7
Days passed neither hurriedly nor slowly; soon it was the eighth day of the second lunar month, when Marquis Jing’an, Ming Tingyuan, completed his term as Military Commissioner of Yangxi Circuit and returned to the capital.
He wielded supreme military and administrative authority over his region, achieving remarkable accomplishments during his tenure. His current return to the capital to report on his duties bore significant implications for reshuffling high-ranking officials in the imperial court, drawing covert attention from numerous quarters.
Emperor Chengkang issued a verbal decree ordering the Marquis of Jing’an to proceed immediately to the capital for an audience upon arrival. Once inside the city gates, Ming Tingyuan parted ways with his family members and servants, splitting into two groups: one heading straight for Qixuan Gate, the other detouring toward the Marquis of Jing’an’s residence on Nanque Street.
Upon hearing that the Marquis had gone straight to the palace without first returning home, it was Concubine Liu and the others who arrived back at the residence first. Consequently, everyone in the Marquis’s household moved with noticeably less urgency; after all, there were no established customs for grandly welcoming a concubine or an illegitimate daughter back into the main house.
When Concubine Liu and Ming Chu alighted from their carriage, only Mama Zhang, Lady Pei’s attendant, along with several maids and elderly female servants, were waiting for them at the side gate.
Perhaps due to being uniquely favored, despite having spent five years in Yangxi Road—a harsh, frontier region near the border—Concubine Liu’s beauty remained virtually unchanged from before, even gaining a touch of added radiance.
As for Miss Ming Chu, the third young lady, she was hardly recognizable at first glance. When she left the capital, she was merely eleven or twelve years old; now, five years later, her features had fully matured, and her demeanor differed greatly from her youth. Dressed in bright, striking red robes, she exuded such spirited confidence that she bore a remarkable resemblance to the valiant daughters of military families.
“You want me and Mother to enter through the side gate?” Ming Chu frowned, clearly dissatisfied with Mama Zhang’s arrangement.
In Yangxi Road, wherever she went, she was the apple of Marshal Si’s eye, and no one ever treated her with anything less than utmost respect.
Yet this objection was utterly unreasonable; this was the capital, where the main gates could not be opened indiscriminately. On ordinary days, even Lady Pei entered and exited through the side gate. Of course, had they returned to the residence today alongside the Marquis, they would indeed have been honored to enter through the main gate.
Just as Mama Zhang was about to offer a proper explanation, Concubine Liu stepped forward, took Ming Chu’s hand, and subtly tightened her grip.
Recalling Concubine Liu’s warnings throughout their journey back to the capital, Ming Chu stiffened but ultimately decided to swallow her pride for now. With a sour expression, she brushed past Mama Zhang and strode directly through the side gate.
–
Meanwhile, within the Zhaoshui Courtyard, Ming Tan was throwing a fit of monumental proportions.
She slapped the letter in her hand onto the table, then, unable to contain herself, swept the exquisite and costly teacups and teapot off the surface in one furious motion.
The sharp, sudden crash of shattering porcelain echoed through the room. Slapping the table again, she abruptly rose and began pacing back and forth, muttering under her breath, “Despicable! Simply despicable! I originally thought this family merely lacked propriety and shame, but I clearly underestimated them—they’ve actually dared to scheme against me!”
Her voice trembled with rage. Her fingers clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white, faint blue veins visible across the backs of her hands.
Suxin and Lü’e were thoroughly frightened, especially since they had no idea what had happened.
Clearly, over the past two days, their young lady had been brimming with fighting spirit and energy, determined to dress in her most magnificent attire to outshine the Third Miss returning to the residence today. Early this morning, she had even specifically ordered someone to collect morning dew from flowers, mixing it with jade-face powder to apply a thick layer on her face, claiming that after washing it off, her skin would become exceptionally tender, smooth, and radiant.
Yet, just after finishing breakfast, a maid from the Bai family arrived with a letter, conveying that Bai Minmin had originally intended to come in person to inform her of the matters contained within, but considering that today was a day for the Marquis’s household to reunite, it would be inappropriate to visit; thus, she had no choice but to write these matters down and send someone to deliver the letter.
No one knows what was written in the letter, but it somehow drove the young miss of the Ming family—who always preached that “a noble lady, no matter what she encounters, must never lose her decorum or composure; screaming, shouting, and smashing things is no different from a madwoman of the marketplace”—into a tremendous frenzy…
Recall the Chrysanthemum Banquet held the year before last, when Princess Fengzhao suddenly appeared halfway through and snatched away the title of “Flower Mistress” that should have rightfully been hers; upon returning home, she had merely smashed a porcelain cup, and even then, she threw it onto the imperial concubine’s daybed, ensuring she didn’t so much as nick herself.
But this time, smashing the tea bowls and porcelain pots was not enough; after pacing around the room a few times, she suddenly grabbed that letter and rushed outside.
Seeing this, Su Xin, usually so composed, panicked and hurriedly chased after her, reminding, “Miss, where are you going? The Third Miss and your aunt have already entered the residence, and you haven’t even worn your newly ordered hairpin yet!”
Ming Tan halted in her tracks.
Oh, right. The hairpin.
And that mother and daughter pair.
She turned around, walked straight into the inner chamber, and sat expressionlessly before her dressing table.
Suxin gently nudged Lü’e, who was somewhat bewildered; it took her a couple of stammered attempts before she finally caught on: “Young… Young Miss, don’t be angry. Getting angry makes one less beautiful… Not that you’re not beautiful! You’re beautiful no matter what, but when you smile, you become even more—more capable of toppling kingdoms and captivating all beings!”
Whether it was because Lü’e’s compliments hit the mark, or simply because gazing at her own reflection cooled her temper, Ming Tan grew considerably calmer after sitting down.
Her father was currently in the palace having an audience with the Emperor; rushing out now would not only fail to find him but would also make them a laughingstock for no reason.
Moreover, even upon her father’s return, she could not simply rush up and demand the engagement be broken off. After five years apart, who knew how many poisonous whispers Ming Chu and Concubine Liu had fed him? If, in the end, the misunderstanding arose because of her own lack of propriety, causing the Duke of Lingguo’s household to look down upon and mistreat her, it would be disastrous.
Furthermore, she held little confidence that her father—though he had treated her well in her memories, he had never doted on her to the bone as her uncle did on Bai Minmin—would be willing to offend the Duke of Lingguo’s household for her sake.
She picked up the newly crafted silver moon tassel hairpin from the table, examined it for a moment, then suddenly instructed, “Suxin, fetch a plain handkerchief and soak it in garlic juice.”
“Yes.”
“There is another matter; come closer.”
She gestured for Suxin to approach, placed the letter delivered by the Bai household maid back into its envelope, handed it to her, and whispered a few instructions into her ear.
Suxin, who never asked questions unless her mistress spoke first, accepted the task and withdrew with her hands respectfully at her sides.
Ming Tan let out a sigh and instructed Green Petal, “Redo my hair and makeup; there’s no need for anything too elaborate. Also, change me into a different outfit.”
Earlier, she had been so focused on outshining Ming Chu that she forgot seeing her father was far more important.
Thus, after her repeated nitpicking and meticulous guidance, Green Petal finally transformed her into a vision of delicate beauty, exuding an air of refined elegance tinged with a hint of fragile vulnerability.
She gazed for a while at her reflection in the full-length bronze mirror, then curled her lips into a satisfied smile. “Let’s go to Lanxin Courtyard.”
–
Lanxin Courtyard belongs to Lady Pei; traveling from Zhaoshui Courtyard requires winding through corridors and around walls, passing by the East Side Garden along the way.
The group proceeded along the covered walkway, and just as they reached the East Side Garden, a commotion erupted ahead.
“Oh… she’s the granddaughter of the late matriarch’s younger half-brother from her natal family. It has been so long since the matriarch passed; that connection is truly distant. And if I recall correctly, her natal family once held a count’s title, which, through successive degradations upon inheritance, has long since diminished to nothing. They haven’t had any contact with our household for many years. I wondered what proper relative this could be,” Ming Chu remarked mockingly.
Shen Hua: “Third Sister, you!”
“What do you mean, ‘cousin’? I only address you as such out of respect for the late Old Lady. Yet you truly act as though you belong here. Mother and I have just returned to the residence, and already we encounter you reciting some pretentious poem in this garden. Are you deliberately trying to upset us? If I may say so, those living under another’s roof ought to behave with more propriety!”
Ming Chu was already displeased at having entered the mansion through the side gate, and the household servants she had encountered along the way were far less attentive and deferential than those on Yangxi Road. Now, stumbling upon Shen Hua reciting some melancholy verse about spring’s sorrow in the garden, her suppressed fury finally erupted. Her words dripped with sarcasm, her tone brimming with audacious defiance, utterly unyielding despite being clearly in the wrong.
Shen Hua was furious.
In the past, although Ming Tan’s subtle jibes often left her seething, Ming Tan was, after all, a noble lady from a prestigious family. Even when her barbs were hidden within soft words, she never stooped to such vulgarity and rudeness, completely devoid of any refinement expected of a well-bred young woman!
She was about to retort when another voice, light and mocking as drifting clouds, suddenly came from behind: “Third Sister, mind your words. Mother is in Lanxin Courtyard, not here.”
Both sides standing opposite each other instinctively turned their heads.
There, emerging from the corner of the covered walkway, came a group of maidservants dressed in green. After walking a short distance, they halted, spontaneously forming two neat rows, bowing their heads respectfully—
From between them stepped a young lady clad in a brocade skirt embroidered with white jade and golden threads. Her skin was as fair as snow, her hair raven-black; her eyes sparkled like clear water. Gently fanning herself with a delicate silk fan, she advanced step by step, the silver moon-shaped tassels in her hair swaying softly, casting fragmented glimmers of light with every movement.
Though her attire was not particularly lavish, from a distance she possessed the delicate refinement of a precious porcelain vase—so fragile one feared it might topple if set upon the ground, or shatter if held too tightly in the palm. Her beauty was such that it held the gaze captive.
Even Shen Hua, accustomed to such grand displays, paused for a moment before regaining her composure. For an instant, she did not know whether to mock Ming Tan inwardly as usual for her affected pretense, or to thank her for having used that very pretense to intimidate some shrew who clearly knew nothing of proper feminine decorum.
“This must be the Fourth Miss,” Lady Liu quickly recognized Ming Tan, smiling gently and speaking softly, “It has been several years; the Fourth Miss has truly blossomed into remarkable beauty.”
Earlier, she had failed to stop Ming Chu mainly because she had not taken Shen Hua seriously. But Ming Tan was different; should Ming Tan choose to make an issue of this form of address, there was little chance—nine times out of ten—that she would fare well when brought before Lady Pei.
“Auntie Liu flatters me excessively. I observe that Third Sister has now grown into someone quite different from us girls who have long resided in the capital.”
Ming Tan responded to Auntie Liu’s words without granting her even a glance, instead scrutinizing Ming Chu from head to toe with the same languid disdain Ming Chu had just shown Shen Hua.
Only belatedly did Ming Chu realize what was happening: “You!”
“‘You’ what, Third Sister? This is the capital; pointing one’s finger while speaking is exceedingly improper.” Ming Tan slowly pressed down Ming Chu’s accusing finger with her fan. “Third Sister, having been away from the capital for so long, seems to have forgotten many rules of conduct. Behaving today as you have—ignoring your mother’s whereabouts, showing disrespect to visiting cousins, and treating a younger sister with such pointed hostility—if such a scene were played out publicly, it would provide enough material for ridicule for half a year. It is you, Third Sister, who ought to behave more properly.” ???
Ming Chu found her own earlier words thrown back at her one by one, fueling her rage until she glared at Ming Tan with eyes that seemed ready to spew fire!
Seeing her about to draw the soft whip from her waist and strike, Concubine Liu hurried forward to restrain her, whispering urgently, “Chuchu!”
Ming Chu stared fixedly at the young girl before her, the word “whore” already on the tip of her tongue; yet for some reason, she ultimately swallowed it back.
Her mother was right: no matter what, she must endure until after the betrothal was settled. Lady Pei was her principal mother; if she seized upon any mistake to make a huge fuss, sabotaging Ming Chu’s marriage negotiations would be far too costly!
After persuading Ming Chu, Concubine Liu forced a smile and turned to Ming Tan: “Fourth Miss, Chuchu she…”
Ming Tan, too impatient to listen, cut her off directly: “It’s getting late; I still need to pay my respects to Mother, so I won’t stay any longer.”
Seeing this, Shen Hua followed after her: “Fourth Sister, I’ll accompany you.”
She had always disliked Ming Tan, but today, contrasted against Ming Chu, even she found her sworn rival remarkably refined and handsome.
As the old saying goes, a villain is best checked by another villain. Her fourth sister was quite adept at choking others with words, constantly citing “impropriety” and “rules,” even slapping on the charge of “failing to show compassion to a younger sister.” They were only a year apart; how could she be considered young? Truly, her talent for self-aggrandizement was innate.
Yet, it did not take long before Shen Hua realized she had been mistaken.
Compared to the skill of self-praise, the young lady of the Ming family possessed an acting ability that could drive even the star performers of the Fuchun Opera Troupe to despair.
Shortly after the two arrived at Lady Pei’s quarters, a messenger entered from outside to announce that the Marquis had returned to the residence and was currently making his way to Lanxin Courtyard.
Everyone rose to greet them.
Shen Hua, inadvertently, caught sight of Ming Tan taking a plain handkerchief from her wide sleeve to dab at her eyes; immediately, her eye rims turned red, glistening with welling tears.
Just as Shen Hua was thinking that she had never before noticed any deep father-daughter affection between Ming Tan and the Marquis of Jing’an, she saw her lift the hem of her skirt and rush toward the tall, middle-aged man with a short beard who had just entered the courtyard, calling out repeatedly, “Father!”
Ming Tan’s voice was soft and clear, tinged with a deliberately restrained sob that easily stirred in others a desire to protect her.
As expected, despite not having seen his youngest daughter in five years—a span long enough that he should have struggled to recognize her face at first glance—Ming Tingyuan immediately patted Ming Tan’s slender shoulders and, with a roughened voice, soothed her: “My good daughter, what is wrong? Has someone bullied you?”
Ming Tan lifted her small head, her eyes red, and shook her head. “No, it is just that A-Tan missed Father terribly.” Yet as soon as the words left her lips, clear tears streamed down from her eyes.
She hastily wiped them away with a handkerchief, then reluctantly stepped back half a pace, curtsied deeply, and said, “A-Tan greets Father. It was A-Tan who lost composure, momentarily forgetting all propriety and rules. Please, Father, punish me.”
Ming Tingyuan felt immense pleasure in his heart.
His little daughter, whom he hadn’t seen in five years, was filial, sensible, and well-versed in propriety; most importantly, she had blossomed into a beauty resembling a celestial maiden. Indeed, she was truly the daughter of Ming Tingyuan.