The smile on Madam Pei’s face froze. An uneasy feeling quietly rose within her. Her brows knitted together as she coolly sized up the flustered maidservant, whose words seemed to tumble out in complete disorder.
Under Madam Pei’s sharp gaze, the woman hardly dared breathe and hurriedly lowered her head.
The smile had already vanished from Madam Pei’s face. In a calm but unmistakably reproving voice, she said, “You’re not exactly young anymore. After so many years of service, do I still have to teach you how to report properly?”
The maidservant no longer dared gasp for breath. Carefully gathering her thoughts, she answered, “In response to Madam, this old servant followed your instructions and arrived early to check the notice boards. Miss Pei’s name was on neither the Yuhua Women’s Academy list nor the Capital Women’s Academy list.”
She paused before continuing. “But… our Second Miss’s name is there.”
Even as she spoke, pride shone plainly across her face.
Looking expectantly at Madam Pei, she was clearly waiting for a reward.
She still remembered that when Eldest Miss had gained admission to the academy the previous year, everyone in the household had received gifts. The first person to bring back the good news had been rewarded with five taels of silver.
Now that Second Miss had also passed, Madam Pei might favor her eldest daughter more, but Second Miss was still her own flesh and blood. Surely she wouldn’t be too unfair.
Even if it wasn’t five taels, three, or even two, would be enough to make anyone happy.
Before Madam Pei, who was reclining against the bed, could say anything, Zhen Yiyun, still holding the bowl of medicine beside her, reacted as though she’d been stung by an insect. Her fingertips trembled. The bowl slipped from her hands. The fine white porcelain shattered into countless fragments. Dark brown medicine splashed across the floor, steaming hot as white vapor curled into the air, filling the room with the strong scent of herbs.
Hearing the crash, Madam Pei looked toward her eldest daughter. “Yiyun?”
Her tone held both concern and a subtle warning.
Zhen Yiyun clenched her right hand so tightly that her long nails nearly pierced her palm. Only the sharp pain brought her back to herself. Her beautiful face had gone deathly pale, and for one uncontrollable instant her features twisted into something almost ferocious.
Hearing her mother’s voice, she immediately lowered her head to conceal it. “I… I was just so happy that I dropped the bowl.”
Madam Pei said nothing. She merely looked at her daughter for a long, searching moment.
Zhen Yiyun’s thoughts were in complete chaos. Not daring to remain any longer, she hastily apologized and turned to leave. “I’ll have someone clean this up right away… and bring you another bowl of medicine, Mother.”
At that moment, Madam Pei’s thoughts were entirely occupied with the news that Zhen Tingyun had made the list. She had no attention to spare for her eldest daughter. Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she ordered that the maidservant who had brought the news be rewarded with one tael of silver.
She explained, “When Yiyun entered the academy, she not only passed but earned five A grades and one B grade, making her the top-ranked student that year. That’s why I rewarded everyone more generously then.”
She paused before continuing, “Of course, I’m also delighted that Tingyun has been admitted this time, so naturally you deserve a reward for bringing the good news.”
The implication was obvious:
The reward isn’t as generous this time not because I’m showing favoritism, but because Tingyun didn’t achieve results as outstanding as Yiyun’s.
Receiving one tael of silver, the maidservant was slightly disappointed but still pleased. Then she suddenly froze. “Oh! This old servant was careless, I completely forgot to report Second Miss’s examination results to Madam.”
Madam Pei already had a headache. Listening to the maidservant ramble on only made it worse. She pressed her thin lips together, and the pallor of her face seemed to tighten even further.
If it had been someone with any sense, seeing Madam Pei’s expression, they would have immediately fallen silent and never dared mention the examination results again. But this old maid had no talent for reading the room.
Or perhaps the one tael of silver already in her hand had dazzled her so much that she simply couldn’t stop herself.
Beaming with delight, she continued, “Second Miss also earned five A grades and one B! It’s just a pity that the Capital Women’s Academy had a Miss Zhou who received six A grades, so our Second Miss could only place below her.”
Even so, five A and one B was an outstanding result.
The previous year, when Zhen Yiyun had taken first place, she too had scored only five A and one B.
For a moment, Madam Pei thought she must have misheard.
Only after a long pause did she clench her jaw and ask coldly,
“Five A and one B?”
“Yes,” the maid answered cheerfully, still expecting another reward. “Second Miss’s name is also on the Capital Women’s Academy list, right beneath Miss Zhou’s, who earned six A. This old servant looked again and again. It’s definitely five A and one B.”
Madam Pei lowered her eyes slightly.
Looking at the maid’s eager face as she waited expectantly for another reward, Madam Pei drew in a slow breath. Forcing herself to smile, she said through gritted teeth, “Give her another tael of silver.”
After a brief pause, she added quietly, as though explaining herself, or perhaps simply speaking to no one in particular, “This is certainly good news. But Mingzhu didn’t make the list this time. She must be feeling miserable. It wouldn’t be appropriate for our family to celebrate too extravagantly just now.”
With a wave of her hand, she dismissed the increasingly irritating maid. Then, as though remembering something, she ordered someone to invite Zhen Tingyun over from Old Lady Zhen’s courtyard.
Before long, Zhen Yiyun returned, carrying another steaming bowl of medicine. The way she held it looked rather odd. Her right palm was turned inward almost unconsciously, deliberately concealing it.
The fair, delicate center of her palm was covered in bloody crescent-shaped wounds where her fingernails had dug deeply into the flesh.
In truth, she had returned with the medicine much earlier but upon reaching the doorway, an inexplicable fear had seized her. So instead of entering, she had stood outside listening in secret.
Who could have imagined that she would overhear the news that Zhen Tingyun had also earned five A and one B?
It struck her like a bolt from the blue.
She had nearly rushed into the room screaming in disbelief.
Instead, she clenched her fist tighter and tighter, digging her nails mercilessly into her own palm until the pain forced her to endure it.
By the time she had calmed herself, her palm was torn open, raw and bleeding.
Oddly enough, the pain left her calmer than before.
She wiped away the blood with a handkerchief, waited until the wound stopped bleeding, then resumed her gentle smile. Her steps were graceful and unhurried as she carried the medicine inside as though nothing had happened. By now, she had already composed herself.
Countless thoughts had raced through her mind, but her face showed only concern. “I wonder how Second Sister managed to make it to the examination yesterday. Surely… she didn’t take someone else’s examination permit?”
In Zhen Yiyun’s mind, there was only one explanation.
The heroine’s extraordinary luck must still be protecting Zhen Tingyun. She had probably managed to buy an examination permit from someone else at the last minute, allowing her to take the entrance examination after all.
If that were true, however, another obvious question arose.
“Second Sister has only recently arrived in the capital. How much money could she possibly have? Mother knows how expensive those permits are.” She frowned slightly, looking every bit the worried elder sister. “I’m afraid she didn’t understand these things. In her desperation to buy someone’s permit, perhaps she rashly promised away something she never should have…”
Every word sounded earnest.
Anyone listening would think she was sincerely worried that her younger sister had strayed onto the wrong path.
Whether Madam Pei truly took those words to heart was impossible to tell. She merely leaned against the bed with her eyes half closed, seemingly lost in thought.
Only after Zhen Yiyun had finished did she slowly open them again. “What you say does make some sense.”
She nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ve already sent someone to your grandmother’s courtyard to invite your second sister here.”
Hearing this, Zhen Yiyun secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Exactly.
Even if Zhen Tingyun had gained admission to the academy, that still wouldn’t excuse obtaining a permit through improper means. To chase a small gain while forgetting righteousness, that was a serious fault.
Thinking this, the gentleness in Zhen Yiyun’s expression deepened. “Mother, you should drink your medicine first. Whatever happens, your health comes before anything else.”
Madam Pei accepted the bowl from her daughter and slowly drank it. Afterward, she placed a piece of candied fruit in her mouth. Yet for some reason, despite the sweetness, bitterness still lingered on her tongue. A bitter taste that seemed to seep all the way into her heart, leaving behind an indescribably complicated feeling.
After a while, Madam Pei suddenly spoke. “You think… your second sister…”
Halfway through the sentence, she abruptly stopped. Shaking her head, she said nothing more. The truth was, she herself didn’t know what she wanted to say.
Fortunately, they did not have to wait long.
Zhen Tingyun soon arrived.
Not only had she come herself, she was also carrying a handwritten copy of the academy rankings that Liushun had bought from a street vendor.
The instant Madam Pei caught sight of the paper in her hand out of the corner of her eye, she guessed what it was.
The corner of her eye twitched almost imperceptibly.
Pretending not to notice Madam Pei’s discomfort, Zhen Tingyun entered cheerfully.
She first greeted her mother properly, then inquired after her health. “I heard the physician say that Mother is suffering from stagnant liver fire and will need to take herbal medicine for some time. I was very worried when I heard.”
She sighed softly. “If Grandmother didn’t need someone constantly by her side, I certainly would have come to nurse you myself.”
Then she looked up. Her gaze settled upon the bruise on Madam Pei’s cheek, which had still not completely faded. Speaking gently, she asked, “Mother… has medicine been applied to your injury?”
Objectively speaking, every word was spoken out of concern. Yet to both Madam Pei and Zhen Yiyun, they somehow sounded as though they carried another meaning beneath the surface.
Especially Madam Pei.
Each sentence felt like a fingernail lightly scratching at an old wound in her heart.
The worst part was that Zhen Tingyun wore nothing but sincere concern on her face.
Everything she said was considerate.
As her mother, Madam Pei found herself unable to rebuke her.
So she rather stiffly changed the subject. “Today was the day the academy posted its examination results. I had someone go and check the lists…”
Before she could finish, Zhen Tingyun smiled. “So Mother had already sent someone.” She looked visibly relieved. “I also sent one of my maids to check the rankings. She even bought me a handwritten copy.”
Holding up the sheet in her hand, she continued, “But when I saw that Cousin Mingzhu’s name wasn’t on the list, I was afraid you, as her aunt, would be heartbroken once you found out. I was wondering how I should tell you.”
She smiled warmly. “Now that I know you already heard the news… I feel much more at ease.”
The handwritten copy of the rankings listed Zhou Qingyun at the very top, occupying the first line alone.
Immediately below her came Zhen Tingyun and the others.
Beside Zhen Tingyun’s name was her result: Five A, one B.
To Zhen Yiyun and Madam Pei, both the name and the score were painfully glaring.
A moment earlier, Zhen Yiyun had still been clinging to the hope that the maid had simply read the list incorrectly.
Now, looking at the handwritten ranking, she felt as though a bucket of icy water had been poured over her head. She stood frozen in disbelief.
Only when the fingernails of her left hand brushed the wound in her right palm, sending a sharp stab of pain through it, did she finally regain her senses.
Madam Pei possessed far greater self-control than her daughter and had spent years cultivating composure. She barely managed to suppress her emotions, though her face grew noticeably colder.
Pretending not to notice the unpleasant expressions on her mother and elder sister’s faces, Zhen Tingyun spread the ranking sheet open and placed it before them with a bright smile. “Mother once told me, ‘If you can pass the examination, what is a single estate worth?’ It was because of your encouragement that I devoted myself wholeheartedly to studying. Now I’ve finally been admitted to the academy. I’m truly overjoyed, so I hurried here to share the good news with you.”
As she spoke, she opened her large almond-shaped eyes wide. Her long, curled lashes lifted slightly, framing eyes as dark as ink. She looked at Madam Pei with unmistakable anticipation, as though she had truly come only to report her success, and perhaps to collect the estate her mother had promised.
Madam Pei drew a slow breath, forcing down the anger swelling in her chest.
Ignoring the matter of the estate, she said coolly, “Let’s not discuss the estate for now. I summoned you because I want to ask you something. Yesterday, when you took the examination, where did your examination permit come from?”
Zhen Yiyun quickly chimed in from the side. “That’s right, Second Sister. This is no small matter. If you promised someone something in exchange for that permit, that would be very troubling. Father and Mother have always taught us not to sacrifice righteousness for petty gain. If anything like that happened, you should tell the family immediately.”
Originally, Zhen Tingyun had no intention of responding to Zhen Yiyun. But hearing those words, she slowly lifted her eyes and looked directly at her. The undisguised stare made Zhen Yiyun’s expression stiffen.
Forcing a smile, she asked, “…Why are you looking at me like that, Second Sister?”
“Nothing.” Without blinking, Zhen Tingyun continued looking at her, genuine surprise appearing on her face. “I was only wondering… when Elder Sister talks about ‘promising someone something for an examination permit’ and ‘forgetting righteousness for petty gain’…”
She tilted her head slightly. “…are you referring to Eldest Aunt… or Mother?”
Zhen Yiyun’s face froze.
She opened her mouth to argue, only to discover she had no way to defend herself.
After all, hadn’t Madam Pei’s eldest sister-in-law promised Madam Pei a shop in exchange for the examination permit? Strictly speaking, weren’t those two precisely the sort of people Zhen Yiyun had just described as “sacrificing righteousness for petty gain”?
Even Madam Pei’s expression darkened.
It felt as though someone had slapped her across the face. Her cheeks burned.
When she had accepted the shop in exchange for the permit, she had only been thinking of adding to her daughter’s dowry. She had never considered the arrangement improper.
But now…
Having learned that Zhen Tingyun had somehow managed to take the examination anyway, she had immediately worried that the girl, being young and inexperienced, might have recklessly promised away something valuable in exchange for another permit, making a terrible mistake and straying down the wrong path.
Thinking about it now… were the two situations really so different?
The realization left Madam Pei utterly speechless. She pressed her lips together even more tightly, her expression as cold as ice.
Naturally, Zhen Tingyun noticed the complicated expressions on both their faces. She sneered inwardly. Outwardly, however, she merely shook her head in apparent seriousness and continued lecturing Zhen Yiyun. “Elder Sister, that’s really not right of you. Mother and Eldest Aunt love you so dearly. How could you think such things about them?”
Zhen Yiyun could almost feel Madam Pei’s searching gaze falling upon her. She hurriedly protested, “No, I didn’t mean that.”
Zhen Tingyun said nothing more. She simply wore an expression that clearly said: “You’ve already said it. Why deny it now?”
The silent accusation left Zhen Yiyun so thoroughly choked for words that she nearly fainted from frustration.
She wanted nothing more than to leap forward and tear the hypocritical smile from Zhen Tingyun’s face.
Fortunately, Madam Pei gave a light cough and steered the conversation back. “We’re discussing your affairs. Why are you dragging others into this?”
At once, Zhen Tingyun lowered her head, looking thoroughly wronged. “I’m not changing the subject. Yesterday, I truly did not use an examination permit.”
Already furious, Zhen Yiyun was thinking far less clearly than usual. Unable to restrain herself any longer, she let out a cold laugh. “What a shameless lie!”
Turning to Madam Pei, she exclaimed, “Mother, just look at her! She dares to lie right to your face. This is simply outrageous! How could anyone take the academy examination without an examination permit? Unless she…”
Halfway through the sentence, she suddenly stopped. An almost unbelievable possibility flashed through her mind. She looked sharply at Zhen Tingyun, staring intently at every trace of expression on her face. Grinding her teeth, she demanded, “How exactly did you take yesterday’s examination?”
Zhen Tingyun still wore the same smile. In fact, she had been smiling ever since she stepped through the door. Calmly she replied, “Yesterday, on the way there, I happened to meet Madam Chu from the Capital Women’s Academy. She was kind enough to think well of me, accepted me as her disciple, and personally recommended me to take the entrance examination. So I didn’t need an examination permit.”
After a brief pause, she smiled again. “Perhaps Elder Sister simply forgot because you were too involved in the matter. If I remember correctly, when Elder Sister took the examination years ago, you didn’t use an examination permit either. Teacher He of Yuhua Women’s Academy recommended you directly.”
She smiled even more brightly. “Now that I think about it, we truly are sisters. We both studied under distinguished teachers. We were both recommended directly for the entrance examination. And we even earned exactly the same score, five A and one B.”
For years, Zhen Yiyun had lived with pride and quiet superiority.
Though she occasionally worried that Zhen Tingyun, the original heroine, might someday reclaim her destined fortune, she had always believed the advantage lay firmly with herself.
After years of diligent study and hard work, she was convinced that she had long surpassed this country girl from the countryside.
Yet with just a few light, effortless words, Zhen Tingyun dragged her down from the lofty peak upon which she had placed herself.
In an instant, they stood on equal ground once more.
At the same time, those words shattered the pride and sense of superiority that Zhen Yiyun had nurtured for more than ten years.
For the first time, she felt as though all those years of self-satisfaction had made her look like nothing more than a ridiculous clown.
Zhen Yiyun clenched her fist so tightly that she could feel the wound in her right palm splitting open again, fresh blood seeping from it.
But she no longer cared.
She could only grit her teeth with all her strength, barely managing to keep her face composed under Zhen Tingyun’s half-mocking, half-sardonic gaze.
Naturally, Madam Pei could sense the violent turmoil in her eldest daughter’s emotions.
Under ordinary circumstances, she would have pitied and comforted her. But now, Madam Pei herself was in utter confusion and had no energy left to console anyone.
She could only force herself to remain composed and abruptly end the conversation. “Very well. Since that’s the case, your sister and I were indeed overthinking things.” After a pause, she added, “I’ll have someone prepare formal gifts for your apprenticeship and send them to Madam Chu. That will fulfill the proper etiquette.”
Turning her head away, her lips pressed tightly together in obvious unwillingness to continue, she said, “I’m tired. You should go now.”
Seeing the coldness and rejection on Madam Pei’s face, Zhen Tingyun had no intention of lingering.
Given her mother’s current attitude toward her, she wasn’t likely to gain anything from her for the time being. It would be far better to discuss these matters with her father later instead.
Thinking this, she was about to take her leave when the corner of someone’s robe caught her eye at the doorway. She immediately changed her mind.
Remaining beside the bed, she looked down at Madam Pei and asked instead, “Then… what about the estate you promised me before?”
Madam Pei nearly ground her silver-white teeth to pieces. Only after a long moment did she force out a cold reply through clenched teeth. “I said, go back.”
Ever since learning that Pei Mingzhu had failed while Zhen Tingyun had passed, Madam Pei had felt as though a fire were burning inside her chest. Then Zhen Tingyun had come carrying the rankings, speaking cheerfully all the while, until Madam Pei had been on the verge of exploding.
She had endured it only because she knew her anger was irrational. If she truly lashed out, she would only be the one in the wrong.
Yet Zhen Tingyun seemed completely oblivious to how hard she was struggling to restrain herself.
She remained where she stood, even putting on a tearful expression. “Mother… are you unhappy that Madam Chu accepted me as her disciple? Or… unhappy that I was admitted to the women’s academy?”
She had intended to cry, but no tears came so she secretly pinched her own thigh. Only then did her eyes redden as she continued, “I know I grew up in the countryside. I haven’t studied as much as others. My knowledge is limited, and my foundation isn’t very good. That’s why, after arriving in the capital, I’ve done nothing but stay home and study. I only hoped diligence could make up for my shortcomings, that a clumsy bird could start flying early. But just before the examination, you traded away my examination permit to Third Cousin for the sake of a shop.”
“I did it for your own good.” Madam Pei closed her eyes rather than look at her. Though impatience colored her voice, she still explained herself carefully. “You’ll come of age next year. Shouldn’t you begin preparing your dowry? An extra shop will only benefit you. Besides, the academy entrance examination is held every year. What’s the difference between taking it this year or next? If you prepare for another year, your chances of passing would be even greater.”
“But I passed this year.” Zhen Tingyun answered simply.
Madam Pei was instantly rendered speechless. She pressed her lips together until they formed a hard, straight line.
Watching the brief flash of embarrassment cross her mother’s face, Zhen Tingyun continued calmly, “People say, ‘An inch of time is worth an inch of gold.’ Is one year of my life worth only a single shop? Eldest Aunt believed Cousin Mingzhu’s time was precious, that she couldn’t afford to wait another year, so she willingly exchanged a shop for an examination permit. But Mother, do you think my time has no value?”
Madam Pei truly had no answer.
She could only harden her expression, secretly blaming her daughter for being immature and incapable of understanding her parents’ intentions.
Seeing this, Zhen Tingyun continued on her own. “Very well. Let’s assume Mother truly acted for my benefit when you exchanged my permit for a shop. I worked so hard to find another way. Without any permit, I entered the examination through Madam Chu’s recommendation. I even passed. I came here full of excitement, thinking that at last you might be happy for me, proud of me, but after hearing the news, your very first thought was to question how I managed to take the examination.”
When Madam Pei had done those things herself, they had seemed perfectly natural but hearing them recounted one by one left her deeply uncomfortable.
Unable to hide her embarrassment, she forced herself to remain calm and explained coolly, “You’re still young and don’t understand these things. As your mother, it’s only natural that I worry about you. Tingyun, I only summoned you because I feared you might not understand the consequences of your actions and accidentally stray down the wrong path so I asked a few more questions.”
“All right.” Zhen Tingyun nodded understandingly. “Let’s say you were simply worried about me.” At last, she arrived at the point she had intended all along. “So, does the estate you promised me still count?”
Annoyance welled up inside Madam Pei. Her fingers tightened around the edge of the quilt. She remained silent.
At a moment like this, silence was answer enough.
It was a refusal.
She had absolutely no intention of taking the estate she had already promised to her eldest daughter and giving it to the younger daughter she no longer liked.
As a daughter, however, Zhen Tingyun could not press too hard.
After all, Madam Pei was both her mother and currently ill. If she pushed any further, others would surely accuse her of being unfilial.
Zhen Yiyun immediately recognized this and seized the opportunity. Tears welled into her eyes as she said in a choked voice, “Second Sister, I know you’re unhappy that Mother entrusted the estate to me but that’s only because I’ve already come of age. Mother simply wanted me to learn how to manage household affairs, so she let me practice with the estate. The title deed and everything else are still with Mother. Second Sister, you’re still young. Why are you in such a hurry to have these things? Must you really press Mother so relentlessly over what was only an offhand promise?”
In just a few sentences, Zhen Yiyun completely turned black into white.
She made it sound as though Zhen Tingyun was merely jealous of her and shamelessly pestering their mother for the estate.
“Elder Sister misunderstands.” Zhen Tingyun remained entirely unbothered.
With a faint smile, she looked steadily at Zhen Yiyun’s tear-filled face. Her tone was calm, restrained, and impeccably courteous. “Elder Sister is an educated lady who has read many books. I presume you’ve also read the chapter Outer Storehouse of Sayings, Left, Part One in the Han Feizi. In that case, you should know the story of Zengzi Killing the Pig.”
She quoted slowly, “Zengzi said: ‘One must not deceive a child in jest. A child lacks understanding and learns by observing and obeying his parents. If you deceive him, you teach him to deceive others. If a mother deceives her child, the child will no longer trust his mother. That is not the proper way to educate a child.’ Zengzi’s words meant: One must never lie to a child. Children are young and ignorant; they learn by observing their parents and listening to their teachings. If we deceive them, we are teaching them to deceive others in the future. A mother may be able to fool her child for the moment, but once the child realizes he has been deceived, he will no longer trust his mother. After that, it will be very difficult to teach and guide the child properly.”
As she spoke, Zhen Tingyun raised her eyes.
They were as clear and brilliant as crystal beads, their black-and-white contrast striking, so limpid that they seemed capable of reflecting another person’s image.
Listening to those words, Madam Pei nearly choked with anger. It felt as though this unfilial girl had peeled the skin from her face and thrown it onto the ground for everyone to trample.
She was already physically weak and lacking energy. When she first heard that Zhen Tingyun had made the rankings, she’d developed a headache. Now her head throbbed so violently that her vision darkened in waves, and she nearly fainted.
That wretched girl! Did she really think I couldn’t hear what she was implying?
When she said, Elder Sister is an educated lady who has studied at a women’s academy and is widely learned. Surely you’ve read the* Han Feizi, *and know the story of Zengzi killing the pig, she was clearly “pointing at the mulberry tree while cursing the locust”, using one person to criticize another.
The real target was Madam Pei herself.
After all, Madam Pei had also graduated from a women’s academy.
Just as her humiliation and anger reached the breaking point and she was about to erupt, a deep laugh sounded from outside the door.
“Well said!”
“What an excellent line, ‘If a mother deceives her child, the child will no longer trust her; that is not the proper way to educate.'”
Father Zhen entered through the doorway with a hearty laugh, applauding as he walked in.
His sharp gaze swept across everyone in the room before settling on Zhen Tingyun. Smiling broadly, he declared, “Since you’ve been admitted to the women’s academy, and since your mother promised you an estate then naturally, that estate should belong to you.”
“I’ll have someone deliver the title deed to you later.”
