In the capital city.

A heavy snow had fallen the previous night. This morning, the courtyard was covered in silver, with a thin layer of snow blanketing the flower beds and bluestone-paved ground.

Aunt’s morning was disrupted by the sound of silvery laughter.

She instinctively reached out to nudge her husband but found he had already left for his official duties.

Aunt frowned delicately, sitting up in the warm quilt and stretching. The room was heated by a roaring charcoal fire, which the maid sleeping in the chamber would replenish with beast gold charcoal every hour.

This charcoal burned without any smoke, instead giving off a fresh scent of pine.

This winter was particularly cold. The Grand Princess, showing concern for Hanlin Academy scholar Xu Xinnian, had specially sent thirty jin of imperial beast gold charcoal. Princess Lin’an, also appreciating Xu Xinnian’s diligence and meritorious service, had sent another thirty jin.

So Aunt was now enjoying this luxury usually reserved for the imperial family.

Aunt was delighted, praising Second Young Master Xu at mealtimes for his decade of hard study finally paying off, not only gaining the Prime Minister’s recognition but also earning such regard from two princesses.

Second Uncle Xu smiled, saying Aunt was still too young. The princesses’ bestowal of imperial items required proper justification, and only the Second Young Master in the Xu family was qualified. He was merely a tool for the two princesses to show favor to the Xu family.

Of course, Second Uncle Xu wouldn’t tell Aunt these things.

“So noisy…”

The beautiful woman, wearing thin undergarments with disheveled hair, combined with her drowsy expression, had a girlish charm.

Bang… Aunt pushed open the door, and the cold wind hit her face. She shivered, instantly losing any remaining sleepiness.

However, the scene before her eyes made her forget even the cold.

In the courtyard, two girls, one big and one small were rolling around on the ground, leaving tracks in the snow.

Li Na said, “So this is snow. It’s the first time I’ve seen snow in my life.”

Xu Ling’yin said, “This is the many-th time I’ve seen snow in my life.”

Both were covered in snow, looking like two snowmen.

“Xu Ling’yin!” Aunt screamed.

In such cold weather, only fools or those with a death wish would play like this.

The little one was startled, raising her small head to look at Aunt, and shouted:

“Not good, Mother has discovered us. Let’s quickly leave!”

Li Na hurriedly said, “Alright.”

Then the two rolled away.

…

Xu Lingyue slept until she naturally woke up. She had long heard her silly sister and her silly master making a racket outside but didn’t bother with them.

Today she was to visit the Wang mansion as a guest, to socialize with the women there, so she needed to dress up properly.

“Young Miss, what clothes would be appropriate for visiting the Wang family today?” the maid tilted her head, pondering.

“Dress more modestly. The Wang family is used to luxury. If we dress too extravagantly, they might secretly mock us as nouveau riche who love to show off.”

Xu Lingyue combed her hair in front of the mirror. In the bronze mirror, the young girl’s oval face, big eyes, and three-dimensional features were both delicate and beautiful.

She wore a light blue jacket, a fluffy gauze skirt, and an outer cloak of brocade trimmed with fur. On her feet were a pair of lambskin boots embroidered with gold thread in cloud patterns.

It wasn’t flashy but still exuded the air of a young lady from a good family.

“Bring me the things.”

“Yes,” the maid responded crisply.

She then left the room with her maid and had breakfast in the inner hall. By this time, Xu Ling’yin had changed into clean clothes and taken a hot bath.

The little one still wore her usual childish hairstyle, like two meat buns, but she was dressed in a pretty little dress, looking quite ladylike.

However, standing next to her ethereally beautiful sister, she could only be called cute at best.

Aunt glanced at the water clock in the hall and urged:

“It’s time to leave. Second Son, remember to take good care of your sisters. Lingyue doesn’t always look like someone who can be bullied by anyone. You now represent not just yourself, but the Xu family.

“Ling’yin, don’t be greedy with food at the Wang family and don’t make trouble. Do you understand?”

Today was a rest day, and Second Young Master Xu was going to the Wang family to discuss matters with Prime Minister Wang, accompanying his sisters.

The three siblings put down their bowls and chopsticks, rinsed their mouths with salt water, then left the Xu mansion and boarded the carriage.

The coachman carefully drove slowly on the icy, wet streets.

It usually took two-quarters of an hour to get from the Xu family to the Wang family, but due to the slippery roads, it took half an hour.

Second Young Master Xu jumped down from the carriage, then turned to help Xu Lingyue down, while Xu Ling’yin had already bounced down from the other side.

The three siblings were led deep into the Wang mansion by a steward.

…

In the bedroom, Prime Minister Wang stood by the screen, with Madam Wang leading maids to help him change clothes.

“I remember Simu saying that the Xu family’s young lady is not to be trifled with, the eldest daughter-in-law is snobbish, and the second daughter-in-law is petty. When you meet them later, keep an eye out and don’t let things become unpleasant.”

Prime Minister Wang said.

“They’re not that shallow. They’ll know how to behave,” Madam Wang smiled.

She was a bit surprised that her husband was concerned about such trivial matters.

“My lord, Mr. Xu has arrived,” a servant announced loudly from outside the room.

“Please escort him to the study.”

Prime Minister Wang glanced at himself in the bronze mirror, smoothed the folds of his clothes on his chest, looked at Madam Wang, and asked, “Are the gifts ready?”

Madam Wang nodded with a smile.

…

In the inner hall, Wang Simu held a teacup, savoring the fragrant tea while listening to her two sisters-in-law’s incessant chatter.

The eldest sister-in-law was called Li Xianghan. Her father was a Lang Zhong in the Ministry of Revenue, not a high position but connected to money, so she was somewhat snobbish.

The second sister-in-law was called Zhao Yurong. Her father’s position was even lower, just a clerk in the Court of Judicature and Revision.

Logically, families of such status shouldn’t be able to marry into the Wang family, even if the second brother was a businessman with no prominent status.

There were two reasons behind this. Wang Zhenwen had experienced ups and downs in his official career. Before his rise to power, he had several low points, including once being framed by political enemies and imprisoned.

Zhao Yurong’s father, who was working in the Court of Judicature and Revision at the time and had a good relationship with Wang Zhenwen, spent money to pull strings and clear the way, ultimately helping him through the crisis.

Li Xianghan’s father had done similar favors for Wang Zhenwen.

Therefore, after Wang Zhenwen’s rise to power, the two sisters-in-law were married into the Wang family.

The eldest sister-in-law, Li Xianghan, said:

“Simu, when you went to the Xu mansion last time, did the Xu family matriarch set any rules for you?”

Wang Simu shook her head.

The second sister-in-law, Zhao Yurong, glanced at her and smiled:

“I’m sure she did. Didn’t you say that the Xu family matriarch is very shrewd? Simu, don’t be shy to say it. When a new bride enters the family, the mother-in-law always sets some rules.

“When your sister-in-law and I first entered the family, didn’t our mother-in-law also give us a talking-to? But you’re different from us. You’re the Wang family’s daughter, and when you marry Second Young Master Xu in the future, it’s considered marrying down.

“Second Young Master Xu will have to rely on our Wang family to advance his career. When you go to the Xu family in the future, you can practically do as you please. This time, we should set some rules for the Xu family’s young lady, and let her know the difference between the Xu family and the Wang family.”

“Who sets rules for whom is yet to be seen. You think you can arm-wrestle with that girl Xu Lingyue?” Wang Simu thought to herself, shaking her head:

“There’s no need for that. Sister Lingyue is very clever, it’s not worth provoking her.”

The eldest sister-in-law, Li Xianghan, with the air of an experienced person, showed a smile full of superiority:

“Simu, you lack experience. The interaction between the two families’ women before marriage is not just about bonding, but more importantly, it’s about testing each other. Do you think your mother-in-law doesn’t have such thoughts?

“Everything that the Xu family’s girl sees and hears here today will be reported back to the Xu family matriarch. If we give her a little lesson, it will serve as a warning to the Xu family matriarch not to bully you in the future.”

Since ancient times, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law could be summarized in four words: “overt and covert struggles”.

What they fought for was the power to manage the household.

The more prestigious the family, the more intense the struggle for financial and household power.

“This… doesn’t seem right…” Wang Simu said with a frown, barely suppressing the urge to curl her lips.

The eldest sister-in-law smiled, “Don’t worry, we sisters-in-law know our limits.”

Wang Simu reluctantly said, “Fine, if it’s a customary practice, then let’s do as you two sisters-in-law suggest.”

As she spoke, she raised her teacup, pretending to drink to hide her slightly upturned lips.

In marriages between families, regardless of the feelings between the man and woman, there’s always a “game” played between the families.

The mother-in-law sets rules for the bride-to-be, while the bride’s family showcases their deep heritage to “warn” the groom’s family to treat their daughter well.

It’s all human nature.

Wang Simu felt reassured seeing how enthusiastic her two sisters-in-law were.

The last time when she visited the Xu family, that girl Xu Lingyue had caused quite a bit of trouble. If they did the first move, Wang Simu would do the fifteenth.

Just as they were talking, a pair of sisters walked in from outside the hall. The younger sister, barely reaching her older sister’s waist, was being led by the hand, looking a bit silly.

As for the older sister, she caught the eyes of the two sisters-in-law. Wearing a fur-trimmed brocade cloak and lambskin boots, with neatly trimmed bangs framing her small face, she looked delicate and charming.

She gave the impression of a gentle, graceful young lady from a good family.

The moment they saw Xu Lingyue, the two Wang sisters-in-law knew they had her figured out. This kind of sheltered young lady who hadn’t seen much of the world would probably become flustered and at a loss if they showed even slight displeasure.

If they asked some tricky questions, she would probably blush and not know where to put her hands.

Bullying such a little girl would be truly uninteresting.

As for the silly-looking child, she was of course ignored by the two sisters-in-law.

“Sister Lingyue is here,” Wang Simu rose to greet them, introducing, “This is my eldest sister-in-law, and this is my second sister-in-law. Sister Lingyue, you can address them as I do.”

Xu Lingyue spoke in a soft voice, “Lingyue greets the two sisters-in-law.”

The eldest sister-in-law, Li Xianghan, smiled and said, “What a pretty girl. I wonder which young master will be lucky enough to marry our Sister Lingyue in the future.”

Xu Lingyue smiled modestly, lowered her head, and said, “Ling’yin, quickly greet the sisters-in-law.”

Xu Ling’yin raised her head, furrowing her little brows, “Why are they also sisters-in-law? Are they also going to marry Second Brother?”

The faces of the four women suddenly froze.

The second sister-in-law, Zhao Yurong, immediately looked at Xu Lingyue and saw her face turning red, seemingly forgetting to scold her sister. She could only laugh dryly and say:

“Children’s words are innocent, children’s words are innocent.”

Wang Simu glanced at Xu Lingyue, smiled imperceptibly, and said:

“Mother should be up. Let’s go pay our respects to her.”

This meant they were going to take the Xu sisters to meet the old madam.

So, led by Wang Simu, the group walked deeper into the Wang mansion, passing through corridors and courtyards, arriving at a large room.

Inside the room were two couches, covered with soft, warm wool blankets. On the couches were small square tables laden with dried fruits, meat jerky, preserves, and pastries.

On the left couch sat Wang Zhenwen’s first wife – Madam Wang.

Madam Wang was over fifty but well-preserved, neither fat nor thin, with a healthy complexion. The fine crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes added charm that accumulated over the years.

“Mother!”

“Mother-in-law!”

“Old Madam!”

The women all bowed in greeting, only Xu Ling’yin seemed a bit awkward, unused to such an atmosphere.

The little one had grown up in an unrestricted environment, without many rules binding her.

Madam Wang nodded kindly, her gaze falling on the faces of the Xu sisters.

“Are these the Xu family’s young ladies?”

Madam Wang remembered Second Young Master Xu’s unparalleled handsome appearance, then looked at Xu Lingyue’s ethereally beautiful countenance. After pondering for a moment, she smiled and said, “The two sisters each have their own merits.”

After speaking, she invited them to sit.

The eldest sister-in-law, Li Xianghan, took a sip of hot tea, sighed, and started a topic:

“This damn weather. At this time last year, burning charcoal all night made me feel stuffy. Now, if we don’t burn it all night, we’d freeze to death.”

The second sister-in-law, Zhao Yurong, chimed in, “Exactly.”

At this moment, she noticed the little one staring blankly at the half-man-high charcoal stove, which was burning smokeless beast gold charcoal.

This child probably has never seen this kind of smokeless charcoal… The second sister-in-law had a thought and smiled, saying:

“That’s why His Majesty bestowed ten jin of beast gold charcoal to our Wang family. This charcoal has no smoke and even gives off a fresh fragrance when burned.”

The second sister-in-law looked at Xu Lingyue with a sense of superiority but found her smiling without much reaction.

Could it be that she doesn’t know what beast gold charcoal is… The second sister-in-law added, “It’s something used by the imperial family.”

Xu Ling’yin, holding preserved fruits in her hand, said loudly, “We have it at home too.”

…

In the study.

Prime Minister Wang sat behind his desk, holding a teacup, the lid gently tapping against the rim as he listened to his future son-in-law’s report.

“Prime Minister, this winter will surely be difficult for the people, especially in areas that have suffered from drought and floods. How will the local people survive this winter?”

Xu Xinnian spoke passionately: “I submitted a memorial to His Majesty, requesting verification of local granaries and preparation for disaster relief funds. Why did you withhold my memorial?”

Prime Minister Wang listened patiently, took a sip of tea, and said:

“Ci Jiu, for an official who wants to achieve great things, one must first elevate their perspective, see the big picture, to be able to plan. You only see that the people will have a hard time this winter, but you don’t see the difficulties faced by the court.”

He put down his teacup and pushed a pile of memorials in front of Xu Xinnian, “Take a look, these are memorials from the Ministry of Revenue.”

Xu Xinnian opened the memorials and quickly read through them. His face changed dramatically.

Prime Minister Wang sighed, “The court has no more money.”

Xu Xinnian muttered, “How could this be?”

“The previous emperor squandered for twenty years, leaving the national treasury empty. Beneath the superficial prosperity, the foundation of Da Feng has long been shaky. Months ago, 120,000 troops were sent to support the Yao barbarians, and Wei Yuan led 100,000 troops to capture Jingshan City.

“Although it was a great victory, the provisions, war horses, equipment – which of these doesn’t consume money? The national strength is weak, and supporting a war of that scale consumes more than you can imagine.”

Prime Minister Wang stretched out his hands towards the charcoal stove, warming his cold hands while saying:

“We could have barely managed to get through this year. After next year’s autumn harvest, we could have stabilized the situation. Who knew that man’s plans were no match for heaven’s will? I’ve lived for decades and have never experienced such a severe winter.”

Internal problems in the court are hard to sweep away, natural disasters keep coming, the national treasury is empty, it’s a mess… Xu Xinnian felt heavy-hearted and asked, “Is there any way to save the situation?”

Prime Minister Wang stared at the stove, silent for a long time.

“Time,” he said.

After another long silence, Prime Minister Wang continued, “Cooking fish too much will make it fall apart, governing people too strictly will make them scatter. Knowing how to cook fish is knowing how to govern people. Without external threats, time can heal everything.”

Xu Xinnian asked in a low voice, “What if there are external threats?”

Heaven is destroying Da Feng… Prime Minister Wang changed the subject, “Any news from him?”

Xu Xinnian knew who Prime Minister Wang was referring to, and shook his head, “Up until now, Big Brother hasn’t sent any message back to the mansion.”