Fifth Son's wedding was very grand. All the prominent people from Deng Prefecture and Tang Prefecture who did not have to stay at their posts came. The bride's dowry was very generous. Ye Suijin vaguely remembered it seeming to be more than in her previous life?
Twelfth Sister secretly told Ye Suijin: "My little brother secretly added to my sister-in-law's dowry. He asked me to keep it a secret after I found out. My father knows too, but they don't want me to tell my mother and eldest sister-in-law."
Ye Suijin discreetly stopped her: "This matter, you absolutely cannot tell your mother and eldest sister-in-law. Unless you want the family to erupt into chaos."
"You all think I'm silly, don't you?" Twelfth Sister pursed her lips. "You don't know how many dowry-related cases I've read."
She counted off on her fingers to Ye Suijin: "I won't even mention those that purely fought over the dowry. I'll just talk about the ones who killed over the dowry."
"There's been mothers-in-law who killed daughters-in-law."
"Fathers-in-law who killed daughters-in-law."
"Husbands who killed wives."
"Sisters-in-law who killed sisters-in-law."
"Eldest and second uncles who killed younger sisters and sisters-in-law."
"Nephews who killed aunts."
"All related to the dowry," she said.
Ye Suijin was too busy to oversee Twelfth Sister's studies. Hearing her say all this, she laughed, "You've made progress."
She also asked: "After seeing all this, what are your thoughts?"
Twelfth Sister scowled. "I don't want to get married."
"I don't want to have in-laws or sisters-in-law or eldest and second uncles."
"It's frightening."
"I just want to stay by my parents' side."
But in truth, Twelfth Sister had very smooth marriage prospects.
Her future husband was refined and cheerful. Twelfth Sister was playful, and her husband was not very restrictive of her. After marriage she could still often ride horses with her husband.
Whenever she returned home, she would ride back. It even embarrassed Fourth Sister-in-Law, who then treated her son-in-law especially well.
She was also blessed when it came to children. Of the several children, only one passed prematurely. The rest all survived.
Since the children were doing well, her mother-in-law looked upon her favorably, letting many things slide.
She had the marriage prospects that her sisters all envied.
Yet now, this sister with the smoothest marriage was wrinkling her nose and saying "I don't want to get married."
Ye Suijin said, "Don't be afraid. No one would dare do anything to you. Our sisters won't have a situation like Third Sister's ever again."
She said, "If there is, I will slaughter that entire household."
Twelfth Sister's eyes widened.
She felt her sixth sister was joking, yet also seemed serious.
In the end, she couldn't discern if it was a joke or serious.
She was a bit frightened, yet also strangely...felt excited and refreshed.
Someone came to fetch them, and Ye Suijin said, "I'm going. Go help Fourth Aunt receive the female guests. Don't cause trouble."
Ye Suijin was going to the front to receive guests.
Just as she was about to step across the threshold, Twelfth Sister suddenly caught up to her, "Sixth sister!"
She asked, "Can I come with you?"
The Twelfth Sister of this life was clearly much bolder than the Twelfth Sister of her past life.
The so-called front was where the male guests were. This was a formal occasion, so females should not have appeared.
It was as if everyone had forgotten Ye Suijin was a woman.
They only remembered she was the most powerful person across two states, no wait, now it could be said three states.
From Twelfth Sister's eyes, Ye Suijin saw admiration.
This younger sister revered and looked up to her. She wanted to become a person like her.
Of course no one could become her. She had drawn from the heavens, even she didn't know which life's blessings this was.
But with her here, she could make the path smoother and further for her younger siblings.
"Then follow me," she said. "Stay right behind me. Don't let anyone jostle you."
Twelfth Sister's eyes shone as she crisply responded, "Yes!"
"My father will probably be angered to death when he sees me," the young girl said as she followed behind her.
Ye Suijin smiled.
When Fourth Uncle saw Twelfth Sister, he really did look like he might die from anger.
His eyes glared at Twelfth Sister again and again, yet Twelfth Sister pretended not to see.
The guests all greeted the Governor in order of seniority. With the Governor standing here, no one felt it was improper for a half-grown girl to make an appearance.
On the contrary, many felt that this was even more harmonious than if it had just been Miss Ye alone.
Today Ye Suijin did not need to entertain these people much. After all, this was Fifth Son's wedding, and she could not outshine the host. If there was anything, this was not the occasion for conversation.
She took a turn, made an appearance, then left.
Twelfth Sister was thrilled to death. "Did you see? My father's beard was so angry it curled up."
Ye Suijin asked her, "Do you know why he's angry?"
Twelfth Sister: "Hmm?"
"Because this is a formal occasion. A young girl playing around in private, everyone will close one eye. But appearing front and center like this damages your reputation and may obstruct your marriage prospects," Ye Suijin said.
Twelfth Sister didn't respond.
She hadn't reached marrying age yet, but she knew marriage was important for girls. Though her mouth said she didn't want to marry, she knew girls ultimately had to marry.
A moment of boldness, her playful heart had emerged, and now apprehension rose up.
Ye Suijin turned to look at her.
"Yet you also know I brought you to the front, fully aware of this. Why?"
Ye Suijin said, "Because one can subdue ten with power."
Twelfth Sister blinked.
Ye Suijin did not explain further. She turned and said, "Let's go see how the bride is doing. How is Lan Niang's horse riding coming along?"
"She's very timid," Twelfth Sister wrinkled her nose. "Her parents aren't too happy about it either. I brought you up and they didn't dare say anything."
"It's hilarious. Let me tell you about her."
"Sister Lan Niang, no, my sister-in-law, was so frightened she cried at the start. Later I rode double with her and took her to play. Then she thought it was fun. I also told her that once she learned, she could ride together with my little brother and travel on horseback for pleasure like in the storybooks. I said noblewomen of the Great Wei Dynasty all knew how to ride and would do the same with their husbands. Only then did she finally willing learn."
"Teehee."
"But she's really soft and weak. I spent a lot of effort before I taught her."
"She made me so many pouches, kerchiefs, sachets, and pillows as gifts of gratitude. My mother said I won't lack for pouches or kerchiefs for some time now."
This year, Lan Niang was fifteen. Her family was also well-off and doted on this youngest daughter. They had originally wanted to wait until she was sixteen or seventeen before marrying her off. But who knew the Ye family would suddenly shoot into the clouds like riding the fog.
Lan Niang's family inevitably grew concerned, fearing change may occur again, so they went from wanting to keep her longer to hurriedly completing the marriage.
She had her hairpin ceremony at the start of the year, and set the wedding date for the fifth month. But it was delayed due to Ye Suijin leading troops to attack Jun Prefecture, dragging all the way until the eighth month.
Lan Niang was an extremely slender and delicate maiden.
Though not sickly-looking like Pei Lian, she was still softly and weakly tender, easily evoking empathy at first glance.
Ye Suijin did not interact much with this kind of girl. She also did not know her well in her previous life, only remembering more about her from Fifth Son.
When Ye Suijin stepped in, everyone stood up, even the aunties lifted their butts.
In an instant, the focus in the bridal chamber shifted from the bride to Ye Suijin.
"Sister," Lan Niang greeted her with propriety.
Ye Suijin said, "Auntie, I'll chat with my sister."
Everyone smilingly exited.
Ye Suijin was too busy. Even the aunties rarely had a chance to speak with her face-to-face, let alone other women of the clan.
Many envied this opportunity.
Lan Niang was extremely nervous.
Her family had married her off early for the sake of this remarkable clanswoman.
They had repeatedly exhorted her to get along well with this clanswoman.
She had anxiously imagined many scenarios, but just now, listening to the Ye clan women and the chattering female relatives, she realized that actually no one really saw Ye Suijin at all.
It had all been baseless imagination, ha, she had worried for nothing.
Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, Ye Suijin came, and she tensed up again.
Ye Suijin turned her head and looked wordlessly at Twelfth Sister.
Twelfth Sister: "What?"
Ye Suijin asked, "What are you doing standing here?"
She didn't see that everyone else had left?
Twelfth Sister: "Oh?"
I should leave too? I'm not like everyone else.
Ye Suijin flicked her forehead, and Twelfth Sister covered her head as she grumbled her way out.
Fooling around and teasing each other, it was...just like normal sisters.
Lan Niang exhaled in relief. She was no longer as nervous.
Ye Suijin laughed, "Look at her, she's asking for trouble again."
She led Lan Niang to sit at a round table.
"Little sister, now that you've married into our family, you're one of us. I won't stand on ceremony with you," said Ye Suijin. "There's something I'd like to ask of you."
Lan Niang quickly responded, "Please tell me, big sister."
Ye Suijin said, "I want to entrust Twelfth Sister to your care."
"Fourth Uncle, Third Brother and Fifth Son will often be away with me. Fourth Aunt is busy with family matters, and Third Sister-in-Law just had A Gui, so no one has time for Twelfth Sister."
Although without the formal title, Fourth Aunt carried out the duties of a matriarch.
Nearly a thousand members in the great clan, although split into several halls with autonomy, there were still many petty trifles and nonsense to be brought to Fourth Aunt.
If Ye Suijin were a man, these would be the responsibility of his wife. But as a woman herself, if she had to handle them alone, she feared she might go mad.
"Twelfth Sister is at an age where her character needs nurturing. I'm afraid everyone has neglected her, and we'll regret it later," said Ye Suijin. "It's perfect that you've come, little sister. As her sister-in-law, you should look after her."
Lan Niang straightened her chest and said, "I'll do my best."
Having been the youngest daughter in her own home, suddenly she was someone's sister-in-law, tasked with caring for a young aunt - it made her very uneasy, doubting her ability to handle it.
Moreover, this was a personal request from Ye Suijin.
Ye Suijin had seen all kinds of beauties in the inner palace - clever ones, foolish ones, kind ones, malicious ones, refined ones, vulgar ones.
All types.
From impatience, to boredom, to understanding they were just a group of women, with varying personalities, intrigues, self-interest.
People's perspectives might differ in breadth. But at heart, whether men or women, the essence was the same.
Once you saw through it all, you knew how to handle them.
The confines of the palace, though draining, were also a kind of cultivation.
Ye Suijin smiled and said, "You needn't restrict her too much. She has her husband and studies - no need to interfere there."
"No need to compel her in feminine arts or cooking either. Her in-laws won't lack serving girls in future."
"Just that she often wants to run around outside - I worry for her safety, being so young and easily tricked." She continued, "From now on, when Twelfth Sister goes out, go with her and help keep an eye on her. Nothing else is required of you."
So that was it - simple enough.
Lan Niang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Just Auntie's side..."
"I'll speak to Fourth Aunt about it," said Ye Suijin. "You just watch over Twelfth Sister."
After they finished speaking, the women went back inside.
Ye Suijin kept Fourth Aunt, Tong Niang, and Twelfth Sister outside to speak with them.
"Lan Niang is so frail, must be from staying cooped up at home. Twelfth Sister, I'm giving you this mission - take your little sister-in-law along when you go out, let her get more exercise and see more people," she said smilingly.
"Get her hale and hearty, just like Third Sister-in-Law. In future, she can give you big fat nephews too."
Though she felt something was off, Fourth Aunt had to agree Lan Niang was a bit too thin. While Fifth Son liked that, as mother-in-law she definitely hoped for a plump and well-nourished daughter-in-law.
Also, Lan Niang seemed a little weak.
In the past it was fine, but now with their family's status, the busyness and traffic of guests, the daughter-in-law had to have an air about her.
Alright then.
Tong Niang was even more radiant.
Only Twelfth Sister stood akimbo and said, "Oh, fine."
When it was just her and Fourth Aunt, Ye Suijin quietly said, "This little minx Twelfth Sister can't be confined from running around outside. I asked Lan Niang to go with her, so no one takes advantage of Twelfth Sister's youth and tricks her away."
Now there were many families coveting an alliance with Twelfth Sister as a way to connect with Fourth Uncle Ye and Third Son Ye.
Fourth Aunt suddenly understood, and clapped her hands together, "Right!"
