The second case can be regarded as a half martyr who died in the line of duty, yet ended up in such a situation; even the underworld institutions should promote integrity and combat corruption

Hmph! What am I afraid of? I am already betrothed, and my mother is in the presence of the matriarch, having long since left the household to stay in the estate. The other day, my parents sought a favor from the matriarch. This time, as my lord is being promoted to Dengzhou, I will not be accompanying him. Instead, I will stay in the estate to help with some tasks, and then I will no longer have to deal with these troublesome matters.

Yao Yiyi buried her small, dumpling-like body in a pile of cushions, her short limbs spread out in a star shape, her expression vacant and listless. Ever since arriving in this world, Yao Yiyi had been in a state of wandering spirit. She turned her little head, surveying the room around her. It resembled an ancient room she had seen on television, featuring a round table with a ruyi design. Yao Yiyi could not discern the type of wood, but its luster was excellent, clearly indicating it was of good quality. Against the wall stood a carved wooden cabinet, the patterns faintly resembling the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, along with several low tables and round stools.

The maid Cui C let out a few short, cold laughs and fell silent.

In fact, Yao Yiyi is not pursuing the potential promotion opportunity a year later; she simply feels that her life is too rigid and follows a predetermined path set by the state. She completed elementary school, middle school, and university, then entered the workforce, and plans to marry and have children in the future, living her entire life in a structured environment. While this life is certainly comfortable, it lacks the essential experiences of life. She hopes to travel to different places, to see and understand the people from worlds different from her own.

"If you ask me, Aunt Lin is also being unreasonable; why must she compete with Aunt Wei? How can Aunt Wei compare to her? It's just like Aunt Ping and Aunt Xiang; simply ignoring her would suffice," the maid D sighed.

"These few are the most capable of Aunt Wei, and they usually have a very good relationship with her. Naturally, they must be driven away; otherwise, if the master inquires later and uncovers something, what shall we do?" said the maid Cui C.

She was alone in the room, able to stretch her legs whenever she wanted, or lie down like a frog, which actually helped her recover emotionally in the early stages after the transition. After that old lady left, the maids and servants immediately improved their service, placing some snacks and food on the table, and the teapot was filled with tea. Just yesterday, they had even set out a basin of fresh grapes soaked in water. What was even more considerate was that they arranged several stools of varying heights according to Yao Yiyi's height and build, forming a staircase-like structure that made it convenient for her to climb up and down—then, they went out to play again.

The yard fell into silence once more, and Yao Yiyi nodded; this girl was quite perceptive and spoke directly to the point

Sister Cui, you are indeed fortunate; your mother and several brothers are capable individuals. Once you leave the residence, you will surely have blessings to enjoy. However, I wonder where our sisters will go. It seems this small courtyard is about to disperse, and I do not know where our young lady will end up

This language, for us modern individuals, can be understood, yet may not be spoken fluently.

Regarding language, whether reading "Dream of the Red Chamber" or other vernacular novels, one will discover a language known as "Guanhua". At that time, Mandarin was not widely popularized, so how did officials from various regions communicate after taking office? For example, in my university dormitory, there were eight sisters from several different places, including Wenzhou dialect, Hunan dialect, and a dialect from Quzhou, which I absolutely could not understand. Comrade Hai Rui was from Hainan, and it is said that the Hainan dialect is not any easier to understand than Javanese. So what did his superiors and colleagues do? Use sign language? To address this difficulty, the early form of Mandarin, "Guanhua", gradually emerged.

It turns out that the maid Cui C has already found a way out, no wonder she is so unrestrained, thought Yao Yiyi

Sheng Minglan's biological father, who is also the head of the Sheng family, is named Sheng Hong. He is a two-time successful candidate in the imperial examinations and currently holds the official rank of Zheng Liu Pin, soon to be promoted to the governor of Dengzhou. He was originally born of a concubine, and the old lady in the west courtyard is his legitimate mother. He has one wife and several concubines. Do not ask how many concubines Yao Yiyi has, as those young girls tell stories in a rather disorganized manner, and she herself is not very clear about it.

The maid Cui C said in a low voice, "Hmph! Although we are merely third-class maids, we are not blind. On the day when Lady Wei was in labor, she clearly cried out in pain at the first watch of the day. Sister Die was in a hurry to go to Lady Lin to ask for a midwife, but why did that midwife not arrive until nearly the fourth watch? There are quite a few women in the household who know how to assist in childbirth; how is it that they all happened to be on leave during those days? When Lady Wei could no longer endure the pain, Sister Die was anxiously asking for clean cloths and boiling water. How come we were either called to fetch someone or sent running errands? At such a critical moment, there was not a single person in the courtyard who could be of use. You must know that the master and mistress had left several days prior, and the old lady in the west courtyard does not handle affairs. All matters, big and small, in the household are decided by Lady Lin. What do you think this indicates?! Heaven has eyes; the master suddenly had official business and returned to the residence a few days earlier. He just saw Lady Wei take her last breath and asked Sister Die a few questions, then immediately flew into a rage. If he had returned a few days later, I fear that everything would have been cleaned up by Lady Lin, and nothing would have been discovered!"

To speak of the concubines, the first to mention is undoubtedly the renowned Lin Yiniang (let's welcome her with flowers and applause). Although she shares the surname Lin, she is far superior to Sister Daiyu in more ways than one; their capabilities are simply not on the same level, akin to the distance between Ye Yuqing and Wang Zuxian. Sister Daiyu, despite having her grandmother's protection and her father's wealth, ultimately meets a tragic end, while look at Lin Yiniang, who entered the Sheng family in a humble state and built a semi-feudal, semi-colonial society into a nascent developed nation. She successfully transformed from poverty to a moderately prosperous society, astonishingly surpassing the achievements of the reform and opening-up era. This Lady Lin has one son and one daughter, Mr. Sheng Changfeng and Miss Sheng Molan, their ages unspecified, likely falling between those of Sheng Changbai and Sheng Rulan.

After marriage, the Wang family had a daughter, Miss Sheng Hualan, who is at an age suitable for courtship. Their eldest son, Mr. Sheng Changbai, is around the age of a primary school graduate. Additionally, there is a younger daughter, Sheng Rulan, who seems to be of a similar age to Yao Yiyi in her current state.

This morning, I heard from Laofu, who is close to the master, that a decree came down the day before yesterday. Our master has been promoted to the position of governor and will be going to Dengzhou to take office at the end of the month. These past few days, Aunt Lin has been in a flurry, hurriedly trying to liquidate some shops so that she can take everything with her when the time comes

After these words were spoken, the courtyard fell into silence, interrupted only by a few long sighs. Classmate Yao Yiyi gently exhaled, changed her posture, and waited to hear the second half. After a while, a maid said, "But in these past ten days, I have not seen the master lose his temper. He has merely moved to the study, and Concubine Lin is still perfectly fine. In the master's heart, Concubine Lin is certainly more important than Concubine Wei."

A once-dependable illegitimate daughter, who now seems to have lost her wits, sits there dazed and unable to speak. Naturally, the servants pay her no mind. Moreover, the recent chaos in the Sheng residence, with everyone either busy moving or sorting out money, has left the older women and the housekeeper's wives with no time to supervise the young maids. Most of these maids are born into the household, not very old, yet they are well aware of the family matters. These third-rate maids are already lax in their rules and never shy away from gossiping during their idle chatter. This has inadvertently benefited Yao Yiyi, who has spent the past ten days listening to the trivialities of the Sheng residence as if it were a continuous drama.

Initially, Mandarin was spoken only by officials; later, it began to be used by the women in their social interactions. Subsequently, servants in the households of officials and gentry were also required to speak Mandarin, so that they could serve their masters more conveniently

The political centers of ancient China were mostly located in the north (with the exception of the Southern Song Dynasty). Particularly during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the northern capital region became even more significant. As a result, a common official language known as "Guanhua" was formed by blending the Beijing dialect with other easily comprehensible dialects. To hold an official position, one must first learn to speak Guanhua

It seems there are also Aunt Ping and Aunt Xiang, among whom Aunt Xiang has a son named Sheng Changdong, whose age remains unknown; as for the other aunts without children, Yao Yiyi is not aware of them. Please do not blame Yao Yiyi for her somewhat passive attitude towards this time travel, as her experience of time travel has indeed been rather unfortunate.

"Little hoof, you think too highly of yourself. Let me tell you, Aunt Lin is not an easy person to deal with," Yao Yiyi coldly replied, recognizing the voice of maid C. "At first, she was fine when she just entered, but after giving birth to Feng Ge'er, she subtly drove out several qualified maids and matrons. My mother, Aunt Lai, and Cui Xi's sister and mother—do you know why? It is precisely because these people had seen her in her destitute and miserable state before!"

The work of the court is entirely different from what is portrayed in Hong Kong dramas. In court, Yao Yiyi does not need to speak or pass judgment; apart from continuously recording evidence, she can almost be considered an invisible person. However, her name will appear on the final judgment. The matters she handles most frequently involve dividing family assets and contesting inheritances, which has left her young heart weathered by the trials of life.

"Ah! Is what my sister said true? Is Aunt Lin really that formidable?" The maid E, who wishes to be transferred, was quite surprised

The maid E responded: "That is only natural; otherwise, how could the master be so fond of her, disregarding the lady's dignity and the rules of the household? Although the old lady is not pleased, she is too lazy to intervene. Moreover, she is quite capable, having both sons and daughters, which naturally gives her a strong position. Alas, it seems our courtyard is no longer viable. When Concubine Wei was here, it was still bearable, as the master would often visit. Now that Concubine Wei is gone, it has become immediately desolate. We do not know where we sisters will be placed. It would be great if we could go to Concubine Lin's place; it is said that the sisters there have better food, clothing, and monthly allowances than elsewhere."

"It is said that he was an exceptionally handsome young man, with features identical to the master; it is truly pitiful that he was suffocated in the womb. Alas... it is a cruel fate." Maid B said in a very soft voice, "Even if the matter is investigated, what difference will it make? The master surely won't demand that Concubine Lin and the *Tu* book pay with their lives. Considering the faces of Feng Ge'er and Mo Gu niang, nothing significant can be done, except to vent some anger on a few servants."

After graduating from XX University of Political Science and Law, Yao Yiyi took the civil service examination, overcoming numerous challenges and finally succeeded in securing a position at a local court close to home. This stable job made her close female classmates envious. The court is composed of the Filing Division, Criminal Division, Civil Division, Review Division, and Execution Bureau. Yao Yiyi was fortunate to be noticed by an elderly woman enthusiastic about forming a team of female clerks, and she was appointed as a clerk in the busiest Civil Division.

For instance, Cao Xueqin's family worked in the Jiangning Weaving Bureau for several decades, and the entire family lived in Jiangnan for such a long time. However, the language spoken within the Cao residence was still the Beijing dialect, and they did not learn the melodious Wu dialect. Therefore, regardless of where an official was transferred, whether to Shandong or Quanzhou, the women in the inner quarters spoke in a similar manner

"Changing to a new master, I wonder if there will be a concubine like Aunt Wei who is so easy to talk to. She is a kind-hearted person and has never shown us a harsh face. That year when my sister was ill, she even rewarded me with a few taels of silver." said Maid A

After finishing the drink, she climbed back into bed in the same order as before. Suddenly, she felt a lingering fragrance in her mouth and thought dully, oh, today it’s not just plain water, it has turned into tea, and it seems to be good tea.

When we read traditional novels, we find that wealthy families, upon purchasing young maids and servants, must first train them before putting them to use. A crucial aspect of this training involves teaching them how to speak.

Have you watched the "Court No. 1" series of Hong Kong dramas? With sharp exchanges and back-and-forth dialogues, filled with love, hate, and complex relationships, what a challenging workplace it is. Do you see that beautiful woman in a lawyer's robe? No, no, Yao Yiyi is not that lawyer. Do you see the upright judge in front of the lawyer? No, no, Yao Yiyi is not qualified for that yet. Please shift your gaze downward; to the lower right of the judge, there is a guy engrossed in typing. Yes, Yao Yiyi is a proud court clerk of the People's Court.

In the outdoor courtyard, the sound of conversation wafted through the air, and Yao Yiyi could hear it clearly without straining her ears. In recent days, the atmosphere in the Sheng residence has been tumultuous, and the maids in this quiet little courtyard have perked up, vigorously engaging in their gossiping endeavors.

After being the women's director for over ten years, Yao's mother immediately wanted to take her daughter to the hospital for a brain check upon hearing her decision. Her capable brother, who is striving for a career in the big city, shouted loudly over the phone. Only Yao's father, who works in a government unit, held lofty ideals and believed that his daughter was very idealistic and moral. After carefully analyzing the pros and cons of her decision, Yao's mother finally calmed down.

Yao Yiyi's immediate superior, an elderly woman, was just one step away from being promoted to a deputy department-level official. Therefore, Yao gritted her teeth and decided to go. However, the other girls in the office were unwilling; those without boyfriends were eager to find one, while those with boyfriends were busy keeping tabs on them. No one was willing to go. At this moment, Yao Yiyi stepped forward, and the elderly woman was immediately moved to tears.

Approximately so, please do not delve too deeply; if you must investigate, please remain calm

Yao Yiyi felt a bit thirsty, so she got out of bed barefoot. In the south, it is customary to use wooden boards for flooring, so walking barefoot on the floor did not feel cold. She approached the round table and saw a small stool and a slightly taller round stool placed underneath. Yao Yiyi found it quite amusing. She stepped onto the small stool and then climbed onto the round stool, steadily reaching the table. She dragged over a heavy teapot and began to drink from it, making gurgling sounds as she poured it into a cup and read a book.

You wouldn't know this, but how can Aunt Ping and Aunt Xiang compare to our Aunt Wei? Although Aunt Wei may not understand poetry or painting, she is certainly not a lowly maid; she was brought in with proper decorum. Moreover, Aunt Wei is exceptionally beautiful and young, and she has been quite attentive since entering the household. The master has shown her much favor, and she has already given birth to a daughter. If she were to have a son, she would not be any less than Aunt Lin. What a pity...

Sister Cui, please keep your voice down; if you are overheard, it won't end well for you! The maid kindly reminded her

Yao Yiyi belatedly realized that she was being pitied. In fact, she wanted to say that she felt more at ease when no one was in the room. As an impostor, it was quite difficult for her to maintain her composure and put on a facade in such a state of panic.

Yao Yiyi was deeply moved

The author has something to say

Beside the Lotus Pond on the east side of the Sheng residence, the day was drawing to a close. The interior was stifling, while a cool breeze wafted through the courtyard. Several young maidservants were chatting and cracking melon seeds in the yard, leaving no one to attend to the inside. Yao Yiyi lay alone on the beechwood bed in the inner room, staring blankly as if half alive

What clues? What nonsense are you spouting again? maid B said softly

First, let us speak of the primary wife of the Sheng family, Madam Wang, who was originally a young lady from the family of the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. This marriage was, in fact, an elevation for Sheng Hong, as the Wang family has been a prestigious family of officials for generations. At that time, the elder of the Sheng family, who was Sheng Hong's father, had already passed away, and he was merely a minor successful candidate in the imperial examinations. However, it was of no concern, for with the presence of Madam Sheng, whose background was even more distinguished than that of the Wang family, being the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Yongyi, and considering that the late elder had once been a renowned top scholar, the elder of the Wang family pondered deeply and ultimately agreed to this marriage.

"Cough, if it weren't for this incident with Aunt Wei, who would have known that Aunt Lin's heart was so cruel? Look at how polite and courteous she is when she speaks, and how amiable she is towards others; who could have imagined? As soon as our Aunt Wei passed away, she drove away several of Sister Die's companions, even sending away our young lady's wet nurse, leaving only us few ignorant third-rate maids..." The maid A spoke in an increasingly lower voice.

There is a system known as 'Immediate Court,' which is particularly beneficial for impoverished mountainous areas where transportation is extremely inconvenient. A trip to the city can take several days or even a week. If the plaintiff does not possess the perseverance of Ms. Qiu Ju, they would typically choose to settle the matter quietly. Thus, the 'Immediate Court' was established. In the early days, dedicated judges would lead a team, bringing along several horses or mules, carrying the necessary documents, seals, and other items, and would trek through villages and over mountains to reach areas where even vehicles could not access. They would hold court sessions locally according to the summons. In summary, this was a very arduous task, and local courts often faced a shortage of personnel, necessitating support from courts in surrounding cities.

"What kind of blessings are we enjoying? It's merely a change of place to work. At least we are closer to our parents and brothers, and can enjoy a bit of familial joy. Don't be anxious; we are all third-class maids. Even if Aunt Lin vents her anger, it won't fall upon us. In the end, we will just serve a different master" said Maid C with a hint of pride.

Lying in bed, classmate Yao Yiyi, having changed her shell, simply wants to say: Protecting the mountains and forests is everyone's responsibility; indiscriminate logging leads to the extinction of future generations

A year later, after enduring countless hardships, Yao Yiyi, filled with satisfaction and pride, was finally able to return to the city. However, the local area was suddenly hit by continuous heavy rain. After a long-awaited day of clear weather, the elderly woman and her team quickly boarded a van to rush on their way. Along the journey, they encountered a devastating mudslide.

"My dear, how much wealth do you think Aunt Lin has accumulated over the years? I see that she is often more extravagant than the madam herself. It is said that she comes from a prominent family and, out of admiration for our master, has humbly taken on the role of a concubine. It seems there is some truth to this," the maid B said excitedly

These topics were too heavy, and soon the maids shifted their focus to the lifelong affairs of Miss Cui C, bringing a lightness back to the courtyard. Classmate Yao Yiyi lay on the bed, staring blankly at the intricately carved canopy above, having listened to this aimless chatter for over ten days. Currently, her body belonged to the sixth young lady of the Sheng family, whose elegant name was Sheng Minglan.

A few days ago, she also woke up with a dry mouth and crawled over to drink tea. Suddenly, a few people entered from outside, and the leading old woman was shocked to see her crawling on the table to drink water, as if struck by lightning. She seemed deeply affected and immediately scolded the maids and servants in the yard, then comforted and reassured herself. At that time, Yao Yiyi had only been in this world for a couple of days and had not yet acclimated. After arriving in this new world, she had no father, mother, wet nurse, or personal maid as one would expect. Each day, numerous people came and went like a revolving lantern, and she had not even recognized all their faces. Thus, she could only sit there in a daze, listening and watching without any reaction. The old woman sighed, muttered a few words of 'poor thing,' and then left.

"Pah! Did you hear that nonsense from that sycophant? My mother told me long ago that that Concubine Lin is merely a destitute orphan from a fallen official family. When she first arrived at our Sheng residence, she only brought along a little maid and an old nurse, and her trunks and bundles totaled no more than five or six. The clothes she wore were not even as good as those of the first or second rank maids in the household. What kind of family background could she possibly have?" The maid C said, somewhat indignantly.

Ah, Aunt Lin is quite well-off now. The master favors her so much, no wonder the madam is always in a bad mood. Even Feng Ge and Miss Mo have received some of the master's favoritism; Aunt Lin truly has her talents

However, occasionally, Yao Yiyi would encounter a handsome lawyer and a charismatic prosecutor. Unfortunately, in the presence of the imposing female lawyer, Yao Yiyi had no opportunity to shine. Thus, on the day when both of those brothers announced they had girlfriends, Yao Yiyi, feeling a sense of spiritual elevation, bravely expressed to the elderly judge her willingness to go to the border for a year with her.

"Being honest is one thing, but it is also a bit too timid. In this household, there is no decorum; outsiders come and go as they please, and even the women in the courtyard dare to plot against the concubine in secret. She only knows how to endure, yet it has not brought her any good. Aside from Sister Die, who else dares to stand up for her and speak out? Who remembers her kindness? I say, as the master of the house, one should possess some qualities of a master. Wanting everything to be done well is merely a matter of being unable to discern right from wrong," said maid B.

"If I speak nonsense, may I be cursed with a rotten tongue!" Maid C said resentfully, "Nowadays, those with status do not speak, and those who do have been driven out of the household. There is no one here to mention her past; only those black-hearted individuals who benefited from her speak well of her, claiming she is proficient in all arts, from music to chess, literature to painting, and that she is kind-hearted and of pure character. Bah! The truly kind-hearted and pure one just passed away, our most honest Aunt Wei!