16 Jealousy

The marquis’s sharp, hawk-like gaze swept coldly over Meng Yunshao. “This matter is considered settled for now. But as the mistress of the household, if others are led to believe your conduct improper, and such rumors spread, it would sully the reputation of the Marquis’s estate. I’ve already said it: even when there’s no fault, it is still fault. Today, Zhiyu pleaded on your behalf, so I’ll let it go this once. Reflect seriously on your actions.”

Meng Yunshao lifted her head and replied, “Your daughter-in-law takes note.”

The marquis then turned to his heir. “Zhiyu, you should properly discipline your wife and concubines. Though I let this pass today, if punishment is due, it must be given. The Meng family’s humble origins mean that if their behavior invites gossip, wouldn’t the Marquis’s estate become a laughingstock in the capital?”

He Zhiyu respectfully answered, “Father is right.”

Seeing that the marquis had spared the Meng family, He Zhiqi quickly mustered courage. “Father, before you arrived, my wife, Madam Gongsun, mistakenly took offense at the Meng family. Mother punished her with three days kneeling in the ancestral hall, plus three months’ salary deduction. We accept this fault and have apologized to our sister-in-law. Might we only impose the salary deduction and waive the kneeling? It’s cold in winter, and Yan’er cannot endure it.”

The marquis, without inquiring further into what fault Gongsun Yan had committed, simply said, “The Gongsun family has always maintained good relations with the Marquis’s estate. Then let it be forgiven.” With that, he left with Lady Liu.

Seeing the matter settled, everyone else also dispersed.

Meng Yunshao trailed behind He Zhiyu with hesitant steps, feeling uneasy.

How did the heir know she had met Jiang Shizhou today? Was it by chance, a report from someone, or some other reason? She didn’t know, but she was certain that if He Zhiyu wanted to find out, he had a hundred ways to do so.

Then, did the heir know about her relationship with Jiang Shizhou? Should she confess voluntarily?

Meng Yunshao pondered throughout the walk, and upon stepping into the Fuyue Pavilion, she finally made up her mind.

He had protected her so fiercely today—how could she deceive him?

Moreover, times had changed. Why should she still hide and be afraid to be open? Since it was a thing of the past, it was better to expose it under the sun, to reveal the truth and let whatever needed to dissipate do so.

Entering the inner room, He Zhiyu turned and sat on a yellow sandalwood grandmaster chair. Meng Yunshao dismissed the servants.

The carved wooden door was tightly closed. Meng Yunshao approached He Zhiyu and suddenly knelt before him.

He Zhiyu’s expression was as serene as distant mountains. He glanced at her with no particular tone and said, “I won’t punish you as Father threatened. Rise.”

But Meng Yunshao refused to stand. “It’s not about that matter. Still, Yunshao must thank you for defending me today.”

He Zhiyu’s tone was naturally gentle, without reproach. “No need. It wasn’t to protect you. If you had made a fool of yourself, it would have been a disgrace to me as well.”

Meng Yunshao roughly understood the reason behind his defense and now had confirmation from the heir himself.

But she was one to judge by deeds, not by words or feelings. There had been so few who truly cared for her in life, so whatever reason, she remembered those who treated her well.

Her delicate white hands placed on He Zhiyu’s knees revealed the white jade bracelet on her wrist. Her bright apricot eyes looked at him like a fawn. “There is something I must confess. I know I was wrong, and I ask you to punish me.”

He Zhiyu lowered his eyes, not looking at her. His long black lashes cast a shadow over his eyes, hiding his expression, and he asked somewhat casually, “Wrong in what way?”

Meng Yunshao opened her eyes wide, seriously staring at him, biting her lip softly. “The second young master Jiang I saw today was once betrothed to me.”

He Zhiyu raised his eyes, fixed them on her for a moment, then withdrew his gaze. “So you admit it.”

It sounded like he had known all along.

Meng Yunshao sighed inwardly, relieved she hadn’t concealed it, but was a bit surprised. “The heir knew?”

He Zhiyu simply nodded, “I know.”

Meng Yunshao recalled that last time Meng Yunshu had mentioned it, perhaps even revealing which second young master Jiang it was, but she hadn’t pressed further and continued, “Meeting Young Master Jiang was improper from the start. But today, I was unaware. The shopkeeper said I had to meet the owner before signing the contract. I didn’t know that owner was him.”

She carefully observed his expression, as if there was a faint change—some subtle radiant light—but perhaps it was just her imagination.

She often felt this way about He Zhiyu, never quite certain whether he was genuinely happy or if it was her own wishful thinking.

Moreover, his reaction did not match any expression change. He scoffed coolly, sounding disdainful. “He really knows how to use tricks.”

Meng Yunshao understood he was referring to Jiang Shizhou.

He Zhiyu looked at her and said, “From now on, no more meetings.”

Meng Yunshao nodded, then thought for a moment and added, “But if it’s a chance encounter like today, there’s little I can do.” Her round apricot eyes blinked innocently at him.

He Zhiyu frowned but said nothing. He continued, “Even if you meet, he must not call your name indiscriminately. What kind of propriety is that? He should address you properly as Madam He, or at worst, Lady Meng.”

Meng Yunshao knew he was referring to the use of “Asheng,” and looked at him with some difficulty, softly replying, “I’ve told him before, but I can’t control what others say…”

He Zhiyu looked at her, slightly annoyed. “Not a single one you can prevent?”

Meng Yunshao, seeing his displeasure, hastily promised, “I will, I will.”

He Zhiyu added, “Also, don’t get angry.”

This time Meng Yunshao was puzzled, completely baffled as to what he meant. “Don’t get angry? What do you mean?”

He Zhiyu was disgruntled and a bit vexed. “I mean you can’t be angry with him! I saw… I saw you… stamping your foot in anger.”

Meng Yunshao was very confused. “If others provoke me, why can’t I get angry?”

He Zhiyu was at a loss for words, struggled for a moment, then patiently asked, “Then why don’t you get angry with me?”

He couldn’t explain.

He just felt something was wrong. Seeing Meng Yunshao show gentle smiles to others but not with him—even when angry—made his heart ache. It was as if, at that moment, his little beloved wife was no longer the obedient, humble “Meng,” but the girl called “Asheng.”

A girl he had never seen before. She could express anger vividly, but it was more than mere anger—it carried a touch of girlish petulance, revealing a hint of boldness to someone she knew would surely indulge her.

He instinctively felt shut out.

But he was He Zhiyu, heir of the Marquis’s estate, trusted by the emperor; such a trivial feeling, even with only the two of them present, was something he could not voice.

Meng Yunshao did not grasp the depth of his feelings and said curiously, “The heir’s status is noble. I serve him, so naturally I cannot be angry with him.”

Hearing this, He Zhiyu’s autumn-like eyes looked at her silently for a long moment.

Meng Yunshao didn’t know if his gaze was so bright and beautiful it seemed full of deep affection, or if it held a trace of sadness.

After a long pause, He Zhiyu withdrew his look and returned to his usual coldness. “I can’t explain it to you.”

He said this and turned toward the door. At the entrance, he looked back and said, “You’ll rest in the study tonight.” Then he stopped, not leaving.

Meng Yunshao could tell he was truly displeased.

But she didn’t understand—was she not even allowed to get angry?

Besides, she hadn’t done much—just stomped her foot once. Which rule or law had she broken? Was she expected to be so meek and gentle as a daughter-in-law that she couldn’t show any anger at all?

The marquis forbade her to go out; the heir forbade her to be angry. Might as well find a clay figure to be the wife!

It was utterly unreasonable—she just wanted to be angry now.

But under the eaves, one must bow. Meng Yunshao held back and switched to a gentle, virtuous demeanor. She stepped forward with tender affection, grabbed the heir’s hand, and blurted out, “Heir, I won’t get angry anymore. Not at anyone.”

Thinking further, she softly added, “I will be a wife known for virtue.”

He Zhiyu looked at her as if she had spoken some absurd, world-shaking nonsense.

With a sudden motion, he pulled the garment from her hand and slammed the door shut, leaving Meng Yunshao dumbfounded.

His temper was so fierce, yet he forbade his wife from getting angry—it was a double standard.

Meng Yunshao felt a bit stifled in her chest but didn’t follow him out. After calming herself, she began to ponder her current situation.

Though the marquis had let her off, he clearly harbored displeasure toward her, evident to anyone with eyes. The marquis did not like her.

Madam Marquis wished to support her but ultimately could not oppose the marquis.

If she lost the heir’s support now, she would face a difficult time in that household once more.

Today, the heir defended her publicly—not just because they were husband and wife, but also out of respect. She must quickly win him back.

But she must also avoid appearing too close to the heir. Though unlikely, if the heir neither punished her nor kept distance, it would cause trouble.

Not only the marquis, but Madam Marquis might also think her overly clingy, obstructing He Zhiyu’s proper path, lacking the bearing of a legitimate wife.

She and He Zhiyu were like two ends of a scale—neither too close nor too far, always needing to maintain a fixed distance.

That evening, she personally brewed soup, packed it in a food box and warmed it, planning to bring it to the study.

Su Yue saw her preparing to go out and hurried to meet her. “Mistress, why didn’t you call me? I’ll take an umbrella and accompany you. It’s snowing outside again.”

Meng Yunshao said, “No need today. I’ll go alone.”

Seeing her state today, Su Yue guessed she had something private to discuss with the heir and didn’t press further. She fetched a cloak to offer her, but Meng Yunshao declined, “No, it’s just a few steps.”

Su Yue wanted to give her an umbrella, but Meng Yunshao had already stepped outside. She turned and smiled at Su Yue, “No umbrella either. I’ll be back later.”

Su Yue thought Meng Yunshao’s expression was strange but could not say why.

Meng Yunshao entered He Zhiyu’s study.