Early morning.
An early rise.
Father still had three days of vacation.
Today was for visiting his beloved daughter.
Mianmian had already fished Zi Congheng out of bed early.
Unexpectedly, Zi Congheng had slept quite well last night.
His headache didn't seem to have flared up.
But being woken up before he was ready left him still feeling a bit sleepy.
He yawned and asked, "Aren't you tired?"
Mianmian was already all tidied up.
She said spiritedly, "I'm tired when I have school. When there's no school, I'm not tired. Laziness is all about seizing the moment. If you get up earlier, you have more time to be lazy. If you go to bed later, you get even more time to be lazy. Early to rise and late to bed means countless long hours of laziness in a day. It's delightful."
Zi Congheng: ...
He had Black Tower push Mianmian out so he could get up and wash.
After washing up, he changed his clothes.
The family ate breakfast together, then prepared to go visit relatives.
This was a strange experience for Zi Congheng.
Father had never taken him to visit relatives before.
It was still quite early in the morning.
The inner city wasn't congested yet.
They arrived in less than half an hour.
The Meng family already had servants waiting.
The servants seemed much more enthusiastic than last time.
Meng Qingshe personally came out to greet the in-laws.
His son-in-law Meng Shaoxia also obediently came out to welcome them.
...
Imperial Secretary?
Meng Qingshe patted his in-law's shoulder sympathetically.
Jiang Changtian: ...
Last night, several newly acquainted colleagues had already come to visit.
Upon learning he was appointed as Imperial Secretary, their eyes practically turned red with envy.
As a close attendant to the emperor, it was widely recognized as one of the fastest tracks for promotion.
Jiang Changtian also felt this position was not easy to come by.
It was a stroke of luck.
"I knew the emperor wasn't serious last time. The position of Imperial Secretary is very tiring. You're right under the emperor's nose - it's not easy to even slack off a little. You'll be running back and forth between the palace and outside."
Madam Meng and Old Madam Meng smiled at their blundering family member.
If there weren't others present, Madam Meng would have wanted to give her husband a good scolding.
What nonsense was he spouting?
Meng Shaoxia had come to the capital and also had to work - as an Imperial Guard. He too would be going in and out of the palace, also close to the emperor.
This was the difference between the Meng family and ordinary officials.
The Meng family didn't need to wait - they got results directly.
And it was a noble and relaxed job.
Generally, as long as no one tried to rebel, there wasn't much to do.
Good pay, light work, close to home.
Anyway, the father-in-law and son-in-law should be able to see each other often in the palace from now on.
Madam Meng and Old Madam Meng felt more at ease knowing their in-law would also be working in the palace.
The daughter's own father clearly couldn't be relied upon.
The old man was more dependable, but he wasn't around.
At least the in-law seemed more reliable than the girl's own father.
...
Mianmian took Zi Congheng to see her older sister.
When Aunt Yin saw the young man, she grasped his hand and wouldn't let go.
She was quite emotional for a moment.
It was Commander Zi who had originally sent her to the Jiang family.
But there had been no follow-up after that, not even any inquiries.
There was no planting of spies or anything of the sort.
Later, she had settled down contentedly at the Jiang house and stayed all these years.
The eldest daughter had married and had children.
Now seeing this young man again.
Commander Zi had passed away, leaving behind an orphan.
Zi Congheng wasn't used to being touched by others.
But the old woman before him meant no harm.
He didn't understand why she was so moved.
Yet he felt a sense of gratitude, mixed with his father's legacy.
Aunt Yin didn't say anything about considering the Jiang family as his own from now on. Some things didn't need to be said or repeated.
There was no need to prove one's kindness through others' pity.
Time would tell.
Aunt Yin simply held his hand lovingly and patted his head.
Zi Congheng passively accepted this affection, because he discovered that since coming to the Jiang family, whenever anyone lovingly held his hand or patted his head, he couldn't push them away. The Jiang family members all seemed to have great strength.
Zi Congheng was given a task - to watch over the two chubby babies as they sunbathed.
If the sun crept onto their faces, he was to move them a bit.
They were worried about the sun getting in the babies' eyes and being too bright.
At the same time, he could hear Mianmian and her sister chattering away in the next room.
"Sister, you've lost so much weight!" Mianmian looked at her sister, feeling that her waist had slimmed down while her chest had grown larger.
She hadn't expected that her sister, after giving birth, would actually look even more beautiful than before.
Before she had been a round-faced young girl, but now she seemed to have gained an indescribable charm.
In any case, she was very alluring.
Mianmian couldn't help but reach out to touch her when she got close.
Seeing the maid bring in some snacks.
Mianmian went to get some.
With her sister not at home, it felt like the family's meals lacked soul.
Jiang Yu sat beside her younger sister and also reached out her hand, just barely reaching the snacks.
Suddenly, she heard a cough.
"Young miss, you can't eat any more. Although you don't look bad now, if you keep eating without restraint, your body will become plump and you'll age quickly. Men don't change much in appearance as they age, but women who have had children can easily look old if they don't take care of themselves. If you keep eating like this, in a few years when you stand next to your husband, you'll look a generation older."
Jiang Yu withdrew her hand.
She looked at the sweets on the table somewhat wistfully.
There was no help for it - breastfeeding made her want to eat more, and eating more increased her appetite. Now she felt hungry all the time.
"Sister has recovered very well," Mianmian said, touching her sister's waist. The flesh was still firm, not flabby at all.
However, wives at this time certainly didn't have it easy.
Not only did they have to manage the household, have children, serve their in-laws, and handle social interactions, the most terrifying thing was that they might suddenly be stabbed in the back by their husband. While you're here busy as can be, running the household and kitchen, managing social affairs, he might suddenly bring home a concubine.
And she'd likely be younger and prettier than you, with full legal status.
But looking at her sister's condition, she seemed to be doing quite well.
Perhaps it was mainly due to the simple family atmosphere at her brother-in-law's home.
For a family that had only had single children for generations, they surprisingly didn't have any concubines. Their family values were truly excellent.
It could be counted among the best in the capital.
This was also why there were so many rumors about Jiang Yu.
Because Meng Shaoxia, in the eyes of mothers-in-law in the capital, was among the top three most desirable son-in-laws.
Wealthy background, high status, and no concubines.
You couldn't find better even if you searched with a lantern.
Seeing how loudly her sister spoke at the Meng house, she probably wasn't being mistreated.
"When it's time for the children's hundred-day celebration, you'll need to make an appearance. Try to restrain yourself a bit. Even if you can't be The Seductress Yu, you shouldn't become Yu Daji."
When Jiang Yu heard her aunt mention "The Seductress Yu", she burst out laughing.
The first time she heard people talking about the rumors outside, Jiang Yu had already laughed uncontrollably.
She never imagined that one day, such rumors would actually be associated with her.
Speaking of beauty, Jiang Yu knew very well that she probably ranked near the bottom in her family.
However, she had never cared much about her appearance since she was young. If you put face cream and a steamed bun in front of her, she would definitely choose the bun.
Although she didn't care, hearing people say she was very beautiful still made her very happy.
Since moving to the Meng family, Jiang Yu's biggest impression was that prices in the capital were quite high.
She was skilled at cooking, so she was naturally sensitive to ingredients and their prices.
Soon after arriving at the Meng house, with her aunt's assistance, she quietly lowered the prices in the back kitchen.
Without making a fuss, she reorganized the Meng family's inner household.
The Meng family didn't have issues with concubines, but there were other problems.
Madam Meng's management was lax, Old Madam Meng didn't interfere, so the servants would take advantage of loopholes.
In short, with Aunt Yin's help, as soon as she arrived at the Meng house, she tackled a major corruption issue in the purchasing department.
She took control of the kitchen's authority.
Establishing the authority of the Meng family's third-generation mistress.
There were no secrets in the capital.
This added another layer to the impressive image of "The Seductress Yu".
Indeed, she was a formidable woman.
Entering the household with two sons, in just three days she had taken over household management and dismissed a servant who had worked there for over twenty years.
Yet the Meng family, from top to bottom, still praised the young mistress.
At the Meng house, Mianmian felt that the servants indeed seemed more respectful than last time.
After chatting here and having some snacks and tea, it was time to go eat lunch together.
Mianmian felt that her silly sister had become a bit more astute after a few days at the Meng house.
It felt like at home, her sister was always the soft and gentle older sister.
But at someone else's house, she suddenly stood tall, like she had become an adult.
Jiang Yu stood up, holding Mianmian's hand. Her aunt had someone go fetch the two young masters.
Mianmian and Zi Congheng walked behind her sister.
They watched as maids ran to open doors, and servants lined up outside calling out greetings to the young mistress.
What a grand scene!
...
