A carriage from the Duke Shun Mansion appeared in front of the Marquis Ning Mansion an hour later, just as it stopped, the Ning family’s servants outside brought over a footstool.

Without waiting for Tan Jiang’s assistance, Yu Tingwan lifted her skirt and got down. She heard Marchioness Ning exclaim joyfully from ahead.

"My niece-in-law."

Yu Tingwan had just raised her eyes when she saw Marchioness Ning descending the steps to greet her. Realizing this, she quickly stepped forward: "Aunt."

"Oh, dear."

Marchioness Ning warmly took her hand and looked her up and down: "It hasn’t been long, but you’ve grown more graceful. It shows how fortunate Gui Zhi is."

Yu Tingwan showed no shyness, letting her tease with a composed smile at the corners of her mouth.

Quite a few carriages were parked outside the mansion; guests likely had mostly arrived by this hour.

Being the matriarch of the Ning family, the old lady couldn’t be expected to entertain younger visitors. Since no other female relatives were present to manage affairs, it wasn’t right for her to still be at the door.

Just as this thought crossed Yu Tingwan’s mind, Marchioness Ning took her by the hand and led her up the steps.

"Your grandmother has sent her maid to ask three times already, plainly wanting to know why Gui Zhi’s wife hasn’t come yet, clearly cherishing you dearly. In my heart, I thought, no need to rush. Even though both families are in Shangjing, one is in the east and the other in the west; it’s quite the distance, naturally requiring some effort. This counts as your first visit here, marking your entry as the new daughter-in-law into the family, so it’s only right for Aunt to guide you around."

"Now that you’re home, make yourself at ease."

She added.

"You coming has relieved me as well. First, go sit with your grandmother and keep her company. The girls here today are of similar age to you, take a look around later."

The eldest sister-in-law is like a mother.

Yu Tingwan felt she undeniably had this responsibility.

She is truly kind!

Yu Tingwan nodded: "Mm."

Marchioness Ning escorted her to Madam Ning’s courtyard and rushed off to the West Garden with vigor.

She was already tactful and attentive, arranging everything thoughtfully. Besides, she explicitly stated she was picking up her niece-in-law, so none of the other ladies felt slighted.

The courtyard where the old lady resided faced south, with towering ancient trees and a low eave.

The maid respectfully lifted the beaded curtain and invited her inside.

Madam Ning was half-reclined on an imperial concubine couch, wearing a headscarf decorated with clouds and cranes. Beside her, a servant was massaging her legs, another kneading her shoulders, and she appeared to be resting with her eyes closed.

Yu Tingwan hesitated, fearing to disturb her and unsure if she should greet her.

At that moment, the servants beside the old lady ceased their actions to pay their respects to her, while the most favored maid leaned down to whisper softly by the old lady’s side.

"Hmm? Gui Zhi’s wife is here?"

Awakened, Madam Ning opened her eyes and smiled upon seeing Yu Tingwan.

"Old age creeps, not sure how I fell asleep, quickly help this old woman up."

She said to the maid.

Yu Tingwan respectfully curtsied, accepting a gift box from Tan Jiang behind her: "Mother has been thinking of grandmother, and recently acquired some boxes of ambergris to calm the nerves and ward off evil, she sent me to bring them over."

Madam Ning snorted coldly.

"If she truly cared, why didn’t she come personally to see me today?"

"She never steps out, never even peeks through the door. One would think her room is locked with iron chains if they didn’t know better."

Even as she spoke sourly, Madam Ning still gave a discreet nod to the maid.

The maid stepped forward, respectfully retrieving the gift box, and ordered the servants to serve tea and snacks.

"I’ve heard you’ve been learning to manage the household lately, how is it going?"

Yu Tingwan assumed Madam Ning intended to test her.

But unexpectedly, the next moment, she heard:

"Always with a stern face, Suxuan is strict and hard to please. These must be tough days for you, child."

"You have a hard time."

"Grandmother will speak to her later."

Though there’s no certainty she will listen.

Yu Tingwan: ???

She replied truthfully: "Actually, it’s quite alright."

When she first began managing the household, her desk was tidy—besides account books, ink, brushes, and paper, there was nothing to eat.

Initially, Yu Tingwan brought her own snacks, sometimes walnuts, other times peanuts.

At first, Ning Suxuan would frown and scold, reproaching her for being unfocused and undisciplined.

But thick-faced as she was, she knew how to bribe by sharing some with Ning Suxuan.

Over time, it became a case of: 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"No more bringing food."

"This is the last time."

"Yu Family, you eat so much, go out and burn off the calories."

In the end.

Now each time she goes over, there’s always a plate of exquisite pastries on the desk.

Yet Madam Ning didn’t believe it.

Her eyesight wasn’t good, the farther she looked, the more it blurred, yet her mind was astute.

"Don’t cover for her, I know her nature well."

"Strict with herself, her heart weighed down."

While her tone wasn’t harsh, it carried endless compassion.

"Nowadays, who lives like this? With a pure heart and few desires, she lives, but her heart is long dead."

Madam Ning attempted to stand, but her legs were weak, struggling.

The maid intended to step forward, but Yu Tingwan swiftly assisted.

Madam Ning smiled, patting her hand: "Child, help grandmother to the window. There’s a cypress tree there, planted by your grandfather. It’s still lush and full."

Saying this, she dismissed everyone.

"All of you, leave now."

Maid: "Yes."

The maid led the servants out in orderly fashion, pausing to gently encourage Tan Jiang to leave as she passed.

Tan Jiang stood still, only after seeing Yu Tingwan nod slightly did she respectfully exit.

This didn’t escape Madam Ning’s notice, and her smile grew.

Once the door was closed and only the two of them remained, she stood by the window, peering outside.

Sunlight streamed through the branches, casting mottled shadows on the ground.

She remembered her husband leading their son and daughter to plant the cypress tree, a scene fresh in her memory.

Back then, her son was ten, and Suxuan only six.

Her husband wielded a hoe, rolled up his sleeves, teaching them how to dig the soil, showing not an ounce of officialdom’s arrogance.

He spoke of the Ning family’s generations of officials but reminded not to forget the hardships of the commoners and farmers below.

Little Suxuan squatted by, watching it all, who knows if she understood, but stealingly scooped the soil, giggling.

Though an incense stick time had barely passed, many arrived from the palace.

A eunuch from the late Emperor’s side brought an imperial edict.

An instructress in full court attire stood stoic at his flank upon seeing Suxuan’s messiness.

Madam Ning remarked, "Your mother-in-law was once mischievous in her youth."

Speaking in an ordinary voice, she continued: "I always felt she was exceptional. Back then I jested with your grandfather, of all the young men in Shangjing, I favored the second son of the Duke Shun Mansion, born bright and talented—perhaps there’d be a chance for them to wed."

"But when she was six, the Royal Family took notice, betrothing her to the current Holy Emperor."

Yu Tingwan, astonished, lifted her gaze.

No one had ever mentioned this.

Nor did she realize such a... matter existed.

In mere moments, her thoughts whirled.

Madam Ning: "Surprised I’m sharing this with you?"

Yu Tingwan admitted: "Yes."