Chapter 131: Cannot Be Tolerated
Although Wen Mingqian repeatedly tried to comfort her, Liu Cuiyi remained dejected, tears streaming down her face.
Wen Mingqian then asked, “You must not have called me here just to watch you cry. Is there something else?”
“Sister, this household…” Liu Cuiyi sobbed, “can no longer tolerate me.”
“Why is that?” Wen Mingqian asked. “Did someone say something to you?”
“Madam, you don’t know, this Zhou family is truly heartless. Our Miss has been married into their family for seven or eight years, always adhering to the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, and being extremely cautious. Even when her mother-in-law was difficult or her husband was unruly, she never did anything out of line or said anything out of line.
Although she hasn’t given birth to a son, she has endured the hardships of childbirth many times.
I won’t even mention the constant slights she endures daily; this time it’s truly too much.
It’s just that the son-in-law has a maternal aunt who brought her daughter to the Capital City in June and frequently visits this mansion. This mother and daughter pair harbored ill intentions, constantly seeking to cause trouble. Our Madam is soft-hearted and easily swayed, her mind confused, and her words sharp.
They incited her to lose her senses, and she actually wants to cast our Miss out of the house.”
“Why would they do this to Cuiyi? How did Cuiyi offend them?” Wen Mingqian asked.
“Shao Shi’s daughter was originally betrothed, but for some reason, less than half a year after marriage, she divorced.”
Now that they have come to the Capital City, we are their only relatives here, so of course, they would visit often.
But who knew they actually wanted to drive me away so that Cousin Shao could take my place,” Liu Cuiyi said.
“Was your mother-in-law persuaded by them? Or did Zhou Jing San initiate this?” Wen Mingqian asked.
She truly didn’t expect Liu Cuiyi to encounter such a situation. Logically, with the enlightenment of the Great Qi’s customs, it was common for women to remarry after divorce or being cast out.
Even many widows could remarry, though some also chose to remain chaste.
People still had many criticisms about women remarrying, but it wasn’t as strictly forbidden as in some dynasties.
Even so, no one’s original wife would be squeezed out like this, which shows that Shao Shi’s daughter has malicious intentions.
Besides, what kind of good man is Zhou Jing San? And he already has a large group of concubines. This Shao family daughter is not too picky, is she?
“Zhou Jing San is such a philanderer; he’ll take anyone who’s even slightly presentable,” Liu Cuiyi sneered. “More importantly, my mother-in-law, those two mother and daughter have poured so much flattery into her ears, coaxing her into being determined to drive me out.”
“There must be a reason for them to drive you out. No matter what, you were married through proper channels. Does your Zhou family truly disregard all face? How will others see this?” Wen Mingqian said.
“Madam, I actually suspect that the Shao family mother and daughter have quite some savings. Our family has only been outwardly prosperous these years; inside, it’s actually quite hollow,” Granny Zhao said, no longer caring about being laughed at. “Our son-in-law is idle but spends money like a king. Years ago, he bought an official position with silver, but it was just for show; it’s merely an empty title, and the meager salary isn’t enough to fill his stomach.
When the young ladies of this mansion got married, each received a substantial dowry. If our Miss hadn’t been using her own private funds to subsidize them all these years, the Zhou family would probably be starving.
Furthermore, those two mother and daughter often bring a Taoist nun with them. That Taoist nun pretends to be divine and is very eloquent. Our Old Madam and Madam are great believers in such things. The Taoist nun said our Miss has no fortune, which is why she has had no children, and that their Eldest Young Master is destined to have nine sons.
She also said that the girl surnamed Shao has a good fate and is fertile, and her birth characters perfectly match our son-in-law’s. If the two were together, they would not only have many descendants but also bring wealth and prosperity.”
“The Zhou family’s life is in decline, and they don’t blame themselves. They blame everything on me, saying that ever since I entered the household, their family has been on the path to ruin.
Now that a few more people have come to chime in, they naturally dislike me even more. And I’m also not helping myself by having a miscarriage, and my maternal home is unwilling to support me. Tell me, Sister, what should I do?” At this moment, Liu Cuiyi was filled with despair, truly not knowing what to do.
“They haven’t driven you out yet, have they? Then there’s still room for maneuver,” Wen Mingqian said. “What is this small matter? Calm yourself and don’t panic; we’ll find a way to solve it.”
“Oh, Madam, I knew you would have a solution. Our Miss is counting on you entirely,” Granny Zhao said gratefully.
“Cuiyi, although your maternal home likely can’t help much, you must let them know about this matter,” Wen Mingqian began to offer advice. “But they alone are not enough. I will find a few influential people to help mediate for you.
Even if the Zhou family intends to divorce you, they cannot completely disregard face. If they lose face, they won’t be able to drive you out so easily.”
“Even if they can’t save face for the moment, they probably won’t give up,” Liu Cuiyi said with a bitter smile, shaking her head. “Actually, I also want to just leave, but I can’t just be swept out like this. I can disregard other things, but I cannot leave my two daughters to these wolves and tigers. I also cannot disregard my maternal home’s face.”
“Cuiyi, listen to me. Haste makes waste,” Wen Mingqian further comforted her. “I dare say that with this bit of face, they will tolerate you for another year or two. There are so many things you can do in these one or two years. Who knows if you can turn things around?
Moreover, you can wait, but that Shao girl cannot. If she gets involved with Zhou Jing San without a proper title, she will lose her own reputation. Not only will she not be able to enter the Zhou family, but no other family will want her.
Besides, even if you eventually divorce, it must be you who initiates it. You absolutely cannot let them off easily. People always push their luck, and the Zhou family has been bullying you for a long time.”
“Yes, that’s what I said too. Even if our Miss has to leave in the end, we must take a piece of their skin with us,” Granny Zhao said. “We absolutely cannot let them sweep us out like a crow without a sound!”
“Cuiyi, you cannot be weak anymore from now on. Fortunately, you still have Granny Zhao by your side to discuss matters with,” Wen Mingqian said. “You rest and recover from your illness. I will go back and find people to step in now. Don’t worry!”
“Sister, I’m truly sorry. I can’t help you with anything and always cause you trouble,” Liu Cuiyi said, feeling very guilty.
“Why be polite with me? You treat me as a sister, and I will definitely protect you like a dear sister,” Wen Mingqian said, gently patting her back. “Your health is most important. Don’t overthink things. The worst outcome is simply leaving this fiery pit. Don’t you agree?”
“I understand, Sister. With the reassurance you’ve given me, I will no longer be afraid,” Liu Cuiyi nodded.
