In the deep spring season, the Western Mansion Crabapple trees in the rear garden of the Ningyuan Marquis Estate were in full bloom. A warm breeze swept through, carrying a sweet, cloying floral fragrance and delivering the crisp, tender sound of recitation from the Flower Hall.
"Heaven and Earth, dark and yellow; the universe, vast and wild. Sun and moon wax and wane; stars and constellations spread across the sky…"
A little girl of seven or eight, dressed in a delicate pale pink Hangzhou Silk ruqun, her hair styled in a neat Double Bun Hairstyle adorned with exquisite pearl hairpins, sat with her back straight, reciting the Thousand Character Classic word by word.
Her voice was milky-sweet yet fluent. When encountering a tricky passage, she would slightly furrow her ink-painted brows, her earnest, thoughtful expression drawing pleased smiles from Madam Qin seated at the head and the female tutor beside her.
Ming Lan’s curriculum was arranged with utmost care. Beyond the poetry and needlework essential for a young lady of the inner chambers, Madam Qin placed even greater emphasis on cultivating her temperament, refinement, and broadening her horizons. She specially invited a retired matron from the palace to teach etiquette and decorum, demanding that every gesture and movement be naturally elegant. She hired at great expense a female tutor of little fame but profound learning, who not only lectured on history and the classics but also analyzed worldly affairs and human nature. She even had Ming Lan observe and learn by her side early on—managing household affairs, reviewing accounts, and appraising calligraphy, paintings, and antiquities.
Ming Lan, already possessing memories and intellect from her past life, learned with twice the result for half the effort, grasping concepts instantly. She often offered unique insights that astonished her tutors and matrons, who praised her endlessly: "The Fourth Young Lady is exceptionally intelligent and perceptive, a rarity in this world."
Madam Qin watched all this with joy in her heart, increasingly feeling that this daughter was a treasure bestowed upon her by heaven, and she spared no effort in nurturing her.
Although her father, Gu Yankai, was busy with court affairs, whenever he returned to the estate, he never failed to test his daughter on her studies or listen to her clear, soft voice recount amusing incidents from the household.
Seeing his daughter raised so excellently—well-read and principled yet retaining a childlike innocence—he was deeply satisfied with his wife, Madam Qin, and their marital bond grew stronger. His doting on Ming Lan increased daily; whenever he obtained something good, he always prioritized "our Sister Yi."
Compared to her previous life in the Sheng Family—a cautious, shadow-like existence as a concubine-born daughter—the present Ming Lan, Gu Tingyi, was a little darling soaking in a jar of honey.
Her eldest brother, Gu Tingyu, though chronically bedridden and pale, would always muster his energy whenever Ming Lan visited. He would have his trusted servant bring out the curious trinkets he had collected—a little wooden man that could walk, a glass bird, small Mortise and Tenon mechanisms… Patiently pointing them out to her, he would say gently, "Yi'er, look, do you like them? Come sit with your eldest brother often when you're bored."
Her third brother, Gu Tingwei, was an entirely different story.
He was a thoroughly spoiled troublemaker, often out cockfighting, dog-racing, and stirring up trouble, the source of his father Gu Yankai’s headaches. Yet the moment he returned home and saw his precious younger sister, he instantly became like a tiger with its teeth pulled, practically wagging his tail.
One day, he would sneak out and bring her freshly baked rose-flavored crispy candy; the next, he would procure from who-knows-where a gentle little Western Region Pony, thumping his chest and promising, "Yi'er, don’t be afraid, Third Brother will teach you to ride! If anyone dares laugh at you, Third Brother will beat them until they’re picking their teeth up from the ground!" That utterly unprincipled, fiercely protective attitude often left Ming Lan both amused and exasperated, yet her heart was filled with boundless warmth.
This unreserved, even somewhat doting affection gradually filled the void left by the familial warmth she had longed for in her previous life.
In the Sheng Family, she had to tread carefully and constantly read between the lines just to secure a sliver of living space. Here, however, simply by being Gu Tingyi, she could effortlessly obtain everything she had once yearned for.
Madam Qin observed all of this with contentment, pleased to see her sons shower their younger sister with such affection. Yet, a lingering regret resurfaced in her heart—if only Yi'er were a boy, possessing Tingyu's wisdom, Tingwei's boldness, and her own keen insight, the future of the marquis' household would be… Ah…
One day, as Ming Lan was practicing calligraphy, Madam Qin remarked, "This downward stroke lacks a bit of strength. Your wrist must sink, allowing the force to penetrate the paper, so the characters gain structure and vigor. Just like being a person—outward elegance isn't enough; one must have substance within."
Ming Lan obediently acknowledged the advice but set down her brush. She moved closer to her mother, leaning softly against her and tilting her little face upward. "Mother," she said, "I think while characters with structure are pleasing to the eye, living happily is more important. Like flowers—peonies have their vibrant charm, and orchids have their elegant grace. Both are beautiful in their own way, aren't they?"
Her clear, innocent eyes blinked as she spoke with childlike simplicity, yet her words fell like a small pebble, gently rippling the surface of Madam Qin's heart.
Madam Qin was taken aback. Seeing her daughter's complete trust and contentment, the stubborn thought of "if only she were a boy" softened ever so slightly under the gentle influence of those words. She chuckled, pulling Ming Lan closer. "You, little one, where do you get such wisdom at such a tender age?"
"I learned it from you, Mother!" Ming Lan replied with a sweet, soft smile. "When you said to study the account books, I learned to study them. When you spoke of appreciating paintings, I learned to appreciate them. I just think that being able to stay by your side every day, happy and content, is the very best thing of all."
She nuzzled against her mother. "Let Father and my brothers worry about those troublesome matters. You and I, Mother, will focus on being beautiful and happy, alright?"
Her childish words, like warm spring water, subtly soothed the anxiety buried deep within Madam Qin's heart, born of her lingering regrets. She knew well that her daughter was trying to comfort her, but this thoughtful gesture softened her heart, allowing her to momentarily set aside those heavy thoughts. Tapping Ming Lan's nose, she laughed and scolded affectionately, "You little rascal! Always knowing just how to make your mother happy."