To put Liu Fangniang at ease, on the first day the new bride entered the mansion, Zhou Yongli did not go to the courtyards of the two concubines, but instead went to accompany her.
“Yonglang…” Liu Fangniang was really sick. She had been overworked recently, and there was no one to talk to in the house. Now, two little vixens came and wanted to steal her lover away. She was so anxious and angry that she couldn’t get out of bed.
Seeing her looking haggard, Zhou Yongli felt extremely distressed: "Don't be afraid, you know, your cousin's heart will always be with you."
Liu Fangniang silently shed tears. Now she finally realized how easy it was for the madam, the legal wife, to torment her, the concubine.
She and Yonglang were clearly in love, so why could she only be a concubine?
Not only her, but Yingjie'er has also been having a hard time lately, and she has become noticeably more silent.
The only one who hasn't been bothered yet is Shu-ge'er, which is only because he lives in the front yard and is personally looked after by Yong-lang. But what if something happens?
Liu Fangniang trembled all over. What if the madam were to be ruthless and ruin Shuge's future? Judging from her actions these past few days, it was not impossible.
If only there were no wife, their family could live in harmony and happiness, without being constantly suppressed and forced to learn those so-called rules!
"Yonglang, I'm scared..."
"Don't be afraid, your cousin is here."
His assurances did not reassure Liu Fangniang. If he could truly protect her and her daughter, why would he wait until now to say so?
Her eyes darted around: "Yonglang, Yu-ge'er has become Master Ye's apprentice, so why don't we see Yu-ge'er going to study?"
Zhou Yongli, however, did not understand her meaning and advised, "Your health is not good, so don't worry about Zhou Yuqing."
"I was thinking that Yu-ge'er is the eldest son and represents your reputation, Yong-lang. Shu-ge'er also told me that he was afraid that if he surpassed Yu-ge'er in his studies, it would displease Madam and Yu-ge'er and cause gossip among outsiders. So, we should wait for next year's prefectural examination."
"Wait for what? How could you have such a foolish idea? Zhou Yuqing is useless, are you going to make Shu-ge wait for a lifetime?"
“But Yu-ge’er has fallen too far behind Shu-ge’er, and people will talk about it.”
"They're saying Zhou Yuqing is useless, what does that have to do with Brother Shu?"
"I just thought that it would be better for the two brothers to advance together. If Madam doesn't care, Yonglang, do you really not care either?"
At this moment, Zhou Yongli finally realized something was wrong, and frowned as he asked, "Fangniang, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Liu Fangniang bit her lip and said, half-truthfully and half-falsely, "I was just thinking that now that Yu Ge'er is better, his studies shouldn't be affected. If Madam could focus on Yu Ge'er's studies, then my life, Ying Jie'er's life, and my mother's life would be easier."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yongli sighed heavily: "It's kind of you to have thought of so much. Song Xia has gone too far these past few days."
Liu Fangniang leaned against him: "Yonglang, don't you suspect that I want Yuge'er to ruin his health by studying again?"
"If studying can ruin one's health, how can the court have any useful people? It's clearly because he himself is useless."
The next day, after leaving Qinyaxuan, Zhou Yongli began to question Zhou Yuqing about his studies. If he couldn't answer a question, he would scold him for being useless, saying that he was not even as good as his younger brother Zhou Shuqing and was just a good-for-nothing.
Zhou Yuqing looked at her father, whose face was contorted with rage, but remained expressionless. She had little expectation to begin with, and now she could finally give up.
Sometimes he really wanted to ask, is this really his father?
Perhaps, the father never wanted to be his father at all; he only wanted to be the father of Zhou Shuqing and Zhou Ying!
"Did you hear what I said?" Seeing that he didn't react, Zhou Yongli became even angrier. "How could I have given birth to such a useless son like you?"
Zhou Yuqing smiled and said, "Even if my son is useless, he is still your eldest son."
He didn't finish his sentence, but Zhou Yongli understood. He meant that with him around, Zhou Shuqing could not possibly bypass him to inherit the Zhou family business.
Zhou Yongli's face turned ashen as he listened, so angry that he couldn't speak. How could he possibly understand that everything he had couldn't be inherited by his most valued son?
"You unfilial son!"
"The dragon has nine sons, each different from the other. Father's expectations of his son are too high. Please forgive me for not being able to meet your expectations. Mother says that as long as her son is happy and healthy, that's enough. He should put his studies aside for now. Father, are you asking me to go against Mother's wishes? What should I do?"
Zhou Yuqing pretended to be in a difficult position, his expression as if to say that he also did not want to be his mother's unfilial son!
Zhou Yongli, however, felt that Song Xia was arrogant and now Zhou Yuqing dared to disobey him. He, as the head of the family, felt particularly ashamed and roared, "You wretched child, how dare you disobey me? Guards, bring out the family law."
"Who dares to challenge me?" Just then, Song Xia pushed open the door and entered.
She looked at Zhou Yongli with a mocking gaze: "After listening to a few words of instigation from the concubine, you dare not come to me, so you come to make things difficult for my son. Zhou Yongli, you are a coward."
Zhou Yongli's face darkened even more after his secret was exposed: "Do I need a reason to discipline my son? Song Xia, don't make false accusations."
"But I remember telling you a long time ago that you don't need to worry about Yuqing's studies."
"He's my son, how can I not care?"
Song Xia curled her lips. If that's the case, then don't blame her for showing no mercy.
“Guards, Liu Fangniang is seriously ill. To avoid passing on her illness to the masters of this mansion, she shall move to the estate immediately. Do not delay.”
Zhou Yongli was furious: "How dare you!"
Song Xia replied calmly, "Why wouldn't I dare? I am the mistress of this household, and it is only natural for me to discipline the concubines."
“You…” Zhou Yongli pointed a trembling finger at Song Xia, “you shrew.”
"I told you long ago not to mess with me. You want to harm my son, Zhou Yongli? You still expect me to give you face? I know exactly what you're up to. You want to torment my Yuqing and then make way for Zhou Shuqing? Dream on!"
Song Xia is truly furious. Before, she was trying to maintain the superficial peace in the mansion, but now no one can expect to have an easy time.
Zhou Yongli's face turned pale and then red, his expression extremely gloomy. He gritted his teeth and said, "I am the master of this Zhou mansion. Everything in this mansion is decided by me."
"What, you want to divorce me? Don't you know which of the seven grounds for divorce I've violated? There's still one score I haven't settled with you yet."
Zhou Yongli's eyelids twitched, and he had a bad feeling.
"Someone, go and report to the authorities that someone in the mansion has stolen the imperial gifts."
Song Xia looked at Zhou Yongli sarcastically: "The pawnshop manager said that the things the Liu family brought to pawn were not ordinary items, and he was unwilling to accept them. But that fool said that our Zhou family gave them to the Liu family. I didn't know that imperial gifts could be given away so casually. So I sent someone to check my account books before I entered the mansion. Guess what I found?"
Zhou Yongli's expression changed drastically: "Song Xia, what are you trying to do?"
"What for? Of course, it's to report to the authorities and get rid of the traitor within our own ranks! The theft of an imperial gift is a serious matter."
When the arriving old lady heard this, she was so frightened that she went limp. Fortunately, a maidservant caught her in time.
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