After returning to Jintong Courtyard, Wei Changying asked Mrs. Huang, "Granny, what do you think of first sister-in-law and second sister-in-law's words?"

"Young madam, do you know why Madam immediately said that she was tired and sent you three away the moment first young madam and second young madam asked someone to carry over the account books?" Mrs. Huang asked with a smile.

Wei Changying was stunned, and then she came to understand, "Mother... mother had expected it?"

"At the age of Madam, First Granddaughter Miss had begun to follow first young madam to learn to manage the house. How could Madam be unaware of her daughters-in-law's thoughts?" Mrs. Huang smiled faintly and said, "Yesterday Madam spoke out personally, so if first young madam and second young madam hadn't been confused, they would have been bound to transfer some rights of stewardship to you. The problem was that even if they delegated their power to you, whether you could really get it remained to be another problem. If you were in front of Madam, first young madam and second young madam had to give detailed advice to you to show their love for the younger sibling. However, without Madam's presence, they would definitely make a perfunctory effort!"

Then Mrs. Huang continued, "Madam just wanted to see how much power you could get from first young madam and second young madam just for a word of her."

After all, Madam Su was still testing her daughter-in-law.

Wei Changying concentrated for a moment and said, "Just now first sister-in-law and second sister-in-law had been talking for a long while. It seemed that they had told me everything they knew, but if you listened carefully, there was nothing useful. We just entered the door and we are unfamiliar with many things. I don't know how much time mother will give me. If the time is not long, then I have to use some extra means; If mother is not in a hurry, I can do it slowly. After all, mother gave me the right. If sisters-in-law don't tell me about something, couldn't I just call the manager to ask?"

Mrs. Huang smiled and said, "Young madam, you don't need to worry about how much time Madam would give to you. On the one hand, you were just married; On the other hand, young master is still young! You shouldn't be anxious because Madam wouldn't ask you to turn away first young madam and second young madam immediately. Anyway, the Shen Family will be handed over to young master, and the rear courtyard of the Shen Family will also be handed over to you. For you, proceeding steadily and leaving no loopholes for the villains are the most important things. It's just...."

Speaking of this, Mrs. Huang was hesitant. It seemed that she was a bit embarrassed.

Wei Changying then said, "What did you think of, granny? You could say it without scruples."

Mrs. Huang glanced at Wei Changying with a spurious smile. Then she lowered her voice and said, "Madam may not urge you to take charge of the house as soon as possible. But it occurs to me that you have a good body, and now it is full moon. In a few days, if you are pregnant, we shouldn't take it lightly for it is your first baby."

Before Mrs. Huang finished, Wei Changying had blushed, and said, "Granny, what are you talking about! I don't know.... Stop talking about that and let's be serious... what shall we do in the future?"

Mrs. Huang laughed at Wei Changying. Then, she became serious again and got down to business, "As you said, we are unfamiliar with everything now. If we intervene rashly, not only is it of no avail, but it will leave loopholes to the eldest branch and the second branch. I think we'd better listen more, watch more, and ask more at first. When we get to know more about the whole family, then we can make another plan.” She also said, “Didn't first young madam and second young madam take out the account books? You can first glance at them and have an impression on the money in and out of the mansion. Although the account books may not be complete, the eldest branch and the second branch were likely to have their private account books. Since these account books were carried over in front of Madam, I don't think there will be any mistake in the big picture."

Mrs. Huang explained, "First young madam and second young madam were both daughters from respectable families. Although they were not as favored as you in their natal families, they were also the beloved daughters who were held in the palms of their parents. They both had a large dowry and they didn't need to support their maiden families. In addition, Madam is still watching, so I think first young madam and second young madam wouldn't take any action on the public account books. What should we pay attention to is still the person.... However, we can try to figure out something about those people from the account books. Everything is strange to us now, and we have to start from all aspects."

Wei Changying pondered for a moment, then she nodded and said, "Everything is up to you, granny."

In the next few days, the three sisters-in-law spent all their time in all sorts of intrigue. Following the instructions of Mrs. Huang, Wei Changying went ahead steadily and was not anxious for success. She carefully integrated into taking over the power of the rear courtyard of the mansion of Grand Preceptor.

Because of Madam Su's words, Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu couldn’t push Wei Changying aside justifiably. Although sometimes they tried to trip her up and make a few sarcastic words, Wei Changying ignored it and was not agitated by their provocation. Instead, she proceeded step by step as usual. Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu could only watch her start to stand firmly in the family. Though they felt unhappy inside, they could do nothing about it.

When Madam Su heard about it, she secretly nodded and discussed with her confidant Mrs. Tao, "I was worried that Wei Changying wouldn't be good enough for Cangfeng. Now it seems that she is also a clever kid."

Mrs. Tao said with a smile, "Third young madam was decided by Family Head in person and she was raised up by Old Madam Song of the Wei Family. Therefore, she was bound to be good. But Mrs. Huang, who accompanied third young madam when she was married, was also powerful. It had been many years since Old Madam Song returned to Fengzhou, and Mrs. Huang could still overwhelm the second madam of the Wei Family...."

"Even if Mr. Huang was smart, Wei Changying had to know how to employ people." Madam Su realized that, in Mrs. Tao’s eyes, Wei Changying's faultless behaviors since she entered the door were all attributed to Mrs. Huang's effective guidance. But Madam Su didn't think so and she said, "Otherwise, the master is weak and the servant is strong. Not to mention that the master and the servant are turned upside down or the master is manipulated into a puppet, if the master gets a good idea from the servant, but he can't make up his mind because of overcautious, he will miss the good opportunity…. No matter how smart the servant is, he is still a servant and he can never replace the master!"

Mrs. Tao said immediately, "Madam, you are right. But I think third young madam is still young. Now she needs to follow Mrs. Huang's instructions in every aspect, so that she can stay away from being conceited or rash. If she wants to come up with a proper idea by herself, I am afraid that she still needs a few years' practicing."

Madam Su said faintly, "Yi'er has always done things properly, and it is all right for you to be partial to her."

Mrs. Tao's face changed, and she said hurriedly, "Madam, you knew me. Although I was more familiar with first young madam as she entered the door of the Shen Family earlier, I would never abandon the public businesses on account of the personal affairs. I would never dare to instigate you to be dissatisfied with third young madam. It was just that I had heard about the shrewdness of Mrs. Huang before. Although she was only a servant, she had unexpectedly suppressed the decent second madam of the Wei Family very much. Wei Changwan, First Miss of the Wei Family, tried to vent her mother's anger, yet she was calculated by Mrs. Huang several times! Therefore, it occurred to me that if third young madam had such a person around her...."

"It's alright." Mrs. Tao had accompanied Madam Su since she was married, so the relationship between them had lasted for decades. Although Madam Su told Mrs. Tao not to intervene in the battles among the daughters-in-law, Madam Su was still treating Mrs. Tao with dignity. At that moment, Madam Su stopped Mrs. Tao gently, "I knew that you didn't mean to instigate me. It was just that the three daughters-in-law entered the door at different times. Although Mrs. Liu's temperament was compatible with yours, you haven't disclosed anything that shouldn't be said to her over the years... But Wei Changying is Cangfeng's wife, you should know that my expectations for her are different from other daughters-in-law."

Mrs. Tao was shocked slightly in her heart— "But you haven't disclosed anything that shouldn't be said to her over the years." Was it telling her that Madam Su knew the majority of what she had said to Mrs. Liu in private these years.

When she spoke again, Mrs. Tao became very careful in her words, "Yes, Madam. Third young master is the man who is placed with great expectations of our family. His wife will surely be the wife of the lineal eldest son. Therefore, first young madam and second young madam can never compare themselves with her."

"At this moment, I am satisfied with Wei Changying." Madam Su thought for a moment, and said, "Now she had passed the test outside of our family. I can also securely give Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu a hint that they should slowly hand over the stewardship to her. The reason why I didn't mention it before was that I was still worried about the gossip...After all, gossip is a fearful thing!"

Mrs. Tao also sighed, "Isn't it? Especially this time... we will enter the palace!"

... Princess Linchuan’s birthday was May 18th. Although the Empress had personally held a grand ceremony for her when she turned fifteen last year, Princess Linchuan, as His Majesty's most favored princess in recent years, still received unanimous attention within and outside the palace at her 16th birthday.

On May 18th, not only were the lanterns adorned everywhere in the palace with new decorations, Changle Palace, where the Empress had been living, was also embellished with tens of thousands of the pomegranate flower bonsai, which were Princess Linchuan's favorite and moved into the palace throughout the night, to celebrate her birthday. In addition, all the imperial madams of the capital, except for those who had asked for a leave in advance and who was ill, should all dress up in gorgeous suits and pay a visit to the palace with their daughters-in-law and daughters to congratulate the princess.

Sitting in the carriage, Wei Changying looked out through a narrow gap in the curtains. Beautiful carriages and precious horses went in constant streams to the palace gate, and the dust left almost covered the sky. Along the way, the fragrance of the powder and the sound of the jade rings never stopped— Though she hadn't seen Princess Linchuan yet, seeing this scene, Wei Changying could feel the nobility of the descendants of royal families.

Wei Changying asked people to put down the curtains, lest the dust should flow in because of the traffic stream. Then she thought to herself, "No wonder it is said that 'If you marry a princess, you can buy a flat immediately'. This princess is only sixteen years old. From the Empress to the young ladies of all the families, no one dares to neglect her birthday. Princess Linchuan has been favored by His Majesty like so, so her husband would be bound to gain some advantage. It's just that the princesses of our country have always been fierce, and Princess Linchuan's temperament is still unknown. If she is difficult to get along with, even if her future husband gains promotion smoothly in his career, he will still lead a pitiful life."

In the rattling wheels and neighing horses, Wei Changying's carriage followed her mother-in-law's and sisters-in-law's, and entered the palace gate. The Imperial Palace was extremely thick. Wei Changying felt that it was dark outside for a long time before returning to light, but it was not very bright in the carriage. She let Qin'ge lift up the corner of the curtain to look out, but she only saw high palace walls on both sides. It turned out that they were passing through the passageway, and the high walls blocked the light, therefore, it became dim naturally.

At the place where the imperial madams were ordered to get off, Wei Changying was helped to find Madam Su and two sisters-in-law first. She was told again about a few taboos in the palace— In fact, Madam Su had already taught her at home. Madam Su was also afraid that Wei Changying might forget them. After all, among the womenfolk Madam Su brought into the palace, Wei Changying was the only one who would enter the palace for the first time.

Wei Changying repeated them once more. Madam Su saw her answer correctly, and the former was finally relieved. Then Madam Su said, "You don't have to be too nervous. All the lords and ladies in the palace are kind." She lowered her voice to comfort Wei Changying, "Anyway, our family is also decent in front of His Majesty, who has been looking upon Cangfeng with favor. The nobles will not deliberately embarrass you. If you are asked, just answer the questions respectfully."

"Thanks for your teaching, mother!" Wei Changying thanked her mother-in-law gratefully. When she was about to say something, a madam, who just got off beside them and was surrounded by her daughters and daughters-in-law, came to greet Madam Su, "Sister Xiuman, what a coincidence to meet you here."

Hearing that the madam directly called Madam Su's nickname, Wei Changying knew that she must be a close friend of Madam Su. Then she braced herself up and helped Madam Su walk over to the madam with Mrs. Liu. Mrs. Duanmu led Shen Cangning follow behind...Then Madam Su said with a smile, "Exactly! Why do you come alone today, Sister Yunqiu? Where is Sister Hanlu?"

While they were talking, both sides were approaching to each other. Wei Changying glanced at them, and was stunned slightly. The crowd in front of her looked familiar.... Especially a young girl in the light yellow dress, who was quiet and dignified, this girl.... Wasn't it Wei Lingyue?

Wei Changying recognized the crowd of Zhiben Hall, and people of Zhiben Hall also noticed her. The madam named Yunqiu smiled slightly and said at first, "Elder sister-in-law coughed two days ago and she was afraid that she might infect others. Therefore, she asked for a leave in advance. Then I had to take the children to congratulate Her Royal Highness today."

Then the madam shot a glance at Wei Changying and said lightly, "I haven't congratulated the happy event of your family...This is your third daughter-in-law. I haven't seen her for months. I'm rather surprised."

Madam Su had a broad smile on her face and patted the hand of Wei Changying. Then she said intimately, "I would forget it if you didn't mention. Last year, you had been back to Fengzhou and you might have seen this child. Actually, you are also relatives!" And she introduced the madam to Wei Changying, "This is the second madam of Zhiben Hall, and she is also a sister of your second aunt of the same family." Madam Su also added that the people who followed Zhang Yunqiu were all relatives and friends, so she let the both sides salute each other.

Last year, the womenfolk of Zhiben Hall was led by Song Mianhe to Ruiyu Hall to pay a visit to Old Madam Song, Wei Changying's grandmother. The two old madams had no words of politeness from the beginning to the end. In the end, Song Mianhe was defeated miserably and passed out in anger. Then Song Mianhe was lifted out of Ruiyu Hall— Zhiben Hall might have a stronger memory of this matter than Ruiyu Hall.

At this moment, although in front of the elders, the memory was still unforgettable to the womenfolk of the Wei Family. On hearing the order to salute, their faces were a little cold and they were hesitating for a while. Being urged by Zhang Yunqiu's cough, they finally came over to greet Wei Changying unwillingly.

Seeing their terrible faces, Wei Changying thought about that day when Song Mianhe was lifted out of the door and she couldn't help laughing lightly. Therefore, she greeted them warmly, "Elder sisters-in-law and younger sisters, I don't expect that we can meet each other again so soon after we parted in Fengzhou."