So even though she knew her daughter had suffered a great injustice in her husband's family, she still persuaded her daughter to go back and continue to please Lu Ziqian.
After all, compared to her life, she had no other choice but to suffer injustice!
"Jiaojiao, don't blame your mother for being biased!"
"I know you're upset, but I really have no other choice..."
"Your second brother's fate is unknown, your mother cannot lose your eldest brother as well..."
Seeing her mother's pained and self-reproachful expression, Su Yujiao could no longer bring herself to say the words about divorce.
Looking at her mother's gray hair, she felt no resentment whatsoever, and even felt heartache and understanding.
Chen thought the same way as all women of that era.
From a young age, they were taught that men were superior to women, and that women should follow the three obediences and four virtues: obeying one's husband after marriage and obeying one's son after the husband's death. Only men could carry on the family line, and without a son, the family line would die out.
Compared to other families that favor sons over daughters, her parents have been very good to her.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have named her Jiaojiao, since she was naturally pampered and spoiled from a young age.
So when she transmigrated into the Su family, she was very fortunate. She had been loved by her parents and brothers since she was a child, unlike other women who were labeled as a money-losing burden from birth.
If it were her, she would make the same choice.
After all, grievances are nothing compared to life.
"Mother, I'm going inside to check on Father. I'll be back in a bit."
"How has Dad been lately?"
"It's still the same old story. I can't see anymore, and with the old injury flaring up, I have a splitting headache every day..."
Su Yujiao frowned as she smelled the strong odor of alcohol and asked, "Father is so sick, why are you still letting him drink?"
Chen wiped away her tears: "I can't persuade her. She gets angry if we don't give her a drink, and it makes the house very uneasy."
"Let him drink if he wants to. Getting drunk will at least reduce his headache for a while."
"Your father was such a strong-willed man. He went from being a respected general to being like this now. He must have suffered a lot!"
"And then there's your older brother's situation; he hates himself for being so incompetent..."
Su Yujiao stood in front of the bed, looking at her father, whose hair was gray, beard was unkempt, and who was still unconscious from a hangover, and felt an indescribable bitterness in her heart.
Since my older brother's accident, my parents seem to have aged ten years overnight!
The two came out of the room, where Madam He was washing clothes. The sheets and quilts were piled up like a small mountain, and there were even many cotton-padded jackets of different sizes.
Why are there so many dirty clothes in the house?
As Su's mother watched her daughter-in-law doing laundry late at night, she felt a mix of emotions: "Your father needs money for medicine, money to bribe the jailers, money for food, drink, and even basic necessities. The family's money has long been used up."
“Your sister-in-law went out and found a laundry job to earn some money every day to supplement the family income.”
"Don't take your sister-in-law's words to heart."
“She’s also a woman with a hard life. She hasn’t enjoyed a single day of happiness since marrying into our family. Now she has to take care of the elderly and children and earn money to support the family. Before your older brother was arrested, he wrote a letter of release for his wife. She doesn’t want to leave.”
Su Yujiao looked at her mother in surprise, she had no idea that her family was already going through such a difficult time.
"Why didn't you tell me you were short of money? I could have sold some of my belongings to tide me over."
Mrs. Chen sighed: "Your sister-in-law won't let me see you. She said you've already had enough of a hard time in your husband's family and she doesn't want to cause you any more trouble."
“Since the incident at home, all your dowry has been used to support your family. If we ask you for money again, it will only make the Lu family look down on you even more.”
Su Yujiao's eyes stung with tears as she listened. She turned to look at He Shi, who was working diligently, and felt a mix of emotions.
From the day she married into the family, He Shi was jealous that everyone in the family doted on her. She never gave her a kind look and always spoke to her with barbs.
Therefore, she never really liked the He family.
I never expected that Madam He would consider her feelings. Sometimes human nature is just so complicated.
"Sister-in-law, stop washing, it's getting late."
"Let Xiaotao stay and help you tomorrow. I'll also try to earn some money to supplement the family income."
Without looking up, He continued working, her tone cool: "These are none of your business."
"If you really want to help your family, go back and find Lu Ziqian now."
"Cry or coax, as long as I can get your older brother out, I'll kowtow to you every day and treat you like an ancestor."
As Madam He spoke, she suddenly threw down her clothes and complained, "I don't know what you're being so dramatic about all day. Which man doesn't have three wives and four concubines? Why can't you be one of them?"
"Don't assume that just because your family spoils you, outsiders will too."
“If Lu Ziqian likes Chen Yunniang, let him marry her. Anyway, you are the legal wife, and even if she enters the family, she will only be a concubine.”
"Moreover, the General's Mansion has a family rule that concubines cannot be taken. Chen Yunniang is at most an outsider and cannot even enter the house. She poses no threat to you at all."
"Can't you just go along with him a little, coax him a little, and respect him a little?"
“If you really want to save your brother, you shouldn’t be throwing a tantrum at this critical moment.”
Su Yujiao felt bitter. She almost died in the bandits' den and was whipped in public by her husband, but in the end, she was blamed for being immature, throwing a tantrum, and being temperamental.
Sure enough, people who can't stand each other at first sight are destined to never be friends!
Su Yujiao nodded: "Okay, I'll go back now."
Madam He paused in her work: "What's the rush? It's the middle of the night. What if something happens? Wouldn't I be blamed?"
"Your room is cleaned up. You can leave tomorrow morning."
...
General's Mansion.
Lu Ziqian returned to the courtyard and frowned as he looked at the dark kitchen.
Usually, she would be busy in the kitchen by this time, but because he had to go to court at 5:00 AM, she had to get up in the middle of the night to cook.
Although he felt it was unnecessary, since there was a cook at home, there was no need for her to do it.
And you won't die from skipping breakfast.
But she persisted, always thinking that doing these trivial things would please him.
Since she insisted, he didn't object.
After all, her cooking was truly delicious, even surpassing that of the imperial chefs in the palace.
Before she married him, his diet was very monotonous, consisting mainly of steamed or boiled food.
After she arrived, he learned that there were so many ways to cook, from stir-frying and deep-frying to braising and stewing.
He's become quite picky about food, and now he can hardly swallow anything except the dishes she cooks.
Today, the kitchen is cold and deserted, with no activity at all.
Without her constant nagging and admonitions, he felt somewhat out of place.
Lu Ziqian suddenly remembered that she was injured and couldn't get up to cook.
For some inexplicable reason, he went into the bedroom, wanting to see her.
The bedroom was pitch black. The man turned on the light, but found no one in bed.
Just as I was about to ask someone, I saw the divorce papers on the table.
Lu Ziqian stared at the divorce papers that imitated his handwriting, his brows furrowed, and a raging fire raged in his dark, cold eyes.
How dare she write a divorce agreement?
What tricks are they playing now?
Should we really go for it with him?
When he caught a glimpse of the tear stain where the signature was, he curled his lips into a disdainful sneer.
I thought she was so tough, writing a divorce agreement in a pretentious manner, but then deliberately leaving tear stains, just to gain his pity.
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