A few more days passed, and Wen Yunyi’s health finally improved somewhat.
Though she was far from fully recovered, she no longer had to remain confined within her bed curtains all day. After breakfast, Bai Lan helped her change into attire suitable for visiting elders, preparing to go pay respects to the Duchess.
As she was still recovering, she couldn’t dress too brightly. Her hair was simply arranged, and only a single velvet flower was pinned at her temple.
It was shaped like a daisy.
Soft moon-white blended with a faint hint of pale yellow, the petals densely curled into a small cluster. Up close, it was quite delicate, though a bit too plain. Wen Yunyi herself had striking features, and while such a small flower at her temple didn’t look bad, it made her appear overly subdued.
Qing Tao stood to the side, glancing at it a couple of times. Her lips moved, and she finally couldn’t hold back. “Your Ladyship, this design is really too plain.”
Wen Yunyi adjusted the loose strands of hair by the mirror and replied, “It’s just a velvet flower. It makes no difference what I wear.”
Hearing this, Qing Tao still felt indignant. A few days ago, the manor had ordered a new batch of velvet flowers for the spring season. By custom, the main courtyard and the young ladies should have first pick. But when the items were delivered, aside from a few willow-bud designs, only these daisy styles remained—each one plainer than the last, without a single vivid piece worthy of attention.
She had been upset at the time, but Wen Yunyi hadn’t even looked twice, casually selecting a few and having them put away, leaving her complaints unsaid.
Thinking of it now still made her frustrated.
Bai Lan adjusted Wen Yunyi’s collar and said softly, “Your Ladyship is still recuperating. Simpler is better.”
Wen Yunyi smiled faintly and said nothing, rising with Bai Lan’s support.
This was her first proper outing from the main courtyard since her illness. The weather outside was beautiful, and the wind under the corridor lightly stirred the bamboo blinds. She walked slowly, her skirt brushing over the green bricks, the pale lotus color shimmering softly in the sunlight like spring water. Though she had grown thinner, her face remained striking, her features vivid enough that even in such plain attire, she was impossible to overlook.
When she arrived at the Duchess’s courtyard, several people were already present.
Xu Mingshu sat below, wearing an apricot-red jacket paired with a moon-white skirt. Her palm-sized face was delicate, her almond-shaped eyes clear. Being young, she still carried a trace of childishness. At the moment, she was fiddling with a handkerchief, looking somewhat uneasy. When Wen Yunyi entered, she glanced up briefly before lowering her head again.
On the other side sat Jiang Yunzhi.
She sat quietly, her slender figure composed, with a peach-blossom velvet flower pinned at her temple.
Wen Yunyi’s steps paused ever so slightly.
The peach blossom was exquisitely made. Its pale pink petals layered finely, with a cluster of tender yellow stamens at the center, fresh and vibrant—like spring just about to bloom. Jiang Yunzhi already possessed a gentle beauty, and with this flower, her face appeared even more lively, as if she had stepped out of spring itself.
With just that glance, Wen Yunyi understood.
It wasn’t that the batch of velvet flowers had been poorly made—it was that the best ones had already been chosen before reaching the main courtyard.
Yet her expression revealed nothing. Supported by Bai Lan, she stepped forward steadily and greeted the Duchess.
The Duchess sat at the head seat and looked her over. Wen Yunyi’s attire was restrained today, her demeanor calm. Though she still appeared slightly thin from illness, her bearing remained steady, without any sign of dishevelment. The Duchess nodded. “You look more spirited than a few days ago.”
Wen Yunyi lowered her gaze. “These past days of rest have helped. I’ve improved quite a bit. I’ve troubled Mother with worry.”
“Since you can come out now, you should be more careful in the future,” the Duchess said in a neutral tone, like an elder advising a junior. “Injuring your health is no small matter. Don’t take it lightly just because you’re young.”
The words were ordinary, yet the room fell quiet.
Everyone understood what “taking it lightly” implied. Xu Mingshu’s hand stilled, and Jiang Yunzhi lowered her head slightly, as if shrinking back.
Wen Yunyi simply responded calmly, “Daughter-in-law understands.”
Her steady reply made it difficult for the Duchess to press further, and she gestured for her to sit.
Bai Lan helped her take a seat.
Once seated, the daisy velvet flower at her temple seemed even plainer. Wen Yunyi herself hadn’t cared much, but compared to Jiang Yunzhi’s peach blossom, even Xu Mingshu seemed to notice something, her gaze flicking between them, her expression growing more awkward.
Jiang Yunzhi seemed to sense Wen Yunyi’s glance. She raised a hand to touch the flower at her temple, looking slightly uneasy as she spoke softly, “This flower… was sent to the courtyard a few days ago. I don’t really understand such things. I just thought the color suited the season and wore it casually.”
Her voice was gentle, her expression somewhat absent-minded, as though she truly hadn’t thought much of it.
Wen Yunyi looked at her and smiled lightly. “It suits you.”
The words weren’t heavy, yet Jiang Yunzhi instinctively straightened, as if unsure of her meaning.
The Duchess glanced at them but said nothing, instead changing the subject to ask about Wen Yunyi’s health and whether she could still take the prescribed medicine. Wen Yunyi answered each question, and the atmosphere soon returned to calm.
Only Xu Mingshu remained distracted, sneaking glances at Wen Yunyi and Jiang Yunzhi, as if wanting to say something but unable to speak.
This visit passed without incident.
After sitting for about half an hour, the Duchess dismissed Wen Yunyi to rest, given her incomplete recovery.
By the time she left, the sun had begun to tilt westward. Bai Lan supported her as they walked back, Qing Tao following behind with an increasingly displeased expression. By the time they reached the main courtyard gate, she could no longer hold it in.
“Your Ladyship, that peach blossom on Concubine Jiang—”
“I saw it,” Wen Yunyi said.
Her tone was calm, without any hint of anger. Qing Tao felt even more aggrieved on her behalf. “By rights, the main courtyard should have had first pick. How did they end up going to Listening Rain Pavilion first?”
After entering the room, Wen Yunyi sat down and removed the daisy velvet flower from her hair, placing it on the table for a closer look.
The flower was delicately made—small and neat, with soft colors. It would have been perfectly suitable for a young lady or for casual wear within the courtyard. But it should not have been one of the only options left for the heir’s wife.
Turning it gently in her fingers, Wen Yunyi said, “Bring all the velvet flowers we received that day.”
Qing Tao hurried to fetch the box.
When it was opened, the contents were exactly as before: two willow-bud designs and one daisy. The willow buds, made with pale green and yellow threads, evoked early spring but were too small and insubstantial. The daisy was more complete but overly plain.
Compared to Jiang Yunzhi’s peach blossom, it was obvious at a glance who had chosen first.
After examining them, Wen Yunyi asked, “Who collected these that day?”
Bai Lan answered, “Old Madam Zhao.”
“Her?” Wen Yunyi raised her brows slightly.
Bai Lan nodded. “Qing Tao was originally going, but Madam Zhao volunteered, saying she was quick and familiar with the route. It was only a few flowers, so I let her go.”
Wen Yunyi placed the daisy back and said calmly, “Call Madam Zhao here.”
Qing Tao quickly went.
Soon, Madam Zhao entered. She was in her forties, wearing a gray-blue outfit, looking capable. As soon as she entered, she smiled broadly. “Greetings, Your Ladyship.”
Wen Yunyi sat on the couch, looking at her without speaking, then gently pushed the box of velvet flowers forward.
“You were the one who collected the new batch of velvet flowers a few days ago?”
Madam Zhao glanced at the box, her heart skipping a beat, though she maintained her smile. “Yes, it was this servant. There were many people that day, and I only brought back these. Though not eye-catching, they suit the season and look refreshing on Your Ladyship.”
Wen Yunyi gave her a faint smile. “Is that so?”
Madam Zhao felt uneasy under her gaze. “This servant would not dare deceive Your Ladyship.”
Wen Yunyi didn’t press her immediately. “Then tell me—when did you go, and whom did you encounter there?”
Madam Zhao’s smile faltered.
Bai Lan, watching from the side, suddenly understood—this wasn’t about the flowers. It was about rules.
Madam Zhao swallowed. “This servant… didn’t go too late, but there were many people, so I waited a while. Then I ran into someone from Listening Rain Pavilion, who said Concubine Jiang hadn’t chosen yet—”
She trailed off, realizing continuing would only make things worse.
But Wen Yunyi finished for her, “So you let them choose first?”
Madam Zhao broke into a cold sweat and dropped to her knees. “Please forgive me, Your Ladyship! This servant only thought Concubine Jiang also needed them for the season, and her maid was urging me. I softened for a moment and yielded. They’re all the manor’s flowers—I didn’t think it was a big matter…”
Her voice grew quieter, even she knowing her reasoning was weak.
What did she mean, “not a big matter”? She had been acting on behalf of the main courtyard, yet she hadn’t prioritized it.
Qing Tao grew furious, but before she could speak, Wen Yunyi said calmly, “If I truly cared about a few flowers, then kneeling here would at least be appropriate.”
Madam Zhao froze.
Leaning against the couch, Wen Yunyi’s expression remained calm, but her tone was steady. “Willow buds or daisies—whether I wear them outside or not is of little importance. But you were carrying out duties for the main courtyard. You represented its dignity. Yet upon meeting others, you yielded to them first, then returned with these to appease me—” She paused and looked at her. “Madam Zhao, whose courtyard do you belong to?”
The question landed lightly, yet it stung everyone present.
Madam Zhao’s face turned pale as she kowtowed. “This servant belongs to the main courtyard! I was only momentarily foolish and would never harbor disloyalty!”
The room was silent.
Bai Lan lowered her hands, finally understanding—this was never about competing for a peach blossom. It was a warning to the entire courtyard.
As expected, Wen Yunyi said, “A small matter reveals the heart. Since you carry out duties for the main courtyard yet seek to please others, then there is no place for you here.”
Madam Zhao’s legs went weak. “Please show mercy, Your Ladyship! I won’t dare again!”
Wen Yunyi remained unmoved. “Attend.”
Two older servants entered.
Without looking at Madam Zhao again, Wen Yunyi said calmly, “Madam Zhao has failed in her duties. She is no longer to serve in the main courtyard. Send her to the outer courtyard for menial work.”
The punishment wasn’t severe, but it was humiliating enough.
Madam Zhao’s face turned ashen as she tried to plead, but Bai Lan stepped forward. “Take her away.”
The servants dragged her out.
The room fell silent.
The young maids lowered their heads, not daring to breathe loudly. Qing Tao, having vented her anger, now didn’t dare speak, only glancing at Wen Yunyi.
Wen Yunyi closed the box of velvet flowers, her movements unhurried, her expression calm.
After a long pause, she spoke, her voice soft yet clear enough for everyone to hear.
“Whether a flower looks good is not important. But if one carries out duties for the main courtyard while their heart lies elsewhere, then they cannot stay.”
Everyone lowered their heads in acknowledgment, no longer daring to be negligent.
Wen Yunyi pushed the box aside, finally feeling the lingering frustration in her chest ease.
She didn’t care about willow buds or daisies, nor whether Jiang Yunzhi wore peach blossoms or begonias. She simply understood that if even her own people did not prioritize her, then she would truly become a joke.
Since she still sat in the position of heir’s wife, she would not tolerate such people remaining.
Outside, spring was bright. The wind rustled the bamboo blinds.
The daisy velvet flower lay quietly on the table, its color still soft, neither vibrant nor particularly charming. Yet now, it no longer seemed insignificant.
At least from this moment on, no one in the main courtyard would dare look down on it—or on the person behind it.