The small, forceful impacts were clearly perceptible beneath his palm. Gu Tingye went pale with fright and was momentarily at a complete loss. Minglan immediately reassured him that this was only normal fetal movement. The man stood there in a daze for a moment, then suddenly leaped to his feet and strode out — knocking over two small stools without even noticing.

In the middle of the night, a physician was called in to take Minglan’s pulse. The old doctor had assumed the Marquis Gu’s wife was experiencing something urgent, but upon examination he found her pulse to be perfectly healthy and calm — mother and child both well. Only then did he understand what all the fuss was about. With Gu Tingye persistently pressing question after question beside him, the doctor felt his head growing to twice its usual size.

“Why is it kicking? Does it feel uncomfortable?”

“It is a person — all people need to move about: stretch a little, turn over, wave their arms and kick their legs.”

“Does it not mean it is unhappy?”

The old physician was greatly embarrassed. What could an unborn child in the womb possibly be “unhappy” about? He could only say vaguely: “In general, when they are content, well-rested, and well-fed, they like to punch and kick.”

Gu Tingye managed to retain some degree of reason, asked only a few more questions before pulling himself to a stop, and composed himself to bow his thanks. Minglan standing beside him kept apologizing to the old physician on their behalf. Knowing that this old physician’s greatest fondness was for Maojian tea, she gave him a generous fee as thanks and also presented him with two jin of the finest top-grade Lion’s Head Mountain Maojian that had just arrived. The old physician had seen enough of the world to understand well enough that the Marquis Gu was simply a man desperately eager for his child — he could only shake his head with a rueful smile and take his leave.

Madam, hearing of the matter, was naturally furious all over again. On the very day of her daughter’s wedding, you had to summon a physician for no good reason!

In this era there was no prenatal screening. Though a physician came frequently to take Minglan’s pulse, there was always an undercurrent of anxiety. All Minglan could do was press her hands to her belly each day and silently pray for the protection of the Bodhisattva. From this day on, the little troublemaker inside seemed to have grown lively and active with its hands and feet. Following the method the old physician had taught her, Minglan recorded the fetal movement frequency each day and found it to be regular and full of vigor, which put her more and more at ease. On the day she had been recording for a full month, Gu Tingcan returned for her post-wedding visit to her family. Madam had been pining for her daughter dreadfully, and had arranged for the Marquis’s mansion to be freshened up and dressed anew, ready and waiting for the couple to arrive.

“My child, come here and let your mother look at you!” Madam’s eyes were rimmed with red. She pulled her daughter close and looked her over and over, still not getting enough. The new son-in-law who had come with her stepped forward to bow in greeting to his mother-in-law and both sisters-in-law. The new son-in-law’s family name was Han, given name Cheng. He was not as handsome as Qi Heng, nor as refined and elegant as Sheng Changfeng, but he was nonetheless a young man of dignified and graceful bearing — and standing beside the cool-tempered and beautiful Gu Tingcan, the two made quite a well-matched pair. The return gifts from the Princess’s mansion were also generously dignified and face-giving. Madam smiled until her eyes crinkled into slits. Shao Shi, seeing the newlyweds, could not help but think of her own widowed and lonely circumstances, and though she smiled, a trace of sorrow inevitably colored her expression.

For her part, Gu Tingcan had also not come feeling entirely cheerful. She had arrived in full proud and magnificent form, fully intending to show her family just how well she had married — and if Minglan could be made to wear a long, envious, jealous face, all the better. But instead she ran into this sister-in-law who took everything in stride, smiling with full warmth and festive cheer, even cradling her belly there with the manner of a wizened elder going on about how they should “be harmonious as husband and wife and grow the family line” and such.

Gu Tingcan’s attack landed on nothing but air, and she was left both embarrassed and annoyed.

Han Cheng didn’t say much — he just smiled with restrained composure. Faced with such a distinguished son-in-law, Madam didn’t dare open with reproaches, and so Minglan’s polite, social words came in quite useful at precisely the right moment. Han Cheng listened to a few more words with lowered head, then said respectfully to one side: “I have long heard that Second Sister-in-law’s family is a household where learning and scholarship have been passed down for generations. My teacher often praised Senior Sheng Changbai before us students.”

Minglan quickly pulled herself back from her wandering thoughts and considered for a moment, then asked with curiosity: “Could it be that my brother-in-law is now studying under Master Wang?”

That old man — hadn’t he always been saying he wanted to retire and travel through the famous mountains and rivers of the land?

“Precisely.” Han Cheng folded his hands in a respectful bow. “In those days, most of the students under the late Master Hai scattered and went into official service. Only this Master Wang has been willing to take on a student or two.”

Something stirred in Minglan’s mind, though her expression remained pleasant: “Please convey my respects to Master Wang — it is only a pity that he suffers from some minor ailments and has had to distance himself from official aspirations. But then, precisely because of this, his learning has grown ever more deep and mature. Brother-in-law is fortunate; passing the imperial examination and achieving honor must be only a matter of time.” That cantankerous old man had a peculiar temperament. Sheng Changbai had only gotten into his good graces because of his connection to the Hai family — Sheng Changfeng didn’t have that kind of standing.

Han Cheng heard Minglan speaking about these matters with such familiar ease, and recognized that she was a knowledgeable insider. Though he was greatly pleased, he became even more respectful: “Second Sister-in-law is too kind.” He paused, then added: “I have also heard that Second Sister-in-law’s second eldest brother, Sheng Changfeng, has quite a distinguished name. I have been away from the capital for a long time and have been hoping to form connections with Sheng Changfeng and other talented men of the capital, so that we might compare notes and learn from one another.”

His manner was respectful, but he could not quite conceal a certain youthful arrogance. Then again, among the children of the imperial clan, one as young and yet as ambitious as he was quite rare indeed. Minglan smiled with an unusually “gentle and senior” expression, and Gu Tingcan watching this felt a prickling irritation.

“Brother-in-law is too modest — no need to be so formal,” Minglan said with a smile. “The day after tomorrow is my brother’s wedding. Surely all his close friends will be attending to offer their congratulations. After a round of celebratory wine, I would imagine they will be calling brother-in-law their dear brother before long.” Going home she’d have to quickly get word to her family — not to forget to send a wedding invitation to the Princess’s mansion. Better yet, to tell Father Sheng directly, otherwise Wang Shi would definitely prefer that as few distinguished guests as possible show up.

Han Cheng had loved learning and socializing since childhood and was most drawn to making connections with men of refinement and talent — but those among his relatives on both sides were mostly idle scions and wastrels. Hearing Minglan’s words, he was naturally delighted. Shao Shi, listening to the two of them go back and forth, simply chimed in and smiled pleasantly. Madam, for her part, felt rather pleased, and her eyes betrayed a glimmer of appreciation. Gu Tingcan, however, turned her body slightly away and looked out the window without speaking.

Minglan cast a glance at this mother-daughter pair and something clicked in her mind: the older one was probably thinking “what a purposeful, ambitious young man — truly an excellent son-in-law,” while the younger one was probably brooding “why is my husband so terribly worldly — always talking about careers and advancement, not the least bit refined or elevated?” Such a pity — thoroughly mismatched. If Madam could have been married to Han Cheng at a few decades younger, they would probably have been in perfect harmony, a pair of kindred souls.

Two days later, it was Sheng Changfeng’s wedding. The attendance at the celebratory banquet was unexpectedly sparse — not out of any deliberate slight, but because circumstances genuinely called for it. Looking at Gongsun, the old tutor, who had been going more and more bald lately, and with Gu Tingye going about every day with a face as dark as the bottom of a pot, it seemed the court affairs were not going smoothly. Minglan was worried her husband would not be able to slip away and went ahead to ask: “My brother is getting married — does the Marquis plan to go and drink the celebratory wine?”

Gu Tingye’s brow was deeply furrowed. He had a roll of documents clenched in one hand, murmuring to himself: “So it has finally touched the raw nerve — the turmoil is beginning.”

“If the Marquis truly cannot free himself, I can send word ahead to my family.”

“The disease has taken deep root — this is clearly not something that can be resolved in a day or two.”

“It is quite all right — my father and mother are both reasonable people.” If he didn’t go, Wang Shi would certainly be pleased, and Sheng Hong could probably understand as well.

“If you try to rush and force a slow-moving problem, that clearly won’t work…”

The two of them talked at cross purposes for several exchanges. Minglan went up and shook his arm. Gu Tingye raised his head with a completely blank expression. Minglan had no choice but to repeat herself from the beginning. Gu Tingye laughed: “I am on duty — not sold into servitude. Slipping away to have a cup of wine at my father-in-law’s house is perfectly manageable.”

Minglan was genuinely touched, though she teased him anyway: “From what I can see, the Marquis these days has sold not just himself but his mind, ears, eyes, and spirit all together — and you even snore and grind your teeth in your sleep at night.”

Gu Tingye paused, then touched Minglan’s cheek with concern: “Has it been keeping you awake? Then perhaps I should go sleep in the study.”

Minglan, cradling her belly, maneuvered with some difficulty to settle herself on his knee: “It’s quite all right — your sounds are not too loud either. A good shove usually gets you through half the night, and a well-placed kick can buy a full night of quiet.” She wrapped her arms around the man’s neck and coaxed him with the ease of long practice: “Don’t go to the study to sleep — when you are beside me, I am not afraid of anything.”

She had just eaten egg custard and her breath was sweet, and she spoke in a soft, crooning, babyish tone. Gu Tingye felt like his heart had turned to sugar — thoroughly pleased — and he gave her backside a pat that was neither entirely light nor entirely firm, then put on a stern face: “There you go again, coaxing me with sweet words. What is there for you to be afraid of?” He recalled last summer, when this little troublemaker had found it too hot and repeatedly shrugged off his arm in her sleep.

Minglan blinked her large eyes, her long, fine lashes fluttering up and down. Her rosy, tender face was all innocence and guilelessness, one small hand pressed timidly to her chest: “It is so dark out there — how frightening! What if a demon comes to carry me off and eat me~~”

For all Gu Tingye’s broad experience of the world, and knowing full well that eight-tenths of this was entirely unreliable — he was momentarily bewitched. Even after Minglan had left, he stood there still clutching his crumpled roll of documents, his mind drifting, unable to focus on reading a single word. Having mixed with the scions of idle pleasure-seekers since boyhood, he had certainly seen something of the world — and then rolling around in military camps day after day afterward, surrounded by men on all sides, he had heard more than enough of that sort of talk. His thoughts wandered off in a rather improper direction, and he actually seriously counted on his fingers — by this month, it should probably be all right.

Minglan was in bed cradling her pillow and trying to gather her sleepiness, when unexpectedly someone came slipping onto the bed — light, soft inner robes, damp, rough hair carrying a familiar clean soap fragrance. In the dim glow of the corner lamp, Minglan asked in a drowsy murmur: “Why are you in so early tonight?”

“Your husband has come to help you drive away the demons.”

……

Strange, lingering sounds gradually drifted from the inner room. Outside, the night-watch Danju gave a violent start, suddenly understanding the situation, and her face immediately turned from red to deep purple — both mortified and thunderstruck. This… was this even allowed?! She looked across at Xiaotao, stammering, unable to find a single word to say — only to find Xiaotao propping her cheek in her hand and gazing at the moon, turning her head with a cheerful smile: “Good elder sister, what do you think old Nanny Ge is making for our midnight snack tonight? I really want to eat mooncakes.” Danju was struck absolutely speechless, and remained so for a long while. Well — better go be a sensible informer then.

The next morning, the couple woke up cheek to cheek. They were both like a pair of young lovers caught sneaking about behind a grape arbor — faces flushed and flustered. Minglan was overcome with embarrassment, yet she felt completely light and refreshed in body and spirit. Gu Tingye was equally satisfied, and holding and embracing her, he found his wife’s round, swollen belly endearing and quite adorable. The two gazed at each other with tender warmth and spent a good while in sweet, gentle contentment together, both their hearts suffused with sweetness.

When Gu Tingye had finished dressing, he pressed a firm kiss to Minglan’s cheek and strode out with high spirits and a clear head — the gloom and overcast expression of recent days entirely swept away. His personal attendants were greatly astonished. They exhaled quietly in relief and privately prayed this would be the case every single day.

Nanny Cui had received word early and came hurrying over, her face taut as she attended to Minglan’s washing and grooming — her feelings were in a very complicated state. According to her professional knowledge, conjugal relations during pregnancy were not entirely prohibited — but it was still somewhat that sort of thing… To be safe, it was better not to risk it. Yet on the other hand, when one’s wife is pregnant, for a husband not to have moved even one step toward any of his concubines’ chambers — that is exceptionally, extraordinarily rare. After this full half-year of emptiness, and with the Marquis in his prime years, one had to give the man some outlet after all — it was truly difficult to know the right answer on either side.

She was too tired to scold Minglan anymore. She had never won a single argument with her anyway, and simply waited until after breakfast to call in the physician to take her pulse.

Minglan had always been in robust health, and her pregnancy had been progressing very smoothly. Her eating, rest, and exercise had all been well-regulated, making her exactly the sort of expectant mother that physicians most liked to see. After examining her thoroughly, the physician pronounced everything in excellent condition. Nanny Cui swallowed her embarrassment and told the physician about the events of the previous night in tactful and indirect terms. The old physician had seen enough of the world to be startled only for a brief moment before expressing emphatically that it was quite all right. Seeing Nanny Cui’s face — a map of wrinkled anxiety — he dropped all pretense and leaned in to deliver a thorough briefing on the precautions for conjugal relations during pregnancy, after which Nanny Cui’s expression finally shifted from overcast to clearing.

When Sheng Changfeng’s wedding day came, Shao Shi was in widowhood, Minglan was pregnant, and Zhu Shi was a new mother still in confinement — all three of the Gu household’s wives were unable to attend. Not wanting to give offense, only Madam went in person, and Gu Tingwei, who loved a lively occasion, went along with eager enthusiasm. Since Minglan herself couldn’t go, she had gifts prepared and sent over to offer her congratulations. And — very conveniently — she asked Xiaotao to go along and foster goodwill. Xiaotao was a warm-hearted and helpful girl; seeing the Sheng household inside and out in a state of frantic busyness, she cheerfully volunteered to lend a hand. She returned carrying a belly full of gossip and a large bundle of food — the food was shared with the girls of the courtyard, and the gossip was offered up as a tribute to the pregnant Minglan, who had nothing much to do.

The wedding banquet was exceptionally lively, with guests arriving like clouds. Even those who came for something other than the Sheng household came for the Liu family’s sake, and moreover all of Sheng Hong’s sons-in-law attended neatly in a row, lending considerable face. At the banquet, Wang Shi’s words carried a half-sour, half-tart quality — though lacking in technique, so that it was perfectly obvious to everyone she wasn’t as cheerful as she looked on the surface. Sheng Lao, however, was genuinely delighted and sincerely wished for “the grandchildren to flourish and the whole family to be at peace.” Molan, in particular, put on quite a high-profile show — she seemed to want the whole world to know that the distinguished-looking new groom was her own brother, and that the Liu family’s eldest legitimate daughter would henceforth be her very own sister-in-law. Her speech and manner were somewhat presumptuous and undignified. Wang Shi was furious but could not rebuke her in front of outsiders — it was the highly capable Hualan who stepped in with a single, decisive move.

“Oh? Your household still has two other young ladies — all the sons-in-law have come, but why are they not here?” one busybody remarked.

Hualan was composed and gracious, her smile warm and generous: “My fifth younger sister has just given birth to a plump little daughter and has not yet come out of her confinement. My sixth younger sister is also with child and inconvenient to travel.” As she spoke, she turned to Molan with the manner of a concerned eldest sister: “I say, fourth younger sister — do remind your husband that no matter how consumed he is with official business, the family line must come first.”

Molan’s face went white, and she nearly bit through her own back teeth — but she did indeed quiet down.

Following the principle that birds of a feather flock together, Madam had quite remarkably managed to strike up a conversation with Kang Yi Ma, the maternal aunt. The two seemed to have found each other a perfect match, and Minglan suspected that in the category of speaking ill of herself, the two women must have found a great deal of common ground. Out in the men’s section, Gu Tingwei rapidly made friends with Liang Han, the two growing more and more animated in conversation until they clasped hands and went off to the stables to admire the horses, and made plans to go evaluate fighting birds together another day. Han Cheng also as he had wished formed connections with a circle of talented and spirited young men, and after just two cups of wine, they had already arranged to have a poetry competition in two days.

Everyone got what they wanted — it was truly a most harmonious celebratory feast. Except for Sheng Changfeng. After the new couple performed their wedding bows and the bride was escorted to the bridal chamber, Sheng Changfeng still had to come out to entertain his guests. Xiaotao, who had not managed to squeeze into the bridal chamber, witnessed this at close range — Sheng Changfeng walked out of the new room with somewhat unsteady steps, his expression carrying a great weight of solemnity. It was said that even when Lin Yiniang had been driven out of the Sheng household, his expression had not been this stricken.

Minglan laughed about this most uncharitably for quite a while, and even flipped through her account books with a noticeably lighter hand. The older female servants standing below exchanged some puzzled looks, quietly stealing a glance at their mistress — but then they happened to catch Minglan’s eye sweeping over them.

“According to what Nanny and the several head managers have said, the reason for such heavy expenditure in the household over the past few years was entirely due to the fourth and fifth branches?”

Peng Shou’s wife smiled until her face was creased as a chrysanthemum: “Reporting to Madam, it would not be proper to put it in those terms — it would make it seem as though we are resenting the two masters. However…” the smile creased even deeper, “the late Marquis was a most generous and considerate man — there was nothing else we could do.”

Minglan nodded and immediately picked up her brush to make notes, her voice bright and crisp: “In that case, beginning from before the New Year, these several items of expenditure may be struck off… Adding the funeral costs for Elder Brother, then adding the expenses for the Seventh Young Miss’s wedding… it comes out to just about this. At present there are also the new wet nurses and senior female servants newly engaged for sister-in-law’s chambers… Rong Jie’er and Jian Jie’er are visibly growing older — their rooms will need a few more attentive and capable attendants. That is yet another item…” With each item she named, the older female servants below responded with an acknowledgment.

Peng Shou’s wife listened for a while, then cautiously ventured: “Madam, the two masters have moved away, so we have an ample surplus of people in that area. Looking at the construction work of tearing down and putting up walls, it seems to me that it need not cost quite so much silver — why not divide some of the work up and have the household staff take on a portion? First, it might save some silver; second, it gives those in the household who are idle something to earn their keep.” With work comes income — with income comes a share of the proceeds. If there is nothing to do, things may be very quiet and comfortable, but then one might as well be drinking the northwest wind.

Minglan raised an eyebrow: “Oh, do we have family members in the household with masonry skills?”

Peng Shou’s wife grew awkward: “This… well, there aren’t, as such. But I imagine it cannot be all that difficult. Isn’t it just…”

“Nonsense!” Minglan rebuked her sharply. “Breaking ground and construction is no trivial matter. If it is done at all, it must be done well. What is more, this involves rebuilding and reinforcing the walls — they must be solid and thick. This masonry team is already the finest in all the capital by reputation, and the Marquis still does not entirely feel at ease with them. You have been at this work for years — how can you say such an unthoughtful thing?!”

Peng Shou’s wife was scolded into an ashen complexion and kept stammering apologies, not daring to say another word.

Another broad-faced older female servant shot a sidelong glance at Peng Shou’s wife, the corner of her mouth curling in private contempt. She stepped forward and said: “Reporting to Madam — I have an idea. Since spring began, that masonry team has been working in shifts, and every day their meals, as well as tea and snacks, add up to not a small amount. Looking at the few elder sisters of the Cheng Garden, they really seem too busy to manage. I was thinking, perhaps…”

Minglan said nothing, only furrowed her brows slightly, as though thinking through the feasibility of this idea.

The older female servant stole a glance at Minglan’s expression, then quickly continued: “We, the few of us, were originally in the kitchens. In the old days, with so many members of the household, the kitchen staff was also large. Though the two masters took some kitchen staff with them when they left, quite a few hands have been left idle. We have been collecting our monthly wages without earning them — it weighs on our conscience.”

Minglan gave a noncommittal nod. In truth, the Cheng Garden truly was shorthanded — just managing the mistress’s needs was barely enough. The moment anything additional came up, things became immediately stretched thin. This problem had long been troubling her.

“Only, someone is already managing that matter now…” — and handling the procurement of provisions was one very lucrative position indeed.

The older female servant saw an opening and immediately pressed her advantage: “Madam need not trouble yourself over it. We will simply go and help the elder sisters — we would not dare interfere in any other matter.” Minglan fell quiet, looking at her for a moment: “Would that not be putting you to a great deal of inconvenience? The work crew is up before dawn for their meals — you would have to walk all this way in the middle of the night. And… is there no other way?”

The older female servant heard the hint in Minglan’s words and looked up in delighted surprise: “Well… if Madam trusts us, we could draw a fixed daily sum of silver and prepare the meals in the vacant kitchen, just as the elder sisters of the Cheng Garden do — deliver everything on time. The work sites are not that far from us anyway, and all the pots, pans, and utensils are already there. Madam, what do you think…?”

Minglan nodded and waved her hand lightly: “Very well — do it that way.”

The older female servant immediately knelt in gratitude, overcome with thankfulness, full of praise for Madam’s kindness and capability. The other older female servants watching were full of both envy and admiration.

“You are Fan An’s wife, are you not? Go find Liao Yong’s wife afterwards — have her take you to the accounts to draw the silver. Go this afternoon, start work tomorrow — will that be manageable? Good — then that is settled.”

The Fan An’s wife below kowtowed like a pestle pounding rice. Minglan smiled and said: “But to make things clear from the start — since you have taken on a task from me, you must follow my rules. If the food is not good, or if you miss the set time, I will not let it pass lightly.”

Fan An’s wife raised her head and said in a loud, clear voice: “If I fail, Madam is welcome to put me in a dish for dinner!”

Minglan couldn’t help it — she burst out laughing, and the maidservants in the room all broke into smiles as well.

A few kitchen-worker women, along with some miscellaneous wives and young maids — they had been left behind when the fourth and fifth branches moved out, and neither Madam nor Zhu Shi had taken them on. They had simply been left like that, idle. A group like this — never having been given any important role, and having seen no prospect of advancement — could at least be put to a trial run. She’d have to pull out their files and take a proper look.

“Madam…” another bookkeeper woman from the accounts room said. “Then, those accounts…?”

“The construction work is not yet finished, so things will remain on the old footing for now. The two sides each manage their own. This accounts room handles only Madam, elder sister-in-law, and younger sister-in-law’s affairs — as well as the wages for separately-directed staff, though you must report the accounts to me. The accounting rules on my end — go to Steward Hao at the start of each month to draw silver, then make a ledger and enter it in the records… I don’t need to tell you how to do this, surely? The old way was the old way; the new way is the new way. The household has its founding usage regulations — how the mistresses are provided for, how the servants are provided for — we follow them.”

The bookkeeper woman listening felt an inward shock. With the incoming silver now in Madam’s control, this accounts room would henceforth be little more than a formality. She could make it full or empty it on command. “Then… what if something urgent comes up? If the regular silver on my side of the accounts isn’t enough — what then?”

Minglan couldn’t help laughing: “You really are a funny one. You only have so much silver to work with. If it runs out, there’s nothing to be done — surely no one is going to execute you for it. If someone urgently needs silver, just point them to my accounts room and have them draw it from there. The silver in your hands is strictly designated for specific uses — just don’t use the money for pastries to buy rouge powder instead!”

The bookkeeper woman understood, and thought inwardly that this Minglan was formidable indeed.

Shao Shi was perceptive, Zhu Shi cared about keeping face — and as for Madam’s branch of the family, coming all this way to ask for money would certainly embarrass even her. She could hardly buy an antique vase today and demand a set of jeweled hairpins tomorrow. And Gu Tingwei’s mother and wife both had ample private savings, so he would certainly not stretch his hand to the public accounts to buy birds and horses either. In fact, even if those two women did go on a spending spree, Minglan had her countermeasures ready: she would have the accounts room record every line item and expenditure in careful detail, and when the day of household division came, everything bought with communal funds would be listed out one by one — items purchased with communal money could not be considered private property and would naturally be included in the division of assets.

“But if the mistresses get angry, what then…?” the bookkeeper woman was still worried.

Minglan cut her off crisply and said in an unhurried tone: “The one who has asked you to manage the accounts room is me. As long as I am not displeased, that is sufficient.”

The bookkeeper woman had a sudden moment of clarity, as though a ladle of ghee had been poured over her head. She finally sorted out the threads: first, this new Madam appeared quite amiable, and would probably not be pursuing the old accounts. The only requirement was to do the work well going forward. Second — from now on her only mistress was Minglan. If she failed to satisfy her, this position was as good as finished.

Minglan cradled her sweet white fungus soup, blew on it slowly, and surveyed the expressions on the older female servants’ faces below with a leisurely sweep of her gaze.

Because Madam had never anticipated that Gu Tingye would return, over all those preceding decades she had always been managing the Marquis’s household with a focus on laying the groundwork for her own sons. From the division of personnel responsibilities to the expenditure regulations, things were essentially clear-cut, without too many corrupt or indulgent irregularities — and the very women before her now were all capable and resourceful. It was simply that their eyes were far too calculating, and they were experts at tailoring their service according to who stood above them.

“Now that the Seventh Young Miss has also been married off, and Elder Brother has not yet been out of the funeral mourning period for a year, I imagine the household will not be holding any elaborate banquets. At most it will be the customary festivals, when relatives and friends come in to share a simple meal.” Minglan set down her cup and interlaced her slender fingers, then said slowly: “Madam has also said it — in the past, money was spent like water. The household is not flush these days, as you all know. I hope that each of you will put in real effort.”

In fact, as long as they lived within the budget she had set, they would absolutely never run short — and would even be able to accumulate some savings for Rong Jie’er’s and Jian Jie’er’s future dowries. Oh — and for the little troublemaker still in her belly.

A well-dressed older female servant stepped forward with a fawning smile: “Madam says such modest things! The Marquis is receiving great favor and trust from the Emperor just now — how could things ever be pinched enough to affect our household? Why, even we as servants, when we go out, are looked at with respect.”

Minglan regarded her steadily in silence. The woman’s smile faltered and she stopped awkwardly mid-sentence.

“…Last year, when I was overseeing the management of the farmland that the Emperor conferred, there was a steward on the estate who, though he had entered the Gu household’s bond-servant register, continued to bully and oppress the tenant farmers — and drove them to the point of a death. The Marquis had his four limbs broken and handed him over to the magistrate’s office for judgment. The final verdict was death by immediate decapitation. The Marquis then had that steward’s entire family — all seven members, young and old — sold all at once to Qilibachi.”

The color drained from the faces of every older female servant in the room. The chamber fell as silent as a dropped pin.

“And last August, several insubordinate and conspiring individuals in the Cheng Garden — the Marquis discovered it and had all those families sent to the northwest for hard labor.”

Peng Shou’s wife felt a jolt in her heart. She had caught wind of this by rumor. At the time, Gu Tingyu had just passed away, and under cover of managing the funeral affairs, Nanny Lai had been making frequent rounds between the two residences. But then, somehow or other, Nanny Lai’s son was accused of private corruption and dereliction of duty, sentenced to exile in the military. The entire Lai family — all eight members — vanished without a sound, and with them went a good number of people from the Cheng Garden too, all of whom seemed to have been sold off somewhere unknown.

After that incident, the Cheng Garden had been locked down as tight as an iron cage.

“You are all the old hands of the Gu household — you have watched the Marquis grow up from childhood, and have been here far longer than I have since my marriage into this family.” Minglan spoke with not the slightest hint of threat — her tone entirely flat and factual. “What kind of temperament the Marquis has, I imagine you know far better than I do.”

What kind of temperament did Gu Tingye have? The older female servants lowered their heads, exchanging sideways glances with one another.

At ten years old, he dared ride a wild horse charging back and forth through the city streets, injuring more than a dozen commoners in one go — the old Marquis paid out compensation and apologies without end. At twelve years old, he dared seize his cousin Gu Tingdi by the collar and force his head into the cesspool, nearly drowning him — though by the time the man was dragged out he had already fainted from the stench. At fifteen years old, everyone hauled Gu Tingbing off the rooftop where he had been hanging for half the night, half-frozen and half-scared to death. At fourteen years old, he dared tie the heir of the Duke Lingguo behind a horse and drag him around the training ground for three laps — the Duke Lingguo had almost brought a lawsuit to the Emperor’s very presence. By the time he was sixteen, he was clashing with the old Marquis day in and day out — talking back, coming to blows — and in one kick, sent more than a few unwary servants vomiting blood.

With a fearsome reputation like that, every older female servant present couldn’t help but pull in their necks a little.

Minglan was aiming for exactly this effect. She said coolly: “I say this in advance — there are certain things that, even if you take advantage of my youth and thin-skinned restraint in dealing with elders, you must still think about the Marquis. At the end of the day, if I am at a loss for what to do, the only thing I can do is go and consult the Marquis.”

The threat was highly effective. The older female servants all sobered up and withdrew obediently.

Minglan cradled her belly and tilted her head back, staring at the ceiling. She dared not spend too much time on needlework or reading for fear of straining her eyes. Though there was some entertainment now in the evenings, the days were still dull. At times like this, the most suitable activity would be mahjong — it was neither too physically taxing nor too sedentary, and it kept the mind active. Unfortunately, for the sake of maintaining a good image, Minglan had to clench her teeth and hold it back.

Most infuriating of all was Second Madam Shen. Using the pretext of making a wish, she wanted to go pray at the Ten Temples for good fortune — and somehow managed to rope in her mother-in-law. The spring days were lovely just now, growing warmer by the day, and Elder Lady Zheng had been at home recuperating from illness for a long time. Not knowing how many more days she might have left, she felt a sudden, eager longing in her heart. General Zheng and his wife were both deeply filial, and seeing their mother — who ordinarily made no demands of anyone — expressing this desire to go out and enjoy the spring air, they were determined to make her wish come true no matter what. And so, under the banner of accompanying her mother-in-law, Second Madam Shen set off in high spirits to go sightseeing and enjoy herself.

Not only had she gone out herself — she knew perfectly well that Minglan was at this point bored stiff and going mouldy, and yet she deliberately kept sending messages to torment her. One moment it was “the mountain stream water has cleared — I’ll bring you back a basket of sour fruit, crisp and fragrant”; the next it was “the scenery here is beautiful — standing at the top of the mountain, one nearly wants to soar past the peak” — with a written error in her message too! The character she used for “wind” was wrong!

Minglan grew increasingly vexed and seriously began to consider whether to cut off diplomatic relations with this half-illiterate woman entirely!

What one could truly count on to comfort her was her own family. About another seven or eight days later, Wang Shi came over, together with Sheng Changfeng’s new wife, the young Madam Liu, and also Hualan — and Minglan put on a display of enthusiasm unlike any she had mustered before to welcome them. But what greeted her was Wang Shi’s face black as lacquer.

After asking her to take the seat of honor, Minglan turned to size up the young married woman standing at Wang Shi’s side. She was dressed in a scarlet butterfly-and-flower patterned thin satin jacket lined with silver-grey squirrel fur, with a pale peony-pink skirt trimmed with two finger-widths of black velvet border in a ten-thousand-blessings pattern. Her dark black hair was combed into a perfectly neat round bun without a strand out of place. On her head she wore properly arranged solid gold five-phoenix hair ornaments, and at her ears hung a pair of large pearl drops.

How to put it — a very correct and formal appearance, from head to toe with nothing to fault. A very correct and formal person — from the way she stood to the downcast angle of her gaze, all perfectly accomplished as though she had stepped out of an instructional manual. As for her face — Minglan had seen her before; now looking carefully, she knew that Xiaotao’s earlier observation had been accurate. There was some measure of a dignified air about her, but in truth her features were rather… well, rather pleasant in an entirely unremarkable, stable sort of way.

“This must be new elder sister-in-law — it should be I who comes to call on sister-in-law first. Sister-in-law has been put to so much trouble coming here.” Minglan greeted Wang Shi with a bow, then quickly invited Madam Liu to sit. Hualan, on the other side, had already made herself comfortable without ceremony.

“Please don’t say such things, younger sister-in-law.” Madam Liu’s voice was pleasant — calm and elegant. “We are all family. What is there to speak of being put to trouble? You are heavy with child right now, as it should be.”

Danju, not willing to see Minglan cradling her belly while bouncing about actively, had already stepped up to help her sit down. Minglan had already noticed something was off with Wang Shi. At a moment like this, one could neither say she looked well nor get away with only pleasantries. She thought for a moment and quickly said: “You look rather thinner, it seems — I imagine you have been tired lately. You must take good care of yourself — Elder Brother and sister-in-law out in their post must be worrying about you ever so much.” Adding an appropriately furrowed brow conveying just the right amount of concern and anxiety.

Hualan inwardly applauded Minglan’s words. Madam Liu also could not help but take another look at her. Wang Shi’s expression did indeed soften, and the knot in her chest released somewhat: “You are such a sensible child. These days… ah, don’t even mention it — nothing goes right.” Then she shot Madam Liu a cold glare.

Madam Liu remained motionless as a clay figure or a stone carving. Minglan quickly picked up the slack, chiming in and steering the conversation with Wang Shi. Hualan seemed somewhat resigned and only added a few words. Madam Liu largely kept quiet throughout. The atmosphere had been fairly pleasant up to a point, when Wang Shi, unable to stop herself, began edging her complaints toward Madam Liu once again, alternating veiled and open barbs: “Some people’s daughters-in-law are docile and meek as kittens — then there are the unlucky ones who have fished themselves a wild cat that doesn’t know the rules and is dead on its feet…”

Hualan, seeing Wang Shi at it again, cut in quickly: “Mother, please, enough. Haven’t you got your little granddaughter to keep you busy? Don’t fixate on those things with no beginning and no end. Brother entrusted his daughter to your care — at the very least, please teach her a few characters and a couple of verses. Look at how well-behaved and bright the young Ge’er by Old Madam’s side is — he can already write practice strokes in proper form. Put in a little effort too!”

Rather than calming things, Hualan’s words only made Wang Shi more agitated. She brought her hand down hard on the table: “Fine, fine, fine! So you are all right and I am the only one being unreasonable! All right then — I came today. Minglan, take good care of yourself. Don’t end up like your poor Fifth Sister — she gave birth to a daughter and is being made to suffer all day. I won’t be going to call on your mother-in-law either. You go in and make my excuses for me. We are leaving.”

Minglan hurried to urge her to stay, but Wang Shi insisted on going. Hualan said, unable to help herself: “Why not let Mother and Sister-in-law go back first, and I will stay a while longer.” Wang Shi glared: “Stay for what? Your younger sister needs to rest.” Hualan sighed: “Mother, I am going back to the Yuan household, which is a different direction from yours. Besides, it has been so long since Sixth Sister and I have had a chance to talk — surely you won’t deny us even a little time to chat.” Back to Yuan — meaning back to her husband’s family — which was a different direction from Wang Shi’s route home.

In the end, Wang Shi — for all her stormy temper — could not refuse her own daughter, and allowed it with a blast of cold air, sweeping out like a gust of wind. Madam Liu followed behind without a word. Minglan stared after them, completely dumbfounded. This much fire — surely she was not heading into menopause?

Only when they had all gone did Minglan quickly draw Hualan into the inner room, settle comfortably, and have the good tea and refreshments brought.

Hualan looked at Minglan’s belly and smiled: “Seeing you looking this healthy and glowing, I can rest easy. I was always worried you’d be thin as a bag of bones.” Minglan pressed a hand over her belly with a look of concern: “As long as I don’t get too fat — I’ll never be able to lose it afterwards.” Hualan laughed and scolded her: “You vain little creature — at a time like this, you’re still thinking about how you look.”

The sisters asked after each other for a few exchanges, then Minglan, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, quickly pressed: “What on earth is going on? Why is she this angry?”

Hualan took a sip of tea and sighed: “Don’t even start. Mother has been hitting a wall at every turn lately. First, Fifth Younger Sister gave birth to a girl, and she has been worrying every day that Fifth Younger Sister is being mistreated at her husband’s family, and going over there every five days to point fingers and give orders. The first two or three times were fine, but the in-laws apparently said — what is so precious about a girl child, needing two wet nurses to wait on her? She’s not spending their silver, so what does she have to come babble on about?!”

Minglan nodded along enthusiastically and encouragingly. Hualan continued: “Well, of course Fifth Younger Sister has to go on living in that family. One or two words of concern are welcome — but Mother also…” She struggled to find the right phrasing. “She went too many times. Every time she went, she felt the need to put pressure on the in-laws…” Minglan frowned slightly: “That’s not good. After a long time of it, even the most patient son-in-law would inevitably start to feel unhappy.”

“Exactly!” Hualan bit fiercely into a small, fragrant, warm millet cake. “Old Madam felt things were wrong and quickly called Mother in for a talking-to. Mother was utterly aggrieved. Then came Brother’s wedding — Father repeatedly felt that Mother hadn’t put her heart into the preparations, and more than once made her look bad right in front of the head managers.” Minglan quickly said: “Father must have been reading too much into things — how could that be?!” One could not say such things in front of his own biological daughter.

Yet Hualan proved remarkably even-handed: “It was not without basis. Mother’s mood was poor, and inevitably she let it affect other things.”

Minglan said nothing and did not pick up the thread. Hualan continued: “Then the new sister-in-law arrived. Now, as for sister-in-law — she is actually very good. From the second day after the wedding, she obediently began attending on Mother and observing the required courtesies for a new daughter-in-law. Mother’s temper was not good, and sometimes her words were rather harsh. Sister-in-law bore it all without a single word of protest. Two days in a row Mother had her stand at the doorway holding a basin to attend on her — sister-in-law did not make a sound and just stood there. The wind in the courtyard was cold; if told to stand she stood; if told to kneel she knelt. Ah — Mother was really rather…” Hualan trailed off, “Looking at the situation from all sides, everyone would see that Sister-in-law was virtuous and filial, while Mother as the mother-in-law was harsh and lacking in compassion or affection.”

The rest Minglan could guess without being told — someone had stepped in. “Father, or Old Madam?”

“Father.” Hualan pressed her lips together briefly. “Father and old official Liu have always gotten along well, and at the time gave his personal word of assurance that he would never treat his daughter-in-law poorly. And now Mother has been putting the man’s daughter through all of this… isn’t that putting Father in an impossible position? Father held it in for several days, but Mother recently has been exactly like my mother-in-law used to be — her temper fiercely hot. The two of them had a tremendous row, and things that had nothing to do with the matter also came spilling out. Mother had also been withholding things from sister-in-law’s courtyard — shortchanging their food, clothes, and daily necessities… I rushed over to try to mediate and couldn’t make any difference either.”