Chapter 6: Cousins
It wasn’t until two days before the Old Madam’s birthday that Ming Wei finally finished the embroidered gift. Normally, she still had to complete the embroidery assignments Second Madam gave out, and even the slightest delay wouldn’t be tolerated. Now, with the birthday project added on top, she had no choice but to burn the midnight oil. Even with Tangli and Yuelin helping her, Ming Wei nearly fell seriously ill from exhaustion.
But when she finally completed the “Blossoms of Splendor” double-sided embroidery, both Yuelin and Tangli were stunned. It was exquisitely delicate—something they had never seen before.
Of course, they were just maids serving concubine-born daughters, and had limited exposure. But if noblewomen from prestigious families were to see it, they would surely be astonished—this was none other than a lost art: Mei-style double-sided embroidery.
The Mei style was long lost; even a single piece of it today would be priceless.
Although Ming Wei was already the most skilled embroiderer among the four concubine-born girls, this piece far exceeded even her own standard. The rich and elegant peonies seemed almost lifelike. The vivid colors were perfectly balanced, without the slightest vulgarity.
Yet Ming Wei, gazing at the completed piece, felt overwhelmed with emotion.
As someone who had transmigrated into this world and once held such a noble status, she had never considered needlework to be important. Not until she had fallen for Rongduo—only then did she start to take it seriously. As a prince, Rongduo had seen everything. Ming Wei racked her brain, believing that only something made by her own hands could be truly meaningful. So she had thrown herself wholeheartedly into needlework.
Luckily, as the daughter of a Grand Councilor, she had received elite education. The skills she inherited from the body’s original owner gave her a solid foundation. But her proud heart wasn’t satisfied with just that. Rongduo was surrounded by clever, beautiful concubines—she had to outshine them all. It was during a spring outing that she happened to save an orphan girl named Dan Niang, who turned out to be a rare inheritor of the Mei-style embroidery. Ming Wei immediately began learning from her.
Heaven rewards hard work. After months of rigorous training, Ming Wei became quite adept. Though not on Dan Niang’s level, her technique was impressive in its own right.
As she looked at the embroidery before her, Ming Wei’s thoughts drifted again. The past came rushing back, and a dull ache tugged at her heart. The very sachet that contained the evidence condemning her—the damning words cursing Rongduo—had been something she had painstakingly embroidered by hand.
There could be no crueler irony in the world.
“Miss, it’s getting late.” Yuelin, holding a carved sandalwood jewelry box delicately etched with lotus patterns, reminded her softly. “Relatives are visiting today. Madam said we should head over early.”
Ming Wei nodded, then had Tangli carefully store the embroidery. She sat down at the dressing table, allowing Yuelin to undo her hair and begin combing it neatly.
“Miss has such beautiful hair!” Yuelin said enviously, running her fingers through Ming Wei’s thick, glossy black strands. “No matter how it’s styled, it always looks good.”
At her words, Ming Wei glanced up at her reflection in the bronze mirror. Though not sharply clear, the face that looked back was refined and delicate. In terms of beauty, this life did not compare to the last—she wasn’t as striking or dazzling—but her appearance was quietly pleasing.
Ming Wei gave a bitter smile in her heart. What use was overwhelming beauty anyway? It only attracted disaster. As the saying went: a virtuous wife and a beautiful concubine. And she, as an unloved concubine-born daughter... had no intention of becoming someone’s concubine.
Though, admittedly, the previous life’s Imperial Noble Consort had also been a concubine...
“No hairstyle matters more than the jewelry!” Tangli lifted the curtain as she entered, speaking freely as usual. “Did you hear what that little twit Manao said the other day?”
“If the jewelry gets even the tiniest bit damaged,” Tangli mimicked Manao’s shrill voice with mock severity, “you lot better watch your hides! Everyone in your courtyard added together couldn’t pay for it!”
Her performance was so on point that both Ming Wei and Yuelin burst into stifled laughter.
“If they care so much, why even bother pretending and send jewelry at all?” Tangli huffed while still handling the pieces with great care.
Ming Wei took the pair of hairpins she handed over and, with a stern expression, scolded playfully, “You! I’ve spoiled you too much. You dare say whatever comes to mind now?”
Despite teasing Tangli, she felt genuine disdain for the Second Madam’s actions. Only two days ago had Manao from the Second Madam’s quarters delivered jewelry to her—and that was when she learned that each concubine-born girl actually had two decent sets of accessories. But these were always kept locked away by the Second Madam, only given out briefly during family visits or festivals, then promptly taken back.
So, the Second Madam did care about appearances after all.
But still, this strategy wasn’t clever. Since she had no daughters of her own, wouldn’t it be wiser to treat the concubine-born girls well? Marrying them off well could even benefit her sons. Yet she loathed them so much that she only suppressed and alienated them further. The girls only showed surface-level respect, but deep down, they all hated her.
Tangli made a face, then answered obediently. Ever since Ming Wei’s recent illness, she had become noticeably firmer and more assertive, yet also more affectionate with her maids.
While they chatted, Yuelin skillfully combed and styled Ming Wei’s hair. Tangli went into the inner room to fetch clothes.
By the time Yuelin finished, Tangli came back with the outfit already chosen for today: a pale pink satin jacket embroidered with delicate peach blossoms, paired with a pear-white pleated skirt. It was the Old Madam’s birthday, so she couldn’t dress too plainly. Pink was cheerful, without being too flashy.
Once Ming Wei had changed, she led Tangli and Yuelin toward Rongze Hall.
—
Rongze Hall.
Even before stepping inside, Ming Wei could already hear bursts of sweet, coquettish laughter from within—so sugary it made her skin crawl. It sounded like her ever-proud Fourth Sister?
Behind her, Tangli let out a soft snort. Ming Wei turned in confusion, and Tangli quickly lowered her voice to explain, “Must be the two young masters from Second Madam’s family. They’ve arrived.”
Ming Wei instantly remembered. She had previously asked about everyone in the manor. Second Madam’s family had two cousins—Liu Jun and Liu Yi—both legitimate sons, and around the same age as her own two legitimate brothers, so they visited often. They had practically grown up together, so the rules were more relaxed.
Hearing her Fourth Sister’s flirtatious tone, Ming Wei had a bad feeling. Could it be… a budding spring heart?
Cousins and cousin marriages were always risky business.
As she pondered this, she lifted her skirt and entered. Sure enough, the room was already packed. She was the last to arrive.
“Second Cousin, Fourth Cousin,” Ming Wei greeted Liu Jun and Liu Yi with a proper bow, then greeted her sisters. “Third Sister, Fourth Sister, Sixth Sister.”
Being the youngest in the Second Madam’s household, she had to pay respects to everyone.
Liu Jun nodded at her with a warm smile. “Seventh Sister.”
When she looked up at him, Ming Wei found that Liu Jun was indeed handsome and refined, his gentle demeanor instantly likable.
Beside him, Liu Yi was grinning with squinted eyes, sizing her up from head to toe. “Haven’t seen you in a while, Seventh Sister. You’re looking more and more charming!”
Though Liu Yi was decently attractive, his leering tone made her deeply uncomfortable.
Ming Wei said nothing, only offering a polite smile.
Ming Fang, however, wasn’t happy about being interrupted mid-conversation with Second Cousin Liu Yi. “Second Cousin, you didn’t finish telling us about the hunting trip with Third and Fifth Brother! Us girls rarely get to go out—just hearing about it is so exciting!”
A beauty’s charm is hard to resist. Ming Fang was the most beautiful among them. Today she wore a soft coral brocade jacket embroidered with tiny peach blossoms and a deep blue skirt. Her pale complexion, arched brows, and light makeup made her look especially radiant.
Her smile earned two very different reactions: Liu Jun remained polite, though a flash of disdain and restraint crossed his eyes; Liu Yi—
“Fourth Sister, don’t hog Second Cousin all to yourself,” Liu Yi said, his eyes filled with lust as he leaned closer with a grin. “Come chat with your Fourth Cousin too.”
As he moved in, Ming Wei caught a whiff of cheap perfume. She instinctively stepped back. Liu Yi was clearly a typical pampered playboy.
Though Ming Fang disliked him, she still had to consider his status—and how she appeared in front of Liu Jun. She forced a smile and held back her temper. But Liu Yi clearly wasn’t done, his smirk growing more shameless.
“Come on, tell your Fourth Cousin everything.”
As Ming Fang was tangled up with Liu Yi, always-gentle Ming Rong skillfully joined the conversation with Liu Jun. “Second Cousin, how come Third Cousin didn’t come? She was just asking me for embroidery patterns the other day.”
Clearly, Ming Rong was far more tactful than Ming Fang. The “Third Cousin” she mentioned was Liu Jun’s beloved younger sister. He could hardly ignore the mention.
“She keeps talking about it,” Liu Jun replied with a warm smile. “She’s not here today because she caught a chill from playing around and has a bit of a fever. She didn’t want to pass illness to Grandmother, so she stayed home.”
With a caring look, Ming Rong offered sweetly, “She’s such a little rascal! Should I give you the patterns to bring back to her?”
Just like that, Ming Rong successfully found a way to get close through Liu Jun’s sister.
Meanwhile, Ming Fang, still stuck with Liu Yi, shot daggers at Ming Rong—clearly wishing to skin her alive.
Ming Lian remained low-key. When she saw Ming Wei arrive, she quietly pulled her aside to chat.
They were all too eager…
Ming Wei sighed internally. It seemed many of Second Madam’s concubine-born daughters had their sights set on Liu Jun.
But when she finally completed the “Blossoms of Splendor” double-sided embroidery, both Yuelin and Tangli were stunned. It was exquisitely delicate—something they had never seen before.
Of course, they were just maids serving concubine-born daughters, and had limited exposure. But if noblewomen from prestigious families were to see it, they would surely be astonished—this was none other than a lost art: Mei-style double-sided embroidery.
The Mei style was long lost; even a single piece of it today would be priceless.
Although Ming Wei was already the most skilled embroiderer among the four concubine-born girls, this piece far exceeded even her own standard. The rich and elegant peonies seemed almost lifelike. The vivid colors were perfectly balanced, without the slightest vulgarity.
Yet Ming Wei, gazing at the completed piece, felt overwhelmed with emotion.
As someone who had transmigrated into this world and once held such a noble status, she had never considered needlework to be important. Not until she had fallen for Rongduo—only then did she start to take it seriously. As a prince, Rongduo had seen everything. Ming Wei racked her brain, believing that only something made by her own hands could be truly meaningful. So she had thrown herself wholeheartedly into needlework.
Luckily, as the daughter of a Grand Councilor, she had received elite education. The skills she inherited from the body’s original owner gave her a solid foundation. But her proud heart wasn’t satisfied with just that. Rongduo was surrounded by clever, beautiful concubines—she had to outshine them all. It was during a spring outing that she happened to save an orphan girl named Dan Niang, who turned out to be a rare inheritor of the Mei-style embroidery. Ming Wei immediately began learning from her.
Heaven rewards hard work. After months of rigorous training, Ming Wei became quite adept. Though not on Dan Niang’s level, her technique was impressive in its own right.
As she looked at the embroidery before her, Ming Wei’s thoughts drifted again. The past came rushing back, and a dull ache tugged at her heart. The very sachet that contained the evidence condemning her—the damning words cursing Rongduo—had been something she had painstakingly embroidered by hand.
There could be no crueler irony in the world.
“Miss, it’s getting late.” Yuelin, holding a carved sandalwood jewelry box delicately etched with lotus patterns, reminded her softly. “Relatives are visiting today. Madam said we should head over early.”
Ming Wei nodded, then had Tangli carefully store the embroidery. She sat down at the dressing table, allowing Yuelin to undo her hair and begin combing it neatly.
“Miss has such beautiful hair!” Yuelin said enviously, running her fingers through Ming Wei’s thick, glossy black strands. “No matter how it’s styled, it always looks good.”
At her words, Ming Wei glanced up at her reflection in the bronze mirror. Though not sharply clear, the face that looked back was refined and delicate. In terms of beauty, this life did not compare to the last—she wasn’t as striking or dazzling—but her appearance was quietly pleasing.
Ming Wei gave a bitter smile in her heart. What use was overwhelming beauty anyway? It only attracted disaster. As the saying went: a virtuous wife and a beautiful concubine. And she, as an unloved concubine-born daughter... had no intention of becoming someone’s concubine.
Though, admittedly, the previous life’s Imperial Noble Consort had also been a concubine...
“No hairstyle matters more than the jewelry!” Tangli lifted the curtain as she entered, speaking freely as usual. “Did you hear what that little twit Manao said the other day?”
“If the jewelry gets even the tiniest bit damaged,” Tangli mimicked Manao’s shrill voice with mock severity, “you lot better watch your hides! Everyone in your courtyard added together couldn’t pay for it!”
Her performance was so on point that both Ming Wei and Yuelin burst into stifled laughter.
“If they care so much, why even bother pretending and send jewelry at all?” Tangli huffed while still handling the pieces with great care.
Ming Wei took the pair of hairpins she handed over and, with a stern expression, scolded playfully, “You! I’ve spoiled you too much. You dare say whatever comes to mind now?”
Despite teasing Tangli, she felt genuine disdain for the Second Madam’s actions. Only two days ago had Manao from the Second Madam’s quarters delivered jewelry to her—and that was when she learned that each concubine-born girl actually had two decent sets of accessories. But these were always kept locked away by the Second Madam, only given out briefly during family visits or festivals, then promptly taken back.
So, the Second Madam did care about appearances after all.
But still, this strategy wasn’t clever. Since she had no daughters of her own, wouldn’t it be wiser to treat the concubine-born girls well? Marrying them off well could even benefit her sons. Yet she loathed them so much that she only suppressed and alienated them further. The girls only showed surface-level respect, but deep down, they all hated her.
Tangli made a face, then answered obediently. Ever since Ming Wei’s recent illness, she had become noticeably firmer and more assertive, yet also more affectionate with her maids.
While they chatted, Yuelin skillfully combed and styled Ming Wei’s hair. Tangli went into the inner room to fetch clothes.
By the time Yuelin finished, Tangli came back with the outfit already chosen for today: a pale pink satin jacket embroidered with delicate peach blossoms, paired with a pear-white pleated skirt. It was the Old Madam’s birthday, so she couldn’t dress too plainly. Pink was cheerful, without being too flashy.
Once Ming Wei had changed, she led Tangli and Yuelin toward Rongze Hall.
—
Rongze Hall.
Even before stepping inside, Ming Wei could already hear bursts of sweet, coquettish laughter from within—so sugary it made her skin crawl. It sounded like her ever-proud Fourth Sister?
Behind her, Tangli let out a soft snort. Ming Wei turned in confusion, and Tangli quickly lowered her voice to explain, “Must be the two young masters from Second Madam’s family. They’ve arrived.”
Ming Wei instantly remembered. She had previously asked about everyone in the manor. Second Madam’s family had two cousins—Liu Jun and Liu Yi—both legitimate sons, and around the same age as her own two legitimate brothers, so they visited often. They had practically grown up together, so the rules were more relaxed.
Hearing her Fourth Sister’s flirtatious tone, Ming Wei had a bad feeling. Could it be… a budding spring heart?
Cousins and cousin marriages were always risky business.
As she pondered this, she lifted her skirt and entered. Sure enough, the room was already packed. She was the last to arrive.
“Second Cousin, Fourth Cousin,” Ming Wei greeted Liu Jun and Liu Yi with a proper bow, then greeted her sisters. “Third Sister, Fourth Sister, Sixth Sister.”
Being the youngest in the Second Madam’s household, she had to pay respects to everyone.
Liu Jun nodded at her with a warm smile. “Seventh Sister.”
When she looked up at him, Ming Wei found that Liu Jun was indeed handsome and refined, his gentle demeanor instantly likable.
Beside him, Liu Yi was grinning with squinted eyes, sizing her up from head to toe. “Haven’t seen you in a while, Seventh Sister. You’re looking more and more charming!”
Though Liu Yi was decently attractive, his leering tone made her deeply uncomfortable.
Ming Wei said nothing, only offering a polite smile.
Ming Fang, however, wasn’t happy about being interrupted mid-conversation with Second Cousin Liu Yi. “Second Cousin, you didn’t finish telling us about the hunting trip with Third and Fifth Brother! Us girls rarely get to go out—just hearing about it is so exciting!”
A beauty’s charm is hard to resist. Ming Fang was the most beautiful among them. Today she wore a soft coral brocade jacket embroidered with tiny peach blossoms and a deep blue skirt. Her pale complexion, arched brows, and light makeup made her look especially radiant.
Her smile earned two very different reactions: Liu Jun remained polite, though a flash of disdain and restraint crossed his eyes; Liu Yi—
“Fourth Sister, don’t hog Second Cousin all to yourself,” Liu Yi said, his eyes filled with lust as he leaned closer with a grin. “Come chat with your Fourth Cousin too.”
As he moved in, Ming Wei caught a whiff of cheap perfume. She instinctively stepped back. Liu Yi was clearly a typical pampered playboy.
Though Ming Fang disliked him, she still had to consider his status—and how she appeared in front of Liu Jun. She forced a smile and held back her temper. But Liu Yi clearly wasn’t done, his smirk growing more shameless.
“Come on, tell your Fourth Cousin everything.”
As Ming Fang was tangled up with Liu Yi, always-gentle Ming Rong skillfully joined the conversation with Liu Jun. “Second Cousin, how come Third Cousin didn’t come? She was just asking me for embroidery patterns the other day.”
Clearly, Ming Rong was far more tactful than Ming Fang. The “Third Cousin” she mentioned was Liu Jun’s beloved younger sister. He could hardly ignore the mention.
“She keeps talking about it,” Liu Jun replied with a warm smile. “She’s not here today because she caught a chill from playing around and has a bit of a fever. She didn’t want to pass illness to Grandmother, so she stayed home.”
With a caring look, Ming Rong offered sweetly, “She’s such a little rascal! Should I give you the patterns to bring back to her?”
Just like that, Ming Rong successfully found a way to get close through Liu Jun’s sister.
Meanwhile, Ming Fang, still stuck with Liu Yi, shot daggers at Ming Rong—clearly wishing to skin her alive.
Ming Lian remained low-key. When she saw Ming Wei arrive, she quietly pulled her aside to chat.
They were all too eager…
Ming Wei sighed internally. It seemed many of Second Madam’s concubine-born daughters had their sights set on Liu Jun.
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