“Sell a few properties discreetly—who would know?” Shen Miaoyi glanced at Suyun and instructed, “Handle this properly. When I gain influence in the future, you’ll receive your due rewards.”
Unable to persuade her otherwise, Suyun could only comply.
Yet inwardly, she sighed softly, wondering why her mistress had changed so dramatically lately.
The very person who used to despise merchants the most was now engaging in merchant-like dealings.
As Suyun prepared to leave after receiving the order, Shen Miaoyi recalled Pei Che’s words and grew irritated. Frustrated, she called out, “Wait!”
“Find more literate maids to copy books.Meanwhile, Ziling sneaked in clutching the Spring Drink, just as Chen Shu, who was looking for Yu Fei, saw her.
Her furtive movements were too suspicious to ignore.
Chen Shu couldn’t help calling out, “Miss Ziling.”
Ziling froze, pulling the soup jar closer to her chest to conceal it. The next moment, she heard Chen Shu say—
“As someone serving our Heir Apparent’s Wife, you must always maintain proper decorum and avoid bringing shame to the Heir and his wife… What are you holding there?”
Noticing the “Spring Drink” label on the jar, Chen Shu remarked, “It’s just Spring Drink. Why are you hiding it?”
His casual tone made Ziling’s eyes widen in astonishment. “You know about it?” she exclaimed.
Internally, she panicked: This is terrible! The young madam’s reputation will be ruined!
“What’s there not to know?” Chen Shu laughed. “Eternal Peace Pavilion’s bestselling sweet soup every spring and summer—it cools and relieves heat.”
Hearing this, Ziling finally relaxed.
This Spring Drink was not that Spring Drink! The one in her hands was certainly not for cooling purposes!
When Ziling returned to Qingyun Courtyard, she recounted what had happened—
“Shancaotang is truly remarkable. They even made the Spring Drink jar identical to Eternal Peace Pavilion’s.Shen Sangning was transcribing Spring Examination questions from the next twenty years.
In her previous life, she had closely followed examination topics while educating her son.
She still remembered not only the metropolitan exam questions but also some from the preliminary and provincial exams.
If no errors occurred, these questions likely wouldn’t change.
Hearing Ziling’s voice, Shen Sangning folded the manuscript and burned it completely over a candle.
She had transcribed them to commit the questions to memory for future needs.
Keeping physical evidence would only hand others a weapon against her.
Just then, the slower-paced Chen Shu entered Qingyun Courtyard. His discussion with Yufei was neither too loud nor too soft, carrying clearly into the main room.
“Just proceed with the arrangements. Ensure the young madam returns to her parental home in grand style,” Chen Shu declared generously.
But Yufei sighed softly. “Is the Heir truly not accompanying the young madam? No matter how lavish the gifts, his absence will still sadden her.”
Chen Shu paused before sighing. “You know how busy the Heir is. You should advise the young madam to be understanding.”
Inside the room, Shen Sangning remained expressionless. Having held no expectations to begin with, she felt no disappointment.
In contrast, Ziling wore a troubled expression. “The Heir truly doesn’t know how to cherish others. How could he act this way? Perhaps we should administer the Spring Drink to him sooner to help them… adjust their relationship.”
Seeing Ziling’s eager readiness, Shen Sangning found it somewhat amusing. “Did you ask the physician how potent this medicine is, or the proper dosage?”
Ziling knew nothing of such matters—this was her first time purchasing such a thing. After paying, she had rushed straight back.
Now, she stared blankly and shook her head. “I thought you would know, mistress!”
Shen Sangning didn’t know either. In her previous life, she had only heard this thing was effective but never actually used it.
“Should I go again?” Ziling asked seriously.
After all, the target of this medicine was the esteemed and noble Heir. If too much were used and caused other complications, they couldn’t bear the responsibility.
Shen Sangning thought that frequent visits to the apothecary would significantly increase the risk of being discovered.
She cleared her throat lightly, “Don’t go. It’s just something to enhance pleasure anyway. We’ll simply use less.”
With that, she personally transferred the Spring Drink from the soup tureen into several small medicine bottles, labeled them “Cooling and Heat-Relieving,” and placed them in her medicine chest.
At dusk, Pei Ruyan indeed didn’t return to the courtyard for dinner.
He didn’t come back to rest in the evening either.
Shen Sangning had no choice but to go to his study to find him, only to discover the study was bolted from inside.
No matter how politely she pleaded, the person inside only responded coldly—
“Madam, the study cannot accommodate two people to sleep.”
Shen Sangning left disgruntled, the small medicine bottle in her bosom temporarily having no use.
Not just that day, but for two consecutive days, the study remained locked, guarding against her as if she were a thief.
In the midnight hours, Shen Sangning would wake from the spacious soft bed and always get up to check herself in the bronze mirror, confirming she was still eighteen.
Having been reborn, she hadn’t fully adapted yet, always feeling somewhat surreal.
When light emerged at the horizon and dawn broke, it was time for the bridal return home.
Shen Sangning wore an apricot-colored lily-patterned skirt with a light pink duijin large-sleeved gown over it. Her neatly arranged Married Woman’s Hair Knot was adorned with a white jade hairpin.
Though dressed in clean and simple attire, she nonetheless exuded an elegant and noble temperament.
By convention, she and Shen Miaoyi should return home together, as had been the case in her previous life.
However, Shen Sangning didn’t want to travel with her this time, so she delayed until finally walking slowly out of her room, only to find Shen Miaoyi still waiting.
In the morning light, Pei Che sat atop a large horse.
Shen Miaoyi leaned out from the carriage and called to Shen Sangning: “Sister, why are you alone?”
Seeing her by herself, Shen Miaoyi’s eyes held a hint of schadenfreude.
Shen Miaoyi feigned surprise, “Could it be that the Heir isn’t accompanying you home?”
Shen Sangning replied calmly, “My husband is busy with official duties. Greater responsibility means less time. Naturally, I’m not as fortunate as you, sister, to have Second Brother accompanying you constantly.”
The implication immediately darkened Shen Miaoyi’s expression.
Meanwhile, Pei Che on horseback remained completely unaware of the tense atmosphere.
Shen Miaoyi’s smile stiffened. Clearly, Shen Sangning was the one without companionship for the bridal return—why could she remain so composed and unperturbed?
“Sister, you’re quite stubborn with words. Between us sisters, what can’t be said? You’ve delayed so long, surely because you’re feeling unhappy.”
Shen Miaoyi then put on a concerned expression, “Come quickly into the carriage. There are many passersby here. If people see you alone and spread some gossip, I’m afraid it would make you even more upset.”
Before she finished speaking, she saw Shen Sangning turn and walk wordlessly toward the carriage behind.
She had completely ignored her words.
Shen Miaoyi felt as if she had punched cotton—her anger had no outlet, leaving her quite uncomfortable.
Frowning, she looked toward the rear carriage and was about to loudly mock a few words when she suddenly heard rapid hoofbeats coming from deep within the street.
From a distance of over ten zhang, she saw a group of riders galloping forward.
The leading man’s figure seemed familiar. Dressed in vermilion official robes, he became the focus of the street. At that moment, he spurred his horse and in a few breaths arrived before the ducal mansion’s gate.
The reins were pulled taut, the horse raising its head.
Shen Sangning saw Pei Ruyan’s face clearly. With one foot on the mounting stool, she froze, likely not expecting Pei Ruyan to appear at this moment.
Dressed in official robes, Pei Ruyan appeared even more youthful and noble, carrying an extra touch of refined elegance uncommon in daily life.
His expression was solemn, even somewhat stern. “My apologies, I’m late.”