January, just after the New Year, and the chill in the capital had yet to fade. Commoners living along the streets were busy clearing the accumulated snow from their doorsteps.
“Even in this freezing weather, there are so many people out. The capital is truly prosperous.” Yun Qiya leaned against the carriage window lattice, looking left and right. Her face was flushed red from the cold, but she refused to lower the curtain. She turned to Wen Yuxiu, who sat beside her. “Mother, are we really going to stay in the capital for good?”
Wen Yuxiu reached out and stroked her daughter’s head. Her eyes were deep with thought, but when she saw her daughter looking over, she forced a smile. “That’s right.”
Yun Zhongsheng, sitting across from them, leaned forward and poked his head between his wife and daughter. He winked and whispered, “We’ll be home soon. Do you remember everything your mother and I told you before we entered the city?”
Hearing this, Yun Qiya lowered the curtain and nodded with a beam. “Don’t you worry, Father. With me on the job, I definitely won’t drag you down.”
She pulled out a small hand mirror and adjusted the ornaments in her hair. She had spent the morning specifically styling her hair in a way that elders would find endearing.
“Father, of the four of us, who is better at making people like them than my sister?” Yun Luoqing lounged in the corner of the carriage, his crown tilted sideways and his posture utterly lacking in decorum. “You can put your heart back in your chest.”
“That’s true.” Yun Zhongsheng glanced at his daughter’s face, then tucked his hands into his sleeves and turned to look at his son’s crooked crown. “And you—fix yourself up.”
“Say less, the Marquis’s residence is right in front of us.” Wen Yuxiu glanced at the father and son. “Buckle down and don’t mess things up.”
“Mhm, mhm.” Yun Qiya tucked her mirror away. “We’re almost out of money!”
If they didn’t go home and win over their grandfather and grandmother to secure some food and spending money, their family of four would be left whistling for their supper.
Inside the main hall of the Chengping Marquisate Manor, the Marquis of Chengping and The Old Madam sat at the head of the room. They appeared calm, but their eyes drifted toward the gate from time to time, and they sipped their tea frequently.
The First Wife sat below them, maintaining a dignified smile and remaining silent. Only when she turned toward the door did her brow furrow slightly.
The second brother’s family had been away from the capital for nearly ten years under the guise of traveling. Usually, they only sent back paltry gifts, yet they managed to charm the old couple into beaming smiles. Now that they were back, they would likely charm the elders until they didn’t know which way was up.
“They’re back!”
A joyful shout suddenly erupted from outside. The silent manor was like a stagnant pond suddenly fed by fresh spring water; it became lively in an instant.
Rules of the estate and family etiquette suddenly seemed unimportant. Even the usually cool and prestigious mother-in-law stood up with the help of her maid, her eyes burning as she stared at the entrance.
“Madam.” Nanny Yao, her dowry wet nurse, gently tugged at her sleeve. The First Wife snapped back to her senses, walked to The Old Madam’s side, and supported her other arm.
She was just about to offer a few words of comfort to her mother-in-law when she saw a grey shadow sweep in like a gale and thud onto his knees before The Old Madam.
“Father, Mother! Your son has been unfilial and returned home late!”
As soon as he knelt, Wen Yuxiu, who followed him in, knelt as well.
The First Wife looked down at her hem, which had been ruffled by the wind, and forced a stiff smile.
This family was finally back.
She looked up at the sky; today’s clouds seemed even gloomier than usual.
“What is this for? Everyone, get up.” The Old Marquis kept a stern face as he hauled his son off the ground. Yun Zhongsheng wiped away tears with his sleeve while simultaneously helping his wife up, sobbing, “Your son has not seen Father and Mother for so long; I simply couldn’t contain my emotions.”
Hearing this, The Old Madam’s face filled with heartache, and she hurried the maids to prepare a meal.
“Where are Qiya and Luoqing?” The Old Madam fretted over her grandchildren, her gaze searching past the couple’s shoulders.
“Grandmother, your granddaughter is here.” A young girl dressed in a goose-yellow skirt and a fox-fur cloak entered the main hall alongside a refined gentleman in a green robe and jade crown. Both looked at the elders with eyes full of adoration.
The moment the girl removed her cloak, The First Wife felt as though the entire room had brightened.
Before leaving the capital years ago, this niece had been as adorable as a jade carving, like a child from a fairy tale. Now, she was even more beautiful.
She was the kind of beautiful that made men, women, the young, and the old unable to help but feel a sense of fondness.
Upon seeing her granddaughter, The Old Madam’s gaze never strayed to anyone else. She took Yun Qiya’s hand, preventing her from kneeling in greeting. “You must be exhausted from the journey; don’t bother with those formal rules. You were so young when you left, and now you’ve grown so much.”
Yun Qiya affectionately hugged The Old Madam’s arm and swayed gently, leaning her head against her. “Mother and Father always told me that my eyes looked just like yours. They really do.”
“Your parents are right. Your eyes do share a resemblance with your grandmother’s.” The Old Marquis nodded. He usually spoke loudly and harshly, but now he softened his voice, trying his best to maintain a kind expression. “When your grandmother was young, she was a famous beauty in the capital.”
The Old Madam gave the Old Marquis a playful, smiling glance. Her gaze lingered for a moment on the Golden Leaf Hairpin in Yun Qiya’s hair, and the smile on her lips deepened. She had sent those hairpins to her last year; it seemed her granddaughter liked them very much.
“Was she even more famous than Grandmother’s calligraphy and paintings?” Yun Qiya looked up, her face full of curiosity. “I only knew that Grandmother’s work was worth its weight in gold. One day, while my brother and I were out in Yun Prefecture, we heard that someone stayed in the capital for nearly a hundred days just to obtain one of Grandmother’s pieces.”
As she spoke, her face was filled with pride.
Seeing this, Nanny Yao glanced at The First Wife with concern. Those words confirmed The Old Madam’s youthful beauty while highlighting her talent, all delivered with that expression of pure pride…
If she were The Old Madam, she would probably be treating the girl like her own heart and soul by now.
Young Miss Qiya was so skilled at flattery at such a young age. If they lived together for long, wouldn’t the second branch squeeze the first branch out entirely?
Nanny Yao’s suspicion was correct. The Old Madam was indeed charmed into a state of bliss. Just a moment ago, she had called her “Qiya,” but now it had turned into the affectionate “Yaya.”
Nanny Yao felt a sense of injustice for her mistress. A girl of sixteen or seventeen wasn’t a child of six or seven; why call her “Yaya”? Why not just call her “darling” while she was at it?
“My darling, how can you be so thoughtful? Leave the tea to the servants.” The Old Madam held the tea Yun Qiya had poured as if it were nectar from the heavens. “Tell Grandmother what you want for lunch; I’ll have the kitchen make whatever you like.”
Nanny Yao stood frozen. She really did call her “darling”?
“As long as I can eat with Grandfather and Grandmother, anything will taste delicious.” Yun Qiya stuck close to The Old Madam like a piece of sweet candy.
Nanny Yao lowered her eyes. Miss Qiya was the only granddaughter in the entire Marquis’s residence. With such flattering methods, the second branch would surely take every advantage in the future.
Just as she was thinking this, she saw Miss Qiya look toward The First Wife. Nanny Yao immediately tensed up.
Had the mansion intrigue already begun the moment the second branch returned? She, Nanny Yao, was no pushover; she would certainly protect The First Wife.
“Is this Cousin Song who is staying with us?” Yun Qiya rose and performed a courtesy. “I was so excited to see Grandfather and Grandmother that I failed to greet you, Sister. Please forgive me.”
The First Wife was stunned.
Sister Song? Her?
“Nonsense,” Wen Yuxiu scolded. “This is your Eldest Aunt! When you were little, she took great care of you. How can you not recognize her? Quickly, apologize to her!”
“I have been disrespectful.” Yun Qiya looked at The First Wife’s face in disbelief, then hurriedly performed a deep bow in a panic. “I saw how young you looked, Aunt, and thought you were Sister Song. Please forgive me.”
Cousin Song was The First Wife’s niece, and she was currently only twenty-three.
“Sister-in-law, Qiya was only six or seven when she left. We haven’t seen each other in years; it’s no fault of hers if she doesn’t remember my face. Why be so harsh?” The First Wife smilingly helped the apologetic Yun Qiya up. The stiff, distant smile from before had been replaced with genuine warmth.
“I only have two troublesome boys. Now that we finally have a beautiful and lovely girl in the house, I only wish she were my own daughter.” The First Wife patted Yun Qiya’s hand and tucked a hand warmer into her arms. “The capital is cold; don’t let yourself catch a chill.”
She might not like her brother-in-law and his wife, but their daughter was truly a diamond in the rough.
Perhaps she was simply born with a fondness for beautiful, lovely, and honest young girls.
Mistaking her for her niece was hardly a crime for a sixteen or seventeen-year-old. Why was the second sister-in-law being so strict? Did she think the First Wife was some petty, narrow-minded person?
“Thank you, Eldest Aunt.” Yun Qiya held the hand warmer, her eyes sparkling with joy. She seemed to want to act spoiled toward The First Wife but held back for fear of her mother’s reprimand, leaving her looking at the First Wife with puppy-dog eyes.
The First Wife’s heart softened at that gaze. Before lunch had even begun, the bracelet on her wrist and the gold hairpin in her hair had already been transferred to Yun Qiya.
When lunch was served, Nanny Yao watched Miss Qiya sitting beside The Old Madam—even closer than the First Wife—and grit her teeth. To make The Old Madam happy, her mistress had even given up her favorite jewelry. She was truly enduring humiliation for the greater good.
The meal was very lively. The Marquis’s residence usually followed the rule of “no speaking while eating,” but that had long been replaced by laughter. Yun Qiya chatted with the elders about interesting things that happened outside the capital while frequently serving them food.
The First Wife looked at the food Yun Qiya had placed in her bowl. Before Nanny Yao could swap it out, she put it in her mouth.
Nanny Yao took a deep breath. Her mistress was indeed the one with the most composure; she herself was being too flighty.
After lunch, the second branch stayed in the main hall to chat with the elders. Knowing they had much to say, The First Wife took the initiative to find an excuse to leave.
“Eldest Aunt.” Yun Qiya escorted her all the way to the courtyard gate before stopping, saying reluctantly, “Please walk safely.”
“Go back inside, it’s cold out.” The First Wife noticed she wasn’t wearing her cloak and urged her back into the house.
“Alright, I’ll listen to Eldest Aunt.” Yun Qiya looked back every three steps, only returning inside after a long while.
Once the girl was out of sight, Nanny Yao whispered, “Madam, I see that Miss Qiya’s methods are extraordinary. She managed to win over The Old Madam so quickly; we must be on our guard.”
“Nanny,” The First Wife said, disagreeing. “Qiya has a pure and honest heart. Do not make wild accusations.”
She was just a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl who happened to be beautiful. What could possibly be bad about her?
Nanny Yao: “…”
Wait, what?!
Just last night, hadn’t she said the second branch loved using sweet words to deceive people? Why had the tune changed today?