6
The Lantern Festival of the fifth year of Chengkang finally passed amidst bustling noise, unscathed yet fraught with hidden tension, while the lingering scent of the New Year quietly faded with the ceasing winter snows.
The two individuals who had pushed Ming Tan into the water remained unidentified; fortunately, the household of the Duke of Lingguo showed enough discretion to openly accept the claim that Liang Zixuan had fallen into the water themselves, even keeping him bedridden within their estate for several days to uphold this story.
Lady Pei, unaware of the true circumstances, felt that the Duke of Lingguo’s family had acted with considerable integrity and were a pleasant household to deal with. Ming Tan, however, accepted no such kindness; when the duke’s household privately sent envoys to offer greetings and gifts, she did not even deign to glance at them properly.
–
With the arrival of spring, tailors and embroiderers from the Jinxiu Workshop were once again summoned to the Jing’an Marquis’s residence to take measurements and craft new garments.
Ming Tan, ever prudent, had already anticipated that she would need to keep a low profile for quite some time after calling off the engagement; thus, she chose only understated hues—moon white, mugwort green, and pale cyan.
Lady Pei assumed her daughter was simply seeking novelty and did not object; instead, she pointed out two additional bolts of vividly colored fabric for Ming Tan’s outer robes. Handing her a decorative cushion with affectionate warmth, she remarked, “While modest attire is perfectly acceptable within the household, spring inevitably calls for outings to enjoy nature and admire blossoms. Young ladies look most spirited and lively in fresh, bright colors—who could resist such charm?”
“Mother speaks wisely,” Ming Tan replied.
She offered no further protest, obediently accepting her mother’s suggestions, though inwardly she lamented that she would be unable to wear these lovely garments outdoors during springtime to display their beauty.
Lady Pei never gave anyone cause for criticism over trivial matters such as food, clothing, and daily provisions; she added Ming Tan’s regular allowance and likewise provided an extra portion for Shen Hua.
After skimming the foam from her tea and taking a sip, something occurred to her, and she instructed the stewardess from Jinxiu Workshop: “Use the remaining bolts of fabric to make a few more outfits tailored to the young miss’s figure. Judging by the timing, the Third Miss should be returning soon. It has been several years since we last saw her, so no one knows how she has grown. Let us prepare these in advance; if they do not fit, we can have properly fitted ones made once she returns to the capital.”
“Yes.”
The stewardess verbally accepted the task, yet inwardly pondered whether the intricacy of these garments should match those made for the young miss. After all, having long navigated the complexities of noble households, she was certainly astute enough to detect the subtle shifts in demeanor displayed by the current Marchioness.
In truth, it was not only Lady Pei whose attitude had become nuanced; both Ming Tan and Shen Hua also paused momentarily upon hearing the mention of the “Third Miss.”
The Jing’an Marquis’s household has always been dominated by men, with few women; by Ming Tan’s generation, the number of girls could be counted on one hand. When the old matriarch was still alive, before the various branches of the family had separated their households, all the female cousins were ranked together according to age.
Ming Tan had no older sisters born of her father’s principal wife; her two female cousins from the second and third branches were already married. Her elder half-sister, Ming Chu, however, remained unmarried and was close to her in age. Yet Ming Chu, along with Concubine Liu, had accompanied her father, the Marquis of Jing’an, to guard the frontier borders and had not returned to the capital for five years.
Ming Tan had previously only remembered that her father’s return to the capital would allow the matter of breaking off the engagement to be scheduled, forgetting entirely that Ming Chu and Concubine Liu would also be returning together.
Her relationship with Ming Chu had always been extremely poor; with her return now, wouldn’t there be one more person to mock her when the engagement was broken?
As for Shen Hua, the first thought that came to mind was that Ming Chu, this Third Miss Ming, was the same age as herself. Although born of a concubine, Ming Chu hailed from a highly prestigious family and was deeply favored, making her status comparable to Shen Hua’s own. With suitable marriage prospects in the capital being few and far between, Ming Chu’s return meant the two were likely to clash over betrothal arrangements.
For a moment, everyone in the hall fell silent, lowering their eyes in deep contemplation.
–
With the return date approaching, while having Jinxiu Workshop prepare her garments, Lady Pei also began directing the servants to tidy up the marquis’s residence.
She managed household affairs with utmost propriety; within just a few days, the entire marquis’s residence was refreshed and renewed. Even Concubine Liu’s courtyard had been thoroughly renovated, leaving absolutely no room for criticism.
Seeing Lady Pei devote such attention to these matters, Nurse Zhang couldn’t help but mutter while combing her hair: “My lady, why bother attending to every detail of that woman Liu’s quarters? Those beneath dignity have already occupied the lord’s favor for five years; by now, they must be exceedingly arrogant.”
Lady Pei gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her face still elegant and refined, yet she made no reply.
With no one else around, Mother Zhang leaned in closer and whispered, “After all, producing an heir is what matters most in this household. Though it has been difficult for you in that regard, there is no shortage of beautiful maids in the manor. Failing that, there are plenty of fair maidens from humble families here in the capital. After so many years with Lady Liu, surely His Lordship would grow weary of her once he tastes something fresh.”
Pei Shi held the hairpin up to her head, appearing rather indifferent.
“Madam!” Mama Zhang couldn’t help but call out once more.
Pei Shi glanced sideways, her voice cool. “Your words are mistaken.”
She set down her hairpin, her gaze turning deep and distant: “My bond with the Marquis was only ever this much. When he was assigned to a post outside the capital, it was I who requested to remain in the capital, unwilling to endure the hardships of the frontier. I ought to be grateful to Lady Liu instead. During his five years at the border, the Marquis neither took a new concubine nor fathered a single child, saving me considerable trouble. Had another concubine accompanied him, I doubt she would have possessed such capability.”
“As for heirs, clearly I lack that fortune. Adopting a child would demand immense effort and worry, yet there would still be no possibility of that child inheriting the title. Rather than taking such convoluted measures, it is better to devote my energies to A-Tan.”
“Over these many years, you should have seen clearly that half of our Marquis household’s future lies in marrying off our daughter, and the other half rests with the eldest young master. When I entered the Marquis household, the eldest young master was already quite grown; we never developed a mother-son bond. Yet, because of A-Tan, he has never lacked respect toward me over these years.”
On this point, Nurse Zhang strongly agreed: “During the several years the eldest young master has served at Pang Mountain, he has never missed sending letters or seasonal gifts. Knowing that Your Ladyship suffers from chronic knee pain, he specifically sent back folk remedies from Pang Mountain. Though he may not possess great talent, he is indeed a man who understands propriety and values affection.”
Thinking of this, Pei Shi curled her lips in satisfaction.
After a long pause, she suddenly remembered something and asked again, “By the way, has A-Tan been acting somewhat unusual lately? During her recent visit to the palace, she stared at the women of the Liang family for quite some time. She is usually extremely proper in public; without cause, she would never behave so rudely. And then there was the incident during the Lantern Festival when she fell into the water… Later, when the Liang family sent gifts to express their concern, she remained indifferent, as if not at all pleased.”
Nanny Zhang replied, “The young miss is still young. That engagement with the Liang family was arranged by the late master as a childhood betrothal. Since the two families rarely interacted before, it’s only natural for her to be curious. As for the Liang family sending gifts to show concern, being favored by her future in-laws must surely delight her deep down. However, young ladies are often too shy to display such feelings openly.”
Pei Shi still felt something was amiss, but she said nothing more.
–
While the Jing’an Marquis’s household awaits the return of its head to the capital, the noble families in the city have recently been far more preoccupied with another major incident that erupted suddenly and without warning—
Marquis Cheng’en, Gu Jinzhong, was found guilty of multiple crimes, including the forcible seizure of estates and the illegal operation of salt mines. His title has been stripped, his household confiscated, and he has been sentenced to exile a thousand li away. Consort Yu, once highly favored, has also been implicated in this case and confined to the Cold Palace. Fortunately, the punishment does not extend to all family members; aside from those directly involved, the rest have merely been reduced to commoner status, with male descendants barred from taking the imperial examinations.
As people discussed this matter, they could not help but sigh with regret.
“Reduced to commoners and barred from the examinations—the Gu family has no hope of restoration within three generations,” Bai Minmin sighed. “At the Lantern Festival palace banquet, Gu Jiurou boldly performed a song; how could things have turned so drastic in just a few days?”
Zhou Jingwan, daughter of a Hanlin Academy scholar and a close friend of Ming Tan and Bai Minmin, spoke softly, “It was not sudden. That day, I stayed home due to a chill and did not attend the banquet, yet I later heard about what transpired in the hall. The situation within the palace actually foreshadowed much of what has now come to pass.”
Ming Tan had already figured out the key point. What Zhou Jingwan said was exactly what she intended.
Only Bai Minmin was completely bewildered: “A-Tan, did you understand? How is it not sudden, and how does it foretell anything?”
Ming Tan, too lazy to explain, pushed the pile of walnut kernels on the table toward her. “Eat more; it’ll nourish your brain.”
“……?”
Bai Minmin reached out to slap her.
Ming Tan hurriedly dodged, feigning prim disapproval as she chided, “Just look at you! You possess not an ounce of the virtuous grace and serene chastity that Wanwan and I embody. How, pray tell, can we possibly uphold the reputation of the ‘Three Beauties of the Imperial Capital’ with such behavior?”
“…?”
“Wanwan aside, what connection do you have with virtue and chastity? You’re nothing but a hypocrite who puts on airs before outsiders, making shameless boasts!”
Ming Tan retorted, “Well, that’s still better than you, who doesn’t even know how to pretend in front of others!”
“Enough.” Zhou Jingwan covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed softly. Always delicate, her voice was faint and gentle. “Stop bickering; let me speak instead.”
The three of them sat leisurely by the courtyard well at Zhaoshui Courtyard, sipping tea. Since everyone present was one of their own, there was nothing they couldn’t discuss openly.
Zhou Jingwan explained with patience, “On the surface, this incident is framed as County Magistrate Zhang Ji of the capital region being overly close to the Marquis of Cheng’en, having secretly gathered substantial evidence of the Gu family’s crimes. But think carefully: Zhang Ji owed his rapid rise in office precisely to the Marquis of Cheng’en; why would he suddenly turn informant? Could it truly be that a corrupt official would abandon evil and embrace virtue overnight?”
“Furthermore, in the past, when the Censorate impeached the Marquis of Cheng’en, His Majesty always let the matter slide lightly. Yet this time, he flew into a rage right in the imperial court and issued strict orders for a thorough investigation…”
Hearing this, Bai Minmin seemed to vaguely grasp something.
Zhou Jingwan stopped just short of saying too much and shifted the topic, continuing, “The Prince of Dingbei is often campaigning in the northern territories and rarely returns to the capital; I am not very familiar with his temperament. However, even if he truly rests on his laurels and disregards Noble Consort Yu and the Marquis of Cheng’en, humiliating them openly at the palace banquet, His Majesty and Her Ladyship should still have reprimanded him mildly.”
“Oh… I understand now.” Bai Minmin organized her thoughts. “You mean that His Majesty had long intended to bring down the Gu family, which is why, despite the utterly disgraceful scene, neither he nor Her Ladyship spoke up for Gu Jiurou… If that’s the case, then it’s highly probable that His Highness the Prince of Dingbei was already aware of His Majesty’s intentions, which explains why he acted so arrogantly and with such disdain?”
“In my opinion, that Highness has always been so brazen.”
What could a mere brute possibly understand? Ming Tan, delicately applying crimson nail polish, seemed rather indifferent.