Chapter 53: Branches of the Same Tree

"Indeed, Matron, Hualer has always been poised and well-behaved; how can she possibly be made to kneel alongside these wretches?"

At the word "wretches," Wang Ruofu cast a fierce glare at Molan.

Matron Kong offered a slight smile and turned her gaze toward Hualar.

"Master and Madam need not be anxious; today's affair has nothing to do with the eldest young lady."

"Yet as the elder sister, if she cannot properly govern and instruct her younger sisters, she is at fault."

Left speechless by Matron Kong's remark, Wang Ruofu knitted her brows tightly before seating herself in a chair.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sheng Hong glanced at Matron Kong, then instantly assumed the strict demeanor of a stern father, reprimanding the girls for their lack of decorum and disgraceful behavior, and threatening to resort to family punishment.

How could Matron Kong, astute as she was, fail to see through Sheng Hong's intentions? She said calmly, "Master, do not be in such a rush to invoke family discipline."

"We must first make the young ladies understand precisely where they went wrong, and right here before the two of you, properly discuss and dissect today's events."

"Fourth Young Lady, let me ask you: Fifth Young Lady said that you contend for the spotlight at every turn, usurping your sisters' prominence and monopolizing my lecture time. Do you admit to this or not?"

Molan raised a pair of tear-filled eyes, her slender fingers twisting her handkerchief as a pitiful note crept into her voice: "It is all Mo'er's fault. I merely thought that since it is rare for Matron to visit, I should follow Matron to learn more, so as to bring honor to my father and save face for the family."

"It is simply that Fifth Younger Sister feels I am of concubine-born status and unworthy of learning such things."

"It is all Mo'er's fault. I beg Matron to punish me."

At these words, Sheng Hong immediately furrowed his brow and glared fiercely at Rulan: "You wretched creature, bringing up concubine-born status yet again!"

"It seems the lessons of the past have not been enough for you!"

Startled by the sudden reprimand, Rulan shivered. Sticking out her neck in defiance, she argued, "Father, you are biased! Fourth Elder Sister is clearly at fault as well!"

Wang Ruofu was so infuriated she stamped her feet; had Matron Kong not been present, she surely would have raised a tremendous uproar today.

"Fourth Young Lady, I know not where you learned such sweet-talking, right-subverting rhetoric."

"You claim you wish to bring honor to the Sheng family—is there only one young lady in the Sheng household?"

"You have a need to learn, but your sisters do not?"

"Furthermore, the eldest young lady is still present. Is it your place to speak of 'bringing honor'?"

"I..." Molan choked for words, quickly casting a pleading look toward Lin Qingshuang.

Knowing that Matron Kong was a formidable figure, Lin Qingshuang realized this was hardly an opportune moment to speak on Molan's behalf.

Then Matron Kong resumed, neither hurried nor slow: "Just as the eldest young lady said, though you are born of a concubine, your food and attire bear no resemblance to what a concubine-born daughter's should be."

"Throughout these days, I have observed that whenever things do not go your way, you weep and wail, lamenting that you were not born from the Madam's womb."

"Such conduct not only chills your father's heart, but wounds the sisterly bond all the more." Her voice suddenly grew heavier. "Indulging in favor and growing arrogant most easily invites disaster; this old woman has seen it all too often in the past!"

With that, she turned her gaze back to Rulan, who was still pouting with unconvinced defiance. "Fifth Young Lady, your speech is unchecked, striking straight at the heart and vitals of others. You must remember that calamity issues from the mouth; your temperament is in dire need of refinement."

These words were spoken as much to Rulan as they were to Wang Ruofu.

When she looked toward Hualar, Matron Kong's tone softened slightly.

"Eldest Young Lady, you are poised and steady; your handling of people and matters is beyond reproach. All this I have witnessed with my own eyes."

"Yet if you cannot even govern your sisters within the inner chambers, how will you manage when you are married into another household, where you will inevitably face three wives and four concubines, sisters-in-law and mothers-in-law? How will you conduct yourself then?"

"As for the sixth young lady, you committed no wrong today, but you must understand that sisters in a family are joined like branches and roots, sharing honor and disgrace together."

"When one brings glory, the entire household shares in it; if disgrace is brought, not a single member of the family can escape."

Minglan raised her eyes, gazing in a daze at Matron Kong, and replied, "Matron speaks wisely. Minglan will engrave it upon her heart."

"Today, let the punishment be ten slaps of the ruler on the palm for each of you. When you return, copy out fifty passages of the *Xiangyue*; whoever fails to finish them by tomorrow need not come before me."

Matron Kong rose to her feet, her gaze sweeping over the four young ladies.

Amidst the flickering candlelight, the sound of the ruler striking the palms was exceptionally crisp. Wang Ruofu looked upon Hualar and Rulan with eyes full of heartache.

---

Once all the betrothal gifts had been fully prepared, Mother Hu sought out a renowned fortune-teller within the city.

The auspicious date for the delivery of betrothal gifts was ultimately set for the first of the coming month—a truly propitious day when the Heavenly Virtue, Lunar Virtue, and Six Harmonies converged, with lucky stars shining brightly.

On this day, within the Imperial Academy, the scent of ink curled in the air.

Zhao Han entered the side hall and bowed respectfully, asking, "I wonder for what matter Lord Hai has summoned this junior official?"

Hai Ning smiled slightly, stroking his beard as he said, "Compiler Zhao, your essays have always been exceptional, and during your diligent service in the Imperial Academy these past days, you have not made the slightest error or omission. I have seen it all."

"The mother of Reader Wang is gravely ill, and he has requested leave for a few days. Today's Classic Matinee lecture in the Wenhua Hall—you shall go in his stead."

Hearing this, Zhao Han felt a tight constriction in his chest, looking at him with a trace of astonishment.

"What? Afraid?" Seeing his hesitation, Hai Ning narrowed his eyes slightly.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If your lecture is reasoned and profound, winning the sovereign's appreciation, it will prove immensely beneficial to your future prospects."

Zhao Han's throat bobbed slightly. He was merely a compiler newly entered into the Imperial Academy, with shallow seniority; until now, he had never dared dream of stepping into the Wenhua Hall to face the imperial countenance directly.

Yet opportunities vanish in a flash.

He drew a deep breath, cupped his hands in salute, and said, "This junior official will surely do his utmost and not fail Lord Hai's cultivation."

"Make proper preparations and be on your way."

Acknowledging the command, Zhao Han hurried off to make his preparations.

The sovereign revered the governing philosophies of Yao, Shun, and Yu, and recent Classic Matinee lectures had focused primarily on the *Classic of History*.

"Why does Lord Hai value Compiler Zhao to such a degree? Could it be that he harbors the intention of taking him as a personal disciple?" After Zhao Han departed, a nearly fifty-year-old official of the Imperial Academy could no longer restrain himself, twisting his graying mustache as he asked.

Hai Ning gave a light snort. For these past days, he had openly and blatantly shown special favor to Zhao Han.

He did so precisely so that when Zhao Han's true identity was eventually made public, the court officials would unconsciously connect it to today's various signs; not only would this reduce any sense of abruptness, but their acceptance of his identity would also be all the stronger.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, a thick stack of memorials lay piled before the desk, yet the sovereign was distracted, his gaze frequently drifting toward the hall's entrance.

Standing to one side, Zhang Maoze offered soft words of comfort: "Your Majesty need not be anxious; once the hour for the Imperial Reader arrives, His Highness the Prince will naturally be here."

"My own son is to be married and sending betrothal gifts, yet he cannot handle it personally and must resort to such concealment—it is truly the most absurd joke under heaven!"