Yin Shi hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.
That evening, her legal mother summoned her and said, "Everything is arranged. How long do you plan to stay there?"
Overjoyed inside, Yin Shi replied, "I wish to observe the full mourning period of one year."
Third Madam, who had sons of her own, didn't pay much mind to a mere concubine-born daughter. If the girl wanted to observe the mourning period, so be it—it might even bring some good reputation to the family.
She agreed, saying, "Then have the people in your room pack your things. There's no need to bring clothes for all four seasons at once—that would be cumbersome. Just take what you need to wear now. When the seasons change, we'll send you what you need. Think about who from your room you want to take with you and who should stay. You're not a child anymore; it's time you learned to manage such matters."
Suppressing her inner excitement and maintaining a dull expression, Yin Shi replied somewhat hesitantly, "Just… just Yunjuan and Mama Li will do."
"What about that little runner in your room?" Third Madam said. "What use is she? You must take at least one senior maid."
Yin Shi had already heard from her maids about the customs of this time and place: the mourning period for a concubine birth mother was one year. She had originally intended to leave both Qing Yan and Qiao Que behind in the mansion. After a year apart, when she returned having changed from "before," they would have little reason to suspect anything. People always grow and change, especially after returning from an environment completely different from home.
Unfortunately, Third Madam wouldn't allow it.
She had no choice but to pick the less threatening one: "Then let Qiao Que come with me. Qing Yan can watch the courtyard."
Third Madam approved.
But although Mama Li by Yin Shi's side was old, she was merely a rough laborer, not someone who could handle affairs. The two maids were also too young; there had to be someone reliable to oversee things.
Yin Shi's wet nurse had also been unlucky. After nursing the young lady, just when she should have been enjoying the benefits of serving her, she fell ill and died.
At that time, Concubine Yan's health hadn't deteriorated to such a severe extent. Wanting to be closer to her daughter, she begged Third Madam to let her personally care for Yin Shi. Third Madam, who didn't particularly value a concubine-born daughter, agreed.
Who would have thought that Concubine Yan was also unlucky and passed away as well? This left Yin Shi without any adult supervision.
Third Madam then considered assigning a mama from her own courtyard to accompany Yin Shi to Donglin Temple, at least to manage for the year.
"Let me think… everyone in my courtyard is tied up with duties… Hmm, Shuntang's wife—yes, Gao Shuntang's wife is quite steady. She's idle at home; let her go with you."
The capable ones weren't willing to be assigned to Yin Shi, so she picked out someone idle at home for her.
Yin Shi bowed her head. "Thank you, Mother."
Fortunately, here they used "Mother," "Father," and "Dad." Since these were terms not used in her original time and place, using them felt surprisingly smooth.
After all, it was all an act.
If she had to call them "Dad" and "Mom," it might have stumped her.
Upon returning, she had everyone pack their things.
Hearing they were going for a year, no one really wanted to go. Going for ten days or half a month was fine—that was like a trip. But going for a year… that meant hardship.
Yet what could they do? When the master gave orders, it wasn't a matter of whether they wanted to or not.
They didn't even have the freedom to resign.
Servants weren't hired laborers; servants signed body contracts. Their very bodies, lives, marriages, and children all belonged to the master's household.
Yin Shi sighed but also felt fortunate—at least her second rebirth hadn't landed her as a servant.
"The Money Chest must be taken," she had already decided, giving direct instructions. "Qing Yan will stay to watch the house. Give the keys to Qiao Que for now."
The only person who was probably happy was Qing Yan.
She didn't have to go along! Staying alone in the courtyard, once the gate was closed, wouldn't she be able to sleep until she woke naturally?
With no one else in the courtyard, she could even secretly sleep on the young lady's lacquered bed.
So she took the key from her waist and handed it to Qiao Que, instructing, "Keep a close eye on the trunks, and don't let the key leave your person. Record any money spent clearly, so there won’t be any confusion later."
She especially emphasized, "Return it to me as soon as we get back. I’m really not at ease about this."
The key represented power. She had laid the groundwork in advance to prevent Qiao Que from coaxing Yin Shi over the course of the year and refusing to return the key afterward.
A middle schooler’s age, yet already playing workplace politics here—it made Yin Shi take notice.
Everyone in the Yin household was now focused on Madam Shen and her son, who had just returned from the capital, all of them fawning over them.
The passing of a concubine from the third branch was, for others, just a matter of contributing some money and moving on.
Only Yin Shi, the fourth young lady of the third branch, dressed in mourning clothes and a filial sash, boarded the carriage. With several trunks and boxes, two maids, and two older women, she quietly set off for Donglin Temple.
The gatekeeper watched her board the carriage, her small figure draped in mourning attire, looking pitiful indeed.
…
…
Yunjuan sat outside the carriage curtain with the driver. Qiao Que and the older women were in the carriage behind.
Yin Shi sat alone inside the carriage, grinning from ear to ear.
Excellent, excellent. She would first cultivate herself in the temple for a year. When she returned a year later, even if she seemed "like a completely different person," it would all make sense.
That was when her new life would truly begin.
The carriage headed to Donglin Temple, arriving after most of the day.
The coffin was not transported here—that would have been too much of a disturbance, and a concubine wasn’t worth such trouble. In truth, Concubine Yan had died at an inconvenient time, coinciding with Madam Shen’s visit home. To avoid offending Madam Shen, the body had been moved out immediately and was said to have been hastily buried.
Now, Yin Shi was merely bringing Concubine Yan’s memorial tablet with her.
The servants had made arrangements in advance. Upon their arrival, a reception monk greeted them. Temples like this often accommodated long-term residents, and Donglin Temple was one of the more prosperous within a hundred-mile radius, frequently chosen by wealthy families for rituals and ceremonies. Many courtyards and retreats had been built specifically for this purpose.
Yin Shi was assigned a small courtyard—not large, but meticulously clean. Though much simpler and plainer compared to the courtyard at home, those who came here weren’t here for luxury.
The reception monk said, "This humble monk’s dharma name is Chunyuan. If you have any needs, young lady, you may always seek me out."
Reception monks were tasked with dealing with devotees. Yin Shi didn’t know how much Third Master Yin had donated to the temple or how much the rituals would cost, but she noticed Chunyuan’s sharp eyes and that he carried more of a worldly air than the scent of incense.
She coughed lightly and called, "Qiao Que."
This had been arranged with Qiao Que before they left.
Money paved the way everywhere they went. But she didn’t dare be too direct, fearing it would seem out of character for her original self. Instead, she feigned innocence and asked, "Since we’re here, should we prepare some reward silver so the masters will recite sutras for the concubine more diligently?"
Both Qing Yan and Qiao Que nodded in agreement. They had prepared in advance.
Qiao Que then took out the pre-prepared pouch.
Although Third Madam had assigned a stewardess surnamed Gao, known as "Shuntang's wife," to Yin Shi, Yin Shi was completely unfamiliar with her. Hastily brought together, they had barely exchanged a few words and still needed time to adjust. Moreover, this matter hadn't been communicated to her in advance, so Yin Shi, as the mistress, had to speak up herself: "Master, please accept this small token of gratitude. I hope you won't find it unworthy. When chanting sutras for my concubine, please recite a few extra verses. I would be deeply grateful."
Chun Yuan swiftly took the pouch and tucked it into his sleeve, his expression and gaze sincere: "Amitabha. Filial piety is the foremost of all virtues. Rest assured, benefactor, as long as your heart is sincere, your wishes will be answered."
Of course, it would be better if the rituals and sutra recitations were performed properly. But mainly, Yin Shi hoped her life over the next year would be more convenient.
The pouch was filled with copper coins, heavy and substantial. Yin Shi felt she had shown enough sincerity.
Judging by the master's expression, her sincerity had been well received.
Yin Shi lowered her head, covering her face with her sleeve, and choked back a sob: "Thank you."
After Chun Yuan left, Gao Shuntang's wife expressed her dissatisfaction: "In the future, Miss, please discuss matters with me before taking any action."
Her husband, Gao Shuntang, was a dowry servant of Third Madam and now served Third Master, with a fairly promising future. However, she had long been without any duties, idling at home. Now that she had suddenly been assigned a task, though not particularly desirable, it was still better than staying idle at home.
Having duties meant receiving wages. Without duties, the household only provided basic rations. Thus, everyone sought assignments.
This task was expected to last a year, which wasn't too bad. However, there was little room for future development. After all, young ladies would eventually marry and leave. With limited human resources, Third Madam, as a wife of a Son of a Concubine, still had to strive and engage in household strife within this large mansion. It was unlikely she would give her own dowry servant to a daughter of a concubine.
Most likely, after this year was over, she and Fourth Miss would go their separate ways. Given this, Gao Shuntang's wife had no intention of investing too much effort. As long as nothing went wrong, it would suffice.
But seeing that Fourth Miss Yin Shi was still young, she couldn't help but feel a desire to assert control.
Yin Shi wasn't afraid of her. This was someone who had never been close to the original host.
Yin Shi only feared being discovered as an imposter by those familiar with the original host. With strangers, there was nothing to fear.
She said: "Such a trivial matter involving a bit of silver doesn't require discussion. I am capable of making decisions myself. I wouldn't want to trouble you, Mother. We can discuss important matters together later."
First impressions are crucial. Since Gao Shuntang's wife failed to assert control on her first attempt, she realized Yin Shi wasn't someone easily manipulated. She forced a dry laugh: "I'll go supervise them as they tidy up the rooms."
With that, she hurried inside first, masking her embarrassment.
Qiao Que clicked her tongue in admiration and whispered to Yin Shi: "Miss, you really know how to handle things." She hadn't noticed this before.
Yin Shi seized the opportunity to tell her: "Remember, I no longer have a concubine. You mustn't act as you did before."
Qiao Que agreed wholeheartedly, nodding: "Yes, Miss is right."
Gao Shuntang's wife called out loudly from inside the room, and Qiao Que hurried in to help.
In this era, people of status, regardless of gender, faced great inconvenience when traveling. Not only did they have to bring their own clothes, utensils, and bedding, but even chamber pots were carried from home.
Yin Shi first sat in the side room drinking tea, watching as Mother Gao, Granny Li, Qiao Que, Yunjuan, and two sturdy maids sent to assist them made the beds, arranged belongings, and organized trunks and boxes.
Once everything was settled, the male servants and sturdy maids bid farewell to Mother Gao and returned.
Gao Mama came to inform Yin Shi: "The family will send money and supplies every month, so you young ladies need not worry. I'll handle it."
Yin Shi nodded: "When the money arrives, give it to Qiao Que. You, Mama, will manage the supplies. Each of you will be responsible for your own domain—whoever's items fall short or go missing will be held accountable."
Having failed twice in a row to assert control, Gao Mama completely abandoned such thoughts. After all, they only had this one year to get through. Once they returned, Yin Shi would remain the young lady, while she herself might revert to being a woman without any duties.
Finally, she folded both hands at her waist and lowered her head: "Yes."
Thus began Yin Shi's one-year period of mourning.