Chapter 152 The Wicked Stepmother and the Poor Child (45)

"Good child, don't worry."

As long as I, this old woman, have a breath left, I will always be the legitimate wife of the Gu family, Chen Ci!

No one can surpass you! You are the rightful daughter-in-law of the Gu family!

She said this to appease Shen Ci and try to entice her to hand over the money. After all, based on her understanding of Shen Ci, these were the things Shen Ci cared about most: Gu Hongjian and her status.

To win Gu Hongjian's favor, one must win over Gu Hongjian's mother and make the family like her. As long as one gives a hint, Shen Ci will know what to do.

Just like before the two were married, Shen Ci would shamelessly chase after her son, rushing to send him silver and grain. Whatever the family lacked, Shen Ci would arrange it perfectly.

In her mind, Shen Ci was a love-struck fool who would give her heart and soul and sacrifice everything for love.

However, what was said in jest was taken seriously by the listener. Upon hearing this, Zhou Jingxuan, who was standing to the side, suddenly raised her head, her face instantly turning pale.

Gu Hongjian had clearly promised that she would become his concubine after she gave birth, and that he would make her his principal wife after Shen Ci's death! Her due date was fast approaching, and the baby would be born in just a few months!

The old lady said such things in public, didn't that shatter all her hopes? Wasn't this blatantly telling her that it was impossible for her to become the legal wife?

Was this Gu Hongjian's intention, or the old lady's? Or did Gu Hongjian have the old lady hint at her meaning?

Shen Ci secretly observed Zhou Jingxuan's reaction, inwardly sneering, but outwardly showing a very worried expression, and asked softly.

"I am deeply grateful for my mother's kindness."

However, her daughter-in-law's illness is recurring. If that day truly comes, and the mother feels that Zhou Meimei is gentle and obedient, and has produced many children for the Gu family, could she perhaps succeed as the principal wife to continue the family line?

She didn't mention the money, but instead steered the conversation towards Zhou Jingxuan. The old lady, however, thought that she wasn't giving in because of Zhou Jingxuan, and that she was still jealous of her.

"she?"

Madam Gu immediately scoffed, her disdainful gaze undisguised, and said in a sarcastic tone.

"How can a woman who was unclear about her marriage before marriage and willingly degenerated into a concubine be allowed to enter the hall of high society and become the matriarch of my Gu family?"

"This is utterly absurd! Our Gu family is a scholarly family; even a second wife must be a respectable woman from an official family! She is not worthy!"

The old lady is short of money; she has no silver. She's not as well off in the capital as she is back in her hometown.

All she wants now is to provoke Shen Ci and get him to spend money. As long as she can appease Shen Ci, the mansion will have a money tree, and with money, they won't have to worry about anything.

The old lady only wanted money—money for her son's career, raising her grandson, and the expenses of her concubines—and didn't care what Zhou Jingxuan thought at all. But these words were like stabbing Zhou Jingxuan in the heart.

Zhou Jingxuan remained silent, but her hands were already tearing the handkerchief to shreds.

She kept her head down, because if she looked up, she would expose the hatred in her eyes. It turned out that in this old hag's heart, she was still so worthless.

It turns out that Gu Hongjian's promises meant nothing to the old lady. What was the point of her trying to please her before? Did she even have time for that?

She had done so much and given so much, and Gu Hongjian had even agreed that she could become his concubine as long as she gave birth to his child, so that the child wouldn't be called a son of a concubine. But now, the old lady had denied everything she was about to receive with just a few words.

They even belittled her so badly. At this moment, Zhou Jingxuan's hatred for the old lady surpassed her hatred for Shen Ci. Shen Ci had at most slapped her, but that was because she had hit the child first.

At this moment, Zhou Jingxuan fell silent. If someone else had harmed the child in her womb, she probably would have wanted to kill them, but Shen Ci only slapped her a few times...

Shen Ci is a good person, but the old woman is a bad one.

Shen Ci coughed weakly twice, looking at the old lady with anxiety and helplessness.

“Mother, you must not say that. Aunt Zhou has been in the household for some time and is deeply loved by my husband.”

If she can take care of my mother-in-law, serve my husband, and raise the children, I will be completely at ease. Mother, do you think Aunt Zhou is capable of such a great responsibility?

A hint of impatience flashed in the old lady's eyes. She was extremely annoyed. Why was it so difficult to get some money out of Shen Ci now?

She's already gone this far, why isn't Shen Ci taking the initiative to pay?

In the past, Shen Ci would have apologized respectfully and offered the silver with both hands.

"cannot.

What is she? A concubine is but a plaything, utterly useless.

In your mother's heart, you are her daughter-in-law, and always will be; you don't need to worry about that.

"Once a concubine, always a concubine. Your children are the legitimate heirs and daughters; those born to concubines are illegitimate."

She's gone this far, shouldn't Shen Ci be satisfied now?

Aunt Zhou was so angry she almost ground her teeth to powder.

"To be a concubine forever? Mother, you are exaggerating. What do you think of me as a secondary wife?"

The old lady had completely lost her patience; she was willing to agree to anything as long as she received money.

"No, no."

With such character, she is unworthy to be a secondary wife. As I just said, once a concubine, always a concubine.

The old lady felt that she had made her stance clear enough. She had made it so plain to herself, so those who knew what was good for them would take out the money as soon as possible. What were they waiting for?

Shen Ci looked at Zhou Jingxuan apologetically. "Look, it's not that I don't want to help you, it's just that the old lady can't tolerate you."

At this moment, Zhou Jingxuan had plucked one of her fingernails off. She stood respectfully behind the old lady, listening to the old lady's slander and humiliation.

Zhou Jingxuan came from an official family. Before she got married, she received a normal education in the household. Because of her uncle's connections, no one would humiliate her like this.

The old lady was the most hated person she had ever met in her life.

“Mother, Gu Lang promised that after I give birth to my child, he would make me his secondary wife.”

Zhou Jingxuan still had a sliver of reason left, and she whispered a reminder, her attitude respectful. The old lady snorted coldly.

What right does he have?

I am his mother, how could he not listen to me?

Even if you give birth to a child, it won't change anything; a child born to a concubine can only be a son born out of wedlock.

The old lady was still holding a grudge against Zhou Jingxuan for running back to her parents' home to complain over the slightest disagreement. She especially disliked women like that who would run back to their parents' home to complain over the smallest things, as if they were threatening her son.

Zhou Jingxuan touched on what the old lady disliked most, and the old lady thought that this was a good opportunity to teach her a lesson.

This is intolerable! Zhou Jingxuan also has some pride, but she has worn it down in pursuit of true love. Now, she can't stand being insulted and provoked by the old lady!

A roar rang out behind the old lady's ear, startling her and making her heart ache.

"Aaaaaah!!"

You old hag, I've put up with you for far too long!!

Serves you right for being so foul-mouthed!

Gu Lang has already agreed, why shouldn't you?!