Su Xiyue felt a surge of anger rising within her, her stomach cramping painfully.
She smiled bitterly. “Mother, so in your eyes, your own daughter isn’t as important as your niece?”
Xu Shi: “Xiyue, you don’t understand the importance of maternal family support. The Xu family means to me what the Su family means to you – our maternal families are crucial backing for married women. Besides, Xin’er is a concubine while you’re the wife, she could never surpass you. Didn’t you say you wanted to compete with Su Qingwan for control over Hou Manor? Since you’re isolated and helpless, having Xin’er assist you would be perfect.”
Su Xiyue saw the situation clearly.
This wasn’t bringing in an ally – this was inviting an enemy!
She regretted having invited her mother to Hou Manor just to show off.
Su Xiyue gritted her teeth. “But my husband won’t agree to take a concubine.”
Xu Shi whispered: “You’re pregnant and can’t serve the second young master. He’ll take a concubine sooner or later anyway, and the Marquis’ Wife has already agreed. Besides, Xin’er is your cousin – she’ll definitely support you. What’s done is done, the rice is already cooked. If you keep refusing, people will start calling you jealous. If you continue opposing taking a concubine for the second young master, your mother-in-law will only grow more dissatisfied with you. Be good, Xiyue – as someone who’s been through this, why would I harm you?”
After Xu Shi’s lengthy persuasion using both soft and hard tactics, Su Xiyue felt pain in both her abdomen and head. Reluctantly, she finally agreed to her mother’s request.
Thus, Haitang Courtyard gained a Xu Consort.
Furious about this matter, Gu Yunrui moved into the government office and didn’t return for several days.
Meanwhile, Su Xiyue, feeling unwell, remained bedridden and didn’t appear in public for days either.
The entire Hou Manor suddenly became quiet.
However, within a few days, Gu Yunrui actually reconciled with Su Xiyue. Though they no longer shared a bed at night, he didn’t visit Xu Tanxin’s room either.
Qinxin muttered quietly, “Those two really are deeply devoted to each other.”
Su Qingwan wasn’t surprised. Given how Gu Yunrui had abandoned her to fake his death before, she knew those two shared genuine feelings.
Su Qingwan: “It’s fine. The crack is already there – we have plenty of time.”
Qinxin: “I just feel like the second young mistress will start causing trouble again soon.”
Sure enough, a few days later while paying respects to Feng Shi, Su Xiyue suddenly said: “Mother, look how our second branch’s household keeps growing. With more children coming, it’s becoming quite crowded. Linglong Yuan is much larger than Haitang Courtyard, and only sister-in-law lives there – isn’t that rather wasteful? Why don’t we swap with sister-in-law?”
Feng Shi held her teacup, taking a sip without showing any reaction as she waited to see how Su Qingwan would respond.
She quite enjoyed watching her two daughters-in-law fight.
Su Qingwan lowered her eyes, remaining silent.
After waiting a long time without getting a response, Su Xiyue’s face darkened. Noticing this, Xu Tanxin chimed in: “Oh, sister-in-law, does this mean you disagree?”
Su Qingwan looked up, her gaze sharp as she stared at her. “Xu Consort, as a concubine, you have no right to call me sister-in-law.”
Xu Tanxin had intended to say a few words to help Su Xiyue and improve their relationship, but she never expected Su Qingwan to be so merciless, immediately using status to suppress her. She froze on the spot.
Su Xiyue had no choice but to speak up. “Sister-in-law, Xiner didn’t mean anything else. As for switching courtyards, what do you think?”
Su Qingwan replied, “Linglong Yuan was specially prepared by Father and Mother for the Shizi back then. Every plant, tree, brick, and stone in it was chosen according to the Shizi’s preferences. I still want to bring our child there to reminisce about him in the future, so I won’t be switching courtyards.”
Reminisce about what? Gu Yunrui was still alive!
Su Xiyue felt so disgusted that her expression turned unpleasant, yet she couldn’t reveal the truth.
Feng Shi, seeing how deeply devoted Su Qingwan was to A Rui, also felt somewhat sentimental. She sighed and said, “It’s truly hard on Qingwan, but you mustn’t grieve too much. A-Ci looks almost exactly like A Rui. When the children grow up, you can let them get closer to A-Ci.”
Su Xiyue was extremely displeased and muttered, “He’s not the biological father. No matter how much they look alike, it’s meaningless.”
Su Qingwan smiled and nodded. “Xiyue is right. After all, he’s not the biological father. Moreover, in my heart, no one can compare to the Shizi.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Yunrui lifted the curtain and entered. Although his wife and concubine were both in the room, his gaze immediately fell upon Su Qingwan.
Su Qingwan sat to the left of Feng Shi, wearing a light blue brocade robe with the collar fastened tightly, which accentuated her fair neck. She appeared dignified, gentle, and serene, as beautiful as a painting.
Not to mention, she had just said those words: “No one can compare to the Shizi!”
A faint sense of guilt welled up in Gu Yunrui’s heart.
Seeing Gu Yunrui arrive, Su Xiyue immediately stepped forward and took his hand. “Husband, you’ve returned from duty so early today?”
Gu Yunrui replied, “I happened to have business nearby, so I came back early. Why is it so lively here? What were you all discussing?”
Su Xiyue naturally wouldn’t mention that Su Qingwan had just been praising him. “We were talking about how crowded Haitang Courtyard has become and how small it is. We thought about switching with Sister-in-law for Linglong Yuan, but she refused. Husband, please try to persuade Sister-in-law.”
It was just a courtyard, and Gu Yunrui had previously promised Su Xiyue he would agree.
But just as he was about to speak, Su Qingwan said with sorrowful eyes, “Second Brother, your elder brother has already passed away. Are you even going to take his courtyard from us? Can you not tolerate us, a widow and her orphaned child, at all?”
Her words were severe, and Gu Yunrui quickly responded, “Sister-in-law, that’s not what I meant.”
Su Qingwan pressed a handkerchief to the corner of her eye. “After the Shizi passed, I initially thought of leaving. But who would have thought I was carrying his child? For the Shizi’s sake, I decided to stay. The Shizi grew up in Linglong Yuan, and I naturally hope his child will grow up there too. Is such a small request too much to grant?”
As she spoke, tears began to roll down her cheeks.
Gu Yunrui felt heartbroken watching her, because he knew that Qingwan believed the child in her womb was his. She loved him so deeply…
Feng Shi, as the mother-in-law, had to intervene. “Qingwan, don’t cry. Xiyue was just making a suggestion. If you don’t want to switch, then we won’t. Besides, Hou Manor is large enough. We can expand Haitang Courtyard or explore other options.”
Su Xiyue was extremely dissatisfied upon hearing this. An expanded Haitang Courtyard would still pale in comparison to Linglong Yuan.
Su Qingwan wiped away her tears. “But Mother, the Hou Manor has had too many expenses lately, and it’s only the middle of the year. The shops and farms haven’t yielded their harvests yet, so we can’t afford any major expenditures for now.”
Feng Shi was momentarily speechless. “That’s true. After all, we’ve only added one person to the household. Whether we need to expand can wait until we’re truly cramped for space.”
No expansion? Then all that talk earlier was just empty words!
Su Xiyue, having failed to get her wish, was extremely displeased. Frustrated, she stormed off without even sparing Feng Shi a glance, leaving the latter fuming with anger.
Xu Tanxin initially wanted to follow Su Xiyue out, but after hesitating for a moment, she approached Gu Yunrui instead, her face full of expectation.
“Husband, are you going to the study in the front courtyard or returning to Haitang Courtyard?”
Gu Yunrui’s expression remained cold. “Do I need to report my whereabouts to you? Besides, as a concubine, you shouldn’t address me as ‘husband.’ Return to your own courtyard and stay there!”
Having said that, he ignored the tearful Xu Tanxin and walked up to Su Qingwan. “Sister-in-law, Grand Tutor Su’s birthday is approaching soon. I’m unsure what gift to prepare for him. Do you know whether he prefers calligraphy and paintings or antiques?”
Su Qingwan replied, “The Hou Manor’s gift has already been prepared according to protocol. There’s no need for Second Brother to trouble himself.”
Gu Yunrui insisted, “That’s different. This gift is from me personally. Since Elder Brother was Grand Tutor’s prized student, I also wish to seek guidance from the Grand Tutor and strive to emulate Elder Brother.”
Hearing this, Su Qingwan felt nauseated.
Was he planning to assume Gu Yunci’s identity and become her grandfather’s prized student again, all to further his schemes against the Su family?
Her grandfather’s disciples were spread throughout the court, so regardless of which prince stood behind Gu Yunrui, the Su family would be a useful pawn. But if that were the case, why didn’t Gu Yunrui just honestly remain as the Shizi? Why fake his death?
What a despicable, two-faced scoundrel—wanting to have his cake and eat it too!
Fortunately, her grandfather and father already saw through Gu Yunrui’s true nature.
Su Qingwan said, “Since Second Brother intends to give a gift personally, you should choose it yourself. That would show greater sincerity.”
After speaking, she turned and left.
Mention of her grandfather’s birthday reminded her that it was on the eighth of next month. This would be a good opportunity to return to the Su residence and ask her mother about the results from her Imperial Concubine aunt.
In truth, Su Qingwan suspected that the person backing Gu Yunrui was unlikely to be her cousin, the Seventh Prince. Otherwise, he wouldn’t need to go through such elaborate machinations.
Su Qingwan pondered Gu Yunrui’s intentions.
“Gu Yunci was a pure military man who disliked studying. He didn’t even participate in the imperial examinations back then. So how does he plan to become my grandfather’s prized student?”
If he revealed his abilities all at once, Gu Yunrui would expose his deception.
Returning to Linglong Yuan, Su Qingwan stood before the window lattice, gazing at the garden scenery, still murmuring to herself.
She knew that with that person’s help, Gu Yunrui had already become the Vice Minister of War, but this was certainly not his ultimate goal—he undoubtedly aimed for something greater.
The Ministry of War represented military power, while her grandfather, Grand Tutor Su, influenced the civil officials at court…
Chong Jiu’s voice suddenly came from outside. “It’s not that he disliked studying.”
One stood inside the window, the other outside beneath the corridor, where wisteria vines climbed and cascaded down in layers, resembling purple clouds.
Su Qingwan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she rested a hand on the window frame. “Are you implying the Second Young Master doesn’t actually dislike studying? Then what is the reason?”
Gu Yunrui was a top scholar of immense learning—by all accounts, his twin brother shouldn’t have been just a rough military man who couldn’t even pass the provincial exams.
A conflicted flicker passed through Chong Jiu’s dark eyes before he closed them. “I don’t know. I’ve spoken out of turn.”
Su Qingwan let out a soft, sudden laugh. “I might know the reason.”
Chong Jiu’s eyes snapped open.