The western courtyard was quiet at dusk. Dinner had just been laid out on the table—just a few simple vegetarian dishes without a trace of meat—when light, unhurried footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate.
Nanny Li entered, leading a maidservant. Her expression was gentle, her posture dignified, clearly someone who understood propriety and acted with care. The maidservant beside her kept her head lowered, but a hint of grievance was hidden in her eyes, the corners of which were still red.
“Second Miss, this old servant is Nanny Li. By the Madam’s order, I have brought Shi Yu to serve in the western courtyard. From now on, the two of us will attend to your daily needs.” Nanny Li curtsied, her tone respectful and measured.
Dongling hurriedly helped Lin Chunian to her feet, her gaze lingering on Shi Yu’s reddened eyes. She thought to herself: Could it be that she resents serving our miss, a concubine-born daughter, and cried out of grievance?
Lin Chunian nodded for the two to rise. Just as she was about to speak, Nanny Li seemed to have noticed something or perhaps feared Shi Yu might behave improperly. She called softly, “Shi Yu, go and tidy up the miss’s bedroom first. Be thorough in your work.”
Shi Yu acknowledged the order, still keeping her head lowered, and retreated quietly, her retreating figure looking somewhat forlorn.
With only the three of them left in the courtyard, Nanny Li explained softly to Lin Chunian, “Miss, please do not take offense. Shi Yu is not unwilling to serve. It is just that she originally served in the young master’s courtyard and was intended to become a tongfang. Now that she has been assigned to the western courtyard, she naturally feels aggrieved, which is why her eyes are red.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Chunian was taken aback. She thought to herself: Xiao Jueyan appears so cold and aloof, yet who would have thought he could be so flirtatious? He isn’t even married yet, but already has a tongfang maid in his courtyard. Men in ancient times truly followed their whims, taking wives, concubines, and tongfang as they pleased.
As she was silently marveling at this, footsteps sounded again outside the courtyard gate. Xiao Jueyan was walking over, followed by Chen Jing. The two stood together under the corridor. His gaze first swept over the simple vegetarian dishes on the stone table, then settled on Lin Chunian.
Dongling quickly stepped forward to greet him. “Young Master.”
Lin Chunian also stood up, keeping her eyes lowered as she properly addressed him, “Elder… Elder Brother.”
Although she had called him this a few times already, the address still did not roll off her tongue smoothly.
Xiao Jueyan’s gaze passed over Nanny Li as he spoke indifferently, “Nanny Li is an experienced servant in the household, reliable in her duties. From now on, you, along with Shi Yu and Dongling, will serve the Second Miss in the western courtyard. Be mindful of your duties and avoid any mistakes.”
Nanny Li hurriedly curtsied in response. “This old servant obeys.”
“You may leave now.” Xiao Jueyan waved his hand, dismissing Nanny Li. Only then did he step into the courtyard and speak in a calm tone, “A fortnight from now is an auspicious day. Father has decided to record you in the clan genealogy under Mother’s name, establishing you as the legitimate second daughter of the Duke’s household. At that time, uncles, aunts, and other relatives from the clan will be present. You can meet your kin.”
Lin Chunian abruptly looked up, her eyes filled with surprise and delight. From a time-traveling maidservant to a concubine-born daughter, and now about to become a legitimate daughter—she could not contain her joy. Yet, she maintained a gentle and dignified expression, curtsying as she said, “Thank you, Elder Brother, for informing me. Thank you, Father and Mother, for your favor.”
Though she did not know the Xiao family’s calculations, for her, the status of a legitimate daughter was a tangible and substantial benefit.
“There are many people in the clan. If you can’t remember who is who, don’t force yourself,” Xiao Jueyan instructed. “Just say you’ve been away from the estate for ten years and are unfamiliar with people and affairs. No one will blame you.” He turned to Dongling, “Tomorrow, be careful to clearly explain the appearances and seniority of the uncles, aunts, and other relatives to Second Miss, and don’t make any mistakes.”
Dongling hurriedly responded, “Yes, I will remember.”
Lin Chunian nodded, then thought of the awkwardness of the past few days. Her little schemes began clicking away in her mind. She raised her eyes timidly to look at Xiao Jueyan, a hint of testing hidden in her gaze: Since she was an imposter anyway, why not take this opportunity to gain something practical? She couldn’t do this job for free without any “wages,” could she?
After hesitating for a long while, she finally spoke softly, “Brother, I… as the Second Miss in the estate, do I get a monthly allowance?”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jueyan was first taken aback, then his brows furrowed slightly. Looking at her deliberately obedient appearance, with those little calculations hidden in her eyes, he found it somewhat exasperating.
“All young ladies in the estate have a standard monthly allowance.”
“Brother, I know the young ladies in the estate have a monthly allowance, but my situation is different… I’m an imposter, and I dare not make even the slightest mistake. Shouldn’t there be some extra compensation for the hardship?” Lin Chunian pursed her lips, gathering her courage to add.
The corner of Xiao Jueyan’s mouth unconsciously lifted slightly. He thought to himself: This girl is different from ordinary women. Others in this situation would only be filled with fear, but she, on the other hand, thinks about asking for a monthly allowance first. How interesting.
“From now on, I will give it to you privately. Twenty taels per month, enough for you to use.”
Twenty taels! Lin Chunian’s eyes instantly lit up. This was no small amount in ancient times. Her heart blossomed with joy, but she still maintained a gentle and graceful appearance on her face. “Thank you, Brother!”
Xiao Jueyan’s gaze swept over her plain-colored ruqun. The fabric was coarse, and she wore only a simple silver hairpin in her hair, which was quite unsuitable for the status of the Second Miss of the Jun Gong Estate. His brows furrowed again, and he called out to Chen Jing outside the courtyard, “Chen Jing.”
Chen Jing quickly entered and bowed, “Young Master.”
“Allocate one hundred taels of silver to Second Miss. Tomorrow, have Dongling accompany her and take the people from the courtyard to the capital’s Jinxiu Pavilion and cosmetic shops to buy some clothing and jewelry. Her daily attire should also be appropriate,” Xiao Jueyan instructed, then looked at Lin Chunian. “If she dresses too shabbily, it will only raise suspicion.”
Lin Chunian felt delighted inside. This Xiao Jueyan, though appearing cold and stern, was quite considerate—not only giving her a monthly allowance but also taking care of her wardrobe. This job as an imposter concubine-born daughter wasn’t too bad after all. She quickly curtsied in thanks, “Thank you, Brother, for your concern. I will remember.”
Xiao Jueyan looked at her beaming, joy-filled expression and felt an inexplicable lightness in his heart. “In half a month, it will be the day to record your name in the clan genealogy. At that time, all the uncles, aunts, and cousins will be there. Don’t be nervous; just do as I said. Dongling, take good care of your young lady.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
With that, Xiao Jueyan turned and left.
Dongling leaned close to Lin Chunian, her face full of surprise. “Miss! The Young Master actually gave one hundred taels for clothing and twenty taels monthly allowance! We can save money from now on!”
Lin Chunian smiled and took a bite of rice, thinking to herself: One hundred taels is enough to buy quite a few beautiful clothes, and there’s also the monthly allowance. First, make sure the surface appearances are perfect, get familiar with the rules of the Jun Gong Estate, then plan for other opportunities. Life won’t be too bad.