Shen Yiru returned to Qingyou Courtyard with Qingyao. Once inside, Qingyao could no longer hold back.
"Mistress, the General said he wants to divorce you! What are we to do?"
Shen Yiru’s footsteps faltered. She slowly closed her eyes, a complex expression crossing her face. It was true—Li Wangzhou had spoken of divorce. For the past two years, she had remained steadfast in the General's Manor. Why had the man she had waited for and longed for suddenly turned so heartless? Perhaps it was because her father and brother had died on the battlefield a year ago, leaving her without the backing of her family. Because of that, Li Wangzhou had changed his tune.
Thinking of this, Shen Yiru sighed. Perhaps the childhood bond they had shared was nothing more than an illusion. She had never carried much weight in Li Wangzhou’s heart. So be it.
"Mistress." Qingyao called out softly, full of worry.
Shen Yiru snapped back to reality. "It is fine. I have been in this manor for two years, and I have served my elders with respect and upheld the virtues of a wife. I have managed the household with care and have not committed a single error. Li Wangzhou has no reason to divorce me." Her tone was icy, and she addressed him by his full name.
Hearing this, Qingyao understood immediately. Her mistress had surely reached the limit of her disappointment in the General. It seemed that before long, they would be leaving the General's Manor.
"Mistress, you are back?" Miaoqin emerged from the room and stepped forward, bowing her head to guide her mistress inside.
The fact that the General had brought a pregnant woman back with him was now known throughout the entire manor. Miaoqin knew her mistress must be the one hurting the most. Fearing she might only add to her distress, she remained silent, busying herself with preparing her mistress’s favorite tea and refreshments.
She helped Shen Yiru sit down and served the tea. Shen Yiru nodded, picked up a piece of shortbread, took a bite, and praised, "Miaoqin, your skills are getting better and better."
She ate the snack in small, delicate bites. Even if the sky were to fall, she would not neglect her own well-being. To eat and drink as one ought—on this point, Shen Yiru was clear-headed.
Seeing her mistress eating with such appetite, Miaoqin gave a shy smile. "Thank you for the praise, Mistress. If you like it, please have more."
Miaoqin felt that when one was in low spirits, eating something delicious could provide at least some comfort. She often felt she was not quick-witted and was far too timid to help her mistress with major troubles. At the very least, she was glad her mistress liked her pastries; it made her feel less useless.
Just then, Qiuyan and Wenchany walked in, carrying a selection of medicinal herbs intended for Old Madame Li’s cough. However, having learned that the Old Madame was siding with the concubine the General had brought home, they had lost the heart to prepare the medicine. They brought the herbs to their mistress for instructions.
"Mistress, should we still prepare these sachets? I have already heard the news. How could the Old Madame be so muddled?" Qiuyan knelt first, fuming. "A woman of unknown background is brought into the manor by the General, and not only does the Old Madame fail to speak up for you, she even had Nanny Cao settle that woman in! Isn't this a blatant slap to your face? They treat you so poorly; we shouldn't continue to be so kind to her."
"Exactly," added Wenchany, who had set the herbs down and knelt as well. "The Old Madame is so ungrateful. We should stop treating her cough. Let her find someone else to heal her; we won't serve her anymore. Once she finds herself choking on phlegm again, she’ll realize just how good you were to her. That would serve her right for being so heartless."
Such blunt words of disrespect toward the Old Madame terrified Miaoqin, who waved her hands frantically. "The two of you are too bold! These things cannot be said aloud. If someone hears you, they could accuse our mistress of unfilial conduct."
"We are in our own courtyard; what is there to fear?" Qiuyan retorted. "Besides, these are my words, not the mistress'."
"Enough of this nonsense," Qingyao interrupted sternly. "Do not add to the mistress’s troubles when you have done nothing to help."
Shen Yiru slowly raised her teacup and took a small sip before finally speaking. "Both of you, rise."
"Yes, Mistress," Qiuyan and Wenchany stood up.
Shen Yiru placed her teacup back on the table and continued, "The medicinal sachets will still be made. However, it is not yet decided who will be using them."
Qiuyan and Wenchany exchanged glances, immediately understanding their mistress’s intent. The General bringing an outsider into the home was indeed inappropriate, but for now, the conflict was merely verbal. The Old Madame had not yet overtly favored the outsider. If their mistress were to change her attitude immediately and stop caring for the Old Madame’s illness, it would be easy for others to use it against her and burden her with further accusations. Their mistress was truly intelligent and clear-headed.
The two bowed with the herbs in hand. "We understand, Mistress." They then tactfully withdrew to continue their work.
After they left, Shen Yiru continued to sip her tea and eat her snacks as if nothing had happened. Once she had finished, she allowed Qingyao and Miaoqin to help her to bed to rest. The more turbulent the situation, the more she needed to remain steady. Only by eating and sleeping well could she maintain the state of mind required to face the inevitable changes to come.
Meanwhile, after settling matters with Old Madame Li, Li Wangzhou hurried to the Mengyun Courtyard to console Sun Jingyou. Pushing open the door, he found her reclining on a daybed with her eyes closed. Sun Jingyou was delicate and charming, her figure slender and graceful. The sight of her looking so frail as she rested filled Li Wangzhou with tenderness. He stepped lightly to her side, sat down, and leaned over to press a soft kiss to her forehead.
Sun Jingyou slowly opened her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Husband, you are here?" Her voice was soft, and she blinked her large, watery eyes with an air of pure innocence.
"Yes," Li Wangzhou nodded, kissing her cheek again. "You have been wronged today."
Sun Jingyou shook her head repeatedly. "I do not feel wronged. With your protection and affection, how could I be? It is just your first wife—she might not be able to accept this. After all, she arrived first; perhaps you should go and comfort her."
Hearing this, Li Wangzhou found Sun Jingyou even more sensible and endearing. He let out a cold snort. "Shen Yiru is a shrew, and she is nowhere near your equal. I favor you because you are worthy of it. As for Shen Yiru, she has shown me no respect as her husband. Unless she comes before me to kowtow and beg for forgiveness, and agrees to let me take you as a wife of equal rank, I will not offer her a single word of comfort."