Chapter 40: Youth’s Unruly Fires

She had just taken a couple bites of the pastries, barely easing her hunger. She was about to ask Kui’er and the others if they’d eaten when someone suddenly arrived in the bridal chamber.

Yin Zhi not only recognized the visitor but was close to her. The moment she saw her, she set down her food and stood up with a smile: “Mama Qin.”

The middle-aged woman who entered was around the same age as Madam Shen. She wasn’t a stranger—this was the personal maid who had accompanied Madam Shen from Huaixi to the capital as part of her dowry. She was now the most senior and respected maid in Madam Shen’s service.

Madam Shen had brought her along both times she returned to her hometown.

Last year, during Madam Shen’s stay in Huaixi, she often had Yin Zhi accompany her. As a result, Yin Zhi and Mama Qin had become familiar.

Now in the capital, though their statuses had changed, they both came from the Yin family of Huaixi, naturally sharing a bond.

Mama Qin hurried forward and gently pressed Yin Zhi back down: “Young Madam, please sit. Don’t stand on ceremony with this servant.”

In theory, no matter how esteemed a servant is, they can’t outrank the young mistress. But Madam Shen had only brought one senior maid and two junior maids in her dowry. That senior maid had become her trusted confidante, having stayed by her side from hometown to capital. One could imagine how close they were.

Yin Zhi affectionately looped her arm through Mama Qin’s: “You sit too, Mama.”

Mama Qin didn’t act presumptuously. She only sat halfway down and gave a sweeping glance at the pastries on the table, praising the maids: “You’ve all been thoughtful.”

Then she turned and ordered the maid behind her, “Bring it over.”

Smiling, she said to Yin Zhi, “The Madam knew you must have gone all day without food and asked the kitchen to prepare chicken noodle soup for you. Only after the guests left was she able to send it over. Good thing the maids knew what to do and served you some pastries first.”

He Xin was about to say that the pastries had been prepared on Yin Zhi’s orders, but Yin Zhi quietly stepped on her foot, and she immediately held her tongue.

A timeless truth: Never show off your intimacy in front of your mother-in-law.

Yin Zhi said to Mama Qin, “With my aunt caring for me, how could I go hungry? I was just thinking how when she married into this house, she probably didn’t have a doting aunt around like I do.”

One sentence, and Mama Qin sighed with emotion: “Indeed.”

“Back then, the Old Madam was unwell and didn’t manage things. The wedding was arranged by a few distant aunts... They were...”

“Sigh, better not talk about it. It’s all in the past.”

“Yes, it’s all in the past,” Yin Zhi said. “But now I’m here. We all came from Huaixi. Aunt and Mama will no longer have to carry everything alone.”

Mama Qin was deeply comforted. Smiling, she patted Yin Zhi’s arm: “Now eat something.”

Yin Zhi looked concerned: “The people I brought with me…”

Mama Qin saw her concern for her servants and liked her even more: “Don’t worry. The kitchen already sent food to them.”

She recognized Kui’er too: “You’re Kui’er, right? Go have your meal outside.”

Kui’er glanced at He Xin and Lü Yan, hesitating: “But the others…”

Like master, like maid. When the mistress is kind, the maids are considerate too. Mama Qin smiled: “Don’t worry. They already ate something before coming in.”

He Xin and Lü Yan nudged Kui’er: “Go on.”

Yin Zhi nodded with a smile: “Go ahead.”

With permission, Kui’er bowed and left quickly.

Yin Zhi said, “Mama, I’m really hungry. I won’t pretend otherwise in front of you.”

Mama Qin quickly said, “There’s no outsiders here. Eat up.”

Yin Zhi, not one to stand on ceremony, dug in heartily. The food smelled heavenly.

Mama Qin watched her with joy.

“Slow down, slow down. Don’t choke.”

“Can’t eat too much though—it’s too late and might upset the stomach.”

“Right, have some soup. The chicken broth has been simmering all afternoon.”

The bowl wasn’t large, but it was exquisitely made. The chicken broth was clear and fragrant.

Yin Zhi finished the noodles, drank the soup, and even polished off the side dishes. She let out a long sigh: “Finally, my stomach feels better.”

Mama Qin chuckled behind her hand.

After the maids cleared the dishes, Mama Qin gave her instructions for the next morning and stood up: “You’ve had a long day. Get some rest.”

Rest.

Yin Zhi understood. The final part of the wedding was the “bridal chamber.” According to everyone else, the bride and groom still had a long night ahead.

She pretended not to understand and warmly walked Mama Qin out.

When she returned, she looked at He Xin and Lü Yan: “No more visitors, right? If not, let’s get ready to wash up.”

After feeding Yin Zhi, Mama Qin returned to report to Madam Shen.

Madam Shen was still entertaining guests. When she saw Mama Qin signaling, she quickly excused herself and hurried over.

They spoke under the corridor.

“She ate? Must’ve been starving.”

“Of course. She practically slurped the soup down.”

They both laughed.

Back in Huaixi, compared to her peers, Yin Zhi had always been relaxed and natural. Never anxious, never pretending to be prim and proper. Madam Qin’s description immediately painted a vivid image for Madam Shen, who found it very amusing.

Mama Qin praised Yin Zhi: “She eats well and drinks well. Looks strong and healthy—just what a young lady should be.”

A healthy appetite reflects a healthy body.

Mama Qin knew Madam Shen’s past struggles—how she had always wanted to find a well-born, educated bride for Shen Ti, which is why she had once chosen someone like Feng Luoyi.

While Feng matched all of Madam Shen’s criteria, Mama Qin had always felt uneasy. After all, unlike Madam Shen, she was a servant. A mistress like Feng, proper and distant, might not look down on her mother-in-law, but would someone like her ever respect a low-born maid?

Everyone has their own perspective, their own stance.

Shen Ti had insisted on not marrying a noble lady from the capital, which had disappointed Madam Shen.

But Mama Qin much preferred Yin Zhi from Huaixi. If nothing else, they shared the same hometown and family roots.

When she delivered the food earlier, she thought: If the bride had been Feng’s daughter, would she have been this warm to me? Most likely not.

“No matter what, at least she’s safely in the door now. May the three of them live well together,” Madam Shen clasped her hands in prayer.

Still having guests to attend to, she quickly returned.

Mama Qin stood under the corridor, looking up at the moon over the roof, murmuring to herself.

Three people from the start—can they really live peacefully together?

Troubling thought.

The moon rose higher, and the noise in the front gradually faded.

Kui’er had waited so long, she was about to wilt when her master finally arrived.

Shen Ti was helped in by a group of men. He staggered, his head drooping.

Since they were male guests, they only escorted him to the courtyard, handing him off to the maids with a chuckle: “He’s all yours now.”

Kui’er didn’t step forward.

Yin Zhi had instructed her before sleeping: “Don’t go near my cousin. Lü Yan and He Xin are his usual attendants. You just take care of me. He’s not your business. Don’t fight with them over work. Get along.”

Kui’er had no desire to help either. She had never served a young master before and didn’t know how.

Once she saw Shen Ti arrive, she turned and ran inside—Yin Zhi was sound asleep on the wedding bed.

She had said, Wake me when he arrives.

“Wake up! Wake up! Hurry up!”

Kui’er nearly resorted to pinching her.

Heavens! You’re a bride today—how can you sleep like an ox!

Please, wake up. It’s time for the bridal chamber!

My lady!

Just as she was about to pinch, Yin Zhi murmured and stirred awake.

“So sleepy…” Yin Zhi yawned and rubbed her eyes. “He’s back?”

“Yes, yes,” Kui’er whispered, “Please hurry!”

Yin Zhi looked past her to see a shadow behind the curtain—someone outside.

Marriage did have its perks. She finally had her own property and her living standards had shot up.

At home, she had only slept on a basic lacquered bed.

Now she had a grand canopy bed.

Not only was the bed big, even the footrest area was bigger than her old bed.

There were cabinets, chairs, clothes racks—it was like a mini room once the curtains were drawn.

So nice.

He Xin and Lü Yan went to help Shen Ti in.

Though Shen Ti seemed drunk and reeked of alcohol, once he entered the side room, he suddenly raised his head.

He startled both maids.

“Close the door,” he said, pulling back his arms from them.

So he was faking! The maids realized.

He Xin went to shut the door. Lü Yan also let go.

But without support, Shen Ti staggered and nearly hit the doorframe.

So—not all fake. He’d had to drink plenty as the groom. The smell was definitely real.

Lü Yan quickly supported him again.

Shen Ti shook his head and, leaning on Lü Yan, entered the inner room.

As soon as he sat down, the bed curtains lifted and Yin Zhi emerged, yawning: “Back already? Had a lot to drink? He Xin, give him the sobering soup.”

Shen Ti looked up and saw Yin Zhi in her underclothes, draped in a red robe.

Her dark hair cascaded down, glistening in the candlelight—black and beautiful.

A sight no father or brother could behold.

He quickly turned away.

He Xin brought over the sobering soup, and Shen Ti downed it in one gulp.

He raised a hand toward the bathing area, and He Xin and Lü Yan immediately moved to prepare it.

See? Not a word needed. They were his well-trained maids.

Shen Ti leaned on the table, pressing his temples. The sobering soup worked—his mind began to clear.

He opened his mouth to speak, but upon seeing Yin Zhi again, he turned away.

“Ahem…” he hesitated and called her, “Wife…”

Yin Zhi’s yawning hand paused. She covered half her face, revealing mischievous eyes.

“That title feels strange. We’re cousins—getting married doesn’t change our blood ties.” She deliberately emphasized, “Cousin, why not keep calling me ‘Sister’?”

The first round after marriage—establish status and hierarchy.

Yin Zhi insisted on being the elder sister.

Because between siblings, the older one has authority. A sister’s words must be heard by the younger brother. But between husband and wife, the husband leads, and the wife must obey.

Wife? No way.

With one “wife,” she’d be submitting to patriarchal authority. Not happening. She couldn’t let her little cousin flip the order of things.

It had to be ‘sister’.

Bloodline trumped marriage. The younger had to listen. That was proper.

Shen Ti let out a breath.

He didn’t have all her inner calculations. He simply felt calling her “wife” was too awkward—“sister” felt more natural.

Yin Zhi was his sister.

He went along without resistance: “Sister.”

But his eyes stayed fixed elsewhere, never once landing on Yin Zhi’s “improperly dressed” figure.

Yin Zhi smiled slightly and tugged at her robe.

Look at me, little guy. Life is long—you can’t avoid me forever.

She was still decently dressed. What was there to be afraid of?

Better get used to it early.

But since Kui’er was still present, she didn’t say it out loud. Instead, she yawned and said, “Go wash up. You’re clearly very drunk.”

Shen Ti got up immediately and went to wash—a bit like fleeing.

As he disappeared inside, Yin Zhi, yawning again, glanced at the bath area, then at the big canopy bed.

Kui’er was furious.

“What are you thinking?” she hissed. “The groom will be out soon. You have to wait here.”

Were you really planning to sneak back for a nap in the middle of your wedding night?

“I know.” Caught, Yin Zhi grumbled, “I’ll wait.”

Kui’er had a headache: “What kind of bride falls sound asleep like that?”

This is your wedding night!

Yin Zhi sighed in frustration: “Sighhh—”