Less than two months after Zhou Wen took office, news came from Yunyang City that Gao was pregnant. It was obvious that she had conceived before he came to Yizhou. A few months later, Gao gave birth to another son. Gao's position in the Zhou family became more and more stable. Zhou Wen was also in high spirits and walked with a breeze.
But while others were happy, Ren Yaoying was not. Zhou Wen's appointment naturally led to numerous social engagements, and Ren Yaoying wanted to play hostess of the Zhou family and attend meetings with the wives of officials. Zhou Wen, despite her playboy nature, knew this was inappropriate, so she disagreed. Instead, Gao's maidservant went in and out of the inner courtyards of several wealthy families, helping Gao deliver gifts to those ladies.
Once, Zhou Wen was annoyed by Ren Yaoying, so he agreed to her request and asked her to go to the temple to burn incense. Many wives of officials went to the temple on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, and Ren Yaoying wanted to join their circle. However, when she arrived at the temple and met several wives of high status who introduced themselves to her, no one was willing to pay attention to her.
A young lady, after sizing her up for a few moments, spoke up, "Mrs. Zhou? I remember her still serving her parents-in-law in Yunyang City. I've known her for over a decade, but I had no idea she looked like you."
The ladies nearby laughed when they heard this, and looked at Ren Yaoying as if they were looking at a clown who didn't know his place.
"Isn't this a female liar from somewhere?"
"I heard that Lord Zhou has a concubine who, while Madam Zhou is still back home, has been acting arrogantly and has forgotten who she is. She always calls herself Madam Zhou."
"Tsk, this Lord Zhou is really confused. Madam Zhou is back home serving his parents-in-law and raising his children, yet he lets this ignorant concubine come out and embarrass him."
"Hey, aren't all men like this? It's just that Madam Zhou is really kind-hearted. In my opinion, given her background, it's unfair for her to be paired with Lord Zhou. What's more, she has a soft personality. A few days ago, she even asked her father to write a letter to my husband, asking him to take good care of Lord Zhou. I feel sorry for her."
Ren Yaoying was so angry at the sarcasm of these ladies that her face turned red and she felt dizzy. In the end, she had to go back in shame.
However, Ren Yaoying's appearance this time brought a very bad influence to Zhou Wen. People in Yizhou were saying that Lord Zhou favored his concubine over his wife and let a concubine be the head of the family. His brother-in-law even wrote to him to ask about this matter, half-seriously reminding him that his father-in-law was a little unhappy when he heard about it.
Zhou Wen deeply regretted letting Yaoying go out and acted recklessly, and he dared not let her go out again. He then wrote a letter to his wife, Gao, who comforted him in a letter, telling him not to worry and that she would handle the matter. Not long after, Gao's family spoke up for Zhou Wen, helping him to restore some of his reputation.
However, Zhou did not show up in Yizhou, and the rumors outside were not so easy to dissipate. Zhou Wen really needed a female relative who could help him entertain other officials' wives. Although Gao asked him to bring a maid who had some abilities, her status was still inferior. Zhou Wen wrote a letter back asking Gao to come to Yizhou, but was rejected by Gao.
Gao's reply to Zhou Wen was heartfelt and touching. It basically said that her husband was away from home and that as his wife, she would take care of his parents on his behalf. She also tried to comfort him by saying that she would find him a good concubine to serve him. Zhou Wen was deeply moved by the letter and refused Gao's offer of a concubine.
Zhou Wen wrote a letter to his mother, telling her about his predicament and emphasizing Gao's filial piety. Finally, Zhou Wen's mother went to find Gao in person and said that she was still young and did not need a daughter-in-law to serve her, so she asked her to follow Zhou Wen to Yizhou to take up her post.
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