When the morning light had just begun to filter through the window lattice, Bai Lan entered the inner chamber.
She walked as lightly as ever. Even the way she lifted the bed curtains was steady and careful. She softly called out, “Seize Princess Consort,” before placing the silver basin of warm water beside the dressing table. The lamps from the night before had already been extinguished. Only the daylight outside seeped in little by little, making the faint warmth that still lingered inside the bed curtains more visible.
Wen Yunyi was already awake.
She was not someone who liked to sleep in, but last night had gone on too late, and her body still carried a trace of fatigue. When she sat up against the bolster, her black hair spilled over one shoulder, and the corners of her eyes still held a faint red tint. The morning light fell on her face, making her skin look even more snow-white, while her lips appeared a shade more vivid than usual.
Seeing that she was up, Bai Lan stepped forward to help her down from the bed, her movements practiced and familiar.
She had trained specifically in hairdressing and dressing. Back in the Wen Family, she had often followed the teaching matrons to learn such things. In noble households, dressing a young lady’s hair was not as simple as making it neat—different hairstyles were required for different hours of the day, and different accessories were used depending on whom one was meeting. Wen Yunyi’s hair had always been styled by her.
Bai Lan took a fine comb and slowly ran it through her hair.
The black hair was like a cloud, falling almost halfway down her back. The teeth of the comb moved inch by inch through it, smoothing out every slight tangle without haste. Wen Yunyi sat before the mirror and let her be, and when she raised her eyes, she saw another figure reflected there.
Xu Jinzhi was still there.
He stood near the screen, already dressed in simple outer clothing, tall and upright. He had been holding a scroll of documents, but at some point his gaze had drifted toward her side.
Wen Yunyi met his eyes through the mirror and did not avoid them. She only said calmly, “You are not going to the greenhouse today?”
“I am going,” Xu Jinzhi replied. His voice was lower than usual. “It is still early.”
Even after saying that, he did not move away.
Bai Lan continued to work behind her, her fingers deft as she gathered strands of hair. Today she styled it in a balanced yet not overly heavy manner. She left a soft curve at the temples, lifted the rest of the hair neatly, and finally secured it with a single red-gold pearl-inlaid hairpin. It was dignified enough for a Principal Wife, yet not too rigid.
Wen Yunyi’s face was naturally striking. If styled too heavily, it would become oppressive; too lightly, and it would fail to restrain her innate brilliance. Bai Lan knew exactly how to strike that balance.
While combing, she casually smoothed a loose strand near Wen Yunyi’s ear and said softly, “This is just right today.”
Wen Yunyi gave a faint “mm.”
In the mirror, her black hair was neatly coiled up, her skin fine and smooth at the temples, her jade-like eyes still carrying a trace of morning drowsiness. After last night, her complexion had become more radiant, as if a layer of gentle glow had risen from her bones.
Xu Jinzhi stood there and looked at her for a long moment without shifting his gaze.
When they first married, he had already known that this Chancellor’s Residence legitimate daughter was extremely beautiful. Back then, she had been spirited and bright-eyed, her words always carrying light. But later, that vitality had been gradually worn away, leaving behind only emotions that flared too easily and a kind of stubborn volatility. He had also, over time, looked at her less and less carefully.
Now, looking again, it felt as though only after a long time had he truly taken her into view once more.
Bai Lan tactfully stepped out after finishing her work.
Once she left, only the two of them remained in the inner chamber. Morning light had grown brighter. The silver comb, jeweled hairpins, and cosmetic boxes on the table all reflected a soft glow.
Wen Yunyi stood up, about to change her outer clothes, when Xu Jinzhi reached out and adjusted a slightly unaligned fold on her shoulder.
The movement was entirely natural.
Wen Yunyi lowered her eyes and looked at his fingers, and something from last night suddenly flashed through her mind, causing a faint tightening in her chest.
Some things were already different from yesterday.
After breakfast, Xu Jinzhi left as usual. Wen Yunyi, following the notes she had sorted the previous day, had Bai Lan copy the lists again. Household staff allocations, account books, storehouse entries, and allowances for each courtyard—all of it now required her review. Once she truly took charge, she handled things more efficiently than anyone.
In the afternoon, the weather turned warm. The magnolia in the courtyard had mostly fallen, leaving only fresh green leaves behind.
Wen Yunyi sat by the window reviewing the lists while Qing Tao sorted the copied accounts beside her.
While she was reading, someone came in from outside to report that Tong Wei had arrived.
Qing Tao paused slightly and instinctively looked at Wen Yunyi. Bai Lan also lifted her gaze.
After the last tea gathering incident, Tong Wei had been relatively quiet for several days. She still handled Xu Jinzhi’s clothing, daily necessities, and study chamber affairs, but aside from those duties, she had not come to the Princess Consort again.
Wen Yunyi, however, was not surprised.
She knew Tong Wei was not someone who would give up easily.
“Let her in,” Wen Yunyi said.
Soon, Tong Wei entered.
She still wore her gentle, delicate expression. The moment she saw Wen Yunyi, she curtsied first. “Seize Princess Consort.”
“Rise,” Wen Yunyi said without looking up.
After standing, Tong Wei did not approach immediately. She hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, “This servant came to deliver a book the Seize had left in the outer chamber. However, I passed by Listening Rain Pavilion just now and saw Concubine Jiang did not look well. I hesitated and thought I should inform you.”
As soon as she spoke, Qing Tao felt a cold sneer in her heart.
Here it comes again.
Wen Yunyi, however, acted as if she had heard nothing. She asked lightly, “Her complexion is poor. What does that have to do with me?”
Tong Wei lowered her head slightly, her tone soft. “This servant naturally knows the Seize Princess Consort is now broad-minded and would not mind such small matters. It is just that the Seize has been returning to Main Courtyard frequently, and Concubine Jiang may feel uneasy. I saw her eyes seemed slightly red today. Outsiders might think she suffered some grievance here.”
The words sounded considerate on the surface, even as if she were speaking for Wen Yunyi.
But every sentence was carefully aimed at stirring her emotions regarding Jiang Yunzhi.
This time, Wen Yunyi did not bother pretending.
She closed the account book lightly and looked up at Tong Wei. Her gaze was calm, but the pressure in her words was unmistakable. “Have you been too idle lately?”
Tong Wei froze slightly. “This servant only feared—”
“Feared what?” Wen Yunyi interrupted evenly. “Feared that I have been too peaceful with Concubine Jiang lately, and it makes you uncomfortable?”
The room instantly fell silent.
Tong Wei’s expression changed slightly, clearly not expecting such directness.
She quickly tried to explain. “Seize Princess Consort, you misunderstand—this servant would never—”
“Never what?” Wen Yunyi looked at her. “As a mere maidservant, you constantly speak of the wives and concubines of the master’s household. Who gave you the right?”
That sentence struck like a blow.
Tong Wei’s face immediately turned pale.
She had served by Xu Jinzhi’s side since young and held considerable status in the household. Even the older female servants treated her politely. The Princess Consort had also once trusted her deeply. Over time, she had almost forgotten her own position.
Now, being called “a mere maidservant” so directly felt like a slap across her face.
Tong Wei bit her lip. “This servant only feared the Seize would suffer loss—”
“Do I need you to calculate what counts as loss for me?” Wen Yunyi let out a cold laugh. “You are a maidservant, yet you act as if you are half a master already.”
That line was heavier.
Tong Wei stiffened completely, her eyes turning red with humiliation. She had never been treated like this in all her years in the household.
She wanted to kneel but felt unwilling; she wanted to argue but knew it would only worsen her situation.
But Wen Yunyi did not give her room to hesitate.
“Go kneel outside,” she said coldly. “Come back when you understand your place.”
Tong Wei lifted her head in disbelief. “Seize Princess Consort—”
“Do I need someone to teach you how to kneel?” Wen Yunyi asked calmly.
Bai Lan immediately stepped forward.
Qing Tao, already displeased with Tong Wei, moved even faster.
Tong Wei panicked. “I have served the Seize for many years—how can you—”
Wen Yunyi stood up. Her voice was not loud, but it was cold and firm. “Having served him for many years does not give you the right to stir discord in my household. If you have forgotten that you are a servant, I will remind you.”
Tong Wei’s face turned deathly pale.
Before she could resist further, Bai Lan and Qing Tao forced her out to the corridor and made her kneel.
Her knees struck the stone tiles hard.
The courtyard fell silent. The young maidservants all lowered their heads in fear.
Tong Wei knelt there, her body stiff, humiliation burning through her entire being.
Inside the room, Wen Yunyi had already returned to her seat by the window. Her expression was calm again, as if the punishment outside had been nothing more than brushing away dust.
The wind moved through the corridor, lightly shaking the bamboo curtains.
Tong Wei remained kneeling, her hands clenched tightly. The resentment in her heart slowly rose—but beneath it, something else also began to burn more fiercely.
She could not stay like this.
She needed a closer path.