Shen Youying smiled slightly, ignoring Xu's unpleasant expression, and said to Cai Wenxuan, "My sister's family has fallen on hard times, and she lost both her parents at a young age. She was raised entirely by her uncle's family. But her uncle's family is not kind, and she is gentle and weak, so she has had a very difficult life. A few days ago, her uncle's family wanted to marry her off to a wealthy businessman in his fifties, and she couldn't bear it and attempted suicide. That's how the matter came to light. After I heard about it, I took her in and thought about finding her a good marriage. But with her background, she is neither good enough for a high-class family nor a low-class one. I'm also worried that she is too gentle and weak and will be bullied, so I haven't settled things yet."
"Now that I see that Lord Cai is a handsome man and Lady Cai is a generous mistress, I am thinking of arranging this marriage. My cousin suffered when she was young. As long as she had a hot meal and clothes to wear and was not beaten or scolded, she had no grievances."
Upon hearing this, Cai Wenxuan was naturally willing. He cupped his hands and said, "It is truly my honor to have gained the favor of Madam. As long as your sister is willing, I am happy to oblige. Although the Cai family is not a high-ranking or noble family, we are still quite wealthy and will certainly not allow our female relatives to suffer any losses or hardships."
Shen Youying nodded in satisfaction and said, "Then I will write a letter back to the capital and ask my cousin to come over."
Hearing the two women settle the matter so quickly, Madam Xu was furious. No longer caring about propriety, she put her hands on her hips, pointed at Cai Wenxuan, and yelled, "Cai Wenxuan, you dare to take a concubine and see what happens! Have you forgotten what happened to the last one?"
Cai Wenxuan was somewhat embarrassed to be scolded in front of Shen Youying and a group of servants. He lowered his face and suppressed his anger, saying, "Xu, have I been too tolerant of you all these years? Don't be so presumptuous!"
Although the Cai family was not of high social standing, Cai Wenxuan considered himself a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and was quite handsome in his youth. Even now, though he is older, outsiders still praise him as a dignified gentleman. However, despite his talent and appearance being excellent, he reluctantly went to the ugly Xu family in order to gain a foothold in Xizhou.
Xu was not only plain-looking, but she was also extremely domineering and arrogant. Unfortunately, the Xu family was extremely protective of their only daughter, and after her marriage, Xu would make a scene and then go back to her parents' home to complain whenever there was any trouble.
In Xizhou City, every official, regardless of rank, had numerous wives and concubines. He had merely taken in a maid, yet Madam Xu caused an uproar, and later even found a pretext to disfigure and sell her.
If he hadn't wanted to avoid affecting his cooperation with the Xu family, he would have stopped tolerating them long ago.
But Xu Shi was completely oblivious to his forbearance and concessions, and now she even dared to offend the Prince of Qin's men, making him lose face in public. The resentment that had accumulated over the years finally erupted, and Cai Wenxuan's gaze towards Xu Shi was filled with hatred.
Xu Shi remained oblivious. She was never a shrewd person who could assess situations, and having been spoiled and arrogant by the Xu family, she acted recklessly when her temper flared. She sneered, "I see you've grown too big for your britches. Don't you even realize what you, Cai Wenxuan, are without the Xu family?!"
Cai Wenxuan's forehead veins throbbed, and he finally couldn't hold back, slapping her across the face and shouting angrily, "Shut up!"
When Xu was beaten for the second time, old and new grudges surged up in her heart. She got up from the ground and pounced on him, scratching and biting him: "You heartless man! Do you think you can act tough now that you're the governor? Don't you remember how poor the Cai family is? Without the help of the Xu family, who knows where you, surnamed Cai, would be scraping by!"
"You crazy woman, I think you're going to refuse a polite offer and then drink a penalty shot. I'm going to divorce you today!"
Cai Wenxuan was, after all, a scholar, and not as shrewish as Xu Shi. He pushed the incessantly scratching Xu Shi to the ground, and was so angry that he kept pacing around in circles, shouting that he wanted to divorce his wife.
Shen Youying watched the couple's spectacle from the sidelines, exchanged a glance with Bai Luo Liuyun, and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Lord Cai and Madam Cai are both in a bad mood. Why don't we wait until they've calmed down before discussing this? Oh dear, this is all my fault. If I had known that Madam Cai wouldn't allow Lord Cai to take a concubine, I certainly wouldn't have brought this up and hurt your friendship. Let's just leave it at that..."
But little did she know that once she opened her mouth, Cai Wenxuan's anger soared to the heavens. Especially when he heard Shen Youying repeatedly say "Madam Cai is not allowed to take a concubine," his rage burned even more fiercely.
He glared at Madam Xu and sneered, "Since ancient times, women have not been allowed to be jealous. Madam Xu has already violated the seven grounds for divorce. If I divorce her, the Xu family will have nothing to say."
Cai Wenxuan still retained some rationality, and bowed slightly, saying, "I apologize for my family's scandals, Madam. But since they have been exposed today, let's get rid of this deep-seated problem. After I divorce that shrew Xu, I will definitely come to your door with all the proper formalities to ask for your sister's hand in marriage."
Upon hearing this, Xu's expression grew even more ferocious, and she screamed, "Cai Wenxuan, how dare you!"
Cai Wenxuan calmed down and quickly considered the situation. The Xu family was already tied to him, and regardless of whether the Xu family was involved or not, they wouldn't dare to do anything to him for the time being. However, if he could use this marriage to establish a relationship with the Prince of Qin, he might be able to get on an even bigger ship.
How can a local official in this remote northwestern border region enjoy the same comfort and ease as one in the capital?
Having made his decision, Cai Wenxuan's anger subsided. He looked at the disheveled Xu Shi and said, "You'll know whether I dare to do it or not once we get back."
He then turned to Shen Youying and apologized, "Please forgive me, Madam. It is really inappropriate to make a scene here. I will take Xu back with me first. Once I have settled all the matters at home, I will definitely come to propose marriage."
Shen Youying glanced at the time and saw that it was already time to meet Xue Shen, so she didn't keep him any longer. Instead, she said with a worried expression, "It is said that it is better to tear down a temple than to break up a marriage. Madam Cai and you are husband and wife. Lord Cai, you should not make a rash decision that you will regret later."
Seeing that she was still pretending to reconcile at this time, Xu cursed loudly: "You vixen, you tasted the sweetness of becoming the King of Qin's mistress, and now you want your sister to follow suit? A whole nest of vixens, I won't let you succeed!"
Without paying any attention to Cai Wenxuan, she got up from the ground, helped her maid, and turned to leave.
Seeing this, Cai Wenxuan gritted his teeth again. After apologizing to Shen Youying, he turned and strode after her.
The two had just reached the door when they bumped into Xue Shen, who was riding back. Xue Shen's gaze swept over them, and he raised an eyebrow, asking, "What's going on?"
Before Xue Shen, Madam Xu still dared not be presumptuous, and simply lowered her head without speaking. Cai Wenxuan bowed and replied, "My wife and I had a disagreement."
Xue Shen nodded, as if he had lost interest after asking the question casually, and rode past the two men into the courtyard.
Shen Youying was drinking tea in the hall. It was the first time she had done something like adding fuel to the fire, and she was quite thirsty.
Xue Shen strode in and saw her lounging lazily in the chair. He chuckled and asked, "What did Zhao Zhao do? Why do those two look like they've been fighting?"
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