Chapter 30: A Secret Shared, A Rumor Born

Very soon, the real reason behind the renewed marriage alliance between the Shen and Yin families became known to all.

So that’s what it was.

People had wondered how such tremendous luck could fall upon an old maid—it simply didn’t make sense. As expected, it wasn’t something entirely good.

The frustration that had lingered in their hearts for days finally eased.

Even the old madam was reportedly able to get out of bed again.

Human nature is often like this: if someone far superior to you does well, you don't feel much. But if someone clearly inferior suddenly surpasses you, it's hard to stomach.

Once they learned that this marriage came with a hidden pitfall, everyone’s hearts calmed.

"Only the third branch could be so heartless," said the first madam. "If it were me, I couldn’t bear to see my daughter suffer such grievances. Clearly, she’s not their own child."

Master Yin of the third branch and his wife were actually the last to know.

When the third madam found out, she flew into a rage, stomping in her room and summoning Yin Zhi for questioning: “Is this true?”

Yin Zhi honestly admitted, “It was Aunt Shen who said it herself. She picked me because I’m obedient.”

The third madam inwardly blamed Madam Shen. If it had to be done, why tell her the truth? Just bring the bride in quietly.

Actually, the first madam hadn’t misjudged the third madam. She had always wanted a marriage alliance with the Shen family. Whether Yin Zhi would have a good life there wasn’t her primary concern.

Of course, if she could choose, she hoped Yin Zhi would live well—that would show the Yin family’s daughters had status and influence in the Shen household, which would benefit her husband. But even if Yin Zhi had a hard life, it wouldn’t matter much.

After all, marrying into such a family, even a "bad" life there was still far better than a "good" one in many small households.

"You must understand what kind of family the Shens are. A girl from our family marrying into theirs is a blessing earned in a previous life," the third madam tried to brainwash Yin Zhi. "As long as they don’t starve or abuse you, it’s not a big deal. You must act accordingly."

Yin Zhi bowed her head submissively. "You're right, Mother. Even if my cousin favors another and has an illegitimate son, I will still be filial to my in-laws, respect my husband, and raise the children well. I won't slack off."

She was planting a preventative seed, just in case she couldn’t bear children and people started pointing fingers later.

Let the Top Scholar bear the burden.

The third madam paused and changed her tone: “Well... Being filial and respectful is right, but remember: if you’re too nice, people will walk all over you. Don’t let some foxy vixen run wild. Use your means when you must.”

Yin Zhi asked humbly, "What kind of means? Please teach me."

The third madam choked and got annoyed: "What means do I have? I am a perfectly upright person. Everyone knows that."

Yin Zhi smiled gently. "Exactly. I learned from you. Everyone says I'm honest."

The third madam could only grunt in frustration: “Just don’t be too honest.”

And left it at that.

Soon, the sisters started visiting Yin Zhi again, and their gazes now carried sympathy.

Sympathy was better than envy or hatred.

It was safer.

But with this engagement, Yin Zhi was no longer a marginal figure in the household. In fact, she became a hot topic. Not only did the third master and his wife take her more seriously, but they even formally registered her under the third madam's name, making her a legitimate daughter. Her aunts and uncles also treated her with more warmth.

In merchant families, legitimate or illegitimate status hardly mattered. Who really cared?

In high society, it mattered because the mother's family brought power and influence. But in a merchant house, even a legitimate daughter's maternal family was still just merchants.

All daughters of merchants were just that—merchant daughters.

The shift in the attitude of the servants was even more telling.

It was very obvious. Though they didn't suppress others, they flattered Yin Zhi too obviously.

New seasonal fabrics, makeup, fresh fruits—Yin Zhi got first pick. Previously, the eldest branch always got to choose first, then the rest took turns.

Kui’er, her maid, said she now walked through the residence feeling like everything was smooth. Servants who used to ignore her now called her "sister" or "miss" with smiles.

Yin Zhi told her, "No one is nice to you without reason. If others are good to us, it’s because they hope to benefit. But tell me—what can we give them?"

Kui’er thought hard and hesitated: “I... don’t think we have anything?”

“Exactly. We actually have nothing to give,” Yin Zhi said. “They treat us like this because they think we can give something. When they realize we can’t, watch how quickly they turn their faces.”

“But...”

“No buts. You’re coming with me to the capital. Who knows how many times we’ll return? And when we do, what can we give anyone then?”

She poured cold water on Kui’er, who had clearly become a little full of herself.

Yin Zhi had been watching silently. Her surroundings had clearly been influenced by the engagement. She didn’t blame them—even the masters of the house behaved that way, let alone teenage servant girls.

As long as they could wake up in time, it was fine.

“What I fear most is people thinking that, because I have a good marriage, I can do this or that for them. Like assigning posts to others. Is that something I have the power to decide?”

“I have a mother above me, a first aunt above her, and a grandmother above all. Would any of them willingly give up control? If I naively act on others’ advice, which elder would tolerate it?”

“It’s just an engagement for now. If I fall seriously ill or gain a bad reputation, the engagement will vanish.”

“This family has many daughters. They don’t need me. My aunt just wants a niece—and there’s no shortage of nieces.”

Kui’er was stunned.

She had heard gossip from the servants about why Madam Shen had picked her young mistress. But the maids had reacted differently from the noble girls.

To Yin Zhi’s sisters, it was upsetting to think that before even marrying, the husband had a favorite, and there would be concubines right after the wedding.

But for servants—many of whom were born or sold into servitude—becoming a concubine was often a life goal. All the men in the Yin family had concubines. Every main wife shared her life with them.

Just being a young miss instead of a maid was already a hundred times better.

Marrying a literary star like that—who cared about concubines?

But Yin Zhi's words revealed something else—that she herself was replaceable in this marriage.

Kui’er broke out in cold sweat.

“What is it?” Yin Zhi noticed something was off.

Kui’er stammered: “Actually... Madam Xiang from the kitchen came to me and tried to give me two lengths of cloth. I didn’t take them!”

“What did she want?”

“She wants her younger daughter to serve in your courtyard. She said, since you're marrying well, your specs will be higher than the others, and it's not strange to have an extra maid or two.”

“And?”

“I refused.”

“Why?”

“Her elder daughter, Cui’er, used to bully me. I hate her and her sister, so...”

“So, I should be thankful, right?” Yin Zhi sighed. “See? Isn’t that just what I said?”

“Her reasoning wasn’t wrong. She probably thought following me to the capital was a better path than staying in Huai Creek."

“But if everyone thinks that way, people will start pushing. First aunt, my mother, even grandmother—they all have people close to them. Grandmother especially dislikes our branch; she might send someone just to spite my mother.”

“This isn’t something I can decide. If I foolishly act on others’ persuasion, what do you think will happen?”

Kui’er knelt, terrified. “I won’t dare ever again.”

They were lucky this time. If it had been someone else, she might have agreed, thinking it was just a small favor.

That would have made her exactly the kind of person Yin Zhi feared: one who goaded her into reckless actions.

“Get up,” Yin Zhi said.

She couldn’t help it. She was just an ordinary person, not some reincarnated genius who could train maids into superwomen.

All her years of effort had only managed to teach her maids reading and arithmetic.

For example, Yun Juan, who was already assigned to someone before Yin Zhi even married. The most Yin Zhi could do was ensure she got a decent match.

But she and her husband were still property of the Yin family. Yin Zhi, as an unmarried girl, had no authority to free them.

But she had long planned for Kui’er—with her age, she would definitely follow Yin Zhi to her new home. By then, Yin Zhi would be the mistress and could decide her fate.

Whether they stayed as servants or wanted their freedom, she could arrange it.

Knowing how to read and calculate would help whether they managed household accounts or started small businesses.

But she dared not teach more, especially anything from her past life. Not a hint.

Everyone was locked in an iron house. If you couldn’t break the house, why wake the sleepers inside?

What would be the point?

So after years of work, the best she could do was shape her little courtyard into a peaceful, warm place.

Her maids, including Kui’er, were decent but nothing extraordinary. Yin Zhi didn’t expect more.

This time, they avoided a mistake through luck and timely communication. As long as they understood now, it was fine.

She summoned all three of her maids and explained:

“In short, I want all of you to stay out of trouble. No unnecessary complications. Let me marry into the capital peacefully.”

The Yin family was actually quite good. If possible, Yin Zhi would have liked to stay there forever.

But that was impossible. The Yin family controlled her marriage. Escaping this original family through marriage was something she had to do.

The next step was to "transfer jobs" to the Shen family.

Her life goal: to live healthily and become a wealthy old madam with her own private savings.

To achieve that, in this transition phase, she just hoped no one would cause trouble.

Yin Zhi wanted nothing more than to quietly wait for her wedding after the New Year.

But the Yin family, because of her, soon had more conflict.