Sui Changle watched Xiao Chenrui depart. By the time Wen Shiyi arrived, he had already gone.
She knew her daughter must be seething with hatred for the Second Prince, and worried Changle might show it.
“Le’er,” Wen Shiyi called softly.
Changle drew her gaze back and met her mother’s worried eyes, slowly shaking her head.
Wen Shiyi understood and exhaled in relief, smiling:
“The hour grows late. Let’s begin the feast.”
Changle nodded, then turned to invite Lin Qingwei, Shen Wanyan, and the Wen sisters to take their seats.
The birthday banquet went smoothly, with guests and host alike enjoying themselves.
After seeing off the last guests, Changle returned with Wen Shiyi to the Jinxiu Garden.
Upon entering, Wen Shiyi dismissed the maids with a wave and instructed Xiangyun:
“Keep watch outside.”
“Yes, madam!”
Xiangyun and Liuying had served Wen Shiyi since childhood and had come with her as part of the General’s household. They were her most trusted aides.
Once alone in the room, Changle eyed her mother curiously:
“Mother, is something the matter?”
Wen Shiyi said nothing at first, but retrieved a folded slip of paper from a hidden compartment and handed it to Changle:
“Le’er, look at this.”
Changle took the slip, frowning in puzzlement, and opened it to examine it closely.
After a moment of silence, she placed the paper atop the candle’s flame, letting it burn in the incense burner, watching it reduce to ashes.
“Mother… aren’t you upset?”
Changle’s heart ached for her mother. Anyone would be devastated to discover a husband, who had vowed eternal love, secretly keeping a mistress and bearing children.
Wen Shiyi let out a long sigh, pulling Changle close and gently stroking her back:
“Of course I am upset! But thinking that after I am gone, my Le’er would suffer… my heart can only burn with hate.”
The investigation Wen Yi had conducted confirmed Changle’s suspicions.
Sui Jingxing had established a private residence in Osmanthus Alley in the south of the city, keeping a mistress and their three children there.
Even more infuriating, the mistress, Chu Rou’er, was a courtesan.
Wen Shiyi couldn’t help but smile wryly at the absurdity—Sui Jingxing truly was unworthy, treating a courtesan as a treasure while harming his own daughter.
“Mother, why don’t you divorce him? I’ll leave with you.”
Changle wrapped her arms around Wen Shiyi, gently patting her back.
Her mother’s eyes glistened, tears threatening to spill.
Once a fierce daughter of a military household, she had been strong and spirited. After marrying Sui Jingxing, who favored gentle, refined women, she had subdued her fiery nature, exchanging boldness for grace. Yet now, her devotion had been utterly betrayed.
“Foolish Le’er, the world is never fair to women. Even if this scandal became public, others would only see it as the folly of a top scholar, blaming me for jealousy or intolerance. We have done nothing wrong, so why leave? Those who deserve punishment are the treacherous ones.”
“Mother, I understand! We must ensure that those ungrateful, malicious people who trample over others to rise are given their due punishment.”
A cold gleam flashed in Changle’s eyes—this life, she would protect her family.
“Mother, what should we do next?”
Wen Shiyi released Changle, picking up a jade pendant.
But as she held it, it slipped from her hand, shattering into pieces on the floor.
“Le’er, since your father cherishes that mother and her children so much, we must bring them into our household and care for them properly, so he has no worries.”
At that moment, Xiangyun entered to report:
“Madam, Wu De seeks an audience with you.”
Both Xiangyun and Liuying knew of Sui Jingxing’s mistress and looked on Wu De with disfavor.
“Very well, have him wait outside.”
Wen Shiyi nodded, and she and Changle refreshed themselves before slowly taking seats in the reception hall.
Soon, Liuying ushered Wu De inside.
Wu De knelt quickly, presenting an ornate box:
“Madam, the master instructed me to convey that he was too busy with official duties to attend the young lady’s birthday today. This is a gift he had prepared in advance; may the young lady forgive his absence.”
“Very well. Go tell him the young lady understands and bears no ill will.”
Wen Shiyi sipped her tea calmly, her expression composed.
Wu De, uncertain whether he saw anger or calm, could only nod and depart.
No sooner had he left than Wen Shiyi stood and instructed:
“Xiangyun, fetch a humble carriage. We are going out for a visit.”
“Yes, madam.”
Half an hour later, a simple black-canvas carriage rolled out from the back gate of the Sui residence.
Osmanthus Alley, South City
A modest courtyard, quiet and elegant, tucked away in the southern part of the capital.
The garden was neither large nor small, with a winding gravel path flanked by swaying green bamboo, sunlight filtering through in patches.
A small lotus pond rested at the center, red carp playing among the jade-green waters. Stone bridges were draped with creeping vines and violet blossoms.
At the north side stood three rooms with white walls and green-tiled roofs, wooden doors and windows carved simply. Potted orchids adorned the front, releasing a delicate fragrance.
To the west, a row of servant quarters, neat and orderly.
Sui Jingxing sat in the flower hall, beside him the delicate and coquettish mistress, Chu Rou’er.
Their children were seated below. His daughter, Sui Jiaojiao, bore a striking resemblance to Chu Rou’er; his son, Sui Lingyun, resembled Sui Jingxing closely.
Wu De hurriedly entered to report:
“Master, the gift has been delivered to madam.”
“Good.” Sui Jingxing nodded, pausing before asking:
“Did madam say anything?”
He could not let the General’s daughter detect anything amiss; he still needed her favor.
Wu De hesitated, then replied:
“She only said the young lady would understand and not be angry with you.”
Hearing this, Sui Jingxing exhaled lightly:
“Good, you may leave.”
Sui Jiaojiao, seeing Wu De depart, rose to cling to her father, playfully coaxing:
“Father, what have you sent my sister now? If she has it, I must have it too!”
Sui Jingxing stroked her head, laughing:
“Alright, my little Jiaojiao, whatever you wish, father will get for you.”
Blinking innocently, she teased:
“Anything father gives me, I will like.”
Pleased, Sui Jingxing turned his gaze to Sui Lingyun:
“Lingyun, your studies cannot slack in the coming days. Has the tutor been clear enough?”