Volume Three: The Peach Blossom Does Not Spare Its Rouge Colour, Nor Does It Wait for a Golden House to Recommend the Splendid Hall Chapter 131

  Hong Yu and Qiu Niang had only been there for a few days when Ming Lan suddenly discovered that many people were concerned about Gu Ting Ye's bed life.

  One day, Lai's mother came running in excitement, first flattering and praising Minglan excessively, making her ears numb, before rushing to the point: "...Madam is still young and may not know, but in a family like ours, there are rules to follow between wives and concubines. Madam should arrange a schedule for Master to visit each room in turn, and then everything will be peaceful at home!"

  Minglan was speechless for a moment, her face pale with anger. Her icy gaze shot over to Laima, whose smile froze on her face as she hesitated and stopped talking. Seeing Minglan's displeased expression, Laima smiled obsequiously: "Milady, please don't blame me for being nosy, I was just thinking of you, so that milady wouldn't get a reputation for being jealous."

  Minglan sneered in her heart, did they really think she didn't understand anything? They were so openly bullying her! The system of wives and concubines taking turns, in essence, was to prevent the concubine from being favored, fearing that the man would be blinded and commit the crime of favoring the concubine over his wife. Simply put, it was a restrictive rule created to prevent men from doting on a particular concubine.

  But in fact, there are not many wealthy families who can really implement this set of rules.

  Minglan slightly relaxed her icy gaze and put on a faint smile: "I really don't know the rules, Mother should know. I'd like to ask a few questions then. Firstly, did the first wife of Old Master Hou ever attend this schedule?"

  Lai's mother was shocked, and in the time of Daqin Shi, not to mention concubines sharing a room, even Old Master Gu hadn't touched a fly.

  Minglan asked again: "Have Madam Bai and the current Old Madam ever had a falling out?"

  Lai's mother was so choked with grief that she couldn't speak, let alone Bai. Even the gentle and virtuous Xiao Qin had never experienced such a thing.

  Minglan sneered: "Then has my elder sister-in-law and younger brother's room ever arranged for this? Has mother gone to persuade them?"

  Lai's mother was speechless, standing still, unable to move forward or backward, her facial expression uglier than crying.

  Minglan said calmly: "It seems mother only 'cares' about me alone."

  Mrs. Lai only then realized she was in trouble, this young lady's mind was clear and her words were sharp, more difficult to fool than the average mistress. She was so frightened that she wanted to kneel down, but Minglan gave her a glance, and Xiaotao suddenly used his Eagle Claw skill to stop her. Minglan smiled warmly: "Mother is precious, I don't dare."

  Lai Mama couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, but for a moment, she couldn't say anything.

  After sending the person out, Dan Ju was furious: "Madam, it can't be like this, they are too bullying!" Xiao Tao quickly came up with a plan: "Let's find her fault and severely punish her, best to beat her with a board, so she won't dare to be lazy again!"

  Minglan's face was calm, her fists clenched tightly, and she didn't know what she was thinking about. After a long time, she finally spoke in a low voice: "Indeed formidable, if I really punished her severely, I'm afraid it would be just as that person wished; the more she wants something to happen here, the more I want 'harmony'."

  Danju and Xiaotao looked at each other in confusion, not understanding the meaning. Minglan raised her head and asked: "Has Laima had any disputes or arguments with anyone since coming to the mansion these days?"

  "What's wrong?" said Little Peach, "Those several mothers all rely on serving the elderly, each nose is raised higher than the sky, and they love to count down a few sentences to show off their identity! Lai mother is especially hateful, and because she didn't get any clever son, she always finds trouble with those who have errands, and has made many enemies."

  "That's good." Minglan said calmly.

  Every other afternoon, Minglan promoted Wang Wu's wife in the back garden and asked her to temporarily take charge of planting a barren land by the forest.

  Everyone in the Fu family was puzzled, how did this fat job get snatched up by so many people wanting it? Wang Wu's wife had always been stubborn and not good at socializing, how did she end up getting it? In fact, Minglan had originally intended to reserve this job for her husband, but He Youchang in the front yard learned a thing or two about managing things and suddenly quit. At that time, Minglan didn't have a suitable candidate in mind, so she put it off until now.

  "Wang Wu's wife wants to come and thank you." Cui Wei came in to report.

  Minglan waved her hand and asked in return: "Are you sure she is the most suitable one?"

  "I and Cui's mother looked at each other coldly, among those people, she is the best. Cui nodded slightly, "Her mouth is sharp, her temper is straightforward, but she is also quite understanding and has a bit of cleverness. I asked around, her relationships with others in the mansion are not bad, most of them quarreled with Lai's mother because they were standing up for justice. However, I don't know her well enough to say whether there are any other problems."

  "Is there anyone perfect?" Minglan smiled wryly, "It's just temporarily borrowing her for a use, if she does well, then this task will really be given to her; if not, it can be taken back at any time."

  Tangerine, who was standing by the door, looked around cautiously and then turned back to whisper: "Don't worry, madam. Didn't we go through the documents last night? Although Wang Wu's wife hasn't managed land herself, her husband used to work in the fields; the others may know how to farm, but they love to gossip and don't know their limits."

  Minglan nodded, made up her mind and said: "Cuiwei, tell her not to come to thank me, just say two things. First, do a good job and don't let people catch your handle, I'm watching; second...". Minglan smiled slightly, "Laimama is an old person in the Hou Mansion, with a very good temper, kind and gentle, just tell her to 'be respectful'. Don't mention anything else."

  Cui Wei's eyes lit up, and she immediately nodded and went out. Dan Ju also seemed to understand, but only Xiao Tao, who was sitting on the kang, stitching a piece of brocade fabric, looked dull: "Can this be done?"

  "From now on, don't mention this matter again. When you see Lai Mama, be polite and courteous, absolutely do not argue with her. If there's any news, just report it to me!"

  The two girls responded in unison with great solemnity.

  Cui Wei's eyes are not bad, Wang Wu's wife is indeed a sensible person.

  She managed the household chores while also arguing with Lai Mama, not neglecting either task and handling both well. Some of the astute servants in the mansion gradually caught on to her ways and no longer avoided or yielded to Lai Mama. Whenever something went wrong, a large group of people would gang up on Lai Mama, ridiculing everything from her husband's drinking and gambling habits to their eldest daughter marrying an old, wealthy man with a big belly, and so on, the jokes were endless.

  Lai Mama was so angry that her whole body was shaking, but she had no choice. She couldn't compete with the crowd alone, and even if she brought in a stubborn mom to help, they would still be outnumbered and outmatched. Wailing and crying wouldn't work since the other side had louder voices, and fighting back would only lead to a ridiculous scene of disheveled hair and smudged makeup. Moreover, Lai Mama was getting older, her face often turned purple with rage, and she would choke on her breath, her hands and feet trembling wildly.

  At this time, Minglan would make a big show of inviting the doctor, comforting with good soup and medicine, throwing in white silver, and "seriously" scolding those few quarrelsome maidservants, punishing them lightly but severely to demonstrate "controlling the conflict".

  Wait for mom to catch her breath and then repeat the above process again.

  When Minglan went to pay her respects to Old Madame for the third time, Old Madame couldn't help but ask: "Is Lai Mama doing well at your place?"

  "Really?" Minglan smiled sweetly, "Since you've used Laima before, how could it go wrong?"

  "But I've heard... she often quarrels with people?" Madam Tai said hesitantly.

  Minglan smiled: "What's going on! It's just that Lai Mama is strict with her subordinates and scolds them a few words. But if you say there's something, Lai Mama really has some things."

  The old lady's eyes flashed, and she asked in a calm tone: "What is it?"

  "Alas, it's all my fault for not taking good care of Mother. I think she's getting old and I've been troubling her with this and that, exhausting her. We've already called in two doctors, one is Zhang Shijie from Xiangcao Hall in the south of the city, and the other is Li Chong recommended by Madame Zheng. They both say it's because Mother has been overworked and worried too much, and also somewhat angry. Alas... how could this be? If anything happens to her, I, I won't be able to face you." Minglan apologized repeatedly in a low voice.

  Old Mrs. Tao's expression changed suddenly, but it was Old Mrs. Shao who saw Minglan looking very self-reproachful and spoke warmly: "Don't take it to heart, sister-in-law. I know these two doctors well, their medical skills and ethics are both excellent. It's actually good fortune for Laima. Besides, when managing the household, who doesn't get frustrated? Even me, with my mother-in-law looking out for me above and you sisters-in-law helping me below, I also suffered a lot of grievances from underlings back then!"

  Madam's face was full of kindness and warmth, she smiled and said: "Your sister-in-law is right, don't take it to heart." She then comforted Minglan with many gentle words, and again asked tentatively: "If Raimama really can't be used, how about I give you a few more people...?"

  "Look what you said!" Minglan's expression cleared up, and she jokingly pretended to be angry, "I have so many helpers, and Rong and the others are extremely considerate. The few mothers have been helping me for almost two months now, even if I'm not capable, can't I still manage that small piece of land?! If I were to ask you for this and that every time it rains, wouldn't people who don't know us think that my mother's family doesn't teach their daughters properly?! Then I'd be too ashamed to go out in public from now on!"

  "Ah, you little scamp!" The old lady seemed to be amused and pointed at Minglan with a smile. Shao Furen also covered her mouth with her sleeve and chuckled lightly, while Zhu Shi laughed the most happily, but her eyes kept darting towards the old lady.

  ……

  "Didn't you two have a fight?" Mrs. Huan asked in a low voice.

  A young woman dressed up and chimed in, "Not only did they not quarrel, but there were bursts of laughter in the house, very harmonious."

  The big wife looked at the tightly closed doors and windows, let out a long sigh, and praised: "My younger brother and sister are really good, my elder aunt has met her match. If it weren't for Tian's mother secretly coming to tell me, I would have thought they had nothing going on."

  That daughter-in-law seemed to have run hastily, wiping her sweat with a handkerchief and said softly: "The garden is like an iron fence, it's not easy to ask casually, fortunately you thought it was strange for Lai mother to invite the doctor, so I asked Tian mother."

  "My sister-in-law is too cautious, what's the harm in speaking a little?" Mrs. Huan smiled with narrowed eyes, "She is so thorough and now everyone outside praises her for being kind-hearted and generous to old servants!"

  "If I were to rely on my mother, I'd rather tear off the facade and make a scene! It's better than suffering like this. I heard she also went to apologize, but was rebuffed by Erniang!" The daughter-in-law said.

  "Do you know what's going on?! The reason inside can be clearly stated!" Rui Daitai glared at her and laughed, "Could it be that Laimama comes to the Hou Mansion to cry injustice, saying that Yan Er Furen was annoyed because she advised a few words about wife and concubine rotation, and then instigated the servants to bully her? Hehe, if this is said, Laimama's old face for several generations will be finished."

  "Good girl, teach me how to say this?" The woman asked strangely.

  "Look at our household, which room is for the wives and concubines to take turns? Like Dai Shu's wife, she's like a widow, even if she wants to arrange a date, it depends on whether the man is willing to get close to her!" She laughed loudly, covering her mouth with her hand. "My mother-in-law, Fifth Aunt, at their age, and the old ladies from each house, as well as those who have lost favor... how can they arrange this? If Lai Mama's words are spread, would it be true or not? If it's true, they would be delighted, but our household would be in an uproar!"

  "So that's how it is, our young lady is really clever!" The wife made a gesture of admiration and flattery, adding a few flattering words, "Even if you had arranged a date, our young master wouldn't have gone anyway."

  Mrs. Dai smiled and said with great relish, "Besides, the young couple is now in their honeymoon period, and if you, Lai Mama, not only provoke them but also go out and make a fuss, they won't say anything bad about my brother's wife. On the contrary, they will think that you, Lai Mama, are being unreasonable and picking on the new daughter-in-law. All the madams in the household don't try to persuade anyone, but instead only 'persuade' the new bride? The eldest son hasn't even been born yet, and you're already trying to get a day for the concubine? If that's really the case, then my aunt would be speechless. Hehe, after all, she's the one who gave birth to him. Since no one says anything, we can only watch them make fools of themselves and let her gain a good reputation."

  The daughter-in-law followed with a smile: "So, Lai Mama is done for?"

  "If she's smart, she'd better quietly retreat and not show her face again. Maybe this matter will blow over. Otherwise, haha, didn't your younger siblings say that mom is the one given by the madam? Unless she commits a 'major offense', there's only reason to be respectful."

  That daughter-in-law nodded repeatedly, and another burst of flattering words came out. The old lady was delighted, and then murmured: "...... Auntie's trick didn't work, I don't know how the younger siblings will deal with those two little ones."

  Minglan's sister-in-law was very considerate and had a good sense of foresight. Some things couldn't be left unattended by Minglan, as the situation in Qingyuan was getting increasingly lively recently.

  In ancient times, if a young wife was not favored, she would not easily see her husband. From the first day of paying respects, Minglan made it clear that since childhood, she had followed her grandmother to worship Buddha and was used to being pure and quiet. So every time she paid respects, after asking what needed to be asked and saying what needed to be said, Minglan would serve tea and send off the guest. Therefore, they usually couldn't wait for Gu Tingye to return home from court.

  So far, Gu Ting Ye still doesn't have any intention of going to sleep with them. Ming Lan naturally wouldn't be stupid enough to help him pimp. They can't call him on the phone and say "Hey, Hanyi, are you tired of staying by your wife's side? Come to my bed and let's have some fun". Nor can they wait at the entrance of the company building, batting their eyelashes flirtatiously and saying "Sweetheart, I've got a surprise for you".

  If Rong Jie were a boy, Qiu Niang and Hong Die could still take the opportunity to meet with men while helping Gu Tingyan tutor his son - of course, whether Gu Tingyan has enough ink is another matter.

  For several days, they didn't have a chance to meet with men, so these two women felt melancholy.

  Hong Yu knew that she was not favored by Gu Tingyan, so she hid in the house and thought about how to get Ruo Jie to talk to her more. However, Qiu Niang couldn't wait any longer and ran to the entrance of Jia Xi Ju, where she had encountered Gu Tingyan twice before. Unfortunately, the two servants on either side were too ignorant and stared at her with their big, unknowing eyes, making it impossible for Qiu Niang to express her feelings.

  After going back and forth several times, Qiuniang's classic pose, like the "Waiting for Husband Rock", was seen by many people, and rumors gradually spread. The women in the inner courtyard just cursed a few words of "lust" and ridiculed her a few times; but some men with dirty mouths in the outer courtyard spoke badly, saying things like "thinking about men has gone bad", "almost thirty years old, this thirty is like a wolf and tiger", "if Master doesn't go to enjoy it, I'm afraid she'll find another way"...

  Men who can't get married always have a more vivid imagination.

  Not many people outside the palace knew about this rumor, so it wasn't until several days later that it spread to those inside.

  Qiu Niang was so grief-stricken that she almost took her own life, but Dan Ju quickly went to report the incident. Ming Lan was furious and immediately ordered an investigation. Those who had spread the rumors were severely punished: two of them, who were already known for their misbehavior, were sold as slaves; the others were docked two months' worth of silver rice and then flogged with twenty blows each.

  Everyone saw Minglan's imposing manner and knew better than to spread rumors about the master's family affairs, even in the outer courtyard.

  After punishing the servants, Minglan immediately brought up Autumn and interrogated her.

  Qiu Niang knew she had lost face and immediately knelt down, bitterly begging for forgiveness and admitting her mistake. Ming Lan coldly said: "How many times has Master praised you in front of me, saying that you are kind, knowledgeable about etiquette, and good at understanding people's intentions? You've only been here for a few days and yet you've caused such a commotion, where did you learn this bad habit?"

  Qiu Niang repeatedly kowtowed, crying with tears streaming down: "I was momentarily confused and lost my senses, it's been many years since I saw Master, I've missed him terribly..."

  "You mind or not, I don't care." Minglan sternly interrupted her and said directly, "But have you thought about it? Now that Master is in a high position, how many people are staring at him with envy. If these dirty words were to spread even a little bit outside the Qingyuan gate, wouldn't it be ridiculing Master's household for being unsound?! And actually allowing a concubine to run amok throughout the mansion, chasing after men!" How utterly ridiculous!

  Qiu Niang collapsed to the ground in tears, while Ming Lan spoke decisively: "You don't need to come and pay your respects for now. Xiao Tao, give her a copy of the 'Heart Sutra', go back and copy it out 100 times, and only come back when you're done!"

  Looking at Autumn's dejected back, Minglan couldn't help but feel indignant. She had never had the virtue of covering up for others' mistakes, so that night she told Gu Tingye everything, and sighed: "It's also because I'm not strict enough in managing the household. If it were in the Sheng household, no matter what happened inside, who would dare spread it to the outer courtyard?! Can others discuss the master's right and wrong?! Only now do I understand why Grandmother said that my mother-in-law is good at managing the household... alas, it's really not easy."

  She used to look down on Wang's family a little, but now that she has become the head of her own household, she can't help but admire Wang's skills.

  "It's none of your business!" Gu Tingyan said with a stern face. "You've only been in charge for a few days, and even if you're capable, it's not something that can be accomplished overnight! You should severely punish and thoroughly rectify the situation." After a pause, he said lightly, "Autumn is becoming more and more unreasonable."

  His voice was calm, but Minglan knew that this was how he looked when he was truly angry. Minglan walked over and gently leaned on the man's shoulder, softly saying: "It's not a big deal, people always make mistakes. This time she knows her mistake, next time will be better."

  Gu Tingyan held Minglan in his arms, gently stroking her loose long hair. The room was silent for a long time before he revealed a faint smile, rubbing Minglan's nose and teasing: "Why is it copying Buddhist scriptures? Shouldn't you be copying 'Nü Ze' or something?"

  Minglan smiled and said, "I've thought of this before. If someone asks, I'll just say that Autumn is being influenced by me and has a desire to become a Buddhist nun. I'm actually teaching her right now! That way, no one will gossip about the goings-on in our household."

  Gu Tingyan burst out laughing, his chest shaking with laughter, his dark eyes filled with amusement. He pressed his forehead against Minglan's head and said seriously: "The Heart Sutra has too few characters, it's not even a thick book! Xiuqian has almost half a set of the Tripitaka, that kid copied it out to practice his handwriting, I'll go borrow it for you later! Borrow the whole set!"

  "Hubby, do you know how many volumes and characters are in the entire set of 'The Great Buddhist Canon'?"

  Gu Tingyan was ignorant and fearless, with a calm face: "I don't know." He only knew that this set of scriptures seemed very powerful.

  Minglan was speechless, and decided to enlighten Comrade Gu, sighing: "To put it this way, if Qiu Niang writes every day without stopping, and can live to be 70 or 80 years old with her eyes not dim and her hands not shaking, just enough for her to copy until she is laid to rest."

  Recently I've been smoking a lot, it's like my soul is gone, and I only feel alive in the middle of the night.