Chapter 13 Big Wife

The second branch of the Zhou family in Hezhou took charge of the household.

The family currently has one wife and four concubines, with four sons and four daughters.

Legitimate children: eldest son, eldest daughter, second daughter.

Born out of wedlock: the second son of Aunt Zheng, the third son of Aunt Xun, and the third daughter of Aunt Hu.

There are also the fourth son and fourth daughter of Aunt Qin, who were previously criticized for disrespecting their elders and were invited to the estate to reflect on their mistakes because they wore the same clothes as the old lady.

The responsibilities of concubines and secondary wives are clearly defined.

The responsibility of the matriarch lies with the mother, and the children are raised and nurtured by her.

The concubines were responsible for being beautiful and serving their master.

However, Second Master was a merchant and rarely home.

Therefore, the concubines, having nothing to do, enjoyed picking fights with each other.

They not only picked fights with each other, but also disregarded the second wife's authority.

For example, when Aunt Xun was strolling in the garden, she saw the mistress strolling in the garden, but pretended to be asleep and ignored her, showing disrespect to the mistress.

For example, when Aunt Hu went to pay her respects to the mistress, she 'accidentally' broke a chrysanthemum incense holder that the mistress liked. Then she pretended to apologize and provoked the mistress.

For example, Aunt Zheng knew that the mistress, Lianhua, forbade the servants from picking and wearing flowers, but she picked and wore flowers herself, openly defying the mistress.

However, the second wife, Madam Yao, was a competent matriarch.

His children were well-mannered and respectful, and he was generous and tolerant towards his concubines.

After Li Qu entered the second wife's circle by selling rouge of the same quality as that from Xianbaozhai and by removing the third young lady's freckles, she commented: "The second wife is truly a capable first wife."

At first, the concubines were all dissatisfied with Li Qu's words.

Later, Li Qu silently opened the Zhou family rules that Aunt Li had given her: "If the mistress of the house were changed, the lives of the sisters would probably not be so carefree."

The three concubines fell silent.

"The Second Madam treats all the sisters even more sincerely than the Second Master does."

The three concubines remained noncommittal.

Aunt Hu stated, "Second Master is rarely home, so we're basically living with Madam."

Aunt Zheng nodded: "Yes, whenever someone has a headache or fever, it's always the lady who sends people to take care of them and offer comfort."

Aunt Xun thought to herself, "Could it be that the Second Madam thinks the same way, which is why she is so tolerant and generous towards us?"

The concubines realized the truth.

Aunt Xun, fiddling with her sandalwood bracelet, pondered, "No wonder she had someone cover me with a robe when I was dozing off!"

Aunt Hu said she had also realized something: "No wonder she wasn't angry when I broke the incense stick, and even asked me if I hurt my hand!"

Aunt Zheng raised her eyebrows slightly: "No wonder she praised me for being more beautiful than flowers when I wear flowers every day!"

The three concubines said, "Isn't that exactly what it means to treat us like family?"

"She also devoted herself to raising our children!"

"She never sets rules for us, never deducts from our allowances, and even gives us personal allowances on various holidays."

"The third young lady's marriage is not settled. She said that her brother from her maternal family is there to support her, so I don't need to worry."

Then the three concubines suddenly realized: "So it turns out we're actually on the same side as the Madam!"

Aunt Zheng sighed, "I used to think that all mistresses of wealthy families were like this."

Aunt Xun rolled her eyes: "Bullshit, my stepmother is very vicious. She tormented my stepmother until she lost her beauty before she could barely live a decent life."

"Thankfully, my stepmother gave birth to me. Now, thanks to my marriage into the Zhou family, life is a little better."

Aunt Hu clicked her tongue: "My eldest sister married a grain merchant named Bai. I heard that to live a good life under the mistress of the house, you have to pay money."

The three concubines stared at Li Qu, who had rolled up the Zhou family rules, and abandoned their internal strife, finding common ground in their interests: complaining about the Second Master.

After that, there was no further behavior that showed disrespect to the mistress.

They stayed in the inner quarters and unilaterally reconciled with the second wife first.

But the second wife was unaware of their feelings.

Taking advantage of the Second Madam's birthday, they wanted to convey their feelings to her.

Thus, the scene of pulling Li Qu in to advise them came about.

Li Qu was also puzzled. After thinking it over, she tried to suggest: "Why don't you return the good things you took from her before?"

It would be best to also offer her something she likes; then the Second Madam should understand your intentions.

Aunt Hu: "The Second Master brought back a red coral before, I heard it was for the Madam, and now it's in my hands."

Aunt Zheng: "Sigh, I complained and threw a tantrum before, and the Second Master got me a potted plant. I heard it was raised by the Madam herself, and she cherished it very much. It's a pity that I managed to kill it."

"Well... so you see, I also took advantage of the Second Master's new favor to snatch a jade Guanyin from the Madam. At the time, I was just thinking of showing her how powerful I was." Aunt Xun said awkwardly.

Wives and concubines cannot coexist; this has been the case since ancient times.

After a noisy discussion, the three concubines decided to return the ill-gotten gains and then racked their brains to figure out how to express their goodwill.

They still hadn't reached a conclusion by the time lunch was served.

Everyone focused on eating again. Halfway through the meal, a servant announced that the Second Master had returned.

With the second master of the house gone, Li Qu could not stay there.

If someone wanted to have sex with his concubine, and he walked in and bumped into her, how could he possibly feel comfortable?

She picked up her chopsticks and reached for the conch meat, deciding to finish her meal and take her leave after using them. Just then, her three concubines, each named after a musical instrument, slammed their fists on the table and stood up, their eyes shining: "I've got it!"

Li Qu's hand trembled as she picked up the snail meat, causing it to fall into the soup bowl and splash up a few drops of water.

Li Qu: "..." Silently put down her chopsticks, picked up the handkerchief used to wipe her mouth, and accepted the tea offered by the maid.

Just as Li Qu had bid farewell to his three concubines from his second wife, news came that the three concubines had either returned to their parents' homes, closed their doors to claim illness, or had started menstruating.

She thought that the second wife should now truly feel the kindness of the three concubines.

The second wife and her three concubines all had children, and with a generous and virtuous mistress by their side, life seemed to be getting better and better.

Li Qu, however, still had a mountain of legal troubles to deal with.

First of all, the relationship between Old Mrs. Zhou and Zhou Jin does not seem to be as loving and filial as she thought.

Secondly, the relationship between Zhou Jin, the Zhou family, and the royal family seems to be more complex than it appears.

She didn't want to get too involved in the Zhou family's affairs.

The one who tied the knot must untie it; she still needs to work on Zhou Jin.

On the way back, Li Qu avoided the scorching sun and walked under the secluded vine-covered corridor, which was a long way away. Just as she was thinking about what she should do next and what goal she should achieve, she saw Lu Yanyan coming towards her.

Li Qu stepped aside, but Lu Yanyan stopped in front of her: "Why aren't you staying in your own courtyard? What are you doing wandering around?"

Li Qu was surprised.

In the past, Lu Yanyan acted like a high-born lady, looking down on her with her pointed chin.

Not only did she not speak to her, but Lu Yanyan also ignored her when she approached her.

Occasionally, when they meet on a narrow road, they might utter comments like "vixen" or "only knows how to use underhanded tactics."

His face practically screamed, "I look down on you."

The proud little peacock remained proud, but a hint of condescension had crept into its eyes.

Um?

Li Qu raised an eyebrow: "What? Miss, do you live by the sea? Why are you being so nosy?"

Lu Yanyan's maid, Qingci, stepped forward and shouted angrily, "How dare you!"

Lu Yanyan raised her hand to signal Qingci to step back, still looking down at Li Qu.

"I was just worried and acted rashly just now. Please don't take it to heart, Aunt."

Li Qu was now certain that this young lady must have something in mind; otherwise, why would a noble lady like her yield to a concubine?

Li Qu smiled slightly and bowed, saying, "I misspoke, please forgive me, Miss."

Lu Yanyan nodded slightly: "I just saw my second cousin come back from my aunt's place. To avoid outside men, Aunt should take more people with her when she goes out in the future."

"Thank you for the reminder, Miss."

"Well, I just received a dressing case from my second cousin. It's colorful and cleverly inlaid with mother-of-pearl. I think it's exquisite and matches my aunt's beautiful appearance, so I'll give it to her to play with."

This time, even Xu Mama, who was standing behind Li Qu, glanced at Lu Yanyan twice.

Li Qu stepped forward with a smile, took the dressing case from Qingci's hands, and expressed her delight: "Thank you for the gift, Miss."

At this point, Lu Yanyan naturally shifted the topic to Zhou Jin: "You are worthy of being called a concubine."

After all, none of the maids Huaichun and Huaixiang who served my third cousin, as well as several beauties given to him by the elders of the clan, caught his eye. Only my aunt received his favor, which shows how clever she was and how stunningly beautiful she was, something that others could only dream of.

"Tell me, what is it about my aunt that makes my third cousin linger so long?"