In the Ci You Courtyard, Shen Yunshu, already dressed and groomed, sat with her sleeves drawn together, poised in the main hall, waiting for Pei Huaian.
Last night, after they returned from Junzhi Courtyard, Shen Yunshu had followed their agreement and written the separation letter, handing it to him for safekeeping.
He tucked the separation letter into his robe and went to sleep in the side room, leaving the bedchamber to her.
She spent the night worrying about her third sister, unable to sleep, and got up before dawn to wash and dress. Now she had been waiting in the hall for over two quarters of an hour.
Seeing that it was getting late, Shen Yunshu could only instruct Tinglan to go and hurry him along.
Not long after, Tinglan came rushing back in a fluster, “Miss, I didn’t see Seventh Young Master in the side room. I asked the maids sweeping there, and they said someone saw Seventh Young Master leaving with Qingwu before dawn…”
Hm?
Hadn’t they agreed everything last night? The separation letter had already been handed to him—why had he run off now?
Shen Yunshu didn’t understand, but considering that they were only husband and wife in name, and she was already indebted to him for making him delay a year for her sake, she certainly had no right to meddle in his affairs.
“Never mind, it doesn’t matter if he’s not here. We can go thank the elders ourselves in the front hall.”
At this time, all the elders of the Pei family were gathered in the flower hall. Because of the trouble with the marriage swap last night, none but those of the Second Branch had slept well; the Old Madam, as well as the elders from the First and Third Branches, all had dark circles under their eyes and appeared weary.
Shen Yunshu came alone and, inevitably, was questioned by the elders. She answered honestly, and their gazes toward her grew even more sympathetic.
“You’ve suffered.” The Old Madam took her tea, sipped, and following custom, gifted her a bolt of colored silk. She then drew Shen Yunshu’s hand over and slid a lustrous white jade bangle onto her wrist.
The other elders also presented her with gifts. As her father-in-law, Pei Yuanzhou not only gave her a bolt of flowing brocade but also a finely carved purple-gold inkstone. The inkstone’s patterns were bright and clear, moist yet solid, a famed piece rarely seen in the market.
After she thanked the elders, the Second Madam led her to the side hall to meet the sisters-in-law.
The Pei family was not large; descendants were few. The First Madam had only one son and one daughter; the eldest master had not taken a concubine. The Second Master, however, had taken a concubine; the Second Madam and that concubine each had two children. Aside from an unmarried daughter, the other two sons and one daughter were already married. The Third Master, Pei Sanye, who was Shen Yunshu’s father-in-law, lost his wife early and did not remarry, leaving only Pei Huaian as his son.
Today, the First Madam was unwell and did not come to the flower hall, so only the two sisters-in-law from the Second Branch and one aunt were in the side hall.
As the Old Madam had given instructions beforehand, no one was allowed to mention the marriage swap, so the atmosphere was relatively harmonious. Shen Yunshu presented each of them with her own embroidery, and the three sisters-in-law gifted her hairpins and rings in return. After exchanging gifts, they sat down to chat politely.
They had only just begun when a maid entered to announce, “The Eldest Young Master and the Young Madam have arrived.”
The side hall immediately fell silent; all three sisters-in-law simultaneously turned their heads toward the main hall.
Though they kept calm expressions, there was a trace of mischievous curiosity in their eyes.
Shen Yunshu, worried, looked over and immediately noticed her third sister’s eyes were red, suspecting that her eyes were acting up again.
Sure enough, as soon as she entered the flower hall, Shen Youran stumbled on the low threshold, bumping into Pei Huaijin beside her, who swayed as well.
Such a loss of decorum caused the elders in the hall to frown.
Pei Huaijin looked at her helplessly.
Since the elders were already displeased and he was her husband, he couldn’t make things worse. So he calmly straightened her askew hairpin and explained to the elders, “Youran is a bit nervous. Grandmother, Father, and Uncles, please forgive her.”
With the composed Shen Yunshu as a shining example before them, the elders couldn’t help but compare when looking at Shen Youran.
Indeed, Shen Youran was exactly as they expected. Whether serving tea or answering the elders, she fell far short of her elder sister.
Petite and timid, standing beside the steady and dignified Pei Huaijin, she looked a poor match.
The Old Madam kept a neutral expression but was heavy-hearted: this was their most promising child, yet he had married such an empty beauty—how could one not feel regret?
Though dissatisfied, the Old Madam still handed her a white mutton-fat jade bangle identical to Shen Yunshu’s and took the opportunity to instruct her eldest grandson’s wife: “They say, ‘A virtuous wife makes a proper family.’ Now that you’re the eldest grandson’s wife of the Pei family, you must work hard to make up for your shortcomings—practice womanly virtue, speech, appearance, and skills—help your mother-in-law manage the household as soon as you can…”
Because the eldest son’s wife was weak in health, the Second Madam was currently managing the household. The Old Madam had intended to return this authority to the First Branch once the eldest grandson’s wife entered the family, but this tender little girl clearly could not yet shoulder such a responsibility.
Seeing her swollen, red eyes, and that she was as young as her youngest grandson, the Old Madam grew a bit softer and stopped her admonishments, letting her go to the side hall to meet the family.
Shen Yunshu came over and asked quietly if her eyes were all right.
Shen Youran didn’t want her sister to worry, so she forced herself to bear the pain and lied, “I’m fine, I’ve already applied medicine.”
Only then did Shen Yunshu relax a little.
The three sisters-in-law in the side hall stood and greeted her as “Eldest Sister-in-law,” their tones seemingly enthusiastic, but with a trace of mockery beneath.
Shen Youran pretended not to notice, exchanged gifts after acknowledging kinship, and thought to excuse herself after a few polite words.
“Sister-in-law looks so delicate, calling you ‘Eldest Sister-in-law’ sounds old. Why not call you ‘Little Sister-in-law’ instead…” The one teasing her was a younger sister from the Second Branch. Shen Youran couldn’t see her face but found her voice particularly grating.
If it were really just about age, that would be fine. But she was originally going to marry Pei Huaian, the youngest in the family, so “Little Sister-in-law” carried other implications.
“Eldest Sister-in-law is still Eldest Sister-in-law—there’s no ‘Little Sister-in-law’ about it.” Shen Yunshu could not tolerate it and spoke up for her sister. “Rules exist for a reason. Sister-in-law, you mustn’t disrupt them.”
“Don’t take it so seriously, Seventh Brother’s wife,” another sister-in-law said with a laugh, unconcerned. “We just thought she’s young, so we called her that…”
“That’s right…” The girl from the Second Branch chimed in.
Seeing her sister being ridiculed by the others while defending her, Shen Youran suddenly stood up. “If we’re going by that logic, then all you younger sisters here are older than me. Why don’t you all call me ‘Little Sister-in-law,’ and I’ll call you ‘elder sisters’—how about it?”
She was not well-versed in arguments, but she could stir up the waters and drag everyone into the mess.
As expected, the sisters-in-law’s smiles froze.
Seeing the atmosphere sour, the Second Madam quickly tried to smooth things over, “Just a joke—no one really means to call you that.” Then she changed the subject. “Your mother-in-law fainted last night and couldn’t leave her room this morning. Now that you’re her daughter-in-law, you should go pay your respects. Why not have your three sisters accompany you to Haitang Courtyard to greet her?”
Shen Youran, though not clever, could read between the lines. The Second Madam deliberately pointed out that the First Madam fainted last night, clearly unable to accept the swap. She hadn’t even shown up for the family greetings—obviously did not welcome her.
They all knew this, but still insisted on the rules, forcing her to visit her sick mother-in-law, just to watch her make a fool of herself.
But as a daughter-in-law, she had no excuse not to check on her sick mother-in-law.
Suppressing her frustration, she was wondering how to politely refuse their “kindness” when Pei Huaijin walked in and addressed the Second Madam, “Second Aunt, I was just about to take Youran to see Mother. There’s no need for my sisters to accompany us.”
With that, he looked at Shen Youran. “Let’s go.”
Shen Youran seized the chance, bowed perfunctorily to the Second Madam, and followed Pei Huaijin out of the flower hall.
After they’d walked a fair distance, she asked, “Are we really going or just pretending?”
Pei Huaijin paused. “Of course we’re really going.”
“But the First Madam probably doesn’t want to see me.” She thought he was just helping her get away, but it seemed she misunderstood. Shen Youran rubbed her eyes, eager to return and reapply her medicine. “Since she’s sick, I shouldn’t bother her. Can I greet her properly another day?”
“It’s just a formal greeting. There’s no need to be nervous.”
“But I’m afraid I’ll make a mistake…” Her eyes were nearly blind now; she’d already made a fool of herself in the flower hall.
“If you know you might make mistakes, all the more reason to be cautious with your words and actions.”
Pei Huaijin had been dissatisfied with her earlier performance in the flower hall, though he hadn’t shown it in front of the elders. Now that she brought it up herself, he couldn’t help but say more.
“Sitting, standing, walking, raising your hands—all must follow proper form. Since your manners are lacking, I’ll invite a lady instructor to teach you etiquette and the four virtues Grandmother mentioned: womanly virtue, speech, appearance, and skills…”
Shen Youran had never liked learning such things in the boudoir. Now, married, she was even more reluctant. “Instead of all this effort to train me, wouldn’t it be easier to divorce me and marry someone else?”
Pei Huaijin’s face hardened. “I have no intention of divorcing my wife. Don’t ever say that again.”
Shen Youran pressed her lips together and followed him gloomily to Haitang Courtyard.
Haitang Courtyard. In the bedchamber, First Madam Zhu wore a headband and sat leaning against the bed, sighing heavily.
After returning from Chunxuan Hall last night, Zhu had felt tight-chested and short of breath. She hadn’t slept all night. Now, her complexion was pale, her eyes dull, and her head throbbed as if being pulled by something.
The one tending her at the bedside with medicine was Zhang mama, the stewardess of the courtyard, who had once been her dowry maid. Now, she managed the servants and often helped Zhu with decisions.
After the Meng family maid left, Zhang mama was the only confidante left by Zhu’s side.
“Madam, what’s done is done. You must look past it.” Zhang mama consoled her gently. “After all, the Shen family’s Third Miss comes from a good background. If she’s obedient, you can teach her carefully—she’ll become presentable in time…”
“When it comes to obedience, who could compare to Wanxin?” Zhu supported her forehead, voice weak. “And her father’s notorious for spoiling his children in the capital. A girl raised with such pampering—how could she possibly be docile?”
“That’s why you must assert your authority as her mother-in-law from the start, so she’ll respect you and follow your lead. Only then will you be able to discipline her in the future…”
Zhu sighed, acquiescing to Zhang mama’s words. “If only the Shen family’s eldest girl had married in, I wouldn’t have to worry like this…”
As they spoke, a maid came to announce, “The Eldest Young Master and his bride have come to pay respects.”
Zhu and Zhang mama exchanged a look before Zhang mama went to open the door.
The lattice doors swung open, and the newlyweds entered, one after the other.
Her son was, as always, handsome and refined, but Zhu’s gaze quickly fell on the young lady beside him, as pale and flawless as snow.
She wore a pink silk dress tied with a wide lotus-pink sash, her waist slender and figure delicate. Her skin was radiant and luminous, seeming to brighten even this medicine-scented room.
Zhu had never seen Shen Youran before. She knew Shen Yunshu was beautiful, so she had expected her sister to be attractive as well. But she hadn’t imagined the Third Miss of the Shen family would be no less than her elder sister. The red at the corner of her eyes, tinged with unshed tears, made her look all the more fragile and lovely.
Her hands folded in front of her, Shen Youran lowered her gaze and saluted: “Daughter-in-law greets Mother.”
For a moment, Zhu could understand why her son had insisted on swapping brides. With a face like this, it seemed as if any fault could be forgiven.
Zhu was dazed for a moment before regaining her composure: marry for virtue, not looks. If the wife is not virtuous, how can she serve her husband? Such a pretty face, without the ability to run a household or help her husband—was she just to be kept as a lucky ornament?
Though resentment simmered inside, as an elder, Zhu could not lash out without cause, so she answered coldly, “No need for excessive ceremony. We’re all family now.”
She then motioned for Zhang mama to bring out the meeting gifts.
Zhang mama turned to fetch a redwood tray, on which rested a red envelope and a green jade bangle.
Shen Youran reached to take the envelope, then moved to pick up the bangle. Unexpectedly, Zhang mama withdrew the tray, and as her hand found empty air, the bangle fell with a crisp sound—shattering into at least three pieces.
Zhang mama cried out, “Young Madam, how could you be so careless? Madam picked that bangle out especially for you…”
Shen Youran stared for a moment, then looked up. “I hadn’t even held it steady—why did you take the tray away?”
Her eyes stung, always brimming with tears, unable to focus. Her gaze, soft and uncertain, made others think she was easy to bully.
Zhang mama didn’t argue, but her words were sharp: “Yes, if Young Madam says it’s my fault, then it’s my fault…”
She then knelt before Zhu on the bed. “This old servant broke the gift Madam chose for Young Madam. Please punish me, Madam.”
Zhu reached out weakly. “You’ve served me for years and are always careful—I can hardly blame you. Get up.”
The implication: it wasn’t her fault.
Her gaze shifted to the delicate figure. Zhu said slowly, “My daughter-in-law, are you dissatisfied with the meeting gift I prepared for you?”
Shen Youran was not stupid, and she had already realized the First Madam would not welcome her. Today, she was unusually alert.
“It’s not that I’m dissatisfied with your gift. It’s that you’re dissatisfied with me, isn’t it?” She hadn’t seen the bangle clearly, but green jade was not considered high grade, and from the sound of it breaking, it wasn’t valuable.
The Old Madam, who disliked her, still gave her the best white jade bangle. Yet her mother-in-law had “carefully selected” an ordinary one and had it broken deliberately. Clearly, she had never sincerely intended to gift it.
She’d been enduring since the flower hall—the elders’ condescending gazes, the sisters-in-law’s jibes. The grievances of today surpassed those of her entire sixteen years. Even when her father remarried Lady Wei, it was with her approval. Lady Wei had never made her uncomfortable, but here, even a servant dared play tricks on her, all because the First Madam didn’t like her.
She was born fair-skinned, but not made of dough—did they all think she was a sick kitten, just because she didn’t show her claws?
Zhu never expected her to talk back and her face changed instantly. “You… How dare you speak to me like that?”
When Shen Youran lost her temper, she recognized no kin, much less a mother-in-law she’d just met. She bluntly exposed the hypocrisy: “Then why do you allow your old servant to bully me?”
“It’s not Madam’s fault,” Zhang mama started to rise, but quickly knelt again. “It’s all my fault. Please punish me, Madam. Don’t let this spoil the harmony between Madam and Young Madam…”
Her attempt to take the blame was wasted on the blunt Shen Youran, who immediately seized on it: “Since you admit it’s all your fault, you broke my mother-in-law’s gift to me—how will you compensate me?”
Zhang mama stammered, “This…”
Shen Youran squinted and spotted a green hairpin in her bun. Without a word, she yanked it out and threw it to the floor.
The sound of the hairpin shattering was even clearer than that of the jade bangle.
Only then did Shen Youran feel avenged. “You broke my things, I broke yours. Now we’re even!”
With her hairpin snatched, half of Zhang mama’s hair came loose. She yelped and dropped to the floor, stunned by Shen Youran’s audacity.
“You…” Zhu had never seen a girl like this before. Shocked, she could barely breathe, trembling as she pointed, “You’re so unruly?”
Shen Youran had lost all her previous meekness; her delicate face was filled with indifference. “If you find me crude, then have your son divorce me!”
Zhu’s pale face turned livid with rage, and she snapped at her son, “This is the wife you… insisted on swapping for…”
Before she could finish, she ran out of breath and fainted.
The room descended into chaos.
Pei Huaijin hurried forward to check his mother’s condition. At first, Shen Youran thought she was faking it, but when the physician arrived, felt her pulse, and prepared his silver needles, she realized Zhu was truly unconscious from anger.
She sidled over and tugged at Pei Huaijin’s sleeve. “I—I didn’t mean to…”
With a flick of his wrist, he let his sleeve slip from her grasp, his brows deeply furrowed. “Go back first.”
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