Chapter 301: Life Is Full of Struggles (II)

Translator: Ning LL

Minglan said in a gentle voice but with a firm expression in her eyes, “If everyone returns good for evil, what will we do to return good for good? One good turn deserves another, that’s how we distinguish the good and evil.”

First Madam Zheng sighed lightly without saying anything. However, the look on her face wasn’t that apathic anymore.

Minglan frowned and said slowly, “As for that girl, I actually don’t need to do this for her. However, the waterdrop falling from the leaves is nothing to humans, but a waterfall to the ants. Sometimes people just lift a finger and that’s enough to change others’ fates. I wasn’t trying to brag about my kindness. However, doing the things I should do does make me feel relieved.”

If Rong is a docile girl, Minglan wouldn’t feel troubled then. After that girl was taught well, Minglan would find her a good family to marry into. However, Rong is wild and stubborn, which meant it was easy for her to go astray.

First Madam Zheng gazed at Minglan the whole time, finding the latter speaking in a sincere voice with a frank look. Then, her face which was as cold as the iceberg finally turned warmer. After a while, she said softly, “They all said that you are well educated, why don’t you teach your daughter by yourself?”

Seeing the look on First Madam Zheng’s face, Minglan knew that she had succeeded. Then she gave out an adorable smile, “Madam, isn’t you well educated?” Little Shen shi had told Minglan that her strict eldest sister-in-law had been famous for her extensive knowledge.

First Madam Zheng finally laughed. She understood Minglan’s scruples. It would be more authentic if a legal mother didn’t treat her illegal daughter so well.

She could only shake her head and said, “All right, all right, I have it covered. That school for girls is behind the mansion of my eldest uncle. The lecturer there is the sister of my eldest sister-in-law, who has also run a school in Xun Yang, her hometown.”

“Xun Yang?” Minglan flashed a light in her eyes, “You mean the lady who’s called ‘Great Master Xue’?”

First Madam Zheng answered smilingly, “That’s her.”

This Great Master Xue used to be a famous talented girl in the capital. After she became a widow at a young age, she left her husband’s family and raised her son by herself by running a school with the help of her parents’ family because she didn’t want to bear the insults from her husband’s relatives.

When she gave lessons to the girls, she not only taught the prescribed books, but also talked about medical science, astrology, financing, housekeeping, the laws even the code of conducts. As time went by, she had made a name for herself in Xun Yang and her school had also become very popular.

Until a few years ago, her son had been conferred official post and got married, she then had shut the school down and stayed at home to enjoy her retirement life. Also, her daughter-in-law was one of her favorite students. Because her daughter-in-law had learnt everything from her, the two women got along very well.

When Minglan had been in the Sheng’s family, she had heard Old Madam Sheng sung high praise to this Great Master Xue.

Little Shen shi who had stayed silent for the whole time finally found a chance for her to talk. As she saw her sister-in-law changing to a good mood, she then added with a smile, “She used to live in Xun Yang. However, her son was assigned to a remote place. That man told his mother not to come with him considering of the fatigue on the road. Great Master Xue couldn’t bear to see her son and her daughter-in-law separating with each other, then she asked her daughter-in-law to go with her son. There are lots of girls in my uncle’s family who don’t have a tutor now. My sister-in-law then seized the chance to invite Great Master Xue to the capital. Then Great Master Xue’s son should rest assured that his mother could be take care of by her sister. That school also has music and needle work teacher.”

Minglan, as happy as she was, applauded and chuckled, “That’s so lucky. Thank you so much, Madam.” Suddenly, she remembered another thing then she continued, “I also have a niece, can I let her come too?”

The information was underdeveloped in the ancient times. Great reputation of the teachers was all word of mouth. Even Sir Zhuang was very hard to invite, not to mention a female tutor who was even ten times difficult to find.

First Madam Zheng smiled and said, “I can accept one more, but that’s all. I’m afraid that Madam Xue would be burdened if she has to teach too many girls.”

“Thanks a lot. I’ll tell my eldest sister-in-law when I go back, she would be so glad to hear this.” Minglan laughed like a child.

The room was filled with a harmonious atmosphere in the rest of the time. After the three women chatted for a while, Minglan stood up and bid her farewell. Little Shen shi came out to send her off. On the way, she pretended to get angry, “Good for you, Madam Gu. I never realize you would be so brave, even my eldest sister-in-law was fooled by you!”

Minglan who had been out for too long was quite exhausted indeed. Then she said weakly, “If your eldest sister-in-law doesn’t have a clear mind, she wouldn’t agree with me no matter how many words I said. Alas… sometimes I am always the wrong side no matter I argue for myself or not. That really gives me a headache.”

Little Shen shi had learned about the inner story about the Gu’s family from her brother more or less, then she comforted Minglan earnestly, “Don’t worry. It’s not like everyone is blind. Don’t mind about their words.” Minglan, with her mouth curled, said, “We don’t know that.”

After Minglan got on the coach, Danju put a cushion which had just been warmed behind her waist. Seeing the tired look on Minglan’s face, she couldn’t help but feel a bit worried, saying, “How could that First Madam Zheng talk like that? She said it like we are in the wrong.”

“That’s not a surprise.” Minglan, eyes squinted, said in a low voice as if she was muttering to herself, “I’ve anticipated that long ago. Today I finally got a chance…”

Minglan was well aware of the things Old Madam Qin had done or the words the latter had said at the outside, but it was hard for her to find a chance to fight back.

Old Madam Qin had already created a friendly bond with the women from the families which had a close relationship with the Gu family for generations, which meant they had been friends with each other for decades. Minglan, an illegal daughter and also a new arrival to the Gu family, became Marchioness so quickly. There would definitely be some people envying or sneering at her. Why did those women have to respect and trust Minglan anyway?

What’s more, Old Madam Qin didn’t need to say anything bluntly. That aggrieved expression on her face should win her lots of sympathy. Moreover, after she had nipped off part of the true story, her speech would lead to confusion easily.

Part of the truth was also the truth. Since Old Madam Qin never spoke evil of Minglan, how could Minglan retort her? After all, a stepmother was also a senior in the family. If Minglan tried very hard to explain for herself and denied Old Madam Qin’s words at the outside, others would only feel that Minglan was a rude person who knew nothing about etiquette. However, Minglan still couldn’t leave this matter like this, in case this would lead to a disaster. As the saying goes, ‘Accumulated defamation melts the bones’.

So, this was a hard thing to deal with.

It was better to find another way to attack than patching up the holes. After Minglan had thought about this for half a month, First Madam Zheng’s name gradually occurred to her mind. However, Minglan couldn’t go straightly to the Zheng’s house, because that would look too obvious and purposeful. Now she finally found a chance.

First, First Madam Zheng had a strong family background. Her parents and husband’s families were all prestigious and powerful. Also, First Madam Zheng had a high reputation of her virtue in the capital. At last, this madam was woman of a character. Only few people could become her friends. If a famous madam in the capital accepted Minglan, the latter would get twice the result with half the effort.

The most important thing was that the Gu family and the Zheng family stood on the same side and First Madam Zheng had a clear mind. She could get the inner story of the Gu’s family through all kinds of ways. Therefore, it was easy to convince her.

After the first victory, Minglan felt quite relieved. In this world, speaking sweet words, being warm to others and calling other women sisters were not the only forms of diplomacy. Minglan believed that she would have her own social circle in the future and more friends who would speak up for her.

The women Old Madam Qin introduced to Minglan would never be the sincere ones, but it didn’t matter. Minglan could made her own way by advancing one step at a time.

The coach shook slightly. Minglan, eyes closed, felt drowsy and almost fell asleep again.

Before she dozed off, she suddenly remembered that she really shouldn’t be called a sleepyhead who only liked to sleep. Since she was well-paid, she knew that she couldn’t do nothing and sleep all day. She did work hard, so she deserved to relax. If she made those careful thoughts and plans every day, she would die soon.