Anqing Prefecture is not far from the capital; it only takes two hours by carriage.
That's why the Chu family could visit Chu Yuan in the capital from time to time.
Madam Chu hugged her a little tight, and Chu Yuan felt slightly suffocated but also felt a strange warmth.
Chu Yuan remained silent.
Once Madam Chu had calmed down a bit, she gently pushed her away, saying, "Mother, don't do this. My husband isn't that kind of person."
Madam Chu wiped her eyes. "He's no use, Yuan'er. I know you. If you weren't forced into a corner, you wouldn't have let your head maid become a concubine!"
Even if a concubine is half a mistress, she is still a concubine in the end.
The maids around you are beautiful, have great figures, and are skilled in various arts. People outside would be begging them to be their wives. Why should you lower yourself to do something that degrades your status?
Chu Yuan understood; Madam Chu had heard that she had inquired about Zhiyue.
In the days since her miscarriage, Madam Song Kang and Madam Song Xiu'er have brought up the matter of taking a concubine more than once in a roundabout way.
Even the most stubborn woman like Madam Chu couldn't help but get angry for her daughter's sake.
This time, it completely erupted.
But Chu Yuan couldn't admit that she had taken the initiative, otherwise the weak and vulnerable image she had just created in front of Song Tangyin would be invalid. Therefore, she lowered her head sadly, her curled eyelashes casting a touching shadow on her eye sockets, "Mother, what are you saying? I don't understand..."
Madam Chu was exasperated. "You still want to keep it a secret? Tell me, was it your mother-in-law and sister-in-law who forced you to ask Zhiyue in private if she was willing to serve your man closely?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Yuan buried her head even deeper into her neck and sniffed softly.
The meaning is self-evident.
Having just overheard her mother and elder sister repeatedly threatening Chu Yuan with the idea of taking a concubine, Song Tangyin's face darkened unnaturally, filled with immense guilt. "Yuan'er, is what Mother said true? Zhiyue, who is by your side..."
Before Song Tangyin could finish speaking, Chu Yuan hurriedly looked up and interrupted, "No, Ah Yin, I didn't mean to."
As she spoke, glistening tears fell in a steady stream, like pearls, clean yet unable to conceal her sorrow.
The tears, without any choking sobs, are even more heartbreaking.
Song Tangyin felt as if her heart had been squeezed, a sharp pain shooting through her. She couldn't help but reach out and hug Chu Yuan tightly. "No more, Yuan'er, I won't let Mother force you again. You are the best wife. Whether we have children or not, I will respect you, love you, and cherish you. I don't want Zhiyue, I only want you!"
"Ayin..." Chu Yuan was excited and moved, her face streaked with beautiful tears.
Out of the corner of his eye, he admired the double pallor of Zhiyue and Chuping. One wanted to climb into the man's bed but was rejected and disliked, while the other tried to replace her sister and obtain abnormal love from her brother-in-law. Their relationship was already facing its end just as it began.
Isn't that interesting?
Having been provoked once before, Madam Song Kang was provoked a second time and finally exploded, "I say, mother-in-law, do you people from small places even know the rules? What kind of logic is it that a man is not allowed to take a concubine if he can't have children? You actually say that you want to take your daughter back to your parents' home for this reason. Is there no justice in this world?"
Madam Chu was no pushover either. "Yes, we come from a small place. Unlike your mother-in-law, who has lived in the capital for a few years and has already forgotten her roots. There are many nobles in the capital, and they are particular about things. It's common for mothers-in-law to put people in their sons' rooms!"
“You—” Madam Song raised her hand, trembling with anger.
Holding the child, Song Xiuer's eyes were filled with unyielding resentment. "Little brother, are you just going to watch our mother be bullied by outsiders?"
Song Tangyin released Chu Yuan and patted her hand reassuringly, "Yuan'er, don't be afraid, I'll handle it."
He invited the two elders to the flower hall together, not allowing Chu Yuan to participate. He didn't know what he said, but when they came out, Madam Chu didn't mention sending her daughter back to her parents' home again, and Madam Song's anger dissipated. Although she and Madam Chu still didn't get along, they didn't quarrel in the end.
Song Xiuer immediately approached Song Kangshi and asked, "Well, has my brother agreed to take a concubine?"
Song Kangshi shook her head, her spirits and energy considerably diminished.
It was obvious that she had been "educated" by Song Tangyin.
Song Xiuer didn't care what her younger brother had scolded Song Kangshi for; she was just unwilling to let her plans be ruined. Her face contorted with rage, "Mother, are you senile? He's already twenty-five! Others his age already have kids old enough to run errands! You spoil him like this, indulging him to his heart's content. How can you face our deceased father? When you die, how will you face the ancestors of the Song family?"
Song Kangshi suddenly opened her eyes, staggered, and almost couldn't stand.
In an instant, he seemed to have aged ten years.
Seeing this, Song Xiuer was very pleased and wanted to continue to brainwash Song Kangshi. Song Tangyin grabbed her by the back of her collar and said, "Elder sister, have I ever told you not to instigate Mother to do things you shouldn't do?"
As the eldest sister, shouldn't you be hoping that I have a harmonious relationship and a smooth life?
You've always said it's for my own good.
If she truly cared for me, would she have allowed her nephew to offend my wife and children? Would she have interfered in my Song family affairs every few days? Would she have instigated my mother to take a concubine for me?
I think you're clearly selfish and full of ulterior motives!
"If you continue like this and challenge my bottom line, don't blame me for asking my brother-in-law to come and take you home. From now on, you can forget about ever setting foot in the Song residence again!"
Under Song Tangyin's iron-fisted rule, neither Song Xiuer nor Song Kangshi dared to utter a sound.
Chu Yuan was surprised to realize that Song Tangyin, this bookworm, was not as refined and incompetent as she appeared on the surface.
Those who manage to break through the encirclement and become the successor to the Grand Secretary are indeed not simple.
Satisfied, Madam Chu smiled and took Chu Yuan's hand. "Yuan'er, I think your husband is much more sensible now, and he knows how to care for you. So, I'm relieved. Don't worry, I've already sent someone to find a reliable doctor specializing in fertility. I'll let you know when I have news. We'll take some more medicine and take good care of your health. You're still young, and you'll definitely be able to give your husband a son or daughter. Then, everything will be perfect."
Chu Yuan nodded as she listened, thinking to herself, "I'll be perfected soon."
She possesses the fertility pill, making it easy for her to conceive; it's just that the time isn't right yet, so she's temporarily putting it off.
Chu Ping's face next to her was extremely ugly.
Things had completely exceeded her expectations.
Why is Madam Song no longer clamoring to take a concubine? Why doesn't Song Xiuer dare to cause trouble for Chu Yuan anymore? Even Song Tangyin, who is usually aloof and detached from worldly affairs, is eagerly stepping forward to help Chu Yuan solve her problems. How come Chu Yuan's bewitching potion is so long-lasting?
With her head hanging low, Chu Ping's face was full of resentment, and she almost tore the handkerchief in her sleeve to shreds with both hands!
And that little bitch Zhiyue, she's been secretly plotting against me behind my back, isn't she!
She couldn't openly confront Chu Yuan, but she also couldn't teach a lowly maid a lesson.
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