The news of the Heir Apparent’s return in the seventh month quickly swept through the Marquis Dingxi’s residence, instantly filling the estate with a festive, New Year-like energy.

“If he’s already on the road now, and encounters few banquets along the way, he should be home in fifteen or sixteen days; if there are some connections to attend to, it will be the twentieth at the latest,” calculated Nanny Su aloud.

Lady Xie’s room was crowded. Along two rows of chairs sat the three young mistresses of the house, the youngest barely four or five years old, needing her wet nurse’s support just to sit steadily. On the other side sat two concubines, with matrons standing below them. Every face was alight with smiles.

“Knowing the Heir Apparent’s temperament, he’s probably traveling day and night, wishing he could fly back,” one matron chuckled.

Hearing this, Lady Xie couldn't help the sudden sting in her nose.

“It’s been three years…” she murmured, dabbing lightly at her eyes with a handkerchief.

“Indeed,” a concubine of about thirty immediately added, tears welling in her eyes. “I still remember when he left, we had just finished burning the memorial papers for the Old Madam, and it was pouring rain…”

Several of the matrons below also raised hands to wipe away tears.

“Mother, don’t cry,” the little girl being supported by her wet nurse suddenly slid down, wobbling toward Lady Xie seated in the center, and said in a childish voice, holding up a tiny kerchief in her small hand.

This action made Lady Xie burst into a soft laugh.

“Our Fourth Miss is so good,” she smiled.

Everyone else in the room laughed too, which made the little child suddenly shy, and she darted back into her wet nurse’s arms.

The Second and Third Young Misses sitting nearby also smiled, though a flash of disdain crossed their eyes.

“This is cause for great joy, First Madam, please don’t be sad,” smiled Concubine Zhu, seated on the other side. “I often heard the Marquis praising the Heir Apparent; finally seeing him again! This one in my belly has been kicking fiercely these last few days—perhaps even she knows her elder brother is returning and is excited.”

At that moment, the Second Young Miss, who was taking a sip of tea, choked, splashing the liquid all over her skirt upon hearing Concubine Zhu’s words.

Looking around, everyone else in the room wore strange expressions, holding back their laughter in astonishment.

Concubine Zhu had only intended to be amusing, and seeing everyone’s reaction, her face instantly flushed red and then pale.

“Second Young Miss must be overjoyed too, to have such a strong reaction,” she said, clearly displeased.

“Not as strong a reaction as you, Auntie,” the Second Young Miss replied with a smile.

The matrons rushed to dab at her, causing a slight flurry in the room.

“Shulan, you and the others go see Nanny Su. How long will it take to have a set of new clothes ready for everyone in the household?” Lady Xie instructed.

The Second and Third Young Misses, currently learning the household accounts, immediately agreed upon hearing this, rose, and went with Nanny Su and several matrons to the adjacent reception room.

“Yalan, have you been eating well lately? Sleeping well?” Lady Xie then looked at the Fourth Young Miss hiding in her wet nurse’s arms and asked with a smile. Without waiting for an answer, she turned to the concubine on the other side. “You should visit her courtyard more often when you have time. She’s just been assigned her own quarters; she might not be accustomed to it yet.”

The concubine stood up, startled and pleased.

“This, this, this servant understands nothing, I might spoil the young mistress,” she stammered.

“You are her mother; you don’t need to understand anything, just watch over her. What do you need to understand? You have the wet nurse and matrons; when she’s older, she’ll have tutors. Why worry about things you don’t need to?” Lady Xie chuckled.

The concubine smiled too, lowering her head.

“Thank you, First Madam, this servant will certainly take dedicated care of the Fourth Young Miss,” she said.

The wet nurse, sensing the moment, smiled knowingly and ushered the Fourth Young Miss toward the concubine.

“Go on, call out to your Auntie,” she whispered softly.

The concubine watched the little girl with a touch of excitement in her eyes.

However, the Fourth Young Miss ducked behind the wet nurse. The wet nurse had to pull her along as they left first. The concubine offered a final farewell to Lady Xie before departing.

“The Fourth Young Miss has been raised so properly under the First Madam’s tutelage,” Concubine Zhu said, her eyes darting around, smiling at Lady Xie.

Lady Xie didn’t even lift her eyelids, taking a sip of tea.

“Our family raises upright children, so naturally, the children are upright. It’s not due to any single person’s merit, though. Children usually fare better with their own mothers,” she stated.

“Having the First Madam teach them makes all the difference. The Heir Apparent is a fine example,” Concubine Zhu replied sweetly.

“That’s enough now; you should go back and rest. This is a crucial time for your condition; don't wander around unnecessarily,” Lady Xie said, setting down her cup.

Concubine Zhu quickly bowed and withdrew.

The Second and Third Young Misses returned shortly after. The Second Young Miss explained the details: how many people required clothing based on their status, the necessary fabric amounts, the cost in silver, and the time needed for completion.

After she finished, Lady Xie looked toward Nanny Su.

“Second Young Miss has covered everything; it’s all according to last year’s precedents,” Nanny Su confirmed immediately with a smile.

“Well done. Growing up under the Old Madam’s wing truly makes a difference; she grasps things instantly,” Lady Xie nodded, praising the Second Young Miss. “We will proceed exactly as the Second Young Miss suggested. Take the official plaque and give the orders.”

Ah Luan, the senior maid standing behind her, immediately presented the official plaque. The Second Young Miss curtsied to accept it, and together with the Third Young Miss, they took their leave.

The remaining individuals in the room also retired in sequence. Two maids opened the windows and lit incense. Ah Luan picked up a plate of freshly cut fruit and offered it over.

“First Madam has been speaking for a long while; this will soothe your throat,” she said.

Lady Xie hummed an acknowledgement and tasted a piece.

“Shall we send a matron to instruct Concubine Zhu?” Ah Luan suggested.

Lady Xie laughed softly.

“Instruct her in what? Isn’t she perfectly fine as she is?” she said. “She’s managed to secure the Marquis’s favor for three or four years. Don’t scoff at her coarseness; coarseness is also a skill, you know.”

Her smile deepened as she spoke. “I want to show that low-bred woman, the one skilled in everything from elegance to the zither and painting, that a woman like this can also win the Marquis’s favor—and perhaps even more so than she does.”

Ah Luan knew exactly who the ‘low-bred woman’ referred to and said no more.

Meanwhile, Concubine Zhu, leaning on the arm of a young maidservant, strolled slowly back to her own quarters.

“After the Fourth Young Miss was born, Concubine Liu fell ill. Concubine Song held a grudge against Concubine Liu, and Concubine Zhou was close with Concubine Song, so the task of raising the Fourth Young Miss fell to the First Madam. When Concubine Liu recovered, she claimed her destiny clashed with the Fourth Young Miss’s and refused to raise her…” the young maid whispered, explaining the background. “Concubine Liu was originally Concubine Song’s maid, but she climbed into the Marquis’s bed behind Concubine Song’s back. To avoid being beaten to death by Concubine Song, she fled to the First Madam, gave birth to the Fourth Young Miss, and the First Madam decreed she be raised to concubine status.”

“Oh, is it like Su Mei in our room?” Concubine Zhu asked, smiling.

“That’s different. Su Mei was elevated by you, Auntie; if it weren't for your mercy, the Marquis wouldn't have even noticed her,” the maid immediately replied.

“It was all the First Madam’s kindness,” Concubine Zhu sighed. “Such a kind-hearted woman as the First Madam, why is it she never had a child of her own?”

“The First Madam did conceive once, but she miscarried; it was a male fetus,” the maid whispered. “They say her body was damaged, and she hasn't been able to bear children since.”

Concubine Zhu nodded, falling silent for a moment.

“No wonder the First Madam is so close to the Heir Apparent,” she murmured slowly. “But why did they marry him to that kind of woman? Never mind the First Madam being upset, even I feel it’s unfair.”

The young maid giggled.

“Aside from the Old Madam, no one in the entire estate feels they are treated equally,” she laughed.

Concubine Zhu sighed again, frowning, which only made her appear more charmingly delicate.

“I am so clumsy and poor at speaking; I can’t put the First Madam’s mind at ease; instead, I always cause her worry,” she lamented mournfully. “Now that the Heir Apparent is back, a moment of joy for the whole family, yet I see the First Madam is still unsettled. She must have heard about the troubles the Young Mistress has been causing lately. Tell me, after being away for so long, to return only to face such a person, how suffocated the Heir Apparent must feel.”

The young maid nodded.

“Exactly. Never mind the Heir Apparent; even Miss Su Mei is utterly frustrated,” she commented casually.

Concubine Zhu’s eyes lit up, but she quickly masked it.

“In my opinion, Miss Su Mei is too timid. Setting aside that she is now half a mistress, even if she were still just a maid, she shouldn't have lost her composure in front of that woman…” she said intentionally.

“It can’t be blamed entirely on Miss Su Mei; the Young Mistress’s status, after all…” the maid hesitated.

Concubine Zhu just smiled.

“You girls really don’t understand how things work. Rules are made by people, aren’t they? The masters of the household have changed, so the rules aren't set in stone either…” she said with a smile. “However, I don’t understand these things. I come from a humble background; I have no rules, and I can’t grasp the intricacies of rules in a house like this. I’m just speaking carelessly; if I say something wrong, don’t laugh at me.”

“Who would dare laugh at you, Auntie?” the young maid replied flatteringly.

“Whether you laugh or not, I don’t care. All I know is that it was the Marquis and the First Madam who gave me this comfortable life. I only wish to keep the Marquis and the First Madam content; as long as they are happy, I would gladly die,” Concubine Zhu sighed.

“Your intention is enough, Auntie,” the maid also sighed, her eyes flickering as she thought of something else.

】. div> BAIDU_CLB_LT_ID = "519311";