With a clatter, the account book in Su Qingwan’s hands fell to the ground.
Without bothering to fix her appearance, she immediately rushed to the main hall, hearing Feng Shi’s sobs from afar.
“What? His body was completely destroyed in a mountain explosion caused by gunpowder? My poor Yunrui!”
“Why? Why couldn’t it have been you who died!”
As soon as Su Qingwan entered, she saw Feng Shi throw a teacup at Gu Yunci, who was covered in bloodstains.
Gu Yunci wanted to dodge but restrained himself, allowing the teacup to graze his forehead and break the skin.
Feng Shi beat her chest in anguish, and would have continued her assault if not for Zhongyong Hou’s sharp reprimand from the side.
For some reason, Su Qingwan noticed Gu Yunci quickly glance up at her before lowering his gaze again, resignedly kneeling on the floor.
Su Qingwan composed herself slightly, lifted her skirt and stepped forward, curtsying to both Zhongyong Hou and Feng Shi. “Father, Mother, what exactly happened?”
“Has something truly happened to the Shizi?”
Upon hearing this, Feng Shi’s tears began flowing freely once more.
Zhongyong Hou, seated in his wheelchair, had someone bring the letter to Su Qingwan.
It turned out that Gu Yunrui’s squad had discovered the enemy’s secret tunnel in advance – a tunnel that would have led directly to the capital!
Zhongyong Hou: “When the enemy realized their plan was exposed, they blew up the tunnel. Yunrui and over twenty others with him died tragically in the explosion, their bodies beyond recognition.”
Su Qingwan staggered, and Qiyi quickly supported her. “Madam!”
She sat down on the official’s chair, silent tears streaming from the corners of her eyes. Clutching her handkerchief, her body trembled uncontrollably.
“Where is the Shizi’s body?”
Gu Yunci, kneeling on the ground, looked at her with a flicker of pity in his eyes that quickly vanished.
“I have recovered elder brother’s remains. Sister-in-law… please accept my condolences.”
Su Qingwan remained silent, only half-lowering her eyes as she let the tears continue to fall.
Seeing her like this, Zhongyong Hou sighed. “Qingwan, you should go rest for now. In a few days we’ll need to prepare Yunrui’s funeral arrangements, and you’ll need to assist your mother.”
Su Qingwan choked out, “Yes.”
Turning around, she let Qiyi support her back to Linglong Yuan. On the way, they encountered Su Xiyue.
The other woman still appeared vibrant and spirited. Upon seeing Su Qingwan’s grief-stricken appearance, Su Xiyue feigned concern. “Elder sister, I just heard the news. How could someone as wonderful as the Shizi be gone?”
“Don’t be too sad, elder sister. After all, life must go on. It’s just that here in Hou Manor, there will never be anyone who cherishes you like the Shizi did again. Thinking about it… it truly is heartbreaking.”
Su Qingwan ignored her, continuing forward with Qiyi’s support without breaking stride.
Having her subtle provocation ignored, Su Xiyue watched Su Qingwan being led away, a slight smirk curling her lips.
Back in Linglong Yuan, Qinxin said angrily: “How can Third Young Lady take pleasure in others’ misfortune at a time like this? Does she have no heart?”
“Does she think that with the Shizi gone, she as the second branch’s daughter-in-law will finally have her day?”
“Qinxin!” Qiyi chided, then looked at Su Qingwan with concern. “Young Lady, please don’t grieve too much. Life must go on.”
Su Qingwan took a deep breath. “You’re both right. And what Qinxin said isn’t wrong either.”
She had been widowed right after her marriage, with no children to her name.
Now that the second branch also has a legitimate son, even if her mother-in-law still disliked Second Young Master Gu, Su Qingwan had no choice but to start planning for her future early.
Su Qingwan thought that when the Shizi’s funeral was held, her parents would come to see her, and they could discuss the next steps together.
However, in the evening, Cuiyu, the head maid serving Feng Shi from the main residence, came and said, “Eldest Young Madam, the Hou Manor’s Madam requests your presence.”
Su Qingwan asked, “Is Mother feeling better?”
Cuiyu replied, “This afternoon, Second Young Master comforted her for a while, and she finally seems a little better.”
Su Qingwan nodded, but her heart sank.
Although her mother-in-law had always disliked Second Young Master, he was now her only legitimate son. Perhaps, in the future, Su Xiyue would indeed have the upper hand.
When Su Qingwan arrived at the main residence’s bedchamber, she had her hair tied up with a single white jade hairpin and wore a plain white dress, appearing gentle and elegant.
She noticed that Feng Shi’s complexion was indeed much better than it had been in the morning.
“Mother, are you feeling better now?”
Feng Shi leaned against the bed, her eyes no longer tearful. However, when she saw her eldest daughter-in-law, who looked even more haggard than herself, a trace of guilt flashed in her eyes.
She pulled Su Qingwan to sit beside her and said gently, “Qingwan, you must try to be strong. Life must go on, after all.”
Su Qingwan hadn’t expected her mother-in-law, who should have been even more grief-stricken than herself, to comfort her instead.
She nodded and said, “Mother, you must take care of your health as well.”
Feng Shi held Su Qingwan’s hand, unconsciously tightening her grip. She whispered, “Qingwan, no matter what, you are now a daughter-in-law of our Gu family. Even though A Rui is gone, I still recognize you as my daughter-in-law!”
Although it had only been a little over a month, and Feng Shi had not yet handed over all the household management duties to Su Qingwan, everyone in the Hou Manor could see that this new madam was skilled in managing the household. She handled all matters, big and small, with clear accounts, earning respect from all.
Feng Shi understood in her heart that letting her manage the household was far better than doing it herself and would bring great benefits to the Hou Manor.
Moreover, she had the support of the Su and Bai families behind her, as well as the favor of influential figures in the palace.
She absolutely could not bear to let this daughter-in-law go!
Although she felt somewhat uneasy, the thought that this was all for A Rui and for the Hou Manor hardened her resolve.
She tightened her grip on Su Qingwan’s hand and said, “Qingwan, A Rui’s accident was something none of us expected, but I cannot bear to see you left alone and desolate. So, I discussed it with A Ci, and we’ve decided that he will inherit two family lines in the future, giving you a child to be recorded under A Rui’s name. This child will support you in your old age and perform the funeral rites.”
“Mother!” Su Qingwan was shocked. She quickly withdrew her hand and took two steps back. “Inheriting two family lines—such a thing is utterly absurd! Absolutely not!”
Feng Shi pleaded, “But I cannot bear to see you suffer alone like this!”
Su Qingwan lowered her eyes slightly, her tone softening a little. “Mother, with you and Father valuing me so much, I do not feel desolate. In the future, I could also adopt a child from a collateral branch.”
Feng Shi insisted, “How could that be the same! Qingwan, I know you’ve been wronged, but A Rui’s death pains me more than anyone else.”
“A Ci is his twin brother. A Ci’s child could be treated as his child!”
“Please, for the sake of your poor mother, who has to bury her own child…”
Su Qingwan pressed her lips together and was about to retort when someone rushed in frantically from outside, raising a hand to slap her across the face!
“Su Qingwan, you’re utterly shameless! How dare you covet your own brother-in-law!”
Su Qingwan’s head snapped to the side, the white jade hairpin holding her bun clattering to the ground and shattering into pieces with a crisp crack.
A red mark quickly bloomed on her fair, porcelain-like cheek.
Su Xiyue felt exhilarated by the strike. Having been overshadowed by her cousin Su Qingwan all her life, she finally had the satisfaction of standing up to her today!
No, this wasn’t enough.
Now that she had the upper hand, Su Xiyue intended to strike a few more times.
But Su Qingwan was quicker, raising her hand to slap Su Xiyue back.
Slap!
Su Xiyue was stunned. “You… you hit me?”
As she stepped forward to retaliate, Qinxin immediately moved in front of Su Qingwan, shielding her.
Qinxin was skilled in martial arts, exceptionally strong, and fiercely loyal to Su Qingwan.
Su Xiyue, wary of her, didn’t dare press further but glared venomously at Su Qingwan while clutching her cheek.
Feng Shi struggled to sit up with assistance from her bed and said coldly, “Enough! You’re sisters and sisters-in-law—what kind of spectacle is this, brawling like this?”
Su Qingwan lowered her gaze slightly, smoothing her disheveled hair. “Su Xiyue, is this how you were taught to respect your elder sister and sister-in-law? Is this the etiquette Uncle and Aunt instilled in you?”
Feng Shi’s earlier remark had aimed to reprimand both sides equally, but Su Qingwan understood now that Feng Shi’s sympathies were shifting toward the second branch of the family.
Seeing how Su Qingwan deftly shifted all the blame onto Su Xiyue, Feng Shi was left speechless.
Su Xiyue, her eyes red, clung to Feng Shi’s arm and sobbed, “Mother, I just heard from my husband that he’s to inherit two family lines and give Elder Sister-in-law a child. I won’t accept it! Why should he? We’ve only just married—I don’t even have a child yet…”
She wept pitifully, her tears falling like pear blossoms in the rain.
Feng Shi looked troubled and conflicted, reaching out to pat Su Xiyue’s back in comfort.
Su Qingwan calmly interrupted them. “Su Xiyue, you’re crying too soon. I haven’t agreed to this matter, and it wasn’t my idea to begin with.”
“So, I’ll remember this slap.”
Su Xiyue stiffened, snorting coldly. “Are you threatening me? Besides, you’ve lost your husband now. Even if inheriting two family lines wasn’t your suggestion, you must be thrilled about it, aren’t you?”
“If you’re truly unwilling, then get a Heli! Let A’Ci write you a Letter of Divorce on his brother’s behalf!”
Feng Shi grew frantic. “Su Xiyue, shut your mouth!”
She turned to Su Qingwan, whose cheek was slightly swollen, and hurriedly soothed, “Qingwan, this is all a misunderstanding. I’ll have Xiyue apologize to you later. Go back to your room and rest—use an egg to soothe your face.”
“And don’t ever mention Heli again. You’ve just been widowed after marriage—if you get a divorce now, how will you live your life? What will people think of you?”
Though Feng Shi’s words seemed concerned for Su Qingwan, each one revealed her bias toward the second branch.
But why had this favoritism shifted so quickly? Was it simply because Gu Yunrui had died?
Su Qingwan lowered her eyes and turned to leave.
Behind her, Feng Shi scolded Su Xiyue, “What nonsense are you spouting? If you mention Heli again, then you should be the one to divorce A’Ci!”
Su Qingwan’s inner chill had not subsided, for she knew that once Feng Shi truly cared only for the second branch, it would only be a matter of time before her favoritism extended to Su Xiyue as well.
Returning to Linglong Yuan, Qinxin hurried to fetch a boiled egg to apply to Su Qingwan’s swollen cheek, grumbling in frustration, “Has the third young lady lost her mind? How dare she raise a hand against you?”
“Even if they are newlyweds, still in the honeymoon phase, this matter of inheriting two family lines wasn’t your idea. There’s no reason to blame you for it.”
Su Qingwan gazed at her reflection in the bronze mirror—her cheek slightly swollen, her hair disheveled.
In seventeen years of life, she had never suffered such humiliation.
“I will remember Su Xiyue’s slap!”
Su Qingwan’s voice was as calm as frozen ice. “She was so quick to lose her temper today. One day, I will return it twofold.”
Clenching her handkerchief, she obscured the disheveled reflection in the mirror, stood up, and straightened her collar. There were account books waiting to be reviewed in the estate—she couldn’t let this minor setback unsettle her. But just as she stepped out of the courtyard, she spotted the second young master, Gu Yunci, standing not far away.
Gu Yunci had washed away the bloodstains from yesterday, shaved his beard, and changed into a moon-white brocade robe. Yet, he had visibly lost weight, appearing less tall and robust than before.
He strode toward Su Qingwan, his brow furrowed, his tone sharp.
“Mother says you disagree with inheriting two family lines? Why!”