Guyu came running back excitedly, not even stopping for a drink of water before impatiently recounting what had just happened at Songshou Court.

  “Madam, don’t worry. I had Xiaoqing go take a look for me. No one at Songshou Court saw me,” Guyu said cleverly, her face full of pride. “But I did notice that a maid from Concubine Yun’s courtyard was there too. Seems like she’s very interested in what happened!”

  Jiang Fuyue chuckled. “Concubine Yun is Gu Liao’s mother. This matter concerns her too—would be strange if she wasn’t paying attention.”

  “Concubine Yun treats the eldest young master like he’s her lifeblood. With the old madam handling things this way, you think she’ll cause a scene?” Jingzhe asked, a little worried.

  “If she causes a scene, she’ll be causing it at the old madam, not us!” Guyu said confidently.

  After all, the whole matter had been orchestrated entirely by the old madam. It had nothing to do with Jiang Fuyue at all. As the saying goes, “Let the one who tied the knot untie it.” No one would come knocking on their door over it.

  Jingzhe thought it over and realized that was true. She rexed and turned to the small kitchen to bring out some pastries.

  Sun Jingke shook her head with a ugh. “That mother-in-w of yours, really. She’s the old madam of a marquis household, and yet she’s being completely maniputed by a powerless schor. Her own grandson gets beaten, and she doesn’t even dare raise her voice?”

  To her, a beating was a beating—whether it was a sp or a paddle, it made no difference. That schor had id hands on a marquis’ son without informing the household elders—this was a btant offense to the family’s dignity.

  And that schor wasn’t even some great Confucian master. His learning was questionable, and even his small reputation wasn’t good. For someone like that to dare raise a hand against a marquis’ heir—clearly he had no respect for their family at all!

  After a pause, Sun Jingke added with a sigh, “All my years in the capital, and I’ve never seen someone so spineless!”

  Jiang Fuyue smiled nonchantly, lips curved. “Given my mother-in-w’s temperament, the fact that she’s been offering kind words and gifts already says a lot.”

  This was the first time she realized that the old madam—who always acted high and mighty in front of her—was also capable of such groveling.

  It was truly eye-opening.

  Whether or not the two boys would remember her kindness was another matter entirely.

  Sun Jingke snorted. “They’re her biological grandsons. If she doesn’t care, who will? Either way, it’s none of ourbusiness!”

  “Don’t go thinking that just because you’re the head wife now, you have to manage everything in this household from top to bottom. When you married in, those two children were already grown and raised by their birth mothers. They’ve got nothing to do with you.”

  Jiang Fuyue nodded in agreement.

  Exactly.

  She held the empty title of stepmother, but there was no emotional connection between her and those two children. Whatever happened to them had nothing to do with her.

  The two chatted for a while until lunchtime.

  Lunch had been specially prepared by Madam Lin—it was medicinal cuisine she’d just developed. The dishes looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful, and were so abundant they nearly filled the small dining table.

  Sun Jingke couldn't stop praising the mushroom soup. She drank half a bowl in one go and lingered on the lingering umami taste in her mouth before finally saying, “That Madam Lin of yours is something else! In just a few days, she’s come up with such an incredible dish. Her cooking’s amazing! I’m definitely coming here often for meals!”

  “It’s all made with ingredients from your household anyway. Come whenever you want.” Jiang Fuyue smiled.

  Sun Jingke’s eyes lit up. “Then if I get my hands on any rare ingredients, I’ll bring them to you. Have Madam Lin whip something up—I’ll be back to eat it!”

  Though her own medicinal chef was decent, somehow, food always tasted better in someone else’s house. She much preferred Madam Lin’s style.

  “There’s nothing wrong with that,” Jiang Fuyue replied pyfully. “Just don’t be surprised if your Young Lord Xie starts coming over often to fetch someone!”

  At that, a noticeable blush spread across Sun Jingke’s face, and Jiang Fuyue couldn’t help but ugh.

  After lunch, the two strolled around Shaoguang Court.

  Jiang Fuyue showed her some of her test paintings. Sun Jingke examined them for a long moment before saying, “You know, this one... it’s starting to feel a little like your old style.”

  Back when Jiang Fuyue’s mother was alive, her artwork always had a free-spirited, unrestrained quality. After so many years, Sun Jingke finally saw a glimpse of that carefree spirit again in this piece.

  She was deeply comforted.

  It seemed Jiang Fuyue had finally moved on.

  Jiang Fuyue, however, was caught off guard. She stared at the painting again, but couldn’t quite see what Sun Jingke was talking about.

  Sun Jingke gnced at her and said with a mysterious tone, “When it comes to looking at art, you’re still cking a bit!”

  Jiang Fuyue rolled her eyes, which made Sun Jingke burst out ughing.

  They wandered around the courtyard a bit more, and it wasn’t until ter in the afternoon that Sun Jingke finally left.

  Jiang Fuyue walked her to the gates and watched her get into the carriage before heading back to her own rooms.

  Back in Shaoguang Court, the pce had already been thoroughly tidied. There was no sign a guest had even been there.

  Thinking of what Sun Jingke said about her painting, Jiang Fuyue went to her study, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and began to paint.

  —

  Meanwhile, ever since hearing her maid’s report, Concubine Yun had been fuming. She drank several cups of tea but couldn’t calm her anger. Finally, she called over Gu Feng and his birth mother, Concubine Rou.

  She had the maid recount everything that had happened at Songshou Court. When it was done, she smmed the table. “Tell me—what kind of logic is this? The child gets beaten, and the elders rush over with gifts?!”

  Concubine Yun was a curvy woman with fox-like eyes that could charm at a gnce. Her aura was simir to that of Madam Jiang, but with an extra hint of sultriness.

  Though only a concubine, she dressed in vish silks and jewelry—clearly living a very comfortable life.

  Concubine Rou was startled by her outburst. Her eyes darted around nervously. “Sister, keep your voice down! What if someone hears?”

  But Concubine Yun was still burning with rage and ignored her. “You’re not mad about this?!”

  Concubine Rou sighed. “Feng’er is my own son. He was in my belly for ten months—of course I’m heartbroken he was beaten! But if the old madam hears what you’re saying, she won’t be pleased.”

  Concubine Yun scoffed. “That schor dared y hands on Liao’er and Feng’er, and the old madam didn’t punish him. She even sent him a gift! What’s wrong with me compining a little?”

  Concubine Rou had no reply.

  Concubine Yun was well favored by the Marquis himself—every time he returned home, he stayed in her rooms. And Gu Liao was the eldest son of the house.

  With both backing her, Concubine Yun’s standing in the inner courtyard was just below the old madam and the official wife.

  In contrast, Concubine Rou had faded into obscurity over the past few years, and Gu Feng wasn’t particurly promising either. There wasn’t much hope for their future.

  So while Concubine Yun could speak freely, Concubine Rou dared not echo her.

  But with those sharp eyes staring her down, Concubine Rou couldn’t stay silent either. After thinking for a long while, she finally muttered, “Maybe the old madam had her reasons…”

  “Reasons? I don’t see any reason!” Concubine Yun sneered. “That old hag’s been sitting at Songshou Court for years and only handled one matter—look how she botched it! What reasons could she possibly have? She’s just old… and no longer capable!”