Chapter 33
Seeing her husband blushing at what the third wife said, the first wife tried to smooth things over for her husband, saying, "Don't misunderstand, third sister-in-law. Your brother also has his own difficulties..."
The Third Wife naturally knew that the First Wife was trying to save the First Master's face, so she didn't say much, and only asked in a cold voice,
"Then let me ask you a question. Do you agree with me on today's matter? If you agree, I will handle it. If you don't agree, then report it to the palace and ask mother to make the decision."
If such a small matter alarmed the princess, she would think that the masters and mistresses of the Wang family were incompetent.
The second master had always been at odds with the first master, and he also felt that it was unacceptable for the girl to be bullied to this extent.
"It is very appropriate for my third brother's wife to handle the matter." Seeing her husband speak first, Jiang, who was standing beside him, glanced at him lightly.
The third master always protected his wife in public, and said seriously, "This is an internal matter, so it should be handled by the wife who is in charge of the household affairs." The implication was that the eldest master could not interfere.
The eldest master usually relied on the third master as his younger brother, so he softened his tone in front of him, "But third brother, you should know that I am in charge of dredging the Tongzhou canal, and there was a case there, and the matter is..."
The third master interrupted him expressionlessly, "If the Liu family threatens you with this matter, then you'd better not have such an in-law. Brother can't be coerced by others every day, right?"
"Did you know that this was done intentionally by the Liu family? As long as you are my brother, this matter must be handled according to the Wang family rules."
The master sat dejectedly in the armchair and said nothing.
The third wife glanced at the fourth wife and her husband, and the fourth wife and her husband had no objection, so the matter was settled.
After a while, the maid outside the door came to report, "Master, Madam, the young master of the Liu family wants to see you. He said he is here to take our aunt back."
All the masters and mistresses had grim expressions on their faces. Wang Shuying, who was standing beside the eldest mistress, immediately stopped crying, wiped away her tears, and cheered herself up.
The Third Madam calmly looked at the wide-open door and said in a calm voice, "Everyone, please go back. I will handle it alone. We are showing him off with such a big show. Is a thing that is not presentable worthy of our respect? All of you go away!"
The third master was the first to stand up, and the other masters and wives also left one after another, until only the first wife and Wang Shuying were left.
The third wife asked Wang Shuying, "Auntie is going to ask you the truth, what are you thinking?" She had to find out Wang Shuying's background before she could take action.
Wang Shuying choked up and hesitated, "I don't want to let that woman in."
"What if the other party insists on letting her in? Will you accept her as a concubine? Or divorce her?" the third wife asked.
Wang Shuying was stunned when she heard the word "divorce". "I...I..." She couldn't make up her mind for a moment, and tears flowed out again.
The Third Wife was a little disappointed, but she didn't force her. After all, this was someone else's marriage. If the Third Wife wanted to support her, she had to do it herself.
"Tell me the truth, so I can talk to you later."
The eldest wife was worried that the Third Wife's capable personality would force her daughter to divorce, so she supported her daughter's elbow and said, "I think as long as she is not a co-wife, she can be a concubine."
Wang Shuying looked back with tears in her eyes, and said with a heartache, "Mom, you don't know, they have been in love for more than ten years. Once she gets married, where will I stand? Moreover, you don't know that woman, she is a beast in human form. She is very affectionate with my sister-in-law in front of me, but secretly she steals my man. When I think of her, I feel sick and can't eat or sleep..."
The Third Madam couldn't bear to listen any longer and interrupted her, "I have an idea. You might as well take a gamble. I bet that the Liu family dare not break up with our Wang family. If that's the case, we can use the divorce to force the Liu family to back down. Of course, you must have a plan in mind. If the Liu family really agrees to the divorce, you must not regret it."
"Think it over carefully before you reply to my question."
Wang Shuying took a step back and slumped into the armchair. The scenes of her five-year marriage flashed before her eyes. A forced melon is not sweet. Because of her identity as the descendant of a traitor, the Liu family always felt uncomfortable and did not really treat her as a member of the Wang family. She regretted it, but it was of no avail. Selfishly speaking, she did not want to divorce. Where could she go if she divorced? But compared to enduring that couple, she was willing to divorce.
Having made up her mind, she took a deep breath and replied to the Third Madam in a decisive tone, "Okay, I'll leave everything to the Third Aunt."
The first wife was immediately anxious when she heard this, "Child, you have to think it through."
Wang Shuying cried and gritted her teeth, "I think very clearly."
After hearing this, the Third Wife felt relieved. She looked at the First Wife calmly and said, "Sister-in-law, the Liu family dared to bully Ying'er because they took advantage of your and your elder brother's temperament." She dusted off her hands and stood up. "The more you fight, the less likely they will dare to push their luck."
The maid outside was urging them to come, saying that the person had already arrived at the small hall outside.
Wang Shuying forcibly pulled her mother out of the main hall, and the third wife walked out leisurely, "Take her to the side hall." Liu Xun wanted to marry a concubine, so he was not qualified to stand in the main hall of the Wang family.
The third wife came out with her maids and servants, and saw Wang Shuqin and Xie Yunchu talking to each other outside the corridor. She glared at them and said, "You two, follow me."
Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuqin were caught red-handed. They were shocked and followed the Third Madam into the side hall in silence. Soon, a maid brought in a tall man.
The man was in his twenties, wearing a brown robe and a jade pendant around his waist. He looked like a handsome young man. Wang Shuqin glanced at the man and turned away with contempt, while Xie Yunchu and the third wife looked straight ahead, with no emotion visible on their faces.
When Liu Xun stepped into the room and saw Wang Shuqin for the first time, he was stunned for a moment. Seeing that the woman's pretty face was turned away, he felt quite embarrassed. Then he lifted his knee apron and walked into the hall, bowing to the Third Madam and Xie Yunchu.
Xie Yunchu returned the greeting and then stood beside the Third Madam.
The third wife drank her tea nonchalantly and casually pointed to a place below and said, "Master Liu is here, please sit anywhere." Her tone was as casual as if she was talking about family matters.
Liu Xun was not stupid. When he heard that he was here to see the Third Madam, he knew that things were not going to be easy. He stood in front of her respectfully and bowed to her.
"Liu Xun greets the Third Madam. I had a quarrel with Shuying a few days ago. I didn't even have time to eat dinner and came to pick her up immediately. I hope Madam will forgive me for my inconsiderateness. A harmonious family brings prosperity. Please allow me to take her back."
The Third Madam slowly lifted the lid of her tea and asked slowly, "Did you have a quarrel? No way, I heard that Master Liu was planning to divorce his wife and remarry, so my daughter came back to make room for the new wife. Don't worry, our Wang family is not the kind of family that forces others to do things, and we don't do things that bully others. We should part ways in peace. If you want to marry someone else, we might as well find a less shabby husband's family for your daughter, so that you can both live in peace."
This was a different way of scolding the Liu family. Liu Xun's face changed and he looked at the Third Madam coldly. The Third Madam continued drinking her tea and turned to talk to Xie Yunchu about some household matters, not taking Liu Xun seriously at all.
Seeing this, Liu Xun felt quite humiliated. If he had not been afraid of the eldest princess in the palace, he would not have been willing to step into the Wang family's door today. Liu Xun could not bear the reputation of "divorcing his wife and remarrying". He had a stern face and a stiff tone.
"Ma'am, you are joking. This is not true."
"Oh, if that's the case, then what about the co-wife?"
Liu Xun patiently explained, "This is an accident. I was drunk a month ago and flirted with her. She is innocent. She is an unmarried girl who endured humiliation and wanted to go back to her hometown. But she got pregnant and had to come to me. In any case, this is my fault. I can't let her bear the consequences alone. Madam, this happened and no one wanted to. Please forgive me for the sake of our children. She is of high status and is qualified to be my second wife."
Liu Xun almost said that Wang Shuying was just the descendant of a criminal, so how could she be qualified to be his Crown Prince's wife? If the eldest princess had not forced him, he would not have to marry Wang Shuying. Liu Xun glanced at Wang Shuqin unwillingly, and Wang Shuqin rolled her eyes at him. Liu Xun choked, feeling quite ashamed.
After hearing his confusing words, the Third Madam laughed instead of getting angry, "I don't care whether it was an accident or a compromise, our Wang family girls don't accept the idea of having a co-wife."
"It's late, and I still have to take care of the housework. I don't have time to chat with Master Liu. Let me tell you this, if the Liu family divorces his wife and remarries, we will have to submit a few memorials to the censor and let him judge the case."
Liu Xun said anxiously, "Madam, don't talk nonsense. This is a co-wife, not divorcing and remarrying."
"Then let's get a divorce first. You can settle whoever you want!" The Third Wife put the teacup on the table, her eyes full of contempt and disgust, and said coldly, "Master Liu, you are not qualified to speak in front of me. Someone, send him away."
Matron Hao deliberately spoke in a pretentious tone, "Our Madam still wants to play cards with the grandmothers in the mansion. Master Liu, please go back."
Liu Xun's face turned pale and he left in anger.
After everyone left, the Third Madam put down her teacup, her face darkened, and she glanced at Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuqin beside her, "Do you know why I called you two here?"
Xie Yunchu understood that the Third Madam intended to cultivate her and let her see more of the world. Wang Shuqin just came to watch the fun.
The third wife looked at her daughter and said, "I just want you to see the true colors of these men. No matter how good a man is, you must not fall for his sweet words. You must always stay awake, lest he stabs you in the back one day and you are caught off guard and lose your composure."
Wang Shuqin had no intention of getting married now, so she just lazily responded, "My daughter knows."
The first wife and Wang Shuying entered the side hall from the back corridor. The third wife looked at Wang Shuying's moist eyes and asked, "Can you hear what he said?"
Wang Shuying remained silent, as she had expected this to happen.
The eldest wife also got angry after hearing this.
"Third sister-in-law, what are your plans next?"
"Wait for Lord Liu and Madam Liu to arrive."
The Third Madam was right. Once the Wang family showed this attitude, the Liu family could no longer sit still. The next morning, Liu Xun's mother, Lady Liu Hou, hurriedly got on a car and came to the Wang family, bringing gifts to apologize to the First Madam and the Third Madam. The First Madam listened to the Third Madam and never showed up, leaving the matter to the Third Madam alone.
As soon as Madam Liu entered the room, she asked, "Where is the first wife?" The first wife, Qian, was easy to talk to, but the third wife was difficult to deal with.
The third wife smiled and said, "My eldest sister-in-law is sick from anger and cannot entertain my wife. I have no choice but to act like a bad guy and make my wife dislike me."
Madam Liu said hurriedly, "That's not true. The Third Madam is a very busy person. I don't see her on weekdays. I brought some small gifts to honor the two ladies."
The Third Madam was still in the same posture as last night, looking at Madam Liu sarcastically, "Oh, Madam, I dare not accept this gift. What if it is sent to the wrong family? Aren't the Liu family going to marry someone else? Just go to whichever family you should go to."
That second aunt's cousin is Madam Liu's niece, so there is no reason for her not to be on the side of her own family. The Third Madam guessed that Madam Liu was not a good person, so she did not give her any face.
Madam Liu tried to persuade him in a gentle voice.
"What the madam said is not true. How can we take the child's words to heart? You know that this is a misunderstanding. The matter is done. We can only think about how to turn things around and make everyone happy."
"Equal wife is just a nice word, just to give face. You are an old man in the capital, do you really take it seriously?"
The Third Madam also laughed, "Madam, if it was just an ordinary concubine, it wouldn't be a big deal. It would be clear with your elders, and Ying'er would approve it, so everyone would be happy. But your prince is so kind. When our Wang family had no one left, he secretly got someone pregnant, acted first and then asked for permission, and took a concubine. This is trampling on the face of our Wang family."
"You, the Liu family, indulge your son in whatever he wants and have no respect for his family. But we, the Wang family, still have our dignity. I don't like to be naggled by words. Madam, please tell me clearly how we are going to handle this matter?" The Third Madam smiled gracefully.
Madam Liu looked embarrassed. Her niece was already pregnant, so she had to marry her anyway. She swallowed her anger and said,
"Since my wife said so, let's both take a step back and let Xun'er take a concubine. The child is already in her belly, so you can just consider it as a blessing..."
Before she finished speaking, the Third Madam interrupted her, "If you had informed us in advance and asked our Ying'er to take the decision about taking a concubine, it would not be impossible. Our Ying'er is not intolerant of others. But since you have caught our daughter with a good temper and bullied her, then I will not hide it. Taking a concubine, there is no way!"
Madam Liu was horrified, "What about the child?"
The Third Wife smiled as she drank her tea. "You ask me, but who should I ask? It's not like I allowed my niece to have an affair with someone else."
Madam Liu's face turned pale and she couldn't breathe at all.
The third wife finally issued an ultimatum.
"If the Liu family wants to marry into this family, first, let Marquis Liu come to pick her up personally and promise that Ying'er is not the one who decides and that no concubines are allowed. Second, send that woman away and get rid of the child. Since she dared to do such a despicable thing, she should forget about her status. Third, teach the son-in-law a lesson so that he won't do it again."
Madam Liu refused, thinking that the Wang family was bullying others by taking advantage of their power, and she went out cursing. The third wife was not in a hurry, and told the maid,
"Follow Madam Liu and go to the Liu family to move the dowry."
The old woman called a group of servants and maids and planned to follow them to Liu's house.
Mrs. Liu was furious and anxious when she saw the Wang family's attitude. She was afraid that the matter would get out of hand and ruin the Liu family's reputation, so she tried to calm the situation down and said that she would give an explanation to the Wang family today. She turned around and sent someone to ask her husband to return home. Marquis Liu was still busy in the Dali Temple. When he heard about this, he rushed home and kicked his son away. Then he glared at him with his tiger eyes.
"You good-for-nothing bastard, it's okay for you to have a woman, but you have to be honest and upright. Now you've committed a crime and brought shame upon me."
He also yelled at Madam Liu.
"You let him do such a shameful thing. Who will dare to marry a girl to our Liu family in the future? How can I face the Duke?"
Madam Liu argued in a low voice, "She is not a proper girl from the Wang family..."
"You are so confused." Liu Hou glared at his wife angrily.
Madam Liu shrank back in fear and said hurriedly, "Okay, okay, I know I was wrong. No matter how things end, I can't take the child away. She is the blood of our Liu family..."
Liu Hou's face was gloomy. He thought for a moment and said, "I'll go to the Wang family."
At 3 p.m., Marquis Liu went to Wang's house in person and apologized to the eldest and third masters. He promised not to let the woman in, and said that he was helping the eldest master's case. He only asked the Wang family to agree to keep the child and raise him on the farm. The eldest master was interested and looked at the third master. The third master pondered while looking at his wife.
Since the matter was handed over to his wife, the third master planned to let his wife make the decision.
The third wife remembered what Xie Yunchu said.
Half a day ago, Xie Yunchu quietly found her and said, "Aunt San, I think there is something fishy about that cousin. She said she is pregnant. Is she really pregnant?"
At noon, the wives were still discussing how to properly deal with the child, but Xie Yunchu knew that the cousin in her previous life had no child at all, and was just pretending to have one. Later, she went to the farm and pretended to have a miscarriage, causing Wang Shuying to be disliked by her parents-in-law, and the couple to become estranged.
After being reminded by Xie Yunchu, the Third Madam knew what was going on. "Ask the imperial physician to feel the pulse of that cousin and find out the truth first."
Liu Hou and the others all showed changed expressions.
The Third Madam had already secretly sent Wang Shuying's brother, Uncle Wang Shuzhao, to the Liu family with an imperial physician, pretending that it was Marquis Liu's order, to take the cousin's pulse in public. The imperial physician concluded that there was no sign of pregnancy, but the cousin didn't believe it and kept crying. Later, several more doctors were called in, and they all came to the same conclusion. The news was passed back to the Wang family, and everyone in the Wang family was greatly shocked.
Marquis Liu was extremely embarrassed and apologized repeatedly. He dared not say another word and rushed back to beat his son with twenty boards. He also captured the people around the cousin and interrogated them. He found out that the cousin had pretended to be pregnant to force the Liu family to recognize her, and then planned to create a false miscarriage after she got married so as to put the blame on Wang Shuying and replace her.
Seeing that his childhood sweetheart cousin was playing tricks on him, Liu Xun was so angry that he vomited blood and fainted.
On the third day, the Liu family came to visit in person, put on a very humble attitude, and promised to hand over the household affairs to Wang Shuying and never take a concubine again. In the past, the Liu family disliked Wang Shuying's background and never let her manage the family. This time, they completely accepted this daughter-in-law. Wang Shuying cried with joy and knelt down in front of the third wife and kowtowed.
"If it weren't for you, I don't know if my niece would have survived this time."
The Third Wife pointed at the gentle and demure Xie Yunchu next to her and said, "You're thanking the wrong person. You should thank your second sister-in-law. If it weren't for her careful thinking and good decision-making, we would all have been defeated by that woman."
Xie Yunchu didn't dare to take credit for it. "Third Aunt, what you said really humiliates me. It's a blessing for us younger generations that the Wang family has a mistress like you."
The third wife was pleased and looked at Xie Yunchu deeply, thinking to herself that the Wang family had a successor.
Wang Shuying thanked Xie Yunchu again, and their intimacy was self-evident.
Even the first wife looked up to Xie Yunchu and wanted to hug her and call her her sweetheart.
This matter eventually alarmed the eldest princess, who without saying a word gave the woman a piece of white silk as a warning to others.
At night, Xie Yunchu was sitting in Chunjing Hall drinking tea. When he heard the news, he was half moved and half envious. The eldest princess is the eldest princess and she never disappoints anyone.
Unfortunately, in her past and present lives, there has never been anyone who could stand by her and protect her from the wind and rain.
Forget it, she doesn’t need anyone else to protect her from the wind and rain. She, Xie Yunchu, has to rely on herself.
Just as the thought came to an end, a familiar sound of footsteps was heard outside the porch, followed by the maid reporting,
"Greetings to the Second Master."
Her husband who hadn't been seen for three days...came back.
Xie Yunchu glanced at the copper clock. It was neither early nor late, and the child had already fallen asleep. What was he doing here?
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