To avoid walking into the scene of the grandparents reprimanding their grandson, Shen Yunying deliberately arrived at Rongmao Hall a quarter of an hour late.
Grandfather Yan wore a stern expression, his lean face etched with deep lines, his eyes sharp and piercing. In an instant, he transformed from a gentle, scholarly teacher into a commanding official exuding authority.
Grandmother Yan’s anger had just subsided, her eyes slightly reddened. When she looked at Yan Peifeng, her gaze held a hint of disappointment, as if frustrated by his failure to meet expectations.
As Shen Yunying sensed this underlying meaning, she thought to herself, Thank goodness Grandfather and Grandmother Yan are returning to Fanzhou soon. Otherwise, I’m not sure if Yan Peifeng could withstand the pressure and maintain his current state of rarely entering the Rear Courtyard. It seems a bit uncertain.
As soon as she stepped into Rongmao Hall, Shen Yunying put on a bright smile. “Please forgive this granddaughter-in-law for being late. I went to the kitchen to keep an eye on the astragalus and poria chicken soup, which delayed me a little.”
The astragalus and poria chicken soup was a medicinal cuisine specifically recommended by the imperial physician who had come to examine the two elders.
With the heavy humidity of summer, the spleen and stomach are easily weakened. Elderly people tend to feel lethargic and lose their appetite. Poria strengthens the spleen and dispels dampness, while astragalus replenishes qi and blood, making it an ideal tonic for Grandfather and Grandmother Yan during the summer.
Grandmother Yan’s gaze instantly softened with affection. Looking at Shen Yunying, she found everything about her pleasing and satisfying. She couldn’t help but turn and glare at her own grandson. Look at your wife—beautiful, gentle, filial, and sensible. How could Yan Peifeng let her stay alone in an empty room?
Even Grandfather Yan’s stern expression melted away considerably. He said kindly, “Since our granddaughter-in-law has arrived, let’s serve the meal.”
“Yunying, come sit by me. Don’t just focus on our health. Today, I specifically asked the kitchen to prepare bird’s nest and pigeon soup. You need to nourish your body too.” Grandmother Yan thought to herself, Since my grandson has treated Shen Yunying poorly, I must compensate her doubly.
Shen Yunying naturally walked over to Grandmother Yan’s side and smiled gently. “Thank you, Grandmother.”
Throughout the meal, Grandfather and Grandmother Yan were cold and stern toward Yan Peifeng but warm and gentle toward Shen Yunying. Shen Yunying almost felt too embarrassed to glance at Yan Peifeng’s expression.
Before leaving, Grandfather Yan cleared his throat lightly, his gaze fixed on Yan Peifeng with a warning look. “Peifeng, you are now married and about to enter officialdom. You must act with extreme caution. We, the old couple, will return to Fanzhou tomorrow and won’t be able to keep an eye on you at all times. A wife is your equal. Treat your granddaughter-in-law well, and she will stand by your side, supporting each other. Do you understand?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Yunying knew these words were not only meant for Yan Peifeng but also a reminder to her to fulfill her duties as a wife.
Grandmother Yan continued, “What kind of etiquette is it to return from visiting the bride’s family, receive books as gifts from the Grand Tutor, and then immediately leave his granddaughter alone in the Rear Courtyard? And that was during the first three days after the wedding! If the Shen family found out, they would have every reason to come knocking on our door! Peifeng, search your conscience—was what you did right?”
Marriage and alliance are meant to bring two families together in harmony, not to create enmity.
Did Yan Peifeng need her to teach him the principle that the bridal chamber should not be left empty during the first three days of marriage?
Seeing Yan Peifeng bow his head once again in admission of fault, and recalling the reason he had just given—that he had been too engrossed in reading and had neglected the Rear Courtyard—Grandmother Yan took a closer look and noticed the dark circles under his eyes.
Yan Peifeng had also said earlier that if his wife had sent someone to the Study, he would have certainly returned to their room.
Grandmother Yan sighed inwardly. She guessed that Shen Yunying, as a new bride, might have been too shy to urge her husband to return to their room. From their interactions over the past few days, Shen Yunying appeared reserved, gentle, and not the type to be assertive or outspoken.
“Grandfather and grandmother’s admonishment is correct, your grandson will remember it.” Yan Peifeng felt that he indeed should not have neglected Shen Yunying last night. The first three days after marriage were different from ordinary times. He should not have overlooked this.
A thought crossed his mind—could it be that Shen Yunying was also in low spirits today, going out for a stroll with another man, because he hadn’t gone to the Rear Courtyard to find her last night?
Yan Peifeng unconsciously clenched his fingers, then recalled the maid’s confident accusation. She was Nanny Yang’s granddaughter and unlikely to joke about such matters.
Grandmother Yan turned her gaze to Shen Yunying, taking her hand and earnestly advising, “Yunying, if Peifeng has any shortcomings, you should just go and confront him. In my opinion, last night you should have sent someone to the Study to call him back to the Rear Courtyard. Or you could have dispatched a maid to Rongmao Hall to inform me—that would have been fine too.”
“You, my dear, are Peifeng’s wife, the mistress of the Yan family. You have the authority to manage all affairs within the mansion!”
Shen Yunying’s face flushed slightly, adopting a shy demeanor as she softly replied, “Yes, grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law understands.”
The Yan grandparents would return to Fanzhou tomorrow. No matter what they said, Shen Yunying only needed to play the role of a new bride and agree to everything. As for whether she would act on it or to what extent, they would never know.
Grandfather Yan and Grandmother Yan exchanged a glance, after which Grandmother Yan said with satisfaction, “Alright, let’s go have dinner.”
After the meal, as they left Rongmao Hall, Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying walked side by side. In June, the days were long and the nights short. Dusk had just begun to envelop the earth, and dim yellow street lamps were already lit along both sides of the bluestone-paved path.
The attending servants—Siqi, Yinping, and Yinzheng—knew that Yan Peifeng had been reprimanded by the old master and mistress in Rongmao Hall. Their footsteps were lighter and more cautious than usual, fearing they might incur Yan Peifeng’s displeasure.
Shen Yunying felt the same.
She understood this all too well.
Back in the Shen family, whenever Shen Yunzhi or Shen Yunman were scolded by Old Madam Shen, they would continue bickering after leaving Cihui Courtyard, each refusing to yield.
If Shen Yunying happened to be present, her two elder cousins would invariably take advantage of their seniority as sisters to reprimand her for improper behavior. The most frequent criticisms were her laziness in studying, lack of skill in needlework, and her tendency to spend all day eating and drinking.
Shen Yunying could only try to slip away quietly. Otherwise, if the sisters’ quarreling disturbed Old Madam Shen while she was still angry, she would only show leniency toward the two elder sisters and punish Shen Yunying by making her copy texts, recite scriptures, or deduct her allowance for accessories. Fortunately, Shen Yunying didn’t mind these things, or she would have been stifled to death in the Taishi Mansion.
At such times, Jiang Wensheng from Jingyuan Studio would personally cook to comfort Shen Yunying, and the mother and daughter would share a warm meal and conversation.
As they approached the fork in the path leading to the front courtyard and the Rear Courtyard, Shen Yunying stole a glance at Yan Peifeng, wondering whether he would go to the Study or return to the Rear Courtyard.
However, since Yan Peifeng had just been reprimanded by the Yan grandparents, there was an eighty percent chance he would return to the Rear Courtyard with her.
Shen Yunying couldn’t help but lower her head and avert her eyes. Sigh, will I have to endure another round of exertion tonight?
Yan Peifeng was not someone who couldn’t accept criticism or correction. His grandparents were right tonight—he had just promised Grand Tutor Shen in front of the entire Shen family that he would treat Shen Yunying well, yet he had turned around and left her neglected during the first three days of their marriage. That was indeed improper.
He discreetly observed Shen Yunying and noticed she lacked the liveliness she had shown yesterday. Her brows and eyes drooped as if shrouded in gloom. Could she still be grieving?
Yan Peifeng’s brows furrowed slightly. He had originally intended to question Shen Yunying about going out shopping with a man today, but now that he himself was also at fault, the anger that had risen in him over the matter subsided by half.
The journey back was silent. Yan Peifeng walked quietly by Shen Yunying’s side, and the two returned together to Zhengran Residence.
Upon entering the main room, Yinping had already prepared warm lotus leaf herbal tea. Catching sight of Yan Peifeng and Shen Yunying entering together, she immediately excitedly went to the tea room to switch to a pot of Pu’er.
Yinping silently served the tea, then she and Yinzheng tactfully withdrew, not disturbing the newlywed couple.
Shen Yunying calmly took a seat at the table, picked up her own lotus leaf tea, and casually invited Yan Peifeng, “Husband, would you care for some tea?”
Her gaze fell upon the freshly brewed Pu’er on the table, its delicate fragrance pleasing—perfect for helping Yan Peifeng cool his temper.
Yan Peifeng’s deep eyes turned toward her, his expression seeming to carry a hint of displeasure. Shen Yunying assumed it was because he had been reprimanded by the elders and was in a bad mood. She thought to herself that she should steer clear tonight and not add fuel to the fire.
If she could avoid speaking, she would avoid speaking.
If Yan Peifeng wanted to stir up trouble in bed, she would reluctantly cooperate, just to avoid suffering. If Yan Peifeng went too far? Then she could feign illness?
Shen Yunying’s mind raced, thinking of one way after another to deal with Yan Peifeng.
As for Yan Peifeng himself, his narrow eyes were deep and shadowed. After a moment of consideration, he finally spoke: “Madam, staying overnight in the study last night was a lack of consideration on my part. From now on, I will not repeat the same mistake.”
Shen Yunying offered a gentle smile. “Husband, you are diligent and ambitious. It’s only natural that such a small matter might slip your mind. I don’t mind.”
In the end, both of them had suffered from a lack of experience. Had she known that staying in the Main Residence for the first three nights after marriage was so highly regarded, Shen Yunying would certainly have sent someone to the front courtyard study to ask last night. Seeing the expressions of Grandparents Yan today made it clear they placed great importance on this.
Under the watchful eyes of the two elders, Shen Yunying had to try her best not to make mistakes, or at least to make fewer of them. Otherwise, what if Grandparents Yan grew uneasy and decided to stay in the capital to look after Yan Peifeng and herself?
Shen Yunying wanted to manage the Rear Courtyard herself, not have a revered figure looming over her, making her feel constrained in everything she did.
Yan Peifeng’s gaze never left Shen Yunying. Knowing that she truly didn’t mind—and wasn’t just paying lip service—he felt not the expected pleasure, but instead a flicker of dissatisfaction.
Yan Peifeng didn’t dwell on it further. There was still another matter he needed to ask Shen Yunying about.
“I heard you went out today?” Yan Peifeng asked directly. If it wasn’t to relieve the loneliness of an empty bed, then why would she disregard her status as a married woman to go shopping and amuse herself with a man?
Yan Peifeng’s tone was gentle and casual, as if making ordinary small talk. Yet Shen Yunying felt a sudden tension, inexplicably sensing a pressure emanating from him that made her heart pound.
Fortunately, having dealt with Old Madam Shen since childhood, Shen Yunying’s expression remained perfectly composed. Her round almond eyes lifted slightly, her voice clear and crisp. “Yes. Today I received an invitation from my little cousin. She’s about to return to Jiangnan with my eldest aunt and invited me out to buy some gifts to bring back.”
Shen Yunying picked up her cooled lotus leaf tea and took a sip. Lifting her eyes again to meet Yan Peifeng’s unfathomable gaze, she couldn’t help but probe, “Husband, is there something wrong?”
“Was it not with a young gentleman that you went out together?”
Yan Peifeng made no attempt to conceal his intentions. His voice was low and steady, cold as a mountain stream. Shen Yunying could not discern whether he was pleased or angry, or any other emotion.
Shen Yunying said softly, “Yes.”
She discreetly observed Yan Peifeng’s expression and continued, “My cousin is still young and needs her elder cousin to accompany and look after her.”
Author’s note: