Shen Yunshuang’s gaze swept over the pot of orchids before a faint smile appeared on her face.
“Aunt, whatever is the matter?”
Madam Wang gave a cold snort, her displeasure plain to see.
“For some reason, this orchid has begun to wither after only a few days. It’s truly upsetting.”
Only then did Shen Yunshuang step forward to inspect the plant. Sure enough, the edges of the petals had already begun to scorch.
During the time she had stayed by Lingdang’s side, she had learned a great deal about cultivating herbs and flowers. One glance was enough for her to recognize the problem—the orchid’s roots had become suffocated.
Understanding the cause, her eyes drifted to the porcelain pot. She let out a soft gasp.
“Aunt… this flowerpot…”
She hesitated, as though unsure whether she ought to continue.
Madam Wang immediately became suspicious.
“What’s wrong with the flowerpot?”
Shen Yunshuang stepped closer and lowered her voice.
“The pot is certainly elegant and expensive, but it isn’t breathable. Orchids enjoy moisture, yet they fear standing water. They should only be planted in plain clay pots.”
She paused, her brows knitting together before continuing,
“Cousin-in-law planted it in this porcelain pot… It really is such a terrible waste.”
The moment those words fell, Madam Wang’s expression darkened completely.
The orchid had been a gift from Su Wanrou. At the time, she had genuinely been pleased, believing her daughter-in-law had sincerely repented and had gone to great lengths to obtain such a rare flower just to make her happy.
Who would have thought it wasn’t thoughtfulness at all?
It was obvious she hadn’t cared enough to do even the most basic research.
Otherwise, why would she pair such a precious orchid with such an unsuitable pot?
A perfectly healthy flower had withered after only a few days. How could that possibly be an auspicious sign?
Seeing Madam Wang’s growing displeasure, Shen Yunshuang secretly curled her lips into a smile before gently adding,
“Aunt, Cousin-in-law probably just doesn’t know how to care for flowers. That’s why she made such an oversight. I’m sure she didn’t do it intentionally.”
Madam Wang’s disappointment deepened.
“I thought she truly regretted her mistakes. I never imagined she’d be so careless even toward me, her mother-in-law. It seems she’s grown far too comfortable.”
The more she looked at the orchid, the more her heart ached. All the affection she had once felt for it disappeared.
She didn’t even want the gardener to save it anymore.
“Take it away at once! Let it live or die as fate wills!”
A flicker crossed Shen Yunshuang’s eyes. She felt it would be a pity to waste such a fine orchid, so she stepped forward.
“Aunt, why don’t you give the orchid to me? If I can nurse it back to health, I’ll present it to you again.”
Madam Wang smiled.
“So you like orchids? I’ll simply find another couple of pots for you.”
Shen Yunshuang lowered her head shyly.
“It’s only… such a beautiful flower would be a shame to lose.”
Madam Wang sighed inwardly.
My niece is someone who truly cherishes flowers.
As for Su Wanrou… she merely pretends to appreciate refinement.
Since her niece had asked, Madam Wang naturally agreed.
Thus, when Shen Yunshuang left Fuxi Hall, she carried the orchid away with her.
There were no secrets within the Marquis’s residence.
Besides, Shen Yunshuang had made no attempt to hide the matter, so it wasn’t long before the news reached Su Wanrou’s ears.
“What?”
“Mother has given that orchid to Shen Yunshuang?”
Furious, Su Wanrou threw her ivory comb onto the dressing table.
That orchid had been extraordinarily rare. Finding it alone had cost her immense time and effort.
Yet her mother-in-law had simply handed it over to Shen Yunshuang.
Did that mean she valued her sincerity so little?
Nanny Zhou discreetly signaled the little maid who had delivered the news to withdraw before stepping forward to console her mistress.
“Madam, don’t dwell on it, and certainly don’t show your displeasure. It’s only a flower. Why let it trouble you?”
Su Wanrou bit her lip.
How could she not care?
This wasn’t about a flower.
It was about her mother-in-law dismissing her heartfelt gift.
And…
She couldn’t shake her unease over Madam Wang’s excessive affection for Shen Yunshuang.
She feared…
That Pei Jingnian might come to love Shen Yunshuang simply because his mother adored her.
“When I first gave Mother the orchid, she clearly loved it.”
As Su Wanrou recalled the scene, she suddenly remembered the way Shen Yunshuang had looked at the orchid the first time she saw it.
Her eyes widened with realization.
“Nanny Zhou… could it be that Shen Yunshuang asked Mother for it herself?”
The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became.
As expected of someone raised in a petty household.
She couldn’t even resist coveting something as small as a flower.
Her disgust for Shen Yunshuang deepened several more layers.
Nanny Zhou didn’t know the truth either.
But in her opinion, it was best if Su Wanrou directed all her resentment toward Shen Yunshuang instead of quarreling with Madam Wang.
So she made no attempt to correct her assumption.
“If Miss Shen asked for it herself, Madam naturally couldn’t bear to refuse. Besides, Madam has excellent taste. The orchid you chose would make anyone envious.”
Su Wanrou snorted softly, her contempt for Shen Yunshuang growing stronger.
At that moment, Nanny Zhou picked up the ivory comb and slowly combed Su Wanrou’s hair.
“Gently now, Madam. Don’t think about this anymore. The Heir is coming to Jinlan Courtyard for dinner tonight. That’s what truly deserves your attention.”
Hearing that, a rosy blush immediately spread across Su Wanrou’s cheeks.
That’s right.
Pei Jingnian hadn’t visited her room in a very long time.
Tonight…
She had to seize the opportunity.
Still uneasy, Nanny Zhou reminded her again,
“Madam, no matter what, you mustn’t mention this matter before the Heir. No man enjoys hearing his wife complain about his own mother. Do you understand?”
Su Wanrou pouted.
“I’ve never thought of opposing Mother. I’ve been respectful to her every day since I entered the household three years ago.”
“Oh, I know.”
“I was only grumbling here in our own courtyard. Why would I ever say such things in front of my husband? I’m not foolish.”
Only then did Nanny Zhou finally relax.
By evening, the setting sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with deep crimson clouds.
Inside the main hall of Jinlan Courtyard, Su Wanrou wore a crimson cloud-brocade ruqun. As she directed the maids in setting the dinner table, the pearl hairpins in her elegant coiffure swayed gently with every movement.
The round rosewood table was soon covered with exquisite dishes.
Crystal-thin sliced beef shimmered like translucent jade.
Golden squirrel-shaped mandarin fish glistened beneath rich sauce.
There were rouge-colored goose breast, Longjing tea shrimp, crab roe tofu, and many other delicacies, each steaming hot and filling the room with mouthwatering aromas.
No sooner had the meal been arranged than Nanny Zhou hurried in, beaming.
“Madam, the Heir has returned.”
Pei Jingnian was an exceptionally disciplined man.
Unless official duties detained him, he always returned home promptly after work and never lingered in wine houses or pleasure quarters.
That was precisely why Su Wanrou had timed the dinner so carefully.
Even though she had expected it…
Her heart still filled with excitement.
And nervous anticipation.
As the sound of boots drew closer from outside, her heartbeat quickened.
When that tall, refined figure finally appeared before her, a charming smile bloomed across her face as she stepped forward.
“My Lord.”
Having stayed away from Jinlan Courtyard for so long, Pei Jingnian found the place strangely unfamiliar.
Even Su Wanrou herself felt unfamiliar to him.
She had never smiled at him so eagerly before.
He sighed inwardly.
A husband and wife at odds could never bring prosperity to the household.
That was why he had come tonight.
But once cracks appeared in a relationship…
They were difficult to mend.
Even so, he still felt somewhat awkward.
Fortunately, Su Wanrou was warm enough for the both of them as she led him to the dining table.
Pei Jingnian glanced over the dishes before him and felt reasonably satisfied.
After a long day’s work, he didn’t say much and simply began eating.
Su Wanrou ladled a bowl of soup and set it before him.
As she reached forward, the jade bracelet on her wrist caught the light.
“This is bamboo fungus chicken soup. I also added Jinhua ham. Please give it a try, My Lord.”
Looking at Pei Jingnian’s handsome, scholarly features, Su Wanrou’s heart softened with bittersweet emotion.
How long had it been…
Since she had been able to look at him from such a close distance?