Chapter 2 : Decoction

The next morning, the sun was shining brightly.

When Jiang Yunshu opened her eyes, it was already 8 a.m. After freshening up, she changed her clothes and went downstairs for breakfast.

Seeing her come down, Aunt Chen hurriedly placed various breakfast items on the table, arranging them while saying, “Good morning, Madam. The old house just called and asked you to go over there.”

Jiang Yunshu sat down and replied, “Okay, I understand.”

“Did you not sleep well last night, Madam? You don’t look quite well,” Aunt Chen asked as she placed a bowl of porridge in front of Jiang Yunshu, her tone full of concern.

Jiang Yunshu casually replied, “I had some trouble sleeping last night. It’s nothing.”

“Aren’t you tired? Mr. Fu told me this morning that you might sleep in, so he asked me not to disturb you, but it seems like you’re already up,” Aunt Chen continued.

Jiang Yunshu glanced up, “Did Chengze have breakfast at home?”

“Yes, he had breakfast, but he was busy answering two or three calls during it. Work is keeping him very busy.”

As she stirred the porridge with a spoon, Jiang Yunshu understood. Chengze hadn’t stayed out last night but had gone straight to his side bedroom to rest. It was a familiar pattern, whenever he returned from a business trip, he always chose the side bedroom to rest.

The household staff often commented on his careful and considerate nature, but Jiang Yunshu didn’t want a husband who would worry about waking her up. She longed for a husband who would embrace her after a long trip away.

But those kinds of tender moments were few and far between for them. Their relationship had always been calm, like still water, each keeping to themselves, no disturbances.

Aunt Chen’s voice interrupted her thoughts, “It’s still early. Would you like to eat and then take a nap?”

Jiang Yunshu shook her head and continued eating her porridge.

—

At the old house, Grandma Fu was in the garden watering the flowers.

As soon as she saw her granddaughter-in-law, Grandma Fu waved warmly, “Xiao Shu, come sit with me in the sun for a while.”

Jiang Yunshu sat with her grandmother-in-law on a wicker chair. A white cat, which had been hiding somewhere, ran over and rubbed against her pants.

Grandma Fu smiled, watching the cat. “Little fatty cat, so clingy!”

Jiang Yunshu bent down and picked up the cat, placing it on her lap. She gently rubbed its round little head, and the cat purred in a way that sounded like it was whining. Jiang Yunshu smiled softly, “So cute.”

Grandma Fu lovingly patted her head and asked, “Xiao Shu, didn’t sleep well last night?”

“Aunt Chen asked me the same thing this morning, and now Uncle Li has asked the same. Now, you’re noticing too, huh?” Jiang Yunshu replied with a wry smile, “Grandma, is it that obvious?”

“Of course! You’re looking like a little panda!” Grandma Fu teased.

The sunlight in the garden was bright and warm. After chatting with Grandma Fu about health tips for a while, a servant came to invite them inside for lunch.

At the table, Xu Shuping, Grandma Fu’s daughter-in-law, asked the servant to bring Jiang Yunshu a bowl of soup with a kind expression. “Xiao Shu, this is made just for you. Try it.”

Jiang Yunshu looked at the large bowl of brown soup, her stomach turning slightly. Despite guessing what it might be, she still asked, “Mom, what kind of soup is this?”

Xu Shuping smiled, “It’s for fertility, He Shou Wu, peach kernels, and some other Chinese herbs stewed with black chicken. It’s been simmering all morning. Drink it while it’s hot.”

Jiang Yunshu hesitated, “Mom, I really appreciate your kindness. But Chengze and I aren’t planning to have children yet. He mentioned it during the family banquet, and I think we agreed…”

Before she could finish, Xu Shuping interrupted, “Chengze is being unreasonable. Why are you following his lead? The Fu family has such a big business, there must be someone to inherit it. Chengze is still young, focusing on his career. He says he doesn’t want children now, but he might regret it later. And you’re at the best age for having children. Having them early means quicker recovery, don’t you think?”

Xu Shuping spoke without pause, and Jiang Yunshu sighed inwardly, nodding silently.

However, if there was already a new life inside her, this soup wasn’t something she should drink casually.

Quickly, she found an excuse, “Mom, I ate something bad yesterday, and my stomach’s upset. I’m afraid I’ll end up vomiting if I drink it now. How about we store it in a thermos, and I’ll take it home to drink later?”

Xu Shuping frowned, but seeing Jiang Yunshu’s pale face, she reluctantly agreed and asked a servant to pack the soup.

Grandma Fu glanced at Xu Shuping and spoke with authority, “Shuping, stop worrying about them. They’ll handle their own matters.”

“I’m just concerned about them, Mom. It’s good that young people have their own ideas, but matters like having children shouldn’t be delayed. The other day, I went to the Lu family’s baby’s hundred-day banquet. Mrs. Lu mentioned that her daughter-in-law had been trying for years to get pregnant. It’s not easy.”

After the servant put the packed thermos on the table, Xu Shuping hurriedly added, “Xiao Shu, don’t forget to drink it when you get home. And take these supplements as well, they’ll help your health.”

Jiang Yunshu gave a strained smile, “Okay, thank you, Mom.”

—

Back at Shangbai Yuefu, it was already dark.

Aunt Chen took the thermos and the supplements from Jiang Yunshu, asking, “Madam, what’s this?”

Jiang Yunshu felt exhausted and, after a few sips of warm water, barely managed to suppress her nausea. “Just throw it away,” she replied.

Aunt Chen, being experienced, immediately understood what had happened when she saw the supplements. Seeing Jiang Yunshu’s tired face, she couldn’t help but speak frankly, “Madam, I don’t mean to interfere, but having a child early is a good thing. In a wealthy family, children are the greatest guarantee.”

Though Jiang Yunshu wasn’t used to such comments, she understood Aunt Chen’s concern. “Thank you, Aunt Chen, but don’t worry about me. I know what I’m doing.”

After taking care of Jiang Yunshu for over a year, Aunt Chen knew her well. Jiang Yunshu was kind and gentle but very smart. Aunt Chen, being just a servant in the Fu family, knew when to stop talking and wisely changed the topic, “Madam, have you had dinner? Mr. Fu’s assistant called, saying he’ll be having dinner at home tonight.”

Jiang Yunshu was surprised. It had been nearly two weeks since Fu Chengze had dinner at home.

She valued these moments of having dinner like an ordinary couple, but her physical fatigue made her feel too tired to enjoy it.

When she entered her bedroom, she hadn’t even had time to change when she received a work call.

“Hello, Ms. Jiang, this is Gong Yan from Beicheng TV’s Tea Channel Planning Department. On behalf of the organizers, I’d like to thank you again for agreeing to be a judge at the Beicheng District Finals. I’m calling to remind you that tomorrow is the final day of judging.”

Jiang Yunshu answered politely, “It’s an honor to be a judge at the Beicheng District Finals. Thank you for the reminder, I will be there on time tomorrow.”

After hanging up, Jiang Yunshu went to her study.

She was meticulous and thorough in her work. Despite not feeling well, she opened her laptop and rechecked the emails about the selection process she had seen earlier.

When Fu Chengze entered, Aunt Chen had already poured the soup from the thermos into the kitchen sink.

He sat at the table and asked, “Is my wife home?”

“Yes, she just got back from the old house.”

“Has she eaten dinner?”

“No,” Aunt Chen replied truthfully, “She said she ate a lot of snacks this afternoon and wasn’t hungry. She didn’t sleep well last night, and there was no nap after lunch, so she felt a bit fatigued and decided to rest upstairs.”

Fu Chengze frowned slightly, stood up, and headed upstairs.

Passing the study, he noticed the light was on. He gently pushed open the door and saw Jiang Yunshu sitting at her desk, focused on the computer screen.

Her eyes were clear, and her brow carried a unique, intelligent glow. Her features were delicate, her skin fair and smooth. Although her complexion was not great, her elegance and aura were still captivating.

Fu Chengze stood there, staring at her, almost mesmerized.

After some time, Jiang Yunshu closed her laptop, glanced up, and unexpectedly locked eyes with him.