Chapter 2

Shen Wei, draped in a plain cloak, had her hands tucked into a rabbit fur muff, walking towards Dachen Hall with the support of Mo Qi.

Dachen Hall was located in the main courtyard, not far from where she lived in Taoran Hall. Outside, the wind and snow showed no signs of stopping. Although they walked through a long corridor and did not need an umbrella, they still got a bit of snow on them. Mo Qi shielded her from the wind and snow, speaking in a low voice, “You’ve been ill for some time, and the old madam visits you every day. She has watched you grow up and always has you in her heart…”

When she finished speaking, she glanced at Shen Wei’s expression before carefully continuing, “Even if that person is to enter the household, she will still have to call you mother.”

Hearing this, Shen Wei glanced at Mo Qi and lightly responded, “Hmm,” upon seeing her lower her head.

Shen Wei knew that Mo Qi said this to prevent her from clashing with the old madam later and ruining their long-standing harmonious relationship.

The Shen and Lu families had been close for generations. In the original book, Shen Wei had lost her parents at a young age, relying only on her elder brother. Over the years, without the care of Old Madam Xie and Lu Buwei, she wouldn’t have lived so smoothly. Thus, besides the apparent mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship, Shen Wei and Old Madam Xie were closer than others.

But because of this…

The original Shen Wei, pampered by the two, became furious when she found out that Lu Buwei had a son outside. Especially after learning that Old Madam Xie knew about it, she felt deceived and her personality changed, leading to a strained relationship with Old Madam Xie.

Mo Qi’s worry was not without reason.

In the book, this plot was where Old Madam Xie called Shen Wei over to talk about Lu Qihuai. Despite Old Madam Xie’s explanations, Shen Wei went back to her maternal home to complain to her brother. Shen Xifeng, who had always doted on his sister, naturally demanded an explanation, causing much gossip and further deteriorating Old Madam Xie’s already frail health.

This was the first step in the decline of Shen Wei’s relationship with Old Madam Xie.

Thinking of this, Shen Wei took her hands out of the rabbit fur muff, letting the snowflakes melt in her palm before saying, “Don’t worry, I know what to do.”

If she wanted to live well in this era, she naturally couldn’t repeat the same mistakes.

Mo Qi was shocked by her action and quickly pulled her hand back, carefully wiping it dry before whispering with a frown, “You’ve just recovered; don’t catch a cold again.”

Seeing her like this, Shen Wei just smiled, letting Mo Qi hold her hand, and said, “Alright, let’s go.”

Mo Qi noticed her smile; it was the first time since the lady woke up. Her dazed expression didn’t fade, and the words she wanted to say stopped in her throat. The mole on the lady’s cheek stood out even more with her smile, making her previously sickly face look more vibrant.

While Mo Qi was still dazed, Shen Wei had already hidden her smile, tucked her hands back into the rabbit fur muff, and continued walking.

Watching her figure, Mo Qi felt something was different. Although the lady looked the same, there was something off, as if her smile had a different quality. Her thoughts turned over and over until she found the word.

Free-spirited.

Yes, free-spirited.

Before Mo Qi could think further, she saw the young woman in the plain cloak about to turn out of the corridor and hurried to catch up.

…

People were already waiting in front of Dachen Hall. Seeing the two approach, a maid in a white jacket came to greet them.

She was the head maid of Old Madam Xie’s household, named Yi Nan. She saluted Shen Wei while supporting her inside, saying softly, “The old madam was worried about the heavy snow outside and wanted to send a sedan chair to fetch you.”

“It’s only a few steps…”

Shen Wei’s voice was still somewhat hoarse, a lingering effect of her long illness, but her expression was calm.

Yi Nan, seeing her like this, sighed in relief. After handing the cloak to another maid, she continued to support Shen Wei inside. The space behind the brocade curtain was elegant. Although Old Madam Xie came from a prominent family, she was frugal, and neither her daily use nor the room’s decor was luxurious.

Shen Wei glanced over the screen embroidered with landscape paintings and then saw an elderly woman sitting on a luohan bed.

The elderly woman appeared to be over fifty years old, wearing a dark purple robe and a matching headband, holding a string of prayer beads. Hearing the sound, she opened her eyes and, upon seeing Shen Wei, a smile appeared on her face. She spoke softly, “Sui Sui, you’re here.”

“Sui Sui” was the nickname of Shen Wei’s original self, used only by a few close individuals over the years.

Hearing this, Shen Wei took a few more steps forward. Just as she was about to perform a greeting, she was held by the arm… Old Madam Xie took Shen Wei’s hand and made her sit beside her, speaking gently, “You’ve just recovered from a serious illness and have not been awake for long, no need to worry about these formalities.”

After tea was served by Yi Nan, Old Madam Xie waved her away.

Soon, only the two of them were left in the room. Still holding Shen Wei’s hand, Old Madam Xie sighed, “Sui Sui, do you still blame Bu Wei in your heart?”

Shen Wei did not respond immediately. If it were the original Shen Wei, she would certainly blame Lu Bu Wei. Despite seven years of marital affection and the time they had known each other before marriage, she never imagined her husband had a son outside, making her the laughingstock of Bianliang City. Someone as proud as the original Shen Wei would naturally resent Lu Bu Wei.

Old Madam Xie, seeing Shen Wei lowering her head in silence, could easily guess her thoughts.

She sighed softly and then said, “It happened when Bu Wei was nineteen. He was taken to a brothel by some friends, and unaware of its sordid nature, he was drugged and had relations with a woman. That woman was smart and never appeared all these years. It wasn’t until the child grew up that she found Bu Wei and told him about it. By then, Bu Wei already had you in his heart. He was afraid you would be hurt, so he had the child raised elsewhere, sending money for their care.”

Her voice lowered, mixed with helplessness, “This time, the child’s mother has passed away, and Bu Wei, ambushed by enemies, knew he didn’t have long to live, so he confessed everything on his deathbed.”

“Sui Sui…” Old Madam Xie lowered her gaze, watching Shen Wei who still kept her head down, and continued, “No matter what, this matter was Bu Wei’s fault. It’s natural for you to be resentful. But the child is innocent. He’s had no father’s care since childhood and now has lost his mother…”

Hearing this, Shen Wei finally raised her head, “I understand what mother means.”

Her voice was still somewhat hoarse, but her expression was calm. After a pause, she continued, “He is, after all, a child of the Lu family and cannot be left outside. I will arrange for someone to bring him back after I return.” She had to bring him in, as he was the protagonist in the book and the future **oss. Not only would she bring him in, but she would also take good care of him to avoid a lonely death in a temple.

Old Madam Xie did not expect Shen Wei to agree so readily.

She looked at her again, seeing no other emotion on her face, then gently patted her hand, “It’s good that you think this way.” After a pause, she added, “You need not worry. Even if he enters the household, he won’t affect you.”

“You will still be the duchess of our Rongguo Mansion, and no one can bully you.”

Although Shen Wei did not speak, she knew in her heart that Old Madam Xie’s words were sincere.

If it weren’t for the original Shen Wei’s repeated mistakes, given her status and Old Madam Xie’s favor, she could have lived well in Rongguo Mansion. However, her stubborn nature gradually eroded Old Madam Xie’s affection, leading her down a path of no return.

It was ultimately her lack of hardship that shaped her character.

Shen Wei thought this.

Although the original Shen Wei had no parents from an early age, she was excessively doted on by her brother and Lu Bu Wei. In her eyes, things were either black or white. If someone made her uncomfortable, she would retaliate a thousandfold… Such a nature inevitably led to her tragic end.

Shen Wei pitied her but did not like her.

Now that she had become her, she naturally had to live well. Shen Wei thought this and spoke, “I will remember mother’s words. You should not worry about these matters with your health. I will arrange everything.” After saying this, she stood up, performed a proper greeting, and left after Old Madam Xie nodded.

Outside—

Mo Qi came over, seeing that Shen Wei looked normal, she breathed a sigh of relief.

She held the umbrella and supported Shen Wei’s arm as they walked out, hearing a calm voice beside her, “After we return, have Mrs. Li Rui take my letter and bring him over.”

After saying this, Shen Wei glanced at the weather outside, “The wind and snow are heavy. Make sure they have enough charcoal in the carriage.”

Mo Qi was momentarily stunned by these words. She thought that even if her lady agreed, she wouldn’t make it easy for the boy. She didn’t expect her to send Mrs. Li Rui personally and consider even the smallest details… Though surprised, she felt relieved.

She had always feared her lady would quarrel with Old Madam. Now that she had thought it through, it was a good thing.

She lightly acknowledged it.

…

Afternoon.

Dacheng Studio.

Old Madam Xie still held her prayer beads, gently rotating them. Hearing Wei Momo’s soft report, she didn’t stop fiddling with the beads but said, “I thought with Sui Sui’s temperament, she would have a big argument with me.”

Wei Momo smiled softly, refilling her tea and gently massaging her legs with a beauty hammer, “The First Madam is young, but she is reasonable. Besides, with the Duke’s passing, she seems to have matured a lot.”

“Yes…”

Old Madam Xie stopped fiddling with the prayer beads and slowly opened her eyes. “She has indeed grown up.”

In the past, although Sui Sui managed the household, without her and Bu Wei’s support, everything would have fallen apart. Yet today, everything was orderly and well-managed.

Thinking of this, she looked toward the wooden lattice window covered with white gauze, seeing the vast expanse outside. She said, “But I still have some worries in my heart. I watched Sui Sui grow up, and with the current situation, there will be no end to the gossip in Bianliang City. She is so proud; I wonder if she can bear it.”

Hearing this, Madam Wei paused her hand holding the beauty hammer. After a moment, she softly said, “When the truth comes to light, the madam will understand your and the Duke’s good intentions.”

Old Madam Xie sighed again at these words. “I hope so.”