Elder Lady Chen lived in a five-section residence. The black-lacquered door with its auspicious beast-shaped copper rings stood open. The steps were carved with patterns of five bats offering longevity, with pine and cypress trees planted alongside, partially concealing a door lintel engraved with “Sandalwood Mountain.” A young maid was sweeping by the steps. Seeing them approach, she hurriedly curtseyed and greeted them with a smile: “Good day to Third Master and Third Lady.” Another little maid went inside to announce their arrival.

Jin Chao gazed at this little maid for a moment. She wore a pea-green short jacket with twining branch patterns, her hair in a maiden’s bun, around thirteen or fourteen years old.

She thought to herself how truly unpredictable fate could be. Who would have guessed that this girl, who didn’t even rank as a third-class maid and could only sweep outside, would later become Elder Lady’s favorite?

She had Qing Pu give the girl a red envelope and casually asked: “You have a pleasant appearance. What is your name?”

The little maid accepted the red packet, her cheeks flushing with excitement, and curtseyed gratefully: “This servant is called Xiao Ping.”

Xiao Ping? Jin Chao remembered that in her previous life, she was called Qing Fu, the most valued maid on the Elder Lady’s side. Wherever she went, others had to show her some respect. Even Second Lady Qin, despite her strong personality, didn’t dare slight her. Whenever she came to deliver messages, she would be served tea and snacks.

At this moment, a matron wearing a sandalwood-colored sleeveless jacket and a jade bracelet emerged from the room, smiling and curtseying: “This servant pays respects to Third Master and Third Lady. The Elder Lady invites you both inside for a conversation.”

Jin Chao followed Chen Third Master inside, still hearing voices behind her: “Xiao Ping, come here. We need to heat a pot of water; you watch the fire.”

Xiao Ping responded softly, followed by the sound of a broom being set down.

Servants were most reluctant to work in the kitchen, as it was both exhausting and dirty.

Just as this thought crossed Jin Chao’s mind, they had already entered the fifth section. Elder Lady Chen enjoyed tranquility and disliked extravagance, which was why she lived in the rear chamber of the fifth section. Through the side door was the Chen family’s Buddhist shrine, with a lotus pond behind it, making it very cool during summer.

Inside, however, was quite lively, with occasional laughter and conversation.

A maid lifted the fine embroidered magnolia curtain. Turning past a red sandalwood screen, they entered a spacious side hall. Several ladies whom Jin Chao found familiar were seated there, along with two seated beside Elder Lady Chen whom she knew very well. Elder Lady Chen sat on a luohan bed, smiling as she watched her.

The furniture in the room was all black lacquered, quite heavy, revealing traces of age. The cushions on the woven seats were dark blue or light cyan. Near the small window stood a long table, enshrining a two-foot-tall statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, a three-legged qilin incense burner, and fresh tangerines, pears, and trough cakes placed on a high-footed cloisonné plate. Further inside were twelve sandalwood lattice panels carved with patterns of children playing with lotuses and antiques.

Elder Lady Chen smiled: “My third daughter-in-law looks good in red. Come closer and let mother have a good look at you.”

Jin Chao was momentarily stunned. Chen Third Master glanced at her and said quietly: “Why are you in a daze? Go quickly.” She suddenly realized that she was indeed the third daughter-in-law… she had grown too accustomed to being with the Gu family. She walked to Elder Lady Chen, first curtseying to pay her respects. Elder Lady Chen smiled, took her hand, and introduced her to the familiar-looking ladies: Elder Lady Cheng, Duchess Zheng, Elder Lady Wu from Rong Xiang Hutong, First Lady Wu, and Second Lady Wu who had helped with the bed-scattering ceremony.

Elder Lady Chen spoke softly to her: “Although it’s not yet time for the formal family introductions, you should meet your sisters-in-law first.”

She pointed to the two people sitting beside her.

Jin Chao looked up to see Second Lady Qin sitting on Elder Lady Chen’s left side. Her given name was Xian Lan. She was the wife of Chen Second Master, the current Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shaanxi. She had a smile on her face, slender phoenix eyes, and long, elegant eyebrows. Her hair was styled in a peony bun, adorned with a pure gold hairpin inlaid with rubies. Nearly forty years old, she was from the Zhen Ding Qin family, which had produced a Grand Secretary and no fewer than ten scholars and jinshi degree holders. Lady Qin was the second daughter of the Qin family’s main branch.

She was also a woman of formidable tactics… In her previous life, Jin Chao, understanding nothing, had suffered many hidden losses at her hands.

Although Chen Third Master was the eldest legitimate son, household affairs had always been managed by Lady Qin. Firstly, Lady Jiang was too gentle, and secondly, she was often ill. Lady Qin came from a prestigious background and had been trained in household management from a young age, giving her a high position in the family. Later, when Elder Lady Chen’s health gradually declined, she had intended to entrust the inner courtyard affairs to Jin Chao, but Lady Qin created many obstacles. However, after suffering a serious illness, she seemed to stop caring about these matters…

Jin Chao curtseyed to Lady Qin and addressed her: “Sister-in-law.”

Lady Qin smiled and had her maid bring over a gilt box: “My sister-in-law is truly as beautiful as they say. Soon you’ll be receiving many gifts during the family introductions. Let me give you my welcome gift first, so you won’t be overwhelmed later.”

Jin Chao expressed her thanks, accepted it, and handed it to Qing Pu standing beside her.

The lady on the other side stood up, curtseyed, and smiled: “Then I must ask for my welcome gift from my Third Sister-in-law first!”

After Elder Lady Chen’s introduction, Jin Chao smiled and said: “Fourth Sister-in-law is too polite.” She took a brocade box containing a gold filigree phoenix hairpin with a pearl from Cai Fu and handed it to her.

Fourth Lady Wang wore a light purple padded jacket with light yellow peony patterns and a stone-blue pleated skirt. Her hair was styled in a phoenix-tail bun, adorned with a pearl headdress. She had fair skin, and thin lips, and was not yet thirty, still possessing some beauty.

Lady Wang was born in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. Her ancestors were merchants, and it was only in her father’s generation that the family produced a jinshi degree holder. Later, her uncle became the Deputy Salt Controller of Zhejiang, and the family truly prospered. She married Chen Fourth Master and had a son and a daughter.

Jin Chao didn’t have a strong impression of Lady Wang, only remembering that she was a clever woman who had fared well both when Lady Qin was in charge and when she was in charge. However, her relationship with Chen Fourth Master was not particularly good; her maid had once overheard Lady Wang crying at night about Chen Fourth Master.

During the ladies’ conversation, Chen Third Master remained silent, quietly watching Jin Chao, thinking that if she couldn’t manage, he would step in to help smooth things over. But although she was a new bride, she showed no awkwardness. Her eyes conveyed composure and smiles, so he stood steadily with his hands behind his back.

At this moment, a young maid came to relay a message: The Sixth Lady was delayed and told them not to wait for her.

Elder Lady Chen sighed helplessly: “Then we won’t wait for her.” She asked her maid to help her up.

The group proceeded to the main hall of the previous section. Elder Lady Chen took her seat in the master chair, with an empty chair beside her representing Chen Old Master, who had passed away seven years ago.

Jin Chao kowtowed to Elder Lady Chen and the late Chen Old Master then served tea and addressed her: “Mother.” Elder Lady Chen smiled kindly and handed her something prepared earlier from her maid’s hands.

Jin Chao felt the heavy weight in her hands and recalled that in her previous life, Elder Lady Chen had only given her a pair of white jade bracelets… It seemed much more generous this time.

After completing the ceremony, Chen Third Master walked to her side and said quietly: “I’ll accompany you this far. Brigadier General Zhao, Duke Zheng, and the others haven’t left yet, so I must go attend to them. If there’s anything you want, just tell Mother. She is kind-natured and won’t make things difficult for you.”

With Chen’s Second Master not in the mansion, and Chen Fourth and Sixth Masters having lower official ranks, only he was qualified to serve as host.

Jin Chao looked up at him. Chen Third Master’s expression was natural as if all this was perfectly normal. This was the Chen family’s inner quarters… surely she wouldn’t be bullied, requiring his protection?

Was Chen Third Master like this in her previous life too?

Jin Chao tried hard to remember but had no memory of him at all… Her heart ached slightly, and she said softly: “Please go ahead. I’ll stay here and chat with Mother.”

Chen Yan Yun thought her expression seemed somewhat reluctant to part, so he said: “I’ll be back soon.”

After a pause, he added with a smile, “Don’t worry.”

Jin Chao watched Chen Yan Yun’s tall figure in his crimson robe disappear, then muttered to herself… what did she have to worry about?

Elder Lady Chen then called Jin Chao to sit beside her and smiled, saying: “Did you meet Matron Wang yesterday?”

Jin Chao nodded, and Elder Lady Chen continued: “She was Lady Jiang’s wet nurse, who usually helped manage her dowry and Third Branch affairs. Third Master has only one daughter, Miss Xi, whom you’ll meet shortly. She is still young, and Lady Jiang’s dowry will need your management until she marries. So I’ve assigned Matron Wang to you. She is familiar with these matters and can assist you.”

Jin Chao nodded and said: “I must help my sister, but perhaps we should write an inventory of my sister’s dowry for you to keep. I’ll also report the monthly income to you for review. What do you think?” This would prevent others from exploiting Lady Jiang’s dowry later, something she had experienced before.

Elder Lady Chen felt her consideration was very thorough and agreed.

She called Lady Qin over and told Jin Chao: “Currently, your second sister-in-law manages the household. If there’s anything you don’t understand or need, just ask her.”

Lady Qin smiled and said: “Third Sister-in-law has just married into the family. If any maids or servants are disobedient, tell me, and I’ll discipline them for you.”

Jin Chao smiled without speaking, thinking that if her maids were disobedient and Lady Qin had to discipline them, she would never establish herself in the Chen family.

Such a thing hadn’t happened in her previous life either.

As they were discussing this, a little maid came to report that the Sixth Lady had arrived.

Soon, a young woman entered the main hall, wearing a light pink-blue padded jacket with blue borders and a stone-blue pleated skirt. Her hair was styled in a center-parted bun, adorned with a pure gold headband inlaid with green tourmaline. She had very delicate features, with a gentle temperament similar to Gu Lan’s, appearing so fragile that she seemed afraid to speak loudly.

Sixth Lady Ge was the person Jin Chao remembered most deeply. However, in her memory, she already appeared older than herself. Seeing Lady Ge looking so young now, Jin Chao felt momentarily disoriented.

Lady Ge’s personality is opposite to Jin Chao’s. Among all the ladies in the Chen family, she was always the one with the least say. In her previous life, not only did Lady Qin and Jin Chao look down on her, but Lady Wang also paid little attention to her. Fortunately, she had given birth to a boy; otherwise, her status would have been even lower.

Lady Ge first paid her respects to Elder Lady Chen, murmuring an explanation: “Mother, I’m sorry, I overslept…”

Elder Lady Chen looked at her and sighed: “No matter how much powder you apply, you can’t hide the dark circles under your eyes… Never mind, I don’t feel like discussing your affairs today. Quickly greet your Third Sister-in-law.”

Lady Ge’s eyes reddened slightly as she turned and softly greeted Jin Chao.

Jin Chao gave her a brocade box containing a white jade and pure gold bracelet.