Unexpectedly, the Second Madam was the one scheming behind the scenes?
Shen Youran was so shocked her mouth dropped open, but before she could say anything, Pei Huaijin stuffed a preserved fruit into her mouth.
Shen Youran thought: “…I was just surprised, not trying to eat this!”
Although the Second Madam refused to admit guilt, faced with eyewitnesses and evidence, she could no longer deny it.
The old madam scolded her sharply, stripped her of her authority over the household, ordered her to reflect in the ancestral hall tonight, and placed her under house arrest for fifteen days starting tomorrow.
She was also fined three months’ allowance.
As for the maids involved, each was flogged twenty strokes and then sold away.
Shen Youran admired the old madam’s decisive actions while quietly searching for a handkerchief.
She had eaten several preserved fruits, and after biting away the sugared green plum flesh, the pits remained in her mouth.
She intended to spit them into her handkerchief.
Strangely, her handkerchief was nowhere to be found.
Had she forgotten it in her hurry to leave earlier?
Just as she was about to ask her sister for one, a large hand suddenly crossed in front of her.
Following the hand, she saw it belonged to Pei Huaijin.
What was he up to?
Shen Youran’s eyes widened in confusion.
That hand moved to her face, the web between thumb and forefinger pressing against her jaw, thumb and index finger resting lightly but firmly on both cheeks.
Her mouth moved, almost losing the pit she was holding in.
He wanted her to spit the pits into his hand.
That didn’t seem very proper.
She pursed her lips, hesitating, reluctant to spit.
The pressure on her cheeks suddenly increased sharply, causing her pain.
She gave up and held his hand, spitting out all the pits in her mouth.
One, two, three, four, five…
Just as she finished the last one, she heard the old madam call out, “Jin’ge’er’s wife…”
Named so, Shen Youran hurriedly stood up, flustered but extremely grateful she had cleared out the pits or else she wouldn’t have been able to speak.
“You’ve only just married in and have suffered such injustice.
As compensation, the three months’ allowance confiscated from Feng Shi will be given to you. Is that agreeable?”
Though her expression was still stern, the old madam spoke more kindly to her.
Shen Youran gave a slight bow: “All is well. Your granddaughter-in-law will obey Grandmother.”
Pei Laofuren was pleased with her obedience but felt she was still too inexperienced to shoulder the responsibility of managing the household.
She motioned for Shen Youran to sit and looked at the Eldest Missus Zhu Shi: “The household management must have someone in charge. By right, it should be handed to you, but you are frail and can’t bear the burden. If given to Jin’ge’er’s wife, she might not be able to handle it either.”
“In my opinion, let An’ge’er’s wife take temporary charge, and Jin’ge’er’s wife can learn alongside, with Aunt Xiao’s guidance. She should be able to manage well soon.”
Zhu Shi had long wanted to regain control of the household from the Second Madam, but unfortunately, her weak health prevented it.
She had finally been able to see her daughter-in-law, only to find a naïve girl still wet behind the ears.
The old madam wasn’t willing to hand over the household management to her.
Though displeased, she couldn’t find any grounds to object and forced a smile: “Yes, Mother, that arrangement is excellent.”
“Very well, we’ll end here for today. You may all return. Xiao Qi, Yunshu, stay.”
Except for Pei Huaian and Shen Yunshu, the others rose and left.
The disgraced Second Madam, supported by her daughter and daughter-in-law, shamefacedly left Chunxuan Hall.
Pei Huaijin tossed the pits into a nearby bed of Yue Ji Hua.
Shen Youran was about to thank him for earlier but saw Zhu Shi standing nearby, her face not looking pleased, so she held her tongue.
Zhu Shi first asked about her son: “I heard from your grandmother that you also ate the poisoned breakfast. Are you feeling unwell?”
“I’m fine. I had someone check the medicine. It’s made from Rui Gong Teng, a cold herb. It harms women’s bodies but is not much trouble for men.”
Zhu Shi finally relaxed: thankfully the Second Madam’s daughter-in-law was cautious enough not to harm the mansion’s legitimate heir, or the old madam would not have let it go so easily.
After confirming her son was fine, Zhu Shi’s gaze shifted to the woman beside him.
This was the second meeting between mother- and daughter-in-law since Shen Youran’s arrival.
The first meeting had gone poorly, and Zhu Shi had avoided her ever since.
But now, after more than a month, even though she disliked her, she had to try to accept her.
“Jin’ge’er’s wife, are you still feeling unwell?”
Shen Youran was surprised by her unexpected concern but answered honestly, “Thank you for your care. Your daughter-in-law’s health has fully recovered.”
Zhu Shi sized her up.
If she hadn’t seen her break the jade pendant and bully the old maid, she might have been fooled by this innocent and charming appearance.
“Since you’re well, starting tomorrow morning, pay your respects at Haitang Courtyard and let me see how you’ve been learning under Aunt Xiao.”
Shen Youran wished she could take back her words.
Morning and evening visits were proper etiquette for a daughter-in-law.
She couldn’t refuse, so she braced herself and agreed.
Once Zhu Shi left, Shen Youran pitifully looked at Pei Huaijin.
“Can you come with me tomorrow morning to pay respects?”
Pei Huaijin was naturally unwilling to let her go alone.
If she caused a scene like last time, he would be stuck in the middle.
He wanted to agree but thinking of how she and Seventh Young Master shared preserved fruits and whispered together at Chunxuan Hall, he felt an inexplicable irritation.
So he gave an ambiguous answer: “We’ll see.”
“Stop with the ‘we’ll see.’ Will you or won’t you come with me?”
Pei Huaijin walked forward with his hands behind his back: “We’ll see.”
Shen Youran chased after him, complaining, “What if I upset your mother again?”
He glanced back at her beseeching little face, and the irritation vanished.
He smiled faintly and repeated, “We’ll see…”
Shen Youran stomped her foot, pushed him aside, and stormed off in a huff.
Inside Chunxuan Hall, Shen Yunshu and Pei Huaian were summoned to sit before the old madam.
Seeing the graceful and elegant Shen Yunshu, the old madam’s expression softened.
“I heard Seventh Young Master has been very focused on studying these past two days. Yunshu, this is all thanks to you…”
Shen Yunshu bowed her head slightly, smiling gently, “Your granddaughter-in-law dares not take credit. It’s because my husband has learned to be diligent.”
“If not for you, I never would have imagined this little monkey would sit quietly in the study to read,” Pei Laofuren teased her youngest grandson before asking, “Seventh Young Master, you have such a good wife. You should be happy. Are you still upset about the exchanged marriage?”
“No, Grandmother, I haven’t been angry for a long time…”
At first, he had some resentment, but once he confirmed the woman in his dreams had always been Shen Yunshu, he no longer dared harbor feelings for Shen Youran.
Now, seeing her, he felt nothing but calm.
Though he still couldn’t accept having a sister-in-law his own age, he treated her only as a kindred spirit.
The old madam saw the peace on her youngest grandson’s face and smiled.
“If you’re no longer angry, why do you still want to sleep in separate rooms with Yunshu?”
Earlier, when the old madam had kept the two of them alone, Shen Yunshu guessed she would try to force Pei Huaian back to the main room, and sure enough, it wasn’t long before the topic came up.
Fortunately, she had coached Pei Huaian on how to respond: as long as he used studying as an excuse and said he wanted to focus, the old madam likely wouldn’t press the issue.
So she looked calmly at Pei Huaian, waiting for him to say it.
He glanced at her, then immediately looked away, seeming unwilling to meet her eyes.
The old madam still waited for his reply, but his gaze flickered, and he muttered vaguely, “Grandmother, I…um…”
Shen Yunshu answered for him.
“Grandmother, earlier he told me that he wants to be admitted to Guozijian in a year. If he can’t, he’ll be sent to an outside Shuyuan. He feels pressured and wants to focus on his studies without distractions.”
Her words were reasonable and even invoked Pei Huaijin’s name.
After hearing this, Pei Laofuren hesitated.
“If Seventh Young Master truly has this resolve, I am very pleased. But I have now bypassed the Eldest Missus and handed household management to you. Since you and Seventh Young Master aren’t truly husband and wife yet, I worry the servants will look down on you and refuse to obey.”
Her words were not without reason.
Everyone in the mansion knew she and her third sister had exchanged marriages.
Their slow consummation would surely invite ridicule.
Still, Pei Huaian had clearly refused her before.
Though he later relented and said moving back wasn’t impossible, it was out of kindness and sympathy, not genuine willingness.
“Grandmother, please rest assured. Your granddaughter-in-law will do her utmost to manage the household affairs.”
But Pei Laofuren thought she would rather struggle alone than trouble Seventh Young Master, and her eyes held some reproach.
“Look at such a fine wife. Don’t you care for her?”
“Grandmother,” Pei Huaian, who had been silent, suddenly stood, “I’ll move back to the main room to sleep tonight!”