Chapter 4: Stepmother
Once Ming Wei's health had improved—or rather, once she had completed enough embroidery work to appease Liu-shi—she could no longer delay the matter of paying formal respects. Thankfully, she now had some mental preparation, so she picked a day and brought Tangli and Yuelin with her to greet her legal mother, the Second Madam.
Through her occasional “after-fever confusion” routine, Ming Wei had already managed to piece together much of the original body's background and the inner workings of the Chengping Marquis’ household.
To put it plainly, the original Ming Wei had led a bitter life. The second branch of the family didn’t inherit the title, so their children were already of lower standing. Ming Wei was also born of a concubine, placing her even lower. Her mother died in childbirth, and the legal wife didn’t care for illegitimate daughters. Without the love or protection of a birth mother, Ming Wei had the roughest time in the entire second branch.
Her father, the Second Master, was a romantic by nature. He had taken in four concubines, but all of them had failed to bear sons—only daughters. On the other hand, the Second Madam had two legitimate sons. So, even though Concubine Wen, the mother of Fourth Miss Ming Fang, was dazzlingly beautiful and well-versed in seduction, she still couldn’t surpass the Second Madam’s position.
Yet, relying on the Second Master’s affection, Wen-shi often picked fights with the Second Madam. Lacking a son, she had little real standing, but that never stopped her from making trouble.
When it came to morning greetings, Wen-shi conveniently “fell ill” seven out of every ten days—chest pain, liver pain, headaches, backaches, leg aches—every part of her body took turns “acting up.” When she finally did appear, her entrance alone was enough to make Liu-shi seethe. With someone like that in her face all the time, how could the Second Madam not be irritated?
Raised by Wen-shi, Ming Fang also became quite arrogant. In contrast, illegitimate daughters like Ming Rong, Ming Lian, and Ming Wei were constantly on the receiving end of the Second Madam’s disdain. Though the Second Madam was the legitimate daughter of the third branch of the Duke Yingguo's household, she wasn’t exactly clever or capable. She couldn’t suppress the flashy Wen-shi, nor could she win her husband's heart. When she was angry, she’d take it out on the illegitimate daughters—often and without mercy.
In this chaotic mix of wives and concubines, Ming Wei was the unluckiest of all. Ming Rong and Ming Lian at least had their own mothers to dote on them. Ming Wei, all alone, had no one. The old matriarch had too many grandchildren to dote on just her, and her father showed little interest in any of his children. He only occasionally asked about his legitimate sons’ studies or doted on Ming Fang thanks to Wen-shi. The remaining three girls? He hardly gave them a thought.
No wonder the original Ming Wei had developed such a timid, self-effacing personality.
As they passed the stone screen carved with peonies and auspicious motifs, all was quiet in the main residence. Ming Wei quietly let out a breath of relief—Liu-shi was still napping.
“Miss, the Madam hasn’t woken yet!” Tangli whispered from behind, disapprovingly. “Your body is still weak, and the weather is chilly again. Are we really going to stand out here and wait?”
Yuelin didn’t speak, but her expression clearly agreed with Tangli.
The Second Madam disliked illegitimate daughters, so the rules in the main house were extremely strict. Without her permission, they couldn’t enter. If Liu-shi chose to pretend to sleep and ignore her, Ming Wei could end up standing in the cold wind for an hour—which would be half her life gone.
Ming Wei gave them a reassuring smile and walked gracefully to the main doorway. Two young maids with unpinned hair stood outside the curtain, clearly low-ranking. The more senior maids must have been resting.
“Seventh Miss,” the maids curtseyed when they saw Ming Wei, but didn’t seem inclined to announce her presence.
Yuelin gritted her teeth and forced a smile. “Sisters, would you be kind enough to see if Madam is awake? If she is, please announce our young lady’s arrival.” She discreetly slipped each girl a small piece of silver.
No one says no to money. One of them quietly lifted the curtain and went inside, while the other’s expression softened. “Miss, please wait a moment. Madam should be waking soon.”
Ming Wei smiled in response.
Tangli, meanwhile, lowered her head and stared at her shoes, barely suppressing her anger. The young lady only received two taels of silver a month, and most of it went to greasing palms like this!
Whether it was the silver or Liu-shi’s concern about being blamed if something happened to Ming Wei under her roof, the Second Madam actually allowed her in fairly quickly this time.
As soon as Ming Wei entered, a wave of warmth and luxury hit her. The furnishings here were leagues above her tiny courtyard. This was the true grandeur of a marquis’ household. That Liu-shi didn’t even bother putting up a façade with the illegitimate daughters showed just how deep her contempt ran. Ming Wei would have to tread very carefully from now on.
Liu-shi’s quarters were in the eastern wing. Ming Wei followed the guiding maid while subtly observing the surroundings, her heart full of unease. Would her disguise as the "Seventh Miss" be exposed?
A curtain of brocade embroidered with bats and clouds in autumn hues was lifted. On the couch by the window sat a woman in her forties, leaning against a dark blue pillow, looking lazy and indifferent.
The Second Madam had a round face, slightly plump, but well-maintained and not yet looking old. She wore a maroon overcoat embroidered with gourd and double-happiness motifs in gold thread, paired with a ginger-yellow skirt. Her hair was neatly styled in a round bun, adorned with ruby-inlaid gold jewelry—every inch a wealthy noblewoman.
Ming Wei immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Daughter pays respects to Mother.”
Liu-shi barely spared her a glance and didn’t invite her to sit. “So, you’ve finally recovered?”
Hearing the displeasure in her tone, Ming Wei answered carefully, “Thank you for your concern, Mother. I was feverish and confused for several days. Thanks to the skilled physician you sent, I am now much better.”
Before she finished, she felt Liu-shi’s gaze scrutinizing her, so she quickly lowered her head further. Today, she had worn a simple goose-yellow robe with a floral motif and a pale pear-white skirt. The soft colors made her look even thinner and more fragile—like someone just recovering from illness.
To Liu-shi, she was nothing but a disliked, low-status illegitimate daughter. To contradict her now would be suicidal. She would have to endure and find another path later.
“And why are you only just coming to pay respects? Have you finished your embroidery?” Liu-shi’s gaze swept over her once and finally looked slightly more approving—the timid, fearful Ming Wei was more pleasing to her eye.
“I came to present my embroidery to you, Mother,” Ming Wei said, relieved that she wasn’t being scolded further about her illness. She handed the small bundle she had brought to Liu-shi’s personal maid, Feicui.
Feicui opened it on the black lacquered table, revealing three sachets and four square handkerchiefs. Liu-shi straightened from her cushion and picked up a red sachet embroidered with mandarin ducks. After examining it, she frowned and said coldly, “This is your work? After hiring embroidery teachers for you, you’ve gotten worse?”
Ming Wei trembled as if terrified. Her voice shook. “Please forgive me, Mother. I know I shouldn’t make excuses, but I’ve been too ill lately and fell behind. I deserve to be punished.”
Liu-shi was originally furious, but Ming Wei sounded sincere and looked so weak that she began to believe her. After all, Old Madam Li had once said Ming Wei might not survive.
“A daughter in her maiden home is pampered,” Liu-shi said sharply, full of disdain. “But can you act this willful in your husband’s house? Do you think I care about a few pieces of embroidery? I’m just worried you’ll embarrass yourself once you’re married!”
To every sentence, Ming Wei responded immediately with humble agreement. Finally, she added with a grateful smile, “All the sisters by your side are clever and skilled. I’ve only made a fool of myself. If I don’t appreciate your effort, I truly deserve to be struck by lightning!”
Her words made Liu-shi feel completely at ease. She looked at Ming Wei with a bit of satisfaction. Perhaps this illness had made the girl more tactful.
“You’re a sensible one,” she said. Coming from Liu-shi, that was high praise.
Ming Wei smiled shyly. “It’s all thanks to your teaching, Mother.” Her words were perfectly courteous and measured.
A cruel legal mother meant a hard life. Ming Wei would never forget that.
Through her occasional “after-fever confusion” routine, Ming Wei had already managed to piece together much of the original body's background and the inner workings of the Chengping Marquis’ household.
To put it plainly, the original Ming Wei had led a bitter life. The second branch of the family didn’t inherit the title, so their children were already of lower standing. Ming Wei was also born of a concubine, placing her even lower. Her mother died in childbirth, and the legal wife didn’t care for illegitimate daughters. Without the love or protection of a birth mother, Ming Wei had the roughest time in the entire second branch.
Her father, the Second Master, was a romantic by nature. He had taken in four concubines, but all of them had failed to bear sons—only daughters. On the other hand, the Second Madam had two legitimate sons. So, even though Concubine Wen, the mother of Fourth Miss Ming Fang, was dazzlingly beautiful and well-versed in seduction, she still couldn’t surpass the Second Madam’s position.
Yet, relying on the Second Master’s affection, Wen-shi often picked fights with the Second Madam. Lacking a son, she had little real standing, but that never stopped her from making trouble.
When it came to morning greetings, Wen-shi conveniently “fell ill” seven out of every ten days—chest pain, liver pain, headaches, backaches, leg aches—every part of her body took turns “acting up.” When she finally did appear, her entrance alone was enough to make Liu-shi seethe. With someone like that in her face all the time, how could the Second Madam not be irritated?
Raised by Wen-shi, Ming Fang also became quite arrogant. In contrast, illegitimate daughters like Ming Rong, Ming Lian, and Ming Wei were constantly on the receiving end of the Second Madam’s disdain. Though the Second Madam was the legitimate daughter of the third branch of the Duke Yingguo's household, she wasn’t exactly clever or capable. She couldn’t suppress the flashy Wen-shi, nor could she win her husband's heart. When she was angry, she’d take it out on the illegitimate daughters—often and without mercy.
In this chaotic mix of wives and concubines, Ming Wei was the unluckiest of all. Ming Rong and Ming Lian at least had their own mothers to dote on them. Ming Wei, all alone, had no one. The old matriarch had too many grandchildren to dote on just her, and her father showed little interest in any of his children. He only occasionally asked about his legitimate sons’ studies or doted on Ming Fang thanks to Wen-shi. The remaining three girls? He hardly gave them a thought.
No wonder the original Ming Wei had developed such a timid, self-effacing personality.
As they passed the stone screen carved with peonies and auspicious motifs, all was quiet in the main residence. Ming Wei quietly let out a breath of relief—Liu-shi was still napping.
“Miss, the Madam hasn’t woken yet!” Tangli whispered from behind, disapprovingly. “Your body is still weak, and the weather is chilly again. Are we really going to stand out here and wait?”
Yuelin didn’t speak, but her expression clearly agreed with Tangli.
The Second Madam disliked illegitimate daughters, so the rules in the main house were extremely strict. Without her permission, they couldn’t enter. If Liu-shi chose to pretend to sleep and ignore her, Ming Wei could end up standing in the cold wind for an hour—which would be half her life gone.
Ming Wei gave them a reassuring smile and walked gracefully to the main doorway. Two young maids with unpinned hair stood outside the curtain, clearly low-ranking. The more senior maids must have been resting.
“Seventh Miss,” the maids curtseyed when they saw Ming Wei, but didn’t seem inclined to announce her presence.
Yuelin gritted her teeth and forced a smile. “Sisters, would you be kind enough to see if Madam is awake? If she is, please announce our young lady’s arrival.” She discreetly slipped each girl a small piece of silver.
No one says no to money. One of them quietly lifted the curtain and went inside, while the other’s expression softened. “Miss, please wait a moment. Madam should be waking soon.”
Ming Wei smiled in response.
Tangli, meanwhile, lowered her head and stared at her shoes, barely suppressing her anger. The young lady only received two taels of silver a month, and most of it went to greasing palms like this!
Whether it was the silver or Liu-shi’s concern about being blamed if something happened to Ming Wei under her roof, the Second Madam actually allowed her in fairly quickly this time.
As soon as Ming Wei entered, a wave of warmth and luxury hit her. The furnishings here were leagues above her tiny courtyard. This was the true grandeur of a marquis’ household. That Liu-shi didn’t even bother putting up a façade with the illegitimate daughters showed just how deep her contempt ran. Ming Wei would have to tread very carefully from now on.
Liu-shi’s quarters were in the eastern wing. Ming Wei followed the guiding maid while subtly observing the surroundings, her heart full of unease. Would her disguise as the "Seventh Miss" be exposed?
A curtain of brocade embroidered with bats and clouds in autumn hues was lifted. On the couch by the window sat a woman in her forties, leaning against a dark blue pillow, looking lazy and indifferent.
The Second Madam had a round face, slightly plump, but well-maintained and not yet looking old. She wore a maroon overcoat embroidered with gourd and double-happiness motifs in gold thread, paired with a ginger-yellow skirt. Her hair was neatly styled in a round bun, adorned with ruby-inlaid gold jewelry—every inch a wealthy noblewoman.
Ming Wei immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Daughter pays respects to Mother.”
Liu-shi barely spared her a glance and didn’t invite her to sit. “So, you’ve finally recovered?”
Hearing the displeasure in her tone, Ming Wei answered carefully, “Thank you for your concern, Mother. I was feverish and confused for several days. Thanks to the skilled physician you sent, I am now much better.”
Before she finished, she felt Liu-shi’s gaze scrutinizing her, so she quickly lowered her head further. Today, she had worn a simple goose-yellow robe with a floral motif and a pale pear-white skirt. The soft colors made her look even thinner and more fragile—like someone just recovering from illness.
To Liu-shi, she was nothing but a disliked, low-status illegitimate daughter. To contradict her now would be suicidal. She would have to endure and find another path later.
“And why are you only just coming to pay respects? Have you finished your embroidery?” Liu-shi’s gaze swept over her once and finally looked slightly more approving—the timid, fearful Ming Wei was more pleasing to her eye.
“I came to present my embroidery to you, Mother,” Ming Wei said, relieved that she wasn’t being scolded further about her illness. She handed the small bundle she had brought to Liu-shi’s personal maid, Feicui.
Feicui opened it on the black lacquered table, revealing three sachets and four square handkerchiefs. Liu-shi straightened from her cushion and picked up a red sachet embroidered with mandarin ducks. After examining it, she frowned and said coldly, “This is your work? After hiring embroidery teachers for you, you’ve gotten worse?”
Ming Wei trembled as if terrified. Her voice shook. “Please forgive me, Mother. I know I shouldn’t make excuses, but I’ve been too ill lately and fell behind. I deserve to be punished.”
Liu-shi was originally furious, but Ming Wei sounded sincere and looked so weak that she began to believe her. After all, Old Madam Li had once said Ming Wei might not survive.
“A daughter in her maiden home is pampered,” Liu-shi said sharply, full of disdain. “But can you act this willful in your husband’s house? Do you think I care about a few pieces of embroidery? I’m just worried you’ll embarrass yourself once you’re married!”
To every sentence, Ming Wei responded immediately with humble agreement. Finally, she added with a grateful smile, “All the sisters by your side are clever and skilled. I’ve only made a fool of myself. If I don’t appreciate your effort, I truly deserve to be struck by lightning!”
Her words made Liu-shi feel completely at ease. She looked at Ming Wei with a bit of satisfaction. Perhaps this illness had made the girl more tactful.
“You’re a sensible one,” she said. Coming from Liu-shi, that was high praise.
Ming Wei smiled shyly. “It’s all thanks to your teaching, Mother.” Her words were perfectly courteous and measured.
A cruel legal mother meant a hard life. Ming Wei would never forget that.
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