Yining was directing the maids to clear the branches and leaves scattered across the courtyard, remnants of last night’s windstorm. Some flowers and plants had been damaged by the debris. When she noticed the head maid from Luo Shenyuan’s quarters approaching, Yining set down her scissors and asked, “What does Third Brother need? Did he not say?”
Shilu curtsied and replied, “Seventh Young Miss, please come with me. It seems urgent, as the Third Young Master didn’t have time to explain.”
If it wasn’t urgent, he wouldn’t be in such a hurry, Yining thought. But what could it be? His maid mentioned he had rushed to their father, and Concubine Qiao had gone there as well. Remembering Concubine Qiao’s smile this morning—cold and tinged with pity—made Yining uneasy.
She turned to Xuezhi and instructed, “Go to Father’s study and see what’s happening. If anything seems amiss, return immediately and tell me.”
Yining grabbed two books and headed to Luo Shenyuan’s quarters. His study was quiet in his absence. Noticing a potted ivy looking unwell, she watered it. She thought she heard maids whispering outside but couldn’t make out their words.
Taking a deep breath, Yining drew on the concentration she had developed during her calligraphy practice and settled in to read.
Meanwhile, in Luo Chengzhang’s study, he was meeting with a steward when Concubine Qiao requested an audience. He was reluctant to see her, especially at the Cold Food Festival, remembering how much his late mother had disliked her. However, Qiao insisted it was urgent, so he allowed her entry.
Concubine Qiao entered to find Luo Chengzhang drinking tea. She knelt with her maid and said, “My lord, I must tell you something. You may not like what you hear, but I must speak for the sake of the Luo family. Please forgive my transgression before I continue.”
Luo Chengzhang frowned at her hesitation but nodded. “Speak your mind. I won’t blame you for it.”
Qiao smiled bitterly. “If you still feel that way after hearing me out, I’ll have nothing more to say.” Without further delay, she continued, “I learned of this a few days ago but hesitated to speak, as it’s a grave matter. Today, seeing the Old Madam’s memorial tablet and our Seventh Young Miss in her finery, recalling the rumors I’ve heard, I was overcome with grief. If I don’t tell you, my conscience will never be at peace.”
Her expression grew solemn, her tone somber. “It’s said the Old Madam died from severe illness, but there’s more to the story. When I learned of it, I was shocked. Our Old Madam… she died of anger. The granddaughter she raised with her own hands has no blood relation to her. How can her spirit rest in peace?”
Luo Chengzhang set down his teacup and stepped forward. “Qiao Yuechan, do you realize what you’re saying?”
Qiao raised her head, her gaze earnest. “I speak nothing but the truth. Our Seventh Young Miss is merely masquerading as a legitimate daughter. She isn’t your flesh and blood. The former Second Madam… bore her with a lowly guard.”
Luo Chengzhang’s face turned cold. He gripped Qiao’s chin, his voice harsh. “Have you lost your mind? Minlan was always gentle and proper. She’s gone now—respect the dead! If you’re fabricating stories and questioning our young miss’s lineage, I won’t forgive you!”
Despite the pain, Qiao knew she had Luo Chengzhang’s attention. To him, the late Gu Minlan was a cherished memory. Even if he hadn’t loved her deeply, he appreciated her devotion and remembered her fondly as a good wife. Qiao was now shattering that memory, and he couldn’t bear it.
Qiao grew more resolute. “It’s precisely because we should respect the dead that I must speak up for the Old Madam. She fell gravely ill after meeting with Nanny Zheng because Zheng told her the Seventh Young Miss wasn’t her true granddaughter. The shock worsened her condition. Later, under Nanny Xu’s direction, all of the Old Madam’s belongings were left to the Seventh Young Miss. Imagine how heartbroken the Old Madam must have been!”
Qiao straightened her posture. “I’m not speaking idly. My lord, haven’t you had doubts all these years? The Seventh Young Miss bears no resemblance to you. The Second Madam’s inexplicable premature labor. Even her sudden affection towards you…”
As Luo Chengzhang slowly released his grip, Qiao knew he was wavering. He had never considered these things before, as the conclusion seemed absurd. But now, with Qiao laying out the evidence, doubts began to form.
Qiao pressed on. “I’m not here to spread baseless rumors. I’ve brought one of the Second Madam’s former maids. You can question her yourself. Ask if the Second Madam went to the temple to meet a guard, not to avoid my pregnancy as she claimed. We felt guilty about her actions then, but now it seems we were foolish. She became intimate with this guard and conceived. To cover it up, she suddenly became affectionate towards you. You’ve been so good to her and her daughter, not knowing she was born of another man. She doesn’t deserve the status of a Luo family young miss…”
“Silence!” Luo Chengzhang roared. Qiao, seeing she had successfully angered him, finally fell quiet.
Luo Chengzhang took a deep breath. “Bring in… the maid you mentioned.”
Outside the study, Luo Shenyuan stood motionless. His father had ordered that no one enter. The servant boy accompanying him was confused by the Third Young Master’s sudden calmness after his earlier urgency.
“Third Young Master… weren’t you going to speak with the master? I’m sure he’d see you even if he’s refusing others.”
It was too late now; entering wouldn’t change anything. Not having stopped Qiao rendered any words futile. Luo Shenyuan said quietly, “No need.” He turned to watch the setting sun, his eyes cold. Qiao Yuechan could no longer be allowed to remain, he thought. But how to handle Yining’s parentage… he was at a loss.
Suddenly, a crash echoed from the study, followed by Luo Chengzhang’s angry voice: “Everyone, get in here!”
As the servants rushed to enter, Luo Shenyuan stopped them. “Wait for my signal,” he said calmly, then stepped inside and bowed. “Father, I have something to discuss with you.”
Luo Chengzhang, gripping the edge of his desk, was shaking with anger. That Gu Minlan, to have an affair with a servant and pass off the child as his! He would cast Luo Yining out, claiming she died of sudden illness. Let her fend for herself! How dare she pose as a Luo family young miss? The scholarly Luo family had no place for a guard’s child!
“Not now. I have matters to attend to,” Luo Chengzhang said, unable to contain his fury. He had believed Gu Minlan deeply devoted to him, thinking she had died from worry over his favor towards Qiao. But it was all for her lover!
He could almost see Gu Minlan standing before him, wearing her usual smile, coldly mocking him for raising another man’s child as his legitimate daughter.
That harlot! He would remove her from the ancestral hall and family records. Even in death, she brought him shame!
“Father, if you’re upset about Yining, you must hear me out,” Luo Shenyuan said calmly. “This matter can’t become public. Lord Sun mentioned that he and Lord Gu submitted a recommendation for your promotion. You may be reassigned within six months. If this scandal breaks now, the rift between the Luo and Gu families will be irreparable. Yining’s involvement would also tarnish our elder sister’s reputation in the capital. Her position in the Ding Bei Marquis’s household would become untenable. Moreover, I’m to take the imperial examinations in two months and you plan for me to court Lord Sun’s daughter. How would Lord Sun’s family react to this news?”
Qiao gripped her handkerchief tightly, impressed by Luo Shenyuan’s eloquence. As expected of North Zhili’s top scholar, his words struck at all of Luo Chengzhang’s vulnerabilities.
Luo Chengzhang knew he shouldn’t act in anger and should consider the long-term consequences. But who could endure such humiliation? Though his son’s points were valid, he couldn’t simply overlook this.
“Even if we can’t make this public, Luo Yining can no longer hold the status of a legitimate daughter,” Luo Chengzhang said darkly. “Say no more. But from now on, everyone in the second branch should know who the true young miss is.” He turned to a nearby maid. “Summon them all. I’ll explain everything!”
Luo Shenyuan calmly replied, “Father, Yining is at my quarters. Everyone is tired from today’s Cold Food Festival rituals, and we have relatives from the main branch visiting. Perhaps it’s better to address this tomorrow.”
Luo Chengzhang coldly eyed his son, aware of how protective he was of his sister. He had been pleased by their close relationship, but now that Luo Yining was no longer his daughter, he felt only disgust. “Half an hour. Bring them all here. Don’t call for the madam; in her condition, this news might affect her pregnancy.”
With that, Luo Chengzhang stormed out.
Qiao stood and curtsied. “Third Young Master, the master is too angry now. I’m afraid nothing you say will change his mind.”
Luo Shenyuan remained silent, staring in the direction his father had gone.
The night of the Cold Food Festival was particularly chilly. Luo Yining felt underdressed and wondered why Luo Shenyuan was taking so long to return. As she was about to call for Xuezhi to bring her a cloak, she noticed her maid standing outside, pale-faced.
Yining had never seen such an expression on Xuezhi, who was usually unflappable.
She beckoned Xuezhi inside, smiling. “What’s wrong? Has something scared our Xuezhi? Or are you reluctant to get married?”
Xuezhi gazed at her for a long time, taking in her beauty, her girlish charm, and lingering innocence. Recalling what she had just heard, Xuezhi slowly knelt and grasped Yining’s hands. Those small hands with their delicate dimples on the back… The more she looked, the more distressed she became, until she finally buried her face in Yining’s lap and began to cry.
Her young mistress was still so small and fragile. How could she withstand the coming storm?
This cruel Luo family would tear her to pieces.
Yining, surprised, quickly helped Xuezhi up and tried to comfort her. Xuezhi was her headmaid; anyone else might lose composure, but never her. What could have happened?
Xuezhi knew she shouldn’t cry, but she couldn’t help herself. Remembering what the young maid had told her sent chills through her body. She finally wiped away her tears and cupped Yining’s face in her hands. “Young Miss, please listen carefully to what I’m about to tell you. Don’t cry, and don’t get angry—everyone out there is waiting to see you falter. You must hold your head high. Even if you’re not a Luo family young miss… you’re still a daughter of the Gu family. If you can weather this storm, there will be a way forward.”
“No matter what harsh words others say about you, don’t take them to heart…”
Thinking of the delicate girl not yet thirteen who would soon face a storm, Xuezhi felt her nose tingle with the urge to cry.
Yining’s heart quickly turned cold. For Xuezhi to say such things, something incredibly serious, perhaps beyond her imagination, must have happened. Unconsciously, she gripped Xuezhi’s arm. “Xuezhi, explain clearly. What exactly happened?”
Seeing the young girl’s brow furrow, Xuezhi’s tears began to fall. “Young Miss, you’re not the master’s biological child. Concubine Qiao… brought people to tell the master. She said you were born to the madam… and another man. The master wants to see you now… Remember what I just told you, don’t mind what others say! You must remember!”
Yining thought she had misheard. Tugging at Xuezhi’s sleeve, she said, “Xuezhi, don’t jest. What did you just say?”
Xuezhi’s expression now held a hint of pity.
Suddenly, Yining remembered seeing a similar look of pity on Concubine Qiao’s face earlier.
Yining had thought that having lived a previous life, she could face any disaster in this one. After all, in her twenty years as a hairpin, she had witnessed countless joys and sorrows. But it wasn’t so. Other people’s troubles were just that – other people’s. One can never truly empathize with another’s pain. Only when it happens to you can you truly feel that anguish?
Yining didn’t know how many thoughts had raced through her mind in those brief moments – memories from her past life, Xuezhi’s words. She finally calmed herself. As she stood outside Luo Chengzhang’s study, she looked up to find Luo Yilie standing before her.
“Luo Yining,” Yilie said softly, “remember, this is the last day you’ll be called Seventh Young Miss. After this, no more.”
What should have been an ordinary fate had already given her many years as a young miss. It was enough.
“Thank you, Sixth Sister,” Yining smiled faintly at her.
She climbed the steps, feeling the maids’ eyes on her – some stealing glances, others staring openly. This would never have happened before. Yining took a deep breath and entered the study.
Yining knew Luo Shenyuan was looking at her, but she kept her gaze fixed on the painting hanging ahead.
Concubine Qiao stood in the room, along with the newly arrived Luo Yilie. Concubine Guo was also present with young master Xuan.
Luo Chengzhang slowly walked up to her, regarding her coldly. “Do you know why I’ve summoned you?”
Yining replied softly, “Father, I know.”
“You dare call me father?” Luo Chengzhang said icily. “You’re nothing but the product of your mother’s affair with a guard, masquerading as a legitimate Luo family daughter all these years. How dare you call me father? All these years, I’ve treated you well out of pity for your mother’s death. If not for that, you’d be no different from the servants standing behind you. You dare to reach above your station, but I won’t bear it.”
“Your grandmother likely learned you weren’t her true granddaughter before she died, which is why she passed away from shock. Knowing all this, you still call me father?”
Yining raised her head, not looking at the others’ gazes, and said, “Then I won’t call you father anymore. After all these years, you’ve only ever acted as a father to Sixth Sister. I never felt you showed me any affection, which now makes sense.”
Luo Shenyuan stepped beside Yining. The little girl still only reached his shoulder, her face still slightly chubby but her body so slender, looking truly delicate.
“Father, Yining has done nothing wrong in all this,” he said in a low voice. “Even if you hate her, you shouldn’t. She’s always respected you. Last winter solstice, she made you a cloak, worried you might be cold. She revised it three times.”
Luo Chengzhang gradually calmed down, his heart pricked as if by a needle. The girl standing before him was indeed small and delicate. He couldn’t help but remember when she was younger, smiling and reaching out for him to hold her. Luo Chengzhang turned his head and said flatly, “From now on, move out of the Second Madam’s quarters. Go live in Luming Hall.” Seeing Yining reminded him of Gu Minlan, and he didn’t want to see her.
Yining lowered her head and agreed. She slowly walked towards the door. Luo Shenyuan tried to hold her back, but she shook off his hand.
Yining looked up at Luo Shenyuan. His already thick eyebrows now looked even more gloomy.
“Third Brother,” Yining said to him, “I’ll be moving to Luming Hall from now on. I’ll probably have to move tonight…”
“Yining, if you’re upset, you can cry,” Luo Shenyuan said, looking at her calm yet pitiful expression. He almost reached out to comfort her, wanting to hold her in his arms so she could cry freely as she did when she was little.
Yining shook her head. She didn’t want to cry, at least not now. People were waiting to see her falter, but she wouldn’t let them.
Yining stumbled back to her quarters, with maids following behind, no one daring to say a word. Lin Hairu, upon hearing the news, was both shocked and disbelieving. She cried so hard she nearly fainted, insisting on seeing Yining. But Luo Chengzhang forbade it; she was pregnant and due in less than a month. They couldn’t risk anything going wrong at this time.
Lin Hairu trembled with anger, clutching Ruixiang’s hand. “Poor Yining… how heartbroken she must be… What will become of her?”
Ruixiang cried along with Lin Hairu, holding her hand tightly. “Madam, there’s still hope. At the very least, there’s still the Third Young Master. You must think of the child in your belly, don’t worry… We’ll find a way to resolve Seventh Young Miss’s situation!”
But Lin Hairu could only sob, unable to speak.
Luming Hall was somewhat dilapidated, but livable after some cleaning. It was close to the ancestral hall and rarely visited. Only a few of the main members of the second branch and their maids knew about Yining’s situation. Her maids had heard some rumors, though they might not know the details of her parentage. They only knew the Seventh Young Miss must have committed some grave error to be banished by the master. They moved her belongings listlessly.
Yining gazed at the large tree in Luming Hall’s courtyard, suddenly feeling grateful it was her in this situation.
If it had been the seven-year-old Yining living until now, how could she have borne all this? Yining turned to Nanny Xu and asked, “Nanny Xu, do you think the ancestral hall is still open at this hour?”
Nanny Xu’s eyes were red. Yining had always been pampered, and now she was in such a place. “It’s still open, but it’s so late…”
“I want to visit the ancestral hall,” Yining said. “Perhaps tomorrow, they won’t let me enter.”
Hearing this, Nanny Xu felt even more like crying, but how could she object? She accompanied Yining but waited outside. Yining entered alone, walking to Old Madam Luo’s memorial tablet. Old Madam Luo had been the kindest person to her in both lives, the one she cared for most. Recalling Luo Chengzhang’s words today, she couldn’t ignore the pain in her heart.
“Grandmother,” she gently brushed off a speck of dust from the tablet, saying, “Was it really because I’m not a true Luo child that you fell ill?”
Yining felt her nose tingle: “Grandmother, I’ve never met anyone as kind as you. If you fell ill because of me, what am I to do?” She hugged Old Madam Luo’s tablet, suddenly overwhelmed by grief. She remembered how Old Madam Luo had protected her, indulged her embraces and tantrums, and looked at her with that helpless yet loving smile. Yining’s voice began to choke, “Please don’t do this… Grandmother. I love you most, remember you most deeply… Yet he insists on saying such things, insists you died because of me…”
“Meimei,” someone called softly from behind.
Yining raised her tear-filled eyes to see him approaching, saying, “Grandmother already knew you weren’t her blood kin. As she was leaving, she asked me to help keep it secret. She told me to always protect you… Meimei, don’t be sad, Third Brother is here.”
Before she could react, she was suddenly embraced. She clutched at his clothes, finally breaking into loud sobs, crying so hard she could barely breathe.
Luo Shenyuan held her tightly, letting her press against his chest. “It’s alright, don’t worry, cry it all out. Everything will be fine tomorrow.” He was still half-kneeling on the ground, bearing Yining’s weight, allowing her to cry freely in his arms.
Standing outside the ancestral hall, Nanny Xu watched this scene in shock. After a long moment, she took a deep breath and retreated to one side.
After escorting Yining back to Luming Hall, Luo Shenyuan wrote a letter late into the night and had it sent to the Provincial Governor’s office. Luo Chengzhang’s intense anger must have been due to Concubine Qiao twisting the truth, so he wanted to summon Nanny Zheng for a confrontation. Even if Yining’s situation couldn’t be reversed, he couldn’t let Concubine Qiao spread lies unchecked. Of course, this letter wasn’t for Nanny Zheng.
Yining shouldn’t stay in the Luo family any longer.
Luo Shenyuan had known for half a month that the Duke of Ying had sent people to secretly inquire about Yining. He even knew that the Duke was currently staying at the Provincial Governor’s office, waiting. But now there was no need to wait. It would be good for Yining to leave the Luo family. She should return to her true family, not stay here to be bullied.
That night, Luo Chengzhang slept alone in his study, not calling for anyone to attend him.
Concubine Qiao was lazily helped up by her maids well past noon. As she was being dressed, she asked Luo Yilie, “What did your father summon you for so early this morning?”
“To instruct me on my studies,” Luo Yilie replied, helping Qiao up. “Yining moved to Luming Hall last night. His daughter has become someone else’s. He’s probably trying to feel better about it.”
“If not for Luo Shenyuan, your father might have truly driven Yining out of the manor when he was angry, claiming she suddenly fell ill and died. The Gu family could hardly demand to examine the corpse…” Qiao said languidly. “She must be quite miserable now, isn’t she?”
“She is indeed,” Yilie said softly. “I saw that the kitchen only sent her white rice porridge and a few pancakes this morning. She barely touched it, sending it back almost untouched.”
“Others may not know exactly what happened, but seeing her moved to Luming Hall, they naturally assume she committed some grave error. People out there are quick to flatter the powerful and step on the fallen,” Qiao said, looking at her daughter’s reflection in the mirror with a smile. “She’s lucky. She lived as a young miss for over ten years. With her lowly fate, if she’d been born outside, at her age she’d be sewing all day to help support her family. After marriage, she’d have to serve her in-laws and children, counting herself fortunate if she wasn’t looked down upon.”
“My dear child,” Qiao patted Luo Yilie’s hand, “You’re the one with a golden fate. Your future husband can’t be anything less than exceptional. With your father’s influence, we must find you a top graduate of the imperial examinations at least.”
Just then, someone came to report: “Concubine, the master says that since the madam is with child, he wants you to help arrange a banquet. Important guests are coming, and the master instructed that everything must be of the highest quality.”
“Who’s coming?” Qiao asked, now fully dressed and having her maid help her put on earrings.
The servant hesitated: “It seems… it’s the Duke of Ying. The master was quite startled and hurried to welcome him. I saw many soldiers standing outside!”
The Duke of Ying?
Luo Yilie said, “I remember last time, the Duke’s niece came with our elder sister. Though just a distant niece, she was pampered beyond belief.”
Qiao remembered too. This Duke of Ying had long been campaigning with General Lu, now leading the Divine Machine Battalion, and had served as the General of Xuanwu. He was among the top-ranking noble families. Why would such a figure suddenly visit? Qiao didn’t think too much about it and hurried to the kitchen to give instructions, supported by her maid.
Luo Chengzhang was still brooding over Yining’s matter, but after a night’s reflection, he had decided to treat her as merely a hanger-on, only providing basic food and shelter. However, he wanted to reclaim the items Old Madam had left her. As he was considering this, a servant came to report that the Duke of Ying, Wei Ling, had sent a visiting card.
Luo Chengzhang was startled. Someone of the Duke of Ying’s stature was so rare that even if he went to the capital, he might not be granted an audience. Why would he suddenly visit?
He quickly changed into his official robes and went to the spirit wall to welcome the guest.
A tall man with strikingly handsome features descended from the carriage. He wore a gray squirrel fur cloak, exuding an extraordinary air. A group of guards followed him.
Wei Ling had been waiting for days until he received an unsigned letter last night. It informed him that Luo Chengzhang had almost driven Yining out of the manor, intending to claim she had died suddenly. Though persuaded against it, he had still moved her to a desolate place, seemingly not wanting to see her again. His girl was barely twelve, manipulated by a concubine and neglected by servants in this household. Reading this, he had nearly flown into a rage. He had managed to restrain himself and reply to the letter, but could no longer hold back, deciding to visit today.
His daughter held such an esteemed status; why should she stay here to be insulted?
Luo Chengzhang smiled respectfully: “I didn’t know Your Grace was coming. My welcome is hasty; I hope Your Grace won’t take offense.”
“Of course not,” Wei Ling said calmly. As he walked, he observed the Luo residence, finding it cramped everywhere. Luo Chengzhang led him into the front hall, quietly instructing someone to inform Concubine Qiao, before sitting down to ask, “May I inquire about Your Grace’s purpose for this visit? I hear Your Grace is now serving in the imperial court, even busier than before. Are you here on an imperial inspection tour?”
Wei Ling took a sip of tea. He had removed his cloak, revealing a right-lapelled round-collared robe with a jade belt carved with qilin patterns. He said, “I’ve come to take back my long-lost daughter. I hope Lord Luo can accommodate this. My girl staying with your family must have been quite troublesome.”
Luo Chengzhang instinctively began to agree, but suddenly realized what Wei Ling had said. His heart skipped a beat, and he smiled, saying, “Your Grace is too kind. If there’s anything you need my help with, I’m at your service. However, I wasn’t aware… that you had a daughter who was lost. Is she in my household?”