The night passed, and the next day everyone went to the mountaintop to offer eternal lamps to their ancestors. Many people in the group were yawning and sighing, and many others sneezed a dozen times in a row without stopping. Except for the old lady, everyone was listless. They looked more like they were being tortured than offering sacrifices.

Just then, the Liang family's offering procession happened to pass by.

Eight highly respected monks, holding golden cups, chanted sutras and offered prayers as they passed by, followed by a dozen or so descendants carrying hundreds of kilograms of lamp oil in a magnificent procession.

Compared to the Lu family's high monk holding a silver cup and three grandsons carrying less than a hundred pounds of lamp oil, the huge difference made everyone in the Lu family wish they could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

The matriarch of the Liang family walked at the front, glancing at the Lu family, who were practically invisible, with a somewhat ambiguous smile on her face.

Since they had run into each other, they were bound to chat for a bit. The old lady was only thinking about getting past them as soon as possible, but she was stopped by the matriarch of the Liang family.

"Why is it that you're personally making the trip this year? Where's Jin Shu? Why isn't she here?"

"She was not feeling well, and I was worried that her illness might offend the ancestors, so I told her to rest at home."

The matriarch of the Liang family smiled.

"Oh, no wonder we had to send an old general. Let me give my regards to Jin Shu and tell her that Her Majesty the Empress is hosting a banquet at Xianghu. She must be there on time."

The Liang family was a prominent clan in the previous dynasty, on par with the Lu family a hundred years ago. However, the Lu family is now weak, while the Liang family is thriving. Not long ago, the Liang family's eldest son, who had just turned twenty, became the top scholar in the imperial examination. The emperor was overjoyed and immediately bestowed a red card upon him to enter the court and assume a high-ranking position. This made the already prosperous Liang family even more prosperous at this moment.

As the matriarch of the Liang family and the biological mother of the eldest son, she naturally enjoyed unparalleled prestige.

The old lady patiently exchanged a few pleasantries with her, and then urged her to quicken her pace.

Madam Liang laughed even more heartily, murmuring to herself.

"It's a pity that Jin Shu isn't here; it's less interesting."

The maid standing nearby understood and echoed her.

"The Jin family is here too. The lady from the Lu family isn't at the Lu family's house; she might be at the Jin family's house."

"That's true. Don't worry, you'll see her eventually if she's around."

The maid guessed correctly; Jin Shu was indeed in the line of people offering sacrifices to the Jin family.

The matriarch of the Jin family in Qingyang, who is also Jin Shu's biological mother, Madam Jin, is looking at her daughter with a pained expression.

"The Lu family also came to offer incense this year. Why are you back?"

Mrs. Jin felt sorry for her daughter, but she never neglected her daughter's education.

As for Jin Shu, she was lying on Madam Jin's chaise lounge, eating oranges and squinting at the snow scene on the mountaintop.

"I don't need to take care of the incense offerings this year. Since I'm finally free, can't you let me have some peace and quiet?"

Mrs. Jin said helplessly.

“You are already married into the Lu family. If outsiders see you coming back now, they will surely gossip about you behind your back.”

Jin Shu spat out an orange seed, completely unconcerned.

“Mother, I’m about to be older than you. Over the years, I’ve managed everything in the Lu family, inside and out. Don’t you feel sorry for your daughter?”

"How could I not feel sorry for you, child? Back then, when Mingqian died on the battlefield, our Jin family was willing to risk being scolded to bring you home, but you refused to come back."

Now that you've managed the Lu family so well, you've already taken ninety-nine steps; how can you allow someone to stir up trouble at the very last step?"

Jin Shu nodded, then said seriously.

"Don't worry, I've taken care of everything in the Lu family. Now that Old Madam Lu wants to take over the household, I handed it over to her without hesitation. I only came to find you now that there's nothing for me to do in the mansion."

Okay, okay, stop talking. What are we having for dinner? I'm starving.

Seeing this, Madam Jin really didn't know what to say, and could only tacitly approve of Jin Shu's actions with both heartache and helplessness.

The Jin family is living a very comfortable life.

The Jin family of Qingyang has a history of hundreds of years, serving as imperial merchants for generations. They are deeply trusted by His Majesty, and their family wealth is far beyond what the Lu family can match.

Jin Shu isn't stupid. The Lu family is eating chaff and suffering from hunger and cold. It's better for her to freeload here, where she gets the highest level of treatment.

After two days of prayers, Jin Shu was extremely happy.

Her face, which was originally a bit thin, has become much rounder after this period of nourishment.

As the prayer ceremony drew to a close, everyone packed up to go home. Jin Shu decided to leave early to avoid everyone crowding together and making it difficult to descend the mountain.

Madam Jin specially sent a sedan chair to escort Jin Shu down the mountain. After returning to the Duke's mansion, the tailor was already waiting inside.

The Empress is hosting a banquet at Xianghu Lake, and all the young ladies and ladies from prominent families will be required to attend.

Although it was called a banquet, it was actually a large-scale matchmaking event for nobles in the capital, hosted by the Empress.

Young men from wealthy families prepare talents for their daughters' marriages, while young men from prominent families eagerly await the chance to win the hearts of their beloved.

The young princes and grandsons of the emperor will also be present at that time.

These people are the main targets of young girls. Back when the original owner was not yet married, the third prince of the dynasty fell in love with her at first sight and even asked the emperor to grant her a marriage.

Meanwhile, the Third Prince had already married his principal wife, and whenever this matter was mentioned, many people mocked Jin Shu for her poor judgment.

There were so many fine men in the capital; even if she didn't marry a prince, there were plenty of other noblemen, but in the end, she chose Lu Mingqian, who died young.

They now live a very difficult life and are in a miserable situation.

Every year at the beginning of the year banquet, the original owner was the target of ridicule from many noble ladies.

The thought of this made Jin Shu feel a tightness in her chest.

At that moment, the tailor who was taking her measurements couldn't help but sigh.

"Madam has truly remained unchanged for ten years, her figure is as youthful as ever, without the slightest change."

This tailor used to make clothes specifically for the original owner of this body. Later, after she married into the Duke's mansion and took charge of the household, how could the original owner bear to hire a tailor to make clothes for her again? In the past ten years, she could count the number of new clothes she had made on two hands. She never enjoyed the same treatment as she did at her parents' home.

However, Jin Shu now earns a considerable amount of money from her shop, so she naturally can't treat herself poorly. Therefore, the first thing she does is invite this tailor over.

After measuring her body shape, the embroiderer asked Jin Shu.

"What kind of clothes would you like to have made, Madam? The most fashionable style in the capital these days is a white mink coat. A coat made from a whole mink pelt, with snow-white fur, is extremely elegant and will surely complement your beauty."

"No need, just do it the usual way."

"The lady is radiant these days; she is stunningly beautiful without needing any makeup."

"Are all you embroiderers so good at talking?"

“I’m telling the truth. Over the years, I’ve made clothes for so many ladies from prominent families, and you are undoubtedly the best in the capital.”

Jin Shu laughed happily and clapped her hands cheerfully.

"Well said, reward me!"

After saying that, he grabbed a handful of gold leaves and gave them to the embroiderer.

The embroiderer was flattered and knelt down repeatedly to express her gratitude after receiving the gold leaf.