Within the span of just a few days, Minglan had already heard four or five different versions of the story concerning the National Uncle’s wife and the dangers she had faced during childbirth. Some said Zou Yiniang had plotted to harm the legitimate wife in order to take her place; some said the National Uncle had neglected his wife until Zhang Shi’s accumulated grievances had made her ill; others said that the loyal servants left behind by the late Madam Zou, fearing that Zhang Shi posed a threat to their young mistress’s standing, had secretly tampered with things… On and on the stories went, until Minglan’s expression turned positively green from hearing them all.

On the whole, however, public sentiment leaned in the Zhang family’s favor.

This was the moment one could see the true value of name and reputation. Half the capital city was connected to the Zhang family through marriage or old ties.

On one side: a family of founding military heroes who had stood for generations, illustrious in their battlefield merits, and widely known for their virtuous reputation — they distributed alms and charity porridge on a regular basis each year. On the other side: a family that had risen to prominence through the rear palace, and since arriving in the capital had done few good things — Zhang Shi kept to herself, and Xiao Zou Shi lacked the standing — while bad things had accumulated without shortage, the Zou family bearing the lion’s share of that credit. Minglan asked herself honestly: if an ordinary person heard that these two families were in the midst of a household dispute, which side would they lean toward?

Gu Tingye told Minglan that the Emperor had been rather cold toward the Empress lately, and had also reprimanded the Crown Prince and Second Prince on grounds of idle and dissolute behavior.

Minglan was startled: “But hasn’t the Duke of Ying already recovered and returned to court? The Emperor still hasn’t relented — can it be that the Zhang family…”

Although the Emperor had taken several imperial concubines, he and the Empress had weathered hardships together, and he still visited her palace chambers regularly, so the feelings between them had always remained warm. Now the appropriate punishments had been handed down, the appropriate demotions made, Xiao Zou Shi was still under confinement, and relations between Zhang Shi and the National Uncle had eased — so why was the Emperor still…?

Gu Tingye said: “That is not the cause of it. In this matter, the old Duke has not said a word of reproach, and has in fact counseled the Emperor not to trouble himself over it.”

After recovering from his illness, the Duke of Ying returned to morning court. The Emperor, seeing the old man now stooped and aged by no less than ten years, could not help feeling a pang of remorse, and intended to offer a few comforting words. But the Duke of Ying said instead: “Your Majesty is the lord of all under heaven. Even were you to order the Zhang family to fight to the last, to spend their lives in bloody combat — which of our sons would so much as furrow a brow? Wherever Your Majesty’s will points, that is where this old servant’s sword is directed. It is simply the duty of a minister. And as for a mere matter of the children’s marriages — Your Majesty need not allow himself to be disturbed by the weeping of women.”

These words were spoken with iron backbone and utter conviction. The Emperor was deeply moved, and said repeatedly: “You are the cornerstone of this nation, and the fortune of our reign.”

When he had finished being moved and returned to the palace, the Emperor turned the matter over in his mind.

The same marriage — the Zhang family had been unwilling, yet had carried out their obligations with full integrity. The Duke of Ying’s legitimate daughter had been overridden by a mere concubine, and yet not once had the Zhang family come to complain, but had silently endured it. Why? Because they were devoting themselves entirely to loyal service!

While the Shen family had done precisely the opposite.

This union with the Zhang family had been the Emperor’s own intention. Repaying the Zou family was the Shen family’s own intention. And now, the Shen siblings had been elevating Xiao Zou Shi at every turn and treating Zhang Shi with contempt — what was the meaning of that? Could it be that they were dissatisfied with the imperial will, and since they could not openly defy it, were taking revenge in private?!

“…The old Duke… what a remarkable man…” After a long pause, Minglan finally managed to say weakly.

Gu Tingye said: “Ginger is hotter when old.” To look at the Duke of Ying — the appearance of a loyal and magnanimous elder, warm and benevolent — and yet to think he could produce such razor-sharp words. He had elevated a matter of family affairs directly into a question of loyalty. That made things very uncomfortable.

The cold shoulder to the Empress, the reprimand to the princes — it was like a signal. The censors, catching the wind, moved at once, impeaching Shen Congxing for “moral laxity in private conduct, disorder in the inner household, violation of the rules of legitimate and secondary status, and harm to the ethics of human relationships.” Some of the more nimble-minded officials leaped past Shen Congxing entirely and went directly after the in-laws of the National Uncle’s household, submitting more than a dozen memorials against the Zou family for matters such as “seizing the lands and property of common people and causing harm to the populace.”

Dark clouds gathered once more over the Weibei Marquis Mansion.

Gu Tingye’s brow was tightly knitted. He, Shen, Duan, Zhong, Geng, and Liu were all old retainers of the Emperor, and their fortunes were deeply intertwined. This wave of joint impeachments seemed to carry quite some momentum — there were likely maneuvers behind the scenes that bore watching…

While the capital was abuzz with debate over the Shen and Zhang families, Wang Maternal Uncle and Hai Shi returned to the capital one after the other. Hai Shi had a plump little baby boy in her arms — that was Chun Ge’er, born while they were away at post.

“Why hasn’t Elder Brother come back yet?” Minglan looked left and right and could not see Changbai.

Hai Shi smiled: “The irrigation channel in the county is nearly completed these next few days. Your elder brother wasn’t easy in his mind, and insisted on watching the final earth be sealed in person. So he told me and your nephew to come back a few days ahead.”

“Nine floors complete, one yet to go — the very last step is the one that must not be missed. Good, very good — Bai’er is right to be so conscientious about it.” Sheng Hong was inwardly quite pleased, but would not let it show by so much as a thread.

“Brother-in-law’s achievements at his post this term have been outstanding,” Gu Tingye said. “Not only has the population under his governance lived in peace, he has also seen the completion of dozens of li of irrigation channels. I’ve heard that the Board of Personnel has already evaluated his performance rating as ‘Superior.'”

Minglan said with delight: “Elder Brother is truly remarkable — might there perhaps be a Wanmin umbrella for him?”

“Ah, those are but empty honors — not worth a thought,” Sheng Hong shook his head with a smile. “To serve as an official for a term, what matters most is whether one has brought benefit to the people of that region — relieving the Emperor’s burdens above and alleviating the hardships of the common people below. That is what makes one’s study of the sages truly worthwhile.”

Minglan looked at her own father and fell silent. She had not heard such high-sounding yet perfectly righteous words in quite some time.

Then her mind automatically translated it into plain truth: the Wanmin umbrella is an empty honor and not worth a thought — that part she believed was sincere — followed by: what matters most to an official in a term of service is securing a superior performance evaluation, being promoted and ennobled above, and increasing one’s income and landholdings below. That is what makes those ten years of grueling study truly worthwhile.

Wang Shi was happiest of all these days. She had just wept tears of joy at the sight of her brother, whom she had not seen for so long — and then promptly melted with delight upon holding her little grandson. But unfortunately, within just a few days, someone else stole her spotlight entirely.

On the fourth day of the sixth month, Liu Shi gave birth to a baby girl. Because the firstborn was not a son, she was somewhat displeased. But to everyone’s surprise, Changfeng was absolutely delighted. He cradled the newborn daughter and praised her without stop, boasting to anyone who would listen, which moved his mother-in-law, Madam Liu, to the point of utter gratification.

Master Liu clapped Changfeng on the shoulder and said with warm affection: “My fine son-in-law — apply yourself well to your studies. Come next year’s spring imperial examinations, earn a title to honor your wife and child.”

When the baby girl’s features gradually grew a little more defined, everyone was struck to notice that she resembled Hualan — the same thick brows and large eyes, the same bright and open manner. Even her temperament seemed to echo Hualan in childhood — she did not cry, she did not fuss, and she loved to smile at people. In some ways she resembled Hualan even more than Hualan’s own daughter Zhuang Jie’er.

At the washing ceremony, Hualan held the baby and was so pleased she could hardly let her go. Even some of her long-held grievances against Lin Yiniang eased a little. She sent Liu Shi two generous gifts in succession, which made Wang Shi rather unhappy — she began making cutting remarks, such as “what is there to make such a fuss about over a mere girl?”

Sheng Lao, seeing her small-minded ways again, took her aside privately and said: “Think back to when Hualan was first born — her father wasn’t just like this. If anything, I’d say back then he spoiled her even more shamelessly.”

Wang Shi had nothing to say to that. How doting Sheng Hong had been on Hualan back then — he had even taken her with him to the office because he couldn’t bear to be away from the baby girl, babbling her first words. Recalling the sweetness of those early days of their marriage, she could not help feeling wistful — if only Lin Yiniang had never come, how wonderful that would have been.

Seeing Changfeng and Hualan gradually reconcile, his own birth aunt Molan found herself receiving less of his warmth. She only resented Liu Shi for scheming and ingratiating herself, for driving a wedge between the siblings — so she picked another quarrel with Changfeng, and then flounced off in fury, refusing to come visit again.

Affairs of state and affairs of home — it all seemed to go in these ebbs and flows. By the time Minglan felt a fifth tiny rice-grain tooth emerging from the little chubby one’s gums, the storm of impeachments against Shen in the court had run its course.

The Zou family suffered a tremendous blow this round. Two deaths were uncovered in their dealings, along with a great deal of land seized from common people. The censors were clamoring for blood as repayment for blood, and when Shen Congxing made to speak a word on their behalf, he heard that the Court of the Imperial Clan was withholding the memorial he had submitted to register his eldest son’s status. He hesitated and held back.

The Empress Shen had at first gone to weep before the Empress Dowager Sheng’an. But when word leaked out that the Emperor was considering suspending the Central Palace’s right to submit remonstrations, she was abruptly jolted into understanding — the man she was married to was now the Son of Heaven, and no longer the prince of a regional fief.

But the Empress Shen still had her capabilities. The moment she grasped the gravity of the situation, she immediately set aside her dignity — removed her phoenix crown, took off her phoenix robes, and in plain dress knelt outside the Qianqing Palace Gate to confess her fault, saying only: “My inability to manage and restrain my own family is entirely this concubine’s transgression.”

The Emperor was in truth a man who valued old bonds — after all, they had weathered much together. Seeing his wife weeping so brokenly, he recalled the hardships of those early years, and his heart softened. He stayed that night in the Kunning Palace. Shortly after, the Duke of Ying submitted a memorial recommending two of the most renowned contemporary Confucian scholars as tutors for the Crown Prince and Second Prince. The Emperor gladly approved the recommendation, and additionally granted the Duke of Ying the title of Grand Protector. The son born to Zhang Shi was invested with the rank of Second-Grade Lighter Chariot Commander.

The wind vane turned once more.

The final compromise reached was as follows: the Zou family’s eldest maternal uncle was exiled to the far southwest, three thousand li away; the second maternal uncle received thirty strokes of the cane and forfeited the greater part of the family’s assets as compensation. Shen Congxing received an imperial rebuke, was docked one year’s salary, and was ordered to remain confined at home in self-reflection for one month.

During this period, Minglan went to visit Xiao Shen Shi twice. All she saw was a woman frightened like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow — her belly enormous, but her body grown pitifully thin. Zheng Da Furen was deeply uneasy, fearing that the birth ahead would be difficult.

And so things went. By the time Zhang Shi’s son reached his double full-month, the Zhang and Shen families had arranged to celebrate with an elaborate full-month banquet — to sweep away the ill fortune, restore the household’s spirits, and signal to the outside world: the two families were reconciled and on good terms again.

A few days before the banquet, Zhang Shi invited Minglan over to the mansion to ask her advice on the many small particulars of the occasion. The messenger paused before leaving and also said that “the National Uncle has been thinking of the Marquis Gu very much these days,” and sent along two jars of aged Hua Diao wine.

Gu Tingye gave a wry smile, then turned to Minglan and said: “Shen must have been going half-mad being cooped up at home. He is under imperial order to remain confined and reflect on his conduct — it would not be fitting for his old brothers to keep calling on him. Very well — I’ll go with you today.”

As the mistress of the Weibei Marquis Mansion, Zhang Shi — who had kept quietly to herself for so long — had now resolved to take full charge of organizing the banquet herself, using it to make her reappearance before the world. The wine, the food, the details of receiving guests and all the other sundry matters had been laid out under the guidance of her mother Madam Zhang, and Zhang Shi had by now fully absorbed all of it. Only Shen Congxing’s group of brothers and their family members were people she had never become acquainted with, so she had asked Minglan to come and brief her in advance.

Minglan went through them one by one: the Duan family’s background and means; Madam Duan, who came from a distinguished Sichuan family; the young General Duan, who was currently in the process of a betrothal; the slight differences in Madam Zhong and Madam Geng’s respective views on what it meant to be a “virtuous wife”; why the female relatives of Lord Liu Zhengjie always appeared so much older than expected — not Madam Liu the elder, but Madam Liu the wife — which one must absolutely not confuse, because she had been a child bride, a bride of eighteen married to a groom of twenty years her junior…

Zhang Shi listened attentively, interjecting occasionally to share some piece of old capital gossip, so there was a genuine exchange going back and forth between them. Zhang Shi was of great family background, practiced in expressing delicate matters obliquely, leaving not the slightest trace; Minglan was a protégée of Elder Zhuang, skilled at wrapping things unfit for polite ears in the language of the classics and the sages. The two were well-matched, and at the amusing parts, could not help glancing at each other and breaking into quiet smiles.

Just as they were talking, a female servant came in from outside and said respectfully: “Reporting to Madam, the Marquis wishes to drink with Master Gu, and asks that two jars of the Japanese bamboo-leaf wine be brought from the cellar.”

Zhang Shi said: “The Marquis has said that wine stored longer is more fragrant — it’s been buried under the floor of the storehouse. Ask Nanny Fan to have someone go and dig it out, and mind they work carefully — don’t break the jars.”

The female servant curtsied, then added: “The Marquis also says he wishes to show Master Gu a dragon-spring sword he recently acquired.”

Zhang Shi said: “The Marquis practices his sword forms every morning — he has likely already hung it up in the boy’s room. I’ll have someone send it over.”

The female servant acknowledged this and withdrew. Zhang Shi turned and gave a few quiet instructions. Two maids came out of the infant’s room next door carrying a sword, and walked quickly out the door. Zhang Shi turned back, and found Minglan watching her quietly. She felt color rise to her face involuntarily, and reached for something to say: “That wine is truly fine — the color is deep jade-green, the fragrance full and rich, and it doesn’t go to your head at all. I’ll have two jars sent back with you.”

Minglan made an artless sound of acknowledgment, and continued to watch her.

She saw that Zhang Shi’s color was healthy, her complexion rosy. Though a faint shadow of melancholy still lingered at her brow, the wan fragility of the past had been replaced by a capable, composed authority that brooked no argument.

Zhang Shi pretended to be annoyed: “If you have something to say, say it. Why do you keep staring at me like that!”

Minglan said: “Nothing in particular. I only think the National Uncle has a truly wonderful habit. With the child growing up familiar with swords from the very beginning, he’ll surely grow up to be a fine little general. Truly wonderful, truly wonderful.”

Zhang Shi shot her a sharp look. Minglan met it with an expression of complete innocence. Zhang Shi’s air of indignation quickly deflated, and she gave a rueful smile: “Even if one were a celestial maiden descended from the ninth heaven, once she enters this mortal world, I’m afraid she can no longer remain a fairy.”

On the fourth day after giving birth, her husband had come to her room for the first time. Both of them had been through something like a brush with death — bodies and spirits utterly spent. They had sat across from each other in silence for a long while, and without heeding the nannies’ warnings, she had simply thrown herself into her husband’s arms and wept bitterly — not knowing whether she was weeping for her own inescapable compromises, or for the fate that awaited all women in this world.

Minglan was quiet for a long moment. “Yes. There are no true fairies in this world.”

……

Coming out of Zhang Shi’s room, Minglan walked heavily toward the gate.

In the few short exchanges between Zhang Shi and the female servant just now, there had been a great deal implied — Shen Congxing now spent every night in Zhang Shi’s quarters; he rose each morning, went to the courtyard to practice his sword forms, then carried the sword to the baby’s room to coo at and play with his son; and while doing so, he casually hung the sword on the wall of the child’s room. Husband and wife in harmony, father and child in deep affection — all was as it should be.

Better to bend and survive well, than to wither and die unbending in one’s pride.

Minglan felt a bitterness on her tongue, though she could not quite name what it was she was feeling gloomy about.

She was passing a gate framed with trailing flowers when a burst of quarreling and angry voices rose from somewhere ahead — and the voices sounded somehow familiar. The female servant leading the way for Minglan looked somewhat embarrassed and smiled: “There’s a bit of a commotion up ahead. Shall we go around this way instead?”

Minglan nodded — she had no desire to get involved.

She had barely turned to go when a crowd of people came surging toward them. At the front was a young woman with disheveled clothing who seemed to be trying to push her way through; behind her, a mass of female servants were doing their best to hold her back.

“…Whoever dares stop me, I’ll die right here before your eyes…!” The young woman pressed a hairpin to her own throat and let out a shrill cry. “I want to see the Marquis — none of you are to stop me! …Let go… let go of me…”

Minglan looked more carefully, and saw that it was Xiao Zou Shi.

She could not be faulted for not recognizing her at first. The old Xiao Zou Shi had always worn heavy cosmetics — her true features had been hard to make out to begin with. Now her hair was in complete disarray, her whole person bedraggled. The corner of her mouth was split, and across her formerly smooth and delicate cheeks spread two large purple scars — something like the hard, tight marks left behind when severe pimples are broken open. Minglan knew, however, that these were the marks of cheeks that had been beaten swollen and broken open so badly that they had scarred.

Her appearance was quite dreadful — half her looks were ruined.

“Marchioness… Gu…?” Xiao Zou Shi finally recognized the newcomer, and immediately flung herself forward, crying out loudly: “Marchioness Gu, please save my brother! They’re going to kill him!”

Minglan’s arm was seized in a grip that was genuinely painful. “He has only been exiled and caned — no one is taking his life!”

“But the southwest is plagued with miasma — how is that not as good as killing him?…” Xiao Zou Shi made to go on. Minglan immediately cut her off: “Zou Yiniang, mind what you say. The Gu family has no blood ties with the Zou family — even if there were anything to be done, how would it be the Gu family’s place? If this got out, would people not laugh at the Gu family for overstepping and lacking propriety?”

Xiao Zou Shi realized she had been speaking carelessly, but still clutched at Minglan’s arm: “…Our Marquis thinks of the Marquis Gu as his own brother… Please, Marchioness Gu, just say a few words on our behalf!”

Cuiwei, walking beside Minglan, was doing her best to push Xiao Zou Shi away. The female servants were pulling and tugging from all sides, but Xiao Zou Shi held onto Minglan’s arm like iron — and was actually hurting her.

Xiao Zou Shi still had the hairpin in one hand, waving it about dangerously. Seeing that she was in danger of becoming an innocent bystander caught in the chaos, Minglan quickly called everyone to stop, and said to Xiao Zou Shi: “Zou Yiniang, do you still remember the story I once told you about the Princess, the Prince Consort, and the concubine?”

Xiao Zou Shi looked somewhat blank. Minglan said: “I told you long ago — if things ever came to this point, the one who would suffer would certainly be you. Why didn’t you listen?”

“But that day…”

Minglan said bluntly: “There’s no use going on about that day or this day. If you had been willing to step back, things would never have come to this.”

Xiao Zou Shi seemed to recover her senses and clung to Minglan’s arm like a drowning person grasping at a straw: “That day, Elder Sister gave me such kind and well-meaning advice — it is clear you cared for me. Now I beg of you…”

“You’ve misunderstood.” Minglan cut her off again. “I was not acting for your sake — I was acting for Shen’s. The National Uncle is an important pillar of the state, who labors for the affairs of the nation. Yet because of you, he has been endlessly troubled by domestic matters; and because of the Zou family, he faces impeachments every few days.”

Xiao Zou Shi was struck speechless.

Minglan kept her face stern, without a trace of softening: “And another thing — don’t call me Elder Sister. You are a Yiniang of the Shen household, not a member of the Gu household. One careless moment, and if it gets out, who knows what gossip will fly — it makes my skin crawl just to think about it.”

Xiao Zou Shi flared up in fury: “You…!”

At that exact moment, Minglan saw her chance and yanked her arm free. Xiao Zou Shi was caught up in her anger and her grip on the hairpin loosened. The female servants all around surged forward at once — some to seize the hairpin, some to twist her arms, some to grab her legs — and they finally had her restrained.

The head female servant stepped forward: “Zou Yiniang — the Marquis has already been put under house confinement for a month because of you. I’d say you ought to quiet yourself. All this carrying on every day is just making trouble for the rest of us!” Several of the female servants took the opportunity to give Xiao Zou Shi a few pinching twists as well.

“I’m not going back! I won’t go… you want to lock me up again…” Xiao Zou Shi struggled frantically, craning her neck and crying out in a shrill voice: “…Marquis, Marquis… do you think you have honored my sister? My sister endured so much for your sake… the very least you owe her would prevent you from… I want to see Da Ge’er, and the eldest daughter — come quickly, your aunt is about to be tormented to death!”

Meanwhile, Cuiwei was rubbing Minglan’s arm with sympathetic care, while several female servants offered repeated apologies.

Minglan waved her hand lightly, feeling a certain dark amusement, and turned to say: “Does Zou Yiniang know — the memorial requesting registration of the eldest son’s status that the National Uncle submitted was very nearly approved, and it was this latest scene of yours that caused the Court of the Imperial Clan to withhold it? Do you truly want to call Da Ge’er here? Have you the face to see him?”

Xiao Zou Shi fell instantly silent.

Minglan sighed: “If your late sister’s spirit is aware of what is happening, and she sees her own siblings working against her children’s interests — do you think she would blame you all, or blame the National Uncle?”

The struggling in Xiao Zou Shi’s body gradually slowed. Her eyes were filled with utter despair. She went limp, allowing the female servants to drag her away inside. As the obstruction finally cleared, Minglan walked on toward the gate. She had taken only a few steps when from behind her came Xiao Zou Shi’s desolate, high-pitched wail—

“…Sister, if only you were still alive! Everyone in this world is heartless — the moment a person is gone, the tea goes cold; who still remembers her kindness! If you hadn’t been nursing the Empress in her illness, how would you have brought on labor before your time, and how would you have lost your life?! Now the Marquis has a new wife and a new child — who still thinks of your lonely grave? He has long forgotten you… Sister, why did you have to give your whole heart to someone named Shen?… If only you had kept your own life, you could be enjoying wealth and honor now — it would all be yours to savor…”

The voice faded gradually, as the person was dragged farther away.

Minglan’s footsteps faltered. Something pressed down on her chest until she could hardly breathe.

Cuiwei saw that her color was not right and said quietly: “Madam, are you feeling unwell?”

A female servant nearby was also quick to read the situation: “Perhaps the heat of the day has been too much — the summer air may have struck Madam. Would you like to rest in the pavilion ahead? I’ll bring Madam a bowl of iced treats.”

Minglan only felt her chest oppressed and on the verge of nausea. She waved her hand: “No need — I’d rather go home and rest.”

When they neared the gatehouse, Gu Shun stepped forward a few paces: “Madam, the Marquis is still inside keeping company with the National Uncle over wine…”

Minglan said impatiently: “I’ll head back first. The rest of you wait here for the Marquis.”

Gu Shun, seeing Minglan’s expression was not pleasant, did not dare ask further, and only made a quick run to the side room in the front courtyard. There he found Gu Tingye still exchanging cups with Shen Congxing. He leaned close and said quietly: “Marquis, it seems the Marchioness has been oppressed by the heat — she has gone home first.”

Gu Tingye gave a single nod. Gu Shun withdrew.

Shen Congxing caught a few of those words and pointed at Gu Tingye with a laugh: “Look at you now — not a trace left of that dashing ‘Second Young Master Gu’ who used to charge into battle on horseback! These days, people say the Marquis and Marchioness of Gu go everywhere together — whether drinking or calling on friends, you always see her back home. Fine, fine — I know, I know. ‘The gentle land is the grave of heroes’…”

Gu Tingye’s skin was thick enough. He said evenly: “If Madam Zou were still here, I suspect you would be the same.”

Shen Congxing was quiet for a long moment, then suddenly spoke in a broken voice: “I failed her. While she lived, not a single day did she enjoy with me — she wore herself out with worry, endured hardship after hardship. And now… I can’t even protect her own family!”

Gu Tingye picked up the large double-dragon ocean-green jade wine vessel from the table and poured himself a cup slowly: “To love in a way that harms — if you truly meant well by the Zou family, Shen, you should not have gone on indulging them. This time their lives were spared, but there will always come a time when you cannot protect them.”

Shen Congxing stared dully: “I tried to counsel them — but they… the moment they brought up your sister-in-law, I lost all resolve.”

“You’ve grown softer by the day, Shen.” Gu Tingye lifted his cup, a faint sardonic smile at the corner of his mouth. “If counsel doesn’t work, punish. If punishment doesn’t work, strike. The Zou family now relies entirely on you — there is no one else. Who else is there for them to depend on?”

The wine was clear and pale green — like a mountain spring, limpid and transparent. He drank the cup slowly and found the flavor clean and fragrant, refreshing to the spirit. Setting the cup down, he fixed his gaze on Shen Congxing: “Just now you said I’ve lost the spirit of the old Second Young Master Gu. I say the same of you — since receiving your title, you’ve grown more and more hesitant and cautious. Where is the commanding presence of the foremost of the Five Tigers of the Sichuan Frontier?”

With that, he brought his wine cup down hard on the floor. On the cold, unyielding blue-brick surface, it produced a short, sharp crack.

Shen Congxing was still for a long moment. Then he slowly lifted his head. “Since coming to the capital, I’ve made mistake after mistake, every step wrong. If not for you brothers, and for the Emperor’s forbearance — I don’t know how many times I would have already been dead.”

He picked up the cup before him and drank it in one swallow, then said in a heavy voice: “After Aqin passed away, I failed to take her younger sister as my proper wife — that was my first mistake. And having failed to make her my proper wife, I should have treated her as a true younger sister and found her a good match to marry. Instead I took my wife’s younger sister as a concubine — that was my second mistake. From that point on, every time I saw anyone from the Zou family, I felt I had nowhere to hide, so ashamed I could not bring myself to exercise proper authority over them.”

With that, he too brought his cup down hard on the floor. The shards flew wide, leaving a white streak along the blue bricks.

Gu Tingye looked at him for a moment, then emptied two soup bowls and filled both with wine. “There is no need to be too hard on yourself, Shen. From where I stand, this was the Zou family’s calculation from the very beginning. They exploited the situation, pushed further and further. Now that you have seen through it clearly, everything else can be addressed.”

Shen Congxing lifted the wine bowl and took a sip, then frowned: “I fear the Emperor is now truly angered with me.”

“Not necessarily.” Gu Tingye picked up a pair of chopsticks and lightly tapped the bowl. “If the matter had remained purely a private domestic affair, the Emperor might not have bothered to concern himself. But this time, the old Duke of Ying put the word ‘loyalty’ on the table. And you — knowing full well this was precisely the moment the Zhang family was needed — continued to let your inner household run wild, with not the slightest regard for the imperial will. How could the Emperor not be angered?”

Shen Congxing said regretfully: “I was negligent — I have failed His Majesty’s trust…”

Gu Tingye swirled the wine in his bowl. “The two of us, here in the capital — we are rootless, groundless men without family backing or foundation…”

Before he could finish, Shen Congxing laughed despite himself: “What do you mean no family backing — you are the son of a Marquis household through and through…”

Gu Tingye shook his head: “To have family and yet not have it is worse than having none. To have kin and yet not have them is worse than having none.”

Shen Congxing knew the inner workings of the Gu family, and silently felt sorry for him, saying no more.

Gu Tingye continued: “Six years ago, when Duan came to the capital and sent his calling card to the distant relative — the Duke of Anguo — he couldn’t even get through the gatehouse door. Yet now, which member of the Duke of Anguo’s household does not scramble to court Duan’s favor? The way the several of us have risen steadily, making use of our talents — what is it based on? Nothing more than the Emperor’s trust and confidence.” Perhaps in another ten or twenty years they would have established their own foundations — but for now, those roots were still shallow.

Shen Congxing nodded gravely: “You’ve said it well. Why else would my father-in-law have been willing to forge this match with my family — isn’t it precisely for this?”

“Not only this. Also… what comes after.”

The two men exchanged a glance, and each understood the other — from what could presently be seen, the Emperor was still satisfied with both the Crown Prince and the Second Prince.

“Then… how should I conduct myself going forward?” Shen Congxing refilled Gu Tingye’s bowl.

“There is nothing you need do.”

Shen Congxing was taken aback: “What did you say?”

Gu Tingye picked up two chopsticks. “The situation appears dangerous, Shen, but in truth it is stable. First — the Emperor still needs you. He merely wishes to discipline you a little. Second — the Duke of Ying’s household will not truly stand by and let you come to ruin. Because if they did, never mind how difficult it would make things for their daughter — if in the future the Crown Prince…” The rest of the thought, both men understood without it being said.

“Therefore — you truly need do nothing at all right now. Simply remain at home and cultivate your character.” Gu Tingye set down one chopstick. “The Emperor is a man who values old bonds. After all, you spent more than ten years at his side through wind and rain before he ascended the throne. As time passes, he will remember those old days, and will come to feel sympathy for you — that you are soft-hearted by nature, and have suffered for being dragged down by the Zou family.”

And moreover, the Emperor still has use for you.

Shen Congxing nodded slowly and said in a low voice: “This time, the Empress has also suffered on my account.”

Gu Tingye set down the second chopstick evenly beside the first. “The Duke of Ying’s household has flourished for a generation — they have prestige, foundation, and connections. What they lack is the new Emperor’s full trust. How would they be willing to lose your support? So long as you set your inner household in order, the Zhang family will handle the rest.”

With that, he placed an upturned bowl atop the two chopsticks. “Like this — you are stable.”

In truth, if the Shen and Zhang households got along perfectly as one family, the Emperor might not be entirely at ease; but if they truly fell out, the Emperor would be angered by the lack of respect. Shen Congxing’s marriage to a Zhang daughter had seemed, from the start, to have everything going for it — but it was in fact a double-edged blade. When Gu Tingye had married Minglan — at the time, the Emperor had learned she was merely the concubine-born daughter of a mid-ranking official, and had been both somewhat sorry and somewhat relieved.

Shen Congxing stared at the bowl sitting steadily upon its two supports, and was silent for a long while. “Set the inner household in order?”

Gu Tingye said quietly: “The reason the Zhang family has been able to press forward with such righteousness and force is precisely because they had right on their side. You were the one who was in the wrong first. You know in your own heart what decision must be made.”

One woman was the legitimate wife, united by imperial decree through the rites; the other was merely a concubine, and yet she had held sway over the greater part of the National Uncle’s household. If Madam Zhang had truly wished to assert her daughter’s position, she had had every pretext to do so — and yet she had held herself back. She had endured until all of the capital, and even the imperial palace, was aware that Zou Yiniang was arrogant and insolent and the National Uncle was playing favorites — and only then had she let it come to a head. This was not a scheme. It was an open and aboveboard strategy: the Zhang family was making it plain for all the world to see that they were cooperating with the Emperor in full, without the slightest evasion or half-measure.

Shen Congxing raised his cup. His fingers were trembling slightly. In a quavering voice he said: “When Aqin passed away, she only looked at me without closing her eyes. She said nothing at all — but I knew. She was only worried about the children…”

Gu Tingye said: “Da Nephew is still all right — after all, he is a son. But what of the daughters? They will one day have to be married.”

As long as Zou Yiniang remained, Zhang Shi could never truly act as a mother to those children. When marriage negotiations came, the simple fact that the Shen daughters had been raised by a concubine would be enough to make good, well-matched families draw back. And from Zou Yiniang’s conduct these past days, it was clear that her own character was far from upright — what kind of children could such a person raise?

Better to let Zhang Shi raise them from now on — then she could also appear on their behalf when marriage arrangements were made. A woman stubborn enough to have been at odds with her husband for this long was, at her core, very likely someone too proud to stoop to petty and underhanded tricks.

Shen Congxing stood, hands clasped behind his back, pacing back and forth through the room. He suddenly stopped, and in a steady voice said: “I intend to give Zou Yiniang a written deed of release and find her a good household to marry into.”

You act one way, and I act the other — afterward, who would dare say he favored his concubine over his wife? In fact, quite a few people would privately speculate that it was Zhang Shi who was being jealous, or the Zhang family overstepping with their influence, that they could not bear to tolerate anyone. As for the Zou family — they were in his hands in any case; they could simply be properly managed going forward.

“The affairs of Shen’s household — Shen should decide for himself.”

Gu Tingye took a light sip of wine. Husband and wife in mutual suspicion, each calculating against the other — the Shen and Zhang families were indeed well-matched: “If there are any of the Zou family brothers who wish to better themselves, Shen — teach them to read and practice arms. It would also comfort your sister-in-law’s spirit in the next life.”

Having made this resolve, Shen Congxing seemed to have been drained of all his strength. He sank down in his seat, deflated.

Gu Tingye walked slowly over to him and said quietly: “Listen to your brother’s one word of counsel — the Eighth Prince has become the Emperor.”

Shen Congxing’s expression grew shadowed — the Emperor was now in the full prime of his years, and the young princes were coming one after another. No one could say what the future held, and he would indeed need to be careful.

“And we are no longer what we once were.” Gu Tingye straightened, and let out a slow, quiet sigh. “Old Geng is now wary of the censors. These days, he thinks over every sentence he speaks no fewer than ten times before saying it.”

The Eighth Prince’s consort had become the Empress — and from that point on, her husband was no longer a husband but a sovereign lord. Shen Congxing had become the National Uncle — and from that point on, his brother-in-law was no longer a brother-in-law but a ruler. From the frontier to the capital, from the prince’s residence to the imperial palace — those brothers who had once been companions in the wilderness now all held power and authority, and every one of them had to transform their very sense of who they were.

Shen Congxing drifted back in memory: “Do you still remember that year, when the few of us climbed to the top of Qingya Mountain to drink wine…”

“Ten coins for a pot — it was cheap wine.”

“Heh — it was Zhengjie who rustled it up, what else could it have been!” Shen Congxing laughed.

“We were drunk for an entire night. When we woke at dawn on the mountain top, every one of us had a splitting headache — and yet none of us wanted to go home.” Gu Tingye smiled. “Even Chengqian, that self-proclaimed man of iron who never feared anything, didn’t dare go face his wife. In the end we settled it by drinking games.”

“My luck was rotten — I lost, and had to bring everyone back to my place. Aqin took one look at the sorry state of us, and brewed up a great pot of sobering soup.”

Recalling that day, Gu Tingye couldn’t help wincing even now: “Your late wife had a heart of iron, Shen — she had the servants pinch our noses and pour it down our throats one by one. To be honest, we were all scalded awake.”

“Yes… yes…” Shen Congxing murmured, and thinking of the deep warmth they had shared in those years, he suddenly choked. He buried his face in his hands on the table and wept brokenly: “Aqin, why did you leave so early…”

Gu Tingye laid a hand on his shoulder and offered quiet comfort: “Shen — try to look forward. In the days ahead, live well with Madam Zhang. With time, and with care, a household can become a contented and harmonious one…”

“It won’t be. Never again.” Shen Congxing shook his head brokenly. “Whether there is true feeling between husband and wife — that cannot be deceived. Most of what the world calls ‘good marriages’ are nothing more than people deceiving themselves.”

Gu Tingye went very still where he stood. After a long, long silence, he finally moved again.

Self-deception? The words stayed with him.

Strong wine sinks deepest into a sorrowful heart — it was not long before Shen Congxing was thoroughly drunk.

Gu Tingye rode slowly back to the mansion. By now the sky had turned entirely dark. The wind was cool, and the stars were sparse. The cold air that hit him as he rode cleared away much of the wine’s fog. He returned to the room in silence, and found it pitch-black inside. He did not call for anyone — he lit the candles himself.

“Why haven’t the lamps been lit?”

Minglan was sitting by the window, looking up at the sky. She turned her head slowly. “Would the Marquis like something to eat?”

Gu Tingye shook his head, leaned on his arm, and sat at the table, watching the leaping candle flame. A moth trembled its fragile wings — soft and yet determined — and drew slowly, steadily toward the flame.

“Come here. Let us… talk for a while.”

Minglan nodded and moved to sit at the table beside him. “All right — Marquis, please begin.”