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In the early morning, Su Wan'er sat gracefully in the pavilion, with her maid Qing Xing standing respectfully by her side.
Today, she wore a light purple gown that swept the ground, her hair styled high, with delicate hairpins that jingled softly at her temples.
She heard voices coming from the west corridor and, before she could look up, saw Li Lingfeng and Mei Ruolan approaching side by side.
Li Lingfeng was dressed in green, his expression stern and hurried. The woman beside him whispered softly, resembling a pair of lovers.
To others, it appeared that he allowed Mei Ruolan to stay close, occasionally leaning down to exchange gentle words with her, his eyes betraying a hint of softness.
Su Wan'er felt a tightness in her heart, her fingertips trembling slightly, yet she forced herself to remain calm.
Mei Ruolan was dressed simply today—her white Hanfu resembled clouds, a fragrant pouch swayed gently at her waist, and her hairpin was adorned with small pearls that glimmered as she tilted her head slightly.
Walking beside Li Lingfeng, her eyes and brows radiated obedience. She occasionally met his gaze, a smile on her lips that was neither too deep nor too shallow—just right.
The servants of the Li household had already begun to exchange knowing glances and quiet laughter.
Several older matrons whispered in the corridor; one remarked, "Lord Li has been spending much time in the flower hall, laughing and chatting with Miss Mei. The main courtyard has grown quite cold." Another added, "Well, who can blame him? The main wife has been childless for years; a man's heart is bound to wander."
These words pierced Su Wan'er’s ears like needles.
She did not respond but lowered her head to smooth the hem of her gown, the smile at the corners of her lips appearing somewhat forced.
"Madam," Li Lingfeng finally stepped closer to her, his tone as flat as if addressing a long-unseen neighbor rather than his legitimate wife.
Su Wan'er rose slightly and curtsied, her voice gentle: "Does my husband have any matters today?"
Li Lingfeng's gaze swept past her to the books and tea cups on the table. He replied indifferently, "Nothing important. Just that Ruo Lan has not been feeling well lately; please instruct the kitchen to prepare lighter meals."
Mei Ruolan lowered her head and softly said, "I apologize for troubling you, Madam. Ruo Lan feels fine."
Li Lingfeng turned to her, his tone unexpectedly filled with concern. "You are weak and should rest more. Su Wan'er is always considerate; just speak to her about the matters in the kitchen."
As Su Wan'er listened to her husband's caring tone—once reserved solely for her—it now seemed easily given to another.
A chill ran through her heart, but her face remained a mask of calm. "The kitchen has its arrangements. If Miss Ruo Lan feels unwell, perhaps Qing Xing can accompany you to the backyard to rest."
Mei Ruolan looked up, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you for your concern, Madam. I only felt a bit dizzy this morning, and the Young Master saw my pale face and accompanied me here to pay his respects."
Upon hearing this, Li Lingfeng's brow furrowed slightly, his tone softening. "Your health is important. If you feel unwell again, have a doctor come to check on you."
These words pierced Su Wan'er like needles.
The surrounding servants couldn't help but whisper among themselves. "Lord Li is quite considerate towards Miss Mei." — "Indeed, the main wife seems rather cold."
Su Wan'er felt the world around her spin, her fingers gripping the embroidered handkerchief tightly as she struggled to suppress her emotions.
She spoke slowly and softly, "My husband has always cared for matters in the household; I will naturally obey."
Li Lingfeng failed to detect the chill in her words and instead felt a greater distance between them.
He glanced at her and said lightly, "Ruo Lan has just entered the Li residence and may face many inconveniences. Su Wan'er, please take care of her so that outsiders do not say that the Li family treats others poorly."
Though this was meant kindly, it felt like an invisible humiliation to Su Wan'er.
Her status as the legitimate wife now required her to be cautious and accommodating towards an outsider, even being reprimanded by her husband in front of others for not being considerate enough.
Qing Xing lowered her head, quietly shielding her mistress from those prying eyes.
But Su Wan'er clearly heard a maid whispering nearby, "The Madam is pitiful; all her good intentions go unnoticed."
The hall suddenly fell silent.
Li Lingfeng, however, did not notice his wife's unusual demeanor and turned to Mei Ruolan to discuss trivial matters.
The two stood quite close, and Mei Ruolan's voice was soft, as if afraid of disturbing someone: "Young Master, I saw that the plum blossoms bloomed in the garden this morning. I would like to pick a branch for a sachet, if that is alright?"
Li Lingfeng smiled slightly: "Plum blossoms fall easily. If you like them, have someone gather a few branches. Don't catch a chill."
The servants around them chuckled, and even a bold maid whispered teasingly, "This Miss Mei is truly fortunate; Lord Li is willing to personally gather flowers for her."
Su Wan'er felt a wave of dizziness and forced herself to look up: "If Ruo Lan likes them, she may go ahead. All the flowers and trees in the residence are my husband's efforts."
Mei Ruolan turned to her and said softly, "Thank you, Madam," though her gaze held a hint of barely perceptible pride.
Suddenly, Li Lingfeng remembered something and instructed, "Today is the Double Ninth Festival. A few colleagues are coming over for a small gathering. Su Wan'er, you need not worry about the household affairs; Ruo Lan will accompany me to the front hall to entertain our guests."
Su Wan'er was taken aback for a moment before lowering her eyes: "I understand."
In previous years during the Double Ninth Festival, she had always stood by Li Lingfeng's side to welcome guests, but today she had to relinquish that honor to another.
Li Lingfeng turned around, and Mei Ruolan took the opportunity to link her arm with his, smiling softly: "Young Master, Ruo Lan is not good at socializing; please take care of her."
Li Lingfeng returned her smile, his gaze gentle as if he had forgotten that his Main Wife was behind him.
The two walked in sync and soon disappeared around the corner of the flower hall.
The maid Qing Xing hurried forward and whispered, "Madam, don't feel upset. Lord Li is just momentarily confused; he still cares for you..."
Su Wan'er gently shook her head, her voice hoarse: "Cares for me? If he truly cared, how could he treat me so coldly in front of everyone? Qing Xing, tell me—have I made a mistake?"
Silently, Qing Xing could only hold her hand tightly.
In the main hall, Li Lingfeng stood side by side with Mei Ruolan.
The hall was filled with guests, and several colleagues exchanged knowing smiles. Someone teased, "Brother Li looks great these days; it must be because he has a beauty by his side!"
Another chimed in half-jokingly, "I've heard that the Li residence has welcomed a new beauty. Seeing her today, she truly is exceptional. Madam Su is indeed a rare sight!"
Li Lingfeng was about to decline the remarks, but Mei Ruolan cleverly interjected with a light laugh, "You gentlemen are just teasing. Ruo Lan is merely staying at the Li residence and is grateful for the kindness shown by the madam and young master. I cannot accept such compliments."
She skillfully positioned herself as the favored one, and the guests were all too aware of it.
Seeing the conversation take a turn he didn't like, Li Lingfeng felt an unexpected surge of anger but instead took hold of Mei Ruolan's wrist gently, speaking softly, "Ruo Lan has a gentle nature; please refrain from sharing any jokes in her presence."
The guests erupted in laughter. Someone raised their cup and said, "Lord Li cherishes his lady; it's truly enviable."
Another asked, "Then... where is Madam Su today? We haven't seen her."
At this, Li Lingfeng's expression darkened slightly as he replied coldly, "She is occupied with household matters and is unwell; I've told her to rest."
Mei Ruolan lowered her head with a smile, her demeanor submissive, yet there was a hint of concealed pride in her tone. "The madam has always been gentle; this morning she even specially instructed the kitchen to prepare light meals for me..."
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