As the words fell, Yu Tingwan could sense many servants looking over in surprise, their gazes towards her more respectful than before.

In other mansions, the authority to manage the household is the greatest recognition for a daughter-in-law. But in the Duke Shun Mansion, even after a daughter-in-law proves herself capable, she must gain further approval from her mother-in-law to hold the key to the Book Collection Pavilion.

This key has been handed down from the first mistress of the Wei Family, but not every mistress receives it.

It has sometimes skipped the daughter-in-law and gone to the granddaughter-in-law.

It has skipped the elder son’s wife and gone to the second son’s wife.

In some cases, neither daughter-in-law nor granddaughter-in-law received it, and in disappointment, it was temporarily handed to the legitimate heir, leaving three questions before her death, and only if any new wife answered them correctly could she receive it.

Each mistress has different standards for giving the key.

Ning Suxuan received the key because her aptitude was clear; she never made mistakes and could handle matters independently.

But the Young Madam...

No one knew the standards by which the mistress judged.

The Young Madam hadn’t even learned to manage the household yet!

But Nanny Ru by Ning Suxuan’s side knew clearly.

It was about character.

Pure and kind, yet not confused. A heart like a clear mirror, understanding the essence.

Careful and unafraid, quick to learn anything.

The most important point.

Since her arrival, the decades-stagnant waters of the Wei Family slowly began to stir, the heavy green algae gradually nibbled away by fish, revealing clear water.

The water rippled lightly, creating small waves.

A burst of green, full of life.

Yu Tingwan, steeling her nerves: "Alright."

Ning Suxuan stood up and handed her an intricately carved, archaic and noble key: "Then stay here and learn well."

Yu Tingwan clenched it tightly, feeling an added weight on her shoulders, yet she remained unflustered.

Her mother-in-law took three years to get the key, while she took less than half a year.

Hmm!

Her excellence could not be hidden.

But...

She furrowed her brow: "Mother-in-law, where are you going?"

Yu Tingwan: "Aren’t you staying to teach me?"

"Such a large Book Collection Pavilion left to unreliable me, at least show some panic!"

Yu Tingwan recalled something: "Mother, last time I saw a Jade Ruyi in your room and liked it, when will you give it to me?"

Ning Suxuan hadn’t responded to her previously.

Up till this point, she paused slightly.

"Yu Family!"

"Haven’t you taken enough things from my place?"

Always so brazen!

Touching the potted plants in her room.

——"Did you prune these yourself, Mother-in-law? Such skill, I can’t manage it with my clumsy hands, why not bestow them upon me?"

Touching the lamps in her room.

——"Is this the gilded bronze inlaid gemstone phoenix lamp? It’s really beautiful, I wonder how the patterns were carved. Could I take it back to study?"

——"I just took one back yesterday, but today’s new lamp looks even better somehow. How about..."

She didn’t mention returning it.

But was torn for a moment.

Made up her mind.

——"Would it trouble you to let me take another one?"

Took them all.

Feeling the bottles and jars in her room.

——"Today, Mother’s lipstick looks great, could I..."

For what these objects were worth to Gui Zhi, would Yu Family lack them?

Even got a gold chaise-lounge!

Even if Gui Zhi didn’t give them, if she just let it be known, within less than an incense’s time, the Gu Family would eagerly send them over!

These days, Princess Jiasan’s carriage would stop by the gate for a moment. But never enter, and Ning Suxuan pretended not to notice, ignoring it.

Hence! Yu Family is just making trouble!!!

Looking to be scolded!

But Ning Suxuan also knew, her emotions were gradually being pried open by her.

From the initial cold rebuke.

——"How impudent, so unruly. Who let you touch it! Aren’t you going to admit your wrongs!"

To the later restrained reproach.

——"Just worthless little trinkets, is it worth such shamelessness from you? Your vision is still too small."

Then becoming resigned.

——"Take them if you want, lest later you accuse me, as a mother-in-law, of mistreating you."

To finally being unable to bear it, losing temper like a normal person and scolding.

——"Want this and that too, Yu Family! Are you here to restock!"

At this, Yu Tingwan was unafraid, boldly: "I think..."

Very sincerely: "There could be more."

Ning Suxuan: ...

"What other daughter-in-law is like you..."

Outside Yu Tingwan, gently added: "Wants both."

Nanny Ru’s shoulders shook as she held back laughter.

Ning Suxuan: ...

Unwilling to argue with her: "If any harm comes to the books, you’ll be held responsible!"

Yu Tingwan respectfully: "Yes."

In the next moment.

"And what about me?"

"If I tire myself..."

Ning Suxuan: ...

You tire?

Who has more energy than you?

Ning Suxuan rubbed the jade ring at her fingertips, no longer listening to her banter, and turned to leave.

Only then did Nanny Ru step up, smiling: "This old servant will stay to guide the Young Madam."

She held thick books in her hands.

Opened them up, the end unseen.

"This is all the books in the Book Collection Pavilion."

"Don’t worry, these few years, Madam had people make camphor, very effective in preventing damp and worms, and used other methods too. This old servant took a rough look yesterday, and all the books have been well preserved."

"But, this old servant specially brought a damaged book to teach you how to handle it."

Yu Tingwan looked over, the pages stuck together hard as brick.

Truly, without Nanny Ru, this house would fall apart.

Ning Suxuan returned to the main courtyard to continue copying Buddhist scriptures.

No need for servants; she enjoyed the quiet and had patience. When her hand tired, she’d pause for a brief rest before continuing.

Time passed.

The sky gradually darkened, the twilight casting glimmering light like shattered gold on the stone pavements.

The sheet of xuan paper in Ning Suxuan’s lap was lifted at one corner by the wind.

The path to the ancestral hall, she had walked so many times.

The ancestral hall solemn and serene, witnessed the decline and prosperity of the Duke Shun Mansion. The walls adorned with portraits of ancestors from generations past. On the incense table lay fresh pastries and fruits.

Upon entering, she saw Wei Zhao kneeling before Wei Fengxing’s memorial tablet.

From the incense burner, smoke curled up.

Unaware of when he had come.

Wei Zhao: "Mother has arrived."

Ning Suxuan furrowed her brows.

The ground was cold, and Gui Zhi’s health wasn’t good.

However.

She laid down the Buddhist scriptures, lit the incense, and with furrowed brows, spoke coldly: "Arriving at the Gui Mansion only now to pay respects to ancestors is disrespectful! Not coming before to offer incense to your father, to inform him you returned safely, is unfilial."

She didn’t give Wei Zhao another glance.

"One who doesn’t know might think the ground of the ancestral hall rolls with boiling lava, scalding you."

"In this matter, you have disappointed your mother. When you feel better, go accept your punishment."

In the past, Wei Zhao would not dare to speak except to accept his fault.

But now.

"This son did once think I would never dare set foot here in this life."

Wei Zhao bowed his head to the memorial, then rose.

Even Ning Suxuan couldn’t help being shocked.

"Your health..."

Wei Zhao: "A year ago, when this son was guarding the border, I returned once."

He closed his eyes.

"On your birthday."

Ning Suxuan thought of something, suddenly looking at him.

"But..."

His voice was hoarse, unable to say.

Finally, he deeply bowed before her: "This son has offended, please enlighten me, Mother."