"You are given the choice of helping an outsider. Do you plan to go back and reflect on your actions, or do you want me to explain the situation to my mother and ask her to send you back?"
Although the tone was calm, every word seemed to carry an unquestionable majesty.
Xie Yumei lowered her head slightly, her eyes flickering, her hands constantly pinching the corners of her clothes. After a moment of silence, she responded softly, "I will leave on my own. Sister... Sister, I have no malicious intentions to sabotage anything. I was just confused for a moment and was deceived by Xu Wan'er."
Her voice was as thin as a mosquito and almost inaudible in the air.
"You have feelings for Baili Ce. Don't think I'm completely ignorant of this. But he's asking me to marry him, not you. This relationship is doomed from the beginning to the end. Someone suitable for you will naturally appear in the future. If you truly respect me as your elder, you should quickly dispel those thoughts in your heart that don't belong to you."
Xie Yulan leaned slightly closer to the other person and spoke in a low voice, her words full of beautiful expectations for her sister's future.
Hearing this, Xie Yumei lowered her head even more, her face full of embarrassment, and her ears even blushed deeply. It was obvious that these words touched the softest part of her heart.
"Okay, now that you've realized your mistake, go back to your residence."
After saying this, Xie Yulan turned around and left, adding softly, "Don't make the same mistake again."
After getting her sister's permission, Xie Yumei quickly disappeared from sight as if she was escaping.
After watching her figure disappear into the distance, Wen Zhu, who had remained silent, took a half step forward and said to Xie Yulan with a pursed smile, "I'm afraid today's events didn't cause you too much trouble, did they?"
Xie Yulan shook her head gently, and took Wen Zhu's hand, leading her to a deserted pavilion. After they both sat down, she began to explain, "Actually, I want to thank you. Because of you, many things can be solved so smoothly."
After hearing this, Wen Zhu showed a puzzled look: "How can you say that?"
Xie Yulan paused for a moment before recounting the entire story. "Do you know? Baili Ce's father was a teacher, and their lives were already quite poor. Supporting Baili Ce's education required the family's entire savings. Fortunately, this child was extremely motivated and diligent, striving to advance from the county school to the prefectural school. Later, due to his outstanding performance, he was recommended for further study at the Imperial Academy, where he earned a degree and a prestigious degree. However, despite these achievements, his family's poverty remained unchanged. To outsiders, such a humble student would always leave a 'poor' impression."
"Baili Ce had originally planned to save up some money before considering marriage, but based on his meager salary, it seemed like this wish would never come true. Faced with this predicament, both parents were extremely anxious and decided that they couldn't delay any longer, so they set the wedding date for this year. Houses in the capital are very valuable, and for a junior official just starting out, purchasing a decent residence on their own was simply unrealistic. Therefore, the new house we are about to move into was actually purchased with the generous help of my father. Even those seemingly decent betrothal gifts were mostly secretly contributed by my father to save the family's reputation."
As Xie Yulan spoke, she couldn't help but glance at the women in the garden who were meticulously dressing up. "Perhaps some of them have only met me once. More likely, some are whispering behind my back about me marrying someone less than ideal, and are looking down on my husband's humble background."
"Today, I used your difficulties as an excuse to give them a stern reprimand. If a person only judges the value of a friendship based on whether they are well-matched, then even if they get along well for a while, they will eventually go their separate ways. Rather than maintaining superficial harmony with resentment in the future, it is better to draw a clear line now. I can steadfastly walk along my own narrow and bumpy path in life, and they can continue to pursue their own bright and spacious paths. Even if one day I really fall to the point of despair, I would rather beg on the street than ask them for help. But please remember one thing: if Baili Ce can one day rise to prominence and become a prominent figure, I hope they will never try to approach me to establish a relationship or ask for favors."
At this point, Xie Yulan's words were full of a sense of justice.
At this time, Wen Zhu beside him responded softly: "Sister, you are right. But men and women are different after all. For example, an outstanding man like Master Baili, although his family situation is not good at present, he can still create a brilliant career of his own through his own continuous efforts. In comparison..."
At this point, Wen Zhu's voice became lower and lower until her next words were almost inaudible.
Seeing this, Xie Yulan quickly asked with concern, "What's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly so depressed? This doesn't seem to be in line with your personality."
"I can't say that to anyone else."
Wen Zhu gently held Xie Yulan's hand, her voice filled with helplessness and fatigue. "I have already got my indenture back. The prince will help me go through the formalities at the government office and turn me into a free man. Now I am the prince's concubine. But this may be the peak. There will be no further opportunities."
Xie Yulan pursed her lips, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
She understood the meaning behind Wen Zhu's words.
Wen Zhu is now a beloved concubine, and has her own children and some savings.
But in reality, it is really difficult to continue to move forward.
In the State of Daliang, it was rare for a concubine to be promoted to the main wife. Every family had different reasons, and it would always be criticized by others.
What's more, there is now Su Xiawei suppressing him.
"You can rely on your children. If they succeed, your status in the inner house will also rise."
Xie Yulan comforted softly, trying her best to make her tone sound warm and firm.
Wen Zhu smiled slightly, a gentle light in his eyes: "When the child grows up, he still has to be filial to his stepmother. I just want to tell you that I may not be able to attend your gatherings in the future. After all, my status and circumstances are no longer suitable for such occasions."
Xie Yulan glared at Wen Zhu and said firmly, "No! I've already prepared a place for you, you are not allowed to back down. Let's go, let's go play together!"
As he said this, he took Wen Zhu's hand, determined not to let her back down.
Over at the wisteria trellis, a group of women were playing flying flowers, and laughter could be heard from them.
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