for reflection, and his fellow officers could not visit often either.Well, let's go over there today then.”Como la dueña de la Casa del Conde Norte Vigoroso, Zhang Shi, que había estado en retiro por mucho tiempo, decidió este vez preparar el banquete sola para volver a aparecer ante los demás.She asked her mother-in-law, Zheng Da Fu, for guidance on matters such as food and drink, reception of guests, etc. Though she had a general idea, Zhang Si did not know
many of Shen Cong Xing's relatives and thus invited Ming Lan to explain them.Ming Lan went into detail: the wealth of family Duan, how his wife came from a famous family in Sichuan, how little General Duan was getting married, how Lady Zhong had different views on 'virtue' compared to Lady Geng, why Duan Zhengjie's lady seemed so old—his mother, not his grandmother—in fact, she was a child bride at eighteen years old….Zhang Si listened attentively and interjected occasionally with
some memories from the capital, making it seem like they were on the same wavelength.As a member of a distinguished family, Zhang Si was skilled in expressing her private matters subtly without leaving any trace;Ming Lan, a senior student of Zhuang Lao, was good at turning unappealing topics into scholarly discussions. The two women were evenly matched, and they both laughed as they found something amusing.As she spoke, an old woman came in to announce, "Lady, the Lord wants you
to join me for wine with Mr. Gu. He said we should take out two barrels of the green plum wine sent from the East."”Zhang Si said, "Lord thinks it tastes better when aged, so they've been buried underground in the storeroom. Ask Fan Mother to send someone to dig them up, but be careful not to break anything."”The old woman bowed and continued, "Lord also wants you to see the new sword he received called Longquan."”Zhang Si said, "Lord
needs to practice with his sword every morning, so it's probably hanging in Gu'er's room. I'll send someone to bring it over."”The old woman left.Zhang Si turned and gave some instructions. Two maids came from the nursery holding a sword and quickly went out.Zhang Si looked back and saw Ming Lan watching her quietly. She blushed, saying, "That wine is really good—clear green color, strong aroma without causing a headache. I'll take two barrels with me to share later."”Ming Lan
responded honestly, still looking at Zhang Si.She appeared healthy, her face rosy, though she still had a subtle frown. The pale and frail appearance of old times was replaced by the firm and capable demeanor.Zhang Shi said in a pretend angry tone: "If you're going to say it, just say it! Why are you staring at me like that?"”Ming Lan said: "Nothing much, but I just think the Imperial Uncle's habit is really good.""I've been familiar with swords and knives
since young. In the future, I will surely also be a little general. That's really good, really good."”Zhang Shi glared. Ming Lan returned a very innocent gaze. Zhang Shi quickly lost her steam and said bitterly: "Even if you're the Fairy of Nine Heavens, you probably can't even be an immortal in this mundane world anymore."”"On the fourth day after giving birth, my husband entered the house for the first time. Both of us are like we've died once; we
were physically and mentally exhausted. We sat in silence for a long while, ignoring Mother's warnings and just cried into each other's embrace – not sure if it was because I had to give in helplessly or because of the destiny of all women."Ming Lan remained silent for a moment: "That's right, there are no real fairies in this world."” ……Leaving Zhang Shi's room, Ming Lan walked out heavily.Zhang Shi and Mother's brief conversation revealed much – Shen Cunxing now
sleeps at Zhang Shi's place every night. In the morning, he practices swordplay in the courtyard before going to his son's room to comfort and play with him, casually hanging his sword on the wall of the child's room.Harmony between husband and wife, deep fatherly love – all was for the best."Rather than wither away in arrogant persistence, it's better to survive well by compromising smoothly."Ming Lan felt bitter, unsure of what she was upset about.Approaching a pavilion entrance, Ming
Lan suddenly heard an argument and angry curses ahead – they seemed familiar.The leading lady led the way with some awkwardness, smiling: "There's something unclean up front. Let's go this way."”Ming Lan nodded; she didn't want to cause trouble.Just as she changed direction, a group of people rushed towards her. At the forefront was a young woman in tattered clothes who seemed to be rushing forward, but several maids and servants tried to hold her back."… Who dares stop me,
I'll die here!"The young woman held a hairpin against her throat, screaming mournfully: "I want to see the Marquis! None of you can stop me!""Let go… let go of me…"Ming Lan noticed it was Xiao Zou Si.It wasn't fair to blame her for poor eyesight; previously, Xiao Zou Si always wore heavy makeup, making it hard to see her true appearance. Now she had disheveled hair, looked worn out, and there were two large purple scars on her cheeks from
the recent injuries.But Ming Lan knew these were marks from severe swelling and injuries to her face."Countess …?"M-Mrs. Gu…?"Ming Lan's arm was squeezed painfully. "It's just banishment and caning; have they actually planned to take his life?"They want to kill him!”Ming Lan's arm was pulled painfully tight, "It's just exile and a beating, not their lives."！”"There are plenty of deaths in the south," Xiao Zou Si continued, but Ming Lan interrupted, "Be careful with your words, Lady Lin. Gu Family
has no ties to Zou Family. What should be done is none of our business!""Countess, do you remember the story of the prince and princess and their concubine that I told you?"”Realizing she had said too much, Xiao Zou Si tightened her grip on Ming Lan's arm and pleaded, "Please, Lord and Lady Gu! Our Lord treats you as a brother… Please help me speak for him!"”Ming Lan sternly interrupted: "Not today or yesterday. If you want to yield now,
the situation wouldn't have escalated."Xiao Zou Si was still holding a hairpin in one hand, which was dangerous. Seeing the danger, Ming Lan called everyone to stop and said to Xiao Zou Si, "Lady Lin, it's wrong. If you were only looking after Empress Shen, why would she have nearly full-term child? Why risk your life?”"You're mistaken," Ming Lan interrupted again. "I'm not doing this for you; I'm doing it for the Scandals family."！”The Imperial Uncle is a high-ranking minister
with duties to his country.But because of you, he's constantly troubled by household affairs and the Zheng family's political attacks.”Ming Lan said in a serious tone: "Firstly, don't call me sister. You're a Scandals concubine, not from the Gu family.""You are wrong!"Now that our Lord has a new wife and son, he doesn't remember you or care about your fate… Sister, why did you pour out your heart to the Shen family? …If you were alive now, you could enjoy
all this wealth and honor…"A servant woman said: "Lady Zheng, you've forced our Marquis into seclusion for a month because of your endless disputes. Let's go rest in the pavilion."Ming Lan felt stifled and dizzy. She waved off their suggestions: "No need, I'll just head home to rest."Near the entrance hall, Gu Shun stepped forward: "Countess, Marquis is still with the Imperial Uncle for drinks."”Ming Lan impatiently replied: "I'm going back now. Wait for him in front."Gu Shun noticed Ming
Lan's displeased expression and didn't dare ask further. He hurried to a room in the main courtyard where Marquis was still drinking with Shen Cunxing."Countess seems troubled by the heat," Gu Shun said softly, "Maybe she should take a break under the pavilion."”Gu Shun brought an ice bowl for Ming Lan.”Ming Lan felt suffocated and motioned: "No need. I'll just go home to rest."Approaching the gatehouse, Gu Shun said: "Marquis is still with Imperial Uncle, drinking."Ming Lan replied impatiently: "I'm
going back now; wait for him."Gu Shun saw Ming Lan's displeased expression and didn't dare ask further. He hurried to the front courtyard where Marquis was still drinking with Shen Cunxing.Marquis said: "Look at you, no longer the bold Gu Erlang from back then!""If Lady Zheng were alive," he continued, "you would be in a similar situation."”Shen Cunxing fell silent for a moment. He suddenly said with pain: "I let her down; she never thought about my comfort, worked herself
to the bone, and suffered all her life. Now … I can't even protect her family!"Marquis took up a double dragon sea-green jade wine vessel and filled his own glass. "Love can harm more than it helps. If you truly want what's best for Lady Zheng, you should stop this.""You've been less bold since becoming a Marquis," Marquis remarked with a mocking smile.Marquis took a sip of the wine: "Your troops have lost their valor since being ennobled; where is
the might of Gu Erlang?"”With a heavy thud, he smashed his glass on the ground. The sharp clatter echoed loudly in the courtyard.Shen Cunxing fell silent for a moment before slowly raising his head: "Since coming to the capital, I've made mistakes at every step. Thanks to you and your brothers' support and the emperor's leniency, or I would be long dead."”He raised his cup, drained it in one gulp, and said solemnly: "After Ah Qin passed away, I was
unable to marry her sister as my lawful wife – that was my first mistake."Failing to do so, I should have treated her like a sister and found her a suitable match. Instead, I took her as a concubine – that's my second mistake."Seeing the Zhengs now, it feels like I can't bear to look at them; I feel ashamed and unable to control myself."Her voice grew softer as she likely walked away.！Ming Lan paused, feeling suffocated inside.Cui Wei asked
gently, "Lady, do you feel unwell?"The old woman by her side added perceptively, "It might be the heat. Lady, let's go rest in the pavilion at the front.Cui Wei vio que su expresión no parecía correcta y susurró: "Señora, se siente incómoda en algo?"”La anciana de la otra orilla también era muy astuta y dijo: "Quizás es por el calor del sol. La señora se ha enfrascado en él, mejor vamos a descansar un momento en la terraza adelante."Le presenté
un cuenco de agua helada a la dama.”Min Lan solo sentía que su pecho estaba agobiado y quería vomitar. Con una mano, dijo: "No es necesario, aún me iré a casa a descansar."”Cuando se acercaban al portón, Gu Shun avanzó unos pasos y dijo: "Señora, el señor del condado sigue aquí acompañando al tío imperial Beiguo a beber vino..."Min Lan dijo sin paciencia: "Voy a irme primero. Esperad a que el señor del condado."”Gu Shun notó que la cara de
Min Lan no era amistosa, y no se atrevió a preguntar más. Salió corriendo hacia los aposentos del patio principal, donde vio que Gu Tingye seguía bebiendo con Shen Congxing. Acercándose al oído, susurró: "Señor del condado, la señora parece estar muy abrumada por el calor; mejor que se vaya primero."”Gu Tingye asintió y Gu Shun retrocedió.Shen Congxing escuchó algunas palabras y señalándolo rió: "Mira cómo estás ahora, ¿dónde está la valentía de tu hermano Gu Erliang que se enfrentaba
al enemigo a caballo?"Ahora dicen que el señor del condado Gu y su señora van y vienen juntos. Cada vez que beben vino o visitan, tienes que enviar a la señora de vuelta a su casa. Bueno, sé bien, el paraíso es el sepulcro de los héroes...Gu Tingye tenía una piel espesa y dijo indiferentemente: "Si Madre Zou estuviera viva, tal vez también te comportarías así."”Shen Congxing calló por un momento y luego gritó con tristeza: "Estoy en deuda con