Kang Yima was struck so hard that her face twisted to the side. She stared in disbelief, her eyes wide, her wrinkled eyelids flipping up like day-old mille-feuille. She pressed a hand to her cheek. “…Mother, you…” A powerful unease rose in her heart.

Wang Old Madam said through tears: “From the time you were small, you followed us from post to post, pampered and praised, and so you looked down on this person, thought nothing of that one — your elder brother and sister-in-law, your younger sister’s husband, and other relatives besides…You felt that everyone ought to accommodate you, defer to you. Whenever even the smallest thing went against your wishes, you nursed resentment, always scheming to get back at people, exacting revenge for every last slight. Emboldened by your father’s and my indulgence, you grew increasingly audacious, going wrong step by step, until now you’ve committed an act so monstrous that heaven and earth cannot abide it! You’ve dragged your own flesh and blood into it — all of them. I… I can no longer protect you…” The old woman wept until she could no longer speak, her aged face etched with anguish.

Wang Shi let out a long breath of profound relief and looked at her mother with boundless gratitude. Wang Uncle felt his heart waver, as though he wished to say something, but Wang Aunt tugged at his sleeve, and he closed his mouth again.

Sheng Hong felt a heavy weight lift from his chest. Having the older sister-in-law dealt with was certainly preferable to dealing with his own wife. He turned to look at Minglan, only to find his youngest daughter standing perfectly still, gazing quietly at Wang Old Madam, her face bearing a most peculiar expression — something like disappointment, yet faintly tinged with a grudging admiration.

“Mother!” Kang Yima finally snapped back to herself. She let out a shrill cry. “Are you going to abandon your own daughter?!” Terror flooded her heart, and her very voice trembled.

It couldn’t be. It simply couldn’t be. All these years, Mother might scold her, might berate her, but in the end she always helped. That year when her husband’s most favored little temptress and the wretched creature in her belly both went to face the King of Hell, when her husband had nearly called for the clan elder to draw up a letter of repudiation — had Mother not shielded her and seen her safely through? She had weathered so many storms over the years. This one, too, would pass.

She collapsed across her mother’s knees, weeping: “My marriage was arranged by Father. These past decades, I have lived worse than the dead. And now Mother wants to wash her hands of me? Where in this world would you find parents so heartless? If Father were still alive…”

“Do not defile your father’s lifelong reputation of integrity!” Wang Old Madam erupted in fury. “Of all his children, your father treated you the best! During the many years he was posted to the northwest, your elder brother was sent to live under the tutelage of Master Chengda to study, your younger sister was entrusted to the care of her uncle — only you were kept by our side the entire time! But over all these years, in each thing you’ve done, have you truly done right by your father’s spirit in heaven? …This time, I can no longer cover for you. How could I look the Sheng family in the eye?”

Thinking of her eldest daughter — how sharp-tongued and clever she had been from childhood, how adept at wheedling and charming her parents, cleverer than her honest, slow-witted son, quicker than her straightforward second daughter — the old couple had inevitably shown her more affection. Who could have foreseen that all that coddling would become a calamity, brewing such a disaster as this day brought. The old woman could not help but let the tears fall again.

Sheng Hong was moved, and could not help saying: “Your son-in-law thanks his mother-in-law for upholding justice.” He also gave a bow toward Wang Uncle.

Minglan inwardly rolled her eyes.

Kang Yima’s face went ashen. A strange light kindled in her eyes. She had endured a full day and night of binding and humiliation, foul stench and hunger; she was already lightheaded, and now this sudden provocation further rattled her wits. In her confusion, she only understood that her mother would not help her this time, and her mother’s words about “the Sheng family” echoed in her mind.

She lurched to her feet and turned a cold sneer on her mother, her brother, and his wife: “Very well! Very well! I am not as well-married as my younger sister — her son-in-law excels in every regard, her husband is accomplished and prestigious, so naturally I rank differently in Mother’s heart. Now that I have fallen on hard times, and my husband’s family has no ability, it’s no wonder the Wang family looks down on me. Now even my own flesh and blood come to trample me underfoot… I… I would be better off dead…” And with that, she lunged toward the wall.

At that moment, there were few maids and servants in the room. Just as Kang Yima was about to dash her head against the wall, Liu Kun’s wife darted out from the side, barely managing to block her path and seizing her firmly in both arms. Having served in the Wang household’s inner quarters since childhood, she knew this eldest young mistress’s temperament intimately. She had not accompanied Wang Shi when she married into the Sheng family, and so had witnessed with her own eyes the several fine performances Kang Yima had put on when she returned to her parents’ home to weep and complain after her marriage — invariably a cycle of weeping, causing scenes, and threatening to hang herself. From the moment Wang Old Madam had spoken those words, she had kept a quiet watch on Kang Yima’s every move.

Liu Kun’s wife had been rammed so hard that her chest and abdomen ached painfully. She forced out a difficult breath and said: “The aunt seems to be exhausted.”

Wang Aunt stepped forward and seized Kang Yima’s other arm, saying hastily: “Quite right — elder sister-in-law has lost her senses. Let her go down and rest first.” She had even made such remarks — as good as pointing at the maternal family and accusing them of snobbery, of fawning on the powerful son-in-law’s family. The longer she kept talking, the worse it would get. Better to drag her away as quickly as possible.

Kang Yima was held so firmly she could not budge, and could only keen in broken fragments about wanting to die.

Qi Mama’s mind was exceedingly quick. She hurried to say: “What Uncle says is right. Our household has had such a shock and is so exhausted that we may have said some offensive words — please, a thousand pardons, do not take it amiss. Would it not be best for me to attend the aunt back to rest first?” Let us flee first, then worry about the rest.

Wang Old Madam’s heart stirred, and she was just about to nod when Minglan said cheerfully: “Though the Sheng family is not as deep-rooted as the Kang family, we certainly have no shortage of rooms where Aunt may rest. Qi Mama is welcome to accompany Aunt to the side chamber for a while.”

Qi Mama, supporting Kang Yima’s arm, smiled and said: “We have already imposed so long — how could we presume to trouble you further? Besides, one is always more comfortable resting in one’s own home. Old Madam, don’t you think so?”

Wang Old Madam also wished to minimize the affair. Above all, this powder keg needed to be smothered. She said to Sheng Hong: “Good son-in-law, your eldest sister-in-law has lost her senses just now. Why not let her go home first? The other matters, we can discuss ourselves.”

Sheng Hong was about to nod when he heard Minglan cut in first: “That absolutely will not do!”

Wang Old Madam had now been interrupted and pressured by Minglan twice. She was already deeply displeased. Sheng Hong, seeing his mother-in-law’s expression darken, quickly called out: “Do not be impertinent!”

Minglan smiled and said: “Father, I am not being impertinent. The disagreeable things must be said plainly from the outset —” She turned toward Wang Old Madam. “If Kang Yima is allowed to go home, what if she runs away?”

Wang Aunt nearly burst out laughing and hastily suppressed it. Wang Old Madam was thoroughly displeased and said coldly: “I take it into account that you are young, and that your head has been turned in desperation over your grandmother’s grave illness, and that is why you speak such nonsense. What do you mean, ‘what if she runs away’ — do you take the Wang family for petty street thieves? We are all from distinguished families. Surely matters can be discussed civilly!”

Minglan’s tone carried a note of mockery: “That is hard to say. Those who can bring themselves to administer poison are capable of anything. If Aunt truly does run away, what then — are we to have my father drum a complaint to the authorities and post wanted notices across the land?”

A shadow of black fury crossed Wang Old Madam’s face. She turned to Sheng Hong: “Son-in-law, this daughter of yours certainly has fine manners! She presses and corners her elders relentlessly — at my age, she will not yield a single inch!”

Sheng Hong did not immediately reply, but cast a thoughtful glance at his daughter.

What Minglan had just said was addressed less to the Wang family than to himself. His daughter’s sole aim right now was to win justice for his mother. If Kang Wang Shi were not punished, she would never let the matter rest. This wretched girl dared to stand up to her own father, had dared to seal off the entire household — if Kang Wang Shi were truly allowed to run, it was entirely possible she would immediately go and “drum a complaint to the authorities and post wanted notices across the land,” and then the humiliation would be total.

Weighing two evils, choose the lesser. He avoided his mother-in-law’s gaze and said coolly: “It would be better for the eldest sister-in-law to stay and rest in the mansion a while.” He thought for a moment and added a few face-saving words: “My mother is still unconscious. To let the perpetrator walk away so easily — I could not call myself a person of integrity.”

It must be said that those seasoned in officialdom know how to make even unpleasant words sound fine. Minglan almost wanted to applaud her own father. Wang Old Madam, however, was written all over with disappointment — she had hoped her son-in-law might grant her face and look the other way, but clearly that was not to be.

She had no choice but to say sternly to her eldest daughter: “Go down first. The other matters, I will see to!”

By this time Luzhi had already called in the two punishment matrons. The pair, one on each side, seized Kang Yima and marched her out. Kang Yima struggled but could not break free. Remembering Minglan’s many ruthless measures, she could only scream: “Mother, are you going to watch me die?! The Sheng family wants me to give my life in exchange for their old madam’s!… Heartless mother, all you do is trample your own flesh and blood to buy favor, climbing onto higher branches…”

What began as supplication descended into cursing — vile, unbearable words. Wang Old Madam, seeing her daughter in a half-deranged state, dabbed at her tears and said: “Go down and reflect on your wrongs. I… I will plead with your brother-in-law on your behalf…”

But her daughter could not hear the meaning beneath her mother’s words and kept on cursing without pause: “Those two father and daughter are playing good official and bad official — they will never let me go! Mother, don’t you have any pity for your own daughter anymore…”

Sheng Hong smiled bitterly to himself. He was truly being wronged this time — he had genuinely intended to play the lenient one, but circumstances had forced his hand. In this situation, how could he explain it carefully? Kang Wang Shi did not know it was not Sheng Hong’s idea to confine her, and assumed the father and daughter were acting as one.

The sounds of cursing and pleading gradually receded into the distance, then abruptly ceased — no doubt the two matrons had employed their methods to make Kang Wang Shi “hold her tongue.” Qi Mama, uneasy, thought for a moment and then followed along.

Wang Old Madam stared at the departing figures through the doorway, her heart aching unbearably. She forced herself to compose her feelings, rose, and walked to Sheng Hong’s side. Then her knees went soft and she moved to kneel before him, giving Sheng Hong quite a fright. He hurried to his feet to support her: “Mother-in-law, please rise — how could I deserve this?”

Wang Uncle and Wang Aunt rushed over to assist her. Wang Shi also fell to her knees beside her mother on the ground, weeping without cease.

Wang Old Madam took Sheng Hong’s hand in hers and spoke in sorrowful tones: “Both my daughters have been failures. What face do I have to show before you, before the Sheng family! Though we are merely mother-in-law and son-in-law, the bond between us is as close as mother and child. That year when you came to our home, I took a liking to you at first sight. Many people warned me that your family background was modest, but I felt this young man was a person of worth — capable and talented, better in many ways than my own son. When you came to ask for my daughter’s hand in marriage, I was unspeakably happy. People said my daughter was marrying beneath her station, but I felt that, given your abilities and character, son-in-law, it was you who were condescending to wed that foolish girl of mine…”

In truth, the Wang-Sheng match had been entirely Sheng Hong climbing upward; Wang Old Master had been quite hesitant. But Wang Old Madam had taken a liking to Sheng Hong and, overriding all objections, had ultimately given her daughter to him. For this, Sheng Hong had felt grateful for many years.

Wang Old Madam rambled on and on, from the wedding ceremony to life after the wedding, from the household to the world of officialdom — all about how she had admired and looked after Sheng Hong, how she had helped and supported him at every turn. It was a warm, motherly litany of affection and devotion, told so movingly that Sheng Hong grew increasingly sorrowful, tears rolling freely down his face, mother-in-law and son-in-law weeping together in a scene of great emotion.

Minglan watched with cold eyes, not inserting a single word, as Wang Old Madam continued her magnificent, heart-stirring composition, gradually steering it toward her true purpose — “…Though your mother and I have not spent a great deal of time together, I have the deepest admiration for her character. Upon hearing that she has suffered so greatly, I only wish I could endure it in her place. Your mother is such a kind and charitable person — I’m sure she would not wish this matter to cause our families to turn against each other from this day on, so that kinship is no longer kinship, and flesh and blood become enemies…”

Sheng Hong was wiping his tears and being moved, and had nearly come to nod and say, “Yes, yes, indeed —” when a faint cold laugh sounded from the side. He saw Minglan walk slowly to Kang Jin’s side and smile: “How do you do, Cousin Kang Jin.”

Kang Jin was by nature honest and carried a trace of timidity. Ever since his mother had been dragged out, he had been huddled in a corner quietly weeping. He started upon hearing her and replied involuntarily: “Sheng… Cousin Minglan, how do you do.”

“I am young and know little of past events,” Minglan said in a gentle, wandering tone, yet her voice rang out clear and bright. “Hearing all that Old Madam has just said, I am deeply moved…” She suddenly let out a scoffing little laugh. “I almost thought it was not my grandmother, but your maternal grandmother, who raised my father, engaged distinguished tutors to instruct him, guided him to pass the imperial examinations, and arranged his marriage.”

Sheng Hong’s face flushed red. If it could be said that his mother-in-law had treated him warmly, then his adoptive mother had treated him with boundless, ocean-deep grace. To not seek justice for his adoptive mother who had been harmed, while letting the perpetrator go free out of regard for his mother-in-law’s feelings — there was no way to justify that anywhere.

He had long since honed his exterior to a fine polish after decades in officialdom; his emotional transitions were remarkably smooth. He immediately collected his sentimentality, let out a long sigh, and said: “My mother-in-law’s kindness to me — how could I not know of it? Yet in matters of human ethics and moral order, there is absolutely no principle by which one may let go the person who harmed one’s own mother. I only beg my mother-in-law’s understanding.”

Wang Old Madam had been struck a sharp, unexpected blow — a single remark that had cut straight to the heart of the matter — and she watched helplessly as Sheng Hong, who had just been wavering, steeled himself once more. The effort had come to nothing at the last moment.

She clenched her teeth and pressed on, pouring emotion into her words: “Good son-in-law, those two foolish women have truly committed a monstrous wrong, but they are, in the end, flesh dropped from my own body. However you look at it, I beg you, on account of my old face, to show some measure of leniency. From now on, they will eat plain food, observe fasts, practice devotion before a simple lamp, and recite sutras and pray for your mother’s wellbeing. What do you say?”

Sheng Hong hesitated: “About that… I’m afraid it would not be appropriate…” This proposal was one that he and Minglan had already discussed — and Minglan had flatly refused it.

Minglan inwardly felt contempt, and said with a crisp, ringing voice: “If Grandmother can recover her former health, I too am willing to eat vegetarian food and recite sutras from this day forward. Every grandchild of the Sheng family has been shown deep kindness and great virtue by Grandmother — as long as Grandmother can recover, wouldn’t my father, my elder brother, my sisters and sisters-in-law all be willing to fast and chant the Buddha’s name? Let us not trouble Aunt with that burden!”

Sheng Hong immediately squared his shoulders: “Precisely. Filial piety is the foundation on which a family stands. Every son and daughter of the Sheng family carries it in their heart: fasting and chanting sutras to pray for Mother’s recovery is simply our duty.”

Minglan added a bit more fuel to the fire: “What’s more, just before Aunt left a moment ago, her mouth was full of bitter resentment. Who knows what she might pray for before the Bodhisattva? Let us hope she doesn’t curse the entire Sheng household to a bad death!”

Sheng Hong added: “A person who has not yet made atonement — what face does she have to serve before the Buddha? Would she not pollute the sacred purity of the Buddhist faith?” His bearing had to remain high — he had spent several decades performing filial piety, after all.

Hearing the father and daughter speak back and forth like this, Wang Old Madam’s suppressed fury quietly grew. “Then what do you say — how exactly should this be dealt with?!”

Sheng Hong stroked his beard and said nothing, turning his face to the side with an expression of deep pain. Minglan stepped unhesitatingly forward: “Our household was unaware of the hidden details, and that is another matter — but as for Aunt seeking someone to formulate poison, deceiving someone into administering it, intending to take a human life — that is a vicious, ruthless act. The evidence, both human and physical, is all in hand; there is no longer any wriggling out of it. The resolution is simple: a length of white silk, or a cup of poisoned wine. Repay the life taken with a life.”

Wang Shi shrank behind Liu Kun’s wife and let out a small, quiet breath of relief. Wang Old Madam, however, was thoroughly alarmed: “You want to take her life?”

“A debt owed is repaid; a life taken is answered with a life — this is the way of heaven and earth!” Minglan said with finality.

Wang Old Madam’s eyes rolled back, her body went limp, and she half-fainted on the spot. Wang Aunt hurried to press on her philtrum. Wang Uncle said angrily: “How can this child be so fierce! Opening and closing with talk of taking lives! Even if your aunt were to die, your family’s old madam might not necessarily recover! Where there is room for mercy, show mercy — your aunt has already admitted her fault. Why not show some leniency?”

Minglan refused to let her hiding father escape, and yanked forcefully at Sheng Hong’s sleeve, saying loudly: “Father, say something!”

Sheng Hong had no choice but to put on a stern face: “Elder Brother, your words are mistaken. Your younger sister’s life is a life — but then, is my mother’s life not also a life? By your logic, one need only admit fault and all is forgiven. Then why do they cut off the heads of so many criminals at the execution grounds?!” Genuinely reluctant to be at odds with his mother-in-law, he said: “My mother-in-law is unwell — let Elder Brother make the decision on this matter. My mother simply cannot have been harmed in vain!”

Wang Uncle was no match for his brother-in-law in verbal skill and was stumped by just two sentences. Wang Aunt came to her husband’s aid in a temperate tone: “Why must we be at such daggers drawn? After all, the Sheng family’s elder madam has not yet come to any harm, has she?”

Minglan nodded: “Our Sheng family is not a brutish and unreasonable household either. Should heaven grant its grace and Grandmother survive, my father would not demand Aunt’s life in exchange. However, the physician has said that the juice of the ginkgo seedling is most potent — even if a life is saved, there is no guarantee that the hands and feet will not be left paralyzed. If that should indeed be the case…” she gave a cold laugh, “then please have Aunt repay us with her hands and feet instead!”

Wang Aunt drew in a sharp breath. She had not expected this young girl to be quite so ruthless. Having had no sincere intention of pleading for the elder sister-in-law to begin with, she now had nothing further to say. Seeing that neither her son nor her daughter-in-law had been of any use, Wang Old Madam had no choice but to “gently come to herself.”

Her appeals having been useless, she hardened her expression: “Son-in-law has prospered of late — the family business grows ever more flourishing, and you no longer take your old wife into any regard! Very well. You, a filial son, insist on using our Wang family to make your fine name. But I cannot disregard the bond of blood. I ask you plainly today — what if I refuse?”

Sheng Hong looked long and deeply at the Wang family assembled before him: “Since this cannot be settled privately, then let it be settled publicly.”

These past days, he had finally thought clearly about one thing. The matter of the old Madam of the Sheng family being poisoned, once it became known, would be a scandal for the Sheng, Kang, and Wang families alike — though the degree of impact would differ for each.

Minglan, as a married-out daughter, would be least affected. The Sheng family, as the victims, would be next — though because of Wang Shi’s involvement, he himself would inevitably be branded “careless and inattentive,” and would be subject to ridicule and criticism. The Kang family’s impact would be slightly larger, but the Kang brother-in-law might well resort to “cutting off the tail to survive” and resolve the matter of Kang Wang Shi with a letter of repudiation.

“My family has always been pure and upright; how could we tolerate such a poisonous woman — I have long wished to repudiate her; I have only endured until now out of consideration for my wife’s family” — Sheng Hong had already scripted the lines for his brother-in-law.

The greatest impact, in truth, would be upon the Wang family.

To plot against one’s elder family member — what a grave crime that was. Both daughters of the Wang family were implicated: one had foolishly carried out the deed, while the other had been the mastermind and planner, driven by malicious intent. From this day forward, what would become of Wang Uncle’s reputation as an official? It was entirely possible that even Wang Old Master’s memorial tablet enshrined in the Hall of Worthies at the Fenxian Temple would be removed. Had not Elder Li had his tablet removed twenty years after his death, because his descendants had been unworthy?

Wang Shi’s husband and wife also had two elder daughters, both married into distinguished families. Once this affair spread, how could those two still live comfortably in their husbands’ households? To say nothing of the many other members of the Wang clan.

Sheng Hong glanced at Wang Uncle and his wife. By that time, even if his mother-in-law were willing to sacrifice everything to protect her eldest daughter, others might not be willing.

In truth, he also wished to win justice for his mother — if only the cost could be a little lower.

Things had come this far; since the matter could not be smoothed over, he needed to muster his resolve and not allow anyone to turn the tables on him. He could not let them see what he had originally intended, accusing him of “ingratitude, failing to repay his adoptive mother’s benevolence.” He had to repay that benevolence — and repay it grandly.

Besides, when all was said and done, it was the Wang family women who had done wrong, not anyone from the Sheng family. If anyone was to bleed, it should be the Wang family. Why should the Sheng family swallow their own blood and teeth?! Best to deal with Kang Wang Shi swiftly — Minglan would get her satisfaction, the Wang family would tacitly agree, and then both families could together suppress the whole affair. After that — the world would be at peace! Amitabha!

Understanding the logic of it all, Sheng Hong’s face immediately adopted an expression of great pain, carrying a trace of barely restrained anger and a hint of deep, desolate despair. “I have always prided myself on transmitting learning and virtue through my family — I have taught all my children good conduct. Little did I expect that on the verge of reaching the age of destiny, something like this would befall us…” He let out a long sigh. “I am truly exhausted. If my mother-in-law truly cannot come to an understanding, then report it to the authorities!”

Wang Aunt’s eyelid twitched violently. She was just about to speak when Wang Old Madam had already let out a cold laugh: “I know your intentions — you calculate that the Wang family does not dare to let this affair blow up. But think carefully: the eldest aunt-by-marriage is, after all, only a relation by marriage. Since your mother has not died, the most that can happen is that the eldest aunt receives punishment and exile — and with a bit of additional maneuvering on our part, we should be able to secure a lighter sentence. But your wife is your own direct daughter-in-law! A daughter-in-law who plotted against her mother-in-law — what penalty does that carry? You know better than I do! And what would become of her children?”

Sheng Hong froze. His heart went half cold.

Wang Shi stared at her mother in disbelief, stunned: “…Mother, in order to protect my elder sister, you would have me die?” She had felt since childhood that her mother favored her elder sister more — she had not expected it to be true.

Wang Old Madam had no wish at all for her younger daughter to die; she was simply competing with her son-in-law to see who would be more ruthless, who would be more willing to sacrifice — forcing the Sheng family to retreat a step, and in so doing, both daughters could be protected. But at that moment she could not explain this in detail, and could only steel her heart, not even glancing at her younger daughter. She said with a cold smile to Sheng Hong: “Son-in-law, you were educated in the imperial examination system and are well-versed in the law. What is the penalty for a daughter-in-law who plots against her mother-in-law?”

Sweat poured down Sheng Hong’s forehead. He pressed his hands to his knees — after all, they had been husband and wife for several decades, and in the end, he could not bring himself to do it; moreover, it would implicate the career he valued most, that of his eldest son.

Seeing this, Wang Old Madam grew more forceful, and said loudly: “If this matter is truly blown open, no one comes out well! Good son-in-law, think carefully.” Having issued her threat, she softened her voice: “This affair is, in truth, one tangled muddle. Your mother is a person of great fortune — she is certain to pull through this danger. Only the few of us in this room know of this matter. Once your mother awakens, there is no need to even tell her, lest it grieve her and her illness worsen. …Ah, when I return home I will certainly deal harshly with the eldest aunt, and then have your wife diligently serve and attend to your family. From now on, cannot we all be a harmonious family again?”

Sheng Hong wavered greatly, and kept glancing toward Minglan. Minglan’s fingers trembled slightly with rage, blood and energy churning in her chest, a wave of nausea rising in her throat — she truly wished to vomit it all over Wang Old Madam’s detestable face.

Wang Old Madam followed Sheng Hong’s gaze and understood that the hinge of this moment lay with Minglan. She put on an expression of warm affection and said: “My dear child, I know you are filial — you want to win justice for your grandmother. But she raised you for more than ten years. Could you bear to see her die badly? And what of your elder brother, your elder sisters — your own flesh and blood. If you insist on letting this matter blow up, how are they to conduct themselves?”

These words were half entreaty, half threat. Minglan smiled coldly in her heart. She was not afraid, or she would not have pushed things this far. At worst, she would have no father, no mother, no elder brother, no elder sisters — and if she were pushed to anger, she would walk out this very door, take her hairpin, and finish Kang Yima off herself, done with it all!

She drew in a deep breath, just about to deliver a scathing, withering reply to this old woman, when a familiar young male voice came from the doorway —

“Why should it be difficult to conduct oneself? Do not worry, younger sister.”

There stood Changbai in a slightly worn blue robe, hair at his temples disheveled, his whole face weathered by wind and dust — he had evidently arrived in great haste. Behind him followed a tall man in a crimson python-embroidered robe. Who else could it be but Gu Tingye?

Sheng Hong shot to his feet. Wang Shi, upon seeing her son, was overwhelmed at once by shame and a sense of relief, and wept: “My child, you’ve come!” In this moment, she truly felt that her son was the most dependable person in the world.

Minglan, seeing her husband, did not know whether to feel joy or sorrow. In just a few short days apart, she had weathered wave after tumultuous wave; seeing him again, it felt as though an entire lifetime had passed. Thinking of how she had dispatched the Marquis’s household guards without asking permission, sealing off the mansion and capturing people — she had made a huge mess of things. She lowered her head. “Is the Marquis not at the western suburbs military camp?”

Gu Tingye first clasped his fists and bowed to Sheng Hong, then made a quick, abbreviated bow toward Wang Old Madam and Wang Uncle, before taking two steps to come to his wife’s side: “Master Gongsun sent me word. I quickly asked for leave and came.”

“Is it not a problem?” Minglan felt guilty — she had made him abandon important matters to rush here.

Gu Tingye smiled: “As long as there is no battle to fight, military officers always have more free time than civil officials.”

Wang Old Madam, the corners of her mouth curved in a smile, watched as Wang Shi pulled her son to her, both laughing and weeping. Her heart leapt with joy — her grandson had come; now surely no one would dare bully her daughter. She glanced over several times and saw Gu Tingye standing there, and her brows contracted slightly. After a moment’s deliberation, she decided to first remove this high-ranking and powerful grandson-in-law from the equation.

Over on the other side, Gu Tingye was frowning as he studied Minglan: “Why does your complexion look so poor?” When he had left, she was still a plump, rosy little apple; in just two days, she had gone white and thin as a stalk of small bok choy.

Wang Old Madam hurried to say: “Minglan has been quite worn out these days from caring for the elder madam of your family. Now that you, Marquis Gu, have arrived, why not take her home for a proper rest?”

Minglan said coolly: “Old Madam need not be in such a rush to send people away — the matter is not yet concluded.”

Wang Old Madam glanced at Changbai, her gaze carrying a warning: “You are a married-out daughter. Concern yourself less with your paternal family’s affairs.”

Minglan bristled. Just then a hand reached out from the side and extended itself in front of her body.

“An out-married daughter has no connection to her paternal family?” Gu Tingye’s expression was perfectly flat. “Then what brings Old Madam here?”

Minglan started, and nearly burst out laughing — this man was twisting the premise to its foundations.

Wang Old Madam let out a cold snort, pointing at Minglan: “This girl used to be fairly respectful and filial. After marrying into the Marquis’s household, she no longer takes her paternal family seriously — she has actually defied her elders five times over! I suppose it’s because she has the backing of the Marquis!”

“Oh, is that so?” Gu Tingye’s face remained expressionless. “I also think Minglan is respectful and filial. What has Old Madam done to provoke someone with such a naturally good temper as my wife?”

Minglan stared at her husband with wide eyes. The room fell completely silent. Sheng Hong’s expression was as though he had been walloped with a club. Wang Uncle’s jaw twitched. Even Wang Shi stopped her murmuring to her son, and every person in the room wore a face of utter bewilderment.

Wang Old Madam trembled with inexpressible fury, and struck the armrest with her palm, shouting: “A woman who talks of beating and killing at every turn — who actually dares to detain her own aunt and apply private punishment — what kind of behavior is this?!”

Gu Tingye said with great gravity: “Minglan is, by nature, timid and afraid. Even the sound of a chicken being slaughtered frightens her.” (Kang Yima, in absentia: you lie!) “The sight of blood leaves her shaken for half a day. I ask Old Madam — what did Aunt do to drive her to this state?!”

He shook his head slowly, his expression one of profound regret, as though genuinely lamenting why elders these days simply could not behave like elders.

Minglan tilted her head back and looked up at the man beside her. His tall frame, nearly filling the noon light streaming into the room, cast a broad shadow that shielded her from the wind and rain, making her feel infinitely safe. A bittersweet warmth swept through her heart — she felt like both crying and laughing. The feeling of fighting alone had not been good. Now, at last, she knew: she was not fighting by herself.

Gu Tingye looked the Wang family over, one by one. When Kang Jin met his gaze, he involuntarily took a step back.

Only to hear him say in a cool voice: “Aunt has committed an act that heaven and earth cannot abide. I can understand that Old Madam is in a troubled state of mind. But one should not vent that frustration on honest people. Could it be that you suppose the Gu family has no one to speak for it?”

Wang Old Madam had never witnessed such a complete reversal of black and white — from the moment she had entered the Sheng mansion, it was consistently his wife who had been pressuring the Wang family! She shook all over with rage, her complexion alternating between green and purple, and for a moment could not find words.

Gu Tingye actually turned to Minglan and smiled: “Not frightened, are you?”

Sweeping away all the bitterness and emotion in her heart, Minglan was secretly delighted beyond measure. She desperately wanted to throw herself at him and give him two hard kisses!

— And then, she lowered her long lashes, drew her fine brows together, and in a tiny, soft, faint voice, said with the air of a frail and helpless creature clutching her handkerchief: “I never knew… that there could be such a wicked and malicious person in this world…”

Gu Tingye looked on with an expression of tender pity, like a mother hen regarding a tiny, sparse-feathered chick, his eyes so gentle they seemed on the verge of melting into water, as he sighed: “Poor little thing — she’s never even watched a chicken being slaughtered, and now she’s actually witnessed someone being poisoned.”

This couple…

Everyone present was nearly ready to spit blood. Your pitiful, frail, timid little wife was just moments ago, face set hard with fury, arguing her case and demanding Kang Wang Shi’s life, demanding she lose her hands and feet!