Yun Qi Niang had barely stepped into the courtyard when Yun Qi, having heard the maid announce her arrival, rushed out. Seeing her mother, she exclaimed joyfully, "Mother! What brings you here today? I was just telling Da Bao that we planned to come see you for the Mid-Autumn Festival."

"Don't mention Da Bao to me. What a useless son-in-law! His mother-in-law visits his shop for a spell, and his sister tries to drive me out. And he? He didn't dare utter a single rebuttal, even siding with his sister to kick me out." Yun Qi Niang said, her face cold.

Yun Qi's smile froze on her face when she saw her mother's demeanor. She dismissed the maid who led the way, ushered her mother into the room to sit, and asked softly, "Mother, what happened? Did you just come from the pastry shop? Did Da Bao say anything to you?"

"It’s my first time in town, you know. I knew Da Bao had opened a shop here, so I thought I'd pop by for a look. Barely had my behind warmed on the stool before your sister-in-law, He’er, chased me back here to the main house. I thought, 'This is my son-in-law's shop, why can't I stay?' I wanted to linger a bit longer, but then Da Bao chased me off too! So, I couldn't stay there, and He’er just sent me over here," Yun Qi Niang huffed out angrily.

"Mother, surely not. He’er is usually so pleasant to everyone. She's always been kind to me in the time I’ve been here; sometimes when Mother-in-law criticizes me, He’er even defends me. She wouldn't act like that. And Da Bao—she is your mother-in-law, after all. How could he drive you away? Perhaps you misunderstood their intentions," Yun Qi said, sounding incredulous.

"Yun'er, you trust people too easily. You think your sister-in-law is a good person? I wouldn't believe that if you beat me! She’s the type who's sweet to your face and plots behind your back. Who knows what she’s been up to when you aren't looking? And look at her—such a young girl. Do you think she could manage such a large household without some real cunning? Don't let yourself be sold off while you're busy counting the money for them," Yun Qi Niang admonished, tapping Yun Qi’s forehead.

"Mother, what are you saying? No matter what, we are family now. It won't sound good if others in the household overhear such things. I’ve been here long enough to know whether they treat me well or not, don't I?" Yun Qi’s tone held a hint of displeasure.

Yun Qi Niang shook her head, a mocking glint in her eyes. After a moment, she said, "Fine, if you insist they are good, then tell me this: in all this time you've been married, do you know exactly how much the family earns per month? How much money do they allot you for your personal use? They have so many children—who will inherit what in the future? Have they ever discussed any of this with you? And another thing, who is truly in charge of this household right now?"

"Mother, why are you asking so many things? I don't know any of that," Yun Qi replied, looking at her mother with confusion.

"I knew it," Yun Qi Niang pressed on. "You married Da Bao, the eldest son of this house, correct? The maids call him the Young Master. That makes you the Young Mistress. The Young Mistress should be the mistress of this house. If your Mother-in-law were present, she would be in charge, but she isn't here now—so who is managing things? Did your Mother-in-law ever hand the finances over to you?" Yun Qi Niang asked urgently.

Yun Qi lowered her head, silent. Seeing this, Yun Qi Niang knew the answer was no. She continued, "See, I was right. The money never reached your hands. Listen to me, Yun'er, you must start thinking about yourself! This family is wealthy, that’s true, but rich people are different from us country folk. Look around—many wealthy men keep three wives and four concubines. What if Da Bao becomes like that in the future?"

"You haven't been married long, so we can set that aside for a moment. But you need to understand the inner workings of this house clearly, at the very least. He’er just said you only know how to do embroidery. Let the maids do that! Why are you doing it? Didn't you say last time you came home for the Ghost Festival that your Mother-in-law scolded you just for buying a few clothes? Think about it—if you were in charge, how many clothes could you buy without having to watch someone else's face?"

"Look at He’er, look at what she wears and what she possesses—isn't it all better than yours? That’s the benefit of having power and money. I tell you this only for your own good. Do you think your own mother would ever harm you? You are my daughter!"

Yun Qi felt a prickle of guilt under her mother's cross-examination. What she said was indeed true; she was ignorant of many household matters. Sometimes, lying in bed at night, she’d ask Da Bao about things, but he would usually offer minimal, vague replies. Still, she hadn't wanted to bother learning much—she had food and clothing, and with her Mother-in-law managing things, why should she worry? But now, hearing her mother phrase it this way, it seemed to carry weight.

Yun Qi was inherently a simple person. When she agreed to marry Da Bao, it wasn't because she was eyeing his wealth. She was just getting older, and her mother said Da Bao was a good man. She’d glanced at him—tall, sturdy, looked honest, and was quite handsome—so she hadn't objected and simply married.

After marriage, her sister-in-law and mother-in-law managed everything so neatly that Yun Qi had practically nothing to do daily. She found life quite relaxed. Later, in town, Da Bao often gave her spending money, telling her to wander the streets if she was bored. Though she bought many things, she wasn't extravagant. The money she held wasn't vast, but she never lacked funds. With so many people in the household, she had never once considered taking control of the management.

Overall, Yun Qi felt her current life was much like being a daughter back at her parents' home—she never managed things then, and now she didn't have to, which suited her easygoing nature. In short, she hadn't yet settled into her proper role.

Furthermore, Yun Qi wasn't one for worrying or ambition, so she rarely inquired about the family business. She had always thought things were fine as they were, yet her mother’s words today seemed undeniable.

Pondering this, Yun Qi asked her mother, "Mother, what should I do then? I don't know how to do any of it."

"Silly child, no one is born knowing everything! You studied with your father for several years; you can read and write, can’t you? You need to follow your Mother-in-law in managing the house, and better yet, the family business! You must take over the finances step by step. Your Mother-in-law is just an ordinary country woman; how much does she truly know? If you apply yourself for a while, you’ll manage better than she ever could, and then the household will naturally fall under your command," Yun Qi Niang said with a gentle smile.

"Me manage the house? This is such a large family; I don't know how," Yun Qi murmured timidly.

"How did I give birth to such a useless daughter? Every woman knows how to manage a household. If you truly can't handle the complex tasks, just control the family money. The main thing is to stop your in-laws from giving everything away to the other children. Can you manage that?" Yun Qi Niang poked Yun Qi’s forehead, showing her frustration.

"How could I possibly control that? There are so many businesses—Da Bao’s pastry shop, He’er’s cosmetics workshop, and all sorts of other income streams. I’m afraid I couldn't keep track of it all," Yun Qi whispered quietly.