If men were reliable, pigs would climb trees.

The afternoon sunlight filtered into the room, lending a hint of warmth to the early autumn air. From where she lay, Ning Qian could still catch a glimpse of the sun outside. A reclining chair was set just beneath the window, and she reclined upon it, idly toying with a handkerchief, bored beyond measure. Such was the life of people in ancient times: after a full meal, there was little else to do but sit in idleness and daydream.

Turning her head toward the courtyard, she noticed Shuni leading a few recently assigned maids as they tidied up outside. It was easy to discern that they were ill-suited for manual labor; each task took them an age, and even moving a single item seemed a drawn-out ordeal. Only the older servant woman was quick and efficient in her work.

Nianyu entered with a plate of oranges. “Have some oranges,” she suggested. “They’re fresh from the market. I’ve already asked Shuni to make some juice for you in a little while.”

It had been Ning Qian’s idea to make juice. In modern times, she was fond of orange juice, but here, where could one find a juicer? Still, there was always a solution: wrap the oranges tightly in gauze and slowly crush them in a stone mortar—so long as the juice was extracted, it was enough. Though not as convenient as a modern juicer, it was better than nothing. As long as she had enough fruit, she could have as much juice as she wished, even if it was rather wasteful.

Seeing Ning Qian staring outside, Nianyu poked her own head out for a look. At once, she understood what Ning Qian was observing. “I’ve discreetly inquired about those maids. They’re not all from the Old Madam’s household.”

“Oh?” Interest sparked in Ning Qian’s eyes as she turned back. She smiled, “What, do they each belong to someone different?”

“You guessed right. That girl Yu Zhi was sent by the First Madam’s side. It’s said she’s no ordinary servant—she’s actually a distant relation of the First Madam’s family. The connection may be remote, but kin is kin, so we must be especially careful with her.”

Ning Qian frowned. “That’s troublesome. So, the First Madam bears me no goodwill either. What about the other two?”

“One is from the Old Madam’s side, and the other is from the Second Madam. As for the older servant woman, she was assigned at random—apparently she’s here as punishment for some minor offense.”

Ning Qian was immediately displeased. Punished servants sent here? What did that make her quarters—a refugee camp, a charity ward? Clearly, no one had much regard for her. It seemed the softest person was always chosen to bear the brunt—had she been too mild-mannered? “So, they’re all waiting to see me make a fool of myself.”

“Exactly. If you ask me, the reason they’re all placing their people here is to plant spies. The Yu family is fabulously wealthy, but Master Yu has three sons. No one knows yet which son will inherit. Do you remember the atmosphere at that luncheon the other day?”

Ning Qian nodded faintly. How could she not? At the time, she hadn’t thought about inheritance, but now, hearing Nianyu’s analysis, she finally understood why everyone’s words had seemed edged with thorns. Since ancient times, even brothers could turn against each other for wealth and power; she supposed the Yu family would be no exception.

Pressing her aching forehead, she sighed, “Nianyu, do you think he’ll really get caught up in this struggle? He doesn’t seem the type to fight over an inheritance.”

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“I can’t say for now. From his current attitude, he doesn’t seem interested in the family fortune. But what man is truly without ambition?”

“You have a point. Still, I don’t want to get involved in such troubles. I married into the Yu family simply because I didn’t want to become a spinster. You know I never meant to stay here forever. Their squabbles over inheritance are none of my concern—I just want a peaceful life.”

Nianyu sighed softly. “Since you’ve married into the Yu family, why not try to blend in? Before, you wanted nothing to do with this family because of that incident, but now that it’s clear it was all a misunderstanding, how easy is it for a married woman to live alone? I think the young master is a good man and has sincere feelings for you. Why can’t you open your heart to him?”

Ning Qian gave a bitter smile. Accepting someone was easy enough, but what came after? If two hearts didn’t truly meet, what was the point? In her modern life, she’d loved and lost before—the pain of it still pressed heavy on her chest at the memory. She had no wish to suffer through such heartbreak again.

“What is it you’re really afraid of?”

“You wouldn’t understand. Do you realize how pitiful it is for a woman to devote her whole being to a man? If he is her everything, and his heart turns elsewhere, how is she supposed to go on?” Sunlight gilded Ning Qian’s face in a golden-pink glow, and from her expression, it was clear how deeply she resisted the idea.

“That may be true, but women have always depended on men to live. This is a noble house; it’s not easy to survive here in peace. Madam, look at your aunt and uncle—aren’t they devoted to each other?”

She laughed. “I think in all the world, only my father and mother are so loving.”

“But if you never try, how will you know what the outcome could be?”

“In any case, I have no such intentions for now. To me, he’s little more than a stranger—or perhaps a stranger who seems familiar. How can I be expected to feel anything for such a person? In my experience, a man who’s truly reliable is as rare as a pig climbing a tree.”

“Mmm.”

“Let’s put this matter aside for now. I’ve only just married into the Yu family; I’ll wait and see how things unfold.”

Nianyu knew better than to press too hard—otherwise, Ning Qian would only resist more fiercely. “Very well, I’ll go check if the orange juice is ready.”

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“Wait. When you speak to Shuni later, make sure she keeps a close watch on Yu Zhi and the other maids. For now, let them work outside in the courtyard; there’s no need for them to serve indoors. Leave the heavy work to the older servant woman. As for the others, just give them light tasks.”

“Understood. I know what to do.”

As they spoke, a sudden call came from outside. “Madam, Sister Qian asks to see you.”

Sister Qian was another person Ning Qian had brought from her own family home. She’d brought quite a few people with her as part of her dowry, worried there would be no loyal servants in the Yu household. Besides Nianyu and Shuni, there were two other older women. If possible, she would have brought even more, but she’d feared gossip, so she settled for just these few.

“Oh? Let her in.”

A shrewd-faced middle-aged woman entered, performed a deep bow, and stood before Ning Qian. “Madam, I wish you every happiness.”

“Thank you, Sister Qian. No need for such formalities. What brings you here?”

“Madam, I hardly know how to say this.”

“Oh? If something troubles you, it must be no small matter. Speak plainly, Sister Qian.”

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