Snow fell heavily outside, quickly blanketing the garden’s flowers and plants. Yining sat quietly by her bed, sipping tea. Through the latticed window, she could hear Zhenzhu and Daimao speaking softly.
Yining paid no attention to their conversation, lost in her thoughts. In her previous life, Lu Jiaxue had eliminated her. If he knew she hadn’t died, or worse, that she remembered his disgraceful past, would he try to kill her again?
She took another sip of hot tea, resolving to be even more cautious going forward. One slip-up could be a coincidence, but too many would inevitably raise suspicions.
Wei Ling came to see Yining after court. As a maid removed his cloak, he sat beside her, bringing the damp chill of snow. “Why the glum face? Did Ting’er upset you?” he asked with a smile.
Noticing his cold hands, Yining handed him her hand warmer. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing.”
Wei Ling wasn’t bothered by the cold. He’d endured far worse on the northern frontier, where frost formed on armor. Still, he accepted the pink-purple brocade hand warmer embroidered with flowers, despite its feminine scent.
Holding it awkwardly, Wei Ling changed the subject. “I visited the Empress. Learning I’d just found you, she bestowed some gifts.” He called for the items to be brought in – bolts of fine silk and brocade, and various boxes large and small.
Yining looked at him in surprise. “The Empress knows of me?”
“Of course. I’ll take you to pay respects to Her Majesty later,” Wei Ling explained, smiling at her wide-eyed expression. “The Wei family has served the imperial court for generations. Your great-grandfather was a founding minister. We’ve always enjoyed the Emperor’s favor. As my only daughter, it’s natural for the Empress to bestow gifts on you. I would have brought you today, but the palace is under strict guard due to His Majesty’s illness.”
He beckoned for a particular box to be brought forward and opened it. “These pearls are the most precious – each as large as a fingernail. Shall I have them made into jewelry for you?”
Wei Ling poured some pearls into her hand. They rolled across the daybed, smooth and lustrous. Yining recalled Zhao Mingzhu’s gold necklace adorned with a single such pearl. Now Wei Ling had procured an entire box for her.
Holding the priceless treasures, Yining was reminded of Lin Hairu’s similar generosity. Her mood lifted slightly. “Thank you, Father,” she said with a smile.
Wei Ling was taken aback. Though her voice was naturally sweet and clear, this was the first time he’d heard Yining call him “Father.” Had he truly won her affection? Seeing her already examining the other gifts, he gathered up the scattered pearls. “Your grandmother’s birthday is approaching. Once these are made into jewelry, you can wear them when receiving guests with her.”
Yining nodded. Wei Ling then asked casually, “Has Mingzhu been kind to you?”
Zhao Mingzhu… it was a relief she wasn’t openly hostile. Yining stated simply, “Elder Sister Mingzhu can be difficult to talk to, but otherwise it’s fine.”
Wei Ling inwardly scoffed. Zhao Mingzhu had always been proud and arrogant. He’d originally brought her to keep his mother company, like a pet. Now the girl – and even the noble families of the capital – seemed to think she was a true daughter of the Wei household. This was intolerable.
He closed the box. “I’ll have these made into jewelry for you.” With that, he left.
Wei Dowager was instructing servants to lay out mats in the courtyard to collect clean snow for tea when Zhao Mingzhu arrived with some maids, laughing and chatting. Seeing snow on Mingzhu’s clothes, the Dowager quickly pulled her to sit, warming her hands. “What were you doing outside? Your hands are freezing!”
Mingzhu leaned in, smiling. “Grandmother, Jiarou, and I were competing to gather plum blossoms. The winner got a bag of gold coins! I won two bags from her, and she stomped off in a huff.”
“It’s just two bags of gold coins,” the Dowager chided gently. “You have so much gold jewelry already!”
“Oh, I don’t care about that,” Mingzhu laughed. “It was just fun!”
Just then, Mama Song entered, informing the Dowager that snow water had been collected. Glancing at Mingzhu nestled beside the Dowager sipping tea, Mama Song hesitated before speaking. “My lady, a maid from the outer courtyard just reported something about Master Ting today…”
The Dowager nodded. “Go on.” She had a bowl of shelled pine nuts brought for Mingzhu, who nibbled at them halfheartedly while looking up at Mama Song.
Mama Song continued, “The Lord invited Young Master Cheng to tutor Master Ting, but the lessons were held in Miss Yining’s quarters. Master Cheng stayed there until the afternoon.”
The Dowager’s hand paused. Mingzhu sat up. “Cousin Cheng Lang came today?”
Keeping her expression neutral, the Dowager pressed Mingzhu’s hand back down and asked Mama Song, “What is Wei Ling thinking? Does he intend to match Yining with Cheng Lang?”
Mama Song shook her head uncertainly. “Surely not, my lady. The Lord knows you favor a match between Miss Mingzhu and Young Master Cheng. If he had such intentions, he would have discussed it with you first.”
Mingzhu’s heart skipped a beat. Though she truly loved another, she wasn’t indifferent to Cheng Lang. Moreover, she knew marrying him would be an excellent match – at his young age, Cheng Lang was already a Department Director and could potentially become a Grand Councilor in the future.
“Grandmother,” Mingzhu looked at the Dowager anxiously, “if Uncle intends to match Cousin Cheng with Sister Yining, what should I do?”
The Dowager was also unsure, annoyed by her son’s actions. Though Yining’s status was noble and she could be matched well later, Mingzhu was of marriageable age, and Cheng Lang was the Dowager’s choice for her. Everyone in the capital was watching – she had hoped Mingzhu would seize this opportunity, but now Wei Ling was interfering.
Taking a deep breath, the Dowager looked at Mingzhu. “Tell me honestly, do you like Cheng Lang? And does he like you?”
Mingzhu was bewildered. Did Cheng Lang like her?
He must like her somewhat, as he’d long grown impatient with ordinary girls. They had the bond of growing up together, which counted for something. But regardless of whether Cheng Lang liked her or not, he certainly wouldn’t like Luo Yining. What did Yining have besides her status as a legitimate young lady?
“He’s always been kind to me,” Mingzhu said. “Whenever I want something, Cousin Cheng never refuses. The other day, I saw Sister Yining talking to him, and she seemed to like him.” She clutched the Dowager’s sleeve. “Grandmother, if Sister Yining likes him, does that mean I can’t?”
Seeing her anxious expression, the Dowager reassured her, “Don’t worry. These things have an order, and you and Cheng Lang grew up together, so your bond is naturally deeper. With me backing you, I won’t let anyone bully you.” The Dowager had cared for Mingzhu for so many years that she sometimes forgot the girl was adopted.
She loved Mingzhu dearly and would never stand by if someone mistreated her. If Wei Ling treated both girls equally, that would be fine. But she could see that Wei Ling didn’t take Mingzhu seriously at all. If she didn’t protect Mingzhu, what would become of the pearl she had raised since childhood?
After sending Mingzhu away, the Dowager sent people to gather information. By evening, Mama Song returned from the steward’s office with news. She reported that Wei Ling had given Yining a box of top-quality pearls for jewelry, along with several bolts of fine fabric – all imperial tribute-grade items. The Dowager asked flatly, “Did he say anything about making some for Mingzhu?”
Mama Song watched silently as the Dowager fingered a string of agate beads.
The Dowager set the beads on a small table with a clear clinking sound. “I understand. You may go.”
The next day, when Yining came to pay her respects, she sensed the Dowager’s attitude towards her had cooled considerably.
Yining took a bowl of bird’s nest porridge from a maid’s tray to serve the Dowager, who said calmly, “I won’t have porridge today. Give it to your Elder Sister Mingzhu.”
She must have upset the Dowager somehow. This attitude was meant as punishment.
Yining stood motionless, but Zhenzhu stepped forward to take the bowl and pass it to Zhao Mingzhu with a smile. “Please enjoy, Miss Mingzhu.”
Watching Mingzhu lower her head to eat, Yining suddenly understood. She sat down beside the Dowager, who said slowly, “Yining, do you know the story of Kong Rong giving away pears?”
Yining had always been fond of elderly people, perhaps influenced by Old Madam Luo. But she knew there was only one Old Madam Luo, and no one else would favor her so unconditionally. She replied evenly, “I know the story, but I’m not sure of your meaning, Grandmother. Please speak plainly – I’ll correct any faults and work to improve. There’s no need for guessing games.”
The Dowager saw her raise her head. Though the girl appeared gentle, she seemed to have quite a temper when angered.
Suddenly, the Dowager didn’t know what to say.
Yining left early that day.
She wasn’t particularly angry – it wasn’t a major issue – but she didn’t want to linger in the Dowager’s presence. She shut herself in her room to practice calligraphy. Zhenzhu quietly withdrew, gently closing the screen door and instructing the maids not to disturb Yining. Then she went to Wei Ling to report the day’s events.
Wei Ling could barely contain his anger as he listened. What was his mother thinking, speaking to Yining like that?
Without even changing his clothes, he went straight to the Dowager’s quarters. Seeing her reviewing account books, he dismissed the servants, saying he needed to speak with her privately.
The Dowager set down the ledger. “I didn’t send for you, yet here you are.”
Wei Ling stared at her for a long moment before speaking. “Mother, have you forgotten Zhao Mingzhu’s true status? Has caring for her for so long truly bred such affection? I don’t object to your kindness towards her, but it absolutely cannot come at Yining’s expense. Yining is your real granddaughter and the only true young lady of our Wei family. Zhao Mingzhu has no place here.”
Naturally displeased by his words, the Dowager replied coldly, “What’s wrong with Mingzhu? At the very least, she left her family to keep me company for ten years. You’ve spent so much time away on campaigns, rarely coming home. If not for Mingzhu by my side, fulfilling your filial duties, how would I have managed? Now that you’ve found your birth daughter, haven’t I been good to her too? I’ve treated Yining well. You’re the one showing extreme favoritism. Cheng Lang was meant for Mingzhu and me to consider, yet you’re planning for Yining’s sake. And you’ve been having new clothes and jewelry made for Yining – have you spared a thought for Mingzhu?”
Wei Ling laughed coldly. “She left her family to be with you for ten years. Has anyone mistreated her in that time? Our household has pampered her with fine clothes and food. I’d say she’s quite comfortable here – so much so that she’s unwilling to acknowledge her mother. Why don’t you ask if she wants to leave? If she’s willing to go, I won’t say a word. As for favoring Yining, what of it? One is my birth daughter, the other merely adopted. Is it wrong to favor my child?”
The Dowager looked at her son. He usually didn’t speak much, and she rarely heard him talk at such length. As he spoke more, her anger began to dissipate.
Wei Ling continued, “I have considered Yining’s marriage prospects and whether Cheng Lang would be suitable, but what does that have to do with Yining herself? Those new clothes and jewelry for Yining were gifts from the Empress – why should they be shared with others? Haven’t you provided Mingzhu with enough over the years? I suspect she has more in her rooms than Yining does.”
The Dowager couldn’t argue with his reasoning.
She sighed. “Even so, you shouldn’t show such extreme favoritism. Mingzhu has an innocent, simple nature. And her family situation… you should be more understanding. We can’t send her back to such a hard life…”
“That’s exactly the life she should have!” Wei Ling interrupted suddenly. “If I hadn’t brought her here, she’d be living as she was meant to. Isn’t Yining pitiful too? She grew up not knowing she was a young lady of the Wei family, bullied by others. If I hadn’t found her, who knows what would have happened to her in the Luo family!”
“If you truly object to my favoritism, come talk to me about it. Why speak to Yining? She’s sensitive and will remember your words when feeling hurt. But what has she done wrong?”
The Dowager was speechless for a long while. She thought of Yining’s soft little hands with their dimples. How Yining rose early to greet her while Mingzhu still slept, sitting properly and admiring the genuine Dong Qichang painting on her wall. She felt some remorse, realizing she had been too quick to protect Mingzhu.
“You… you’re right,” the Dowager sighed. “You should encourage them to get along, not show favoritism. The enamel vase Mingzhu gave Yining – you rejected it because you thought it wasn’t good enough? Mingzhu remembers that and is naturally unhappy.”
Her words only angered Wei Ling further. That Zhao Mingzhu – he hadn’t even dealt with her over this incident, yet she’d gone and told the Dowager!
Wei Ling laughed coldly again. “Mother, forgive me, but have you lost your senses? Zhao Mingzhu’s room is full of rare treasures, yet she gives Yining an ordinary vase – isn’t that looking down on Yining? I returned it out of respect for you. If not for your sake, I’d have smashed it in front of her, believe me.”
The Dowager was at a loss for words.
Wei Ling continued, “If Zhao Mingzhu dares to act like this again, I’ll certainly send her back. Even if you’re displeased, I won’t budge.” He added, “After all, I am the Duke of Ying. I make the decisions in this household.”
With that, Wei Ling stood. A servant draped his cloak over his shoulders as he strode out of the Dowager’s quarters.