If she hadn't spent several years with Ji Yinli in her previous life, she would have doubted whether she had mistaken the person for someone else.
Upon hearing this, Song's face flushed red and then turned pale.
After a long silence, she slowly spoke: "Have you considered other things?"
Gu Qinlian asked eagerly, "What do you mean?"
Madam Song said quietly, "Perhaps the Ji family was like this before they rose to prominence. But you didn't notice it back then, or perhaps they were extremely good at hiding it. As for that woman Gu Qinlan, she has always been vain and competitive. Even if she was suffering in the Ji family, she was unwilling to reveal a single thing to us."
Gu Qinlian's eyes widened in astonishment: "Does Mother mean that we've been kept in the dark all this time?"
Having lived for decades longer, Mrs. Song possessed a far sharper insight into the ways of the world than her daughter.
Her face was as heavy as lead, and she nodded slowly, her tone revealing an undeniable certainty: "It is very likely that's the case. As the old saying goes, the poor are cunning, and the rich are benevolent. When a person is struggling to make ends meet, where do they have the energy to be bound by etiquette and laws? When you were connected with the Ji family in your previous life, they had already fallen on hard times. Even if they were pretending, they would try their best to present a glamorous image."
Gu Qinlian was struck as if by a bolt from the blue. Shocked, she couldn't help but complain, "Mother, if that's really the case, what am I supposed to do? These past six months of married life have been like living in hell. They are even more despicable than the Zheng family."
Although there were constant disputes in the Duan Prince's family, at least they didn't covet her dowry or haggle over every penny.
Madam Song couldn't help but sigh softly, and said earnestly, "I tried to persuade you with all my heart, but you just wouldn't listen. Look at that wretched girl Gu Qinlan, how carefree her life is now. If you had listened to my advice back then, wouldn't you be enjoying a wonderful life now?"
Gu Qinlian immediately retorted, "What good life does she have! Didn't Mother just say that she's best at putting on airs? No one knows the Zheng family's situation better than me. Her life there is not much better or worse than mine."
That ignorant mother-in-law, the domineering sister-in-law, plus three troublesome stepchildren, and the mess that was the Prince Duan's mansion—just thinking about it made Gu Qinlian's scalp tingle.
However, when she thought about the various predicaments Gu Qinlan was currently facing, a strange sense of pleasure welled up in her heart.
“In a few months, Zheng Dinglian will be back. By then, no matter how good Gu Qinlan is at disguising herself, she will find it difficult to maintain the status quo.”
Gu Qinlian was even somewhat eager to try, impatient to see Gu Qinlan fall awkwardly from the height.
However, Song had some doubts in her heart: was the Zheng family really as bad as her daughter said?
After all, in the six months since Gu Qinlan married into the Duan Prince's mansion, apart from some unpleasant rumors in the first month, everything has gone quite smoothly.
Moreover, during the last heavy rain, Gu Qinlan successfully won praise for the Duan Prince's Mansion.
Madam Song had to admit to herself that Gu Qinlan, whom she called a "bitch," was indeed more cunning and manipulative than her daughter. But naturally, she dared not reveal this to her daughter.
The mother and daughter were enjoying a warm conversation when a maidservant tiptoed in and bowed to announce, "Madam, Miss, the son-in-law and his wife have arrived."
Upon hearing of Ji Yinli's arrival, Gu Qinlian's expression instantly froze: "What are they doing here! Get them out of here! Throw them out!"
Madam Song hurriedly tried to dissuade him, her voice stern: "Don't do anything reckless!"
Gu Qinlian's eyes flashed with resentment and anger: "Mother! They have made me suffer so much..."
Madam Song's eyes were filled with endless pity: "I understand, child. No one feels more pain than me for every bit of suffering you've endured. You are a piece of my flesh, and I have cherished you in the palm of my hand for eighteen years, never letting you suffer the slightest grievance. But since you married into the Ji family six months ago, they have tormented you to this state. Whenever I think of this, my heart aches as if it were being cut by a knife. If it weren't for my many concerns, I would really want to tie them all up and give them a good beating."
"However, what good will a good beating change? You're now a member of the Ji family, and life has to go on no matter what. Besides, he might achieve great things in the future, and for that reason alone, you should forgive him a little."
Gu Qinlian's eyes were bloodshot: "So all the grievances I suffered were just for nothing?"
Madam Song gently stroked her cheek and softly comforted her, "Of course not. No woman can marry without suffering grievances."
“Your suffering this time is indeed profound, and if you want to use it to restrain them, it will certainly have the power. But over time, even if they are kind-hearted, they will get tired of it.”
Gu Qinlian bit her lip and asked in confusion, "Then what should I do?"
Madam Song smiled gently, a sly glint in her eyes: "Naturally, it's about exchanging your grievances for what you desire. Back then, I used the same methods to get your father to make me his legal wife. And over the years, he has always been more lenient with me than with others."
A glint of light flashed in Gu Qinlian's eyes: "Mother, your words are truly a wake-up call! How could I have forgotten the methods you used back then?"
Gu Qinlian knew all too well how Song had risen from a concubine to become the head of the household.
After all, this was the strategy that Song herself taught her, and which almost helped her succeed.
Song's expression was somewhat unnatural: "You knew everything?"
Gu Qinlian smiled radiantly: "Of course, you told me this yourself in my past life. I even know exactly how Gu Qinlian's short-lived mother passed away."
Madam Song's expression changed drastically, and she quickly covered her mouth, saying, "You must keep this to yourself and never let anyone know!"
Gu Qinlian gently brushed her hand away, her lips curling slightly, and said with a hint of disdain, "Mother, I really don't understand why you are so worried. She never knew the truth until her death in her previous life, and she is unlikely to find out in this life either. Her unfortunate mother has been gone for eighteen years, and even if she has any suspicions, it is difficult to trace any clues."
Madam Song's eyes widened in anger, her gaze sharp as lightning. She rebuked, "I told you to keep quiet, yet you dare to speak out! What do you know! Better safe than sorry! Your father repeatedly warned us that not a single word about this matter should be revealed. This matter is of great importance; if even the slightest leak occurs, our entire family will be doomed."
Gu Qinlian didn't care about this at all. Having lived through a lifetime, she knew a lot about the inside story. How could she not know the severity of the risks?
However, to avoid further nagging from Mrs. Song, she simply replied casually, "Alright, I'll keep my mouth shut."
Only then did Madam Song feel relieved, and her tone became gentler: "Now do you understand how to deal with this? The Ji family is in a difficult situation right now. Even if you are unwilling, you can only accept it for the time being. When Ji Yinli passes the imperial examination in three years, the Ji family's situation will naturally improve."
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