Just as Shen Yunying was about to get a good night’s sleep, she was interrupted again. Rewards from the Emperor, the Empress, and the Crown Prince in the palace had arrived.
Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying came out together to receive the gifts.
Wang Gonggong from the imperial court personally brought the Emperor’s oral decree. All the items bestowed were in pairs, expressing hopes for Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying to live in harmony and happiness, with everything going smoothly.
Shen Yunying stood beside Yan Peifeng with pursed lips, only needing to lower her head shyly as she listened.
After Yan Peifeng personally gave Wang Gonggong a red envelope to share in the joy and watched him leave, Shen Yunying thought, “Now I should be able to go back to sleep, right?”
As she looked up at her newly minted husband, she heard Yan Peifeng say, “Madam, you can handle these rewards as you see fit. I’m returning to the Study.”
There was still a pile of documents in the Study that Yan Peifeng needed to familiarize himself with, and he planned to finish reading them before the wedding festivities concluded.
Shen Yunying’s interrupted sleepiness was instantly cured. The palace had sent two large chests filled with gold, silver, jewels, silks, and satins, as well as fresh delicacies like lychees and cherries, all bright red and arranged on white bone china plates. When the red cloth was lifted, they looked especially enticing.
There was also a large food box of pastries, exactly the same as those served at the Flower Appreciation Banquet, with a few additional varieties added.
Shen Yunying replied softly, “I’ll listen to my husband.”
She would go back now and try these fresh fruits and pastries. She absolutely wouldn’t let them go to waste!
Behind her, Yinping and Yinzheng were delighted for their young lady. Receiving these rewards meant that the Emperor and Empress were very satisfied with Shen Yunying after her morning visit to the palace. Moreover, back at the residence, Yan Peifeng had delegated authority, allowing Shen Yunying to handle the imperial gifts as she pleased.
Just thinking about it made them feel that Shen Yunying’s good days were about to begin!
However, as soon as they returned to the main room, Shen Yunying’s words nearly made Yinping stumble.
“Quickly bring out the Jade Dew Dumplings and Thousand-Layer Brocade. Even if they’re not from Yipin Zhai, the palace ones will do.” Shen Yunying hadn’t tasted these in a long time and suddenly missed them dearly.
Shen Yunying sat down and invited Yinping and Yinzheng to try them as well, reminiscing with a smile, “Last time at the Flower Appreciation Banquet, I thought the palace’s pastries weren’t as good as Yipin Zhai’s. It seems the apprentice still can’t surpass the master.”
The palace’s pastry chef was an apprentice of the master chef at Yipin Zhai, something Shen Yunying had heard while preparing for her wedding. The source of this information was Old Madam Shen, so it was quite credible.
At this point, Shen Yunying suddenly wondered if the Empress had inquired about the Flower Appreciation Banquet, thinking she enjoyed the pastries, and had specifically sent them.
Shen Yunying couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. Was her impression in the Empress’s eyes really that of someone who loved to eat?!
Yinping held her forehead, unsure whether to be happy or worried. “My lady! The Emperor and Empress are the closest elders to the master. You… really, I don’t even know what to say.”
Yinzheng’s mind turned, and she chimed in, “Being able to eat is a blessing. Isn’t it good for Madam to be like this? Third Madam really likes it.”
“That’s her birth mother. How can she be compared to the elders on the husband’s side?” Yinping glared coldly at Yinzheng.
Yinzheng lowered her head and pouted, “She’s not our Madam’s mother-in-law anyway. Besides, the Empress is in the palace, and we’re outside. We hardly see her a few times a year.”
Shen Yunying deeply agreed. “Since things have come to this, let’s eat first.” As she spoke, she picked up a Jade Dew Dumpling, took a gentle bite, and savored the lingering fragrance on her lips and teeth.
For this, it was worth skipping an afternoon nap.
Seeing Shen Yunying and Yinzheng treat the matter so lightly, Yinping felt a surge of frustration. However, when she tasted the palace delicacies, she couldn’t help but smile along.
Indeed, dwelling on the past was pointless. Moreover, from another perspective, wasn’t the Empress sending so many rewards despite knowing Shen Yunying’s fondness for food a sign of her satisfaction with her?
Yinping’s earlier gloom instantly dissipated.
Noticing Yinping’s smile, Shen Yunying thought to herself that this was indeed her maid, sharing the same heart as her.
Mistress and servants happily sipped tea and enjoyed seasonal fruits and pastries, filling the room with warmth.
When it was time for dinner, Yan Peifeng sent word for Shen Yunying to go to Rongmao Hall first, as he would arrive shortly. Shen Yunying decided not to wait for him and went ahead with Yinping and Yinzheng.
Upon seeing Shen Yunying arrive, Grandfather Yan and Grandmother Yan immediately smiled and invited her to sit.
Grandmother Yan beckoned and said with a laugh, “Yunying, your grandfather and I are used to simple meals and aren’t accustomed to such delicacies.”
She gestured for Shen Yunying to try the freshly served lychees, honey peaches, poria cakes, and hundred-flower pastries—all palace rewards that Shen Yunying had sent to Rongmao Hall.
Grandmother Yan didn’t tell Shen Yunying not to send such things again, as she and Grandfather Yan would soon leave the capital, making such a remark unnecessary.
A faint blush spread across Shen Yunying’s cheeks as she declined, “Grandfather, Grandmother, it’s nice to occasionally taste palace delicacies for a change. Besides, both your grandson’s wife and her husband have plenty.”
She was tempted, but having just eaten some snacks and with dinner still to come, she held back. The palace had given generously, and Shen Yunying had set aside a portion for Jiang Wensheng, leaving plenty for herself.
Seeing Shen Yunying’s shy expression, Grandmother Yan didn’t press further. She glanced outside, confirming that Yan Peifeng hadn’t arrived, and couldn’t help but chide, “Why doesn’t Peifeng know to accompany you? That child! So thoughtless.”
She looked at Shen Yunying affectionately. “Yunying, don’t mind him. When he arrives, we’ll have a good talk with him!”
“What does Grandmother wish to say to your grandson?” Yan Peifeng appeared at the doorway, striding into the room with a faint smile.
Grandmother Yan shot him a look and said bluntly, “We’re criticizing you. Is your newlywed leave meant for burying yourself in books in the study? You’ve already topped the imperial exams—set those books aside for now!”
Grandfather Yan chimed in, “Your grandmother is right. Today, you didn’t even take your wife for a stroll around the Princess Mansion. That can be done later, but tomorrow, when you return to her family home, you must be sharp and make a good impression in front of the Grand Tutor and your mother-in-law.”
Yan Peifeng could sense his grandparents’ loving concern and simply nodded. “Grandfather and Grandmother are right. Your grandson will take heed.”
Grandfather Yan and Grandmother Yan both smiled, relieved that their eldest grandson was willing to listen, allowing them to depart with peace of mind.
Beside them, Shen Yunying couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. With years of experience in dealing with people superficially, she immediately understood Yan Peifeng’s underlying meaning. She glanced at Yan Peifeng, who had delighted his grandparents, feeling as though she had met a kindred spirit.
She wondered which of them was more skilled at this.
When dinner was served, Shen Yunying only symbolically served Grandfather Yan and Grandmother Yan one dish each, then casually added a helping of shredded chicken stir-fried with lily bulbs to Yan Peifeng’s bowl. This gesture clearly pleased Grandfather Yan and Grandmother Yan even more. With them happy, Yan Peifeng naturally didn’t spoil the mood.
His voice was gentle as he said, “Thank you, my lady. There’s no need to serve me. Please sit and join us for the meal.” Then, without changing his expression, he ate the slightly bitter lily bulbs.
Shen Yunying’s movements were gentle and elegant, but in truth, she felt a bit of regret—she shouldn’t have served food to Yan Peifeng just now. It had simply become a habit.
This was the first time Shen Yunying had served food to someone. Considering the number of people at the table, she had only thought to serve three times, following the order of those seated to her right. By the time she realized what she had done, it was too late, so she simply placed the dish in front of Yan Peifeng.
She hoped Yan Peifeng didn’t dislike this dish.
Shen Yunying subtly observed Yan Peifeng’s expression out of the corner of her eye, but unfortunately, she couldn’t read anything from it. She let it go, reasoning that if Yan Peifeng ate it calmly, it meant he could tolerate it.
The atmosphere at the table remained harmonious throughout the meal.
During the dinner, Yan’s grandfather mentioned that the Yan family’s old residence in the capital would continue to be occupied by relatives from Fanzhou for a while longer, as they planned to stay in the capital for an extended period. Yan Peifeng didn’t object, and Shen Yunying had no opinion on the matter either, so it was settled.
With the long summer days, Yan’s grandfather and grandmother kept Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying engaged in conversation for quite some time, mostly about Yan Peifeng—his childhood antics, his taste preferences, and other details were subtly revealed to Shen Yunying through their stories.
Shen Yunying’s bright almond-shaped eyes met Yan’s grandmother’s teasing gaze, and she understood the unspoken message: “I’ve helped you this far; the rest is up to you.”
What could Shen Yunying do?
She could only continue to blush shyly, nodding slightly to the grandmother to show her understanding and gratitude.
Yan Peifeng pretended not to notice the silent exchange between his grandmother and Shen Yunying. Reflecting on the two meals of the day, he thought that if Shen Yunying could make some adjustments, sharing meals together in the future might be more pleasant.
As dusk fell, the elderly couple urged the young couple to return to their own quarters and not linger in Rongmao Hall. Before they left, Yan’s grandmother reminded them that the gifts for the return visit had already been prepared and could be taken directly to the Shen family the next day.
After leaving Rongmao Hall, Yan Peifeng walked ahead, his green robe transformed into an elegant white under the soft moonlight, embodying the image of a refined gentleman.
Shen Yunying stole a glance at him from the side and couldn’t help but nod in approval—Yan Peifeng’s appearance was undoubtedly among the finest of the capital’s young gentlemen. As for his physique, Shen Yunying clenched her fingers, recalling that beneath his clothes, Yan Peifeng’s build was not like that of a frail scholar but rather resembled the sturdy frame of a military man, though not as broad-shouldered.
The memory of last night’s touch seemed to linger on her fingertips, reminding her that this man was nothing like the fragile scholars depicted in storybooks.
Lost in thought, Shen Yunying unknowingly walked ahead, even surpassing Yan Peifeng, before abruptly stopping under his curious gaze. Her face flushed red, this time with genuine embarrassment.
She whispered, “Husband?”
Yan Peifeng hummed in response and suddenly asked, “What were you thinking about just now?”
Shen Yunying was instantly pulled back to her earlier thoughts, her cheeks growing even redder. Her round, expressive almond eyes looked at Yan Peifeng with innocence and hesitation. “I, I—”
Her mind raced, and she finally came up with an excellent excuse, saying somewhat sheepishly, “I just learned that you dislike bitter flavors. The lily slices earlier—I’m sorry for troubling you.”
The implication was that she was making an effort to remember Yan Peifeng’s preferences while also apologizing for the earlier incident of serving him food.
In her heart, Shen Yunying saw Yan Peifeng as a family member she lived with, but remembering Jiang Wensheng’s advice, she knew she needed to show respect and affection toward her husband for their life together to be harmonious and lasting.
Yan Peifeng’s lips curved slightly as he thought to himself, indeed, Shen Yunying remembered. Next time they had lunch together, they wouldn’t need to eat sweet and sour dishes.
“It’s fine. You’ve just married into the family, so take your time with these things.” Yan Peifeng was very tolerant of Shen Yunying, whom he had chosen himself. From last night until now, Shen Yunying’s performance had been quite good.
Shen Yunying smiled and nodded.
As the moonlight grew thicker, the two fell silent. The cicadas’ chirping in the night rose and fell passionately, accompanying the newlywed couple as they departed.
Returning to the courtyard, the servants had already prepared hot water. Shen Yunying and Yan Peifeng tacitly washed up separately and changed into breathable summer sleeping garments.
Lying on the same bed for the second time, both Shen Yunying and Yan Peifeng felt somewhat uneasy.
Shen Yunying’s throat tightened, her eyes blinking incessantly. She was nervous and kept glancing toward Yan Peifeng. Was he going to do the marital act or not?
If he was, he should hurry up—the sooner it was over, the better. Tomorrow, she still had to return to Taishi Mansion early to see her mother.
Shen Yunying grew anxious but couldn’t bring herself to urge him. Her hands tightly gripped the bright red bedsheets.
Meanwhile, Yan Peifeng was also struggling. His wife’s words from earlier in the day about “flourishing branches and leaves” still echoed in his ears. He thought Shen Yunying must want a child.
To have a child, the prerequisite was to stir up the red waves beneath the covers at night.
Yan Peifeng turned to his side. The person beside him had fair, luminous skin, and her lovely face was already dazzling under the candlelight. Under the moonlight, she appeared even more captivating.
But the thought of this face frowning and biting her lips in discomfort dampened Yan Peifeng’s rising interest.
His eyes darkened as he said in a low voice, “Tomorrow we have to return to your family home. Tonight, let’s sleep in our clothes.”
Shen Yunying’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise. “Husband, are you serious?”
Meeting Yan Peifeng’s dark, unusually bright eyes in the night, she quickly laughed awkwardly. “It’s just… tonight is only the second day. Wouldn’t it be improper for us to do this?”
Typically, newlyweds would engage in nightly activities before meeting the Duke of Zhou in their dreams.
Yan Peifeng’s eyes flickered as he slowly replied, “I thought you’d want to be more energetic tomorrow when returning to Taishi Mansion. But if you want, I—”
Shen Yunying immediately grabbed Yan Peifeng’s hand as he reached out, smiling. “Then I’ll listen to you, husband.”
With that, she closed her eyes, not forgetting to withdraw her hand and quickly tuck it under the covers.