Li Lianniang was momentarily stunned—this was the first time someone had spoken to her like this.
She shook her head and said, “Your daughter-in-law believes that Mother must have her reasons for arranging things this way.”
“…” She didn’t. She simply had the shallow thought of wanting to see whether the female lead and the supporting female character would inevitably clash.
Zhao Xian pursed her lips and explained a bit more: “You’ve been busy with household affairs these days, and I’ve noticed your mood has been good, with no time to dwell on messy people or matters. So, I thought of applying this method to Tingyue. She’s been immersed in grief over the loss of her father and brother, and too much sorrow and worry will harm her health.”
Hearing the explanation, Li Lianniang’s expression instantly relaxed. “Mother, rest assured, your daughter-in-law will guide Miss Cui well.”
So easy to reassure.
Upon learning that she was to learn household management from Li Lianniang, Cui Tingyue was even more astonished. “Mother, this… this isn’t appropriate, is it?”
Zhao Xian only intended for her to learn, not to delegate authority. She said, “Didn’t you say your birth mother passed away early? Then surely no one taught you how to manage a household. I’m getting older and just want to play with my granddaughter. As the eldest sister-in-law, you are like a mother. From now on, learn more from your sister-in-law. When you marry in the future, you won’t be at a loss.”
Cui Tingyue swallowed, suppressing the lump in her throat. Her eyes reddened slightly. “Thank you for your guidance, Mother. Tingyue will diligently learn from Sister-in-law.”
Li Lianniang took Cui Tingyue away. Managing a household wasn’t just about sitting and reviewing account books—it also required regular inspections, and some matters even needed personal oversight.
Coincidentally, in a few days, Princess Chang’s residence was hosting a Shanghua Yan. While other invitations could be declined, this one was difficult to refuse.
Zhao Xian entrusted the task of preparing the gifts for the visit to Li Lianniang.
This was also the first step in her taking over household management authority.
Nanny He went along as well, partly because Cui Tingyue was new to household management and might not command the respect of the servants below, and partly to assist and offer guidance on the side.
Shaoyao took Nanny He’s place, attending to Zhao Xian. “Madam, look, Xiu Jie’er is pursing her lips. So adorable.”
Zhao Xian leaned over and saw Jiang Shuxiu’s little mouth puckering and unpuckering, as if trying hard to speak.
Zhao Xian took out a small hanging golden gourd to tease her. “Grandmother thinks this little gourd matches our Xiu Jie’er’s outfit today. Grandmother will tie it on for Xiu Jie’er.”
The little one instantly stopped pursing her lips, her eyes fixed on the small golden gourd—even easier to reassure than her mother.
Shaoyao served tea beside her. She truly couldn’t understand why the madam would place the eldest young madam and Miss Cui together.
In the past, they all knew this would have been impossible.
Not only was the eldest young madam not favored by the madam, but Miss Cui also didn’t earn much affection from her.
She had overheard the madam mentioning more than once to Nanny He:
‘There are many ways to repay a favor—why bring someone into the residence? It’s hard to send them away without causing gossip.
Just wait, trouble is bound to arise.’
To avoid complications in the past, the madam rarely saw Miss Cui. Now, she had actually arranged for her to learn household management from the eldest young madam.
Li Lianniang and Cui Tingyue got along without any conflicts or the kind of drama seen in tragic novels.
This was likely because Jiang Wei wasn’t home.
For some unknown reason, Jiang Wei, who had only been recording cases at Dali Si, suddenly got the opportunity to accompany his superior on an official trip.
The destination wasn’t far, and he was expected to return home in about five or six days.
On the third day of Jiang Wei’s absence, the steward sent to fetch guests from the eldest young madam’s maternal family sent back a message:
The Li family’s madam and young miss, along with their accompanying servants, had already disembarked from the passenger ship. It would take about eight or nine days on foot to reach Jin’an.
Nanny He immediately brought out the previously selected suitable dates for hosting the Manyue Jiu, pointing to one of them and saying, “Madam, Eldest Young Madam, this date is good. After the in-laws arrive, they can still rest for a couple of days.”
Zhao Xian looked over all the dates before and after, and indeed, only this one was the most suitable. Any later would be too far off, so she nodded: “Let’s set this date. Have the accounting office arrange for someone to fill in the dates on the invitations completely, then send them out to the various households.”
Nanny He: “Alright.”
Zhao Xian continued the topic from earlier, but after speaking for a while, she realized Li Lianniang hadn’t listened to a single word.
“Lianniang, Lianniang—”
“Ah? Mother, what did you say?”
Zhao Xian looked at the distracted Li Lianniang and repeated what she had just said: “I said, tomorrow you and I will go to Princess Chang’s residence to attend the Shanghua Yan. Wear the outfit the embroidery workshop just delivered. Try it on to see if it fits; if not, have the seamstress adjust it quickly. Wear the set of jewelry I gave you during your confinement month.”
It was time to take this opportunity to clarify the rumors outside and also build momentum for the upcoming Manyue Jiu.
Based on the original body’s memories, in Jin’an, these noble and influential families would make a grand celebration for the birth of a firstborn son or grandson. But if it was a daughter or granddaughter, they would only invite close family, and some wouldn’t even host a Manyue Jiu or entertain guests.
Li Lianniang nodded: “Alright, your daughter-in-law understands.”
Since Cui Tingyue was still in mourning and couldn’t go out to attend the Shanghua Yan, Zhao Xian had arranged some tasks for her and now needed to give her some instructions.
When she turned back, she noticed Li Lianniang was still not in the right state of mind. Zhao Xian asked, “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Li Lianniang managed the household, and according to Nanny He’s evaluation, she was quite capable. She wasn’t the type to become arrogant after gaining authority, and her attitude was very serious.
She had been fine in the morning, but now Li Lianniang seemed noticeably absent-minded, as if something was weighing on her heart.
Li Lianniang was stunned for a moment, then forced a smile and shook her head: “No.”
“If not, that’s good. If you encounter any issues, remember to ask me. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. By the way, your mother and sister are coming. Where do you plan to arrange for them to stay?”
“Xiequ Pavilion.”
Zhao Xian was still thinking about the empty courtyards around Yunzhu Yuan when she heard Li Lianniang blurt out a name.
After thinking for a while, she vaguely remembered that Xiequ Pavilion was quite far from Yunzhu Yuan.
But since Li Lianniang already had a plan in mind, Zhao Xian didn’t interfere and said, “Alright. After we return from the Shanghua Yan, you can make the arrangements. If anything is missing, take it from the storeroom.”
Li Lianniang nodded, looking at her mother-in-law’s profile as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. She hadn’t expected the visitors from the Li family to be them.
But then she thought, since they were only coming for Xiu Jie’er’s Manyue Jiu, they probably wouldn’t stay for too long.
Early the next morning.
When Li Lianniang came to pay her respects, Zhao Xian circled around her twice.
From her hair accessories to her clothes and shoes, she examined every detail carefully.
Li Lianniang shrank back slightly: “Mother, is… is there something inappropriate about your daughter-in-law?”
Zhao Xian reached out to adjust the hairpin on her head and said with satisfaction, “Perfect. Cheer up. Remember, you are the Eldest Young Madam of Jiang Jia, representing the Jiang family. There’s no room for timidity. Let’s go.”
Though she said this, in truth, Zhao Xian herself wasn’t entirely confident.
The original host wasn’t particularly fond of banquets, preferring a quiet life at home. If not for the fact that the invitation from Princess Chang’s residence was difficult to decline, she would have preferred not to go out.
The carriage arrived at the gates of Princess Chang’s residence, entering through a side gate and stopping only at the Chui Hua Gate.
A maid brought out a veiled hat and helped her mistress put it on.
As the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were being assisted down from the carriage by their maids, a matron dressed in a tea-brown cross-collar robe hurried down the steps to greet them:
“Madam Jiang, what a rare guest. This old servant serves by Princess Chang’s side, surnamed Chen. I received orders from Princess Chang early this morning to wait here for you.”
Her attitude was neither subservient nor arrogant, her tone neither haughty nor fawning.
Zhao Xian seemed to have been triggered by some switch. Even with the veiled hat on, she immediately wore a proper smile on her face and spoke in a dignified tone, “Princess Chang has gone to such trouble. Please lead the way, Matron Chen.”
As she finished speaking, she felt a hint of confusion.
Usually, when someone sent a close attendant to receive guests, it was either because the relationship was particularly close or because the guest’s status was higher than that of the host’s family.
Zhao Xian fit neither category, so why had Princess Chang sent her personal matron to wait for her at the gate?
Puzzled, she followed Matron Chen to the Hua Ting in the rear courtyard of Princess Chang’s residence, where they were to pay their respects to the princess first.
As they approached the Hua Ting, Matron Chen slowed her pace and turned her head slightly to remind them, “Madam Jiang, there are no unrelated men here. Please remove your veiled hat and show your true face to Princess Chang.”
Understanding her meaning, Zhao Xian stopped, and her maid stepped forward to remove the veiled hat.
The moment Li Lianniang’s face was revealed, a flicker of surprise flashed in Matron Chen’s eyes.
Though she quickly concealed it, Zhao Xian had caught it.
It was no joke—Li Lianniang was the female lead. Though she had suffered physical and emotional torment and often wallowed in self-pity in the novel, no female lead lacked in looks.
Especially since Li Lianniang had been nourished with food and medicine during her postpartum period, her vitality was restored, and she appeared radiant and poised.
These days, she had also been managing the household, which had boosted her confidence.
Her every gesture and movement was entirely different from before, when her brows were always furrowed with worry, giving her a bitter appearance.
The closer they got to the Hua Ting, the tighter Li Lianniang clung to Zhao Xian.
Realizing she was afraid, Zhao Xian remembered that the original host had rarely taken Li Lianniang out. It was a normal reaction to suddenly find herself in an unfamiliar environment.
“It’s alright,” Zhao Xian reassured her while offering her arm.
Li Lianniang instinctively reached out and held onto it, her earlier worries instantly vanishing as her heart settled.
They weren’t the earliest to arrive. The Hua Ting was already filled with many ladies and young misses, and their chatter could be heard from outside.
“The wife of the Tongzhengshi and her daughter-in-law, Madam Jiang née Li, have arrived.”
As the eunuch’s announcement echoed, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law reached the entrance of the Hua Ting. The chatter inside abruptly ceased, and dozens of pairs of eyes turned toward them.
Sensing Li Lianniang’s tightening grip, Zhao Xian gently patted the back of her hand to soothe her.
Under the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, Zhao Xian remained composed and calm, leading Li Lianniang step by step into the Hua Ting.
However, Princess Chang was not present in the Hua Ting.
Seeing the person seated at the head of the room, Zhao Xian felt every cell in her body tense up, and she straightened her back.
“Matron Chen? Where is Princess Chang?” Zhao Xian asked, turning to the matron who had led them.
Matron Chen smiled and explained, “Princess Chang is feeling unwell. The Shanghua Yan is temporarily being overseen by Princess Rongyang.”
Author’s Note: