Her feelings were open to the public, but they aroused groundless suspicion. She felt as if she had been inexplicably thrown a basin of dirty water. She didn't want to live anymore. In order not to bring trouble to her husband's family, she tried to commit suicide as soon as she received the divorce letter.
Although Liang Han had deep feelings for Chun Ge, he also respected and loved his first wife. Seeing that she had been flawless since she entered the family, and that she was elegant, beautiful, and considerate, he became dissatisfied with his eldest sister-in-law, even thinking that Chun Ge was complaining to her cousin. The matter eventually came to the attention of the Marquis of Yongchang, who severely reprimanded his concubine's eldest daughter-in-law and imposed a punishment. However, considering Molan's virtue and the Sheng family's growing power, he asked his wife to try to appease her.
At this point, the legitimate line of the Liang family had a complete victory. Second Madam Liang became closer to Molan, and Madam Liang also became much more amiable. As a reward, she personally told Liang Han that he should have a legitimate son first, and before that, the concubines should take contraceptive medicine.
"Isn't this pretty good?" Minglan asked doubtfully. She knew that with Molan's scheming and ability, she wouldn't end up doing too badly.
Hualan rolled her eyes at her and continued telling the story.
Before Molan could even recover, Chun Ge had already adjusted her mindset, worked hard to recuperate, dressed, and stormed back into the fray with unstoppable force. The upside was that she had suffered greatly during childbirth, her beauty was far from her former glory, and it was likely that she would have difficulty conceiving again. The downside was that she had unexpectedly adopted a more delicate and effeminate style, which for a moment earned Liang Han's pity.
Molan, holding a piece of ginseng in her mouth, forced a smile, and with a demeanor that even a seasoned brothel owner couldn't match, she frequently introduced beautiful brides to her husband. Liang Han wasn't a man of strong will. Even if he was obsessed with his first love, he couldn't help but be dazzled by the sight of flowers and plants. Today it was Xiaohong, tomorrow it was Xiaocui, the day after tomorrow it was Ah Huang. What a playboy! Aunt Chun Ge's heart was broken, so she had to take a back seat.
Molan's tactics were remarkable, capable of injuring one thousand enemies while injuring eight hundred of her own. Although she succeeded in diluting Chun Ge's affections, she also created a houseful of beautiful women, leaving her husband with little time to stay in his own room, and thus she has been unable to conceive to this day.
Minglan believed Molan's strategy was sound. The most terrifying thing about a man was his true feelings. As long as they weren't truly emotional, there were rules and regulations to enforce. Those maids and concubines were merely passing clouds, played with, and pampered, and forgotten. Molan, the principal wife, wouldn't be in danger. But Chun Ge was not only Liang Han's beloved, but also a concubine of good family background. She was a double threat, and it was always right to point the gun at her first.
"Fortunately, the Liang family has many descendants. I think it won't be a big deal if Fourth Sister is not pregnant for the time being."
Hua Lan curled her lips and said sadly, "It'll only be a few years, I can't wait seven or eight years. Alas, if it weren't for Aunt Lin back then... Never mind, they're sisters after all. Now seeing her fighting in the Liang Mansion, it doesn't sit well with me."
Minglan listened and nodded. After a moment, she slowly tilted her head and stared at Hualan with a faint smile. From what she knew of Hualan, while she sometimes enjoyed gloating, was overbearing, and a bit self-centered, she was actually a decent and upright person at heart. She had hated Molan so much back then, but now she actually felt pity and sympathy for her. There must be something wrong!
Hua Lan made her feel numb from looking at it, and she scolded, "What are you looking at, little girl?"
Minglan deliberately drew out her tone, speaking slowly, "I've been bored lately, so I've been reading two Ma Yi books on physiognomy. Today, I saw your complexion. Your forehead is red, your cheeks are radiant, and there's a hint of cloudiness in your face. I think it's good news. ... Tell me, tell me, and make me happy."
Hua Lan listened to her nonsense, but she couldn't help but curl up the corners of her mouth. Her face was full of smiles. She was plump and delicate, exuding a mature and charming charm. She smiled and said, "You are so smart, I was right. There are good news recently. First of all, our concubine Zhang is pregnant."
Minglan looked bewildered: "My brother-in-law has taken another concubine?" What's there to be happy about?
"You have no memory. She is my father-in-law's aunt!" Hua Lan almost yelled.
Minglan's eardrums vibrated from the yelling, and then she suddenly realized, "Then my aunt, oh, my sister's mother-in-law, then..."
Hua Lan couldn't contain her joy and bit her lips hard: "My mother-in-law makes a lot of trouble, but this matter is different. She can bully her daughter-in-law, but she can't do anything to a pregnant concubine! First, my father-in-law didn't let her go, and then the old aunts, old aunts, and a large group of aunts in the clan came every day, some scolded, some lectured, and some advised. Now my mother-in-law can't take care of herself, and she is scheming with my sister-in-law all day long..." The Yuan family didn't have much property, and when it came to dividing the property of the eldest house, the Yuan family's uncle and aunt could no longer sit still.
Minglan was also maliciously happy for a while, but then she became puzzled: "Just this, can it make my sister so happy?"
"More than that." Hua Lan was very proud, her face flushed. "It's your brother-in-law." She paused, trying to calm down her excitement, and then said, "Your brother-in-law has seen a farm in the suburbs of Beijing that he likes. It's a good location with good soil and water, so he wants to buy it."
Minglan clapped her hands: "Buying property is a good thing."
"It's a good thing, but unfortunately we don't have enough money."
Hua Lan said that she had no money, but her expression was very affectionate. She only whispered: "Years ago, your brother-in-law went to the border area for business and tamed a very majestic horse. He loved it as if it were his life and would not let anyone touch it. But this time, he gritted his teeth and sold the horse, went home and scraped together some money to buy that farm. I was also puzzled at the time, wondering why your brother-in-law had changed his mind. Who would have thought that he handed the land deed to me, saying that he had promised to make up for my dowry in full! It turns out that he has been secretly looking for suitable farms for quite some time!" Her eyes were shining, her fingers were trembling slightly, and her excitement and joy were about to burst out.
Minglan sighed softly, then praised loudly, "Brother-in-law is a man of his word!"
Hua Lan was so sweet she was drunk, her eyes slightly moist. "He said that now he finally understood. Parents are brothers and sisters, and brothers have their own families. Only me and the other children are truly only for him. If he doesn't share the same heart with me, who else can he share the same heart with? Your brother-in-law also said that he would never let me suffer any injustice again. He wants me to be at ease and comfortable in the future."
Minglan was speechless. Was this still her brother-in-law Yuan Wenshao, who was known for his awkward and eloquent words? He could actually say such heartwarming words. She was moved by what she heard: "That's really great! All the grievances that Big Sister has endured over the past ten years have not been in vain."
Hua Lan took out a handkerchief and pressed it against her eyes, choking with sobs, "I only hope that sincerity can be reciprocated with sincerity. I treated him with all my heart, hoping that he would not let me down. Now, finally..." She burst into tears.
Minglan was immediately impressed by the woman before her, and she admired her immensely. To successfully educate a filial son like Yuan Wenshao, a man of integrity and righteousness, and to pull him back from the brink of foolish filial piety, was truly remarkable! Throughout this long struggle, Ms. Hualan remained unyielding and consistent, never losing her composure to become a psychopath. Her ultimate triumph over her evil mother-in-law was truly remarkable.
"...When I went to Rulan, I gave her the same advice. She must not let her heart become crooked. She must treat her brother-in-law well, be filial to her elders, and be kind to her sisters-in-law and brothers. People are all made of flesh and blood, and her brother-in-law is a smart man, so he will definitely cherish her."
Hualan wiped her tears and spoke intermittently. Minglan laughed in her heart. Rulan hated being taught a lesson the most, especially the scolding style of teaching from Hualan. Rulan must be feeling depressed at this moment.
Putting down the handkerchief, Hua Lan was filled with happiness and whispered firmly, "I don't want anything else now. Your brother-in-law said that in a few years he might be able to take a post outside the capital. Then we can take the children and live a relaxed life outside. It would be great for our family to be happy. Before that, no matter how hard my mother-in-law makes things difficult for me or how much trouble my sister-in-law makes, I can endure it."
Originally just wanting to listen to some gossip to cheer herself up, Minglan unexpectedly received a lesson. She reflected deeply on whether she was not sincere enough towards Gu Tingye. Often, she always considered her own gains and losses first, and Gu Tingye second. But how can a man's love compare to loving yourself? What if the man is unreliable? Wouldn't that mean everything is lost?
Isn’t this idea too selfish?
In other words, loving yourself and being selfish are not the same thing, but how can we grasp this boundary in relationships between men and women?
Minglan fell into deep thought. This was a question of guidelines, a serious one.
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