300. V4C300: Life Is Full of Struggles (I)

Translator: Ning LL

After she made that decision, she felt relieved all of a sudden. Then, she told Rong to go back with a beaming smile. Only two things needed to be done to send a child to school, which were registering and paying the tuition. However, in ancient times where formalities were very important, there were still other requirements.

That night, at the dinner table, Minglan told Rong’s father about her decision. Before this, she had already made a draft with five chapters and twelve summaries in her mind. Then she prepared to give a speech on the importance of sending Rong to school to Gu Tingye from different aspects. However, as she just started her report, Gu Tingye ended her speech with five words,

“It is up to you.”

After this man wiped his mouth elegantly, he rinsed his mouth, cleaned his hands and then touched Minglan’s face which turned chubbier these days. With a smile in his pretty eyes, he said, “Have a nice supper, I’ll go to discuss the business.” Having chuckled tenderly, he lifted his rope and walked to the outer study in large strides.

In Gu Tingye’s view, the way he handled this could be regarded as ‘knowing how to judge people and use them.’ However, in Minglan’s view, this was totally an irresponsible action. (So what, you don’t like your daughter’s blood mother, then you decided not to be close with your daughter either?) Perhaps it was because of the dry weather in autumn that Minglan suddenly got super annoyed. That night, when she went to sleep, she turned over on bed with her back toward her husband’s side. Gu Tingye who knew nothing about her feelings came back at midnight. He held her waist and attached to her back as usual, feeling her skin smooth and tender and her body little and cute. He used his chin to rub her body, which gave him a comfortable feeling. After he gave a few bites to her body, he then fell into a sound sleep.

Next day in the morning, when Danju found the tooth prints on Minglan’s back which were neatly arranged like the troops, she looked at the mirror on the dresser at once, having an impulse to tell Gu Tingye off. However, as she remembered Mama Fang’s warning, she then ate the humble pie. Still, while she helped Minglan get dressed, her teeth were gritted the whole time.

Minglan who knew nothing about what had happened felt nothing except for a bit sting on her back which also didn’t arouse her attention. After she finished eating the breakfast, she saw the broad sunlight. Feeling grateful for the great weather, she ordered Danju to find a few pieces of fur and four-colored gift box in the storeroom cheerfully. After she had her coach made ready, she set off right away.

The sunlight in autumn was not scorching. Being bathed in warmness, Minglan almost fell asleep in the coach again. Luckily, before that, she reached the Zheng family which was located in the mid-back of the Lotus Alley. Little Shen shi who had just finished her needlework was feeling bored right now. Hearing about Minglan’s arrival, she walked to the yard immediately to welcome the latter, “Wow, does the sun rise from the west today? I never realize you would come to see me!”

Minglan could only break Little Shen shi’s illusion by saying with a smile, “The sun still rises from the east. I’m here to see your eldest sister-in-law.”

Little Shen shi, startled, asked right away, “You came to visit my sister-in-law?”

The look on her face as well as her voice spoke volumes about how fierce First Madam Zheng was.

Before they could talk longer, an old servant walked in a hurry from the back and said clearly, “Second Madam, First Madam already prepared tea and snacks for Marchioness Ningyuan in the hall. Please follow me, Madam Gu, Second Madam.”

Little Shen shi could only suppress her doubt for the moment. Then she and Minglan, holding arms, walked to the inside. Minglan seized the chance to whisper to Little Shen shi, “Weren’t you called Second Young Madam a few days ago? What’s the rise in your seniority for?” Little Shen shi turned around and answered in a low voice, “My eldest nephew is going to be engaged to a girl. This family will have a new female member.”

After they took a few steps, they arrived at the door. Seeing First Madam Zheng standing there upright with a serious look, Minglan also got a bit scared. Then she, beaming, gave an obeisance to First Madam Zheng. The latter returned the obeisance gently. After the small talk, they all sat down.

Being in the same hall with her eldest sister-in-law, Little Shen shi also sat properly and didn’t even dare to joke or laugh while winking to Minglan the whole time. The Gu family and the Zheng family were not that close after all. After a short while, they didn’t have anything to talk. First Madam Zheng only sat there quietly without asking why Minglan had come or letting her and Little Shen shi to hang out by themselves. Then, the atmosphere became a bit awkward.

Minglan wasn’t panicky. According to her experience of dealing with Changbai, her eldest brother, she knew that the people who were refrained from talking were actually very intelligent. Although they never talked too much, they were pretty clear about everything. Minglan also knew that it was better for her to cut straight to the point than beating around the bush. After taking a deep breath, she said, “I’m going to be honest with you, I’m here to ask a favor from you, First Madam Zheng.”

First Madam Zheng put down the teacup silently without moving her eyebrows and stared at Minglan.

Minglan tried her best to sound sincere, “I have a daughter who is eight years old now. Innocent and naïve as she is, she actually lacks education and knows few traditional code of conducts. I don’t want her study to be delayed and prefer to give her education now. Yesterday, a few madams came to my house and talked about children’s education. I overheard that your daughter is going to go to school. Therefore, I came up with this idea of sending my daughter to your daughter’s school too. First Madam Zheng, I’d like your help in this.”

After she had said that, Little Shen shi got surprised at once. Minglan had only married into the Gu’s family less than a year. Gu Tingye’s first wife had married him three or four years ago, then this eight-year-old girl’s blood mother must be Gu Tingye’s concubine. As she realized that Gu Tingye had a daughter before he got married, she couldn’t help but disdain this man a bit. While she was restraining herself from curling her lips, she also felt surprised that Minglan would ask a favor from her sister-in-law because of this.

On the other side, First Madam Zheng was also a bit shocked, but the look on her face remained calm. Then she said, “The ancestors of Marquis Ningyuan’s family were the founders of our country. How honorable and noble your family is! I don’t dare to display my prestige in front of you. Why didn’t you invite a female tutor by yourself?”

Minglan knew she would ask that, and then she answered, “Madam, please let me explain. There are only two girls in my family now, my daughter and my eldest sister-in-law’s daughter. It’s not appropriate for me to make a big deal about the two girls’ study. Also…” Minglan continued with a smile, “As a matter of fact, I am still too young and don’t have so many acquaintances. How would I know any female tutor with great virtue? Even if I do, I’m afraid that the tutor wouldn’t agree to come.”

With a lightly scornful look on First Madam Zheng’s face, she said in a flat tone, “It’s better to have more people in the family. You shouldn’t have divided your family property in a hurry considering today’s situation.”

Minglan’s heart missed a beat. Nevertheless, she didn’t hesitate for a second and replied in a clear voice, “It’s good to have a large family, only when the members are united. Otherwise the people would only live together but each goes on a different path.”

“Great speech, Madam Gu.” First Madam Zheng was still wearing an indifferent face and said in an unperturbed tone, “I’ve heard about your eloquence before. Today, I finally witnessed that by myself. No wonder Old Madam Qin also has to keep a distance from you.”

Hearing that, Minglan only felt overwhelmed by annoyance. ‘That angelic bitch has had a great reputation for more than twenty years. These days she must have put on a great show in front of others.’ Minglan spent a while suppressing her anger. Then she said in a calm voice, “Madam, although we don’t know each other very well, I have always respected you. I think that the school which you can entrust your daughter with must be the best, so I decided to take the easy way. That’s why I have come here cheekily, wishing that my child could receive better education with the help of you. That’s the first thing I want to say.”

Flattering was always useful. As Minglan expected, after she had said that, the look on First Old Madam’s face turned softer and more pleased. Everything depended on what Minglan would say next, “As for what you have heard…”

Minglan took a breath and raised her head to look into First Madam Zheng’s eyes, “I have paid respects to the Buddhism with my grandmother from my childhood. So I believe in causal loop. The one that dares to act has to bear the responsibility and the guilty people would eventually be punished during their lifetime or after they die. No one should complain about the unfairness. I dare to say that!”

The room was so silent that even the sound of a needle falling on the ground could be heard. Little Shen shi even held her breath. Minglan’s words were implicit, but Little Shen shi understood them.

First Madam Zheng stared at Minglan’s face for a while. After a short while, she finally put on a smile, which was also the first expression Minglan saw on this madam’s face. Then First Madam Zheng said, “Why can’t people return good for evil?”