After Marrying My Ex-Fiancé’s Younger Brother

Nanny Zhou’s sudden change in attitude made Lvzhu grit her teeth in frustration, but she was powerless. She was merely a servant, unable to fight for her mistress.

Liu Chuirong held Liu Yifei’s hand, and the two entered one after the other.

Inside, a five-legged bronze brazier burned smokeless silver charcoal, filling the room with warmth, as if bringing the arrival of spring itself.

The Old Madam, Wang Shi, sat on a heated chair, sipping a cup of tea that Nanny Zhou had handed her. She then spat it into a bronze basin beside her with a crisp, cold sound.

A maid hurried forward to carefully wipe the corners of her mouth with a warm towel before applying a layer of moisturizing balm.

When Wang Shi saw Liu Chuirong and Liu Yifei enter, she merely glanced at them before lowering her head again, as if they were invisible.

“Grandmother, are you feeling better? Should we call for another physician to check on you? I’m so worried about you,” Liu Yipan said sweetly, holding onto Wang Shi’s sleeve affectionately.

Unexpectedly, instead of scolding her, the Old Madam smiled and teased, “You little troublemaker, if you stopped pestering me, I’d be half cured already.” She then playfully tapped Liu Yipan’s nose, her gaze full of warmth and affection.

Liu Chuirong and Liu Yifei respectfully greeted her and then quietly stepped aside.

Liu Chuirong observed the scene. It was something she had never experienced herself. But she dared not show any envy, only burying that longing deep within her heart.

The Old Madam had always looked down on her mother, Madam Li, because of her low birth. Back when the former Marquis was alive, the household was at its peak, and marrying a provincial official’s daughter as the main wife had displeased the Old Madam. However, she had no choice but to concede to the late Marquis’s wishes.

Ever since Madam Li entered the household, the Old Madam had never liked her. By extension, she had also disliked everyone from the second branch of the family.

After a long silence, Wang Shi finally coughed lightly and said, “So, you’re here.”

“Greetings, Grandmother. Wishing you good health and peace,” Liu Chuirong and Liu Yifei said in unison, their voices like orioles singing in the valley.

Wang Shi’s gaze landed on Liu Chuirong, scrutinizing her before she slowly spoke. “You’re that girl from the second branch, aren’t you?”

“Replying to Grandmother, yes, I am,” Liu Chuirong answered obediently, her voice as gentle as spring water.

“Raise your head. Let me have a look.”

Liu Chuirong lifted her head as instructed, revealing a face of ethereal beauty.

Her delicate features were like a painting, her eyebrows as fine as ink strokes, and her skin as fair as snow. However, her complexion was slightly pale, adding a fragile and pitiful charm, like a pear blossom in the rain.

A fleeting look of admiration crossed Wang Shi’s eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

“You do look quite good. No wonder the princess chose you at first sight. You’re lucky… This marriage with the Duke of Wei’s heir is quite the stroke of luck for you—if not for what happened to Shen’s Dalang (eldest son)…”

Liu Chuirong’s heart sank in shock. Her face turned deathly pale. “Grandmother, what do you mean? What kind of man is Shen Dalang?”

Wang Shi let out a cold snort. “Explain it to you? Hmph, figure it out yourself!”

Liu Chuirong bit her lip, her eyes filled with stubbornness and unwillingness.

Wang Shi gave her another scrutinizing look before slowly speaking. “Since you’re back, you should properly learn the rules. When you marry into the Duke’s Manor, don’t bring disgrace upon the Marquis’s residence.”

“Granddaughter will remember Grandmother’s teachings,” Liu Chuirong replied respectfully, though a hint of helplessness laced her voice.

“Hmph, you may leave.” Wang Shi waved her hand dismissively, her gesture casual and indifferent.

Liu Chuirong and Liu Yifei withdrew from the room. As they walked back to their courtyard, Liu Chuirong’s heart was tangled with doubt and unease, as if shrouded in layers of mist.

Liu Yifei carefully asked, “Second Sister, what did Grandmother mean by that? Is there really some complication with this marriage?”

Liu Chuirong furrowed her brows deeply, like two trenches of worry. She murmured, “I don’t know… I just have a feeling that things aren’t that simple.”

“Second Sister, don’t worry too much. Maybe Grandmother was just trying to frighten you,” Liu Yifei comforted her, her voice as soft as a gentle breeze.

Liu Chuirong let out a light sigh, a sigh that seemed capable of piercing through the sky. “I hope so… but my heart just won’t settle.”

“Sister, no matter what, let’s go back first and discuss it later.” Liu Yifei tugged at Liu Chuirong’s sleeve.

Liu Chuirong nodded, and the two quickened their pace toward Madam Li’s courtyard.

After they left, Nanny Zhou stepped out from the shadows, watching their departing figures with a complex expression. Her gaze was as deep and unfathomable as a still lake.

She turned back into the room, approached Wang Shi, and said in a low voice, “Old Madam, I fear that Second Young Miss still doesn’t know that the Duke’s Manor is marrying her for…”

“Mmm, I know,” Wang Shi responded indifferently, saying nothing more. Her tone was as cold as the dead of winter.

Seeing this, Nanny Zhou dared not speak further. She silently stepped aside, standing still like a quiet shadow.