Shen Yunying did not linger long at Cihui Courtyard. Old Madam Shen knew that Shen Yunying had returned mainly to visit Jiang Wensheng, so after exchanging a few words, she let her go. Upon arriving at Jingyuan Studio, Shen Yunying went straight inside. First, she glanced toward the reclining chair under the corridor—no one was there. Then she went to check the vegetable patch in the Rear Courtyard, but Jiang Wensheng was still nowhere to be found.
Shen Yunying beckoned a maid over. “Where is my mother?”
Jiang Wensheng was not like Shen Yunying; she did not enjoy sleeping in. According to her habits, at this hour, she would either be listening to the maids telling stories or watering the vegetable patch. Yet today, she was in neither place.
The maid quickly replied, “Reporting to Third Miss, Third Madam has gone out and has not yet returned.”
Shen Yunying asked curiously, “Where did she go?”
She truly could not imagine where Jiang Wensheng might have gone. Usually, Jiang Wensheng rarely even left Jingyuan Studio. Where could she have gone so early?
Before the maid could answer, footsteps sounded outside the gate. Shen Yunying turned to look and saw Jiang Wensheng entering the courtyard with heavy steps. The impatience on her face faded the moment she saw Shen Yunying, and she immediately broke into a smile. “Yunying?”
Shen Yunying raised the corners of her lips and called out cheerfully, “Mother!”
When she left yesterday, she had not expected to see her again so soon. Jiang Wensheng had truly thought it would be a while—at least a month or two—before mother and daughter could meet again.
Jiang Wensheng and Shen Yunying went inside together. The small kitchen, timing it perfectly for their return, brought in two bowls of Iced Milk Curd, topped with a layer of dried fruit, sweet and tangy, adding richness to the texture.
This Iced Milk Curd had been specially ordered by Jiang Wensheng before she left, to help cool the body.
Shen Yunying happened to return just in time, so the small kitchen hurriedly prepared an extra serving. The sun was already high, and the surroundings were growing warm. Seeing the Iced Milk Curd, Shen Yunying could not help but take a bite first.
“Mother, where did you go?”
Jiang Wensheng sighed helplessly. “It’s about Shen Yunzhi.”
“Last night, a message arrived by fast horse from Tong’an Old Residence: Shen Yunzhi is seriously ill. Many doctors have been consulted, but there has been no improvement. The situation is not good. The main branch’s intention is that Tong’an is a small county town with limited access to good doctors, so they want to ask Grand Tutor Shen and Old Madam Shen for permission to let Shen Yunzhi return to the capital. But how could the second branch agree?”
Second Madam strongly opposed it. As the former fiancée of Zhang Xingyu, Madam Wang wished this person had never existed. How could she be willing to let Shen Yunzhi reappear and linger before her eyes?
Madam Wen not only pleaded on Shen Yunzhi’s behalf before Grand Tutor Shen and Old Madam Shen but also wanted to seek Jiang Wensheng’s help to add support. After all, Shen Yunying’s marriage arrangements had been largely handled by Madam Wen. Even if Jiang Wensheng did not want to help, she still had to go to Jiahe Courtyard to refuse in person.
Jiang Wensheng asked Shen Yunying in return, “Do you know that Shen Yunman’s marriage arrangement with the Zhang family is still not finalized?”
Shen Yunying nodded repeatedly. “I found it strange too. For the past two months, Marchioness of Wu’an hasn’t visited at all. It wasn’t like this when Eldest Sister was still here. Could it be that the two families are not going through with the marriage?”
She knew that Shen Yunman had been in contact with Zhang Xingyu all along. Given the current situation, she was not sure if Shen Yunman’s plans would succeed.
Jiang Wensheng denied it. “No, this matter was personally decided by Grand Tutor Shen and the Marquis of Wu’an. Even if the bride were to be changed, they would still push it through. Now, with the Heir of Marquis of Wu’an and Shen Yunman appearing to be mutually affectionate, they should marry as soon as possible.”
Speaking of the Shen family holding another wedding banquet, Jiang Wensheng raised her finger and tapped her daughter’s forehead. “This time when you go back, you’re not allowed to return until Shen Yunman’s wedding date is set. What new bride is like you, coming back twice in just four days after getting married?”
Shen Yunying chuckled twice and explained, “Today was about seeing Grandparents Yan off as they left the city to return to Fanzhou, not a special trip to Taishi Mansion. Besides, it was Yan Peifeng who suggested it, not me insisting on coming back.”
Shen Yunying wondered if Yan Peifeng was making it up to her because of how late they had stayed up last night? That’s why he took the initiative to let Shen Yunying come back to visit her mother-in-law.
“With Grandparents Yan leaving the capital and no elders around to keep an eye on things, if you encounter any issues, report directly or go to the shop to find the manager.” Jiang Wensheng was quite pleased that Shen Yunying could become the mistress of the household right after marrying, unlike herself, who had suffered quite a bit from her mother-in-law.
Shen Yunying’s slight reluctance about Grandparents Yan had now turned into joy at taking control of her new life. She smiled and said, “When I’m bored in the rear courtyard of the Yan family, I can always come to Mother to pass the time, right? Yan Peifeng is very busy, leaving me alone in the rear courtyard.”
Jiang Wensheng still had a sharp eye. Today, Shen Yunying was like a peony blooming after the rain, radiant and dewy. Seeing Shen Yunying mention Yan Peifeng like this, she felt happy for her daughter.
But she still had to put on a stern face when needed. Seeing Shen Yunying about to ask for a second bowl of iced milk curd, she disapproved, “Eat less!”
Shen Yunying was thoroughly enjoying it, but upon hearing this, she reluctantly gave up.
Jiang Wensheng waved her hand. “Summer is suitable for planting fruits and vegetables. If you have free time, why not plant some vegetables in the rear courtyard of the Yan family? I remember Princess Mansion has specially designated land for growing grain. You could just go there and plant.”
Many people in the capital knew about this. One year during heavy snow, refugees from the surrounding areas flocked to the capital. Princess Jiarong brought out several carts of grain from her mansion to aid the victims. It was only then that news spread that Princess Jiarong had allocated most of her vast rear courtyard for growing grain, storing the harvests year after year.
If it weren’t for aiding the refugees, no one would have known that Princess Jiarong was actually farming in her own rear courtyard.
Shen Yunying thought of the lush scene she had just seen. “That sounds good. I’ll follow Mother’s example, watering and digging the soil, just to stretch my limbs.”
Shen Yunying might be lazy, but she had her own principles! If her health was poor and she fell ill frequently, lying in bed would be worse than not lying down at all. So, every few days, she would stretch her limbs and exercise.
Jiang Wensheng steered the conversation back. “Today, after paying respects at Cihui Courtyard, your aunt dragged me to Jiahe Courtyard. I have no issue with Shen Yunzhi. I just don’t want to get involved in the disputes between the eldest and second branches.”
Jiang Wensheng now paid respects at Cihui Courtyard every few days, an unspoken understanding between her and Old Madam Shen.
Thinking of the rare vulnerability Madam Wen had shown earlier, Jiang Wensheng, who also had a daughter, felt deeply moved. She sighed, “I wonder if Shen Yunzhi regrets it or not. The eldest master and Madam Wen are good parents, always concerned about her. If they were heartless, they might have wished they never had such a tarnished daughter.”
Shen Yunying shook her head. “We’d have to ask her about that.”
Who knew what Shen Yunzhi was thinking?
Shen Yunying simply felt that Shen Yunzhi’s mind had been addled by that scholar.
Jiang Wensheng laughed, “Exactly, you’d have to ask Shen Yunzhi herself. The First Madam met him and even personally interrogated that provincial scholar. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a responsible man, so the First Madam wasn’t willing to risk marrying Shen Yunzhi off to him. Now he’s gone to the southern barbarian lands to serve as an advisor,” she paused, then told Shen Yunying, “He moved his entire family there. If he were intelligent and understood propriety, he wouldn’t have dragged his whole family down with him.”
This was the first time Shen Yunying had heard about this, and she leaned in to ask, “Was it the First Madam who arranged it?”
Jiang Wensheng shook her head, “I don’t know. It could have been her, or it could have been your grandfather.”
The mother and daughter then discussed Old Madam Shen’s attitude toward Shen Yunzhi for a while, chatting about some gossip and amusing stories from Taishi Mansion. Amidst their laughter, it was soon time for lunch. After the meal, they took a long nap. In the afternoon, Shen Yunying accompanied Jiang Wensheng to the vegetable garden to pick tender cucumbers and select seeds to bring to the Yan family.
The leisurely and fulfilling afternoon passed in the blink of an eye. The gatekeeper came to report that the Third Son-in-Law had arrived to pick up the Third Young Madam.
The messenger servant and maidservant were smiling happily. As members of the Third Branch, they knew that only when their masters prospered could they, as servants, thrive. After Shen Yunying’s marriage, they had all experienced this firsthand. Now, when people from the Third Branch went out, they were no longer looked down upon as they had been in the past.
Jiang Wensheng was dressed in casual home clothes at the time and, having been a widow for many years, didn’t want to bother receiving guests. She waved her hand, signaling Shen Yunying to go out and not let Yan Peifeng enter Jingyuan Studio.
Shen Yunying knew her mother simply couldn’t be bothered with the hassle—changing clothes and jewelry just to see Yan Peifeng for less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea wasn’t worth it. She blinked at Jiang Wensheng, indicating she understood.
Moreover, during this visit home, Shen Yunying had learned from the servants of Jingyuan Studio that Jiang Wensheng’s visits to Cihui Courtyard to pay respects had been shortened from every five days to every three days.
Shen Yunying felt guilty toward her mother. Jiang Wensheng was a person who cherished peace and quiet, and even after years of widowhood, she had managed to live a fulfilling life. In the past, their Third Branch had never involved themselves in the affairs of Taishi Mansion.
But this time, with Shen Yunzhi falling ill and the question of whether to return to the capital, the First Madam had sought Jiang Wensheng as an ally, and the Second Madam would likely come to disturb her as well.
Thinking of this, Shen Yunying was even more reluctant to trouble Jiang Wensheng just to see Yan Peifeng.
Shen Yunying walked out with light steps, followed by Yinping and Yinzheng, who carried bundles prepared by Jiang Wensheng for her.
In front of Taishi Mansion, the Yan family carriage was parked to the side.
As soon as Shen Yunying stepped out, almost simultaneously, Yan Peifeng lifted a corner of the carriage curtain. Their eyes met, and Yan Peifeng’s expression was calm and gentle as he said, “Madam, please get in the carriage.”
“Alright,” Shen Yunying nodded and stepped onto the footstool.
It was the same spacious carriage. On the lower right corner of the tea table lay an open book, which Yan Peifeng had likely been reading just moments before. Shen Yunying stole a glance out of the corner of her eye—predicting the weather?
She looked up at Yan Peifeng. Was he trying to learn the skills of the Qintianjian? Wasn’t he supposed to be on duty at the Hanlin Academy today?
Following Shen Yunying’s gaze, Yan Peifeng casually placed the book back into a compartment. He read books on a wide range of subjects and never missed out on various miscellaneous texts.
Since his wife didn’t enjoy reading, he decided to be more discreet.
Unfortunately, Shen Yunying didn’t grasp this underlying meaning. Seeing Yan Peifeng put the book away, she simply assumed he didn’t want to read anymore. Even with the carriage’s excellent shock absorption, there would still be some swaying on the road, making it an unsuitable place for reading.
The carriage moved slowly, and the sounds of bustling streets drifted in intermittently.
Shen Yunying’s thoughts, however, drifted elsewhere. She suddenly wondered: would Yan Peifeng still come to Zhengran Residence tonight? She certainly hoped he wouldn’t.
Her slender willow-leaf brows nearly knitted together. Shen Yunying pondered again and again, her dark, bright eyes flickering and dimming, yet she still couldn’t bring herself to ask Yan Peifeng.
All she could do was pray silently that Yan Peifeng would keep his word and stick to his plan of going to the Rear Courtyard.
Her troubled expression must have been quite noticeable, for Yan Peifeng, his lips pressed tight, spoke directly, “Madam, is there something troubling your mother?”
A son-in-law was half a son; if his mother-in-law faced any difficulties, Yan Peifeng would naturally feel duty-bound to help.
Shen Yunying was taken aback, her gaze drifting. Your mother-in-law doesn’t, but your wife does. The source of the trouble is right here with you.
These words, however, she kept bottled up inside.
After a moment’s hesitation, she shook her head and said, “Mother is perfectly fine.”
Seeing that Shen Yunying was unwilling to speak, Yan Peifeng didn’t press further.
The two returned to the mansion in silence—one heading to the front courtyard, the other hurrying back to the Rear Courtyard. Yan Peifeng glanced thoughtfully at Shen Yunying’s retreating figure. For some reason, he felt her mood had suddenly brightened?
For three consecutive days, Yan Peifeng did not set foot in the Rear Courtyard.
Meanwhile, Shen Yunying embarked on her vegetable-growing venture.
The Princess Mansion was vast. Shen Yunying selected a fertile plot of land closest to Zhengran Residence and planted the seeds she had brought from Jiang Wensheng in rows.
Three rows of amaranth, three rows of bok choy, and the last two ridges were reserved for autumn cucumbers.
“Next month, I’ll pick a day to have the carpenter deliver suitable bamboo. Once I set up the trellises, we can just wait to harvest,” Shen Yunying said, looking at the freshly filled vegetable beds with a sense of satisfaction.
Yinzheng brought Shen Yunying a bowl of poria cocos drink. “As the old saying goes, ‘June amaranth rivals eggs.’ Planting now will still catch the last harvest of the season.”
“Sow the seeds now, and in about twenty days, we’ll have a bountiful harvest. I’ll send some to Mother then.”
Even with the seeds just planted, Shen Yunying was already planning the harvest.
These vegetable beds would be tended by experienced gardeners, so any mistakes Shen Yunying made could be corrected in time. Thus, she wasn’t worried about failing to reap the rewards.
Returning from the vegetable plot, Shen Yunying washed up, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Yinping, who had been watching her mistress enjoy herself these past three days without once mentioning Yan Peifeng, couldn’t help but ask anxiously, “Madam, should we bring some cooling mung bean soup to the front courtyard? To see the master?”
Shen Yunying was surprised. “Why do something unnecessary? He and I already have an understanding. Isn’t it perfectly fine to live like this? Why do something that might annoy him?”
Yan Peifeng was clearly someone destined to shine in the imperial court, much like his late father—a man whose heart was filled with matters of state and the welfare of the people.
Shen Yunying recalled the plaque on the gate of this courtyard.
Zhengran Residence.
The calligraphy was personally inscribed by Yan Peifeng.
The clear, resonant sound of water flowing through a gorge, like the music of pipes and flutes.
The sound of water rushing over stones was the most elegant and upright of melodies, revealing a pure and steadfast nature.
All Shen Yunying could discern from it was a sense of innate pride, integrity, and unwavering uprightness.
From what she knew, Yan Peifeng, though serving in the Hanlin Academy, spent most of his time in attendance to the emperor.
She had also come to understand a few things about Yan Peifeng’s temperament: he was strict with himself, and his visits to the Rear Courtyard followed a strict schedule. Shen Yunying suspected that everything he did each day was governed by such a timetable.
It could be described as disciplined, but in truth, it was rigid and dull.
Unlike Yan Peifeng, Shen Yunying preferred to act on a whim and adapt to circumstances. Living like this in the Princess Mansion wasn’t bad at all.
Moreover, and most importantly, Yan Peifeng visited Zhengran Residence twice a month, and Shen Yunying could still manage the marital duties. If it were any more frequent, she wouldn’t want that.
Shen Yunying thought of the manual Jiang Wensheng had sent as a wedding gift and wondered whether she should study it carefully. She had skimmed through it before and noticed that the later sections featured positions with the woman on top.
Should I take the initiative? Shen Yunying shook her head—it was too tiring.
What if it was just once?
But what if both of them enjoyed it and Yan Peifeng demanded she always take the lead? What then?
Shen Yunying’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. Was there really no other way?
Author’s Note:
Note: “The water in the ravine rings clear and bright, as if it were the sound of flutes and harmonious music.” (Zeng Feng)
Sharing a preview of the new story “Three Years as a Substitute Bride”—please add it to your collections, dear readers!
【Synopsis】
The Zhou and Lin families arranged a marriage alliance. The eldest daughter of the Lin family married into the Zhou family with a lavish dowry, and the grand wedding feast was the envy of all.
Lin Jiayue, wearing an ill-fitting wedding dress, boarded the bridal sedan, performed the wedding ceremony, and took the place of her twin sister, Lin Zhijia, to become the wife of the Zhou family.
The Lin family had an ancestral rule: whenever twins were born, one must be abandoned to ensure the family’s lasting prosperity. Lin Jiayue was the one abandoned by her parents and relatives.
Shortly after her birth, her parents left her on a mountain, but she was fortunately rescued and raised by her adoptive parents.
It wasn’t until the Zhou-Lin wedding approached, and Lin Zhijia eloped with her lover, disappearing without a trace, that her biological parents sought out Lin Jiayue. They threatened her adoptive mother’s life to force her into taking her sister’s place in the marriage.
One was a refined young lady raised in the inner chambers, the other a common girl who grew up in the countryside.
Though their appearances were similar and their manners could be imitated, their voices could not be replicated. As a child, Lin Jiayue had fallen into water, developed a high fever, and damaged her throat.
Her slightly hoarse, low voice was unmistakably different from the sweet, melodious tone of her sister.
On their wedding night, Zhou Yanxing didn’t even lift the bridal veil. His warning fell like frost: “From now on, you need not speak. Remember, you are mute.”
“When your sister returns, you will each resume your rightful places.”
Lin Jiayue clenched her fists, her palms marked with crescent-shaped imprints. Thinking of her seriously ill adoptive mother, she gritted her teeth and nodded heavily.
For three years as the mute wife, Lin Jiayue dreamed of leaving every single day.
One day, Lin Jiayue received a letter claiming to hold evidence of her usurping her sister’s place. The letter threatened her into stealing a secret letter from Zhou Yanxing’s study.
Looking at the letter, Lin Jiayue smiled.
It was like receiving a pillow just as sleepiness set in—nothing could be more perfect.
The Zhou family, a century-old lineage with deep roots, stood as the foremost of the Three Great Families in the capital. Zhou Yanxing, the eldest son of the Zhou family, was elegant and transcendent, as steady as a mountain and as deep as an abyss. He had already made his mark in the imperial court by the age of twenty, and within just three years, he had risen to the highest ranks of power.
The two families had long been betrothed, but who could have expected Lin Zhijia to flee on the eve of the wedding? The Lin family proposed substituting Lin Jiayue in her place. All the elders of the Zhou family opposed the idea—only Zhou Yanxing silently allowed it.
For three years after the wedding, Zhou Yanxing was preoccupied with political affairs, rarely returning to the Rear Courtyard. His relationship with Lin Jiayue could be described as one of mutual respect.
He believed that giving Lin Jiayue the dignity and honor of a wife was enough.
Little did he expect it would lead to his wife’s betrayal and a faint, disdainful remark: “Let’s divorce sooner rather than later.”
Note:
Marriage first, love later. The aloof and noble man resorts to cunning and force, goes mad for love, chases his wife through the “crematorium,” and achieves a happy ending.