Qing Lan startled, quickly lowering her head, stammering, “I… I know my fault…”
Madam Qin raised an eyebrow: “Oh? Then tell me, what exactly is your fault?”
Qing Lan was dumbfounded. Yes, what fault did she have? She was the one being bullied and pressured…
“You think you’ve done nothing wrong, don’t you? Full of grievances and feeling wronged,” Madam Qin said coolly. Qing Lan wanted to nod, but meeting Madam Qin’s authoritative gaze, she grew timid and hurriedly lowered her face, mumbling, “I… wouldn’t dare…”
Madam Qin spoke slowly: “You’ve been quite impressive these days, taking charge of the poetry society despite your pregnancy, hosting banquets, composing poems, showing off so much that even Young Chan had to step back. I’ve heard people gossiping, saying that if Young Madam’s belly proves capable and bears a son, she’d dare to challenge the First Madam as an equal. Is that… what you’ve been thinking?”
These words struck directly at her heart, and cold sweat rolled down Qing Lan’s face. Despite her heavy belly, she prostrated herself on the kang and repeatedly kowtowed, saying, “I wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare, even if you killed me!” Being slow-witted and guilty-conscious, she could only repeat these few phrases.
Madam Qin glanced at her, then looked straight ahead, saying: “Whether you dare or not, I see your behavior becoming increasingly improper. When you wanted to run the poetry society, I thought it unsuitable but that didn’t stop you, because you had just entered the Lin family without support. If this succeeded, it would help you establish yourself in the household, preventing others from looking down on you. I was quietly giving you a face, thinking you were a clever child who would understand my good intentions and know your limits. Moreover, being pregnant, you should have been resting quietly, but instead, you were running around, organizing everything, desperate to show off, focused solely on competing with the First Madam. Now when the Young Master wants to promote a maid, before the First Madam has even spoken, you dare to show jealousy, not only fainting in public but also throwing tantrums and crying – who are you putting on this show for? Qing Lan, even though you come from a good family, you are still a concubine. Do you need someone to teach you how a concubine should behave?”
Madam Qin’s words struck Qing Lan like a resounding slap. She trembled, tears falling in large drops, unable to suppress her sobs.
Madam Qin let out a long breath and said sternly: “I know you feel wronged, but you chose this path yourself. If you couldn’t accept being a concubine, you shouldn’t have entered the Lin family in the first place!” Though speaking to Qing Lan, her eyes were fixed firmly on Xiang Lan.
Xiang Lan felt those eyes were identical to Master Lin’s, sharp as an unsheathed cold sword. Her heart chilled, and she quickly lowered her face, unwilling to look up again.
Zhao Yue Chan cried: “Madam, everything is my fault, but… but Sister Qing Lan is with child and shouldn’t kneel for long. Please punish me alone…”
Madam Qin observed Zhao Yue Chan’s tearful, seemingly sincere appearance, then looked at Qing Lan’s wilted, sobbing state, and silently sighed. Zhao Yue Chan was truly cunning, while Qing Lan’s petty schemes were laughable in comparison.
Ignoring Zhao Yue Chan, she turned to Madam Wu kneeling beside the bed: “Madam Wu, you’re a senior servant, and Young Master grew up drinking your milk. Even Old Madam would show you respect, yet today I have you kneeling. Do you accept this?”
Madam Wu understood that Madam Qin intended to firmly correct the main household’s improper practices today, knowing she couldn’t escape, and kowtowed once: “I accept it. This old servant deserves punishment. With the Young Madam expecting, Madam trusted me to serve her, showing your faith in me. When the Young Madam wanted to organize the poetry society, I should have advised against it, yet…”
Madam Qin shook her head: “That’s not where you erred. Madam Wu, you’re experienced in household matters, yet you’ve committed a grave mistake. Old Madam Zeng’s mourning period hasn’t ended – how could you encourage the Young Master to take another woman?! If this causes any scandal and people use it against us, spreading it as a joke, the Lin family’s face would be completely lost.”
Madam Wu bowed her head in shame: “Madam’s reprimand is justified.”
Seeing she had acknowledged her mistake, Madam Qin said no more.
The room was quiet except for Qing Lan’s soft crying.
Madam Qin felt the lesson had been sufficient, and after giving a slap, it was time to offer some comfort. She said: “I’ve been watching quietly these days. None of you are behaving properly – the wife doesn’t act like a wife, and the concubine doesn’t follow a concubine’s rules, turning this household into chaos. There’s a saying, ‘A harmonious family prospers in all things.’ How can the family be harmonious and prosperous with your behavior?” She paused, then addressed Zhao Yue Chan: “Daughter-in-law, you must lead by example in managing the inner household from now on, not just wielding authority but also showing compassion to those below you. This time, you’ll be fined one month’s allowance and kneel in the ancestral hall for half an hour to reflect.”
Though Zhao Yue Chan harbored hatred inside, she nodded like a pecking chick, saying: “Madam is merciful. I accept the punishment.”
Madam Qin turned slightly, patting Qing Lan’s shoulder: “Stop crying. You’ve just seen the doctor; how can you risk harming yourself by crying more? As long as you maintain your proper place, take care of yourself, and serve the Young Master and First Madam well, if anyone bullies you in the future, I’ll stand up for you…” She took out a handkerchief and personally wiped Qing Lan’s face.
Qing Lan dared not accept such attention, hastily wiping her face with her sleeve.
Madam Qin softened her voice: “However, your behavior this time was inappropriate. Because of your pregnancy, I won’t punish you severely – just one month’s allowance and copying the ‘Women’s Rules’ ten times.”
Qing Lan lowered her head and said softly: “Qing Lan is grateful for Madam’s leniency.”
Madam Qin looked down at Madam Wu meaningfully: “Madam Wu, you’re a senior servant who raised the Young Master from childhood. You should know his temperament… I won’t punish you this time, but don’t betray my trust in you.”
Madam Wu repeatedly kowtowed: “This old servant knows her mistake and won’t dare again!”
Madam Qin nodded with satisfaction: “If you truly understand my intentions, that’s enough for me.” As she rose to leave, she suddenly stopped and turned: “Xiang Lan, come with me.”
Xiang Lan’s heart was in turmoil. Having just witnessed Madam Qin’s methods again, she didn’t know if this summons meant fortune or disaster, but she had no choice but to follow.
Zhao Yue Chan and others eagerly saw them off.
After seeing them out, Zhao Yue Chan stood at the entrance of Zhi Chun Hall, watching Madam Qin’s retreating figure. Ying Shuang hurried over, whispering: “First Madam, how did it go?”
Zhao Yue Chan’s willow eyebrows raised as she sneered: “How did it go? What else could happen? That old woman keeps finding ways to pressure me, making me kneel in the ancestral hall for half an hour, while that little slut Wang Qing Lan just has to write a few characters to get off. It’s all because of that piece of flesh in her belly.” Gritting her teeth, she whispered: “That’s if she’s fortunate enough to deliver that piece of flesh!” She turned and walked away quickly.
Ying Shuang hurriedly followed, saying: “Madam wants you to kneel in the ancestral hall for a whole half hour? Heavens! Madam, you’re so delicate, how can you kneel for so long? Moreover, that ancestral hall is so gloomy, you might catch something. I’ll prepare a thick cushion for you and bring an incense burner…”
Zhao Yue Chan said angrily: “Don’t worry about preparing things for me now. Quickly, get the storeroom key select some good medicinal ingredients to send to the east wing, and add a few dishes to their dinner tonight. Also, send Qing Lan the same amount of fabric that was given to Xiang Lan.” She rubbed her chest and said hatefully: “Get me two Silver Dew Pills. All that kneeling and crying has made my liver ache; I need to take something to disperse it.” She turned her head toward the east wing and sneered: “Wang Qing Lan, you little slut, just you wait. One day, I’ll show you what I’m capable of.”
Leaving aside Zhao Yue Chan’s anger for now, Yin Die was with Xiang Lan and others in the adjacent room, naturally gloating after hearing Madam Qin’s punishments. She snuck out to tell Xi Que, who was close to Hua Mei’s maid, embellishing the story and indulging in mockery. After Yin Die left, Xi Que told Hua Mei, who immediately brought some needlework she had done these past days to Qing Lan’s room.
The east wing was peaceful. Qing Lan, thoroughly chastened by Madam Qin’s lesson, couldn’t suppress her shame and had become completely subdued. No longer lying in bed crying, she just sat against the headboard, lost in thought. Hua Mei entered with a smile: “I’ve made some children’s clothes these past days. The stitching is a bit rough, but it’s the thought that counts. Sister, please don’t mind.”
Qing Lan had considered Hua Mei a confidante because of the poetry society and wanted to say something heartfelt. After Hua Mei exchanged a few words and spoke some caring phrases, she led Qing Lan to discuss what had just happened. Seeing no one else around, Hua Mei whispered to Qing Lan: “Sister, why the long face? In my view, Madam cares more for you. Didn’t you see she made that tigress kneel in the ancestral hall, while only having you copy some text? The difference in severity is obvious.”
Qing Lan stroked her belly and sighed: “That’s only because Madam considers this child… you don’t know how she scolded me. I wanted to drown myself.” She roughly recounted Madam Qin’s words.
Hua Mei laughed heartily: “Oh, my dear sister, don’t you understand Madam’s meaning? She punished you not because she dislikes you, but because you overstepped your bounds…”
Qing Lan hesitated: “Really?”
Hua Mei smiled: “Of course.” She lowered her voice and moved closer to Qing Lan: “Let me say something cutting – in time after the Young Master divorces that night tigress and elevates you to proper status, you’ll be the respected First Madam of the Lin family. Would Madam still be angry about you overstepping bounds then? It all comes down to status.”
Qing Lan was frightened: “We shouldn’t say such things!”
Hua Mei waved her handkerchief carelessly: “Sister, you’re just too timid. Why not say it? Fifteen years ago, who would have dared say the Eighth Prince could become Emperor? Yet he did…”
Qing Lan was alarmed and covered Hua Mei’s mouth: “Have you lost your mind, saying such things?”
Hua Mei pulled Qing Lan’s hand away, smiling: “I’m just making a point, sister, don’t you see? I think Madam favors you, and her actions today were just to maintain peace in the inner household.”
Qing Lan thought carefully and felt Hua Mei’s words made some sense. Her depression lifted somewhat, and she truly began to consider Hua Mei her person, becoming increasingly intimate with sister this and sister that.