Chapter 3: Time-Traveled into the Marquis of Wu’an’s Mansion—Best Friends Become Sisters-in-Law

“Say, how come the difference is so huge when the First Madam and Second Madam married into the house at the same time?”

“Exactly! The First Madam had a grand procession stretching ten miles, with a full hundred wedding chests. The Second Madam only had a dozen or so—compared to that, it really is downright shabby.”

Yun Ruoxi was still groggy from sleep. In a daze, she vaguely heard someone talking, but couldn’t make out the words clearly.

She tried hard to open her eyes and see what was going on. After a great struggle, she finally managed to crack her eyelids open a sliver, though it felt like her eyelids weighed a thousand pounds.

What she saw was a blinding expanse of red—carved wooden canopy bed, embroidered quilt, gauzy curtains—all in a vivid, dazzling red.

Before she could even figure out what was happening, a shrill voice rang out from outside, rebuking harshly:

“You two little wretches! Just a few days without discipline and you’re already getting bold—how dare you gossip about your mistress? Each of you will be docked half a month’s wages. If it happens again, you’d better watch your hides!”

The two little maidservants gossiping outside the window went pale in fright and responded with trembling voices, “Yes, ma’am,” then fled in panic.

Just then, the door creaked open with a soft squeak, and the sound of footsteps drew near. A gentle voice sounded beside the bed: “First Madam, it’s getting late. Time to get up.”

Yun Ruoxi quickly pretended to have just woken up. Dazed, she asked, “What time is it?”

But the moment she opened her mouth, even she was startled—this wasn’t how she normally spoke at all.

She looked up and saw a kind-faced old woman standing respectfully by her side.

“Replying to Madam, it’s already the hour of Chen. The people at Ronghui Hall are still waiting for you to come pay respects.”

Though Yun Ruoxi was full of reluctance, she knew she couldn’t get out of it. All she could do was sigh helplessly and slowly sit up.

At that moment, with a wave of the old woman’s hand, the maids waiting outside streamed in, skillfully helping her wash and dress.

Yun Ruoxi let them fuss over her, while a strange feeling crept over her—there were memories in her mind that didn’t belong to her.

As those memories gradually grew clearer, she came to understand her current situation.

This was a fictional dynasty—the 263rd year of the Daye reign. The original owner of this body was also named Yun Ruoxi, and she was now the First Madam of the Marquis of Wu’an’s household.

The person who had spoken just now was her husband’s old nursemaid, now the head maid of this courtyard—everyone called her Nanny Fang.

According to the memories, the original Yun Ruoxi had lived a pampered life, doted on by both family and husband. Her days were carefree and smooth.

By all logic, transmigrating into this body should have been a stroke of luck.

But Yun Ruoxi couldn’t even muster a smile, because after going through the original host’s memories, she confirmed one thing—she had transmigrated into a book.

The very same book she had just been reading with her best friend before transmigrating—The Stunningly Favored Concubine.

And she had become the story’s vicious supporting female character, who ended up dead with not even her corpse intact.

Tragic. Absolutely tragic.

To make matters worse, according to the book, the Marquis of Wu’an would soon be convicted of embezzling disaster relief funds from the northwest. Within a week, his household would be raided, and the whole family exiled. She wouldn’t even have a few peaceful days left.

Yun Ruoxi’s heart clenched. She didn’t know whether her storage space had transmigrated with her—that space held her entire wealth!

She quickly shut her eyes and focused, entering into meditation.

Soon, she sensed that familiar dimension in her consciousness.

Thank goodness—the space was still there!

But there were too many people around to check inside. For now, knowing it existed was enough—she could explore it later.

By now, the four maids had already finished dressing her up with practiced efficiency.

Yun Ruoxi instinctively glanced toward the mirror, wanting to see what she looked like after being dolled up.

But when she lifted her head, all she saw in the bronze mirror was a blurry reflection, not even clear enough to make out her features.

She shook her head, resigned. Guess she’d expected too much from ancient mirrors.

Lightly resting her hand on one of the maid’s arms, she slowly got to her feet, and the group began heading toward Ronghui Hall.

As they passed through the garden of the Marquis’s residence, they happened to encounter another group of people.

From their attire, Yun Ruoxi guessed that this was the Second Madam—Mu Ruxue—who had married into the household on the same day as her.

That name… Mu Ruxue. The same as her best friend’s. Could it be…?

As the two groups met face-to-face, Mu Ruxue’s expression showed clear reluctance. She gave a shallow curtsy and said, “Good morning, Sister-in-law.”

Good morning?

Yun Ruoxi’s heart skipped a beat—that phrase definitely sounded like something a modern person would say.

Her suspicion instantly deepened, and her tone became more cautious. “No need to stand on ceremony, Sister-in-law. Now that we’ve both married into the family, naturally we should be closer than outsiders.”

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out in Yun Ruoxi’s mind:

“Ugh, seriously? Woke up to find myself in this damned place, and now I have to get up early to pay respects? Give me a break.”

Startled, Yun Ruoxi glanced around, but no one had opened their mouth to speak.

Right after that, Mu Ruxue’s actual voice followed:

“Sister-in-law is absolutely right. Let’s hurry along and greet the elders—we mustn’t keep them waiting.”

“Hurry my ass. I just want to go back to sleep. And who knows where that damn Yun Ruoxi ended up.”

At that moment, Yun Ruoxi was certain: she could hear her best friend’s inner thoughts.

Not only had they both transmigrated into this world, they’d even ended up as sisters-in-law!

The anxious weight in Yun Ruoxi’s heart suddenly lifted. She thought to herself, No matter what hardships this world throws at us, as long as Mu Ruxue is here, I’m not afraid.

But with so many people around, now was clearly not the right time to reveal the truth. She would have to wait for a better opportunity.

Each lost in her own thoughts, the two of them walked side by side toward Ronghui Hall.

Neither spoke the whole way. The silence was a little stifling.

When they finally arrived at the entrance of Ronghui Hall, the senior maid standing at the door quickly went in to announce their arrival.

Once they were granted entry, the two sisters-in-law stepped into the main hall together.

“Your granddaughter-in-laws Yun Ruoxi and Mu Ruxue pay respects to Grandmother. May you be blessed with peace and health,” they said in unison, bowing with proper decorum, their voices crisp and pleasant.

Hearing Yun Ruoxi’s name, Mu Ruxue’s eyes lit up. Could it be…?

Yun Ruoxi caught her gaze and gave a subtle nod in return—an unspoken confirmation.

Confirmed: that’s my ‘dog’ friend, no doubt about it.

The realization that her best friend had become her sister-in-law made Mu Ruxue’s smile slowly morph into something a little… mischievous.

The elderly matron seated at the head of the hall looked them over with a pleased expression. Her face softened into a benevolent smile. “Xi Xi and Xiao Xue are both such lovely girls. It brings me joy just to look at you.”

Yun Ruoxi smiled politely. “If Grandmother doesn’t mind, Xiao Xue and I can come every day to chat and keep you company.”

“Oh please, Yun Ruoxi’s still the same little schemer. If you want to suck up to the old lady, don’t drag me into it. Damn you, you sneaky snake.”

Hearing Mu Ruxue’s internal rant nearly made Yun Ruoxi burst into laughter. It took everything she had to hold it in, and even so, her face turned slightly red from the effort.

Mu Ruxue clenched her molars and forced out a smile. “Sister-in-law is right. We’ll make sure to come and talk with Grandmother often.”

“Good, good! You’re both good girls. Come closer, let Grandmother have a proper look at you,” the old lady said warmly, beckoning them forward.

The two stepped up and sat beside her.

In no time, Ronghui Hall was filled with cheerful conversation and laughter.

The old lady looked at her two granddaughters-in-law with growing fondness. On a whim, she slipped off a pair of emerald bangles from her own wrists and handed them to Yun Ruoxi and Mu Ruxue.

Just then, a voice with a hint of bitterness drifted in from outside the room:

“Well, Mother, you’re really playing favorites. Back when we married into the marquis household, we eyed those bracelets for ages. And now you’re just handing them straight to these two girls?”

Yun Ruoxi and Mu Ruxue exchanged a glance, the same flash of wariness passing through both their eyes…