You’re cutting off your path. Remember this: ‘Those who chase petty gains will never achieve true wealth and status.’ You come from a noble family—don’t learn the narrow mindset of common folk!”

Every word is cut like a blade. This time, Lin Dongwan truly cried, covering her face with her handkerchief, sobbing softly without cease.

Lin Zhaoxiang then turned to Lin Dongxiu, saying, “Among you sisters, your husband holds the highest position. What now? Have you suddenly changed so much that you don’t even respect me anymore?”

Lin Dongxiu hurriedly prostrated herself, saying, “Granddaughter would never dare!”

“Hmph, you wouldn’t dare? But isn’t this exactly what you did? One taste of success and you’ve forgotten yourself!” Lin Zhaoxiang’s voice boomed like a bell, and Lin Dongxiu didn’t dare move an inch where she lay. “Search your conscience—if you were still unmarried, or had married into a family less prestigious than your elder sister’s, would you dare quarrel with her today? Today you’re bold because you think yourself superior, no longer considering your siblings worthy of respect. When your siblings are less fortunate than you, even if they err, you should show more understanding and tolerance. How can you use your position to pressure them? If you had even a shred of sisterly affection, you would have considered your elder sister’s face before outsiders today. I said your eldest sister lacks humanity, but how much do you have?” With a thud of his walking stick on the ground, Lin Zhaoxiang thundered, “You should know that fortune’s wheel keeps turning. Those you look down upon today might stand above you tomorrow. Being overbearing and unyielding, how can there be family harmony? Contain that heart of yours and be more humble and generous, lest you make enemies everywhere and find yourself hindered in everything!”

Lin Dongxiu couldn’t help but shed tears, bowing deeply and saying, “Granddaughter knows her wrong, knows her wrong!”

Lin Zhaoxiang ignored Lin Dongxiu and turned to Li Miaozhi. Li Miaozhi quickly lowered her head and knelt properly, her hands already cold with sweat. Lin Zhaoxiang shook his head slightly and said, “Second granddaughter-in-law, I heard you were raised like a son in your maiden home, everyone called you ‘Brother Miao,’ and you were capable of managing everything. Since you married into our family, your mother-in-law has praised you highly, and I was also relieved. Your mother-in-law is gentle-natured, and Ting boy is somewhat frivolous, so it’s good to have a capable wife to help him. But today, I’m especially disappointed in you. Today’s scene was disgraceful—you should have mediated and calmed the situation, but instead, for your grudge, you inflamed things until they nearly became unmanageable. I ask you, which is more important: the Lin family’s face or your satisfaction?”

Li Miaozhi stammered, unable to speak, and knocked her head on the ground, saying tearfully, “At that time, daughter-in-law was blinded by anger and lost her head.”

Lin Zhaoxiang said, “Not only were you blinded by anger, but your eyes were also clouded. In such a great household, instead of protecting our own, you started internal strife and helped turn the spearhead toward our own family. External threats are not as fearsome as internal strife—when our people turn against each other first, how many families throughout history have fallen this way? Even if Concubine Su is unworthy, she is still your father-in-law’s concubine. You shouldn’t have allowed others to humiliate her and add fuel to the fire!”

Li Miaozhi broke out in cold sweat, knowing she had gone too far today, and repeatedly knocked her head in the admission of guilt.

Lin Zhaoxiang sighed deeply and said, “Managing a household is not easy. It’s not just about appearing prestigious and wielding authority over life and death. A family has elders above, younger generations below, brothers and sisters on all sides, uncles and aunts, sisters-in-law, and various servants and workers—dozens or hundreds of mouths to feed. How does one command their respect? Mere cleverness and capability are far from enough. For a woman who reaches the position of primary wife, she must have a Buddha’s heart, and if married into a noble family or allied with a powerful house, she needs even more wisdom. Neither force nor flattery lasts long, let alone fighting and scheming, turning a home into a battlefield. Tolerance, gentleness, and consideration for the bigger picture are the qualities of a proper household mistress. Daily kindness and generosity will build future blessings. Being able to accommodate others shows greatness; being able to endure shows character—only then can one steadily hold the bowl of rice that comes with being the mistress of a noble house. Remember this!”

Everyone was deeply moved, remaining stunned for a moment before all prostrating themselves and saying, “Thank you for Old Master’s teachings.” Then, “We know our wrongs.”

Lin Dongxiu couldn’t help but think of how Xiang Lan had repeatedly tried to mediate with gentle words when the quarrel first broke out, while she had stopped her, telling her not to meddle. She felt strange emotions stirring and couldn’t help turning to look at Xiang Lan, who knelt beside a small table, her eyes lowered, showing only an extremely beautiful profile.

After finishing his speech, Lin Zhaoxiang’s face showed fatigue as he said, “Enough, you may all rise. Wan girl, I’ll have Lou boy arrange a suitable position for your husband, not seeking titles or hereditary benefits, but enough to support your family properly—better than you trying to scheme for silver through crooked means.”

This unexpected kindness made Lin Dongwan overflow with joy. Choking up, she said, “Old Master…” and was about to kowtow again.

Lin Zhaoxiang waved his hand and said, “Enough, the birthday feast hasn’t ended yet. All of you go to the flower hall.” Everyone then stood up and withdrew one by one. Lin Zhaoxiang called Lin Dongyi to stay, showing a pleased expression as he said, “Yi girl, you’ve done well, conducting yourself like a true young lady of the Lin family.” His smile faded as he sighed and continued, “But your eldest sister and fourth sister… breadth of mind and dignity aren’t cultivated overnight. I fear that though they claim to accept and reconcile, they still harbor resentment in their hearts. You’ll need to mediate between them to resolve this knot.”

Lin Dongyi repeatedly agreed and comforted him, saying, “Grandfather needn’t worry so much. The words you spoke earlier, they both took to heart.”

Lin Zhaoxiang said, “Go invite Miss Jiang to come here. I have a few words to say to her.” Lin Dongyi acknowledged and withdrew.

Shortly after, Jiang Xiyun arrived and stood before Lin Zhaoxiang, her hands tightly gripping her handkerchief, extremely nervous and unsettled.

Lin Zhaoxiang pointed to a chair nearby and said, “Sit down.”

After Jiang Xiyun sat down, Lin Zhaoxiang poured himself a cup of tea and said, “I’ve thought long and hard about whether I should ask you here. You’re not part of our Lin family, so speaking either too deeply or too lightly would be inappropriate. However, your grandfather and I were close friends, and I often visited the Jiang family before his passing. I practically watched you grow up. As an elder, I’ll share some words with you.”

Jiang Xiyun immediately stood up, curtsied, and looked at Lin Zhaoxiang with filial respect, saying, “Your junior awaits Old Master’s teachings. Please instruct me.”