Duke Li's Mansion is an inherited estate from the founding of the country, and by the time of this generation of Dukes, it is already the fifth generation.
People often say the third generation looks at eating, the fourth at clothing, and the fifth at writing. Ruan Susu doesn't know if the Duke's Mansion excels at writing, but they certainly have excellent manners.
You must get up at six in the morning, pay respects to your mother at seven, have breakfast at seven-thirty, visit your grandmother at eight-thirty, have lunch at noon, dinner at six in the evening, and go to bed at nine at night.
The strict rules and regular routines have made Ruan Susu, a modern night owl, somewhat overwhelmed.
By now, readers might have guessed that this is actually a stereotypical story of a woman time-traveling.
If you were to write a thesis titled "On How to Instantly Transform from a Female Slob to a Rich and Beautiful Lady," Ruan Susu would certainly tell you, it's through time travel.
Ruan Susu, a modern person, didn't belong to a wealthy family before she turned fifteen, living only a moderately comfortable life. After fifteen, her father suddenly became rich overnight (don't ask how — the author's imagination knows no bounds).
Then, predictably, he had an affair, divorced, and remarried, with Ruan Susu following her father but still not becoming a rich beauty, especially as the mistress had a son.
Even with money, her biological father couldn't escape the mindset that only a son could take care of him in his old age. After Ruan Susu turned eighteen, he gave her a sum of money to shove her out the door.
"This money is for you; the rest belongs to my son" — words spewed from the mistress were quite ironic.
So, still in her rebellious phase, Ruan Susu threw the money (not even on a card?) at the mistress's face and worked part-time to pay her way through college.
Someone might ask, what about her real mother?
Ruan Susu could only chuckle.
Her real mom was still young; how could she spend her whole life just with her daughter?
Besides, how would rebellious Ruan Susu allow herself to be a burden!
Later, after being knocked around by society, Ruan Susu unknowingly embarked on the tough voyage of seeking a partner as an aging single woman.
Soon after, she experienced a car accident during a blind date and found herself transported to an alternate era, becoming the illegitimate daughter in Duke Li's Mansion during the Great Chu Dynasty.
This little girl was just seven years old, and her biological mother, Aunt Su, passed away half a month ago, leaving her in poor health. She fainted crying at her mother's funeral, and upon waking, she had a new soul.
Ruan Susu has been in this new life for half a month, but she hasn't fully inherited the little girl's memories as they only surface occasionally, which is why she's hesitant to speak. In these two weeks, she hasn't even left the courtyard.
Fortunately, her body is very frail, and the Imperial Physician has advised ample rest. Coupled with the fact that the girl was never fond of talking or visiting others, apart from paying respects to her legitimate mother and grandmother, she only visited school and Aunt's courtyard, allowing Ruan Susu to muddle through these two weeks while absorbing pieces of the girl's memories.
During this time, Ruan Susu has seen this body's biological father once, legitimate mother five times, and other sisters briefly visiting.
One father and two sisters come a bit more frequently, while other elders send gifts through someone else. Only the real brother, born of the same mother, finds ways to visit every few days, bringing small gifts for his sister's amusement, which touches Ruan Susu, the fake "little loli," deeply.
If she had an older brother or younger brother in her previous life, things wouldn't have been so messy.
In the past, having a real brother was a blessing for a woman.
Ruan Susu thinks that in this life, it must be the heavens compensating her by giving her such a wonderful brother.
Ruan Susu originally didn't miss modern times much, and now she's determined to be a good little sister, feeling less resistant to interacting with legitimate mother and sisters.
Cui Jin is the maid of Miss Thirteen and has served her since she was a month old. Seeing her young miss staring after finishing her medicine is no surprise.
Since Aunt Su's passing, the young lady has become quieter and often sits on the bed daydreaming, at times with a peculiar expression.
Cui Jin and others serving her think the young miss is just grieving her mother, and they sigh inwardly.
The young miss is only seven, having lost her mother and not receiving much affection from the Duke.
Although she has a biological brother, the Sixth Young Master is only twelve and lives outside; he attends official school and can't come to the inner courtyard casually.
Fortunately, the Duchess is kind-hearted, allowing such a small person to endure!