Chapter 2: Paying Respects to Elders

Qin Luoli stood outside Old Madam Xiao’s door, drawing a deep breath. The faint scent of sandalwood hung in the air, calming her restless heart. She knew well that behind this door sat the true master of the Xiao family—the very person who held the key to her survival in this unfamiliar world. She had to pass this first test.

Steadying herself, she raised her hand and knocked lightly.

With a soft creak, the door slowly opened, and a pretty maid peered out, respectfully saying, “Madam, the old lady invites you in.”

Qin Luoli crossed the threshold and found herself in an elegantly simple room. At its center, an elderly woman dressed in a dark purple brocade robe sat upright in a grand chair—Old Madam Xiao herself. Her hair was perfectly arranged, her face bore the marks of time, yet her gaze remained as sharp as ever, commanding respect without a word.

Qin Luoli lowered her eyes, masking her emotions, stepped forward, and knelt in greeting. “Luoli greets the old madam.”

“Mm.” The old lady responded with a calm, steady voice laden with authority.

At her side, Madam Liu, a concubine, could no longer restrain herself and spoke up in a mocking tone. “Oh my, the new madam certainly learned her manners quickly! I thought country folk knew nothing of such things—tsk, tsk.” She deliberately drew out her words, her voice dripping with sarcasm, her gaze upon Qin Luoli as if watching a farce.

Qin Luoli arched an eyebrow, a flash of displeasure in her eyes. What nonsense was this, to be mocked right away?

She straightened, replying with neither arrogance nor servility, “Aunt Liu, you are mistaken. Though I was raised in the countryside, I know well the meaning of propriety and shame, and have never forgotten my roots. As for rules, they can be learned—so long as one is willing, one need not fall behind others.”

Her words rang out with confidence, causing Madam Liu’s sharp features to freeze.

Old Madam Xiao watched Qin Luoli, slowly lifting her teacup to take a sip, her gaze still fixed intently on her. Ignoring Madam Liu’s provocation, she asked in a low, commanding voice, “New madam, are you familiar with the Xiao family’s traditions?”

Qin Luoli’s heart tightened; the true test had come.

She was just about to answer when the old lady set down her cup, her gaze as keen as a blade. “Not just anyone can enter the Xiao family. A single misstep could spell disaster.” She gave Qin Luoli a meaningful look. “What do you say—am I right?”

Qin Luoli smiled slightly, her manner unhurried. “You are entirely right, Madam. The Xiao family, renowned for generations, is famed for its strict traditions—I have long heard of them. Loyalty to the sovereign and devotion to the nation, passing down learning and virtue, are the very cornerstones of the Xiao family’s enduring legacy.”

She paused, glancing at the old madam and noticing her expression soften, then continued, “Every member of the Xiao family places loyalty and righteousness above all, serving the country with distinction—the entire clan is celebrated for its heroism. And the emphasis on learning is what ensures the family’s prosperity, with poetry and scholarship handed down through the ages, the foundation of its lasting strength.”

She spoke with eloquence, weaving all she’d learned about the Xiao family’s structure and history into her answer, demonstrating her knowledge while deftly flattering the old lady.

Old Madam Xiao listened, a satisfied smile appearing on her lips. She nodded faintly—this new bride was not as simple as she seemed.

Madam Liu, beside her, seethed with jealousy. This country girl actually had some skill! She shot Qin Luoli a fierce glare, cursing inwardly: Don’t get too proud, you little wretch!

Xiao Jingxuan watched Qin Luoli with open excitement, her eyes filled with curiosity and admiration. The new sister-in-law was amazing!

Xiao Jingyuan remained expressionless at the side, as if none of this concerned him. Whenever Qin Luoli glanced at him, he only cast a fleeting look before turning away again.

Qin Luoli shrugged inwardly. Fine, handsome, you can stay aloof—no skin off my nose!

The atmosphere in the room was tinged with awkwardness, thanks to Xiao Jingyuan’s chilly demeanor.

Old Madam Xiao took another sip of tea, setting her cup down with a clear, crisp sound. She gazed at Qin Luoli, her eyes probing. “New madam, since you have married into the Xiao family, you are now one of us. Tell me, do you know how to manage a household?”

Qin Luoli smiled calmly, answering without haste. “The art of household management lies in allocating resources wisely, increasing income and reducing expenditure, so that the family’s wealth flows steadily and endures.”

She paused, seeing the old lady listening intently, and continued, “For instance, the servants in the house can be assigned tasks according to their abilities, avoiding wasted manpower. As for the accounts, they should be kept transparent, regularly audited, with no tolerance for embezzlement or corruption.”

The old lady’s eyes brightened. These were ideas she’d never heard before, but they sounded perfectly reasonable. This new bride was indeed out of the ordinary.

Around them, the servants began murmuring among themselves, surprised by Qin Luoli’s innovative suggestions.

Madam Liu, watching, grew even more envious. How could this country girl keep stealing the spotlight? Unwilling to lose, her eyes darted as she schemed, and she said in her mocking tone again, “The new madam speaks so well, but how are your skills with needle and thread? Why not embroider a handkerchief for the old madam to see?” She thought to herself, Surely a country girl knows nothing of fine embroidery—let’s see how she handles this!

Qin Luoli remained composed and admitted frankly, “To tell the truth, my needlework is indeed not refined. However, though I am no expert with a needle, I do have other skills that may be of some use to the Xiao family.”

Her confident smile left Madam Liu gnashing her teeth, yet unable to retort.

Xiao Jingxuan, at the side, nervously clutched her sleeve, sweating for her sister-in-law.

Old Madam Xiao regarded Qin Luoli deeply. “Oh? And what other talents do you possess?”

Qin Luoli smiled mysteriously. “Might I borrow the study for a moment, madam?”

At her words, the old lady considered briefly, then ordered a servant to take Qin Luoli to the study.

Madam Liu’s face turned green with envy—how could this country bumpkin be allowed into the study? She dug her nails into her palm in frustration.

In the study, books were piled high, the air rich with the scent of ink. Qin Luoli looked around in awe—no wonder this was an old and distinguished family, their library rivaled a small archive.

Old Madam Xiao ordered several stacks of account books to be brought in. “These records are a mess—see if you can make sense of them.”

Qin Luoli didn’t hesitate. Rolling up her sleeves, she began flipping through the books, her eyes scanning lines at lightning speed, her fingers flying—leaving onlookers dizzy.

Madam Liu snorted from the side, “What a show! Let’s see what you can really do.”

Yet, in less than an hour, Qin Luoli set the ledgers aside, pointing out several entries. “Madam, there are issues with these accounts—there seems to be concealment and shortfall.”

She analyzed the loopholes with clarity and precision, earning repeated nods from the old lady, whose gaze grew ever more approving.

“Excellent! What a meticulous daughter-in-law!” Old Madam Xiao clapped her hands in delight, shooting Madam Liu a warning glance. “Some people only know how to gossip and stir trouble, yet others truly have ability! From now on, all household accounts will be managed by the new madam.”

Madam Liu’s face turned ashen, and she was left speechless.

Xiao Jingxuan gazed at Qin Luoli in awe, her eyes sparkling with admiration. “Sister-in-law, you’re amazing!”

Even the always-cold Xiao Jingyuan looked at Qin Luoli with a hint of warmth in his eyes.

Qin Luoli rejoiced inwardly—it seemed she had passed this test!

She was about to breathe a sigh of relief when the old lady spoke slowly, “However, this is only the first trial…”

Qin Luoli’s heart leapt into her throat once more.

The old lady smiled meaningfully. “There remains one more trial. Only if you pass that will you truly have earned my approval.” Pausing, her gaze sharp as a hawk, she pronounced each word with weight: “The three household laws!”