From a young age, Zhou Shuqing was told that Zhou Yuqing was sickly and that the entire Zhou mansion would eventually belong to him.
As Zhou Yuqing grew older, his health deteriorated, and he fell behind Zhou Shuqing in every way, Zhou Shuqing became increasingly convinced of his father's and grandmother's claims.
But all of this began to change three or four years ago. Zhou Yuqing's health gradually improved, and his stepmother began to target him, his sister, and his aunt, seemingly determined to completely suppress them so that they could not recover. Even his father and grandmother were powerless to help.
How could he be willing to accept having what was rightfully his taken away?
So what if Zhou Yuqing is the eldest son of the legitimate wife? His father's intention is still with him! The position of the legal wife should have originally belonged to the concubine!
Heaven has taken pity on them, allowing them to establish a relationship with King Huai, and he will take back everything that was taken from him.
Once my younger sister marries Prince Huai, my stepmother will no longer be able to make things difficult for them. Once Prince Huai ascends the throne, my stepmother and Zhou Yuqing will only be at their mercy.
Zhou Shuqing's eyes reddened with excitement; he couldn't wait for that day to arrive.
Wasn't the legal wife most proud of her status? On that day, she would completely crush her status and make her watch her beloved son fall into the mud.
After Song Xia returned to the main courtyard, she heard that even the seriously ill old lady was happy to get out of bed, and Zhou Yongli also specially lifted Aunt Liu's confinement.
"Madam, it's only been a few days since Consort Meng miscarried, and Consort Liu has already been released. Aren't you going to do anything about it?"
"How can we manage it? Now that her daughter has married into a wealthy family, who does she need to worry about?"
"Even if the Third Miss marries into a higher social class, she will still only be a concubine. Can a married young lady still interfere in her family's affairs?"
Song Xia chuckled: "That's not what they think. After being suppressed for so many years, they've finally turned their lives around, so of course they're going to be arrogant. Take my token and go to the accounting office to get some silk, silver ingots, and medicine for Aunt Meng. Tell her that life is long, and taking good care of her health is the most important thing. Don't worry about unnecessary things."
"Yes, madam."
When Furong delivered the things, Aunt Meng and Aunt Gao learned that Zhou Ying was about to marry Prince Huai and that Liu Fangniang had been released. Aunt Meng was furious.
After Furong relayed Song Xia's exact words, Aunt Meng's expression softened a bit.
As soon as the others left, Aunt Gao advised, "She is the master's darling. It's only a matter of time before she's released. Even the madam isn't in a hurry, so why are you?"
"But her daughter is about to marry Prince Huai, and then..."
"Will the Third Miss's status change just because she marries Prince Huai? She'll still be a concubine, just like us." Aunt Gao saw things more clearly, so after her initial surprise, she quickly sorted things out.
She said earnestly, "Even if her daughter is the principal wife, it won't change the fact that the lady is the principal wife. Besides, a concubine's daughter will only be a concubine if she marries into the family. In essence, she is the same as us, just a concubine. It's just that the third young lady married a better man than the master."
Aunt Meng was still worried: "But after all, he's marrying a prince! And I've heard that Prince Huai is extremely favored."
"No matter how favored he is, a prince can't interfere in the private affairs of his officials. We just need to follow the madam and listen to her arrangements. Sister, even if things are difficult, are they as difficult as they were before we came to the Zhou residence?"
Aunt Meng nodded, her expression softening slightly, "I will never forget your great kindness, Madam."
"Yes, look at this mansion, besides the madam, who else cares for us? It's the master..."
Aunt Gao paused for a moment: "Although Madam's initial purpose in bringing us into the mansion was to use us to disgust Liu Fangniang, Madam has never hidden this idea. The benefits she has given us have all been real. Sister, let me tell you the truth, even if I betray Master, I will never betray Madam."
Aunt Meng paused for a moment and then nodded, saying, "Indeed, Madam will protect us, but Master won't."
The two women knew very well that to Zhou Yongli, they were nothing more than playthings and could never compare to Liu Fangniang.
But the lady does give them real good things. As long as they are obedient, having a child to rely on is not a problem for the lady. She will not treat them as a threat.
"So during this time, let Liu Fangniang and the others be as smug as they want, we just need to wait for the right opportunity."
Liu Fangniang is indeed very proud now. Her Yingjie has really made her proud. So what if Song Xia is the legal wife? Zhou Yuqing will never be as good as the two children she gave birth to.
Once Yingjie marries Prince Huai, and Shuge becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination, what will Song Xia have to compare with him?
Is it the status of the principal wife and the Chengjun Prince's Mansion behind her?
Ha, what about the Prince Cheng's mansion after Prince Huai ascends the throne? Her daughter is an imperial concubine, and her son is a prince! Why should she be afraid of Song Xia, a mere county princess, and the disgraced Prince Cheng?
At that time, Yonglang will be able to divorce Song Xia without any scruples, making Song Xia a discarded woman, and Shuge will no longer be troubled by his status as an illegitimate son!
The triumphant Liu Fangniang changed into her most gorgeous clothes and immediately sent someone to the accounting office to withdraw silver. Her daughter was about to become a concubine of Prince Huai, and she needed to buy some fine jewelry.
However, when the servants went to the accounting office, they were ruthlessly refused entry.
"He dares not give it to her?" Liu Fangniang was extremely shocked. Did someone in this mansion not know that her Ying'er was about to marry Prince Huai? What a clueless person.
"It is said that without the lady's token, no one may withdraw the funds."
Liu Fangniang's expression changed several times, then she raised her head and puffed out her chest: "In that case, let's go to Madam's courtyard and ask about Ying'er's dowry. Ying'er is marrying Prince Huai, so her dowry can't be meager."
She even made a detour on her way there, specifically to meet Zhou Yongli.
"Although I am a concubine and should not interfere in Ying'er's marriage, Ying'er was born from my womb, so I would like to go with Yonglang to Madam to discuss Ying'er's dowry."
Zhou Yongli nodded: "That's how it should be. Ying'er was able to marry His Highness Prince Huai because of your excellent teaching."
Liu Fangniang's smile deepened. All those years of enduring humiliation and hardship had finally paid off. No matter how domineering Song Xia was or how good her background was, if she couldn't produce good sons and daughters, she would have to live at her mercy in the future.
Song Xia, Song Xia, you've been so stingy with us these past few years, and now you're going to give it all away?
First, give Ying'er a generous dowry, then we'll deal with you and Zhou Yuqing, as well as Aunt Gao and Aunt Meng...
Liu Fangniang's face was contorted. Don't blame her for being ruthless. She followed the wrong person and touched a man she shouldn't have. She should have known that there would be no good end. The past few years she has enjoyed have already used up all her good fortune.
At this moment, in the main courtyard, knowing that they were coming, Song Xia sat calmly and leisurely.
She smiled slightly. Could it be that Liu Fangniang really thought she was finally able to hold her head high from this moment on?
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