Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Matriarch's Arrival

After several days of overcast skies, the heavens finally cleared. Snowmelt dripped steadily from the eaves, collecting into small puddles.

Dong Yuting sat in the side room of the main courtyard, gazing out. Verdant young leaves unfurled on the trees, and precious flowers in the garden were poised to bloom. Sunlight bathed the main courtyard, imbuing it with the vibrant spirit of spring.

Qiu He smiled and said, "Madam, the weather has improved these past few days. Perhaps a stroll outside would be pleasant?"

With the turn in weather, Dong Yuting's health also improved. She no longer felt the heavy-headed drowsiness that had plagued her for days.

"Very well," she replied, draping a crimson fox fur cloak over her shoulders and stepping out slowly. Despite having been here for some time, she had yet to explore the entirety of the Li residence.

The Li residence was a quintessential four-courtyard compound, with covered walkways connecting the Outer Courtyard, Chongli Court, Yingfeng Court, and Lanzhu Court. Given the Li family's large size, East and West Side Courtyards were also constructed to house the second and third branches of the family.

In her previous life, Dong Yuting couldn't afford even a single-courtyard house, let alone a grand four-courtyard estate. Now, suddenly finding herself the mistress of such a residence brought her immense joy—a small comfort for her transmigration to the Qianyuan Dynasty.

After touring two courtyards, Dong Yuting was slightly out of breath. The innermost courtyard, Lanzhu Court, was the Old Matriarch's residence, and she wasn't eager to visit just yet. The Outer Courtyard was for male servants, off-limits to her. As for the East and West Side Courtyards, she lacked the energy to explore further and slowly made her way back to Yingfeng Court.

Before she could reach her courtyard, she encountered Xia Qing, who rushed over. "Madam, the Old Matriarch is asking for you."

In her past life, Dong Yuting had scoffed at mother-in-law dramas on television, vowing never to live with elders after marriage. Now, her circumstances had changed dramatically; she lived not only with her mother-in-law but also with brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law—a large, bustling family.

She could only console herself with the thought that, thankfully, the estate was vast enough to avoid constant encounters.

The original host's relationship with the Old Matriarch was strained. Tensions peaked after Li Nianyao's birth when the Old Matriarch ordered the concubines' contraceptive concoctions to be stopped. Even after Li Bohan's birth, their relationship worsened rather than improved. The Old Matriarch desperately wanted to adopt Li Bohan, but the original host refused, leading to a protracted tug-of-war.

When Li Bohan turned six, the original host, citing his status as the eldest son, arranged for Li Lingchuan to personally oversee his education and moved Li Bohan directly into the East Wing of Chongli Court. Her unspoken message was clear: if you won't let me be close to him, you won't either.

It wasn't until after Li Borui's birth that their relationship began to show signs of thawing. The original host had no grand expectations for her second son, and as the Old Matriarch aged, she allowed her to grow closer to the child.

However, this did not mean they could interact without lingering resentment.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Dong Yuting softly acknowledged the message and turned towards Lanzhu Court.

Chongli Court, the main courtyard, housed a hall with Buddhist statues and ancestral tablets. The Old Matriarch, a devout vegetarian Buddhist, had also established a small Buddhist shrine in the hall of Lanzhu Court.

The room was permeated with the faint scent of incense, calming agitated minds.

Though the small shrine was crowded with people, it was so quiet that the drop of a needle could be heard.

The Old Matriarch clasped her hands in prayer, silently wishing for Li Lingchuan's safe return. The women behind her stood in respectful silence. Dong Yuting trod softly, positioning herself at the back, and followed the Old Matriarch's movements in prayer, though her own wish was to return to her original world.

After the prayers, the Old Matriarch slowly opened her eyes, placed the burning incense into a gilded cloud-patterned censer, and, supported by Yuan Xiang, seated herself on a carved sandalwood round chair in the main room.

"You're here."

Dong Yuting curtsied. "Greetings, Mother." She emulated the original host's demeanor flawlessly, leaving no room for criticism.

The other women present also paid their respects to Dong Yuting.

"Please, be seated," the Old Matriarch said, her voice tinged with sorrow.

Everyone took their seats in order, with Dong Yuting naturally occupying the first seat beside the Old Matriarch. Next to her sat Zeng Huiyan of the second branch, followed by He Jinglin of the third branch.

Additionally, several concubines were present, including Yiniang Liu and Yiniang Yun, both concubines of Li Lingchuan. One was a distant relative from the Old Matriarch's maternal family, the other formerly a second-tier maid by the Old Matriarch's side—both undoubtedly placed to counter the original host.

However, despite the Old Matriarch's favor, such occasions did not grant them the privilege to sit. They stood respectfully to the side.

Dong Yuting discreetly observed the concubines standing in the main room. Even in Zeng Huiyan's household, the Old Matriarch had installed her former maid as a concubine. Dong Yuting mused inwardly: *This Old Matriarch's desire to control her three sons is truly strong, planting spies even in their inner quarters.*

The Old Matriarch, likely from prolonged weeping, spoke in a hoarse, weary voice: "I called you here for no other reason. With Ling Chuan's whereabouts unknown, I've already sent Lin Da and his men to Youzhou to search. We cannot simply sit idly by in the residence, so I wish to invite Master Kongming to perform a prayer ceremony here, beseeching blessings for Ling Chuan's safe return."

She paused, then addressed Dong Yuting: "I leave this matter to you. I trust you to handle it."

Dong Yuting nodded under her sorrowful gaze but inwardly dismissed the idea. *Instead of inviting a monk for prayers, it would be better to send more people to search for Li Lingchuan in Youzhou.*

Still, aware of ancient superstitions, she accepted the task the Old Matriarch had assigned her.

Qiu He glanced at Zeng Huiyan, who was delicately sipping tea, hesitating to speak. But since Dong Yuting had already accepted the arrangement, she swallowed her words.

As they left Lanzhu Court, Yiniang Liu, Yiniang Yun, and Yiniang Wang followed behind. The first two walked side by side, always two steps behind Dong Yuting, while Yiniang Wang trailed silently at the very end.

The original host had treated them coolly due to their status, and Dong Yuting also had nothing to say to them. A silent atmosphere pervaded their walk until they entered Yingfeng Court. The three concubines bowed and took their leave—Yiniang Liu swaying gracefully into the East Wing, while Yiniang Yun and Yiniang Wang headed to the West Wing.

"Qiu He, what did you want to say? I could see you were bursting to speak earlier," Dong Yuting said as she sat down. Xia Yue promptly served her tea.

Qiu He anxiously replied, "Madam, the second branch is still managing the household accounts!"

Dong Yuting was puzzled. "What does that have to do with it?"

"But didn't the Old Matriarch just assign you a task?"

At this, Dong Yuting finally understood.

Inviting Master Kongming would entail expenses: incense money, ceremony fees, and vegetarian meals for the monks. Moreover, Master Kongming was a highly respected figure in the capital, necessitating a personal visit to invite him. Arrangements would also need to be made with the Transport Department for a carriage, coachman, and guards for the outing...

The entire estate operated like a company, with intricate workings.

Now tasked by the Old Matriarch, she would need funds at every turn. She had no intention of spending her own money; it had to come from the household accounts. Just like business trips in her previous life—accommodation, travel, and meals were reimbursed by the company. Spending her own money? Not a chance!

Dong Yuting rubbed her temples, making Qiu He worry she had a headache again.

No wonder Zeng Huiyan had avoided her gaze in Lanzhu Court—she was reluctant to relinquish the power she'd just gained.

Chun Yue, overhearing, spoke bluntly: "The Old Matriarch is truly something. If she's assigning tasks to you, why not have the Second Madam hand over the household accounts? Instead, she leaves you to figure it out yourself."

Qiu He, usually cautious about gossip, nodded in agreement, though she remained silent.

Dong Yuting slowly sipped her warm tea. Whether in the past or present, she had never liked the bitter taste of tea, unable to discern any other flavors. At the bottom of the yellowish liquid, a few dark green tea leaves floated, fully unfurled. She stared at them for a long moment, then sighed heavily. *Well, since a bolt of lightning had sent her here and she’d taken over this body, she might as well shoulder the responsibilities—managing the household and securing the children’s future.*

Resolved, Dong Yuting stood up abruptly and strode outside.

Qiu He hurried after her. "Madam, where are you going?"

"Qingfeng Court!"

*Wasn't that the Second Madam's East Side Courtyard?* Though confused, Qiu He quickly grabbed Dong Yuting's discarded fox fur cloak and hurried to catch up.