Different from the warmth here, the east courtyard of the Marquis of Pingning's residence was cold and cheerless.
Jiang Fuyue knelt for two hours before finally hearing the Marquis's wife's cold snort. "It is a day of great joy in the mansion today. I will spare you for now."
Jiang Fuyue dragged her knees, which had gone numb from the pain, back to the east courtyard unsteadily.
Just like in many days before, Pei Qing'an had stayed overnight in the study again.
She sat still in the room. Her mind was like a shadow puppet show, with scenes after scenes of memories flashing past.
In her previous life, Qing'an had deep feelings for her. He always put her first and often told her passionately, "Fuyue, only you are worthy of giving birth to my first son. After we get married, give me a child..."
At that time, she believed it without a doubt, but only today did she suddenly realize something was wrong.
That vixen, Yuehua, was already pregnant before her. If the child she gave birth to was a son, then it would be the first son!
They said that a mother's status was determined by her son. Qing'an placed so much importance on his descendants. If Yuehua had the first son first, then who knew how much of his affection would be taken away from her in the future? Even her position as the official wife... might not be guaranteed!
At this thought, Jiang Fuyue bit her tongue tightly, desperately trying to calm herself.
She had not yet grasped Qing'an's heart firmly. On top of that, her mother-in-law was constantly making things difficult for her. Now, even a concubine who was not worthy of mention was about to step on her head and act high-handedly.
The instructions her mother gave her in the past were clearly no longer applicable.
Qing'an was deeply affectionate towards her. It was just that he was temporarily blinded by the vixen. As long as Qing'an could see the vixen's true face, she would not have to worry about not being able to be together with Qing'an for a long time.
Jiang Fuyue's eyes flashed with a fierce light.
She thought that the child in that vixen Yuehua's belly could not be kept!
While Yuehua was still in the early stages of her pregnancy, she had to strike first!
...
"Now that I am Qing'an's official wife, I should have the bearing of an official wife." Jiang Fuyue sat upright in front of the mirror, looking extremely haughty. "Spring Blossom, Autumn Moon, go and choose some of the best tonics from my dowry and send them to Concubine Yue."
The two young maidservants, Spring Blossom and Autumn Moon, looked at each other. They were both at a loss.
Their young miss was still trembling with anger a moment ago. Why did she suddenly want them to fetch tonics to send to Concubine Yue?
"Miss, Concubine Yue is pregnant. If the servants send her tonics..."
"What do you know?" Jiang Fuyue rolled her eyes at them in the mirror. "I have my own plans for doing this."
In her previous life, she had heard a secret story in the inner courtyard.
There was a rumor that a concubine of a noble lord was pregnant. The official wife did not cry or make a scene. Instead, she sent the best tonics to the concubine like running water.
After the concubine took the tonics, she gave birth prematurely at less than eight months. Her belly was as big as a gong.
Although the fetus was premature, because it had too much nutrition, it was much bigger than a normal fetus. The concubine suffered a difficult labor and eventually died with the fetus.
The official wife had behaved openly throughout. She not only gained a reputation for being magnanimous and kind, but she also quietly got rid of the concubine and her son, who were in her way.
Such a good method, of course, she had to learn it!
"Don't just stand there. Send all the tonics you can find to Concubine Yue. Remember to convey a message to mother and Qing'an respectively. Tell them that this is my intention as the official wife."
Although Spring Blossom and Autumn Moon did not understand the meaning, they still did as they were told.
However, no matter how much Jiang Fuyue calculated, she did not calculate that Yuehua would not be deceived at all.
All the tonics she sent were rejected by Yuehua. Moreover, Yuehua had her maidservant convey a message to her.
"Miss, Concubine Yue sent someone to convey a message saying that..."
Looking at Spring Blossom stuttering and looking at the tonics all over the floor, Jiang Fuyue was enraged. "What is it? Say it straight!"
"She said that Concubine Yue thanked you for your love, but the Marquis's wife and the young master had already rewarded her with many tonics. She didn't need the ones you sent, so she returned them all to you..."
The softer Spring Blossom's voice was, the darker Jiang Fuyue's face became.
When Spring Blossom uttered the last note, she stood up angrily and slapped the table.
"Bang!"
"What a vixen!"
"She is provoking me! I sent her tonics, but she dared not to accept them!"
"Autumn Moon, go and take some silver. I don't care what method you use, but you must buy over the maidservant by her side and replace her fetus-preserving medicine with abortifacient medicine!"
Autumn Moon hesitated and stood there, wanting to say something several times but stopped.
She tried to persuade her young miss, but how could Jiang Fuyue, who was already angry, listen?
"If you can't handle this properly, I will hold you accountable!"
Helplessly, Jiang Fuyue could only do as she was told.
It was not difficult to buy over the maidservant by Yuehua's side, but the difficult part was that Yuehua simply refused to drink the fetus-preserving medicine served from other places.
The only fetus-preserving medicine that could enter her mouth was the one brewed by the maidservant under her nose.
After several days, Yuehua still showed no signs of being deceived. Jiang Fuyue finally could not hold it in anymore.
She personally carried a bowl of pilose antler soup and blocked the only way for Pei Qing'an to return to the study.
So what if Yuehua was not deceived?
She could still make Qing'an dislike that vixen!
"Qing'an, you're finally back! Quickly take a mouthful of the pilose antler soup I brewed personally." The moment she saw Pei Qing'an, she greeted him warmly.
However, Pei Qing'an took several steps back and kept a distance from her.
"I still have official business to attend to. If you have something to say, say it straight."
Jiang Fuyue's hand holding the pilose antler soup trembled. The crystal tears fell like broken jade beads.
"Qing'an, I didn't do well enough in the past, but ever since I knew that Concubine Yue was pregnant, I have been worried about her and the child everywhere. I want to do my duty as the official wife."
"I was afraid that she did not have enough tonics, so I sent all the great tonics from my dowry."
"I was also afraid that the people by her side were not attentive enough, so I added many maidservants and old women for her."
"But she did not appreciate it at all. Not only did she return the tonics and maidservants, but she also treated me..."
"Enough!" Before she could continue complaining, Pei Qing'an quickly interrupted her. "You don't have to tell me this. This is originally what you, as the official wife, should do."
"Yuehua has my descendant now. It is only reasonable that she is a bit arrogant. It is you..."
Pei Qing'an paused. His eyes were deep, containing a hidden warning. "You better not use any underhanded means behind my back!"
"I value the descendant in Yuehua's belly very much. I will not tolerate any mistakes. Otherwise, it will be your negligence as the official wife!"
"If the official wife is negligent, according to the family rules of the Marquis of Pingning's residence, she will be punished by the family law!"
After leaving this sentence, Pei Qing'an left with a flick of his sleeves, leaving Jiang Fuyue standing there in a daze.
She felt a thick layer of sourness in her heart. Her wrist loosened and the bowl of pilose antler soup was completely spilled.
"Splatter!"
The hot soup splashed all over her lapel. It was wet and sticky. It was extremely embarrassing.
However, she did not feel it at all.
There was only one thought left in her heart: Why did Qing'an protect that vixen and treat her so coldly?