Yang Yiniang’s lips curled with a trace of cold disdain.

Qiao Lianfang would seize any opportunity to mock and sneer at her — that much she knew. The more one spoke, the greater the chance of making mistakes. But she had never imagined that Qiao Lianfang would actually say something about having the Marchioness of Jianning come to see her — this was not merely an attack on Yang Yiniang; it was a direct challenge to Luo Shiyiniang’s authority.

She had waited so long for this. Today, at last, she had caught Qiao Lianfang in the wrong. If she did not make the most of this opportunity to say a few words in front of Luo Shiyiniang, then Qiao Lianfang would truly believe she was a toothless old cat!

She exhaled a long breath and was just about to step forward and speak when she heard Luo Shiyiniang’s measured yet slightly stern voice in her ear: “Qiao Yiniang, although Yang Yiniang was born of the Jianning Marquis’s Yang Family, she is the Marquis’s concubine. By the rules of propriety, a concubine may not receive a titled Marchioness in the main hall. Qiao Yiniang was raised in the household of Duke Chengguo — surely she knows this?”

Luo Shiyiniang’s expression was composed, yet every word she spoke was sharp as a blade — the kind of sharpness she had never shown since entering the Xu household. All the concubines froze. Qiao Lianfang in particular stood with her mouth agape, unable to recover herself for some time. The maids and nannies serving in the room held their breath and dared not make a sound.

For a moment, the room was so still that one could hear a pin drop.

“Does Qiao Yiniang not know this?” Luo Shiyiniang gently pressed the question.

Wen Yiniang’s heart gave a startled jolt. She quietly stepped back two paces and pressed herself against the black lacquered standing pillar. Qin Yiniang happened to block half of her figure. As for Qin Yiniang herself, she hunched her shoulders and gazed at Luo Shiyiniang with an expression of awe, looking thoroughly apprehensive.

Luo Shiyiniang’s clear, cool voice echoed through the main hall, lending the room several more degrees of authority. Only then did Qiao Lianfang snap back to her senses with a start.

When had she ever been treated in such a manner? Sudden shame washed over her. The corner of her eye caught a glimpse of Yang Yiniang, who was watching her with a face full of sympathy.

A loud buzzing filled Qiao Lianfang’s head. Her face burned crimson, and she rushed to argue: “Madam, that was not what I meant. It is simply that the Marchioness of Jianning harbors wicked intentions, fantasizing about associating with our household on terms of legitimate kinship. I was only anxious on Madam’s behalf, which is why I spoke out to admonish Sister Yang, urging her to keep to her proper station…”

A sharp crack rang out — Luo Shiyiniang’s hand came down flat on the black lacquered square table beside her, rattling the tea bowls and lids atop it with a ringing clatter.

“Qiao Yiniang!” She raised her voice slightly to cut off Qiao Lianfang’s words. The look she fixed on her now held several degrees of displeasure. “The Marquis of Jianning is the Empress Dowager’s own younger brother. The Marquis of this household is the Empress’s own younger brother. They are family by marriage — for them to call upon one another frequently is a natural expression of affection and harmony. Where is there any wickedness to speak of? Furthermore, when I was speaking with the Marchioness of Jianning in the main hall, was Qiao Yiniang present?” Without waiting for Qiao Lianfang to answer, she pressed on relentlessly: “Then how does she know what the Marchioness of Jianning and I said? And how does she know whether the Marchioness of Jianning requested to see Yang Yiniang?”

As she spoke, she rose to her feet, her sharp gaze sweeping across Wen Yiniang, Qin Yiniang, and Yang Yiniang in turn — everyone promptly lowered their heads in docile submission.

“Words spoken without thought, cruel language, and stirring up trouble among others — none of this befits a woman of good breeding, who should be quiet and virtuous.” Luo Shiyiniang fixed Qiao Lianfang with a cold stare. “Return to your room immediately and copy the Admonitions for Women one hundred times. You may come to see me again only when you have finished.”

Qiao Lianfang stared at Luo Shiyiniang’s expression in a kind of stupor, as though she had been struck dumb by her words.

Seeing that Qiao Lianfang had not promptly given her assent, Nanny Song immediately exchanged a glance with another serving nanny in the room. The two of them moved in from left and right, seized Qiao Lianfang by the arms, and began dragging her toward the door.

Qiao Lianfang came to her senses.

“Luo Shiyiniang,” she struggled, the informal address escaping her lips unbidden, “how can you…”

“Dock half a year of her monthly allowance,” Luo Shiyiniang said, her tone calm and measured, cutting off Qiao Lianfang’s words. “The Admonitions for Women — three hundred copies.”

Her slender figure stood as straight as a pine. Her slightly upturned face wore an expression of cool severity — a commanding imperious aura that immediately brought Qiao Lianfang to a halt.

This Qiao woman truly had some nerve, daring to call the Madam by her given name outright before everyone present. And yet, with her distinguished birth, one could hardly send her back to Duke Chengguo’s household, could one?

Afraid that Qiao Lianfang would create yet another scene, Nanny Song, seeing her dazed, moved swiftly and unceremoniously dragged her out of the main hall.

If she could not keep Qiao Lianfang in check, the Madam’s dignity would have nowhere to stand.

Hupo and Yanrong went out after them without a word between them — one pulled out a handkerchief and stuffed it into Qiao Lianfang’s mouth, while the other helped press her down. The four of them pushed, pulled, and dragged until they finally managed to bundle Qiao Lianfang back to her courtyard without further incident.

Luo Shiyiniang watched the gently swaying door curtain, then slowly sat back down.

“The rest of you — return to your rooms and copy the Admonitions for Women once through as well,” she said unhurriedly. “Relearn what is meant by a woman’s speech, a woman’s work, and a woman’s virtue.”

Wen Yiniang immediately responded with a respectful “Yes,” thoroughly cooperative.

Yang Yiniang’s assent followed immediately after Wen Yiniang’s — a flicker of regret crossed her features. She had noticed Wen Yiniang quietly stepping aside earlier and had not anticipated that when the moment came to show compliance, Wen Yiniang would be the first to speak, leaving her to miss the chance to distinguish herself. No wonder Wen Yiniang fared so well in Luo Shiyiniang’s eyes.

Involuntarily, she glanced over at Qin Yiniang.

Qin Yiniang was acquiescing with soft murmurs of agreement, yet deep in her eyes there was not even a trace of surprise or flustered alarm.

Yang Yiniang’s heart stirred.

Luo Shiyiniang had already lifted her teacup.

The three concubines bent their knees in curtsy, then filed out one after another.

A trace of weariness showed on Luo Shiyiniang’s face.

“Madam!” Lvyun stepped forward carefully to support her. “You should go rest in the inner room. The young masters and the young miss will be coming to pay their respects shortly!”

Luo Shiyiniang gave a nod. From outside came the sound of rapid, light footsteps.

Apart from Xu Sijie, there was no one else who would dare to run like that through her courtyard.

A smile spread across Luo Shiyiniang’s face without her even noticing.

The curtain was lifted, and Xu Sijie came running in.

“Mother, Mother, I’m done with school!” He threw himself into Luo Shiyiniang’s arms.

His soft, warm little body warmed her heart.

“Where is your brother?”

The words had barely left her lips when Xu Sizhun walked in unhurriedly, a book bag on his back.

He cupped his hands toward Luo Shiyiniang in a proper bow: “Mother!”

Xu Sijie, seeing this, quickly stood up straight and imitated his older brother’s manner in greeting Luo Shiyiniang.

Luo Shiyiniang instructed the junior maids to bring tea and refreshments for them.

Zhen Jie’er arrived.

In summer, the Resplendent View Pavilion was refreshingly cool. When Luo Shiyiniang did not bring her along to the main hall to attend to household matters, she would wait at the Resplendent View Pavilion.

Xu Sijie then gleefully put on a performance for everyone, demonstrating the new piece he had learned.

Nanny Song lifted the curtain.

Taking in the warm and cheerful scene before her, she hesitated for a moment before approaching when she saw Luo Shiyiniang signal to her. She tiptoed over.

“Madam!” she murmured close to Luo Shiyiniang’s ear. “All the servants in Qiao Yiniang’s room have been placed under watch. I have assigned rough-work nannies to guard the front gate and the inner room door, and items such as sashes and scissors have been collected and put away.” She then paused and added, “Only — Qiao Yiniang has been shouting to see the Marquis… and refuses to copy the Admonitions for Women.”

“When she has finished copying all three hundred copies of the Admonitions for Women, she may leave her courtyard.” Luo Shiyiniang smiled and applauded for Xu Sijie, who had just finished blowing his piece. “And when she is free to come and go from the courtyard, she will naturally be able to see the Marquis as well.”

Nanny Song smiled and followed Luo Shiyiniang’s example in clapping for Xu Sijie, quietly murmuring her assent.

Xu Sijie’s face was flushed with excitement: “Mother, did it sound good?”

“It sounded wonderful!” Luo Shiyiniang laughed. “What piece is this?”

“The Francolin Takes Flight,” Xu Sijie said with a grin. “Teacher said that once I have practiced this passage until it is smooth, I may begin learning the next one.”

“Teacher also said the piece is taken from the poem Gazing at the Past in Yue by the great poet Taibai,” Xu Sizhun added with a smile. “The King of Yue, Goujian, broke the state of Wu and returned; his valiant warriors came home cloaked in brocade. Palace ladies like flowers filled the halls of spring — and now, only the francolin remains in flight.”

“Oh!” Luo Shiyiniang expressed genuine interest. “There is such a story behind it?” She found herself quietly marveling at how quickly Xu Sijie was progressing.

“I know, I know.” Xu Sijie rushed to get ahead of Xu Sizhun. “Teacher explained what that line of poetry means.” He stood there swaying his head from side to side as he launched into the story: “Long ago there was a king of Yue named Goujian…”

Luo Shiyiniang listened attentively.

Nanny Song, careful and light-footed, withdrew without disturbing anyone.

That evening, after returning from dining at the Grand Dowager’s quarters, Luo Shiyiniang told Xu Lingyi: “Qiao Yiniang has been exceedingly noisy these past few days. I have punished her by having her copy the Admonitions for Women three hundred times. Only when she has finished may she leave her courtyard.”

Xu Lingyi was somewhat surprised, but said nothing further, merely nodding to acknowledge the matter.

In the middle of the night, Luo Shiyiniang was startled awake by a sudden knock at the door.

She sat up. Hupo, who was on night duty, hurried in wrapped in a light outer garment.

“Madam, something has happened,” she said, her expression grave. “Qiao Yiniang attempted to hang herself — and failed.”

Luo Shiyiniang’s heart sank. She drew a deep breath before she could compose herself: “What is the situation now?”

“The nannies on night duty are keeping watch over her,” Hupo replied. “A junior maid was sent over to report. She said that Xiuyuan is there wailing and crying.”

Luo Shiyiniang thought for a moment, then said: “Have that junior maid come in.”

Hupo assented and turned to call the maid in.

Luo Shiyiniang asked her: “How was it discovered that Qiao Yiniang had tried to hang herself?”

The junior maid’s face was pale, but she spoke with reasonable composure: “The nanny was keeping watch outside the curtained bed. She suddenly heard a thumping sound from inside — thump, thump, thump — and quickly lifted the curtain to look. She found that Qiao Yiniang had somehow procured a length of silk fabric and hung it from the bedframe, and was already stretching out her neck to put her head through the loop.”

Luo Shiyiniang understood the situation fairly clearly now. She turned to Hupo and said: “Go and prepare three feet of white silk, a pair of scissors, and a piece of broken gold weighing three taels, and have them sent to Qiao Yiniang. Tell her: if she truly no longer wishes to live, she should keep these three items ready, and tomorrow morning I will have her escorted to a temple, where she may die however she pleases — so as not to defile the grounds of the Marquis of Yongping’s household.”

Both Hupo and the junior maid stood there, stunned.

“Madam, this…”

“Just do as I say.” Luo Shiyiniang said. “Hand those three items to the rough-work nannies and have them placed on the altar table in the main room. When I send someone to escort Qiao Yiniang away tomorrow morning, she may take them with her. Also — reward that nanny five taels of silver, and the junior maid here one tael of silver.” Having said this, she let down the bed curtain.

Hupo had no choice but to murmur a reluctant “Yes” and led the junior maid out of the inner room.

Luo Shiyiniang found herself with a bit of a headache.

If Qiao Lianfang refused to back down, where on earth was she going to send her tomorrow?

She turned her head — and found herself looking at a face wearing an expression of complete astonishment.

—