In the first month of the year, just after the New Year’s festivities, the chill in the capital had not yet eased. Townsfolk living along the street busied themselves sweeping away the snow piled before their doors.
“Such cold weather, yet the streets are still crowded—how bustling the capital is!” Yun Qiya leaned against the carriage window, peering eagerly left and right. Her cheeks were flushed red from the frost, but she refused to lower the curtain. Turning to her mother, Wen Yuxiu, she asked: “Mother, are we truly going to stay long in the capital?”
Wen Yuxiu reached out to smooth her daughter’s hair. Her gaze was heavy, but when she saw her daughter looking at her, she smiled. “Yes, we are.”
Across from them, Yun Zhongsheng leaned forward, squeezing his head between wife and daughter, lowering his voice with a wink: “We’ll be home soon. Before entering the city, I reminded your mother of a few things—do you still remember?”
At that, Yun Qiya dropped the curtain and nodded, grinning. “Don’t worry, Father. With me taking the lead, I’ll never drag you down.” She pulled a small mirror from her sleeve and adjusted the ornaments at her temples. She had risen early to style her hair in a way sure to please her elders.
“Father, among the four of us, who could possibly be more charming than little sister?” Yun Luoqing lounged in the corner of the carriage, his hair crown tilted askew, his posture utterly careless. “You can set your mind at ease.”
“That’s true enough.” Yun Zhongsheng glanced at his daughter’s bright face, then tucked his hands into his sleeves and turned to his son’s crooked headpiece. “And you—tidy yourself up.”
“Enough chatter. The Marquis’s gates are already in sight.” Wen Yuxiu cast a look at father and son. “Straighten up and don’t spoil things.”
“Mm, mm.” Yun Qiya tucked away her mirror. “Our money is nearly gone!”
If they didn’t hurry home to win their grandparents’ favor and share in their food and expenses, the family of four would soon be left with nothing but the cold north wind.
Inside the main hall of Marquis Chengping’s residence, the Marquis and the Marchioness sat in the place of honor. Their faces seemed calm, but their eyes kept straying toward the outer gates, teacups lifted again and again.
The Eldest Madam sat below them, her bearing dignified, smiling faintly without speaking. Only when she turned her head toward the doorway did her brows crease ever so slightly.
The second son’s family had left the capital nearly ten years ago under the pretext of traveling. From time to time they sent back small gifts—melons, dates, trifles—that delighted the old master and old madam. Now that they were returning, they would surely charm the elders so thoroughly that the two would forget themselves entirely.
“They’re here”
A joyful cry rang out from outside. The Marquis’s residence, silent until then, suddenly came alive, like a still pond stirred by fresh spring water.
All talk of household rules and family etiquette was forgotten. Even the usually aloof and dignified old madam rose with her maid’s help, her eyes burning as she gazed toward the doorway.
“Madam.” Her old nanny tugged lightly at her sleeve. She came back to herself, stepped forward, and steadied the Marchioness by the arm. She was about to offer a few words of comfort when a gray shadow swept in like a gust of wind and dropped to its knees before her.
“Father, Mother—your son has been unfilial, returning home so late!”
No sooner had he knelt than his wife, following close behind, fell to her knees as well.
The Eldest Madam lowered her eyes to the hem of their robes, stirred by the draft, and forced a stiff smile. So, this family had finally returned. She lifted her gaze to the sky. Today’s heavens seemed darker than usual.
“What is this? Get up.” The old Marquis kept his face stern as he hauled his son to his feet.
Yun Zhongsheng wiped his tears with his sleeve, then helped his wife rise, choking out: “After so long apart from Father and Mother, I could not hold back my feelings.”
Hearing this, the Marchioness’s expression softened with pity, and she quickly ordered the maids to prepare a meal. “Where are Qiya and Luoqing?” she asked, her thoughts turning to her grandchildren as her eyes searched past the couple’s shoulders.
“Grandmother, your granddaughter is here.” A young girl in a goose‑yellow gown, wrapped in a fox‑fur cloak, entered the hall alongside a graceful young man in a jade‑crowned blue robe. Both looked upon their elders with eyes full of devotion.
As the young girl slipped off her cloak, the Eldest Madam felt the whole room brighten. Before leaving the capital years ago, this niece had already been as fair and lovely as a child of the immortals. Now she had grown even more beautiful—beautiful in a way that drew affection from all, young and old alike.
The Marchioness’s gaze never left her granddaughter once she appeared. She clasped Yun Qiya’s hand, refusing to let her kneel in formal greeting. “After such a long journey, don’t trouble yourself with ceremony. You left the capital so young, and now you’ve grown so much.”
Yun Qiya affectionately hugged her grandmother’s arm, swaying it gently as she leaned her head against her. “Mother and Father often tell me my eyes look like yours—and they truly do.”
“Your parents are right. Your eyes do resemble your grandmother’s.” The Marquis nodded. His voice, usually loud and gruff, softened as he forced a kindly expression. “When your grandmother was young, she was one of the most celebrated beauties in the capital.”
The Marchioness shot him a sidelong smile, her gaze lingering for a moment on the golden leaf hairpin at Yun Qiya’s temple. Her smile deepened.
That golden hairpin was the gift she had sent last year—it seemed her granddaughter cherished it.
“Even more famous than Grandmother’s calligraphy and painting?” Yun Qiya tilted her head, curiosity shining. “I only know that Grandmother’s works are priceless. Once, when my brother and I were strolling in Yunzhou, we heard of someone who lingered in the capital for nearly a hundred days just to obtain one of your paintings.” Her face glowed with pride as she spoke.
The Eldest Madam’s old nanny watched the scene and cast a worried glance at her mistress. The girl’s words praised the Marchioness’s youthful beauty, but more importantly highlighted her talent—and that proud little expression sealed it all. If she were the Marchioness, she would surely treasure this girl as her very heart. So young, and already Yun Qiya knew how to win her grandmother’s favor. If this continued, the second branch of the family might well push the first branch aside entirely.
The nanny had guessed right—the Marchioness was indeed utterly charmed. Just moments ago she had called the young lady “Qiya,” but now her voice was sticky-sweet as she called her “Yaya.”
Inwardly, the nanny felt indignant on her mistress’s behalf. Sixteen or seventeen years old, nearly grown, not a child of six or seven—why call her “Yaya”? Why not go all the way and call her “my little sweetheart”?
“My darling, how thoughtful you are. Leave the serving of tea to the maids.” The Marchioness cradled the cup Yun Qiya had poured as though it were nectar from the heavens. “For lunch, whatever you’d like, just tell Grandmother—I’ll have the kitchen prepare it.”
The nanny’s face went blank. So she really did call her “darling”!
“To eat with Grandfather and Grandmother makes everything taste delicious.” Yun Qiya clung to the Marchioness’s side, sweet as a sugared cake.
The nanny lowered her gaze. In the whole Marquis’s household, Yun Qiya was the only granddaughter. With such winning ways, the second branch of the family would surely gain every advantage in the days to come.
Just as she was thinking this, she saw Yun Qiya lift her eyes toward the eldest madam. At once, she grew tense. Had the second branch only just returned, and already they were preparing to start household strife? She, Nanny Yao, was no pushover—she would certainly protect her mistress.
“Is this Cousin Song, staying here in the household?” Yun Qiya rose and bowed. “I was so overwhelmed upon seeing Grandfather and Grandmother that I forgot to greet you properly, Cousin. Please forgive me.”
The Eldest Madam froze at the words. Cousin Song—was she being addressed?
“Nonsense.” Wen Yuxiu scolded sharply. “This is your aunt, your father’s elder brother’s wife. When you were small, she cared for you greatly. How can you not recognize her? Hurry and beg her pardon!”
“Forgive my discourtesy.” Yun Qiya stared in disbelief at the eldest madam’s face, panic flooding her features as she dropped into a deep bow. “I mistook Aunt for Cousin Song, thinking you looked so young. Please pardon me, Aunt.”
Cousin Song was the Eldest Madam’s niece from her natal family, only twenty‑three years old.
“Little sister,” the Eldest Madam said with a smile, “Qiya was only six or seven when she left the capital. We haven’t seen each other in years. If she doesn’t recall my face, what fault is that? Why be so harsh?” She gently lifted Yun Qiya, who was still pleading for forgiveness. The stiffness in her smile softened into warmth.
“I have only two unruly boys under my knee. Now at last there is a pretty, lovable young girl in the household. I only wish she were my own daughter.” She patted Yun Qiya’s hand and tucked a hand‑warmer into her arms. “The capital’s climate is cold—don’t let yourself catch a chill.”
Though she disliked her younger brother‑in‑law and his wife, their daughter was truly a good shoot from a rough stalk. Perhaps she simply liked girls who were pretty, sweet‑natured, and sincere.
Sixteen or seventeen years old, and mistaking her for a niece—was that such a grave offense? Why should her sister‑in‑law be so severe? Did she think the eldest madam was petty?
“Thank you, Aunt.” Yun Qiya held the hand‑warmer with a radiant smile. She seemed ready to act coquettish, but fearing her mother’s rebuke, she only gazed at her aunt with hopeful eyes.
That look melted the Eldest Madam’s heart. Before the luncheon even began, the bracelet on her wrist and the golden hairpin in her hair had already been passed to Yun Qiya.
When the meal was served, Nanny Yao clenched her teeth as she watched Miss Qiya sit beside the Marchioness and dine happily. Her mistress had even sacrificed her favorite bracelet and hairpin to please the old lady—truly swallowing her pride for the sake of harmony.
The meal itself was lively. The Marquis’s household rule of “no talking at table” was long forgotten, replaced by laughter and chatter. Yun Qiya entertained her elders with tales of amusing happenings beyond the capital, and from time to time she served them dishes with her own hands.
The Eldest Madam looked at the dish Yun Qiya had placed in her bowl. Before Nanny Yao could exchange it, she lifted her chopsticks and ate it.
Nanny Yao drew a deep breath. Her mistress truly had composure—while she herself was far too impatient.
After the meal, the second branch remained in the main hall to chat with the elders. Knowing they had much to say, the Eldest Madam deliberately found an excuse to rise and leave.
“Aunt.” Yun Qiya walked her all the way to the courtyard gate before stopping, reluctant to part. “Take care.”
“Go back quickly; it’s cold outside.” The Eldest Madam noticed she wore no cloak and urged her to return indoors.
“All right, I’ll listen to Aunt.” Yun Qiya turned back three times with every step, lingering long before finally going inside.
Only when her figure disappeared did Nanny Yao lower her voice. “Madam, I think Miss Qiya is no ordinary girl. To win the old lady’s favor so quickly—we must be cautious.”
“Nanny.” The Eldest Madam shook her head, not agreeing. “Qiya’s heart is pure. Don’t make wild guesses.”
She was still only sixteen or seventeen, beautiful and innocent—how could there be anything wrong with her?
Nanny Yao: “…”
Ah?!
Last night you said the second branch always relied on sweet words to charm people—so how did you change your tune today?