After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

A gust of cold wind sneaked into the warm room through the curtain.

Her robes brushed lightly across the high threshold, then landed steadily following her master's steps.

A trace of frost stained the surface of the Suzhou-embroidered shoes, which melted instantly the moment they entered the door, turning into tiny water droplets that seeped into the shoes.

It was already the end of February, but the charcoal fire inside the house was still burning brightly and generously.

A pot of tea was warming on a small stove, steam rising from the spout.

He stood still, bowed, and quickly wiped the chill from the soles of his shoes.

"Niece-in-law, don't be so polite. It's freezing cold, come and warm yourself up!"

Lin Yueniang slowly walked to the stove, sat down to the left of Madam Jiang, and accepted the hot tea handed to her by Granny Liu.

The chill that had accompanied us along the way vanished completely.

"Thank you, Auntie." Lin Yueniang held the teacup, gently blew away the steam, and took a small sip.

She glanced around the room out of the corner of her eye and saw that the furnishings were elegant and exquisite, and several calligraphy and paintings hung on the wall. Although she didn't know if they were masterpieces, they all revealed the owner's refined taste.

"Have you settled in well in the city? If you need anything, please come to our home. We have many people here and can take care of you. Don't be shy," Madam Jiang asked with concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Aunt. My son bought some maids and servants a couple of days ago, and with the help of the Li family and the Wen family from Changshou County, we have enough manpower."

However, if I encounter anything I don't understand, I will definitely come to trouble you, Aunt. I hope you won't find your daughter-in-law troublesome at that time. Lin Yueniang replied with a smile.

"That's good. By the way, I received some bird's nest from my family a few days ago. Take some home to nourish yourself."

I heard that Ming Fei's two older sisters also came to Xinghe Prefecture. Why didn't they bring them along today so that I, as their great-aunt, could meet them?

“Both of them have homework to do every day. Since it’s still cold today, I’ll let them stay home and do their homework with their teacher. But next time, I’ll definitely bring those two ignorant kids to bother my aunt.”

Madame Chiang Kai-shek smiled and said, "We're all family. There are only two Chiangs, so why be so formal? If you have time, you can come and chat with me more often."

Looking at your pretty face, I feel like I should eat a couple more bowls of rice, don't I?

Lin Yueniang's original intention was not to bring her child to ask for a gift from the elders. There was already a difference in social status, and she did not want to appear like a poor relative begging for alms, which would embarrass her son.

She never expected the mistress of a fifth-rank official's family to be so approachable. She remembered that old nanny, Liu, and had even met with her separately when she delivered the festival gifts that year.

Now that she had met her aunt, who looked no more than thirty, she understood.

I found it a little funny; they were clearly uncle and niece, but they looked more like sisters.

She didn't know whether to say her son was filial, that she was lucky, or that she was just pretending to be young despite her age.

"Moon Lady, what are you thinking about?" The niece-in-law had been holding the teacup blankly for a while, and couldn't help but ask.

"Ah, my niece-in-law, I'm so sorry. I just met you, Aunt, and it was quite a struggle for me to finally say 'Aunt' to you."

After all, you look several years younger than my eldest brother from my maternal family!

Madame Chiang didn't expect that the other person's daze was because of this, after all, she had long since gotten used to the current state of his appearance.

Having received prior knowledge from Granny Liu before meeting Lin Yueniang, I wasn't too surprised, just slightly amazed by her beauty.

"Isn't that all thanks to you? If it weren't for your family's ancestral recipe, how would I have had the chance to see my former self again?"

"It's all because you weren't stingy. Everyone would be keeping such a good thing to themselves, waiting for the best price. Only you could have let Mingfei so openly give it away as a birthday gift!"

Jiang Xiaoqi had already recounted the whole story to her mother, so Lin Yueniang responded naturally.

"It's just that before the wedding, my mother felt the dowry wasn't thick enough, so she stuffed some old family recipes that hadn't been used for many years into the dowry list to make up for it," Lin Yueniang said nonchalantly.

Madam Jiang took Lin Yueniang's hand and patted it gently. "Oh my, even this makeshift prescription is so miraculous! Isn't this going to drive all those doctors who are desperately seeking effective remedies crazy!"

Madame Chiang didn't press for details. After all, she had already benefited, and it wasn't appropriate to keep asking about the ancestral methods. Being able to get a share of the pie in the auction business was already a great bargain.

Although it's temporarily suspended now, once things calm down, they can resume the auction business of beauty pills.

Who knows how many 15,000 taels they might earn in the future with Lin Yueniang and her son? They're practically a god of wealth.

Despite being a concubine's daughter, her status in the Liu family is subtly rising, and she is increasingly approaching the dignity that only legitimate daughters enjoy. This is all thanks to the mother and son.

The two chatted for a while longer, creating a very harmonious atmosphere. When Lin Yueniang was about to take her leave, Madam Jiang repeatedly urged her to stay, and Lin Yueniang also enjoyed her first banquet since arriving in the prefectural city.

Compared to their own family's focus on affordability and deliciousness, the dishes at Lord Jiang's house were several levels more refined.

This was, of course, a custom brought by the Liu family. After all, Lord Jiang Changqing came from humble beginnings and had only gradually risen to prominence in recent years. His lack of background was precisely made up for by Madam Jiang, who came from the Liu family.

For a concubine's daughter from a prominent family to become the wife of a fifth-rank official is not considered a disgrace. How can this not be considered a good match?

After dinner, we drank tea and chatted for a while. It was almost dusk when we left the Jiang residence.

At this time, the days are still short and the nights are long. When I returned home, it was about three-quarters past 7 PM.

The two daughters had been eagerly waiting, and their hearts finally settled down upon seeing their mother.

Heaven knows how worried they were that their mother was not good at socializing and would suffer injustice in the home of a high-ranking official.

They chatted from morning till night, and even had lunch together.

All I can say is that the adoration for one's mother is like a never-ending, surging river!

Lin Yueniang herself was filled with mixed emotions. As the daughter-in-law of a landlord and the daughter of a merchant, she was originally worried that she would lose face in addition to being ugly.

To her surprise, this Mrs. Chiang from a prominent family was so kind, approachable, and warm that she felt as if she were a dear elder in her own family.

To put it bluntly, I've never felt this relaxed and at ease even when I'm with my mother-in-law. Madame Chiang's face seems to have a natural attraction that makes people want to get close to her.

Sigh... I guess I still love pretty colors too much.

Next time, I'll bring my daughters along. Let the children meet real ladies from official families and cultivate their manners.

He spends all day practicing martial arts with Master Zhao, but it's never quite the same. He wonders when his son will be able to find a female teacher to teach literature.

Looking at her two carefree daughters, Lin Yueniang had to make plans early on, knowing only how her own daughters would fare.

The son wants to take the county government exam at age six, also out of concern for his two older sisters' future.

To find a good partner, one must be good enough oneself; relying solely on one's younger brother's help is always passive.

A crescent moon quietly entered my dream.

The night is deep; we await the dawn.