The meal at the Second Household was lavish—a plate of chrysanthemum shoots fried to perfection, a bowl of mountain delicacies, a small dish of amber-like pickled melon, a delicate portion of clam and rice porridge paired with a plate of Da Nai cakes. Truly, this was the taste of earthly delights.
Especially the Da Nai cakes—made by peeling large plums, removing the pits, and stuffing them with a mixture of crushed pine nuts, walnuts, and melon seeds sweetened with honey before steaming. Just the thought made one's mouth water.
As she ate, Jin Niang glanced around but didn’t spot Qin Shuang'er. Shaking her head, she called for Si'er and Little He to come in and handed them the portion she had set aside earlier. "Here, have this to tide you over. I saved it for you—haven’t touched it."
Si'er and Little He were young maids who received no share of meals from the Second Household. Later, when they went to the main kitchen, there’d be nothing left. Since Jin Niang couldn’t finish everything alone, it was only fair to share.
The two girls were delighted. Fang Qiaolian added, "I’ve saved some too. Take it along."
Jin Niang reminded them, "With so many people around these days, make sure to return the food boxes to the Second Household’s kitchen right after eating. Don’t linger on the way. If anything happens, we won’t be able to help you."
"Yes," Si'er and Little He answered in unison.
The Second Household was now managed by Third Lady, and everything appeared orderly. Yet, recalling the unsettling conversation she’d overheard between Miao Xiaoniang and that old servant, Jin Niang couldn’t shake off a vague unease.
Still, her biggest worry was whether Sister Shan would return.
Madam Chen was just discussing with Madam Jiang, "Our needlework team is already short-handed. We haven’t even finished Miao Xiaoniang’s clothes or the future young master’s outfits. With the funeral arrangements now, we’ll need extra help. Perhaps we could temporarily bring back the girl sent to Aunt’s side—just for a few days until things settle, then she can return."
"Fine, send someone to fetch her," Madam Jiang replied indifferently.
When the main household’s needleworkers were assigned to make mourning garments and set up the funeral hall, Madam Wu had allocated fifty taels. Madam Jiang pocketed thirty and gave the remaining twenty to Madam Chen, who kept ten for herself and distributed the rest among the others. Everyone profited.
Having earned extra, Madam Chen felt obliged to help Jin Niang’s request. If she didn’t assist her own people, who would trust her leadership? Besides, she only asked for a temporary transfer. If Aunt didn’t insist on keeping Sister Shan, all would be well. If she did, Madam Chen had already done her part—no blame could fall on her.
Meanwhile, Sister Shan was serving Mei Pan'er her medicine. The young mistress had attended the mourning rites the previous day and seemed to have caught a chill, falling into a high fever by nightfall. Aunt had assigned Sister Shan to tend to her. Truth be told, this cousin was far easier to serve than her mother—quiet and undemanding.
The stark contrast between mother and daughter was baffling.
"Young Mistress, it’s time for your medicine."
Mei Pan'er frowned slightly before steeling herself. "Alright, hand it here."
She downed the bitter brew in one go, then popped an osmanthus candy into her mouth to soothe the taste.
Sister Shan sighed inwardly. If only she could serve the cousin permanently. Just then, she spotted Little He outside and hurried over. "What brings you here?"
Little He grinned. "Jin Niang and Madam Chen sent me. They spoke to Aunt at the Second Household—said the needlework team is overwhelmed with funeral garments and asked to borrow you for a few days. Aunt agreed!"
Sister Shan was overjoyed. After bidding Mei Pan'er farewell, she followed Little He out, still incredulous. "Why did Aunt agree so easily?"
Little He lowered her voice once they were alone. "She didn’t. But the second master happened to overhear and thought the needlework team was truly short-staffed. He even offered Aunt her pick of jewelry from Qin Fang Zhai as thanks."
Jin Niang found the situation amusing. They were originally Madam Jiang’s purchases, yet Aunt acted as if they were hers.
Everyone was relieved Sister Shan could return—except Qin Shuang'er, who pulled her aside later. "Aunt surely knows you’ve switched loyalties. If you go back, she’ll treat you even harsher."
Though Sister Shan outwardly dismissed it, unease gnawed at her.
Qin Shuang'er pressed on, "I almost didn’t want you to leave yet. Once the eldest young lady’s marriage is settled this year, you could’ve joined us for her trousseau work—that’d take two or three years, matching our contracts. But now? If Aunt mistreats you, and others won’t intervene, what then?"
Seeing Sister Shan’s dismay, Qin Shuang'er smirked inwardly. Let’s see if Wei Jinniang dares play the saint after this.
Unaware, Jin Niang was jotting down Madam Chen’s instructions. Memory fades, but notes endure—like the rules on mourning attire for descendants and elders. When her grandfather passed, their rural customs had been simpler.
She aspired to lead like Madam Chen someday. In this world, competence was everything.
Come dinnertime, Sister Shan finally relaxed. "The Second Household’s meals are divine. This morning’s lamb-stuffed buns had no gaminess—I ate two and a pot of soy milk!" Jin Niang never tired of northern-style meat buns since coming to the capital.
Laughter filled the air, as if old times had returned.
That night, Sister Shan slept soundly in the needlework quarters, waking refreshed. What once felt ordinary now seemed like a dream.
Stretching, she murmured, "If only I could stay forever."
Qin Shuang'er sighed. "I’ll miss having you in the outer room."
In the inner chamber, Fang Qiaolian whispered to Jin Niang, "Do you think Aunt will reclaim her?"
Jin Niang shook her head. "Hard to say. Aunt’s stubborn. We’ll take it day by day."
"I thought the same—it would be good for her to enjoy it for a few days." Fang Qiaolian also felt some sympathy.
That day, Jin Niang had also met several concubines from the second branch of the family. Unlike those from the main branch, they didn’t seem as submissive. Madam Wu was well aware of this. At the moment, she was speaking with Madam Jiang: "The eldest daughter-in-law has chosen to remain chaste in widowhood, and our master has agreed. However, there are still a few women from the late elder master’s household—they’re young and may not endure widowhood. They’ll likely be sent away eventually."
"Indeed, they’re in the prime of their youth—it’d be a shame to waste their years. But they must at least wait until the mourning period of forty-nine days is over before leaving," Madam Jiang instructed.
Madam Wu smiled. "Naturally. I’ve already said the same to Duzhi’s wife." Then she added, "Why didn’t you bring Miss Yan Hong along? I wanted to congratulate her in person."
A few days prior, Madam Jiang had arranged for Yan Hong to serve the elder master in his chambers. If she became pregnant, she would be elevated to concubine status; if not, her position would still differ from that of the other maids. It was a last resort—Madam Lü had proven unreliable, her health too frail. Those in power understood the need for balance. Yan Hong was beautiful, gentle, and younger. Concubine Miao, nearing thirty, couldn’t compare to a fresh-faced girl.
But in front of Madam Wu, she maintained a virtuous demeanor: "She isn’t feeling well today, and besides, I still have tasks for her."
These tasks, of course, concerned Zhou Cunzhi’s betrothal. Madam Wu understood perfectly, but with Zhou Duzhi’s funeral underway, it wasn’t the time to discuss such matters. Instead, she praised her nephew: "Handling the funeral arrangements this time, we owe much to Cunzhi. It’s remarkable how capable he is despite his youth—far more efficient than those with decades of experience."
Madam Jiang was genuinely pleased by this but demurred: "Praise him like that, and you’ll spoil him."
After exchanging a few more words, Madam Jiang asked, "Have you arranged for a midwife and wet nurse yet?"
"Not yet. With the household preoccupied, it’s not the right time to bring it up. Once the funeral is over and affairs are settled, I’ll begin searching." Truthfully, Madam Wu feared bringing them in too early might leave her vulnerable to sabotage.
Her last son had been three years old when he passed away—snatched from life so abruptly. Many claimed it was due to his frail constitution, but she suspected otherwise. Some whispered of Concubine Deng’s involvement, others pointed fingers at Zhou Duzhi. The rumors swirled.
But she needed to recover her health and bear another son.
Just then, word came that the Aunt had arrived. The two sisters-in-law exchanged a glance and rose to greet her. Madam Wu saw through the situation clearly—the Aunt’s domineering demeanor was merely tolerated by Madam Jiang for the sake of her son’s marriage prospects. Once Madam Jiang had the leisure to act, the Aunt might not find things so easy.
The Aunt’s visit was perfunctory. If Madam Wu held an official title, she might have lingered longer—anything to secure a good match for her daughter. But today, finding only the two sisters-in-law present, she excused herself, citing urgent matters with the elderly matriarch. Madam Jiang also took her leave.
Not long after, the second master entered. At thirty-five, he was in his prime, with looks rivaling the legendary Pan An. Smiling at Madam Wu, he asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Well enough," she replied. Sometimes she found her husband too flirtatious, yet at other times, she wondered if anyone truly loved him for himself—most were drawn to his wealth and status.
The second master’s smile faded as he looked at her. "This matter shouldn’t trouble you, but it concerns our son. Today, Duzhi’s concubine, Lady Song, accused Madam Deng of harming our fourth son in the past."
