On the morning after the wedding, Shen Guiyan got up early to prepare to serve tea to Prime Minister Gu and his wife. But when she turned around, Gu Chaobei was still fast asleep.
“Wake up.” Shen Guiyan reached out to pull back the blanket, hesitated for a moment, then called out, “Husband, it’s time to get up.”
Gu Chaobei groaned in his throat with a hint of petulance, wrapped himself in the blanket, and continued sleeping.
“We can’t be late for the morning tea ceremony.” Shen Guiyan pinched his nose with amusement. “Get up quickly.”
Gu Chaobei obligingly opened his mouth to continue breathing, his eyes sewn shut as if they simply refused to open.
Both amused and exasperated, Shen Guiyan swung her leg over to straddle him and used her other hand to cover his mouth as well.
This time Gu Chaobei woke up, though not because he couldn’t breathe, but for certain unspeakable reasons. He glared at Shen Guiyan through gritted teeth, pushed her off, and rolled out of bed.
“What’s wrong?” Shen Guiyan looked at him in confusion.
Gu Chaobei quickly dressed, turning his head away and mumbling sullenly, “Nothing. Weren’t you the one insisting I get up? Now that I’m up, why are you asking so many questions! Just get yourself dressed.”
Shen Guiyan nodded and blinked, looking at him a couple more times. She didn’t know if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but why did Gu Chaobei’s face seem to have a slight flush?
After getting ready, they headed to the main courtyard. Shen Guiyan was somewhat nervous and kept quietly asking Gu Chaobei about the manor’s situation along the way.
Gu Chaobei said, “The manor has five courtyards—east, west, south, north, and main. Except for your husband here, everyone else is a bad person.”
Shen Guiyan: “…”
The Gu Manor had a major rule—breakfast would be taken together in the main courtyard, which was meant to promote harmony between the various households. Shen Guiyan had remembered this, so she’d risen early and arrived quite promptly.
What she hadn’t expected was that Shen Guiya was already bustling about in the main courtyard’s dining hall.
“Father-in-law loves savory congee—set out a bowl of preserved egg and lean meat congee. For Madam, put out pumpkin congee. Concubine Liu from the South Courtyard loves buns and pastries. Concubine Guan from the West Courtyard can have the same as Father-in-law.” Shen Guiya wore a water-blue cross-collar jacket embroidered with moons, her hair arranged in a half-moon bun. Her rouge was applied extremely well, making her look considerably more attractive overall.
Shen Guiyan couldn’t help but look at her a few more times. Shen Guiya turned and saw the two of them, smiling quite warmly. “Fourth Brother and sister-in-law are here. Please sit down first.”
It was still early—not a single elder had arrived. Shen Guiya carried herself with the bearing of a senior daughter-in-law, but Shen Guiyan didn’t actually sit down. Instead, she stood to one side.
Gu Chaobei didn’t sit either, holding Shen Guiyan’s hand as they stood in the hall. “See? Why come so early? The servants haven’t even finished preparing the food.”
Shen Guiyan laughed dryly. “Coming early can’t be wrong—today is the first day after the wedding.”
Seeing that neither of them was paying attention to her, Shen Guiya’s smile faded slightly, but she still said, “Congratulations to Fourth Brother and sister-in-law on your wedding.”
Shen Guiyan returned the courtesy. “Greetings, Elder Sister-in-law.”
Shen Guiya was delighted. She was younger than her—before, she would have had to address her as Third Elder Sister, but now she had to bow to her instead. Ancient etiquette really was quite interesting.
“No need for formalities. We’re all family from now on.” Shen Guiya smiled and glanced at Shen Guiyan. This person’s face truly didn’t have a single flaw—Granny Xu really was more than a little stupid.
But there was no rush—the days were long ahead. This Shen Guiyan had no special qualities at all—how could she be her match?
As a modern person, Shen Guiya still had her advantages. Having read so many novels about scheming and intrigue, she’d naturally picked up some tricks—like how to please her elders and intimidate the servants.
She was doing very well now, which was why Madam had entrusted her with preparing breakfast.
Glancing at the rigid Shen Guiyan, Shen Guiya snorted lightly, thinking she’d let her see the gap between ancient women and modern women.
Prime Minister Gu and the people from various courtyards arrived one after another. Once all the elders were seated, Shen Guiyan pulled Gu Chaobei over to serve tea and pay their respects.
“Father, Mother, please drink tea.” Gu Chaobei yawned, speaking carelessly.
Shen Guiyan followed the proper protocol, holding the tea with both hands. “Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, please drink tea.”
Prime Minister Gu glanced at Gu Chaobei, clearly not very satisfied. But looking at Shen Guiyan, he still sighed and accepted the tea. “Sit down and eat.”
“Yes.” Shen Guiyan breathed a small sigh of relief.
The atmosphere at the table was somewhat heavy, though no one knew why. Seeing this, Shen Guiya spoke up with a smile. “Father-in-law, try today’s congee. Isn’t it quite different?”
Prime Minister Gu was startled and only then lowered his head to taste the congee.
“This congee—your daughter-in-law had the kitchen start preparing it first thing this morning. It uses preserved eggs mixed with lean meat. You don’t seem to have this cooking method here yet.” Shen Guiya smiled. “It’s much better than ordinary congee.”
Prime Minister Gu nodded, his expression improving considerably. “You’re very thoughtful. It is indeed delicious.”
Shen Guiya looked at Shen Guiyan triumphantly, then continued, “Mother-in-law’s congee also has pumpkin added—fragrant, soft, and sweet. And Concubine Liu’s pastries have cream filling. Though the cream isn’t quite authentic, it’s still very tasty.”
Madam Gu raised an eyebrow and swept her eyes over the items on the table, a hint of approval in her gaze. “You’re quite attentive.”
Shen Guiya lowered her head modestly. “As long as everyone enjoys eating, that’s good. We’re all family. Since I’ve already entered this household, there shouldn’t be any unpleasantness. After all, Guiyan is also Yaer’s elder sister. If she does anything wrong, Yaer is willing to accept punishment alongside her.”
These words were both magnanimous and endearing. Madam Gu nodded repeatedly, and the two concubines beside her also wore smiles. Even Gu Chaodong felt that Shen Guiya seemed to have matured overnight, earning him considerable face.
Shen Guiyan also quite admired her. For a moment, she felt somewhat dazed, feeling this wasn’t like the former Shen Guiya who would strike anyone she disliked. But if she could truly remain this virtuous and magnanimous, then her own days ahead should be much easier.
However, as it turned out, she’d relaxed too soon.
“About yesterday’s incident where Granny Xu attempted to ruin Fourth Sister-in-law’s appearance—how did Mother’s interrogation go?” Gu Chaonan was eating breakfast when he suddenly asked with a smile.
Madam Gu’s face stiffened, her smile fading. “That old woman went mad—she’s been spouting nonsense. I had her locked up in the back courtyard.”
“Ruin Guiyan’s face?” Prime Minister Gu put down his spoon and frowned. “What’s this about?”
He’d gone out last night and still didn’t know what had happened in the manor afterward.
Madam Gu quickly explained, “It was Granny Xu from the manor. She’s been managing trivial matters for some years. Yesterday when she went to tease the newlyweds, somehow she went mad and splashed vitriol oil at Guiyan’s face.”
Prime Minister Gu’s expression darkened. “Such a thing happened? Where is she? Has she been interrogated?”
“She’s been interrogated.” Madam Gu’s gaze flickered for a moment. “She said she lost her head temporarily and went mad.”
“Granny Xu and Yan… Fourth Sister-in-law have never met before. How could she suddenly go mad and try to harm Fourth Sister-in-law?” Gu Chaodong straightened his back. “Mother, why not bring her up for further questioning?”
Madam Gu glared fiercely at him, leaving Gu Chaodong completely bewildered. But Shen Guiya beside him also spoke up softly. “Yes, she just married in. How can we not investigate this thoroughly?”
She wanted to investigate too? Madam Gu looked at Shen Guiya with some astonishment, but Prime Minister Gu had already spoken. “We happen to have some free time now. Bring her up.”
After breakfast was finished, the tables were cleared away. Granny Xu was escorted in, wailing all the way. Upon seeing Prime Minister Gu, she kowtowed frantically. “Master, have mercy! This old servant will tell everything, everything! Please spare this old servant’s life…”
Prime Minister Gu slammed the table beside him angrily. “You audacious slave! Who gave you the courage to plot against your master?”
Granny Xu was so frightened her body trembled. She lifted her head to look at Shen Guiya and said, “First Young Madam, this old servant has wronged you. This old servant wants to live, so I can only expose you. This old servant doesn’t want your silver anymore—this old servant just wants to live…”
Everyone was shocked and turned to look at Shen Guiya. Shen Guiya looked completely baffled, appearing more innocent than anyone. “What are you talking about?”
Granny Xu kowtowed to her. “Didn’t you give this servant the vitriol oil? This old servant didn’t even know such a thing could be splashed on faces. If a face is burned like cloth, wouldn’t everything be ruined? You ordered this old servant to splash the Fourth Young Madam—have you forgotten?”
Shen Guiya looked confused for quite a while before snapping out of it, her expression turning ugly. “You’re saying I instructed you to harm my own biological sister?”
Granny Xu froze.
Shen Guiya took a deep breath and knelt heavily in the hall. “Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, please see clearly! Though Yaer may not be a virtuous wife and good daughter-in-law whose name will be remembered for generations, I could never harm my own biological sister! Third Elder Sister treated Yaer extremely well in the Shen Manor. How could Yaer possibly use such vicious methods to harm her!”
Having said this, she knocked her head heavily on the ground twice, her expression so sincere that everyone in the hall turned to look at Granny Xu again.
Today, Guiya had even said that if Guiyan did anything wrong, she would accept punishment alongside her. How could sisters with such good feelings possibly harm each other?
Even Shen Guiyan thought perhaps she’d been wrongly accused?
Gu Chaobei laughed coldly, folding his arms and standing to one side without saying anything.
Prime Minister Gu thought for a moment and waved his hand. “Guiya, get up first. I don’t think you could possibly want to harm your sister.”
Shen Guiya’s eyes somehow filled with tears. After rising, she held onto Gu Chaodong’s hand and turned to look at Shen Guiyan. “Third Elder Sister, do you believe me?”
Shen Guiyan hesitated. If asked whether she believed her, she truly didn’t believe her much. But Shen Guiya’s performance today had shocked her somewhat.
That former Shen Guiya who would only demand things verbally and strike people she disliked could now so easily kneel down and say these things. It seemed somehow incredible.
“Third Elder Sister… doesn’t believe me?” Seeing her hesitation, Shen Guiya immediately shed tears. “This younger sister has been wholeheartedly devoted to elder sister. Elder sister must not harbor resentment in her heart because of the matter with Chaodong and thereby ruin our sisterly bond!”