Nurse Li, catching Madam Ji’s eye, quietly withdrew from the hall.

Ji Yingying, running quickly, arrived at the door like a whirlwind. She just caught Madam Zhao’s last words and thought, who dares come to our home to insult us? Angered, she missed Nurse Li’s warning glance, straightened her clothes, and stepped over the threshold with Ling’er.

In the main hall, Madam Ji and another woman sat in round-backed chairs on either side of the upper seats. Behind Madam Ji, a maid knelt on a mat. Behind the other woman knelt an elderly servant and four maids.

Not only did they outnumber the Ji household’s servants two to one, but the maids wore pink short jackets with white long skirts covered by dark blue half-sleeves. Their hair was done in spiral buns adorned with gold and silver hairpins—they were dressed more luxuriously than young ladies from ordinary households. The elderly servant wore a blue brocade with symmetrical patterns. An elderly servant wearing brocade! Her graying hair was arranged in a round bun with gold ornaments—seated in the upper position, anyone would mistake her for the lady of a house.

If the servants were dressed luxuriously, the woman was even more so. Her hair was styled in a high bun over a foot tall, glittering with gold throughout. She wore a pomegranate red brocade jacket patterned with small “fortune” characters, paired with a cyan skirt embroidered with yellow chrysanthemums—the flower petals all done in gold thread. An apricot-yellow shawl draped over her arms trailed to the ground. Her colors alone made the Ji family hall seem brighter.

In comparison, Madam Ji looked like a blade of grass beneath a peony.

Ji Yingying thought no wonder this woman dared to visit and arrogantly lecture the host family about raising children. She’d bought her confidence with silver.

So what if she had money? The Huanhua Dye House wasn’t starving even if they lost some business. With her mother present, it wasn’t her place to snap at guests. Ji Yingying clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms to keep herself in check.

“Mother,” Ji Yingying greeted properly.

Madam Ji forced a smile: “Second Miss, go pay your respects to First Madam Zhao.”

A thunderbolt struck Ji Yingying’s head. This was Zhao Xiuyuan’s mother? Why had she come? Even if she came to discuss marriage, there was no need to flaunt her wealth and slap her future in-laws’ faces. Ji Yingying’s first impression of Madam Zhao was not good.

Since she’d entered, Madam Zhao had been staring at her. Though Ji Yingying was seething inside, she had to maintain appearances, greeting Madam Zhao properly.

Madam Zhao complained she couldn’t see her clearly against the light: “So this is Second Miss? Sit down!”

Sit where? Ji Yingying didn’t want to sit beside her. But Madam Zhao’s gaze moved to the crescent stool below her. Ji Yingying had no choice but to sit properly on half the stool.

She regretted it terribly. She’d stepped in wanting to help her mother deal with this ill-mannered woman, not knowing it was Madam Zhao. Now she’d have to swallow this loss. Marrying into the Zhao family meant Madam Zhao would guide her—she wasn’t wrong about that. But Madam Zhao’s mockery of her mother went too far. Having such a mother-in-law would be troublesome indeed.

Regardless of her thoughts, Ji Yingying outwardly kept her head half-lowered, sitting quietly. Madam Zhao examined her carefully, then used two fingers to lift Ji Yingying’s chin.

Madam Ji’s fingers tightened on her handkerchief.

Ji Yingying: “!!”

Was this how one examined slaves for purchase? Should she open her mouth to show her teeth?

Neither Madam Ji nor her daughter had expected Madam Zhao to do this, leaving them momentarily stunned.

Having finally gotten a clear look at Ji Yingying’s face, Madam Zhao withdrew her hand and said leisurely: “Her appearance is passable! Though rather plainly dressed.” She glanced at her maids, finding Ji Yingying’s attire shabby in comparison. She pulled a three-inch phoenix-shaped golden hairpin from her high bun and handed it over, “Take this, dress yourself up properly.”

Her tone was like tossing a steamed bun to a beggar: Here!

Ji Yingying felt that if she accepted it, she’d surely want to chop off her hand later.

“One cannot refuse an elder’s gift. Accept it,” Madam Ji said slowly, exhaling.

Ji Yingying rose, bowed her head in thanks, and reluctantly accepted. Not wanting to sit beside Madam Zhao any longer, she took the opportunity to retreat below Madam Ji, giving the hairpin to Ling’er to keep.

Seeing Ji Yingying’s submissive demeanor, Madam Zhao’s mood improved slightly. Small households had their advantages—not daring to put on airs before their mother-in-law. This inflated her authority as the family matriarch even further.

Zhao Xiuyuan had entered the Treasure Collection Pavilion’s brocade competition, and servants reported things were going smoothly. Madam Zhao thought that after the brocade competition, they would arrange the marriage with the Ji family. She had never met Madam Ji or Ji Yingying. Having free time that afternoon, she came to visit with the mindset of “We were just neighbors across the street before, now we’re in-laws, I should see what the Ji family’s inner courtyard is like.”

Though small, the Ji household was neat and clean. The room was decorated with several blooming chrysanthemums and two precious items. These complemented the old-fashioned furniture, creating an elegant simplicity.

Madam Ji spoke with refinement, not the crude shrew Madam Zhao had imagined. Though of lower status, such in-laws were acceptable.

After all, her second son was set on Ji Yingying, and the Old Master had agreed. Madam Zhao’s thoughts shifted from evaluating whether the in-laws were suitable to “she will be my daughter-in-law.” Resting her elbow on the smooth armrest, she decided to begin educating Ji Yingying immediately: “I hear Second Miss excels at embroidery. Can you read?”

Families of means nowadays educate their young ladies, not expecting them to become talented poets like Yu Xuanji or Xue Tao, but at least to recognize characters and understand account books. Especially for merchant families—an illiterate mistress was unqualified. Madam Zhao was very concerned about this.

Ji Yingying suppressed her anger and answered: “I can.”

Madam Zhao made a sound of acknowledgment: “No need to study the Four Books and Five Classics or master the Six Arts. But you must learn the ‘Lessons for Women’ and ‘Women’s Analects’ well.” Her expression grew stern as she continued coldly, “‘As a woman, one must know propriety. When female guests visit, arrange the seats properly. Adjust your clothes, walk slowly and gracefully. Keep your hands clasped and your voice low when inviting guests through the courtyard. Greet them appropriately according to the time, addressing them properly from start to finish. Answer questions earnestly with gentle words.’ Bursting in shouting and yelling—have you followed any of these teachings from the ‘Women’s Analects’?!”

Ji Yingying wanted to flip the table! The veins on her temples throbbed with anger. She’d endured for so long!

Madam Ji thought: my daughter isn’t even formally engaged to the Zhao family, yet you dare lecture her in front of me? Are you scolding Ji Yingying, or using this chance to mock me as a widow incapable of properly raising her daughter? Remembering Madam Zhao’s earlier sarcastic words, her expression darkened further.

“Lessons for Women” was written by Ban Zhao of the Eastern Han for her daughter’s education in the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. “Women’s Analects” was a book of feminine conduct written by the Song sisters, Song Ruoxin and Song Ruozhao, during the Zhenguan era. During the Tang Dynasty, most women used these two books as guides for proper behavior.

The Tang Dynasty was quite liberal, especially after Wu Zetian’s reign. Requirements for women weren’t strict. Wearing Hu-style clothing and women in men’s attire were popular fashions. Learning these two books was mainly to understand proper conduct and etiquette, ensuring one wouldn’t embarrass oneself in public—that was enough.

Ji Yingying knew that upon learning Madam Zhao was present, she had immediately quieted down and walked gracefully forward to pay her respects. Even when Madam Zhao looked at her with contempt, she had patiently answered everything. How had she shown any lack of propriety?

Madam Ji had wrung her handkerchief into a pickled vegetable shape, enduring it all for her daughter’s marriage to Zhao Xiuyuan.

First, you mock my mother for not teaching her daughter well, now you say I don’t know propriety. Do you think you can bully us because my mother and I are polite to you? Ji Yingying didn’t have such a good temper. She immediately bowed to Madam Ji: “‘When parents reprimand, one must not panic. Step forward to listen, and contemplate day and night. If there are wrongs, correct them over time. Take parents’ words seriously, not as ordinary talk. Follow their teachings, do not be stubborn.’ Your daughter keeps these words in her heart. If there are improprieties, please let mother guide me.”

She also quoted from the “Women’s Analects,” meaning: if I’m wrong, my mother can discipline me. You’re not my mother-in-law yet, you have no right to criticize.

Madam Ji was pleased with this response. As a widow supporting the household and raising children, she wasn’t to be trifled with. She said softly: “My child has been well-taught from childhood, gentle and refined, knowing propriety and grace. I am very comforted.”

My daughter’s upbringing is excellent, I’m very satisfied. Do you want to find fault? Not a chance.

The mother and daughter’s exchange left Madam Zhao out in the cold.

After speaking, Madam Ji gave Madam Zhao a gentle smile, responding to her earlier criticism: “We merchant families don’t expect to marry into noble clans. We’ve given Madam Zhao cause to laugh. I will continue teaching her diligently.”

The “merchant family” was emphasized on a high note.

Tang Dynasty merchants were the most fortunate in history. Their status was very high, and they weren’t forbidden from wearing silk, gauze, or brocade. No matter how wealthy the Zhao family was, weren’t they registered as merchants too?

They were all wild chickens. Though you can afford peacock feathers to stick in your tail, you can’t become nobility! If you dislike us so much, try marrying a daughter from a high-ranking official family!

Would they even agree to the marriage?

Well, even Madam Yang Stone could only be considered half an official family. Forget three generations back—even her father’s generation was illiterate farmers. She only had one brother who served as a Recording Officer in the prefecture office. Because of this alone, Madam Yang Stone had lorded it over her sisters-in-law in the Yang family, controlling the household for decades.

Madam Ji had subtly slapped Madam Zhao’s face until it was swollen.

Madam Zhao’s blood churned, her face alternating between red and white as she stormed out with her group of elaborately dressed servants.