Jiang-zhou was shrouded in dark clouds, and the early winter wind carried a biting chill, prompting pedestrians to tighten their clothes and quicken their steps.
By the river, a woman pounding laundry paused to warm her stiff hands with her breath. She glanced up as seven or eight maidservants hurried across the bridge.
“Did the northern household have visitors today?” she said to another woman beside her.
“Indeed, it’s been lively since morning,” the other woman replied, a hint of envy in her voice. “They always have guests and feasts every day.”
“Let’s head over there later and see if we can help with anything,” the first woman suggested.
The North Cheng estate had no shortage of servants—there was neither need nor occasion to enlist their help. The North Cheng household consisted only of the two brothers and their children, barely a dozen in all. How much could they possibly eat? Many banquets were set out in perfect order only to be cleared away untouched.
If one befriended the kitchen matrons, they might let you take away some leftovers—enough to feed a family for two days.
At the thought of this, the two women could no longer focus on washing clothes. They hurriedly gathered their things and followed the river, passing through a side gate into a broad alley.
If viewed from above, this alley sharply divided the riverside mansions into two distinct halves.
To the north lay rows of black-tiled roofs, sprawling five or six courtyards deep. Interconnected gardens, winding corridors, and meticulously placed rockeries, streams, pavilions, and towers adorned the estate with exquisite refinement.
On the other side stood mostly low, cramped dwellings, lacking any regard for symmetry or order. Makeshift shacks of assorted materials cluttered the space, making it appear even more cramped and chaotic.
The two women chatted and laughed as they naturally turned south.
Here, there were no distinctions like side gates or main gates—they simply took a path and walked along the uneven, sunken road. Every now and then, children of all sizes, noses running, would dart past them in play. The air was filled with the indistinct rise and fall of voices from nearby homes, mingled with the crows of roosters and the barks of dogs.
To avoid a group of running children, the two women stepped aside—only to hear a sudden cry from behind.
“Ah—ow! My foot’s about to break…”
A man’s voice shouted.
The women turned to see a young man in his twenties, dressed in a thin blue cloth robe that seemed too light for early winter, making his already gaunt frame appear even more frail. His delicate features were pleasing, but as they took a second look, a gaudy flag suddenly fluttered in the wind, making the women hastily wave their hands and duck away.
The flag was propped on the young man’s shoulder, its unruly fabric flapping wildly against his face and head, creating a comical sight.
Fumbling, he hurriedly tried to gather the flag under control.
“You little bastard… what are you doing hiding here?!” the two women shouted.
“Hey now, no need for insults—you stepped on my foot first,” the young man replied with a grin.
The women spat in disdain and turned to leave.
“Wait, wait! The wind knocked down my shack again—can I borrow your shed to stay for a bit?” he asked, his smile ingratiating.
They spat again, even more dismissively.
“Go away! If you take our shed, where are we supposed to put our things?” they snapped, brushing past him without another glance.
The young man called after them, “Hey, hey—”
“Such poor judgment. I’m worth way more than your junk. Just you wait—I’m gonna make it big someday. One meal’s kindness and I’d repay it tenfold. You’re really missing out…” He chuckled to himself, shaking his head as he sauntered off, swaying with each step.
The two women hurried home, shooing their children to hang the laundry out to dry while they changed into clean clothes. Then, they made their way to the North Cheng estate.
They arrived just in time—the midday banquet had just ended, and the women immediately pitched in to help clear and wash up. It took them half a day before things finally settled.
“Thank you both for your help.”
The kitchen stewardess, who had been chatting and laughing on a small stool all this while, stood up with a smile and gave a dismissive wave.
Two young maids came forward, each holding an earthenware jar to offer them.
The women’s faces lit up with pleasant surprise, but they quickly waved their hands in polite refusal. “Oh no, we couldn’t possibly—these are the household’s things!” they protested.
“We’re all family here—why shouldn’t you take them? Leaving them would only go to waste,” the stewardess said with a laugh. “No need for such courtesy.”
Her tone, though still smiling, now carried a hint of impatience.
Family? If we were really treated as family, these stewardesses wouldn’t dare act so dismissively…
The women silently grumbled but dared not show the slightest hint of displeasure. Instead, they quickly accepted the jars, bowing repeatedly in thanks.
“So, who visited today?” they asked, making conversation.
“The First Madam’s sister-in-law from her maiden family,” the stewardess replied.
“Oh, Madam Wang! It’s been a while since she last came,” the women said with ingratiating smiles.
“She’s here to fetch someone,” the stewardess added offhandedly. “The young master of the Wang family has returned from the capital and is expected to arrive today.”
Though they had never even set foot in the main courtyards of the estate, as “family,” the women were well-versed in every branch and relation of the Cheng clan.
“So, Young Master Wang has been away?” the two women chuckled, then quickly looked puzzled. If the young master of the Wang family is returning, why isn’t he going back to the Wang residence but coming here instead?
“…The young master must be so fond of his aunt, making a special trip to our household…” they ventured with probing smiles.
The stewardess gave a faint smile but said nothing.
Clearly, that’s not the case…
If it were, the stewardess would have already showered the young master with effusive praise…
Yet she didn’t deny it either, meaning there was some unspeakable reason behind it…
The two women exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with excitement. Looks like there’s another juicy story to gossip about.
“…Stewardess Fu… Madam said the side kitchen should still prepare things as per the old arrangement…”
A woman hurried over to report, but before she could finish, the head stewardess shot her a warning glance, and she immediately fell silent.
The two visiting women tactfully took their leave and stepped away.
Only then did the head stewardess ask the messenger, “Which kitchen are we talking about?”
“Which else?” the woman chuckled. “The fool’s, of course.”
The head stewardess’s expression flickered with surprise as she pulled the woman aside.
“She’s still being kept at home? Wasn’t she supposed to be sent straight to the Taoist temple?” she asked.
The messenger smirked.
“Would you have her married off directly from a temple?” she whispered conspiratorially.
The head stewardess looked stunned.
“So… that matter is actually going forward?”
“Yes.”
In the courtyard of First Madam Cheng, Madam Wang set down her teacup and smiled faintly at Second Madam Cheng.
First Madam Cheng gave an acknowledging hum and returned the smile.
“It seems fate has played its hand,” she said. “Since Shi’qi-lang personally brought her back from the capital, he must be quite satisfied.”
Satisfied with a fool? Was that praise or an insult?
First Madam Cheng’s expression darkened at once.
“Shi’qi is a thoughtful boy—he knows how to ease others’ burdens,” she said coolly. “Unlike some, who only know how to create trouble.”
“Oh? And who might you be referring to?” Second Madam Cheng asked with deliberate indifference.
The estrangement between the two sisters-in-law was now almost openly acknowledged. Madam Wang gave a light cough to intervene.
“Then, Second Madam, what is your stance on this matter?” she asked.
As a member of First Madam Cheng’s maiden family, it was only natural for her to stand in her support.
“Is this marriage alliance not genuine enough?” Madam Wang added with a faint smile. “Ah, but we haven’t yet inspected the dowry—perhaps that’s why it seems less than serious.”
The trend of dowries had grown increasingly extravagant lately, with some families even inviting the groom’s side to inspect the dowry before formalizing the betrothal.
The mention of dowries struck a nerve in Second Madam Cheng. She forced a smile.
“Never mind. It seems my concern was misplaced,” she said, rising to her feet. “With Sister-in-Law managing the household and her uncle overseeing external affairs, what place does a mere stepmother like me have to speak?”
“If words hold no weight, then let actions speak,” First Madam Cheng retorted. “She’ll be entering this household soon—are her living quarters and necessities prepared? That room has stood empty for over a year. It should be aired and fumigated. Poor words can be overlooked, but poor preparations will only give others grounds to gossip.”
Second Madam Cheng’s face turned ashen.
“Thank you for the reminder,” she said stiffly, offering a perfunctory bow before striding away.
The maids waiting beneath the corridor hurried after her in quick steps.
Watching the figures retreat from the courtyard, First Madam Cheng let out a cold snort.
“What, do the two of you now quarrel every time you meet?” Madam Wang asked. “This isn’t good, you know.”
First Madam Cheng lifted her teacup.
“Of course not,” she replied. “She may be immature, but am I? It’s just when the matter of that child comes up… Otherwise, there’s hardly any reason for us to cross paths.”
Madam Wang chuckled.
“It seems that child truly can’t remain in your household any longer,” she said lightly.
Indeed, she couldn’t stay—she shouldn’t have been kept here in the first place. First Madam Cheng nodded, then looked at Madam Wang.
“But is this marriage alliance truly to be honored?” she asked, sighing. “It’s such an injustice to Shi’qi. The thought of it pains me.”
“As long as Shi’qi is happy,” Madam Wang said with a smile. “Besides, he can always marry again later. What’s the harm?”
After all, she was just a fool—a defect that could be grounds for divorce if displeasure arose. For a man, remarrying was hardly a scandal.
First Madam Cheng nodded.
“Shi’qi is suffering this great injustice, yet they come out ahead,” she muttered, her resentment growing the more she thought of it. She raised her head and called to a maid, “Go to those two manors and instruct the stewards to submit this year’s harvest ledgers to the main accounts.”
Those two manors had been tacitly controlled by Second Madam Cheng for nearly half a year. To suddenly reclaim them now—how could Second Madam possibly yield without a fight? Wouldn’t this just stir up fresh conflict?
The maid’s expression flickered with hesitation, but she dared not voice any objection. With a dutiful “Yes,” she rose and withdrew.
As expected—the moment that fool is involved, peace flees this household.
Just watch—there’ll be no end to the drama now.
Before the maidservant had even left the courtyard, someone came rushing in breathlessly.
“Madam! Madam! They’ve arrived—they’re here!”
They’ve arrived?
Both Madam Wang and First Madam Cheng stood up, their faces alight with joy.
“Has Shi’qi-lang returned?” they exclaimed in unison.
But the maid hesitated, her expression uncertain.
“Well… sort of…” she stammered.
Madam Wang and First Madam Cheng froze.
What do you mean, ‘sort of’?
“It’s—it’s our family’s Miss Cheng who’s returned…” the maid faltered.
Isn’t that the same thing?!
“Why didn’t those sent to fetch them come report first?” Madam Wang said, stepping out eagerly with a delighted expression.
First Madam Cheng shot the maid a glare.
“Can’t even speak properly? If the main gate isn’t to your liking, then go through the back door!” she snapped irritably, hurrying out as well.
The maid looked flustered.
“N-no, it’s not that, it’s just…” She tried to explain, “It’s just that something seems… off…”
“They’ve arrived?”
Over at the other side, Second Madam Cheng also received the news. After a brief pause, she stood up and glanced at Cheng Qi-niang, who was playing cat’s cradle with a young maid nearby.
“Qi-niang, come. Let’s go greet your sister.”
“Which sister?” Cheng Qi-niang asked without looking up, her fingers still busy with the strings. “Liu-niang and the others are all home already.”
“Your foolish sister,” Second Madam Cheng said.
Cheng Qi-niang immediately flung the strings aside.
“Mother, don’t let her in!” she shrieked.
Second Madam Cheng poked her forehead.
“If you bar her from entering now, don’t expect to ever leave this house yourself in the future!” she retorted. “Now hurry up and come with me. Why should they reap all the goodwill while we’re part of this family too?”
Without another word, she dragged Cheng Qi-niang out the door.
The front gate was already crowded with people.
“Why so many onlookers?” Second Madam Cheng asked in surprise.
Recognizing her, the servants quickly made way. Holding Cheng Qi-niang—who was covering her face with her hands—Second Madam Cheng stepped forward and immediately spotted First Madam Cheng and Madam Wang standing at the entrance. Both wore expressions of astonishment, as if witnessing something unbelievable.
“So the Wang family’s little treasure has arrived? Why aren’t you rushing to greet him?” Second Madam Cheng said with a smirk, turning her gaze toward the gate—only to freeze in place.
Parked before the entrance were two large, jet-black carriages with flat roofs. Under the overcast early winter sky, they showed no trace of travel-worn dust; instead, their freshly lacquered surfaces gleamed brilliantly. The horses on either side were sturdy and well-groomed, their coats glossy. Beside them stood fifteen attendants, all uniformly tall and robust—clearly handpicked for the role.
Arranged in two neat rows, they wore matching fine garments, their gold-trimmed cloaks billowing in the wind with such dazzling opulence that the onlookers could barely keep their eyes open.
“So impressive…”
“Even grander than when the prefect makes his rounds…”
“Honestly, all they’re missing are banners and official insignias…”
“Who is this?”
“Another high-ranking relative visiting the Cheng family?”
More and more onlookers gathered in the alley and along the opposite riverbank, pointing and murmuring in lively discussion.
“Shi’qi?” Madam Wang finally snapped out of her daze and stepped forward, calling out while glancing around in puzzlement.
She had sent people to meet them on the road yesterday—so why were neither the newly dispatched servants nor the old family retainers in sight?
And who were all these people? Hired escorts?
“Madam! Madam—!”
A servant squeezed through the crowd, disheveled and dust-streaked, sweat beading on his forehead. As he hurried past the two imposing rows of attendants, the contrast made him appear especially bedraggled.
Madam Wang recognized him at once—he was one of their own household servants. She’d never paid much attention before, but now, standing beside these strangers, he struck her as almost embarrassingly shabby.
“The young master has already gone home ahead of us,” he blurted breathlessly.
Madam Wang and First Madam Cheng were stunned.
“He went home first?” they exclaimed in unison.
“Yes, we met the young master at dawn, but he insisted on returning home—absolutely refused to come here,” the servant explained.
Insisted on going home…
Madam Wang and First Madam Cheng exchanged a glance, then turned their eyes back to the carriages at the gate.
Then… who was this?
“Madam Cheng.”
Steward Cao stepped forward with a rustle of his robes and bowed.
First Madam Cheng froze, studying him with a flicker of recognition.
“You are…?” she asked.
“I am of the Zhou household,” Steward Cao replied, smiling faintly.
The Zhou household!
Then—then who in the carriage was—?
The carriage curtain was lifted at that moment, and Ban Qin stepped down first. She glanced around, unable to suppress a flicker of emotion.
“I have escorted Lady Cheng home,” Steward Cao announced, turning slightly and gesturing behind him.
Following his lead, the Zhou family attendants all pivoted in unison.
Ban Qin lifted the curtain and helped Cheng Jiao-niang alight.
The clamor and chatter of the crowd abruptly died away, every gaze fixed on the cloaked young lady.
Those viewing from behind saw the sweeping, floor-length drape of her cloak; those at the side glimpsed her smooth forehead and elegantly arched nose; those facing her took in her long brows and deep, luminous eyes.
Yet no matter the angle, the same thought flashed through every onlooker’s mind:
This is a beauty.
Cheng Qi-niang, still forcibly held by her mother, had stubbornly kept her hands over her face—determined not to let that fool frighten her again. It seemed the only way to avoid public humiliation in front of the crowd. But soon, she noticed the surrounding noise had vanished, as if everyone had collectively held their breath.
What happened?
“What’s going on? What’s going on?”
Amid the silence, a man’s voice rang out from the edge of the crowd. A flagpole wobbled wildly in his grip as he shoved his way forward, jostling people left and right until he finally broke through—nearly knocking those at the front into the river.
“Hey—watch it!”
Chaos erupted along the riverbank as the young man took a few random punches before things settled.
“What are you all staring at? Huh?” he called, unfazed by the scuffle, before turning his gaze across the way. His eyes instantly bulged.
“Wow! A real beauty!”
Cheng Qi-niang peeked cautiously through her fingers—and there, swaying slightly in her vision, was a figure in plain brocade skirts, the hem fluttering to reveal white socks in wooden clogs…
She walks so gracefully…
Her fingers instinctively parted wider, revealing a young lady taller than Cheng Liu-niang.
Her hair was blacker than Liu–niang’s, her eyes larger, her skin fairer…
Far more beautiful than Liu–niang—no, more beautiful than any young lady she’d ever seen…
Who is she?
Unconsciously, she took a step forward.
“Who… are you?” First Madam Cheng asked instinctively as the young lady stopped before her.
“Cheng Jiao-niang greets Aunt,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied, curtsying gracefully.
Cheng Jiao–niang…
Cheng Jiao–niang!
First Madam Cheng’s mind flashed to another figure—a young lady lifting her veil under lamplight at dusk. Now, as this lady straightened from her bow, the two images overlapped perfectly.
“So you’re Cheng Jiao-niang?” Madam Wang stepped forward eagerly, nudging aside the stunned First Madam Cheng. She studied Cheng Jiao-niang with delight.
No wonder… no wonder…
“Even lovelier than in the portrait,” she said with a smile.
She’d known her son’s judgment was flawless—and not a trace of that dull-wittedness lingered in those eyes! She really had recovered—and not just a little!
“Now that you’re back, all is well—come, let’s go inside. It’s cold out here,” Madam Wang said warmly, stepping forward to lead the way.
Cheng Jiao-niang curtsied again and followed.
Seeing a guest and a junior actually entering ahead of her, First Madam Cheng—the hostess—finally snapped out of her daze and hurried after them.
Cheng Qi-niang turned and, without waiting for her mother to pull her along, ran forward, her eyes fixed on the young lady walking beside Madam Wang.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the courtyard, Cheng Liu-niang, Cheng Si-niang, and Cheng Wu-niang, having rushed over upon hearing the news, came to an abrupt halt.
“Look, look—” Cheng Si-niang whispered, standing by the path and peering through a cluster of winter plum buds not yet in bloom.
A young lady walked slowly between Madam Wang and First Madam Cheng, her dark blue cloak billowing gracefully with each step.
They had never seen anyone move with such elegance—even before glimpsing her face, they knew she was beautiful. And when her features came into full view…
Yes. A true beauty.
“Who is she?” Cheng Liu-niang asked, gripping a winter plum branch, her expression stunned.
“She’s my sister!” Cheng Qi-niang declared loudly, trotting up behind them with her skirts lifted, her voice brimming with pride.
Sister?
Only after the Cheng family had entered the gates did the dazed onlookers snap out of their trance—and instantly erupted into chatter.
“Did you see that beauty…?”
“Who did they say she was?”
“…No idea…”
Watching the lively scene at the gate, Steward Cao swelled with satisfaction.
“Steward Cao, no wonder you insisted we stop at an inn last night instead of pushing through—washing up and changing into fresh clothes really makes a difference,” two attendants murmured with grins.
“Of course. When our young lady returns home, it must be with dignity,” Steward Cao said, clearing his throat. As the Cheng family servants approached respectfully, he waved them off and ushered his own party inside.
The Cheng estate’s entrance settled back into quiet, but the crowds along the riverbanks showed no sign of dispersing, still abuzz with speculation.
By the river, the young flag-bearer rubbed his nose and tore his gaze away—only for his eyes to light up at the lingering onlookers. With a flourish, he shook out his banner.
Iron Truth Divination—the four characters flapped boldly in the wind.
“…Anyone want a fortune told? Just one coin for a reading—disaster advice free…”
