Zhao Sixing came in from outside and saw his younger sister sitting somewhat forlornly to one side. He felt very sorry for her, but this was his sister's life, and what could he, as her older brother, do?
Yang Siying had wives and concubines at home, but he often frequented brothels and was a regular at those male prostitutes. Because of this, Zhao Siyan became a laughing stock in the capital. Zhao Siyan knew what people were saying about her, but what could she do with such an unreliable husband?
When Zhao Siyan saw Zhao Sixing, she stood up and gave her brother a curtsy. Zhao Sixing smiled and said, "Please sit down, sister."
After sitting in Zhao Sixing's new house for a while, seeing that it was getting late, Jiang sent someone to say that she had caught a cold these past few days and was having a headache, so she asked Xu Shao to entertain her relatives.
Ning couldn't be happier. Being with Jiang meant she had to be careful with her words, always afraid of saying something wrong that Jiang might find a loophole, or even worse, that something inappropriate might cause trouble for her sister-in-law. She had to think about each word three times before uttering it. And then there was Xu Shao, that sister-in-law, who was no pushover either. With them all gone, meals were much easier.
Xu Shao hosted the banquet in her side hall. During the meal, Zhao Ziqi came over, toasted Ning Shi with a cup of wine, and left in a hurry after putting down the cup. Chen Zhaoci looked at Xu Shao's calm face and thought that this sister-in-law must have come to terms with it and was not unhappy because her husband's family had treated her family poorly.
After the meal, Ning took her leave and went back, as she would have to come back early the next morning. Xu Shao, along with Zhao Siyan and Zhao Sixing, escorted them to the carriage and watched them get on and leave the alley before returning to her own courtyard.
Xu Shao held Zhao Siyan's hand and asked with a worried expression, "Sister Yan, is there still no sign of pregnancy in your belly?"
Zhao Siyan shook her head, her eyes red. Xu Shao, thinking of Yang Siying's concubines and maids, asked, "What about the others? Are any of them pregnant?"
Zhao Siyan said, "Mother, there isn't a single one." After saying that, Zhao Siyan buried her face in her hands on the table and began to sob.
Xu Shao quickly helped Zhao Siyan up and asked, "Have you seen a doctor?"
Zhao Siyan wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and said, "Mother, I saw a doctor, and the doctor said I'm in good health and there's nothing wrong. I wanted my husband to see a doctor, but after he heard that, he scolded me and hasn't come home since. It's been half a month." By the end, Zhao Siyan felt extremely wronged.
In this era, it was very difficult for a family to gain a foothold in their husband's family if they did not have children. Although the Yang family was a noble family, Zhao Siyan married Yang Siying, who was not the eldest son of the main wife but the youngest son of the concubine. Because of Yang's mother's arrogance, Yang Siying, relying on his handsome face, caused a lot of trouble. It was a pity that Zhao Siyan was blinded by love and insisted on marrying him. Xu Shao thought that the Yang family had a good background and that although Yang Siying was not the eldest son of the main wife, he was the favored youngest son of the main wife. Yang Siying's elder brother was the commander of the Imperial Guard and a confidant of the current emperor.
Zhao Siyan hugged Xu Shao's waist and silently shed tears. Xu Shao wanted to say that if she couldn't go on, she should come back, but what could she do if Zhao Siyan came back?
It's not uncommon for women to divorce. After a divorce, they either remarry or are supported by their brothers. If Zhao Siyan returns after a divorce, will the Zhao family allow it? In a family, having a divorced girl will affect the marriage prospects of other sisters or younger relatives. Even if Xu Shao wants her child to live comfortably, she will still consider how to arrange things after the divorce.
Since none of the women around Yang Siying were pregnant, it was highly likely that he had a health problem. The thought that her daughter would not be able to have a child because of the husband she married made Xu Shao's heart feel like it was being boiled in hot oil.
Xu Shao gently stroked Zhao Siyan's hair and said, "Sister Yan, don't be sad, there will always be a way."
Zhao Siyan couldn't say much. She wanted this marriage herself, and her mother had already suffered a lot because of her wish. Now that her life had turned out like this, Zhao Siyan was too ashamed to come back and complain to her mother.
Zhao Siyan wiped away her tears and said, "Mother, life is something we have to live. Don't worry, I'll always be able to make it work."
Over there, Ning Shi, Chen Zhaoci, and Xu Zhi were in a carriage. Ning Shi thought of Zhao Siyan, sighed, and said, "Yan'er is a sensible child, it's just a pity that she found such a man. Alas, what a waste of a good girl."
Ning had suffered a lot because of Xu Shao in the past. Although Xu Shao has changed a lot now, Ning is generous and no longer holds a grudge. The relationship between the two can no longer be as close as it is with other people.
Chen Zhaoci had never paid much attention to these gossips in the capital. When he went to other people's houses to attend poetry gatherings, wine parties, tea parties, or flower parties, he would just sit on the sidelines and listen to what others were saying. When he heard Ning Shi say something that made Zhao Siyan angry, Chen Zhaoci said, "It's also because my brother-in-law isn't a man who can stand up for his daughter. Otherwise, if his daughter was wronged in someone else's house, wouldn't the father stand up for his daughter and stand up for her?"
Upon hearing this, Ning laughed and said, "Third sister-in-law, do you think everyone is like you and third brother, disregarding everything for the sake of their children, even going so far as to confront the Emperor himself? We parents are sometimes quite incompetent, worrying about this and that, and can only watch helplessly as our children suffer."
Thinking of the miserable years her eldest daughter had spent in her husband's family, Ning sighed and said, "Our Gao'er, with so many people in our family loving and caring for her, wasn't she also tormented by her mother-in-law for a few years? Our family is willing to go to any lengths for our children. Third sister-in-law, I know that Father, my third brother, and Di'er have worried a lot about our Gao'er. Your eldest brother and I have always remembered your kindness. We are fortunate to be able to do these things for our children. Look at this huge capital city, how many families offend people for the sake of their married daughters?"
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