Chapter 97 Are concubines older than wives?
The eighth day of the Lunar New Year.
Xie Mansion.
The festive atmosphere of the eighth day of the Lunar New Year has not yet dissipated, and the red lanterns under the eaves sway gently in the cold wind.
Autumn Water Pavilion, however, presents a warm and inviting scene.
The silver charcoal was burning brightly in the carved copper basin, crackling and popping, dispelling the chill of winter.
Qian Yueqiu leaned against the chaise lounge by the window, wrapped in a thick brocade quilt. On the small table beside the chaise lounge were various kinds of delicate pastries and a bowl of still steaming tonic.
She gently placed her hand on her slightly protruding belly: "Okay..."
"Hmm, what's wrong?" Xie Jingxing was reading a book.
As soon as she called out, he immediately looked up and responded.
Qian Yueqiu pouted, as if she had mustered up her courage, before finally asking the question that had been lingering in her heart for a long time, "Now that I'm a secondary wife, does that mean... does that mean I can rightfully call you 'husband'?"
"Yes!" Xie Jingxing answered without the slightest hesitation, crisp and decisive.
even.
Xie Jingxing put away the book and walked to her side.
His warm, large hand covered the back of her hand that was resting on her abdomen. When his gaze fell on her still somewhat flat stomach, it became unusually gentle. "From now on, you will be my rightful wife, no different from my legal wife."
Upon receiving this definite answer, a hint of smugness flashed in Qian Yueqiu's eyes.
Even if you're not very smart.
She also knew that a wife of equal status was more prestigious than a concubine.
The children I have in the future will also be legitimate sons and daughters.
It was as if he had thought of something.
She slightly furrowed her willow-leaf eyebrows, her expression a mix of innocence and barely perceptible sharpness: "Then... does that mean I don't have to bow when I see Su Zhirou anymore? I don't really like her..."
"No need for formalities. You don't need to anymore." He looked at her, his tone carrying a deliberate bias: "You're older than her!"
"You're older than her!"
Qian Yueqiu was listed in the Xie family genealogy. Although she was a concubine, she was no different from the principal wife.
And what about Su Zhirou?
She only held the title of the matriarch of the Xie family; in reality, she was merely a concubine.
"Isn't the legal wife the most important?" Qian Yueqiu blinked her innocent eyes, as if she really didn't understand the ways of the world.
He paused for a moment.
Qian Yueqiu pressed on, asking, "But... isn't the legal wife the most important? Ah Xing... no... it's the husband, I still don't quite understand husband."
She changed her words at just the right moment, her voice sweet and coquettish.
Xie Jingxing felt a warmth in his heart as he looked at her innocent and naive appearance.
How could he explain the intricacies of the situation to her?
Explain the power struggles and balance within the inner quarters of the household?
Explain why Su Zhirou's outward dignity was maintained.
She is too naive.
Like a blank sheet of paper, he protected her too well.
These filthy things shouldn't pollute her ears.
He reached out and stroked her slightly protruding belly, his voice deep and guiding: "Silly girl, it's because you're pregnant. In your belly is the future heir of our Xie family, and you'll gain status through your child."
Xie Jingxing instilled confidence and assurance in her with a firm gaze: "Yueqiu, remember this: from now on, you don't need to feel inferior to Su Zhirou. When you see her, you don't need to be overly humble, and you don't need to act according to her whims."
He didn't say a word: "If Su Zhirou knows what's good for her, we can all live in peace. But if Su Zhirou dares to hurt you again, then Su Zhirou and the Su family will not have a good life, and may even be wiped out..."
"Yes, I'll do whatever you say, my husband." Qian Yueqiu responded obediently, her voice muffled inside his clothes, filled with endless dependence.
Outside the window.
As night deepened, the cold wind swept through the bare branches, making a mournful sound.
Inside Qiushui Pavilion, it was warm as spring, and sweet nothings were whispered among the guests.
Jinse Courtyard.
In the distance, the main courtyard belonging to the matriarch Su Zhirou seemed to have been completely forgotten by the festive atmosphere and the warmth of the mansion.
Only two unlit, pale lanterns swayed forlornly in the wind under the eaves.
Unlike the warm and luxurious atmosphere of Qiushui Pavilion.
The furnishings here are elegant, yet there is an undeniable sense of desolation.
The fire in the charcoal brazier flickered, barely maintaining the minimum temperature to prevent people from freezing.
Su Zhirou did not go to bed early, but sat alone at her desk by the window.
actually.
Qian Yueqiu was elevated to the status of a secondary wife.
The one who hurt her the most was not Xie Jingxing, but the Sixth Prince.
As Qian Yueshu became the Crown Princess.
Qian Yueqiu became his second wife.
This shows that the Xie family has already sided with the Crown Prince.
Not only did Su Zhirou fail to accomplish the Sixth Prince's task of winning over the Xie family, she also prompted the Xie family to lean towards the Crown Prince even faster.
As far as the sixth prince is concerned.
She was just a discarded pawn!
Now, the Sixth Prince, let alone seeing her.
Even the letters she sent out.
He wouldn't even send a servant or give a perfunctory reply.
The maid tiptoed in, brought her a cup of hot tea, and looked at her pale and dazed profile, calling out softly with heartache, "Madam, it's getting late and the air is chilly, you should rest early."
Su Zhirou seemed not to hear, her gaze still fixed blankly on the window.
Rest?
How can she sleep?
"Chunxiao," she suddenly spoke, her voice hoarse and dry, "Do you think I should take the initiative to seek reconciliation with Qian Yueqiu?"
The maid's nose stung, and she almost burst into tears: "Madam, please don't say that! You are the lawfully wedded mistress of the Xie family! How can the mistress of the household seek reconciliation from a concubine..."
The matriarch of the household?
Su Zhirou found it all laughable.
However, she really couldn't admit defeat so easily.
They used to keep talking about revenge.
But those sarcastic remarks were all rather mild and ineffective.
Next, she would truly draw blood...
Her voice was completely flat. "Go downstairs. I want to be alone."
The maid glanced at Su Zhirou with concern, but ultimately dared not say anything more and silently withdrew.
The room fell silent again, with only the faint sound of cold wind passing through the cracks in the window.
Su Zhirou picked up the brush with frozen ink on the table and, under the dim light, unconsciously began to write and draw on the spread-out Xuan paper.
Horizontal, vertical, horizontal-hook...
Again and again, over and over again.
When she stopped, she was shocked to find that the snow-white Xuan paper was covered with the same word—"endure".
She stared at the word for a long, long time, until her eyes were sore and swollen, before suddenly throwing the pen aside with a soft "snap".
The pen broke, and the ink splattered, staining the glaring character "忍" (endure) and also staining her clean sleeves.
She lay on the table, her shoulders trembling slightly, but she didn't utter a single sob.
In this cold and ornate cage, even crying has become a luxury.
Tears only bring pleasure to those who hate you and embarrass those who pity you; otherwise, they are of no use.
The night of the eighth day of the Lunar New Year.
In the world of the two women in the Xie family, distinctly different temperatures were created.
A place as warm as spring, brimming with hope and sunshine.
A chilling, bone-deep place that buries love and dignity.
This was merely the beginning of a long and silent war.
The future is still very long...
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