Your Highness, your wife has had her virginity mark applied and married someone else.

Faced with Zhang Yu's return, the Zhang family members were probably all afraid of her lingering power, and no one dared to openly provoke her. They could only try to avoid trouble by not showing up and observing the Wei family's attitude.

Unexpectedly, although Wei Xu was disappointed in Zhang Yu, he still had some affection for her. He not only changed the letter of divorce to a divorce settlement, but also sent Zhang Yu many nice things after she returned to the mansion to compensate her for her contributions to the Wei family over the past ten years.

In an instant, those who had been hiding and dared not show themselves filled Zhang Yu's Yunshao Courtyard.

Zhang Yu didn't see any of them, leaving them to their own devices outside the courtyard. He listened to the servants reading out the compensation offered by the Wei family, but he had little patience for it.

"Send them all to the storeroom, and Ming Shu will manage them from now on. Green Ivy, pick out a few useful ones to clean out of Moon Pillow Residence for Ming Shu. In the future, when I am not around, Yun Shao Courtyard will be managed by her."

Green Ivy is the daughter of Zhang Yu's dowry maid, whom he raised and mentored, and is also one of Zhang Yu's confidantes.

Green Ivy didn't ask anything, curtsied and left. Before long, she and her mother restored Yunshao Courtyard and Yuezhen Residence to their original state.

Shen Mingshu looked at her, and seeing how well she managed things despite her young age, she couldn't help but think of Chunxi.

Chunxi was of little use to her anyway, and by leaving her with Old Madam Wei, she planted a seed of discord in the hearts of Wei Ziye and Wei Yuan.

As for how Old Madam Wei uses it, that's beyond her control.

"Aunt, A-Yuan looked very unwell just now. Ming Shu wants to go back and rest for a while, and think about how to handle the situation afterward."

"Yes, I've already informed my mother about the family reunion ceremony. I'll let you know in a few days."

Zhang Yu was also tired, and after finishing speaking, he returned to the inner room.

Cousin and cousin are not the same. Cousin is a distant relative, while cousin is a sibling from the same mother. Apart from the difference in marriage, when Wei Ziye killed her, it was considered fratricide.

Shen Mingshu didn't think Wei Ziye would let Zhang Yu complete the ceremony.

She needed to confirm as soon as possible whether she still held an official position.

Otherwise, the day her relationship with Wei Yuan is exposed, she will be abandoned by Zhang Yu sooner or later.

……

After three days of rest, Shen Mingshu was finally able to speak.

"Green Ivy, how did the family recognition ceremony go?"

Green Ivy hesitated for a moment: "It was supposed to start tomorrow, but the young master just arrived and went into the madam's room, so the madam postponed it for three days."

"..." I knew it.

What could make Zhang Yu relax must be her relationship with Wei Yuan.

The three-day delay was also because Zhang Yu wanted to see if she could mend her relationship with Wei Yuan.

This is how we can judge her usefulness.

Shen Mingshu dared not rest any longer and immediately changed her clothes.

When Green Ivy saw Shen Mingshu enter the room, a man came out shortly after. Even her usually calm eyes, which were used to seeing all sorts of storms, were shaken for a moment.

She called out uncertainly, "Young lady?"

Zhang Yu only had one son, Wei Ziye, so Shen Mingshu, his adopted daughter, was naturally the eldest daughter.

Shen Mingshu nodded somewhat awkwardly. "I'm going out for a bit. Green Ivy, arrange some guards for me."

If she could take up an official post in place of the Zhang family as a man, she would only become more deeply bound to them in the future.

How can relying on backroom deals compare to this kind of tangible, mutually beneficial partnership?

Without hesitation, Green Ivy made the arrangements immediately and reminded her, "Eldest Miss, these past three days, the people from the second branch have been constantly coming to Madam's and your side. I suggest you go out through the back courtyard."

Shen Mingshu nodded. Before she was settled, there was no need to learn more about the Zhang family.

……

After leaving the backyard, Shen Mingshu was filled with anxiety, but the journey went smoothly.

Upon arriving at Qingyun Academy, Shen Mingshu immediately presented her official appointment document to the steward.

"Is the headmaster here?"

The steward recognized Shen Mingshu and looked at her repeatedly in shock, then compared her to the documents already registered in his hand.

When he confirmed that the newly appointed abbot had once been Wei Yuan's page, he felt as if he were in a dream, and he exhaled with a trembling breath.

He then bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Abbot. The Headmaster is not in the courtyard today, but I have arranged for the rest area to be prepared. Would you like me to arrange for someone to show you your duties?"

Hearing this, Shen Mingshu breathed a huge sigh of relief: "Okay, thank you."

When Shen Mingshu received the account books, land deeds, inventory list, and warehouse keys from the former supervisor, she was still somewhat dazed.

Nothing happened at all; everything went smoothly from the moment I entered the academy.

Before she had even officially started her job, the supervisor's exclusive courtyard, servants, and monthly salary were all delivered to Shen Mingshu.

She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "I haven't been here these past few days..."

"Please don't worry, Your Excellency." The servant smiled kindly. "The headmaster instructed that Your Excellency has been preparing for the students' spring outing while you were away. The students are all very much looking forward to it."

"..."

It still has to be Lu Yanzhi.

Knowing that the student was studying hard, under great pressure, and in dire need of relaxation, he directly assigned her such a well-received task.

Even before starting the job, he had already improved his approachability.

Such thoughtfulness allowed Shen Mingshu's tense nerves to relax for a moment.

"Please thank the headmaster for me."

The servant said, "The headmaster also said that after the abbot has checked and verified that the money, food, and equipment are all in order, he can sign the document and then get a three-day leave. He can then officially start his post after the ceremony is completed."

The ceremony to pay homage to the sages and saints needs to be led by the headmaster, who will introduce all the students to the new headmaster. At that time, Lu Yanzhi will naturally appear.

Shen Mingshu nodded: "Okay, I'll count them now."

Servant: "Yes, sir, I'll go arrange it."

The sooner Shen Mingshu is admitted to the hospital, the sooner her future will be decided. As for the future, whether it will bring misfortune or fortune, she will deal with it as it comes.

……

When class ended, Shen Mingshu was still organizing the account books.

As the largest private academy, Qingyun Academy, under the guise of being officially run, receives new books and classics every day.

The books carry the weight of tradition; some were specially sourced by the academy for students in need, while others were donated spontaneously by the public.

There was also an endless list of artifacts, one by one, which dazzled Shen Mingshu, but her heart was also warmed by these things full of heritage.

This means that she will have the opportunity to read it in the future.

"Ta-da!"

A servant called from outside, "Your Excellency, it's time for your meal."

Shen Mingshu then pulled it out, her stomach belatedly rumbling.

She looked up and saw that it was already dark.

Walking at night is not safe. If it weren't for the need to go back to meet her relatives, Shen Mingshu would have preferred to have Green Ivy inform her about her new job.

But the safety of the academy was just Shen Mingshu's illusion. If someone really wanted to break in, the academy's guards couldn't stop them.

She got up and went out, looking towards the dining hall. She didn't want to have anything to do with Wei Yuan for the time being, so she could only look at the servants.

"I have some things to do, could you please get my food for me?"

Servant: "Yes, Your Excellency. If needed, I will arrange for the canteen staff to deliver the food to you in the future."

Shen Mingshu nodded: "Let's arrange it this way."

Servant: "Yes."

Shen Mingshu turned and went back into the house. A short while later, there was a knock at the door.

She put down the pastries she had eaten and tidied up the clutter on the table: "Come in."

The door was pushed open, and Shen Mingshu turned her head expectantly to look.

The servant who brought the food became Wei Yuan.

Shen Mingshu's face stiffened.