And so, for Han Yan, a long and arduous struggle began. As for Pei Wen, since their marriage, he had developed a simple and idealistic view of life. He was happy, intoxicated, grateful, and content. He saw himself as a favored son of heaven—young, with a successful career, a rge family, and a wife unrivaled in beauty and devotion!

  What more could he ask for?

  The tea business grew bigger and more prosperous. Pei Wen was young and had endless energy, so he enthusiastically expanded his enterprise. With his business flourishing, he became busier with each passing day. Yet he relished his busyness, working with joy and vigor. Often, he would hold Han Yan′s face, kiss her small nose with pride, and say, “Enjoy yourself, Han Yan! You have a capable husband!”

  Han Yan would smile at him gently, though deep in her heart, she wished Pei Wen wouldn′t be so busy that his business wouldn′t grow quite so rge. But she said nothing. She knew that a good wife shouldn′t tie her husband to her side. A man has his own world; every man needs a successful career to enrich him and satisfy his masculine pride.

  But what kind of life was Han Yan living?

  Every morning, Pei Wen left home and began his busy day, often not returning until five or six in the afternoon. If he had social engagements, he would return even ter. As for Han Yan? She trimmed the roses in the garden, tidied the garden, learned to cook, arranged the rooms, and did needlework... She spent every day at home.

  She didn't dare step out of the gates of Hanyan Vil on her own. She didn't dare go to Taipei, and she didn′t even dare go to Songzhu Bridge to meet Pei Wen. Because Old Madam Bai was constantly following her with those sharp, stern eyes, watching her.

  As soon as her head peeked out of the iron gates of Hanyan Vil, Old Madam Bai would coldly say, "What's the matter? Can't sit still? I knew it. With your personality, it's too difficult for you to be a well-behaved wife."

  She bit her lip and controlled herself, determined not to step outside of Hanyan Vil—not even a single step! This house with its painted beams and carved pilrs, this garden lush with flowers and trees, and these exquisitely crafted pavilions had all become her prison, locking her in so tightly. And so, the days for her often grew unbearably long, lonely, and hard to endure. Leaning by the window, she would count the seconds and minutes until Pei Wen returned home. In the garden, she would quietly shed tears in front of the vast stretches of roses.

  Old Madam Bai would not overlook her tears. Seeing her tearful, shimmering eyes, she would say, Has the Bai family wronged you in some way? Or do you regret marrying Pei Wen? Have I mistreated you? Why do you have tears in your eyes all day, as if mourning someone′s death?”

  Han Yan would wipe away her tears, realizing for the first time that she didn’t even have the freedom to cry. Yet Old Madam Bai wouldn′t relent. Staring at her pale, mencholic face, she would sternly demand:

  “Why do you wear that long face all day? Am I, as your mother-in-w, supposed to put up with your moods every day? Pei Wen isn′t home—who are you sulking at?”

  "Oh, old madam!" She cried out, unable to bear it any longer. "What do you want from me? What exactly do you want from me?"

  "What do I want from you?" Old Madam Bai's anger fred even more. "What more could I want from you? I spend the whole day looking at your face, and I still can′t get enough. Do you think I dare ask more from you? You should thank heaven; I don't want anything from you! What do I want? Listen to your tone, as if I′m bullying you."

  "Alright, I was wrong; I said the wrong thing!" Han Yan quickly replied, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. In this situation, she began to avoid Old Madam Bai.

  She locked herself in her bedroom, not daring to leave the room all day, because every time she crossed paths with Old Madam Bai, she would inevitably be scolded. But Old Madam Bai didn′t allow her to stay shut in the room.

  She would say, "Am I going to eat you? Why do you avoid me like a tiger? Or is my status so low that I′m not worthy of talking to you?"

  She no longer dared to shut herself away. From morning until night, she didn′t know what to do to avoid being scolded or what to do to be considered right! At any time, in any pce, she had to endure Old Madam Bai′s harsh reprimands and cold sarcasm.

  As for her dishonorable past, it had become Old Madam Bai′s constant topic of conversation: Our Bai family has never had a woman of your kind in generations!”

  “Only a woman like you would scheme to marry a man behind his mother′s back. You′re clever—creating a fait accompli and securing your pce as ‘Mrs. Bai’!”

  “I knew it from the start. Pei Wen was just taken by that fox-like charm of yours!”

  This relentless nagging often drove Han Yan to the brink of madness. Once, unable to hold it in any longer, she covered her ears and ran out of the living room, crying, straight into the garden. At that moment, Gao Lide was returning from the tea fields, and they collided.

  He quickly caught her, startled, and asked, “What′s wrong? Is there a time bomb in the house?”

  She stopped, hurriedly wiped away her tears, and said, trying to cover it up, No, nothing. Nothing at all.”

  Gao Lide furrowed his brows in confusion, staring at her carefully.

  "But you cried?"

  "No," she shook her head violently. "No, no, no."

  Gao Lide stopped speaking, but he knew there was an undercurrent in the room. Only he, since he was often at home, understood the torment that Han Yan was enduring. But he stayed at a distance. Since Han Yan was unwilling to express it, he didn't want to get involved in this unnecessary matter. After all, since the beginning of human history, there have been countless issues between mothers-in-w and daughters-in-w. This scene, falling into Old Madam Bai′s eyes, made her words even harsher:

  "It has started, hasn't it?" She stared at her. "I knew you wouldn't let Gao Lide off!"

  "Oh, Old Madam!" Han Yan's face turned pale, her eyes wide open. "You can't accuse me like this! You can't!"

  "Accuse you?" Old Madam Bai sneered. "I understand women like you too well, all too well! If you're afraid of being wronged, you'd better stay away from him! I'm telling you, I′m watching you; every move you make is under my scrutiny! Be careful!"

  Han Yan grew haggard and pale. As the days passed, the brightness in her face faded more and more, and her expression became increasingly bleak. Standing in the garden, she was like a weak willow in the wind. Sitting by the window, she resembled a small marble statue, pale and lifeless. Pei Wen did not overlook this.

  That evening, he held her, examining her face, and said with deep sorrow, "What's wrong? You′re like an orchid that doesn′t adapt to the environment. After my transpntation, you′ve become even more haggard. What′s going on? Han Yan, aren′t you happy? Tell me, aren′t you happy?"

  "Oh, no." She spoke softly. "I′m very happy; really, I′m very happy." As she spoke, she couldn′t help but feel tears welling up.

  He looked at her deeply, his voice so gentle, so full of concern. "Han Yan, you need to gain weight for me; do you hear me? I don't want to see you pale and emaciated! You need to gain weight, become rosy again, do you hear me?"

  "Yes," she said obediently, but tears rolled down her cheeks. "I will try, Pei Wen; I′ll definitely try."