The pregnant woman pressed down on the wife, and the cousin collapsed into the prince's arms.

Back in his study, Pei Jingnian was still somewhat absent-minded. His servants, Mo Yu and Zhu Sheng, exchanged a glance, both wondering why the young master had returned looking so dejected after going out for a stroll.

Pei Jingnian himself didn't know why, but all he could see in his mind was Shen Yunshuang's tearful eyes.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt he shouldn't have acted that way. He had abruptly assumed his cousin was the one who would ask for the orchids. He also felt a bit angry with Su Wanrou, since it was clearly the flowers she had given that caused the problem, yet she told him that Shen Yunshuang had coveted the precious orchids...

The more he thought about it, the more confused he became, and his handwriting became messy. The sound of him throwing down his pen made Mo Yu's eyes jump.

He glanced at the young master's expression and asked, "Master?"

"Go open my private treasury and send that Zhongshan Zihao tea to Ningxiang Pavilion."

Mo Yu was startled. That Zhongshan purple hairpin was the young master's beloved possession, which he himself was reluctant to use. Now he was going to give it to his cousin.

He wondered why the young master hadn't said anything when he sent the gift. When did the young master become so close to his cousin?

He was puzzled, but he knew that his master was a man of his word, so he did not dare to ask too many questions. He just went to the private storeroom and asked Wei Mama, who was in charge of the storeroom, to find a pen and a sandalwood pen box shaped like a willow leaf. He then packed the pen into the box and sent it to Ningxiang Pavilion.

Strangely, the young lady didn't seem surprised to receive Pei Jingnian's gift. She simply thanked him softly and gave him a reward. As for the young master, she didn't say a word, maintaining a perfect balance.

However, the young master didn't say much when he heard that his cousin didn't seem very interested.

This matter was ultimately a minor one, passing without a trace, and didn't cause any ripples.

After the orchid was saved, Shen Yunshuang wanted to return it to Fuxi Hall, but Wang Shi had no intention of taking it back and only praised her niece for being clever and skillful.

He then called her over and asked her to help choose a congratulatory gift.

Pei Jingyan, the fourth young master of the second branch of the Pei family, had a son a few days ago, and this ceremony is for the purpose of celebrating the baby's third birthday.

"Jingyan is two years younger than Jingnian, and now he has a second child." The more Wang Shi complained, the more upset she became.

Pei Jingnian has five brothers in his generation. Except for Pei Jingnian, the others have all married and had children. How could she not worry?

Speaking of which, they still inherit the title. Although Pei Jingnian himself is outstanding enough and no one is gossiping about him now, it is still quite distressing that he has no children.

Shen Yunshuang knew that her aunt was just venting to her, so she simply comforted her from the side.

As Wang was speaking, she suddenly looked at Shen Yunshuang and smiled, saying, "There are quite a few families in the capital attending this third-day celebration. Dress up nicely, and your aunt will also be busy arranging things for you."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Yunshuang's face flushed red, and she lowered her head shyly, saying, "Shuang'er wants to stay with Auntie forever."

Madam Wang held her hand and said reproachfully, "Of course, your aunt would like you by her side, but a woman's prime is only a few years, and marriage is an important matter that cannot be delayed. Otherwise, how could I face your mother?"

When talking about her deceased younger sister, Wang Shi shed tears again, and Shen Yunshuang also wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.

However, she had no hope for the baby's third-day celebration. Although she was stunningly beautiful, she came from a humble family and was frail and sickly, which did not meet the standards that noble ladies in the capital would choose for a daughter-in-law.

Wang treated her sincerely, but to outsiders, she was ultimately just her aunt, not her mother.

The Marquis of Jingyuan's mansion was prestigious, and she, an orphan girl who had come to seek refuge there, could not benefit much from it.

However, she simply didn't want to put any effort into marriage.

After talking for a while, Shen Yunshuang took her leave and happened to run into Su Wanrou as she came out.

Su Wanrou was aware that Pei Jingnian had given Shen Yunshuang a calligraphy brush, but she could only vent her anger inside the house. After all, her relationship with Pei Jingnian had just begun to improve, and it couldn't withstand any more turmoil.

However, her disgust for Shen Yunshuang was undeniable. She never expected that Shen Yunshuang would be so cunning, making her believe that she had asked her mother-in-law for that pot of flowers, thus making her look like a laughingstock.

What a despicable person!

Su Wanrou looked Shen Yunshuang up and down, noticing her rosy cheeks and indescribable charm. She cursed inwardly, "What a vixen! In broad daylight, she's all smiles and her eyes are watery."

"What did my cousin and mother-in-law talk about? Look how red her face is." Her voice carried a hint of sarcasm.

Shen Yunshuang seemed not to have heard, and covered her mouth with a smile: "My sister is shy, please forgive her for making me laugh."

Her words were impeccable, and Su Wanrou couldn't make things difficult for her for no reason, so she could only suppress her anger.

Without saying anything more, he entered Fuxi Hall.

She came today for the baby's third-day celebration tomorrow. Seeing others having babies made Su Wanrou feel sad.

But the more upset she was, the less she could show it. Tomorrow she had to handle everything properly so that others wouldn't laugh at her.

Wang used to really like Su Wanrou's considerate nature, but now she felt it was all just for show. What good was being so thorough? If she couldn't have children, wouldn't others just laugh at her family?!

But there's nothing we can do about it; when facing outsiders, we can only swallow our pride and bear it.

-

The next day, Wang and her family went to the West Mansion. The three branches of the Pei family had already separated, and now they were addressed according to the location of their residences.

Unlike the first wife, who only had one son and one daughter and no children born out of wedlock, the second wife's family was quite large and prosperous.

The second master, Pei Yuanxiao, had three sons and four daughters. Among them, the eldest son, Pei Jingheng, the fourth son, Pei Jingyan, and the third daughter, Pei Lingrong, were all born of the principal wife, while the others were born of concubines.

Although Pei Yuanxiao had no noble title, he was highly favored by the emperor because he had once saved the emperor's life, so his grandson's third-day celebration was very grand.

As Wang said, almost all the prominent families in Shengjing came.

Shen Yunshuang had also dressed up carefully today. Although she had "lived" for so many years, she had never attended such a grand banquet in her previous life, so she tried her best not to make any mistakes.

However, her face is truly impossible to ignore.

Sure enough, Madam Su from the West Mansion said, "Sister-in-law, your niece is truly beautiful. I think she even surpasses you in your youth!"

After saying that, she covered her mouth and smiled. Today was her grandson's third-day celebration, so she was naturally in a good mood and her face was glowing.

Shen Yunshuang was praised and naturally had to step forward to pay her respects, but she actually observed that Wang Shi did not seem to like Su Shi very much.

Hearing her praise herself, her smile remained faint.

"Madam is too kind. Shuang'er is as delicate as a willow, not even a tenth as beautiful as Aunt," Shen Yunshuang said softly.

Mrs. Su smiled and tapped her: "You really have a sweet tongue."

Wang was somewhat unhappy. She and Su didn't get along at all, and the reason for this was that they had a falling out since they were young girls.

In her youth, she was the most beautiful woman in the capital. Although Su Shi could not compare to her in appearance, she was still the most talented woman in the capital.

The two women disliked each other, yet they ended up marrying into the same family and becoming sisters-in-law.

Su Shi entered the family later than her, but gave birth to a legitimate son before her, which greatly overshadowed her. Now she has several grandchildren, which makes her unhappy.

Seeing Wang's feigned arrogance, Su felt a mix of emotions, both pleased and uncomfortable.

She was unwilling to accept it. She had given birth to the eldest grandson, but her mother-in-law hadn't shown any appreciation. On the contrary, Pei Jingnian was taken into the house and raised by the old lady for several years after his birth, who doted on him.

Even favoritism shouldn't be this extreme!

Now that her children are all grown up, and Pei Jingnian is constantly putting his son down, she can only find a sense of superiority with her grandson.