Chapter 52 – I Think It’s Quite Good Too

The next morning, before the sky had even brightened, when it was still dark and Xia Tian was fast asleep, Ning Xue pulled her out of bed.

“What time is it, and you’re up already?” Xia Tian mumbled and curled up in the blanket, unwilling to get up.

“It’s already the early morning hour, Madam. You still need to go to greet the elders later!”

“Greet the elders?” How could she have forgotten about this? She was now the wife of a marquis, and she still had to go greet the two esteemed figures of the marquis’ household every day.

Xia Tian sluggishly crawled out of bed. “So, I have to greet them before the sun comes up?”

The early morning hour—that’s 5 a.m., right? She hadn’t even gone to the fields yet, but she had to wake up so early. It really felt like torture!

“It’s not that early. By the middle of the morning hour, you’ll need to go greet the old lady. Before that, you have to go to Hua Rui Hall to greet the marquis’ wife!” Rui Xue explained gently while helping her get dressed.

Once she was ready, she, along with Ning Xiang and Ning Xue, headed to Hua Rui Hall, where three of Marquis Liu’s concubines and a few of his daughters were already waiting outside the main door.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xia Tian curiously asked, “Why aren’t we going in? Why are we all standing outside? It’s so cold.”

When no one responded, she had a guess, and just as she was about to step forward, Ning Xiang quietly tugged at her sleeve from behind and whispered, “We can’t go in yet. The madam might still be getting ready.”

Xia Tian pursed her lips. What do you mean, still getting ready? Isn’t this just a power play?

But since it was her first day, she couldn’t be too rebellious. If they labeled her as disrespecting the elders, it would be a bad deal.

Fortunately, Madam Liu didn’t make it too difficult. After about a quarter of an hour, she had one of her head maids call them inside.

After Madam Liu pretended to show concern for everyone, they all rushed towards the old lady’s courtyard.

As they were leaving Hua Rui Hall, they ran into Shen Nian.

After exchanging greetings, Xia Tian smiled and walked over to Shen Nian. “What brings you here?”

“I’m here to take you to greet grandmother.”

“We were just about to go. Let’s go together!”

The others, including Madam Liu and the rest, watched as the two walked side by side without a care in the world. Some felt jealous, others envious, and some looked on with disdain…

No matter the feelings, the morning greeting went smoothly. The old lady didn’t make things difficult for her, but she didn’t exactly give her a warm reception either.

Xia Tian didn’t mind. They were insignificant people, and their moods didn’t matter to her!

After the greetings, the two returned to Jinglan Courtyard for breakfast. Afterward, Shen Nian had some business to attend to, so Xia Tian went back to bed for a nap.

When she woke up, it was already noon.

That nap had been so refreshing!

Shen Nian didn’t return for lunch, so after Xia Tian had eaten, she took Ning Xue for a walk to Lingyun Pavilion while digesting her meal.

When they entered the courtyard, there was no sign of Shen Nian. Just as she was about to ask Ning Yue if she could go to the study and read a book, Mu Feng suddenly appeared from somewhere.

With a smile, he cupped his hands in greeting. “Madam.”

“Tsk tsk tsk, a whole day without seeing you, and you don’t call me ‘sister-in-law’ anymore?”

“Well, the situation forced me into it. Now it’s not appropriate to call you ‘sister-in-law.'”

“Fine, suit yourself!” Xia Tian didn’t press the issue.

“May I go to the study to find a book to read?”

“Of course. The master said that Madam is free to come and go in Lingyun Pavilion, including the study.”

Mu Feng led her to the study door, pushed it open, and said, “Make yourself at home.”

Xia Tian entered the study, picked out a few travel books, and spent the whole afternoon there without returning to her room.

She stayed in the study until Shen Nian came back. After they had dinner at Lingyun Pavilion, she finally returned to Jinglan Courtyard.

When Ning Xiang saw that they had been gone for so long, she curiously asked, “Ning Xue, where did Madam go? Why did you take so long to come back?”

“We didn’t go anywhere. We just stayed at Lingyun Pavilion. Madam read books all afternoon, and I just chatted with Ning Yue.”

“Ah? Madam can read?” Ning Xiang was surprised and quietly asked Ning Xue.

“Yes.” Ning Xue was just as surprised. She couldn’t close her mouth for a while. Wasn’t Madam from a farming family? Why did it not seem like it at all?

Not only was she bold and unflappable, but she could also read!

Xia Tian overheard the conversation and rolled her eyes secretly. These two thought she couldn’t hear them!

“Ahem!”

Xia Tian coughed on purpose, and the two maids quickly stepped back and looked at her.

“You two can speak louder. I can hear everything.”

“Madam, we didn’t mean to, it’s just that…” The two were suddenly caught and blushed, unsure of how to speak.

Gossiping about your master was a huge taboo in the marquis’ household.

“Heh, what’s the big deal? Didn’t you two just say that we’re family? You can ask me about anything, no need to hide anything.”

“Is it that surprising that a farm girl like me can read? Are you curious?”

“Yes!” The two nodded awkwardly.

“I can read, of course, your master taught me. How else could I learn? I never went to school.”

“Really? Your master taught you to read?” This was truly strange. The master never allowed any women to get close to him, not even the four head maids were allowed to serve him closely.

“Yes, not only can I read, but I can also write too!”

“Did your master teach you that as well?”

“That’s right.”

“Your master is so good to you!” The two maids said enviously.

“I think so too.” Xia Tian nodded happily.

The three of them chatted for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, they quickly washed up and went to bed.

It was already October, and the weather had turned cold. The firepans were lit in the rooms.

There was no entertainment at night in ancient times. Reading to pass the time was fine during the day, but at night, under the dim light of oil lamps, it was hard on the eyes. So, people usually went to bed early.

Xia Tian estimated that she rarely went to bed after eight o’clock.

Today, she had slept too much during the day, and when she lay down, she couldn’t fall asleep immediately.

With the curtains drawn and the room pitch black, there was nothing to look at.

Xia Tian peacefully entered the space and looked around, strolling with her hands behind her back.

The spiritual spring was still the same, the wellhead as clear as a mirror, without any ripples.

But she had the strange feeling that something had changed in the space, although she couldn’t put her finger on it. It just felt like staying inside made all her pores open, and her whole body felt warm and comfortable.

She also noticed that her five senses seemed to have become much sharper. Even though Ning Xiang and Ning Xue had been speaking softly today, she could hear every word clearly, even though they weren’t very close.

Her sense of smell had also improved. She could now detect scents that she hadn’t been able to before.

She could even vaguely distinguish what seasonings had been added to dishes.

This was amazing.

This was why she always tried to spend time in the space whenever she could.

She also found that, even without drinking the spiritual spring water, just being in the space made her body’s functions continually strengthen.

Xia Tian studied the space for a while. After estimating the time, she exited and lay in bed, wondering what to do next. She couldn’t just keep eating and waiting to die. After a while, she probably wouldn’t be able to stand it.

But before she could think further, she fell fast asleep.

The next day, she greeted the elders again early in the morning.

Just as she had just returned to Jinglan Courtyard, someone came to cause trouble!

Well, she had been feeling bored, but little did she know, some excitement was on the way!