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Yi Qinxue wore a face full of surprise. "Ten thousand taels? My goodness, that’s such a huge sum of silver. There’s actually someone betting ten thousand taels that Miss Lin won't pass the first round?"

"Exactly," Li Yingqiu chuckled, covering her mouth. "All the bets in Xinzhou against Miss Lin passing combined don’t add up to as much as this one person’s wager. I really don’t know who’s foolish enough to do this. They’re definitely going to lose everything and hand a fortune over to the gambling house."

Lin Yuejiao smiled gently. "You flatter me, everyone. After all, with the odds being a hundred to one, it’s only natural that someone would want to take a gamble."

"Miss Lin is right," Li Yingqiu replied with a smile. "But wagering a dozen or so taels to test your luck is one thing; betting ten thousand taels is quite another. It really makes one wonder if the bettor is a fool. And with such high odds, does the gambling house even operate at a loss? This person is so shortsighted and foolish; could they be the most foolish in the world?" she teased.

Yi Qinxue nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, absolutely."

Other young ladies chimed in as well. Seeing that Lian Shier was standing silently nearby and not joining the conversation, Li Yingqiu, who was on friendly terms with her, made an effort to ease the tension between her and Lin Yuejiao, smiling as she asked, "Miss Lian, don’t you agree with what I said?"

Li Yingqiu, being the daughter of the magistrate of the Southern Province, often spoke bluntly and could easily offend others, but she meant no harm; she was only trying to be friendly by engaging Lian Shier.

Lian Shier clenched her delicate fists hidden within her sleeves, wishing she could sew Li Yingqiu’s mouth shut, but on her face was a gentle, composed smile. "Indeed," she answered.

"See? Even Miss Lian thinks the bettor is a fool. I wasn’t wrong. It’s just a pity we don’t know who it was. To wager ten thousand taels at once, they must be from a wealthy and prominent family, right?" Li Yingqiu sighed.

Lian Shier felt as if she had been publicly slapped in the face and wished she could sink into the ground in shame.

Yi Qinxue said, "It’s not just any prominent family; even my household couldn’t afford to bet ten thousand taels all at once."

"My family doesn’t have that kind of money to waste either," Li Yingqiu nodded in agreement. The group laughed and speculated about the bettor’s identity, with some subtly suggesting it might be Chi Zhuyi.

Lian Shier listened to their chatter, her embarrassment growing unbearable.

"Wow—"

Unable to stay any longer, Lian Shier flicked her sleeve and turned to leave.

"Hey, Miss Lian, where are you going? We were just talking about everyone passing the first round and planning to celebrate together at the tavern. Why are you leaving alone?" Li Yingqiu asked, surprised and confused.

Lin Yuejiao also felt puzzled; Lian Shier’s mood had seemed off.

However, Lin Yuejiao paid it no mind, smiling lightly. "I should return home to share the good news. Grandmother is waiting for my sister and me for lunch, so I won’t be joining you all to celebrate. After the second round of exams ends, we’ll meet again at the Qiongfeng Banquet hosted by Chao Huang to drink and celebrate together."

Though Lin Yuejiao declined the invitation to celebrate with them, her words were so elegantly spoken that Li Yingqiu and the others did not feel slighted but rather at ease.

Because the Qiongfeng Banquet hosted by Chao Huang only invited the top one hundred ranked contestants after the second round.

By inviting them to the Qiongfeng Banquet, Lin Yuejiao showed she still held them in some regard.

"Then we’ll take Miss Lin’s good wishes to heart. No wonder Master Yu, such a stubborn old traditionalist, also gave Miss Lin a badge. Only after meeting Miss Lin in person did he realize the rumors were inaccurate. Miss Lin’s demeanor truly deserves the seven carved ivory bamboo badges she received," Li Yingqiu said with a smile.

After Lin Yuejiao and her sisters left the Chao Huang Academy, news had already reached the Lin Residence, where lanterns and decorations were set up in celebration. The matriarch herself stood at the door awaiting their return.

"Grandmother, you’re still ill. Why are you standing out in the wind waiting for us? It should be us who pay respects to you," Lin Yuejiao said with a gentle smile as she approached the matriarch.

The matriarch’s face was radiant with joy, her happiness overflowing. "Hearing the news of your success has cured my illness. Yuejiao, you truly brought honor to our Lin family and gave your grandmother a wonderful surprise."

"You flatter me, Grandmother," Lin Yuejiao replied modestly, then glanced toward Jing Mingge and her son standing nearby.

It was rare for the matriarch to summon them both.

Jing Mingge looked at her with tear-filled eyes, overwhelmed with emotion. He tried to say something but could only cover his mouth and turn away shyly, not wanting her to see his tears.

Lin Yuejiao’s heart warmed and tingled with emotion. She knew her grandmother’s joy was mixed with concern for the family’s interests, but the woman silently standing by her side was genuinely happy without any ulterior motives.

Lin Yixing, however, excitedly took a few steps and leapt onto Lin Yuejiao’s lap. "Sister, you’re amazing! Yixing is so proud of you!"

"Yixing," Lin Yuejiao crouched down and embraced him, warmth filling her heart.

Mother, brother, now that I have achieved some success to share with you and see you proud of me, it brings me immense joy.

In her previous life, even though she had attained the noble position of Crown Princess, no one genuinely rejoiced for her. What good is standing at the highest place when it’s so lonely at the top?

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Lin Yuejiao’s greatest happiness in this life was having her loved ones by her side. To protect this family, she vowed to grow stronger step by step, allowing no one to harm her kin.

"Come inside quickly. The table is set with a feast, waiting for your return," the matriarch said, her cheeks flushed with happiness.

Lin Yuejiao and the others entered the main hall, where a large table was laden with dishes and wine. Except for Qian Yaoxian, who was bedridden recovering from injuries, everyone else at the Lin Residence was present, including Lin Yuejiao’s two elder uncles.

"Yuejiao, I was blind to be deceived by those wicked maids and to have misunderstood your mother," Yi Hanbing said as she approached Lin Yuejiao. Her cheeks were still red, bearing the marks of two slaps. She looked apologetic. "Only today did I realize that the case involving five thousand taels was entirely fabricated by those maids. The steward in charge of purchasing for the West Fourth Courtyard embezzled five thousand taels. When the matter was exposed, he bribed the accountant to frame my sister-in-law. I was deceived by those maids and wronged my sister-in-law. I deserve death for this."

After news of Lin Yuejiao’s first-place ranking in the first round of this year’s selection reached the matriarch, she immediately reopened the case for Jing Mingge and ordered Yi Hanbing to apologize to the third household.

Lin Yuejiao glanced at her grandmother, seeing the kind smile on her face and knowing she was showing goodwill. She looked at Yi Hanbing coolly. "You say it was a misunderstanding, yet it nearly got my mother punished by the bamboo plank. If not for Grandmother’s protection, my mother’s hand would have been beyond saving. Now you casually dismiss it as a misunderstanding? Do you think this is something to brush aside so lightly?"

"You…" Yi Hanbing’s expression changed, and she was about to lose her temper, but seeing the matriarch’s and her husband’s attitude just now, even the fool could tell the family’s mood had shifted.

"Second daughter-in-law, you’ve made such a huge mess and are so useless. I think you should stop managing the household and rest at home," the matriarch shot her a disapproving glance, clearly displeased with her attitude.

"Grandmother," Yi Hanbing’s face turned pale, truly panicking now.

The matriarch looked kindly at Lin Yuejiao. "Yuejiao, when you marry into your husband’s family and become mistress of the house, managing the household is a skill you must learn. For now, you shall be the lady of the Lin Residence and gain experience."

The matriarch’s support for Lin Yuejiao was well known to all.

Yi Hanbing finally realized that if she did not act, she would lose all influence in the Lin Residence.

"Smack! Smack!" Yi Hanbing slapped herself twice, tears welling in her eyes as she grasped Lin Yuejiao’s hand. "Yuejiao, it was all my fault before. I have worked hard for the Lin family for years, but I was careless and wrongfully accused you. You were punished and nearly faced the bamboo plank. Now I have severely beaten the steward and the accountant who framed you, and they have been punished in your stead. I have also been stripped of my steward duties by Grandmother, which I accept. I only hope you will not resent me or blame the servants of the second household."

Tears streamed down Yi Hanbing’s face. "If Yuejiao cannot forgive me, I will kneel."

Seeing Yi Hanbing about to kneel, Lin Yuejiao quickly raised her hands to stop her.

Yi Hanbing thought Lin Yuejiao, as her junior, would never let her kneel and would help her up.

But to her surprise, Lin Yuejiao deliberately let her slip just a little, and so when Yi Hanbing pretended to kneel, she actually thudded firmly onto the ground.

"Second daughter-in-law, you’ve really surprised me. Such a grand gesture," Lin Yuejiao said, feigning shock as she quickly looked to her grandmother. "Grandmother, look at this. For a junior like me, this is quite a heavy burden..."

In truth, she was secretly delighted.

Lin Yuejiao was a woman who never forgot a grudge.

Yi Hanbing tried to harm her mother; how could she let it go so easily?

"Second daughter-in-law, this is going too far with so many people watching," the matriarch said, amused by Yi Hanbing’s shamelessness.

Yi Hanbing did not expect she would really kneel before Lin Yuejiao, but since it had come to this, she played the part fully, looking deeply remorseful. "If Yuejiao does not forgive me, I will remain kneeling. Yuejiao will be the mistress of our Lin family’s back courtyard in the future. I don’t mind, but I hope you won’t bear any ill will against the second household."

"Second daughter-in-law, you speak too seriously. I have no grudge against you, and you don’t need my forgiveness. Apologizing to me is the wrong target," Lin Yuejiao smiled faintly.

Yi Hanbing’s heart sank, knowing Lin Yuejiao was holding out for an apology to Jing Mingge.

But on her face was still full of remorse as she took Jing Mingge’s hand, almost falling to her knees. Her voice was plaintive. "Sister-in-law, it’s all my fault. I misunderstood you. I was careless, blind, and foolishly deceived. I beg you to forgive me for the sake of our family."

"Sister-in-law, please get up. I didn’t mind this matter, and it’s not entirely your fault," Jing Mingge said, startled. She quickly helped Yi Hanbing up, but Yi Hanbing rose before Lin Yuejiao could say anything.

Jing Mingge was still bewildered by the whole scene and looked to Lin Yuejiao for guidance.

Lin Yuejiao smiled softly. Her mother was simply too kind and gentle, unable to withstand Yi Hanbing’s show of humility.

"Second daughter-in-law, please get up," Lin Yuejiao helped Yi Hanbing up, smiling. "We are all family; there’s no need to hold grudges."

Then Lin Yuejiao looked to her grandmother. "Grandmother’s proposal earlier—I’m afraid I cannot accept it so lightly. Second daughter-in-law has worked hard for the Lin family for many years. A small oversight led to her being stripped of duties, which surely worries everyone in the second household. The Lin family still needs her to continue managing things."

It wasn’t that she was pleading on Yi Hanbing’s behalf, but after so many years running the second household, even if Yi Hanbing relinquished her authority over the South Fourth Courtyard, Lin Yuejiao couldn’t take it over herself.

It would be like an outsider suddenly taking charge of the You Ran Garden; Iris and Camellia would never accept it.

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"Yuejiao, you’ve thought this through carefully. But the second daughter-in-law made a mistake and must be punished," the matriarch nodded, frowning at Yi Hanbing. "In light of Yuejiao’s plea, you shall only relinquish your steward duties over the West Fourth Courtyard. The South Fourth Courtyard remains yours. Your reckless nature needs tempering; in the future, don’t meddle in matters that aren’t yours to manage."

"Yes, yes..." Yi Hanbing finally exhaled in relief and quickly agreed.

Lin Yuejiao smiled gently. "Second daughter-in-law is busy and bound to make some mistakes. If she had a capable assistant to help her, there wouldn’t be any worries about incidents like this happening again."

"Yuejiao speaks wisely. But since Xu’er was exiled to Shuiyue Nunnery, the second household no longer has anyone suitable," the matriarch sighed.

Yi Hanbing looked wary. What did Lin Yuejiao mean by that? On the surface, she was magnanimous, but in truth, she wanted to plant someone in the second household.

"My mother’s steward experience is shallow, which allowed the lower stewards to bully her. If she could learn some experience by working alongside second daughter-in-law..." Lin Yuejiao spoke as if she intended to place Jing Mingge in the second household.

Yi Hanbing immediately cut her off. "Sister-in-law is fully capable of managing the West Fourth Courtyard. If she were to assist me, that would be condescending. If she doesn’t understand something, she can ask me anytime—I won’t keep anything from her. The matriarch and Yuejiao are right; I do need someone by my side. Lan’er has been diligent recently, so I will promote her to steward."

Then she played the family card, her eyes red. "Now that Xu’er is gone, all my maternal affection must be poured into Lan’er."

"Lan’er?" The matriarch’s gaze fell on the young woman standing properly to the side.

"There’s never been a precedent for a concubine’s daughter to become steward in the Lin family," Lin Changge cleared his throat.

Lin Yuejiao smiled lightly. "Indeed, there hasn’t been. But now the Lin family only has the three of us sisters left. Zi Jin and I must go to Chao Huang Academy, so besides Lan’er and second daughter-in-law, there is no one else to manage the household. Or perhaps Grandmother and elder uncle think it better to have the concubines manage matters?"

"That would only cause chaos," the matriarch shook her head. Considering the current state of the Lin family, there really was no one else. She sighed, "Well, let Lan’er assist the second daughter-in-law for now."

Lin Xuelan quickly bowed. "Granddaughter thanks Grandmother for her kindness and thanks my birth mother and fourth sister for their favor. I will work diligently and not disappoint Grandmother, birth mother, or fourth sister."

The matriarch smiled. "She’s quite clever and obedient."

Yi Hanbing didn’t question why Lin Yuejiao spoke up for Lin Xuelan, since Lin Xuelan had already shown loyalty to Yi Hanbing while maintaining a friendly front with Lin Yuejiao.

"The West Fourth Courtyard will be entrusted to the third daughter-in-law. If the stewards there are sly and deceitful, you can deal with them," the matriarch told Jing Mingge.

Jing Mingge was reluctant to accept, knowing her power was already hollowed out and she was vulnerable to being framed.

Before she could reply, the matriarch looked at Lin Yuejiao. "Your mother and second daughter-in-law each manage one courtyard, which is enough work. Your eldest aunt is still recovering. With so many affairs falling on me, you cannot neglect your grandmother’s worries. From now on, Yuejiao, you will be the head lady of the Lin family, overseeing all sixteen courtyards."

The power once held by Qian Yaoxian was now fully transferred to Lin Yuejiao.

"Grandmother, I am still young and dare not take on such a heavy responsibility..." Lin Yuejiao said, surprised by the matriarch’s favor.

The matriarch took her hand encouragingly. "Don’t worry. Be bold and handle things. Grandmother will support you."

"Grandmother..." Lin Yuejiao looked at her, lips pressed together. "I won’t let you down. But you must lend me Zi Jin as my assistant. Otherwise, managing the vast Lin Residence will be overwhelming."

The matriarch laughed even more joyfully. "Very well. Zi Jin learning from you will put my mind at ease."

The matriarch was truly impressed by Lin Yuejiao’s knack for including Lin Zi Jin in her plans despite her newfound authority. The Lin family had indeed produced a prodigy.

After leaving the main hall, Jing Mingge said, "Yuejiao, I thought you wanted me to manage the South Fourth Courtyard with second daughter-in-law. I definitely couldn’t do that..."

"I knew second daughter-in-law wouldn’t allow anyone from the third household to interfere. I only mentioned it casually," Lin Yuejiao smiled.

Her main intention was to support Lin Xuelan.

Mother and daughter walked back laughing together. Jing Mingge asked with concern, "Yuejiao, you mustn’t be arrogant or complacent. You’ve only passed seven rounds. The Chao Huang selection requires passing eight. What do you plan to take for the last exam? As long as you pass, I’ll be relieved."

Lin Yuejiao’s lips curved upward. The six major arts—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, and cooking—were the talents most young ladies studied. She had already earned three badges.

As for the remaining three, she had no intention of attempting them.

In the third round, she would choose one minor art to focus on.