The shopkeeper stepped aside and gestured politely, leading Su Niyue out through the back door into another courtyard filled entirely with warehouses.
“Madam, please come in!” The shopkeeper opened the warehouse door. “This one contains all cotton garments. Two hundred men’s single-layer outfits in various styles, one hundred fifty winter cotton-padded ones; for women, one hundred ninety single-layer outfits and two hundred thirty winter garments; for children, one hundred fifty single-layer outfits of various sizes, and one hundred cotton-padded ones. As for shoes, there are three hundred pairs of adult cloth and cotton shoes combined.”
“Alright, I’ll take them all.”
The shopkeeper’s face lit up. These were unsold goods—if he could clear them all at once, that would be perfect. “Madam, this way please!” Seizing the opportunity, he led her to another warehouse. “Madam, I heard you also need bedding. This warehouse contains cotton quilts and bedding supplies.”
“I’ll take all of these too.”
The shopkeeper was about to list the quantities, but Su Niyue had already bought everything. “Uh… I’ll have them packed right away!” After over a decade in business, this was his first time meeting such a decisive customer.
“Write up the list, calculate the price—quickly.”
“Of course!”
They returned to the shop, and after a round of abacus clattering, the shopkeeper said, “Madam, the total is three hundred fifty-two taels. You can just give three hundred fifty.”
Su Niyue tossed him three one-hundred-tael notes and one fifty-tael note—all taken from her disgusting legal mother’s stash. “Have everything packed and placed at the back door. Someone will come to collect it later.” With that, she took the receipt and left.
Using the same method, she emptied out a general store, a seed shop, and an incense shop. She also bought a large number of poultry, dozens of live fish, several sheep, and two ox carts before finally stopping.
Walking through the ancient streets for the first time—especially in the capital—was a novel experience for Su Niyue. But she didn’t have time to savor the atmosphere. She continued stocking up, heading to a pastry shop to buy dozens of boxes of freshly made sweets. Her love for food went beyond that of a typical foodie—especially for these authentic ancient delicacies without any additives.
When she felt the timing was about right, she returned to the alley behind the clothing shop. The packed garments were loaded onto several carriages. After collecting everything, she rushed back to the War King’s residence, climbed over the wall, and hid in the shadows. Watching the servants sweeping and going about their tasks as usual, she seemed to understand something.
After returning to her room and changing clothes, she was about to take a walk in the backyard when a maid outside the door spoke softly, “Princess Consort, Madam invites you to the main courtyard to pay respects to the Old Madam.”
“Alright, I understand.”
“Princess Consort, I’ve prepared hot water and fresh clothes for you. May I come in to assist you?”
“Come in.”
After washing and dressing, Su Niyue was led by the maid Cui Zhu to the main courtyard. Upon entering the hall, she saw a kind-looking elderly lady seated at the head. Her attire was not as extravagant as one might expect from a noble matriarch—simple accessories, a dark brown brocade outer robe, and a calm, composed expression. This was Nangong Yunteng’s grandmother, Madam Shen—the only First-Rank titled lady in the Great Yun Kingdom.
Seated below was Ruan Mingyu. Though her expression was composed, the faint dark circles under her eyes revealed she had likely not slept all night.
“Your granddaughter-in-law greets Grandmother and Mother.” Following local customs, Su Niyue gave a slight curtsy. In the original story, this grandmother had always protected her. Back when she read the novel, she had even envied the male lead for having such a good grandmother.
“Good child, rise.” The old madam gestured for a maid to help her up.
“Niyue, sit,” Ruan Mingyu said, dismissing the surrounding servants.
“Niyue, I have heard what you told your mother. Thank you for risking yourself to reveal the truth.”
“Grandmother, since the emperor has already bestowed this marriage, I am now a member of the War King’s household. To conceal such knowledge would weigh heavily on my conscience.”
The old madam looked at her—her speech was composed, her behavior proper. She felt a deep sense of approval. She had never expected the emperor’s chosen bride to stand on the same side as the Nangong family.
“Child, this is for you.” Ruan Mingyu picked up two exquisitely carved wooden boxes and handed them to her.
Though tempted, Su Niyue hesitated. “I… cannot accept this.” After all, I already emptied your treasury, she thought.
“Take them. These are gifts from your grandmother and mother.”
Just as she accepted the boxes and was about to thank them, hurried footsteps sounded outside. Then came a dull thud—someone had knelt.
“Old Madam, Madam—bad news! The Prince…” The voice was that of an elderly man.
“Steward, what happened to the Prince? Come in!” Ruan Mingyu had already risen and walked toward the door.
The door opened. A white-haired old steward knelt outside, crying bitterly. “The Prince has been carried back from the palace—his whole body covered in blood, unconscious!”
Ruan Mingyu’s vision darkened, her body swaying. Su Niyue reacted quickly, stepping forward to support her.
The old madam grabbed her dragon-headed cane and, trembling, walked out, supported by a servant.
“Come, let’s go see!” Her voice trembled with emotion as she led the way toward Su Niyue’s courtyard.
He was her grandson—the Nangong family had shed blood for the nation across generations. Now that the country was at peace, it could no longer tolerate such a loyal and accomplished general. How could her heart not ache?
The moment they entered the bridal chamber, a heavy stench of blood filled the air. Su Niyue saw Nangong Yunteng lying on the bed. His red wedding robes were gone—his white inner garment was soaked crimson, and even his trousers were drenched in blood. Beside him, Ruan Mingyu covered her mouth, sobbing softly.
Even Su Niyue, a modern doctor accustomed to bloody scenes, couldn’t help but be shaken by the severity of his injuries.
“Quick, summon the imperial physician!” The old madam’s lips leaked a trace of blood. Using her sleeve to conceal it, she quietly spat it into a handkerchief. She knew she could not collapse—not now. She was the pillar of this household.
“Grandmother, I know medicine. Let me take a look at him,” Su Niyue said. She knew they wouldn’t be able to summon a doctor.
Tears rolled down the old madam’s cheeks as she gripped her cane tightly. She understood—imperial physicians had likely already been instructed not to come. But these injuries were beyond what ordinary doctors could handle.
“Alright.” She suppressed the turmoil in her chest, enduring the stabbing pain without showing it.