Chapter 199: Fighting to the Death

Dugu Haoran hurried into the guest room and bowed apologetically, saying, “I was unaware that Minister Zhang had arrived. I failed to greet you properly. I hope you can forgive me.”
Zhang Yun was drinking tea when he saw Dugu Haoran enter. He stood up, returned the bow, and smiled, “It’s my fault for coming uninvited. I should be the one to apologize.”
“Minister Zhang, please don’t be polite. Please sit down.”
After exchanging a few words, they took their seats as host and guest. A maid brought another cup of tea for Dugu Haoran. He picked up the cup, trying to hide his unease. Zhang Yun surely didn’t come today over his father’s matter. Forty-nine days had passed, and it was time for the Dugu family to discuss serious matters. He guessed that Zhang Yun was likely here over his daughter’s issue.
One reason Dugu Haoran was reluctant to let Mingyue marry Zhao Xuming was that Zhao belonged to the crown prince’s faction, while Zhang Yun appeared neutral on the surface. But Dugu Haoran knew that Zhang Yun secretly supported Prince Qing Li Cong. Of course, factional struggles were matters of their generation. He didn’t want his own children to get involved. So whether Zhao Xuming supported the crown prince or Prince Qing wasn’t really important. What mattered most was his daughter’s attitude. Dugu Haoran was known for doting on his daughter. In matters of marriage, he respected her choices. He knew Mingyue didn’t like Zhao Xuming, and since she didn’t want to marry him, he didn’t want to force her.
“My father’s affairs have left me exhausted, and I haven’t had the heart to think about many things. As a result, even though I’ve been in the capital for over two months, I still haven’t visited Minister Zhang. I’m truly sorry.”
Before Zhang Yun could speak, Dugu Haoran preempted him, saying that it wasn’t appropriate to discuss joyous matters at home. His attitude was within Zhang Yun’s expectations. He smiled and said, “I can understand your feelings, brother Haoran. When my father passed away, I was also deeply saddened for a long time. But once our ancestors depart, as children, we must fulfill our filial duties before returning to the various complicated state affairs and household responsibilities. I came today to discuss the matter of the new prime minister with you.”
Dugu Haoran was stunned. “New prime minister”? What did that have to do with him?

Zhang Yun continued with a smile, “My dear brother may have been too busy with funeral arrangements and not very familiar with matters in the court. A few days ago, the Emperor discussed expanding the number of prime ministers with us. Currently, there are only six prime ministers in the court, and the Emperor wants to increase this number to nine. Apart from Yang Guozhong, who already holds the position of Minister of War, two more positions remain unfilled. He has asked each of us to recommend someone. Prime Minister Li recommended An Sishun, the military governor of Hexi; Prime Minister Chen recommended Cui Qiao, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Revenue; Minister Pei recommended Lu Huan, the governor of Yangzhou. Yang Shenjin’s candidate has not been decided yet, and I am still considering it. If you are interested, I can offer you that position.”

Dugu Haoran’s heart fluttered. Becoming a prime minister was something he had dreamed of for years. As the transport commissioner of Jianghuai, he met the requirements to become a prime minister. After his father’s death, the Dugu family had fallen into a weak position. If he could become a prime minister, it would not only reverse the family’s decline but also bring glory to his own career. Yet, if he agreed, he would be associated with Zhang’s faction. What would the crown prince think? Dugu Haoran was deeply conflicted.

Zhang Yun noticed Dugu Haoran’s expression and smiled calmly, “This is a significant matter. You don’t need to rush to reply. Take a couple of days to consider before giving me an answer.”

Then, changing the subject, Zhang Yun said with a smile, “There’s another small matter. At the beginning of the year, I asked on behalf of my student Zhao Mingxu to marry into your family. Your father didn’t give a clear reply back then, and with the busy court affairs, it was forgotten. Hehe! I’m not very good at acting as a matchmaker. But the day before yesterday, Zhao Mingxu came to see me again. He still wants to marry your daughter, Mingyue. This really touched me. I have no choice but to boldly ask again on behalf of my student. I hope you’ll help make this marriage happen.”

It was indeed about Mingyue. Dugu Haoran remained silent, deep in thought. With Zhang Yun’s bait laid out before him, he couldn’t openly refuse. Suddenly, Zhang Yun noticed a shadow moving under the door across from them—someone was eavesdropping on their conversation. With a quick thought, he smiled again and said, “I know it’s not the right time for celebrations in your household. So, as long as you agree to this marriage first and establish the relationship, we can take our time to arrange the wedding in half a year. Would that work?”

“This…” Dugu Haoran hesitated for a moment before saying, “Let me consider this for another two days. I will definitely give Minister Zhang a clear reply.”

It was Lady Pei who was eavesdropping at the door. She had been hopeful about this matter and was delighted, but her husband kept delaying things, which made her extremely anxious. She wanted to go out and agree, but that would seem rude. At her wit’s end, Zhang Jun stood up and said with a smile, “Very well! I’ll wait another two days. Please give me a reply regarding the nomination and marriage arrangement, and then I’ll take my leave.”
“Hehe! Let me see Lady Zhang off. Please, Lady Zhang!”
The two exchanged pleasantries as they left the room and gradually walked away.
…
“Sir, I heard that Lady Zhang has come. Is it about Mingyue’s matter?”
As Du Gu Hao Ran returned to the inner courtyard, his wife, Lady Pei, greeted him with a smile, pretending not to know anything.
“Oh! Lady Zhang is here on official business.”
“Official business? Then wasn’t Mingyue’s marriage mentioned?” Lady Pei’s gaze grew sharper.
“Hmm! I think it was mentioned a little bit,” Du Gu Hao Ran mumbled.
“So what’s the conclusion?”
“I said I need to think about it for another two days.”
“What do you plan to do while thinking?”
Lady Pei tried to make her tone sound more gentle. She forced a smile and said, “Sir, don’t blame me for asking so much. Mingyue’s marriage has worried me for years. If I, as her mother, don’t take care of it, perhaps no one else will.”
“Very well! I’ll agree then.”
Du Gu Hao Ran sighed helplessly and said, “But I have one condition: you must persuade Mingyue. As long as she agrees, I have no objections.”
“Alright. Since you insist on respecting your daughter’s wishes, I’ll go talk to her.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a young maid appeared at the courtyard gate. She bowed gracefully and said, “Our mistress asks Lady Pei to come over.”
This maid was Lady Zhang’s personal servant. Naturally, it was Lady Zhang who asked her daughter-in-law, Lady Pei, to come over. Lady Pei’s relationship with her mother-in-law wasn’t good. Firstly, they were around the same age—Lady Zhang was only one year older. Secondly, Lady Zhang had remarryd Du Gu Shi less than a year after her husband died, which made Lady Pei feel disrespected. Additionally, Lady Zhang lacked the dignity expected of an elder; she even went out to dance with young people during the Mid-Autumn Festival. All these things made Lady Pei, who had been raised under strict moral teachings, look down on her. With a snort, she was about to refuse when Du Gu Hao Ran said, “Lady, just go see her! Her father’s death has been a huge blow to her. As his descendants, we should care for her more.”
Lady Pei glanced at her husband. She didn’t want him to go and show concern for his young stepmother. So she nodded and said, “Very well! I’ll go see her.”

The Pei family owned a vast estate. Although Lady Zhang and Lady Pei lived in the same rear courtyard, a high wall separated their residences, requiring them to pass through two gates to get from one to the other. Lady Pei, accompanied by two maids, slowly made her way to Lady Zhang’s courtyard and faintly heard Lady Zhang’s laughter. “This time you missed!”

Around a clump of bamboo, she saw that Lady Zhang had taken off her mourning clothes and was playing shuttlecock with several maids. Her own daughter, Mingzhu, was also there. Lady Pei’s brows furrowed. Only fifty days had passed since her husband’s death, yet she had already removed her mourning clothes and was laughing and playing carefreely—this was too much. Her husband had said she was overwhelmed with grief. It was true that she had been devastated in the days after her father-in-law’s death, but now, she showed no sign of being affected at all.

Lady Pei stepped forward and rebuked her daughter unhappily, “Mingzhu, who told you to take off your mourning clothes?”

Mingzhu wasn’t expecting her mother to arrive so quickly. She was so frightened that she stuck out her tongue and said timidly, “Weren’t we told we could take them off after forty-nine days?”

“Hmph! Even if you want to take them off, it must be decided by your mother. How dare you remove them on your own and play shuttlecock? Do you have any respect for your recently deceased grandfather?”

As she scolded her daughter, she cast a disdainful glance at Lady Zhang.

How could Lady Zhang not understand the implied criticism? Her face darkened as she said, “It was I who told Mingzhu to take off her mourning clothes. What’s the problem?”

“Oh! So according to Grandma, there’s no problem. If Grandma says it’s okay, then there’s no issue. Mingzhu, the elders have something to discuss. You go first!”

Lady Pei spoke politely, but she had already decided she would never let Mingzhu enter this courtyard again.

“Grandma, then I’ll go first. I’ll come to play with you another day.” A bit afraid of her mother, Mingzhu hurried away. But at the corner, taking advantage of her mother’s distraction, she slipped into the bamboo grove and hid there to eavesdrop.

“Grandma, do you need me?”

Lady Pei should have called Lady Zhang “mother” or “mother-in-law,” but in fact, since the day Lady Zhang married into the Gu Dugu family, Lady Pei had never called her “mother” once; instead, she referred to her as “Grandma,” just like she did with her two daughters.

“Oh! Nothing much. I heard that Minister Zhang came to visit Haoran just now—was it because of Mingyue?”

A few months ago, Lady Pei would have denied it, saying, “How could it be because of Mingyue?” or pretended ignorance by saying, “I’m not aware of that!”

But now she saw no need for that. With Gu Dugu Si dead, Lady Zhang meant nothing in this household. Lady Pei would not only not deny it but also clearly tell her the truth, making her understand that it was now the Pei family who held power here.

“Grandmother is right. It’s because of Mingyue. I’ve already agreed to marry her to Zhao Xuming.” With that, she glanced at Lady Zhang challengingly, only to be overheard by Mingzhu, who was hiding in the bamboo grove. Terrified, Mingzhu’s face turned pale as she shrunk back and ran out of the bamboo grove, heading toward her sister’s sewing room.

Lady Zhang was furious. Her almond-shaped eyes widened as she said, “The late master clearly said Zhao Xuming has a bad character. Mingyue must not be given to him. What? Has the late master just passed away, and you’re already defying him?”

Lady Pei suddenly remembered last year’s Lantern Festival. Despite her own ban, she had forced Mingyue and Mingzhu to go out to watch the lanterns, actually arranging for Mingyue to meet Li Qing’an. As a result, the sisters returned late at night. Moreover, under Mingzhu’s instigation, she wore strange clothes all day long, making others think her family lacked proper discipline and bringing shame to her. Now, they were using the deceased to pressure her. Old grievances and new anger surged within Lady Pei.

Unable to contain her fury, she retorted to Lady Zhang, “The late master never said such a thing. I think it’s your idea. Now that the late master has passed away, it’s the master who should make decisions. My husband and I are Mingyue’s biological parents. Can’t we decide for her? Do we have to let outsiders dictate?”

“Clarify who the outsider is.”

“She knows best who the outsider is. I’ve never seen a wife, whose husband has just passed away, go out and play shuttlecock. Is there any sense of propriety in that?”

“You also know about propriety? How dare you speak to your mother-in-law like this? And yet you’re from a reputable family.”

…

The conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in the Du Gu family finally erupted openly. Everyone in the Du Gu household was talking about it. The younger ones watched the spectacle, while the older ones saw the deeper implications. It was actually a struggle for control over the family’s affairs. Previously, Lady Zhang had always had the final say, but now that the late master was dead, it was Lady Pei’s turn to make decisions. Many servants who sympathized with Lady Zhang sighed secretly. After all, the key issue was that Lady Zhang wasn’t the late master’s original wife. Now that he was dead, she had no son holding an official position to support her. How could she compete with Lady Pei?

…

Inside Mingyue’s room, the scene was different. Mingyue stood pale by the window, her heart filled with sorrow. She was sad about the destruction of her dreams and about herself. Her mother had decided to marry her to Zhao Xuming. Every word her mother said felt like a blade piercing into Mingyue’s heart. She could only let those words pierce her without any defense, her hopes completely shattered.

Mingzhu was extremely anxious and quickly urged her sister, “Sis, why don’t we ask Father to help? Let Father make the decision for you.”

“There’s no need to go find your father; I’ll handle this!” Their mother’s cold voice came from the door. Lady Pei slowly walked in, glared fiercely at her younger daughter, and said, “Mingzhu, go outside!”
“But, Mother…”
Before her sister could say more, Mingyue waved her hand to stop her and said gently, “Mingzhu, go outside first! I’ll talk to Mother properly.”
“Sis!” Mingzhu sighed, lowered her head, and hurriedly walked out. As she passed by her mother, Lady Pei said coldly, “From now on, you’re not allowed to set foot in the east courtyard again. If you dare, I’ll break your legs!”
Mingzhu trembled with fear but said nothing and quickly ran downstairs. Her mother’s stern voice followed, “And don’t wear any fancy makeup anymore. Otherwise, I won’t have you as my daughter.”
Mingzhu said nothing. She went downstairs and hid in a corner, crouching on the ground, anxiously waiting for the storm to pass.
The door closed softly. Lady Pei smiled and said to her eldest daughter, “Mingyue, it’s time for the two of us to have a proper talk.”
Mingyue nodded silently and said, “Mother, Mingzhu is still a child. Please don’t be so harsh on her.”
Lady Pei took her daughter’s hand and sat down, then sighed and said, “You two sisters are both my precious treasures. I’m doing this for your own good. Mingzhu has been spoiled these past years. Look at her—she’s always out late and hanging around with those flirtatious girls. She’s a woman; one wrong step, and her life will be ruined. I know you love your sister, but my strict demands are also a way of showing my love for her. Mingyue, you’re sensible. You should understand Mother’s concerns.”
Touched, Mingyue slowly leaned into her mother’s arms and said softly, “Mother, I understand!”

Madam Pei gently stroked her daughter’s back and said softly, “Mingyue, I’m doing this for your own good. I’ve been through life and know what kind of marriage can last the longest—‘a match made in heaven, with mutual respect.’ Just like your father and me. I was the second daughter of the Pei family, and your father was the eldest son of the Dugu family. That’s what it means to be a suitable match. We never had disputes over our families’ affairs. Marriage isn’t just about two people; it also involves the interests of both families. I didn’t know your father at first either. I was very scared before getting married and even cried in secret. But as time passed after we married, we gradually got to know each other better, and I came to like your father more and more. A loving marriage, with children born from it—this is what marriage is. It’s like plain rice—simple, but enough to last a lifetime. Mingyue, do you understand my concerns?”
Mingyue slowly raised her head and said, “I know you’re doing this for my good, but I really despise Zhao Xuming. I know he’s of poor character. On the contrary, I really like Li Qing’an.”
At the mention of liking Li Qing’an, Mingyue’s face turned slightly red, but her eyes became exceptionally bright. “I like that he defends the country at the borders. I admire his heroic spirit. I’m willing to go to Beiting with him. Mother, please let me be with him!”
Madam Pei’s expression darkened. All her earnest persuasion had gone in one ear and out the other. She suppressed her displeasure and tried again, “Mingyue, be realistic. Li Qing’an became a military governor at such a young age, so it’s natural that girls would admire him. I understand how you feel, but you must realize that you’ll be eighteen next year. If you don’t marry by then, most families won’t agree to this marriage anymore. There’s no engagement between you and Li Qing’an, nor any matchmaker. How can you be sure he’ll marry you? If he marries someone else, won’t you be left behind? By then, even if you try to marry Zhao Xuming again, he won’t wait for you. Mingyue, rather than chasing an unattainable dream, it’s better to cherish what you already have. Stop arguing with me about this. Minister Zhang has come twice to propose Zhao Xuming as a husband. Loyalty is as heavy as mountains. Your father and I have already decided to agree to his proposal.”
Mingyue slowly shook her head. “He will wait for me. I know that.”
She knelt down, but her gaze remained resolute as she looked at her mother. “I will never marry Zhao Xuming. I won’t marry anyone but him. Mother, I’m sorry!”

“You…” Madam Pei’s anger flared up once again. She shook off her daughter’s hand, stood up, and snapped, “It has always been the parents who decide their children’s marriages. I won’t argue further with you. Whether you like it or not, you must marry Zhao Xuming. This is my decision—there’s no room for negotiation.”
“I will never do it!”
Mingyue also suddenly stood up. Her innate stubbornness was awakened, and she said firmly, “I would rather die than marry him!”
“Good! Well said!”
Madam Pei trembled with rage as she pointed at her daughter, “I’ve raised you for nothing. If you want to die, then die!”
She turned and walked out.
“Mother!” Mingyue cried sadly. She rushed forward and said in a trembling voice, “Mother, please… don’t force me!”
“Don’t think you can threaten me with death. If I say you must marry, you must. And you must be married by the end of the year.”
Madam Pei snorted. With a loud bang, she slammed the door shut and left without looking back.
A sense of despair seized Mingyue’s heart. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She could no longer change her mother’s mind. Was this her fate? No! It wasn’t her fate. She had said she would rather die than marry. Death… Suddenly, she turned around, her gaze fixed on a white silk ribbon on the bed.
…
Mingzhu was so frightened by her mother’s violent slamming of the door that her heart almost stopped beating. She heard her mother scolding the maids harshly, “Keep a close eye on the eldest daughter. Don’t let her step out of the building under any circumstances. Report any of her actions to me immediately. If you dare hide anything, I’ll break your legs!”
Mingzhu quietly slipped out from behind a corner and hurried upstairs to discuss a plan with her sister. But when she reached the door, she sensed something was wrong. When she pushed it open, she was shocked.
“Mother, someone help!”