Chapter 180: The Path of Good and Evil · Part Two
In expressing such deep grievances for women, Baoyu, his classmate, would surely disagree. As a man, he refuses to assimilate, so he can only become a monk; thinking about this world, not only women are like this, but how can men indulge themselves?
Gu Tingye also severed his fiery and willful nature to achieve his current status as Marquis Gu.
And that gentle and handsome young man, who likes to use flower petals as bookmarks, smiling at himself in the drizzling spring rain, I heard he's about to become a father soon, and now he conducts himself even more maturely, earning the appreciation of several elders.
At this moment, he, passing under the drooping branches, is probably not going to stop for even a moment; he cuts off the immature, hesitant, and wavering part; decisively brushes away the falling flower petals from his shoulders and walks forward firmly.
The officialdom is like a path through hell, with demons rampant everywhere. Walking through the purgatory fire, one either turns to ashes or becomes tempered like steel...
In a daze, Minglan woke up to see Gu Tingye's faint brown face, with sharp bone structure at the corners of his eyebrows resembling the sharpness of a cold moon, solemn as ink. She didn't know when he came in, kneeling on one knee, arms half encircling himself, silently watching, with deep eyes.
"Drunk?" The man's voice was deep, like the sound of the sandalwood fish used by his grandmother in his childhood.
Minglan nodded, still feeling dizzy. With a gut feeling, she turned her head and saw the little chubby bundle sound asleep, with his little arms spread out in surrender, sleeping soundly. He even kicked off one thick sock, revealing chubby little feet.
"What did you dream about, to cry so sadly?" His fingertips brushed her face, moist with tears.
Minglan looked at the exquisitely carved bed canopy, feeling inexplicably stifled. She turned away from him, her back facing him, and whispered softly, "I forgot..."
Gu Tingye paused for a moment, then hugged her from behind, pressing against her neck with his warm and moist breath. "But are you feeling unwell?"
Minglan didn't want to speak, curling her body into a shrimp-like shape on her own. "I'm not feeling unwell."
Gu Tingye furrowed his brow, reaching out to lift her face, still pressing for an answer. "Your sisters came to drink, what did they say that upset you?"
Perhaps emboldened by the alcohol, Minglan was thoroughly annoyed. She forcefully pulled away the large hand from her chin, showing her frustration. "What are you pestering me for? When have I ever interrogated you when you came back drunk?" When he was upset, she never pried into his affairs, only listened quietly or offered gentle comfort. How understanding she was.
But Gu Tingye's eyes sparkled with interest, his arms tightening around her as he persistently questioned.
"Did your sisters argue?"
"No."
"Did your eldest sister scold you?"
"Marquis told me to keep quiet and leave!"
"Is your fifth sister refusing to repay a debt?" His voice now carried a hint of amusement.
"You're so annoying!"
When did she ever cry over someone not repaying a debt? Minglan was infuriated, her head spinning from the anger and alcohol. Her mind became even more muddled, and she wished she could kick him off the bed!
One was trembling with anger while the other was amused to the point of laughter. Meanwhile, the little meatball at the corner of the bed remained peacefully asleep, completely oblivious to the commotion, truly fortunate by nature.
Their quarrel lasted until the time of extinguishing the lights, and Minglan couldn't even remember how they had dinner. She was ushered to bed in a daze, and after a chaotic series of events, Gu Tingye took Minglan to bathe before somehow finding the energy to bring the little meatball over.
In the quiet of the night, when the night watchman had struck the ugly hour, Minglan, exhausted, hugged a pillow while watching Gu Tingye playfully teasing their son beside her. Despite sleeping too much during the day, the little meatball was now full of energy, kicking his little feet and causing a lot of excitement.
"Why were you crying after all?" he surprisingly remembered.
At this moment, Minglan was completely awake, her thoughts organized. She succinctly said, "Sisters are all grown up now, becoming more sophisticated with age. But isn't it better when we used to play around carelessly like we did when we were kids? That's when our true nature showed."
Gu Tingye withdrew the chubby little hand of his son, which was about to reach into his mouth, and chuckled, "You silly girl, people naturally grow up. Does that mean our true nature is only revealed when we're fooling around as children?"
He lifted the little meatball in his arms and held him up to Minglan, teasing, "If this little guy gets into trouble every other day, hitting one neighbor's child today and slapping another one tomorrow, would you still think that's our true nature?"
The little meatball laughed gleefully, revealing his bare pink gums with a few newly emerged white dots, completely unaware that he was being used as an example. Minglan immediately pictured the classic image of spoiled children in her mind, furrowing her delicate brows, "But how can that be?!"
"You know it's good enough," Gu Tingye flicked Minglan's upturned nose, "True nature means doing what needs to be done, acting when action is needed, hating evil and discerning right from wrong. When does immature mischief-making also count as true nature?"
Minglan was silent for a moment, then whispered softly, "I didn't mean that. What I meant is, there's no need to hide or conceal, to do what you want to do..."
"Don't talk nonsense," Gu Tingye interrupted, his tone becoming serious as he began to lecture, "When people are born, they are initially ignorant and innocent. As they grow older, they learn principles, understand right from wrong, and become aware of the ways of the world. Naturally, they come to realize that there are many things that cannot be done. If a three-year-old child sees something delicious and reaches out to take it, they may find it amusing; but if a grown man covets someone else's wealth and demands it, does that count as true nature? Is it true nature to speak without consideration for someone else's hidden pains and troubles?"
By that logic, someone like Ximen Qing would also be considered to have true nature, as he was so swift and decisive in stealing other people's wives. Minglan nodded, feeling much clearer in her mind now. Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind, and she couldn't help but smile, "So... fighting and slapping people must have been the young lord's heroic deeds in his childhood, right?"
"Humble achievements, nothing more," Gu Tingye replied without any hesitation.
With a disappointed roll of her eyes, Minglan watched as the baby's burst of energy quickly subsided. Held securely in his father's strong arms, the little one bounced and kicked for a while longer before starting to grow drowsy. Gu Tingye carefully laid their son down on the bed and whispered, "Actions speak louder than words. As elders, we must first set a good example for our children to follow."
Minglan was taken aback for a moment, her respect for him growing instantly. The man before her suddenly seemed towering and admirable. Who said that only maternal love was great? Those fathers who quit smoking and drinking, and worked hard to save money for their children's future, were also remarkable.
"Don't overthink things. No matter how cunning and worldly people are outside, don't let it bother you," Gu Tingye said as he gently stroked the soft hair of their baby. He looked up at Minglan and said firmly, "As long as our family is together, with our hearts united, we can overcome anything."
Family.
Minglan felt her eyes welling up with tears. She lowered her head and softly agreed, "Mm."
...
Trying to gauge the boss's thoughts had almost become a habit for Minglan, but recently she found it difficult to read Gu Tingye's intentions.
She could be gentle and compliant, yet he might not necessarily be pleased; she could throw a tantrum, yet he wouldn't get angry. Several times, when she was impeccably well-behaved and considerate, he would still wear a disgruntled expression, as if she owed him money. On a few occasions when she acted somewhat unreasonably, he would be patient and caring, coaxing her to cheer up.
It was strange. This man used to greatly appreciate her deep understanding of righteousness. Had his preferences changed? Was he no longer fond of virtuous and gentle women, but now preferred those who were willful and challenging? Minglan suddenly felt the importance of keeping up with the times.
As time flew by, with each passing day growing colder, they lit the underfloor heating in the house. Danju instructed people to bring out various colored incense burners from the storeroom, each one polished to a shine, and placed them inside the house. She personally wiped clean Minglan's favorite enamel-colored hand stove and white jade hand stove.
The servants had finished making the new winter clothes for the mansion. Each servant and maid received a thick cotton winter coat, a thin cotton jacket, and two pairs of thick cotton trousers. As soon as they touched the fragrant and soft cotton and fabric, they knew it was of excellent quality, likely worth the price of two or three ordinary winter garments. The steward of the outer courtyard and the stewardess of the inner courtyard were each to have a set of luxurious silk robes from the renowned Jingcheng store, Xiangyunzhai. The maids attending to the master, including those from Lingding Pavilion, received brightly colored and brand-new silk jackets according to their ranks.
The head steward, Hao Dacheng, personally came to Jiaxi Residence to express gratitude: "All the brothers asked me to come and thank the madam on their behalf. The madam treats us servants with kindness, and we all appreciate it. We will surely work even harder in the future."
The tasks around the Lunar New Year were the most lucrative. Recently, with just a few strokes of silver and fine coal, the procurement department purchased over a hundred pounds. Minglan had been keeping a close eye out early on and indeed caught several large rats, some of whom were taking bribes, and others receiving kickbacks. Among them, two stood out: one was embezzling public goods for personal gain, and the other was allowing subpar merchandise into designated shops, inflating the expenses to astronomical levels.
Both of these stewards came from long-standing family service to the Gu family, and they had the confidence and demeanor to make a fuss if they felt slighted, threatening to "cry to the ancestors." Minglan had been waiting for them. Butcher Er took the opportunity to investigate, quickly getting to the bottom of things with just a couple of inquiries. With a wave of her hand, Minglan gave the order to have them brought in.
The chubby little one lying on the heated brick bed thought something good had happened, his big eyes shining brightly. Little Tao hugged the chubby one with pity; he still didn't understand his dear mother. Back when Minglan squatted by the pond, smiling and waiting for the fat fish to take the bait, she looked just like this. Of course, those fish were eventually eaten, stewed, braised, deep-fried...
Starting with the one who supplied the goods directly, the first family quickly admitted their mistake, showing a good attitude of repentance. The whole family, young and old, lay on the ground crying and begging for mercy. The old man even personally beat his son with a stick, pleading for forgiveness. Minglan decided to forgive them generously, 'graced' them with some silver, and then let the whole family out of the mansion. The other family, however, was eloquent, pretending to be honest and pitiful while cunningly defending themselves at every turn. They even brought out an old lady who had served as a maid to Gu Tingye's grandmother, pleading and wailing.
Until Minglan presented witnesses and evidence, the other family had no room for further argument and finally softened. Towards such cunning servants, Minglan no longer showed any mercy. She dealt with both new and old offenses harshly, either selling them off or punishing them. Considering the complexity of relationships in the capital and the possibility that people might know about the Gu family's internal affairs, Minglan was cautious and didn't hastily drive them out, but rather sent them to rural estates.
Both families were once powerful stewards, one of them even being able to open a small grocery store outside and own a few acres of good land to become a moderately wealthy family. The other family, however, was completely stripped of their possessions and left with nothing. These two contrasting punishments demonstrated Minglan's flexibility and firmness. The servants and staff in the old mansion were all shaken by this, becoming even more cautious and not daring to underestimate the young mistress of the household.
As the weather grew colder, the little brother became less lively. Nowadays, he was learning to roll over, with the upper body being able to twist, and his legs kicking with strength. However, his little bottom was exceptionally round and chubby, causing him to lean backward heavily, his face flushed red with effort, but still unable to roll over. Now that it was cold and he was bundled up tightly, he resembled a plump little pig, making it difficult for him to move, let alone roll over.
The little meatball did show some resilience. On this day, he struggled and grunted for quite some time, but alas, the revolution only succeeded halfway. Just then, Little Shen came to visit, carrying a large basket and saying she had brought something new for Minglan to see. It turned out that Little General Zheng, worried about his delicate wife feeling bored, had deliberately obtained a newly weaned puppy for her entertainment. It was only the size of a palm, with light yellow fur and faint red spots, its paws soft, and its teeth not yet sharp. It wagged its tail and wobbled around, looking incredibly adorable.
Despite his short legs and small body, he rolled over very agilely, flipping once, then twice, and even thrice. The little brother, who was originally having a good time lying on the kang, suddenly twisted his mouth and burst into tears, looking extremely sad. This unexpected scene startled Little Shen, who covered her chest and exclaimed, "What's wrong with the child?"
Minglan silently thought—it should be a blow to his self-esteem.
In the evening, when Gu Tingye returned home and found his son looking gloomy and unhappy, he asked what was wrong. Minglan smiled and imitated the scene for him. Unexpectedly, Gu Tingye became indignant—how could Little Shen do this? She had hurt the child's feelings unintentionally.
Minglan: ...I got caught in the trap too.
Little Shen's retribution came swiftly.
Because she was startled, she felt discomfort in her chest when she returned home, unable to eat due to nausea. The Zheng family invited a doctor, and to their surprise, she was diagnosed with a pregnancy of two to three months. Little General Zheng became overjoyed, his parents and siblings breathed a sigh of relief, and Little Shen, who had been anxious for many years, finally felt relieved, bowing repeatedly towards the sky in gratitude. The news reached the palace, and the Empress Dowager bestowed a large number of rewards, sending servants and royal physicians, creating quite a stir.
However, not all was good news. When Minglan went to see her, Little Shen somewhat melancholically told her that her trumpet flower had been taken away, as it was deemed unsuitable for pregnant women. It had now become the beloved pet of her niece (Rongxian's classmate) and had been renamed "Exploding Chrysanthemum" (someone was greatly surprised).
It was only later known that it was a pun, meaning "holding" instead of "flower". "Holding Chrysanthemum" — Minglan was silent for a while. It was not as good as the trumpet flower.
As December arrived, the soft snow, like goose feathers, fell gracefully, covering the capital city in a blanket of glistening white. On a rare sunny day, Minglan had someone release a few chicks and ducklings. Holding Little Brother, she stood under the eaves, laughing as she watched the snow-covered ground, which resembled rows of bamboo leaves and plum blossoms.
In the capital, adorned in silver, there was both joy and sorrow among the families. The magistrate Liu Zhengjie personally led the guards to use hundreds of pounds of oil to blast open the ice at the Beijing-Tianjin ferry crossing, allowing the ships from the Lower Yangtze region to dock, and then personally escorted the caravan all the way to Beijing.
There were a total of forty large ships, carrying two hundred silver carriages and over eight million taels of silver. The caravan stretched for tens of miles, with the frontmost carriage arriving at the Ministry of Revenue while the rearmost had yet to enter the city gates— the entire capital was stirred.
In the Two Huai Salt Case, the Emperor emerged victorious, employing harsh measures to remove several dozen officials from their posts and implicating nearly a hundred salt merchants. Not only did this collect all the salt tax revenue for the year and the two previous years' deficits, but it also uncovered several long-standing major cases. With the arrival of spring the following year, the Emperor would personally handle these cases, likely yielding even more silver. The Emperor's governance was not so different from managing a household; with money in hand, there was confidence to address matters such as arming the military and reforming governance.
A month ago, Gu Tingye received an early decree, and once the funds were allocated, he could resume his military duties and make up for the shortage of supplies.
The Emperor hosted a grand feast for his courtiers, full of ambition, intending to achieve great success next year, and all the civil and military officials naturally sang praises. The Empress summoned the wives of third-rank and above officials in the capital to attend the palace banquet, while the concubines below the third rank and other court ladies were also rewarded.
Among the influential families present, there were quite a few who sought to establish connections with Minglan. Some for socializing, others for networking. This feast was a bit overwhelming, but fortunately, the Duchess of Kent took a liking to Minglan and helped her navigate through.
"Look at your age, even younger than my daughter, yet you have to manage such a large household. It's not easy," remarked the Duchess of Kent, her fair complexion glowing. She spoke gently and gracefully, "I had someone replicate the recipe for pickled green plums that you shared. My girl enjoyed it tremendously, found it appetizing and soothing. I haven't had the chance to thank you yet."
Minglan replied gently, "It's something I enjoy eating, but I'm not sure if Sister Zhang enjoys it."
The Duchess of Kent smiled faintly, exuding an air of nobility effortlessly. "If you have some free time, do visit the Marquis of Wei North's mansion. My girl is a bit reserved and not fond of talking, but she has a kind heart. You might find her needing some comfort from you. Oh, speaking of which, the Marquis of Wei North and my brother have a good relationship, so you and my girl should treat each other like sisters."
Minglan felt a tingling sensation on her scalp as she had to agree to everything. Even if she were foolish, she could still discern the implied meaning behind the Duchess of Kent's words: "I've heard that you and Miss Shen are quite close. Could you help mediate the relationship between her and her sister-in-law?"
The next day was the royal family banquet, so there was no need for the attendance of female relatives of courtiers. However, Miss Shen later reported that the Empress Dowager's smile seemed rather forced.
"Hahaha, the Emperor's position is becoming more stable by the day. How can she still manage to laugh?" Master Gongsun laughed loudly, his sparse beard shaking as he chuckled, interspersed with a few gentle coughs. On a certain day before winter set in, this old man's recurring illness flared up again. Mimicking Ji Kang, he danced and sang with his bare arms exposed, but ended up catching a chill, lingering in sickness ever since.
Gu Tingye sat by the bedside, his brows lightly furrowed. "Indeed, the Emperor is blessed with good fortune... Master, please take care of yourself in the future. You're not young anymore, and if anything were to happen to you, we would deeply regret it."
Gongsun Baishi covered his lips with his fist, laughing and coughing, "Zhonghuai, ever since you became a father, you've become even more boring! What is the meaning of life? It's about drinking and singing. Back when you were marching to the An region, enduring the scorching heat, you took the lead in jumping into the Bai Mao River for a bath. The young women from several villages along the river..." He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence, glancing at Minglan, who was filtering medicine at the table. The old man suddenly felt guilty and closed his mouth. Gu Tingye also cleared his throat, feeling somewhat uneasy.
Hundreds or even thousands of young men, bathing in the open air, what a spectacular sight. Minglan chuckled inwardly but pretended not to understand, gently blowing on the medicine bowl, changing the subject, "The Emperor is indeed blessed, but it's a pity for that imperial envoy. Even women like us have heard that everyone outside now wants to join him."
Gu Tingye said, "He's also a man of scholar-like temperament, stirring up chaos in the officialdom of Lianghuai, treating high-ranking officials of the third and fourth ranks as if they were nothing, executing them and confiscating their property. He's not afraid of anyone, even defying the heavens. His methods are a bit excessive and have angered many."
Gongsun Baishi squinted his eyes and shook his head, "During the reign of the late emperor, he also sent several groups of people to investigate the salt affairs, but he handled it with gentle methods, avoiding offending too many people. But what was the result? The officialdom of Lianghuai is already deeply corrupt, like a quagmire. He wants to give an account to the Emperor before the end of the year, so how else could he break through this mess without using drastic measures?"
Gu Tingye sighed, "How could I not know about this? Last time I went to Lianghuai, broad daylight, there were assassins daring to attack the imperial commissioner. Alas, it's just a pity for loyal ministers..." His words carried a hint of lamentation.
"You may see him as Dong Anyu, but I see him as Zhu Fu Yan, perhaps even more astute," Gongsun Baishi chuckled, stroking his beard. "He was nothing more than a minor censor, undistinguished in the imperial examinations, with no outstanding scholarship. He had no foundation in the court, yet he harbored ambitious aspirations. How else could he rise to prominence but by taking risks? He knew full well the immense risks involved in this mission, offending many, and he knew he would be accused afterwards. This man is gambling on the Emperor's intentions!"
<董安于 (Dong Anyu): Dong Anyu was a historical figure from the Han dynasty known for his loyalty and righteousness. He served as a minister under Emperor Guangwu of Han and was known for his straightforwardness and integrity.
主父偃 (Zhu Fu Yan): Zhu Fu Yan, also known as Zhufu You, was a renowned strategist and advisor during the Spring and Autumn Period of ancient China. He served as an advisor to Duke Wen of Jin and played a crucial role in advising the state of Jin.>
Gu Tingye pondered for a moment and then said insightfully, "As long as the Emperor remembers his grievances and values his loyalty, there is no need to worry about the impossibility of his reinstatement." The current Emperor is strong-willed. Even if he remains silent for a while, as long as his career progresses smoothly, there is still a chance for him to rise in rank.
Minglan listened intently, so engrossed that she didn't even notice the medicine bowl in her hand becoming too hot to hold. She interjected, "May I ask, sir... What if that gentleman is truly loyal to the country, regardless of personal honor, life, or death?" She felt her question might be inappropriate, but unexpectedly, it provoked hearty laughter from the old man.
Gu Tingye's expression carried a faint self-deprecation as he gently replied, "What does it matter if it is or isn't?" For those navigating the officialdom, allowing oneself to always think the best of others is too naive.
Gongsun Baishi waved his hand repeatedly with a smile, coughing as he chuckled, "Madam Minglan is straightforward and righteous. It's us who have twisted our understanding from reading too many books, falling into a lowly state."
Minglan blushed, carrying the medicine bowl as she walked over slowly, "Sir, please don't tease me. Please take your medicine first."
"Thank you for your trouble, Madam," the old man said with a solemn face, as if he were making a heroic sacrifice. He then tilted his head back and gulped down the medicine in the bowl, causing his wrinkled face to scrunch up like a walnut. Gu Tingye performed the ritual of filial piety by rising to fetch a bowl of water for him to rinse his mouth.
After chatting for a while longer, they urged the old man to lie down and rest. The couple bid farewell, stepping out into the snowy landscape. As they walked along the corridor, Gu Tingye remained silent for a moment before saying, "There's something I'm afraid I'll need you to handle."
Minglan listened attentively as Gu Tingye continued, "Gongsun Baishi is already past fifty, and unfortunately, he still has no offspring. Let's find a thoughtful and well-nurtured maid to serve him as a concubine."
"Is this... Lord Hou's own idea?" Minglan blinked, finding it hard to believe.
<"Lord Hou" (侯爷) is a title used to address Gu Tingye. In this context, it refers to Gu Tingye's position as a nobleman or lord. The term "侯" (hóu) means "marquis" or "lord," and "爷" (yé) is an honorific title used to show respect. So, "侯爷" together translates to "Lord Hou" or "Marquis Hou." It's a respectful and formal way to address someone of noble status like Gu Tingye.>
Gu Tingye sighed softly. "Master Gongsun has always been magnanimous and never dwelled on the matter of having no offspring... It was a letter from his wife."
The Gongsun Baishi couple had once had a son, but unfortunately, he passed away at an early age. Moreover, their eldest son also died prematurely, leaving behind a widowed sister-in-law and a group of young nephews and nieces. As a result, Mrs. Gongsun had to take over the household responsibilities, juggling multiple roles. She had to care for her in-laws, look after the widowed sister-in-law, and also raise the nephews and nieces, preventing her from leaving home to be with her husband.
Mrs. Gongsun had suggested several times that her husband take concubines outside to continue the family line. However, at that time, Mr. Gongsun, who was not yet an old man, had begun to travel extensively, rarely staying in one place for long periods, and naturally, he couldn't spare time for having children. This time, seeing her husband accompanying Gu Tingye to Beijing, she seemed to have intentions of settling down. However, fearing that he might hesitate or encounter unexpected changes, she instructed Mr. Gongsun to directly send a letter to Gu Tingye, asking him to find a suitable candidate on their behalf.
"If indeed a concubine is to be taken, it should be Mrs. Gongsun who selects the person and sends her to Beijing," murmured Minglan softly.
Gu Tingye gave a slight shrug, "The letter only mentioned that there aren't many outstanding candidates in the countryside, fearing that sir might not be pleased. I'll ask him later if any of the maids currently serving are to his liking. After all, it's important to match his preferences."
Minglan felt awkward, feeling like she was playing matchmaker, especially considering the person in question was a rough old man who liked streaking!