Yun Zheng would never forget: in her past life, the Pingxi household had always suppressed her; her name never entered the family genealogy.
Before her death, Jiang Wenzhou had held Ye Yizhen and sneered: “Does a merchant’s daughter reeking of copper deserve to be on our genealogy?”
That lofty arrogance was nauseating. She didn’t care about being on their genealogy—but the humiliation and fury burned into her memory.
These people despised the Yun family’s “stench of money,” yet spent Yun family wealth without complaint. Why didn’t they find the money dirty?
They ate meat from her bowl, then cursed her family—a pack of dogs that devoured without spitting out bones.
“Then don’t put me on. Just don’t come begging me later. If you do, I’ll despise you for it.”
Her words were cutting. The Marchioness gnashed her teeth in hatred.
“You’re dreaming.”
Marquis Pingxi saw the situation spiraling out of control again and quickly tried to rein it in. “Enough. We’ll choose an auspicious day for the ancestral hall, then enter the genealogy together.”
“Wenzhou, you’re a grown man. A few scratches and you wail like a ghost. Aren’t you ashamed?”
Jiang Wenzhou nearly spat blood. Was this really his father?
During the recognition ceremony, Yun Zheng’s gifts disappointed everyone. For the men, all she gave were calligraphy supplies; for the women, plain handkerchiefs. The materials were ordinary, of little value.
Even the Marquis couple received the same. As for Jiang Wenzhou—nothing at all.
One of the elder aunts was displeased. She had hoped to profit from the richest family’s daughter. “This is all you give? You’re the daughter of the empire’s wealthiest house. Such stingy gifts—aren’t you afraid of disgracing the Yun family?”
In her past life, Yun Zheng had prepared lavish gifts. But when she fell into hardship, not one person had helped her, not a single word spoken in her defense.
So now she spoke solemn nonsense: “I had prepared generous gifts. But Nnany Ji reminded me that as a younger sister‑in‑law, it is improper to outshine the elder sister‑in‑law. This is an unwritten rule.”
The hall fell silent. All eyes turned toward Ye Yizhen.
Ye Yizhen was a pauper, living off the Marquis household. Her food and clothing were provided by them. Even her dowry had been cobbled together from Jiang Wenzhou’s private savings, just for appearances. In other words, Jiang Wenzhou paid for all the gifts she gave today.
Ye Yizhen’s face flushed crimson; she wished she could crawl into a hole. Inside, she seethed with hatred. Why drag me out? Why step on me?
Yun Zheng smiled faintly. “See? Whatever elder sister gives, I follow suit. Never crossing the line.” She even asked deliberately: “Marquis, did I do right?”
Marquis Pingxi’s chest ached with anger. Such a cunning girl. He ground his teeth, forcing a smile. “Yes. Very well done.”
Yun Zheng realized that the once‑lofty Marquis had weaknesses. As long as she grasped them, everything was negotiable.
Then a sweet voice rang out. “Second Sister‑in‑law, I want the Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Jade Set from Qianzhen Pavilion. Give it to me as my coming‑of‑age gift.”
This was Jiang Mingyue, the Marquis couple’s only legitimate daughter. She looked innocent and lovely, but Yun Zheng alone knew her greed. She opened her mouth to demand a treasure worth ten thousand gold—the shop’s heirloom piece. Such thick skin. In her past life, she had done the same: speak her desire, and force others to hand it over. And with such plundered Yun family wealth, she had married into a prince’s household, enjoying glory and riches.
Yun Zheng glanced at her coolly. Her clothes were last year’s style, her jewelry refurbished. Clearly, the Marquis household was truly impoverished.
“No. That’s my family’s heirloom, not for sale. If you really like it, have your mother commission a copy. The Marquis household isn’t short of money.”
“A noble daughter of the Marquis, opening her mouth to demand treasures worth thousands—it’s improper, against decorum. If word spreads, it will sound ugly. It’s not that I refuse, but for your own good. Surely you understand?”
Understand? Nonsense! Jiang Mingyue knew her family’s situation better than anyone. Her dowry hadn’t even been settled yet. Her face darkened. This wasn’t what her parents had promised. They had said once Yun Zheng entered the household, her dowry would be hers to pick first. She opened her mouth to curse—but seeing Nanny Ji, she swallowed the words. She still aimed to marry high. She could not afford to offend anyone from the palace. After all, whatever she wanted would naturally be delivered into her hands—why rush?
Jiang Wenyun, the Marchioness’s youngest son, pampered since birth, had attended a few years of school and fancied himself cultured. “Second Sister‑in‑law, those paintings by Master Zhang at Bao Cui Studio—could you lend them to me for a few days to admire?”
He looked refined and lofty, but in truth he was wasteful, obsessed with rare manuscripts and famous paintings—extravagant hobbies.
In her past life, when the Marquis household plundered her dowry, he seized many rare works. With them, he befriended scholars, was lifted into circles of influence, married a princess, and lived as a wealthy idler.
Qianzhen Pavilion and Bao Cui Studio were Yun family businesses. Yun Zheng refused without hesitation. “No. If they were damaged, you’d have to compensate. If I didn’t let you pay, I’d feel wronged and might speak out. Then your reputation would suffer. Who would you blame?”
Jiang Wenyun frowned, displeased. “We’re family. Talking about money is vulgar.”
Yun Zheng retorted bluntly. “Not money—feelings, then? Do we have any? You’re my husband’s younger brother. Talking about feelings with me—are you mad? You… don’t have some perverse hobby, do you? Like fancying incest between brother-in-law and sister‑in‑law?”
She turned to Ye Yizhen with a mocking smile. “Elder Sister‑in‑law, you’re soft and delicate like a little white rabbit. Men love that. Be careful—you might already be targeted by a perverted younger brother.”
She was ruthless—whoever came, she struck. One or two, she cut them down the same way—indiscriminate fire.
The Marquis household: speechless.
Ye Yizhen’s face changed, instinctively stepping back.
Jiang Wenyun’s face turned green. Can’t provoke her. Better not.
The Marquis couple exchanged grave looks.
Marquis Pingxi cleared his throat, changing the subject. “Yizhen, Ah Zheng, now that you’ve entered the Marquis household, you must shoulder its responsibilities. Your mother’s health has always been poor. This wedding has exhausted her. She needs rest. From now on, you must help manage household affairs.”
Ye Yizhen answered gently. “Yes, Father. Rest assured.”
The Marchioness’s eyes flickered. “Yun Zheng, I had thought to let you oversee household management. But you said you would learn from your elder sister, never overstep her. Then the authority of stewardship will go to her. You have no objection, do you?”
Managing the household was not only power but prestige. Who wouldn’t want it? They believed Yun Zheng, competitive by nature, would fight for it—falling into their carefully laid trap. Provocation was subtler than invitation.
The Marchioness was confident. But she hadn’t realized Yun Zheng already knew the Marquis household was outwardly grand but inwardly impoverished. Stewardship was a pitfall.
“No objection.”
The household froze, stunned. She didn’t take the bait? How could that be?
Ye Yizhen’s eyes shifted, her smile sweet. “Sister‑in‑law, if I should neglect anything, please forgive me.”
But Yun Zheng saw through them all. “Fine. Just know—if you neglect me, I’ll make a scene.”
Silence fell.
Ye Yizhen smiled even more tenderly. “Why not manage together? United as sisters‑in‑law, we’ll make the household flourish, showing the world our abilities.”
Yun Zheng arched her brow. “How do we manage together?”
Ye Yizhen spoke gently, like a virtuous matron. “I know the social networks of the capital’s households well. I’ll handle external relations and social affairs. You’ll manage the household’s internal matters. Whatever you don’t know, I’ll teach you with all my effort.”
By handling external affairs, she could build goodwill and secure her position as mistress. Managing internal affairs, however, was no easy task—the Marquis household had nearly a thousand people, and their expenses alone were overwhelming.
Everyone praised her.
“Yizhen has the bearing of an elder sister‑in‑law. Truly the right daughter‑in‑law.”
“Zhen’er, you’re so kind and generous. Marrying you was the Jiang family’s blessing.”
The Marchioness smiled, sealing the arrangement. “Then it’s decided. Yizhen will manage external affairs; Yun Zheng, internal. You must work together, so the household has no worries.” She handed over a token.“Yun Zheng, take this. From today, all food, drink, and daily matters are under your charge.”
Faces lit with smiles. They already imagined Yun Zheng, the “fool,” taking on the mess, pouring her dowry into the household, while they enjoyed luxury and ease.
But would things go as they wished?