The day after the wedding.

The rooster crowed, and the sky was still dark.

In the East Garden of the Zhang Mansion, the main hall was dimly lit, filled with the lingering scent of alcohol from breathing.

At the doorway, a basin of charcoal fire had burned down to white ash, leaving only a faint warmth.

On the east side, a canopy bed was tightly shrouded by red curtains, obscuring anyone inside.

As the rooster's crow pierced through the window, a hand parted the bed curtains, and Zhang Xia, rubbing her eyes, got up groggily and walked towards the square table to drink some water to sober up.

The next moment, she stepped on something soft.

Chen Ji, lying on the floor, groaned, clutching his stomach and curling like a shrimp.

Zhang Xia sobered up completely.

Only then did she remember that there was someone else in her room, lying in the path to her water: "You..."

Chen Ji, wrapped in a quilt, muffled, "I'm fine."

Zhang Xia looked down at her white undergarments, hurriedly withdrew back to her bed, and only after dressing neatly did she draw the curtains again.

By then, Chen Ji was already up, and Zhang Xia sat cross-legged on the bed, staring at Chen Ji on the floor mat, neither knowing what to do next.

In the silence, Chen Ji spoke first, "What should we do after getting married?"

Zhang Xia sat cross-legged on the bed, recalling, "First, we must pay respects to the parents and perform the four-bow ritual, which can be skipped... No, it can't be skipped. Your biological mother was quite good to you; she even left you those properties of Gufu Building. I'll bow towards her grave direction."

With that, she knelt on the bed, bowing four times towards the direction of Guyuan, leaving Chen Ji stunned.

Zhang Xia sat back up and recalled, "Next is for the bride to serve tea and pastries to the parents-in-law, with both hands, kneeling to serve... This can be skipped. Then is the ancestral worship and entering the family genealogy... also skipped. Finally, recognizing relatives, also skipped."

Chen Ji pondered, "These are all things the bride has to do. Is there anything for the groom to do?"

Zhang Xia sat next to the table and poured herself a glass of water, "The groom's duty is to 'return to Ning' three days later, which means going back to pay respects and thanks to the father-in-law and mother-in-law."

Chen Ji thought for a moment, "That seems simple enough."

Silence returned to the room, with both of them looking at each other.

Chen Ji, feeling a bit uncomfortable from being stared at, got up to pour himself a cup of water, only to spit it out after taking a sip.

The pot contained wedding wine, not water.

Just then, a young girl's voice came from outside the door, "Miss, Young Master, it's time to greet the Lady."

"Coming, coming," Zhang Xia responded loudly through the door, then muttered under her breath, "Mother never required me to greet her before... Quickly put the bedding away in the cupboard."

Chen Ji obliged, getting up to fold the bedding on the floor and shoved it into the nacre wardrobe on the east side before going to open the door.

As the door opened, Nuanchun, the personal Maid of Mrs. Zhang, peeked her head inside, only to be pushed out by Zhang Xia: "What are you looking at?"

Nuanchun exclaimed, "Nothing, just looking."

Behind Nuanchun were two other maids, one carrying a basin of hot water, the other holding a tray with green salt, two toothbrushes, and two wooden cups.

The toothbrush handles were polished ivory, with double row holes, bristles made from southern pig hair, triple-steamed, triple-dried, soaked in lime water, inserted into the small holes on the bone handles, and sealed with pine lacquer.

Chen Ji had always used willow branches, so this was his first time using such fine items.

Nuanchun said to the two, "Miss, Young Master, time to wash up."

Chen Ji and Zhang Xia picked up the cups together, rinsed their mouths together, squatted down to brush their teeth together, and raised their heads to rinse again, making gurgling sounds, then spat the saline solution onto the snow together.

Nuanchun couldn't help but exchange glances with the little maid beside her.

Zhang Xia placed the cups and toothbrushes back onto the tray, "Where's my mother?"

Nuanchun snapped back, "The Lady is in the Clumsy Grass Hall."

Zhang Xia pondered for a while and then turned to Chen Ji, "The Clumsy Grass Hall is where my father meets guests. My mother chose to wait for you there, so be careful."

Zhang Xia walked ahead, leading the way, while Chen Ji followed silently, observing his surroundings.

When he came yesterday, it was night already, and he rushed into the bridal chamber. Only today did he realize that the Zhang Mansion was more simplistic than he had imagined.

Passing by a pavilion, he saw a plaque hanging there: "Half Mountain Pavilion."

Zhang Xia, without turning back, explained, "The pond's flowing water in the mansion comes from the Xu Family, called Half Acre Pond, and the garden is called Half Acre Garden, all named by Mother, meaning being content with what you have."

Through a moon gate, a plaque hung above, inscribed with the words "Dragon Gate to the World," the vigorous brushstrokes clashing with the elegant moon gate.

Zhang Xia explained, "The Xu Family is connected to the Zhang... our family, and this little gate leads to the Xu Family."

Chen Ji curiously asked, "That plaque?"

Zhang Xia was silent for a moment, "It was written by Second Grandpa himself, reminding my father that he rose because of the Xu Family. Originally, it was to be hung on the main hall's door beam, but the 'dragon' character plaque on the main hall was inappropriate, so it's hung here."

Zhang Xia calmly said, "In the past, Father disliked anyone calling him the Xu Family's son-in-law, though he never mentioned it, I knew he wasn't happy. So, Father seldom went to the Xu Family, and even when he did, he'd take a roundabout way to enter through their main door. Now, even after entering the cabinet, no one calls him a son-in-law anymore."

The Zhang Mansion is built snugly against the east wall of the Xu Mansion, spanning around twenty acres.

From a bird's-eye view, the layout of the Zhang Mansion seems "borrowed" from the Xu Mansion: the rockery in the Half Acre Garden of the Zhang Mansion shares its origin with the Taihu Stone formations in the Zhen Garden of the Xu Mansion; the stream in the Half Acre Pond of the Zhang Mansion is drawn from the living waters of the Zhen Garden.

In the past, outsiders visiting the Zhang Mansion always felt the shadow of the Xu Mansion everywhere, yet the Zhang Mansion was always a size smaller in every aspect, like a well-written eight-legged essay—complete with introduction, elaboration, and conclusion—lacking only the final decisive stroke.

Now, looking again, the Zhang Mansion appears as a vermilion seal pressed on the bottom right corner of a scroll.

The two arrived in front of Clumsy Grass Hall, where Zhang Xia paused suddenly, staring at the heavy cotton door curtain.

Chen Ji stopped alongside, turning to look: "What's the matter?"

Zhang Xia looked up at the plaque of Clumsy Grass Hall: "Chen Ji, from cabinet ministers to common folk, no one respects a son-in-law. Today, I'll speak with mother and ask father to buy back the house in Shaojiu Alley, so that you and I can move there to live."

Zhang Xia turned to him: "Yesterday, I helped you out of trouble for the sake of our shared bond through life and death; you need not be bothered by it or endure disgrace like father, suffering the infamy of being a son-in-law."

Chen Ji was silent for a long while, then smiled and said, "No need."

Having said that, he took the initiative to lift the curtain and entered Clumsy Grass Hall.

Inside Clumsy Grass Hall, the main hall was warm with a blazing fire in the brazier, burning the Silver Silk Charcoal without a trace of smoke.

Mrs. Zhang sat in the main position at the square table, dressed in deep purple attire, her hair meticulously styled, and her earlobes adorned with two pearls.

She gently scrapped the floating tea with the cup lid, not bothering to look at the two: "You've been up since the cock crowed, yet I had to send someone to fetch you..."

Before she could finish, Chen Ji bowed and extended his hands: "Greetings, mother."

Zhang Xia paused where she stood.

Mrs. Zhang's hand, in the act of scraping the floating tea, also paused.

She was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Sit. The porridge is still hot, drink it while it's warm."

Chen Ji acknowledged with a sound, gently tugging Zhang Xia to sit at the table.

The maid served porridge and side dishes, the porridge made of cooked japonica rice, thick enough to hold chopsticks upright. The side dishes included pickled cucumber, fermented bean curd, and a dish of pickled radish.

Chen Ji lifted the bowl, took a small sip: "Mother, you should drink too."

Mrs. Zhang carefully scrutinized him, then lowered her head to blow on the tea leaves in her cover bowl: "I'm not hungry."

As she blew the tea leaves, sensing her weakened momentum, she straightened her back and leisurely said: "Since you've settled in, there are some rules to make clear to you."

Chen Ji responded with an affirmative sound: "Mother, please go ahead."

Zhang Xia reassessed Chen Ji, finding him somewhat unfamiliar.

At this moment, Mrs. Zhang said calmly: "First, I won't inquire or interfere with your outside matters. But within this Zhang family residence, you are the Zhang family's son-in-law, not Hai Dongqing, nor any Marquis Wu Xiang."

Chen Ji nodded: "I understand."

Mrs. Zhang took a small sip of tea and placed the covered bowl on the table: "Second, I won't meddle in your and Axia's matters, but one thing is clear: she cannot be aggrieved. If I find out you're frequenting brothels, I have ways to ensure your discomfort; if you have an illegitimate child outside, I'll find a way to register him as lowly, never to rise for life."

Chen Ji drank a big mouthful of porridge: "Rest assured, mother, it won't happen."

Mrs. Zhang paused again: "Third, you are now without official status; what are your plans for the future? Axia has been cherished in the palm of my hand since childhood, never knowing hardship. At four, she wore skirts made from Suzhou Weaving Bureau fabrics. Her jade hairpin at five was made of Hetian seed material. The brush she used at six was a Shanlian Lake Brush from Huzhou... Even now, her clothing, food, and utensils are of the highest quality."

Mrs. Zhang looked toward Chen Ji: "Though you live in the Zhang family, you haven't truly entered as their son-in-law, and her former dignity should now be carried by you. You're probably lacking Silver; what are your plans ahead?"

Zhang Xia spoke up: "Mother..."

She barely uttered a word before being shot down by her mother's glare.

Chen Ji pondered: "I'll find a way regarding the Silver."

Mrs. Zhang shook her head: "Dignity isn't just about Silver."

Chen Ji responded in agreement.

Mrs. Zhang calmly said: "Once finished, get to your tasks."

Chen Ji stood up, with Zhang Xia following suit, hearing Mrs. Zhang say: "Axia, stay behind, mother has something to discuss with you."

Zhang Xia reluctantly remained in the room.

Mrs. Zhang looked coldly at her: "Sobered up yet?"

Zhang Xia whispered: "Yes, awake..."

Mrs. Zhang softened her tone, sighed: "Back then, when your father became the top scorer in the imperial exams, he was handsome and spirited. I was enamored at first sight and begged your second uncle to mediate. Unexpectedly, he had a wife at home, leaving a remark 'Even without me, the Xu family's daughter is a dragon among humans, without me, my wife would become a skeleton' before resigning office to return home. It's a pity his dear wife had a short life, passing away early. After burying her, he returned to the capital to marry me, but I knew his heart was never for me, it was for his aspirations of society and state. When you were born, he said to me, for this life I've wronged you, in the next life I'll be your servant."

Zhang Xia softly said: "All these years, father held you in his heart."

Mrs. Zhang chuckled: "You don't need to speak for him, I know there's a place for me in his heart, but I can never distinguish how much is me and how much is for his late first-wife."

At this, she looked at Zhang Xia: "Which woman wouldn't desire exclusive affection? I never wanted you to repeat the same mistakes, yet you stubbornly tread my old path. Let me ask you, do you know how much of Chen Ji's heart belongs to you, and how much to Bai Li?"

Zhang Xia remained silent.