The Bai family’s original residence in the capital was just a small courtyard with three sections.

Bai Ruzhu had renovated it in advance, replaced the flowers and plants, and the whole courtyard looked refreshed.

Old Madam Bai took a look around and said with satisfaction, “It seems Zhu’er’s skills in managing the household have improved. Everything looks very good—nothing is lacking.”

“I actually think there’s still something missing,” Madam Fang said with a smile. “Back in Lingchuan, the Bai family only knew ordinary people. But now that we’re in the capital, we will be associating with high officials and nobles. Look at how we’re dressed—it’s like we’re country bumpkins. Look at Tangtang standing next to Yue Niang, there’s just no comparison.”

Bai Ruzhu glanced over and nodded, about to reply.

But Li Zhiyue smiled first and said, “My grandfather served as county magistrate in Lingchuan with a modest monthly salary. If he suddenly wore gold and silver in the capital, wouldn’t the people at the Censorate think he was oppressing the people back home? I think, whatever we wore before, we should continue wearing it. It will also benefit grandfather’s official career.”

“What Yue Niang says is very true, very true,” Bai Yonghua praised, looking at Li Zhiyue admiringly. “I didn’t expect Yue Niang, just a girl, to understand such matters so clearly.”

Madam Fang smiled awkwardly. “But when we return to the capital, we’ll inevitably attend banquets. Isn’t it embarrassing if we look too shabby?”

“You’re mistaken, sister-in-law,” Bai Ruzhu smiled. “For example, Magistrate Cheng from the Court of Justice is a third-rank official, but he still wears patched clothes. I haven’t seen anyone in the capital look down on him.”

Madam Fang frowned. “That can’t be true. A respectable third-rank official wearing patched clothes must be deliberately showing he’s an incorruptible official, just putting on a show.”

Li Zhiyue smiled thinly. “Does your aunt know Magistrate Cheng personally? How can you be sure he’s doing it intentionally?”

Cheng Changyan’s mother was unfortunate in marriage; after a divorce, she settled in the suburbs of the capital with her son and daughter.

She worked hard to raise them.

The Cheng family was indeed poor.

Cheng Changyan had only been an official for two years.

Even if he didn’t spend a penny and saved all his salary, it probably wouldn’t amount to much.

The Cheng family was truly poor, not pretending to be.

“Oh, I was just saying casually,” Madam Fang said. “Tangtang, why are you just standing there like a fool? Didn’t you see your cousin over there? Go and bring him a cup of tea.”

Bai Tang’s face instantly flushed red.

Li Muyun’s expression also instantly turned cold.

He said in a calm voice, “The upcoming imperial exam is soon. I need to go back to study. Uncle, aunt, I’ll take my leave first. After the autumn exam, I’ll come back to make amends.”

He stepped out and left.

Bai Tang gazed at his retreating figure, her earlobes red.

Li Zhiyue sighed.

What a tragic fate.

Madam Fang frowned and looked to Bai Ruzhu for an answer. “The two kids are grown up. Isn’t it time to settle down?”

Bai Ruzhu thought of her daughter’s words.

She didn’t know when, but the pillar of the Xiangyang Marquis household seemed to have become Yue-niang.

Yue Niang managed the inner household.

Yue Niang oversaw the shops and estates outside.

Even in official matters, Yue Niang could offer useful advice.

Whatever Yue Niang said was usually right.

Thinking of this, she smiled and said, “Sister-in-law, don’t rush. The two kids haven’t seen each other for seven or eight years. Let them get to know each other first. If it goes well, we can exchange the formal betrothal letters.”

Madam Fang’s smile faded. “And if it doesn’t go well?”

“Isn’t that obvious?” Bai Yonghua impatiently looked at his wife. “Tell me, how can two people who don’t get along live together for a lifetime?”

“But…” Madam Fang felt wronged, “This was a match made when they were kids. How did it become my fault?”

Bai Tang’s face turned slightly red as she said, “Mother, Aunt is right. We have to get along well to marry. Cousin and I grew up together. Don’t worry, we’ll get along.”

The Bai family took a short break.

While preparing dinner, Li Suifeng and the old master Bai Youtang returned from their official duties.

“Great news, great news!” Li Suifeng was beaming. “Father-in-law has been promoted by the emperor to Director of the Ministry of Works, a fifth-rank official!”

He had also been promoted to this position before for meritorious service.

But that was more like a joke; the job was only overseeing repairs to the palace’s Building Tower for the imperial concubine.

“The emperor has sent father-in-law to repair the water channels in Jizhou and Yuzhou!” Li Suifeng continued. “This is a real important post. If he does well, he’ll be promoted again. This is truly wonderful news!”

Li Zhiyue’s eyelids twitched.

Yes, grandfather had gone to Jizhou to do waterworks, got swept away by floodwaters, and after being rescued, became ill.

Still, he insisted on working despite his illness.

Eventually, her eldest uncle forcibly brought him back to the capital for treatment.

During his three-month illness, he even read books, but sadly, he passed away.

This post was indeed important and a good opportunity to gain experience and promotion.

But that was for officials in their 30s or 40s.

Grandfather, in two years, would be 60.

How could someone his age be on the front line?

That same day, news of the Bai family’s promotions and return to the capital spread throughout the city.

“Old Master Bai repaired the Jizhou and Yuzhou water channels and will probably be promoted to a senior fourth-rank official when he returns.”

“The Bai family is the in-laws of the Xiangyang Marquis household. The Marquis has been promoted twice for meritorious service, and now his in-laws are promoted as well. Looks like the Marquis household is rising again.”

“If the Marquis heir passes the upcoming imperial exam, the household will truly rise again.”

“Ah, rise or not rise, what does it matter? The Marquis household has money. Look at their daily expenses, spending like water. Compared to palace nobles, it’s probably not much different.”

“Right, the Marquis household even built a grand theater. The palace ladies probably haven’t seen such a large stage.”

“Have you heard? The grand theater opens tomorrow, and anyone can come watch the plays.”

“Forget it, don’t get your hopes up. It’s probably like that expensive milk tea nonsense. Us commoners can only watch from outside.”

“You’re wrong. Ordinary seats cost only thirty wen per person. It’s a bit pricey, but we can afford it, right?”

“What? Thirty wen? That’s much cheaper than milk tea!”

“My wife’s birthday is tomorrow. I’ll take her and the kids to see the show!”

“Then hurry up and buy tickets. I heard the line is already outside the city walls!”

“…”

This news spread like wildfire, throughout every street and alley of the capital.

The Li family’s grand theater holds three performances daily—one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the afternoon.

Each play lasts an hour.

Ordinary tickets cost thirty wen, better seats are eighty wen, and private boxes start at five taels of silver, adjusted based on popularity, and are reserved for nobles.

That afternoon, tickets were sold out for two weeks.

Because the price was affordable, this was a carnival for the entire capital.

The theater manager, Old Tian, a son of the Marquis household and also the theater’s steward, was stunned watching piles of copper coins flow in.

He stammered, “Mo Yu, quickly call some people to help count the money!”

Mo Yu was Li Zhiyue’s main maid and also the theater’s accountant.