Duchess’s cold had finally cleared completely.
On this morning, as the sun had just begun to spill into the Main Chamber, the room felt noticeably lighter than in previous days. The bamboo blinds by the window had been rolled up high, and the usual bowl of cough-suppressing medicinal tea that had rested on the table had already been removed. Only a faint trace of calming incense remained, drifting quietly from a bronze burner.
Duchess wore a tea-white patterned brocade jacket with entwining vines. A pearl-inlaid gold hairpin was set at her temple. Her complexion was still not fully rosy, but her spirit had clearly returned.
Danzhi stood nearby holding a teacup, a faint smile on her face. “Madam looks much more energetic today than before.”
Soon after, a report came from outside: the Crown Prince’s Consort and Concubine Jiang had arrived to pay their respects.
The two entered one after the other.
Wen Yunyi wore a moon-white cross-collared jacket embroidered with silver-thread honeysuckle patterns, paired with a frost-blue satin skirt. Her colors were clean and restrained, making her features appear even more refined and composed.
Jiang Yunzhi, by contrast, wore an ivory silk blouse with pale tea-colored trim at the cuffs, and a delicate jade ring at her waist. She still carried that same gentle, soft clarity about her.
After they finished their greetings, Duchess looked at them both and raised a hand.
“Sit down. I called you here today not only for greetings—I have something to say.”
The room fell quiet.
Guiqiong stepped back silently, and Danzhi also composed her expression.
Wen Yunyi and Jiang Yunzhi each sat down. Neither spoke first.
Duchess took a sip of tea to moisten her throat before speaking slowly.
“I fell ill this time, and it made many things clearer to me.”
Her gaze turned first to Jiang Yunzhi.
“Yunzhi.”
Jiang Yunzhi quickly stood. “This concubine is here.”
Duchess nodded, her tone unusually gentle. “During my illness, you went to the small kitchen every day at dawn to stew pear soup with fritillary bulb. The things themselves were not important—the rare thing was your heart. The bowls you sent did soothe my throat. I know you truly cared for this old woman.”
Jiang Yunzhi’s cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes brightening with genuine happiness.
“Madam speaks too highly of me. I only thought you were unwell, and hoped to ease your throat even a little.”
Her voice was soft and pleasant, making the room feel warmer.
Duchess did not continue praising her. Instead, she shifted her gaze to Wen Yunyi.
“Yunyi.”
Wen Yunyi also stood. “This daughter-in-law is here.”
Duchess studied her with a seriousness that had rarely appeared before.
“During the Dragon Boat Festival period, you handled everything with order and precision. Not a single mistake occurred, and you even added many thoughtful innovations. You’ve spared me a great deal of worry.”
She sighed softly.
“To be considerate is rare. To be capable is even rarer.”
Duchess lifted her hand slightly.
“Guiqiong.”
Guiqiong stepped forward with a black lacquered box inlaid with gold. Inside were a pair of fine white jade bracelets, glowing with a soft, warm luster in the morning light. Beside them was a white jade bead crown—round, polished beads set on a fine gold-threaded base. Neither extravagant nor plain, it was clearly not something given lightly.
Duchess pointed first to the bracelets.
“These are for Yunzhi. I remember your care during my illness.”
Jiang Yunzhi’s eyes lit up immediately. She quickly knelt to receive the gift. Her hands trembled slightly with joy as she took the bracelets.
Duchess then turned to the other item.
“This is for you.”
Danzhi presented the jade bead crown closer.
Wen Yunyi looked at it. The design was simple, but precisely because of that simplicity, it carried an unmistakable dignity. It was proper enough for the head of a household, yet not ostentatious.
She stepped forward and received it with both hands.
“This daughter-in-law thanks Mother for the gift.”
Duchess gave a soft “mm,” then continued.
“This crown is not given merely for appearance. I have watched your conduct recently. Since you can now handle responsibility, I no longer need to cling to control of the Inner Courtyard.”
At those words, even Danzhi raised her eyes slightly.
Duchess nodded toward Guiqiong again.
Guiqiong brought forward a small purple sandalwood box inlaid with copper. Inside lay neatly arranged authority tokens. Unlike the earlier scattered assignments, these were the complete keys to the Inner Courtyard: entrances and exits, storerooms, kitchens, sewing room, and all festival procurement matters.
Duchess’s voice remained steady.
“From today onward, the Inner Courtyard will officially be in your hands. I will not say more—you understand the rules, and you have judgment. Personnel, tokens, ledgers—all are yours. If anything is uncertain, come ask me.”
This was no longer “helping manage.”
It was formal transfer of authority.
Wen Yunyi held the jade crown, then looked at the box of tokens. After a brief pause, she knelt in salute.
“This daughter-in-law will not fail Mother’s trust.”
The bow was steady, neither overly emotional nor restrained. Precisely because of that, it felt even more sincere.
Duchess looked at her with growing satisfaction.
“Rise.”
Jiang Yunzhi still stood nearby, holding the white jade bracelets.
Her lips carried a gentle smile, but something inside her shifted faintly—like a stone dropped into still water, leaving a hollow ripple. She was not jealous, nor resentful. She simply understood more clearly now: Duchess valued her warmth and attentiveness, but nothing beyond that would change.
At that moment, a report came again from outside: the Young Lady had arrived.
Xu Mingshu entered first, immediately noticing that the medicinal scent in the room was gone. Her eyes lit up.
“Mother, have you fully recovered?”
Duchess’s expression softened further at the sight of her. “Much better than before.”
Xu Mingshu happily sat down, but then her gaze caught the unopened box of authority tokens, and next to it, Wen Yunyi holding the jade crown.
She froze slightly.
“This is…”
Duchess laughed lightly. “Your eyes are sharp.”
Xu Mingshu was young, but not foolish. She quickly understood most of it. Her eyes brightened.
“So… from now on, sister-in-law will really be managing the household?”
Her tone carried unexpected excitement.
Wen Yunyi glanced at her calmly.
“If Mother has entrusted it, I will naturally take it on.”
Xu Mingshu paused, then her eyes lit up even more.
She did not immediately think about household governance. Instead, she thought of all the restrictions Duchess usually placed on her—clothing, jewelry, outings, everything required approval. Now that authority had shifted, perhaps she could negotiate more freely with her sister-in-law.
Her gaze toward Wen Yunyi became noticeably warmer.
But Duchess had already moved on.
“You came at the right time.”
She looked at Xu Mingshu more seriously now.
“You will be coming of age soon. Your usual playfulness can no longer continue unchecked.”
Xu Mingshu’s smile stiffened.
She feared this topic most.
Duchess continued without mercy.
“I have already invited a governess from the Imperial Palace. She will arrive in a day or two. You will study etiquette, behavior, speech, and hosting properly under her guidance.”
Xu Mingshu’s eyes widened. “From the Imperial Palace?”
Duchess shot her a look. “What, do you think she’ll eat you alive?”
Xu Mingshu choked on her words, looking like she wanted to complain but did not dare.
Danzhi almost laughed but quickly lowered her head.
Wen Yunyi stood quietly to the side. Seeing Xu Mingshu’s expression, she faintly smiled.
Xu Mingshu immediately turned to her for help, eyes clearly pleading.
Wen Yunyi met her gaze, then calmly said:
“A governess from the Imperial Palace will not teach anything wrong. It would be good for you to learn properly.”
It was clearly in support of Duchess.
Xu Mingshu deflated and could only sit back down, absentmindedly tugging at her pouch tassel.
Duchess nodded in satisfaction.
Soon after, Guiqiong tidied the tokens and ledgers, instructing servants to deliver them to the Main Courtyard.
Wen Yunyi also received notice that the etiquette governess would arrive the next day.
She placed the jade crown aside and carefully opened the token box again, laying each piece out neatly beside the ledgers.
From this moment onward, many things had changed.