What gave Yun Shuyue some comfort was that, although her relationship with Jiang Chengyuan was a product of feudal obligation, it carried advantages without real harm to her. Even as a nominal Prime Minister’s wife, the title alone—if used wisely—could pave the way for a smooth life after divorce.
Over these days, Yun Shuyue had come to understand the Jiang household. Her mother‑in‑law, Gu Lanfang, was straightforward in temperament and clearly not fond of her. That was no surprise—if the son disliked her, why would the mother embrace her?
Her father‑in‑law, however, treated her kindly. In fact, the very act of honoring the betrothal and marrying Yun Shuyue showed his integrity and loyalty. In any ordinary family, who would willingly marry a supposedly sickly girl? It was proof of the deep friendship between Old Master Jiang and her father.
On the day of her return visit, Old Master Jiang persuaded his sulking wife to prepare additional gifts for Yun Shuyue to take back.
When Gu Lanfang arrived with the servants, Yun Shuyue was just about to board the carriage. Seeing her mother‑in‑law, she bowed: “Shuyue greets Mother.”
Gu Lanfang made a show of supporting her and said, “Your father‑in‑law thought the gifts were too light, so I’ve prepared more. Take them along.”
Yun Shuyue signaled Chun Liu with a glance, and the maid guided the servants to load the gifts into the carriage.
Gu Lanfang spoke without much energy. Truthfully, she had little to say about this daughter‑in‑law. Rumors had painted Yun Shuyue as frail and melancholic, but in person, she seemed neither sickly nor weak. Her health appeared fine, her looks delicate and beautiful—almost fairy‑like. But what use was that, if her son disliked her?
Three days had passed since the wedding, and still her son had not shared a bed with his bride. At this rate, who knew when she would ever hold a grandchild?
In her frustration, Gu Lanfang even considered arranging a concubine for her son. But she knew her stubborn husband would never agree. She had once suggested marrying her niece, Zhao Qingyi, into the household as a concubine, but Old Master Jiang had flatly refused.
When Jiang Chengyuan emerged, he saw his mother and Yun Shuyue standing opposite each other in silence.
Yun Shuyue called softly: “My lord.”
Gu Lanfang sighed and instructed: “Your father said your mother‑in‑law must miss her daughter. You should stay at the Yun residence for two days before returning.”
Both Jiang Chengyuan and Yun Shuyue answered almost in unison: “No need. We can return today.”
Hiang Chengyuan did not want to lodge at the Yun household, while Yun Shuyue feared that staying there would mean sharing a room with him.
Gu Lanfang hadn’t expected them to be so in sync at this moment. Her suppressed frustration flared again, directed at Yun Shuyue: “Shuyue, it’s not that I want to scold you. You are now a married woman. Visiting your family will not be easy in the future. You should cherish these days and spend time with your mother.”
Yun Shuyue cleared her throat and replied gently: “Mother is right. I was thoughtless. In that case, I will stay at my family’s home for a few days. But since my lord bears heavy responsibilities, he should not delay his duties. He need not remain with me.”
Gu Lanfang nearly fainted from anger at her words. She knew perfectly well her husband’s intention: to use the Yun parents’ presence to pressure their son into consummating the marriage. Once that was done, everything else would follow naturally. She had expected her son to refuse, but never imagined Yun Shuyue would refuse as well. A wave of dizziness struck her.
When Yun Shuyue moved to support her, Gu Lanfang pushed her away, speaking sharply: “The Jiang family is a household of standing in the capital. We cannot lose propriety. This matter is settled.”
Yun Shuyue opened her mouth to speak, but Jiang Chengyuan cut her off: “We’ll follow Mother’s decision.”
Yun Shuyue: “…”
Gu Lanfang: “…”
After the small episode in the morning, they set out half an hour later than planned. Sitting in the swaying carriage, Yun Shuyue furrowed her brows in thought, her gaze drifting toward Jiang Chengyuan, who sat with eyes closed, appearing calm and composed.
In contrast, Yun Shuyue’s heart was unsettled. He had agreed to his mother’s request to stay two days at the Yun residence. That meant they would be lodged together in Panyue Garden.
The Yun family estate was one of the grandest in the capital, with four courtyards and three family branches, plus the grandmother’s Anxin Garden. Before marriage, Yun Shuyue had lived alone in her own small courtyard—Panyue Garden.
Though the garden had separate rooms, if the family discovered that she and Jiang Chengyuan were sleeping apart, it would cause a scandal difficult to resolve. Besides, aside from her main chamber, the other rooms were a storeroom and a servant’s quarters. Surely the Prime Minister could not be made to sleep in a servant’s room.
Yun Shuyue glanced at Jiang Chengyuan, hesitating to speak. Would it seem strange if she directly insisted he not stay at the Yun residence?
Lost in thought, she didn’t notice that the man opposite had already opened his eyes. Jiang Chengyuan’s gaze fell on her slightly furrowed brows, her clear eyes filled with hesitation and unease.
“Madam, do you have something to say?”
The sudden voice startled Yun Shuyue. She quickly recovered: “It’s nothing serious. I was just thinking—since my lord has only one day of rest, and tomorrow you must attend court, perhaps it would be better not to stay at the Yun residence, so as not to delay official duties.”
Delay official duties? Clearly, she simply didn’t want him to stay.
Originally, Jiang Chengyuan himself hadn’t wanted to lodge at the Yun residence. But seeing her troubled expression, instead of relief at his agreement, he felt an odd impulse to change his mind: “Most of the urgent matters have already been handled. Staying two more days at the Yun residence will do no harm.”
Yun Shuyue: “…”
She was speechless. Shouldn’t he have been glad at her thoughtfulness and taken the chance to gracefully decline? Instead, he insisted on staying.
Seeing her brows furrow even deeper, Jiang Chengyuan remarked: “What is it—does Madam think two days are not enough? Then let’s stay a few more.”
Yun Shuyue quickly waved her hands: “No need. Two days are sufficient.”
Knowing Yun Shuyue would return home today, her mother, Miao Yuhua, had risen early to instruct the servants to prepare food and arrange the courtyard. Along the passageways on either side of the main gate, she placed rows of her daughter’s favorite hyacinths.
When the carriage stopped, Yun Shuyue, her heart heavy, composed herself and forced a sweet smile. For her, the greatest blessing of coming to this era was having parents who cherished her dearly and a brother who loved her to the bone.
Jiang Chengyuan stepped down first, then stood beside the carriage and extended his hand to Yun Shuyue as she emerged.
To Miao Yuhua, watching from the gate, this looked like a tender gesture of a son‑in‑law caring for her daughter. She smiled with satisfaction and relief. As the couple approached, she said warmly: “Seeing you two respectful and harmonious, husband and wife in accord, I can finally be at ease!”
Yun Shuyue affectionately linked her arm through her mother’s and called shyly: “Mother!”
Miao Yuhua patted her hand indulgently, gazing at her daughter—now a married woman—with countless emotions rising in her heart. These past days, she had eaten poorly and slept fitfully, worried her daughter might suffer in the Jiang household. But today, Yun Shuyue seemed more spirited than before, with a rosier complexion. At last, her anxious heart could rest. Her feelings spilled into words: “They say marriage is a woman’s second birth. I never believed it before. But seeing you today, I know it’s true.”
Walking alongside, Jiang Chengyuan cleared his throat at her remark.