Although Su Wanrou had already told her mother-in-law today about taking Yanzhi as Pei Jingnian’s concubine, she had not yet discussed the matter with Pei Jingnian himself.
In truth, Pei Jingnian had always treated her very well. Even when the estate physician had diagnosed her with a cold womb and said she might struggle to conceive, although he had been shocked, he had never blamed or resented her. Instead, he had comforted her gently.
But ever since Linglan, that wretched maid, exposed the truth about the contraceptive soup, something had changed in him. He had become noticeably colder toward her. These past few days, he had been sleeping in Crane Shadow Pavilion and had not set foot in Jinlan Courtyard once.
Su Wanrou knew this situation could not continue.
She instructed Baoshan, “Tell Gradma Sun at the gatehouse to keep watch. The moment the heir returns, have her send word to you, and invite him here for dinner.”
After Baoshan acknowledged the order crisply, Su Wanrou turned to Nanny Zhou.
“Tell the kitchen to prepare several of the heir’s favorite dishes. And…” After a moment’s thought, she added, “Have someone order Beauty’s Liver and Squirrel Fish from Zuixian Restaurant.”
Zuixian Restaurant was one of the capital’s most famous establishments, and Beauty’s Liver and Squirrel Fish were among its signature dishes.
After arranging everything, Su Wanrou busied herself dressing and applying makeup, hoping to pour out her heart to Pei Jingnian that evening and mend the rift between them.
While she was bustling about, Shen Yunshuang’s quarters were far quieter.
She had converted the west wing of Ningxiang Residence into a study. At this moment, she sat quietly before her desk, carefully copying Buddhist scriptures.
Madam Wang was a devout Buddhist, and it had been Shen Yunshuang herself who had offered to copy scriptures for her. Since she had little to do while staying at the Pei residence, doing small tasks within her ability would only strengthen her relationship with Madam Wang. Why wouldn’t she?
Speaking of which, Lin Yaoniang in her previous life had been illiterate.
But in this life, having inherited Shen Yunshuang’s memories, she could not only read and write, but wrote beautifully. Her delicate hairpin-style script was graceful, elegant, and flowing, every stroke refined and exquisite.
Seeing Su Wanrou today had awakened even more memories of her previous life.
She could clearly sense Su Wanrou’s wariness and dislike toward her cousin.
The corners of Shen Yunshuang’s lips slowly lifted.
Su Wanrou… this fear is only the beginning.
I’ll make you watch, step by step, as your own downfall unfolds.
“Miss, Nanny Tian from the sewing room has arrived.”
Lurui lifted the curtain with a smile and announced softly.
Setting down her brush, Shen Yunshuang looked up.
“Please invite her in.”
Madam Wang had rewarded Shen Yunshuang with many fine bolts of fabric. Naturally, she could not waste her elder’s kindness, which was why she had invited Nanny Tian from the sewing room.
Nanny Tian was pleasantly plump, with her glossy hair arranged in a neat round bun. The moment she saw Shen Yunshuang, her eyes lit up.
“Only after seeing you today, Miss Cousin, do I truly understand what a heavenly beauty looks like.”
Shen Yunshuang smiled faintly.
“You flatter me, Nanny Tian. My aunt has given me several pieces of cloth, so I’d like to trouble you with making a few outfits.”
Her voice was as clear and pleasant as spring water brushing over blossoms.
“You honor this servant too much. It’s only our duty.”
The mistress of the eastern residence was not one to leave much work for the sewing room, so their workload was never especially heavy. Although Shen Yunshuang was merely a guest, Madam Wang adored her greatly, and Nanny Tian naturally dared not neglect her.
As she examined the expensive fabrics Madam Wang had bestowed, she secretly clicked her tongue in amazement.
Madam Wang certainly is generous.
Experienced in needlework, she immediately pointed out which fabrics were suitable for jackets and which for gauze skirts, explaining everything in detail. Shen Yunshuang listened with satisfaction.
When Nanny Tian was about to leave, Shen Yunshuang gave Lurui a subtle look.
Understanding at once, Lurui handed Nanny Tian a bulging embroidered purse.
Feeling its satisfying weight, Nanny Tian’s smile became even more sincere.
“We’ll work as quickly as possible. As soon as the garments are finished, we’ll deliver them to you.”
After she left, Xuezhi and Lurui exchanged delighted smiles before approaching Shen Yunshuang.
“Madam truly favors you, Miss. Naturally, the servants in this household wouldn’t dare slight you. You’ve finally come through the hard times.”
They had served Shen Yunshuang long before she entered the Pei residence and knew exactly how miserable her life had been in the Shen household. Seeing her treated so well now genuinely made them happy.
Picking up her brush once more, Shen Yunshuang continued writing with quiet concentration.
“My aunt treats me kindly. Naturally, I should repay her kindness.”
Having lived a second life, she understood human relationships far better.
Madam Wang’s affection stemmed from her love for Shen Yunshuang’s late mother. But even such affection required careful nurturing. After all, she was only a niece—not a daughter.
Xuezhi smiled.
“That’s true, Miss. If you serve Madam well, she’ll surely find you an excellent husband in the future. Then you’ll have nothing to worry about for the rest of your life.”
Since no outsiders were present, Xuezhi dared to speak so openly.
Shen Yunshuang had already turned seventeen. She was no longer young, and arranging a marriage was an urgent matter. In truth, one of the reasons for coming from Yangzhou to the capital had been to find her a suitable match.
Had she remained in Yangzhou, the matter would have rested entirely in her stepmother’s hands. There was no need to guess what sort of husband that woman would have chosen for her. Yet marriage determined a woman’s entire future.
The capital, however, was different.
The Pei family was an illustrious noble house. The people they associated with and encountered were far beyond anything Yangzhou could offer.
Yet Shen Yunshuang did not respond.
In this lifetime, she had no intention of marrying anyone else.
She only intended to marry Pei Jingnian.
It wasn’t because she loved him.
Although she had borne his child in her previous life, the two of them had been little more than strangers. Pei Jingnian was a man of noble status, while she had always been intimidated by him because of her own inferiority. They had shared very few intimate moments. The fact that she conceived at all was largely because her body had been naturally healthy.
But she knew one thing.
To Su Wanrou, Pei Jingnian was the husband she loved most—the source of her pride and honor.
And what Shen Yunshuang intended to do…
…was steal him away.
She would make Su Wanrou lose the man she loved above all else, stripping her of both her cherished happiness and every shred of dignity.
That day, when Pei Jingnian returned to the manor, Gradma Sun at the gatehouse did indeed stop him.
But just as Baoshan arrived to invite him to Jinlan Courtyard, Nanny Liu from Fuxi Hall also hurried over.
The moment she saw him, it was as though she had found her savior.
“Heir… Madam’s headaches have flared up again today. We wanted to summon a physician, but she absolutely refuses. Could you… could you please have a look?”
The moment Pei Jingnian heard his mother was unwell, his handsome brows knitted together.
Without another word, he swept up the hem of his robe and strode directly toward Fuxi Hall, paying no attention whatsoever to what Baoshan had come to say.
Watching the heir leave without even sparing her a glance, Baoshan froze.
She twisted the handkerchief in her hands, shot Gradma Sun a vicious glare, then turned and returned to Jinlan Courtyard to report.
Gradma Sun lowered her eyes meekly, thinking to herself:
Both Madam and the Crown Princess ordered me to watch for the heir’s return. I can’t afford to offend either of them. As for where the heir chooses to go… that depends on their own abilities.
Meanwhile, Pei Jingnian hurried into Fuxi Hall.
As soon as he entered, he saw Madam Wang reclining weakly against a large cushion. A forehead band wrapped around her temples, while the maid Shiliu stood beside her, fanning her gently.
Seeing her son arrive, Madam Wang smiled faintly.
“Chengyuan… you’re back.”