Hearing Fei Cui’s sophistry, Jia Min could no longer bear to listen. With a wave of her hand, the teacup on the table fell with a “crack,” the tea leaves and water spilling all over the floor. “Enough! You don’t need to say anymore. Someone, take her back to her own room and let her rest well!”

The person was taken away.

Jia Min covered her chest. She felt nauseated.

Nausea rising from her stomach.

In vain had she felt guilty and planned to compensate her well, preparing a dowry for her, matching her with a widower with children from among the household servants to secure her later years, and even writing to Mother saying she would arrange her younger brother well!

All those words of hers were false sentiments. She clearly just wanted to become a concubine! Following orders?

Were her orders not orders?

She just selectively followed the orders that also conformed to her own heart!

And the people in this courtyard… Jia Min’s gaze was cold as she looked out the window. Had they forgotten who was the master?

“Someone, call Nanny Qian over.”

In her Bitao Courtyard, who could have enabled Fei Cui to enter the room unobstructed?

Without much thought, Jia Min knew who did it. She was deeply disappointed.

Nanny Qian had foreseen this scene from the start. As soon as she entered, she knelt down to admit fault. “Madam, I know you’re unhappy, but I dare swear to heaven, I have absolutely no selfish motives—it’s all for your good!”

Fei Cui had looks, couldn’t bear children, and had an indenture contract. For matters and words inconvenient for the Madam to handle directly, she could do them on the Madam’s behalf.

With no future worries.

She hadn’t wanted to be so hasty, so rushed, with such clumsy methods either, but the Madam already had suitable candidates in mind. If she didn’t act, it wouldn’t work. If delayed further, Fei Cui would be matched with someone.

So even knowing the Madam would be angry, she could only resort to this inferior strategy.

Now like this, she certainly couldn’t be matched to others. Later they could slowly plot again.

Jia Min said nothing, just looked at her coldly.

This unexpected reaction made Nanny Qian somewhat uneasy. “Madam, don’t let anger harm your body. Everything is my fault. Punish me—I’m willing to accept punishment.”

Jia Min gently closed her eyes.

She shouldn’t have been softhearted before.

“Nanny, you’re advanced in years. Since your health is somewhat unwell now, you needn’t toil in the future. I’ll have maids take good care of you.”

Jia Min made up her mind.

Nanny Qian: “!!!”

She was shocked. Was this stripping her of authority?

Nanny Qian’s face twisted for a moment. She opened her mouth wanting to defend herself, but seeing the Madam’s gaze, her heart contracted sharply. She instinctively held back, saying nothing more, instead kowtowing heavily to her. “This old servant… knows her mistake.”

When leaving, her figure staggered and she nearly fell.

Judging from her back, she had aged more than five years in an instant.

Jia Min didn’t soften.

She successively called several people in, took away all the nanny’s authority, assigned two young maids to care for her—supposedly care, but actually to watch her and prevent her from doing anything else.

After some time, Jia Min planned to have the nanny move out. She would buy her a small residence, prepare servants, and let her live out her years. Beyond that, there would be nothing.

Besides her, Jia Min didn’t plan to let the others off lightly either.

However, she couldn’t replace everyone overnight—that would be too conspicuous…

As for Fei Cui, she wanted to stay?

Fine.

But the manner in which she stayed might not be what she wanted.

…

Yun Shuyao only learned about the new colleague nearly three months after giving birth, when it was time to resume paying respects at Bitao Courtyard.

This matter hadn’t spread widely.

So the news traveled slowly.

Upon learning of it, Yun Shuyao couldn’t help paying more attention.

Whether there was one more or one less colleague seemed trivial, but it could very likely increase or decrease her own workload.

This was something every seasoned worker had to pay attention to.

When Yun Shuyao was working before, a colleague suddenly resigned. As a team member, she was forced to take over that person’s work. Then a newcomer arrived, but far from helping, it was good if they didn’t cause trouble.

Soon the new colleague resigned and quit. She had breathed a sigh of relief.

Getting along with colleagues also depended on temperament.

Although due to work relationships, her colleagues were all superficial friendships, if personalities clashed like needles against wheat, the already unharmonious office would gain even more gunpowder flavor.

Here, if personalities clashed, they spent little time together, but if the other party was also a concubine, they had to pay respects every morning—contact was unavoidable.

When Yun Shuyao inquired, she found there wasn’t much information about this new colleague.

She learned the other party was quite attractive and had come with people from Rongguo Manor last time. Moreover, the new colleague’s position wasn’t concubine but rather like those two ladies in Lin Ruhai’s outer study—a tongfang without official status.

There was no special treatment either. Aside from a monthly allowance slightly higher than senior maids, she still had to handle needlework room duties.

Moreover, Lin Ruhai seemed to have already forgotten about this person.

Yun Shuyao: ?

Couldn’t understand this operation.

This person wouldn’t have climbed into bed herself, would she?

It couldn’t possibly be that Jia Min pushed her forward—if she had, the treatment wouldn’t be like this.

If she climbed into bed herself… Thinking of the maid from Concubine Mei’s courtyard who had been sent away, Yun Shuyao made a mental note.

If it was really like this, observing for a period would confirm it.

That Jia Min could firmly occupy the position of household matron wasn’t solely because of her birth.

—

Not long after Yun Shuyao learned of it, Concubine Mei also learned.

Since Concubine Mei self-imposed the punishment of copying scriptures, Nanny Wu gained a side job—teaching Concubine Mei proper etiquette. Her manners were too lax.

This made Nanny Wu privately lament, yet she couldn’t refuse.

She had been at Meixiang Courtyard for quite some time. Her impression of Concubine Mei was simple—this wasn’t a content person.

Although simple-minded, she wasn’t content enough.

On this point, Nanny Wu didn’t know how many times she had envied Nanny Wang at Lanxin Courtyard.

Moreover, sometimes Nanny Wu truly didn’t know where Concubine Mei got those impulsive ideas from.

Fortunately, at critical moments she still knew some propriety. During that pregnancy period, she didn’t jump out. Otherwise, Nanny Wu suspected even with eight hands she couldn’t protect that pregnancy.

As for why Concubine Mei knew some propriety at critical moments, Nanny Wu attributed most of the credit to Concubine Mei’s birth mother.

She could persuade Concubine Mei.

Additionally, Concubine Mei’s attitude toward them was also criticized.

They came from the Old Madam’s courtyard. Even people from the Madam’s courtyard would be somewhat courteous upon seeing them, but Concubine Mei wasn’t—only being somewhat courteous when dealing with her.

It wasn’t that this was wrong. Even as half a master, she was still a master, different from servants like them. But… she didn’t know how to conduct herself.

Not asking her to do anything special, just be somewhat courteous in attitude, rather than so imperious.

With this attitude, she only made everyone’s stance remain firmly with the Old Madam from start to finish.

Therefore, although Nanny Wu felt Concubine Mei’s approach wasn’t very smart, she didn’t really intervene.

The trouble she caused for the Master, Nanny Wu had heard more than once or twice.

She was somewhat shocked. Since having the Eldest Miss, this Concubine Mei had become somewhat arrogant.

She hadn’t dared act like this during pregnancy.

The Master had admonished her several times for the Eldest Miss’s sake, but unfortunately Concubine Mei didn’t understand.

At first, Nanny Wu thought Concubine Mei understood but relied on having the Eldest Miss and didn’t care. But later she discovered Concubine Mei truly hadn’t understood the Master’s admonishments.

This time the Master punished her with copying scriptures. At her speed, she couldn’t finish in less than three months.

The Master also said he would check then, blocking the path of having someone write for her or writing carelessly herself.

Equivalent to house arrest in disguise.

Now it was easier.

Compared to copying scriptures, learning etiquette wasn’t so unbearable.

With her physical condition, corporal punishment wasn’t possible—mostly verbal education.

Now seeing Concubine Mei learn this news and her eyes widen, wanting to say something excitedly, Nanny Wu unhurriedly patted the discipline ruler and tapped it lightly on the table. “Mistress, you haven’t finished today’s portion of scripture copying, and you haven’t learned today’s etiquette either.”

Concubine Mei’s face turned green.

That damned old hag!

—

After three full months, resuming the original daily respect-paying, now going out together weren’t just Yun Shuyao and Hong Xiu. The two little ones also had to go along.

Of course, given their young age, wet nurses held them and brought them over. And their so-called respect-paying was actually the wet nurses and nannies paying respects on their behalf.

Arriving at Bitao Courtyard, Yun Shuyao looked around.

Some faces were gone, replaced by newcomers.

As soon as she arrived, Concubine Mei arrived right after.

Not having seen her for a while, looking at the other party, at first glance there seemed no change. Looking carefully, she was better at restraining her emotions than before.

It seemed these days of copying scriptures she had suffered considerably.

Entering the main hall, Jia Min sat alone.

Exquisite makeup, peaceful demeanor.

She seemed in good spirits today.

After paying respects, Jia Min even expressed concern, asking about them and the children’s recent situations.

As for the other new colleague, she wasn’t seen.

Concubine Mei was still that temperament. She held back, not seeing who she wanted to see, and asked: “Madam, I heard we have another sister. Why don’t I see her?”

Jia Min glanced at her, still smiling. “Go, call Miss Xinghua over to meet everyone.”

A maid respectfully agreed.

Yun Shuyao: Doesn’t seem like an illusion.

Also, Xinghua? Wasn’t she called Fei Cui?

The atmosphere in Bitao Courtyard had changed from before. The servants’ attitude toward Jia Min… was more respectful.

Before long, the person came out.

Jia Min: “Her original name is Xinghua. That changed name won’t be used anymore.”

Zhao Xinghua obediently curtsied to Jia Min. “Xinghua pays respects to Madam.”

Then she gave Concubine Mei and Yun Shuyao a half-curtsy. “Xinghua greets Concubine Mei and Concubine Yun.”

Upon seeing Zhao Xinghua’s appearance, Concubine Mei’s heart sounded alarms.

This Fei Cui’s style was different from theirs. She looked obedient and cute, seemingly without scheming, but her father’s rear courtyard had a similar concubine whom her father greatly favored.

Her two younger half-sisters were both born by her.

Already married, because they learned that concubine’s essence, they were reportedly quite beloved by their husbands.

If the Master also became infatuated with such a person, Concubine Mei wouldn’t find it strange.

Therefore, a sense of crisis arose in her heart. She smiled without warmth: “So it’s Miss Xing—hua—. Miss Xinghua is too polite.” When saying the name, she deliberately drew out the tone, rich with implication.

Yun Shuyao secretly admired—this speed of attracting hatred was unmatched.

Xinghua kept her head down, as if she heard nothing, murmuring: “Concubine Mei flatters me.”

She was also using her peripheral vision to size up these two people. Concubine Mei was easy to recognize—her colors were flamboyant, an alluring woman from whom one couldn’t easily look away. Concubine Yun wasn’t so conspicuous. That face was equally good, her temperament more gentle.

The Old Madam’s instruction was to have her focus on watching Concubine Yun—she posed the greatest threat.

Although in terms of birth and talent she fell far short of Aunt, she had a son, truly a serious concern.

Yun Shuyao noticed her observation and lightly nodded in acknowledgment.

Gave her a simple first impression: a new colleague with ambition.

Jia Min stood up. “Xinghua, you may go. We need to pay respects to the Old Madam—don’t miss the time.”

Zhao Xinghua bowed in agreement, her mouth full of bitterness. Aunt’s estrangement toward her was deep.

She had the empty title of tongfang but hadn’t consummated with the Master. Wanting to create opportunities, the work in her hands seemed endless.

Once she left, someone would follow to bring her back.

Moreover, Nanny Qian and the others were no longer at Bitao Courtyard either.

Who knew how long before Aunt would let down her guard toward her. They were supposed to be on the same side!

—

The group went in grand procession to the Old Madam’s Songbai Courtyard. At the front was Jia Min, then Yun Shuyao and the others.

The Old Madam had spoken—the two concubines would also come along today, meaning today was an exception.

What the Old Madam wanted to see was naturally the three grandchildren. The two concubines were just extras.

Given that they had merit in bearing children for the Lin family, she wouldn’t treat them poorly, but she also wouldn’t let them overstep—they should dutifully know their place.

As for Lin Ruhai, he had gone out.

Where exactly, Yun Shuyao wasn’t clear either. Supposedly it would take several days before he returned.

Arriving at Songbai Courtyard, after paying respects, she and Concubine Mei became background decorations.

The Old Madam would speak with Jia Min, asking about handling household trivial matters, and would also ask the three children’s wet nurses and teaching nannies about the children’s every detail.

While the Old Madam cared about her grandchildren, Concubine Mei looked at the plump Luo Yu, then at her own thin and small Ying Yu, and felt heartache.

Beyond heartache, she also worried whether the Old Madam might not like Ying Yu as much.

No matter how unwilling Concubine Mei was to admit it, she couldn’t say her daughter was raised better than Luo Yu.

Fortunately, looking at the Old Madam’s attitude, there was no difference—toward the two granddaughters she was the same.

Only in treating her grandson, the Old Madam was undoubtedly still partial.

This made Concubine Mei feel stifled inside, yet she had nothing to say.

Losing to Chen Yu she couldn’t complain about, but if she lost to Luo Yu, she would vomit blood.

Both were illegitimate. Her daughter even held the position of eldest.

Even being born a quarter hour earlier still counted as eldest.

Moreover, her daughter just hadn’t caught up yet. Soon she would grow more outstanding than Luo Yu!

While Concubine Mei’s heart surged with agitation, her face didn’t attract attention. She was somewhat intimidated by the Old Madam.

At this time, both Yun Shuyao and Concubine Mei’s presence became very low. Yun Shuyao wanted to lower it even more.

Although Lin Ruhai was the head of household, this was an era governed by filial piety.

A single word from the Old Madam could change her currently satisfactory status quo.

If she displayed something that displeased her, it would be a disaster from heaven.

Sometimes Yun Shuyao couldn’t help thinking—if when she transmigrated, it hadn’t been to ancient times but to modern times, how good that would be. But thinking again of the apocalyptic nightmare world where people ate people, being able to transmigrate to this world was already very fortunate. No matter how many shortcomings, there were no zombies here, no survival wars.

Life was made by comparison.

Couldn’t compare to modern times, but comparing with the apocalypse, the regret in her heart wasn’t so heavy.

The Old Madam’s daily schedule was arranged in advance. No matter how delighted to see her grandchildren, she wouldn’t delay too long. Moreover, small children themselves had many trivial matters like eating, drinking, and such.

So Yun Shuyao and the others didn’t stay long at Songbai Courtyard before leaving with the children. Jia Min remained behind to discuss something with the Old Madam.

Yun Shuyao’s hearing was quite sharp. She caught fragments—something about Lin Ruhai’s outing this time. More specifically, before she could hear more, she had already walked away.

At the fork on the return path, Concubine Mei glanced at Chen Yu yawning in the wet nurse’s arms, showed an envious look, but said nothing and turned away.

She planned to return and think carefully about how to suppress Miss Xinghua, lest she steal away the Master’s favor.

Yun Shi had already become a force. She didn’t want another Concubine Zhao.

Yun Shuyao watched her departing back, blinking. She had thought she would release some “harsh words” again.

Felt her growth.

Sometimes, Yun Shuyao found it strange. Illegitimate children, due to the general environment, many people’s personalities were rarely so confident, or rather, self-assured.

Being cautious and timid was most common, especially when the family had no shortage of legitimate mothers and legitimate siblings who held dominant positions.

The Mei family was a standard case of the legitimate line being dominant.

Concubine Mei ranked third among sisters in her family—neither first nor last. Logically, this birth order wouldn’t receive special favor either. How did she develop this temperament?

Unsolved mystery.

After that day, when Yun Shuyao went to Bitao Courtyard to pay respects, she never saw Miss Xinghua again.

She had been “shelved.”

Moreover, Nanny Qian and others hadn’t been seen for a long time either. Asking specifically, she learned Nanny Qian was advanced in years and had already left the residence for honored retirement.

This “honored retirement” had implications.

A young miss’s wet nurse and teaching nanny had always been a coveted position. As long as relations were good, when the young miss grew up, they would follow her in marriage and become her confidants. Their own children would also be entrusted with important tasks. If by some fortuitous opportunity their descendants shed servant status and gained scholarly honors, they themselves becoming honored elders wasn’t impossible.

But judging from Nanny Qian’s lineage’s current situation, obviously this wasn’t true honored retirement.

No worries about food and clothing, but nothing beyond that.

Connecting this to the shelved Miss Xinghua, Yun Shuyao: “…”

The schemer got schemed—trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice. Why bother? Jia Min wasn’t made of clay. Moreover, even clay figures had some backbone.

Having grown up pampered since childhood, could she let herself be wronged?

Aside from elders, as long as she didn’t want it, no one could wrong her.

Meanwhile, the vigilant Concubine Mei: ???

Where was she?

She had thought of so many methods, but couldn’t even see the person. However, if she couldn’t see Xinghua, Xinghua couldn’t see the Master either.

Concubine Mei: Hahaha!

Although she didn’t know why, one less person competing for favor—happy!

Before long, Yun Shuyao’s ability rose to level three.

Yun Shuyao had people send in many flower and plant seedlings. Lanxin Courtyard already had quite a bit of greenery—now there was even more.

A considerable portion of these flower and plant seedlings came from Wang Family Village.

Yun Qingpeng didn’t know what his niece wanted to do, but since she had said before to plant something on the mountain land, he did it without discount. Now the hillside had a large expanse of flowers and plants.

Song Shi also didn’t understand. Her daughter’s posture seemed like she really was growing flowers and plants to sell for money?

If it weren’t because her daughter wasn’t using prime farmland to grow flowers, Song Shi would have to advise her daughter.

Growing crops according to season was enough for her expenses. Doing this might ultimately be thankless effort—investing time and energy only to not profit but lose instead.

Yun Qingliang told Song Shi not to worry so much. “Your daughter has plans in her heart. Trust her.”

Even if she lost, it wouldn’t be much.

Buying some seeds and seedlings didn’t cost much money—after all, they weren’t precious varieties.

What Yun Shuyao had Uncle select were all the best performers from the flower fields.

After being sent over, she found suitable places to plant them.

Her skill was level three now.

After level three came level four. At level four, she could use her skill to nourish ordinary plants, making them healthier. She could also催生 them to a certain degree. Wood-type abilities would no longer be useless.

When she first realized she had transmigrated, she had thought about how to make a living.

In fact, if it weren’t for the unexpected pregnancy and childbirth, she should already be level four by now.

Now she was still following the original plan.

From what she knew, some high-level experts could directly催生 from seeds. In the apocalyptic world lacking food, high-level wood-type ability users were very welcome everywhere.

Because with them, food pressure could be alleviated.

Legend had it that if ability levels were high enough, a few people could feed a city.

This was just legend—Yun Shuyao hadn’t seen it.

The wood-type ability users she had seen were overwhelmingly level one to three, with no self-protection ability. Physical enhancement was limited—just somewhat better than people without abilities.

But ordinary people without abilities had terrifyingly high mortality rates in the apocalypse.

Many wood-type ability users died in the early period, resulting in few high-level wood-type ability users.

The highest-level wood-type ability user Yun Shuyao briefly encountered was level six.

He could催生 a Chinese cabbage in one minute. He could also use vines as weapons for attack and defense.

Unfortunately, this level-six ability user supposedly only broke through by fortuitously using heavenly materials and earthly treasures.

No reference value.

Ordinary people got stuck painfully at the three-to-four breakthrough.

Never mind five-to-six.

Yun Shuyao didn’t need to worry about this now.

She was fairly confident about rising to level four because she had already broken through once and knew what she should do. But advancing from level four to five, she had no clue. Five-to-six was something to consider even further in the future.

Speaking of which, her ability power in the ancient world was relatively friendly. Upper society’s admiration for rare flowers and plants had never diminished.

If she didn’t want to stand out, she could cultivate mid-tier flowers and plants. If she wanted fame, spending some time creating a few masterpieces would immediately raise her reputation.

Even if not raising flowers, just being able to save sick flowers and plants was also a unique skill.

Yun Shuyao didn’t want to stand out. The original owner hadn’t had much exposure to this area. If she quickly cultivated masterpieces after brief contact, it would be too conspicuous.

She preferred steady flow.

The delivered seedlings quickly took root in Lanxin Courtyard. Yun Shuyao went to look every day.

She also brought the twins along.

The two of them perked up every time they left the room.

A pair of round black eyes curiously surveyed the outside world.

A leaf, a flower, a stone—all could make them quietly watch for quite a while.

This was different from toys in the room.

While Yun Shuyao looked forward to her ability reaching level four, increasing her strength while also building up her little treasury, Lady Jia received a letter learning of her daughter’s handling of Nanny Qian and Fei Cui.

Her brow immediately furrowed, a trace of dissatisfaction with her daughter’s actions arising in her heart, then suppressed by her with a sigh.

She wouldn’t even accept a maid who couldn’t bear children. If Jia family clansmen went over for surrogate childbirth, she would presumably also object.

Now it depended on whether that imperial physician had real ability. Otherwise, if her daughter remained childless, that wouldn’t do.

Lady Jia rubbed her brow. The chess piece Fei Cui was now wasted. Wasted was wasted—of no consequence. But she was originally her second-rank maid. Now that her daughter had confined her, where was her face?

Lady Jia hadn’t had her face swept in a long time.

The problem was this was her own biological daughter. She had nowhere to vent her anger. Truly a cursed fate.

Also Nanny Qian—her entire family was actually sent away.

Looking at Nanny Qian’s tearful complaints in the letter, Lady Jia’s brow furrowed even more. That was the wet nurse who had nursed her. After so many years, if not credit then at least hard work. Doing this—wasn’t she afraid of chilling subordinates’ hearts?