Yifu Hall was located on the central axis of the Marquis's estate; it was the residence of the Old Madam.
The courtyard was not large.
Yet, it appeared extremely solemn.
The ground was paved with blue bricks, spotless and devoid of dust. On both sides grew several vigorous, ancient pine trees, their branches twisting like iron and their needles a vibrant green, making the entire courtyard seem exceptionally tranquil. Before the main hall hung a plaque with gold characters on a black background, reading "Yifu Hall." The calligraphy was bold and powerful, said to be the imperial brushwork of the current Emperor.
When the two couples, Pei Cijing and Shen Ninghuan, and Pei Ciling and Shen Ningyue, stepped into the courtyard one after the other, they felt an invisible pressure rush toward them.
The maidservants and older women all stood quietly with bated breath, their eyes cast downward in strict concentration. Even their footsteps were kept extremely light, as if terrified of disturbing something.
Inside the main hall.
The lighting was slightly dim.
The Old Madam sat upright on a carved red sandalwood armchair in the center. She wore a dark blue long jacket embroidered with crane patterns. Her silver hair was combed meticulously and secured with a simple black jade hairpin. Her face was thin and gaunt, her wrinkles as deep as knife cuts, yet her eyes showed no signs of cloudiness. Instead, they held a restrained sharpness. When her gaze swept quietly over them, it felt as though she could see right through a person from the inside out.
Seated on the left and right were the Marquis of Weiyuan, Pei Fucheng, and the Marchioness, Madam Li, as well as Pei Fugui and Madam Zhou of the second branch.
"Your grandsons and granddaughters-in-law pay their respects to Grandmother."
The four greeted in unison.
Their postures were deeply respectful.
The Old Madam gave a soft "hmm." Her voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority. "Rise."
The four stood up and separated to stand on either side of the hall—Pei Cijing and Shen Ninghuan on the right, Pei Ciling and Shen Ningyue on the left, forming a clear divide.
A maidservant opportunely brought over a red lacquer tray bearing four freshly brewed cups of tea.
According to the rules.
The new brides had to offer tea to their elders in turn.
As the properly married legitimate wife, Shen Ninghuan stepped forward first. Her pace was unhurried, her skirt swaying barely at all. She walked before the Old Madam, knelt gracefully, and raised the teacup above her eyebrows with both hands. Her voice was clear and melodious: "Your granddaughter-in-law, Ninghuan, offers tea to Grandmother. May Grandmother enjoy good health, longevity, and stay as evergreen as the pine and cypress."
The Old Madam lowered her eyes to look at her.
The young woman before her had a posture as straight as bamboo, her features as calm as a deep pool. Her movements in offering the tea were meticulous, yet lacked the slightest hint of cowering or fawning. She nodded slightly in her heart—this legitimate daughter of the Shen family truly had some strength of character, much like herself in her youth.
Taking the teacup, the Old Madam took a shallow sip, set it down, and slipped a pair of highly translucent jadeite bracelets from her wrists, personally putting them on Shen Ninghuan.
"Good child." Her voice softened a fraction. "Since you have entered the Pei family's door, you are a member of the Pei family from now on. I hope you and Cijing will respect and cherish each other, and manage the household in harmony."
"Your granddaughter-in-law will remember this well," Shen Ninghuan replied respectfully.
Next were the Marquis of Weiyuan and his wife.
When Pei Fucheng took the tea, he cast a complicated look at Shen Ninghuan. Ultimately, he said nothing, only handing over a thick, heavy red envelope. Madam Li managed to squeeze out a smile, handing over a pure gold hairpin inlaid with gems. She spoke a few polite words, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
When it was Pei Fugui and Madam Zhou's turn, the atmosphere visibly lightened.
Pei Fugui cheerfully took the tea, downing it in one gulp, and pulled a bulging red envelope from his robes, stuffing it into her hands. "Good child, good child! If Cijing dares to bully you in the future, just tell Father, and Father will help you beat him up!"
Madam Zhou went even further by directly taking Shen Ninghuan's hand. She slipped a mutton-fat white jade bracelet from her own wrist and placed it onto Shen Ninghuan's other wrist. Her eyes were slightly red, but her voice was full of joy. "Huan'er, you have been wronged... From now on, this is your home. With Mother here for everything, no one will dare make you suffer!"
Shen Ninghuan felt a slight warmth in her heart and replied softly, "Thank you, Father, Mother."
Pei Cijing listened from the side, muttering in his heart:
'Great, my family status just dropped by one.'
'Nothing has even happened yet, and my parents are already siding with my wife...'
'Boohoo, my status is now only above Wangcai.'
Shen Ninghuan lowered her eyes, hiding the fleeting smile in her gaze.
When it was Shen Ningyue's turn, the atmosphere abruptly changed.
She knelt before the Old Madam holding the teacup, her voice delicate and timid: "Your g-granddaughter-in-law Ningyue, offers tea to Grandmother..."
The Old Madam did not take it.
Her gaze rested on her for a moment. That scrutiny scraped over her like a blade of ice. Shen Ningyue only felt a chill run down her spine, and the hands holding the teacup trembled slightly.
After a long while, the Old Madam finally reached out to take it, but she only wet her lips before setting it down. She said flatly, "Since you have entered the door, know your place and remember your status."
There was no reward.
There were no extra words of advice.
Shen Ningyue's face paled. She answered "Yes" in a low voice, her footsteps somewhat unsteady as she stood up.
Next were the Marquis of Weiyuan and his wife.
Pei Fucheng took the tea expressionlessly, similarly giving only a thin red envelope, vastly different from the thick and heavy one he had just given to Shen Ninghuan.
Madam Li stared at Shen Ningyue for a long time before slowly reaching out to take the teacup.
She did not drink immediately.
Instead, she gently placed the teacup on the small table. Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear, striking right into Shen Ningyue's heart. "Since you entered through the rites of a concubine, you should understand your duty. The Marquis's estate has its rules, and the Heir's courtyard has its decorum. Serve the Heir well from now on, know your place, and do not entertain thoughts you shouldn't have, or do things you shouldn't do."
She paused, her gaze like needles:
"In a few days, the Marquis's estate will naturally look for a proper wife for Ling'er. When the main wife enters the door, you must also strictly observe your duties as a concubine, serve wholeheartedly, and not overstep your boundaries in the slightest. Do you understand?"
These words were incredibly blunt, practically carving the words "you will never be elevated to a main wife" right onto Shen Ningyue's face.
The hall was dead silent.
Shen Ningyue's body swayed. Her nails dug deeply into her palms before she could barely steady her voice. "This concubine... understands. Being able to accompany Brother Ciling is enough to satisfy this concubine's heart; I dare not ask for anything else."
She spoke with genuine emotion, tears opportunely welling up in her eyes.
She looked pitiful and touching.
Watching from the side, Pei Ciling felt his heart ache and couldn't help but speak up, "Mother, Ningyue is..."
"Shut up," Madam Li interrupted him coldly, her eyes full of the disappointment of wishing iron could turn into steel. "You have the nerve to speak after the foolish things you've done yourself?"
Pei Ciling choked on his words, his face flushing red.
Madam Li withdrew her gaze and looked at Shen Ningyue. Her tone slowed down, but it grew even colder. "It is good that you understand. In this way, it is best for everyone."
Shen Ningyue lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito. "Yes..."
The tea ceremony continued.
When it was Pei Fugui and Madam Zhou's turn, both of their expressions were somewhat awkward. Madam Zhou was soft-hearted after all; after taking the tea, she still gave an ordinary silver hairpin, softly saying, "Live your days well," and said no more.
The tea ceremony concluded.
The four stood in the hall once more.
The Old Madam slowly raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over everyone before finally landing on Pei Ciling and Shen Ningyue, lingering for a moment.
"Since the matter is settled, there is no need to say more." Her voice was not loud, but it carried a heavy weight, every word like a nail driven into a wooden board. "The Marquis's estate cannot withstand turmoil. A restless household and estranged brothers are the beginning of a family's ruin."
She paused, then suddenly gave a cold snort. "I am old, and I only seek peace and quiet, to peacefully reach the end of my life. If anyone makes my twilight years restless—"
These words were spoken plainly and left unfinished, yet they sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.
But that icy feeling had already permeated the entire main hall.
Pei Fugui and Madam Zhou lowered their heads. The Marquis of Weiyuan looked grave, and Madam Li clutched her handkerchief tightly. Cold sweat poured down Pei Ciling's back; he did not even dare to meet his grandmother's eyes.
Shen Ninghuan stood quietly, yet she could hear the churning emotions within the old madam's heart:
Philandering men... are the root of all disasters!
That old fossil took concubine after concubine back in the day, turning the inner courtyard into a toxic battleground. How many children didn't even live past the age of three? Rather than that, it's better not to have any at all!
Now the younger generation is doing it all over again. I am truly tired of it.
Is it really so hard to just want some peace and quiet?
Hmph! If anyone dares to stir up trouble right under my nose... they should think about the fates of the old Marquis's ignorant little concubines.
Shen Ninghuan's heart trembled slightly.
She had heard her father mention that the old madam came from a family of generals. In her youth, she had followed the old Marquis onto the battlefield. She had truly seen blood and taken lives. Over the years, she had lived a secluded life, eating vegetarian meals and chanting sutras, causing many to forget that this old lady was never an ordinary inner-courtyard woman.
Her mercy was reserved only for those who knew their place.
Her blade.
Had always been hidden beneath her Buddhist prayer beads.
"You may all leave," the old madam finally said, waving her hand and closing her eyes, no longer looking at the crowd.
Everyone bowed and withdrew. As they walked out of Yifu Hall, the sunlight was perfect, shedding a warm glow upon them, yet it could not dispel the lingering chill from just moments ago.
Shen Ningyue's steps were unsteady; she was practically being half-supported by Pei Ciling as she walked.
She kept her head down.
Her mind was in utter chaos:
It is not right...
Things are not matching up again!
In her previous life, although she had no affair with Pei Ciling and entered the Second Branch of the Marquis's estate as a concubine-born daughter, the old madam, while not overly affectionate, had always been kind-faced and benevolent. She had never revealed such a sharp, blade-like gaze.
In that fleeting moment just now, she truly felt it. If she actually dared to cause trouble, the old madam would crush her to death without hesitation, just like crushing an ant.
What on earth is going on?
Could it be that in this life, even the old madam has changed?
