When the carriage arrived at the Wutong Courtyard, it was meant to enter through the south side gate — but a gatekeeper came to report that it was locked. Xiao Liu’er said: “It must be that other courtyard causing trouble again.”
Ye Lingbo had had an extraordinarily harrowing day and was exhausted to the bone. But tired as she was, she still knew to be vigilant against Pan Yurong. “Liu Ji,” she said, “go wait at the south gate.”
“Understood.” Liu Ji grasped her meaning at once. The Wutong Courtyard, however self-contained it had become, was still within the Ye household’s walls. They were all Ye daughters, Master Ye was their father, and Pan Yurong was their stepmother. As long as no open confrontation broke out, things were manageable — but if one did, the weight of filial piety alone could crush them. After so many years of accumulated resentment, Pan Yurong probably dreamed of seeing them dead. Setting aside everything else, the inheritance alone was worth fighting for. He didn’t know all the details, but with his own eyes he had seen Qinglan’s moonlight-white gown and pearl hair ornaments at the Lantern Festival — and word had it that Pan Yurong had pestered Master Ye for half a month until he had an equally fine set made for Ye Yinzhang.
In ordinary times, with the Shen family watching over them, things held together. Even if they were kept confined, Han Yueqi and Qinglan exchanged servants daily to send food and greetings, and if a day passed without news, Shen Biwei would come charging over. With the Yongguo Duke as well, they didn’t need to fear being unable to take Master Ye down.
Besides, the three of them were no pushovers. Lingbo had something of the temperament of a formidable strategist — generous with money, warm to all, and she had cultivated connections with a remarkable range of people. Beyond loyal figures like Liu Ji, she had able-bodied people she could call upon among the gatekeepers, coachmen, the shops, the government offices — all across the capital. Among the household women, it went without saying: across the entire capital’s network of household servants, every one of them owed her something. Nothing dramatic, usually — Yang Niangzi had stepped in when someone couldn’t find an ingredient or a fabric and was about to face their master’s wrath, and had smoothed things over. But that was more than enough to pass a message or send a note.
And so, even knowing that today Han Yueqi and Shen Biwei were both too occupied to spare a thought for her, Lingbo wasn’t particularly worried about Pan Yurong. The Wutong Courtyard was an iron fortress. Pan Yurong could scheme all she liked.
But she hadn’t expected Pan Yurong’s aim was precisely to trap her inside the estate.
As the carriage passed through the front courtyard, she found family retainers standing guard. Pan Yurong had been sold away by her own relatives, but afterward, having no family left, she had tracked them down and brought them back. Her older male cousin, now installed as the steward of the main courtyard, came from the kind of family that sold off its women — naturally inclined toward large-scale theft and cruelty to subordinates. Because of a large birthmark across his forehead, the servants of the main courtyard called him “Black Snake” behind his back.
Now Black Snake stood in the lane of the front courtyard with seven or eight manservants. Lingbo was unhurried. She called out: “Uncle Yang.”
This time it was Fifth Uncle Yang driving the carriage. He had originally brought Liu Ji and his own son Yang Fu along, but Liu Ji had gone ahead, leaving just the father and son. The Yang family were among the Lady’s personal dowry attendants — their loyalty was beyond question, as steadfast as the legendary bodyguards Xu Chu and Dian Wei. Fifth Uncle Yang immediately brought the carriage to a halt, drew an iron stake from beneath the driver’s board, and Yang Fu drew out a waist-high short staff. The two of them stood blocking the way before the carriage.
“Steward Pan, what’s the meaning of this?” Fifth Uncle Yang asked. “This is our household’s own lane. Why won’t you let our Miss’s carriage through?”
Lingbo sat in the carriage, unhurriedly warming her hands on the hand warmer. Xiao Liu’er sat near the carriage door, peering through the curtain gap and reporting to Lingbo: “Miss, it’s Black Snake and seven manservants blocking the road. I’d wager Concubine Pan is right inside the gate.”
Steward Pan, seeing their reaction, was actually a little intimidated. He smiled ingratiatingly: “Old Yang Five, what are you doing? Madam heard the Second Miss was back and wants to ask her a few questions. Why are you coming out with weapons? Anyone who didn’t know would think you were staging a revolt.”
Lingbo knew that in a straight fight, a few men like this were no match for Fifth Uncle Yang and his son. Pan Yurong’s management of the household was a complete shambles — the servants were expert at helping themselves to money and shirking work, but when it came to actually doing anything, there were precious few of them, and none willing to risk their skins. She gave Xiao Liu’er a look; Xiao Liu’er understood immediately, lifted the curtain, showed her face, and smiled brightly.
“Goodness, is that all? It’s Madam? If she wants to speak with Miss, perfect timing — Miss has just come back from Master Han’s residence and is very tired. She has no time to go to the main courtyard. If Madam doesn’t mind the bother, she’s welcome to come to our Wutong Courtyard to talk. Steward Pan, please clear the road — everyone’s had a long day, tempers are running high, and if things turn physical, it won’t look good for anyone.”
Steward Pan knew perfectly well that Ye Lingbo was the most formidable obstacle in the Wutong Courtyard, and that prolonging this standoff would put him at a disadvantage. But he couldn’t simply give up and face the consequences with Pan Yurong. While he stalled and temporized with a forced smile, the manservants with him, showing more initiative than expected — perhaps emboldened by a promised reward from Pan Yurong — began to fan out and creep toward the carriage.
Fifth Uncle Yang watched them without moving, and gave Yang Fu a look. Yang Fu had been placed in the outside world by Lingbo to be tempered and trained, only recently called back because of the busy season at the Flower Banquet; his martial skills were far beyond ordinary. He let the manservants approach, pretended not to notice, waited until they were within reach, then swung his staff and swept one aside, spun around and delivered a punishing kick squarely to the next one’s torso, sending him crashing to the ground.
Xiao Liu’er immediately seized the opportunity.
“What is the meaning of this?! We are an official household. How dare a manservant approach the carriage of a young lady of the inner chambers?” She was fiercer than even Steward Pan, and shouted at once: “Fifth Uncle Yang, go report this to the county magistrate’s office! Tell them a vicious servant is assaulting his superiors! Have them bring constables and shackles — and don’t let a single one get away!”
The manservants had never faced anything like this before. They froze on the spot in fright, and the one who had been struck could only withdraw. Steward Pan, to his credit, kept his composure, and immediately smiled and placated: “Miss, please don’t be angry — it’s all a misunderstanding!”
In truth, Xiao Liu’er had already seen through the scheme. These few people were bait. The real danger lurked behind the small doors on either side of the lane. Most likely Pan Yurong’s plan had been for the manservants to approach and draw Fifth Uncle Yang and Yang Fu’s attention, then send the household women in from the flanks — choosing the burliest and strongest among them to drag Lingbo and Xiao Liu’er from the carriage, after which she could concoct whatever charges she pleased.
So Xiao Liu’er didn’t press the point further, and simply said: “A misunderstanding? Your own manservants dare ‘misunderstand’ their own mistress? Fifth Uncle Yang, fire a signal arrow. Let’s call the Imperial Guards — the one losing face is Master Ye’s household anyway!”
At those words, a cough sounded immediately from behind the door to the left of the lane. Xiao Liu’er wasn’t sure whether it was a signal to stand down or to advance. Fifth Uncle Yang had already readied the signal arrow. Steward Pan’s color changed drastically at the sight of it — and at that precise moment, a commotion erupted behind them as Liu Ji appeared.
He came with a crowd of servants at his back, a good ten or more, followed by Luo Niangzi and several stout household women, surging forward with an aggressive air, buffeting Steward Pan himself sideways and forcing a path through.
“Miss, I climbed over the wall to get in. It turns out the courtyard on that side — Concubine Pan — said something had gone missing in the household and declared a lockdown. She had the south gate and the west side gate locked. Our people in the courtyard didn’t dare make the call, so they let them lock up and are waiting inside for Miss to return.” Liu Ji spoke only to Lingbo.
Right in front of Steward Pan, he deliberately said “Concubine Pan” rather than “Madam.” Steward Pan’s expression went sour, but seeing that the other side actually had more people, he didn’t dare say anything.
Lingbo laughed softly inside the carriage.
“Our people in the courtyard are too well-behaved. That’ll have to change.” She was the Young Miss after all — when she spoke, everyone could only listen. She said with a smile: “Steward Pan, you’re late to the scene and don’t know, but the affairs of the main courtyard have always had nothing to do with us. Liu Ji — if anyone tries to pull this sort of gate-locking business again, just smash the lock right off, along with whoever’s holding it.”
“Understood.” Liu Ji answered at full volume.
“All right, let’s go home.” After she finished speaking, seeing Fifth Uncle Yang hop back up onto the driver’s board ready to set off, she called out unhurriedly again: “Steward Pan.”
Steward Pan answered with a reluctant “Yes” where he stood. Liu Ji sneered: “Fine manners from the main courtyard — even the steward puts on such airs.” With a glance, two manservants immediately stepped up and grabbed Steward Pan from either side, hauling him before the carriage and pressing his head down until he knelt. The main courtyard’s manservants made to intervene, but the Wutong Courtyard’s servants surrounded them and openly drew the blades they carried at their sides.
“A vicious servant who assaults his superiors can be beaten to death without legal consequence,” Liu Ji warned coldly. “If you move, think about how many lives you have to spare.”
The main courtyard’s people instantly fell silent. Steward Pan was pinned to the ground, shooting desperate looks toward the small door in the lane — but to his credit, he stopped short of actually shouting “Madam, save me.”
“Steward Pan.” Lingbo called again.
He answered with a “Yes.” Liu Ji, dissatisfied with the volume, gave him a hard kick in the backside. Steward Pan cried out and bellowed: “Yes! Yes! Yes! Your servant is here!”
The light sound of Lingbo’s laughter drifted from inside the carriage.
“Go back and tell Concubine Pan: if she has something to say, she’s welcome to come find me at the Wutong Courtyard. I’ll be ready to receive her at any time. She’d best bring Master Ye along as well — I’ve been bored lately, and my hands are itching for something to do. If she’s not afraid to die, she’s welcome to come anytime.”
The moment she finished, Xiao Liu’er took her cue: “Fifth Uncle Yang — we’re going.” Fifth Uncle Yang flicked the reins, and the carriage moved forward, surrounded by servants and household women — Liu Ji and Yang Fu bringing up the rear — an entire procession, unhurried and imposing, sailing straight through the main courtyard all the way back to the Wutong Courtyard.
Xiao Liu’er was delighted the entire way. “Miss, you’re brilliant! You could tell right away that Concubine Pan was going to cause trouble and prepared in advance. If you hadn’t, how could we have been so dignified today? Black Snake finally met his match. My brother was really something — hehe…”
“The Flower Banquet is only half over and Ye Yinzhang still has no prospects lined up. How could the Five-Step Snake not be anxious? I’d wager she’ll keep causing trouble for some time yet.”
Lingbo had assumed Pan Yurong’s scheming tonight was just one failed attempt. She hadn’t expected Pan Yurong would actually dare to follow through.
By the time they were back, night had fallen completely. Lingbo had had a grueling day — even though Pei Zhao had been looking after her, the toll of hours had accumulated, and she hadn’t noticed it at the time, but now her body was stiff and sore. So dinner was kept simple. She and Xiao Liu’er sat across from each other and had a warming lamb hot pot, adding some pea shoots and fresh greens, and only half a bowl of the dark-husked red rice before calling it done. The manservants were in high spirits tonight, though. Xiao Liu’er went out briefly and came back to report: “My brother is hosting a celebration and paying out of his own pocket — he had the kitchen slaughter a pig and make a proper meat feast for everyone. He says it’s to reward them for their courage today, and he’s invited Fifth Uncle Yang to sit at the head of the table. Right now they’re all pestering Elder Brother Yang Fu to teach them staff and spear techniques.”
“Liu Ji’s learned to reward valor,” Lingbo said from where she was resting against the warming brazier, eyes closed, a smile on her lips.
“That’s because Miss taught him well. Generous rewards for merit, clear penalties for failure — that’s what makes servants willing to give their best. Otherwise, what reason do they have to follow you?” Seeing her drowsy, Xiao Liu’er came over to urge her: “Miss, why don’t you skip going over tonight? I could make the trip with Luo Niangzi and deliver everything. That would do just as well.”
Lingbo shook her head sleepily.
“Yanyan and A’Cuo aren’t yet of age. If I don’t go over, it would mean Qinglan is staying overnight away from home alone. And besides, Cui Jingyu won’t wake tonight — Qinglan must be feeling wretched. I should go keep her company.” She was decisive as always, not to be talked out of it. “Let me sleep for two quarter-hours, then wake me. Go help Luo Niangzi pack. Don’t bother with bedding — Han Yueqi’s will certainly have everything brand new. The main thing is to bring the apricot-yellow tunic — pair it with the set of accessories with the jade lotus crown and the insert combs. And bring the Lantern Festival outfit too. If Qinglan has nothing to change into, she’ll have to wear it whether she wants to or not.”
General Cui had staked his life to rescue her elder sister. He deserved a little reward in the form of something fine to see. Thinking back on the Lantern Festival now, Lingbo still found it funny — Cui Jingyu had clearly been smitten, eyes barely able to stay in his head, while maintaining an expression as cold as frost throughout. Served him right. No wonder even Wei Yushan had gotten ahead of him.
She drowsed against the warmth of the brazier, half-slipping into sleep — and then was jarred awake.
Outside was in complete uproar. She frowned and sat up. “What’s going on?”
Xiao Liu’er came rushing in, still managing to keep her composure: “Miss, nothing serious — just that Master has come with Concubine Pan. They’re saying they want Miss to come out and confess her wrongdoing. My brother has his people holding them up outside and won’t let them in.”
Lingbo found this grimly amusing. Liu Ji had nerve — Pan Yurong was one thing, but Master Ye was still the nominal head of the household. And he’d dared to block him too. This boldness — he really could be sent to the military to be tempered.
“Fine.” She stretched lazily and said, “The Five-Step Snake must have a new card to play. Let Liu Ji let them in.”
She was unhurried, smoothed her hair, changed her clothes, and strolled into the main hall with Xiao Liu’er at a leisurely pace.
Sure enough — there sat Master Ye and Pan Yurong. Master Ye had attended court for over twenty years and had cultivated a genuine air of official gravity; he cut an imposing figure wherever he sat, upright as a memorial pillar. But Pan Yurong was beyond reform — wherever she went, she reclined sideways as if draped across her seat, all trailing-vine fragility: the very embodiment of what the ladies at the Flower Banquet had called “the manners of the small-time.”
On these occasions, it was usually Master Ye who took the lead — and sure enough, Pan Yurong had trained him well. The moment he saw Lingbo, he thundered: “Wretched girl! Kneel before me!”
Lingbo treated it as noise beside her ears. Once, in her younger years, she might have startled at that. Now, she couldn’t even be bothered to react — she just sauntered lazily over to the rose armchair and sat down, reaching for her tea.
“My, my, our Second Miss’s composure just keeps improving. She doesn’t even greet the Master anymore when she sees him. I may have no right to receive her respects, but our Master works himself to exhaustion at court every day providing for this entire household — surely Second Miss could spare a word for her father?” Pan Yurong immediately fanned the flames.
Master Ye, inflamed, rose to discipline Lingbo. Lingbo shot a single glance; Luo Niangzi immediately appeared with a crowd of household women, urging and soothing: “Master, please calm your anger — spare Second Miss, she’s only just recovered from that cough a few days ago, and it seems her fire ailment has flared up again.”
This was the benefit of having capable people at one’s side. Lingbo could simply do as she pleased, and there was always someone to manufacture an excuse for her, however far-fetched. Absurd as “fire ailment” was, Master Ye had heard it enough times that he half-believed it. He had long since written her off as an eccentric daughter.
The household women crowded in, and Master Ye, too conscious of his dignity to scuffle with them, let out a heavy snort and sat back down.
“Master Ye, Concubine Pan — if you have something to say, please say it plainly. I still have to make a trip to the Han residence shortly.” Lingbo sipped her tea.
“Our Second Miss is ever so busy — out and about freely at all hours of the night, more capable than the typical noble daughter. No wonder her name has spread everywhere.” Pan Yurong poured in more poison.
Master Ye already had something weighing on his mind, and at those words he erupted: “Wretched girl! You know what you’ve done. Your parents gave you your standing, and you don’t honor it yourself — you’ve committed this disgrace and dragged our family’s name through the mud, and you still sit there calmly drinking tea?”
Lingbo couldn’t help laughing. “What disgrace have I committed exactly? I haven’t taken a concubine over a principal wife. I haven’t installed a maid as first consort. What family name have I dragged through the mud?”
The words made both Master Ye and Pan Yurong’s blood boil. Master Ye merely bristled, but Pan Yurong’s eyes filled with a killing intent — she probably wanted to throttle her on the spot. The last time Lingbo had clashed with the main courtyard, Lingbo had still been young, and even then she’d had a sharp tongue. Now seven years had passed, she’d been running her own household for seven years, and that tongue had become sharper than any blade, driving every word straight into their hearts.
“You — you! You wretched, wretched girl!” Master Ye shook with rage: “I’ll beat you to death!”
Lingbo simply smiled coldly from behind the wall of household women. Whatever happened, she only needed to call the manservants in. The Wutong Courtyard had no shortage of people. If things came to blows, so be it — and if it went to the county magistrate’s office, it was only a matter of money. Master Ye’s reach, before the Shen family and the Yongguo Duke, was laughably small — and this year the Wutong Courtyard had gained one more backer in the Marquis Wei household.
But Pan Yurong appeared to still have a trump card in reserve.
She restrained Master Ye with one hand and snapped: “Second Miss, we have your dignity in mind, and chose not to say this in front of everyone. But you need to have a clear head about what is going on between you and Master Dai. We came today not to interrogate you, but to counsel you. Settling this as a family, privately, is best for everyone.”
Lingbo smiled at that.