Young widow in her boudoir

After lunch today, Xie Rutang was summoned to Shou'an Hall in the evening.

Having endured half her life to finally become a mother-in-law, Old Madam Shen now intends to use the rules to carefully examine her two daughters-in-law, Xie Rutang and Ye Wanyu.

The old lady leaned against the pear blossom couch covered with brocade cushions, her tone carrying the authority cultivated over the years of managing the household, "I don't need to remind you of the rules of the mansion again and again. Now that you have entered the Shen family, Wanyu is the mistress, and although Rutang is observing her chastity, she should not stay in that small courtyard all day long."

"We must take care of everything, from helping our sister-in-law and managing personnel matters to handling gifts and favors, so that there will be no gossip outside saying that our Shen family has lost its decorum."

Holding Jia Ge'er in her arms, Ye Wanyu quickly curtsied and replied, "Your daughter-in-law will remember your teachings, Mother-in-law."

Xie Rutang also slightly curtsied, "Daughter-in-law understands."

They had been listening to the old lady's lecture all morning. Even Ye Wanyu, who was not used to having to stand like this every day, had long been impatient, but she dared not show it on her face. She could only keep up the conversation and carefully flatter the old lady.

Next came the time for the old lady to take her medicine each day. Xie Rutang had been tending the medicine stove since early morning, brewing the medicine for a full hour. She took two steps forward, holding the blue and white porcelain medicine bowl steadily in both hands, and was about to bow and hand it over to serve her.

To everyone's surprise, the old lady acted as if she hadn't seen her at all. Her gaze had already passed over her and landed on Jia Ge'er in Ye Wanyu's arms. Her face immediately showed a kind expression, and she beckoned, "Come, bring Jia Ge'er closer so that the old lady can have a look at him."

Xie Rutang's arm holding the medicine bowl suddenly stiffened. The warm medicinal aroma wafted upwards, making her fingertips tremble slightly. She lowered her eyelashes, remaining calm and composed.

Upon hearing this, Ye Wanyu immediately smiled and stepped forward, moving Jia Ge'er, whom she was holding, closer to the old lady's bedside. Jia Ge'er's little face was exquisitely beautiful and particularly endearing.

Elderly people enjoy the pleasures of family life.

Madam Shen gently stroked Jia Ge'er's soft baby hair with her fingertips. He looked completely different from before. "Look at his eyebrows and eyes. He looks just like Wen'er when he was young. The Shen family has a successor. A great weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

The maids and servants standing on both sides also chatted and laughed with the old matriarch, saying a few auspicious words, and the Shou'an Hall was filled with joy.

No one remembered Xie Rutang, who was standing to the side holding a bowl of medicine.

The medicine bowl weighed heavily on her palm. After holding it for so long, her wrist was already sore, numb, and swollen, but she dared not utter a sound and quietly lowered her eyes.

Who told her to be a thorn in the old lady's side?

Although the old lady treated her illegitimate son very well, there was ultimately a difference between a legitimate daughter-in-law and an illegitimate daughter-in-law. As the legitimate daughter-in-law, she had no children of her own, while Ye Wanyu had given birth to the eldest grandson. This contrast was nothing short of a resounding slap in the face to the old lady.

It wasn't until an incense stick had burned that time passed.

Old Madam Shen casually shifted her gaze to her, saying, "You should do your duty diligently and not harbor any other thoughts in your mind, thinking that I am mistreating you. Now that you have no children to rely on, you should work even more diligently and help the household more, so as to silence the gossips."

These words struck a nerve with Xie Rutang.

She pursed her lips, remaining calm and composed, and said, "Yes, daughter-in-law understands."

Old Madam Shen was too lazy to say anything more to her: "Take it away, I'm not drinking it."

She found Xie Rutang unlucky, and her head ached whenever she saw him.

Seeing this, Jin Yue quickly stepped forward and carefully took the medicine bowl from Xie Rutang's hands.

Even after her palm was empty, Xie Rutang's fingertips still trembled slightly, and she silently hid her hands in her sleeves.

This scene was witnessed by Ye Wanyu, who was adorned with jewels and jewelry inside the room. A smile played on her lips, and she remained impassive, but a different story was churning in her heart. The reason she had always been hostile to her sister-in-law, Xie Rutang, was quite significant.

Before Ye Wanyu got married, she accompanied her mother to several flower-viewing banquets for noble ladies in the capital. Once, at the Peony Pavilion in the back garden of the Shen family, she met Shen Yuan for the first time. He was Xie Rutang's husband and the dream husband that all the young ladies in the capital privately talked about.

At that moment, Shen Yuan stood amidst the shadows of flowers, with the babbling brook. The man, dressed in a bright blue, wide-sleeved robe, held a scroll in his hand and was talking to his friend beside him. His eyes and brows were bathed in sunlight, his demeanor was graceful, and his voice was like the striking of jade.

Ye Wanyu looked through the flower branches of the half-corridor, her heart skipped a beat, and she almost dropped the round fan in her hand.

He was the most elegant and refined gentleman in the world.

Later, the Ye family and the Shen family got engaged, and the original agreement was for the eldest son of the Shen family, Shen Yuan.

That day, Ye Wanyu secretly harbored feelings for Shen Yuan, hiding behind the screen, her heart pounding as she waited for him to arrive.

To everyone's surprise, the person who came was not Shen Yuan, but Shen Wen, the illegitimate son of the Shen family.

Later, he heard through various channels that Shen Yuan had fallen in love with Xie Rutang at first sight and would marry no one else. He had already arranged a marriage with Xie Rutang, who was said to be beautiful, dignified, and gentle. The two were a loving couple, envied by all.

After Ye Wanyu married into the Shen family, she hid her love for Shen Yuan.

Once, as she turned a corner on the veranda, she suddenly saw Shen Yuan pinning Xie Rutang against a flowering tree in the distance, kissing her passionately. Xie Rutang's red lips were wet from the kiss, and she was panting softly. The petals of the tree were blown down by the wind.

Ye Wanyu almost screamed in shock and quickly covered her mouth.

She couldn't believe that the refined and gentle Shen Yuan also had such a fierce and domineering side...

Ye Wanyu, as if she were witnessing a secret, refused to leave. Instead, she hid behind the wall and secretly watched how Shen Yuan kissed Xie Rutang, her eyes burning with jealousy, yet her heart filled with longing.

Finally, Shen Yuan picked Xie Rutang up and carried her back to Cuiwu Courtyard.

Unexpectedly, fate played a cruel trick on him, and Shen Yuan passed away at a young age.

Thinking of this, Ye Wanyu felt a slight pang in her heart. It was precisely because Shen Yuan had been so devoted to Xie Rutang in the past that she was now targeting Xie Rutang so fiercely.

Next, Madam Shen changed the subject and brought up the rumor about the guard and Xie Rutang.

She held her teacup, looking at her coldly. "Ru Tang, are the rumors circulating in the manor true?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

Upon hearing this, Xie Rutang did not hesitate for a moment. He knelt directly in front of the ancestor and quietly lowered his head to wait for the question.

The old lady spoke slowly, but her worldly-wise eyes were sharp. "Now everyone in the manor is saying that you recently attempted to seduce a guard by exchanging handkerchiefs. Is this just a rumor, or is there some truth to it?"

The accusation of adultery was enough to completely crush Xie Rutang, ensuring she could never recover.

Even if she were driven out of the Shen family, she would never be allowed to remarry. In this world, life is inherently difficult for women.

Xie Rutang knelt on the ground, her snow-purple embroidered magnolia skirt spreading out like water, like a lotus in bloom.

Her profile was gentle and beautiful. "Mother-in-law, this rumor is utter nonsense. I live in a secluded household and have always upheld the virtues of a wife. Moreover, my husband, Shen Yuan, is the most precious man in the world. I admire and cherish him more than anything. How could I possibly debase myself by seducing a mere guard in the manor, disgracing my late husband, and tarnishing the Shen family's reputation?"

"Human hearts are treacherous, and slander is most easily fabricated. A daughter-in-law living alone is naturally prone to suspicion. It is possible that someone is deliberately spreading rumors to ruin her reputation. The daughter-in-law believes that she has always followed the rules of the Shen family and has a clear conscience."

Xie Rutang gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, her gaze clear and firm. "Please, Mother-in-law, see the truth."

Madam Shen stared at her intently.

Although she disliked Xie Rutang as her daughter-in-law, she knew Xie Rutang's character very well. Xie Rutang was quiet and didn't like to cause trouble; she often locked herself in her room to read and paint.

Old Madam Shen sneered, placing the teacup on the low table with a dull thud. "You'd better be telling the truth. I'll believe you for now and not pursue this further. There's always been gossip surrounding widows. If there's a next time, rumors will spread, tarnishing the Shen family's reputation. Then don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Although Xie Rutang felt embarrassed, he still bowed deeply and said, "Yes."

Madam Shen waved her hand lazily, having lost interest in continuing the questioning.

"Go down. From now on, unless there's something to do, stay away from home and behave yourself in your own yard."

Xie Rutang slowly straightened up. Her knees had been kneeling for a long time, and a wave of soreness and numbness washed over her as she stood up. Then, under Ye Wanyu's sarcastic gaze, Jin Yue helped her back to the courtyard.