As firecrackers crackled, the bride’s sedan chair was carried into the Luo mansion at dusk. The bride, holding a treasured vase, stepped over a fire basin and was escorted by auspicious attendants into the main hall for the wedding ceremony.
Yining stood at the entrance, watching the bride enter. Since her grandmother’s passing, the main hall has rarely opened. The room was decorated with red silk and “double happiness” characters, but to Yining, the furnishings seemed aged.
Luo Yixiu quietly approached from outside the bridal chamber, asking if Yining wanted to watch the opera in the back courtyard. A troupe had been invited to perform celebratory pieces after the ceremony, and the sound of gongs and drums could already be heard.
Yining accompanied her to the back courtyard. Maids offered trays of wedding sweets and dried longan. Luo Yixiu grabbed a handful for Yining and herself. Chen Shi, seeing them arrive, invited them to sit and asked Luo Yixiu with a smile, “Have you seen your new sister-in-law?”
As Luo Yixiu peeled dried longan, she replied, “With the veil, I could only tell if she was plump or thin—” She turned to Yining, asking, “What do you think?”
They would see her face tomorrow anyway, so it didn’t matter much. It was said that Minister Zhou’s daughter was quite pretty.
Yining simply said, “She seemed graceful and proper.”
Lin Haixu sent someone to fetch her, saying her aunt had just arrived. Yining was both amused and exasperated—the messenger hadn’t specified which aunt, as she had two!
Luo Yixiu, however, seemed pleased: “Your aunt is here?”
Chen Shi, needing to oversee the opera stage where all the prominent ladies of Baoding were gathered, couldn’t go herself. She smiled at Yining, “Why don’t you let your Fifth Sister accompany you?”
Yining had no choice but to bring Luo Yixiu along. On the way, she cautioned, “Don’t talk too much. I rarely see my aunt myself.”
Luo Yixiu nodded in understanding, holding onto Yining’s sleeve as they entered the main room. Lin Haixu was awkwardly attempting small talk: “…Jingming is such a well-mannered, modest boy. I’ve told Mao to learn from him.”
Yining curtsied to Lin Haixu and noticed a woman sitting beside her, wearing a lake-green jacket with an air of distinction. She immediately recognized similarities between her and Gu Jingming. Upon seeing Yining, the woman became emotional, pulling her close for a careful examination: “Is this Yining?”
Yining nodded, addressing her as “Aunt.” Madam Gu’s eyes reddened: “When the old madam passed, I wanted to come, but your second aunt was with child and the household couldn’t spare anyone. We could only send your uncle. Yining, have you been well?”
Before Minlan had married, Madam Gu had raised her, creating a particularly deep bond. After Minlan passed away giving birth to Yining, the Gu and Luo families had less frequent contact. Only recently had relations between the two families begun to improve.
Yining felt somewhat unfamiliar with Madam Gu but smiled at her gentle features, saying she was well. Luo Yixiu also came forward to greet Madam Gu, who gave her a gold hairpin as a meeting gift. Luo Yixiu’s eyes darted about as she said, “I heard Third Brother was writing calligraphy with Cousin Gu in the courtyard earlier. Father was watching them. I wonder how they’re doing.”
Madam Gu had heard of Luo Shengyuan, who was quite famous in Zhili.
“Jingming’s scholarship is still lacking compared to the Juyuan,” Madam Gu smiled at Lin Haixu, “It’s due to your excellent guidance.”
Lin Haixu smiled stiffly, “Not at all.”
She wasn’t accustomed to interacting with noble ladies like Madam Gu, especially those who were both learned and exceptionally polite.
Sensing Lin Haixu’s discomfort, Yining helped change the subject: “Why don’t we go see how Third Brother and the others are doing?”
It would be good for Luo Shengyuan to meet her aunt, as the Gu family had been imperial favorites for three generations. Yining calculated that it was now the 16th year of Zhide, less than a year since the new emperor’s ascension. With the political upheaval following the new reign, families like the Gu and Luo would likely be affected.
Madam Gu had long been curious about Luo Shengyuan.
On the way, Madam Gu held Yining’s hand, asking her many questions. Learning that Yining had read the Four Books, she patted Yining’s head approvingly: “Good child, reading is the best pursuit.”
Lin Haixu could only fidget with her gold bracelet expressionlessly, realizing that all she could offer Yining were material things. As for education, she’d leave that to Yining’s third brother!
While the women watched opera in the back courtyard, several young masters of the Luo family gathered in the flower hall. Luo Shengyuan was writing “Preface to the Orchid Pavilion” while Gu Jingming wrote “Ode to the Red Cliff,” both in official script. Luo Shanyuan and Lin Mao were also present, with Lin Mao using the rare Slender Gold script.
Seeing Madam Gu, Gu Jingming called out to his mother and introduced Luo Shengyuan: “This is Congxia, the Juyuan of Zhili, Yining’s third brother.”
Yining was puzzled at first, then realized Congxia must be Luo Shengyuan’s courtesy name, likely given by Master Sun.
Looking at Luo Shengyuan’s calm face, she silently repeated “Congxia” to herself, finding it pleasant to the ear.
When Luo Shengyuan greeted Madam Gu, she regarded him with great admiration. They seemed to converse easily. Just as they began talking, Luo Chengzhang sent someone to summon Luo Shengyuan to meet a distant grand-uncle of the Luo family. Before leaving, Luo Shengyuan told Yining, “Meimei, don’t stay up too late.”
Yining, busy peeling dried longan with Luo Yixiu, nodded perfunctorily as he left, wondering why he had suddenly become so protective.
Lin Mao soon approached, pinching Yining’s cheek and asking, “Did you enjoy watching the wedding earlier?”
His fingertips were rough, and Yining, still chewing dried longan, was startled by his touch. She felt something was off about Lin Mao.
Then she caught a whiff of alcohol on him. Had he been drinking?
She waved her hand in front of his face, “Cousin Mao?”
Lin Mao grabbed her hand, saying seriously, “Don’t wave, Cousin Yining. I’m dizzy.”
Yining felt like laughing, finding drunk Lin Mao quite amusing. Looking at the table, she saw a jug of wine.
“He’s had too much to drink,” Gu Jingming said with a smile. “Come over here, don’t bother Yining!”
Lin Mao’s narrow eyes sparkled as he laughed, “How am I bothering her? I’m just saying hello. Besides, it was just one jug of wine. How could I be drunk?” He asked a servant to bring another jug, intending to write more poetry with the aid of alcohol. Gu Jingming quickly waved his hands, “I can’t anymore. I need to go outside for some fresh air.” Lin Mao had made him drink the most, and his head was throbbing.
As Gu Jingming went out to sober up, Madam Gu had someone bring over their calligraphy to examine. She discussed with Lin Haixu whose writing was best, while Lin Haixu struggled to make coherent comments. Looking up, she noticed Yining staring at the wine jug and asked, “Yining, what are you looking at?”
Yining slowly replied, “This wine jug design is unique to our household. Did someone bring wine from the Second House?”
Lin Mao shook his head, “The servants brought this.”
Suddenly, a maidservant who attended to Lin Haixu rushed in, kneeling and hesitating to speak.
Lin Haixu frowned, “Just say what you need to say!” She disliked people beating around the bush. Yining, however, stopped Lin Haixu and asked the maidservant, “Would you prefer to speak in the side room?”
The maidservant looked at Yining gratefully and nodded.
Lin Haixu finally realized the matter might be serious. She excused herself to Madam Gu and took Yining with her into the side room.
A moment later, Yining emerged with an ashen face, pointing at the wine jug on the table: “Xuechi, bring that wine with us.”
They went to the bamboo grove outside the flower hall. Gu Jingming walked out first, his face gloomy, followed by Luo Yilian with her head lowered and eyes red, seeming upset. The atmosphere between them was strange, and Madam Gu’s heart sank at the sight.
Lin Haixu approached, directly questioning the young maid standing under the corridor. Frightened, the girl stammered, “I just came out… and saw, saw the Fourth Young Master Gu embracing the Sixth Miss. But when he saw me, he let go immediately. I went to tell Madam Du right away… That’s all!”
The cold wind had sobered Gu Jingming completely. His usual gentleness was gone as he coldly said, “The Sixth Miss said she had injured her leg, so I was only supporting her. Coincidentally, the Sixth Miss hadn’t brought her maid with her—”
Madam Gu was so angry she didn’t know what to say, realizing her son had likely been set up but was now at a disadvantage. She could only grit her teeth and say, “You… you’re talking nonsense. Even if the Sixth Miss was in excruciating pain, why did it have to be you supporting her? When we get back, you’re to kneel in the ancestral hall!”
Just then, a voice came from nearby: “…Yilian, why are you crying so bitterly!”
Concubine Qiao, having caught wind of the situation, arrived belatedly with her maids. She immediately embraced her distressed daughter. Luo Yilian, looking at Gu Jingming’s cold back, shed tears—whether genuine or not was unclear—and said softly, “It’s not Cousin Ming’s fault. I hurt my leg and asked him to support me. It’s my fault for being seen…”
Madam Gu’s temple throbbed at hearing “Cousin Ming.” Luo Yilian, a concubine-born daughter, had no relation to the Gu family—how dare she call him cousin!
Hearing her daughter’s words, Concubine Qiao became even more distressed: “Why do you sound so wrong? What exactly happened? Tell Mother quickly.”
Yining spoke calmly, “Concubine Qiao, don’t be foolish. This is the flower hall. For the sake of the Sixth Sister’s reputation, we should return to the main room to discuss this. We should also call Father to clarify everything. Surely we can get to the bottom of this.”
Luo Yilian was about to say something to Yining but caught her cold, indifferent gaze. She suddenly shuddered, feeling a sense of foreboding.
Yining had no intention of letting Luo Yilian off this time; she had gone too far. Standing before Lin Haixu, not waiting for her to speak, Yining said, “Aunt, let’s set this matter aside for now. Please take Cousin Ming to the back courtyard, lest people notice your absence. Once we’ve clarified everything, we’ll certainly explain it to you.”
Madam Gu, impressed by Yining’s composure at such a young age, glanced at Lin Haixu and said, “Then I’ll go to the back courtyard. If it truly is Gu Jingming’s fault, tell me, and I’ll certainly punish him severely!” She didn’t even look at Luo Yilian.
Gu Jingming’s lips curled into a cold smile, his fists clenched tightly as he strode away from the flower hall.
While the First House remained lively, the main room of the Second House dismissed all servants. Lin Haixu sat down, furious enough to want to strangle Luo Yilian. This had to be her doing! With Madam Gu still in the Luo household, this was a disgrace to the entire family!
Concubine Qiao coldly eyed Yining: “Seventh Miss, how can you be so biased! You only protect your maternal relatives while disregarding Yilian’s reputation? I know our Yilian is born of a concubine and not as noble as you, but there’s no reason to bully her like this!”
Yining smiled, “By having my aunt go to the back courtyard to avoid suspicion, aren’t I protecting Sixth Sister?”
Just then, a maid came to announce that Luo Chengzhang had arrived.
On this joyous day for the household, upon hearing of the incident, Luo Chengzhang’s face darkened. As he entered, Concubine Qiao immediately rushed to kneel before him, crying, “My Lord, you must seek justice for Yilian! The Madam and Seventh Miss are siding with outsiders. They see how pitiful our Yilian is, yet no one speaks up for her—”
Luo Chengzhang looked up to see Luo Yilian kneeling silently, tears streaming down her face.
After all, she was the daughter he had raised. He immediately asked, “What exactly happened?”
Concubine Qiao recounted the events, then turned to Yining with reddened eyes: “Although Yilian injured her foot, it was also because the Gu young master disregarded propriety between men and women and supported her. If we don’t seek an explanation, won’t Yilian’s suffering be in vain? How will she face others in the future? Seventh Miss, how can you side so blatantly with the Gu young master? Have you forgotten that Yilian is your sister!”
Such a scandalous affair!
Luo Chengzhang found it unbelievable that Gu Jingming would support Yilian! This indeed tarnished Yilian’s reputation.
He frowned, “This matter indeed requires Gu Jingming to come and explain himself. A girl’s reputation can’t be compromised like this, especially when servants have witnessed it. Yining, Yilian is your sister; you should consider her feelings too.”
Yining coldly smiled, “Father, it’s precisely because I’m concerned about Sixth Sister’s reputation that I sent Cousin Gu to the back courtyard.” She gestured to Xuechi, who brought out a wine jug. Walking to Luo Yilian, she showed it to her: “Do you recognize this jug? The pattern is newly made; there are only three in total.”
Xuechi stepped forward and curtsied, “This servant inquired in the kitchen. It was borrowed by Sixth Miss’s maid some days ago, saying it was for steeping calming wine.”
“This wine is stronger than usual. Sixth Sister, did you have someone send it to the First House for Cousin Gu?” Yining pressed closer to Luo Yilian, staring at her intently.
Luo Yilian raised her head, gazing coolly at Yining.
She realized that today, Yining was unexpectedly showing her sharp edge, not hiding it at all! It seemed she had touched a nerve!
Concubine Qiao hadn’t expected Yining to bring up the wine jug. She quickly said, “Seventh Miss, these are just baseless accusations…”
“Baseless?” Lin Haixu also smiled, “Then can Concubine Qiao explain? How did Luo Yilian happen to appear outside the flower hall, coincidentally without her maid, and just happen to be seen? She likely planned to entrap the Gu young master, but unfortunately, he doesn’t care for her at all. She couldn’t elicit even a bit of sympathy. Instead, she’s made a fool of herself in front of Madam Gu!”
Yilian silently wept, saying softly, “Seventh Sister has never treated me as an elder sister. Today, she sides entirely with Young Master Gu, which I understand… But truly, this was unintentional. How could I joke with my reputation? If you don’t believe me… then I have nothing more to say!”
Luo Chengzhang had heard enough. He walked over to sit beside Lin Haixu. Seeing his tearful daughter, he sighed slowly, “Yilian was wrong in this matter, but she’s just a girl. It must have been unintentional.”
Yining, however, approached her father and curtsied, “Father, Sixth Sister chose this day well. If everyone had seen, Cousin Gu would have had to marry her whether he wanted to or not. But in that case, we Luo family girls would never be able to hold our heads high again! With such an incident occurring at this critical time when you and Uncle are seeking reinstatement, how would the officials present today view our Luo family if they heard about this!”
With each of Yining’s words, Luo Yilian’s face grew paler.
Luo Chengzhang listened with furrowed brows, suddenly understanding the implications, and feeling a chilling suspicion. Yining continued slowly, “By then, Sixth Sister would be married into the Gu family, but she would have dragged down our entire Luo family! I don’t know if Sixth Sister acted intentionally or not, but such a vicious scheme—I don’t think anyone could match her!”
Luo Yilian felt a chill throughout her body, immediately reaching for Luo Chengzhang’s hand, “Father, it’s not like that—”
Luo Chengzhang pushed her hand away, his gaze now wary. “Be quiet!”
Concubine Qiao immediately knelt, shielding her daughter, “My Lord, please don’t believe Seventh Miss’s words! Yilian truly had no such intentions!”
Concubine Qiao was getting anxious; she hadn’t expected Yining to be so eloquent! She had effectively made Luo Chengzhang suspicious.
Just then, a servant brought in young Xuan’er, who ran into the main room. Seeing no one speaking, he rushed into Concubine Qiao’s arms.
Yining felt like laughing coldly—even Xuan’er had been prepared?
Xuan’er hugged Concubine Qiao’s neck, turning back to look at Luo Chengzhang with tearful eyes, saying stubbornly, “Father, Sister is my sister. She’s not vicious; she’s good to me!”
He then looked at Lin Haixu and said, “She’s the one who’s not good to me! Every time I come to pay my respects, she treats me badly!”
Lin Haixu indeed disliked Xuan’er but had never targeted him. Hearing this, she stood up, “Xuan’er, how have I mistreated you? Don’t speak nonsense.”
Yining tugged at her sleeve, signaling her not to mind Xuan’er.
Lin Haixu didn’t look at Xuan’er again, believing she had always tolerated him, so she could endure a bit more now. She said, “In any case, we can’t let Yilian off for this. I think we need to bring in a matron to instruct her. Only one maid saw what happened tonight, so we’ll tell her not to spread it around. We’ll explain things to Madam Gu and pretend it never happened.”
Concubine Qiao urgently said, “How can we do that? Won’t it make others look down on Yilian!”
Luo Chengzhang waved his hand; Luo Yilian had indeed gone too far. He just wanted to minimize the incident, believing the smaller the commotion, the less likely it would spread. Lin Haixu’s suggestion made sense. He said coolly, “Yilian does need some proper instruction. Let’s not mention this matter again in the future!”
Luo Yilian looked up at her father with disappointment.
Her father, who had always protected her, now looked at her with a hint of coldness.
What about the carefully laid plan she had set up? Was it all ruined by Yining? Luo Yilian’s face was tear-stained, but her hands were tightly clenched. She should have let more people see, so Yining couldn’t have covered it up. She cursed her bad luck!
Seeing Luo Yilian cry, Xuan’er saw his beloved sister and aunt silent. He assumed they must have been bullied by Lin Haixu, whom he disliked. Xuan’er stared intently at Lin Haixu, “You just don’t like my sister! I don’t like you either!”
Lin Haixu couldn’t hold back anymore, “Xuan’er, stop talking. How can you speak like this at such a young age?”
Concubine Qiao slowly spoke up, “Madam, why argue with a child… He’s just naturally mischievous, that’s all. Your words are too harsh!”
Luo Chengzhang, annoyed by the commotion, rubbed his temples, “Enough, Haixu. Don’t make such a fuss.”
Yining bit her lip upon hearing this. Her father still disliked Lin Haixu, making it sound as if her stepmother was being unreasonable.
Lin Haixu said no more, feeling tired. She was about to have a servant take Luo Yilian away when suddenly Xuan’er broke free from his nurse’s grasp and ran towards Lin Haixu, pushing her, “I don’t like you! You bully my sister and my aunt!”
Lin Haixu had just stood up when she was suddenly pushed by the child, stumbling and hitting the protruding corner of a small table.
Though the child’s strength wasn’t great, her face turned pale, and she clutched her abdomen, unable to speak.
Yining panicked at the sight and immediately had servants restrain Xuan’er. She rushed to support Lin Haixu, “Mother, what’s wrong?”
Lin Haixu’s forehead quickly beaded with sweat as she tried to speak.
Luo Chengzhang, surprised by this sudden turn of events, was also alarmed.
Yining immediately called for Qingqu to examine her. Qingqu knelt beside Lin Haixu, checking her pulse. His face changed instantly, “Seventh Miss… the Madam is… two months pregnant!”
Yining took a deep breath, feeling an inexplicable ache in her nose. She turned to glare coldly at Xuan’er, gritting her teeth, “Xuechi, take the Fourth Young Master to the ancestral hall to kneel in punishment. He is not to get up until I say so!”
Xuan’er cried loudly, trying to break free from the servants’ grasp, but was quickly carried away. Concubine Qiao and Luo Yilian, having not anticipated this turn of events, were stunned, feeling a sense of impending doom.
The child in Lin Haixu’s womb was of legitimate birth! If anything happened to it, who could bear the responsibility?
Upon hearing of the pregnancy and seeing Lin Haixu’s pale face, Luo Chengzhang panicked. He immediately picked up Lin Haixu and placed her on the bed in the inner chamber. “Haixu, are you alright?” Lin Haixu pushed away his hand, turning her head to speak to Yining with difficulty, “Yining… I trust you. Protect my child. Don’t… don’t let him near me!”
She hadn’t even had time to rejoice in the child’s coming, yet now faced the possibility of losing it. Lin Haixu felt a cramping pain in her lower abdomen, but it was nothing compared to the disappointment in her heart. This was the child she had longed for seven years!
Yining, usually strong, now had tears streaming down her face. She nodded immediately, grasping Lin Haixu’s hand, “Mother, everything will be fine! Qingqu is here, and I’ll send for Third Brother right away. He’ll come soon! Don’t worry!”
Lin Haixu slowly closed her eyes, seeming slightly reassured.
Luo Chengzhang stood nearby, wide-eyed, his hands trembling slightly, unable to utter a word.
And Yining hadn’t looked at him once throughout the entire ordeal.