Chapter 13: A Courtyard in Bloom

Yin Zhi had always been an inconspicuous, peripheral figure in the household. She never made the effort to curry favor with the matriarch like the First Madam did, so her presence felt even more negligible.

But in truth, from Yin Zhi’s perspective, life had entered a peaceful state that suited her perfectly.

While the servants might have their little schemes, her legitimate mother—the Third Madam—had three sons, giving her solid status and confidence. She was relatively kind and tolerant to the concubines’ daughters. “Kind” might be putting it a bit flatteringly, but at least she wasn’t the type to withhold necessities.

Spring fruit, summer ice, autumn tonics, and winter charcoal—all were never in short supply.

Once the little courtyard gate was closed, everyone inside was her own people. It was cozy and comfortable.

She even managed to help the family book a courtyard at Donglin Temple for the Buddha’s birthday festival.

Technically, this should have been the responsibility of the First Branch. Donglin Temple was renowned for its incense offerings, and it was quite common not to secure a courtyard during such high-demand periods. The old madam had said that it was fine if they couldn’t get one—but everyone knew she still hoped it could be arranged, even if she didn’t want her sons to feel pressured.

As expected, the First Branch failed to book a courtyard again this year. Although the old madam said it didn’t matter, disappointment was evident in her eyes.

Unexpectedly, the Third Branch stepped in and announced that they had secured one through some connections.

Even though they had to share the courtyard with another family, the old madam was so pleased that she praised the Third Madam effusively—something she rarely did.

The Third Madam, who usually didn't stand out much in front of the old matriarch, finally had a moment to bask in recognition and pride.

When she returned home, she called Yin Zhi over and lavished her with praise—it was all thanks to Yin Zhi's connection with her master that they had managed to squeeze in.

Yin Zhi humbly replied, “It’s only right for a daughter to show filial piety to her mother and grandmother. How could I take the credit? I merely boasted a little to my master…”

“Don’t worry,” said the Third Madam with a smile, holding up a few fingers. “The old madam gave this much for the incense offerings this year.”

Wow.

Yin Zhi smiled, but still asked, “And my master…”

The Third Madam chuckled, “Look at you, always worrying.”

“Don’t fret about that. This is for the grown-ups to handle—I’ve got it.” She handed Yin Zhi a list. “Here, this is all prepared for your master.”

Who said monks were above worldly matters? In some times and places, being a monk was just another profession—one with official support.

Yin Zhi quickly scanned the list—rather, the offering list—and was finally at ease.

The Third Madam asked, “Not stingy, right?”

Thanks to the abbot’s favor, the Third Madam had finally gained some prestige. She responded generously. Besides, with the old madam handing over the responsibility for the offerings and incense money to her, there was naturally room to skim a little.

It was a guaranteed win.

Yin Zhi had once taken advantage of her child’s body with an adult soul, the gap left by her recently deceased birth mother, her own pitiful weakness that drew sympathy, and her intelligence that pleased the elders. She persisted until the head monk finally accepted her as a nominal disciple.

That relationship had initially included some emotional goodwill. But with time and distance, it would fade if not maintained—just like any human connection.

So Yin Zhi made sure to keep the bond alive.

She curtsied with a genuine smile. “Mother, you’ve thought of everything. Such generous offerings—my master will surely be pleased.”

The Third Madam pointed at her teasingly and said to Nurse Sun, “Look at her. She’s now closer to her master than to us.”

Nurse Sun played along with a smile.

Yin Zhi didn’t bother pretending to be perfectly well-rounded in front of the Third Madam. She simply grinned foolishly—saving time and effort.

Spring passed to summer, summer faded into autumn, and before long, the braziers were lit and embroidered winter robes with chinchilla linings were worn. Another year had gone by.

In this era, turning a new year meant growing a year older.

Indeed, skirts grew shorter, shoes tighter. The little girls were sprouting up like saplings.

The eldest cousin in their study group had just come of age. All the younger girls attended her coming-of-age ceremony. Then, one day, she simply stopped coming to lessons.

The Second Madam giggled, “She’s been betrothed.”

Being “settled” meant an engagement. And once a girl was engaged, she no longer attended lessons. Instead, she stayed by her mother’s side, learning the practicalities of managing a household and preparing embroidery for her future in-laws and relatives.

In truth, Huaixi was already known for its mulberry, hemp, and tea industries, with a thriving textile and embroidery scene.

Most families outsourced wedding clothes and bedding to professional embroidery shops. The Yin family had their own embroidery workshop, so there was no need for the girls to handle large items.

They just hid in their rooms sewing small pieces for their future in-laws, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and relatives.

The point was to help the girls settle down and cultivate their temperament.

“Fourth Miss, why are you sighing?” the First Madam asked Yin Zhi.

“Nothing,” Yin Zhi muttered, touching her throat. “My voice is a bit hoarse…”

“It’s dry in spring—you need to drink more water,” the First Madam advised. “Mother gave me some fine tea yesterday. I’ll have Sang’er bring you some.”

The Second Madam whined, “Why only give it to you, not to us?”

Before the First Madam could respond, a cousin from the Second Branch sitting nearby chuckled, “You’re just a kid—why fight with your older sister? Let her go first. Your turn will come in a few years.”

The First Madam scolded her, reaching out to pinch her. The cousin dodged, laughing.

The Second Madam pouted and made a face. “I’m not fighting over it.”

All these little quirks of the young girls were so innocent and endearing.

Yin Zhi rested her chin in her palm and watched them with a gentle smile.

When the teacher arrived, the girls quieted down.

Yin Zhi flipped through her book, then glanced up at the sweet, obedient girls, and then out the window at the fresh green buds and the chirping birds.

Once a girl came of age, she’d be betrothed. Once betrothed, she no longer came to class. So the students here were all quite young.

At this age, they enjoyed carefree girlhood, unaware of how precious these days were. Years later, they might look back and sigh, “At the time, I thought it was all so ordinary.”

Unlike them, Yin Zhi—who had been reborn—truly cherished this time.

To not worry about food, clothing, or shelter—that was the happiness of childhood and girlhood. It would never come again after adulthood.

Here, aside from the mandatory greetings to elders each morning and evening, there were no social obligations. The Third Madam, content with her sons, had no interest in gaining favor from concubines’ daughters or tormenting them. When she was in a good mood, she even gave them small rewards. Everyone kept to their roles.

Yin Zhi spent her days attending class with sweet girls. When she returned to her courtyard and shut the door, she rolled up her sleeves to tend to her flowers and plants—a leisurely, joyful life.

If only time could stop here.

But that was impossible. Even in another time and place, time flowed the same. Unstoppable.

Another year passed. Several of the Yin family’s young men returned from the capital to take the county-level student exam in their hometown. The fourth son of the First Branch and the eldest son of the Third Branch both passed and became xiucai (licentiates). Though not high titles, they were legitimate scholarly honors—and two at once!

The entire Yin household rejoiced, showering guests with celebration coins.

The Third Branch, in particular, had double the joy—the eldest son not only passed but got married soon after.

The marriage had been arranged in advance, whether he passed or not. But passing added more joy to the celebration.

The Third Madam glowed with pride.

However, after that, the young men of the Yin family no longer returned to study with the Shen family in the capital.

Everyone else was elated—except the old master, who sighed as his sons tiptoed around him.

“Well, let it be,” he said wistfully.

From then on, the Yin sons would study at home instead of returning to the capital.

Why?

“We couldn’t keep up,” admitted the fourth son of the First Branch.

Yin Zhi’s eldest brother added, “You don’t understand how much pressure we were under. The Shen boys… they’re just on another level. We really did our best.”

But being crushed by the Shen cousins was demoralizing.

Especially their dear cousin Shen Xi—he was simply… well, best not to talk about it.

The Yin family had once helped the Shen family. In return, the Shen family had used their abilities to pull two scholarly titles out of three fairly untalented boys.

That was already more than generous.

In studying, hard work was crucial—but talent could still trump 99% of effort with just 1% of natural ability.

The Shen family helped introduce a new tutor to the Yin family. Both Madam Shen and her husband wrote letters to explain.

One wrote more tactfully, the other more directly—

“Our nephews simply lack the talent. The Shen family has done what it could. Their level ends here. Forcing them to keep up would only backfire. The tutor your son-in-law found is more than capable of teaching them. Let them study peacefully, instead of continuing to suffer under the Shen boys’ shadow. I’ve seen their confidence crumble—it’s not good.”

—The words were polite, but the meaning was crystal clear.

In his letter, Shen Bo even predicted: the Fourth and Eldest sons would definitely pass.

And indeed, they did. It showed how well the Shen family understood the Yin boys’ academic abilities.

The old master sighed, “Then so be it.”

Having weathered many storms in life, he quickly adjusted. “Your great-great-grandfather and great-grandfather were just peddlers. I only gained a bit of wealth and bought an official title. Now you boys finally have scholarly status. Each generation improves—that’s what matters.”

Hearing they no longer had to return to the Shen family, the younger generation collectively let out a huge sigh of relief.

The old master rolled his eyes. “Pathetic!”

The fourth son protested, “Grandfather, don’t scold us. We really can’t take studying with Cousin anymore.”

The eldest son of the Third Branch chimed in, “Grandfather, you have no idea what it’s like studying with Shen Xi.”

Back home, they’d always known they weren’t especially gifted. Among peers, everyone seemed about the same. Even the slightly smarter ones weren’t far ahead.

But Shen Xi was different.

Studying with that cousin made one constantly question their self-worth: Am I just… hopeless?

The old master’s gaze sharpened. “Xi-ge? Is he taking the exam this year?”

The fourth son muttered, “He wanted to take it last year, but Uncle stopped him. He was pretty upset about it.”

The old master asked, “Why did your uncle stop him?”

The fourth son was silent for a moment.

“Uncle said, ‘The tall tree catches the wind.’ He didn’t want him to gain fame too young.”

“After all… he was only ten last year.”