Shang Yunruo personally cooked medicinal congee. She planned to send it to Chu Yan when it was ready. She thought he was too thin and wanted to nourish him well.
After taking over the seal of authority, Chu Yao was now promoted to be the steward of the inner mansion. With a new person in charge of the mansion, it was inevitable that people's hearts were in turmoil. Chu Yao had been quite busy recently.
So Chu Yao carefully selected two of the most reliable young maids to serve Shang Yunruo. Shang Yunruo named them Zhu Lian and You Cao.
The original steward of the outer courtyard was in her aunt's camp. She had to find an excuse to replace him.
The shops were also in a mess. Her aunt would surely not give up easily. She had to ask Shan Junxin to recruit new people.
The report from the young servant outside interrupted her train of thought. You Cao was more observant. Standing at the kitchen door, she asked, "What's the matter?"
With the seal of authority, the young servant was more respectful. "Reporting to the mistress, the Princess of Pingyang has come to visit. This is her calling card."
Right after his words, an arrogant voice came from outside. "Shang Yunruo, you've managed this mansion quite well. I even have to present a calling card to visit. You're really putting on airs!"
Shang Yunruo slowly covered the pot, told Zhu Lian to watch the fire, and walked out supported by You Cao.
"I haven't managed this mansion strictly enough. Otherwise, how could I have let you barge in? Weren't you saying before that you didn't even want me to look for you when you were short of a card - playing partner?"
The Princess of Pingyang had already walked up to her. Naturally, she took Shang Yunruo's hand from You Cao and supported her as they walked forward together.
"If I don't look for you, you really won't look for me? Heartless thing. I even prepared an invitation for the hunting party and came here especially for you."
Shang Yunruo calculated the date. It was indeed the time for the spring hunting.
The hunting parties over the years were all organized by the mansions of dukes, marquises, earls, and barons. This year, it was the turn of the Duke of Rong's mansion.
Shang Yunruo thought for a while and said, "Give us five spots this year."
The Princess of Pingyang asked, "You, your marquis husband, your cousin over there. And who else?"
Shang Yunruo replied, "The marquis's younger brother, Chu Yan, and your cousin - in - law, Mu Chunxi."
The Princess of Pingyang frowned. "These two have never participated in previous years. Are you sure the marquis will like his younger brother to participate? I've heard that your cousin - in - law has a fiery temper and never socializes with others. Are you sure she'll go?"
Shang Yunruo said, "Whether they go or not, give me the spots first."
The Princess of Pingyang clicked her tongue. "Fine, fine, fine. I'll give them to you. Enough for you!"
The two walked to the lotus pond. The Princess of Pingyang waved away her attendants. Shang Yunruo knew she was going to say something that others shouldn't hear, so she also told her attendants to stay farther away to serve.
The Princess of Pingyang whispered in her ear, "Have you had any cravings for sour or spicy food recently? Any changes in your appetite or feeling extremely tired?"
Shang Yunruo said in confusion, "No. Why are you suddenly concerned about my health?"
The Princess of Pingyang said, "How silly. I'm asking if you're pregnant."
Shang Yunruo:...
She said firmly, "No."
The Princess of Pingyang said, "How can you be so sure? You've been married for a month. I remember I started to feel unwell around this time. I was found to be pregnant half a month later."
Seeing her lack of interest, the Princess of Pingyang said in frustration, "Don't take this lightly. I've brought a midwife who can diagnose. Let her feel your pulse later."
Shang Yunruo smiled bitterly. "I haven't consummated my marriage with Jin Li. If I were really pregnant, you should be worried about me."
The Princess of Pingyang was shocked. "What?"
She immediately lowered her voice and said in shock, "What's the problem? Is your marquis... not up to it?"
Shang Yunruo said, "... I don't know either. Maybe he doesn't like me. He might think I forced him to marry me with power and hold a grudge against me."
The Princess of Pingyang was unhappy. "He's taking advantage but still complaining! You, Shang Yunruo, are one of the most noble ladies in the capital. You have both beauty and talent. Why aren't you good enough for him?"
Shang Yunruo said, "Maybe he likes gentle and obedient women."
The indignant Princess of Pingyang's anger instantly subsided. "... You really aren't gentle."
Actually, since having that dream, Shang Yunruo had been trying to be gentle. She felt that Chu Jinli's attitude towards her was getting better. Maybe it just needed time.
The Princess of Pingyang looked worried and was anxious for her. "You have to find a way to consummate your marriage. Do you know what a woman's foundation for survival in this deep mansion is? It's having children! And without an heir, the title of marquis will be cut off. How many years do you think the old lady of the marquis's mansion will tolerate you? Being childless is also one of the most serious reasons for divorce. You're a daughter of heaven. Do you really want to end up as a divorced woman?"
The Princess of Pingyang said sadly, "My mother was bullied by that Concubine Xu for so many years because she didn't have a son, which led to my father favoring his concubine and neglecting his wife. But at least she had me as a daughter. Think about the seriousness of not having an heir yourself!"
Shang Yunruo knew all these things too well, but what could she do? She had invited her husband back many times and wanted to consummate their marriage, but he refused.
The two were silent for a while. The Princess of Pingyang whispered mysteriously in her ear, "I have a way. I heard that the top courtesan in Lingyue Tower has a secret recipe."
Shang Yunruo was shocked and covered her mouth.
She had also heard of the top courtesan's secret recipe for keeping guests, which was actually an aphrodisiac. But she was a daughter of the prime minister's mansion and the mistress of the marquis's mansion. If she used such a dirty drug and was discovered, it would be a stigma for her whole life and she would never be able to turn things around.
The Princess of Pingyang slapped her hand away and knew her concerns. "Don't use this drug alone. You can give him tonics for enhancing virility in advance. Then use a small amount of the potion and some aphrodisiac incense so that he'll think it's because of the tonics and the incense. He won't notice."
Shang Yunruo was a little tempted. If she had to wait until her husband fell in love with her and was willing to consummate their marriage, it might take ages.
She scolded softly, "Where did you learn all these dirty things?"
The Princess of Pingyang rolled her eyes at her. "When you've been married for two or three years, you'll know even more than me!"
—
After seeing off the Princess of Pingyang, Shang Yunruo took the almost - cooked health - preserving medicinal congee to Zhuoxi Courtyard.
Chu Yan was practicing martial arts in the yard. It was the first time Shang Yunruo had seen him practice. From the flying sand, she could feel the strength of his palm wind.
She dared to enter the yard only after the flying sand had settled. Looking at his increasingly tall silhouette in the morning light, she said, "Has A Yan grown taller again?"
On normal days, he would surely go up to her and sweetly call her "sister - in - law". But today, he stood still, neither speaking nor stepping forward. Shang Yunruo couldn't see his expression and didn't know what was wrong with him.
She put the congee on the stone table, took a step forward, and wanted to give him the jade pendant, but found that Chu Yan took a step back.
His step back made Shang Yunruo fully realize that something was wrong. Her smile froze on her face.
She took out the box containing the jade pendant and handed it over. "I'm giving you a jade pendant."
Chu Yan's gaze fell on the exquisite wooden box. His jade pendant had broken when he beat someone in the shop. He hadn't worn one these days. She couldn't see, but unexpectedly, she had noticed.
But he didn't take the box for a long time. His voice, as clear as jade, seemed to be covered with ice today. "The pouch you gave me was actually embroidered for my brother, right?"