"My child, this is your sister-in-law's sister, Wan Zhu." Lady Fan said, then turned to the young girl behind her, "Wan Zhu, come and greet your sister."
The young girl walked over and curtsied slightly, "Sister Li."
Lady Zhou looked up at this Sun Wan Zhu. The girl was beautiful and at the cusp of blooming. She remembered herself a year ago, just as vibrant and full of life. Yet, in just half a year, she had become like this, lacking her former spirit.
"Rise. I haven't seen you in a long time. Come, let me have a look at you," Lady Zhou said.
As Sun Wan Zhu stepped forward, Lady Zhou saw that she was at an age of innocence and liveliness.
Seeing Lady Zhou looking so intently, Sun Wan Zhu felt a pang of unease.
When her sister told her they were preparing her to accompany Lady Zhou, she had already considered this possibility.
She was unwilling to become a concubine, but her sister persuaded her, saying that the opportunity to become a concubine to a third-rank official was not something people like them could easily come by.
Her mother also advised her, mentioning her younger brother below. If they could establish a connection with this Minister of Justice, they could soar to prosperity like the Zhou family one day.
Her mother's expression seemed envious, but she forgot that Lady Zhou was to be the principal wife, while she would be a concubine.
However, she couldn't argue. Her mother and sister were resolute, her taciturn father could only agree, and her younger brother even pleaded with her to make a sacrifice for his future.
And so, she came here. Seeing how Lady Zhou, after only half a year of marriage, had lost her former radiance, she felt even less favorably towards this Minister of Justice.
Half a year of marriage was supposed to be a time of newlywed bliss, yet it could leave Lady Zhou so listless?
She began to worry about her own future.
However, she soon found herself mocking her own thoughts. She was merely a concubine; she only needed to be content and obedient. Anything else was beyond her concern.
"Wan Zhu, have you made up your mind?" Lady Zhou suddenly asked.
Sun Wan Zhu faltered slightly and nodded, "Yes, I have."
"This place, though not large, will bind your entire being. Are you certain you want to be confined here for a lifetime?" Lady Zhou asked slowly.
Sun Wan Zhu's gaze faltered. She looked up and saw Lady Zhou's eyes, like still water. The word "no" was on the tip of her tongue, but ultimately, she lacked the courage to speak it.
She couldn't disregard her family; the hopes of her entire family rested on her. "Sister Li, I have made my decision."
"Good," Lady Zhou said.
"My child, I leave Wan Zhu in your care. It is best to do this sooner rather than later," Lady Fan instructed as she left.
Lady Zhou suppressed her grief and nodded, "I understand, Mother."
She had expected someone else to bring a person to her, but she never imagined that this cruel task would fall to her own mother.
Lady Zhou escorted Lady Fan to the door. As she walked back, her legs suddenly weakened, and she stumbled towards the ground.
"Sister..." Sun Wan Zhu beside her was startled and quickly reached out. Fortunately, her intervention was timely, and Lady Zhou did not fall to the ground.
"Sister, what's wrong? Are you ill?" Sun Wan Zhu asked anxiously.
Lady Zhou glanced at Sun Wan Zhu beside her and said faintly, "I am fine."
"Sister, let me help you back to rest!" Sun Wan Zhu offered.
"No need. You must be tired too. Go and rest. If anything is arranged, I will have Hong Yan notify you." With that, Lady Zhou pushed her away and left.
Sun Wan Zhu stood in place, somewhat lost.
"Miss Sun, this servant will show you to your room." A household servant approached.
Sun Wan Zhu bit her lower lip and said, "Thank you."
Lady Zhou returned to her room, feeling a tightness in her chest. She went straight to the water basin and spat. Hong Yan, who was nearby, gasped.
"Mis... Madam, you've spat blood..."
She looked into the water basin; it was indeed stained red. She smiled, and her laughter grew increasingly frantic.
Shen Yun Xuan left the palace directly after the morning court and boarded his carriage back to the manor. He heard from Shen Fei that Lady Zhou had coughed up blood. Without delay, he headed straight back to the manor.
On the way, he heard that Lady Fan had visited the manor that day and brought a young maiden.
He was not oblivious; he knew what this implied.
Upon entering the manor, without even removing his official robes, he went directly to Lady Zhou's courtyard. Entering the room, his eyes fell upon the woman lying on the bed. He was somewhat taken aback. How had the once vibrant and spirited woman become like this?
Her face, pale and devoid of color, lacked any semblance of vitality, like a porcelain doll on the verge of shattering.
Lady Zhou heard the footsteps and looked up. When she saw the husband she had once longed for day and night standing before her, the desperate anticipation she once felt suddenly vanished.
"My Lord, you are here."
Shen Yun Xuan nodded slightly, suppressing the shock in his heart, and stepped forward. "Madam, why did you not say you were ill sooner? Have you sent for a doctor?"
"My Lord, it is merely a minor ailment. There is no need for a doctor," Lady Zhou said slowly.
He stepped forward, sat on the edge of the bed, and took her hand, finding it ice-cold. "Why are you so cold?"
Lady Zhou startled and quickly withdrew her hand. "My Lord, please do not let my illness infect you."
"My Lord..." Shen Fei approached and whispered in his ear.
Upon hearing this, Lady Zhou said, "My Lord, you should go attend to your matters. I am fine."
Shen Yun Xuan patted her hand and said, "Alright. I will come to see you again later."
Lady Zhou nodded, "Alright."
Shen Yun Xuan rose and walked towards the door.
The smile that had been etched onto Lady Zhou's face gradually disappeared.
"Madam, why did you not keep my Lord here longer?" Hong Yan asked, puzzled.
Lady Zhou gave a bitter smile. "Keep him longer? For what purpose? His heart is not with me, so it is all in vain."
Hong Yan fell silent.
Lady Zhou suddenly said, "Call Wan Zhu over!"
Hong Yan was taken aback and looked at Lady Zhou, then suddenly said angrily, "Madam, you..."
Lady Zhou closed her eyes. "It must be done sooner or later. Better sooner."
"Madam, when will you ever consider yourself?" Hong Yan was almost in tears.
"Myself?" Lady Zhou seemed momentarily dazed, then smiled. "It's impossible now."
"Madam..."
"Go!" Lady Zhou commanded.
Sun Wan Zhu did not expect Lady Zhou to summon her so soon.
"Sister, you should rest for a few days," Sun Wan Zhu could not help but say.
Lady Zhou smiled. "I am fine. A few days of rest will have me recovered. My Lord will be here later."
Sun Wan Zhu faltered and looked up at Lady Zhou. "Sister..."
Lady Zhou turned her head away and said no more.
Sun Wan Zhu felt an indescribable unease, an emotion that persisted until the sound of footsteps was heard from outside.
"My Lord is here." Lady Zhou sighed, a mix of relief and perhaps disappointment.
Sun Wan Zhu felt a gust of wind from the doorway, surprisingly fresh.
She couldn't help but look up, and saw the figure standing at the entrance, tall and straight.
In the dim candlelight, his face was handsome and refined.
She heard her heart beating.