2 Tameness

After finishing her soup, Meng Yunshao continued to review the accounts for another hour, meticulously cross-referencing each entry until dawn broke and all was complete.

She flexed her stiff fingers and glanced outside at the relentless snowfall, then summoned Su Yue to help her dress.

Su Yue found a set of attire in dusky black for the jacket and ivory for the skirt—colors common among noblewomen in the capital, yet dignified and mature. These hues tended to age ordinary wearers, even Meng Yunshao’s radiant beauty was somewhat subdued by them. Her hair was styled into a neat, simple single coil, every strand perfectly in place, without a hint of disorder or looseness. She accessorized with an understated golden hairpin adorned with clustered begonia beads and delicate gourd-shaped earrings symbolizing good fortune and prosperity—neither ostentatious nor unbefitting her status.

Meng Yunshao studied her reflection for a moment, then smiled softly. “Su Yue, you understand me better than anyone.”

Su Yue replied, “I know madam intends to report the accounts to the matriarch today. It must be both dignified and modest, without extravagance. But the snow is still heavy outside; perhaps we should wait a while longer.”

“That won’t do,” Meng Yunshao said firmly. “If I want to live smoothly within the Hou residence, the most important thing isn’t attending to the heir but pleasing my mother-in-law. She is always strict. If I am late, she might not say it openly, but she will take it to heart.”

Having prepared, Meng Yunshao gathered a few account books, and Su Yue took an oiled paper umbrella. Together, they set off for the matriarch’s courtyard, Qingli Courtyard.

Upon entering, Lady Yue was finishing breakfast and drinking tea, seated upright in the reception hall as if awaiting someone. Beside her sat He Qingxian, the youngest daughter of the family.

Inwardly, Meng Yunshao was grateful she had not let the snowy weather delay her arrival, greeting both her mother-in-law and younger sister-in-law promptly.

Lady Yue’s face showed a barely perceptible expression of satisfaction, as if appreciating Meng Yunshao’s punctuality. She spoke politely, “The snow makes the roads slippery, yet you hurried here, making me worry. Entrusting you with managing the household finances is a matter of trust. Whether you return or not, it’s the same to me.”

He Qingxian let out a faint, disdainful snort. Meng Yunshao knew this younger sister-in-law was rebellious. Although her name suggested tranquility, she was notorious for mischief, a constant source of headache for Lady Yue. No doubt she had been roused early by their mother and was displeased—not directed at Meng Yunshao personally.

Meng Yunshao smiled gently, presenting the accounts. “This daughter-in-law is young and inexperienced. Without your guidance on such important matters, I would be unable to rest.”

Lady Yue spoke of indifference but took the account books and began to examine them closely.

This Lady Yue was not He Zhiyu’s biological mother, but aside from occasional mentions by herself, the entire Hou residence treated the matter as taboo, with no one daring to speak of it openly.

Meng Yunshao had been unaware at first as well, learning by coincidence.

When she first arrived at the residence, their marriage was far from a happy union. He Zhiyu, angered and wanting a divorce, was well-known among the household, and many looked down on her.

But Meng Yunshao refused to divorce. She was an adopted daughter of the Meng family, with no support, utterly alone.

She had thought that by replacing her legitimate older sister, the He family would appreciate her companionship through hardship, whether in wealth or poverty, living peaceful days together. And the Meng family, acknowledging her sacrifice on her sister’s behalf, would become her true home despite past neglect.

Yet how could she have foreseen the great drama behind that wedding?

The He family, unharmed by disaster, had no reason to cherish her goodwill; instead, they only harbored hatred at being deceived. The Meng family gained nothing tangible; what was meant as protection for her sister became an indulgence, breeding jealousy over her marriage into a noble household.

Three days after the wedding, when she returned to the Meng family, news of He Zhiyu performing opera with the new emperor had spread throughout the city. Naturally, He Zhiyu did not accompany her back. But Meng Yunshao did not expect that upon entering the Meng household, her legitimate sister would seize her and slap her hard.

The sister truly loved He Zhiyu and was resolute in marriage.

She was locked in a room by the Chang family, crying desperately and attempting suicide. She thought the nanny, who had cared for her since childhood, would release her out of pity, but the nanny was sent by their mother. She was coaxed into drinking a sleeping potion, and when she woke, everything had changed.

Meng Yunshao thought she would be accepted by both sides but ended up rejected by both.

The He family was inhospitable, and she could no longer return to the Meng family.

Alone, without wealth, skills, or the status of an unmarried woman, where else could she go?

Only then, upon returning to the Hou residence, did Lady Yue notice her disheveled appearance and inquire about the cause, learning she had married in her sister’s place. After a long pause, Lady Yue said, “Actually, I too married into this family on behalf of my sister.”

Life must go on, and one must find a way to survive.

Though Meng Yunshao scarcely saw He Zhiyu after the wedding, she dutifully greeted her mother-in-law daily as a proper daughter-in-law, and Lady Yue did not forbid it.

Gradually, Lady Yue began to speak with her occasionally. Over time, seeing Meng Yunshao’s propriety, Lady Yue abandoned her plan for divorce, assigned many servants to attend to her, granting her dignity, and even gifted her a long-worn white jade bracelet as a subtle sign of her position. Later, seeing her intelligence, Lady Yue entrusted her with managing the household finances.

The household staff, perceptive and adaptable, began to address her as the Third Young Mistress.

Although Meng Yunshao had to report all matters to Lady Yue, she finally secured her footing in the Hou residence. Though Lady Yue was strict and disliked by many, Meng Yunshao was deeply grateful to her.

Yet, while Lady Yue and Meng Yunshao’s situations as stand-in brides seemed similar, they were actually very different.

Meng Yunshao was compelled by circumstance; Lady Yue had willingly married in for her sister.

Lady Yue was the younger sister of He Zhiyu’s biological mother. Her elder sister had been married to He Xiao through a socially equal match. Though respectful, there was little affection. After bearing a daughter, He Qingxian, and a son, He Zhiyu, her health declined.

He Xiao had taken a concubine from the Shen family while still in the military, favoring her greatly. She bore his firstborn son ahead of the legitimate wife. Because of the biological mother’s poor health, management of the household finances was handed over.

Fearing her children would lack care after her death, the biological mother confided in her sister, Lady Yue.

The two sisters shared a deep bond. Lady Yue offered to marry into the family as a second wife to care for the children and uphold the family’s honor.

After the biological mother passed, Lady Yue indeed entered the household.

At that time, He Xiao’s affections lay elsewhere, but Lady Yue understood his pride in family honor and his concern for reputation. She strictly disciplined the children, having them start school before dawn at age three. After school, the son trained in martial arts, the daughter studied music and needlework, with no day wasted, hoping both would succeed.

Once, on her birthday, the eight-year-old He Zhiyu, on impulse, prepared a lavish broth using over twenty ingredients—including chicken, pork knuckle, duck feet, mushrooms, and ginseng—through seven or eight processes, pairing it with noodles as a gift.

At the feast, Lady Yue noticed the eager expression on He Zhiyu’s young face and heard he had spent three days learning from the residence’s top master chef, who had revealed a secret recipe due to his persistence.

To everyone’s shock, Lady Yue furrowed her brow in anger, smashed the bowl in front of all, ordered the master chef to be executed before He Zhiyu, and had all who knew but did not stop it sold into servitude.

He Zhiyu was terrified, as if soulless—too stunned even to cry—and ran a high fever for seven days and nights. Physicians and shamans were summoned in succession to exorcise evil spirits. Only then was his life barely saved.

After recovering, He Zhiyu never again engaged in anything beyond study and martial arts. He became more respectful toward Lady Yue but spoke and smiled less.

Lady Yue believed this was for the children’s own good—a necessary step toward their success. Her sincerity was such that even in the afterlife, she and her sister would have to answer for it.

Lady Yue was equally strict with the servants.

Under her management, Qingli Courtyard was orderly, no servant dared to act rashly. Seeing her skill, He Xiao, though indifferent himself, entrusted Lady Yue with full household authority.

From then on, the entire He residence emphasized strict rules. Female servants barely dared speak more than a few words in the gardens. The household earned a reputation for rigorous discipline. However, servants under contract were rarely rehired once their terms ended.

Returning to the accounts, Lady Yue examined them carefully and found no faults. She then asked, “The allowances for the ladies and servants have been clearly distributed without error. But I have a question: were there no breaches of rules this month? Why was no deduction made?”

Meng Yunshao was prepared and brought another ledger. “There were minor lapses this month—maids quarrelling, breaking utensils, and the like. I followed past precedents with fines or corporal punishment, without affecting the allowance disbursements.”

Lady Yue took the ledger and leafed through it. “Following tradition is not problematic. But with the year’s end approaching, discipline must tighten. Those with lapses will be punished doubly as a warning.”

Meng Yunshao did not understand why the year-end demanded stricter rules but knew arguing would only displease Lady Yue. She replied respectfully, “As you wish, mother-in-law,” while planning to overlook some minor infractions.

Lady Yue was pleased and turned to scold He Qingxian, “I called you here to learn household management from Yunshao, yet here you sit idly! Your brother and sister strive so hard, how did I bear such a shameless child?”

He Qingxian’s fury simmered but dared not erupt. She flipped through an account book, then unexpectedly noticed something. “Sister-in-law, our ready-made clothing shop on East Market Street sold more this month. Earlier months were bleak, but now profits have improved.”

Lady Yue cared only about household affairs, rarely paying attention to the family’s businesses or lands. Surprised, she took a look and saw the shops were indeed doing well.

Meng Yunshao smiled faintly, knowing her mother-in-law disliked such matters, and simply said, “Nothing special. Fashion in Jiangnan always leads us by three to five months. I sent someone to investigate trends and designed some new styles.”

In truth, Meng Yunshao had worked hard behind the scenes to revitalize these shops. The grand Hou residence, with hundreds to feed and clothe, relied on income from only a few men. Though the heir was noble, the household’s grandeur entailed great expenses, and prosperity could not be guaranteed forever.

Having suffered hardship as a dependent since childhood, Meng Yunshao had learned to think long-term.

Granted authority as housekeeper, she was willing to consider the household’s future.

Moreover, by honing her business skills, she could invest her modest dowry and monthly allowance to generate income. Should she leave the residence one day, she would have both ability and wealth, and nothing to fear.

Who would want to spend a lifetime under others’ scrutiny? Certainly not her.

Though the Hou residence was illustrious and her husband remarkable, she refused to confine her life to these walls, living at the mercy of others. But that was a story for later.

He Qingxian’s anger and frustration faded, replaced by surprise and admiration. “Sister-in-law, you’re amazing to think of all this.”

Lady Yue, deeming commerce beneath her, scolded, “Enough. That’s not what you’re here to learn. Yunshao, our household is not destitute; don’t waste effort on such things. The heir is returning soon; the welcome banquet must be arranged properly.”

Meng Yunshao replied softly and respectfully, “Your daughter-in-law understands.”