A sudden peal of thunder exploded over the Zong Residence, making everyone’s scalp tingle.
Zong Xian’s expression was cold and stern as he said in a low voice, “Since when has a Cousin appeared out of nowhere in the Zong Residence?”
Qinghe hurriedly explained Mingyi’s background in just a few words, then added in a hushed voice, “You were the one who agreed to let Miss enter the residence, Second Master[1]A household title identifying a male master by his position in the family’s birth order, rather than by his personal name. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733108_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733108_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. Perhaps you simply forgot.”
Zong Xian’s expression shifted several times. He turned and gazed deeply in the direction where Mingyi was, but no one knew what he was thinking.
Qinghe felt uneasy.
A moment later, all expression faded from Zong Xian’s face. He slowly released the hand gripping her and said, “I understand. Go on.”
The invisible pressure on Qinghe’s shoulders vanished at once. She secretly let out a breath, answered quickly, and hurried toward Mingyi with the hairpin in her hand.
Meanwhile, Steward Chang was already sweating with fright. He hurriedly put on a smile and corrected himself. “I was careless and misspoke. You’re Cousin.”
As a martial artist, his hearing was excellent. He had heard Qinghe say “Cousin” loud and clear.
He was quick-witted and immediately understood what had happened.
A servant had to protect the master’s dignity.
Qinghe reached Mingyi and handed her the hairpin. “Cousin, you left your hairpin behind.”
Mingyi instinctively raised a hand to her hair and touched the hairpin she was wearing. Looking at the one in Qinghe’s hand, she said, “You’ve made a mistake. This isn’t mine. I’m wearing my hairpin.”
Qinghe slapped her forehead, as if suddenly realizing. “So I did mistake it for yours. Concubine[2]A secondary partner with lower status than a principal wife in a traditional household. The standing of concubines and bedchamber servants could differ by period and household. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733108_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733108_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); Wen must have come by this morning; it’s probably something she left behind.”
The main branch had two concubines, Madam Wen and Madam Yu.
Madam Wen kept a very low profile. Apart from paying her daily respects to Old Madam Zong[3]A respectful household title for the senior female family elder or matriarch, often the mother of the household’s adult masters. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3733108_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3733108_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, she rarely went out, and Mingyi had only seen her a few times.
“It’s about to rain, Cousin. You should hurry back.”
Sure enough, it rained on the way back—and quite heavily.
Steward Chang held an umbrella over Mingyi and Yuegui, escorting them to the door.
Mingyi stood beneath the eaves while Yuegui stepped forward to gently brush the rainwater from her hem.
“Thank you for escorting me, Chang Yu. You may return now.” Mingyi looked up at him, then added, “We were in such a hurry earlier that I didn’t get to thank My Lord. Please convey my thanks to him.”
Chang Yu stood in the rain beneath his umbrella. The mist concealed the complicated look in his eyes; he merely smiled and agreed. Then he turned and walked into the rain, his figure quickly disappearing.
After Chang Yu left, Yuegui smiled brightly. “Second Master is so considerate. He was afraid you’d get wet, so he even had the steward escort you back himself. I don’t understand how anyone could say he’s fearsome and difficult to approach.”
“I think Second Master must be very good to his family,” Mingyi said.
Yuegui nodded. “He’s so thoughtful and considerate. He’ll surely treat his wife very well someday.”
Mingyi did not reply. She lightly touched a large raindrop falling from the edge of the eaves and said softly, “With rain like this, I doubt we’ll see a sunny day for the next few days.”
“The weather’s turning cold. I hope Ji Mingzhe can take good care of himself and doesn’t fall ill.”
Yuegui reassured her, “Zong Yue will be perfectly healthy.”
Mingyi’s younger brother, Ji Mingzhe, was currently studying at White Deer Academy and serving as a companion reader to Madam Liu’s son. He could come home only once every ten days.
Though sometimes he came a day or two early or late.
Mingyi counted the days. Perhaps she would see her younger brother tomorrow or the day after.
The next day, Madam Liu sent for Mingyi again.
This time, however, they did not talk in the reception hall. Madam Liu gently took Mingyi’s hand and led her into the inner room. Qinghe followed with a long, smoky-pink dress of soft silk and placed it in Madam Liu’s hands.
Madam Liu took the dress and carefully held it up against Mingyi, speaking warmly. “You’re always dressed so plainly. I can’t help thinking it makes you look too austere, without a young woman’s brightness. I had this dress made especially for you. Go try it on and see if it fits.”
Mingyi could not refuse, so she followed a maid behind the screen to change.
Before long, Mingyi came back out. Madam Liu looked up, and her eyes immediately lit up.
The dress was embroidered all over with delicate flowering crabapple branches in pale green. It was neither gaudy nor dull, and looked dignified while still bringing out the gentle, bright charm of youth.
Madam Liu nodded again and again. “Lovely. It really suits you.”
Mingyi was a little puzzled. Why had Madam Liu been so good to her lately? She had given her clothes and jewelry…
Madam Liu said, “Zong Ying is coming home to visit tomorrow, and the residence has arranged a family banquet. Wear this when you come to join us for the meal. It’ll add some color to your appearance. Don’t always wear plain colors, or Old Madam will think I’m neglecting you.”
Zong Ying was Old Madam’s youngest daughter, much loved by her. She was lively and sweet-natured, and not at all shrewd.
Mingyi got along well with her. When Zong Ying was still waiting to be married, the two of them often chatted together to pass the time.
But after Zong Ying went to live with her husband’s family, she could not come back often, and Mingyi’s days in the Zong Residence grew rather dull.
Now that she knew she would see Zong Ying, Mingyi could not help looking forward to the next day.
On the day Zong Ying came home, the Zong Residence was unusually lively.
Zong Ying’s newlywed husband, Wang Yanlin, had come along with her.
Zong Ying had always been Old Madam’s most cherished daughter. Back when it came to finding her a husband, Old Madam had gone to great lengths, personally scrutinizing the candidates and rejecting countless young talents from noble families.
Everyone had assumed that with Old Madam Zong’s high standards, she would marry her daughter into a powerful family—either a great house of distinction or the imperial clan.
But the outcome surprised everyone. The one Old Madam had chosen was the unremarkable Wang family, whose status was nothing special.
By their family’s standing, the Wangs should not even have been able to cross the threshold of the Zong Residence.
They did not understand Old Madam Zong’s loving intentions. Zong Ying was simple-hearted and had been protected too well growing up; she knew nothing of the schemes and intrigues within a household. If she married into one of those complicated aristocratic families, she would surely be bullied and made to suffer.
The Wang family, by contrast, was small. There were no elders or mother-in-law above her, no sisters-in-law or brothers’ wives—only Young Master Wang himself. The young couple could live quietly on their own. As long as they got along, they could spend their lives in peace and happiness.
Besides, Zong Xian had always doted on his youngest sister. He had long ago declared that he would never use Zong Ying’s happiness as a bargaining chip.
And now Zong Ying truly was happy and content. Whenever she came home, her face was bright with affection, and she had even grown a little plumper than before she married.
“Where have I put on weight? Keep teasing me and I really will get angry! Mother, you tell him—Second Brother is being so unreasonable!”
“All you do is pick on me. You’re so unpleasant to talk to; no wonder you still haven’t taken a wife!”
When Mingyi entered, she saw Zong Ying with her hands on her hips and her soft cheeks puffed out, arguing with Zong Xian.
There was even a rare smile on Zong Xian’s face.
It was the first time Mingyi had seen him smile, and it felt strange.
Madam Liu, seated beside Old Madam Zong, saw Mingyi. She set down her teacup and beckoned to her with a smile. “Mingyi’s here. Why are you standing there? Come over and greet everyone. This is Second Master.”
Zong Xian’s smile faded slightly as he turned toward the sound.
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