While kneeling in the ancestral hall earlier, Gu Yunrui couldn’t figure it out no matter how hard he thought.
It shouldn’t be like this. He had mentioned many things that only he and Su Qingwan knew about. How could she not believe him at all?
Feng Shi sighed, “What schemes could there be? She originally married you with a heart full of joy, only to later receive news of your death. Then there was the incident where she almost lost the child, which made her resent the second branch even more. Under such circumstances, when you suddenly claim to be A Rui, it’s no wonder she doesn’t believe you! Not to mention she’s pregnant now, her emotions are very unstable and she gets easily agitated.”
Gu Yunrui suddenly understood: “I was too impatient today.”
Beside him, Su Xiyue bit her lip resentfully and said, “Husband, are you still going to tell sister-in-law the truth? Have you considered what if she uses the truth to threaten you and demands you return to her? Just now she said that if you two really switched places, it would be a crime of deceiving the emperor punishable by beheading. You must be careful.”
Gu Yunrui remained silent for a moment before finally saying, “Then let’s wait a while longer.”
Seeing that he hadn’t completely given up, Su Xiyue felt a surge of intense unease in her heart.
Especially that night, when Gu Yunrui suggested resting separately in the study, Su Xiyue tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep well. Every time she closed her eyes, she dreamed that Gu Yunrui had regretted his decision and returned to Su Qingwan.
The next day, while wandering in the garden with a troubled heart, Su Xiyue overheard voices coming from behind the rockery.
“Is what you said true? This secret recipe really guarantees a son?”
“Of course! My daughter-in-law and son had been married for five years without any children, but after using this medicine, she immediately became pregnant with twins – both big, fat boys! Later she gave birth to two more in succession!”
Su Xiyue’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. If she had Gu Yunrui’s child, wouldn’t that help keep him by her side?
She immediately approached with her servants. The two maidservants, upon seeing her, nervously knelt and bowed, “Greetings, Second Young Madam.”
Su Xiyue waved her hand: “What is this secret recipe you mentioned?”
The two older women fearfully explained the secret recipe to Su Xiyue…
Linglong Yuan.
Qiyi entered carrying a bowl of ginseng soup and quietly reported to Su Qingwan: “Miss, the matter has been accomplished.”
Su Qingwan put down the account book in her hand and nodded slightly, “Su Xiyue is desperate to get pregnant, and Gu Yunrui is growing increasingly frustrated about not being able to inherit the peerage. We’ll use this to drive a wedge between these two lovers. Once Su Xiyue is pregnant, the next step will proceed more smoothly.”
Both Gu Yunrui and Su Xiyue looked down on the schemes of the inner household, yet precisely these methods could quietly lead them to complete disintegration.
“By the way, have you found out who that Murong Jin is?”
Qiyi: “He’s the owner of Yunlai Medical Clinic. They say he studied under the divine physician Yao Lao and has remarkable medical skills, but his temperament is eccentric. He doesn’t treat everyone – it doesn’t depend on money, but on his mood.”
Su Qingwan thought of that man in black again and slightly furrowed her embroidered eyebrows, “Does my father know this person?”
Qiyi shook her head, “This servant previously made a special trip back to the Su family. The master said he doesn’t know this person, but many officials in the court want to befriend him.” Murong Jin was the divine physician’s disciple, and high-ranking nobles all sought to curry favor with him, considering it a safety net for future illnesses or disasters.
Su Qingwan murmured, “It was that black-clad man who asked Murong Jin to save me back then. The two seemed very close, but I don’t know that black-clad man.”
Meanwhile, in the backyard of Yunlai Medical Clinic, a massive tree canopy blotted out the sky. At first glance, the branches remained withered and yellow, but upon closer inspection, tiny tender green buds could be seen gathering strength, awaiting the spring breeze.
Under the tree at a stone table, two people were playing chess.
Murong Jin placed a white piece, his peach blossom eyes sparkling with laughter, “That Eldest Miss Su is pregnant with twins, yes? Let me congratulate you first on becoming a father?”
Gu Yunci glared at him, “Your smile looks more like schadenfreude.”
Murong Jin: “Since the previous spy hasn’t been uncovered, you temporarily can’t return to Hou Manor. Oh, and Eldest Miss Su still believes that the one who died was Gu Yunrui, and that the child in her womb is also Gu Yunrui’s, right?”
A black chess piece flew directly toward Murong Jin’s face. He tilted his head to dodge it and said helplessly, “I merely stated a fact. Why are you getting agitated? Speaking of this matter, your elder brother is truly despicable. Since childhood, he’s had everything while you’ve had nothing. And now he’s even stealing your identity? By the way, when you return to Hou Manor, who will you be then?”
Will you be the resurrected Shizi Gu Yunrui who was supposed to have died in battle, or will you be the Ministry of War captain and second young master of Hou Manor, Gu Yunci?
Gu Yunci lowered his gaze halfway, his eyes fixed on the black piece between his fingers.
Murong Jin put away his casual expression and said gloomily, “Don’t tell me you’re planning to yield to your brother again, you tight-lipped gourd? You’ve given him everything since childhood. You don’t owe him anything, and you certainly don’t owe your mother either. How many times have I told you? Your mother’s health was damaged during childbirth, but that wasn’t your fault. Why do you keep feeling guilty?”
“Setting aside other matters, Eldest Miss Su is carrying your child. Are you really planning to yield her to that hypocritical brother of yours?”
With a snap, the black chess piece was crushed to powder.
Though Gu Yunci still didn’t speak, Murong Jin relaxed completely, a faint smile flashing in his eyes.
It seemed this tight-lipped iceberg had finally been struck by the red thread of fate.
**
On the third day of the third month, green grass reached for the sky. New buds emerged from the trees in the garden, and the winter jasmine had already bloomed into golden brilliance, swaying gently in the wind.
The child in Su Qingwan’s womb was already five months old. As the weather warmed, her clothing became thinner than before, and her entire demeanor grew more gentle and composed.
Although Feng Shi had nominally handed over household management authority to her, using her pregnancy as an excuse to prevent overexertion, she still controlled major matters and required everything to be reviewed.
But Su Qingwan wasn’t anxious. Completely taking over household management wasn’t something that could be accomplished overnight, and over these past few months, she had already grasped most of it.
Moving too quickly would make Feng Shi suspicious—after all, haste makes waste.
On this day, Su Qingwan presented the summer clothing procurement list to Feng Shi, “Mother, we should begin preparing for summer clothing purchases. Many Su embroidery fabrics are popular in the capital this year. They look quite beautiful, so I’ve added some.”
Feng Shi glanced at the list, her eyes sweeping over Su Qingwan’s prominent belly. “As your pregnancy progresses, I can’t bear to see you working so hard. Why don’t we let Xi Yue handle trivial matters like purchasing summer clothes?”
Though seemingly a minor task, this could help win over the servants. Household affairs might appear insignificant, yet none should be underestimated.
Su Qingwan remained expressionless. “I just wonder if Xi Yue is capable of handling this.”
Feng Shi actually felt quite conflicted. She knew that Su Xiyue spent all her time clinging to A Rui and had no real talent for household management. Despite being a legitimate daughter, she always carried herself like a concubine.
But because Su Qingwan’s unborn child would inherit A Rui’s peerage, Feng Shi resented her deeply. Unable to act openly—the Lord Marquis wouldn’t permit it—she sought to harass her through subtle means.
Using Su Xiyue to irritate Su Qingwan was perfect.
“Though Xi Yue is far inferior to you,” Feng Shi said, “she is still a daughter of the Su family, a legitimate daughter at that. She shouldn’t be too incompetent. Someone, go fetch the Second Young Mistress.”
Without waiting for Su Qingwan’s refusal, she immediately sent for Su Xiyue.
A slight smile touched Su Qingwan’s lips as she made no attempt to stop this. She picked up a cup of warm water beside her and took a sip.
After quite some time, a yawning and thoroughly languid Su Xiyue finally made her belated appearance. Seeing this, Feng Shi’s brow furrowed, her anger rising instantly.
Despite having striven for A Rui’s sake for so long, Feng Shi still looked down on this Su Xiyue!
But before Feng Shi could vent her anger, Su Xiyue smiled and said, “Mother, your daughter-in-law didn’t mean to be late. It’s just that I’ve been so sleepy lately, and I can’t eat properly—always feeling nauseous.”
Being experienced, Feng Shi understood immediately. “Could you be pregnant? Quick, summon the residence physician to examine her!”
The physician arrived promptly. After taking Su Xiyue’s pulse, he bowed in congratulations. “Congratulations, Second Young Mistress. You are over one month pregnant. However, it’s still early, and you must rest well, avoiding any exhaustion.”
Naturally overjoyed, Feng Shi immediately rewarded the physician and pulled Su Xiyue to sit beside her. “Your pregnancy is still delicate. You must take extra care from now on. Whatever you wish to eat, just tell the kitchen. Make sure all your attendants are particularly careful and attentive.”
“Yes, Mother.” Seeing Feng Shi’s concern, Su Xiyue felt immensely pleased. She smirked at Su Qingwan. “Elder Sister-in-law, aren’t you happy about my pregnancy?”
Su Qingwan smiled. “The more children in this residence, the livelier it becomes. Of course I’m happy. However, Mother just mentioned having you assist me with household management. But now it seems, since you haven’t reached three months yet, focusing on recuperation is most important. We can discuss other matters later.”
The smile instantly froze on Su Xiyue’s face. She looked at Feng Shi in surprise. “Mother, was this really discussed?”
Although Feng Shi had wanted to use Su Xiyue to annoy Su Qingwan, the child in Xi Yue’s womb was A Rui’s, making it naturally more precious to her.
She nodded. “That was the original plan. But now that you’re pregnant and still in the delicate early stages where the pregnancy is unstable, you absolutely must not overexert yourself. Focus on recuperating first.”
Su Xiyue gave a dry laugh. “But Elder Sister-in-law manages household affairs while pregnant too. I imagine I can do the same.”
Having finally gotten a taste of management authority, how could she be willing to give it up?
Su Qingwan said, “Xi Yue, your situation is different from mine.”
Su Xiyue nearly lost her composure upon hearing this. “Eldest sister-in-law has always looked down on me, but now that we’ve both become young madams of Hou Manor, why is it different?”
Su Qingwan replied, “When I was diagnosed with pregnancy, I was already nearly three months along. After the fetus stabilized, it was appropriate for me to help mother manage some household affairs. But your pregnancy is still in its early stages – it’s prone to accidents, so you shouldn’t overexert yourself. If you don’t believe me, you can ask mother.”
Feng Shi surprisingly sided with Su Qingwan this time. “Xiyue, your eldest sister-in-law is right. Learning household management can wait until later. What matters most now is the child in your womb. Later I’ll have the manor physician prepare a special dietary list for you, and you must strictly follow the medical advice.”
Su Xiyue had no choice but to reluctantly agree.
After leaving the main courtyard, Su Xiyue stopped Su Qingwan. “Eldest sister-in-law, this is my first pregnancy and there’s much I don’t understand. Could we go to Linglong Yuan to sit for a while? Would you tell me more about it?”