Madam Qin stepped forward and took Qian Lan’s hand, smiling. “No wonder the Commander has been unable to forget Miss Qian. A beauty as talented and accomplished as Miss Qian would captivate even me.”

Qian Lan flushed. “Madam Qin flatters me.”

Madam Qin drew Qian Lan aside and sat down with her. “Miss Qian, I imagine your mother has already spoken to you about this match. She said she would defer entirely to your wishes.”

Qian Lan lowered her head, a rosy blush blooming on her cheeks. “I defer entirely to Mother’s judgment.”

“Marriage is not something to be forced. If you have no feelings for the Commander, no one will press you.” Madam Qin watched her face and said with a smile.

“The Commander is a distinguished man of vision and wit. Though I only met him once that day, I took quite a liking to him.” Qian Lan said shyly. “Although the Commander is considerably older than I am, he is mature and steady, and we have much to talk about.”

Madam Qian smiled from the side. “Age is no obstacle, as long as you have feelings for the Commander.”

Qian Lan lowered her head again, her face growing even redder.

Seeing the attitude of mother and daughter, Madam Qin understood completely — the Qian family gave their wholehearted approval to this match.

“In that case, I will go back and report to the Shi family.” Madam Qin said. “The Commander specifically instructed that in welcoming Miss Qian, all six traditional wedding rites must be observed without exception, and the wedding ceremony is to be held in the grandest fashion possible. He will absolutely not allow Miss Qian to suffer any slight.”

Qian Lan was deeply moved to hear this. “The Commander is most thoughtful.”

“Miss Qian, please stay home and await your wedding in peace. The Shi family will send someone to formally propose once an auspicious date has been selected.”

Madam Qian said, “Many thanks to Madam Qin.”

As she spoke, she had a maid bring forward an exquisite wooden box. When opened, it revealed a set of dazzling jewelry that was clearly of considerable value.

“I have heard that Madam Qin’s daughter is soon to be married. These are a wedding gift for your daughter from me.”

Madam Qin quickly tried to decline. “This is far too precious, truly, I cannot accept this.”

“Please do not decline, Madam. You have made two trips on our behalf and put in a great deal of effort. I already feel this gift is too little.” Madam Qian had a maid seal the box and hand it directly to Madam Qin’s maid. “If you refuse it, then you are saying it is not enough.”

Madam Qin laughed. “Then I shall accept with gratitude.”

“Please do not stand on ceremony with me.”

Madam Qin rose to take her leave, and her gaze swept across the courtyard, where she noticed many beautiful sachets hanging all around.

“Did Miss Qian make all these sachets herself?” Madam Qin was quite curious.

Qian Lan said, “These are sachets I made in my leisure time. Each one has a different function.”

She took down a red embroidered sachet. “This one calms and restores the spirit. If Madam Qin does not mind, I would like to give it to you. Wear it regularly, and it will settle the mind and promote restful sleep.”

Madam Qin took it and held it to her nose. The fragrance from the sachet was very faint, yet it lifted the spirit and brought a feeling of ease. “As it happens, I have been sleeping poorly lately. Thank you very much, Miss Qian.”

“Please think nothing of it, Madam. If you find it useful, I have a few more here that sharpen the mind and refresh the spirit. Madam Qin is welcome to send someone to collect them at any time.”

Madam Qin thanked Qian Lan and left in high spirits with the Qian family’s gift.

With the Qian family’s consent, the Commander urged Luo Huaimeng to hurry with the formal proposal. Luo Huaimeng and Yan Qing deliberated from morning to night each day, attending to every detail with the utmost precision.

Luo Huaimeng had not paid much mind to Qian Lan’s arrival, but as the betrothal proceedings advanced, there is truly no wall without a crack. San Yitai Du Linghua soon learned of the news that the Commander was to wed the Qian family’s daughter.

Shi Yutong had heard it by chance from a classmate, and at the time she had not believed it. Qian Lan was only a few years older than herself — how could the Commander possibly take a woman of nearly the same age as a wife? Once she entered the household, would she not have to address her as Madam?

Shi Yutong immediately had people make inquiries everywhere, and only then confirmed the news was true. The Shi family had already completed the betrothal gifts with the Qian family and was simply awaiting an auspicious day to welcome the new bride.

“Is this really true?” Du Linghua’s belly was already high and rounded. The late pregnancy had been exhausting for her, and she had difficulty sleeping almost every night. Upon hearing the news, her reaction was the same as Shi Yutong’s — complete disbelief.

“Mother, why would I deceive you? Everyone knows now. You are the only one still in the dark.” Shi Yutong ignored the warning looks Cai Yue was sending her.

Du Linghua was nearing her time and was at the most critical stage. Any significant emotional disturbance now could very well affect the child in her womb.

But Shi Yutong did not care about any of that. In her eyes, the child in Du Linghua’s belly had no right to exist in this world, and its arrival was surely meant to compete with her for favor.

“How can this be?” Du Linghua braced herself against the bedside and made to stand up. Cai Yue quickly stepped in to support her.

“San Yitai, please do not agitate yourself. The child in your womb must come first.”

Du Linghua’s mind was in complete turmoil — she had no capacity for such caution.

No wonder the Commander had barely come to her Xuehua Courtyard recently, and even when he did, he only stayed a moment before leaving. The gaze he turned on her was always distant and distracted, as though something weighed heavily on his mind.

Du Linghua had imagined more than once that one day she might lose his favor, but when that day arrived so suddenly, she simply could not accept it.

For a woman who had been cherished for nearly twenty years, no blow could compare to the Commander’s sudden indifference.

Her effortless command of this household rested entirely on the Commander’s favor. The respect others showed her was for his sake.

Now that the Commander was suddenly bringing home a new wife, he would naturally direct the greater part of his affection elsewhere. If this new wife were also a ravishing beauty of extraordinary talent, the Commander would likely never spare her another glance.

“Mother, I have heard that this Miss Qian of the Qian family is not only beautiful, but plays the piano with extraordinary skill. She performed a few pieces at the Qian family’s birthday banquet, and the great families of Shun Cheng are still talking about it to this day.”

Upon hearing this, Du Linghua steadied herself with Cai Yue’s hand and rose to her feet. “Take me to the Commander.”

“San Yitai.” Cai Yue urged quickly. “The marriage is already decided. Even if you go to the Commander, it will accomplish nothing.”

“What do you know?” Shi Yutong glared at her. “The Commander loves Mother most of all. As long as Mother goes to beg him, he will surely relent. And what is that Qian Lan’s age? How can she possibly enter as the principal wife? Would Mother have to bow to her and call her Madam?”

Cai Yue did not know what to say, and yet she dared not talk back to Shi Yutong, so she could only cast an anxious look toward San Yitai.

San Yitai should not be provoking herself to anger now, nor should she be walking about. If she rushed off to find the Commander and he received her poorly, she was liable to suffer lasting distress of the heart, which would affect the child.

Du Linghua said nothing. Leaning on Cai Yue’s arm, she rose and made her way outside, her swollen belly preceding her.

With no other recourse, Cai Yue called Cai Xia over as well, and the two of them supported San Yitai on either side as they walked toward the Commander’s study.

Shi Yutong followed behind Du Linghua, her mind working through calculations of her own.

She naturally had no wish to see the Commander bring a young beauty into the household — that would do her no good whatsoever.

If this woman were to steal San Yitai’s favor as well, what room would there be left for the two of them? She would likely have to defer to the new wife in everything.

Shi Yutong, accustomed as she was to doing as she pleased without constraint, would not allow such a thing to happen. As for whether Du Linghua might fall ill or whether the child might suffer, she did not care in the slightest.

Du Linghua had barely stepped out before she came upon Luo Huaimeng and Yan Qing, who were out for a walk.

Both women were momentarily taken aback at the sight of her.

Du Linghua was awaiting delivery, and the midwives summoned by the household were already on round-the-clock standby. By all reason, she ought not to have been out here at this hour.

Yan Qing glanced at Shi Yutong trailing behind, and already surmised what had come to pass. It could only have been this Eighth Miss who told Du Linghua of the Commander’s impending marriage.

Shi Yutong was spoiled and willful, habitually self-centered. Anyone who might diminish her standing, she would find a way to be rid of.

It seemed she was none too pleased about this new Madam, who was barely older than herself, and had stirred Du Linghua up to confront the Commander.

Du Linghua, too, was pitiable. She had doted on her daughter as though she were a treasure, and yet that daughter gave her not a moment’s consideration — not a single thought spared for her wellbeing.

“San Yitai, where are you off to?” Luo Huaimeng stepped forward to ask.

Du Linghua’s complexion was pale. The short walk had already left her breathless and winded.

“Er Yitai, did you know about this all along?”

Luo Huaimeng had promised the Commander she would keep this from Du Linghua, but the news had already spread throughout the city. It was only a matter of time before Du Linghua found out.

“San Yitai, it has come to this. Do you truly still mean to go to the Commander? The betrothal gifts have been exchanged and the auspicious date is set. There is no possibility of reversal now.”

“I don’t believe it. I refuse to believe the Commander would marry a woman young enough to be his daughter.” Du Linghua suddenly grew agitated. “Would this not make him a laughingstock?”

“You are overthinking it.” Luo Huaimeng shook her head. “Word outside is that the Commander and Miss Qian fell in love at first sight — that it is a touching romance that transcends the years. No one is laughing.”

“How can that be?” Du Linghua could barely believe her ears. “That Miss Qian obviously came for the title of the Commander’s principal wife. How could she possibly have any genuine love for him?”

Luo Huaimeng sighed. “Whatever her feelings for the Commander may be, the Commander’s heart is entirely set on her. You and I are both concubines in this household, and I feel it necessary to say this plainly — going to the Commander at this moment will only be to your detriment. He will not hear a single word you say. On the contrary, you will have lost him entirely. The late Madam had barely met her end when he could have elevated you to her position — yet he did not. Have you still not understood why?”

Luo Huaimeng’s words left Du Linghua ashen-faced and utterly without reply.

Luo Huaimeng paid no further attention to Du Linghua’s reaction and walked back toward her own courtyard with Yan Qing.

“Mother.” Shi Yutong tugged at Du Linghua’s arm. “Let us hurry. The Commander will be going to sleep soon.”

“I am not going.” Du Linghua had changed her mind. She felt Luo Huaimeng’s words made a great deal of sense. Even if she went to the Commander now and made a scene, would he give up Qian Lan for her sake?

The answer was certain. She had simply let her blood run hot a moment ago and had not thought it through.

“Mother, are you really not even going to try? Perhaps it would work?” Shi Yutong refused to let it go.

Du Linghua shook her head. “From beginning to end, the Commander never once asked my opinion in this matter. Clearly my views are of no importance to him. Things have already come to this pass. Going now would only be beating an egg against a rock — there is nothing to be gained.”

“So we are just going to let that Qian Lan enter the household and lord it over everyone? Mother, even when the late Madam was alive, you managed most affairs of the inner courtyard — who was there that did not bow their head to you? If you really let this Qian Lan come in, a scheming enchantress like her will bewitch the Commander entirely, and where will there be any place for the two of us then?” Shi Yutong fixed her gaze on Du Linghua’s stomach. “Mother, if you will not think for yourself, at least think for your unborn brother.”

Du Linghua instinctively laid her hand over her belly. “There is nothing we can do to stop Qian Lan from entering this household. Even if she is peerless in beauty and brilliance, what of it? When all is said and done, she is but a young girl barely past twenty. There will be plenty of opportunity to bring her to heel in this courtyard later.”

Seeing that she could not move Du Linghua, Shi Yutong reluctantly let the matter drop, for Du Linghua did have a point. Qian Lan might be the principal wife, but compared to Du Linghua, who had struggled and maneuvered in this inner courtyard for so many years, she was still inexperienced.

The days passed in restless anxiety, until one propitious morning, the long-awaited day of the Commander’s wedding arrived.

Early that morning, the entire Shi household was festooned with lanterns and decorations, and a joyful mood filled every corner.

For the Commander’s wedding, nearly every person of standing in Shun Cheng had come.

Luo Huaimeng and Yan Qing were occupied receiving guests while keeping watch over the banquet, barely a moment to catch their breath.

The bride was escorted into the house with great ceremony, and the wedding rites were performed. Throughout it all, the Commander wore a broad smile, his face so radiant he seemed to have shed ten years.

After the bride was escorted to the bridal chamber, the Commander came out to host his guests, with Shi Ting and Shi Guang flanking him on either side.

The Commander was in exceedingly good spirits, greeting everyone with a smile. The assembled guests were sharp enough to see that he was thoroughly pleased with this match, which only deepened their curiosity about the new Madam.

Yan Qing made her way into the bridal chamber to find it already full of people — some from the bride’s family, some from the Shi household.

The moment she entered, she sensed something odd in the atmosphere, and when she spotted Shi Yutong there as well, she understood at once.

It seemed Shi Yutong could not wait to give the new wife a taste of things.

“I have heard the Qian family is enormously wealthy. How is it then that your wedding dress is not even as fine as my Seventh Sister-in-law’s?” Shi Yutong’s sharp, cutting voice rang out, and the expressions of those in the room shifted in various ways.

The Shi household members knew her temperament and thought little of it, but the Qian family members changed color at the remark.

Yan Qing had barely stepped inside when she heard herself mentioned, and could not help a quiet smile. It was only in moments like these that Shi Yutong would deign to call her Seventh Sister-in-law.

“Eighth Sister’s words are quite mistaken. I have heard that the Madam’s wedding dress was sewn by her own hand, stitch by stitch.” Yan Qing’s clear, gentle voice carried across the room, and everyone turned toward it.

Yan Qing was busy today, yet even so, she entered with her usual composed elegance, without the slightest trace of haste. The moment she appeared, the richly adorned bridal chamber seemed somehow to pale beside her.

“That’s right — this dress was made by my eldest sister herself. She pricked her fingers with the needle countless times making it, and they are still sore to the touch.” The third Qian daughter, Qian Ling, quickly followed Yan Qing’s lead and smoothed things over.

“A wedding dress need not be costly; what matters is the sentiment it carries. May my eldest sister and the Commander be blissfully happy together.” The second Qian daughter also stepped forward quickly.

Shi Yutong’s teeth were set on edge with irritation, and she shot a fierce glare at Yan Qing. Yan Qing appeared not to notice, walking directly toward Qian Lan. She had no desire to be dragged into Shi Yutong’s scenes.

Qian Lan sat upright on the bridal bed, watching her with a warm smile.

This was Yan Qing’s first opportunity to take in the true presence of the Shi family’s new Madam. She wore a brilliant red wedding gown embroidered with gold. Her skin was white as snow, her features as delicate as a painting, and her bearing was otherworldly and pure. Each expression, each slight movement carried an inexhaustible charm.

A beauty such as this — small wonder the Commander was captivated. Even as a woman, one could not help but feel envy.

Yan Qing stepped forward and offered a curtsy. “Madam.”

Qian Lan quickly rose and steadied her. “Please do not stand on ceremony, Seventh Young Madam.”

“I cannot accept being called Seventh Young Madam.” Yan Qing smiled. “Please, just call me Yan Qing.”

“I have long heard that the Shi family has a Seventh Young Madam of rare beauty and talent. Seeing you today, the reputation falls short.” Qian Lan’s voice was gentle as flowing water. Though the words were a compliment, they carried no trace of flattery — they sounded entirely sincere.

Yan Qing gave a slight smile. “I would not dare claim such a thing in your presence, Madam.”

The two exchanged modest pleasantries before Yan Qing asked, “Is there anything you require, Madam?”

“Er Yitai and Yan Qing have arranged everything so thoughtfully — what could possibly be lacking? I should be the one thanking you.”

Shi Yutong cut in from the side. “Oh, already rushing to flatter and fawn? What an adaptable little weathervane.”

Qian Lan’s brow furrowed lightly at these words, but she did not react.

Yan Qing had no wish to engage with Shi Yutong on such an occasion, so she acted as though she had not heard. “If you need anything, please send a maid to find me.”

“You have gone to such trouble.” Qian Lan took Yan Qing’s hand, her manner entirely warm.

“I must go attend to things.” Yan Qing smiled and unobtrusively withdrew her hand, offered a light bow to those in the room, and quietly withdrew.

The courtyard where Qian Lan now resided was Zhuo Xin Courtyard, where the late Madam had once lived. When the late Madam was alive, the Commander had rarely rested there — his daily comings and goings were centered in his own study.

As Yan Qing stepped out of Zhuo Xin Courtyard, Jing Zhi beside her could not help saying, “Miss, somehow I get the feeling this new Madam is very warm and easy to get along with — and she is quite lovely as well.”

“That is how it appears on the surface.” Yan Qing smiled faintly.

Jing Zhi asked in surprise, “Is it not so?”

“This was my first dealing with her. On the surface, she is indeed gracious and poised in a way that makes her easy to like. But when she took my hand just now, she grasped my wrist.”

“Does that signify something?”

“Someone who truly wishes to be close to you will take your hand warmly. Grasping the wrist is a gesture that signals a desire to maintain a certain distance — she was not willing to make full contact.”

“I see.”

“When the Qian family engineered an encounter between Qian Lan and the Commander,” Yan Qing said, “Qian Lan must have been part of that arrangement. I do not believe she is simple or guileless. Whatever Qian Lan has truly come to the Shi household to accomplish, we need only watch and wait.”

Yan Qing and Jing Zhi had not gone far before someone came toward them along the path. It was the only road, and there was no time to avoid a meeting — not that Yan Qing had any intention of doing so. She said quite openly, “Second Elder Brother, what brings you here?”

Shi Guang had not expected to run into Yan Qing. Several days had passed since he had last seen her, and she seemed somehow even more refined than before. Even with her face entirely expressionless, he found himself unable to look away.

“I was just walking about. It is too noisy up ahead.”

Yan Qing curved her lips slightly. “This path leads to Zhuo Xin Courtyard. Second Elder Brother had best not wander in there carelessly.”

Shi Guang seemed not to catch the edge of irony in her words. In truth, from the day he first met Yan Qing, she had never given him a pleasant look.

To this day he had no idea what he had done to offend her.

“Please go on ahead, Second Elder Brother.” With that, Yan Qing stepped around him and walked away without a backward glance.

Shi Guang watched her retreating figure, his gaze gradually deepening.

—