In Cui's eyes, all men in the world are the same.
The honeymoon period was indeed sweet; it felt as if there were only the husband and himself in the world, and no one else.
However, within a few years, concubines, beautiful maids, illegitimate sons and daughters all appeared.
Even those men who are praised by history for their deep and unwavering love actually had no shortage of other women.
At most, they just showed extra respect to their wives.
Leaving aside distant examples, even Choi herself went through a process from sweetness to jealousy and then to resentment.
She had an incredibly clear understanding of men.
Helian Jue was indeed a man of exceptional quality: noble status, handsome appearance, powerful influence, and young and promising.
However outstanding he may be, he is still a man, with the lustful and fickle nature of men.
Now he and Xie Yuanqin are a harmonious and loving couple.
That's because the sweetness of being newlyweds hasn't worn off yet.
Xie Yuan is good-looking and young.
"Flowers don't bloom for a hundred days," and even the most beautiful person cannot withstand the ravages of time.
Furthermore, people are inherently prone to novelty-seeking and aversion to the old.
Before Xie Yuan even grew old and faded, even more tender and beautiful young girls sprang up like mushrooms after rain.
Their Ah Rou may not be as beautiful as Xie Yuan, but she is younger than him.
Most importantly, Xie Rou was the wife specially chosen by Empress Ashina for Helian Jue.
Although Cui failed to persuade Empress Ashina to help this time, Xie Rou herself is a powerful example of this.
She is Helian Jue's rightful fiancée.
Xie Rou was just confused for a moment, which is why she missed out on Helian Jue.
But men, when it comes to women they "desire but cannot have," always have an obsession with them.
Cui believed that Xie Rou and Helian Jue were destined to be together.
For them, good things just take time to come.
Now that everything is back on track, Xie Rou will surely live a very good life as long as she manages the Prince's mansion well after entering it.
"Men need to be coaxed! Just like coaxing a child."
Cui took Xie Rou's hand and began to teach her "the way to tame a husband".
"That brat Xie Yuan is a cunning woman. When she went to the Eastern Palace, she must have done everything she could to deceive His Highness Prince Yue."
Otherwise, given her cursed fate of bringing misfortune to her father, mother, and brothers, would Helian Jue have accepted her?
Hmph, even ordinary people would look down on it.
"In a way, she got off easy. There are plenty of girls of marriageable age in the Xie family, and she's not the only one."
"I gave her this incredible opportunity out of pity, but I never imagined she'd be so heartless—"
Cui was filled with resentment whenever Xie Yuan was mentioned.
Even now, she hasn't forgotten.
On the day she forced Xie Yuan to marry in her place, Xie Yuan took the opportunity to threaten her and took a large portion of the Xie family's assets.
Not only did she take the money, she also instigated Helian Jue to send someone to falsely accuse her own husband.
He was a high-ranking official in the Secretariat, a third-rank official, but he was demoted to a minor county magistrate in Lingnan.
Looking back, Cui felt that her family's decline was entirely Xie Yuan's fault!
After arriving in Lingnan, Cui saw Xie Yuan, the Princess Consort of Yue, living a high and mighty life with many servants. Not only was she the mistress of the inner courtyard of the Prince's mansion, but she could also show her face in public to help Helian Jue manage affairs.
She became the most distinguished woman in Lingnan, without exception!
Having witnessed Xie Yuan's success and prestige firsthand, Cui felt envious, jealous, and resentful.
She completely forgot that it was her own daughter who refused to marry, and that she used Xie Zhen as a hostage to force Xie Yuan to marry.
She forgot that the Xie family did have other women of marriageable age, but they were all from collateral branches.
The royal family allowed Xie Ze to break off the engagement and find someone to marry in his place because the person Xie Ze chose was the real eldest daughter of the Xie family.
His biological father is the head of the Xie family, a renowned figure in China!
Xie Ze and Cui Shi at that time were aware of Xie Yuan's unique and noble status, which is why they chose her to marry in her place.
He could just pick any woman from the Xie family; he wouldn't even dare to dream of it.
Because the royal family would definitely not agree.
...Cui Shi simply did not want to think about these things; she only believed in her own wishful thinking: "I gave Xie Yuan the opportunity; I gave her the wealth and honor she has now."
"That damned girl is so heartless. Instead of being grateful, she repays kindness with enmity."
"Arou, remember, once you're married into the family, you must make sure you keep a good relationship with Prince Yue. Once you've established yourself in the Prince's residence, you can deal with that brat Xie Yuan slowly!"
As Cui continued talking, she started coming up with terrible ideas.
"Also, you must take good care of your health and have children as soon as possible."
At this point, a smug glint flashed in Cui's eyes. "That wretched girl Xie Yuan must have gotten her comeuppance. Hmph, so what if she's favored? She still doesn't even have a child."
Without children, even as the principal wife, she cannot hold her head high in the Prince's mansion.
"Arou, you must give birth before Xie Shi. If you give birth to the eldest son, you will be a meritorious official of the Yue Prince's Mansion."
Men, in particular, place great importance on the continuation of their lineage.
Only by giving birth to a son can a woman be considered to have a firm foothold in her husband's family.
Unlike Xie Yuan, who is foolish and doesn't even have a child of his own, yet still works himself to the bone for the Prince's mansion.
Hmph, she's building both a royal palace and a new city.
But she herself has no children, so sooner or later other women and children will benefit from her.
"She's a complete idiot! She's just doing all the work for someone else."
Cui scoffed, then took Xie Rou's hand and said softly, "My A-Rou is different. As long as you please the Prince and give birth to the Heir Apparent, everything Xie has worked so hard for will belong to you and your son!"
Xie Rou lowered her head, her pretty face flushed.
It must be said that the scene her mother described to her was simply too beautiful.
A handsome and decisive prince, the Yue Prince's mansion with wealth beyond measure, the envious and jealous expressions of the noble ladies, and the ability to trample those who once humiliated him underfoot...
All of this is so beautiful that I could wake up smiling from my dreams.
"Oh dear, why hasn't the prince returned yet?"
"Once he returns, I'll have your father visit him and set a wedding date as soon as possible."
"Also, I've already found an embroiderer to make your wedding dress. It's a pity that in this poor and remote place of Lingnan, there isn't even a decent embroiderer."
"But don't worry, I've had gold thread woven in, so I'll definitely be able to outshine Xie Yuan."
Whether she was showing off to her daughter or hypnotizing herself, Cui was in a state of inexplicable excitement.
Xie Rou, influenced by Cui Shi's emotions, also eagerly awaited Helian Jue and her marriage into the Yue Prince's mansion.
Of the entire Xie family, Xie Ze is the only one who remains relatively clear-headed.
"This marriage may not go smoothly."
Xie Ze was someone who had personally experienced Helian Jue's ruthless methods.
Xie Ze felt more fear than respect for this willful and eccentric prince.
He dared not harbor too many illusions about Helian Jue.
His only reliance was probably: "The emperor has decreed the marriage; no matter how unwilling Helian Jue is, he cannot disobey the imperial decree."
Helian Jue: ...No! I can!
So what if I defy an imperial decree? I dare to do it!
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