The previous generation’s Prime Minister Li Changsheng passed away during the prime of his middle age. His wife, Meng Shi, overcome with grief, left the main residence to recuperate alone in a separate courtyard. After returning, fearing the painful memories the surroundings would evoke, she simply moved away from the main courtyard to the more secluded Hexiang Courtyard, and from then on rarely concerned herself with the residence’s affairs. In her previous life, although this grandmother Meng Shi was taciturn and rarely socialized with others, she was fair in her conduct and dealings, never showing favoritism toward anyone. Therefore, Li Weiyang had always held deep affection for her. Unfortunately, the old madam’s health was poor, and she had already passed away before Li Weiyang ascended to the position of empress.

In the room, Meng Shi sat on the central warm platform bed wearing a precious blue ramie silk jacket with a “Five Blessings Embracing Longevity” pattern. On her head, she wore a silver squirrel fur Zhaojun hat with a piece of jade set in the center. Seeing Li Weiyang curtsy gracefully, she nodded slightly and said only one sentence: “It’s good that you’re back.”

For some reason, upon hearing these words, Li Weiyang’s eyes instantly reddened. In everyone else’s eyes, this immediately created a different kind of feeling.

At this moment, a beautiful woman wearing a honey-colored large-sleeved round-collared Hunan silk dress with a gold-adorned phoenix hairpin smiled and proactively came over to help Li Weiyang up. Looking her up and down, she smiled and said, “Old Madam, look, this truly is a distinguished young lady!” After speaking, she glanced at the First Madam sitting to one side. “We must truly congratulate elder sister-in-law—she’s gained another beautiful daughter.”

A slight smile appeared on First Madam Jiang Shi’s face, but there wasn’t the slightest trace of a smile in the depths of her eyes. She slowly looked Li Weiyang over and said, “Indeed a good child. Come quickly, let me look at you carefully.”

The corner of Li Weiyang’s eye twitched, but her face showed an obedient smile. She gently walked past Second Madam Wen Shi, who had just helped her up, and walked with dignified bearing to stand before Jiang Shi, curtsying again: “Mother.”

Jiang Shi looked at her very lovingly and said, “They say Pingcheng has good mountains and waters that nurture people. When she was first born, she was only as big as a kitten, and her health was poor too. Look, her complexion is much better than before. This can be called a blessing in disguise!”

Good mountains and waters? Nurturing people? Li Weiyang sneered inwardly. She had almost been raised to death, yet this woman dared to shamelessly say something about a blessing in disguise. What thick skin!

Thinking of this, she smiled prettily and said, “Mother is right. All these years, Weiyang has benefited greatly from your care.”

With this statement, in the eyes of the others, Li Weiyang appeared to be a very sensible person. If she had complained to the Old Madam on the spot about being mistreated, then although the Old Madam would have rebuked the First Madam a few times, the First Madam could easily push the blame onto the servants for acting behind her back. It wouldn’t affect her at all and would instead leave others with the impression that Li Weiyang didn’t understand propriety. So by saying this now, Jiang Shi was very satisfied and smiled, pulling her hand as she said, “It’s good that you understand my intentions. From now on you’re back home. In the future, just get close with your sisters. Come tell me if you lack or need anything.”

Third Madam Zhou Shi on the side just watched this scene gently without expressing any opinion, while Second Madam Wen Shi, who had helped Li Weiyang up earlier, showed a trace of mocking smile on her face. The Old Madam remained indifferent from beginning to end, fingering the prayer beads in her hand.

“Yes, Weiyang will certainly follow Mother’s teachings and… grow close with my sisters.” To others, a trace of blush appeared on Li Weiyang’s face, and her words seemed extremely compliant.

The First Madam glanced at Zi Yan and Bai Zhi behind her and nodded, saying, “Having only these two little maids following you really doesn’t look proper. Huamei, from now on you’ll follow the Third Miss and take good care of her.”

A maid with delicate eyebrows, phoenix eyes, and a graceful figure responded and came forward, respectfully curtsying to Li Weiyang.

“You’re grown now. Having only these two first-class maids isn’t enough. For now, I’ll add one more. After the New Year, I’ll add another. I’ve already prepared second-class ones for you. As for third-class ones, that’s easy—just slowly add suitable ones as you see them.” The First Madam said this, looking every bit the loving mother.

Li Weiyang smiled and expressed her thanks. She knew that at this moment, not only was the First Madam sizing her up, but Old Madam Meng Shi on the side, along with Second Madam Wen Shi and Third Madam Zhou Shi, were all evaluating her too. In this family, her father was the Prime Minister, her legitimate mother Jiang Shi managed the household, but the second branch and the main branch had been competing with each other in recent years. As for the third branch… In short, open and covert struggles between them were inevitable. For her who had just returned, establishing a firm foothold was most important.

The First Madam looked at her again and frowned, saying, “This child, why are you dressed so lightly?” She beckoned with her hand. “Bring over that crane cloak I prepared.”

In front of everyone, she smiled and personally draped the crane cloak over Li Weiyang.

The crane cloak was light and warm. On the light rose-colored cocoon silk surface, peony patterns were embroidered with gold thread, while the edges were outlined with black thread in cloud patterns. The silver squirrel lining inside was all thick fur, looking very warm. With a light touch, Li Weiyang discovered the lining was old. Obviously, the First Madam had specially taken it from the bottom of a chest to save face in front of everyone and do a favor. She smiled slightly and said, “Thank you, Mother.”

Just then, someone came in from outside to report to Jiang Shi: “First Madam, the Censor’s wife has sent five bolts of tribute flowing cloud gauze transported from Ningzhou. What would you like—”

The First Madam nodded and smiled as she stood up, saying, “Old Madam, I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first. Weiyang, after I finish my business, I’ll take you to see your father.”

Li Weiyang quickly smiled and said, “Yes, thank you for Mother’s consideration.”

The prayer beads in Meng Shi’s hands moved slightly. She only nodded slightly, and the First Madam smiled and took her leave. Once she left, the people from the second and third branches all stood up to follow. Especially Second Madam Wen Shi, who looked at Li Weiyang with great disappointment. She had originally thought there would be a chance to see this concubine-born daughter file a complaint against Jiang Shi, but who knew she would be such a soft persimmon, not daring to say even half a word despite having suffered so much.

Once the three madams left, the room full of warblers and swallows all followed them out.

Meng Shi glanced at the clear-featured Li Weiyang. For some reason, she suddenly sighed and said to Nanny Luo beside her, “See this child out.”

Li Weiyang knelt on the ground and earnestly kowtowed to Meng Shi again before following Nanny Luo to leave.

Nanny Luo escorted Li Weiyang to under the eaves when she suddenly heard Li Weiyang exclaim “Eh,” causing her to stop in her tracks: “Third Miss, what’s wrong?”

Li Weiyang shook her head, her face also showing a strange expression. As if unintentionally, she touched the back of her neck. Nanny Luo said nothing more and continued walking forward, but deliberately fell half a step behind and glanced at Li Weiyang’s neck. She discovered that several red dots had actually appeared there, as if freshly pricked by needles, with blood seeping out. She was immediately stunned.

Li Weiyang seemed to be enduring it strongly. After walking just a few steps, tears welled up in her eyes. Nanny Luo could no longer bear to watch and smiled, saying, “The pattern on Third Miss’s crane cloak is truly beautiful. The Old Madam has also been wanting to make one recently. I wonder if you could take it off and lend it to us servants to look at for a couple of days?”

The clothing worn by the old madam would naturally have different patterns and colors from her own. Li Weiyang clearly understood, but as if she didn’t comprehend, she compliantly took off the crane cloak and handed it to Nanny Luo. Nanny Luo took it, her fingers intentionally or unintentionally brushing over the silver squirrel lining. Afterward, her expression changed slightly.

“Nanny Luo, is something wrong?” Li Weiyang said innocently.

Nanny Luo glanced at the maids around them, her smile unchanged: “Nothing. Third Miss, go quickly to see your new residence. This old servant cannot leave the Old Madam’s side and must hurry back.”

Li Weiyang looked at the crane cloak held tightly in the other’s hands and smiled slightly: “Yes, Nanny Luo, please hurry back!”