Family conflicts generally share two characteristics: first, they break out without warning and erupt immediately; second, they drag on and on, prolonged and unresolved. Things had reached this point, and here she was, still in the mood to be thinking about such irrelevant observations — Minglan felt she was not far from losing her mind.

These past few days, Minglan had not found a moment to express her own opinion. The moment she tried to speak, the Old Madam would cut her off: “Minglan my child, don’t be afraid! Your old grandmother is not dead yet — they will not manage to dispose of you!” This ferocious manner was very frightening.

The Old Madam had been thoroughly provoked and unleashed her temper in full force, as she had done in the old days during her marital crisis — railing and cursing with flying spittle that nearly drenched Sheng Hong’s face. Sheng Hong endured all of it without protest, clinging on like sticky toffee, pleading endlessly, one moment kneeling, one moment weeping, invoking family affection, reason, family honor, and reputation in a torrent — until he had talked the Old Madam into a dizzy stupor on her sickbed. Minglan thought — fighting with your son is one thing, and pretending to be ill is fine — but don’t actually fall ill. That would eliminate all fighting power for what lay ahead. The Old Madam thoroughly agreed and doubled her food intake, clearly settling in for a long campaign.

Wang Shi, seeing that the situation was at an impasse, had a fantastical idea: why not simply have Minglan go to the Old Madam and state that she herself was willing to enter the Gu household? Once the principal party agreed, what more could the Old Madam object to?

Sheng Hong gaped at her, then let out a long sigh. He, being a scholar, liked to make simple things complicated, the better to appear highly principled. But this wife of his liked to make complicated things simple, able to use coercion where persuasion was more appropriate.

“Stop adding to the confusion!” Sheng Hong rebuked Wang Shi, frowning with displeasure: “What girl goes of her own accord to petition for her own marriage?! And she has been raised from a young child at the Old Madam’s side — does she still not know the girl’s nature? The moment Minglan opens her mouth, the Old Madam will know you were behind it all. That would only be adding oil to the fire!”

Sheng Hong grew more frustrated as he spoke and couldn’t hold himself back from pointing his finger at Wang Shi’s nose and shouting: “The mother’s fault for what the daughter becomes! It is precisely because you conduct yourself without propriety, do not respect your mother-in-law, act recklessly and willfully, that you have indulged Ru’er to such a disgraceful extreme! And you still have the face to point at others!”

Wang Shi was scolded until her face turned red but had nothing to say in return, and could only fall into sulky silence.

While the battle raged in the front, Minglan sat in the rear in a stupor, often sitting in silence for half a day without a word — for she genuinely had not decided what she wanted to say. She needed only to assume a downcast and dejected manner, with a wistful sigh delivered at the right moment, and the picture would be quite complete.

The one thing she had done in all these days was to ask Hai Shi’s permission to see Rulan.

“…How is Xiao Xique?” That was the first thing Rulan said upon seeing Minglan.

Minglan stared for a moment at Rulan’s pale, powdery neck, on which still ran a purplish-red mark from the strangling cord. She said slowly: “Not dead yet. Sister-in-law called a physician to treat her wounds. She came around yesterday, managed to get a few mouthfuls of porridge down. Let us hope she will not be left crippled.”

Rulan seemed deflated, like a balloon with the air let out, sitting there blankly: “Did she… say anything?”

A sardonic smile curved at the corner of Minglan’s mouth: “She said — to be able to give her life in service to the Fifth Young Miss of the Sheng household was truly a happy fate. Never mind being beaten until barely a patch of skin on her body was whole — even if she had been beaten to death, it would have been a death well worth dying!”

Rulan lowered her head, her fingers clenching the handkerchief so tight her knuckles went white. Minglan kept her eyes on Rulan and continued: “Every time I have counseled you, Fifth Elder Sister, you dismissed it. Saying things like ‘I will answer for my own actions alone’ — yet what of it now? Xiao Xique has served you faithfully for ten years, caring for you more dearly than for her own family. And you are content to have dragged her into this!”

Minglan had become particularly exasperated whenever she heard someone in this world say they would not implicate their loved ones. Here, “one person answers alone” was not the way of things — collective punishment was the rule of the land. If the master’s young master went over to the enemy, the servant’s young fourth brother also got beaten.

A deep guilt showed on Rulan’s gaunt face. The maid Xiao Xijuan was barely holding back tears, and said softly: “Sixth Young Miss, please don’t blame our young mistress — she feels terrible inside too. When they were about to beat Xique to death, our young mistress threw herself over her and took several blows herself — our young mistress still has welts on her right now!”

Minglan looked at the dark circles under Rulan’s eyes, her haggard face as if she were a different person. Minglan fell briefly quiet, then said: “I have come today to bring you a message from Xiao Xique. She is to be sent out to be married off. Sister-in-law has asked her to wait until her injuries have healed — she may not be able to see you before she goes. She says her mother is outside and she can depend on her, so you need not worry about her. She says she cannot serve you any longer at your side, and begs that from now on, whatever you do, think twice before acting, and whenever you encounter a matter, slow yourself down before doing anything rash, and don’t be impulsive. She… will no longer be there to remind you.”

Rulan listened in a trance. Large tears fell one by one. She buried her face in her arms and began to cry muffled sobs. Minglan only watched her in silence. Rulan suddenly sat up straight and told Xiao Xijuan to go into the inner room to fetch something. In a moment Xiao Xijuan came back out carrying a small box and a bundle.

Rulan wiped her tears, pushed the small box and the bundle in front of Minglan, and asked earnestly: “Inside are some hairpins, gold ornaments, and pearls, and the bundle contains fifty taels of silver and some fine fabric. She served me for all that time — I cannot let her go off to marry with nothing. Good sister, I beg you to take these to her! I… I have failed her!”

Minglan accepted the things and looked at her quietly for a moment. She thought: just on this one point, Rulan was after all more decent than Molan — when Yuncai was sold off, Molan never asked about her even once. Thinking of that, Minglan softened her voice a little: “Fifth Elder Sister, rest easy. She said that all these years she has already received many rewards, and her own savings have already been packed up and sent out by her fellow maids in the courtyard. Xique said — that serving you has been her good fortune. She does not blame you. She is only worried about you.”

Minglan handed the things to Xiaotao to hold, and Rulan gestured to Xiao Xijuan with her eyes. Xiao Xijuan took Xiaotao and went outside. Rulan fixed her gaze on Minglan, looking at her directly, and said plainly: “I have failed you as well!” Then she gave a deep bow.

A sentence Minglan had been holding in for a long time finally came out: “Whatever did you go to see him for?! Surely you couldn’t have been thinking of…” Minglan thought of one possibility, and her tone shot up two full notes.

Rulan’s face flushed scarlet with indignation: “What kind of person do you take me for?! Even if I haven’t read as many books as you, I do know what decency means! I… I was truly only going to say one last farewell!” As she spoke, her voice grew sorrowful and tears poured down: “…We had agreed to everything and it was all settled — and then suddenly I am to marry someone else. How could I not say a word to his face? But I never expected to drag you into it!” The weeping came in soft hiccups.

The anger Minglan had been holding all this time suddenly deflated. She sighed: “Very well — you didn’t mean for it to happen. But…” The thought still vexed her and she could not help saying: “You have finally had your wish come true, at least! Elder Brother found out about this matter and went out and gave that gentleman a beating…”

Rulan’s heart lurched, her expression turning frantic. Minglan went on: “But you need not worry — Elder Brother did not dare make it public. A scholar wielding his fists probably doesn’t have that much force behind them. Judging by Father’s and the Old Madam’s intentions, that son-in-law will probably be grudgingly accepted.”

Rulan felt both a flicker of happiness and a vague sense of loss. After Minglan finished speaking, she dragged her feet out.

Minglan’s mood had been very low recently. It manifested as a kind of dull, listless calm. She made an honest accounting of the circumstances of both her lives and was suddenly struck by a profound helplessness. She had worked hard at her posting for a year, and just when it looked as though she might be getting a promotion and a raise and even a promising match, a mudslide had swept her back to the ancient world. She had set her heart on finding an economical and practical ancient husband, then after patient cultivation, a sliver of hope had appeared — and now that too had come to nothing.

Minglan chewed it over at length: her own direction of effort always seemed to diverge from the course Heaven had charted for her. But could Heaven perhaps spare a hint in future? She, Yao Yiyi, had always been an obedient subject from childhood, and would absolutely never oppose the will of Heaven!

While the battle blazed in the front, Hualan wisely tucked her head in, kept a low profile, and absolutely refused to take part in any persuasion effort. She repeatedly invited Minglan to come and visit, and the Old Madam, who knew perfectly well what Hualan was up to, refused each time on Minglan’s behalf. Hualan racked her brains for days without success — until Heaven provided her with a perfectly good excuse: she was with child again, and wished to see her mother and younger sister.

The Old Madam was silent for a while, then her expression eased somewhat, and she gave Minglan permission to go.

That morning, Wang Shi took Minglan straight to the Zhongqin Duke’s mansion. The Zhongqin Duke’s wife had returned to her own family’s home on some errand and would be staying the night. Wang Shi was happy not to have to make polite conversation with this disagreeable mother-in-law and went directly to the western side courtyard.

Hualan was dressed in a rose-purple cut-silk silver-marten jacket, wearing a hanging filigree pearl-set spider hair ornament, reclining at a slight angle on the soft couch with a pomegranate-red enameled porcelain hand warmer in her arms, smiling warmly, her cheeks rosy with color.

Wang Shi, seeing Hualan’s spirits good, felt her own gloom of the past few days lift a little. She took Hualan’s hand and asked many questions about her health. Hualan answered each one with a smile: “…Fine, all is fine — it is the third pregnancy by now, and what is there left for me to be unclear about? Mother, rest easy!… Minglan, do have some of these fruits — these small walnuts are presented to the imperial court, fragrant and crisp.”

Minglan smiled and nodded, moved over to the elegant round little table, picked up a small copper cracker, and began cracking walnuts with a satisfying crunch. Wang Shi took Hualan’s hand, sipped her tea, and smiled: “What good luck to be here today with your mother-in-law away — we can chat a while longer, just the two of us.”

Hualan gave a warm smile: “More than just a while longer — Sister-in-law has also gone along too. You may as well eat dinner here before going back — I’ll have it laid out right here in my rooms. Your son-in-law went shooting at the rear mountain of the Duke of Yingguo’s estate yesterday with some friends and brought back a few roe deer — not as fresh as game from outside the pass, but still quite good.”

“How delightful!” Wang Shi laughed, set down the half-peeled orange she’d been working on, clasped her hands, and offered a small prayer: “Oh, by the way, I heard your father say the other day that your husband is set to be promoted by one rank?”

Hualan’s beautiful eyes curved up: “It’s not confirmed yet, but… it is about nine parts out of ten. This time the promotion would be to a sub-commander position within the Five City Infantry Battalions.”

Wang Shi set down her orange, brought both hands together in a prayerful gesture, and even recited a prayer of thanks: “Wonderful, wonderful. Seeing how well you two youngsters are doing, I can rest easy. The Yuan family must be pleased too — let’s see if your mother-in-law still lectures you so much!”

Hualan pursed her lips and gave a light “Hmph”: “Father-in-law is genuinely delighted. Mother-in-law just knows how to put a damper on things — the moment the promotion news came in, she started pushing Shao to find a position for her nephew on her family’s side, too. Father-in-law gave her one long furious scolding!”

“So that’s why your mother-in-law got into a huff and went back to her family?” Wang Shi laughed.

“Not quite.” Hualan covered her mouth and laughed softly: “Her family has been going further and further downhill — the older generation throws money around wildly, selling off fields to buy concubines. The younger generation are all worthless, not making any effort at their studies, just trying to work connections and scheme their way to positions. Father-in-law had long been exasperated with them. This time, her family nephew is getting married, and father-in-law refused to go, so the mother-in-law and elder sister-in-law had to go on their own.”

Minglan had cracked a small dish of walnut meats and was carrying it over. Wang Shi took it and put it before Hualan, laughing: “No wonder your mother-in-law always looks at you sourly — turns out she’s been green with envy! … Don’t bring any more — eat some yourself.”

Minglan gave an obedient murmur, sat back down, and picked up another fat little walnut. She was about to crack it open when Hualan and Wang Shi exchanged a glance, a subtle meaning passing between them. Hualan turned and smiled: “Minglan, Zhuang Jie’er has been missing you terribly lately. She is in the rear garden right now — you two cousins get along so well, go and find her for a bit.”

So saying, she called her senior maidservant to come over and help Minglan wash her hands and straighten her clothes. Minglan smiled inwardly — in the dead of winter, why would Hualan be letting her little daughter run around outside? There was clearly something arranged inside. Hualan was always measured in her dealings and had a firm hand with those under her — she could be trusted not to do anything that crossed the line, and besides it was in her own courtyard. Going was harmless, but still…

Minglan smiled meekly and hesitated: “It’s so cold out. Let Zhuang Jie’er come in here instead.” Hualan’s expression tightened almost imperceptibly. Wang Shi cleared her throat and said in a low voice: “Zhuang Jie’er is hard to manage — she’ll just end up crying and making noise. Go bring her in.”

Minglan gave an “oh” and dutifully went off with the maidservant.

Wang Shi watched Minglan disappear inside before turning to her daughter with a skeptical look: “Will this method actually work? I can’t help feeling it isn’t quite right — if your father finds out he’ll be angry again. He keeps saying that if Minglan were to go on her own to petition the Old Madam, it would only make things worse.”

Hualan sat up and faced her mother, lowering her voice with a serious expression: “Mother only knows one half of it, not the other. The Old Madam is not one to be deceived by appearances. Those two, grandmother and granddaughter, have lived side by side for ten years — the Old Madam can tell perfectly well whether Minglan is speaking from her heart! If we forced Minglan to go and beg, the Old Madam would only be more furious. But what if Minglan were truly willing?”

Wang Shi’s gaze still held doubt: “Minglan has always just listened to the Old Madam — what opinions of her own does she have?”

Hualan shook her head with a knowing air, her expression carrying a faint smile: “Mother, you have misjudged her. The Sixth Sister, though always obedient and well-behaved from girlhood, actually has strong opinions of her own, and her mind is careful and clear. It wasn’t obvious when she was small, but after you all came to the capital I have been watching her at intervals, and there were times she could even guide the Old Madam’s thinking back to her way. Once she has met the man and seen that he is not a demon or monster — whether for the family’s good, or for her own future — she will be willing… “

Wang Shi was silent for a long time and then sighed: “If it could truly be that way, how wonderful. Ah, it is a pity for your sister though — to think that Minglan could marry into such a prestigious and wealthy family, while she can only be wedded to a modest household.”

“Mother, do stop talking about that!” At the mention of Rulan, a shadow of displeasure crossed Hualan’s face: “It was Mother who spoiled her too much in the first place. A young woman of a good family, exchanging private sentiments with a man — and when her parents found her a fine match, instead of being grateful she made a scene. Then she ended up letting General Gu’s household know what she had done. It’s a wonder your son-in-law hadn’t been too forthcoming. Before and after, he mentioned my younger sister only twice and never once made clear which one was to be given — that is the only reason there is room to maneuver now. Otherwise…” She gave a disdainful harrumph.

Wang Shi knew her daughter was in a difficult position and did not dare speak up for Rulan. She just sighed gently. Hualan continued: “At the time, it was really Mother who insisted on Rulan. Honestly, if you ask me, Minglan would suit the match far better. Have you seen how she manages to keep the Old Madam delighted? I melt inside watching her — let alone a man. Nothing like Rulan, so stiff and prickly, throwing a fit at the drop of a hat! Minglan has her own judgment and from what I can see she knows how to hold her own. But Rulan — it would be better to find her a family of somewhat lower standing, so that if things come to a head, the family can still say a word or two on her behalf.”

Wang Shi thought it over and reluctantly agreed. After a while she brightened up again: “…Well, it’s true — Minglan has no full brothers of her own, so who else would she be close to but us? If she does well, our family shares in the glory. If she does not hold up in a family of that standing, the Gu household is not one where we could say anything on her behalf — and if it were Ru’er in there who suffered, I truly could not bear it!”

Hualan nearly choked on her own spit, staring at her own mother with wide eyes, speechless for a long moment. She gave up trying to reason with her, and thought only: I wonder if Minglan has arrived yet.

…