Madam of Dongyang received news at a banquet that her son Zhou Jingyun, the heir to the Marquis of Dongyang, would be returning to the capital. Zhou Jingyun was a prodigy: granted the title of heir at three, praised by the previous emperor at six, and appointed the youngest Hanlin scholar in Great Zhou history at thirteen. At eighteen, he married the third daughter of the Duke of Ding'an, but she died of dysentery six months after the wedding. He observed a three-year mourning period, then requested an official post outside the capital and was away for six years. Now twenty-seven, he was still the most sought-after husband in the capital.The banquet guests were thrilled by the news, but soon another piece of news spread: Zhou Jingyun had remarried.When the new wife arrived at the Marquis of Dongyang Residence, she was not what anyone expected. She was only sixteen, slender and plain-featured, dressed in simple somber clothes. Her name was Zhuang Li, and she came alone, carrying the marriage certificate. She had already married Zhou Jingyun in another place. Madam of Dongyang was shocked and displeased, but she controlled herself. Zhuang Li explained that she was the daughter of Master Zhuang's disciple, both her parents dead, and she was raised by Master Zhuang and his wife. Zhou Jingyun had married her to give Master Zhuang peace of mind in his final days, and also to avoid the complicated marriage politics of the capital. The court had just changed, with a new emperor purging the remnants of the Demon Empress's faction. Zhou Jingyun feared that if someone used marriage to cause trouble, it would harm his family. So he made this decision without consulting his mother.Madam of Dongyang accepted her daughter-in-law reluctantly. She led Zhuang Li to meet the rest of the household: the Marquis's concubines, his unmarried children, and the concubine Mei, who had served Zhou Jingyun since childhood and was elevated to concubine after his first marriage. The seven-year-old ninth miss bluntly asked why the new sister-in-law had not given meeting gifts. Zhuang Li remained composed, offering nothing. Madam of Dongyang felt awkward but did not press. After the introductions, Zhuang Li was sent to the courtyard that had belonged to the previous young madam.In the courtyard, Mama Xu, the housekeeper, explained that this was the residence of the young madam. The heir's concubine Mei and the maid Xueliu had arranged everything. Xueliu was a maid left behind by the previous young madam, the Duke of Ding'an's daughter. She was sharp and confident, and Zhuang Li could see that she held authority in the household. Zhuang Li stated she was not picky about tea, and that the maids could follow the existing arrangements. She dismissed them to rest.Outside, Xueliu chided Concubine Mei for being silent during the meeting. Concubine Mei admitted she was intimidated by the young age of the new madam. Xueliu told her to respect her regardless. She also corrected Concubine Mei for referring to the first wife as "Young Madam," reminding her that the current young madam was now the mistress. Xueliu's eyes showed sadness at the change.Zhuang Li bathed and changed into clothes provided by the embroidery room. Chun Yue, one of the maids, served her. The maids had prepared everything according to the heir's preferences. Zhuang Li remained calm and undemanding, accepting the arrangements without complaint.The story set the stage for the new dynamics: a young, orphaned wife arriving in a powerful household where the previous wife's memory lingered, a capable maid from the first marriage, and a mother-in-law who was wary but dutiful. Zhou Jingyun had not yet returned, leaving Zhuang Li to navigate the household alone. The political backdrop of the new emperor's purge added tension, explaining why Zhou Jingyun had acted so decisively in marriage. The summary captured the protagonist's humble origins, her unassuming arrival, the family's reaction, and the underlying conflicts that would unfold.
