Madam Yang Shi was the second wealthy family matriarch to visit the Ji household.

Ji Yingying still remembered Madam Zhao’s display of wealth last year. Whenever she recalled it, the first things that came to mind were the dazzling gold ornaments and the bright, expensive brocades and silks.

The last time she saw Madam Yang Shi, her display of status was no less than Madam Zhao’s. Even in that humble inn, Yang family servants had quickly transformed a corner into an elegant, quiet space.

Perhaps it wasn’t merely a display of status. Luxury had simply become their habit.

Having spoken with Madam Yang Shi once before, Ji Yingying understood how shrewd this woman nearing sixty was. She hadn’t revealed Yang Jingyuan’s whereabouts to her mother or brother. Whether he remained with the Yang family or not, he still had to observe three years of mourning. She would wait for him to come and marry her. Those who left their family were like rootless duckweed. Moreover, Yang Jingyuan had gone to join the military. Good iron isn’t used for nails, and good men don’t become soldiers. Her mother and brother, who hoped for a peaceful life, would worry once again because of Yang Jingyuan.

From Yang Jingyuan’s vague words, Ji Yingying had discerned the reason for his departure. Beyond shrewdness, Ji Yingying now added “calculating” to her assessment of Madam Yang Shi. Was she visiting the Ji family today just to discuss postponing the wedding date?

Madam Ji was someone who valued propriety. As long as the Yang family didn’t actively propose breaking off the engagement, she remained grateful for Madam Yang Shi’s earlier assistance. Without it, they couldn’t have protected the Ji family’s secret formulas or repaid their debts.

Her daughter was willing to wait another three years to marry. The dyeing workshop was indeed busy. Now that Zhang Siniang was with child, they needed her daughter’s help at home. In three years, the Ji family could save more silver to complete Ji Yingying’s thousand-tael gold dowry. Considering everything, Madam Ji felt that postponing the wedding for three years might be for the best. She received Madam Yang Shi with the utmost sincerity.

It would have been improper to make formal visits during the mourning period. The Yang family didn’t make a grand show. Madam Yang Shi arrived quietly in a black-lacquered flat-topped carriage, accompanied by only one elderly maid and one serving girl.

She wore a white brocade robe with subtle patterns and wide sleeves, adorned with simple silver and pearl hairpins that complemented her graying hair, giving her an air of dignified elegance. This was Madam Ji’s first meeting with her, and she felt favorably impressed.

Madam Ji’s etiquette and refinement satisfied Madam Yang Shi. The more courteous they were, the easier it would be to achieve her goal. If the Ji family had been like common lower-class families, with Madam Ji being crude and quarrelsome, this matter would have been difficult to discuss.

Madam Yang Shi glanced at Ji Yingying, who sat properly beside Madam Ji and couldn’t help but think of the now-unreachable Yang Jingyuan. After raising him for eighteen years, Yang Jingyuan misunderstood her, believing she acted out of jealous hatred to seize property and kill his mother. Whenever Madam Yang Shi recalled Yang Jingyuan’s words before leaving and his sorrowful gaze toward her, her heart ached.

Having been the Yang family matriarch for decades, this was no time for her to be heartbroken. The First Son was recovering from illness, the Second Son needed to continue managing dozens of shops, and Chengyu needed to start familiarizing himself with the Yang family’s managers while continuing his studies… Most importantly, the Yang family needed to reclaim the title of Brocade King this year, dispelling the impact of the family head’s death and the current head’s severe illness, and restoring the main branch’s prestige.

“I apologize for disturbing you unexpectedly, fearing I might offend my in-law. I specifically brought some red silk to ward off any ill fortune,” Madam Yang Shi said apologetically.

Xueqing presented two bolts of red silk on the table.

Madam Yang Shi’s gesture deepened the smile on Madam Ji’s face. “You’re too kind.”

Madam Yang Shi glanced at Ji Yingying and beckoned to her warmly: “Erniang, come here.”

Ji Yingying approached.

Taking her hand, Madam Yang Shi smiled at Madam Ji: “Due to my advanced age, I had the Third Son’s elder sister-in-law come for the betrothal gifts last time. I’ve always wanted to personally place a hairpin for Erniang, and today I finally have the chance.”

She took a box from Chen Mama’s hands and removed a golden phoenix hairpin. The pin’s head was crafted into a phoenix shape, with the bird’s beak releasing a string of ruby ornaments. The design was clean and flowing, yet still magnificent.

Ji Yingying looked at her mother. Madam Ji said happily, “Thank Madam Yang.” Ji Yingying curtseyed in thanks, allowing Madam Yang Shi to insert the phoenix hairpin into her hair.

Madam Yang Shi smiled warmly and said, “Good child, you may leave now. I have matters to discuss with your mother.”

It seemed she had come to discuss the wedding date. Ji Yingying could only pretend to be shy, lowering her head as she left with Xianger. Once outside the main door, she took a familiar path around to the back of the house, crouching beneath the rear window to eavesdrop.

Madam Yang Shi dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, speaking sorrowfully: “Sister-in-law, if my husband hadn’t passed, this April 12th would have been the wedding day for Third Son and Erniang.”

Madam Ji consoled her gently: “Good things often face obstacles. Fortunately, both children are still young. Waiting three years until the mourning period ends to marry isn’t a problem.”

“You know, my Third Son was spoiled by me since childhood, yet he developed feelings for Yingying. I am only his stepmother—how could I speak of breaking off the engagement? Sister-in-law is so understanding; the Yang family truly made a good marriage connection.”

These words warmed Madam Ji’s heart. If it had been a family that didn’t understand propriety and cared too much about their daughter, they might have proposed breaking off the engagement.

Madam Yang Shi then changed course: “Delaying Erniang for three years weighs heavily on my conscience. Today I came because my husband hasn’t yet reached his hundred days of mourning. Why not take advantage of this initial mourning period to hold their wedding?”

Marry during the hundred-day mourning period? Madam Ji was instantly stunned by this proposal.

Marriage during mourning meant a single sedan chair would carry the bride, without celebratory music or suona horns. She would enter wearing red wedding clothes but would have to change into mourning garments immediately to pay respects to the memorial tablet, serve Madam Yang Shi, and observe mourning with the Yang family. The couple wouldn’t be able to consummate the marriage or live together.

Unless under special circumstances, what family would rush to take a bride at such a time? And who would want their daughter to endure such treatment?

Madam Ji firmly refused: “Sister-in-law, the Yang family has shown great kindness to the Ji family, and I find Young Master Yang Three to be truly good. The Ji family won’t initiate breaking off this engagement, and Yingying can wait three years for him. Please understand my feelings as a mother. Keeping my daughter at home for three more years allows me to see her for a while longer.”

Overhearing their conversation, Ji Yingying turned pale with anger, leaning against the wall as she breathed heavily.

Xianger nervously nudged her. Ji Yingying put her finger to her lips, signaling for silence.

Her emotions churned like boiling water.

How cunning of Madam Yang Shi to not mention a word about Yang Jingyuan’s departure! To suggest she marry into the family to observe mourning and live as a grass widow—how dare she even think of it! Ah, was she unable to find Yang Jingyuan’s whereabouts and hoping to use her to tie him to the Yang family?

Inside, Madam Ji was still tactfully trying to dissuade Madam Yang Shi, but Ji Yingying couldn’t listen anymore. She stood up abruptly and strode toward the main hall.

Seeing her daughter enter with a stern face, Madam Ji was startled and scolded, “Didn’t you see I was speaking with Madam Yang? How dare you enter without being announced?”

Ji Yingying said angrily: “Mother, you don’t know what’s happening. I won’t marry into the Yang family now!”

Realizing her daughter had been eavesdropping, Madam Ji apologized embarrassedly to Madam Yang Shi: “I haven’t taught her well, please don’t take offense, sister-in-law.”

“Mother!” Ji Yingying shouted, “Yang Third Son has already left home and is no longer with the Yang family! Madam Yang’s desire for me to marry now has ulterior motives! All this talk about not wanting to delay me for three years is nonsense!”