Upon hearing that Old Madam was seriously ill, Yun Yanran brought tonics to visit the elderly lady.
Having received the visiting card in advance, Old Madam had instructed the matron early in the morning to wait at the mansion’s entrance.
Yun Yanran was respectfully ushered into the eastern courtyard.
Sitting by Old Madam’s bedside, the two held hands and exchanged warm greetings for quite some time.
“I wanted to visit you a few days ago, but I was afraid it might be inconvenient for the household. Yesterday, when I heard your condition had worsened, how could I sit still? I rushed over first thing this morning, hoping I haven’t disturbed your rest.”
A rare smile appeared on Old Madam’s face. “How could it be a disturbance? Seeing you, my illness is already half cured. It would be even better if you came every day. Perhaps if my mood improves, I’ll recover even faster.”
Yun Yanran cooed to Old Madam, “If you don’t find me annoying, I’ll come every day from now on.”
“How could I ever find you annoying? I’d be overjoyed. If only you could enter the mansion sooner, I’d be even happier. The household will be livelier then.”
A blush spread across Yun Yanran’s cheeks. “My parents said everything is up to your arrangement. The date is set for after the autumn hunt.”
Old Madam was delighted.
As long as the Yun family did not take the initiative to break off the engagement, this marriage was sure to succeed!
They say good things take time. Yanran, with her plump and graceful appearance and lively, adorable personality, was incomparable to a sickly girl. How could Ci’er not be moved?
In the future, if the couple lived in harmony and had a few children, it would be even more perfect.
The marriage between the Fu and Yun families, a union of two powerful clans, was the bright path forward.
Old Madam patted Yun Yanran’s hand. “Once you enter the mansion, I’ll entrust the household management to you. You’ll have to take on the responsibilities from then on.”
Yun Yanran’s heart leaped with joy.
With Old Madam’s support, Fu Ci would eventually come to her side.
As long as they had the chance to interact, she was confident she could win Fu Ci’s heart.
As for Jiang Wan, she and Fu Ci were no longer engaged. Now, she was merely a concubine in the mansion.
He was unmarried, and she was unwed.
Yun Yanran felt she had done nothing wrong to her.
On the contrary, Jiang Wan, entering the Fu family as the daughter of a disgraced official—wasn’t she afraid of implicating Fu Ci?
Someone so inconsiderate of others—how could she deserve Fu Ci’s wholehearted affection?
Temporarily pushing Jiang Wan to the back of her mind, Yun Yanran instructed her personal maid to present the gift she had prepared.
“This thousand-year-old ginseng was something I found myself beyond the frontier. I’m giving it to you now, hoping you recover soon and live a long, healthy life.”
“Ginseng has a spiritual nature. Ordinary people rarely encounter it. For you to find a thousand-year-old ginseng shows you are a blessed child. Once you enter the mansion, the household will surely flourish and regain its vitality.”
Yun Yanran, usually cheerful, was now too shy to speak.
“Please don’t tease me anymore.”
“Alright, alright, I won’t tease you. I’ll just wait peacefully for you to enter the mansion and give me a plump great-grandson.”
Yun Yanran’s face turned even redder. “Grandmother!”
As someone who had been through it all, Old Madam was very pleased to see how much Yun Yanran cared for Fu Ci.
Unlike Jiang Wan, who always made Ci’er go out of his way for her.
It was irritating just to think about!
The two conversed happily, and Old Madam even kept Yun Yanran for lunch.
Finally, when she truly had no energy left, she urged Yun Yanran to visit often before letting her leave.
After exiting the eastern courtyard, Yun Yanran said, “Matron, there’s no need to escort me further. Grandmother needs someone by her side. You should stay and attend to her.”
“That won’t do. Old Madam instructed me to see you to your carriage.”
Yun Yanran smiled and said, “I still want to go to the front courtyard to see Lord Fu.”
The matron suddenly understood. “Then this old servant won’t accompany you.”
With that, she assigned a maid to lead the way and returned to wait on the Old Madam.
According to custom, the bride and groom were not supposed to meet before the wedding.
But Yun Yanran had grown up beyond the frontier and did not care for such formalities.
As long as they didn’t do anything improper, what was there to fear in meeting once?
The steward had been keeping an eye on Yun Yanran’s movements. Hearing that she was heading to the front courtyard, he immediately put down his work and went to stop her.
Last night, Concubine Jiang had developed a fever, and the master had flown into a rage.
Doctors were called in one after another, and in the end, even a royal physician was summoned.
It wasn’t until late at night that her condition stabilized.
The master had official duties to attend to, and people frequently came to the residence to report matters.
Since outsiders were not allowed into the inner courtyard, the master had moved Concubine Jiang to the front courtyard early in the morning for easier care.
If Miss Yun went there now, the master would surely lose his temper again.
The steward hurried to the front courtyard but was a step too late.
Yun Yanran had already sent someone to announce her arrival.
“The master said that no outsiders are allowed in the front courtyard,” the servant replied.
The steward quickly stepped forward to deal with Yun Yanran. “The front courtyard is where the master handles official matters, and he dislikes being disturbed. Miss Yun, you may send a message to the master in advance next time you visit. For today, please return.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Qiu Yue and others entering the front courtyard, carrying several pieces of women’s clothing.
Yun Yanran’s good mood gradually faded.
“Steward, what is the meaning of this? Didn’t you say outsiders aren’t allowed in?”
The steward replied, “Concubine Jiang is a member of the Fu family, so she certainly doesn’t count as an outsider.”
Yun Yanran had been pampered by her family since childhood and was not one to tolerate unfair treatment.
“I am Fu Ci’s fiancée. Isn’t it inappropriate for you to stop me like this?”
“You said it yourself—you are his fiancée. Once you enter the household in the future, as long as the master agrees, no one will dare to stop you.”
Yun Yanran was furious. She had heard that Jiang Wan had been punished with a whipping by the Old Madam.
She thought that woman wouldn’t cause trouble again for a while, but now she had moved to the front courtyard.
Was the Fu family’s inner courtyard not spacious enough for her? Why did she have to come to such an important place like the front courtyard?
Was she trying to show off how much Fu Ci cared for her?
Yun Yanran felt she had guessed correctly.
They said women in the capital were cunning and prone to jealousy, and now she understood.
Even after being punished, she still knew how to play the victim—truly mastering the tricks of a concubine.
And to think she was once the legitimate daughter of Grand Tutor Jiang!
How shameful!
Clenching her fingers, Yun Yanran took a deep breath.
She reminded herself that this was the Fu family and she couldn’t lose her temper casually. If she angered Fu Ci, it wouldn’t be worth it.
“I heard Concubine Jiang is unwell. Since I’m already here, I’d like to see her.”
“The concubine needs rest and cannot receive guests.”
The word “guest” made Yun Yanran unable to stay any longer.
She was Fu Ci’s rightful fiancée, yet now she had to beg humbly just to see Jiang Wan.
What kind of concubine was this?
She was practically an ancestor!
“Let’s go.”
Tears welled up in her eyes.
She only liked Fu Ci—what was wrong with that?
Why did they have to treat her this way?