Chapter 12

Chapter 12

A young woman? Was it the divorced Fourth Miss Ming?

Black Snow Treader, usually galloping like the wind, now ambled leisurely beside the exceedingly slow-moving carriage, offering Pei Yue ample opportunity for his thoughts to wander.

He chided himself for his rash judgment back at the tavern, where he had witnessed that scene and summarily concluded that Fourth Miss Ming’s life was over.

Now, it seemed, she was far more decisive than most. The moment she realized her husband was unreliable, she resolved to seek a divorce without hesitation.

Pei Yue had witnessed countless instances of people suffering indignities for peace or retreating a step to secure a stable life. Little did they know that others would press forward relentlessly, ultimately leaving them with no footing whatsoever.

As for Vice Minister Ming and Mrs. Ming, they clearly cherished their daughter deeply, even consenting to something as significant as a divorce.

Lost in thought, Pei Yue noticed the road gradually clearing. The path leading to Qixia Temple had returned to its usual bustling state.

It was no surprise that Qixia Temple had become the most popular temple in the capital.

Most temples were built in the mountains, with long, arduous staircases that required devotees to climb step by step, as if to prove their piety.

Qixia Temple, however, defied this tradition. Though it occupied Qixia Mountain, the highest peak in the capital’s outskirts, its main structures were situated on level ground at the mountain’s base. Ladies arriving by carriage needn't even disembark; they could enter directly through a side gate reserved for vehicles before proceeding on foot.

The capital was home to many noble families, including elderly matrons and noblewomen who seldom ventured far. Given Qixia Temple’s convenience and the presence of eminent monks, they naturally gravitated here unless they had specific reasons to go elsewhere.

Yet Qixia Temple’s attractions didn’t end there. While its main buildings were at the foot of the mountain, the monks hadn’t neglected the slopes.

Well-funded and staffed, they had transformed Qixia Mountain into a scenic wonder: lush with blossoms in spring, shaded by dense foliage in summer, ablaze with autumn hues, and even offering winter’s snow-laden pines. Stone benches and pavilions dotted the paths, drawing a steady stream of visitors year-round.

It was for these reasons that the Ming family made straight for Qixia Temple. Their carriage entered the temple grounds and traveled some distance before stopping.

Having held her question until now, Mrs. Ming gathered everyone and called Ming Tang over. “Why did you have those things in your carriage?”

“Just being prepared—see, they came in handy?” Ming Tang blinked innocently, thinking to herself: *It’s all because of that time in my past life when my car broke down on the highway with no way to fix it. Even though this is a horse-drawn carriage, anything with ‘car’ in its name can break down, so it’s best to be prepared.*

Mrs. Ming smiled approvingly. “Quite sensible.”

Their conversation was cut short when a monastery attendant approached. Mrs. Ming led the others to offer incense, while Ming Tang took a separate path up the mountain.

Qixia Temple valued its reputation and maintained strict order within its grounds. With attendants by her side, Mrs. Ming had no concerns, only reminding her to return in time to join them for the journey home.

Knowing their mistress’s intentions, Zhe Liu and the other maid had dressed practically for walking, much like Ming Tang.

To the sound of birdsong in their ears and nature's untamed beauty before them, the three ascended the stone steps, chatting and laughing, breathing in the crisp mountain air. It was a thoroughly refreshing experience.

While the mountain was serene, the temple below hummed with activity—even the scripture lecture, attended by noble families, proved no different.

Abbot Guohui had yet to arrive, making the gathering an impromptu social event alive with conversation and laughter.

The chatter momentarily stilled when the Ming family entered, then resumed.

The Mings noticed, naturally. Mrs. Ming, well aware why, remained composed. She paid her respects to the most senior ladies present, greeted acquaintances, and then took her seat.

The Ming daughters-in-law had prepared for this moment. After attending to Mrs. Ming, they quietly took their leave to join their own mothers.

They had scarcely departed when someone remarked, “No wonder people say Mrs. Ming treats her daughters-in-law like her own. Even on such occasions, she doesn’t insist on their attendance.”

Behind the speaker stood two young women with eyes demurely lowered. One of them wordlessly replenished her tea.

Mrs. Ming recognized the woman as the wife of a certain Huang, whom her husband had once impeached. Taking a measured sip of tea, she replied,

“Though a daughter marries into the family, that doesn’t mean she no longer has parents. Were they not all beloved daughters at home? Serving me in private is one matter, but making them wait on me in front of their mothers? I’d worry their mothers would take offense—or worse yet, deny my sons meals when they visit. That would be hard on my boys.”

The two mothers present immediately chimed in. One said, “Even if you mistreat our Zhangru, our good son-in-law wouldn’t descend to your level. For his sake, we’ll overlook it.”

The other added, “Hear that, Ningxin? Your mother-in-law said it herself. If you’re ever mistreated, just tell me, and I’ll make sure her son suffers too.”

The playful retorts drew laughter from the room. The Huang woman forced a smile. “Mrs. Ming is quite right.”

Still unwilling to let it go, she shot Mrs. Ming a sidelong glance and added pointedly, “I suppose if your daughters-in-law failed to produce heirs for years, you’d still dote on them as you do now.”

The room fell silent. Everyone present was adept at reading between the lines.

Mrs. Ming’s expression cooled. “I suggest you focus on your own affairs instead of prying into others’. Even sages can’t predict the future. All I know is that I’m blessed with grandchildren and family joy—unlike you, whose son’s extravagant spending in Furong Lane is the talk of even street beggars! If I had such a son, I’d be worried sick. It’s a wonder you still have the energy to gossip.”

With that, she turned to chat with another lady, ignoring the woman entirely.

Madam Huang flushed but didn’t dare retort. Glaring at her silent daughter-in-law, she hissed, “Are you mute? Won’t you defend your husband when he’s insulted?”

She couldn’t help but envy Mrs. Ming—despite similar social standing, the latter had secured excellent matches for both sons. *Some mothers-in-law have all the luck.*

One of those “lucky” mothers-in-law, Mrs. Song (mother of the Ming eldest son’s wife), exchanged a knowing smile with Mrs. Ming. Yet when she turned to her daughter, worry crept in.

Her daughter’s marriage had been a good one. Back then, Vice Minister Ming’s rank wasn’t particularly high, and her son-in-law, Ming Rang, was merely a scholar. Mrs. Song had consented largely because of Mrs. Ming’s disciplined household and dignified bearing.

In her experience, a woman’s marital happiness depended as much on her mother-in-law as her husband. Today proved her right. Had her daughter married into a family where the mother-in-law demanded constant servility, Mrs. Song would have been heartbroken.

With two sons and a daughter, her daughter now managed household affairs, her contentment evident. Mrs. Song was grateful.

Yet Mrs. Ming’s indulgence extended even further—when her own daughter suffered in her marriage, she’d supported the divorce without hesitation.

Empathizing, Mrs. Song couldn’t fault her. But with a divorced aunt in the family, how would her dear granddaughter Ah Wan find a good match?

After sending the girls outside to play, Mrs. Song asked quietly, “What are your in-laws planning for Fourth Miss?”

Song Zhangru shook her head slightly. “For now, there’s no sign of any plans.”

After a pause, she added, “But Ah Tang is a good girl, always considerate. She has her own income and properties—even if she stays home forever, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

Since her return, Ming Tang had contributed her share to the household funds. Though nominally pooled, she effectively covered her own expenses without burdening the family.

Moreover, she often mentored the younger girls. Song Zhangru wouldn’t mind her staying indefinitely.

“Your sister-in-law is indeed admirable.” Mrs. Song, having met Ming Tang, couldn’t criticize her.

“But a divorced woman at home inevitably tarnishes the family’s reputation. Ah Wan is already thirteen—in two years, she’ll be of marriageable age. ‘Like aunt, like niece’ isn’t just a saying. Potential suitors will hesitate, and Ah Wan’s prospects could suffer.”

Song Zhangru fell silent. How could she, as a daughter-in-law, have opposed her mother-in-law’s decision to support the divorce—even if she’d foreseen this?

Encouraged by her silence, Mrs. Song pressed on. “You must think carefully. If your sister-in-law remains unmarried, the Ming family will face endless gossip, and Ah Wan won’t escape it. But if she remarries, the connection weakens. In a few years, the scandal will fade—just in time for Ah Wan’s betrothal.”

Seeing her daughter waver, Mrs. Song pressed her advantage. “Besides, your mother-in-law might secretly wish to find her another match. A woman can’t live with her parents forever. As a mother, she must worry about her daughter’s future under her brothers’ roofs.”

Recalling Mrs. Ming’s affection for Ming Tang, Song Zhangru nodded. “You’re right. I’ll try to broach the subject subtly. Meanwhile, keep an eye out for suitable candidates. From what I’ve seen, Ah Tang doesn’t care about status—she just wants a husband who respects her and doesn’t interfere with her life.”

The moment she said it, Song Zhangru paused. *That sounds like living separately from one’s husband. In temperament, Ah Tang somewhat resembles Princess Taihua.*

But Princess Taihua’s status allowed her to ignore her consort with impunity. How could Ming Tang compare?

Her head aching from overthinking, she couldn't help but raise her gaze slightly and massage the back of her neck, just as she caught sight of an attendant monk respectfully ushering a lady into the venue at the entrance.

Her attire was simple, her jewelry modest, yet the smile on her face carried a presence that commanded reverence when her gaze swept across the room.

Though the gathering was filled with experienced household managers who had long wielded authority, none could quite match that ineffable aura she exuded.

Song Zhangru started slightly and quickly nudged her still-pondering mother beside her: "The Duchess of Dingguo has arrived."

While the Ming family's entrance had caused only a minor stir earlier, the Duchess of Dingguo's leisurely approach now truly swept through the hall, prompting countless attendees to rise in greeting.

The Duchess surveyed the surroundings, nodding graciously to the crowd as she walked, seizing the opportunity to openly scrutinize the entire venue—especially lingering a bit longer in Mrs. Ming's direction.

Did that young woman not come?