After Madam Cui relaxed her guard, Wang Yutong finally began her plan of transcribing everything from memory.
Much of the Wang family’s ancient martial arts inheritance had been lost over generations.
By the time it reached her, only a few things remained: a sword technique called “Snowfall Sword Art,” the first volume of an internal cultivation method “Hunyuan Technique,” and a movement skill “Light Ripple Steps.” As for hidden weapon techniques, she had purchased those later in underground auctions.
As for medical knowledge, she only had “Basic Herbal Compendium” and “Illustrated Guide to Rare Spiritual Herbs.”
Her daily routine didn’t change much—she simply reduced her calligraphy practice time and used it to write down these techniques from memory.
After finishing, she bound each one into booklets with needle and thread, then stored them in her space.
The medical books took the longest, since they required illustrations.
Time flew by.
Half a year passed, and she finally completed all the books.
During these six months, Wang Yutong never stopped practicing martial arts.
At night, she secretly cultivated the Hunyuan Technique inside her space and practiced the Snowfall Sword Art.
As for Light Ripple Steps, due to the limited space, she could only train the basic footwork.
As for herbs, she had no way to gather them—she wasn’t even allowed to leave the courtyard. Going out to search for herbs was nothing but a daydream.
Finally, on New Year’s Eve, her confinement was lifted.
Concubine Tian arrived early at her courtyard that day.
When Wang Yutong saw her enter, she softly called, “Auntie, you’re here.”
Truthfully, calling a woman younger than her “mother” felt awkward.
But this was the original host’s biological mother—she had no choice.
Recently, Wang Yutong had been trying hard to adapt to the original personality, doing her best not to stand out.
After the New Year, she would have to attend school—and once she started, it would last at least seven or eight years.
Fortunately, the girls’ academy wasn’t too strict since it didn’t involve imperial examinations.
Otherwise, she might have lost her mind.
New Year’s Eve meant the reunion dinner.
That night, the entire Marquis household gathered to eat together.
The old Marquis and his sons sat at one table. The old Madam and daughters-in-law at another.
The concubines had their own table. The legitimate children sat together, and the concubine-born children sat separately.
At this moment, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate was made painfully clear.
Looking at the clearly divided tables, Wang Yutong truly felt her position in the household for the first time.
What she didn’t know was that, as a military family, the Weiyuan Marquis residence was actually more lenient than old aristocratic clans.
In those ancient noble families, concubines and their children weren’t even allowed to dine together with the main family—unless they were exceptionally outstanding.
As for favoritism toward concubines over the main wife, it was strictly forbidden and always hidden if it happened.
Staring at the table full of delicious food, Wang Yutong’s appetite surged.
Heaven knew how she had survived the past six months.
Because of her confinement and her mother’s lack of favor, her meals had been terrible.
If she weren’t trying to keep a low profile, she would have beaten those snobbish servants long ago.
But while she couldn’t beat them—today, she could at least make a subtle move.
She began eating like a starving ghost reborn, quickly drawing everyone’s attention.
Wang Yuanwu frowned. “Sixth girl, where are your manners?”
Hearing her “cheap father” speak, Wang Yutong quickly set down her chopsticks.
Her eyes lingered reluctantly on the food.
“F-Father… Tong’er has never seen so much good food before, so I couldn’t control myself. Please punish me, Father, Mother,” she said timidly.
Her pitiful voice only made Wang Yuanwu angrier.
“Hmph! No manners at all!” he snorted. “How have you been raised? Not a trace of a proper young lady!”
Madam Cui added fuel to the fire. “Indeed. This child has no upbringing at all. How will she face society in the future?”
Wang Yutong lowered her head, eyes reddening slightly.
“Father, Mother, it is my fault. These past six months, I’ve been practicing calligraphy in my courtyard. My meals have been plain… I was simply too hungry and lost my composure. Please forgive me.”
The moment she said this, everyone froze.
So she had been living like this for half a year?
The looks people gave Madam Cui immediately changed.
Madam Cui’s face stiffened. “Th-this… how outrageous! Those bold servants dared to withhold Sixth girl’s meals? What are they trying to do?!”
Wang Yuanwu’s expression darkened as he turned to her. “You’ve worked hard managing the household, but it seems some servants have deceived you. Investigate this thoroughly. Once confirmed, handle it as you see fit.”
Madam Cui’s expression eased. “Yes, it was my oversight. I will severely punish those deceitful servants.”
Wang Yuanwu nodded, satisfied. “Enough. It’s New Year’s Eve—we won’t punish Sixth girl today. But you must watch your behavior in the future.”
Wang Yutong nodded obediently. “Yes, I will remember Father and Mother’s teachings.”
This so-called father only cares about the family’s reputation… no point expecting much from him.
As for Madam Cui—she has her own children. Why would she favor me? That would be pure fantasy.
Sigh… in the end, I can only rely on myself.
The small incident didn’t disrupt the banquet.
But Wang Yutong’s subtle complaint stirred ripples in everyone’s minds.
It seemed the overlooked girl, pushed too far, had finally learned to speak up.
Of course, everyone had their own thoughts about it.
Since the next day was the first day of the New Year, and the Marquis and his wife had to attend court, the banquet ended early.
Everyone returned to their own quarters.
Concubine Tian followed Wang Yutong back and couldn’t help but scold her.
“Sixth girl, you were too reckless today—and unfilial. That was wrong.”
Wang Yutong didn’t argue. She simply watched her quietly as she continued talking.
After a while, Concubine Tian sensed something off and looked up.
Wang Yutong’s gaze was calm, with a faint trace of helplessness.
Concubine Tian grew uneasy, her voice softening.
“Auntie, I know you mean well—you’re afraid I’ll offend Madam. But you know how I’ve lived these past six months. If I don’t resist now, I might not even have enough to eat in the future,” Wang Yutong said softly.
Concubine Tian sighed. “But if you do this, Madam will surely resent you.”
Wang Yutong smiled indifferently. “Let her resent me. I never expected kindness from them anyway. I just want them to know—I, Wang Yutong, am not someone to be bullied.”