Autumn is cool.

In the courtyard, an old midwife was directing several young maids to move flowerpots and arrange those about to bloom in a row.

As she instructed, the midwife turned her head to look inside the house. Through the half-open window, her gaze met that of the second madam, Mrs. Ji.

The midwife forced out a smile of feigned friendliness.

Ji glanced at it, then averted her gaze. She took the teacup from Granny Wang's hand and sipped it lightly.

After a cup of hot tea, Lord Ji felt somewhat relieved: "Old Wang, in our Yongning Marquis Mansion, there are not many people or things. Why is it so tiring to manage?"

"Grandmother Wang said: 'My mistress is meticulous in everything, and she does everything personally.'"

"I put in the effort, but not everyone remembers that. If I don't do it carefully and make a mistake, then it's all my fault," Mrs. Ji snorted lightly, "It's hard work with no recognition, and there isn't even someone who can take over."

Ji shi took another sip of tea.

Someone has to be in charge of the feedback.

The previous year, the wife of Duke Yongning claimed she was getting old and tired, so she relinquished control of the household.

After the eldest daughter-in-law passed away, the eldest son did not take another wife. As the second daughter-in-law, Ji shi naturally took over as the head of the household.

Ji's heart was filled with joy. Although she feigned reluctance, pushing it away three times, she finally accepted this delightful gift.

At that time, I truly believed that the palm-sized snack was incredibly delicious.

Now…

"Ji Shi just wants to roll her eyes at herself from last year."

Wouldn't it be better to be a daughter-in-law who only knows how to eat, drink, please her mother-in-law when there's something going on, and find her own happiness when there's nothing happening?

Why work so hard from dawn till dusk?!

"I'm so exhausted!" said Ji, fuming.

"Grandmother thought for a moment and said, 'Perhaps there is no one else in the household who can hold it. Ma'am, why not give it to the eldest daughter?'"

"Big girl?" Mrs. Ji scoffed. "We're the Yongning Hou Mansion, not the Tiandao Temple. And it's not that I, as your stepmother, look down on you, but I heard that those who practice Taoism at the Tiandao Temple aren't very good. If we were to be 'guided', I'm afraid they would put me at a disadvantage."

That's right.

They are the eldest daughter of Yongning Hou Mansion, Qin Lan, and she is also a Taoist priestess.

In the year of Qinluan, he paid respects to a master.

At first, I practiced at home. Eight years ago, I went to the temple with my master. During festivals and holidays, I would only send brief letters home.

After the master's journey, he entrusted all matters, big and small, to Qin Lan.

Ji had thought Qin Luan would not return for another year or two. Unexpectedly, at the end of last month, this nephew suddenly sent a letter saying that he was ordered by his master to return home.

Upon receiving the letter, the household arranged for a carriage and horses to go to Guan Zhong's residence.

Yesterday, Qin the eldest daughter just arrived.

"Speaking of which," Ji shi hushed his voice and asked Wang mamā, "Have you found out? What kind of mandate is it? And what did he say to the old marquis and old madam?"

Grandma Wang shook her head.

Yesterday, when the eldest daughter first entered the house, she went to see Lord Yongning and Lady Yongning.

For nearly an hour, the three generations discussed matters behind closed doors.

The Second Madam was extremely curious about this, but unfortunately, it was difficult to find out any information from the courtyard of the Hou Family.

Ji Shi pursed her lips and said, "Suddenly returning like this is too unusual. My heart is all aflutter, I always feel that something big is about to happen."

“What could be so important?” Grandma Wang said reassuringly, “It’s an imperial decree. Could anything from that shake the heavens and earth? You treated him well when he was here, and you don't want anything now. To put it plainly, there was no animosity between you yesterday or today. Don't worry.”

Ji shi pondered over Grandma Wang's words, murmuring, "That makes sense."

"However, Madam Wang said that there is some truth to what you've said. Since the eldest daughter has never received any gifts from the household, it would be inappropriate to give her one without a proper occasion. After all, this family still relies on your hard work."

Ji Shi didn't want to think too much and simply asked, "What are you doing at this time? Just staying honestly in your own courtyard?"

"The eldest daughter was in her own room," Wang Mama hesitated, "and only sent money out to buy things."

Master Ji said, "Do we have to send a maidservant to buy things? Is there no one else capable of doing anything down there?"

"The doorkeeper asked the same thing," replied Nanny Wang, "Qian'er said that the eldest daughter's requirements are particular, and the mamas in charge of purchasing may not understand. Making a trip back would also be an opportunity to take a look at her mother-in-law."

Ji Shi said: "What is it?"

"Grandmother Wang chuckled dryly: "Yellow paper, cinnabar, and smoke ink."

...

Okay.

I really don't understand, and even the shopkeepers are clueless.

But, what is the point of buying all this stuff back?

Is the eldest daughter returning home to seek a marriage partner?

"Surely, surely," Mistress Ji unconsciously swallowed. "Could there be anything unclean in our household?"

“Grandmother Wang also paled, frightened in her heart. She said, “Madam, please don’t think wildly. You are scaring yourself. Old Master Hou has always been a soldier and is of a strong temperament. With Old Master Hou here, how could anything untoward happen in our household?”

"Oh dear, it's better to believe it exists," said Mrs. Ji, patting Old Madam Wang's arm a few times. "Go take a look at the eldest miss's courtyard, if there are talismans drawn, get a few more back for me. I'll keep them on hand just in case, go, hurry!"

This nephew of mine, his divination skills are mediocre, but I guess drawing talismans should still be reliable?

After all, having been a Taoist nun for several years, drawing talismans is basic skill, right?

In the East Garden, Qin Luan stood behind the writing desk, holding a brush and sketching.

In Qian'er's heart, she didn't dare to disturb him. She could only stick her head out and, using her hand as a pen, followed Hu's gestures.

Although I don't understand it, my own daughter is cutting yellow paper, preparing talisman water, and making talisman ink. With a single stroke of her pen, she looks so skilled!

When Qin Lan put down her brush, Qian'er couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what effect do these talisman papers have?"

Qin Luan raised her eyes.

It has a pair of distinct black and white eyes, the shape of its eyes is like the moon, and it has a natural smile.

“There are no special effects,” Qin Luan said slowly, “it’s just a daily routine.”

"Qian'er let out a sigh and pressed, "Miss, what are you saying? The charm is obviously very powerful. It can make people do anything if it works! But once it does, they can't speak, they just become restless."

Qin Luan looked at Qian'er: "During the few years I was up in the mountains, what strange and unusual things did you see in the house?"

Qian'er blinked her eyes: "Really no effect?"

"As for you," Qin Luan gathered the talismans, "read some books about ghosts and strange occurrences."

The money is lost.

When the young lady went up the mountain to practice, she didn't bring anyone with her, and naturally, her money stayed at home.

In my daily routine of tending the yard, the thought that has occupied me most in recent years is what skills the young lady has acquired and what abilities she possesses.

I didn't expect it to all be fabricated in the Zhiyi chatroom...

Outside came the voice of Nanny Wang, and Qian'er went out to meet her.

"Grandma Wang smiled and asked, “What are you busy with, young lady?”

"Just finished drawing the talisman," Qian'er replied smoothly.

As expected, but Granny Wang didn't show any coldness.

As expected, the autumn sun isn't as strong and it feels rather chilly.

"How many did you draw?" Grandma Wang asked as she walked, "Did you have any extras? I'll take a few."

Qian'er opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Grandma Wang strode into the room, leaving only an eager-to-be-gone silhouette.

"Yes, but..." Qian'er lowered her shoulders, "The young lady said that the talismans are useless..."