Splitting the family can be said to be the second major issue in ancient family life, only second to marriage.
According to official records, since the promulgation of the "Divisional Decree" by Shang Yang, it was explicitly stated that "if a family has more than two sons who do not split the family, their taxes will be doubled." Over time, this policy not only promoted the rural economy but also alleviated family conflicts, making family division a deeply ingrained concept.
According to the elders of the clan, a large and deeply rooted tree with luxuriant branches and leaves, will thrive with its branches divided and its roots flourishing. With united hearts and concerted efforts, the clan progresses together.
If the elderly parents cannot control their grandchildren, they will sigh and say, "When people's hearts scatter, it's hard to lead the group."
Now it was Gu Tingye's turn. His reason was even simpler: his stepmother wanted to burn his wife to death— in order to prevent the situation from deteriorating further, to prevent internal division from continuing to expand, and to maintain the remaining family affection, it was better to exchange distance for peace of mind.
The day before he went to the palace to pay his respects, although Gu Tingye was dressed in clean court attire, there were traces of soot on his cheeks, temples, and even the back of his hands. After reporting on the situation in the two provinces, as the emperor naturally inquired a bit more, Gu Tingye skillfully described the scene of the fire, then expressed a touch of gloom and indignation, suggesting that his family was probably going to split.
The emperor had heard about the family affairs of the Ningyuan Marquis's residence when he was stationed in the fief. He originally thought that Gu Tingye, once he received his title, would expel his stepmother. He didn't expect him to be so generous. After more than half a year, he even arranged a good position for his younger brother. Who would have thought that the stepmother's wicked heart still remained? With the great fire in the Gu residence, half of the capital city had witnessed it, and the emperor, who had his eyes and ears everywhere, naturally could not remain ignorant.
The loyal servant had just completed a distant task, only to almost lose his wife and child. This matter needed the intervention of the righteous emperor. Comforting him, the emperor said, "We have heard similar stories before. In the common folk, stepmothers often follow their own children's branches. Your thoughts are understandable." After expressing his gratitude, Gu Tingye once again demonstrated his loyalty. In truth, the emperor favored such servants—capable, loyal, and occasionally troubled by minor matters, seeking the emperor's assistance. However, while commoners could divide their families, when would he be able to remove the burden of his second mother from the palace?
With the matter communicated to the higher-ups, the rest was easy. After a couple of days of preparation, on this day after court, as usual, Gu Tingye went to see his beloved wife and son first. However, he ended up getting spit up on by his son, who had just finished feeding. Gu Tingye had
originally planned to negotiate while wearing court attire, but the little troublemaker disrupted his plans. The chubby little one, who was just learning to recognize people, innocently blinked his big round eyes, tilting his head to look at his father.
Gu Tingye chuckled and scolded the little boy affectionately, carefully handing his son over to Minglan's embrace. He whispered, "I'm going over there, I'll be back soon." Minglan, knowing the purpose, took the swaddled baby, kissed him gently, and then raised her head to say softly, "There's no need to be angry with those people. As long as Marquis takes care of it, everything will be fine." Gu Tingye caressed Minglan's face, murmured softly, and then went out to change clothes.
As the sun set in the west, Xuanzhi Garden was enveloped in silence. After the fire at Cheng Garden that day, even the slowest servants could vaguely sense that something was amiss. However, for several days, Gu Tingye had not shown any signs of agitation. Life at Cheng Garden continued as usual, which only added to the feeling that "when the mountain rains come, the wind fills the building." Finally, on this day, as Gu Hou led a group of guards and attendants, all dressed in black and gray, with stern expressions, straight towards the garden, the servants within the garden each retreated to their respective quarters.
The culprit, however, remained calm and composed. Upon hearing the report from the servants, she remained seated in the main hall, casually flipping through a Buddhist scripture. When Gu Tingye entered, she slightly lifted the corners of her mouth and said, "Marquis is now a busy man. To what do I owe the honor of your visit?"
Gu Tingye entered alone, casting his gaze around the empty and chilly room. Seeing only his mother standing by herself, he smiled faintly and said, "There's something important I need to discuss with you, Mother."
Madam Gu seemed prepared and remained calm. "What is it?" she asked.
"A few days ago, there was a fire at home, and someone claimed to have seen you leading someone carrying firewood," Gu Tingye said bluntly. At this point, there was no need for secrecy. He glanced over at Madam Gu, who still kept her head bowed, showing no change in expression.
Madam Gu lightly mocked with a chuckle, "A servant setting fire? This is a serious matter. If it's proven true, it's no small matter. I wonder which sharp-eyed servant claimed to have seen it?"
Gu Tingye's lips twitched. "It was Manniang."
Madam Gu immediately let out two sharp, cold laughs and turned to Madam Xiang, saying, "Do you confess?"
Madam Xiang remained expressionless. "There is absolutely no such thing. If Lord Hou doesn't believe me, whether it's facing the officials or the elders of the clan, this old servant dares to confront Manniang directly."
"Hehe..." Gu Tingye seemed to find something amusing. Leaning on the armrest with one hand and covering his mouth with the other, he couldn't help but burst into laughter, laughing so hard that he leaned back and arched, shaking the entire room.
The old woman in front of him was indeed very cautious and meticulously planned the arson incident. At that time, as the sky darkened, the servants were all eagerly waiting for the mistress to give birth, and their supervision slackened slightly. Moreover, Chengyuan had many vacant courtyards. Initially, the fire started in a remote area, prompting some servants to rush to put it out. However, in no time, scattered fires broke out everywhere, causing chaos among the servants. While the servants were usually disciplined under Minglan's supervision, they were still relatively new, and with the sudden turn of events, the situation inevitably became chaotic.
At this point, the crisis spread to Jiayi Residence. Amidst the chaos of people coming and going, many individuals dressed in Gu Manor servant clothes rushed towards Jiayi Residence. Fortunately, Tu'er remained vigilant, leading a group of guards to firmly guard the main house. Despite the surrounding chaos, they stood their ground, ensuring that Minglan, who was in labor inside, was not disturbed.
Whether it was those caught at the scene or those investigated afterward, everyone insisted that they had gone to Chengyuan to fight the fire. In fact, they were indeed carrying water buckets at the time. In the darkness and confusion, with everyone rushing around, no one paid attention to them. Gu Tingye observed coldly that these people were all attendants brought by Madam Gu, and their family and personal matters were all under her control.
They were well aware that if they stuck to their story and denied involvement in the arson, there would be no evidence against them, and they might still have a way out. However, if they confessed, not only would their families be in danger, but they themselves might not escape punishment either.
Even if Gu Tingye managed to extract some information through interrogation, Madam Gu could easily turn the tables by pointing to those battered servants and accusing them of being coerced into confessing. All it would take is one of them to betray him, and Gu Tingye would be labeled as someone who "persecuted his stepmother and framed her." If Madam Gu were to theatrically seek life or death with tears and cries, it would be even more interesting.
But why did Man Niang witness Madam Gu herself?
Gu Tingye slowly stopped laughing, his gaze fixed on the middle-aged woman before him. How much of his tumultuous life was thanks to her? This woman harbored such despicable thoughts.
Madam Gu is elderly, and moreover, there was no need for her to personally lead people to commit arson—she deliberately wanted Man Niang to witness it.
"Look at what you're saying," Gu Tingye stood in the middle, his tone cold but gentle, "These days, it's dry in the capital, occasional fires are not uncommon, there's no need for family members to suspect each other. As for the mischief-maker, I've already sent them away."
This wicked woman intentionally wanted to provoke Man Niang, deliberately inviting Gu Tingye to confront her; if he had acted impulsively and harmed someone, she would have immediately sought out allies outside; but if neither of her schemes succeeded...
Madam Gu wasn't surprised either, her smile as thin as ice on a lake, appearing warm in the winter sun above but cold and chilling below. "I've always known you're softhearted, even until now. You protect Man Niang, but aren't you afraid of your wife feeling neglected?"
"No need to trouble yourself," Gu Tingye's smile was even gentler than hers, but inside, he felt a faint bitterness rising. "I've already talked to Minglan about it, she understands." He lowered his gaze for a moment before turning to say, "I came today for another matter."
Raising his voice, he called out, "Bring him in."
Before Madam Gu and Mama Xiang could react, two robust guards had already escorted a person in, throwing him heavily onto the ground. The person groaned in pain. Mother Xiang couldn't help but exclaim, "Biao'er, why is it you?!"
The man lifted his head, his face covered in bruises. He pleaded to Mother Xiang, "Mother, save me!"
Mother Xiang was immediately flustered, looking to Madam Gu for guidance.
Madam Gu spoke coldly, "What do you mean by this?"
Gu Tingye took out two pieces of paper from his sleeve and placed them slowly on the small table beside Mother Xiang. "In recent years, he has been taking advantage of the power of the marquis's residence to commit crimes outside, forcibly seizing farmland, and now it has resulted in loss of life. The victim has reported to the authorities, and there is solid evidence."
Mother Xiang picked up the papers, which contained testimonies, various documents, and signatures. She grew more agitated as she read.
Gu Tingye stared at the two elderly women, speaking calmly, "Xiang Biao is a servant of our household. The magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture is giving me face by allowing me to handle this matter privately. What do you think?"
Madam Gu seemed to choke up, breathing heavily, and forced a smile. "This matter should not be publicized. If it really escalates, it wouldn't look good for your reputation." The imperial censors are fond of prosecuting powerful figures for "allowing servants to commit violence," with numerous precedents and easily accessible evidence.
Gu Tingye laughed heartily, taking a moment to compose himself. "You're worrying too much. Xiang Biao's misdeeds occurred two or three years ago." At that time, he was still licking his wounds from his setbacks and tarnishing his family's reputation at most.
Madam Gu's face turned pale. In fact, since Gu Tingye inherited the title, she had been aware of the precarious situation. Immediately, she tightened control over the servants, forbidding any further trouble, ensuring that Xiang Biao's actions could not be linked to Gu Tingye.
"What do you want?!" Madam Gu didn't need to turn her head to know that Xiang Mama must be in a state of panic. She had served faithfully for many years, completely disregarding her own interests, and now she only had this one son.
Gu Tingye looked at them calmly, like a cat playing with a mouse. "Xiang Mama, what do you say?"
Xiang Mama's hands trembled, listening to her son's cries for help, her heart twisted in pain. She glanced at Madam Gu, then suddenly gritted her teeth, hardened her heart, and looked at Gu Tingye with resentment. Hoarsely, she said, "This brat has tarnished the reputation of the Hou Mansion. Dispose of him as you see fit, Lord Hou."
"Good!" Gu Tingye smiled. "For two lives lost, we'll make it one hundred lashes each. Bring the executioners."
The two guards were prepared, and they immediately called out. Two burly servants entered from outside, each carrying a thick wooden club. The guards firmly pinned Xiang Biao to the ground while the servants began to beat him relentlessly. Each blow was heavy and forceful, landing with a dull, resounding thud, causing Xiang Biao to cry out in agony.
Xiang Mama watched her son being tortured, her expression one of utter despair, while Madam Gu's face turned pale with rage, but she remained silent. This type of punishment, known as the wooden plank punishment, was unbearable for most people after thirty strikes, crippling after sixty, and lethal after one hundred. Madam Gu understood Gu Tingye's temperament well—pleading and threats were useless. She feared that any resistance would only provoke him to lecture her with moral principles.
Initially, Xiang Biao could still cry out, but as each blow fell, his cries grew weaker and weaker. Xiang Mama trembled uncontrollably, collapsing to the ground, her voice hoarse with despair as she cried out, "Lord Hou! The arson was all done by this old slave alone, with no involvement from Madam! Please, Lord Hou, take this old slave's life!"
Gu Tingye sat on the grand chair with a solemn and indifferent expression. "Xiang Mama is confused. I've said before, it's common to have leaks during dry weather." Summer in the capital was the most humid and hot time of the year, so there was no reason to claim the weather was dry. Yet he said it anyway.
Unable to bear it any longer, Xiang Mama threw herself onto her son, crying out, "Then just kill me! I'll pay for him with my life!"
The two servants, well-trained, with one stopping his beating momentarily to restrain Xiang Mama and the other continuing to strike. Xiang Mama couldn't break free, only crying until she was hoarse.
Watching as Xiang Biao's breaths became shallow and Xiang Mama nearly fainted, Gu Tingye suddenly smiled and calmly remarked, "During my travels, I've encountered many people and noticed an interesting phenomenon. Regardless of how cruel and malicious someone may be towards others, when it comes to their own flesh and blood, they're no different from ordinary people."
Lady Dowager remained silent like a statue, her face almost devoid of color, resembling more of a corpse than a living person.
"But this isn't surprising either. Even animals cherish their offspring, let alone humans," Gu Tingye continued to mock.
Old Madam Gu squeezed out a sentence through her teeth, "What do you want?"
Gu Tingye wiped away his smile, only moving his lips slightly. "Division of the family."
Old Madam Gu suddenly turned her head, her eyes staring at him like a venomous snake. Gu Tingye remained unmoved like a mountain, coldly meeting her gaze. Without waiting for her rebuttal, he continued, "Although the fire was fierce this time, fortunately, everyone emerged unharmed. Not only did Minglan safely deliver a child, but also San Di and his son are safe and sound. Truly blessed!"
The last four words deliberately drawn out, resonated with a clang akin to that of metal striking metal, accompanied by a scent of blood and a menacing aura.
Old Madam Gu gasped for breath urgently, her gaze fixed firmly on the tall, robust man before her. As she watched her son's loyal servant faint, a faint smile played on the lips of Viscount Gu, accompanied by a soft sigh. "Truly a loyal servant. If it were an ordinary person, they would likely have abandoned everything for the sake of their own child."
The sound of the wooden stick striking flesh echoed in the ears, heavy and despairing. Beneath the prone figure of Xiang Biao, blood pooled silently. Old Madam Gu's heart chilled, for the first time in her life, she felt utterly powerless.
...
Due to numerous family affairs, Minglan simply skipped washing on the third day postpartum. However, during the confinement period, relatives from both sides visited one after another. Everyone had heard that the day Minglan gave birth coincided with the fire at the Gu Manor, and there were inevitably some traces of suspicion in their expressions and conversations.
Several sisters-in-law were familiar with the situation, especially suspicious, but they dared not ask too much, instead avoiding the topic and speaking auspicious words. As for Hualan, she bluntly remarked, "Your mother-in-law is even more ruthless than mine!" Minglan immediately corrected her, strictly speaking, her mother-in-law only had a memorial tablet. Old Lady Sheng also came to see her in person, gently stroking her hair with concern, but only uttered briefly, "After adversity comes prosperity. This child is destined for good fortune."
A few days later, news came from the mansion that Xiang Biao's son had passed away. Since that day, Xiang Biao had been lingering on his sickbed, even Old Madam Gu fell seriously ill. Before the eldest grandson reached one month old, the matter of splitting the family property was raised, and surprisingly, Old Madam Gu also agreed. Family elders were invited, along with several senior members from the branches, to proceed with the division of the family property.
Minglan was not present, but she knew the final result: the meritorious fields remained unchanged, the ancestral property remained unchanged, and the Gu Manor remained unchanged. The remaining properties were divided into two and a half portions, with each daughter receiving half a portion and Xian's children receiving one half, while the two brothers shared the rest equally.
Initially, Old Madam Gu did not agree with this proposal. According to the rules of the Gu family, regardless of whether the father had passed away, a daughter's dowry was all that was required upon marriage. However, as Gu Tingyu had indeed served as the heir of the marquis, his only daughter was not ordinary. Gu Tingye was pleased to return the words Old Madam Gu had used to elevate Gu Tingyu's funeral status, and he even compared it to Tingcan's marriage.
Old Madam Gu had no choice but to accept it. At that time, Mrs. Shao was overjoyed and in tears. Her family was ordinary, and she only had some dowry from the Daqin family. Over the years, it had dwindled. Now, things were looking up, and Xian's children would not have to worry anymore.
Later, Old Madam Gu raised objections regarding the family's assets, claiming that Gu Tingye had hidden a lot of them. However, no matter how thoroughly investigated, apart from the land granted by the emperor, Gu Tingye truly had no other properties. There were no shops, dividends, or fields to speak of. In the end, Old Madam Gu had to reluctantly give up her objections.
Upon learning of this, Minglan couldn't help but jump off the bed and move to the inner room to touch the double fish lock wrapped in steel chains. Behind the partition, there was also a hidden compartment built into the wall. She then clasped her hands together and thanked the heavens for blessing her with a patient temperament.
Of course, Gu Tingye had accumulated a considerable fortune. He had recently acquired properties in the south, substantial earnings from military exploits (war was quite profitable), unspoken rules during asset seizures, and direct rewards from the emperor. Gold bars of the same specification were whimsically stacked like building blocks by Minglan, forming a small and exquisite pyramid reminiscent of those in South America. Bundles of silver notes were thickly rolled into scrolls, alongside scattered deeds and account books. Not to mention the numerous rare treasures bestowed by the emperor stored in the Chengyuan treasury. Minglan had intended to make some plans herself, but with the flurry of new marriage matters and constant vigilance in her mind, amidst the constant rumors and threats, she barely had time to manage any properties. Amen! Hallelujah! Lord of the Rings novels
During the process of dividing the family estate, the performance of Lady Xuan was worth mentioning. Over the past decade or so, her conduct had been exemplary, and her reputation quite favorable, making her words credible to many. Through her efforts in promoting and emphasizing the Chengyuan fire incident, it had become a well-known secret among the public. As a result, when people looked at Old Madam Gu, their gazes were either evasive or filled with disdain and reproach. Even those with good intentions couldn't help but express with their eyes, "You're being too obvious." This effectively saved Gu Tingye the effort of spreading rumors outside.
Of course, Old Madam Gu's ability to propagate information was also formidable. She forcefully argued that her son's residence had also suffered from the fire, so she was innocent. Unfortunately, humans are creatures of fixed thinking, and after two years of Gu Tingye's efforts, people gradually began to believe that this stepmother was not as innocent as a lamb. Following this line of thinking, the fire at the Tingwei residence became a smoke screen concocted by the stepmother to cover up her crime while setting the fire.
Moreover, even from a logical standpoint, Lord Gu, nearing thirty, had no children yet. No matter how much one disliked a stepmother, they wouldn't risk losing their legitimate heir by setting fire and framing her on the day of their wife's childbirth.
On the day of the division of the family estate, the Fifth Elder didn't want to say anything anymore, merely maintaining a scholarly appearance as a facade. The Fourth Elder still remembered how Old Madam Gu treated him when he left the mansion back then and enthusiastically dismantled a few walls. In this way, before the celebration of the baby's full moon, the division of the family estate was completed, and all that remained was to celebrate the full moon, after which Old Madam Gu would take her son and daughter-in-law to live in a different mansion.
At the full moon banquet, Minglan deliberately stayed up for two nights, making her already fair and tender face look more haggard, and adding a hint of confusion to her expression, creating the appearance of someone who had been shocked and unsettled. When the guests arrived, they couldn't help but feel sorry for her, and they all offered words of comfort and encouragement to Minglan, urging her to take care. Minglan forced a smile and spoke in a weak and sorrowful tone, assuring everyone that she was fine and asking them not to worry.
The effect was quite successful.
The only downside was the chubby little bundle of joy, who alternated between eating and sleeping, chubby and round, with a loud cry. Despite his adorable appearance, when people tried to touch him, he showed signs of irritation, glaring at them with big eyes, full of vitality and energy, not at all like a child who had been startled in the womb. Seeing this, Old Madam Gu was infuriated, but she forced a smile and concealed her deep resentment.
As everyone surrounded to offer their congratulations and flattery to Minglan, who was adorned in luxurious splendor, Molan gritted her teeth and uttered a few sour words before closing her mouth shut. Rulan, looking at the child, couldn't conceal her envy, while Wang Shi glanced at them briefly before going to console Rulan. With the godmother's support lacking, Hualan, as the eldest sister, took the initiative to entertain the guests, skillfully engaging in conversation and receiving numerous compliments.
Gu Tingye was genuinely delighted, excitedly showing off his son to his close colleagues and friends, shamelessly praising the child from his fingers to his nose. Even the little one's yawn seemed stylish and distinctive.
Unable to bear watching any longer, Shen Guojun decided to stir up trouble, prompting Zheng Xiaoxiao to lead the charge in making a commotion. Everyone picked up their wine cups to toast, and it was only then that the nursemaid had the chance to bring the child back.
Mrs. Sheng was particularly delighted, cuddling the little chubby bundle and showering it with kisses. The baby seemed to enjoy her company too, as he would easily fall asleep in her arms. Watching the peaceful face of the sleeping baby, Mrs. Sheng's eyes became moist, as if her lifelong void had finally been filled.
As for Minglan, nestled in Mrs. Sheng's embrace, she was already content. As long as everyone else was happy, she was satisfied.
On the day when Lady Tai moved out, Zhu came to visit Minglan. She quietly drank two cups of tea and didn't say much, sitting for a while before leaving. Just before leaving, she turned around, a melancholy expression on her face, and whispered softly, "As a woman, there are many things we can't choose."
Minglan understood Zhu's meaning, and she was aware of Lady Tai's actions. However, as a married woman, even if she didn't approve, how could she expose her own mother-in-law? She could only cowardly and selfishly pretend to be oblivious.
Gu Tingwei had his own responsibilities, and although he might not actively support or promote his second brother, he wouldn't harm him either. With the prestigious background of the Ningyuan Marquisate to rely on, her own substantial dowry, and Lady Tai's private savings, they could move out and live a good life. As long as they didn't covet what didn't belong to them, they might find peace and happiness, depending on people's intentions.
Minglan smiled as she got up to bid farewell.
Zhu stood in the courtyard, gracefully bowing with respect before taking her leave, and the two sisters-in-law parted ways.