Chapter 56: The Most Unfathomable Thing Is a Woman’s Heart

On the first morning after Yun Ci’s grand wedding, the servants rose early, eager to pay their respects to the new Marquis’s wife. Even Danxin was no exception, yet none went to inform Chu Xiu.

Xia Yanran had brought along a maid from her family to dress her hair. The maid carefully arranged her locks into an exquisite cloud-like style, announcing that from this day forth, she was a married woman.

“Let’s go, don’t keep Mother waiting,” Yun Ci stood behind Xia Yanran, gazing at the reflection of her rosy face in the bronze mirror, his voice gentle with urging.

A faint blush colored Xia Yanran’s brows. “Almost ready,” she replied softly, taking up the stone-black pigment to delicately trace her brows, then hurriedly rose. “I’ve kept Brother Wan Zhi waiting.”

Yun Ci paused slightly at her words, turning to her. “Call me ‘Marquis.’”

Realizing her slip, Xia Yanran bit her lip, her eyes bright. “I was wrong, Marquis.”

“Let’s go,” Yun Ci said no more, striding ahead.

“Marquis,” Xia Yanran called softly behind him, lifting her skirts to catch up. She knew well that his legs troubled him; last night he had taken medicine for it… But why was he walking so swiftly?

She hurried, barely keeping pace, breathless and shy. “Marquis, are you upset I took too long dressing this morning?”

“Isn’t it proper for a lady to cherish her appearance?” Yun Ci did not slow, replying with a faint smile. Yet she, unlike most, rarely wore makeup; her brows and eyes always calm, as pale as ink-washed landscapes.

“I do care about my appearance. Today, I wanted to make a good impression on Mother,” Xia Yanran explained quickly, seeing Yun Ci was not displeased.

He merely answered with a quiet “mm,” saying nothing more.

They walked briskly to Rongjin Hall, where the concubines had gathered, each offering greetings and words of auspiciousness to the new Marquis’s wife. Only Fourth Concubine Luanqing remained silent, as cold as ever.

Perhaps instructed by her family, Xia Yanran was courteous. Her maid presented gifts, each tailored for the three concubines, with even Madam Chi and the favored maids of Rongjin Hall receiving their own share.

Once the gifts were exchanged, the Lady Dowager emerged gracefully, ordering breakfast served and warmly inviting Xia Yanran to sit with her. The two concubines accompanied them, occasionally interjecting.

Yun Ci and Luanqing alone remained silent throughout, watching the harmony between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law as they ate quietly.

After breakfast, the three concubines sensibly withdrew. Xia Yanran stayed to converse with the Lady Dowager, receiving several rewards. “Familiarize yourself with the household. Starting next month, come sit with me daily and gradually take over the management.”

The Lady Dowager was entrusting her with the household’s affairs so soon! Xia Yanran was clearly surprised, both honored and anxious. “Mother… I’m new here, inexperienced…”

“What’s there to fear? You are the Marquis’s wife; sooner or later, you must shoulder this responsibility. I am old and deserve to rest. I’m not asking you to take over immediately—learn first, come to me if you need guidance.”

Relieved and delighted, Xia Yanran promised, “I will obey, Mother.”

The Lady Dowager nodded approvingly, then looked at the ever-silent Yun Ci. “I have some business matters to discuss with the Marquis. Go wait in the outer hall for him.”

Xia Yanran rose at once, bowing low as she departed, guided by Madam Chi.

Left alone with her son, the Lady Dowager’s smile faded. “Why are you so late today? You kept the second and third households waiting.” There was a hint of reproach, but she did not mention Fourth Concubine Luanqing. In her eyes, Luanqing was merely a foreign orphan sheltered by the Yun family under the title of concubine.

Yun Ci remained silent.

The Lady Dowager continued, “You’re never one to rise late. If she slept in, taking time with her toilette, shouldn’t you have urged her?”

Yun Ci’s lips curled in a faint, mocking smile. “The daughter-in-law you chose—I thought you found her flawless.”

The Lady Dowager’s eye twitched, but she answered, “She’s the only daughter of the Xia family, naturally pampered. It’s nothing, she’ll learn in time. Once she takes over the household, she won’t sleep late again.”

Yun Ci kept smiling, saying nothing.

The Lady Dowager sighed softly. “Last night… was it good?”

“Very good,” Yun Ci replied without hesitation. “I obeyed your instructions—ensuring the continuation of the family line above all.”

Having been repeatedly contradicted by her son, the Lady Dowager felt a twinge of frustration. Her voice sank. “I know you’re resentful… I couldn’t bear it either… Since she was already pregnant, why abort? You could have had Yanran raise the child.”

Yun Ci abruptly stood, his voice restrained. “It was you who said, as long as she had no child, she could remain by my side.”

“That may be, but since she conceived…”

“I’d rather have the child gone than see mother and child separated!” Yun Ci cut her off firmly. “The Yun family has always let each household raise their own children. For you to take her child, where would that leave Chu Xiu? How would the household view her?”

His gaze sharpened, refusing to look up at the Lady Dowager. Whether blaming her or himself, he muttered, “If the child is to be taken away at birth, then what’s the point of being born at all?”

“Yun Ci!” The Lady Dowager snapped, breaking the string of sandalwood prayer beads in her hand. The beads scattered at Yun Ci’s feet, their sound cold and piercing.

Yun Ci looked down at the shattered beads. “For so many years, you rarely called me by my full name. You must truly be angry today. Forgive your unfilial son.”

“So you resent me?” The Lady Dowager shakily rose, her face full of heartache. “You dare reproach your mother for a prostitute? She’s a curse!”

“Mother!” Yun Ci frowned, meeting her gaze. After a moment, he spoke. “You told me to marry—I did. You told me to continue the family line—I obeyed. You forbade her from having a child—she miscarried… What more do you ask of me? Why vent your anger on her?”

“Why vent my anger?” The Lady Dowager repeated, unable to contain her fury, pointing at Yun Ci. “This is the son I raised!” She recalled her husband’s similar accusation years ago, never imagining her own child would now echo it.

Yun Ci stared back, no longer the humble, obedient son. “You are Mistress Yun, Lady Dowager Xie, who has managed the family for ten years without error. Who would dare defy you?” His words were as cold as northern snow.

“Fine! Fine!” The Lady Dowager withdrew her hand, trembling, and slowly sat again, closing her eyes. After a while, she seemed to have calmed, speaking softly. “Today your estate awaits the new wife’s visit. Don’t let Yanran wait and become the subject of ridicule. Go on.”

“Even when dismissing me, Mother preserves the dignity of the Yun family.” Yun Ci smiled coldly, bowed, and left.

After leaving Rongjin Hall, Xia Yanran cautiously asked, “Marquis, you look unwell. Are you tired, or is it your leg…”

“It’s nothing,” Yun Ci replied. “If I were truly ill, I wouldn’t hide it from you.”

Xia Yanran’s smile bloomed, the teardrop-shaped mole at her eye accentuating her shyness.

Their faces were nearly identical, seven or eight parts alike. Xia Yanran was two years older than Chu Xiu, yet… why did she seem less mature, almost childlike?

Perhaps his impression of her had always remained as it was seven years ago.

The thought made Yun Ci feel dazed, blurring his perception of the woman before him. Only when he focused on her tear-shaped mole did he regain clarity.

She was his wife, Xia Yanran.

Though newly married, silence lingered between them as they returned to Zhi Yan Pavilion.

The servants were already waiting, eager to greet the Marquis’s wife. Yun Ci took the main seat, and Xia Yanran settled beside him, looking up at the rows of servants.

Few in number, mostly women, these were all the staff of Zhi Yan Pavilion.

Xia Yanran signaled her maid Zhuo Yan to bring a box containing assorted gifts, carefully divided among head maids, junior maids, personal attendants, and guards—each with their proper share.

Steward Yun Zhong stepped forward first, followed by Zhu Ying. Knowing their status, Xia Yanran greeted them with warmth, presenting gifts.

Next came Qian Yun and Danxin, bowing together. Qian Yun was calm and respectful, while Danxin looked startled, pale, nearly losing composure. Some other maids seemed uneasy, but as Yun Ci’s attendants, they knew their limits and showed no further reaction.

Suspicious, Xia Yanran tried to grasp a fleeting thought but could not, so she watched Yun Ci’s response from the corner of her eye.

The Marquis appeared composed. Once all had paid their respects, he said, “You may go, return to your duties.” Then, turning to Xia Yanran, “I’m going to Qingxin Study.”

Was he informing her of his whereabouts? Xia Yanran knew he was busy and did not try to detain him, rising instead. “Safe travels, Marquis.”

The servants parted to make way, watching Yun Ci and Zhu Ying depart.

Only when they were out of sight did Xia Yanran return to her seat, gesturing to the remaining staff. “The Marquis has spoken, you may leave.” She glanced pointedly at the pale-faced Danxin. “Qian Yun and Danxin, stay.”

The others bowed and withdrew.

Xia Yanran had heard that Yun Ci was close to Shen Yu. Before inheriting his title last year, Shen Yu had gifted him a beautiful maid, brought specially from the capital. Yet today, it seemed the girl was absent.

Once the hall was cleared, Xia Yanran sipped tea and casually asked the two senior maids, “Are all the staff of Zhi Yan Pavilion present today?”

Danxin pressed her lips, silent. Qian Yun answered honestly, “The Marquis has another senior maid, responsible for his writing materials. She’s been unwell lately, so the Marquis has excused her from daily greetings.”

Responsible for his writing? That was a good position. Yun Ci spent most of his time in Qingxin Study—surely the two were together daily.

Daily proximity either breeds boredom or affection. The maid was brought from the capital—clearly the latter.

Thinking thus, Xia Yanran casually inquired, “Oh? What is her name?”

“Chu Xiu,” replied Qian Yun.

“If she’s not seriously ill, let’s have her come and greet me as well.”