As the head of the Xie family, Xie Jingyu was most suitable to open the ancestral hall and request the genealogy.

The entire process was very simple. He wrote He Shi’s name in the genealogy, then offered incense and kowtowed. From this point on, He Shi became an official member of the Xie family.

Yun Chu wore a smile on her face. “Concubine He can reside in Bihe Garden.”

He Shi was somewhat surprised.

Bihe Garden was right beside the Xie residence’s garden. It was a particularly well-positioned courtyard, generally used to entertain honored guests. She had not expected the madam to let her live there.

Xie Jingyu’s expression was extremely complex.

He thought back to four years ago. When she was pregnant, he had climbed into bed with Tingyu. He still remembered her expression that morning.

Lost, heartbroken, anguished, disbelieving… At that time, he had very clearly felt that Yun Chu cared about him deeply.

But now, from beginning to end, she wore a faint smile. He could not see her disappointment in him, nor could he see any hostility toward He Shi…

It seemed she completely no longer cared about him.

A surge of indescribable emotion rose in Xie Jingyu’s chest.

“I imagine my husband and Concubine He still have words to say. I shall attend to other matters.”

Yun Chu curtsied slightly, turned, and walked out of the ancestral hall.

After her figure disappeared at the doorway, He Shi opened her mouth to speak, but was met with a resounding slap from Xie Jingyu.

With a sharp crack, He Shi was completely dazed by the blow.

She covered her face and hastily said, “It wasn’t me. It truly wasn’t me. I know my own status. How would I dare to presume to become a member of the Xie family…”

“I know it wasn’t you, but if not for you, I wouldn’t have my reputation swept to the ground.” Xie Jingyu could completely imagine what kind of looks those people would give him after tomorrow’s morning court. He took a deep breath. “It was you who gave the Yuan family the opportunity to scheme against me. It was you who obstructed my official career…”

He Shi’s tears fell pitter-patter.

She truly could not believe that she had been slapped by the man she loved most. Her heart truly ached terribly.

But she knew that if this matter was not explained clearly, the day she became a concubine would be the day her relationship with him completely shattered.

“My lord, are you certain it was truly the Yuan family?” He Shi choked out. “Why haven’t you considered that it was the madam who schemed all of this? She is the legitimate wife in charge. The entire Xie family is under her control. For her to do all this would be far too easy. Otherwise, how do you explain why the madam pardoned my house confinement, why she suddenly brought so many people to that small courtyard?”

A cold sneer appeared on Xie Jingyu’s face. “You mean to say that Yun Chu designed all this just to make you a concubine?”

No woman, no matter how much she didn’t care about her husband, would scheme for her husband to couple with another woman in public, would she?

“Yun Chu generously accepted you, yet you cast various doubts upon her.” Xie Jingyu flung his hand away. “If you cause trouble again in the future, the Xie family will absolutely not tolerate you.”

Having said this, he turned and left.

He Shi’s entire body went limp as she sat on the ground, covering her face and sobbing aloud.

Yun Chu slowly walked back to her own courtyard. Just as she stepped inside, a person dropped to their knees before her with a thud.

It was Xie Ping.

Her face was full of panic as she grabbed the hem of Yun Chu’s skirt. “Mother, what should I do? My reputation is completely ruined. What should I do…”

She had botched the Xie residence’s banquet. Every time outsiders mentioned the Xie family’s banquet, they would surely think of her, the Xie family’s eldest young lady. Which family would still dare to marry her as their legitimate wife?

She had once even thought of becoming the Fourth Prince’s consort. Now all hope was shattered.

“Mother, help me…”

Xie Ping cried until she was gasping for breath.

Yun Chu helped her up. “Ping’er, didn’t I tell you that you’re still young? It doesn’t matter if you made a mistake. Just reform yourself properly.”

Xie Ping cried out, “Mother, teach me. How do I reform?”

“At the latest, you must make a beautiful comeback at Old Madam’s birthday banquet next year. That requires waiting one year.” Yun Chu smiled at her. “Think carefully—what banquets might our Xie family have in the near future?”

Xie Ping stopped crying and thought carefully.

With Old Madam still alive, Grandfather and Grandmother could not hold birthday banquets, nor could they hold flower-viewing banquets. Hold a tea party?

But with the Xie family’s minor status, and having had such a major incident occur, absolutely no one would come to attend a tea party.

“Brother An will soon take his prefectural examination.” Yun Chu spoke up. “If he can pass and become a xiucai scholar, wouldn’t the Xie family have grounds to hold a banquet?”

Xie Ping’s expression showed some hesitation. Generally speaking, banquets were held after passing the provincial examination to become a juren. Wouldn’t holding a feast for a xiucai be laughable?

“Xiucai scholars are indeed common, but a xiucai who tops the examination is not common at all.” Yun Chu smiled. “If any family’s child in the capital became the top xiucai scholar in the prefectural examination, who wouldn’t host a grand feast for their guests?”

Xie Ping’s eyes widened. “Mother, I understand.”

For the Xie family’s reputation, for her own reputation, Xie Shi’an must become the top scholar of the prefectural examination. There was no second choice.

Yun Chu thought back to her previous life. When Xie Shi’an became the top scholar, Xie Jingyu had just been promoted to upper fifth rank. Father and son toasted guests together at the banquet—they had been so high-spirited and triumphant.

After a whole day of turmoil, the sky had completely darkened.

After settling down, that child’s image surfaced again in Yun Chu’s mind.

She hurriedly returned to her inner chamber. On the table by the window sat a very ugly wooden carving. Holding that carving in her hand, her heart finally settled somewhat.

This night, Yun Chu slept well.

She rose in the morning to a clear sunny day. Spring was gradually departing, and there was already the breath of early summer.

Xie Shi’an was the first to come pay his respects. His expression was composed as usual. Yesterday’s events seemed to have had no impact on him whatsoever.

After paying his respects, he went to the school to study. Next, the concubines brought the slightly younger brothers and sisters to pay their respects together.

This was the first time He Shi was paying respects since officially becoming Xie Jingyu’s concubine.

“Concubine He’s complexion looks quite good.” Concubine Tao sat in her seat, very obviously deliberately picking a fight. “It seems Bihe Garden has good feng shui.”

Tingyu felt thoroughly displeased. When the madam had arranged a courtyard for her, it didn’t even have a proper name. Why could Concubine He live in Bihe Garden while she and Brother Yun lived in the most remote location in the entire residence?

Though her heart churned with various thoughts, her expression remained smiling. “I imagine the master is quite taken with Concubine He.”

No matter what the various concubines said, He Shi remained completely silent, keeping her head lowered and standing properly to the side.

Yun Chu spoke up. “The residence happens to be making summer garments. Shortly, I’ll have two matrons go take Concubine He’s measurements. Make four sets each for spring, summer, autumn, and winter.”

As soon as He Shi lifted her head, she could see the unfriendly gazes of the other three concubines. How would she dare to engage? She hastily opened her mouth to refuse.

But Yun Chu said, “You are also half a mistress of the Xie residence. If you dress so shabbily, wouldn’t that embarrass the master? What is rightfully yours, you should take. Pushing back and forth is far too petty.”

He Shi could only say, “Thank you, Madam.”

Having said enough, Yun Chu waved her hand to dismiss them.

As they left, Tingyu looked around everywhere but did not see any trace of a child’s presence. She speculated that Brother Yun must have seen incorrectly.

Tingfeng stood at the side, indignant. “Madam, that He Shi deliberately seduced the master. Why are you still treating her so well?”

“From now on, don’t call her He Shi. She is now Concubine He.” Tingshuang said. “The madam has her own plans. As a maid, you shouldn’t ask too many questions. Go to the front courtyard and see if Chen Bo has arrived.”

She naturally knew why the madam treated Concubine He so well. The higher the madam elevated Concubine He, the worse Concubine He’s days in the residence would be…