The very next day, before dawn had even broken, the entire Gu household was already bustling with activity. Minglan, in an unprecedented turn of events, rose earlier than Gu Tingye. Before getting up, she planted a gentle kiss on his straight nose and said softly, “It’s a rare day of rest — you’ll still need to accompany the guests for drinks later, so sleep a little longer.”

Gu Tingye, however, was having none of it. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist, rolled over and pressed down on her, one hand wandering shamelessly beneath her clothes with practiced familiarity. These past few days, considerate of how hard Minglan had been working to prepare, he had restrained himself at night — yet after all the nuzzling, grazing, and nibbling, they had come perilously close to crossing the line more than once. In the end, he had resorted to “guiding her by hand” to find another way around the impasse.

What he hadn’t expected was that Minglan would prove an extraordinarily quick learner — and having turned the tables on him, she left him thoroughly undone with longing.

Pinned beneath the man’s large frame and gasping for breath, Minglan gave him a sharp pinch at the waist without ceremony — only for him to bite her earlobe in retaliation. He pressed against her, radiating heat, and they wrestled and tangled for quite some time before she finally managed, hand pressed to her ear, to break free and climb out of bed, calling for the maids to help her dress and groom.

She had never been fond of heavy formal attire. Thinking ahead to the day’s workload, she kept her outfit as light and practical as possible: a crisp new pale-purple long jacket, its collar and lapel edged with two-finger-wide bands of deep purple satin and embroidered with interlocking jade magnolia blossoms — a silhouette both fitted and graceful. Below, she wore a skirt of crimson-violet moonlight pleating. Her hair was dressed in a gently slanting disheveled chignon, adorned with a pair of pure gold filigree phoenix hairpins, each set with an emerald the size of a thumb — catching the morning light, they gleamed brilliantly.

For a newly built home moving in, one would normally have to observe the midnight offering to the gods and the dawn ridge-raising ceremony and the like. However, since Cheng Garden was a renovation and refurbishment of an older estate rather than a new build, it was unnecessary to perform all these rituals in full. Only an auspicious hour was selected — once the morning light had fully brightened — at which point all sixteen vermilion-lacquered doors of the Zhaohui Hall were thrown open wide. Upon a red-lacquered ceremonial tray were arranged a whole pig, a whole fish, a whole chicken, and a whole duck, alongside twelve platters of fresh and dried produce from the north and south, and twenty-four named dishes of meat and vegetables.

By the time all of this had been seen to, Gu Tingye finally sauntered out at his own unhurried pace, dressed in a robe of indigo-cut silk with a subtle gold pine-grain pattern — the deep colour serving only to make him look all the more dashingly handsome. He had the broad shoulders and narrow waist of a gibbon, tall and lean, and as he walked with unhurried ease, he carried about him an air of effortless elegance and noble distinction.

In the main hall, red candles burned brightly. Gu Tingye led the incense-burning and offerings, with only his wife kneeling at his side — no other family members in attendance, only servants standing on either side. Minglan had once suggested that Rong Jie’er be moved over ahead of time, so the ceremony would feel less solitary; Gu Tingye had shaken his head in silence. Seeing the quiet, melancholy composure on his face, Minglan said nothing more.

Yet after a moment, he was suddenly seized by an expansive mood. Standing in the vast, lofty Zhaohai Hall, he laughed aloud: “In ten or twenty years’ time, this hall will be filled with my — Gu Tingye’s — children and grandchildren!”

He then turned to fix Minglan with a gaze brimming with encouragement and ardent expectation. Minglan gave a start; she nearly opened her mouth to say something along the lines of “I will not fail the expectations our leadership has placed in me,” and so on. She then looked around the Zhaohai Hall, which was roughly the size of half a basketball court, and felt acutely aware that she bore a weighty responsibility still — and urgently needed to apply for collaborative assistance.

Once the ceremony was complete, Gu Tingye led his people toward the outer courtyard. Minglan, meanwhile, found herself surrounded by a cluster of manservants’ wives all clamoring to report and request instructions: the tea tables and chairs had all been arranged in a full circle, the musicians were standing by at the ready, and the servants for welcoming guests were lined up at the gate… At that moment, a burst of crackling firecrackers sounded at the front gate, and shortly thereafter, Wang Gui’s wife from the second gate came to report: “The Fourth Master and Fifth Master from the Marquis’s household have arrived, along with several young masters — they’re already talking in the front hall.”

As the head family, it was naturally right and proper for the Ningyuan Marquis’s household to arrive first. In this regard, they were reasonably reliable, and so Minglan made a greater effort when receiving the ladies of the Marquis’s household.

She led the whole party into the side parlor, where tea, pastries, and various seasonal delicacies were served. Everyone began to chat. Minglan, while directing the maids to attend to the guests, quietly made a mental count of those present. She saw that all the young mistresses of each branch were virtually all in attendance, with the exception of Madam Shao of the elder branch. For a time, the room glittered with jade and pearls, filled with the sound of laughter and conversation.

In truth, Minglan had met these sisters- and cousins-in-law by marriage very few times, and beyond “please eat and drink well,” she had no idea what else to say. So she fell back on her tried-and-true thousandth-and-one strategy: playing dumb.

When the Fourth Branch praised her “grand estate and elegant scenery,” Minglan doubled the compliment and redirected it back toward the Ningyuan Marquis’s household. When Zhu Shi admired her “harmonious household management and strict household discipline,” Minglan launched into modest disclaimers and credited the good example set by her elders, taking the opportunity to flatter the older lady’s household management skills. When Di Er of the Fifth Branch teased her about newlywed life and said the young couple seemed sweet as honey, Minglan lowered her head and blushed as though bashful.

“The Second Brother Ye has really made something of himself now — the Emperor himself granted servants and silver to help set up this residence! What a magnificent imperial favor!” Bing Er of the Fourth Branch laughed loudly, her voice ringing out like a brass bell — not a silver one — loud enough to make Minglan’s eardrums ache. She hooked her arm through Minglan’s, her thin willow-leaf eyebrows dancing ceaselessly. “You’ll have to put in a good word for your brothers-in-law in the future, so we can all bask in a little of that glory too.”

This sentiment spoke for quite a few of the ladies present. Everyone turned to look at Minglan, only to see her bow her head gracefully and say in a gentle, unhurried voice: “Second Sister-in-law is quite right.”

And that was it? The assembled ladies were left speechless.

Bing Er was not about to let it go. She tugged at Minglan’s arm and laughed outright: “I’m taking you at your word! When I come knocking, don’t you dare turn me away!” Though Gu Tingbing was a concubine’s daughter, she was more doted upon by the Fourth Master than his eldest legitimate son Gu Tingxuan, and her birth mother was still living — a certain elderly Yiniang surnamed Liu who was quite favored by the Fourth Master. Between them, they had two sons and two daughters, though half had died in infancy.

Minglan felt a mild displeasure stir in her heart. She gave only a soft “mm,” then raised her eyes and swept a glance around the assembled ladies, her expression conveying a wordless mixture of embarrassment and appeal for help. Bing Er was unsatisfied with Minglan’s response and was about to press further, when the Fourth Mistress gave a light cough and said with displeasure: “Did you come today to drink wine, or to collect a debt? Are you never going to stop?”

Bing Er’s face reddened briefly, and she shut her mouth with ill grace. She cast a contemptuous sidelong glance at the Fourth Mistress but sat back down nonetheless. Gu Tingyan looked over, then pulled a group of cousins-in-law and sisters-in-law behind one of the display cabinets to chat and laugh among themselves.

Minglan’s gaze passed over the crowd and offered the Fourth Mistress a smile of thanks. The Fourth Mistress gave a slow, dignified nod. Minglan had long since understood that the Ningyuan Marquis’s household was never a monolithic bloc. Now that Gu Tingye held power, naturally there would be those who would draw closer to him. It only remained to be seen which of them was clever enough to step forward at the moment Minglan needed them most.

The Fourth Mistress was one such person. So was her eldest daughter-in-law. From the very first time they had met, Xuan Da had made her goodwill toward Minglan clear, and even now, in the midst of conversation, she had already stood forward to deflect many jibes — whether reasonable or unreasonable — on Minglan’s behalf.

“My, my! The real sisters-in-law haven’t even said a word yet, and you’ve already taken up her cause — Xuan Da Sister-in-law certainly knows how to conduct herself!” Di Er covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes deliberately sweeping toward Zhu Shi and Gu Tingcan.

Xuan Da put one hand on her hip and laughed back with mock severity: “You shameless little monkey! Have you forgotten what you were like when you first married in? Wasn’t it I who went out of my way to shield you? When the Gong cousins and the others came to bother you on your wedding night, who was it who stopped them at all costs? And now you have the nerve to be difficult!”

The room erupted in laughter, and everyone began to tease and jest.

Minglan’s large, clear eyes, black and white as a shallow stream, turned toward Xuan Da with a smile full of warm gratitude. Xuan Da understood, beaming back and taking Minglan’s hand in hers.

The old Mistress had been smiling pleasantly all the while, watching everyone carry on. She drew Minglan close to her side: “Your elder brother has been feeling under the weather these past few days — your First Sister-in-law won’t be coming. Don’t take it amiss.”

Minglan’s expression turned to one of concern. “How could I take it amiss? I’ve been so busy I haven’t even gone to visit Elder Brother. That is truly remiss of me.”

The old Mistress let out a long sigh. “Ah, he manages well enough in ordinary times. It’s just that your Elder Brother is prone to brooding — he’s always worrying about this family. He’s worn himself down with all this anxiety and effort.”

Minglan was immediately on guard. Gu Tingyu’s health had been poor for years — it was a condition he’d been born with, and practically half of the capital knew he was counting his days. Two years ago, Zhang Jingsong, the chief imperial physician of the Imperial Medical Bureau, had already quietly hinted to the Gu family that they should prepare themselves.

She smiled along with the old Mistress on the outside, but inwardly she laughed coldly: When Gu Tingye was down on his luck wandering the jianghu, you couldn’t wait to weep to all the world that Gu Tingyu had “reached the last stage of his illness.” Now that Gu Tingye has risen, you say Gu Tingyu is merely “prone to brooding — he manages well enough,” and that his condition is the result of “worry and exertion” for the family’s sake. Hmph — what exactly is that supposed to mean?!

Minglan glanced at Zhu Shi, who sat quietly to one side, and after a moment’s thought said, “I’d like to ask my sister-in-law a favor.” In truth, Zhu Shi was considerably older than herself, but Minglan still had to address her as “sister-in-law.” Zhu Shi heard her and rose to her feet: “Please say, Second Sister-in-law.”

“Once all of this has passed, I’ll go and bring Rong Jie’er and the others over. First Sister-in-law will be occupied caring for Elder Brother — I’m sorry to trouble you to help see to the preparations in the meantime.” Minglan spoke politely.

Zhu Shi’s face broke into a bloom of a smile. She pressed her lips together: “What a thing to make sound important — it’s no trouble at all. Just say the word and I’ll see to it. I’ve already told Rong Jie’er — a new home needs to be properly arranged before one moves in. When she comes, she’ll have her very own neat and lovely courtyard. She’s been looking forward to it for a long time.”

Minglan smiled warmly: “Then I thank you in advance, Sister-in-law.” This one was no pushover either.

Before much longer, the womenfolk from Minglan’s own family arrived. Since the Old Mistress detested noise and commotion, she had said from the start she would not be coming. Hualan had not yet finished her first month of confinement after giving birth, so she could not be out and about either. As a result, only Wang Shi, Rulan, and Molan had come — three of them in all. Minglan hurried out to greet them personally, walking inside while smiling and asking after them.

The moment Wang Shi stepped inside and saw the small bridges over flowing water, the pavilions and towers, the spacious and magnificent layout, the elegant and splendid furnishings, a shadow passed over her heart. She looked over at Rulan, who was laughing merrily with Minglan, and silently sighed. Molan affected an air of indifference, but her eyes were clouded as they swept across the scene before her. She thought of the small patch of courtyard that was her own in the Yongchang Marquis’s household, and felt only bitterness and a vague, gnawing ache.

“Such a pity…” Wang Shi murmured. “Hualan has been thinking of you constantly — and now she can’t be here on your big day.”

Minglan laughed lightly in reassurance: “I already told Elder Sister — today is just an occasion to put a name to things and set out a few tables of wine. Truth be told, most of the trees and flowers in the garden are still bare — there’s nothing much to look at. Once Elder Sister and First Sister-in-law are both well, the flowers will have bloomed, and we can gather all together — bring Grandmother and the nieces and nephews too — and enjoy the garden just among ourselves. Wouldn’t that be far better?”

Wang Shi’s heart lightened: “That makes it all worthwhile for your Elder Sister to have doted on you all these years.”

Rulan pouted at this: “Elder Sister dotes on Sixth Sister far more than she ever doted on me!” Minglan was not the least bit embarrassed — in fact, she puffed up with pride and bragged: “Can’t be helped — your little sister here is simply someone people can’t help adoring.” Rulan’s eyes flew open, and she immediately moved to pinch her.

Wang Shi couldn’t help but laugh, scolding them fondly: “How old are you both, and still carrying on like this!”

Once they were inside the main hall, Minglan seated Wang Shi at the head — side by side with the old Mistress. The two mothers by marriage exchanged greetings, and the women of the Gu and Sheng families began to talk among themselves. From about the fourth quarter of the si hour onward, guests began to arrive in succession.

Male guests went directly to the outer courtyard to join Gu Tingye, while the ladies came through to the inner courtyard. Minglan excused herself from her relatives and asked Xuan Da and Zhu Shi to help with hosting, while she went to the front to receive the arriving guests.

The spacious, unpartitioned flower hall soon filled with laughter and chatter, a dazzling swirl of silk and jewels and faces, thronging with guests. Ladies of noble households had a natural gift for socializing — those who knew each other and those who didn’t all found something to talk about.

One of the central highlights of ladies’ socializing was, of course, the older women sizing up the young girls. As one sage had once observed, women have two innate instincts: being a mother and being a matchmaker. When these two roles converge, the results are formidable. The quiet and gracious mistresses — the Fourth Mistress, the Fifth Mistress — were now flushed with animation and bright-eyed with energy, leading Tingyan, Tingying, and Tingling from one cluster of distinguished ladies to the next in conversation. Bing Er had dragged her young sister-in-law Tingwen and joined the mix as well.

Minglan didn’t recognize most of the female guests, but fortunately, Gu Tingye had thought ahead and asked Lord Zheng Xiao for his assistance — so the younger Madam Shen stood diligently at Minglan’s side, making careful introductions. In short order, Minglan had been introduced to two duchesses, two marchionesses, four countesses, one general’s wife, five division commanders’ wives, two cabinet ministers’ wives, and one Hanlin academician’s wife — to say nothing of the entourages of family members these ladies had brought along with them.

Minglan smiled until her cheeks ached. Madam Shen rattled off her introductions with the smooth ease of flowing water, and every so often leaned in to whisper a tidbit of gossip — for example, “This Madam Geng once grabbed two cleavers and stormed into Red Lantern Alley, beating Master Geng until he was howling for his mother on the ground”; “These two are the wives of the Duan brothers — and the sisters-in-law happen to be first cousins”; and even “How does she have the nerve to show up? Every year the Zhengnan Marquis’s household has to carry out several corpses of women in the family way…” As for Madam Shen — she hadn’t been in the capital very long, yet had already achieved this level of professional expertise in such a short time. Minglan felt a deep, sincere pity on her behalf: what a waste that she hadn’t applied to be a personal assistant to the Devil Wears Prada.