Chapter 9 Chapter 9 If I Divorce...
How could she have such an idea? Upon realizing this, Zhu Yinluan was shocked herself.
I followed my family's arrangements and married into the Zhu family from a small place in the side courtyard of the Zhu family without knowing anything. It has been so many years.
She could be said to have worked so hard to have the peaceful life she has now, so how could she have the thought of escaping? If she left the Zhu family, where could she go? Was there still a place for her to stand in the capital?
Although it is cold here, it is her home after all.
But she didn't understand. Since this was her home, why was her elder sister here and sitting in the seat that originally belonged to her?
That was her seat. Before the eldest sister sat down, did the mother-in-law and Wei Ruzhuo say anything to her, expressing that it was inappropriate?
Probably not. After all, my mother-in-law treated my eldest sister so well, which she had never been treated like that before...
"Young Madam is finally back. Today, Madam Luo came to visit Madam, and she said it was your birthday, and she brought a gift for you. The kitchen had already prepared the meal, but since you haven't come back for a long time, and Madam can't delay her meals because she takes medicine every day, she didn't wait for you and set the table directly."
Seeing that her face was not good, Mother Yun stepped forward to explain and comfort her, while the little maid beside her went to get a chair and dishes.
Because the seat she usually sat in was occupied by Zhu Chentan, who couldn't get up. In front of Wei Ruzhuo and Pang Shi, Wei Yinluan couldn't say anything. After bowing, she could only sit in the guest seat.
It was her birthday, but he didn't wait for her. It was clear that she came back not late, and was even early.
He doesn't take her seriously at all and has no intention of waiting for her.
"Sister doesn't look well, what's wrong?" Zhu Chentan asked with pretended concern.
But as soon as she said this, it indirectly triggered Pang's dissatisfaction with Zhu Yinluan. Before Zhu Yinluan could reply, Pang began to scold Zhu Yinluan in front of Zhu Chentan.
"Luckily, you are my eldest sister. If other guests came to visit us and you showed such disdain, how would they view us, the Wei family?"
"My mother-in-law taught me that my daughter-in-law was just not feeling well, and she didn't mean to be dissatisfied or disrespectful to her elder sister." While Mother Yun was speaking, she had quickly concealed her disappointment without revealing any flaws, and her etiquette was impeccable.
But why did the eldest sister say this? Just to let her mother-in-law scold her?
Zhu Yinluan subconsciously glanced at Wei Ruzhuo. He did not say a word to defend her, but just watched the farce quietly.
Seeing this, Zhu Yinluan felt even more disappointed. She didn't know what she was expecting. Has Wei Ruzhuo ever defended her in front of Pang Shi for so many years? No.
The feeling of disappointment lingered in her heart, gradually becoming heavier, but she still had to muster up some energy and put on a good face to accompany the meal.
"I'm glad my sister isn't angry. I thought she was mad at me for coming uninvited as her elder sister!" Zhu Chentan said with a smile.
"Sister, you came here on purpose to visit my mother-in-law. I won't blame you." Zhu Yinluan smiled, lowered her head and ate slowly.
Seeing her silence, Pang Shi was dissatisfied again.
Compared to Zhu Chentan's eloquence, Zhu Yinluan's clumsiness was too obvious.
During this dinner, most of the conversation was between Pang Shi and Zhu Chentan. Wei Ruzhuo occasionally joined in, but Zhu Yinluan said nothing.
After dinner, Zhu Chentan was about to leave after sitting for a while.
Zhu Yinluan stood up and followed Wei Ruzhuo to see them off, but Pang Shi kept her back, so she could only watch Wei Ruzhuo and her elder sister leave.
She had seen the backs of the two people walking side by side many times when she was at the Zhu family. They were very...well-matched. After so many years, they were still a perfect match.
Pang's scolding voice pulled her back, "You haven't stood in front of me and served me properly for a few days. Where have your manners gone?"
Zhu Yinluan didn't know what she had done to displease Pang Shi again, so she didn't say anything.
Mother Yun saw that Zhu Yinluan looked unhappy. Today was her birthday, so she wanted to speak up for her. However, Madam Pang was angry, so how could a servant like her speak up?
"Zhuo'er has been back these days, but instead of trying to please your husband, you act so deadpan towards others. What do you want?" asked Pang Shi.
Zhu Yinluan really had no idea. She had only been out for a day, so what had happened to displease Pang Shi that made her scold her? If it was because of what happened just now, would it be so serious?
Even though she wanted to refute at this moment, she had been married for many years and had never disobeyed Pang Shi, so she couldn't open her mouth.
What's more, if I really refute it, who knows what kind of situation it will cause, which would be tantamount to adding fuel to the fire.
"Speak!" Pang Shi raised his voice.
Zhu Yinluan raised her eyes and followed Pang's words, "It's all my fault."
"What's the point of realizing that you are not good enough if you don't change?"
The more Pang looked at her, the more dissatisfied she became. They were all daughters of the Zhu family, even if they were not born from the same mother. Although Zhu Yinluan was not Madam Zhu's biological daughter, she was still Lord Zhu's bloodline, and was raised under Madam Zhu's name. How could she be... so cowardly and useless?
I heard that Zhuo Ge'er has been back for several days, but the two of them have never had sex in their room. Doesn't this mean that they haven't consummated their marriage?
Look at how sick she looks. Didn’t the imperial physician say she was fine?
Mother Yun took the opportunity to serve Pang Shi a cup of tea, which barely eased the tense atmosphere between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
After drinking the tea, Pang's tone became a little better, but she was still as arrogant as ever. "I heard someone say that you sent Zhongyue, the little maid, to serve in the inner room, and even raised her monthly salary?"
"Yes." Zhu Yinluan said concisely.
Pang Shi glanced at her and saw no extra emotion on her quiet face.
"Does Zhuoge reject her?"
Since Pang Shi had already heard that she had placed the person in the inner room to serve, Wei Ruzhuo must be clear about whether he excluded Fang Zhongyue or not.
Since you asked this, you must want to find out what she thinks.
Borrow her words and see her attitude.
Having lived in the Zhu and Wei families for several years, she was accustomed to the tone of her elders and could guess some of the general idea.
"My husband often has headaches due to his heavy workload, so he would ask her to massage his sore spots."
"And the increase in monthly salary was also my husband's instruction."
"Oh?" Pangzi asked her what she said?
"My husband heard that Fang Zhongyue's family was in trouble, so he asked me to increase her monthly salary to at least give her some financial support."
"Yeah." Hearing Pang Shi's response, he was satisfied with her answer and her attitude.
"Since Zhuo Ge'er doesn't object, I think he also wants to take in the room. Since he values you, you can arrange this matter."
What to arrange?
Let her prepare a wedding night for them?
Wei Ruzhuo thought highly of her? In the past six months, the two of them had spoken very little, and she didn't feel Wei Ruzhuo thought highly of her at all.
How did Pang Shi know that Wei Ruzhuo valued her? Zhu Yinluan had to try hard to restrain herself and avoid letting her emotions out.
"Why, you don't want to?" Pang Shi didn't wait for her positive answer, but raised her eyebrows and asked sternly.
"No, mother-in-law is worrying too much." Her voice was very soft.
Pang snorted coldly, "Since you are willing, then arrange this matter properly. I know you are unhappy. Every woman wants to monopolize her husband, but how many years have you been in our Wei family? Calculate it yourself. It has been so long and you are still not pregnant. If you really delay it, how long will it take?"
"Your two married sisters-in-law have both given birth, but you haven't made any noise."
Zhu Yinluan was speechless, but just thought in her heart, the imperial physician and the doctor had said that conceiving an heir was a matter between the two of them, and since there was nothing wrong with her body, why didn't she let her husband take a look?
But she didn't dare to say it. If she did, Pang would definitely scold her severely.
She felt very tired. On the one hand, she had to worry about Wei Ruzhuo who had not returned yet after sending her elder sister out, and on the other hand, she had to deal with Pang Shi.
"My wife knows."
Pang Shi said a few more words before letting her go out.
He happened to meet Wei Ruzhuo turning back and glanced at her.
It was just a normal eye contact.
But for some reason, Wei Ruzhuo saw grievance and sadness in her eyes, and he felt uncomfortable.
"Did your mother talk about you?" he asked.
Zhu Yinluan would not tell tales behind Wei Ruzhuo's back, as this would put him in an awkward position.
She shook her head. "My mother-in-law just told me something, she didn't scold me."
Wei Ruzhuo saw that she was upset just now, and thought of when he was sending Zhu Chentan out just now, she wiped her tears and whispered to him that they were not destined to be together, and asked him to be good to her sister.
When he was looking at Zhu Chentan, he seemed to see the shadow of Zhu Yinluan in the moment when she lowered her head to wipe her tears.
But Zhu Yinluan is not like that, she seldom cries.
Because of this moment of absent-mindedness, he sent Zhu Chentan away and then went to the corridor to wait for Zhu Yinluan. After all, today was her birthday and there was no problem in waiting a little longer and it wouldn't delay him for long.
As expected, she came out, walking very slowly with her maid.
"Since you didn't scold me, why do you look so wronged?"
"I don't feel wronged, it's just that my illness hasn't fully recovered, and I feel a little tired and uncomfortable."
Why did he suddenly care about her? Could it be that he said something to her when he sent her away just now? Zhu Yinluan was thinking in a mess.
She wanted to suppress such thoughts, but she couldn't control her emotions.
"Since you are sick, go out less," he said.
Zhu Yinluan didn't say anything.
Thinking about the play I watched today and the bowl of longevity noodles I ate, my depressed mood eased a little.
"This is a birthday gift from your eldest sister." Wei Ruzhuo handed it to her.
"Has my husband thanked my elder sister for me?" she asked.
"Thank you."
Zhu Yinluan accepted the gift.
"I've been so busy with official duties these days that I forgot that today is your birthday. I'll ask someone to prepare it for you in some time. What do you want?" Wei Ruzhuo asked.
His voice was very calm, and Zhu Yinluan sounded even calmer when he heard this.
Her thoughts were far away. The first year she celebrated her birthday, Wei Ruzhuo remembered it and prepared a pearl hairpin for her. The second year, they were in love, and he carved a hairpin for her with his own hands. She was reluctant to wear it. The third year, he forgot about it, and this year, he forgot too...
I don’t know if it’s because he forgot last year or because she was mentally prepared, but when she heard Wei Ruzhuo say he had forgotten, she didn’t feel so sad.
She seemed to have no expectations.
"Why don't you speak?" Wei Ruzhuo frowned.
Although Zhu Yinluan was silent in the past, she was never as talkative as she is today.
"Are you blaming me?"
Zhu Yinluan shook her head. "I was just thinking about my birthday. It's no different from the past. My husband's official duties at court are more important. As for birthday gifts, there's no need..."
"Why?" Wei Ruzhuo was even more confused.
Zhu Yinluan didn't want his birthday gift? She was clearly looking forward to it.
Just like when she walked in, she looked at him first, how could Wei Ruzhuo not feel Zhu Yinluan's expectations and dependence on him?
That’s why Wei Ruzhuo was puzzled by her words.
Zhu Yinluan said softly, "Although the shop has been operating well over the years, there is not much money in the mansion. In addition, the two young ladies gave a lot of dowry when they got married. The higher your husband's position in the government, the more money he will have to spend on socializing with other noble families. I don't have anything I want. I still have clothes and jewelry, so I don't need to bother buying anything."
"That's why." He knew that Zhu Yinluan was thrifty.
Although he was relieved, Wei Ruzhuo still frowned and said, "No matter how tight the family situation is, don't be so frugal, or you'll be laughed at."
Zhu Yinluan certainly didn't understand what he meant. Was he saying that she was petty?
She didn't need to be scolded by Pang Zi, and she didn't need to be accused of being petty.
She really didn't know what to do.
Wei Ruzhuo saw that she looked lonely and obviously ill, and thinking that today was her birthday, he didn't want to say more.
Who knew that Zhu Yinluan would speak before him, and say something he could not have imagined.
"Does my husband like that little maid?"
Wei Ruzhuo paused and looked at her quiet and silent profile. "What did you say?"
She was so direct that she didn't seem like Zhu Yinluan.
"Husband, do you like Fang Zhongyue?" she asked again, this time mentioning her name.
"What do you mean by asking this question?" He looked at her face. It was still Zhu Yinluan, but why did he feel that he couldn't figure out what she meant?
Zhu Yinluan looked at him for a while, then avoided his gaze. "I have been married into the Wei family for many years but have not gotten pregnant. Today, my mother-in-law asked me to stay and asked if my husband rejects that little maid. If he does not reject her, she asked me to arrange everything and find a wife for my husband."
"So you're feeling down because of what your mother said?"
Is she jealous?
It was rare for Zhu Yinluan to feel jealous. Before her mother asked her to take a concubine, she had been extremely filial and agreed to it, and asked Pang Shi about his opinion.
Wei Ruzhuo had basically withdrawn, but this time...
He showed his closeness, and Zhu Yinluan felt jealous?
It is not good for a woman to be jealous. What's more, what her mother said is right. It is indeed not good that she has not been pregnant for many years.
But when he saw Zhu Yinluan's depressed expression, he was actually happy.
Even so, Wei Ruzhuo did not show it.
He asked back, "How do you respond to your mother's words?"
"What?" This time Zhu Yinluan was confused.
"How do you respond to your mother's words, saying that I reject or not reject?"
Zhu Yinluan did not hide too much and reiterated what she had said to Pang Shi before.
There was nothing wrong with her reply, but Wei Ruzhuo didn't like it.
"So you mean to obey your mother?"
Zhu Yinluan was puzzled and could only look up at him.
Could it be that she replied in the wrong way?
Facing the man's angry expression, she subconsciously looked away after a while.
Seeing her like this, Wei Ruzhuo felt that she was cowardly and boring.
Without saying another word to her, he walked away with his people.
Zhu Yinluan was left alone to watch his disappearing back.
After returning to the yard and washing up, Wei Ruzhuo didn't come back. She must not come back today. The maids were all out. Mingya, who was on night watch, couldn't help complaining to her.
He said bad things about Wei Ruzhuo and spoke up for Zhu Yinluan.
As he was talking, he couldn't help but say, "If it weren't for the incident with the eldest lady, why would the young lady have to suffer in the Wei family?"
"If you hadn't married into the Wei family, your life would have been smooth."
"Really?" Zhu Yinluan, who was not sleepy, whispered.
"Yes, in the eyes of this servant, you are the best person! The best girl."
He has a gentle temperament and is considerate in his dealings.
Jiao Hui, who came in with the quilt, also heard it. She agreed with Ming Ya and nodded, "I also think the young lady is good."
Then he even changed the address and said, "Mr. Wei is not worthy of Miss."
Hearing this, Zhu Yinluan couldn't help laughing, "I'm not as good as you say."
If she is really so good, why doesn't anyone care about her and love her?
Her aunt passed away early, so her father didn't care about her. Not to mention her stepmother and her eldest sister and brother in the family. It was good enough that they didn't bully her in the past.
"Miss, have you ever thought about divorce?" Jiaohui suddenly asked.
Zhu Yinluan was stunned, and Mingya also stopped.
"It's not good for the Wei family to do this. Young Miss is always wronged. Why don't you consider a divorce?"
"You have a thriving shop and you know how to make a living. With money you can be self-sufficient. So why do you have to rely on the Wei family and suffer bullying in this small place for no reason?" Jiaohui said bluntly.
Mingya didn't mention the divorce or not, she just boasted, "Jiaohui is very strong, and she speaks with a lot of force."
"Miss... I think what she said is indeed right, but..." Mingya hesitated.
Zhu Yinluan said nothing.
Ming Ya finished what she hadn't said, but if she divorced, where could she go? Would the capital city still have room for her? Would her father and stepmother let her go?
But if it was really as Jiaohui said, and they divorced, she could escape from the Wei family and no longer have to get involved in the affairs here...
Thinking of this, she felt not fear but confused relief?
"My words were spoken out of turn, please don't be angry, young lady." Seeing that she was silent and looked unhappy, Jiaohui quickly apologized.
Zhu Yinluan shook her head, "No problem."
"I feel the same as Sister Mingya. I think you are a good match, worthy of the best man in the world and the capital, not someone like the Wei family who doesn't appreciate you."
Ming Ya smiled, "The best man in the capital should be the son of the Marquis Shen. According to you, is our lady worthy of him?"
Jiao Hui, however, nodded seriously and said, "She's worthy of him."
Mingya smiled and nodded, "Yes, I deserve it."
Zhu Yinluan didn't take it seriously and told them to take a break and stop talking nonsense.
“…”
When the carrier pigeon flew to the inner courtyard of the Shen family in the Marquis's Mansion, the attendant looked into the study and replied to the handsome man who was working at his desk.
After hearing this, Shen Jingzhan hummed indifferently.
The attendant couldn't help but wonder, "Miss Zhu is very thoughtful. The eldest master asked someone to propose a divorce..."
And then he said, "Aren't you afraid she'll find out something's wrong?"
If we find out that something is wrong, wouldn’t all our efforts be in vain?
Today we have both the opera troupe and the longevity noodles. It might be dangerous to bring up this matter again at night.
Shen Jingzhan paused, his thin lips slightly curled, his expression did not reveal any worry, only interesting interest.
"Then let's see if she will get suspicious..."
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