"Oh ho! It seems the General Zhenguo's mansion is indeed as rumored, favoring concubines over wives!"

The principal wife was standing to greet the guests, but one of the concubines was quite impolite, actually drinking tea and chatting in the main seat. That was extremely rude!

A beautifully dressed woman couldn't help but mock Mu Rou'er upon seeing her demeanor.

This woman was Madam Fang, the wife of the Grand Secretary of the current dynasty. She was a first-rank imperial consort, a position of great prestige.

She was also the sister-in-law of the eldest wife of the Chu family, and was related to the Chu family.

She was naturally straightforward, and seeing her sister's younger sister being bullied by the Sheng family, she couldn't help but speak up and criticize them.

“That’s right! Madam Sheng, we know your family comes from the countryside and may not understand the customs of the capital. But now that General Sheng has become a general, there are some rules he should learn! Otherwise, won’t he be laughed at by others?”

"A few days ago, when Madam Chu gave birth, your Sheng family actually allowed a concubine to attend the Yong'an Marquis's birthday banquet. Such things must not be done again!"

"that is!"

......

Many ladies echoed Fang's sentiments and denounced Old Madam Sheng.

These people weren't doing this because they had a particularly good relationship with the Chu family, but because they and the Chu family were both principal wives and couldn't stand a concubine being so arrogant and challenging their status as principal wives.

Upon hearing this, Mu Rou'er stood up abruptly, her eyes slightly reddening.

She glared at the women in front of her through gritted teeth, trembling with anger.

Seeing this, Madam Sheng quickly pulled Mu Rou'er's arm.

"Rou'er, don't cry! What do you mean by high or low status! Rou'er and Ling Tian have been childhood sweethearts since they were little, and they were already married in Rongshui County!"

My eldest grandson is seventeen years old; he's the eldest son!

If we really calculate it, then Madam Mu is the true legal wife!

If it weren't for the Chu family's bullying and forcing our Ling Tian to marry a member of the Chu family, Rou'er and my Ling Tian would definitely have lived happily ever after!

Where did this talk of a principal wife and concubine come from!

Old Madam Sheng spoke to everyone, but her gaze was fixed on Madam Chu, her eyes full of warning.

Looking into her mother-in-law's eyes, Chu felt a chill in her heart.

I have the utmost respect for this mother-in-law.

She came from a rural farming family, and ever since she married Sheng Lingtian, she was afraid that her mother-in-law would be looked down upon by wealthy families in the capital.

Clothes, jewelry, and household items—everything was carefully selected and sent to her mother-in-law.

Even the residence of the General of the State was bought by the Chu family with their own money.

Although Sheng Lingtian took over the Chu family army, his meager salary was far from enough to support the wealthy lifestyle of the general's mansion.

This family eats her food and uses her things, yet they still humiliate her like this; they are utterly shameless!

When the ladies present heard what Old Madam Sheng said, they all looked at Madam Chu.

Chu looked down, her eyes lowered, with a pitiful expression that said, "I have grievances, but I won't say them."

She seemed to be holding back her tears, and looked up to look directly at Old Madam Sheng.

"Mother-in-law, it's one thing for you to talk nonsense at home! But today, in front of so many ladies from prominent families and young ladies, are you going to lie and humiliate your daughter-in-law?"

"Who among you here is unaware of the family traditions of the Chu family?"

My father guarded the Great Yan Kingdom for decades and made outstanding contributions.

My elder brother fought in battles for many years, made great achievements, and sacrificed a leg to protect our country.

My second elder brother is the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. His official position is not considered high in the capital, but he is strict in his official conduct, fearless of powerful figures, fair, and upright...

Although my third brother was just a merchant, he donated 10,000 taels of silver to help the disaster victims when Yongzhou suffered a severe drought a few days ago.

That's me! Before I got married, I was a female general who fought on the battlefield!

"Mother-in-law, do you really think people would believe that our Chu family would actually do something like 'forcibly taking a man from the countryside'?"

Chu spoke in a calm tone, yet neither Old Madam Sheng nor Mu Rou'er could refute her.

The Chu family is a prominent and wealthy family, and all members are loyal and virtuous. How could they possibly force an unknown peasant to be their son-in-law?

Does it depend on looks? Although Sheng Lingtian is good-looking, there are quite a few noblemen in the capital who are better looking than him.

In terms of talent, to be honest, Sheng Lingtian's martial arts and intelligence are no match for even Chu Lan, let alone the famous young master of the Chu family.

When Chu Lan married Sheng Lingtian, countless people felt sorry for her, thinking that Sheng Lingtian was not good enough for such a talented and beautiful girl from the Zhenguo General's Mansion.

How many young men have drowned their sorrows in alcohol...

Is it true that the Chu family forced Sheng Lingtian to marry a member of the Chu family?

Who would believe that!

"Haha...what a fine example of 'abducting a civilian man'!"

Chu Lan, I thought you were out of your mind back then! Now it seems you really are blind..."

The speaker was another close friend of Chu Lan—Madam Ma, who is now the wife of the Vice Minister of Revenue.

This Lady Ma was an illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Wu'an, but because the Marquis of Wu'an only had this one daughter, she was pampered as the legitimate daughter from a young age, which also led to her spoiled and willful nature.

Madam Ma was skilled in martial arts but not in literature, which made it difficult for her to find close friends among the ladies of prominent families in the capital. Madam Chu was one of them.

Hearing Ma's sarcastic remark, Chu smiled.

"You're right!"

As soon as Madam Chu finished speaking, the ladies and young women present covered their mouths with their handkerchiefs and chuckled.

This old lady Sheng is really outspoken, even saying that Chu would force Sheng Lingtian to marry her.

Anyone with eyes could see that Sheng Lingtian was lying to her about already being married; otherwise, given Chu's pride, she would never have given herself to a married man!

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!