“Because, you—”
Yun Niang’s eyes sparkled, “You finished so quickly, what else could you be but a virgin? Have you read ‘Legend of the Rouge Heroes’? The men in there are real men, seven times a night.”
Mu Shi was utterly dumbfounded by such talk. He wanted to ignore it, but he turned over and said, “Let’s try a few more times. I can still do it, really?”
“Then beg me,” Yun Niang said, turning her head away, ignoring him.
He thought someone as proud as Mu Shi would never say such things, but with the arrow already on the bowstring, he had no choice. In a hoarse voice, he said, “I beg you.”
…
They called for water again. Yuping and Feixu exchanged glances, unable to hold back their laughter.
The two brought in the water. The two ancestors didn’t settle down until midnight. Yun Niang still snuggled into his arms, and Mu Shi had no way to deal with her, especially since he had grown accustomed to holding her.
The next day, the two were even more intimate than the first. Just then, someone from Concubine Sun’s place came to say that Concubine Sun had been feeling better lately and wanted to meet the new bride. So Mu Shi took Yun Niang to Concubine Sun’s quarters.
On the way, Yun Niang couldn’t help but ask him, “What is Concubine Sun’s temperament like? What if she doesn’t like me?”
Mu Shi shook his head, “No need to worry. Concubine Sun usually enjoys gardening and rarely gets angry.”
“So, is that why you were named Shi?” Yun Niang gently hooked his little finger inside her wide sleeve.
This made Mu Shi’s heart tremble. “My name was given by Grandfather.” Mentioning Grandfather made Mu Shi feel sad. Mother was the daughter of Grandfather’s comrade-in-arms. It was just a pity that after Maternal Grandfather passed away, the family had declined, not even as well-off as Concubine Su, who was just the daughter of a commoner. Because of Father, Concubine Su’s family had long since moved to the capital, and her brother had been appointed to a minor official post elsewhere, gaining some reputation.
They soon arrived at Concubine Sun’s residence. The courtyard was named Taoyuanju, likely meaning a paradise away from the world. The courtyard was indeed very serene, but the screen wall placed outside the yard also showed that this small courtyard was not cheaply built.
“Concubine, this is Madam Xia.”
Mu Shi introduced her proactively. Yun Niang quickly curtsied in greeting.
Concubine Sun was completely different from Lady Hou in temperament. She was radiant, and even at thirty or forty years old, her eyes still held a touch of innocence. Wrapped in white fur, she exuded an imposing nobility.
Seeing Yun Niang, she first looked her up and down, then said, “I heard you cling to my son quite tightly?”
It was unclear who she had heard this from, but among the servants in Mu Shi’s courtyard, Yun Niang couldn’t tell for the moment.
Unlike others, Yun Niang immediately replied cheerfully, “Concubine raised your son so well. If I don’t keep a close eye on him, what if someone else snatches him away? What would I do then?”
Concubine Sun laughed heartily, “You’re quite interesting.”
“Concubine may not know me, but I’ve never liked anything fake. Since I’ve married into this family, how could I not like my husband, not support him, and instead oppose him? Don’t you think so?” She glanced at Concubine Sun.
For once, even the usually straightforward Concubine Sun was taken aback before saying, “That makes sense.”
Before Madam Xia married into the family, Concubine Sun and her son hadn’t paid much attention to Yun Niang—the daughter of a minor official from elsewhere, and now the daughter-in-law of the Changfeng Marquess’s Mansion. It sounded awkward and unsatisfactory in every way. But hearing her say this, Concubine Sun couldn’t help but look at her with newfound respect.
Yun Niang was a person who appeared lazy and gentle on the surface, but she was actually quite talkative. Seeing the bougainvillea on the windowsill, she was pleasantly surprised. “Concubine Sun, how did you manage to grow this bougainvillea so well? It’s not easy to keep it alive in the dead of winter.”
Although Concubine Sun’s courtyard was filled with flowers and plants, she didn’t tend to them herself. Still, she was delighted to receive praise. “Indeed, tending to flowers requires the utmost care.”
“If you like flowers, I brought quite a few flower seeds from Huzhou. My mother loves camellias the most. They’re grown in pots and bloom for a long time without withering. They have a longer flowering period than some rare and expensive flowers, and they’re also pleasing to the eye.” Yun Niang gently brushed a branch of the bougainvillea, speaking in a way that seemed both meaningful and unintentional.
In truth, Mu Shi and Concubine Sun were not as ruthless as she had imagined. With her husband’s rank lowered, Concubine Sun’s position as a side consort had long been reduced to that of a concubine. Her only hope now was for her son to succeed. As for Mu Shi, he was desperately climbing the ranks, hoping to secure a certain status so he could request a gaoming title for his mother.
Yun Niang’s meaning was clear: If you marry a noblewoman from a prestigious family, she will have her own ties and obligations. Would she truly listen to them, mother and son?
Lady Hou’s dislike for Mu Shi had reached the point where she wasn’t even willing to maintain appearances. If a high-born lady were to enter the household, would Lady Hou allow her to align with them, mother and son?
Only a woman from a humble background like Yun Niang would be of no concern to Lady Hou, as her family could offer no assistance. This would put Lady Hou at ease.
It was like the difference between plum blossoms and camellias. Plum blossoms might be pure and noble, but they are difficult to care for and seasonal. Camellias, though common, bloom brilliantly and luxuriantly, enduring for a long time.
Concubine Sun and Mu Shi exchanged a glance. It was Mu Shi who cleared his throat and said, “Concubine, Madam Xia speaks directly. Don’t be startled.”
Oh, this was the first time her son had spoken up for a young lady. Concubine Sun was pleasantly surprised. This blockhead, who usually thought of nothing but schemes and plots, was now actually thinking about a girl.
Yun Niang deliberately excused herself to look at the flowers in the courtyard, leaving the mother and son to talk.
Concubine Sun asked Mu Shi, “What do you think of this Madam Xia?”
She comforted her son, “There’s a saying that misfortune can be a blessing in disguise. As long as she is willing to live peacefully with you, why keep her at arm’s length? I always hoped you and your wife could live in harmony.”
After the conflict with the Marquis, she nearly got sent to the estate. She finally understood that a concubine was nothing more than a plaything. Even if she bore a son and he turned out to be promising, none of it had anything to do with her.
If something were to happen to her, at least there would be Madam Xia to help. Otherwise, with no one in the inner household, it would be like losing an eye, which might not be a good thing for her son.
Mu Shi said coldly, “We’ll see if she can be of use to me. Concubine, emotions are the most useless thing. I won’t entrust my feelings to anyone.”
Yun Niang happened to overhear this as she stepped inside. She walked in without changing her expression. Seeing her calm demeanor, Mu Shi and Concubine Sun assumed she hadn’t heard and breathed a sigh of relief.
At this point, Concubine Sun dutifully said, “Tomorrow, you’ll be returning to your maiden home and visiting your sister’s family. I’ve prepared some gifts for the visit. We can’t expect anything from Lady Hou, so let Shi’er accompany you back to your family.”
Three days after the wedding, the bride returns to her parents’ home. Yes, she had almost forgotten. It was rare for Concubine Sun to remember. Yun Niang forced a smile and said, “Then I thank you, Auntie.”
In the past, she always believed that being born of the principal wife was orthodox and good, while those born of concubines should not compete with the legitimate children. Now, however, she felt that whoever treated her well was the good one.