Yushu felt somewhat confused. Her young miss was living well—why did she need to fight with Third Miss? With Third Miss’s temperament, if you didn’t provoke her, she wouldn’t make trouble for anyone.
But Shen Guiya’s temper was somewhat strange now. She didn’t dare easily offend her and could only agree: “Yes, Miss is the most capable.”
She actually couldn’t understand what this “several thousand years” meant at all.
Shen Guiya’s anger subsided somewhat. She huffed and took Yushu back to her own courtyard. Gu Chaodong’s expression hadn’t looked good then—she still needed to go back and coax him.
The crumpled rice paper was left lying on the ground. Someone passing by picked it up, unfolded it to look, then placed it in their sleeve and took it away.
When Scholar Fu left, he gave Gu Chaodong reassurance, saying: “This old man understands the eldest young master’s learning—naturally, there is none better at present.”
None better meant first place. This imperial examination’s top scholar was essentially decided.
Both Lady Gu and Prime Minister Gu were very pleased. Prime Minister Gu took the steward to the study, while Lady Gu turned back to glance at Shen Guiyan: “You’re quite sensible.”
Shen Guiyan hadn’t displayed herself at all today, leaving Gu Chaodong sufficient opportunity. If she’d also been tactless like Shen Guiya and pushed forward, Scholar Fu might not have been so attentive to Chaodong today.
Thinking this way, Lady Gu found Shen Guiyan much more pleasing to the eye.
Shen Guiyan generously curtsied, didn’t say much, only smiled slightly.
“Come, walk with me in the garden.” Lady Gu softened her expression and beckoned to Shen Guiyan.
Shen Guiyan respectfully followed. Several concubines behind them found it strange.
“Madam has always disliked the fourth young master, yet she’s looking favorably upon the fourth young madam?” Concubine Liu clicked her tongue.
Xu Mengdie was beside her supporting her, smiling: “Those who do the right things will always be liked—it’s just a matter of sooner or later. Concubine Liu need not be surprised.”
Concubine Liu turned to look at her, somewhat dissatisfied: “I don’t know what you’re thinking. Your child wasn’t saved, yet instead of thinking about having another, you’re so concerned with others’ affairs.”
“Having children can’t be rushed.” Xu Mengdie shook her head, sighing softly: “It’s all fate.”
Concubine Liu frowned and shook off her hand, walking outside. Mengdie didn’t mind, glanced once at Shen Guiyan’s back, then returned to Gu Chaonan’s side.
“Marrying Bei’er truly has wronged you.” Lady Gu was in a good mood today, so her words were pleasant: “Originally, I always thought of you as Dong’er’s wife. I never expected such a twist of fate…”
Shen Guiyan smiled slightly: “Yan’er doesn’t feel wronged. Chaobei has his good points too. No matter who I married, Yan’er is still your daughter-in-law.”
“Ah…” Lady Gu sighed, “I truly do prefer you more. That sister of yours really… She was fine before, but today, no matter what I said, she wouldn’t listen. It was truly too improper.”
Shen Guiyan only smiled without speaking. No matter what Lady Gu said now, she and Shen Guiya were the closest mother and daughter-in-law. If she went along and criticized Shen Guiya now, when the woman was in a bad mood and reflected on it, wouldn’t that add another grudge?
When people in good relationships complain about each other, just listen—absolutely don’t add your own comments.
“You did well today. I was thinking that Guiya is pregnant and has been busy inside and out—it’s been hard work.” Lady Gu held her hand, “So you should help her more.”
Shen Guiyan’s eyes brightened slightly. Help Shen Guiya manage the accounts? If she heard this news, wouldn’t she be furious? Yet it was Lady Gu herself who requested it.
Actually, Lady An definitely still favored Shen Guiya. After all, she was the eldest daughter-in-law, and no matter how bad she was, she still represented Dong’er. But today Shen Guiya had truly been infuriating and deserved some lesson. In contrast, since entering the residence, Shen Guiyan hadn’t done anything wrong—not only did she not resent Guiya and Dong’er, today she even helped Dong’er.
Comparing them this way, Lady An naturally felt Shen Guiyan was truly rare—gentle, harmless, simple, and reliable. Since Bei’er was basically useless, winning over this daughter-in-law wouldn’t be bad either.
“Yan’er will definitely follow instructions and help eldest sister-in-law well.” Shen Guiyan curtsied, eyes lowered, posture perfect. Lady Gu nodded repeatedly and continued walking forward with her.
On this side, Shen Guiya was coaxing Gu Chaodong.
“If I shine, doesn’t that bring you glory too?” Shen Guiya hugged Gu Chaodong’s arm and shook it: “Don’t be angry. I’ll give you a massage tonight, okay?”
Gu Chaodong wrote his calligraphy with an expressionless face. When she shook his arm, everything on the paper became smudged.
Frowning, he put down his brush and looked at her: “Can you have some propriety? You speak without measure and act rashly.”
“Is that not good?” Shen Guiya unhappily released him: “You’ve seen so many classical, traditional women. Suddenly seeing someone like me—don’t you find it novel?”
Gu Chaodong felt this person was beyond help. He shook his head and said no more.
Feeling novel had its limits. Seeing a yellow flower among red flowers would feel novel, but seeing a pile of cow dung among red flowers—would that feel novel? What was going on in her head?
Being different still couldn’t cross the line.
Shen Guiya pouted. Thinking about it, to coax a man, there was one simplest and most direct method.
Push him down!
No sooner thought than done. Shen Guiya pushed Gu Chaodong into the chair, leaned over and straddled him, eyes seductive as silk, caressing his adam’s apple: “Husband…”
“What are you doing?” The color in Gu Chaodong’s eyes deepened, but he frowned and pushed her away: “Don’t you want the child in your belly anymore?”
The child? Shen Guiya glanced at her own stomach and pursed her lips. If he hadn’t mentioned it, she’d forgotten she was still pregnant.
It was just that novels all wrote that once a female lead bore a child for a man, she was destined to follow him for life. She didn’t want that. Now that she’d already established a firm foothold, this child truly wasn’t that important anymore. After all, hadn’t Lady Xu’s child also been lost?
Thinking this way, Shen Guiya continued smiling and moved closer to him, her entire body nearly sprawled on Gu Chaodong, her movements extremely improper.
“Dong’er.” Lady Gu had finished her walk with Shen Guiyan and came to the Eastern Courtyard, thinking there were some things she still needed to instruct him about.
As soon as she entered, she saw Shen Guiya with her legs spread, pressing down on Gu Chaodong’s body.
Lady Gu’s expression darkened. Gu Chaodong quickly stood up: “Mother.”
Shen Guiya didn’t feel anything was wrong at all. Inwardly, she blamed Lady Gu for spoiling things. She stood aside without speaking.
As a mother who’d raised a son to this age and seen him marry a wife—it was like raising a cow only to have it plow someone else’s field. Lady Gu’s heart was somewhat displeased with Shen Guiya, only tolerating her for the sake of the child in her belly.
But today, she’d been improper first and unfaithful to her wifely duties second. How could a wife be so wanton?!
“You come with me to the main courtyard.” Lady Gu said sternly.
Gu Chaodong nodded in agreement. Shen Guiya pursed her lips, still standing aside without curtsying, just watching them leave.
“Today I’ve already instructed Guiyan to help you manage the household purchasing and meals.” Lady Gu looked up at Shen Guiya, “Starting tomorrow, you just focus on nurturing the pregnancy.”
Shen Guiya was shocked, but Lady Gu had already left.
“What’s going on?” Shen Guiya went out to ask Yushu. Yushu was also confused: “Why would they suddenly have Third Miss do these things?”
These were all matters with substantial benefits. Their own miss had spent so long coaxing Lady Gu before taking on these duties, yet now they were being given to Shen Guiyan to share? Why should she?
Shen Guiya was furious. Although she couldn’t manage these things, having power meant servants would fawn over her and she could have whatever she wanted. What methods had Shen Guiyan used to even win over Lady Gu?
“Miss, don’t worry.” Yushu pressed her lips together, “You came to the Prime Minister’s residence much earlier than Third Miss. The servants are all familiar with you. Even if Madam has her come help, Miss can just have her assist as a subordinate—at most, she’d be running errands.”
When Shen Guiya first came to this residence, she preached equality for all and often mingled with the servants, so she had a very good reputation. How could Shen Guiyan, coming later, shake that position?
Feeling somewhat reassured, Shen Guiya snorted lightly, covered her belly, and turned to go back inside. She held the advantage—why should she anger herself? No matter what, Shen Guiyan couldn’t turn the tables.
Since it was the matriarch’s instruction, it still had to be carried out. Shen Guiya didn’t have Shen Guiyan handle purchasing, only meal preparation.
“Breakfast is most important.” Shen Guiya said with half-lidded eyes, “I’ll give you a list with everyone’s preferences written on it. Just prepare according to that.”
Shen Guiyan took the list, looked at it, and chuckled lightly: “Thank you, eldest sister-in-law.”
“Don’t mention it.” Shen Guiya snorted lightly. She made so many varieties of porridge—how could Shen Guiyan possibly know them? This dynasty only had plain white porridge. No matter what she made, it definitely couldn’t surpass her. Then Lady Gu would know she was still the most reliable.
Shen Guiyan took the list back to the Northern Courtyard. Baoshan had finally returned with people to report.
“Miss.” Baoshan brought Scholar Zhou up: “He’s arrived.”
Putting down the list, Shen Guiyan looked at the person and instinctively stood up, hands folded at her abdomen: “Master.”
Scholar Zhou was advanced in years but in good spirits, his beard and hair both white. When he smiled, he looked like a kindly deity: “After several years apart, Miss is well.”
Everything Shen Guiyan had learned since childhood was taught by Scholar Zhou. She respected him greatly and curtsied: “I presume upon Master’s time. I didn’t expect you to come in person.”
Originally, she’d written a letter to discuss an idea. She hadn’t expected the master to be so pleased by the looks of it.
“Miss has not failed this old man’s teachings.” Scholar Zhou smiled happily: “When poor, perfect oneself alone; when successful, help the world. Miss has learned well.”
Shen Guiyan smiled. Staying in the residence all day with nothing to do, with so much dowry money, she’d long wanted to open a school in the capital. Now that she had the ability, naturally she should do it.
“That Master can come help, Guiyan is very happy.” Shen Guiyan said, “I’ve written down the specific matters. Later, please review them, Master.”
Baoshan smiled: “Once Miss sees Master, she’ll talk endlessly. First let this servant take Master down to settle in.”