Chapter 4: The Legitimate Daughter's Rise

“Third Miss, you’ve finally awakened!” As Dan Tai Jing slowly stirred and barely opened her eyes, she saw Su Xin leaning against the edge of the bed, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Dan Tai Jing sighed softly within her heart. Whether in her past life or this one, Su Xin had always been the one by her side.

Feeling somewhat restored, Dan Tai Jing gently curled her lips and placed her pale hand over Su Xin’s, smiling calmly to signal that she was much better and there was no need for her to worry.

“Miss, does your head still hurt? Is there anywhere else that feels uncomfortable? Shall I fetch the doctor?” Su Xin stepped forward happily, helping Dan Tai Jing sit up and asking repeatedly. After a while, hearing no response, she suddenly remembered that Third Miss could no longer speak!

Startled by her slip, Su Xin glanced over and saw Third Miss quietly examining the newly added furnishings in the room, seemingly unaware of her question. Hastily, she explained, “The other day, when you fainted, it was Master himself who carried you back from Qingshuang Study. These furnishings were all brought over from there for your use!”

Su Xin recalled how on the day Third Miss woke from her high fever, she had gestured and written to her and Nurse Xu, instructing them to pack away the few valuable pieces in her room. At the time, Su Xin had been somewhat surprised, but now she realized how clever Third Miss truly was.

When Master Dan Tai arrived at Liruo Courtyard and saw how plain Third Miss’s room was—far simpler than the vibrant peach and willow-themed chambers—he was naturally furious.

“Master casually asked about the few dowry pieces left by the late Madam for Third Miss. Nurse Xu replied that at an award banquet held at the Ye residence, Madam Ye had borrowed those precious vases. But it’s been over three months, and they haven’t been returned yet!” Su Xin teased with a sly grin toward Dan Tai Jing.

Dan Tai Shanchang would never concern himself with such petty household matters. His real worry was what Dan Tai Jing had written on the floor and, more importantly, his own future prospects. Having just been scolded and doubting his advancement, he immediately learned that his daughter had dreamt of something affecting his career. How could he remain calm? Naturally, he was waiting for Dan Tai Jing to regain consciousness so she could clarify everything.

While waiting in Liruo Courtyard, someone was sent to serve tea. But when Dan Tai Shanchang received a tea cup with a chip, he grew angry. No matter what, Dan Tai Jing was the legitimate daughter of the magistrate, yet she was served with utensils not even fit for servants.

Dan Tai Jing’s birth mother, Madam Dong, had brought a substantial dowry. After her passing, all of it rightfully belonged to Dan Tai Jing. Now, the maids at Liruo Courtyard were using such inferior tea cups to serve her. How could Dan Tai Shanchang not be furious? Upon further inquiry, he discovered that Madam Ye’s sister-in-law had deceitfully taken many of Dan Tai Jing’s precious items!

No matter what, Dan Tai Jing’s belongings belonged to the Dan Tai household. Ye was willing to turn a blind eye to her family’s actions because it indirectly supported her natal family!

Dan Tai Shanchang’s fury led him back to Qingshuang Study, where he unleashed a fierce reprimand on Madam Ye, disregarding her embarrassment. He demanded the immediate return of the items, and if the Ye family could not produce them, they would have to compensate in silver.

Madam Ye was so angered she couldn’t even get out of bed. The Ye family was no ordinary household. Madam Ye’s father had been a merchant who purchased a minor official title, allowing her to become a concubine in the Dan Tai clan. Without her brother’s success as a seventh-rank county magistrate and her own business ventures, she would never have risen in status.

But because of their humble origins, the Ye family’s way of conduct could be summarized in one word: stingy.

Madam Ye had long coveted Madam Dong’s dowry, but dared not openly seize it out of respect for the magistrate’s wife’s status and to avoid gossip. So she kept her greed veiled.

Though Dan Tai Shanchang paid little attention to the inner household’s affairs, he was not a negligent lord. If discord disturbed the household and jeopardized his career, he would not hesitate to dismiss her.

Madam Ye’s sister-in-law, Lady Zhao, had taken note of her complaints. Under the pretense of standing up for Madam Ye, she brazenly seized many prized items from Dan Tai Jing, always “borrowing” the finest celadon tea cups, coral ornaments, and vases—never once mentioning their return.

Now that Dan Tai Shanchang ordered these items to be reclaimed from the Ye household, Madam Ye’s face was at stake. Lady Zhao was notoriously insistent and ruthless; if Su Xin went to demand the items, she feared being chased away by a feather duster. Lady Zhao, with her merchant background, cared nothing for Dan Tai Jing’s status as the magistrate’s legitimate daughter.

Su Xin whispered to Dan Tai Jing about the situation at Qingshuang Study, smiling softly, “Madam has been bedridden for two days now. I heard that early this morning, Master went again and said that if the items aren’t returned by tomorrow, Madam will be sent to live at the Ye residence. Our household will not harbor those who betray their own!”

Dan Tai Jing listened quietly. That Dan Tai Shanchang was still tangled in such trivial matters showed that affairs at the magistrate’s office remained unsettled. She vaguely remembered that in her past life, he had spent over a month drowning himself in indulgence before finally finding a way out. It seemed he had yet to turn things around.

Her goal of using Dan Tai Shanchang to change her fate as the legitimate daughter had been achieved. Next, she would secure her position firmly within the household and make Madam Ye fully realize her place: even if she became the principal wife, she was merely a concubine elevated, unable to ever raise her head before Dan Tai Jing, the legitimate eldest daughter.

A faint sound came from the corridor—furtive and secretive. Dan Tai Jing knew it must be Su Yue eavesdropping. Madam Ye likely wanted Su Yue to learn about the dream she had, so she could use it to curry favor with Master.

Dan Tai Jing took Su Xin’s hand and quickly wrote a few words in her palm. At first, Su Xin was surprised, but when Dan Tai Jing playfully stuck out her tongue, Su Xin realized she was overthinking—it was still the twelve-year-old Third Miss in front of her.

Su Xin soon withdrew. Seizing the opportunity, Su Yue entered with a bright smile, greeting Dan Tai Jing and chattering away, hoping to coax her into writing down the details of the dream. She held paper and brush in hand the entire time, eager for any clue.

Unfortunately, Dan Tai Jing looked weary and weak, unable even to sit up, let alone write.

Su Yue’s heart ached in frustration. Just moments ago, she had overheard Dan Tai Jing quietly communicating with Su Xin, but now she wouldn’t even acknowledge her presence.

As Su Yue’s irritation peaked, Nurse Xu brought a bowl of soft millet and longan porridge to feed Dan Tai Jing.

Having gained nothing useful, Su Yue lazily prepared to leave, but Nurse Xu stopped her with a sigh. “Su Yue, please take some porridge to the small kitchen and bring a bowl to Master as well. Now that Madam is the only woman in the house and she is ill, there’s no one to care for him properly. If he goes hungry, that won’t do.”

Suddenly, a small void seemed to open in Su Yue’s heart. How had she never thought that Master still had no son?