Chapter 11: Wei Xiaoniang Prepares a Thank-You Gift

The next day, the morning light was faint and gentle.

In the Sheng residence, several rough maids breathed out white clouds of steam as they swept the paths with their brooms with swift, crisp strokes. The courtyard servants had long since risen, hurrying about with copper basins brimming with hot water.

Madam Sheng sat upright on the Luohan couch, sipping her hot tea and casting a faint glance toward Sheng Hong.

“Have you handled yesterday’s matter properly?”

Though Madam Sheng devoted herself to Buddhist worship and rarely left her quarters, nothing within the inner residence escaped her sharp and discerning gaze. The housekeepers—Madam Fang, Madam Cui, Cuiwei, and others—were all attentive, experienced, and shrewd.

“It has been taken care of. It was my fault; I caused you trouble, Mother,” Sheng Hong replied respectfully, setting down his bowl and wiping his mouth.

Madam Sheng said, “I did not trouble myself much, but I do pity the Wei mother and daughter, being so badly bullied by that treacherous servant.”

“Rest assured, Mother. When I came to pay my respects, I heard from the servants that Lady Lin sent quite a number of gifts over.”

When facing his legal mother, Sheng Hong always behaved with utmost propriety.

Madam Sheng scoffed lightly and narrowed her eyes. Even without sending anyone to inquire, she already knew who was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

“Looking at them reminds me of how you looked when you were young.”

Sheng Hong’s birth mother was the concubine Chun Xiaoniang, while the elder Sheng Huaiyuan favored another concubine, Hong Xiaoniang. Not only did he indulge her in killing the legitimate son, but he also forced Chun Xiaoniang to take poison.

Before the age of seven, Sheng Hong bore scars all over, lacking his birth mother’s protection. It was only after Madam Sheng overcame the grief of losing her son that she took him in to raise by her side.

A lingering pain surfaced in Sheng Hong’s eyes.

After a moment of silence, he spoke, “It was all my fault. From now on, I will take good care of Ming’er and the Wei family.”

“Let’s hope you remember your words,” Madam Sheng said coolly.

He knew Sheng Hong’s nature well—whenever it came to Lin Qingshuang, he always lifted her high and gently set her down, finding every way to excuse her.

Seeing the atmosphere in the room grow tense, Sheng Hong changed the subject. “The doctor suggested some time ago that Mother choose a granddaughter to raise by her side. Have you found anyone you favor?”

Madam Sheng glanced at him but did not answer, only stirring the hot porridge in her bowl with her porcelain spoon.

Sheng Hong said, “I think Muer is the cleverest and sweetest-tongued; why not have her stay by your side?”

At this, Madam Sheng’s expression hardened.

“You have a knack for choosing. I won’t hide it from you—Fourth Miss is indeed smart, but I see her temperament is as stubborn as Lin’s.”

“I am old. I cannot endure such troubles anymore.”

Lin Qingshuang had been raised by Madam Sheng for five or six years. Originally a daughter of a high-ranking official, her family was disgraced and exiled when she was young, and she was secretly sent to Sheng residence.

After reaching marriageable age, Madam Sheng arranged for her to marry a scholarly family. Though they were poorer, they had no worries about food or clothing, and the groom held a scholar’s title.

Yet Lin Qingshuang, discontent with poverty and enamored with wealth, refused to marry and secretly seduced Sheng Hong.

Later, she threatened Madam Sheng and Wang Ruofu with her pregnancy, insisting on becoming a concubine or else exposing the scandal.

To protect Sheng Hong’s reputation and career, Madam Sheng persuaded Wang Ruofu to accept her.

After this incident, Madam Sheng saw Lin Qingshuang’s true colors and decreed that she was not to set foot in the residence again.

Sheng Hong understood Madam Sheng’s grudge. He awkwardly said, “Muer is only ten. She needs guidance now. If Mother—”

Before he could finish, Madam Sheng slammed down her bowl, the porcelain spoon striking the rim sharply.

Startled, Sheng Hong quickly fell silent.

Madam Sheng picked up the soup warmer beside her and said calmly, “In a few days, I plan to retreat to the mountains for Buddhist worship. I will return after the Laba Festival.”

“I understand, Mother. I will instruct the servants to prepare immediately.”

Madam Sheng waved her hand irritably. “Since you’ve eaten, go attend to your official duties.”

Sheng Hong glanced at the porridge he had barely touched, rose, and bowed to take his leave.

After he left, Madam Fang approached. “Madam, don’t be troubled. The master is only confused for a moment.”

“Confused? He is perfectly clear, but just pretending not to be,” Madam Sheng said, sipping her tea with a weary look.

“Enough, let’s not speak of him. Out of sight, out of mind. Let’s go find some peace.”

——

In the side courtyard, Wei Xiaoniang’s room overflowed with various tonics and daily necessities.

The dishes on the table were more sumptuous than ever: sweet millet porridge with milk, pickled quail, Ruyi cake, rouge-glazed goose breast…

Minglan, her hair styled in twin hanging buns and dressed in a brand-new cotton coat, sat with Xiao Tao at the table, enjoying breakfast.

“Miss, why aren’t you eating?”

Minglan blinked with eyes as bright and curious as a fawn’s, looking intently at Wei Xiaoniang.

Xiao Tao stood and eagerly offered Wei Xiaoniang a serving. “Miss, this rouge-glazed goose breast is delicious. Please try some.”

Wei Xiaoniang smiled gently but felt a faint unease in her heart.

“You two eat. I’m not hungry yet.”

Soon, Xiaodie entered quietly. “Miss, the two women Lady Lin sent have been assigned outside to do rough work.”

“I can tell they were sent to watch us,” Wei Xiaoniang said softly, nodding.

“Right now, I can’t refuse the people Lin sent. You must keep a close eye on them, and we must be careful with what we say from now on.”

“Don’t worry, Miss. After this, I’ll be extra cautious.”

Noticing Wei Xiaoniang still hesitated to start eating, Xiaodie frowned. “Is the food not to your liking?”

Wei Xiaoniang lowered her gaze. “It’s not that I don’t like it, but…”

She hesitated, her eyes sweeping over the lavish spread.

“This sudden generosity makes it hard to eat. I doubt even the Madam of the house’s breakfast is this sumptuous.”

Xiaodie’s expression grew serious but she couldn’t fathom Lady Lin’s true intentions.

“I think Lady Lin is just putting on a show for the master. Maybe in a few days, things will return to how they were.”

Wei Xiaoniang sighed lightly, forced down a few bites, then, supporting her pregnant belly, stood and opened a wooden box sent by Sheng Hong’s men.

She took out twenty taels of silver and handed them to Xiaodie.

“Go to the Zhao residence later and return this silver to Master Zhao.”

Then she took out a package. “Deliver this as well, as my token of thanks.”

Xiaodie accepted them and said, “Master Zhao is a good man. I heard from the front courtyard maids that soon he will become the eldest son-in-law of our household.”

“Big Sister is getting married?!” Minglan exclaimed, imagining Zhao Han’s figure.

Wei Xiaoniang reached out and gently tapped her head. “Don’t be so startled, girl. Big Sister has always been sincere with us, and she really seems well matched with Master Zhao.”

As the eldest sister, Hualan had always been very caring and considerate toward her younger siblings, especially the youngest, Minglan.