As for the forced separation of residences, Fifth Master felt nothing but a chest full of humiliation, as though his dignity had been utterly destroyed. He shut himself in his study for the duration, refusing to lay eyes on “that unfilial nephew’s” insufferably smug and triumphant face, and resolved to emerge only on the day the packing was done and it was time to move. Yet amid his boundless indignation, his artistic achievements soared to new heights: the large calligraphy he dashed off with his brush was vigorous and unrestrained, with an air of pent-up fury that nearly leapt off the paper; the poems he composed impromptu were stirring and impassioned, naturally balanced in rhythm. This time, without any sycophantic hangers-on to flatter him, he could see the improvement himself.

“…Bai had half a lifetime of frustrated ambitions, wandering the wild rivers and mountains; the monk Huaisu lived a life of poverty and austerity, turning from the mundane world to the fields and marshes; since ancient times, all sages and worthies have been thus — could it be that one truly must harden one’s resolve, be made to hunger, before one can achieve great things…?”

He muttered to himself, wondering if the reason he had never managed to succeed at either scholarship or officialdom was that he had lived too comfortably. Perhaps he, too, needed to suffer some hardships before he could accomplish anything. (He had finally arrived at the truth.)

While Fifth Master could still channel his fury into art, Fourth Master was nowhere near as philosophical — he spent every day muttering and cursing, picking quarrels with anyone in reach, erupting into rages at the slightest provocation. The entire Fourth House was as though smothered under a dark cloud. Then one day, prompted by a timely suggestion from Liu Yiniang, Fourth Master’s mind finally cleared, and he hit upon the idea that since he had to leave regardless, he might as well squeeze out as many advantages as possible before going.

“Fifth… ” Fourth Master hesitated. “He may not be willing to go fight over a bit of silver with me.”

Liu Yiniang was well-preserved, looking no more than thirty-some years old despite being nearly fifty, graceful and composed. She leaned close and said: “Is Fifth Mistress not still there? You know Fifth Master’s temperament well — as long as the fire is kindled in the right place, he’ll charge in regardless of cause.”

Liu Yiniang had not risen to the top of the inner compound’s fierce competition by nothing, and as expected, her prediction proved accurate. Fifth Master initially refused to go, but could not withstand Fifth Mistress’s endless litany of complaints about how difficult it was to manage the household finances, her nagging about the difficulties of maintaining a respectable household. He was left with no choice but to agree.

On that day, Minglan personally escorted Xian Jie’er home. Shao Shi saw her daughter return with a bright smile on her face, Rong Jie’er trailing reluctantly behind. The girl’s complexion was rosy, she had grown a little taller, and she clung to her mother’s sleeve chattering away like a cheerful little oriole, her eyes full of bright and wholesome joy. Shao Shi had already heard from the accompanying nurse that her daughter had spent a truly wonderful time at Chengyuan, and her heart was full of warm gratitude toward Minglan. The two sisters-in-law clasped hands and spoke at length before rising.

Minglan left the two young girls to share a few more intimate words, and then accompanied Shao Shi to call on the Lady together. There they offered concerned inquiries after the visibly expectant Zhu Shi’s health, with the Lady reclining against her cushions and adding a few pleasant remarks. The room was filled with a harmonious atmosphere.

“…Your eldest sister-in-law’s health has gradually improved, and now I am free of all worries except one — your little sister’s marriage.” The Lady sighed with a furrowed brow. “Her age is not small now, yet there is still no settled arrangement.”

Shao Shi, newly recovered from her grave illness, said softly: “Mother, please don’t be anxious. With a character and appearance like our little sister’s — and all she is — she is counted among the finest of the entire capital. It is merely that Heaven has not been kind; one thing after another has kept coming up, and that is what has caused the delay.”

These words pleased the Lady greatly, and her expression softened considerably.

“Eldest Sister-in-law is right,” Zhu Shi said, turning to add warmly, “Mother, please set your mind at ease. The eldest young lady of the Zhongshan Marquis household is nearly eighteen, and there are also several young ladies of the Han Duke household, Elder Shangshu’s daughters… when you look carefully, there are quite a few noble young ladies in the capital who have been delayed these past two years. It is not only our little sister.” The Lady’s worry eased, and she gave a small smile: “The lot of you just know how to comfort me. It would be well if things were truly as you say. Ah… Minglan, what do you think?” And she turned her eyes to look at Minglan.

These past two years had been turbulent — one bout of national mourning followed by military conflict — and the marriages of quite a few noble young ladies in the capital had been delayed. So a young woman of Gu Tingcan’s age who had not yet wed was not particularly conspicuous.

Minglan appeared slightly embarrassed, flushing with a modest smile: “I, I don’t really know. With a beauty like our little sister’s, she is sure to find a wonderful match. Whatever happens… I look forward to presenting her with a betrothal gift.”

Looking at her flustered appearance, Shao Shi couldn’t hold back a reproachful laugh: “You, child — when we are discussing our little sister’s marriage, why are you blushing?! What a new bride you still are — so thin-skinned.” Minglan had aimed for precisely this effect, and lowered her head further, her long lashes fluttering.

A flicker passed through the Lady’s eyes. She smiled without betraying any reaction. Sisters-in-law presenting a betrothal gift to a soon-to-be-wed younger sister was an established custom. Minglan had said neither that she would help, nor how much she would give. Her statement had been as good as nothing.

Minglan had barely exhaled a quiet breath of relief at having gotten past that, when, before she could plan her escape, Fourth Master and Fifth Master arrived.

Fourth Master came first, Liu Yiniang solicitously supporting one arm, Fourth Mistress — looking not particularly well — attending at the other. Behind them followed Fifth Master and his wife walking with upright bearing. The Lady, the moment she saw this formation, furrowed her brow slightly and immediately composed her bearing, sitting up straight. Minglan’s heart gave a start, and together with Shao Shi and Zhu Shi, she respectfully rose to her feet.

The moment they came in and spotted Minglan, Fifth Mistress let out a heavy, deliberate cough laden with displeasure. Minglan ignored her and treated her as though something were lodged in her throat. Fourth Master, for his part, sent two venomous glares in Minglan’s direction; Minglan turned her head away, treating him as an old man whose eyelids had developed a twitch. After the customary greetings and assurances of mutual good health, Fourth Master immediately came to the point regarding financial matters.

“Another household division?” Even the Lady, who had prepared herself mentally, could not help but be struck with astonishment upon hearing this preposterous proposal. “From where does Fourth Uncle derive these words? Have not the late in-laws already carried out a division of assets?”

Fourth Master put on a convincing air of reluctance and sighed: “That is true enough, but over these decades we have all eaten and lived together, and over such a long time, the financial accounts have become hopelessly intertwined — how can one possibly sort through them cleanly? To insist on drawing everything into absolute clarity would injure the feeling between us. Better to just carry out another division. I wouldn’t have brought this up in ordinary circumstances, but now that the household finances are strained, I have no choice but to swallow my pride and speak.”

At these words, Zhu Shi — who had a sharp and clear head for household management — immediately flushed red with anger. Even the unworldly Shao Shi was quietly incensed. Following the propriety of “young daughters-in-law should not show themselves prominently,” Minglan stood with lowered head behind Shao Shi, thinking inwardly “so it has finally come” — and then composed herself, holding her breath and waiting for the great battle to erupt. She had long been curious about the Lady’s combat effectiveness when she fought at full capacity. Please don’t disappoint.

Come on, unleash everything!

The Lady’s face was expressionless. One hand rested on the low table beside the daybed; the other gripped a handkerchief with white-knuckled force. On one of her fingers, a thin silver ring set with white jade and accented with kingfisher feather inlay gleamed faintly. She thought for a moment, then turned her head with perfect composure: “Minglan, why don’t you speak to this? You are, properly speaking, the mistress of the Ning Yuan Marquis Residence.”

“I am so young — what would I know about such matters?” The audience who had been waiting to watch the drama was unexpectedly dragged onto the stage. Minglan blinked, bowed her head in modesty, then raised it gently and said with a soft sigh: “As for financial difficulties, Chengyuan has its own share of troubles. What with managing social obligations and gatherings, rents from the farms that have not yet come in, and in a few days having to spend on the construction and renovation of the estate — silver flows out like water. It is fortunate that Fifth Uncle and the Lady returned the estate originally left to the Marquis by the late Marquis, or we would have had trouble managing. Fourth Uncle, as for your situation…”

This was precisely what Fourth Master feared Minglan would bring up. At the time, he had said in front of the assembled clan members that they were merely looking after Gu Tingye’s assets on his behalf. He could hardly admit to having pocketed them, and for a moment he choked. However, his reflexes were quick, and he immediately redirected: “What is niece-in-law saying? Your husband is now the master of the Marquis Residence — did Tingyu not make clear arrangements regarding the property before he died? Surely there is no shortage of silver? I say, old sister-in-law, you keep rather tight control of the purse strings.”

The Lady gave Minglan a thoughtful glance, then said slowly: “Let us discuss that matter another time. Minglan, speak first to today’s business.”

Minglan raised an eyebrow. She had no intention of pressing the debt to the last coin — they had no shame, but she still had some. And yet she wished to preserve the permanent right to raise the debt — a useful card to play on future occasions, quite a handy thing to have.

She stepped forward slightly and stood with propriety, smiling: “I have been in the Gu household less than a year, and know nothing of old affairs. For Fourth Uncle to speak of this, there must be some basis… Could it be that the late in-laws once borrowed money from the two uncles?”

She glanced at Fourth Master, then turned her head slightly toward Shao Shi and Zhu Shi.

Fourth Master was at a loss for words and kept silent. Shao Shi said with a cold expression: “To my knowledge, there was no such borrowing.”

Zhu Shi’s temper flared, and she said outright: “Not only was there no borrowing. From what I know alone, Father gave silver to Fourth Uncle to tide him over on four separate occasions, never less than five thousand taels each time.”

Minglan drew a sharp breath, her expression and voice perfectly matching the moment — with convincing “astonishment” — and stared directly at Fourth Master, with the air of someone who could not believe what they had just heard.

Caught out directly, Fourth Master’s dignity collapsed. Stung with shame and anger, he turned on Zhu Shi and roared: “What business does an elder’s conversation have to do with you?! There are decades of old affairs in the Gu family, tangled and complex beyond reckoning! You’ve barely been in this house a few years — what do you know?!” Then he turned around: “Fifth! Do you see this! Just as I said — people go cold the moment a person’s gone. Brother has only been dead a few years, and these people no longer treat us with any respect! You said yesterday you weren’t willing to come — look now! If we don’t put our foot down, there will be no place left for us at all.”

Fifth Master set his jaw, slapped his armrest, and rebuked: “Wei’s wife, you come from a family of standing — how can you be so lacking in propriety? Have you not seen that your elder sisters-in-law have not come forward? Is this a matter where you younger generations have any standing to interject?”

Zhu Shi’s eyes reddened, and she stepped to one side, supporting her belly.

Fifth Mistress tapped her teacup lid with the tips of her pointed fingers, her tone laden with barbed insinuation: “I say, niece-in-law, do not blame your uncles for speaking without restraint. There are matters within the Gu family going back twenty years: every festival and celebration, every social reception, every marriage and funeral — all four branches kept joint accounts in and out. To say nothing of the funds that flowed between the branches at various times. You have barely been here — what do you know of any of this!”

The Lady suppressed the fury mounting in her chest, but her eyes grew ever more dark and still.

Minglan, seeing Zhu Shi’s face turn ashen, felt compassion and said: “Sister-in-law is with child and should not stand for too long — perhaps she should go back to her room and rest.” She made as though to help Zhu Shi away, hoping to extricate herself from the crossfire and find a sheltered vantage point from which to watch.

But the Lady added quietly in pursuit: “Let Suixin accompany her to sit in the back room — you two just stay and listen. Minglan, come and sit beside me. From now on, you and your husband are the true masters of this Marquis Residence. Two uncles — that is correct, is it not?”

Fourth Master let out a cold snort; Fifth Master tossed his head proudly and looked away. Minglan twisted her fingers, resigned to her fate, and shuffled over to sit on the round stool beside the Lady. Shao Shi supported Zhu Shi and went to sit behind the folding screen.

The Lady’s cool gaze turned upon Fifth Mistress: “I entered this household no later than Fifth Sister-in-law. Going by what Fifth Sister-in-law just said, does that mean I too have no right to speak?”

This was, after all, the long-established eldest sister-in-law; her accumulated authority still carried weight. Fifth Mistress forced out a smile: “…What is Elder Sister-in-law saying? If you are not permitted to speak, then who is?”

“Very well, then I will speak. Let us say everything clearly at once, to avoid these endless entanglements later.” The Lady’s words carried an unmistakable undertone. Fifth Master’s face showed a flicker of sheepishness; Fourth Master grew all the more indignant. Minglan hurried to prick up her ears.

“The Gu family, in our generation, has divided assets twice. When the first division took place, I was not yet in the household; it was Father and Mother who summoned the clan elders to assist, and all documents were properly recorded. At that time, the late Marquis was stationed at the border, so the assets allocated to the main branch remained in the hands of Father and Mother. The year Father passed, Mother was clearly also declining, but by the Emperor’s gracious benevolence, the late Marquis was recalled to the capital. After I followed him there, it was only then that the main branch personally received the estate from Mother’s hands. Up to this point, our branch’s assets remained clearly accounted for. Is there any error in what I have said?”

Fourth Master sulked in silence. Fifth Master said quietly: “Elder Sister-in-law speaks correctly.”

The Lady sat upright, her gaze grave and dignified, and continued: “Later, before Mother passed, she summoned us to her bedside and said in person: after her death, Father’s portion of the rooms was to be divided equally among the sons; while her own dowry and personal savings were to go entirely to the late Marquis. We all heard this with our own ears! Yet Fourth Uncle refused to accept it. He said nothing while Mother was alive — only after her death did he stubbornly insist that Mother had been confused and delirious, and that her words should not be taken as binding. He even summoned several of the married-out sisters to make a scene at the mourning hall! This is beyond dispute, is it not?!”

Fifth Master’s expression grew heavier with shame; he said nothing further. Fourth Master, however, stiffened his neck and retorted: “Mother was so ill she couldn’t even recognize faces — of course her words couldn’t be trusted! We are all born of the same mother — why should she show such blatant favoritism?!”

The Lady’s voice rang out sharp and incisive: “Whether she was confused or lucid, whether it was favoritism or not — your elder brother, in order that his brothers and sisters not be hurt or divided against one another, immediately divided up everything Mother had left on the spot. You all received a share. The main branch received nothing. Is there a single false word in what I say?!”

Minglan listened with wide-eyed astonishment. What kind of miraculous elder brother had these people been fortunate enough to have? Truly the accumulation of eight lifetimes of virtue must have earned them this.

By now even Fifth Master bowed his head and said nothing. Only Fourth Master still thrust out his neck and bellowed: “That was Elder Brother’s own choice! If Elder Sister-in-law felt wronged, why didn’t you speak up at the time?! Besides, in the end, neither Old Fifth nor I got much!”

The Lady smiled with contempt: “A wife follows her husband’s lead — how could I go against your Elder Brother’s wishes? Besides, it was Fourth Uncle who called in all those relatives and in-laws. You have no one else to blame.”

Fourth Master stood rigid, speechless. Liu Yiniang tugged carefully at his sleeve; he sat back down, puffing with resentment.

After a long silence, the only sound in the room was the huffing and puffing through Fourth Master’s large nostrils.

An air of sorrow gradually rose across the Lady’s composed features. With a tone of gentle grief, she continued: “Although our branch has kept separate internal accounts, every servant who worked within the residence — the sweepers, the needlework staff, the night watch — regardless of whose deed of ownership their contract fell under, all came to the main branch to receive their monthly wages and allotments. Over these many years, seasonal garments, carriages and horses, servants — not to speak of food and drink — which of these did not come from the main branch?! Over all these years, Fourth Uncle, you went out drinking with friends; Fifth Uncle, you purchased calligraphy and paintings — you signed the restaurant and shop tabs and walked away. Afterward, it was always your Elder Brother who settled the accounts one by one.”

Minglan was so astonished she could barely close her mouth. Since there was no way to hide it, she stopped trying to hide it — this shock, at least, was genuine.

Fourth Master’s face took on the mottled red of a man both furious and mortified. Fifth Master wore an expression no less astonished than Minglan’s; he abruptly turned to look at Fifth Mistress, staring blankly: “I told the calligraphy shop clearly — how did you…”

With all eyes upon her, Fifth Mistress’s face turned a deep crimson, and she dared not meet her husband’s gaze. She lowered her head and twisted the handkerchief in her hands.

Fifth Master seemed to understand at last. With a long exhale, he slumped back into his chair.

“Fifth Sister-in-law just spoke of festivals, social receptions, marriages and funerals, reciprocal gifts — all done jointly. Shall I have the account books brought out, so everyone can see which branch suffered losses and which branch took advantage? To say nothing of these many years of arranging posts and connections for various nephews — whose silver went toward all of that!” The Lady fought on with increasing force, her manner bearing down with a cutting edge, until both Fifth Master and Fifth Mistress dared not raise their eyes.

Even Fourth Master did not dare pick up that thread. Unlike Fifth Master and his wife, he had no illusions of moral high ground. He knew something of the household accounts, and he feared that the further things were pursued, the more clearly it would emerge that Fourth House and Fifth House had been entirely in the wrong.

The Lady’s gaze was direct and upright. Her manner was that of a person beyond reproach, selfless and benevolent, magnanimous and generous — doing good and seeking no credit for it. Fourth Master and those associated with him, by contrast, had been cast in deeply unflattering supporting roles: greedy and petty, shameless, having taken advantage of their decent and honest elder brother and sister-in-law for decades, and now showing themselves to be ungrateful to boot.

Minglan was nearly moved to applause.

The Lady had surely been enduring this family for a very long time — recording each grievance one by one in her heart. But her capacity for forbearance was unmatched. For the sake of maintaining a virtuous image before her saintly husband, she had suppressed every last trace of resentment and ill will. Minglan actually found herself deeply admiring this kind of person. When an unfavorable situation cannot be changed, never stubbornly and foolishly charge headlong into it — only bide one’s time, move when the opportunity arises, and capture as much advantage as possible.

Since she could not shake off these two living treasures of brothers, she might as well turn a liability into an asset, making the most of the situation by keeping her sights fixed far ahead. She would use them to remove the genuine thorn in her side. As long as her own biological son could inherit the title, then — at that time — she could settle accounts, could kick out whoever needed to be kicked out. After all, she had accumulated more than enough evidence against these two living treasures, more than sufficient to prove her case if it ever came to light.

As the battle arrived at this point, victory and defeat were essentially clear. Only Fourth Master was still making a last stand — he leapt to his feet, eyes bloodshot and bulging, roaring: “Only today do I see, Elder Sister-in-law, what a heroine you truly are! How fluently you speak! I have truly misjudged you all these years! But do not forget — at Mother’s bedside, she took our three brothers’ hands and spoke, and Elder Brother promised with his own lips to look after Old Fifth and me well! What of that? Now that Elder Brother is gone, are you turning your face and refusing to acknowledge it? Showing your true colors at last?!”

Even Minglan was nearly laughing. From behind the folding screen came two distinct, clear snickers — evidently Shao Shi and Zhu Shi had also lost their composure.

The Lady could not suppress the contemptuous gleam in her expression; her gaze showed a deep well of long-held resentment and revulsion. She said coldly: “When Mother wished to give more silver to the main branch, Fourth Uncle said Mother was confused and delirious. But when Mother told the main branch to look after the two younger brothers, Fourth Uncle remembered that clearly enough. Both were things Mother said on her deathbed. How is it that the first statement was confused, but the second was perfectly lucid? What admirable memory. What admirable ability, Fourth Uncle.”

Minglan sighed inwardly: that Gu family grandmother must have been a sensible and perceptive woman — but what a pity that her warm maternal heart had been completely fed to the dogs by unworthy grandchildren.

Even Fourth Master’s thick hide could hold no longer. Trembling with rage, he sat down and gave the tea table beside him a savage blow, nearly sending a teacup crashing to the floor.

Fourth Mistress, seeing that the situation had turned badly, hastened to speak. Her voice was full of apologetic conciliation: “I know, Elder Sister-in-law, you have endured such hardship all these years, worrying and working on behalf of us unworthy ones. Fourth Uncle’s temper these days is poor because of the trouble over Bing Er’s situation — his words were harsh. Please don’t take offense, Elder Sister-in-law. But having said all that, we are all one brush stroke of the same surname — now that we are to move out, we are truly in some difficulty. How much better it would be if you could offer some assistance.”

What skill! Minglan involuntarily cast Fourth Mistress an admiring glance. This one was also an expert.

But those words, unexpectedly, provoked from the Lady a bout of genuine grief. Her reddened eyes grew moist, and she said: “Fourth Aunt speaks absurdly. Both uncles are full-grown men standing at seven feet, and the nephews below them are all in their prime. All these years, Fourth House and Fifth House have only taken from the main branch and given nothing back. And even now you still come to torment us — a widow and her orphan child. As though I will have an easy time of things from now on?!”

These words carried deep significance. The lukewarm relationship between Gu Tingye and the Lady was common knowledge. Minglan felt her face grow hot and could only firmly refrain from responding, lest the fire be directed at her.

Just as the situation seemed to be settling toward a conclusion and the Lady was ready to signal a ceasefire, a dark horse suddenly charged in from an unexpected direction. Liu Yiniang, seeing that everyone had fallen silent and worried for her side’s position, immediately jumped forward and started talking: “Ordinarily I would have no right to speak here, but I have simmered away in this household for decades — I suppose that earns me just a little face.”

Dressed in a smoky-rose jacket with two-finger-wide black velvet trim, her manner playfully brazen, she said: “The Lady speaks every word with reason — our branch and Fifth Branch have indeed received much from you over the years. But did the late Marquis not know? I always felt the late Marquis was the most generous and tolerant of men — he saw everything clearly. He simply felt that it was acceptable for younger brothers to take some advantage from an elder brother. The late Marquis clearly intended for the two younger brothers to live comfortably! Since that was the late Marquis’s intention, how can the Lady go against it?”

These words were both shameless and utterly without principle — and yet they contained a twisted sort of logic. Fourth Master, instantly taking his cue, leapt up and bellowed: “Exactly! That was Elder Brother’s intention! Brothers of the same family — why draw such fine distinctions? Elder Brother never quibbled with us. You claim to follow your husband’s lead in all things — if you truly still cherish the bond with Elder Brother, you should continue to act accordingly! And yet here you are, calculating everything to the last fraction…”

Minglan was speechless. Now she understood why Gu Tingye never wasted a single word on these people. Against this kind of brazen shamelessness, brute force and authority were probably the only effective responses. She sighed inwardly, then quietly watched the Lady’s expression. A concubine from a different branch had the audacity to come forward and challenge the principal mistress to her face — in nine out of ten such situations, the great lady would deliver a stern and righteous dressing-down.

But instead…

The Lady’s expression shifted and transformed. The redness around her eyes turned to wetness, and the iron matriarch of a moment ago instantly became a tearful, dewy White Lotus flower.

She leaned forward in grief against the low table, and turned to Fifth Master, her voice breaking with emotion, each word laden with hurt: “Fifth Uncle, you are the most learned and principled man in the Gu household. Won’t you say something? All these years — has this old sister-in-law of yours ever failed you? If there is no credit to speak of, at least there has been toil and effort! And now, not only have I received not a word of thanks — I have had a creature who is not fit to be seen in company step up and walk all over me?! Go out and ask anywhere in the capital — where has anyone seen a concubine from another branch being so insufferably brazen and arrogant?! These decades of being your elder sister-in-law have been for nothing. I might as well have gone to follow your elder brother already!”

Fifth Master had been unable to sit still for some time, and now his face burned with shame. He flung out his robe and stood up in one motion, glaring fiercely at Liu Yiniang and Fourth Master: “Utterly improper! What kind of conduct is this?!”

Out of deference to his elder brother’s memory, he said no more than that, then swept out in long strides. Fifth Mistress quickly followed.

Minglan watched them leave, then turned back to look at the Lady, and understood.

Enemies must be treated differently according to their nature. Fifth Master valued his dignity; Fifth Mistress had vulnerabilities to be exploited and no real standing from which to argue. This branch could be managed — the soft approach of winning them over through emotional appeal was the right strategy. Fourth House, on the other hand — shameless and brazen — required direct head-on confrontation.

Facing such a versatile and patient opponent, Minglan felt a deep pang of shame at the simplicity and rigidity of her own tactical thinking.

The room was now two-thirds empty. Fourth Master stood in an awkward position, with Liu Yiniang — who had just been addressed as a “creature” — standing beside him.

The Lady dried her tears and slowly straightened up, addressing him in a flat, cool tone: “If Fourth Uncle is dissatisfied, he is welcome to summon the clan members and elders, open the ancestral hall, and let everyone come and reason this out. Bring the account books out and calculate everything clearly. If Fourth House has truly suffered any losses, I will return them without a single coin missing — doubled. And if not…”

She cast a glance at Minglan and said gently: “The matter of the estate assets Tingye’s things that fell into Fourth Uncle’s hands — that will need to be spoken of as well.”

Minglan lowered her head. She had been used as a weapon again.

Fourth Master opened and closed his mouth, then after a long glaring silence, finally admitted defeat and stormed off with an ill-tempered toss of his head.

Once everyone had departed, the room fell into quiet. Slowly, Shao Shi came out supporting Zhu Shi. They looked at the Lady, then looked at Minglan, their expressions each carrying its own complexity.

Minglan glanced at Shao Shi. Shao Shi was already looking at her with a glance of her own, and their eyes met.

“Well then — I’ll go check on Rong Jie’er… why don’t you come along too, Eldest Sister-in-law?”

Shao Shi smiled gracefully: “Gladly.”