Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The following day dawned bright and clear. The afternoon sun, though brilliant, cast a warm, gentle glow upon the courtyard, devoid of any harshness.

Spring, a season often inviting drowsiness, coupled with such perfect weather, found the maids in the main courtyard, their chores completed, naturally congregating under the veranda to savor a moment of respite.

After all, the mistress would be taking her afternoon nap and wouldn't require their attendance.

The inner quarters were notorious for stirring up trouble even when none existed, and currently, the Chen family faced not just trouble, but a significant crisis. Noticing the absence of both the head maids and Auntie Shu, a hushed whisper began: "Auntie Shu took another package out today."

A slender maid, Peach Blossom, curled her lip. "Out? In her eyes, it's probably not 'out,' but 'in'!"

"Peach Blossom! You shouldn't say such things!" the first speaker quickly interjected, though she herself couldn't suppress a laugh. She cast a slightly disdainful glance at the main house, then a worried one towards the eastern side courtyard. "Who knows how things will unfold over there."

Peach Blossom stretched languidly. "Don't bother yourself with such idle worries about the masters. The Young Mistress comes from a prominent family; what can that outsider do even if she comes in? She'll still have to bow down to the Young Mistress obediently."

The real fear was that the Young Mistress wouldn't even grant her the opportunity to bow. With the Young Mistress's character, beauty, and distinguished background, even if a dose of medicine were to dispose of that illegitimate child, no one would dare utter a word. The Young Master might not even risk embarrassing the Young Mistress for the sake of a concubine's child.

At this thought, she suddenly chuckled. "Is there anything in this household that can be hidden from 'that side'? This clandestine affair is probably as obvious as lighting a lamp in the dead of night—it's already been noticed."

Indeed, in the eastern side courtyard, Ming Tang was perfectly aware of the situation.

From the origins of Miss Ya, to how many times Madam Chen had sent her gifts, what each gift was, and even the exact month of Miss Ya's pregnancy—Ming Tang knew every detail.

It was unavoidable. The Chen family had moved to the capital ten years prior, and Auntie Shu was the only old servant who had been with them since then. Chen Wenyao was often away studying, so the household didn't require many attendants. Most of the current servants had been either purchased or contracted after the engagement was settled.

Ming Tang, with her substantial dowry and fair yet firm approach to rewards and punishments, commanded great respect among the staff. Even those in Madam Chen's own courtyard largely sided with her, ensuring that the slightest ripple would be reported.

Zhe Liu, having distributed the rewards, returned to the study to find Ming Tang standing behind a long desk, wielding a brush with impressive flourish.

In mere moments, a lifelike little chick appeared on the paper, its head bowed, pecking at scattered grains.

"Young Mistress, Madam Chen sent some blood swiftlet nest to that place today."

"Blood swiftlet nest?" Ming Tang was momentarily surprised. It seemed her mother-in-law's longing for a grandson was even more fervent than she had imagined.

The Chen family was not wealthy, having arrived in the capital as a widow and her orphaned son. The capital was notoriously expensive, and the funds from selling their former estate barely sufficed to ensure the mother and son lived comfortably. Luxuries like blood swiftlet nest had only entered Madam Chen's purview after Ming Tang's marriage.

Blood swiftlet nest was rare, and Madam Chen had always cherished it, never even indulging herself. Now, she was truly making a significant sacrifice.

After a moment of contemplation, Ming Tang set down her brush and slowly said, "Tell Shopkeeper Cheng and the others to come to the estate's accounts office tomorrow to settle their bills. From now on, no one from the Chen family is allowed to put purchases on credit; everything must be paid for on the spot."

Zhe Liu's heart skipped a beat. "Even when the Young Master returns?"

"Does the Young Master not bear the Chen surname?"

Zhe Liu stiffened, lowering her eyes in assent. Seeing that Ming Tang had not finished, she listened intently.

"Furthermore, the weather has been pleasant these past few days. It's time to go through the storehouses and pack up what needs to be stored away."

"Tomorrow, send a message to Mother. Tell her I miss her and wish to visit. Ask her to send someone to fetch me when it's convenient."

Zhe Liu nodded in agreement, her heart a mix of excitement and unease. Clearing accounts, organizing the storehouses, returning to her maternal home—yet not a word about that other matter...

Her pulse quickened, and she dared not ponder further. Just as she was about to withdraw, Ming Tang's voice stopped her. "Oh, and tell the kitchen I'd like stir-fried spring chicken for dinner, with plenty of chili, and a few fresh seasonal vegetables to accompany it."

Zhe Liu sighed, drawing out her reply. "Yes—"

Ming Tang was the daughter Madam Ming bore at thirty-five, considered a late-life blessing in those times. Ming Tang had been intelligent and sensible since childhood, and Madam Ming doted on her beyond measure. Upon hearing her daughter wished to visit, how could she wait? She sent someone to fetch her the very next day.

Fortunately, the Ming and Chen residences were not far apart, so Ming Tang arrived home just past 8 a.m.

In the main courtyard, Madam Ming sat regally in the host's seat, the epitome of a dignified lady—until Ming Tang entered. Her composure instantly broke. She rose involuntarily, taking two steps forward to prevent Ming Tang from bowing in greeting. "You've finally come home, and you still insist on such formalities? Are you trying to become estranged from your mother?"

Ming Tang laughed. "Mother, you're too overbearing! You won't let me bow to you, and now you won't even let me greet my two sisters-in-law? What kind of mother-in-law are you?"

"Zhangru and Ningxin are good girls, unlike you, with no sense of decorum." Despite her words, Madam Ming finally released her, allowing the three women to exchange greetings properly.

Zhangru was the given name of Ming Tang's eldest sister-in-law, Madam Song, while Ningxin was the second sister-in-law, Madam Li. Madam Ming had managed the Ming household flawlessly for years, raising two sons and two daughters, all of whom were exemplary. Furthermore, Vice Minister Ming had no concubines or mistresses whatsoever. That Madam Ming addressed her daughters-in-law by their given names spoke volumes about their exceptional characters.

With no festival or family matter at hand, the sudden return of a married daughter might have seemed unusual, but the two sisters-in-law acted as if nothing were amiss. They sat amicably, chiming in occasionally, and the atmosphere grew increasingly cheerful.

By noon, the third generation of the Ming family returned from their studies, filling the courtyard with even more bustle.

The eldest son's family had two boys and a girl, while the second son's had two girls and a boy. The eldest sons of both families were away at academies, leaving the eldest granddaughter, Ming Wan, thirteen, as the senior among those still studying at home. The youngest were the second son's twin daughters, Ming Jin and Ming Yu, now eight.

All were lively children, and Ming Tang had always enjoyed playing with them when she lived at home. Their excitement at seeing her was palpable; even the usually composed Ming Wan became quite talkative.

After lunch, when it was time for the midday nap, Ming Jin and Ming Yu, leveraging their young age, insisted on napping with their aunt.

Faced with two identical, exquisitely adorable faces smiling at her, Ming Tang's heart melted. Yet, she merely patted their cheeks and declined. "Don't you have lessons this afternoon? Napping with your aunt will make you miss your studies. At your age, studies are paramount."

"Auntie—" The whole point of napping with her was to legitimately skip afternoon lessons! They drew out the word, pouting with feigned resentment.

Second sister-in-law Li Ningxin, however, breathed a sigh of relief. Her twin daughters, already pampered for being twins, were naturally lazy and constantly looked for excuses to skip class. Keeping them in line was hard enough; if her sister-in-law also indulged them, she would have no choice but to concede.

Her smile softened as she beckoned them over. "Alright, don't pester your aunt anymore. You have lessons this afternoon, and you'll be tired if you don't rest soon."

After some further negotiation, the children went their separate ways for their naps, and Ming Tang followed Madam Ming to the inner chamber. She naturally removed her hairpins and outer robe, then slipped into bed, winking playfully at Madam Ming.

Madam Ming knew her daughter had something on her mind. Seeing her like this reminded her of Ming Tang's childhood, and her heart softened. "Always up to mischief."

Yet she remained composed, lying down beside Ming Tang and closing her eyes, falling into a deep sleep.

The midday nap was a lifelong habit of Madam Ming's, and once she became the lady of the house, this habit became ingrained throughout the Ming household.

Madam Ming always napped for precisely half an hour. When she awoke, Ming Tang was still asleep, breathing softly.

Ming Tang's hair was disheveled, her cheeks slightly flushed. She looked nothing like a married woman of three years, showing no signs of unhappiness from living in an unfamiliar environment. In fact, her complexion was even better than when she was unmarried, a clear indication of a very comfortable life.

But Madam Ming knew her daughter was troubled—and by no small matter.

Tenderly stroking a strand of hair from her daughter's forehead, Madam Ming leaned against the headboard, deep in thought.

The Chen family was simple, with only a few members, incapable of stirring up much trouble. This matter surely wasn't related to the Chen family. Could it be about You Niang?

Ah, yes. You Niang had been married for three years and had not yet conceived.

Madam Ming's mind raced. In an instant, she thought of several renowned temples in the capital known for granting fertility, then recalled several women known for having many children. A moment later, she considered that You Niang had always been healthy; could it be that her son-in-law had some hidden ailment?

Having traveled widely with Vice Minister Ming in their youth, she had seen much and knew that childlessness in a marriage was not necessarily the woman's fault. It was simply that society placed the responsibility of procreation on women, so if there were no children, people instinctively blamed the wife.

Perhaps when her son-in-law returned, she could arrange for an imperial physician to examine him?

"Mother~" Ming Tang stirred awake, instinctively rolling over in bed to snuggle closer to Madam Ming, a soft whine escaping her lips. Before the lingering sound faded, she continued, "I came back this time to discuss something with you."

Madam Ming nodded, signaling her to continue, though her mind was still occupied with the list of imperial physicians. For a moment, she felt a genuine dilemma—gynecology, pediatrics, and geriatric medicine were the Imperial Medical Bureau's specialties, and while some might dabble in difficult cases, it would be hard to find one skilled in male fertility issues.

Never mind, she would have her husband make discreet inquiries; there would surely be news eventually.

"I am divorcing Chen Wenyao."

To demand a divorce, not merely consider it—that meant her mind was made up.

Madam Ming was startled, then immediately composed herself, sitting up in bed with an air of solemn dignity. "Why?"

Ming Tang also sat up, mirroring her mother’s grave demeanor.

"First, Chen Wenyao has taken a mistress, who is now several months pregnant. Second, Madam Chen has always been dissatisfied with me. Now that she favors the Chen family’s first grandson, she has repeatedly hinted since learning of this affair that she intends to bring the mistress into the household. The matter is only delayed because Chen Wenyao has yet to return home. Third, Chen Wenyao also desires an heir. If I’m not mistaken, within three days of his return to the capital, he will propose bringing that woman into the house."

Ming Tang knew that such affairs were commonplace in this era, and rarely did any woman succeed in divorcing and returning to her family.

Even the reigning princess, the most esteemed woman of the dynasty, was forced to endure a husband who fathered an illegitimate son, still bearing the title of her consort as he paraded through the capital—unable to divorce not because the law forbade it, but because the Emperor and the ancestral elders refused.

Given the ways of the world, Ming Tang's only recourse was her parents' extraordinary love for her.

Madam Ming's heart ached, yet she still hesitated. "Is there truly no room for compromise?"

It wasn't that she didn't pity her daughter, but the matter wasn't particularly severe. Since ancient times, men taking concubines had been the norm—so long as they didn't elevate the concubine above the wife, no one would bat an eye. Moreover, with the excuse of an heir, and the fact that her daughter had not yet conceived, divorcing over this might make Ming Tang seem overly sensitive.

Ming Tang nodded. "My mind is made up."

With her family background and character, Ming Tang had no shortage of suitors from prominent families back then. She had married into the Chen family precisely for a quiet life. Now that the Chen household was visibly descending into turmoil, only a fool would stay—she wasn't there to fix their mess.

But divorce was a serious matter, and she needed her parents’ support to succeed. Steadying her thoughts, Ming Tang continued, "An heir is indeed important, but within three years of my marriage, Chen Wenyao took a mistress for that very reason. If I hadn’t been alert, that woman might have been brought into the household before I even knew. Tell me, Mother—what face or dignity would I have left in the Chen household then?"

Madam Ming stiffened. She was right! How foolish of her. Continuing the family line was crucial, but if a man wished to take a concubine for that purpose, he ought to discuss it properly with his wife and her family. The choice of concubine should even be left to the wife to ensure future harmony.

To take a mistress in secret showed he feared his wife’s refusal and sought to force her hand. Once the child was born, what could the wife do but swallow the humiliation?

Did he even respect You Niang at all?

Madam Ming seethed with fury, though her expression remained calm. "This is a grave matter. I must discuss it with your father. Don’t worry, You Niang."

Ming Tang nodded obediently, inwardly exclaiming: *Done.*