Wen Ning immediately covered her mouth, her clear eyes gazing up at him obediently, as if to say, *See how well-behaved I am.*
Shen Zhou felt a faint throb at his temples. He strode out and pointed at the two maids across the way, his voice low and stern: “Gossiping about your mistress behind her back—sell them off!”
Though he did not love Wen Ning, she was still his properly wedded wife. He would not allow servants to slight or disrespect her.
Word quickly spread that Shen Zhou had stood up for Wen Ning.
The household staff of the Duke’s manor suddenly thought the new young madam must be quite capable. Though she hadn’t managed to keep her husband by her side on their wedding night, the very next day, she had coaxed the usually lenient Heir into selling off two maids in one stroke.
Indeed, the influence of a pillow-side whisper—though late, it always arrives!
By evening, Shen Zhou was drinking with his friends. Young men in their early twenties, full of vigor, often gathered to drink, ride horses, and spar.
Zhou Zilang, the most outspoken of them, looked at Shen Zhou and couldn’t help asking: “Shen Zhou, I heard your family forced you into marriage. How’s your wife? Is she pretty?”
Shen Zhou thought of Wen Ning’s innocent yet captivating gaze on their wedding night. His heart suddenly warmed, and he had to use the peach blossom wine to press down the fire rising within him. His voice came out hoarse: “She’s… passable.”
Zhou Zilang looked disappointed. “Only passable? Then send her away!”
Xuan Du quickly stopped him. “Zilang, don’t talk nonsense!” He glanced at Shen Zhou hesitantly. “What do you plan to do about Miss Yanxin?”
Both Zhou Zilang and Xuan Du had grown up with Shen Zhou and knew all about his history with Qiao Yanxin.
The two had been childhood sweethearts. If the Qiao family hadn’t been implicated in a corruption case, Shen Zhou and Qiao Yanxin might have had a chance.
But now, Qiao Yanxin was the daughter of a disgraced official. She could never marry Shen Zhou as his principal wife. Worse, she was proud and unwilling to live under another’s roof. She would rather remain at Baihua Pavilion, performing as a courtesan.
Still, Shen Zhou was loyal to old ties. He had promised Qiao Feng he would look after his sister, even at the cost of his own reputation. Now, all of the capital knew Qiao Yanxin was Shen Zhou’s woman, and no one dared challenge the Heir for her.
Shen Zhou’s tone grew weary. “I treat Yanxin as a younger sister. I promised Qiao Feng I would care for her all my life. I won’t break my word.”
Zhou Zilang teased: “You may see her as a sister, but she wants to be your wife.”
Xuan Du advised: “I agree. It’s not proper for Miss Yanxin to stay at Baihua. Better to redeem her sooner. An heir shouldn’t be running to the brothel all the time.”
Zhou Zilang offered a terrible idea: “If nothing else, you could divorce Wen Ning and marry Yanxin. As a second marriage, taking a disgraced minister’s daughter would be acceptable. That way, you’d fulfill your promise to Qiao Feng.”
Shen Zhou shot him a glare, exasperated. “Trust you to come up with that. Never mind anything else—if I dared mention divorce at home, my parents would kill me.”
Moreover, Shen Zhou thought of Wen Ning hiding behind the rockery earlier that day, her eyes aggrieved and pitiful. She had nothing—no one to rely on but him. If she were divorced, what would she face?
Shen Zhou shook his head. “No. Impossible.”
Zhou Zilang rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Divorce would indeed damage your reputation. Unless… you mean to simply drive her out?”
Shen Zhou: “Get lost!”
Three days after the wedding, the bride must return to her family—that was tradition.
For the past two days, Shen Zhou had left early and returned late. Wen Ning didn’t bother with him; her goal from the start was to remain in the Duke’s manor. So she humbled herself and worked to please Duchess Xu.
She soon discovered Duchess Xu was far easier to deal with than Shen Zhou.
Duchess Xu was born into a merchant family. In her youth, she was sharp and bold, leading the Xu clan from humble peddlers to imperial merchants and even winning the hand of the valiant Duke. Her greatest regret was never having a daughter. Wen Ning’s arrival filled that void.
The girl looked at her with eyes full of admiration, and Duchess Xu’s maternal love overflowed.
Wen Ning realized that if she wanted to stay in the Duke’s manor, winning Duchess Xu’s favor might be the way. So she devoted herself to learning household management at her side.
On the day Wen Ning was to return to her family, Duchess Xu supported her by gifting her the head ornaments once bestowed by the Empress Dowager, and personally selecting a gown made of shimmering *liuguang* brocade. The brocade was dazzling, scattering light with every step, like starlight crushed into brilliance.
Wen Ning was already beautiful, her figure supple. In that gown, she looked exquisite and radiant.
When Shen Zhou entered, the sight struck him to the core. It took great effort to tear his gaze away.
Unexpectedly, the girl ran to him, pulling out a navy-blue pouch, her voice soft and playful: “Heir, I made this pouch for you. Do you like it?”
Shen Zhou turned his head, unable to meet her shining eyes. His voice was stern: “Making pouches is servant’s work. Why should you trouble yourself?”
“Oh.” Wen Ning’s eyes dimmed instantly, and she tucked the pouch away.
Duchess Xu, watching, couldn’t help but scold: “Fool!”
Shen Zhou stepped forward to greet her, but Duchess Xu didn’t even lift her eyelids. Her tone was dripping with disdain. “So it’s the Heir. What business do you have?”
Shen Zhou answered respectfully: “I came to pay my respects to Mother.”
Duchess Xu waved her hand, her voice mocking. “Such a trivial matter—why trouble the Heir? A servant could do it well enough.”
Shen Zhou had no idea why he had angered her again. He stood silently, which only irritated her further. Always this dead-faced look—just like his father!
Duchess Xu no longer wished to see him. “Go. Escort Ning’er back to her family. If you can’t manage this properly, don’t bother coming back.”
Shen Zhou silently took Wen Ning out.
Beside Duchess Xu, Nanny Wang grew worried. “Madam, do you think the Heir might strike the young madam?”
Duchess Xu shot her a look of disdain. “Nanny, have you gone senile?”
“Have you ever heard the phrase *great wisdom appears foolish*?” Duchess Xu blew on her cup of Biluochun tea, smiling faintly. “Your young madam is just playing the pig to eat the tiger.”
Nanny Wang blinked, confused. “You means… the young madam is a pig?”
Duchess Xu: *So exhausting!*