Chapter 5: A Way Out

"Manao, go fetch a small stool for the young miss."

In an unexpected show of kindness, Second Madam actually allowed Ming Wei to sit.
This was truly a pleasant surprise. Ming Wei was slightly stunned, though her face remained obedient and grateful. She bowed to thank the Second Madam before cautiously sitting down.

It was indeed the right decision to come today. The reason she had rushed over was because she’d overheard a maid in her courtyard gossiping that Concubine Wen and Fourth Miss had disrespected the Second Madam earlier and made her angry. While Tangli and Yuelin thought she was walking into trouble, Ming Wei saw it differently: one arrogant and defiant concubine-born daughter versus another who was meek and compliant—her own behavior would seem more pleasing by contrast.

The original Ming Wei had been thoroughly disliked by the Second Madam precisely because she was too timid, like a mute clay doll, which only made people more annoyed. Ming Wei, however, deliberately presented herself as demure and obedient, trying to curry favor.

As for the embroidery, the pieces she submitted to Second Madam were neither excellent nor awful—good enough to pass, but not impressive. The original host had been much more skilled, which meant she had been assigned far more work than her three half-sisters. After learning this from Yuelin, Ming Wei had deliberately started slacking off. After all, the embroidery was sold outside the house—no matter how well or how much she did, she never saw a single coin of it.

Ming Wei had figured this out thanks to her past-life experiences. Back when she had been the legitimate daughter of the Grand Chancellor’s household, she’d heard how fallen noble families would work their illegitimate daughters to the bone, forcing them to sew late into the night not just for household needs, but also to make money.

Seeing how tightly the Second Madam managed their needlework, Ming Wei had immediately guessed this was the case.

In this large marquis estate, aside from Yuelin and Tangli—who had been with her since childhood and genuinely cared—everyone else’s concern came with distance and limits. Still, that didn’t stop her from trying to live better.

Staying alive and well—that was the most important thing.

Despite her slightly improved impression, Second Madam still didn’t like her much. After exchanging only a few polite sentences, she dismissed Ming Wei.

Yuelin and Tangli were anxiously waiting. When they saw Ming Wei emerge unscathed, they immediately flanked her and escorted her quickly away from the main residence. Only after returning to Yuxiang Garden did they get the chance to examine her closely, checking for signs of mistreatment.

All four concubine-born daughters in the courtyard had been punished at some point under the guise of “establishing discipline.” Even Fourth Miss had been made to kneel in the Buddha Hall. Ming Wei, with no maternal backing, would logically fare worse.

"I’m fine," Ming Wei said, amused by their tense expressions. "Don’t I look perfectly all right?"

But her breezy words weren’t enough to ease their worry.
"Miss, that sachet... did the Madam say anything about it?" Yuelin asked.

Extra embroidery work had been Ming Wei’s frequent punishment. Even when she stitched beautifully, the Second Madam would still nitpick, forcing her to burn oil at night for additional sewing. No wonder the original’s health had deteriorated so badly.

"I told her I was sick—what was she going to do, openly drive me to death?" Ming Wei waved off their concern, uninterested in that. She had something else on her mind. "Grandmother’s birthday... how did I used to prepare for it?"

Her brief visit to the Second Madam had yielded one useful takeaway: she could not rely on her legal mother or her useless father. But perhaps... perhaps her grandmother was a way out.

For the first time, Ming Wei—who had once lived in endless love and affection—was worrying about her future.

They always said that a concubine-born daughter’s fate was held in the hands of the legal mother. If hers was to be in Liu-shi’s hands, that was trouble. But fortunately, the Second Madam had a superior—Old Madam.

The old marquis and his heir had long been stationed in the northwest, making the Old Madam the highest-ranking person in the household. Rumor had it she wasn’t very fond of the younger generation, but if Ming Wei didn’t try, how would she ever know?

If one must cling to a thigh for protection, best to cling to a thick and sturdy one. If she could earn the Old Madam’s favor, at least she wouldn’t have to be crushed under Liu-shi’s heel. If the Old Madam were willing to support her, her days would improve significantly...

Seeing Ming Wei’s pale face, Yuelin and Tangli grew increasingly worried. They thought the recent fever had damaged her memory—she’d forgotten so many things. Afraid of upsetting her, they never dared mention it and instead explained gently.

"Old Madam only returned to the manor two years ago. The first year, you gave her a sachet you embroidered yourself," Yuelin said carefully, watching Ming Wei’s reaction before continuing. "Last year, you gifted her a forehead band you made by hand."

All hand-made gifts. Clearly not just to express sincerity—it was obvious the Seventh Miss was quite poor.

"What about Fourth Miss?" Ming Wei asked, determined to investigate her strongest rival. After all, Ming Fang had the most money among them.

Tangli looked even more sorrowful. The young miss really didn’t remember anything. "Fourth Miss gave a honey-colored amber prayer bead bracelet and a sandalwood Buddha statue."

Though she spoke casually, Ming Wei caught the implication. Fourth Sister’s gifts must have been very expensive. That’s what money could do—give freely and impress.

"Only a month left—I’ll need to prepare quickly." Ming Wei began considering what to give. In her previous life, as a prestigious cabinet minister’s daughter, she’d never had to worry about birthday gifts. Before she even opened her mouth, people lined up to offer ideas. Her private stash alone held treasures beyond count. When had she ever been this troubled?

The memories hurt. Pain stabbed at her chest like dozens of knives. The fear she’d felt arriving in this world, the love of her parents, the protection of her brother, her sister-in-law’s warmth—all flooded back. Her past life had been perfect... until the fall of the Grand Chancellor’s household. That once-blissful life shattered like an illusion.

Thirty-six years had passed. She didn’t even know if her parents were still alive, how her brother and sister-in-law were doing... She had dreamt of them many times. Deep in her heart, she longed fiercely—believing they were still alive. If only she could see them again, even without revealing herself as Tang Wan, that would be enough.

If they were well, she would simply watch from afar; if they were struggling, she would help however she could. The kindness she’d received in her past life had gone unrepaid. If she could repay even a fraction this time, she would have no regrets.

That was why she needed to leave this tiny corner of Yuxiang Garden. Staying confined in the marquis’s inner courtyard, she would never find answers. Even if someone in the manor knew the truth, it would be suspicious for someone like her to inquire.

Second Madam treated her like an enemy—there was no hope of attending social events with her. But the Old Madam held an imperial title; she received many invitations from old family friends, often to higher-level gatherings than those Liu-shi ever attended.

She might even encounter someone from her past...

"Miss? Miss, are you feeling unwell?" Tangli and Yuelin’s worry deepened as they saw her zoning out.

Ming Wei snapped out of it and smiled. "I’m perfectly fine. I already know what I’ll give Grandmother—but I’ll need your help."

Since she was poor, her birthday gift had to be handmade.

Ming Wei’s lips curved into a calm, calculating smile—a smile laced with pain neither girl could understand. "Get me the needlework supplies I asked for, as soon as possible..."

—

"Seventh Sister."
After their morning greetings with Liu-shi that day, Ming Lian purposely fell behind to walk beside the slow-moving Ming Wei. "Grandmother’s birthday is soon. How’s your gift coming along?"

"Sixth Sister!" Ming Wei gave a shy little smile. "I haven’t finished the embroidery yet..."

Ming Lian instantly understood. She recalled the paired-flower sachet Ming Wei had gifted two years ago and the forehead band last year that the Old Madam never even wore. This year’s gift must also be some bit of needlework.

"Third Sister copied scriptures by hand and offered them at Cian Temple—it’s been some days now. I heard Concubine Wen ordered a white jade Buddha statue from the Treasure Pavilion this year."

"Huh?" Ming Wei was momentarily stunned. Ming Lian had actually told her what Third and Fourth Sisters had prepared? That couldn’t have been easy to find out. What was her intention?

Was this just a kind reminder?

Ming Wei wasn’t sure—Ming Lian was hard to read. Whenever she saw her, she was reminded of the Imperial Consort: always composed, always gentle and harmless on the surface, yet impossible to pin down.

She only hoped Ming Lian wasn’t the two-faced kind.