Chapter 11: An Old Friend
“Seventh Sister, are you still feeling unwell?” Ming Lian looked at Ming Wei’s still pale face with concern. “If you truly can’t hold on, just ask Mother for leave. I’m sure Grandmother wouldn’t mind.”
Ming Wei gently shook her head and forced a smile, pretending to be relaxed. “Don’t worry, Sixth Sister. I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night and feel a bit drained now.”
She had always been somewhat timid in public. Ming Lian knew her temperament well and didn’t press the matter further.
Ming Wei’s expression remained composed, but her darting gaze betrayed a lingering panic.
In the large garden earlier, she had truly thought she was about to be caught. But from the other side of the rockery, a trembling young maid had come stumbling out, falling to her knees and begging for mercy like pounding garlic.
After a few curses from Liu Yi, his attendant arrived to fetch him. He left, still cursing under his breath. Cuiniang had already fled through the back of the garden, covering her face. The young maid was so terrified she shook like a leaf, wiping away tears as she stumbled out.
What should have been an explosive scandal involving a secret affair was thus quietly swept under the rug.
But when had that little maid shown up?
Ming Wei was still confused. She scanned the rockery again and found her answer. The structure wasn’t small—if two people stood on opposite sides, they wouldn’t see each other. Its jagged, towering shape also made it easy to conceal someone, even from the front. Ming Wei had been so focused on searching for her hairpin that she wouldn’t have noticed someone quietly approaching from the other side.
Only once the garden had emptied again did Ming Wei finally emerge. From a distance, the maid looked like one of the girls who tended to the Old Madam’s flowers. She didn’t know whether Liu Yi had recognized her or not.
Fortunately, Liu Yi’s servant had interrupted—otherwise, she would’ve been exposed for sure.
Still lost in thought, Ming Wei was approached by Ming Luo, a concubine-born daughter from the third household, who came over to chat with her and Ming Lian.
“Sixth Sister! Seventh Sister!” Ming Luo walked over with a bright, cheerful smile. Her innocent-looking face was framed by delicate dimples, making her very likable.
“Eighth Sister,” Ming Lian greeted first. Ming Wei followed suit.
“What birthday gift did Seventh Sister prepare for Grandmother?” Ming Luo asked sweetly. “Let me guess—something beautifully embroidered by your own hand, I bet!”
Ming Wei froze slightly, unsure of her meaning.
“We all still remember the forehead ribbon you gave Grandmother last time!” chimed in Ming Ling, another concubine-born daughter from the third household, hiding a mocking smile behind her handkerchief.
At that, Ming Wei could no longer play dumb. So these two had come here with no purpose other than to ridicule her? Picking on the weak, just as expected.
Snapping back with sarcasm would seem petty, so Ming Wei prepared to reply with something neither soft nor sharp—but before she could speak, a commotion broke out up front. Ming Wei didn’t understand at first but noticed that even the Old Madam herself had gone out to greet the visitor.
The guest must be someone of high status.
“It must be the Marchioness of Huan’an!” said Ming Lian, half to herself and half to inform Ming Wei. “Among all the ladies Grandmother invited, only she hasn’t arrived yet!”
Ming Wei was puzzled. This Marchioness sounded important, but she had never heard of her before. Perhaps she was a rising star in the capital over the past thirty-six years. After all, the noble families Ming Wei had once known had long since faded.
Seeing Ming Wei’s confused expression, Ming Lian gave a helpless smile. But before she could explain, Ming Ling cut in with a sharp tongue: “Seventh Sister, did your fever from last time melt your brain? You’ve forgotten the Marquis of Huan’an’s household?”
“And even if you forgot the marquis, surely you wouldn’t forget Brother Qingyuan—”
“Watch your words, Tenth Sister!” Ming Lian interrupted. “How could your Seventh Sister have even met Young Master Su, let alone spoken to him?”
Ming Wei was completely lost. What were they even talking about?
“She wishes he noticed her! A mere concubine-born daughter thinking she could marry into that kind of family? Ridiculous!” Ming Ling sneered. “All she can do is dream.”
She had forgotten that even third-house concubine-born daughters were still just that—concubine-born.
Could it be that the original Ming Wei had fancied this Brother Qingyuan? Ming Wei guessed quietly to herself. More likely, Ming Ling liked him too. Otherwise, why would she be so vicious?
“Perhaps Third Aunt never officially recognized you under her name?” Ming Wei ignored Ming Ling’s jabs and replied calmly, “You can eat recklessly, but you shouldn’t speak recklessly.”
“You—!” Ming Ling flushed with anger, glaring at her. She was about to snap back when Ming Luo quickly pulled her aside.
“Seventh Sister, don’t mind her,” Ming Luo said peacemakingly. “Tenth Sister just speaks without thinking.” Then she turned to scold Ming Ling: “Hurry and apologize!”
Both girls were daughters of Lady Lu, naturally close. Ming Luo might have sounded reasonable and kind, but she was calculating underneath it all. Even her reprimand to Ming Ling subtly supported her words.
“How could someone like Brother Qingyuan allow her to daydream about him!” Ming Ling huffed. “She—”
Ming Wei, now thoroughly irritated, didn’t want to argue anymore. “You’re right, Tenth Sister. We’re all the same. If I’m not worthy, I doubt you’d be allowed to overstep either.”
Clearly, Ming Luo and Ming Ling hadn’t expected Ming Wei to fight back.
Ming Ling looked ready to retort again, but just then the legitimate daughter from the third household, Ming Ying, waved for them. Ming Ling stomped her foot but followed Ming Luo away.
“Don’t take her words to heart,” Ming Lian said comfortingly. “Twelfth Sister has a gentle nature, but Tenth Sister’s brashness often overshadows her.”
The “Twelfth Sister” she referred to was Ming Ying.
Ming Wei nodded, indicating she wasn’t bothered by a quarrel with a few petty girls. Then Ming Lian added, “If this were the Su family of thirty years ago, it wouldn’t be much. But over the last couple decades, they’ve risen to great heights—surpassing even many old-established noble houses.”
“Grandfather always said the Old Marquis Su was a rare talent. He earned his title through military merit,” she said, eyes flashing with envy. “Even more impressive, he deeply loved his wife—Lady Su was the daughter of the disgraced official Cheng Nan and was once implicated in the Tang Chancellor’s affair—”
Before she could finish, Ming Wei’s expression changed subtly.
Could it be… the Marchioness of Huan’an was—
The Marchioness alighted from her carriage at the screen wall and saw the Old Madam waiting at the drooping-flower gate. She smiled warmly and greeted her, “I’m so sorry to trouble you to walk this far, Elder Sister!”
“You’re too polite!” the Old Madam replied with obvious fondness, returning the bow. “It’s only proper!”
Beside her stood a lively young girl who stepped forward and respectfully saluted the Old Madam. “Greetings, Madam! May your blessings be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your life span longer than the Southern Mountains!”
“What a sweet child!” the Old Madam beamed and quickly had someone help her up. “This must be your Xuan girl! Such a lovely and dignified little thing—you are truly blessed!”
“You flatter her!” the Marchioness said with a smile as they walked together. “I think your eldest granddaughter is lovely too! I’m sure the others are just as fine.”
She had only met Ming Qian, the legitimate daughter of the main household. The second branch rarely let their concubine-born daughters go out, and the third and fourth branches were too far removed to even speak with someone like the Marchioness. She had come today solely for the Old Madam’s sake.
The Old Madam, hoping to show off her granddaughters, ordered them all to be summoned.
Ming Ling was the most eager. She subtly pushed her way to the front. Su Xuan, the young lady from the Su family, stood quietly beside the Marchioness, observing the girls of the Chengping Marquis Manor.
Ming Wei stood at the very back, her heart pounding wildly.
She didn’t even dare lift her head to look. Could the noble Marchioness now seated in a place of honor truly be her best friend from her previous life—Cheng Yue?
“These girls are all lovely! I don’t even know where to begin praising them!” the Marchioness exclaimed with a smile. “Each one more beautiful than the last!”
At the sound of her voice, Ming Wei trembled slightly. Though she quickly composed herself, it still betrayed her emotion. Thirty-six years had passed. That voice, once youthful and clear, now carried elegance and maturity.
It was Sister Cheng—no mistake!
“The girl in the pale yellow dress—come closer, let me see you,” the Marchioness said again, her voice carrying warmth and familiarity. “From a distance, you looked quite familiar.”
All the girls were dressed in luxurious, vibrant colors—only Ming Wei wore something simple yet elegant, graceful but lively. She stood with her head slightly bowed, her slender frame so strikingly reminiscent of someone once known…
That bold, radiant smile in her memory… only she had ever worn that imperial yellow robe of a Noble Consort so confidently… She had once been the most precious flower in the world, only to be cruelly destroyed.
Now, singled out by the Marchioness, Ming Wei could feel all eyes on her—filled with envy and jealousy.
She smiled faintly to herself. How was she supposed to face a dear friend from thirty-six years ago?
She repeatedly reminded herself—right now, she was nothing but a concubine-born daughter of the Chengping Marquis. She could feel nervous, excited, even scared—but she must not show the slightest familiarity.
Ming Wei took a deep breath and slowly stepped forward. She raised her head, met the Marchioness’s gaze, and offered a calm, composed smile.
Time had left its mark on the Marchioness’s face, but though she was past fifty, she was still graceful and well-maintained. Her figure hadn’t grown stout, her features hadn’t changed much, and her every gesture now carried a noble air—but she still looked like the same sister who once cherished her so dearly.
Fighting the prickling tears in her eyes, Ming Wei worked hard to keep her smile steady.
“What a lovely girl,” the Marchioness murmured, now staring directly at her. She felt dazed, almost enchanted. Ming Wei’s features bore some resemblance—but Tang Wan had been dead for thirty-six years.
That once delicate but kind girl who had extended a hand when everyone else had turned away… Only after becoming close did one discover how tender her proud exterior truly was.
But she had long since left this world!
Ming Wei gently shook her head and forced a smile, pretending to be relaxed. “Don’t worry, Sixth Sister. I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night and feel a bit drained now.”
She had always been somewhat timid in public. Ming Lian knew her temperament well and didn’t press the matter further.
Ming Wei’s expression remained composed, but her darting gaze betrayed a lingering panic.
In the large garden earlier, she had truly thought she was about to be caught. But from the other side of the rockery, a trembling young maid had come stumbling out, falling to her knees and begging for mercy like pounding garlic.
After a few curses from Liu Yi, his attendant arrived to fetch him. He left, still cursing under his breath. Cuiniang had already fled through the back of the garden, covering her face. The young maid was so terrified she shook like a leaf, wiping away tears as she stumbled out.
What should have been an explosive scandal involving a secret affair was thus quietly swept under the rug.
But when had that little maid shown up?
Ming Wei was still confused. She scanned the rockery again and found her answer. The structure wasn’t small—if two people stood on opposite sides, they wouldn’t see each other. Its jagged, towering shape also made it easy to conceal someone, even from the front. Ming Wei had been so focused on searching for her hairpin that she wouldn’t have noticed someone quietly approaching from the other side.
Only once the garden had emptied again did Ming Wei finally emerge. From a distance, the maid looked like one of the girls who tended to the Old Madam’s flowers. She didn’t know whether Liu Yi had recognized her or not.
Fortunately, Liu Yi’s servant had interrupted—otherwise, she would’ve been exposed for sure.
Still lost in thought, Ming Wei was approached by Ming Luo, a concubine-born daughter from the third household, who came over to chat with her and Ming Lian.
“Sixth Sister! Seventh Sister!” Ming Luo walked over with a bright, cheerful smile. Her innocent-looking face was framed by delicate dimples, making her very likable.
“Eighth Sister,” Ming Lian greeted first. Ming Wei followed suit.
“What birthday gift did Seventh Sister prepare for Grandmother?” Ming Luo asked sweetly. “Let me guess—something beautifully embroidered by your own hand, I bet!”
Ming Wei froze slightly, unsure of her meaning.
“We all still remember the forehead ribbon you gave Grandmother last time!” chimed in Ming Ling, another concubine-born daughter from the third household, hiding a mocking smile behind her handkerchief.
At that, Ming Wei could no longer play dumb. So these two had come here with no purpose other than to ridicule her? Picking on the weak, just as expected.
Snapping back with sarcasm would seem petty, so Ming Wei prepared to reply with something neither soft nor sharp—but before she could speak, a commotion broke out up front. Ming Wei didn’t understand at first but noticed that even the Old Madam herself had gone out to greet the visitor.
The guest must be someone of high status.
“It must be the Marchioness of Huan’an!” said Ming Lian, half to herself and half to inform Ming Wei. “Among all the ladies Grandmother invited, only she hasn’t arrived yet!”
Ming Wei was puzzled. This Marchioness sounded important, but she had never heard of her before. Perhaps she was a rising star in the capital over the past thirty-six years. After all, the noble families Ming Wei had once known had long since faded.
Seeing Ming Wei’s confused expression, Ming Lian gave a helpless smile. But before she could explain, Ming Ling cut in with a sharp tongue: “Seventh Sister, did your fever from last time melt your brain? You’ve forgotten the Marquis of Huan’an’s household?”
“And even if you forgot the marquis, surely you wouldn’t forget Brother Qingyuan—”
“Watch your words, Tenth Sister!” Ming Lian interrupted. “How could your Seventh Sister have even met Young Master Su, let alone spoken to him?”
Ming Wei was completely lost. What were they even talking about?
“She wishes he noticed her! A mere concubine-born daughter thinking she could marry into that kind of family? Ridiculous!” Ming Ling sneered. “All she can do is dream.”
She had forgotten that even third-house concubine-born daughters were still just that—concubine-born.
Could it be that the original Ming Wei had fancied this Brother Qingyuan? Ming Wei guessed quietly to herself. More likely, Ming Ling liked him too. Otherwise, why would she be so vicious?
“Perhaps Third Aunt never officially recognized you under her name?” Ming Wei ignored Ming Ling’s jabs and replied calmly, “You can eat recklessly, but you shouldn’t speak recklessly.”
“You—!” Ming Ling flushed with anger, glaring at her. She was about to snap back when Ming Luo quickly pulled her aside.
“Seventh Sister, don’t mind her,” Ming Luo said peacemakingly. “Tenth Sister just speaks without thinking.” Then she turned to scold Ming Ling: “Hurry and apologize!”
Both girls were daughters of Lady Lu, naturally close. Ming Luo might have sounded reasonable and kind, but she was calculating underneath it all. Even her reprimand to Ming Ling subtly supported her words.
“How could someone like Brother Qingyuan allow her to daydream about him!” Ming Ling huffed. “She—”
Ming Wei, now thoroughly irritated, didn’t want to argue anymore. “You’re right, Tenth Sister. We’re all the same. If I’m not worthy, I doubt you’d be allowed to overstep either.”
Clearly, Ming Luo and Ming Ling hadn’t expected Ming Wei to fight back.
Ming Ling looked ready to retort again, but just then the legitimate daughter from the third household, Ming Ying, waved for them. Ming Ling stomped her foot but followed Ming Luo away.
“Don’t take her words to heart,” Ming Lian said comfortingly. “Twelfth Sister has a gentle nature, but Tenth Sister’s brashness often overshadows her.”
The “Twelfth Sister” she referred to was Ming Ying.
Ming Wei nodded, indicating she wasn’t bothered by a quarrel with a few petty girls. Then Ming Lian added, “If this were the Su family of thirty years ago, it wouldn’t be much. But over the last couple decades, they’ve risen to great heights—surpassing even many old-established noble houses.”
“Grandfather always said the Old Marquis Su was a rare talent. He earned his title through military merit,” she said, eyes flashing with envy. “Even more impressive, he deeply loved his wife—Lady Su was the daughter of the disgraced official Cheng Nan and was once implicated in the Tang Chancellor’s affair—”
Before she could finish, Ming Wei’s expression changed subtly.
Could it be… the Marchioness of Huan’an was—
The Marchioness alighted from her carriage at the screen wall and saw the Old Madam waiting at the drooping-flower gate. She smiled warmly and greeted her, “I’m so sorry to trouble you to walk this far, Elder Sister!”
“You’re too polite!” the Old Madam replied with obvious fondness, returning the bow. “It’s only proper!”
Beside her stood a lively young girl who stepped forward and respectfully saluted the Old Madam. “Greetings, Madam! May your blessings be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your life span longer than the Southern Mountains!”
“What a sweet child!” the Old Madam beamed and quickly had someone help her up. “This must be your Xuan girl! Such a lovely and dignified little thing—you are truly blessed!”
“You flatter her!” the Marchioness said with a smile as they walked together. “I think your eldest granddaughter is lovely too! I’m sure the others are just as fine.”
She had only met Ming Qian, the legitimate daughter of the main household. The second branch rarely let their concubine-born daughters go out, and the third and fourth branches were too far removed to even speak with someone like the Marchioness. She had come today solely for the Old Madam’s sake.
The Old Madam, hoping to show off her granddaughters, ordered them all to be summoned.
Ming Ling was the most eager. She subtly pushed her way to the front. Su Xuan, the young lady from the Su family, stood quietly beside the Marchioness, observing the girls of the Chengping Marquis Manor.
Ming Wei stood at the very back, her heart pounding wildly.
She didn’t even dare lift her head to look. Could the noble Marchioness now seated in a place of honor truly be her best friend from her previous life—Cheng Yue?
“These girls are all lovely! I don’t even know where to begin praising them!” the Marchioness exclaimed with a smile. “Each one more beautiful than the last!”
At the sound of her voice, Ming Wei trembled slightly. Though she quickly composed herself, it still betrayed her emotion. Thirty-six years had passed. That voice, once youthful and clear, now carried elegance and maturity.
It was Sister Cheng—no mistake!
“The girl in the pale yellow dress—come closer, let me see you,” the Marchioness said again, her voice carrying warmth and familiarity. “From a distance, you looked quite familiar.”
All the girls were dressed in luxurious, vibrant colors—only Ming Wei wore something simple yet elegant, graceful but lively. She stood with her head slightly bowed, her slender frame so strikingly reminiscent of someone once known…
That bold, radiant smile in her memory… only she had ever worn that imperial yellow robe of a Noble Consort so confidently… She had once been the most precious flower in the world, only to be cruelly destroyed.
Now, singled out by the Marchioness, Ming Wei could feel all eyes on her—filled with envy and jealousy.
She smiled faintly to herself. How was she supposed to face a dear friend from thirty-six years ago?
She repeatedly reminded herself—right now, she was nothing but a concubine-born daughter of the Chengping Marquis. She could feel nervous, excited, even scared—but she must not show the slightest familiarity.
Ming Wei took a deep breath and slowly stepped forward. She raised her head, met the Marchioness’s gaze, and offered a calm, composed smile.
Time had left its mark on the Marchioness’s face, but though she was past fifty, she was still graceful and well-maintained. Her figure hadn’t grown stout, her features hadn’t changed much, and her every gesture now carried a noble air—but she still looked like the same sister who once cherished her so dearly.
Fighting the prickling tears in her eyes, Ming Wei worked hard to keep her smile steady.
“What a lovely girl,” the Marchioness murmured, now staring directly at her. She felt dazed, almost enchanted. Ming Wei’s features bore some resemblance—but Tang Wan had been dead for thirty-six years.
That once delicate but kind girl who had extended a hand when everyone else had turned away… Only after becoming close did one discover how tender her proud exterior truly was.
But she had long since left this world!
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