Chapter 43 Shen Qiuyu’s Apology

Chapter 43 Shen Qiuyu's Apology

When A Yuan returned to the estate, an unfamiliar carriage was parked at the entrance of the Marquis's estate.

Chun Tao got down and sneered, "It's from the Shen family."

A Yuan and her maid had just found out about the marriage between Shen Qiuyu and Wei Xun.

As Shen Qiuyu was set to become the lady of the house, A Yuan wasn't as okay with it as she expected.

Perhaps because Shen Qiuyu had deliberately made things difficult for her, A Yuan always felt a knot in her heart.

"Lady Xie, Madam Wei wants you at Ci'an Courtyard."

As soon as they entered, Madam Zheng stopped her.

In Ci'an Courtyard, Shen Qiuyu, Wei Xun, and others were all present.

Madam Wei was holding her grandson from the second son's family, feeding him treats.

Wei Kangyu, just three years old, was frail and sickly, prone to catching colds.

Zhao Wan, who had just this one son, doted on him and usually kept him indoors.

But with Wei Xun about to marry, Zhao Wan brought her son to Ci'an Courtyard to win over Madam Wei, though it pained her.

"Our estate has few people. Things will perk up once you're married into the family, and you should have a baby soon for mother to cuddle."

Zhao Wan was uneasy but kept up appearances, saying things that Madam Wei loved to hear.

"Your sister-in-law is right. Our Kangyu could use a little brother, isn't that right, Kangyu?"

Wei Kangyu was slowly munching on an almond cookie. When Madam Wei asked him, he looked up, thought for a moment, and then slowly said, "I don't want a brother; I want a sister."

"Alright, a sister..." Madam Wei wasn't angry, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, "It's nice to have both a boy and a girl."

Shen Qiuyu, not yet married, blushed.

She peeked at Wei Xun, but Wei Xun stayed aloof, ignoring her.

Shen Qiuyu clenched her handkerchief, feeling a pang of resentment.

What did A Yuan have that she didn't, to always be in her shadow?

Was it just because A Yuan was more beautiful than her?

"Madam Wei, Lady Xie is here."

As soon as the messenger finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Madam Wei frowned and snorted, "Let her in."

A Yuan curtsied to each of the masters, and when it came to Shen Qiuyu, the woman reached out to support her.

"Sister A Yuan, there's no need for formalities. In fact, I should apologize to you."

Shen Qiuyu's hand felt like a snake slithering around hers.

A Yuan withdrew her hand and remained silent, her head bowed.

She had already guessed Shen Qiuyu's intentions, but she wasn’t ready to forgive her.

When she didn’t respond, Shen Qiuyu’s smile faltered awkwardly.

But she quickly composed herself.

"Last time, I was so absorbed in the opera that I didn’t notice you holding the hot tea for so long, burning your hand in the process."

"If it weren’t for Wei Jin reminding me today, I, being so careless, would have forgotten."

She turned and personally poured a cup of tea, offering it to A Yuan in front of Madam Wei and Wei Xun. "You have every right to resent me. This tea is my way of apologizing."

Though she hadn’t formally joined the household yet, Shen Qiuyu was the wife, and A Yuan was the concubine. For a wife to apologize to a concubine in public would earn her praise for her generosity.

In contrast, A Yuan came off as the spoiled and arrogant seductress.

"I..."

A Yuan was about to decline, but someone took the teacup before she could.

Wei Xun skimmed the foam off the tea and handed it to A Yuan. "She’s apologized, so you should accept it."

He saw through Shen Qiuyu’s act; it was all for his benefit.

Wei Xun had always loathed women who were overly scheming.

His blatant protection of his concubine made Shen Qiuyu’s smile freeze, her nails digging into her palm.

She had never felt so humiliated, and it was all because of A Yuan...

"Enough, she’s just a servant. A Yu apologizing to her is already a courtesy. Does she expect A Yu to bow to her?"

Wei Jin defended her friend. Being pregnant, the family took care not to upset her. Wei Xun naturally didn’t argue, and the matter was let go.

Shen Qiuyu stayed for dinner. She was clever and knew how to charm people. Madam Wei, who had been skeptical of her, had no complaints after the meal.

Seeing his mother happy, Wei Xun’s heart softened slightly.

Though Shen Qiuyu had her flaws, she could make his mother happy, and that was enough.

After dinner, as Shen Qiuyu prepared to leave, Wei Jin suggested Wei Xun escort her. Since she had pleased his mother, Wei Xun didn’t refuse.

......

They made a perfect pair, a talented man and a beautiful woman. A Yuan’s heart ached as she silently clenched her fingers.

Wei Xun walked Shen Qiuyu to the entrance of the Marquis’s residence. The man was naturally reserved and didn’t speak during the walk, but Shen Qiuyu sensed his attitude softening.

"Wei Crown Prince." Shen Qiuyu suddenly called out to him.

Wei Xun stopped and looked at her.

The man's gaze was sharp, and all her little schemes were exposed before him.

Shen Qiuyu's lips curled into a self-deprecating smile. "I know you think I'm scheming. Last time, I deliberately made things difficult for Lady Xie. I admit I was jealous of her. After all, I am a noblewoman from a respectable family, while she was just a trained thin horse from Chunyan Tower..."

She spoke frankly and openly, but Wei Xun's expression grew increasingly grim.

"What do you want to say?"

A Yuan's background was indeed disgraceful, but that was no reason for Shen Qiuyu to belittle her. Wei Xun's protective nature was always blatant, and Shen Qiuyu's self-deprecating smile deepened.

"I know that Crown Prince Wei favors Lady Xie. If Lady Xie were of noble birth, the position of the Crown Prince's consort would not have fallen to me. Qiuyu understands her position and will not compete with Lady Xie for the Crown Prince's affection. I married into this family solely for the status, to protect my mother and uphold the reputation of the Shen family women. Even if it means being in a marriage in name only with the Crown Prince, I am willing."

"Marriage in name only?" Wei Xun frowned.

Shen Qiuyu nodded, "Yes."

"I will handle matters with the Dowager for Your Highness, ensuring she does not suspect anything. Your Highness may continue to favor Lady Xie, and I will provide cover for you, preventing others from tarnishing Lady Xie's reputation."

"What are your conditions?" Wei Xun did not believe she could be so magnanimous.

Shen Qiuyu looked up, her eyes filled with relief, "Your Highness only needs to give me the respect I deserve, to quell the gossip of outsiders."

Wei Xun knew about the tarnishing of the Shen family's reputation, after all, it was he who had revealed Shen Rui's affair. Shen Qiuyu, with her proud nature, being ridiculed and laughed at by everyone, it was only natural for her to feel resentful.

She wanted to mend her reputation through marriage, and these words made Wei Xun believe her a little more.

"Alright, I agree."

The man nodded, and Shen Qiuyu, with a look of gratitude, curtsied, "I am grateful, Your Highness."

Nanny Chen overheard their conversation.

Once they boarded the carriage and left the Marquis's street, she expressed her disapproval.

"My lady, how could you suggest a marriage in name only with His Highness? Isn't this just giving that little wretch an advantage?"

Shen Qiuyu lowered her head, brushing her exquisite nails, a hint of calculation flashing in her eyes.

"Nanny, haven't you heard the phrase 'retreat to advance'? Someone as cold as Crown Prince Wei, the more you cling to him, the more he will detest you. It's better to approach him as an ally first. Once I marry into the Marquis's household and become his wife, won't it be easy to turn the tide in my favor?"