Chapter 59: The Virgin's Reckoning

Madam Shen deeply understood that matters of the inner household couldn’t be judged in just a day or two—it took long-term observation to truly see someone’s true nature.
But even from the outset, Yin Zhi had already scored high marks.
Madam Shen genuinely believed she had a keen eye for choosing a daughter-in-law.

After Yin Zhi finished her work report, she happily returned to her courtyard carrying a tin of fine tea rewarded by Madam Shen, freshly brought back by Lord Shen.

From afar, she saw someone outside Jingrong Courtyard’s gate—a man.
Why was there an unfamiliar adult male in the inner residence?
And he wasn’t alone at the gate.

Lüyan and Hexin were both by his side, seemingly accompanying him.
Lüyan and Hexin were first-class maids who served Shen Ti closely—commonly known as “big maids.”
Who was this man that he could command such presence, making two of Shen Ti’s personal maids keep him company?

The man clearly noticed their group approaching and quickly stood up.
The gate maid hurriedly took away the small stool he had just been sitting on.
He was being treated quite well—he even had a stool to sit on.

When she reached him, the young man respectfully bowed below the steps:
“Greetings, Young Madam. I am Ping Mo. The Hanlin (Shen Ti) sent me to retrieve a pot of xiao tao hong and deliver it to the study.”

Oh?
She had indeed told Shen Ti to send someone to carry a flower pot—mainly because Changchuan was too small and might not be able to lift it.
But weren’t there maidservants in the study as well? Why send a man into the inner residence?

Also, she had heard the name Ping Mo several times already.
Usually in the commands Shen Ti gave to Changchuan:

“Go tell Ping Mo...”
“Tell Ping Mo that...”
“Have Ping Mo do...”

“You’re Ping Mo?” Yin Zhi smiled. “I’ve heard of you. You handled the errands for my belongings a few days ago—you’re fast and efficient.”

“As long as the Young Madam is satisfied. It wasn’t anything difficult.”

Yin Zhi asked, “Is the flower to be placed in the inner study or the outer study?”
Ping Mo replied, “The Hanlin said to place it in the inner study.”

Previously, Shen Ti had moved to the outer study to avoid suspicion concerning Feng Luoyi. But now that he was married, he’d moved back into the inner courtyard.
Even if he didn’t intend to visit his wife or concubines, there was no longer a need to isolate himself in the outer study—the inner study belonged solely to him and was far more comfortable for living.

Ping Mo was very proper. After bowing and responding, he maintained a slightly bowed posture, avoiding direct eye contact with Yin Zhi.
Even so, Yin Zhi could clearly see that Ping Mo was a clean-cut young man, probably a few years older than Shen Ti—fully grown.

His conduct and demeanor were polished—an excellent servant.
If favored by his master, he’d be considered a prime marriage candidate among the maids.

But given his age—around twenty—he should already be the father of two or three children by now.

“Come with me,” Yin Zhi nodded.

She led him into the courtyard.
Since she wasn’t present earlier, he hadn’t entered, waiting respectfully outside.
The Shen household’s rules were much stricter than the Yin family’s. The servants were also far more disciplined.

At this moment, Ying’er was placing orchids outside to catch some sun.
“That’s the one,” Yin Zhi pointed, “the one in the celadon pot.”

Ping Mo looked over and praised, “Young Madam, this orchid is well cared for.”

Yin Zhi grinned, “You know orchids?”

“Scholars love orchids the most,” Ping Mo explained. “I assist the Hanlin in errands involving purchases and gift exchanges, so I’m quite familiar with the market.”

“Oh?” Yin Zhi became interested. “Then, how much do you think this one is worth?”

Ping Mo examined it again carefully and replied, “Xiao tao hong is a common variety—not rare. Regular ones go for one or two taels, maybe five or six. But this one has excellent form—excluding the pot, it’s worth around twelve taels of silver.”

Kui’er was shocked. “That much?”

Ping Mo glanced at her and said, “You’re from the south and may not know—flowers are much harder to cultivate in the north like they are in the south. That’s what makes them rare.”

Yin Zhi agreed, “Yes, the climate and soil are completely different.”

That’s why she hadn’t rushed to tend to her flowers upon arrival. She first let them acclimate. Now that they looked stable, she was willing to gift one to Shen Ti.

The few pots she had hurriedly divided the other day were still under close watch. She personally tended to them daily.

Yin Zhi had Ying’er pass the xiao tao hong pot to Ping Mo.
Ying’er was holding another pot at the time, carrying it from the house. Kui’er tugged at her sleeve and said, “I’ll do it.”

She carried it over and handed it to Ping Mo.
Ping Mo took it firmly and said, “Thank you, elder sister.”

Kui’er quickly replied, “I wouldn’t dare.”

In the outer court, when male servants addressed maids as “elder sister,” it wasn’t always based on age.
For respected senior maids, if unfamiliar, they’d call them “miss.” If familiar, “elder sister.”
They wouldn’t call them “younger sister.”

“Elder sister” was a respectful term.

But before, when Yin Zhi was a marginal figure, Kui’er followed suit and was also marginalized. If she met a respectable male servant from the outer court, she would have to call him “brother.”
Later, as Yin Zhi prepared for marriage, the household tightened control to avoid any variables that might jeopardize her sudden rise in fortune. As a betrothed woman, she had to remain secluded—and so did Kui’er and the others.

They hardly had the chance to be called “elder sister.”

Yin Zhi noticed Lüyan and Hexin glancing quickly at Kui’er and Ping Mo as they spoke.
Just then, Ping Mo asked for instructions:
“May I trouble Madam to assign someone to accompany me to the inner study, then out to the second gate?”

In a strict inner household, male servants from the outer courtyard were not allowed to wander freely. Once at the second gate, they had to report in. The servant at the gate would inform the courtyard, someone from the courtyard would come fetch them, and once the task was done, the male would be escorted back out—only then was it complete.

During that whole process, they must be accompanied at all times and never left to wander alone.

Kui’er had always been diligent and observant, but since coming to the Shen household, Yin Zhi rarely let her lift a finger. With so many maids around, labor was divided into ranks and tiers. Each person now had far fewer tasks compared to before in the Yin household, where Kui’er, Ying’er, and Yin Zhi had done everything themselves.

Kui’er was itching for something to do.

She opened her mouth, ready to volunteer—
But Yin Zhi cut in just in time: “Lüyan, you go with Ping Mo.”

Lüyan was the oldest among the maids.
A hint of joy flickered in her eyes as she replied with restraint, “Yes.”

They were all teenagers—none too experienced at hiding emotions. Yin Zhi caught it all with one sweep of her gaze.

Lüyan accompanied Ping Mo out.
Yin Zhi returned to her room and changed into a comfortable house robe.
Because she still had to go outside during the day, she remained properly dressed until after dinner, when she could shed her outer garments and relax in her under-robe.

Comfortable.

Ever since Shen Ti gave his directive, even young Changchuan wasn’t allowed into her main chamber anymore.

If anyone came, the gate maid would first report to the room’s entrance; the room maid would then inform the side room or inner chamber.
Even if she wasn’t present, Ping Mo still had to wait outside the courtyard.

Though today was only the sixth day of their marriage, Yin Zhi already felt a strong sense of security about her courtyard and main chambers.

Hexin brought in a dish of freshly washed loquats.
Yin Zhi glanced at her and asked, “What does Ping Mo do for the Hanlin?”

Hexin replied, “Everything. Whatever the Hanlin needs done, he gives it to Ping Mo. He’s the Hanlin’s most trusted aide. They were nursed by the same wet nurse.”

Yin Zhi had always appreciated subordinates who answered comprehensively—especially those who provided more information than she asked for.

“Why didn’t he accompany the Hanlin out today?” she asked.

“There are others. The Hanlin has six attendants. Ping Mo only handles the important matters,” Hexin replied with a smile.

Their eyes met, and Hexin respectfully looked away.

So that’s how it is.

Yin Zhi had already sensed earlier, while speaking in the courtyard, that the maids had grown more respectful toward her than they were a few days ago.

Not that they had ever been lazy—they were handpicked by Madam Shen, so of course they were sharp and capable.

She’d been working smoothly with them so far.

The change was in attitude.
The expressions on their faces, the tones of their voices, the way they lowered their heads.

Only the perceptive would notice.

Ping Mo, Shen Ti’s most trusted man—who only handled important matters—had been sent to carry a flower pot for her rather than accompany his master around the capital.

That meant, in Shen Ti’s eyes, she was more important.

Everyone in the courtyard knew who Ping Mo was, and they understood the implication.

Thanks to the info Hexin provided, Yin Zhi now understood too.
Ping Mo had likely been sent to meet her—formally.

She recalled the way Lüyan and Hexin had hovered around Ping Mo and the quick glance they gave Kui’er.

“How old is he? He looks older than the Hanlin,” she asked.

“He’s three years older—he’s twenty-one this year.”

“Is he married?”

Hexin's eyes flashed with a hint of tension but answered properly, “Not yet.”

Yin Zhi nodded, saying no more.
So, he was the golden bachelor of the male servants.

And from the very first day of marriage, Shen Ti had made it clear to everyone: the maidservants in her courtyard were under her authority.

That included the power to reassign, sell, dismiss, or marry them off.

The power over their marriages now rested with Yin Zhi.

Here, a woman’s power came from what the man granted or relinquished to her.

Was Shen Ti just that aware?
Or was he simply born into this world, where such understanding came naturally, embedded in his bones?

In any case—even if it was a bit much—
Thank you, little brother.

Yin Zhi accepted the tea handed to her by a maid and took a sip.

She recalled the way she and Shen Ti had locked eyes across the bed this morning.

Some boys were becoming men now.
Their consciousness awakening.
They wanted control in marriage.

Interesting.

Yin Zhi called over Kui’er and Pu’er:
“Go tidy up the two pots we’re giving to aunt and uncle. We’ll take them over tomorrow.”

Kui’er eagerly responded, “Got it! I’ll carry them tomorrow—I’m strong!”