As a mature corporate worker, Yun Shuyao knew that first impressions were very important.

Even if she didn’t want to aim for promotions and raises, she couldn’t leave a poor first impression from the start.

So her expression and angle had been deliberately practiced, prepared to create the standard ancient “virtuous lady” persona.

Hearing Nanny Wang say, “The ceremony is complete—”

Yun Shuyao saw a hand—a slender, fair hand that, if posted in the future, would make hand fetishists lick their screens and cry out in delight.

He used the ceremonial stick to lift the veil, and the peach-red world before her eyes suddenly brightened.

Yun Shuyao raised her head slightly, using her practiced angle to look up, and saw before her a handsome young man in red wedding attire with upright bearing—was this Lin Ruhai?

She glanced once, then “shyly” lowered her eyelids, at the same time concealing a fleeting flash of amazement.

“Like jade, the gentleman on the path; peerless in all the world.”

For a moment, this phrase automatically surfaced in Yun Shuyao’s mind.

Truly worthy of being Sister Lin’s father.

Who wasn’t a sucker for good looks?

Absolutely stunning.

If the initial score before meeting was 50 points, it had now suddenly jumped to 70.

As for why not 90 or 100… ahem, Yun Shuyao considered herself not a complete looks-obsessive. Appearance was very important, but it couldn’t represent everything.

He carried a faint scent of alcohol.

Not unpleasant—it had a subtle bamboo leaf fragrance.

She lowered her head, but from the corner of her eye she could still see his expression.

She should be grateful for her excellent vision.

On the jade-like gentleman’s face was a faint smile, like a bright moon hanging in the high sky, emitting gentle light.

With these looks, in modern times, talent scouts would beg him to debut, and upon debut, fans would immediately send him to the peak.

She had secured her first impression points—her carefully communicated and painstakingly applied makeup hadn’t been in vain.

Since this wasn’t a proper marriage, there weren’t so many steps. When the procedures were complete, Lin Ruhai had everyone else leave. The door was closed by the last person to exit, leaving only the two of them in the room.

Lin Ruhai sat down at the table and gestured for her to come over as well.

After performing a courtesy, Yun Shuyao sat down, “Master.”

Lin Ruhai nodded and began speaking with her, “You must be hungry. Eat something first.”

Yun Shuyao was indeed hungry.

Since boarding the wedding sedan, she hadn’t eaten anything. Before leaving, Song Shi had worried she might need to use the privy, so she had eaten very little. After arriving here, Nanny Wang had given her some easily eaten small pastries, which Yun Shuyao had eaten completely, but she was still hungry.

So now when Lin Ruhai told her to come eat, Yun Shuyao didn’t hesitate at all and walked over, while silently adding 5 points for him in her heart.

Already 75 points.

Song Shi had repeatedly instructed her to be mindful of her image. Plus, Yun Shuyao also felt that doing otherwise would affect her first impression score, so she restrained herself a bit and didn’t eat too much—only eating the amount a normal woman would. This already made Lin Ruhai raise his eyebrows subtly.

This “virtuous lady” image didn’t remain steady for long before beginning to waver.

Lin Ruhai found Yun Shi somewhat endearing.

At such an important moment as the wedding night, and in his presence, to be able to eat so contentedly—truly rare to see.

Watching her eat made the food seem delicious. Before he knew it, he had finished an entire bowl of noodles.

Lin Ruhai: “…”

He put down his chopsticks and cleared his throat, starting a conversation.

“Your name is Shuyao—a good name. How are your father’s injuries now?”

Yun Shuyao immediately put down her chopsticks as well, picked up a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her mouth, and showed a smile that was both pleasantly surprised and shy, “Thank you for your concern, Master. The doctor said he’ll be fine after resting for a few months.”

Lin Ruhai nodded, looking at the beauty under the lamplight, “That won’t delay the autumn examination three years from now.”

Yun Shuyao’s brow relaxed, “My father is planning the same—to go again in three years.”

Lin Ruhai asked, “Mm, can you read and write?”

Yun Shuyao replied, “I’ve studied a few books with my father.”

Speaking of this, Yun Shuyao had to be grateful for the original owner’s memories. Otherwise, those traditional characters and brush calligraphy—she really couldn’t handle them. Even more so with needlework—her original skill level was just sewing on buttons, but now she could not only make shoes and clothes, but embroidery was also no problem.

Lin Ruhai nodded in approval.

As a third-place scholar, compared to Concubine Mei who had entered earlier and could barely recognize characters, he naturally appreciated Yun Shi more.

After chatting for a while, the two became much more comfortable with each other. Only then did Lin Ruhai take her hand and walk to the bedside, lowering the bed curtains, “It’s getting late.”

He didn’t continue speaking, but the meaning was self-evident—now it was time for tonight’s main theme.

Yun Shuyao’s cheeks flushed as she “shyly” walked over with him.

Through their conversation, the two had become much more familiar. It must be said, if tonight had been the original owner here, Lin Ruhai’s considerate behavior might have greatly eased a young girl’s nervousness.

Now the core inside the young girl’s shell was different, but she still gave her new superior a mental thumbs up.

So far, her superior wasn’t difficult to get along with.

One piece of clothing after another fell, and two figures overlapped, indistinguishable from each other…

Outside the room, Nanny Wang looked at the closed door, then raised her head to look at the bright moon in the sky, smiling with relief.

She hoped the Goddess of Fertility would bless them and let the Lin household have a young master born soon.

She felt relieved, but the main courtyard tossed and turned restlessly.

Getting news from the little maids that the Master had stayed the entire night at the new person’s place, Jia Min tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.

She looked at the bright moon outside the window, her face full of sorrow.

This was the second one.

The Old Madam had such a cruel heart.

The Master also had such a cruel heart.

Yet because she had no children, she couldn’t speak with her back straight.

Thinking about what the Master was doing now, Jia Min sighed deeply. She only dozed off briefly near dawn, then quickly got up and had people help her dress and apply makeup, especially to cover the dark circles under her eyes.

Today, she absolutely could not lose her bearing.

When Lin Ruhai woke up, he found that Yun Shi was also awake.

It had just gotten light, and through the hazy light from the window, he could clearly see Yun Shi’s delicate skin so close at hand, and their bodies pressed tightly together.

Their eyes met. Watching Yun Shi shyly bury her head in the bedding, Lin Ruhai cleared his throat and gently patted her shoulder.

As soon as there was movement, someone immediately knocked softly on the door from outside.

Lin Ruhai said, “Come in.” With that, he got up. Yun Shuyao also rose wearing her nightclothes.

When he finished speaking, a procession of people filed in.

There were maids who attended to his daily needs, as well as maids from Yun Shuyao’s courtyard.

Each held things like towels and washbasins in their hands, coming forward to help the two masters wash up and change clothes.

Yun Shuyao had been thinking of finding an opportunity to show initiative by stepping forward to help Lin Ruhai change his clothes.

Whether she actually changed them or not wasn’t important—the important thing was showing that attitude.

But as soon as she stepped forward, she was stopped by Lin Ruhai, “No need. You sit there and don’t move. Just sit properly.”

The matter of adding fragrance by lamplight could wait for another day. Today he had gotten up later than usual, and he still had a pile of matters at the yamen. Plus, today Yun Shi had to serve tea and pay respects to his mother. Time was tight.

“Concubine Yun, which outfit will you wear today?” The senior maid Hong Xiu inquired softly.

Two outfits—one was a pretty pink color, the other an imposing purple-red.

Yun Shuyao glanced at them and pointed to the pink one.

Her current position was as a concubine, so she shouldn’t wear that eye-catching purple-red to irritate her direct superior Jia Min’s eyes. That would be obviously asking for trouble.

Soon, both had changed their clothes. Yun Shuyao was a bit slower because she still needed her hair done. Fortunately, Hong Xiu was skillful and fast, and it was finished before long.

Lin Ruhai drank a cup of tea and glanced at Concubine Yun’s fresh yet pretty hair arrangement, nodding subtly, “Let’s go.”

The two walked together toward the main residence courtyard.

Yun Shuyao needed to serve tea to Jia Min in the main residence to make everything proper and legitimate.

After serving tea, she would then go pay respects to the Old Madam.

Along the way, Yun Shuyao restrained her gaze, only staring at the area in front of her, following a step behind Lin Ruhai.

Perhaps out of consideration for last night being her first time, his walking pace wasn’t fast.

Yun Shuyao secretly raised her impression score of her superior by 1 point—76 points now.

The small courtyard where she lived was named Lanxin Courtyard for the orchids planted there. The courtyard where the main residence was located was called Bitao Courtyard. Along the way, they passed through a corridor, two fish ponds, and a garden planted with many rare flowers and plants.

Upon reaching Bitao Courtyard, before they even got to the entrance, a clever little maid waiting at the courtyard gate lifted the curtain, while another went inside to announce, “The Master has arrived.”

Upon entering, Lin Ruhai very naturally stepped forward to grasp the hand of Jia Min who came to greet him, gently patting it, then sat down in the seat of honor.

Jia Min smiled at his gesture, the round and smooth South Sea pearls on her head accentuating her radiant smile.

She sat down beside him.

Then she looked at Yun Shuyao waiting there. Her gaze lost its previous warmth, the curve of her mouth remained motionless as her eyes swept over her in a circle, “So you are Sister Yun. You are indeed well-favored. Since you’ve entered the Lin family gates, from now on you must follow the Lin family’s rules.”

At this moment, someone came out from the side carrying a cushion and tea bowl.

Yun Shuyao accepted the tea bowl and knelt down, “Yes, Madam. This concubine will certainly serve the Master well.”

Jia Min nodded and accepted the tea bowl, lightly touching it to her lips before placing it on the table.

An old nanny behind her then stepped forward a few paces carrying a tray with a quite substantial gold bracelet on it.

Anyone who saw it would have to admit this legitimate wife was generous.

Yun Shuyao expressed her thanks, and Hong Xiu stepped forward to accept it.

The procedure was complete.

Yun Shuyao couldn’t help but be surprised—it went this smoothly?

No difficulties whatsoever.

The kneeling cushion wasn’t thin.

The tea bowl wasn’t scalding.

There was no long sermon deliberately making her kneel for a long time.

From the corner of her eye, Yun Shuyao glanced at Lin Ruhai seated above.

Was it because he was present?

Or did Jia Min truly not mind?

Just then, a clear laugh like silver bells rang out from the side, “Madam, our household has another good sister. You must introduce us so we can get properly acquainted.”

Hearing this voice, the smile on Jia Min’s face faded a bit more, “Concubine Yun, this is Concubine Mei. She’s the same age as you and entered a bit earlier than you.”

Yun Shuyao had noticed this person when she first entered. Now looking at her directly, she saw her lips curved in a smile, the bright red on her lips echoing the abundance of glittering gold jewelry on her head, making Yun Shuyao instinctively squint.

So dazzling.

With this color scheme, didn’t she feel too bright when looking in the mirror?

Wearing so much jewelry on her head—didn’t she find it heavy?

As for whether it looked good… aside from the eye-catching color scheme, she was an absolute beauty.

However, hers was the alluring appearance that elders of this era didn’t particularly favor.

Looking again at Jia Min seated above, then thinking of her own gentle and demure persona reflected in the mirror—one could only say, fortunately the three of them had different styles. Otherwise, this battlefield would be even more intense.

After brief introductions, Jia Min looked at these two beauties like budding flowers, and the smile on her face became somewhat uncontrollably stiff. Her heart ached—she was no longer young.

Yet her lap remained empty to this day. She had never even been pregnant, making her wonder if there was truly something wrong with her. If that were really the case, how could she bear it?

Thinking this, she felt somewhat listless and didn’t want to say or see more, “Let’s go. We’ll pay respects to the Old Madam. Don’t miss the appointed time.”

She and Lin Ruhai walked ahead together, looking straight forward.

Only she could walk side by side with the Master.

No matter how young and beautiful these two were, concubines were only concubines.

Thinking of Concubine Mei’s ostentatious attire, Jia Min’s gaze became more resolute.

Walking behind, Yun Shuyao looked at Lin Ruhai and Jia Min walking together ahead, and couldn’t help feeling a bit excited.

These were Sister Lin’s parents!

Jia Min was truly worthy of being Sister Lin’s mother—graceful and delicate, like a willow swaying in the breeze. However, “willow swaying in the breeze” also indicated her health truly wasn’t very robust, which was visible even through the heavy makeup.

The Old Madam lived in the deepest and quietest area, Songbai Courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, one could smell the faint scent of Buddhist incense.

The Old Madam appeared to be a very benevolent person. Here one could see many things related to Buddhism—for instance, the prayer beads on her wrist, the necklace around her neck, and the Buddha statue hanging on the wall.

Was she a devoted Buddhist follower?

Yun Shuyao speculated in her heart, not delaying at all in greeting the Old Madam and receiving a very symbolically meaningful Goddess of Fertility statue.

Yun Shuyao: “…”

What she didn’t know was that both Concubine Mei and she had been insisted upon by the Old Madam to enter the household. She had worked hard to obtain their birth dates and times, then found the two of them based on those dates, and forced her son to take concubines. She had placed great hopes on both their bellies.

The Lin family’s bloodline could not be severed. For this, she had even made her son leave the capital and leave the Jia family’s stronghold of Jiangnan to come to the Jiangbei region as Prefect, wanting to leave the Jia family’s sphere of influence so her son could take concubines and have children.

“The mother is honored by her son,” but likewise, “the son is honored by his mother.”

She didn’t want her grandson or granddaughter’s birth mother to be a servant girl.

Now that both had entered, she repeated to Yun Shuyao what she had said to Concubine Mei initially, emphasizing, “From now on, do your best to bear children for the Lin family. Those who have merit in bearing children will not be poorly treated by the Lin family.”

The smile on Jia Min’s face almost couldn’t be maintained.

The Old Madam had said these words once when Concubine Mei entered.

Now with Concubine Yun entering, she said them again.

Yet she hadn’t said such things to her in a long time.

Had she given up on her?

Believing she couldn’t bear children?

Jia Min took a deep breath, secretly placing a hand on her lower abdomen, resolving that she could definitely conceive!

After paying respects, it was time for the morning meal.

The household only had three proper masters—the Old Madam, the Master, and the Madam. These three could be seated.

Among them, Jia Min only sat down after serving several dishes to the Old Madam.

From this aspect, the Old Madam wasn’t someone who liked tormenting her daughter-in-law. Otherwise, having the daughter-in-law serve her meals while establishing rules would have been the simplest thing.

Jia Min also had no intention of tormenting the two concubines. After having them observe propriety for a while, she let them return.

Their meals would be sent directly to their courtyards.

Having left Songtao Courtyard, Yun Shuyao slowly walked toward her own courtyard with Hong Xiu.

Concubine Mei walked alongside her, lowering her voice so only the four of them could hear, “Sister Yun, when I first entered, the Old Madam also gave me a Goddess of Fertility statue. But I heard that the Old Madam didn’t give one to the Madam. What do you think the Old Madam means by this?”

Yun Shuyao blinked, showing a curious expression, “Sister Mei, there’s such a thing?”

Concubine Mei didn’t expect her to say anything meaningful. As if speaking casually, she laughed twice, “I’m not too clear either.” Then she glanced disdainfully at the plain jewelry on Yun Shuyao’s head, slightly raised her chin, quickened her pace, walked ahead of Yun Shuyao, and left.

Just like a proud peacock.

That expression was quite vivid—if this were a TV drama, she’d be the standard cannon fodder supporting female character.

If she was the standard cannon fodder supporting character, then as for herself—she’d strive to be an unremarkable passerby.

Yun Shuyao wasn’t angry and even had a slight smile on her lips.

Hong Xiu beside her saw everything in silence.

Did her mistress perhaps have something… a bit off with her brain?

Concubine Mei was looking down on her for being poor because she had so little gold and silver jewelry on her head.

She had seen Concubine Yun’s jewelry box—there truly wasn’t much inside. What she wore on her head now was already the most expensive set. But Concubine Mei was different—famously wealthy. Who could blame her for being lucky? Her family had been merchants for generations, and she had married into a prestigious household with a generous dowry.

Concubine Yun was just the daughter of an ordinary poor scholar—how much dowry could she have?

A single kingfisher feather hairpin on Concubine Mei’s head was worth all of Concubine Yun’s dowry.

However, at the end of the day, having entered the Lin family gates, their fates no longer depended on their natal families.

Judging by the Master’s expression today, it was quite good. Moreover, when Concubine Mei first entered, the Master hadn’t accompanied her through the complete tea ceremony process. Perhaps… Concubine Mei was deliberately showing Concubine Yun attitude because her pride was hurt?