Chapter 15: A Tiger Father Has No Dog Daughter

In the tea house and tavern, the storyteller, inspired by Jing Niang's vulgar remarks, wove a grand drama titled *The Noble Matriarch's Battle of Wits Against the Vixen*.

"Last time, we spoke of how the merchant's daughter, Jiaojiao, was sent into the Marquis's manor in a small sedan chair by her own father. Let us continue our tale."

The storyteller struck his gavel forcefully, drawing the eyes of all the patrons.

"In front of the Eldest Young Master, the merchant's daughter Jiaojiao confronted the Marchioness, exposing every single one of the Marchioness's long-standing schemes, one by one."

The crowd was bustling and noisy.

"If you ask me, the stupidest one was the merchant's father. Instead of becoming a father-in-law to a Marquis, he insisted on sending his daughter off to be a concubine."

A patron at another table retorted with a cold sneer, "You are blinded by wealth and glory. The Marchioness is so resourceful and possesses such extraordinary character; if the merchant's family doesn't cut their losses and flee, I fear they will eventually find themselves without a place to be buried."

A plump man, flanked by women on both sides, said disdainfully, "Isn't that an exaggeration? It's just some inner courtyard drama. How could the Marchioness possibly have such methods?"

The storyteller gave a sly grin. "My dear patrons, there is much you do not know. Ah, never mind, I cannot say, I cannot say."

The storyteller instantly piqued the guests' interest. "What is there that cannot be said? It's just a story!"

"Exactly, exactly! We'll give you tips, so speak boldly!"

A deluge of copper coins, mixed with bits of silver and banknotes, fell onto the stage like rain.

The storyteller grinned from ear to ear, feigning secrecy as he whispered, "I shall tell it, and you shall listen, but do not take any of it as truth."

"That Marchioness—her biological father was the War God of the current dynasty! He once led five thousand troops deep into enemy territory and crushed an army of thirty thousand!"

"The Marchioness has been well-versed in military texts since childhood. While her father was away at war, she was raised under the tutelage of the Grand Empress Dowager. Tell me, how could such a woman be an ordinary person?"

Hearing these secrets, the patrons felt immensely satisfied, deciding to go home and brag about it to their families.

***

Inside a private room on the second floor of the tea house.

The young lady of the Duke of Ji's household squeezed beside her mother, asking gossipy questions, "Is that Gu Nanxi really that capable? If she is so formidable, why haven't any of the children she raised turned out to be anything of substance?"

The Old Lady irritably pinched her ear. "Why have you been prying into Gu Nanxi's affairs so much lately? Fine, I will tell you, but do not go asking around again."

The young lady obsequiously poured a cup of tea for her mother.

The Old Lady said, "What the storyteller said is true; it isn't even a secret. Even the fact that the Yongchang Marquis Manor relies on Gu Nanxi's dowry to survive is known to many."

The young lady had an epiphany. "No wonder when that merchant woman, Jing Niang, snatched away the management rights, you all just laughed and didn't seem worried at all."

The Old Lady sighed. "It wasn't even a trap set by Gu Nanxi. As long as the merchant woman put in a little effort and did some inquiring, she would have found out. Gu Nanxi merely went with the flow; she truly takes after her father."

The Old Lady set down her teacup, her tone tinged with melancholy. "How glorious Gu Nanxi was back then. She was childhood sweethearts with the late Emperor and was the person everyone saw as the future Crown Princess. Sadly, after General Gu died in battle, the marriage was snatched away by the current Empress Dowager."

"The Empress Dowager feared that the late Emperor would cling to old feelings and bring Gu Nanxi into the harem, creating a powerful rival for herself. So, taking advantage of the time when the late Emperor was leading a personal expedition, she bestowed upon Gu Nanxi a marriage to the current Yongchang Marquis, Su Yanting."

"At that time, the Yongchang Marquis Manor had already fallen into decline. Su Yanting was merely a second son without a title. Everyone in the capital knew the Yongchang Marquis Manor had no money."

"When the late Emperor returned in triumph and learned his beloved had married someone else, he was incensed and transferred Su Yanting into the military."

The Old Lady shook her head with a smile. "That fellow Su Yanting is a stubborn mule. Even though he knew about the matter between the late Emperor and Gu Nanxi, he still stayed with her, bearing two children in three years and three in five."

"This infuriated the late Emperor. Just as Gu Nanxi became pregnant with Su Yunyan, he demoted Su Yanting to the borderlands and forbade him from returning to the capital for ten years."

The young lady of the Duke of Ji's house did not know whether to feel sympathy for Gu Nanxi or admiration. "So that is why she endured for so many years, only daring to act after the late Emperor passed away..."

The Old Lady looked at the rising steam from her teacup, sighing deeply. "I originally thought that ten years of time had worn away her pride, and that she was just another woman of the inner chambers like us. I didn't expect her methods to become even more sophisticated. Even when everyone knows it was her, they cannot find a single fault in her."

The young lady said sourly, "Was she really that wonderful back then? To make so many people so obsessed with her?"

"Not exactly. Later, the late Emperor had long since forgotten her; it was simply that she was naturally cautious. Now, she is even more impressive than before, like fine wine that has settled with time, becoming increasingly mellow."

The Old Lady praised, "If the late Emperor were still alive and saw the Gu Nanxi of today, he surely would not let her go."

The young lady huffed in dissatisfaction. "Don't men all love delicate flowers in their teens? How could they care for a middle-aged woman in her thirties like us?"

The Old Lady tapped her forehead lightly. "Experience allows a man to be reborn, and similarly, it makes a woman fragrant and enchanting. Men love delicate flowers because the inner chambers turn you all into the same mold."

The young lady was unconvinced. "Is Gu Nanxi different? With such methods, wouldn't men fear her like a tiger?"

"Silly child, if a concubine were like her, men would naturally dislike her. But if she is the matriarch of the household, who wouldn't be delighted? Men are the most pragmatic creatures."

Similar conversations were taking place in many noble households.

Even Su Yunyan, who had finally managed to venture out, was teased by her lady friends.

"Yunyan, you'll be in a different league from now on. Your mother has given you the management rights; she's likely going to truly train you."

Su Yunyan stamped her feet in embarrassment, saying sheepishly, "It's just a small matter, why are you all making such a fuss? You all started learning household management long ago, yet you still come to tease me."

The second daughter of the Duke of Ji's house laughed. "We are different. My mother isn't as capable as yours."

"That's true," Su Yunyan said with a happy grin. "But how did you find out my mother is capable?"

The second daughter replied irritably, "Who doesn't know? You really are something—your mother was so formidable that she held the late Emperor's heart for over ten years, yet you haven't let a single whisper slip. That's so unfair!"

The other companions joined in the teasing: "Exactly! With a mother as resourceful as yours, no wonder she isn't afraid of that merchant woman."

Listening to her friends' non-stop chatter, Su Yunyan was instantly stunned.

*What?!*

*That incredibly badass woman is my mother?*

*And Mother's charm hasn't faded at all? She's even got a bunch of men in their twenties and thirties completely infatuated with her now?*

Su Yunyan was bewildered. But her mother just stayed in the courtyard eating and drinking, too lazy to even step out the front gate!

*Could this... also be one of Mother's schemes?*

(End of Chapter)