Lin Shuyi’s cousin married the Assistant Chancellor of State.
The Assistant Chancellor was known in court as the “Vice Prime Minister”—a man of immense authority and influence. Yet during court session, he was impeached for forming political factions and accepting bribes.
His property was confiscated, his household imprisoned, and the family sentenced to exile.
All within a single day.
Lin Shuyi’s cousin had been married for less than three days before she was thrown into prison, falling from heaven straight into hell.
That night, at the hour of Hai, Lin Shuyi invited Lin Jingchu to accompany her to the main courtyard to pay respects to Madam Xia.
Upon hearing the news, Lin Shuyi’s face turned pale.
“Just a few days ago, I was still helping Cousin prepare her dowry. She’s only sixteen…”
Madam Xia’s expression was equally grim.
“The affairs of the court are not things you girls need to concern yourselves with. These are troubled times. Recently, I’ve been carefully looking into suitable marriages for both of you.”
At the mention of marriage, Lin Shuyi seemed weighed down by worry.
Lin Jingchu quietly spoke up.
“Mother, I’m not as capable as an Elder Sister when it comes to managing a household. I only hope to marry into a wealthy family and live a peaceful life.”
Rather than forcing herself to struggle upward, she preferred to give herself a break.
She understood clearly that her status did not allow her to remain unmarried and live alone. Since marriage was inevitable, she might as well choose the best option within her abilities.
Xia Ning glanced at her.
“How wealthy are we talking?”
Lin Jingchu answered honestly,
“Preferably a family with great wealth and status… and with both parents already deceased. That way I wouldn’t have to suffer under a mother-in-law.”
Ideally, the husband would also be hanging onto life by a thread so she could practically live alone.
Originally, she had thought she could rely on Marquis Manor and enjoy a few peaceful years. But now she realized the Marquis Manor itself wasn’t necessarily secure.
Better to become the master of her own household.
A second-rank official could be imprisoned and exiled at a moment’s notice. In her previous life, while she hadn’t been particularly rich, she had still lived in peaceful times and never endured true hardship.
She absolutely did not want to be exiled.
“You ridiculous girl!” Xia Ning scolded angrily. “Then if you have children in the future, and your son marries, you’ll become a mother-in-law yourself. Should you go die too?”
Lin Jingchu remained shameless.
“I won’t die. But I can behave like I’m dead and avoid causing trouble for my daughter-in-law.”
Lin Shuyi glanced at them thoughtfully.
“What Little Sister says… isn’t entirely unreasonable.”
Xia Ning glared at her.
“How have you become corrupted too?!”
The maids serving nearby exchanged amused smiles.
Ever since Lin Jingchu arrived at the Marquis Manor, there had rarely been such a relaxed atmosphere.
That night, at the Zhang residence—
Zhang Zhaoming calmly announced a piece of news shocking enough to shake the entire family.
“I want to marry the Second Young Lady of the Pingyang Marquis Manor.”
Madam Cui was currently organizing Zhang Zhaoming’s belongings for his upcoming departure to Huzhou with one of her trusted servants. Hearing this, she froze.
“Wasn’t the girl you were supposed to meet today their eldest daughter?”
What exactly was going on with the mistress of the Marquis Manor?
Recently, rumors had spread everywhere that the Lu family had removed their legitimate daughter from the family register and sent her to the Pingyang Marquis Manor. Madam Cui had heard all about it.
Could it be that the Marquis Manor’s mistress favored her biological daughter and secretly swapped the marriage candidates?
Fearing her son—who had never experienced the scheming battles of inner courtyards—might be deceived by such dirty tricks; she carefully explained everything she knew.
Madam Cui frowned.
“I had originally heard that after Madam Xia married the family, she treated her stepdaughter well. Yet even in a matter as important as matchmaking, she still shows favoritism. Clearly, she’s not a woman of upright character.”
Zhang Zhaoming replied calmly,
“Mother, speaking ill of others behind their backs is not the conduct of a gentleman.”
Madam Cui cut directly to the point.
“Is the Second Young Lady of the Marquis Manor very beautiful?”
Zhang Zhaoming fell silently.
Lin Jingchu was naturally beautiful.
But whether he answered yes or no, neither response would fully capture what he truly felt, so he simply said nothing.
In only three short months, they had accidentally crossed paths three times.
After each encounter, he always found himself wanting to look at her a little longer… and speak with her a little more.
If he truly had to marry someone, the first person who appeared in his mind was Lin Jingchu.
And that feeling only grew stronger with time.
He had never been someone prone to hesitation.
He would soon depart for Huzhou, where his post would keep him for at least three years. Who knew when he would next return to the capital?
Better to settle the matter of marriage now.
Madam Cui suddenly felt as though the sky had collapsed.
“I’ll trouble Mother to handle the marriage arrangements. This is the bride-price list I’ve prepared. Everything on it will come from my personal treasure. Not a single coin from the family accounts will be used.”
Zhang Zhaoming placed a sheet of paper onto the table.
The large page was densely filled with neat small-script calligraphy from top to bottom. Some of the ink at the very end was not even dry yet.
Madam Cui’s eyelids twitched violently.
He had clearly come fully prepared.
For the sons of great aristocratic families, before inheriting control of the clan, there were only two things the family could use to restrain them:
Money.
And power.
She truly had no idea where this son of hers—who spent all day reading books—had acquired so much wealth.
Now Zhang Zhaoming was already the top scholar and favored by the emperor. At only twenty-something years old, he already held a fifth-rank post.
Even if he accomplished nothing else, he would likely rise to first-rank officials before the age of fifty. Perhaps the family itself would one day depend on him.
“Fine. In a few days, I’ll visit the Marquis Manor and ask their intentions.”
Madam Cui felt utterly powerless, yet she had no choice.
Zhang Zhaoming nodded.
“Thank you, Mother.”
The next day.
At the hour of Chou, Lin Shuyi had already arrived outside Lin Jingchu’s courtyard.
Nurse Zhou tugged at Lin Jingchu’s arm.
“My lady, it’s time to go greet Madam. Eldest Young Lady has already been waiting outside.”
The moment Nurse Zhou released her, Lin Jingchu collapsed back onto the bed.
Her head buzzed.
Three in the morning?
Before even the chickens were awake, they were already paying morning respects!
One reason Lin Jingchu admired Lin Shuyi so much was precisely because every single morning, Lin Shuyi came at the hour of Chou to bring her to greet Xia Ning.
“So lazy,” Nurse Zhou laughed helplessly. “What will you do after you get married?”
Recently, Lin Jingchu had been sleeping early—practically as soon as the sky darkened, around seven or eight in the evening. Technically, she got enough sleep.
After dawdling for a while until the drowsiness faded, she finally accepted her fate and got up to dress.
Nurse Zhou arranged her hair into an elegant peony coiffure.
A quarter hour later, Lin Jingchu emerged while yawning.
In the main hall, Lin Shuyi was already wearing full makeup. Her cyan dress embroidered with orchid branches looked refined and graceful.
Lin Jingchu lowered her head to look at herself.
At least she was dressed properly enough.
Filled with guilt, she apologized,
“Sorry, Elder Sister, for making you wait so long. In the future, you don’t need to come fetch me. I can go by myself.”
Lin Shuyi smiled gently.
“It’s no trouble. I’m heading there anyway.”
Lin Jingchu: …
The two sisters paid their respects to Xia Ning together, ate breakfast together, and then headed to Biyuan Pavilion for morning lessons.
At this point, Lin Jingchu was already exhausted.
After enduring it for five days, she finally couldn’t take it anymore.
What kind of lunatics do you attend classes every single day?
Sure, she had been a homebody in her previous life—but that was under the condition that the internet existed.
Living every day in a two-point routine between home and lessons was unbearable. Even workhorses needed occasional outings for fresh air and entertainment.
After endless pleading and whining, she finally persuaded Lin Shuyi to allow her a trip outside.
The two sisters completed their morning greetings and at last left the manor together.
Meanwhile, Madam Cui arrived early at the Marquis Manor carrying numerous gifts.
Xia Ning smiled so broadly her mouth could barely close.
Madam Cui merely praised politely,
“I’ve heard the Marquis Manor’s eldest young lady excels in virtue, speech, appearance, and skill—truly unmatched in Bianjing. Madam Xia has raised her wonderfully.”
Xia Ning returned the smile with practiced courtesy.
“You flatter them. My two girls are rough and lacking in manners. If they don’t become laughingstocks, I’m satisfied. A few days ago, I met the Zhang family’s two young masters. Truly, they are gentlemen as warm and refined as jade.”
Hearing Xia Ning praise Zhang Chuxiao, Madam Cui took a slow sip of tea.
“Third Young Master and Zhaoming are very close. He lost his mother young and has been raised by my side for many years. I also hope to find him a virtuous wife, so someone can care for him and ease one of my worries.”
At these words, Xia Ning’s eyes brightened.
Madam Cui continued,
“I’ve brought a few modest gifts today. Perhaps I might also meet the young ladies?”
“How unfortunate,” Xia Ning replied. “Their etiquette instructor gave them a holiday today, so they’ve gone out sightseeing.”
Then she added openly,
“To be honest, neither of my daughters is engaged yet. And frankly speaking, I’m extremely fond of both young masters from your family. Which young master has Madam come to arrange a match for today?”
Madam Cui’s lips curved upward slightly.
“Naturally, both of them.”
“However, the Third Young Master’s father is still away from home. We’ll need to wait for his return before he personally comes to propose.”
Xia Ning was overjoyed.
She immediately agreed, naturally assuming the arrangement meant:
The eldest daughter for the eldest son.
The younger daughter is for the younger son.
As Madam Cui departed the Marquis Manor, her trusted maid Qiongzhi asked timidly,
“Madam… if Eldest Young Master finds out…”
Madam Cui raised her brows sharply.
“What is there to fear? It’s not as though he’d kill his own mother.”
Her son was destined to lead the entire family in the future.
How could he possibly marry some useless beauty with a terrible reputation who knew nothing at all?