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

After a busy day, Pei Jingnian had a headache. He rubbed his forehead, hesitated for a moment, and then went anyway.

It was already getting dark, and Bao Shan was leading the way, carrying a palace lantern to light the way.

The warm light cast many flower shadows along the way.

A night breeze swept by, bringing a refreshing coolness.

Upon arriving at Jinlan Courtyard, he saw Su Wanrou dressed in a soft, light red silk dress, smiling as she greeted him.

She didn't need a maid; she dressed him herself and asked, "Why did you finish your shift so late today, sir? I prepared these dishes a long time ago."

Pei Jingnian naturally wouldn't tell her about what happened today, using the excuse of being busy with other matters to brush her off.

Su Wanrou had only a superficial understanding of court affairs and didn't necessarily want a clear explanation; she was just looking for a topic to chat with Pei Jingnian.

After changing her clothes, Su Wanrou led Pei Jingnian to the table, where candlelight flickered and a table of exquisite dishes and a pot of warm bamboo leaf green wine were prepared.

Su Wanrou took off her bracelet and poured Pei Jingnian a cup: "I can't help you with official business, but this Zhuyeqing tea has a mild flavor and can help you relax."

The wine in the glass was golden with a hint of green, and had a rich and mellow aroma. Pei Jingnian was not a big drinker, but for some reason, looking at the wine today aroused his desire. Without saying anything, he raised the glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Su Wanrou failed to notice Pei Jingnian's slight abnormality, and was only pleased with herself for preparing a meal that suited the young master's taste.

She picked up the wine pot again and poured a cup for Pei Jingnian. Pei Jingnian noticed that Su Wanrou was different today; she was unusually gentle and considerate.

Although Su Wanrou's name contains the character "Rou" (柔), because she is the eldest daughter in her family and her marriage into the Pei family is considered a high-status marriage, she has always had a high sense of self-esteem, or rather, she is inherently a bit domineering.

This situation made Pei Jingnian somewhat uncomfortable: "Does Madam have something to say today?"

Su Wanrou twirled the handkerchief in her hand and said, "Master, it's been over a month since Rouge entered the manor, yet you haven't entered her room once. I know this is the first time she has displeased you, so please be magnanimous and forgive her."

As she spoke, she actually got up and knelt down in front of Pei Jingnian, wiping the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, looking every bit the virtuous mistress.

In truth, Su Wanrou was not happy. How could she be happy when she had personally pushed her husband into the concubine's quarters?

However, she knew she couldn't be coy. Rouge had entered the household to ensure the continuation of the family line, so it was only natural for her to ask Pei Jingnian to come to her room.

Her mother-in-law would know and praise her for her virtue.

She didn't even let her personal maid leave, and just knelt down in front of Pei Jingnian.

Under the candlelight, Pei Jingnian's eyes were unreadable, and even his forehead twitched slightly. It was one thing for his mother to ask him to favor Rouge, but now his own wife was also asking him to favor a concubine.

Nobody cares whether he likes it or not... Is he just a tool?

Why is Su Wanrou acting like this?

She is the one who is infertile... yet she still wants to show off her virtue to the fullest extent.

He was utterly disgusted by Su Wanrou.

The clinking of chopsticks against the bowl made Su Wanrou tremble. She looked up and saw Pei Jingnian's ashen face, which startled her even more. She asked in a panic, "Master?"

Pei Jingnian glanced at the maids serving behind him and said, "Get out."

After the maid left, only Su Wanrou and Pei Jingnian remained in the room.

Noticing her husband's gaze fixed on her, Su Wanrou became even more uneasy: "My lord? Have I done something wrong?"

Pei Jingnian chuckled softly: "Did you do something wrong? No, you didn't. It's just..."

He stroked the cup with his fingertips. "I really dislike Rouge's timid and cowardly appearance, and I don't want to force myself. How about you take me another concubine, Madam?"

Su Wanrou was truly shocked. She hadn't expected Pei Jingnian's dislike for Yan Zhi to be so extreme. Wouldn't her plans regarding Yan Zhi have fallen through?

"My lord, please have pity on me. Rouge was carefully chosen by me. She is beautiful and healthy, though perhaps her temperament is not to your liking. But she has only been in the household to bear you a child... If you take a new concubine after only a little over a month, I'm afraid people will laugh at us."

She spoke at length, and Pei Jingnian felt increasingly cold inside. Every word Su Wanrou spoke was for her own sake.

She was afraid of taking another concubine and becoming a laughingstock. What would people laugh at? Would they laugh at her for losing face as the mistress of the house?

As the effects of the alcohol wore off, Pei Jingnian suddenly felt more sober than ever before.

Why didn't he realize Su Wanrou was so cunning before?

After marrying into the Pei family, she took over the household affairs and managed them very well, relieving her mother of much of her worries.

He admired her competence in his heart; although she wasn't particularly delicate, it didn't really matter.

However, ever since she was diagnosed with infertility, coupled with her drugging of her concubines, one incident after another has revealed her arrogance, domineering nature, and utter ignorance!

Now, she has no regard for him as her husband, doesn't care about his likes or dislikes, and only cares about her reputation!

How ridiculous.

Without saying another word, he left with the words, "Take care of yourself," and then Pei Jingnian turned and returned to Heyingxuan.

Seeing the young master storm out of Jinlan Courtyard, Zhou Mama knew something was wrong. Entering the room, she saw Su Wanrou slumped on the floor and turned deathly pale. She rushed forward to help her up, repeatedly asking, "Miss, what...what happened?"

Su Wanrou burst into tears, this time truly crying: "Mom, I don't know what I did wrong, but Grandpa said some very harsh things to me, sob sob."

Madam Zhou couldn't understand it either, so she first helped Su Wanrou up, then found a handkerchief to wipe her tears, and then asked her little by little what the young master had said.

Su Wanrou repeated Pei Jingnian's words, sobbing, and finally vented her dissatisfaction: "Do you think I'd feel good about pushing my husband into Yanzhi's room? Mother, my heart is bleeding too! But if Yanzhi can't get pregnant, won't my mother-in-law blame me? Why doesn't my husband understand me at all!"

She seemed to have forgotten that whether she took a concubine or favored her, it was all a "mess" caused by her inability to bear children. And Pei Jingnian was the one who cleaned up the mess.

Mother Zhou was also confused, or rather, she naturally sided with her young mistress, so her thoughts and ideas were naturally the same as her young mistress's.

After hearing what Su Wanrou said, Zhou's mother really didn't know why Pei Jingnian was so angry.

"It's all because Rouge is so disappointing! The young master has strong likes and dislikes. If he dislikes you from the start, it will be hard to change his mind later."

After hearing Zhou's mother's words, Su Wanrou was even more furious! Useless! Useless! How could she have imagined that Rouge would be so useless?!