Chapter 235 Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet

Chen Shiyi really didn't like attending such banquets. There were too many people, she didn't know anyone there, there were too many rules, and she was afraid of the cold.

She feels much more vulnerable recently.

Pei Luoshu said that it would be better for him to go. After all, he had just been appointed as the county lord. If he did not go, people would think he was too arrogant and unwilling to associate with the wives of these officials, which would lead to criticism.

Chen Shiyi had no choice but to agree.

With Bailing's help, she put on the heavy palace dress, and Bailing also considerately put on thin knee pads for her.

When she arrived, the door was already crowded with all kinds of carriages.

She was led into the chrysanthemum garden by a maid, and saw all kinds of women in exquisite dresses, gathered in groups of two or three, smiling sweetly and chatting.

Chen Shiyi took Bailing for a walk. Many people looked at her, but no one knew where the woman came from and they didn't dare to speak to her.

"eleven."

Chen Shiyi turned around and saw Wen Zhirou walking towards her with a smile on her face.

"Miss."

Wen Zhirou smiled and took her hand.

"You are now the noble Lord of Daye, so you shouldn't call me that. From now on, just call me Madam Baibo in such occasions."

Wen Zhirou looked at Chen Shiyi carefully.

"You've changed a lot. You've become more charming and beautiful. I didn't even know you were getting married. I should have prepared a big gift for you."

Chen Shiyi shook his head.

"I'm used to it outside, so I don't care about those empty formalities. As long as the intention is there, it's enough."

Wen Zhirou held her hand, which was very cold.

"It's not even winter yet, why are your palms so cold? Didn't you ask the maid to prepare a hot water bottle?

Chen Shiyi shook his head.

"It's not that expensive. I'll just walk around with it later."

A gentle sigh.

"You still have to take good care of yourself. You need to take good care of yourself when you are afraid of the cold, so that you can easily get pregnant."

"You can't even have a child yourself, and you have the nerve to teach others."

Beside them, two women dressed up gorgeously looked at Wen Zhirou, covering their mouths and laughing, with a hint of contempt and disdain in their eyes.

Chen Shiyi looked at Wen Zhirou inquiringly.

"Who are they?"

Wen Zhirou lowered her eyes and forced a smile.

"They are my husband's concubines."

Chen Shiyi opened his mouth and asked in disbelief.

"You said they were your husband's concubines, and then they embarrassed you in public on such an important occasion, making things difficult for you, the great Lady Bai Bo?"

Wen Zhirou sighed softly, her eyes dim.

"It doesn't matter."

Chen Shiyi felt a little sad seeing Wen Zhirou like this.

"Where is your arrogance and your sharp tongue?"

"It's gone. It's been worn away over the years."

Hearing Wen Zhirou say these words casually, Chen Shiyi couldn't help but feel sad.

Wen Zhirou must have married the wrong man. This failed marriage completely destroyed the pride that she had tried to maintain even in exile.

"Eleven, maybe I am wrong. Remember the man holding the scroll I told you about? After I returned to Beijing from exile, he had been a widower for two years. Later, for the sake of my youthful aspirations, despite my eldest brother's strong opposition, I insisted on marrying him and becoming his second wife."

Wen Zhirou paused.

"Over the years, I have experienced the ups and downs of life, the pain and suffering. Do you know that I actually think the years I spent in exile were the best years of my life? With you protecting me, I didn't have to deal with so many worldly matters, and I lived a very carefree life."

Chen Shiyi sighed.

"Why is he treating you badly? You are his legitimate wife. Besides, you are marrying down while they are marrying up. Why do they still bully you like this? Even a concubine can show off in front of you?"

"Perhaps, I still have that affection for him. If he just said a caring word, I would go through fire and water for him. If he was sick, I would take care of him day and night. So, if I have to say that he deserves it, it's because I despised myself and pushed myself to this point."

Chen Shiyi pondered for a while.

"How do you want to live? If you still like him and can endure being looked down upon as before, then don't tell others about your sufferings and don't show your unwillingness, or others will look down on you even more. This is the path you chose, and you have to bear the consequences yourself. If you have seen clearly, then it's not too late to turn back. Your elder brother is your backer, what are you afraid of?"

Wen Zhirou shook her head.

"My eldest brother didn't allow me to divorce. He said that he had advised me at the beginning that if I made a mistake, I would have to bear the consequences myself."

Chen Shiyi glanced at the golden chrysanthemums in bloom.

"When flowers are in their best bloom, they are remembered by people, who want to admire them and entertain guests. When flowers wither, no one is willing to look at them. When flowers are in their best bloom, you hide them and only show them to that person. That person must think that you are indispensable to him, so when you gradually wither, he will definitely abandon you."

Wen Zhirou pondered for a while.

"Eleven, I regret it so much. Why didn't I bury the amazing glimpse I had that year deep in my heart? Why did I let reality destroy the only beauty in my heart?"

"Maybe this is what your youth cannot have."

Wen Zhirou smiled sadly.

“Maybe.”

As they walked, the two concubines followed them.

"Madam, we feel the weather is a bit chilly. Can you ask your maid to get a coat from the carriage?"

"Don't you have maids?"

"They have to serve us. Madam, don't you have other ladies with you? It's just right that we have someone to take care of us. We have nothing. Please have mercy on us, Madam."

Wen Zhirou remained silent.

But Chen Shiyi couldn't help himself.

"Who are you? Why should my maid obey your orders and serve other ladies? You two are the masters of the house. I want to ask, which family is plotting against me?"

The two concubines looked at each other.

"Madam, please tell this lady, otherwise the master will be angry again when you go back."

Wen Zhirou looked at the two of them quietly without saying a word.

One of the brave ones heard Wen Zhirou didn't say anything, so he raised his voice even louder.

"Madam, we just asked your maid to get a coat. It's not a big deal. Why do you need other ladies to scold us? I'm afraid you won't be able to report back to us when we get home."

Chen Shiyi took a deep breath.

"Bai Ling, they actually refused to call themselves concubines in front of this county lord, and even spoke without restraint, disregarding the hierarchy and blaming the mistress of the house. Teach them a lesson for me."

"yes."

Bailing stepped forward and slapped them in the face with one hand, the sound so loud that it attracted everyone else to come over.

Those two concubines had never suffered such injustice before, and they cried so hard that it was very heartbreaking to hear them.

Chen Shiyi asked Wen Zhirou.

"How many times has this happened?"

“I don’t remember.”

"No wonder he's so arrogant outside."

After a while, Madam Xuetu from Longtu Pavilion came over after hearing the noise.

"Who caused trouble at the flower banquet hosted by this lady?"