Young widow in her boudoir

When Xie Rutang came to Shou'an Hall this morning, her sister-in-law Ye Wanyu was also present.

Besides Shen Yuan, who was born of the main branch of the Shen family, there was also a son born of a concubine, named Shen Wen, who was born to Old Master Shen and Concubine Cheng. His wife, Ye Wanyu, was Xie Rutang's sister-in-law.

Aunt Cheng died young, and Master Shen Wen was raised by the old lady from a young age. Over time, she treated him like her own son and never mistreated the second branch of the family.

The old lady also has an unmarried daughter named Shen Xiaoxiao, who is Xie Rutang's sister-in-law. She is spoiled and arrogant, and often bosses Xie Rutang around.

Since giving birth to a grandson for the Shen family half a year ago, Ye Wanyu, the sister-in-law, has been able to hold her head high. Now that Xie Rutang is widowed and Shen Wen was promoted to deputy commander of the military corps before the new year, Ye has begun to frequently take advantage of her misfortune.

When Xie Rutang entered the room, he saw a woman adorned with jewels accompanying the old lady.

Ye Wanyu was wearing Hangzhou silk that Shen Wen had brought back from his last business trip to another province. Her hair was piled high like clouds, and she wore hairpins inlaid with kingfisher feathers and pearls. She also had a pair of gold and jade bracelets on her wrists.

When serving one's mother-in-law.

Originally, it was Ye Wanyu who was supposed to serve the old lady her meal today.

Ye Wanyu held the soup, but smiled and declined, "Sister-in-law, I'm really not sure about the temperature of this soup, and I'm afraid it will burn my mother-in-law if she takes a sip. This is something you usually do, and you know my mother-in-law's tastes and habits best. Why don't you let me do it?"

Xie Rutang pursed her lips and did not reply.

Ye Wanyu turned to the old lady and said in a soft, coquettish voice, "Mother, you know, Jia'er is so naughty. I hold him all day long, and my arms are so sore that I can't even hold a bowl properly..."

"My sister-in-law has a leisurely life, unlike me who is constantly being bothered by the children. My hands are so sore, and no one cares about me."

The tone was clearly one of complaint.

Originally, taking care of her parents-in-law was Xie Rutang's and Ye Wanyu's duty, but after Ye Wanyu gave birth to the only son in the Shen family, she began to slack off and often made various excuses to refuse to do it.

In the afternoon, when it was her turn to keep the old lady company, she said she had to go and make new clothes for Jia Ge'er.

When it was her turn to light the lamp in the evening, she said she had a headache and went back to her room early.

They dumped everything on her alone.

After a while, Xie Rutang simply smiled and reached out to take it, saying, "Let me do it."

She did not give birth to Shen Yuan's child and is now a widow, living under the roof of the Shen family. If she is more compliant and does not fuss over everything, it will be better for her. Otherwise, Ye Wanyu will try every means to ridicule her.

The old lady, wearing a coral beaded headband, glanced at Xie Rutang indifferently, "In that case, you may do it."

After succeeding, Ye Wanyu sat down on a small stool nearby and remained still.

Back when Shen Yuan was still alive, he spoiled Xie Rutang rotten. At that time, Shen Wen's relationship with her wasn't that good, and she could only watch with envy as Xie Rutang had such a loving husband.

Who would have thought that the tables would turn and Ye Wanyu would smile now?

Xie Rutang lowered her head, scooped up a spoonful of white fungus and red date soup, blew on it gently a few times to control the temperature, and then steadily brought the jade spoon to her mother-in-law's mouth.

The old lady opened her mouth and slowly swallowed the soup. "Madam Xie, don't feel wronged. If you were pregnant with Yuan'er's child, these trivial matters could be left to the maids. You wouldn't need to worry about them. It's a pity that your belly is not cooperating."

Xie Rutang paused, holding the jade spoon, but did not reply.

Ye Wanyu sat in a folding chair, holding a teacup in her hand, her nails painted with bright red nail polish, and spoke softly.

"Sister-in-law takes such good care of everything. Unlike me, ever since I entered the Shen family, my husband has always doted on me and wouldn't let me do any rough work. Just now I was worried that the porridge was too hot and might burn my mother. I still have a lot to learn from sister-in-law in the future."

Xie Rutang listened and smiled slightly to brush it off, but her fingertips turned white.

Just after she had served her mother-in-law half a bowl.

A commotion came from outside the large chrysanthemum-patterned curtain.

I only found out from the servants that the Second Master had returned from the palace.

Xie Rutang froze. While the maid was clearing away the dishes, she quietly took a few steps back and hid behind Ye Wanyu when Ye Wanyu got up to greet her.

She hadn't expected him to come over at this time.

In the blink of an eye, Pei Zhiheng stepped into the flower hall.

He changed into a dark blue casual robe, the black silk shimmering with faint ice patterns. At this moment, he had shed the sharpness he displayed when he ascended the court, appearing refined and aloof.

Ye Wanyu, abandoning her arrogance, put on a smiling face and dared not be negligent in the slightest: "Second Master has arrived!"

"Has Second Master eaten yet? Would you like to try the white fungus and red date soup made in the kitchen? It's refreshing and sweet. I'll have someone serve you a bowl right now..."

Whether her husband can be promoted to commander of the military command now depends on Pei Zhiheng. Pei Zhiheng has deep roots and many connections in the Six Ministries. With just a word from him, her husband's promotion will be secured.

Pei Zhiheng stepped into the room with his hands behind his back, but subconsciously glanced towards the corner.

Then, Xie Rutang was seen hiding behind the servants.

She always dressed simply in the mansion, but today she dressed even more simply.

She wore a white dress shrouded in mist, and her temperament was as gentle as flowing water. She only had a silver hairpin in her hair.

Xie Rutang stood there quietly with her eyes lowered, her slender white neck faintly visible beneath her black hair, looking both frail and pitiful, easily noticeable in the crowd.

What I'm wearing today is rather conservative.

Pei Zhiheng's gaze fell on her.

The fact that she was wrapped up so tightly today only added to her innocent allure.

Xie Rutang frowned, her fingertips slightly clenched.

Fortunately, Pei Zhiheng glanced at her indifferently before coldly withdrawing his gaze. He took a few steps forward and spoke to the old lady.

How could Ye Wanyu let go of this opportunity to show her face in front of him?

So she joined in. She was always quick-witted and tactful, and before long, the old lady was amused by her and smiled broadly.

"Mother, have you heard? Since Second Master was promoted to Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, his reputation has spread far and wide. Everyone in the city is saying that His Majesty praised him several times in the Golden Palace. Even our Shen family has benefited from this."

Pei Zhiheng leaned back in his chair and gave a gentle smile.

Xie Rutang still had little presence in the room. She was already very grateful that the Shen family had given her a place to stay.

Moreover, with Pei Zhiheng present, she felt extremely uneasy.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Ye Wanyu was about to get up and take her leave when the wet nurse came over with Jia Ge'er in her arms. She said that Jia Ge'er was crying and calling for his mother in the courtyard. Ye Wanyu's heart softened immediately, and she quickly took the child and left.

Jia Ge'er was born with fair skin and delicate features, a small and straight nose, and a pair of bright black eyes. He was very cute, and even Xie Rutang couldn't help but feel close to him and like him.

Just then, Shen Wen, who had just finished his duties at the yamen, came to pick up Ye Wanyu.

He was dressed in a scholar's robe, exuding a refined and scholarly air.

Watching the couple and their two companions return to the hospital, their backs radiating happiness.

Moved by the scene, Xie Rutang's beautiful face under the lamplight gradually turned lonely, enveloped in a faint sadness.

This scene was coldly observed by Pei Zhiheng, who was not far away.

It took Xie Rutang a long time to recover from her emotional state. She had wanted to leave as well, but she still had to serve her mother-in-law her medicine after the meal.

Xie Rutang glanced at the man in the room.

Pei Zhiheng seemed to have no intention of leaving at all.

Xie Rutang's delicate, crescent-shaped eyebrows furrowed slightly again.

The maid has already prepared the Chinese medicine.

Xie Rutang put down the handkerchief in her hand, reached out and took the medicine bowl, the warmth coming through the thin, rough porcelain.

The old lady was leaning against a pillow, her eyes half-closed.

Then she sat sideways on the edge of the tatami mat, scooped up a spoonful, and said, "Mother, you can take your medicine now."

She carefully blew on it to make sure it was warm before bringing it to the old lady's lips.

As soon as the old lady's lips touched the rim of the spoon, her face darkened.

She suddenly raised her hand.

"Mrs. Xie, this medicine is so hot! What are you planning? Are you deliberately trying to burn me?"

The shove caused the bowl of scalding hot Chinese medicine in Xie Rutang's hand to spill all over her chest.

Her fair skin, as white as lychee, was instantly scalded red. Xie Rutang gasped in pain, her face turning deathly pale.

Caught off guard, she was pushed back half a step, spilling most of the bowl of medicine onto her plain brocade skirt.

Xie Rutang hurriedly slipped a handkerchief into her collar to absorb the moisture, but she overlooked the fact that there was another man in her mother-in-law's room.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly withdrew her hand.