Luo Ning returned to Wenqi Courtyard.
In her previous life, she caused a huge scene. What rightfully belonged to her, when she reclaimed it, instead earned her Cousin a good reputation for being "generous and yielding."
She was always at a disadvantage.
Old Madam's side sent over daily necessities.
The managing old woman was polite and respectful, not daring to slight her in the slightest.
"Do you still want those two second-rank Servant girls you used before?" Her mother, Bai, asked her, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.
"I have people to use now. Qiuhua and Qiulan serve very well, so I'll promote them to second-rank Servant girls. As for the other Servant girls, Cousin is already used to them, how could I take what someone else loves?" Luo Ning said.
— She could also be generous with her words.
Bai was stunned for a moment.
She suppressed her temper and adopted the tone of a kind mother: "A Ning, I truly worry for you. If you act like this, not leaving yourself any room, you'll suffer in the future."
Luo Ning always faced her quietly, with little expression.
Neither mocking nor joyful, but distant and indifferent.
Luo Ning didn't even bother to refute any of her words.
"You'd better look out for yourself, A Ning. A little kindness will eventually run out. Who will protect you then?" Her mother added.
Luo Ning's expression remained unchanged: "Mother, as long as the Marquisate doesn't fall, my kindness will never dissipate. Won't it?"
Bai flicked her sleeves and left.
Old Madam's side sent Luo Ning another managing old woman and two third-rank Servant girls.
This old woman was specifically requested by Luo Ning; she was the wife of the outer courtyard's accountant, and everyone called her Kong Mama.
In her previous life, Kong Mama had taken a hit for Luo Ning and died.
"From now on, Kong Mama will manage all the arrangements in the courtyard, Qiuhua will manage the money, and Qiulan will manage the clothes and jewelry," Luo Ning said.
The two young Servant girls were responsible for daily chores.
Wenqi Courtyard had four main rooms, six side rooms on each side, and a reversed hall. The courtyard was extremely spacious, comparable to Old Madam's West Main Courtyard.
Even better, its location was excellent.
To the front were the East and West Main Courtyards, to the back was the back garden, close to the north side gate of the backyard. It overlooked the entire Marquisate, yet also allowed for independent entry and exit.
When Luo Ning moved in, she wanted the key to the north side gate.
Of course, her mother, Bai, refused to give it.
"What do you need a key for? A young lady of the inner chambers, are you planning to go out through the inner side gate on your own? It's improper," her mother said.
Luo Ning didn't press the issue.
Her mother even specifically added two old women on duty at the north side gate, specifically to guard against Luo Ning.
Luo Ning had just been reborn, and now she had a rather tricky problem: she didn't have much property.
Cousin Bai Cirong was able to gain prestige in the inner residence of the Marquisate, almost replacing Luo Ning as the eldest young lady, because Luo Ning's mother paved the way for her with money and connections.
Her mother's dowry and the Luo Family's original family assets were now all in her mother's hands.
As long as she didn't get into trouble, no one would ask her for an accounting.
And, there was also a very wealthy person outside who provided financial support to her and Bai Cirong.
What they wanted was status.
Bai Cirong transformed from an unknown "Bai Family's legitimate daughter" into a noble lady of Shengjing; the Marquisate was her stepping stone.
They were not short of money.
Luo Ning was.
After settling into her Wenqi Courtyard, Luo Ning had a good night's sleep.
The next day, she went into the palace to visit Empress Dowager.
To return the prayer beads.
"...After going to Fahua Temple, I realized how precious these prayer beads are, and that they are Your Majesty's beloved possession. I return them to their rightful owner, not daring to be greedy," Luo Ning said.
These prayer beads had been with Empress Dowager for decades.
She was willing to give them to Luo Ning; but when Luo Ning returned them, she did not continue to decline.
They were her spiritual solace.
Her smooth sailing was mostly due to the prayer beads giving her support, making her believe that every one of her judgments was correct, and that she was divinely blessed.
"What do you want?" Empress Dowager asked her again, "Empress Dowager wants to repay you."
"His Majesty bestowed a title and a residence, Your Majesty has given too much."
Empress Dowager shook her head: "That was given by His Majesty. He rules the world with filial piety, he is demonstrating his filial piety, it was not given by Empress Dowager."
"Your Majesty, this commoner only asks for one thing," Luo Ning said.
Empress Dowager asked her what she wanted.
"This commoner recuperated in the south, and in my idle time, I learned a bit of divination and numerology from a Daoist priest. This commoner has a prophecy I wish to tell Empress Dowager," Luo Ning said, "I ask Empress Dowager for permission."
"Tell me what it is."
Luo Ning meticulously told Empress Dowager. After listening, Empress Dowager's brows furrowed slightly.
As they were speaking, an inner attendant came in to announce: "Your Majesty, Yong Prince Xiao Huaifeng has arrived."
Luo Ning remained calm.
Yong Prince is Empress Dowager's youngest son.
Eight years later, he would be the new Emperor.
Yong Prince had not yet stepped into the main hall when Luo Ning heard a dog bark.
A huge, entirely black dog ran in first.
Empress Dowager saw it and couldn't help but smile: "Changying General has also come."
She liked this dog very much.
And this dog's appearance was truly terrifying.
Luo Ning, however, was slightly stunned.
She couldn't help but call out "Zhima" in her heart.
When she was a ghost, people couldn't see her, but a dog could.
A huge dog, very fierce, everyone feared it, and it could see Luo Ning.
Luo Ning often played with it.
It would always run out late at night to find Luo Ning and accompany her.
Luo Ning had never seen its owner.
It was so big, but in Luo Ning's heart, it was a little cutie, so she called it "Little Black Zhima."
The palace maids and inner attendants throughout the room all dodged, each one nervous and afraid.
"Mother." A man's voice drifted in, somewhat casual.
Luo Ning had just clearly seen the man when the dog pounced on her.
Empress Dowager was startled, fearing that Changying General would scare Luo Ning to death.
This dog was fierce, with sharp teeth, but it wouldn't bite without a command. However, it had been known to knock down those it disliked. Being scared by it was also common.
The dog approached Luo Ning, sniffing her.
Luo Ning, as usual, raised her hand and gently stroked its head.
The big dog plopped down in front of her, lying on its back, begging for a belly rub.
Empress Dowager: "..."
Yong Prince, who had just entered the hall: "..."
The man's eyes darkened, and his voice became sharp: "Changying!"
The big dog, preparing to enjoy being petted, scrambled up and obediently ran back to the man's feet.
Luo Ning looked up, meeting a pair of deep, dark eyes.
The man's features were handsome, with thin lips and a high nose, but his expression was cold and indifferent, with a hint of ruthlessness hidden in his eyes.
He glanced at Luo Ning, his eyes heavy.
"What method did you use to make this Prince's General so fond of you?" he asked.
Luo Ning stood up and bowed respectfully: "This commoner greets Your Royal Highness."
He scrutinized her.
He drew a little closer, even sniffing, wanting to know what fragrance was so effective on his dog.
He didn't smell anything, just a faint scent of powder.
Vulgar.
He frowned again.
Empress Dowager smiled from the side: "This is Miss Luo, she is the one who took the knife for Empress Dowager."
Only then did Yong Prince say: "Rise."
Luo Ning stood up.
The black dog secretly observed her, inexplicably wanting to get closer; Yong Prince Xiao Huaifeng continued to scrutinize her from the corner of his eye.
Empress Dowager smiled and said: "This dog is very human-like."
She then added, "How did you bring it into the palace? The Censorate will criticize you again."
"They haven't stopped scolding me," Xiao Huaifeng said.
With him here, mother and son had things to discuss, and Luo Ning wanted to excuse herself.
Just then, an inner attendant reported: "Your Majesty, Empress Zheng requests an audience."
Empress Dowager's smile deepened, and she asked the inner attendant to invite Empress Zheng in.
Luo Ning saw Empress Zheng.
Empress Zheng was in her twenties, the prime of a woman's beauty. With moist eyes, dark brows, a upturned nose, cherry lips, and skin like frost and snow, she was tall and graceful.
It was as if all the golden light outside the hall fell upon her, dazzling and captivating.
The finest bone structure, a flawless appearance.
She was the Empress of this dynasty; eight years later, when Yong Prince ascended the throne, she would still be the Empress of the new dynasty.
Despite all the city's gossip, it did not stop the new ruler from defying the world for her.
"This commoner greets Empress Zheng," Luo Ning bowed.
"Are you Miss Luo?" Empress Zheng's voice was pleasant, "Please rise quickly."