Chapter 3: Such a pretty girl

While the Third Madam was catching up warmly with Madam Shen, Yin Zhi, now well-fed and rested, finally washed up, combed her hair under Qingyan's urging, and changed into mourning clothes. She wore no gold ornaments on her head, just two plain silver hairbands.

Looking at the delicate-featured young girl in the mirror, Yin Zhi couldn’t help but reach out and touch her own face.

Such a pretty girl.

What a pity.

Hopefully, in another world, she and her birth mother can be reborn into better lives.

Regardless, from now on, she was “Yin Zhi.”

After gazing a while longer at the girl in the mirror, Yin Zhi stood up and began to take over the life of “Yin Zhi.”

First on the agenda was to check in with her legitimate stepmother, the Third Madam, to show that she had recovered from the fever brought on by the recent shock.

But when she arrived at the Third Madam’s courtyard, she found out the Third Madam was currently in Madam Shen’s quarters, enjoying a heartfelt reunion.

Qingyan was visibly itching to go.

After all, Huaixi was just a small place. Everyone here looked up to the capital. That admiration, in this household, was embodied by Madam Shen, who had returned from the capital.

So Qingyan started coaxing Yin Zhi to head to Madam Shen's place too.

Yin Zhi sighed. She had brought Qingyan along precisely because she thought the girl was quick-witted—who knew that a little greed would make her so foolish?

She tugged at her mourning robe. “Is this really appropriate?”

It clearly wasn’t. But Qingyan hesitated and said, “Or maybe Madam will feel more pity seeing how pitiful you look…”

“She might also think I’m unlucky and come to dislike me, ever thought of that?” Yin Zhi said. “Can you guarantee she won’t?”

Of course Qingyan couldn’t guarantee anything. She was just a thirteen or fourteen-year-old maid—what could she possibly guarantee?

If Madam Shen did end up resenting her, and the Third Madam got upset over it, the consequences wouldn’t be something a maid like Qingyan could bear. Deflated, she fell silent.

Since all the Third Madam’s attendants had gone with her to Madam Shen’s place, Yin Zhi simply told the senior maid left behind: “Please inform Mother that I’m fine now.”

“That’s good. The young lady is still recovering though—she should rest more,” replied the maid. Her tone wasn’t enthusiastic, but it wasn’t cold either.

Just… ordinary. Everyone here was just a regular person doing their job to earn their keep. Nothing like those dramatic, over-the-top scenes Yin Zhi had read in some novels from her original world.

Feeling reassured by that, she quietly returned to her room.

Not long after she got back, the Third Madam also returned. Upon hearing from a maid that the Fourth Young Lady was doing fine, she merely replied, “Got it,” without much thought.

Her mind wasn’t on Yin Zhi. Instead, she huddled with her trusted servant, Nanny Sun, to gossip about Madam Shen’s reaction earlier.

“She—how could she possibly let her son marry a girl from our family? Not to mention, our branch doesn’t even have any legitimate daughters. I told him he was daydreaming, and he still didn’t like hearing it,” she sneered through her nose.

Nanny Sun tugged at her sleeve. “You should hold back a little when you talk. Don’t be so… well, mind your tone.”

At least show some respect for your husband’s face.

“I know, I’m not gloating,” said the Third Madam, though she couldn’t help giggling anyway.

Nanny Sun just looked up at the ceiling beams.

While the Third Madam was mocking her husband, Yin Zhi had returned to her own courtyard and finally relaxed. After sending the maids away, she wandered around the room, familiarizing herself with everything.

She’d barely made two rounds when voices came from outside. Soon, a maid burst in, flustered. “Something’s wrong!”

Having just taken over this identity, Yin Zhi was already feeling guilty. Her brows jumped. “What is it?”

“The Young Master from the Shen family is here!”

“?” Yin Zhi paused. “Which young master?”

“Who else? The young master from the capital!” the maid exclaimed.

If she remembered correctly, based on gossip from the maids these past few days, that Shen family boy from the capital was about the same age as “Yin Zhi”—just a child.

Yin Zhi sighed internally.

To a maid from an obscure courtyard like hers, a boy from the capital was probably a big deal. That’s why even a kid showing up got them so rattled.

It also revealed something else: the maids in her courtyard weren’t particularly competent. Sure, capable maids existed—but those wouldn’t have been assigned to her.

Luckily, they were all around her age, and in a few years, by the customs of this world, they’d be married off. Then she could pick new ones—ones she approved of—and train them herself.

But back to the matter at hand.

“Where is he now?” Yin Zhi asked.

The maid calmed herself. “He’s in the courtyard. He insisted we notify you first.”

Given what she’d seen from Qingyan earlier, Yin Zhi instantly guessed what happened: her maids, overly eager to please the boy from the capital, had probably invited him straight into the main room without her approval—only to be politely rejected by the boy himself.

Even though she had transmigrated here, Yin Zhi understood the customs of this world.

But a kid her own age being so particular about etiquette? That was surprising. Was everyone this formal? Her nerves tensed up again.

She quickly straightened her clothes and told the maid, “Where is he? Take me there.”

As she stepped out of the main room, she saw a small boy standing below the steps, with two maids behind him.

Qingyan was by his side, smiling sycophantically.

Hearing Yin Zhi come out, Shen Ti looked up. The two children—one on the steps, the other at the bottom—met eyes.

Yin Zhi was genuinely impressed. The maids weren’t wrong—this “young master” really was good-looking.

For someone so young, his features were already distinct and well-formed. If he didn’t grow up crooked, he’d probably break many hearts.

Shen Ti, looking up at the girl on the steps, thought, “Her beauty is like snow falling on jade petals; her nature, like ice and clear jade.” His cousin looked delicate and ethereal, tragically beautiful without her mother.

He felt a surge of sympathy. “Cousin?” he called gently.

Yin Zhi hurried down the steps to greet him. “You must be my cousin from the Shen family?”

Shen Ti bowed. “I’m Shen Ti. I don’t have a courtesy name yet. You may call me Shen Ti.”

For someone so young, he bowed and spoke with such decorum—like a little adult.

But as Yin Zhi stood next to him, she towered over him by a head. Kids at their age often grew at different rates—girls first, boys later.

All her tension evaporated. He was just a kid. No need to worry.

Instead, she felt affection. So polite, so precocious—what an adorable child!

In a gentle, almost babying tone, she said, “I’ve heard about you. Everyone’s been talking about Aunt and you. I didn’t expect you’d come see me.”

It was the tone adults used when talking to children—in modern slang, a “babying” voice.

To Shen Ti, it sounded like his cousin was both warm and sweet.

He explained, “Mother heard of your recent loss, but couldn’t come herself, so she sent me to visit you. Cousin, please accept my condolences.”

Yin Zhi had no grief—she wasn’t the real Yin Zhi. Fearing her acting wouldn’t convince anyone, she raised a sleeve to cover half her face and gave a vague “Mm,” as if choking back tears.

She had originally planned to invite Shen Ti inside to sit. But after that brief exchange, she changed her mind.

She had only just arrived in this world and was still adjusting. Even if he was a child, he seemed to know far more about propriety than she did. Better not risk making a mistake by inviting him in.

Less is more.

She remembered that in many places, children weren’t allowed at funerals because their “eyes are too bright”—she used that as an excuse. Covering her face with her sleeve and faking a sniffle, she said, “You’ve come all this way, but I’m in mourning. You’re still young—it’s better you don’t enter.”

Qingyan had been throwing desperate glances at Yin Zhi the whole time, but now her eyes were practically twitching with frustration. Yin Zhi had just turned away the prestigious guest instead of seizing the chance to get close to him!

Still, with the boy present, she couldn’t say anything. Especially since Shen Ti had already refused to enter earlier when she tried to invite him.

Yin Zhi pretended not to notice.

Shen Ti also seemed unbothered. He simply said, “Grief can harm the body. Cousin should rest and take care of herself. I won’t keep you. These are some gifts and specialties Mother and I brought from the capital—please accept them.”

Why could a kid this young speak with such polished formality? In her world, only seasoned adults could talk like this. Younger ones? Not a chance.

Yin Zhi was impressed.

This was no ordinary child. She also straightened her posture and thanked him properly.

Then she personally walked him to the courtyard gate.

“Cousin, no need to see me out,” Shen Ti said. “Please eat well, rest on time, and take care of your health during mourning.”

It was afternoon. The sunlight was warm.

The boy’s features were clean and bright, his eyes clear and steady.

In that moment, after two days in this world, everything suddenly felt real to Yin Zhi—the carved bricks, the wooden doors, the maids around her, the boy in front of her. Everything became tangible.

She finally let go of the dazed, dream-like feeling.

She was Yin Zhi now.

And this was her cousin—a boy she had never met before, son of an aunt she’d never known, yet who had rushed over to express sympathy as soon as he arrived.

In that moment, the world didn’t feel so scary anymore.

Yin Zhi relaxed. Her shoulders lowered. Sincerely, she said again, “Please give my regards to Aunt.”

Children, at times, are more sensitive than adults. They can feel sincerity and insincerity.

Looking into her eyes, Shen Ti could tell she meant it.

He nodded. “Cousin, take care.”

The young boy walked steadily back to the courtyard his mother had stayed in before marriage to report back.

Seeing him return, Madam Shen remarked, “That was fast.”

She asked, “How’s Little Fourth?”

Even the most uptight scholar wouldn’t hold himself stiff twelve hours a day. At home, he’d still lounge, cross his legs.

With no outsiders present, Shen Ti finally relaxed in front of his mother. He flopped onto the couch like the child he was and said, “Cousin is nice. Her maid, not so much.”