Hidden within her sleeves, Shen Yunshuang’s fingers dug into her palms. Yet her face remained perfectly gentle, and her voice carried the soft sweetness of a spoiled young girl.
“I’ve almost fully recovered. It’s only because my body is so weak that I’ve caused Aunt to worry.”
If anyone had asked Shen Yunshuang whether she hated Madam Wang, the answer would have been yes.
She did.
But if Su Wanrou hadn’t deliberately encouraged her to overeat during her pregnancy, she never would have suffered a fatal labor.
Thinking of how Madam Wang had passed away not long after Zhan’er died, Shen Yunshuang forced herself to suppress that hatred for now. After all, Su Wanrou was the true mastermind behind everything. She was the greatest enemy and the one who deserved retribution the most. And if Shen Yunshuang wanted Su Wanrou to receive that punishment, she would still need Madam Wang’s help.
Madam Wang, however, had never blamed her.
Looking at the delicate young woman before her—peerlessly beautiful yet painfully frail, her skin so fair it seemed almost translucent—Madam Wang couldn’t help thinking of her late younger sister. She sighed softly.
“Your delicate health is just like your mother’s. But don’t worry. Now that you’re here with me, I’ll find the finest physicians to treat you. You must also let go of those painful memories from Yangzhou. Focus on recovering. That is what’s most important.”
Every time Madam Wang saw Shen Yunshuang, she was reminded of her younger sister. Her sister had possessed breathtaking beauty, yet fate had been cruel, taking her life far too soon.
As for Shen Yunshuang’s father, he was nothing but an ungrateful man.
Back then, he had been only a low-ranking judicial official. Marrying her sister had been far above his station. If not for his handsome face, how could he ever have won her sister’s heart?
But there was never any shortage of heartless men in the world.
Not even two years after her sister’s death, he had grandly remarried. Worse still, his new wife had oppressed Shen Yunshuang, the legitimate eldest daughter, leaving her with barely any dignity.
Whenever Madam Wang thought about it, anger made her grit her teeth.
That was precisely why she had insisted on bringing Shen Yunshuang into the manor.
She had loved her younger sister dearly. Now that her sister was gone, this child was the only bloodline she had left. Coupled with Shen Yunshuang’s naturally pitiful and delicate disposition, how could Madam Wang not cherish her?
Shen Yunshuang could clearly feel that affection.
No matter what, being Shen Yunshuang was far better than being Lin Yaoniang.
Lin Yaoniang had been nothing more than a maidservant, whereas Shen Yunshuang was Madam Wang’s own niece.
At the thought, a faint smile curved her lips. Looking utterly dependent, she said in a soft, sweet voice,
“I know how well Aunt treats me.”
After speaking, she turned to Xuezhi and accepted the item she had prepared.
“This is a scented sachet I embroidered for Aunt. Inside are jasmine, eupatorium, angelica root, asarum, and mint. If you carry it with you, it can help clear the mind, dispel wind, and relieve headaches.”
Shen Yunshuang knew that Madam Wang suffered from chronic migraines, so she had prepared the sachet specifically for her.
Though the pale yellow silk pouch looked plain enough, its true value lay in the carefully selected medicinal herbs within.
Madam Wang accepted it and raised it beneath her nose.
The refreshing fragrance instantly soothed her, making her feel noticeably lighter.
She couldn’t bear to put it down.
“I knew you were talented in poetry, music, calligraphy, and painting,” she praised with a smile. “I never expected you to understand medicine as well.”
Shen Yunshuang lowered her graceful brows slightly.
“My health has always been poor, so I’ve spent much of my time reading medical texts. After being ill for so many years, one naturally learns a thing or two.”
Those words only made Madam Wang pity her more.
The reason she had summoned her niece today wasn’t merely to chat.
Although Shen Yunshuang had brought clothing and jewelry from Yangzhou, Madam Wang naturally wished to prepare new things for her as well.
She immediately instructed Nanny Liu and the maids to bring in everything that had already been prepared.
“These are all things I’ve had made for you. Come and see if you like them.”
Shen Yunshuang looked over.
There were more than a dozen bolts of luxurious fabric alone, in shades of goose yellow, pale jade green, crimson, lake blue, lotus pink, and several other elegant colors.
Madam Wang rose, gently stroking the fabrics with a smile.
“These are all this year’s newest designs—the most fashionable silks in Jinling.”
Shen Yunshuang recognized them at once.
They were premium Hangzhou silk and Huzhou brocade, each worth a fortune—far superior to anything in her own wardrobe.
The original Shen Yunshuang’s father held only a minor official post and couldn’t compare to the prestigious Jingyuan Marquis’s Manor. After her stepmother entered the household, she had put on all the airs of a noble mistress, while Shen Yunshuang’s clothing and daily necessities had become far worse than before.
“Thank you, Aunt. I like them very much.”
She curtsied gracefully.
Madam Wang helped her back up before showing her the newly crafted jewelry.
Several maids stepped forward carrying trays.
On them rested a pair of solid gold bracelets inlaid with South Sea pearls, an enamel phoenix hairpin, a pair of teardrop-shaped jade earrings, and two complete sets of matching ornaments.
Madam Wang picked up a dazzling sapphire-and-pearl tassel hairpin and carefully tucked it into Shen Yunshuang’s glossy black coiffure.
Long pearl tassels cascaded beside her ears, making her already exquisite, lotus-like face appear even more breathtaking.
A flash of amazement crossed Madam Wang’s eyes.
Whether she was praising her own taste or Shen Yunshuang’s beauty, even she couldn’t tell.
“Perfect… absolutely perfect.”
Just then, a maid entered to report,
“Your Ladyship, the Heir’s wife has arrived.”
Shen Yunshuang clearly saw the smile fade from Madam Wang’s face, disappearing as lightly as a wisp of smoke.
Of course.
Ever since learning that Su Wanrou suffered from an extremely cold womb and would likely have difficulty bearing children—and that both of Pei Jingnian’s concubines had already damaged their fertility from repeatedly drinking contraceptive medicine—Madam Wang had found it increasingly difficult to feel any affection toward her daughter-in-law.
Still, Su Wanrou was Pei Jingnian’s lawful wife.
Since she had come to pay her respects, Madam Wang could hardly refuse to see her.
“Let her come in.”
She made no move to dismiss the servants, merely returning to her chair while Shen Yunshuang remained seated beside her.
The moment footsteps sounded outside, Shen Yunshuang’s heart began pounding uncontrollably.
She had believed she could endure it.
Yet the instant she heard Su Wanrou’s name, the hatred buried within her surged violently.
It had been festering for far too long.
Su Wanrou had come to Fortune Hall today with the intention of currying favor with her mother-in-law.
The moment she entered, she greeted warmly,
“Greetings, Mother. Your daughter-in-law—”
She had slender brows, almond-shaped eyes, slightly full lips, and porcelain-white skin. Though not stunningly beautiful, she was certainly attractive.
She wore a lotus-purple satin jacket paired with a pale patterned gauze skirt. A gleaming gold hairpin adorned her hair, and her smiling eyes sparkled with warmth.
She was the very picture of a virtuous and dignified mistress of the household.
Yet the smile on her face froze for the briefest moment when it landed on Shen Yunshuang.
She quickly recovered.
“So Cousin is here today as well?”
Shen Yunshuang lowered her eyes and rose to greet her.
“My respects, Cousin-in-law.”
Her voice remained gentle and calm, betraying nothing.
Su Wanrou smiled pleasantly, but inwardly she was shaken.
The reports she had received clearly stated that Shen Yunshuang was on the verge of death.
So how was she standing here perfectly alive?
She discreetly studied Shen Yunshuang.
Her brows curved like distant spring mountains, her eyes shimmered like autumn waters. Her skin was flawless as jade, her figure graceful and slender.
Though she carried a trace of illness, it only enhanced her delicate beauty rather than diminishing it.
She surpassed even the famed beauty Xi Shi in fragile elegance.
Then Su Wanrou noticed how close she sat beside Madam Wang.
Fresh loquats, honeyed dried apricots, fragrant milk-and-water-chestnut cakes, and sweet eight-treasure yogurt desserts filled the table. Beside them, maids held trays laden with fine fabrics and expensive jewelry.
Everything spoke of Madam Wang’s obvious affection for her niece.
Suppressing the unease rising within her, Su Wanrou personally stepped forward and helped Shen Yunshuang to her feet.
“Cousin, there’s no need for such formalities. Are you feeling much better?”
The touch of Su Wanrou’s hand was soft and smooth, yet it filled Shen Yunshuang with revulsion.
Listening to her gentle words of concern, Shen Yunshuang sneered inwardly.
Su Wanrou… Su Wanrou…
How many people have you deceived with that gentle, virtuous mask?
“Thank you for your concern, Cousin-in-law.”
“I’ve already recovered.”