The pale orange morning glow slowly faded, and although so many troubling events had unfolded early in the day, less than an hour had actually passed.
It was only then that the daylight truly brightened.
Shen Youran returned to the Yunzhi Courtyard, where Danruo had already prepared the steaming medicinal herbs.
Seeing her come back, she lit the herbs.
You Ran sat down, and the mist from the incense spiraled upward, drifting towards her reddened eyes.
The stinging pain that had tormented her all morning finally eased.
“Gugu…Young Madam, why did you come back alone?”
Danruo was still not used to addressing her mistress by her new title.
“It’s a long story,” Shen Youran rubbed her tired head.
“Forget it, I’ll tell you later.”
Seeing her worn expression, Danruo guessed something unpleasant had happened but didn’t want to upset her more by pressing.
You Ran had slept little the night before and was troubled all morning.
Before the medicine steaming was finished, she collapsed face-down on the table and fell asleep.
Danruo could only put away the incense burner and help her to bed.
But she didn’t sleep long before someone shook her awake.
“Youran, wake up…”
The anxious voice of her eldest sister reached her ears.
Shen Youran groaned, unwilling to open her eyes, and mumbled drowsily, “Sister, why are you here?”
Shen Yunshu cupped her face, trying to help her focus.
“I heard you made First Madam faint—is that true?”
You Ran answered with a faint “Mm.”
“I didn’t mean to,” she said.
“She couldn’t argue with me and just fainted on her own. It’s not my fault.”
“Then tell me exactly what happened.”
Only then did Shen Youran reluctantly open her eyes and nestle into her sister’s embrace, briefly recounting the ordeal: “First Madam dislikes me and tricked me with a worthless bracelet. That old servant woman by her side bullied me…”
Hearing the gist of the matter, Yunshu felt a premonition come true.
She had expected her sister to face difficulties after marriage but hadn’t imagined such a huge incident on the very first day.
Though You Ran hadn’t deliberately stirred trouble, from the perspective of appearances, she was still branded rebellious and unfilial.
After all, no matter how much First Madam provoked, she never showed it openly.
But You Ran’s straightforward nature meant that when others stabbed her in the back, she swung her sword openly in return.
Though it was clearly others’ fault, it ended up being blamed on her.
“Youran, this is not the Shen family. We’re newly married daughters-in-law here. Whatever you say or do must be carefully considered. You can’t be so impulsive…”
“I couldn’t help it,” You Ran said, feeling more aggrieved as her sister lectured instead of comforting her.
“If they want to divorce me, fine—I wouldn’t mind at all.”
“They even acknowledged the marriage to maintain the family’s dignity. They won’t easily divorce you.”
“Then if they won’t divorce me, what is there to fear?”
“There are plenty of ways the inner courtyard controls new brides…”
“Bring it on. We’ll see when the time comes.”
She wasn’t going to worry about something that hadn’t happened.
If she had the time, she’d rather sleep more.
Shen Yunshu’s worries ran deeper than her sister’s optimism.
Watching You Ran close her eyes and fall asleep again, she sighed softly.
Since she was the one who brought her sister into the Pei Residence, if You Ran made mistakes, it was only right that she, as elder sister, bear the blame.
She gently adjusted You Ran’s pillow, then rose to go to Chunxuan Hall to apologize to the Old Lady.
Before she could leave the Yunzhi Courtyard, she ran into Pei Huaijin, who had just returned from Haitang Courtyard.
Now that Yunshu was his sister-in-law, she naturally showed him respect with a slight bow and asked, “Brother, is First Madam feeling better?”
Pei Huaijin looked at the polite and well-mannered young woman before him and couldn’t help but recall the headstrong girl who once smashed a hairpin in anger.
He sighed inwardly, thinking, How can these two sisters be so different?
“Mother has woken up and is no longer in serious condition,” he said.
“I’ll apologize on Youran’s behalf,” Yunshu said.
Knowing First Madam had awakened, she guessed Huaijin had come back to confront her sister.
Twisting the handkerchief in her hands, she took the blame upon herself first.
“Back when Youran was still in her chamber, I, as her sister, was not strict enough in disciplining her. That’s why she developed such impulsiveness and acted recklessly.”
She then added with some defense, “Youran is just willful but pure-hearted with no ill intent. I heard Brother was present during the dispute and saw everything clearly. This wasn’t Youran causing trouble without reason.”
“I understand,” Huaijin said calmly, his words easing Yunshu’s anxious heart.
“I know she’s not at fault.”
Earlier, in Mother’s room, he had indeed seen the situation clearly.
Zhang Mama had withdrawn the tray just as Shen Youran’s hand touched the jade bracelet, causing it to fall and shatter.
Then the three of them argued back and forth.
Before Huaijin could speak, Mother fainted after a few words from You Ran.
He had no choice but to call Shen Youran back and wait for Mother to regain consciousness.
After the physician applied acupuncture, Mother gradually woke up.
The first thing she said was for him to divorce his wife.
“Son, you saw how arrogant she was. Such a temper does not suit your branch’s daughter-in-law. You should divorce her early and find a better wife…”
“Mother,” he interrupted quietly, voice low, “you went too far today.”
Mother was stunned.
“Too far? She smashed bracelets and hairpins before me, spoke rudely, and showed no respect for elders. And you say I went too far?”
“You and Zhang Mama deliberately made things difficult for her but then blamed her for everything. Mother, I have eyes and can see. The weaker party is not always right.”
Mother sneered.
“Fine, fine. People say a man forgets his mother after marriage—if that’s true, I’ve wasted my efforts raising you.”
“As her mother-in-law, you should discipline her properly, not just look for faults to control her.”
As her son, he saw through Mother’s purpose.
She wanted to test the new bride’s temper to see if she was easily dominated.
Youran’s outburst revealed she was no meek woman, so Mother naturally wanted him to divorce and remarry.
Though he respected his mother, he was no blind filial son.
The Shen family had faults, but not enough to warrant divorce.
“As an elder, you should show magnanimity. It’s the virtue of elders and filial piety of children that bring peace to a family—not just demanding filial obedience from the younger generation.”
Seeing Mother grow angry and breathless again, he ended firmly, “Shen Youran did not commit a grave fault. I will not divorce her. Until you truly accept her, I won’t let her come see you. Rest well. I’ll go check on her.”
Returning to Yunzhi Courtyard, he met Shen Yunshu, who no doubt came out of concern he might blame her sister, hence her eagerness to take responsibility.
“I know this isn’t her fault,” he shifted tone.
“But being too blunt will only cause trouble. She needs to change this temper or she’ll suffer later.”
Yunshu, relieved to see his understanding, said, “I will urge her to improve.”
“As her husband, I’ll discipline her too. And you—”
Since she was once his fiancée and now his sister-in-law as well as his wife’s elder sister, “Qiding is at a crucial age. You must watch over him carefully. Don’t let him run free outside. If he falls in with bad company, you’ll be the one to suffer.”
Though Yunshu had her own plans, she sincerely appreciated his concern.
“Understood.”
“You go back first and send people to find Qiding. Don’t worry about Youran; I won’t make things hard for her. If this matter reaches Grandmother, I’ll speak on her behalf.”
With such honorable words, Yunshu was willing to trust his promise.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
After sending her off, Pei Huaijin headed straight to the bedchamber.
Upon entering, he noticed a faint medicinal scent in the air—not like the one in Mother’s room, so it wasn’t from there.
He asked the maid Danruo, who was tidying the incense burner, “Why is there a medicine smell?”
Danruo replied, “Young Madam’s eyes are uncomfortable. She steamed them with medicine before sleeping.”
“What’s wrong with her eyes?”
“Young Madam injured her eyes in childhood. The condition flares up occasionally. Perhaps because she slept late last night, her eyes acted up this morning.”
“I see.”
No wonder she kept rubbing her eyes and they were bloodshot.
He had thought she cried too much last night.
“What happens when her eyes flare?”
“Vision blurs and the eyes hurt…”
That explained why she tripped over the threshold in the flower hall, misaligned her tea offering to the elders, and failed to catch the bracelet when it fell—her vision had been impaired all day, and she bore the pain quietly as she finished the ceremonial bows.
Such a stubborn girl.
Had she told him sooner, he could have waited until after treatment to bring her out.
Pei Huaijin pushed aside the heavy embroidered red curtains of the eight-foot Round Moonlit Bed.
The once arrogant girl was now curled beneath the covers, sleeping sweetly.
Her long lashes twitched, delicate brows furrowed, and pale pink lips parted as she muttered softly.
He leaned close, catching her aggrieved whisper: “I’m not wrong, I really am not wrong…”
Huaijin smiled gently and smoothed her furrowed brow with a finger.
“Alright, I know you’re not wrong.”
The matter had indeed reached the Old Lady’s ears.
After noon, someone came from Chunxuan Hall summoning the Eldest Young Madam to speak with her.
At that time, Shen Youran was still asleep.
Knowing her eye condition, Huaijin thought letting her rest might help her recover faster and did not wake her, going himself to Chunxuan Hall.
He explained the day’s events to Grandmother.
Though she recognized the truth, she still harbored strong prejudice against Shen Youran’s behavior that day.
“A person’s greatest duty is filial piety. Nothing can surpass ‘filial piety.’ No matter how wrong your mother is, as your wife, Shen Youran should show her respect. If she is wronged, she should bring it to you or me. She should never cross the line between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, much less say such sharp, hurtful words that cause fainting…”
Though Pei Huaijin didn’t fully agree, he intended to teach Youran proper conduct in the future and did not argue.
“Don’t say ‘later.’ Teach her properly from today onward.”
“Yes, I have already told her to copy The Etiquette for Women…”
That was agreed upon the previous night.
He had planned to delay it because of her eyes but, seeing Grandmother’s intent to punish, he used that as an excuse.
“Copying The Etiquette for Women isn’t enough…”
Whenever a woman in the residence erred, she was required to kneel in the family ancestral hall to reflect.
Grandmother wanted this as well, but before she could speak, Huaijin stopped her.
“Yes, so I plan to hire a female teacher to instruct her carefully.”
Seeing her grandson repeatedly cut her off, Grandmother thought back to that morning in the flower hall, the girl’s reddened, watery eyes full of innocence.
When the sisters-in-law provoked her, she replied cleverly, proving she was no fool—just headstrong.
“Fine, she’s your wife. If you don’t want me involved, you handle it.”
After returning, Huaijin ordered that Shen Youran remain confined in her room for two days to reflect, not allowed to leave.
This satisfied Grandmother and prevented Mother from bothering her further with the matter.
It might also help Youran calm her temper.
As for copying The Etiquette for Women, that would wait until her eyes improved.
When Shen Youran woke, the room was even darker than before.
Outside the open window, dusk clouds drifted as the setting sun merged with the horizon—it was already late afternoon.
She had slept soundly and felt much clearer, even her eyes felt better.
Just a little hungry.
Patting her rumbling stomach, she opened the door and called for Danruo to bring her food, but two unfamiliar maids blocked her way.
“Please stop, Young Madam. The Young Master has ordered that you remain confined indoors for reflection these two days. If you need anything, just tell us.”
What?
She wasn’t allowed to leave?
Pei Huaijin was locking her up?
Why?
It wasn’t her fault today.
Why was she being confined?
“Where’s Pei Huaijin?” she demanded angrily.
“He’s in the study.”
“Send him here!”
“The Young Master said you are not to be seen these two days.”
“I’ll go see him myself!”
“The Young Master said, Young Madam, you must not step out of your room.”
She tried to force her way out, but the two maids were much stronger, stopping her and quickly closing the door.
No matter how many times she shouted, they refused to open it.
“Not letting me out, huh…”
You Ran huffed with hands on her hips, then dragged a stool to the window.
“Then I’ll climb out.”
She lifted her skirt, stepped on the stool, and grabbed the window frame, half her body already outside when a long arm suddenly crossed in front of her.
Startled, she quickly retreated.
“Young Madam, please come back.”
It was Qingjian, Pei Huaijin’s attendant.
She hadn’t noticed his face this morning but now clearly saw he had the same cold, expressionless features as his master.
With both door and window blocked, Shen Youran finally accepted her confinement and scowled, “I’m hungry. I want to eat.”
Qingjian replied without expression, “Young Madam, please tell the maids at the door yourself. I’m not responsible for delivering meals.”
With a snap, she slammed the window shut.
Convinced she was blameless today, she decided to protest by refusing food and water—she would not yield to him.
Qingjian waited outside by the window until the moon hung high in the sky but heard no sound from inside.
Seizing the moment before his master rested, he reported to Pei Huaijin, “Young Madam has refused to let anyone bring her meals.”
“She’s protesting my unfairness.”
No reflection, just stubbornness.
“Send the maids to bring soup and rice. If she still won’t eat, tell me.”
They couldn’t let her starve for real.
“Should I guard the window too?”
Qingjian asked.
“No need. With her simple and stubborn nature, knowing someone is outside, she won’t try to climb out again.”
Qingjian left.
Late at night, the bedchamber was silent except for a faint “gulp” from inside the canopy.
Shen Youran clutched her stomach, so hungry she wished she could bite the blanket.
She had never fasted before and didn’t know hunger could feel like this—dizziness, trembling hands, stomach pain, faintness, numb limbs…
So hungry, wanting to eat something.
She rolled from the head of the bed to the foot, searching everywhere.
During the ceremonial bows last night, the bed had been covered in red dates, peanuts, and longan.
After the wedding rites, the maids replaced the bedding and swept all those away.
They were meticulous, not leaving a single piece.
Finding nothing, she collapsed, resting her weary limbs.
Unable to bear the gnawing hunger, she was about to call the maids for food when the window opened.
Just as she was about to relent, she lay back down, weakly but stubbornly saying, “Tell your master, if he won’t let me out, I’ll starve myself to death!”
“Ah?” came a lazy voice from the window.
“Why would you want to starve yourself?”
Huh?
You Ran peeked from under the canopy and saw Pei Huaian by the window.
“What are you doing here?”
“What else?” he asked.
“Where’s Qingjian?”
“Gone. Didn’t see him.”
Qingjian wasn’t outside anymore.
He must have guessed she wouldn’t try climbing out again and slipped away.
Damn, what a sneaky one.
Youran got down from bed, standing up quickly though her vision blurred.
Holding onto the window ledge, she said, “I’m starving. Do you have any food?”
Pei Huaian pulled a small pear from his sleeve—a fruit he had taken from the temple.
“Only this.”
“Give it here!”
Without waiting, she stepped on a stool, grabbed the pear, and devoured it in a few bites, feeling much steadier.
Having eaten only fine delicacies until now, this plain pear tasted incredibly delicious.
Pei Huaian laughed, watching her eat.