Spring in the Hall of Paintings

Lady Fucha saw that the old madam’s attitude was firm and quietly acknowledged her decision. The third branch of the family was separating their household but not breaking ties completely. After moving into their own residence, Lady Fucha would officially become the lady of the house, and the amount of silver they had to contribute to the main family would decrease. Though she was not one to covet money, after enduring years as a daughter-in-law, she would finally have some authority in her own home, making things much more convenient. However, when she thought of Yun Wei, who had yet to regain consciousness, she found no joy in the situation. If it weren’t for Yun Wei’s condition, the old madam would never have agreed to separate the households.

Lady Fucha understood that the old madam’s decision to keep the third branch with her was partly out of concern for Rongzhi, but the bigger reason was Yun Lan. No one could be certain what Yun Lan’s future would hold—if she gained favor and prosperity, it would bring great benefits to the Tong family.

Of the three sons, Rongxuan was the most accomplished. He had the ability to earn a noble title through his own merits. As for Rongda and Rongzhi, a good marriage alliance could ensure their lifelong status and honor. Lady Fucha looked at the composed old madam with deep admiration—this was someone who never missed a single calculation, never putting all her eggs in one basket.

The old madam, noticing Lady Fucha’s gaze, smiled faintly and sighed. “It is because the emperor values Rongxuan that I have decided to separate your household. It’s not that I don’t care for him, but as a baron, he will have many responsibilities and must remain loyal to the emperor. He cannot afford to be entangled in these trivial household disputes. Rongxuan’s duty is to serve as a devoted minister to the emperor, and his unwavering loyalty is the greatest filial piety he can show me.”

“Mother, I understand. I will manage the household affairs well so my husband won’t be distracted.”

Lady Fucha deeply respected the old madam, her eyes turning red with emotion. “But I can’t bear to leave you, and I will miss my elder sister-in-law.”

“Nonsense! It’s not as if you won’t see me again. If you dare not visit me after moving out, I’ll go straight to the Office of the Commander of the Eight Banners and accuse you of being unfilial.”

The old madam playfully scolded, referencing the office that handled disputes among Bannermen.

Lady Fucha wiped the corners of her eyes. “I wouldn’t dare, Mother. I will certainly come to pay my respects often.”

Just then, a maid entered and reported, “Old Madam, Mama Qi has sent word—Sixth Young Lady has woken up.”

“Amitabha! Yun Wei is awake? That’s wonderful, truly wonderful!”

The old madam immediately rose to her feet, unable to hide her joy and relief. “I must go see my dear little girl.”

“Mother, Third Sister-in-law is still kneeling.”

The first Lady reminded her softly. Only then did the old madam regain her composure from her excitement. She spoke calmly, “You may rise, Third Daughter-in-law. There is a saying—once is an accident, twice is a warning, but three times is inexcusable. If anything like this happens again, bringing misfortune to the Tong family, I will not spare you. No amount of pleading will change my mind.”

“I understand.”

Lady Guo Luo collapsed onto the floor, finally letting out a breath of relief. The old madam’s earlier threat of divorce was not empty words. If not for Lady Fucha and Lady Jueluo’s intervention, she would have been cast out without a doubt. The old madam had been a strong-willed woman her entire life—she never went back on her word, nor would she bend to anyone, not even for the sake of Lady Guo Luo’s maiden family.

“Mother.”

Yun Lan stepped forward to help Madam Guo Luo up. Seeing her mother’s red, swollen eyes and pale, sickly complexion, Yun Lan was overcome with guilt and choked out, “I’m sorry, Mother. This is all my fault.”

But Madam Guo Luo’s expression was icy. She pushed Yun Lan away and instead leaned on a maid for support. With a bitter smile, she said, “You are my retribution, my punishment.”

Without another glance at Yun Lan, she left with the help of her servants.

Moments ago, the room had been filled with people, yet now Yun Lan stood alone, enveloped in loneliness and sorrow. She bit her lip. Had she really done wrong? Was she truly at fault? The thought flickered through her mind but was quickly suppressed.

No, she wasn’t wrong.

She had done everything for love, for the future. She was not wrong.

One day, they would all understand that her choices had been the right ones.

Returning to her room, Yun Lan found that all her previous servants had been replaced. The new maids and attendants were unfamiliar, and she struggled to get used to them. Moreover, she could feel that their gazes toward her were no longer the same as before. She let out a bitter smile and instructed a maid to prepare hot water for her bath.

After washing and dressing carefully, Yun Lan went to visit Madam Guo Luo. She humbled herself, attempting to win back her mother’s favor. Gradually, Madam Guo Luo’s attitude softened slightly, but the warmth and closeness they once shared as mother and daughter could never fully return.

Meanwhile, Yun Wei lay weakly on the couch, looking fragile and delicate, stirring hearts with sympathy. Seeing the old madam, she smiled sweetly, a hint of vitality returning to her pale little face.

“Grandmother, why have you come? I should have gone to see you instead.”

The old madam pulled Yun Wei into her arms, her eyes filled with sorrow. “Silly child, how could I be at ease without seeing you safe and sound?”

“I made you worry… It’s my fault,” Yun Wei murmured, snuggling closer to the old madam. “It was my own weak body that failed me. Grandmother, Fourth Sister… she might not have meant much harm.”

Yun Wei struggled to plead for Yun Lan. She, too, harbored resentment, but years of sisterly affection made it impossible for her to remain completely indifferent. However, she couldn’t speak too much in Yun Lan’s defense—if she did so too eagerly and without any grievance, others might think she was merely trying to appear virtuous. Licking her dry lips, she softly added, “Fourth Sister will surely understand Grandmother’s intentions. As long as the Tong family remains well, I don’t mind enduring some suffering. She probably never expected me to be so delicate, unable to withstand hardship.”

Though Yun Wei never directly pleaded for Yun Lan, every word subtly excused her. She implied that it was her own frail constitution that led to her collapse, not that Yun Lan had intentionally harmed her by using excessive medication. In the Qing Dynasty, harming a close relative was a serious crime, and Yun Wei’s words subtly deflected that accusation.

Hearing this, the old madam only felt more heartache for Yun Wei. She held her tightly, unwilling to let go. The first madam had always cherished Yun Wei—who could help but favor such an understanding, kind, and well-mannered child?

After conversing for a while, the old madam finally released her reluctantly. Only after much persuasion from the first madam did she agree to leave. Before stepping out, she turned back and looked into Yun Wei’s clear, watery eyes. In a deep voice, she asked, “Do you not resent your Fourth Sister?”

Yun Wei hesitated. “I… I do resent her, but I do not hate her.” She smiled faintly and said in a soft voice, “Fourth Sister chose her own path, Grandmother. Whether it leads to fortune or disaster, she will have no regrets. She is intelligent and knows many things I do not. The future is uncertain.”

The old madam snorted. “At most, she can become a concubine. I’ve never heard of one being officially elevated to a primary wife.” Even imperial concubines had the empress above them. The old madam recalled past events—being an imperial concubine was no easy feat. How many struggles lurked within the Forbidden City? And how many noble families truly gained power solely through their daughters’ status? The higher one’s position, the more caution was required.

“The emperor’s favor is both a blessing and a curse.”

After the old madam left, Lady Fucha finally sat beside her daughter. She gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Yun Wei’s ear, her voice choked with emotion. “My dear child, my precious girl… how could you scare me like this? Did you want me to cry myself to death?”

“Mother!” Yun Wei threw herself into Lady Fucha’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. She had been terrified—terrified of dying just like that. Her life had only just begun; she had yet to experience all the wonders it had to offer. In front of the old madam, she had to remain composed, but no matter how close the old madam was, she could never replace her own mother. Only in Lady Fucha’s embrace could Yun Wei let go of all pretenses.

“I was afraid I would never see you again… never see Father… never see my brother… Wuwu…”

“There, there, you mustn’t cry. You’ve just woken up; if you harm your health and your eyes, I won’t forgive you.”

Lady Fucha carefully wiped away Yun Wei’s tears and whispered, “Lan’er’s actions have reminded me—I must be more cautious with our medicine in the future.”

Yun Wei could already picture piles of tonics waiting for her. With a resigned sigh, she protested weakly, “Food is better than medicine for nourishment. My health is fine, really… it’s just…”

Lady Fucha’s gaze silenced her, and she lowered her head in surrender. “I will listen to you, Mother.”

“That’s more like it.” Lady Fucha nodded in satisfaction before adding, “Yun Wei, remember—health is especially important for women. It affects your future children and your… marital life.”

After Yun Wei was chosen for the imperial selection, Lady Fucha had gradually introduced her to matters between men and women. Upon hearing the mention of marital relations, Yun Wei blushed and lowered her head even further, fidgeting with her fingers in embarrassment.

Lady Fucha gently lifted her daughter’s chin, lowering her voice. “Virtue is important, but men care most about beauty. No matter how intelligent you are, without an attractive appearance, you may never have the chance to display your talents. As for matters of the bedchamber…” She paused meaningfully before continuing, “Before your wedding, I will slowly teach you how to make the most of your… assets.”

“Mother.” Yun Wei burrowed into Lady Fucha’s embrace, too embarrassed to come out. Her tiny feet, exposed outside the blanket, had turned a soft shade of pink in her shyness, her crystal-like toes curling slightly.

Lady Fucha chuckled. “Already feeling shy?”

“Hmm… You’re laughing at me, Mother.” Yun Wei rubbed against her, then again, and again, fully displaying her talent for acting spoiled. Deep inside, she was still a little curious about the topic of marital relations. “It’s different from what taught me in ‘The Admonitions for Women’ (Nu Jie).”

In that book, women were instructed to remain reserved during intimacy. Showing too much emotion would brand them as licentious.

Lady Fucha patted Yun Wei gently. “The ones who wrote ‘Nu Jie’ were women who had never received their husband’s favor. They don’t understand the true nature of marriage. I had you read it because it’s a necessary virtue for noblewomen to know. But what I will teach you is how to capture a man’s heart, how to ensure that his eyes never stray from you. ‘Nu Jie’ and similar teachings are the standards by which others judge women, but in reality… you must learn how to live a happy and fulfilling life without breaking the rules. I do not want my precious daughter to become a lonely, resentful woman, left only with a reputation for virtue but no real happiness.”

Yun Wei etched her mother’s words into her heart. Her mother would never lead her astray.

Just then, Lu Yi entered, carrying a stack of clothes. Kneeling respectfully, she said, “Madam, Fourth Young Lady sent these over.”

It was the same outfit Yun Lan had worn when Yun Wei last saw her. Yun Wei peeked out from Lady Fucha’s embrace, frowning slightly. Her embroidered handkerchief was missing. She didn’t dare tell her mother, knowing it would be useless even if she did. Fortunately, the plum blossom script embroidered on it was not widely recognized, and it didn’t bear her name—only a line of poetry she loved.

Lady Fucha’s expression turned cold. “Burn it. My daughter will not wear something she has used.”

“Yes, Madam.” Lu Yi immediately obeyed.

After returning home, Rongxuan learned of Yun Lan’s situation. Ignoring his fatigue, he immediately went to visit the Old Madam. The two spoke in private for a long time. The next day, Rongxuan began searching for a new residence, preparing to move out of the Tong household.

In the imperial palace, Emperor Kangxi smiled in satisfaction. He handed the long-prepared imperial edict to an attendant and instructed, “Go to the Tong residence and deliver the decree.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Leaning back in his dragon throne, Kangxi’s smile deepened. Rongxuan had not disappointed him—he was a loyal subject. If his niece became a primary consort to a prince, she would not favor one side over another.

Kangxi suddenly asked, “Rongxuan’s legitimate daughter—she is among this year’s selected maidens, correct?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the eunuch Li Dequan replied respectfully. “Her name is Tong Jia Yun Wei. She is not as well-known as Tong Jia Yun Lan.”

Kangxi chuckled lightly. “Yun Lan is indeed a rare woman. She and he make a good match.” His tone carried a rare hint of warmth. “Issue a decree: Liang Guiren (Favored Concubine) shall be promoted to Liang Pin (Ranked concubine). Summon her to serve me tonight.”

“By your command.” Li Dequan bowed deeply.

The imperial harem was vast, and Kangxi rarely showed favoritism. But Liang Guiren—now Liang Pin—was different. Though the emperor never openly favored her, she was summoned to his chambers more frequently than most, second only to Imperial Concubine Yi. Many in the palace speculated that her low birth was the reason she had not been promoted sooner. But now, after years of patience, she had finally risen to a proper concubine rank.

Back at the Tong Residence…

Rongxuan respectfully saw off the eunuch who had delivered the imperial decree. As the Old Madam had predicted, the emperor had deliberately spread rumors about selecting a primary consort for a prince, using it as a test. Rongxuan’s move to a separate residence was exactly what Kangxi wanted. The emperor then gifted him a grand five-courtyard estate across the street from the Tong residence, designating it as the official residence of the Baron of Zhongyong.

Two days later, before Lady Fucha could fully settle into their new home, the day of the second palace selection arrived. With great reluctance, she escorted Yun Wei back to the Forbidden City once more.