Hearing that Su Wanrou truly intended to arrange a concubine for Pei Jingnian, and realizing that everything was unfolding exactly as it had in her previous life, Shen Yunshuang couldn’t tell whether she felt relieved—or heartbroken for the woman whose fate would mirror her own from that past life.
Composing herself, she lifted her head with a gentle smile.
“When Cousin takes a concubine and has children, Aunt will finally be able to enjoy the happiness of having grandchildren.”
Madam Wang beamed with delight. She thought her niece was not only exceptionally beautiful but also wonderfully sweet with her words.
After they finished reading the Buddhist scriptures together, Shen Yunshuang said before taking her leave,
“Aunt, I’ve been frail since birth and need to take Ginseng Yangrong Pills regularly to nourish my health. I brought some medicinal herbs with me from Yangzhou, but I’m nearly out. I’m afraid I’ll have to send one of my maids out to purchase more.”
“You silly child, why are you being so formal? Whatever you need, just tell your aunt. There’s no reason for you to pay for it yourself.”
Lowering her eyes with a faint smile, Shen Yunshuang replied,
“You’ve already shown me immense kindness by taking me into the residence. I couldn’t possibly trouble you to bear the cost of my medicine as well. Please allow me this much.”
Although Shen Yunshuang had never been favored by her father or stepmother, at least her father had not been utterly heartless. Her late mother’s dowry had been left entirely to Shen Yunshuang.
Madam Wang therefore knew that her niece was by no means lacking in money. Seeing her decline repeatedly, she stopped insisting.
After returning to Ningxiang Residence, Shen Yunshuang took out a pouch filled with gold leaves and handed it to Lürui.
“Tomorrow, besides buying the herbs on this list, I also need you to inquire about someone.”
Lürui looked puzzled.
It was true that her young mistress had been weak since birth, but she had never once taken Ginseng Yangrong Pills. Why had she told Madam Wang that story at Fuxi Hall?
“If I didn’t say that, how could I get permission to leave the residence?”
Shen Yunshuang looked at Lürui and Xuezhi. These two maids had served her since childhood and were absolutely loyal. They were her only trusted allies in the marquis’ household.
“Lürui, Xuezhi… During this illness, I drifted in and out of consciousness several times. Being able to wake up at all was like escaping death. I don’t know whether you’ll believe what I’m about to tell you…”
She swallowed nervously.
The truth—that she possessed medical knowledge from another life—was simply too unbelievable. She could only weave a strange story to explain it.
She slowly recounted the “dream” she had experienced.
In the dream, for some unknown reason, her soul had left her body and arrived in a family of renowned physicians. There, she had grown up alongside a girl studying medicine, learning everything she knew.
Even the Ginseng Yangrong Pills had come from that dream. They were an excellent tonic for strengthening the body and were especially suitable for people who had been weak since birth.
The dream had felt so incredibly real.
Now that her health had deteriorated to such a state, she was willing to take the risk and trust what she had learned, if only to survive.
Lürui and Xuezhi stared at her in complete shock.
Their mistress was saying that she… now knew medicine? That she understood countless medicinal formulas?
“Miss… this… this won’t do!” Xuezhi exclaimed anxiously. “It was only a dream! There’s no proof of any of it. How can you take medicine so recklessly?”
Shen Yunshuang looked at her reassuringly.
“My body is already in such poor condition. How much worse could it possibly become? I’d rather believe this is Heaven taking pity on me, granting me such a miraculous encounter so I won’t die young.”
In truth, ever since waking up this time, she had already noticed that her body felt noticeably stronger than before.
Perhaps Heaven truly had taken pity on her by granting her a second chance at life.
Still, appearing weak and sickly made it easier to earn sympathy while lowering the guard of certain people.
For that reason, she still needed to maintain the image of a delicate invalid.
The sorrowful tone in which she spoke of her frailty left both Lürui and Xuezhi with aching hearts.
They had grown up alongside their young mistress and knew better than anyone how fragile she was.
She was like the most precious flower.
Winter chilled her to the bone. Summer heat exhausted her. She fell ill almost every month.
This journey to the capital had nearly claimed her life, and they had witnessed it with their own eyes.
Lürui clenched her fists.
“Very well, Miss. I’ll buy the herbs. Your health will definitely improve.”
Seeing that the two maids had accepted her explanation, Shen Yunshuang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Don’t worry. I’ve also been studying medical books these past few days. Even if these herbs can’t cure me, they certainly won’t do my body any harm.”
The sheet of paper was densely covered with the names of medicinal herbs.
Besides those meant to strengthen her health, there were naturally others as well.
A calculating gleam flashed across Shen Yunshuang’s eyes.
She intended to make preparations for the future.
After leaving Fuxi Hall, Pei Jingnian walked beneath the moonlight back toward Heying Pavilion.
Ever since the incident involving the contraceptive soup, he had never returned to Jinlan Courtyard. Going back to Heying Pavilion had now become second nature.
As he crossed the garden and passed through a moon gate, he unexpectedly found Baoshan, Su Wanrou’s personal maid, waiting outside the entrance.
Pei Jingnian frowned.
His mother’s earlier words surfaced once more in his mind, leaving him instantly irritated.
Upon seeing him, Baoshan hurried forward respectfully.
“Heir, Madam has been waiting for you in the main courtyard.”
Had he not just spoken with Madam Wang, Su Wanrou’s thoughtful gesture might have persuaded him to give her face.
But recalling what his mother had revealed…
His wife hadn’t considered his dignity in the slightest.
His face turned cold.
“There’s no need. I’ve already eaten at Fuxi Hall. You may return.”
With that, he strode straight into the courtyard, leaving Baoshan standing alone in the night breeze.
The night grew darker.
After bathing, Pei Jingnian did not retire to bed. Instead, he went alone to his study and began practicing calligraphy.
His thoughts were in complete disarray.
All his life, he had believed himself fortunate.
He had been born into an illustrious noble family, possessed remarkable literary talent, and his official career had progressed smoothly.
Only his household affairs…
He had once believed his wife to be gentle, virtuous, and kind.
Yet after only three years of marriage, she had revealed an entirely different side of herself.
In truth, when Su Wanrou had first been diagnosed with a cold womb, he had already felt somewhat deceived.
But they were husband and wife.
He had sympathized with her, knowing that she had fallen into an icy lake as a child and permanently damaged her health.
However, secretly adding excessive amounts of musk to the contraceptive medicine intended for his two bedchamber attendants…
That was something he simply could not tolerate.
Just as his mother had said, Su Wanrou had truly intended to cut off his family line.
Even more chilling was the viciousness hidden behind her actions.
It frightened him to the point that he no longer wished to see her.
Whenever she smiled at him with her usual gentle expression, he couldn’t help feeling deeply uncomfortable, as though he had been thoroughly fooled.
Though he was a scholar, he had never been one to tolerate even the slightest stain upon his principles.
These past few days, every time he returned home, he deliberately avoided Jinlan Courtyard.
Because the moment he saw Su Wanrou, he could only think of what she had done.