"I understand. From today onwards, I and A-Ping will take care of the chores around the house so that Yingzi can rest properly. She's about to give birth and shouldn't be overworked," said Madam Li.
Just then, a man rushed in from outside; it was Maoli. He said, "Madam, Master, the Master has returned."
Lanqin was surprised that Li Wei had returned. She decided to take this opportunity to teach him a lesson; he was such a blindly filial son. He couldn't even protect his own wife, and she had no idea she had entrusted Cui Niang to him in the first place.
When Madam Li saw that her son had finally returned, her feelings immediately changed. She had been humiliated several times in front of Lanqin, and she hadn't even had a chance to retort. Now that her son was back, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Before the two could say anything, Li Wei had already entered. Upon seeing Lan Qin, he quickly stepped forward and bowed to her.
"Li Wei greets Consort! It is my honor to have Consort visit my residence~" Li Wei naturally noticed that his mother's expression was not very good, but Consort was not the kind of person who was difficult to serve, so why was his mother's expression bad?
"Li Wei, why are you back so early today?" Lan Qin asked.
"Reporting to Consort, since His Majesty has no further instructions today, I took leave and returned early. It is because Consort Cui is heavily pregnant and will give birth at any time, so I often return early to take care of her," Li Wei said.
Hearing him say that, Lanqin felt a little better. It turned out that this guy still cared about Cui Niang. Otherwise, she would have been furious.
"Yes, Li Wei, I was just discussing with Madam Li who will take care of Cui Niang if she gives birth. Just now, Madam Li said that she will personally take care of Cui Niang after she gives birth. Is that right, Madam?" Lan Qin said to Madam Li with a smile.
In truth, what man doesn't know the state of his relationship with his mother and wife? It's just that they're used to turning a blind eye, avoiding the issue, and letting the women handle it themselves. Although Li Wei knew his mother didn't particularly like Cui Niang, things were outwardly amicable, so he didn't interfere. After all, being caught between his mother and his wife was a difficult situation, and even someone as clever as Li Wei found it challenging.
"Yes, that's right. Lady Cui has given birth, and it's my duty to take care of her. Why trouble Consort Li with such concerns?" Old Madam Li quickly replied, knowing that saving face for her son was essential.
“Lord Li, our concubine has brought a small gift for the old lady. I haven’t been able to bring it out yet, so please accept it now.” Si Hua took out a brocade box from her sleeve and presented it to the old lady at just the right moment.
Lanqin silently gave Sihua a thumbs up in her heart; this was the perfect time to bring her out. Sure enough, Li Wei's smile became even more sincere. After all, what kind of status did the concubine have? For her to condescend to visit a mere servant was already a great honor. She even brought a gift for his mother; she had shown both affection and courtesy.
"Thank you, Consort. Consort, why don't you stay for a meal? Although the food in my humble abode is far inferior to that of the Prince's chefs, I, Li Wei, would feel utterly ashamed if I didn't serve you a meal," Li Wei said.
“Alright, but Cui Niang is heavily pregnant, how could I bear to trouble her anymore? I’m afraid A Ping won’t be able to manage on her own?” Lan Qin said deliberately.
"What are you saying, Consort? The food I cook is excellent. My sons Li Wei and Li Chuang always enjoy it very much. Why don't I cook for you again today?" Madam Li could also see how formidable this Consort was. Her own sons treated her with such respect, so if she didn't show them the same respect, it might not be good for her sons' future.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Madam," Lanqin said.
After Lanqin helped Sihua back to Cui Niang's room, Sihua repeated to Cui Niang everything Lanqin had said to the old lady.
"Master, I feel so bad that you have to stand up for me!" Cui Niang said, holding Lan Qin's hand.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner that there was such a stubborn old lady in your family bullying you? Otherwise, I would have come to stand up for you long ago," Lanqin said, patting Cui Niang's hand.
“My lord, it’s just a matter between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. If I were to bother you with such things, how could I live up to the trust you have placed in me?” said Cui Niang.
"Although we are master and servant, we are already as close as sisters. Why are you being so polite with me!" Lanqin said. "Li Wei seems to treat you quite well, and he even knows to come back as soon as he has a chance. But your mother-in-law, I didn't expect her to be so unreasonable. Why is she treating you like this? Does she look down on you because you're not from an official family?"
“My lady, I was just a palace maid. It was only because of the favor of the concubine that I was able to marry Li Wei at the age of twenty-something. Without the concubine, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have been able to marry such a good man. My mother-in-law has always valued her son very much, probably because I was a palace maid!” Cui Niang finally said, tears falling unconsciously.
"Bang!" Lanqin slammed her hand on the coffee table next to her in anger.
"Li Wei is just a staff member by Fourth Master's side, and he doesn't have any official title. Why does he think you've wronged him? That's outrageous! If it weren't for you, would Master have valued him so much? Even Cui Da and Cui Er are not as good as him," Lan Qin said angrily.
“My lord, my elder brothers are both rough men, how could they possibly possess the talent and learning of my husband?” said Cui Niang.
“Even a rough man has his uses. And Li Wei isn’t the only scholar. Fourth Master has plenty of talented scholars around him. Why is he the only one he’s given an important position?” Lanqin said angrily. She hadn’t expected that even after Cui Niang got married, she would still suffer such humiliation. If it weren’t for the fact that she was an old woman, Lanqin would have cursed her out.
"Sister, look how much the master dotes on you. You must not let the master worry anymore, and take good care of the child in your belly," Si Hua hurriedly advised.
"Yes, thank you, Master. I'm sorry to have disappointed you," said Cui Niang.
"It's not that you disappointed me, it's that seeing you like this makes me angry with myself. Maybe I should have tested Li Wei a little more back then, who knew his mother would be so insensible!" Lan Qin said angrily, but then she smiled.
"Master, why don't we open all those things and look at them one by one, then we can pick out some suitable clothes for my sister first?" Si Hua quickly interrupted.
“Yes, let’s not talk about that anymore. Come on, open all the gifts I prepared for you and take a look,” Lanqin said.
The three of them, master and servant, began to choose suitable items for the unborn child. Even Ah Ping was kicked out by the old lady, who told her not to help.
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