Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Two days ago, while pleading for Ye Qiuniang, Ming Yulan had noticed her husband’s gaze wandering inappropriately. They had been married for nearly ten years. She knew, deep down, what kind of man Du Xian was. In the past, when he went out, she would always find subtle clues upon his return. She had confronted him, heartbroken, but he had flatly denied everything. Ming Yulan had never caught him in the act, so her bitterness had no outlet.

By all rights, Du Xian, as a live-in son-in-law with no family power or influence to back him, should have been easy to handle. Yet he was blessed with a strikingly handsome face that had completely bewitched Ming Yulan. For this husband, she was willing to cast aside the status and dignity of a wealthy heiress, willingly humbling herself to please him. Over time, she had lost all authority over Du Xian.

Du Xian appeared refined and gentle on the surface, but inside, he was a shrewd operator. Even if he had long grown tired of Ming Yulan’s control, as long as Old Patriarch Ming was still head of the household, he dared not reveal his true colors in front of others. To the outside world, he remained that honest, dutiful, and devoted soft-spoken son-in-law who cherished his wife and daughter.

Ming Rou’s feelings for her father were, at best, lukewarm. Their interactions were always cool and distant. Old Patriarch Ming had instilled one core belief in her from a young age: in this household, the Ming surname reigned supreme. No matter what happened outside, within the Ming family, those bearing the Ming name would always be above everyone else—her biological father included.

Du Xian had never been close to Ming Rou. From the moment she was born, her frail health made her wail through the night, disturbing the couple’s sleep. Ming Yulan, being her mother, barely managed to endure it for a time, but Du Xian as her father would get a headache just hearing her cry. He wasn’t even willing to share a room with her overnight. Over time, the rift between father and daughter grew wider. Ming Rou spent more and more time with Old Patriarch Ming, absorbing his temperament, which inevitably colored her view of Du Xian.

Old Patriarch Ming and Ming Rou didn’t take Du Xian seriously, but Ming Yulan was desperately smitten with him. Before Du Xian had been taken in as a live-in son-in-law, there had been other wealthy young ladies who wanted to follow the example of rich men keeping mistresses in secret courtyards, hiding Du Xian away for daily trysts. Ming Yulan felt fortunate that this man ultimately chose her, believing their love was mutual and unbreakable. Little did she know, Du Xian had simply weighed his options among several wealthy families. Seeing that she was an only daughter, and her family’s wealth surpassed the others, he chose her.

After joining the Ming household, Du Xian sweet-talked Ming Yulan into complete submission. He appeared polite and well-mannered, seemingly flawless in his conduct. Old Patriarch Ming, though displeased with the match, could only turn a blind eye, as the deed was done. It wasn’t until Ming Rou was born and the Old Patriarch’s attention focused on her that Du Xian began to feel less constrained. His resolve weakened, and he couldn’t resist sneaking out for a taste of forbidden fruit now and then. Ming Yulan heard whispers but suffered from a lack of evidence. Du Xian would swear his innocence before her with such conviction that she could find no cause to accuse him.

Furthermore, after so many years of marriage, Ming Yulan was completely under Du Xian’s thumb. A few soft words and a vow later, and she would soften her heart, forgiving him time and again. What she never expected, however, was that her husband would dare cast his lecherous eyes on someone within their own household. This ignited a furious fire within her.

But Ming Yulan dared not confront Du Xian directly. She feared her husband would, as he had once before, turn on her coldly and say, “Since you distrust me so much, I’ll just leave! That way, no one can accuse me of staying only for the Ming family’s property. Better to leave cleanly.”

She couldn’t bear to let him go. She had clung to him, pleading desperately, until he finally relented. Now, seeing the first hints of trouble with Ye Qiuniang, she wanted to nip this budding threat in the bud. Gritting her teeth, Ming Yulan gathered a few sturdy, imposing matrons and marched to Ming Rou’s courtyard.

Upon entering, the sound of clear, rhythmic reading met her ears. One voice, young and bright; the other, soft yet carrying a youthful, melodious quality. Looking up, she saw two figures, one in pink, one in blue. Her daughter stood before a desk, looking like a young but stern scholar, inspecting Ye Qiuniang’s homework. She lifted her chin and declared, “Jiujiu, you’re getting dumber. I’ve taught you four, five times and you still get it wrong.”

The young maiden in a light blue dress before her didn’t take offense but offered a demure smile instead. “Qiuniang only has an ordinary brain. How can I compare to the Eldest Miss’s quick-witted intelligence?”

This flattery pleased Ming Rou greatly. She gave a soft, airy snort. “I shouldn’t judge you by my own standards. Fine, I’ll let you off.” Ming Yulan, walking further in, could easily see through the flattery in Ye Qiuniang’s words. Yet the young girl’s eyes were like liquid, gazing intently at her daughter, filled with nothing but Ming Rou’s reflection. Under such a devoted gaze, who would doubt the sincerity of her words?

But it was precisely those clear, beautiful eyes that had caught her husband’s attention. Ming Yulan felt a stab of hatred. Just then, Ye Qiuniang noticed the visitors. She turned, saw who it was, and hurriedly rose to curtsy, greeting, “Madam.”

“Mother—” Ming Rou saw her mother approaching, set down her book, and ran over. “What brings you to my courtyard with time to spare?”

Seeing her daughter’s fair little face, even with their usual detachment, the bond of mother and daughter stirred Ming Yulan’s heart to softness. She pulled Ming Rou into an embrace. “What, am I not allowed in your courtyard?”

“How could you not be? I just feared Mother might find it dull and would rather spend every day clinging to Father instead,” Ming Rou teased. Ming Yulan blushed at her daughter’s words, quickly defending herself. “Your father is the dull one! Nothing compared to my precious darling, so well-behaved and understanding.”

Ming Rou pouted. “Last time, you said I was unreasonable. Now, suddenly, I’m well-behaved and understanding.”

As usual, Ye Qiuniang stood quietly to the side, head lowered, eyes fixed downward. Seeing the tender scene between mother and daughter, she didn’t want to intrude and was about to turn and leave, but Ming Yulan called her back. “And where is Qiuniang going? Why is it you want to leave the moment I arrive? Is your conscience troubling you?”

Ye Qiuniang’s heart skipped a beat at Ming Yulan’s sudden words. She quickly replied, “Qiuniang was merely leaving to avoid disturbing the warm moment between Madam and the Eldest Miss. I assure you, my conscience is clear. May I ask what matter Madam is referring to?”

Ming Rou was also displeased. “Mother, what are you talking about? Qiuniang is with me every day. What could she possibly have a guilty conscience about? If you’re still angry about the incident the day before yesterday, you shouldn’t take it out on her. Even Maternal Grandfather isn’t pursuing it anymore. Please, just let it go.”

Both children’s eyes were clear and innocent. Seeing the flicker of unease in Ye Qiuniang’s eyes, Ming Yulan almost felt a pang of sympathy. But the memory of her husband’s lingering glances at this little wretch ignited the fury in her chest once more.

“I came today to give you a proper warning. Yes, you were brought here for Rou’er’s Auspicious Marriage. But look at other households: what is the status of an auspicious maid? What kind of life do they lead? The Ming family has not mistreated you in any way! You cannot now get too big for your breeches. Being able to eat and live with Rou’er is a fortune you must have cultivated over several lifetimes. Don’t think this means you are equal to the Ming family. Don’t forget your proper place, and don’t let your eyes wander so easily.”

Hearing this tirade, beads of sweat formed on Ye Qiuniang’s forehead. It was true that Ming Rou had treated her very well, and only during their private playful moments did she dare be a little carefree. At all other times, she constantly reminded herself of her lowly status, treading on thin ice. Yet still, the mistress of the house was displeased.

She immediately dropped to her knees in panic. “Qiuniang knows her fault. Qiuniang would never dare. From now on, I will reflect on my conduct and not dare to play so freely with the Eldest Miss. I will work like an ox or a horse to repay the Eldest Miss’s great kindness.”

Seeing Ye Qiuniang so humiliated and pleading, Ming Rou instantly became furious. “Mother—what are you doing? Qiuniang is my wife! Without her, I would never have recovered from this illness. She serves me with all her heart. You barely visit a few times a month; how could you know her better than I do?”

Seeing her daughter defy her for the sake of this lowly auspicious maid, Ming Yulan’s anger flared. Her face darkened. “Rou’er, how dare you speak to your mother like this? Did she teach you to?” “She did not teach me. But you never taught me much, either,” Ming Rou retorted, her little face flushed with anger.

“Rou’er, you’re being very disobedient now. Talking back to your elders—what will you do next!” Ming Yulan felt increasingly unable to control her daughter. “Mother, I don’t mean to talk back. But today, you’re scolding Jiujiu without knowing right from wrong. Everything she does is by my instruction. By scolding her, aren’t you scolding me too?”

“Rou’er, Mother isn’t talking about you. Step aside. These servants need to be put in their place from time to time. They always pretend to obey while doing otherwise. If not disciplined, they’ll try to climb over their masters’ heads,” Ming Yulan attempted to reason with her daughter.

“That’s not right! Everything must have a proper reason. Scolding someone so unjustly—if it were me, I’d be upset too,” Ming Rou said, her small face stormy, her earlier joy at seeing her mother completely gone. “Rou’er, you are far too insolent! I don’t need you to teach me how to manage things.”

With that, she ordered the two matrons behind her to force Ye Qiuniang back onto her knees. Her voice icy, she addressed Ye Qiuniang: “Ye Qiuniang, go back and think carefully about exactly what you’ve done wrong. Do not mistake yourself for a master of the Ming family. At best, you’re nothing but a dog of the Ming family. The next time you see a master of this house, you’d best remember whether to keep your spine straight or bent. And don’t even think about coveting what doesn’t belong to you. What isn’t yours will never be yours.”

Her warning delivered, Ming Yulan left the courtyard with her two servants, still fuming.

Ming Rou didn’t understand the true reason behind her mother’s sudden outburst. But seeing Ye Qiuniang being bullied tore at her heart. Ye Qiuniang was now her closest friend, the one who had been by her side for all these years, who had cared for her every headache and fever. She could not fathom why her mother would unleash such fury on the gentle, kind Jiujiu. Baffled, she still stepped forward to help Ye Qiuniang up, saying, “Jiujiu, let’s ignore her. Don’t take it to heart.”

Looking at the departing figure of Madam Ming, Ye Qiuniang’s eyes held a thoughtful, pensive look. She had new speculations about the reason for the Ming Matriarch’s sudden, inexplicable attack.