Objectively speaking, although Chen Damei was always favored by Jiang Ming and regarded as his first wife, her position was unshakeable.
But she has never been able to adapt well to the change in her identity...
Deep down, she's still that honest, simple country lady.
She was kind-hearted and compassionate, disliked being served by servants, and had no sense of caution.
Logically speaking, someone of her rank should have at least several maids serving her around the clock.
But my younger sister doesn't like that...
After returning from Chenjia Village, I immediately told the maids... "You've all had a long day, go back and rest. I just want to talk to my second sister."
Therefore, there were no maids guarding her door.
Otherwise, how could Changsun Yuenu have overheard their conversation?
Chen Damei treated Jiang Ming's other wives and concubines with great respect...
Moreover, the warriors of Shang Sun Yuenu's Changsun tribe were Jiang Ming's elite troops who had fought in numerous battles and made outstanding contributions to Jiang Ming.
Now that Changsun Yuenu has come to visit, Chen Damei naturally gives her a warm welcome.
"Second sister, go and pour the Grand Consort a cup of tea..." the eldest sister instructed.
"Ouch!"
Sun Yuenu took Chen Damei and Chen Ermei's hands and said, "We're all sisters, why be so polite? Ermei ranks higher than me among the King's concubines. Your Majesty, it's too much for me to have Ermei pour tea..."
"They're all family..."
Chen Damei smiled and said, "Second sister is my own sister, Your Highness doesn't need to worry about these formalities."
The second sister was quite obedient. She poured a cup of tea for Changsun Yuenu, who accepted it respectfully and thanked her repeatedly.
"Your Majesty!"
Changsun Yuenu said with a look of pity, "I overheard what you two were saying at the door just now... Speaking of which, this oil frying torture is too cruel. I heard that you have to peel off the skin first before throwing it into the oil frying pan... cough!"
Upon hearing this, the younger sister couldn't hold back her tears any longer and choked out, "My good-for-nothing brother! He's caused such a terrible disaster, and I, as his sister, can't save him, sob sob!"
"cough!"
The second sister also sighed: "My dear wife, my husband has always upheld justice, and that cannot be changed."
Changsun Yuenu's eyes darted around, and she said, "I've heard them say that among the common people... there's a saying that the law doesn't apply to those of high status. Although... upholding the law impartially is very important, the Imperial Brother-in-law is, after all, the Imperial Brother-in-law, your brother. To execute him like those commoners is indeed going too far. What I mean is..."
She paused, then continued, "Why don't we persuade the king to change his punishment from boiling oil to exile... Let the king's brother-in-law go to the grasslands, and I'll grant him a piece of land so he can live there for generations to come. That way, his life will be spared, and at worst, we can just prevent him from ever returning to Yan..."
Is that really possible?
The eldest sister was persuaded by Changsun Yuenu, and hope shone in her eyes.
Changsun Yuenu nodded: "Queen, the King has always doted on you, and he will listen to what you say... The key is whether you bring it up or not. If you do, the King will certainly not refuse you."
Upon hearing this, Chen Damei fell into deep thought.
"After all, putting them in a deep frying pan is too cruel!"
Changsun Yuenu said, "We don't have such cruel punishments on our grasslands. After all, the king's brother-in-law is a member of the royal family. If we treat him like this, it will make the other vassal states laugh at us... It will damage the king's dignity!"
Chen Ermei said, "This punishment is indeed too cruel, but... for my brother's sake, I privately pardoned him and changed it to exile. What will others say? They will definitely think our husband has double standards and is unfair..."
"Oh dear!"
Changsun Yuenu said, “My dear second sister! In this world, where is there any true fairness? Some people are born princes, while others are born servants and slaves. The two nobles cannot serve each other, and the two lowly cannot be employed by each other. People are inherently of different classes, so how can we generalize?”
She paused, then continued, "Moreover... the previous ruler of Yan was a tyrant, and the laws he enacted were all unjust. This is a good opportunity to amend them..."
Her words convinced Chen Damei and Chen Ermei, who looked at each other in disbelief.
Changsun Yuenu seized the opportunity to encourage him, saying, "The three of us sisters should go to see the King together and explain the advantages and disadvantages to him. The King will surely accept our suggestion!"
Chen Damei still asked with some concern, "Then... will my husband be angry?"
"Won't!"
Changsun Yuenu said with a smile, "Our King dotes on you, Queen. He'll definitely listen to you as long as you speak... On the contrary, if I were to speak for him, he wouldn't take my advice..."
The three women put their heads together and went to find Jiang Ming.
On the surface, Changsun Yuenu's intentions appeared to be good.
After all, it was to save Chen Dabao...
Moreover, the laws of the Yan state are indeed harsh and need to be revised.
But in reality, this Changsun Yuenu harbored malicious intentions.
When it comes to palace intrigue, Chen Damei and Chen Ermei are indeed no match for her!
Changsun Yuenu understood very well: if it were someone else who committed a crime, it would be a good opportunity for the queen to plead for them, thus showcasing her virtue and benevolence. However, the nature of the crime was entirely different when it involved her own brother.
Changsun Yuenu was also trying to understand Jiang Ming's imperial mind by putting herself in his shoes...
Even if Chen Damei's request is reasonable, the fact that she pleaded for her brother's sake will inevitably affect Jiang Ming's impression of her: he'll think she's someone who's clueless and can't see the bigger picture. Anyone can plead for someone, but you can't! The fact that you plead for someone proves that... once you encounter relatives from your own family, you'll find some so-called 'reasonable' excuse to absolve them of their crimes.
Jiang Ming wouldn't think that Changsun Yuenu was being unreasonable by offering to pardon Chen Dabao.
After all, Chen Dabao had no kinship with Changsun Yuenu, and her plea was purely out of compassion.
However, Changsun Yuenu, using the excuse that "the King loves you the most and he listens to what you say," instigated Chen Damei to plead for mercy, with the aim of tarnishing Chen Damei's political reputation.
Although this small impact will not shake the eldest sister's status as the legal wife.
But... there's a long road ahead. With gradual accumulation, Changsun Yuenu doesn't believe she can't bring down Chen Damei, that foolish countrywoman!
Chen Damei and Chen Ermei were both simple country women who had never experienced palace intrigue, so how could they possibly see through Changsun Yuenu's true thoughts...
After being repeatedly fooled by her, he actually went to Jiang Ming to plead for her!
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