Han Jiangxue was even more touched hearing this. She pulled her up to the Moon Gazing Tower and into a private room to talk. Baoshan couldn’t follow inside, so after thinking it over, she turned to go shopping first.
Shen Guiya sat down with Madam Han and sighed. “Sister married a good man. Poor me—I was forced to marry the Gu family’s eldest young master. Now that he’s failed the imperial examination, my days aren’t easy either. I can’t stay in the manor anymore, so I thought to come out for a walk. I never imagined I’d meet you, Sister.”
Madam Han looked at her with great sympathy. “Marrying the wrong person truly is a lifelong matter… Was your marriage forced by your family?”
Shen Guiya paused, lowering her eyes with an expression of deep sorrow. “Speaking of it, it’s all grievous fate. Young Master Gu was originally supposed to marry my Third Elder Sister. Who knew that before the wedding, he went to the Shen residence once, took a liking to me, and forced himself on me… Afterward, I became pregnant and had no choice but to marry. Third Elder Sister still holds a grudge against me for this. I truly have suffering I cannot speak of…”
Speaking with such emotion, she even squeezed out two drops of tears.
Madam Han was filled with righteous indignation. “How could this be? Your husband is truly despicable.”
“He… no matter how bad he is, he’s still my husband. I don’t resent him.” Shen Guiya said mournfully, “It’s just that now he probably can’t surpass Fourth Brother. My Third Elder Sister married Fourth Brother, and Fourth Brother received the Emperor’s favor and became Vice Minister of Justice. In the manor, I’ll surely be made difficult by her at every turn. Just thinking about it makes me sad.”
Han Jiangxue was too kindhearted and her ears too soft—she believed whatever she heard. She was quite indignant on Shen Guiya’s behalf. “I’ve also heard some things about the Gu family. The eldest young master’s talent is recognized by people, while that Fourth Young Master Gu is utterly dissolute. Having him suppress your husband truly isn’t fair.”
“Alas, I’m just a woman, and my natal family is facing difficulties—I can’t help at all.” Shen Guiya used her handkerchief to wipe the tears from her face. “What can I do but accept my fate?”
“There may not be no solution.” Han Jiangxue’s eyes brightened. “My husband might be able to help a bit.”
So you see, people can’t be too kind. When someone digs a pit waiting for you, you really just jump right in.
Shen Guiya lowered her eyes. “Isn’t Lord Yuwen said to be quite difficult to approach? Even high officials bringing gifts have to wait a long time before they can see him.”
“Ah, how could Elder Sister be the same as outsiders?” Madam Han intimately grasped her hand. “My husband dotes on me most. Since I married over, he’s always treated me extremely well. He hasn’t even stepped into the concubines’ rooms. Whatever I want, he always gives me. If I go plead with him for Elder Sister, he’ll surely agree.”
“Really?” Shen Guiya raised her head, extremely delighted. But then her face fell again. “I’m afraid Lord Yuwen won’t agree to help. After all, it’s a troublesome matter. Sigh, if only Father-in-law weren’t so rigid and unwilling to use too many connections for Chaodong, I wouldn’t need to worry about these things. Every day in the manor, living an unhappy life, yet still having to worry about these matters for my husband…”
“I’ll speak well of you to my husband—trust me.” Madam Han was eager to prove her capability. She glanced at the sky outside. “At this hour, my husband should have nothing to do. Meng’er, tell my husband to come to Moon Gazing Tower to fetch me.”
“Yes.” The maid Meng’er behind her responded and immediately left.
Shen Guiya secretly laughed inside, but her face showed doubt. “Could Lord Yuwen truly listen to you this much?”
“Naturally. He said if I wanted the stars, he’d pluck them for me.” Madam Han lifted her chin somewhat proudly. “When marrying, one should marry someone like my husband—only then can one have a good lifetime.”
Shen Guiya nodded in agreement. “Yes, indeed.”
When women get together, boasting is inevitable. But one should boast about anything except one’s man—you never know when someone might set their sights on him, and by then it’s too late for tears.
Han Jiangxue didn’t understand this. She was too naive, naturally no match for the 21st-century soul inside Shen Guiya’s body. She waited joyfully for Yuwen Houde to arrive, then very happily pulled him over for introductions.
“This is the eldest daughter-in-law from the Prime Minister’s manor, First Young Madam Gu.” Han Jiangxue intimately linked arms with Yuwen Houde as she spoke to Shen Guiya. “This is my husband.”
Yuwen Houde was only in his early twenties, a distant cousin of Yuwen Changqing. Through family connections, he’d been placed beside Yuwen Changqing in an official position. Though called a confidant, he really just followed along frequently. As for being trusted with confidences, Yuwen Changqing never confided in these people.
However, with the surname Yuwen, many things became much easier to handle. Yuwen Houde was accustomed to being flattered. He glanced at Shen Guiya, nodded faintly, and paid her no mind.
Shen Guiya wasn’t anxious. She’d done her homework beforehand and knew what Yuwen Houde liked and didn’t like to eat. She turned and had the teahouse waiter bring some peach pastries.
If she could have contacted Lord Yuwen directly, she wouldn’t need to take such a roundabout route.
“What matter requires my assistance?” Yuwen Houde looked at the peach pastries and asked directly.
Shen Guiya glanced at Han Jiangxue. “I heard Yuwen Manor has quite a good relationship with Academician Fu’s residence.”
Yuwen Houde understood. He looked at her once, then said, “If it’s regarding examination matters, I hold a lowly position with little influence—naturally I cannot help.”
Shen Guiya smiled without speaking. In official circles, these people always had ways to help. The key was whether they were willing to help and whether the price you offered was sufficient.
“If Husband can’t help, at least tell Cousin and bring Young Madam Gu to meet him.” Madam Han shook Yuwen Houde’s arm. “This wife truly likes Young Madam Gu. Please help.”
Yuwen Houde reached out to hold Han Jiangxue’s hand, his expression softening considerably. “You just keep finding me things to do.”
Madam Han smiled sweetly and gave Shen Guiya a look that said: See? My husband dotes on me most.
Shen Guiya returned an admiring look that said “you’re so capable.” Han Jiangxue’s smile grew even sweeter.
Yuwen Houde, eyes straight ahead, agreed to bring Shen Guiya to meet General Yuwen the next day. Only then did Shen Guiya return to the manor satisfied.
“There are still half a month until the results are posted.” Baoshan said while combing Shen Guiyan’s hair, “Everyone says First Young Master completely failed this time. Who knows what First Young Madam is thinking—instead of comforting him, she goes out chatting with people every day.”
Shen Guiyan looked at her considerably thinner face in the mirror, feeling sorry for herself. She touched her face while saying, “After she fell in the water, she became much more clever and quick-witted. Though sometimes she disregards propriety, overall she’s much better than before. Naturally, you can’t understand what she’s doing.”
“Miss knows?” Baoshan’s gossip-loving heart blazed. She immediately leaned closer.
Shen Guiyan glanced at her. “Guiya isn’t going out for idle matters. She’s entering Yuwen Manor, probably trying to find connections herself to see if there’s any way to salvage First Young Master’s examination results. The Prime Minister is too upright and unwilling to work for First Young Master’s sake. That she can take such action shows devoted sincerity.”
“Hmph, what devoted sincerity?” Baoshan pursed her lips. “This servant thinks she’s just worried that only if First Young Master does well can she do well, so that’s why she’s so diligent.”
Shen Guiyan neither agreed nor disagreed. She now basically knew what kind of person Shen Guiya was. Since she had not a shred of humanity left, there was no need to think well of her.
Only, Shen Guiya might not be able to make this connection work.
“Today Fourth Young Master said he has business at the Ministry of Justice and can’t return for the meal.” Baoshan remembered, her eyes bright and shining. “Miss, do you want to bring food to Fourth Young Master?”
Shen Guiyan was startled. “Bring what food? The Ministry of Justice should have a kitchen.”
“How can that be the same?” Baoshan pouted. “Look at these past days—from when you received family punishment, Fourth Young Master fed you medicine and cared for you before and after, even considering your safety and wanting to send you away from the capital. Such devoted sincerity—this servant is moved just watching. How can Miss not be better to Fourth Young Master?”
“I should be good to him…” Shen Guiyan’s face flushed slightly. “But there’s no need to bring him food, is there?”
“Miss, don’t be so reserved!” Baoshan stared wide-eyed. “Quite a few madams bring food to the Six Ministries. When officials are busy with matters, only the principal wife can carry a food box inside to care for her husband. Even clerks have wives bringing them food—all the more so for Fourth Young Master, a grand vice minister. You should go.”
Thinking about it this way, it did make sense. Gu Chaobei had never eaten food she’d made with her own hands.
The wounds on her back weren’t completely healed, but if she was careful, it wouldn’t hurt too much. Shen Guiyan went to the kitchen with a stiff back, muttering “What should I make?” while gathering all the usable ingredients, selecting several dishes she wanted to make, and getting started.
“Oh my! Fourth Young Madam!” Lin Danniang in the kitchen got quite a fright and hurriedly came over attentively. “What would you like to eat? We servants can make it. There’s no need for you to do it yourself.”
Shen Guiyan smiled at her. “I want to make it personally for my husband to eat.”
Lin Danniang froze, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes. Rubbing her hands, she said, “That’s also the young madam’s thoughtfulness, but your condition… Let this servant help you a bit.”
“Good.” Shen Guiyan’s mind was full of thoughts about the dishes, so she agreed immediately.
So Lin Danniang helped wash and plate the vegetables. Baoshan beside her went to find an excellent food box for delivery later.
“Oh my, Young Madam, did you forget to add salt to this soup?” Lin Danniang looked at the duck blood soup in the food box. “This servant will add some.”
“Don’t…” Before Shen Guiyan could stop her, Lin Danniang had already picked up the salt jar beside her and scooped a bit in.
Shen Guiyan looked at her, pressed her lips together, and closed the food box lid.
Gu Chaobei was sitting in his room yawning continuously. On his desk lay clues that Minister of Justice Yu had just brought over, wanting him to continue investigating.
Just as he was finding it boring, Zhuiyun outside happily ran in. “Young Master, the young madam is here.”
Yan’er? Gu Chaobei’s spirits immediately lifted. He sat up properly, picked up the brush beside him, and assumed a thoughtful pose over the documents on the desk.
“Is Husband still busy?” Shen Guiyan entered carrying the food box, somewhat embarrassed. “Good thing you haven’t eaten yet.”