Su Qingwan stopped in her tracks and turned around. The lingering glow of the sunset fell precisely behind her, casting a radiant halo around her already dignified and exquisite features. Combined with the gentle sanctity of pregnancy, she appeared breathtakingly beautiful at that moment, making it impossible to look away.
Gu Yunrui knew she was flawless beyond reproach, yet such perfection—so dignified and aloof—struck him as lacking vitality.
However, watching her carry another man’s child while calmly urging him to take a concubine stirred indescribable emotions within him.
He stepped closer and asked again, “Sister-in-law, was it you who suggested to Mother that I take a tongfang concubine?”
Su Qingwan nodded. “It was merely a suggestion from an elder sister-in-law, made with your best interests at heart. Of course, whether to adopt it is entirely up to you. Even if you do, the final selection of candidates rests with Mother.”
Gu Yunrui pressed further, “If this situation were between you and Eldest Brother, would you also advise him to take a concubine?”
Su Qingwan’s delicate brows arched slightly, but she still nodded. “Yes.”
Gu Yunrui scoffed. “Sister-in-law truly is the epitome of a dignified and magnanimous wife. But with such emotional detachment and coldness, even if Eldest Brother were still here, you would have become a couple in name only—at best, treating each other with formal respect.”
Gu Yunrui reaffirmed to himself that choosing Su Xiyue over Su Qingwan had been the right decision. Su Xiyue adored him wholeheartedly, while Su Qingwan constantly upheld the rigid demeanor of a principal wife—laudable as virtuous and tolerant, but in reality, cold and unfeeling.
Watching Gu Yunrui storm off in a huff, Su Qingwan found it utterly baffling.
Only after returning to Linglong Yuan did Su Qingwan settle her thoughts.
Suggesting a concubine for Gu Yunrui today had been merely a test, but it seemed the timing was not yet ripe.
In the end, Gu Yunrui did not take a concubine or seek a tongfang companion. No one knew how he managed to appease Feng Shi, but once Su Xiyue’s pregnancy stabilized, she began to act arrogantly again.
In matters of food, clothing, and daily necessities, she insisted on matching Su Qingwan.
Since Gu Yunci was now the only legitimate son in Hou Manor, and despite the Lord Marquis’s promise to grant a title to any son born to Su Qingwan, the child was yet unborn, and its gender remained uncertain. Thus, no one dared to completely offend Su Xiyue.
Emboldened by her status, Su Xiyue’s maids grew increasingly haughty.
When Gui Xiang went to the kitchen to fetch bird’s nest for Su Xiyue, she noticed a bowl of Blood Swallow Nest steaming in a nearby pot and immediately tried to take it.
Granny Zhang, who managed the kitchen, hurriedly intervened, “Miss Gui Xiang, that belongs to Linglong Yuan.”
Gui Xiang retorted, “I’ll take this one. You can just make another portion for Linglong Yuan, can’t you?”
Granny Zhang forced a dry laugh. “I’m afraid that won’t do. This Blood Swallow Nest was brought by Miss Qinxin from Linglong Yuan—it’s the only one in Hou Manor. If Second Young Mistress wishes to have some, she may provide her own Blood Swallow Nest, and we’ll prepare it for her.”
Gui Xiang frowned. “Both are legitimate pregnant wives in the manor—why the discrimination? Second Young Mistress’s pregnancy is still unstable; she needs nourishment the most. I must take this Blood Swallow Nest!”
As she reached out to snatch it, her hand was sharply smacked mid-air.
Qinxin sneered, “Just try to take it.”
Recognizing Qinxin, Gui Xiang immediately furrowed her brows and withdrew her hand—after all, Qinxin hit hard, and she knew this from painful experience.
The Blood Swallow Nest naturally wasn’t snatched away, but Gui Xiang was in a foul mood. Upon returning to Haitang Courtyard, she recounted the incident with dramatic embellishments.
“Young Mistress, you wouldn’t believe how arrogant Qinxin from Linglong Yuan is! Back in the Su residence, she already bullied others by flaunting her master’s influence, and now she’s grown even worse. But why should this be? Both you and the Eldest Young Mistress are now young madams of the manor, and your husband is still here—so why should Linglong Yuan’s daily provisions be better than yours?”
Su Xiyue had been listless lately due to morning sickness and previous spotting, but upon hearing Gui Xiang’s words, her eyes narrowed sharply.
“Are you certain there’s such a big disparity in daily provisions between the two courtyards?”
Gui Xiang nodded emphatically. “Of course! For the same bird’s nest, you only get the ordinary kind while the Eldest Young Mistress gets Blood Swallow Nest. There are other aspects too—though the weather hasn’t fully warmed yet, even the main courtyard where the Marquis’ Wife resides uses ordinary charcoal, yet Linglong Yuan uses Gold Filament Charcoal…”
Su Xiyue’s expression darkened with each detail. “That Su Qingwan! Managing the household and immediately abusing her power for personal gain—fattening herself at public expense! I’ll make sure she loses this authority over household management!”
In the main courtyard, Feng Shi frowned after hearing Su Xiyue’s account. “Qingwan wouldn’t abuse her power for personal gain, would she?”
Although A Rui had ultimately chosen Su Xiyue over Su Qingwan, Feng Shi remained clear-headed—Su Qingwan, as the Eldest Daughter of the Su Family, was truly accomplished both in grace and wisdom, gentle and dignified, a perfect noble lady. She was highly capable in household management—how could she possibly do such things?
Yet Su Xiyue’s account sounded plausible. At this thought, Feng Shi’s eyes turned cold. “Someone, go invite the Eldest Young Mistress here.”
When Su Qingwan arrived, she first curtsied to Feng Shi. “Mother, did you need me for something?”
Feng Shi asked, “Are the daily provisions in Linglong Yuan different from those in Haitang Courtyard?”
Su Qingwan replied, “Yes.”
Su Xiyue immediately grew restless beside them. “Eldest Sister-in-law, Mother entrusted you with household management—is this how you handle it? Such petty behavior, giving yourself special treatment—if word gets out, you’ll bring shame upon Aunt’s reputation!”
Su Qingwan shot her a sharp look. “I conduct myself with integrity and have never brought shame upon Mother or the Su family. Unlike you, Cousin—since marrying into this Hou Manor, you’ve never been content. Now you’re trying to drive a wedge between me and Mother. When the opportunity arises, I shall ask Second Aunt how she usually educates you!”
Su Xiyue retorted, “I’m not stirring trouble! You just admitted to lining your own pockets while managing the household!”
Su Qingwan countered coldly, “I only said the provisions differ between Linglong Yuan and Haitang Courtyard—when did I admit to embezzlement? All monthly expenses are drawn from the accounts. I only took my rightful share—the rest was supplemented with my own silver. What? Now that I’m left alone with no husband to care for me, am I wrong to use my own dowry to protect myself?”
Su Xiyue hadn’t expected Su Qingwan to be using her own dowry as supplement. Stunned, she then recalled that Su Qingwan’s dowry was several times more substantial than her own, and her expression turned awkward.
Feng Shi also remembered this point. Although both daughters-in-law came from the Su family, the difference between the main and secondary branches was vast.
Still, she asked one more time, “Qingwan, are you truly using your own silver for all this?”
Su Qingwan said, “Mother, since I took over managing the household, every account entry has been clear and transparent. If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to examine them thoroughly.”
After speaking, she instructed Qiyi to fetch the account books.
Feng Shi actually wanted to use this opportunity to reclaim the household management authority, especially since A Rui’s wife was no longer Su Qingwan. She nodded in agreement and proceeded to inspect the accounts.
After spending half a day examining them, Feng Shi found no issues with the accounts. To her surprise, she discovered the records were exceptionally neat and detailed, with the shops’ monthly balances consistently increasing.
In short, Su Qingwan’s household management skills were far superior to her own…
At this realization, Feng Shi shot Su Xiyue an even more resentful glare. Utterly incompetent yet always sowing discord—she was vastly inferior to Su Qingwan!
Su Xiyue was equally frustrated but couldn’t utter a word in response.
After Su Qingwan left, Qinxin whispered, “The Second Young Madam’s face turned as black as charcoal—how satisfying! But after this, surely she’ll retreat now?”
Having failed to instigate trouble and humiliated by her own jealousy.
Su Qingwan shook her head, “No, she won’t accept defeat. She’ll surely go ask Gu Yunrui for money.”
On the surface, the matter of clothing and expenses seemed a shallow tactic, merely designed to provoke Su Xiyue’s envy.
But Su Qingwan’s intentions ran far deeper…
By evening, Gu Yunrui returned from his duties beaming with joy, the gloom from nearly losing the child due to earlier turmoil completely vanished.
During the family dinner, Gu Yunrui happily announced the good news, “Starting tomorrow, I’ll assume the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.”
He had actually been promoted.
Feng Shi and Su Xiyue were naturally overjoyed upon hearing this, and even the usually stern Zhongyong Hou had a glint of pleasure in his eyes.
Su Qingwan, however, remained unperturbed. She took a sip of porridge, her long lashes half-lowered: It appeared the patron Gu Yunrui had aligned with held significant power, enabling his promotion within just a few months.
So his original intention was to replace Gu Yunci in the Ministry of War—was this a move to seize military authority?
Could it be that Gu Yunci’s death wasn’t accidental after all?
Noticing Su Qingwan’s furrowed brows upon hearing the news, Su Xiyue swelled with secret triumph.
Feigning surprise, she said, “Eldest Sister-in-law, why do you seem displeased about my husband’s promotion?”
All eyes instantly converged on Su Qingwan, making her the target of collective scrutiny.
Su Qingwan: “I’m naturally happy for Second Brother, but this reminds me of the late Shizi. Had he still been with us, he certainly wouldn’t have lagged behind Second Brother either. What a pity…”
These words deeply moved only Zhongyong Hou, while the other three wore grim expressions, souring the meal’s atmosphere.
At this point, Gu Yunrui brought up another matter, “Recently, a Flower Plucking Thief has emerged in the capital. All of you should refrain from going out for now.”
Zhongyong Hou frowned, “How could such a criminal appear right under the Emperor’s nose?”
Gu Yunrui: “It’s unclear where he came from, but the Capital Prefecture has already begun arrests. He should be apprehended soon.”
This being a serious matter, no one dared cause unnecessary trouble, and even Su Xiyue became subdued.
However, after a few days, the incident of the flower thief grew increasingly intense.
Qinxin wore a worried expression, “I’ve heard that three noble ladies have already fallen victim consecutively. One of them, Miss Li, was already married and pregnant. She was abducted on her way back to her parents’ home for a visit!”
Su Qingwan also frowned slightly, always feeling that there was something inexplicably strange about this matter.
At that moment, Qiyi walked in from outside, her expression complicated as she said, “Miss, someone from Yunlai Medical Clinic has come again.”
Su Qingwan: “Didn’t they just send something not long ago? What have they brought this time?”
Qiyi: “They’ve brought a man.”