Early the next morning, Hong Xiu brought Hong Yi to help Concubine Yun wash up and apply makeup. Seeing that the area under Concubine Yun’s eyes was smooth without dark circles, she breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. Obviously, the Concubine hadn’t been affected by the Master leaving last night. She asked with a smile, “Concubine, which set of jewelry will you wear today?”

Yun Shuyao casually pointed to a set of pearl jewelry that Lin Ruhai had given her yesterday.

It couldn’t compare to the famous South Sea pearls, but it was presentable enough.

Under Hong Xiu’s skillful hands, Yun Shuyao looked in the mirror at the exquisite hair arrangement and sighed in admiration, “Hong Xiu, your skills are truly excellent.”

She could only follow the original owner’s memories to methodically create some simple hairstyles, copying what she’d seen. But Hong Xiu was different—with a wave of her clever hands, she could always make something refreshingly new.

Hong Xiu heard the sincerity in her words and smiled bashfully, “I practiced a lot at home.”

Back then, her mother’s hair had nearly been worn bare from all her styling practice.

Today Yun Shuyao wore a fresh light green color. With the pearl jewelry on her head, she looked very refreshing. When she reached the entrance of Bitao Courtyard, she was stopped by an old matron.

From her dress and appearance, Yun Shuyao quickly connected her to the person Hong Xiu had described—this was Jia Min’s wet nurse, Nanny Qian, also a trusted confidant whom Jia Min relied on heavily. In the back courtyard, aside from the Old Madam and the Madam, she was the most “imposing.”

She looked Yun Shuyao up and down, her plump face showing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Her words were somewhat sarcastic, “Concubine Yun is quite early.”

At this hour, just arriving—as expected, another difficult one!

If the Master hadn’t come to Bitao Courtyard yesterday, Nanny Qian would have been unable to resist treating this one as a major threat.

In her view, some situations were unavoidable, especially with the Old Madam above them. But this didn’t prevent her from standing on their Madam’s side and treating all vixens who seduced the Master away as enemies.

This also protected the interests of all the Jia family members.

Shared glory when prosperous, shared loss when in decline.

If the Madam’s days weren’t good, their days absolutely wouldn’t be good either.

“The Madam is still grooming. Concubine Yun should wait a while.” She looked down on her, wanting to dampen her spirit.

Yun Shuyao smiled, “Since the Madam is grooming, naturally I should wait.”

Clock in early?

Impossible.

She just needed to arrive a bit earlier than her other colleague. How long could she stand here anyway?

The time when Lin Ruhai and Jia Min went to pay respects to the Old Madam was fixed. After she arrived at Bitao Courtyard, it wouldn’t be long before they dispersed.

For the legitimate wife, bringing concubines to pay respects to the Old Madam was elevating these concubines’ status.

Jia Min wouldn’t do such a thing.

Yun Shuyao had been standing for only a few minutes when Concubine Mei arrived.

Seeing Concubine Mei’s grand appearance, Nanny Qian’s expression became even worse.

Concubine Mei’s attire today wasn’t as resplendently golden as yesterday’s, but it was equally eye-catching. The gemstone hairpin on her head was particularly striking.

Yun Shuyao glanced at it. While this style had nouveau riche suspicions, the hairpin was genuinely beautiful, and the person was truly pretty, especially those eyes—very typically “fox eyes.”

“Concubine Mei.” Yun Shuyao spoke first, her voice clear and bright.

From this voice, one could also hear her composure.

Last night the Master had left after eating—yet she wasn’t upset?

Concubine Mei snorted, “Sister Yun, good morning.”

She emphasized the word “sister,” as if stressing something.

In terms of height, Yun Shuyao was somewhat taller than her. Their birth dates were the same, but she had entered first, so her seniority was deeper.

Calling her “sister” was perfectly appropriate.

When her gaze swept over the set of pearl jewelry on Yun Shuyao’s head, her chin lifted two degrees higher than before.

Not large pieces, not particularly expensive, but these were given to her by the Master.

That made them priceless treasures.

Yun Shuyao noticed that compared to yesterday, today her gaze was much colder. Had she already “darkened”?

Oh no, she still wanted to stay here peacefully for a few years to save some money.

It wasn’t that everything outside the Lin household was wonderful. In this feudal society, there weren’t that many ivory towers. Like her father—he wasn’t an ordinary common person but a scholar, yet if not for the Lin household, her father’s life would have been in danger.

If she wanted to leave, she needed to prepare properly first.

Seeing Concubine Mei’s poor complexion, Nanny Qian’s expression improved.

She would love nothing more than for these two to fight, so the legitimate wife could sit securely as the fisherman benefiting from their struggle.

When they went in to pay respects, Jia Min’s gaze swept over Concubine Mei without lingering even a moment.

Concubine Mei’s jewelry was indeed nice, but as the only legitimate daughter of Duke Rongguo, Jia Min’s assets were absolutely much more substantial than Concubine Mei’s. Moreover, many were fine items that merchant families couldn’t buy.

Jia Min naturally also saw the pearl jewelry on Yun Shuyao’s head. She glanced at the luster and size but didn’t say much.

The Master had mentioned it to her last night, and he had also given her a jade hairpin worth over a thousand taels that perfectly suited her preferences. She loved it dearly and was wearing it on her head right now. Today her mood was quite pleasant.

She wouldn’t target this Concubine Yun. She understood the situation—the Yun family’s foundation was too thin. This Concubine Yun truly didn’t have many good things.

So although she felt somewhat uncomfortable inside, Jia Min pretended not to notice.

“Greetings to the Master, greetings to the Madam.”

Concubine Mei looked at the Master and Madam, occasionally using pitiful eyes to glance at Lin Ruhai. This soon ruined Jia Min’s mood.

As soon as they paid respects, she picked up her teacup and dismissed them.

She absolutely wouldn’t let these two stay before her for even one extra second, letting the Master see them play their tricks.

Because of this, Yun Shuyao felt that if every day was like this, this job was truly easy.

Equivalent to clocking in at work, then being able to go back.

As they left Bitao Courtyard, a maid who best understood their Madam’s intentions started “whispering” with someone else.

“Did you just see the jade hairpin on the Madam’s head?”

“Which one?”

“The milk-white one on top carved with lotus flowers.”

“Ah, that one. Yes, I saw it. Really beautiful. I haven’t seen the Madam wear it before, have I?”

The maid who started the topic was somewhat proud, “Of course you haven’t seen it. This was personally selected by the Master for our Madam.”

The other maid exclaimed, “Ah, the Master specially selected it for the Madam? No wonder. It’s really beautiful. It must be very expensive, right?”

“Naturally. I heard it cost over a thousand taels of silver.”

The maid gasped, “Wow—that much silver! The Master treats the Madam so well…”

The envy and admiration in these words nearly overflowed, making Yun Shuyao unable to resist casting appreciative glances at the two maids.

Good heavens, this acting was excellent. And they were so young. With effort, if there were Oscars in ancient times, you’d have nominations.

Concubine Mei naturally also heard this. Her mood had already been poor, and now it plummeted straight to rock bottom. She was so angry her chest heaved violently. She clutched her handkerchief tightly, nearly tearing it apart.

The Master had not only given gifts to Lanxin Courtyard but also bought something for Bitao Courtyard. Only she had received nothing. How much did she fail to suit the Master’s heart?

Yet she couldn’t speak of it directly!

So Yun Shuyao received a pair of eye rolls from Concubine Mei, “Heh, don’t get too smug too soon. There’s still a long time ahead!”

These words had double meaning.

Concubine Mei didn’t believe she was inferior to Yun Shi. This was just the Master’s momentary novelty! After speaking, she quickened her pace and left first with her maids.

Yun Shuyao rubbed her sleeve, looking thoughtful.

If this was the level of back courtyard scheming in Lin Ruhai’s household, she felt she could stay here for a long time without any problems.

When she had worked before, colleagues competing for performance and advancement—that was truly two-faced and treacherous on all sides. If you didn’t keep your guard up and leave yourself an out for everything, you’d be kicked out as a scapegoat long ago.

Just releasing words that didn’t even count as harsh threats—this truly was nothing.

Yun Shuyao returned to Lanxin Courtyard, walked around the courtyard once, and chatted with Hong Xiu about the Lin household’s situation. After finishing one topic, the morning meal arrived.

Steamed buns, pan-fried dumplings, lean meat porridge, steamed cakes—large portions and filling.

The cooking was also truly excellent.

Especially those steamed buns—Yun Shuyao felt they were absolutely superb, “Hong Xiu, do you know who made these steamed buns? They’re really delicious.”

Hong Xiu smiled, “These were made by Cook Miao. Her steamed buns are unparalleled.”

After eating contentedly, Yun Shuyao strolled leisurely around Lanxin Courtyard, which was also cultivation practice.

She looked up at the sunlight, then at the courtyard full of orchids, and sighed.

It must be said, days like these were truly leisurely.

This era still used a two-meal system—only morning and evening meals.

At noon there was a snack portion. Yun Shuyao had Hong Xiu take some money to the main kitchen and bring back an extra portion.

Cultivation time couldn’t be too long—excess was as bad as deficiency. In the afternoon, she took out needlework.

She now had three superiors. When their birthdays came, she definitely needed to express her sentiments. Making needlework herself was the most economical option.

Anyway, there was no rush. She could work on it leisurely and present it when the time came. This would both save money and express her sincerity.

She’d prepare a couple extra copies of Buddhist scriptures for the Old Madam later. Even if they didn’t perfectly suit her taste, they wouldn’t be wrong.

After doing needlework for a while, she took out a book—not any serious text, just a travel journal about mountains and rivers.

She hadn’t brought many books with her. In this era, books were relatively expensive. Leisure books were one thing, but examination books—none of those were cheap.

But the Lin household shouldn’t lack anything except books.

Once she became more familiar with Lin Ruhai, Yun Shuyao planned to ask to borrow books. If she could borrow some useful for the imperial examinations, that would be even better.

On the third day, Yun Shuyao took out paper and brush and wrote a letter, having Hong Xiu help deliver it.

If this were a proper marriage, she could return home for a visit. But since this wasn’t a marriage, that step didn’t exist.

However, the Lin household still sent gifts back, arranged by Jia Min. Compared to what Concubine Mei had received, the value wasn’t much different, but they were changed to the Four Treasures of the Study that scholarly families loved.

When Song Shi and the others received these things along with their daughter’s letter, their hearts finally settled back into place.

These past few days they had been on edge, afraid their daughter wasn’t doing well in the Lin household.

To put it unpleasantly, if something happened to their daughter and the Lin household didn’t tell them, they wouldn’t even know.

The daughter’s letter didn’t say whether she was doing well or not—she just wrote about how she had spent these days and what she had eaten. This was enough to let them know how she was doing.

Yun Qingliang didn’t show his emotions as obviously as Song Shi, but after reading the letter, the hands hidden in his wide sleeves also relaxed.

The two brothers Yun Heng and Yun Yan smiled like Song Shi.

Yun Yan asked, “Mother, when can we see Sister?”

Song Shi fell silent.

With this silence, Yun Yan understood. The smile on his face gradually faded.

Wu Peng somehow learned about the gifts the Lin household had given. He found another excuse to have someone send a letter and gifts, expressing the intention to let bygones be bygones with a smile.

This time, these items gave the Yun family no chance to return them. The Yun family could only be forced to accept.

These gifts were worth nearly a thousand taels and included quite a bit of fabric and jewelry useful for women—clearly these were meant for their daughter.

Yun Qingliang held back his anger and kept this in mind.

Although their family was now connected to the Prefect’s household, making Wu Peng wary, that County Magistrate wasn’t some grassroots person either.

Yun Qingliang had no confidence at all that the Prefect would do anything to Wu Peng and his ilk. The character for “official” had two mouths, and there was the saying about officials protecting each other. His daughter had just entered the Lin household gates and didn’t yet know how the future would unfold. If he wanted revenge on Wu Peng, it was still best to have his own power.

Yun Qingliang had inquired—although this County Magistrate had backing, it wasn’t too powerful. His greatest support was his wife, the legitimate daughter of a Prefect, and that brother-in-law was this wife’s cousin.

Moreover, this County Magistrate wasn’t a proper jinshi graduate—only a juren.

Yun Qingliang held no hopes of passing the jinshi examination, but as for juren—with a good effort, he considered his chances not small.

When the time came, he’d find a way to obtain an official position. Then his daughter in the Prefect’s back courtyard would no longer be helpless and alone.