But while she was happy, some people were not.
“Master, please don’t blame Miss Xiang. It was my fault for coming at the wrong time. She happened to be sick. It’s alright, I don’t mind if you’re a day or two late.”
Yuan Xiqing's gentle, delicate, and aggrieved appearance perfectly resembled the legendary "white lotus." Don't men all like this type?
Cao Xinqian looked distressed and apologetic, and his expression turned even more unfriendly to Ji Meiniang.
“Ji Meiniang, Xiqing has borne me children, and even if she hasn’t done anything special, she has certainly worked hard. I’m the one who calls the shots in this household. Whether you accept this cup of tea as a concubine or not today, it won’t change the fact that she’s moved into the Cao family. Don’t act out and make a fool of yourself in front of outsiders.”
"A joke? Cao Xinqian, you know it's a joke?" Ji Meiniang sneered, taking her seat at the head of the table and pulling Xiang Wan to stand beside her. "Now, who in Fengquan City doesn't know that Cao Xinqian, a junior official of the Cao family, openly welcomes his mistress into his household? I'm afraid the teahouses and taverns are already spreading all sorts of dirty jokes about you. You have the guts to do it, but not the guts to admit it? I'm afraid soon, someone from the Cao clan will come. If you openly defy me now, no one will cover for your dirty deeds. Without you, the Cao family can choose someone else to replace you. But without me, who will still respect you?"
This is the source of Ji Mei Niang's confidence; the status of Ji's maternal family in the capital gave her that confidence.
After more than a decade of marriage, their affection had long been worn away by Cao Xinqian's repeated betrayals. The only reason she remained silent was her daughter's marriage.
In two more months, her daughter Wan'er will come of age and be ready to marry. She has already chosen a husband for her, and once married, she will no longer need to worry about so many things.
Cao Xinqian had anticipated this, which is why he brought the person in at this particular time. He was certain that Ji Meiniang wouldn't do anything to Xiqing, and that his reliance on her influence was no longer of much use; it was time to plan for himself.
For so many years, he had lived in Ji Meiniang's shadow, only feeling like a man when he was with Xiqing. Now, it was time to fight for Xiqing.
“Ji Meiniang, don’t think I’m afraid of you. If you refuse to come to the manor today, I will move out and live with her. Let’s see what face your Ji family will have left to serve as officials in the court.”
“You…” Ji Meiniang slammed her fist on the table in anger.
"Mother, it's just accepting a concubine, why get angry? A mother can tolerate everything under the heavens, can't she tolerate a mere concubine?"
Seeing Xiang Wan's resolute expression, Ji Meiniang suppressed her anger and said, "Fine, since you want to bring her in, I won't object. But you must give me a written agreement that Wan'er's marriage is entirely my decision, and you cannot interfere. Otherwise, we'll get a divorce!"
So, Ji Meiniang was waiting for him here! Xiang Wan couldn't help but feel a little sad for the original owner of this body.
Ji Meiniang truly always puts the original owner's interests first and never fights for herself. Such a mother is worthy of respect and deserves a better life.
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