Chapter 3

I returned from my thoughts.

Judging that enough time had passed, I slowly opened my eyes.

By now Su Zhirou was suffering so much that tears threatened to fall. Her arms trembled uncontrollably, making the lid rattle against the cup.

Only then did I reach out to take it.

I barely brought it to my lips before frowning. “The tea is cold.”

Her arms had only just dropped. At those words, the tears brimming in her eyes finally slid down.

Yuan Shaoxuan could not sit still for heartache. He urged the servants on.

“Quick! Bring another cup!”

When she offered a fresh cup at a suitable temperature, I finally drank.

Once the tea ceremony was over, it was my turn to give her a welcoming gift.

Everyone watched me adjust my sleeve, my fingers gliding past a flawless, translucent jade bracelet. I smoothed my elaborately pinned hair and brushed a weighty gold hairpin.

Then my hand came to the brilliant ruby earrings at my ears.

But it did not linger there, either.

Instead, I beckoned a maid to bend down and took the very ordinary pearl earrings from her ears.

I had the maid give them to Su Zhirou.

A gift from the mistress of the household could not be refused.

She reached out slowly to accept them. Yuan Shaoxuan’s expression darkened, too.

“Yunniang, this… is rather shabby. If word gets out, it might embarrass the Grand Tutor’s family.”

Looking at this man who pretended to consider my interests while bargaining for his darling concubine, I blinked my innocent eyes and explained earnestly.

“Husband, you don’t understand my intentions. I see Sister Zhirou is dressed all in white. She must still be in mourning.

“Yet she wears bright red agate at her ears, which is contrary to propriety. I thought perhaps she’d overlooked it, or lacked the proper pieces in her jewel box.

“My own ornaments are too bright. I had to find suitable earrings especially for her, to make sure nothing was amiss.

“Don’t worry, husband. My maid has served me a long time and received many rewards. These pearl earrings are hardly ordinary, either. A single pair is worth everything Sister Zhirou has on.”

As the two of them struggled to find words, my smile grew brighter.

The Su family’s mourning period had ended long ago. She wore white only to emphasize her slender, delicate figure and keep Yuan Shaoxuan’s pity alive.

But they could not explain that now.

If she was not mourning her family, she must be mourning the state.

His Majesty was perfectly well. That would amount to high treason.

They dared not.

Yuan Shaoxuan forced a smile and put his arm around my shoulders.

“Yunniang always handles things properly. It’s getting late. We still have to pay our respects to Mother.”

When I nodded and obediently followed him out, both of them secretly breathed easier.

But I suddenly glanced back and met Su Zhirou’s jealous, resentful eyes.

I raised an eyebrow and gave her a lovely smile.

“Husband, I hear Sister Zhirou used to live in Mother’s courtyard. Now that she’s yours, we ought to find her a place in our own quarters as soon as possible.”

“I’m new here and unfamiliar with the household. It would be best for you to decide, so she can settle in and rest.”

The muscle in Yuan Shaoxuan’s cheek twitched. He gritted his teeth.

“Rain-Bamboo Lodge, then.”

I agreed, but was surprised. Rain-Bamboo Lodge stood to the northwest, next to a side gate. It was the most remote, neglected place in the entire marquis’s residence.

In my previous life, Yuan Shaoxuan had not made her live there.

It seemed events really would change with my attitude.

Behind us, Su Zhirou could no longer bear it. She lowered her head and began to sob aloud.