Throughout the journey, Fu Ci took great care of Jiang Wan. Whenever the group stopped to rest, many saw him bustling around attending to her.
He served her tea and water, as attentive as could be.
To be a concubine and reach Jiang Wan’s level was truly unprecedented and unmatched.
In contrast, Fu Ci’s attitude toward his prospective in-laws was quite cold.
He did not initiate conversation with the Yun family, let alone show any care for his fiancée, Yun Yanran.
Humiliated by Fu Ci’s behavior, the Yun family was furious.
Madam Yun advised her daughter, “Why don’t we call off this engagement? Fu Ci is unreliable and will surely favor his concubine over his wife in the future.”
Yun Yanran had finally secured the chance to become engaged to Fu Ci and did not want to see her efforts go to waste.
“Mother, with the Yun family as my backing, no matter how much he favors his concubine, Jiang Wan will never surpass me.”
Madam Yun shook her head repeatedly. “You don’t know how difficult life can be for the mistress of a household in families where the husband favors concubines over his wife.”
“Mother, you don’t trust me.”
“This isn’t about trust. Your father and I don’t want you to suffer.”
How could marrying the person she loved be a life of suffering?
Yun Yanran said, “If I can’t marry Fu Ci, I’ll remain unmarried for the rest of my life.”
Madam Yun, exasperated, poked Yun Yanran’s forehead. “Are you trying to anger your father and me to death?”
“Mother, with the Yun family as my support, Fu Ci wouldn’t dare treat me poorly. Don’t worry.”
“If you suffer grievances later, don’t come crying to us.”
Yun Yanran had been of marriageable age for three years, during which many suitors had come to propose, all of whom she had rejected.
Her heart was set on Fu Ci, and no one could persuade her otherwise.
The Yun family was both angry and helpless.
Although they could find fault with Fu Ci, they couldn’t oppose their daughter’s affection for him. If they went too far, it would surely strain their family bonds.
Since Yun Yanran wouldn’t listen to reason, the Yun family had no choice but to follow her wishes.
She was already eighteen, and if she stayed unmarried any longer, she would become an old maid.
If Fu Ci ever dared to favor his concubine over his wife, the Yun family was not to be trifled with. They could report him to the emperor. With his own future at stake, he would surely restrain himself.
Madam Yun thought this way.
In the capital, many disapproved of Yun Yanran’s conduct.
When Fu Ci brought Jiang Wan along on this autumn hunt, many were waiting to see the drama unfold.
Jiang Wan did not want to attract too much attention and rarely left the carriage during the journey.
Fu Ci did not force her.
As long as she was happy, he was content.
The journey proceeded peacefully until they reached the royal hunting grounds.
After setting up camp, Fu Ci went to the carriage to fetch Jiang Wan.
When she stepped down, there was no footstool in sight. As Jiang Wan gathered her skirt to jump down, Fu Ci wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her down.
In front of so many people, Jiang Wan did not want to argue with him. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she headed straight for the tent.
Fu Ci quickly followed, and the two entered together.
He wondered to himself—how did Wanwan know which tent was theirs?
The Yun family’s tent was not far away. Witnessing this scene firsthand, Yun Yanran felt deeply hurt.
No woman wanted to share her man with another.
But she could not bear to give up the chance to marry Fu Ci.
She could only console herself by thinking that all men were like this—having multiple wives and concubines was the norm.
If others could endure it, surely she could too.
After all, Jiang Wan was in poor health. Who knew how many years she had left to live?
One day, she would outlast her.
General Yun and Yun Da were on duty, responsible for the security of the camp.
Yun Er and Yun San had come purely for fun.
“Yanran, go rest for a while. There will be a bonfire party tonight, and you can enjoy yourself then.”
When they were outside the pass, this was Yun Yanran’s favorite activity.
But now she couldn’t muster any interest.
She only responded with a sullen “mm” before entering the main tent.
“Second Brother, can we only stand by and watch our little sister suffer like this?”
Yun Er sneered, “Of course not.”
“Second Brother, do you have a plan? Tell me quickly.”
“Just wait, you’ll know when the time comes.”
Among the three Yun brothers, the second had always been the one who came up with schemes behind the scenes.
Hearing him say this, Yun San felt reassured.
If they didn’t teach Fu Ci and Jiang Wan a lesson this time, wouldn’t their sister have suffered for nothing?
For this trip, Jiang Wan had only brought Qiu Yue as her maid.
While Fu Ci went to speak with the Noble Consort and the Fourth Prince, Jiang Wan took a bath.
After bathing, Qiu Yue helped her apply the scar-removing ointment.
Halfway through the application, Fu Ci returned from outside.
Jiang Wan reacted swiftly, pulling the blanket over herself. “Why didn’t you make a sound when you came in?”
“This is my own tent. Why should I make a sound?”
Fu Ci walked over calmly, took the ointment from Qiu Yue’s hand, and said, “Leave.”
“Yes.”
Qiu Yue lowered her head and quickly scurried away with small steps.
Jiang Wan, wrapped in the blanket, rolled inward. “Get out!”
“This is my territory. Where else can I go?”
Seeing Fu Ci still approaching, Jiang Wan lifted her foot to block him. “Can’t you have any shame?”
As for shame, Fu Ci had long abandoned it.
He grasped Jiang Wan’s ankle. “I’m just helping you apply the medicine, nothing else.”
“I don’t need you.”
“You can’t do it yourself.”
Under the blanket, Jiang Wan was completely naked. Seeing Fu Ci still moving closer, she panicked and grabbed a cup from beside the bed, throwing it at Fu Ci.
The cup collided with his forehead with a dull thud before falling onto the bed.
The cup remained intact, but a red mark appeared on Fu Ci’s forehead.
Both of them froze.
Fu Ci had always known Jiang Wan resisted him, but he never imagined it was this severe.
A person’s genuine reaction in anger couldn’t be faked. In her heart, she already despised him to the extreme.
Fu Ci’s first reaction was fear.
Had he already become unimportant in Wanwan’s heart?
His second reaction was: she was not allowed to reject him!
Jiang Wan was his woman, officially documented by the authorities. Whatever they did was perfectly legal and reasonable!
He picked up the cup that had fallen onto the bed and placed it back in its original position.
As if nothing had happened, he held Jiang Wan’s shoulder with one hand and pulled the blanket off her with the other.
“Be good and let me apply the medicine, or you’ll have scars later.”
At this moment, Fu Ci was unnervingly calm.
Jiang Wan couldn’t read his emotions, and her heartbeat gradually grew erratic.
For the first time, she felt the terror of Fu Ci.
Only one thought filled her mind: leave him.
Leave him quickly!
Holding her half in his arms, Fu Ci meticulously applied the ointment for her.
As if afraid of hurting her, he gently blew on the area while applying the medicine.
Jiang Wan shuddered in horror.
Goosebumps rose all over her body.
Sensing the trembling of the person in his arms, a surge of rage rose in Fu Ci’s heart.
He had already accommodated her enough.
He prioritized her feelings in everything, so why did she treat him this way?
Though his heart was in turmoil, his expression remained composed.
He finished applying the medicine to Jiang Wan properly and, in the end, personally helped her dress.
“There’s a bonfire party tonight. Since you’re not feeling well, there’s no need for you to attend. Just rest here.”
With that, he tucked Jiang Wan in and strode away.
Jiang Wan let out a sigh of relief, her tightly clenched fingers slowly relaxing.
In her previous life, she had gone along, only to end up being harassed and mocked by a group of people.
It’s fine not to go.
Yet, thinking of Fu Ci’s unusual behavior just now, Jiang Wan still felt uneasy.
She feared it might be the calm before the storm.