Chapter 53: A Concubine’s Dawn

Pu'er quickly jumped down and hurried over. “Mama!”

Mama Qin smiled warmly. “Have you been eating well these past few days? Any trouble adjusting to the water or food?”

Pu'er replied, “Everything suits my taste. The kitchen even knows how to make Huaixi cuisine. I’ve had no trouble adjusting at all.”

“Then why do you look unhappy?” Mama Qin asked. “Ah, that’s right... today Madam Feng was supposed to serve tea to the young madam. Did something go wrong?”

Before Pu'er could reply, Mama Qin lowered her voice and spoke in their Huaixi dialect, “That Feng girl, wasn’t she the daughter of a high official’s family in the capital? Could it be…”

Her familiar accent and tone instantly made Pu'er feel she was one of their own. But since Yin Zhi had said not to bring it up, she could only pout and say, “N-no, everything went well.”

Mama Qin chuckled. “Look at that pout—you could hang an oil bottle from it. Still trying to hide things from me?”

Pu'er bit her lip. “Young Madam told us not to talk about it…”

Mama Qin scolded gently, “What happens in your own courtyard shouldn’t be shared with outsiders, that’s true. But am I an outsider?”

Of course not! How could Mama Qin be an outsider? She was one of their own!

Pu'er glanced around, then whispered, “...She calls the Young Madam 'sister.'”

Mama Qin immediately understood.

“Well, that’s clearly inappropriate,” she concluded.

“Exactly,” Pu'er said. “She’s of bondservant origin. How can she call her sister?”

“What did the Young Madam say?” Mama Qin asked.

Pu'er replied, “Don’t even mention it. Our lady just responded like it was nothing and told us not to get upset about it. Said Madam Feng is pitiful. It’s infuriating.”

She continued, “That’s just how our lady is—never gets angry or flustered. The older girls said she’s been like that since she was young.”

That aligned with the temperament they had observed in Yin Zhi back in Huaixi. It proved her nature was genuine, not an act.

Mama Qin nodded inwardly in approval.

“You’re still young, you don’t understand adult matters,” she said. “Since the Young Madam has spoken, just listen and follow her lead. Watch and learn well. One day you’ll be able to handle things on your own and truly be of help to her. Being angry now doesn’t do any good.”

After comforting Pu'er, Mama Qin entered the main room.

Yin Zhi and Madam Shen were laughing and chatting in the eastern side room.

“Yesterday, while he was out and I wasn’t busy, I had the maids sort through the small storage room.”

“Ji Yun had so many things—all good stuff too.”

“The girls organized everything nicely, and the ledgers were updated clearly, without a single mistake. Even their handwriting was beautiful.”

“My girls can’t compare to them.”

When Mama Qin entered, Yin Zhi’s eyes curved with joy and she called out cheerfully, “Mama.”

Such a sweet-natured child—cheerful every day. Back in Huaixi, the Third Madam had even complained that Fourth Miss was a bit silly, always smiling foolishly.

But Mama Qin thought the girl was blessed.

Just look: that monk had once prophesied she’d marry three years later than others. Everyone thought she’d miss her match. Yet here she was, married into the prestigious Shen family in the capital, wed to the top-scoring scholar.

Mama Qin was well-respected by Madam Shen and could take a seat.

A maid brought over a brocade stool and placed it before the couch. Mama Qin sat down and said to Yin Zhi, “It’s always like this. When we first came here, we weren’t as well off as you are now. Truly blind as bats, clueless about everything. At least Madam had studied some. I couldn’t even read.”

Madam Shen added, “I barely knew a few characters myself. Only read The Three Character Classic and some trivial novels. To say I was ‘educated’ in the Shen household was a joke.”

“Oh?” Yin Zhi leaned forward. “It must’ve been hard for you back then.”

It had been a long time since they discussed this.

In the capital, few people around Madam Shen were suitable for such conversations—most of them were the very people who had made those days difficult.

“How should I put it…” Madam Shen recalled. “It was hard, of course—there was a big gap between us. But as long as husband and wife are united, and the family works together, it’s not that hard.”

“Your great-grandmother was already sick when she returned to the capital. She knew her time was short and that I’d have to take over the household. She feared I wouldn’t be able to manage, so she held on, teaching me hand-in-hand.”

“Your uncle—no, your father-in-law—told me not to be afraid. That I was living life with him, not with those others. Whatever they said didn’t matter.”

“Honestly, I was so lucky. With a husband and mother-in-law like that, I had no choice but to work hard. All I thought about was not letting those people laugh at me behind my back, not disgracing them.”

Madam Shen sighed, “Looking back, it wasn’t that difficult. Just ordinary household matters. It’s just that my family background didn’t prepare me for any of it.”

Mama Qin agreed. “Exactly.”

Yin Zhi said, “Compared to you back then, I’m much more fortunate… Is it still okay for me to call you Aunt?”

“Of course,” Madam Shen replied, smiling. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

Yin Zhi beamed and continued calling her Aunt. “Our household now has everything. We’ve hired a female tutor, and the sisters go to school regularly. The tutor teaches us properly—I’m just slow and only know the basics. I’ll need to study more with you.”

Madam Shen had stayed in Huaixi for two months and had Yin Zhi accompany her almost daily. She had long seen that Yin Zhi was bright, organized, and calm—a reliable girl. Her self-deprecating words now were merely modesty, meant to please.

Madam Shen waved a hand. “Don’t worry. You’ve come to the capital now—you have me. If there’s anything you don’t understand, come to me. As aunt and niece, we’re both Shen family daughters-in-law. We won’t let them laugh at us.”

After Yin Zhi left, Madam Shen suddenly felt parched. She drained a full cup of tea and still felt thirsty, needing half a cup more. “Strange, why am I so thirsty?”

Mama Qin covered her mouth, laughing. “You don’t realize how much you’ve talked just now.”

The past few days, when Shen Ti and Yin Zhi came to pay respects, Master Shen was also present—no chance for such relaxed conversation.

Today, with those two stern-faced ones away, just Yin Zhi and Madam Shen together, she could finally speak freely.

“Getting old,” Madam Shen chuckled. “Old people sure talk a lot.” Then she added, “It’s rare to find someone I can speak Huaixi dialect with so freely. After all these years, it’s still carved into my bones.”

“Of course it is,” Mama Qin agreed.

Mama Qin asked, “Did you ask her about Madam Feng?”

“I did. She said everything went smoothly,” Madam Shen replied. “She’s a good child. I looked at her face, her eyes—nothing forced about her. She meant it sincerely.”

Mama Qin sighed. “Only that Madam Feng…”

Madam Shen looked surprised. “What about her?”

Mama Qin explained how Feng Luoyi had called Yin Zhi ‘sister,’ and added, “Yes, she was a high-born lady. But things have changed. Thank goodness the Young Madam is kind enough not to take offense.”

Madam Shen was silent for a long time, then sighed. “Poor girl.”

She asked more about Yin Zhi’s attitude, then nodded in relief. “I knew I wasn’t wrong about her.”

Pu'er, however, regretted speaking the moment she had. On the way back, she confessed to Yin Zhi.

Kui'er was annoyed. “Didn’t we tell you not to say anything?”

Pu'er mumbled, “But… it wasn’t just anyone. It was Mama Qin…”

In truth, it was better for Madam Shen to hear about it indirectly. As long as it didn’t come straight from Yin Zhi herself.

But the bigger issue was Pu’er’s loose lips.

Yin Zhi stopped in her tracks.

“This Madam Feng situation isn’t a big deal. I won’t punish you this time,” she said. “But from now on, you must be careful. Matters in our courtyard, especially things I’ve said must not be mentioned, are not to be spoken.”

She looked seriously at her two personal maids.

“Before, we were in our own home. We could be more relaxed, and it didn’t matter. Now, we’re in someone else’s household. That freedom is gone. You need to stay alert.”

“Aunt, Mama Qin, Mama Wang—they’re all from the Huaixi Yin family, just like us, and we should be close with them.”

“But don’t forget—even in that closeness, Aunt is now my mother-in-law.”

“Between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law stands the son. And his heart lies with a concubine.”

Kui'er and Pu'er both lowered their heads. “Sigh.”

Kui'er even shot Pu'er a glare. “Did you hear that?”

Pu’er drooped her head.

Yin Zhi’s lips twitched in amusement.

She was only trying to scare them. Things weren’t nearly that bad. Shen Ti had made an agreement with her—they were partners, united in strategy.

Besides, the things her maids worried about—husband’s affection, household rivalry—Yin Zhi didn’t care for any of that.

But these girls had lived with her as outsiders in the Yin household for so long, tucked away in their quiet lives, that their guard was too low.

They needed a scare to wake them up.

Among Shen clan relatives, yes, she and Madam Shen could be more familial. But once the doors closed and they were just the Shen family? They were in-laws.

No matter how close, a daughter-in-law would never be closer than a son. A mother’s loyalty always tied to her son.

And between husband and wife, there was always some degree of conflict—especially in a world where men could take multiple wives. The stakes were even higher.

The people around her needed to understand this.

That day, Shen Ti was also out accompanying his maternal cousins around the capital.

They visited landmarks, strolled through busy districts, and sampled local food.

As they left a restaurant, they saw the famous gold shop Fengxiang Lou next door—also known as Golden Phoenix Prosperity.

One cousin said, “So this is Fengxiang Lou?”

“Our wives made us swear to bring them the latest styles of capital jewelry from here.”

“Let’s take a look. Save us a trip later.”

So Shen Ti went in with his three cousins.

The shop clerk greeted them with a huge smile and bowed deeply. “Master Shen, the Tan Hua!”

Shen Ti looked him over. “I’ve never been here before. How do you recognize me?”

The clerk laughed. “Ten years, three imperial exams—and finally, a Tan Hua who had girls throwing sachets and handkerchiefs like snowflakes. Who doesn’t know you?”

Shen Ti chuckled. “My cousins want to see the latest designs. Lead the way.”

“Of course. Right this way.” The clerk eagerly led them in. “Word is, Tan Hua, you’ve recently married. Congratulations! I’m sure your lady must be beautiful and virtuous. Would you like to look at something for her as well?”

Suddenly, Shen Ti thought of that morning—when Feng Luoyi called Yin Zhi “sister,” and Yin Zhi’s expression never changed, her smile never wavered.

What he thought of in that moment wasn’t their agreement to pretend to be husband and wife.

His first thought was: This is the grace and composure a proper wife should have.

“Very well,” young Master Shen nodded. “Let’s look.”