Spring in the Hall of Paintings

Yun Lan was momentarily at a loss for words. She was not an innocent, naive girl unaware of the ways of the world. In the strict hierarchy of the Qing Dynasty, the old matriarch of the family might spare her because she was her biological granddaughter and a selected candidate for the palace. However, the servants who attended to Yun Lan would not necessarily be so lucky.

Yun Lan felt a pang of guilt, but wasn’t human nature inherently selfish? To escape a miserable fate, to secure prosperity for her descendants, and to elevate the prestige of the Tong household, she had no other choice.

“I will save you,” Yun Lan promised, though even she struggled to believe her own words. “I won’t let Grandmother punish you. I will save you.”

Amber shrank back, lowering her gaze to hide the mockery in her eyes. Clearly, she didn’t believe a word Yun Lan said. Being bound and gagged might help her avoid the old matriarch’s wrath, but failing to protect her from the mistress. She would not be easily forgiven by Lady Fucha. The mere thought of Lady Fucha’s severity filled Amber with resentment toward Yun Lan.

As the carriage pulled into the Tong residence and came to a stop, a stern voice rang out from outside.

“Fourth Miss, please step down from the carriage.”

Yun Lan involuntarily shivered. A wave of oppression crashed over her, and her palms became clammy with sweat. ‘Had the truth been exposed?’

She had intended to wake Yun Wei before her absence was discovered. But time had slipped away from her while she was with Yinzhen. Taking a deep breath, Yun Lan placed her foot on the carriage step and descended.

Mama Lin’s expression was grave. “Fourth Miss, the old madam has been waiting for you all afternoon. This way, please.”

There was no use in arguing. Yun Lan nodded and walked toward the old matriarch’s courtyard with her head held high. Mama Lin followed closely behind.

Amber, still bound, had already been seen by Mama Lin, who patted her shoulder before leaving. “The old madam knows you were forced, so she won’t make things too difficult for you. However, you failed to recognize your own mistress, and that deserves punishment.”

Amber knelt on the ground, sobbing, unable to speak. Mama Lin removed the silk gag from her mouth, and Amber gasped for breath before pleading, “This servant knows her mistake. Please, Mama Lin, spare me just this once.”

“That is for the Second Madam to decide. There is no use begging me.”

Amber hesitated before whispering, “Is the Sixth Miss alright?”

Mama Lin’s expression darkened even further. With a cold snort, she replied, “How could she be? She still hasn’t woken up. And who knows which wretched soul gave the Fourth Miss such a disgraceful idea? The knockout drug has severely harmed the Sixth Miss’s health.”

Amber felt a chill run through her. If anything happened to the Sixth Miss, none of the servants involved would survive. Lady Fucha treasured her like a rare gem.

The old madam’s courtyard was deathly silent, filled with maids and older servants standing in disciplined rows. Not a single voice could be heard. As Yun Lan stepped onto the stone-paved path, her eyes caught sight of a pool of blood. Her heart pounded violently as she followed the trail with her gaze—several maids and old attendants lay lifeless in the corner of the courtyard.

She took a shaky step backward, feeling faint.

Mama Lin steadied her. “Servants who fail to serve their masters properly are of no use alive,” she said flatly. “Before the old madam even had to speak, the Third Madam personally had them flogged to death.”

“No… No… I didn’t want them to…” Yun Lan stammered, her mind reeling in shock.

Mama Lin remained indifferent. “Fourth Miss, if I may offer some advice—think about how you’re going to calm the old madam’s anger. The Third Madam has already been kneeling in punishment for two hours. The old madam even sent for the Third Master, saying she intends to issue a letter of divorce.”

“My mother does not deserve to be cast aside!” Yun Lan cried out, her face turning deathly pale. She clutched Mama Lin’s arm desperately. “My mother has done nothing wrong!”

“It’s not up to me,” Mama Lin replied. “The old madam said that even if she only considers how poorly the Third Madam raised you and the shame you have brought upon the Tong family, that alone is reason enough to expel her.”

Yun Lan did have some affection for her mother, Lady Guo Luo. Since childhood, Lady Guo Luo had adored her, indulging her whenever possible. In fact, most of Yun Lan’s schemes had only succeeded because her mother had convinced Rongzhi to believe in her.

But this was a man’s world.

Yun Lan pushed Mama Lin aside and stumbled toward the hall.

The moment she stepped inside, she saw her mother, Lady Guo Luo, kneeling on the floor, her eyes red and swollen from crying.

To the sides of the old madam stood the First Madam, Lady Jueluo, and the Second Madam, Lady Fucha. They remained silent, observing the scene.

The old madam sat on a couch draped in rich red brocade, her eyes half-closed as she quietly turned the beads of her Buddhist rosary.

“Grandmother, it was my fault. It has nothing to do with my mother.”

With a thud, Yun Lan fell to her knees and crawled forward a few steps, getting closer to the old madam. She knew there was no way to hide the fact that she had met with Yinzhen—her sharp-witted grandmother would see right through any deception. With tears streaming down her face, she pleaded, “I only wanted to see him one last time. After this, I will accept my fate.”

The old madam’s eyes turned icy as she raised her hand to strike Yun Lan, but her arm froze midair, unable to descend. Her voice was laced with contempt. “You didn’t just want to see him one last time—you wanted to sever the lineage of the Tong family.”

Her lips curled into a cold smile. “But I cannot hit you. You, Yun Lan, are a chosen candidate for the imperial selection. You hold great importance. I cannot lay a hand on you.”

“I know I was wrong! I truly know my mistake!” Yun Lan sobbed, begging for mercy.

The old madam let out a bitter laugh, her anger overflowing. “Do you even understand what you did wrong? Let’s not talk about anything else—how dare you use such despicable means on Yun Wei? She is your cousin, the one who grew up with you, the one who has always trusted and respected you. How could you harm her for the sake of a man? You two are of the same blood, you are—”

She gasped for breath, disappointment and regret filling her chest. “If I hadn’t sent Yun Wei to talk some sense into you, she wouldn’t still be unconscious right now. Yun Lan, just how much of that drug did you use?”

Lady Fucha closed her eyes, moisture gathering at the corners. Her beloved daughter still hadn’t woken up. Even the physicians couldn’t determine what was wrong with Yun Wei. As a mother, she had failed to protect her. How could she have been so careless, letting Yun Wei try to reason with Yun Lan?

The first madam, Lady Jueluo, quietly approached Lady Fucha and whispered words of comfort. “Second Sister-in-law, Wei’er is blessed. She will be fine.”

The old madam’s heart ached like a knife cutting through flesh. She had gone to see Yun Wei, lying there in a deep sleep, her face peaceful as if she were merely resting. But no matter how they called for her, she wouldn’t wake up—wouldn’t open her clear, bright eyes to softly call her “Grandmother” as she always did.

Grief-stricken, the old madam pounded her chest. “It’s my fault. It’s all my fault! Why did I let Yun Wei go talk to you? Yun Lan, you are my granddaughter—my own flesh and blood. Even if you are stubborn and disobedient, how could I stand by and watch you throw your life away?”

Yun Lan panicked. “I didn’t use that much! Just a tiny amount! How could Sixth Sister not wake up?”

She had always been fond of Yun Wei, and guilt surged in her heart. “I will go see her.”

“Stop right there!” the old madam snapped, her eyes burning with rage. “You still dare to see Yun Wei? Have you no shame? She would never want to see you!”

Tears streamed down Yun Lan’s face, her sobs uncontrollable. “I never meant for this to happen. No matter what, I would never hurt Sixth Sister.”

The old madam’s voice was sharp as a blade, piercing Yun Lan’s heart. “When you made your decision, did you not think about the consequences? Yun Lan, is this what I have taught you? Who do you care for? Your father? Your mother? Or the Tong family that raised you? If you had even a shred of consideration for any of them, you would not have made such a grave mistake. All I see is a girl who only thinks of herself!”

The words cut deep. Yun Lan trembled, overwhelmed by guilt and pain. “No, Grandmother, I did it for the Tong family! For its future! Why won’t you believe me?”

“Enough! I don’t want to hear another word.” The old madam’s voice was tired and cold. “Even if I say more, you won’t listen. I know you have your own plans, and I can’t stop you. But I beg you, before you act, think of others. Think of your father, your mother. If you provoke the emperor’s wrath, no one in the Tong family will escape unscathed.”

She closed her eyes, exhausted.

She could not punish Yun Lan too harshly—if Yun Lan suddenly died, the emperor would surely investigate. Moreover, the old madam was no fool. Yun Lan wasn’t reckless; she must have had an agreement with the Fourth Prince. If Yun Lan were to die now, the Fourth Prince would undoubtedly grow suspicious, and the Tong family would have made an enemy of a royal prince for nothing.

The old madam understood well—right now, the emperor favored the crown prince. But what about the future? Who knew which dragon among his sons would rise to the heavens?

She could not change Yun Lan’s stubborn devotion to the Fourth Prince. But deep down, a chilling thought crept into her mind—could it be that Yun Lan knew something?

A shudder ran through the old madam.

She recalled that Yun Lan had always been different from others, ever since she was a child.

‘Could it be that the Fourth Prince is destined for something greater…?’

“What is unattainable always seems the most desirable. But once it is within one’s grasp, it loses its allure.”

The Fourth Prince was bound to receive a noble title in the future. Given his close relationship with the Crown Prince, even if he bore no ill will toward the Tong family, the old madam did not want Yun Lan to provoke his displeasure. She had already said everything that needed to be said. Whether Yun Lan’s future would bring fortune or disaster, the old madam no longer wished to concern herself with it.

Lady Fucha understood the old madam’s thoughts all too well. She wished she could give Yun Lan a harsh beating, but she suppressed her grief and persuaded, “Mother, I believe Lan’er acted out of ignorance. The fault lies with the servants around her, who encouraged her reckless behavior. Third Sister-in-law has already ordered those people to be executed. Now that they are gone, Lan’er can finally settle down and focus on preparing for the final selection. As for Yun Wei, if she misses the selection, we can simply report that she is unwell.”

The old madam let out a deep sigh and nodded reluctantly. After a long moment of hesitation, she finally said, “Now that Rongxuan has been granted the title of Baron of Loyal and Brave, I cannot keep all three of my sons by my side. It is time for you to move out.”

“Mother, we have never thought of separating from the family!”

Lady Fucha was utterly shocked by the old madam’s words, her heart gripped with fear. “My husband would never divide the family just because he was granted a title!” Since this concerned Rongxuan’s filial duty, Lady Fucha dared not take the matter lightly.

The old madam leaned back and cast a glance at Yun Lan before offering a bitter smile. “With this disgraceful child in the family, I must consider the future of the Tong household. Rongda, as the eldest son and the head of the clan, must bear his responsibilities, but it is Rongxuan who will determine the family’s fate. I must ensure that the Tong lineage continues.”

She looked at the first madam with guilt in her eyes and said, “I owe you an apology, my dear daughter-in-law.”

“Mother, I understand.”

The first madam nodded. “Since Second Brother has been granted a barony, he should have his own estate. It will also be more convenient for his affairs.”

Separating the second branch from the main family was meant to prevent Yun Lan from causing further trouble that could implicate the entire Tong household. At the same time, it was a gesture to both Emperor Kangxi and the Fourth Prince, making it clear that Yun Lan would not have Rongxuan’s support.

Rongxuan was a man of loyalty and righteousness—he had saved the emperor and protected the princes. Even if Kangxi was angered by Yun Lan’s actions and decided to punish the Tong family, he would not extend that punishment to Rongxuan. Meanwhile, the first branch had to remain by the old madam’s side to fulfill their filial duty, meaning they would have to share responsibility with the third branch.

“Mother…” Lady Fucha wanted to say more, but the old madam had already made up her mind.

“It is settled. Find a suitable estate and move out. As long as it is close to the Tong residence, that will be enough.”