Ji Cheng sighed, her thoughts turning to her aunt Ji Lan. In her youth, she had never imagined marrying anyone else, only hoping to grow up quickly and be with Ziyun. Who could have foreseen the incident with Zhu Jijun? Even after it happened, Ji Cheng believed that with her aunt married into such a prominent family, dealing with the Zhu matter would be trivial.
Little did Ji Cheng know that the old noble families were intricately connected, and the Zhu clan had powerful backers. Ji Lan, as a married daughter, was unwilling to get involved in the messy affair. In the end, it was Ji Cheng’s father who had to use half their family assets to plead with Ji Lan for help in resolving the crisis.
Ji Cheng rolled onto her back. She didn’t blame Ji Lan; everyone had their own family and position to consider. In the end, her aunt had helped them, albeit at a steep price.
Ji Cheng couldn’t even guarantee that she would be so devoted to helping her natal family after marriage.
Despite her beautiful words to Ji Lan, Ji Cheng knew she had selfish motives. She truly didn’t want to burden her parents anymore, but she also didn’t want to live a life where she could be crushed as easily as an ant between two fingers. To survive, one must first become strong, even if it means borrowing the tiger’s might. Only then could one think about the future.
But could she succeed? Ji Cheng didn’t know and had no confidence. She could only take it one step at a time. Though she came with extremely pragmatic intentions, she also quietly hoped to meet someone kind, even if he wasn’t handsome, with gentle in-laws who were easy to get along with.
However, she had heard that the noble ladies of the capital were not easy to deal with. Ji Cheng sighed. She didn’t aspire to marry into a high-ranking family; life in those grand mansions wasn’t pleasant. It would be best to marry someone from a small family, whose husband had great ability and prospects. Even a widower would do.
Ji Cheng pondered repeatedly: among the countless officials in the capital, big and small, surely there must be someone she could approve of, who would also approve of her?
Hearing the rustling sounds of her mistress tossing and turning in bed, Liu Ye’er couldn’t help but say, “Miss, tomorrow I’ll find some servants to move the furniture in the west room. Then you can practice as you did at home, which should help you sleep better.”
“Mm,” Ji Cheng responded. In truth, the so-called “practice” was a method of physical cultivation taught by her female teacher. After practicing, her whole body would be tired, indeed making it easier to sleep. Since leaving Jin for the capital, she hadn’t had the opportunity to practice for a long time.
It was nearly midnight when Ji Cheng finally dozed off, only to wake up soon after to pay respects to Ji Lan.
“Did you sleep well last night?” Ji Lan asked while Ling Rong combed her hair.
“Very well, Aunt,” Ji Cheng replied.
Ji Lan chuckled lightly, “You just arrived yesterday. You should have taken a bath to wash off the dust of travel. It was my oversight.”
Despite her words, if Ji Lan had returned to Jin, Ji Cheng’s family wouldn’t dare to be so negligent. The difference lay simply in their status, noble versus lowly.
“Though the Ji family is wealthy, there’s no need to throw money around in your aunt’s house, is there?” Ji Lan’s tone changed as she directly rebuked Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng immediately lowered her head, looking genuinely scared and remorseful, “Yu Qian’er grew up in Jin and hasn’t seen much of the world. She doesn’t know the rules of noble houses. I’ve already spoken to them, and it won’t happen again. Aunt, you single-handedly manage such a large household and raise children. Now Acheng’s arrival has caused you additional trouble…”
“What trouble? With such an obedient niece, I couldn’t be more pleased,” Ji Lan said, taking Ji Cheng’s hand. “What I said earlier was for your good. Our background isn’t considered good, and everyone is watching us closely. Even a small mistake can be blown out of proportion. You’ll understand after staying here for a while. The rules of this household were established with great difficulty. There were many bitter experiences in those early years. Some servants in this Duke’s mansion have served for generations, carrying themselves with more pride than their masters. It took me over ten years to bring them under control. With such people, the more money you throw at them, the more they look down on you.”
Ji Cheng listened attentively, nodding from time to time. She held Ji Lan’s hand and said, “Thank you, Aunt, for sharing these heartfelt words with me. Acheng understands. These years haven’t been easy for you either, Aunt.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” Ji Lan smiled bitterly. At her glance, the maids serving nearby silently withdrew.
“I know you all envy me, but who can understand the difficulties I faced after marrying into the Qi Duke’s mansion?” Ji Lan seemed to be getting emotional as she spoke. “My sisters-in-law, one a princess and the other the eldest daughter of a marquis look down on everyone. The old madam despises my background, and even the servants show me no respect. When I was first pregnant with my eldest son, the old madam sent people to my room. I was young and hot-tempered then, and I lost that child.” Ji Lan dabbed at her tears as she spoke.
This was the second time Ji Lan had poured out her grievances to Ji Cheng as if determined to let her know that marrying into a noble family wasn’t as wonderful as she might imagine. There were many hardships.
But Ji Cheng had never thought that life after marrying into a noble family would be easy. Where there is gain, there is loss. She was mentally prepared for this.
Ji Lan continued her lament, “At that time, I thought, with my talent and beauty, I might as well have entered the palace to serve the Emperor. At least I wouldn’t have suffered like this. Before she entered the palace, Snow Honored Consort was the most favored in the harem. Even princesses had to show her respect and wouldn’t dare to make a sound in her presence. Her whole family prospered because of her. Her brother still holds great power in the Ministry of Personnel.”
Ji Cheng had nothing to say and could only nod repeatedly to show she was listening.
“When your second brother’s incident happened, your father must have complained a lot about me at home, right?” Ji Lan asked, wiping her tears.
“No, Father and our whole family are incredibly grateful to you, Aunt. Especially Second Brother, who’s been eager to come and kowtow to you. But with Big Brother coming to study in the capital, someone needs to stay at home to care for our parents. That’s why he couldn’t come,” Ji Cheng said.
“Don’t try to fool me. I can understand if you hold a grudge against me. It’s my natal family, after all. Did you think I wanted to stand by and do nothing? It was like stabbing my own heart with scissors. But your uncle is useless and couldn’t help much,” Ji Lan seemed to have finally found an audience and poured out all her grievances at once.
“The Shen family has three sons. The eldest inherited the title, the second earned merit and was made an earl, but your uncle is neither here nor there. His current position was bought with money and connections, but he has no real authority. The old madam favors the two elder sons, and the brothers look down on their useless younger brother. You can imagine how difficult it is to face my sisters-in-law. Every time I have to ask them for help, I lie awake all night. You’ve never had to beg others, so you don’t know how difficult and humiliating it is.” Ji Lan clutched at her chest, looking as if her heart was twisted with pain.
Of course, Ji Cheng had begged others before, experiencing even greater humiliation than Ji Lan. When her father came to beg her aunt for help, he must have felt the same humiliation.
That period was a complete upheaval in Ji Cheng’s life. The fear and terror she experienced were indescribable. It was impossible for her not to harbor resentment towards Ji Lan, who had withheld her resources and sold them at an exorbitant price before finally, reluctantly, helping.
But later, as Ji Cheng grew older, she realized how naive and laughable her earlier thoughts had been. Ji Lan had no obligation to help them. So now, Ji Cheng was grateful to Ji Lan. Without her, the Ji family probably wouldn’t have even known where to start looking for help.
Ji Cheng wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, “Our whole family is endlessly grateful to you and Uncle. Without you, Aunt, we wouldn’t have even known where to turn for help.” Ji Cheng spoke her true feelings.
Ji Lan paused slightly, realizing that her niece was truly remarkable. But no matter how clever she was, Ji Lan wasn’t afraid. Sometimes, clever people were easier to deal with; they always knew what they wanted.
“Let’s stop talking about these things. It’s heartbreaking to bring them up. It’s enough that you understand my difficulties. Now that you’ve come to the capital, I will do my best to help you. If things work out, our aunty and niece will have each other to rely on in the capital. But the waters here run deep. The people from noble houses look down on everyone, and the newly rich’s behavior is truly off-putting. Actually, with your talent and beauty, if you could enter the palace to serve the Emperor, who would dare to cause trouble for the Imperial Uncle in the future? There’s no Empress Dowager in the palace now. If you serve the Emperor well, you’ll live comfortably and freely. All the noble ladies in the capital would have to kneel before you. Wouldn’t that be satisfying?”
Ji Cheng’s expression didn’t change, but her heart tightened. She hadn’t expected Ji Lan to have such intentions. The Emperor was nearly fifty years old, addicted to women since his youth, his body depleted. He ascended the throne in his thirties and became even more indulgent afterward. He had been childless for years until recently when he finally had a crown prince.
Ji Lan thought that being far from the capital in Jin, Ji Cheng, a young lady from a secluded boudoir, surely wouldn’t know about court affairs. Little did she know that since Ji Cheng had made up her mind to come to the capital, she had naturally taken care to inquire about the situation there.
“Aunt, I’ve heard that the Emperor is nearly fifty. Acheng doesn’t have such ambitions, nor do I dare to compare myself with the ladies in the palace. I’m clumsy with words and fear I don’t have such good fortune,” Ji Cheng said, lowering her head.
Ji Lan hadn’t expected Ji Cheng to agree immediately. After she encountered some setbacks in the capital, she would naturally know what choice was best.
As they were talking, Shen Cui, Ji Cheng’s cousin, entered the room, calling out coquettishly, “Mother.”