The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, gently illuminating Lin Wan'er and Xiao Yichen's bed. Lin Wan'er slowly awoke, her eyes meeting Xiao Yichen's handsome face, tinged with doting affection.

"Wan'er, are you awake?" Xiao Yichen asked softly, his voice still slightly hoarse from the early morning.

"Mmm." Lin Wan'er responded and sat up slightly. Xiao Yichen quickly reached out to help her up and lean her against the headboard.

"The weather is nice today, how about we have breakfast in the garden?" Xiao Yichen suggested.

"Okay," Lin Wan'er readily agreed.

After the two finished washing up, dressed casually, they went hand in hand to the garden. The stone table in the garden was already covered with exquisite breakfast dishes. Steaming hot xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) emitted an enticing aroma, with thin skin and generous fillings; one bite and the juices burst out. The sweet eight-treasure porridge was cooked until soft and sticky, with various beans and grains perfectly blended, each bite filled with a rich grain aroma. There was also a fresh fruit platter, colorful and sweet.

They sat facing each other, enjoying the food and admiring the beautiful scenery of the garden. The garden was exceptionally quiet in the early morning, with only birds singing merrily in the branches, and a gentle breeze causing the flowers to sway softly, sending forth waves of fragrance.

"Wan'er, look at that peony, it's blooming even more beautifully." Xiao Yichen said, pointing to a cluster of peonies not far away.

Lin Wan'er looked in the direction he was pointing and saw that the peony flowers were huge, with layers upon layers of petals, and bright and dazzling colors, like a noble lady in full dress. "It is indeed very beautiful, worthy of being called the king of flowers."

After breakfast, Xiao Yichen led Lin Wan'er to the study. The study was filled with the faint scent of ink, and sunlight streamed through the windows onto the rows of bookshelves, while dust motes danced in the air.

"Wan'er, I've recently been studying a book on military strategy, and some of its insights are quite unique. How about we discuss them together?" Xiao Yichen said, picking up an ancient book.

Lin Wan'er nodded. She had been well-versed in literature since childhood and was quite interested in such matters. The two sat at the desk, studying the text word by word. Sometimes they would exchange a knowing smile because they shared the same viewpoint, and other times they would engage in heated discussions due to differing opinions. Lin Wan'er was quick-witted and often offered unique perspectives, which made Xiao Yichen look at her with new respect.

"Wan'er, you are truly exceptionally intelligent. I have benefited greatly from your ideas," Xiao Yichen sincerely praised.

“You’re quite good too. Discussing with you has given me a deeper understanding of this knowledge,” Lin Wan’er replied with a smile.

It was already noon when they emerged from the study. The two went to the shade of a tree in the courtyard, set up a chessboard, and prepared for a game. Xiao Yichen, playing black, made the first move, his moves decisive and his strategy ingenious; Lin Wan'er, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, using softness to overcome hardness, responding to each move with ease. The game unfolded with back-and-forth exchanges, neither giving an inch, both completely absorbed in the world of black and white.

"Haha, Wan'er, that was a risky move of yours." Xiao Yichen said with a smile as he looked at the chess piece Lin Wan'er had placed.

"Don't rush, the outcome is still uncertain." Lin Wan'er's eyes were firm, and she placed the chess piece in her hand again, instantly reversing the situation.

Just as the two were locked in fierce combat, the steward came to announce that a high-ranking official from the imperial court had come to visit. Xiao Yichen reluctantly put away the chessboard and went with Lin Wan'er to greet the guest.

After seeing the ministers off, it was nearly dusk. They arrived at the lake in the garden, where the sunset's glow was reflected on the surface, shimmering in the sunlight. Xiao Yichen picked up a fishing rod, preparing to fish.

"Wan'er, do you know how to fish?" Xiao Yichen asked.

"I know a little bit," Lin Wan'er replied.

So the two sat side by side by the lake, quietly waiting for the fish to bite. After a while, Xiao Yichen's fishing rod stirred. He suddenly pulled the rod up, and a big fish shimmered silver in the setting sun.

"Wan'er, look, this fish is really fat," Xiao Yichen said excitedly.

Lin Wan'er clapped her hands with a smile: "Yi Chen, you're amazing!"

Night fell, and the bright moon hung high in the sky. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er enjoyed a meal of fine wine and delicacies in the garden pavilion. The moonlight bathed them, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty.

"Wan'er, I'm really happy to have spent this day with you," Xiao Yichen said, raising his wine glass.

"Me too, I hope we can always be like this." Lin Wan'er gently clinked glasses with hers, then drank it all in one gulp.

After dinner, they strolled hand in hand in the garden, chatting about the day's events and their hopes for the future. Back in their room, Xiao Yichen fetched hot water for Lin Wan'er and personally washed her feet.

"Yichen, you don't need to do this," Lin Wan'er said somewhat embarrassed.

"Wan'er, you are my wife, it is only right that I do these things for you," Xiao Yichen said gently, his eyes full of love.

After washing their feet, the two lay down in each other's arms and gradually drifted off to sleep, ending this warm and beautiful day.

The morning sunlight streamed into the backyard of the general's mansion, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Lin Wan'er got up early and, after washing up with the help of her maid, was about to go and pay her respects to her parents-in-law when she heard a commotion outside.

She frowned slightly, a sense of unease rising in her heart, and hurriedly walked outside with her maid Cui'er. There, on the garden path in the backyard, several maids and old women were gathered together, arguing heatedly.

One of the more ornately dressed maids, named Caiyue, was a trusted maid of Xiao Yichen's mother. She put her hands on her hips and said in a shrill voice, "You lazy little hussies, you are responsible for taking care of the flowers and plants in this garden. Look at you now, the leaves of the peonies are turning yellow. If Madam sees this, who among you can bear the consequences?"

The maids who were being reprimanded lowered their heads in fright, not daring to speak. One of the younger maids, named Xiao Tao, timidly raised her head and said, "Sister Caiyue, we take good care of her every day, but the weather has been a bit abnormal lately, and we don't know what to do."

Caiyue sneered: "Hmph, don't make excuses. If you don't do your job properly, I'll tell Madam and have you all go work in the woodshed."

Tears welled up in Xiao Tao's eyes, and the other maids also looked aggrieved. Seeing this, Lin Wan'er coughed lightly, and only then did everyone notice her arrival, bowing respectfully.

"Young Madam!" everyone called out in unison.

Lin Wan'er nodded slightly and asked, "What's going on? Why are you arguing here?"

Caiyue spoke first: "Young mistress, you be the judge. These maids are responsible for taking care of the flowers and plants in the garden, but now they have caused the flowers and plants to wither. Such dereliction of duty should not be lightly forgiven."

Lin Wan'er approached the peony bushes, examined them carefully, and then said, "The yellowing of these peony leaves is not entirely the maids' fault. The recent fluctuating temperatures have indeed had a significant impact on the plants. However, you also had some oversights; why didn't you take some preventative measures beforehand?"

Xiao Tao quickly said, "Young Madam, we have thought about it, but we lack experience and don't know how to do it."

Lin Wan'er sighed softly and said, "Alright, I also bear some responsibility for this. I'm new here and haven't paid enough attention to the affairs of this backyard. From today onwards, I will find some experienced gardeners to teach you how to care for the flowers and plants, and we must never let this happen again."

Caiyue said somewhat unwillingly, "Young Madam, are you just going to let them off so easily?"

Lin Wan'er glanced at her and said, "Caiyue, they didn't do it on purpose. In this General's Mansion, we are all one family, and harmony should be our priority. If we only punish people, it will only breed resentment and will not be conducive to harmony in the mansion."

Caiyue lowered her head and remained silent. Lin Wan'er then said to Xiaotao and the others, "Don't feel wronged. You must work even harder in the future and not slack off."

"Yes, young mistress," Xiao Tao and the others said gratefully.

Lin Wan'er thought the matter was over, but a few days later, a new storm broke out.

That day, Lin Wan'er was embroidering in her room when Cui'er rushed in and said, "Miss, something bad has happened! Granny Liu and Granny Zhang in the kitchen are fighting."

Lin Wan'er was startled and quickly got up and went to the kitchen. Before she even reached the kitchen, she heard a series of noises and the clanging of pots and pans coming from inside.

She entered the kitchen and found it in complete disarray. Granny Liu and Granny Zhang were wrestling, their hair disheveled and their clothes torn and wrinkled. The maids and cooks around them were trying to intervene, but the two showed no sign of stopping.

"Stop it, all of you!" Lin Wan'er shouted.

Everyone was startled by her shout. Granny Liu and Granny Zhang then let go of her and stood there panting.

"Young mistress, you must do justice for this old servant!" Granny Liu cried out first. "This old nanny Zhang is always lazy, and today she ruined the ingredients I painstakingly prepared. How am I supposed to cook for the young master and young mistress now?"

Granny Zhang retorted sharply, "Don't make false accusations! I only accidentally knocked over something, and you attacked me like that? You wicked old woman, you're clearly trying to bully me."

Lin Wan'er looked at the two of them, feeling a headache coming on. She knew that the kitchen matter was related to the food supply of the entire General's Mansion, and if it wasn't handled properly, it would definitely cause more trouble.

"Calm down first, and tell me what happened in detail," Lin Wan'er said.

Granny Liu and Granny Zhang then recounted what had happened, one after the other. As Lin Wan'er listened to their accounts, she gradually pieced together the story. It turned out that while Granny Liu was preparing ingredients, Granny Zhang accidentally knocked over a pot of vegetables, which led to an argument between the two, which escalated into a physical fight.

Lin Wan'er pondered for a moment, then said, "Both of you are at fault in this matter. Granny Liu, although you were concerned about the food, you shouldn't have hit people; Granny Zhang, you acted rashly and damaged the food, so you should also bear the responsibility."

"Then, young mistress, what should we do?" Granny Liu asked.

Lin Wan'er said, "Granny Liu, deduct this month's wages as punishment; Granny Zhang, go clean the kitchen for a month to make amends. Do you both agree?"

Although Granny Liu and Granny Zhang were somewhat unwilling, they knew that Lin Wan'er's handling of the matter was already very fair, so they could only nod and say, "We agree, thank you, young mistress."

Lin Wan'er looked at the two of them and said earnestly, "You have worked in the General's Mansion for many years and should know the rules. You must not act so rashly in the future. If you do it again, you will not be let off lightly."

"Yes, young mistress," the two replied in unison.

After these two incidents, Lin Wan'er realized that matters in the inner quarters were not as simple as she had imagined. The General's Mansion had many people and complex relationships; a slight misstep could easily trigger trouble. She knew that as the young mistress of the General's Mansion, she had to manage the inner quarters even more diligently to maintain harmony and peace within the mansion.

Therefore, Lin Wan'er began to formulate some management rules for the inner courtyard. She summoned the maids, servants, and cooks in the mansion and announced these rules to them. The rules clearly defined everyone's responsibilities and tasks, stipulated reward and punishment measures, and emphasized the importance of teamwork.

Upon hearing Lin Wan'er's announcement, everyone felt even greater respect for this young mistress. They knew that although she was young, she was fair in her dealings and capable of managing the household well.

Thanks to Lin Wan'er's efforts, the backyard of the General's Mansion gradually returned to peace. The maids worked even more diligently, the old women stopped arguing, and the cooks' meticulously prepared meals were praised by everyone in the mansion. Lin Wan'er successfully resolved the turmoil in the backyard with her wisdom and patience, winning the respect and recognition of everyone in the General's Mansion.

Sunlight streamed onto the vermilion gates of the General's Mansion, casting a golden-red glow. The mansion was quiet that day; Xiao Yichen was in his study processing military correspondence, while Lin Wan'er was tidying her clothes in her room.

Suddenly, the gatekeeper rushed in to report that several high-ranking officials from the court had come to visit. Xiao Yichen put down his pen, stood up, straightened his clothes, and led Lin Wan'er to the front hall to greet them.

In the front hall, several ministers stood conversing. Leading them was Minister of Rites, Lord Wang, dressed in a magnificent purple official robe embroidered with exquisite patterns, a jade-inlaid belt cinching his waist, exuding an air of authority. Beside him was Vice Minister of Revenue, Lord Li, in blue robes, his face amiable, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness. Also present was Minister of Works, Lord Zhao, a robust man in dark robes, giving an impression of composure and reliability.

Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er entered the front hall. Xiao Yichen clasped his hands in greeting and said, "My lords, I am sorry for not welcoming you properly today."

Lord Wang smiled and returned the greeting: "General Xiao, you are too kind. We heard that you are celebrating your marriage, so we came to offer our congratulations and also to discuss some state affairs with you."

Lin Wan'er curtsied slightly: "Greetings, Your Excellencies."

The ministers nodded in return, their eyes filled with admiration.

After everyone was seated according to their status as host and guest, the maids served fragrant tea and snacks. Lord Wang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "General Xiao, I have come here for two reasons. First, to congratulate you on your marriage. Second, to discuss the upcoming diplomatic matters with our neighboring country."

Xiao Yichen frowned slightly and said, "Lord Wang, diplomatic matters have always been complicated. I wonder what your opinion is?"

Lord Wang put down his teacup and slowly said, "Recently, our neighboring country has sent envoys to discuss border trade with our dynasty. However, as far as I know, they seem to have ulterior motives and may propose some conditions that are unfavorable to our dynasty during the negotiations."

Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment and said, "Then, in your opinion, how should we respond?"

Lord Wang looked at the other ministers and said, "After discussion, we believe that we should first try diplomacy before resorting to force. At the negotiating table, we must argue our case and defend the interests of our dynasty. However, if our neighboring country attempts to use force, we cannot back down. Your army, General, is our dynasty's backing."

Xiao Yichen nodded and said, "What you say is absolutely right, sir. I will make preparations, and my army is ready to go to war at any time if needed."

At this moment, Lord Li spoke up: "General Xiao, this diplomatic matter also needs to take into account the domestic economic situation. If border trade can proceed smoothly, it will greatly benefit the economic development of our dynasty. However, if it is not handled properly, it may cause price fluctuations and affect the lives of the people."

Xiao Yichen looked at Lord Li and said, "Lord Li, rest assured, although I know a little about military affairs, I also understand the importance of the economy to the country. I will discuss with the strategists of the General's Mansion and try to find a balance between military and economic matters."

Lord Zhao continued, "There's one more thing, General. When negotiating with neighboring countries, we need to showcase our dynasty's culture and strength so they won't dare to underestimate us. In this regard, Miss Lin, who comes from the Prime Minister's residence, is exceptionally talented and might be able to offer some advice."

All eyes turned to Lin Wan'er. Lin Wan'er paused slightly, then said, "You flatter me, sirs. I believe that our nation has a long and rich cultural history. We could arrange some cultural exchange activities, such as poetry recitals and calligraphy and painting exhibitions, during the negotiations, so that the envoys from neighboring countries can appreciate the charm of our nation's culture. At the same time, we could showcase some of our nation's advanced technologies and crafts, such as silk weaving and ceramics making, to demonstrate our nation's strength."

Several ministers nodded in approval after hearing Lin Wan'er's words.

Lord Wang said, "Miss Lin is indeed exceptionally intelligent; this plan is brilliant. If we can instill awe and admiration in the envoys of neighboring countries towards our dynasty, then the negotiations will be half successful."

After discussing state affairs, the atmosphere gradually relaxed. Lord Li smiled and said to Xiao Yichen, "General Xiao, seeing you and Miss Lin so affectionate today is truly enviable."

Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er with eyes full of love and said, "Being able to marry Wan'er is the greatest fortune of my life."

Lin Wan'er's cheeks flushed slightly as she playfully scolded, "You only know how to say these things in front of adults."

Upon seeing this, everyone burst into laughter.

Afterwards, Xiao Yichen led several ministers on a tour of the general's mansion. When they arrived at the garden, they were full of praise for the blooming flowers and exquisite landscaping.

"General Xiao, the garden of this general's mansion is truly breathtaking," said Lord Zhao.

"Thank you for your praise, sir. This garden was carefully tended by my mother. She loves flowers and plants, so she arranged it to look like this," Xiao Yichen said.

Next, they arrived at the training ground. There, soldiers were training diligently, their battle cries echoing through the air. Seeing the soldiers' agile figures and superb martial arts skills, the ministers were even more impressed by Xiao Yichen's methods of military command.

After the tour, Xiao Yichen hosted a banquet for the ministers. The banquet was laden with delicacies and fine wines. As they enjoyed the food, they chatted freely, discussing everything from state affairs to family matters, from poetry to martial arts.

Lin Wan'er behaved with grace and poise at the banquet. She chatted happily with the wives of several ministers, sharing anecdotes about women and tips on managing a household. Her elegance and intelligence earned her high praise from the ladies.

After the banquet, several ministers left the General's Mansion with satisfied smiles. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er stood at the gate, watching their departing figures.

"Wan'er, thanks to you today, you offered excellent advice on diplomatic matters," Xiao Yichen said.

"This is what I should do. Although I am a woman, I also want to do my part for the General's Mansion and for the country," Lin Wan'er said firmly.

Xiao Yichen gently held Lin Wan'er's hand and said, "With you by my side, I believe that no matter what difficulties we encounter, we can overcome them together."

Lin Wan'er leaned on Xiao Yichen's shoulder, her heart filled with happiness and peace. She knew that in this general's mansion, she not only had to manage the inner quarters well, but also support Xiao Yichen in important matters, working together to protect the general's mansion and the country.