A Mortal's Love Across the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 13

"How can you remain unmarried for life?" Cheng Zhu Ri smiled bitterly. "Marriage and childbirth are the natural order of human relations, Xiao Xiao. Have you ever seen a woman in this world who doesn't get married?! Your parents didn't help you find a suitable match because they were going to betroth you to me. Everyone in the clan and among relatives knows. Your aunt and uncle have long passed away, and our two families are very close. It's only a matter of time before they take you into their family. You're already over 18. It's all because you're marrying Rong Yu Wei that you've been wronged. Your father values his reputation most. He does charity work during festivals and donates money for incense. Everyone praises him for his kind heart. If he can't even take care of you, how can he be worthy of the word 'kind heart'? What do you think he would do?" Is it really impossible? A trace of despair crept into my heart. Seeing me lower my head and remain silent, Cheng Zhu Ri gently comforted me: "Your cousin can only promise to try to delay it for you." "Then thank you very much, cousin!" I'll delay it one day at a time, until I'm able to. "Don't be distant with me, your cousin is leaving." Cheng Zhuri took two steps and then turned back, his gaze sharp. "Xiaoxiao, your cousin has died once, and I can't let go of you in this lifetime. Not just because of you, but also for myself. I am a dignified man, not a sheepskin puppet in a woman's hands, to be placed wherever she wants, moved wherever she wants. What you've given up for your cousin, your cousin can give up for you in return." What does this mean? What is Cheng Zhuri going to give up for me? Didn't he promise not to force me? Why has his attitude become so firm?

Cheng Zhuri had just said goodbye to me that afternoon, and after dinner, he brought Rong Yuwei to my courtyard. This was their first visit since their marriage; usually, he tried to keep us apart in private. Suppressing my surprise, I chatted with them casually, about trivial family matters. Cheng Zhuri casually praised Rong Yuwei for her virtue and kindness. I found these formalities annoying and listened somewhat absentmindedly. Suddenly, he took Rong Yuwei's hand and intertwined it with mine. Startled, I snapped back to reality. He smiled warmly, as if bathed in a gentle breeze. "Yuwei," he said, "I've come with you today because I have something to tell you both. You're a smart woman; you surely understand. My cousin and I grew up together. Her family is long gone; she'll be mine sooner or later. My cousin is gentle, and you're well-educated and reasonable. You two have worked so hard for me recently, and I'm so proud of you. To have two such beautiful women like you is enough for me in this life; I ask for nothing more. From now on, you two sisters should get along well and take good care of our family." He wanted to expose this hidden meaning; this was Cheng Zhuri's true purpose. Rong Yuwei was momentarily taken aback, probably not expecting Cheng Zhuri to dare say it so directly to her face, just like me. But she reacted quickly, squeezing my hand tightly, her eyes fixed on me, and smiling as she replied, "Husband, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of my cousin."

Rong Yuwei was waiting for me to state my position, and immediately said, "Cousin, Xiaoxiao has already made it very clear to you that she will never marry."

“Your cousin understands everything you want to say. You’re worried about Yuwei, afraid she might have other thoughts. You’re overthinking it. First of all, it’s natural for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Besides, Yuwei comes from a high-ranking family, is beautiful and intelligent, and has eight concubines in her family. Her thoughts and understanding are far superior to yours. Don’t use your girlish whims to judge her; she’s not the kind of jealous woman. Furthermore, your cousin doesn’t seek a large number of wives and concubines; he only desires your lifelong companionship. He’s not a greedy person, is he, Yuwei?” “My husband is right.” In Cheng Zhuri’s eyes, Rong Yuwei was always a virtuous and kind wife. Jealous woman! That word was so heavy. He sensed the implication; he meant it to Rong Yuwei. If she said a word of dissent, she would be labeled a jealous woman. “I…”

"Alright, don't overthink it. Take care of yourself. We've bothered you for so long, we should be going now." Cheng Zhuri stopped talking and got up to leave. "Xiaohe, take good care of Miss." "Yes, Young Master!" Rong Yuwei also said goodbye to me, leaving behind a profound and inscrutable expression. Cheng Zhuri had just left yesterday, and today I used the pretext of going to the Daxiangguo Temple to offer incense to sneak off to Bai Shungen's house. The day Cheng Zhuri regained consciousness, I had asked Bai Shungen to tell him that I would visit my two sisters-in-law and the two elders today. Bai Shungen's family was better off than I had imagined. The house was very harmonious, and they were very hospitable to me, especially my sister-in-law, who was wearing the jade pendant I had given her. She thanked me repeatedly and insisted that I stay for lunch. My aunt's attitude, Cheng Zhuri's words, and Rong Yuwei's gaze kept flashing through my mind. I felt extremely insecure, and only one thought occupied my mind: money. I needed money, regardless of whether I stayed or left in the future. But how could an ordinary woman earn money in feudal society? Combining my knowledge from my previous life with my current circumstances, selling goat milk was a project with low investment, simple management, and quick returns. Goat milk was a good thing, known as the "King of Milk" in modern international nutrition circles. It was closest to breast milk, and the Ming Dynasty's "Compendium of Materia Medica" mentioned that "goat milk is sweet, warm, and non-toxic, nourishing the heart and lungs, and replenishing lung and kidney qi." Traditional Chinese medicine has always regarded goat milk as a food that is particularly beneficial to the lungs and trachea. As long as I could promote this healthy concept to the people and gain their acceptance, that would be enough. Many people avoid goat milk due to its strong smell, but simply adding a few almonds or a small bag of jasmine tea while boiling it, and then removing the almonds or tea leaves after boiling, will largely eliminate the smell. I've tried this several times with good results, especially with the addition of almonds, which greatly improves the taste. After confirming the general direction of the business, I meticulously prepared a business plan, covering product pricing, target audience identification, marketing strategies, costs, and profit margins. It took six nights to complete. The key was finding a reliable person to be the boss, and after much thought, Bai Shungen seemed the most suitable. He was the only person besides Chengjia whom I could rely on and trust. Honest, kind, and though seemingly rough, he was meticulous in his work. He frequently traveled between hotels and entertainment venues, had a wide network of connections, and was very experienced. Uncle Qi spoke highly of him and repeatedly tried to invite him to join Chengjia, but he politely declined each time. Bai Shungen had long lived in the remote mountains and forests, accustomed to the free and independent life of a self-employed individual, and didn't want to work for someone else. If I provide the capital and he provides the labor, paying him a monthly salary and distributing 30% of the monthly profits as dividends, he'd be practically a boss. Such favorable benefits should attract him. While dismissing Xiaohe to distribute gifts and snacks to the children, I pulled Bai Shungen aside to discuss my plan in detail. "Girl, can this really make money? Goat milk doesn't taste good, it has a really strong smell," Bai Shungen said hesitantly.

"Definitely! Goat milk is a good thing; drinking it regularly is very beneficial to your health. I have a way to remove the goaty smell. The key is to do a good job of advertising. Just keep telling customers that our sheep are ewes fed with grains and herbs, that it strengthens men, nourishes and beautifies women, and helps children grow taller. We'll rent a small shop on Imperial Street. My sister-in-law and godmothers can stay home to raise the sheep, milk them, and deliver the milk. You and godfather can just cook and sell the goat milk in the shop. It's very simple. Now it's winter, and the weather is cold. Drinking a bowl of hot goat milk while strolling around is both nourishing and warming, and it doesn't cost much. Bianjing is the most prosperous city in our Great Song Dynasty, and the people live a wealthy life. Imperial Street is the busiest street in Bianjing, with no fewer than 100,000 people coming and going every day, doubling during festivals. There are quite a few Hu people among them, and they all have the habit of drinking goat milk. Crowds mean money; there's a lot of silver in here." "I get paid, and I get a 30% profit share every month. How can I take such a big advantage from you, brother?" “I’ll provide the money, you provide the labor, and we’ll also need your family’s help. It’s very fair. Brother, don’t worry about it. Hunting is a job that depends on the weather. Now that your sister-in-law and younger sister-in-law are pregnant, there are two more mouths to feed, and we’ll have a lot of expenses. There might be more children in the future. If your sisters-in-law have sons, we’ll have to prepare dowry money for them. Hunting alone can’t support us. Your godfather is healthy and can help you now, but he will get old one day. We can’t wait until he’s in his sixties to worry about making a living. Now is our chance to take charge and control our own destiny. Just consider it helping your sister this once. If the business doesn’t work out, you can go back to hunting. You won’t lose anything. Look, I’ve brought all my jewelry. It’ll be worth seven or eight hundred taels at the pawnshop. Add to that the hundred or so taels I’ve saved, and that should be enough.” He handed him the small bundle he was carrying, but Bai Shungen hesitated to take it. "Girl, what happened? Are you short of money? Where is Young Master Cheng? Does he know about this? Would he let a young lady like you earn money? Doesn't Young Master Cheng like you a lot? Why won't the Cheng family let you in? Aren't you close relatives? Are they just taking advantage of your parents' passing to keep you waiting? Or is Miss Rong making things difficult for you?" "I..." I knew he was very puzzled by my unmarried status at an advanced age. He wanted to ask me several times when we were in Hangzhou, but seeing my silence and sadness, he kept quiet. Now, with his repeated questions, I was speechless. How could I say anything? A wave of grievance, bitterness, and pain surged into my heart, my eyes reddened, and I couldn't say a word. I just kept sobbing with my head down. My sudden emotional breakdown startled Bai Shungen, who frantically tried to soothe me, saying, "Why are you crying? Don't say it if you don't want to. I misspoke." After crying for a while, I wiped away my tears and explained, "I can't say it now, and I don't want to lie to you, brother. I promise you, I'll tell you when the time is right." "If you don't want to say it, then don't. I won't ask anymore, don't worry. This business deal is settled."

"Thank you, brother." "No need to thank me, I know you're doing this for my own good. Sister, don't worry, there's no bridge that can't be crossed in this world, things will get better, and even if things get bad, I still have my brother." The word "sister" warmed my heart. I thank God for giving me a good brother to rely on. Bai Shungen's heroic spirit was very infectious. Yes, everything will be alright in the future. I smiled and said, "Brother, you only need to know that I'm investing money in business. You can't tell a third person, not even the rest of the family. As for what you want to say, I'll leave that to you. I'll come over once or twice a month. If there's anything urgent you need to discuss with me, just ask Sister-in-law Bai to come to the Cheng residence to find me, and I'll find a way to get out."

I didn't even tell Xiaohe; after all, she was Cheng's maid and received her wages from Cheng. Actually, I already knew he would agree; the conditions I offered were attractive enough, and most importantly, Bai Shungen was a man of great loyalty and affection.

First Version: Falling in Love is Easy, Staying Together is Difficult (Chapter 42: Madam Rong)

On the way home, I felt much more at ease; the fact that things had gone smoothly today was like a weight off my shoulders. As soon as I got off the carriage, I saw Rong Yuwei's personal maid, Dong'er, standing in front of the main gate. Seeing me return, Dong'er immediately came forward, "Miss, Miss said she needs to see you and wants you to go see her as soon as you get home."

Following Dong'er to the west wing, Rong Yuwei's usual workplace, "Miss, Miss Biao is here."

As soon as I entered, I saw her intently working on the account book, not even looking up. "I know, you can go out now and keep watch at the door so no one else comes in." "Yes," Dong'er replied and left. After a long while, Rong Yuwei was still engrossed in her work, leaving me standing there, neither offering me a seat nor serving me tea. I wasn't going to stand there like an idiot, so I found the most comfortable chair, poured myself a cup of tea, and slowly sipped it. My quietness caught Rong Yuwei's attention. Finally, she finished her work, got down from her desk, and sat down opposite me.

"Open it and take a look." I hesitantly unfolded the scroll Rong Yuwei handed me. She invited me to appreciate a painting? It depicted a man. What did that mean?

“This is my distant cousin, Rong Feiyun. He is handsome and virtuous, and he is not yet 33 years old. He owns a hundred acres of fertile land and holds a position as a clerk in the Privy Council. He is more than a match for you. His wife passed away two years ago and he has not remarried since. He has three concubines. It doesn’t matter that he is not destined to have children, as his wife has already given birth to two sons. As long as you agree, he will marry you as his principal wife. I have asked my father to act as matchmaker for you so that you can marry him in a grand and glorious manner.”

"So this is a blind date for me," I thought with a cold laugh. She'd really gone to great lengths. To be honest, the man she found was perfect—it was practically tailor-made for me. I put the scroll away and handed it back to her. "Didn't you promise you wouldn't make things difficult for me? I'm like you; I can't accept my man having other women. I want only one for life." No other man besides Cheng Zhuri could ever enter my heart. "How can you compare me to someone else?!" Rong Yuwei raised her eyebrows in displeasure. "Besides, how is this making things difficult? I'm helping you. I believe you won't go for your cousin, so you should leave sooner rather than later. I've gone to great lengths to make the best arrangements for you. I'm helping you fulfill your promise. If you truly want to back down, you should back down completely." I shook my head firmly. "You disagree? You know that's obvious!" She looked at me coldly. "There's another way: you leave the Cheng family. Didn't you have that plan before? Five thousand taels of silver—you can live whatever you want." Rong Yuwei pulled out several silver notes from her bosom and placed them in front of me. "My husband's not home, now's the perfect time. I can send someone to take you wherever you want." Looking at Rong Yuwei's arrogant expression, I certainly wouldn't entrust my safety to someone I couldn't trust. "Aren't you afraid your cousin will find out?" "I have my own way of handling this, you don't need to worry about it. Or do you want to be ungrateful and tell him everything, saying I forced you to make a poisonous oath? Don't forget, you were the one begging me in the first place." "I won't tell." I won't tell Cheng Zhuri, simply because I don't want to hurt him. Rong Yuwei is a woman he can never escape in this life; telling him will only increase his pain. Since I have to bear this responsibility, let me bear it all alone. Also, because I don't want to get involved, no matter who Cheng Zhuri marries, the outcome today will be the same. "After my husband recovered from his illness, his temperament changed drastically. Everyone can see through his thoughts. How could you possibly refuse? That day, Mother kept me behind and subtly hinted for a long time that my family wanted you to be brought into the family. What talk of never marrying? That's wishful thinking. The only women in this world who can remain unmarried for life are nuns. Do you want to shave your head and spend your life with only the ancient lamp and Buddha? These past few days, the look in my husband's eyes has made me see things clearly. You either marry or leave; there is no other way. And I will never let you enter a family and share a husband with me. You are a fishbone stuck in my throat, making it impossible for me to eat or sleep. I only blame myself for trusting your sweet words and letting you take care of my husband." Rong Yuwei pressed on, a flash of determination in her eyes. "As long as you are here, I will never have his heart. Even if you tell him, I'm not afraid. I can't have him anyway. I'd rather be a broken jade than a whole tile. If I can't have something, I'd rather destroy it myself than give it away, especially… you, you'd better not force me." "Trying to kick me out of the Cheng family won't be so easy." I clenched my hands under the table, suppressing my anger and forcing a smile. "Are you threatening me? This is my home too. I won't accept it. It's impossible for me to leave. I'll keep my promise to you. No one can force me to do what I don't want to do." Even if I wanted to leave, I would arrange everything beforehand. When I'm financially independent, I can't just take Yuwei's money and leave; that would be an insult to my love with Cheng Zhu Ri. "This isn't your home. Everyone here is surnamed Cheng, except you." Rong Yuwei leaned forward, slightly raising her chin, her gaze haughty, her expression arrogant like a queen. She said with a half-smile, "Besides, so what if I'm threatening you? What makes you think you can compete with me? If I, Rong Yuwei, want to do something, I've never failed. You have to believe I have the ability!" Rong Yuwei and I parted on bad terms, officially beginning our heated exchange. Two days later, a rare and distinguished guest suddenly arrived at the house: Madam Rong, who was visiting the Cheng family for the first time. She was surrounded by a large entourage and made a grand entrance.

Madam Rong looked to be in her forties, plump and fair-skinned, much like a kind Maitreya Buddha, with a beaming smile. Despite being a first-rank imperial consort, she had no airs whatsoever. Apart from Zhuxing, none of the other men in the household were present. Her aunt wanted to send someone to call her uncle back, but Madam Rong refused, saying that today was just a meeting with the women, to see her daughter and also to check on her aunt's health.

I remember when I first came to the Cheng family, the old women and maids would kneel down to greet me, which often made me feel awkward. In this family, I was at the top of the feudal hierarchy, but now I'm at the bottom, kneeling respectfully to kowtow and greet her. "Mother-in-law, don't do such a grand ceremony. You're pregnant, and besides, we're all family. There's no need to be so formal. Wei'er, quickly help your mother-in-law sit down." "Of course, etiquette cannot be neglected," the aunt replied respectfully. The aunt was more than six months pregnant, and her movements were clumsy. The simple act of kneeling, getting up, and sitting down had already made fine beads of sweat appear on her forehead. Although the Rong and Cheng families were related, their social status was vastly different, and the proper etiquette could not be omitted.

"Wei'er, come here quickly, stand beside your mother, let your mother take a good look at you." Madam Rong held Rong Yuwei's hand, then touched her face, murmuring, "You've lost weight, you really have!"

"Mother! Something terrible happened at home recently, everyone's lost weight, it's not just me." Watching the mother and daughter's drama unfold before me, I felt really annoyed, constantly twisting my handkerchief in my hands. If I wanted to talk to my daughter, I should find a room, close the door, and talk slowly, instead of making this whole family stand there watching. "Mother-in-law, you can keep me company, everyone else can go back to what you were doing. Don't let me bother them every time I come." Finally, I could leave, and was about to leave with the Second Madam and the others when Madam Rong called out to stop me. I was standing in the third row, I shouldn't be that conspicuous, right? Was she planning to punish me for her daughter's sake? Was this the reason for her special visit today? Zhu Xing cast a worried look at me. He was a thoughtful child, and at 13 years old, he was already a bit taller than me. I nodded and smiled at him to reassure him. What's meant to happen can't be avoided, and there's no use being afraid. "Is this girl in red the little cousin that Wei'er often mentions?" Madam Rong smiled as she looked me over.

"Yes, my sister's only bloodline." Before I could speak, my aunt interrupted to answer for me. Madam Rong beckoned to me, "Come here and let me see you." I walked over as instructed, and she scrutinized me from head to toe, occasionally clicking her tongue in praise. "Look at your features, young lady! You completely outshine our Wei'er. When Wei'er mentioned you before, I didn't believe it. It turns out there really is such a beautiful woman in this world." Was she really praising me so highly?! Not knowing what she was up to, I replied politely, "Madam Rong, you flatter me. Even the most beautiful face cannot withstand the passage of time; even the most beautiful appearance will eventually age." I didn't want to say anything that implied I was inferior to Rong Yuwei. "Oh, listen to that! You've got a good tongue. This girl, I like her, she's very much to my liking." Madam Rong's smile was unfathomable; she probably couldn't possibly like me. Fortunately, she didn't continue the conversation about me.

“My son-in-law’s illness worried me, but thankfully it’s all over now, thanks to the Bodhisattva’s blessing. I heard from Granny Wang that Wei’er couldn’t eat or sleep because of her son-in-law’s illness, and she lost a lot of weight and her spirits were low. As her mother, I was worried, so I came to see you today and also to visit you. I brought some tonics with me.” Ten brocade boxes were opened one by one, containing precious Chinese medicinal materials such as antelope horn, lingzhi, snow lotus, and deer antler. The ginseng in particular was very thick. The Rong family is indeed wealthy and generous, sending only top-quality medicinal materials to the concubine. "Thank you for your trouble, Mother-in-law. Yuwei must have had a hard time these past few days. She's a rare and wonderful daughter-in-law—smart, capable, and sensible. She manages everything at home perfectly, allowing me to focus on my pregnancy. She's also filial to her parents-in-law, considerate every day, and takes care of her younger siblings. We must have been incredibly lucky to marry her." "Mother, you flatter me. These are all things a daughter-in-law should do. This is my home, and it's only right that I dedicate myself to it!"

Madam Rong nodded in satisfaction at her aunt's words. "That's good, that's good. She was quite spoiled when she was a girl. It's my fault, really. We only have one daughter, Yuwei, and her father and I doted on her. We let her do whatever she wanted, and we spoiled her rotten. We were afraid she wouldn't change her temper after she got married. Hearing her mother-in-law say this, I feel much relieved. After thinking about it, I think my son-in-law is really capable. He can keep Wei'er completely under his thumb. You know, one thing can subdue another." "Mother! How can a mother talk about her own daughter like that!" Before Madam Rong could finish speaking, Rong Yuwei stomped her feet, pouted, and complained. Thinking about her usual upright and steady demeanor, her shrewd and capable nature, and the gloomy and cold demeanor she showed last time, she was completely different. It seemed that only a daughter would behave like this when she was with her mother.

Looking at Rong Yuwei's shy expression, she felt an overwhelming sadness. She had never envied her before, but today was the only exception. It was the first time she had seen her so delicate and charming. She had a wonderful mother; Madam Rong's eyes held pride, affection, worry, and relief as she looked at her daughter—a mother's deep love and care. And what about her? She would never see her mother again. If she left, she would have nothing—no lover, and she would lose her family as well. Her aunt continued with a forced smile, "You're too kind. I'm a mother myself; I understand your feelings."

"My mother-in-law is much luckier than me; her daughter gave birth to a son just one year after marriage. Wei'er's delayed childbirth is a real worry for me. Our Wei'er is very picky; ordinary men don't even meet her standards. She's left out countless good men to marry, choosing only my son-in-law. To be honest, my mother-in-law and I were furious at the time; we were firmly against it. But she was determined, saying she would only marry my son-in-law in this lifetime. We had no choice but to agree. Back then, all those troublesome concubines in the family were waiting to see me make a fool of myself. But now I have to say, Wei'er has excellent judgment; she managed to choose such a son-in-law..." Such a kind and loyal young man, I, as his mother, am so happy for her. What are riches and honors but fleeting clouds? What we women need is a good man who cherishes us. Although Wei'er hasn't had any children yet, her son-in-law hasn't taken a concubine for her in three years; such deep affection is rare indeed, and I am deeply gratified. Her father and I will remember this kindness, so please rest assured, we know what to do. Wei'er mentioned that the Third Young Master is also preparing to pursue a career in the imperial examinations. As long as he passes the exams, I will definitely ask his father to arrange a good job for him. But my dear in-laws, don't worry, children will come sooner or later.”

My aunt's face stiffened. Madam Rong first flattered the Cheng family, then used Zhuxing's future as bait, clearly indicating her stance against Cheng Zhuri taking a concubine. Madam Rong sat for a full hour, asking detailed questions about everything from Cheng Zhuri's recovery to the Cheng family's business, Zhuxing's studies, and even the child in my aunt's womb. She chatted naturally, like an ordinary family. I could only stand by, listening, smiling, and nodding occasionally, inwardly urging her to go home. My aunt's expression was very unpleasant. Finally, it was time for her to leave. Before leaving, she affectionately took my hand, "Mother-in-law, I especially like Xiaoxiao. It's rare that we get along so well. I want to adopt Xiaoxiao as my goddaughter. What do you think?" Adopt me as her goddaughter!!! Although it was a question, it was an inescapable tone. She even took off a pair of jade bracelets from her wrist and personally put them on my wrist.

My aunt and I were both taken aback, exchanging bewildered glances. Even if Madam Rong didn't dislike me, she couldn't possibly like me to the point of wanting to adopt me as her goddaughter. I was a thorn in her daughter's side. "This is too precious, I can't accept it." I tried to take the bracelet off, but she held it firmly. "Keep it. I never take back a gift I've given away." Her smile, still kind and gentle, now held an unyielding firmness. My aunt hurriedly declined, "Mother-in-law, this is unacceptable. We are of lowly status, how can we be your goddaughters, this..."

"Please don't refuse. As long as she becomes the Rong family's adopted daughter, her status will be quite high. Tomorrow, I'll have someone pick an auspicious day to formally adopt her as my adopted daughter. Once the date is set, I'll send someone to invite Xiaoxiao over." Watching Madam Rong and her entourage walk away, what exactly was she planning? Her disapproval of Cheng Zhuri taking a concubine was already very clear, and the aunt understood. "Aunt? I..." I wanted to offer to escort her back to her room, but her gaze stopped me. The aunt looked at Rong Yuwei, who was standing not far from the door watching Madam Rong leave, and said softly, "We can talk about it back in the room."

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"Master, what should we do?" The concubine, leaning against the couch, was anxious and looked up, waiting for her uncle's answer.

As soon as Madam Rong left, Aunt sent Rong Yuwei away, instructing her to prepare a proper return gift for Madam Rong, while also sending someone to call Uncle back.

After listening to his aunt recount the events of the day in detail, his uncle lowered his head, focusing intently on his thoughts. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "What's the situation? Let's observe first." Seeing that his aunt's face had turned pale, he added softly, "Calm down. There might still be a way to turn things around. Worrying won't help. Even if you don't think about yourself, think about the baby in your belly. Right now, what could be more important than your health? I'll take care of everything." "Uncle is right. Getting anxious won't help. Drink this to warm yourself up." He picked up the ginseng and bird's nest soup that had been warmed up earlier. His aunt was weak and prone to feeling cold, and her vital energy was depleted. Following Doctor Lan's instructions, his uncle had spent a lot of money to buy bird's nest soup for her to use to stabilize her pregnancy and nourish her body.

"How can I possibly eat?" My aunt gently pushed my hand away. "The Rong family's intentions are crystal clear. Zhu Ri is over twenty-three and still hasn't become a father. What's wrong with a mother arranging for her son to take a concubine? That's perfectly reasonable anywhere. And they even want to take Xiao Xiao as their goddaughter. I don't know what they're up to. My heart is pounding like a drum, I can't calm down." My aunt already had many worries: her grandson's issues, Zhu Xing's living conditions while studying away from home, and her guilt towards me. Now, with two more things added to the list, she's been looking uneasy ever since Madam Rong left. No matter how much Qin Ma and I tried to persuade her, it was no use. She would stare at the door waiting for my uncle, then look at the bracelet Madam Rong had given her and sigh. My uncle followed my aunt's gaze, glancing indifferently at the jade bracelet on my wrist. His deep, resonant voice seemed to have a calming effect. "Things are different now. Yu Wei is married now. Marriage is good for her. Even if the Rong family is unhappy and wants to do something, they'll have to think twice."

I mentally gave my uncle a thumbs up again. He was truly wise and experienced; his two simple words hit the nail on the head. Yes, whatever Madam Rong's plans, it was unlikely she would actually target Chengjia; this was a disguised attack on her own daughter. Although my uncle's words of comfort couldn't completely put my aunt at ease, they did calm her emotions somewhat. Suddenly, I noticed that my aunt had aged. Fine lines had crept around her eyes, and her once rosy complexion had been replaced by a sallow one. Apart from her prominent belly, the rest of her body was thin and frail, not at all like a pregnant woman. Her arms were especially thin, like bamboo poles, with prominent knuckles at her wrists—it was heartbreaking to see her so thin.

Seeing that her brows were no longer furrowed, she seized the opportunity to offer the bird's nest soup to her, feigning reluctance, and said, "Auntie, my cousin told me before he left to take good care of you, to make sure you're plump and healthy, so he could focus on his work in Hangzhou without any worries. I swore on that, but if he comes back and sees you like this, he'll definitely blame me, Auntie! Just drink it for my sake!" The auntie smiled helplessly, "I know you're filial, you don't need to coax me like a child, I'll drink it."

Seeing that she had finally finished drinking, I took the empty bowl and smiled, "Thank you, Auntie!" "After I recovered from my illness, the flesh on my cheeks just hasn't grown back!" My aunt reached out and picked up a few strands of hair from my temple and tucked them behind my ear. Touching my face, she sighed, "You've had a hard day. Go back and rest. I'll have someone bring you a bowl of red date and white fungus soup to replenish your energy."

"Xiaoxiao will definitely drink it all." I assured them with a smile. The matter was settled, and I wanted to leave the rest of the time for the couple. They must have some private things to talk about. I stood up and bowed to them, "Uncle, Aunt, Xiaoxiao will take her leave now." "Xiaoxiao." My uncle stroked his beard, his eyes bright, "Don't let Zhuri know about this for now. Don't say a word more than necessary. Your uncle will take care of it for you, don't worry." I nodded knowingly and left my aunt's room. My uncle was probably afraid that I would write to Cheng Zhuri. That was a habit I hadn't had for three years. "Look at you, you were fine when you left this morning, but in less than a day, your complexion has deteriorated so much. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings..." I heard my uncle's gentle scolding voice behind me. Now that my uncle was comforting my aunt, I felt at ease. Pregnant women need their husbands by their side the most; he is their everything. "Cousin!" I looked up at the sound of her voice and saw Zhu Xing standing at the corner of the corridor, her hands behind her back. She came forward to greet me as I came out of my aunt's room, looking at me with a complicated expression. "Zhu Xing, is there something you need from your cousin?" "It's been several days since I played chess with you, cousin. I'd like to play a game with you." A beautiful smile curved Zhu Xing's lips.

"Playing chess is just a pretext. I really want to know what happened this afternoon, right?" The adorable Xing'er of yesteryear has unknowingly transformed into a handsome young man with sword-like eyebrows and phoenix eyes. Since Cheng Zhu Ri's accident, he seems to have matured all at once. His speech and actions have become more and more steady. The way he occasionally frowns and ponders is exactly like a young version of Cheng Zhu Ri. He would often find opportunities to play chess, play the piano, and paint with me to relieve boredom. Knowing that men and women should avoid suspicion, he always brought Shu'er along.

"After Madam Rong left, Father rushed home immediately. Something must have happened." Zhu Xing frowned, his face full of sincerity and concern. "Before my elder brother left home, he told me to take good care of my cousin. He said that when he was not at home, I was the adult in the family. Cousin, don't hide it from me."

"It's nothing, it's just that Madam Rong and I hit it off and she wants to take me in as her goddaughter," I replied casually. "My aunt is just thinking about what to give in return. Madam Rong sent a lot of valuable medicinal herbs today, and it's only polite to reciprocate. You know, ever since she became pregnant, she's been in a rush." "Goddaughter?!" Zhu Xing raised her voice slightly. "How could Madam Rong possibly take you in as her goddaughter? My sister-in-law doesn't like you at all!"

"Don't talk nonsense." I immediately looked around. Fortunately, my aunt preferred quiet, and there were usually no strangers in the garden. "Why did you say she didn't like me?" There were already enough troubles at home; I couldn't add to the chaos. "I'm not talking nonsense; I understand." Zhu Xing's eyes were sharp, and her tone was firm. She said in a low voice, "Your sister-in-law's eyes don't lie. She doesn't like you; she treats you badly." But she's good to you. Everyone in her family is good, except for me. I sighed silently in my heart. As for herself, she wasn't wrong. I pleaded earnestly, "Zhu Xing, it's hard to tell who's right and who's wrong in some things. Even a wise judge can't settle family disputes. Don't get involved in this; you can't control it anyway. Focus more on your studies. If you really want your cousin to be happy, think of ways to make your aunt happy and make her smile more, okay?" Doctor Lan said that my aunt's poor health was mainly due to excessive worry. No amount of medicine or tonics was as important as her mental well-being. As long as she was happy, her health would naturally improve. Zhu Xing hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement. October 28th arrived in the blink of an eye. Today was the auspicious day chosen by Madam Rong; she had sent someone to inform everyone the day after she returned home—she acted swiftly. Early in the morning, I dressed as my aunt had instructed, with a bare face, wearing a light-colored satin jacket and a black cloak, my hair still styled in a simple braid—dignified yet not impolite. Actually, even without her reminder, I wouldn't have done anything foolish like being the first to act.

Rong Yuwei and I shared a carriage. She was resting with her eyes closed, looking content. We understood each other perfectly and acted like good cousins in public, but rarely spoke a word to each other in private. As soon as we stepped off the carriage, several servants were already waiting at the main gate of the Rong residence. Rong Yuwei warmly took my hand and said sweetly, "Father, cousin, let's go in." Although I had imagined the Rong family's luxury, I was still slightly shocked by the scene before me. The magnificent vermilion gate, with its gleaming copper nails the size of teacups, and the two large, golden characters "Rong Residence" engraved on the high plaque, exuded a powerful aura of wealth. Passing through the gate, an overwhelming sense of opulence greeted us. The spacious halls, pavilions, and towers were grand and magnificent. Inside, there were ponds and rockeries, with ever-changing scenery at every turn. The courtyards were planted with flowers and plants. Winter was the season when most trees withered, but there were still scattered red flowers in the garden, and the foliage plants made the garden lush and verdant. As soon as we entered the main hall, a maid helped us remove our cloaks and led us to sit down at a side seat, serving us hot tea and snacks.

"Father, cousin, please have some tea to warm yourselves up. I'll go and invite Mother and Aunt out." After settling us in, Rong Yuwei got up to invite Madam Rong. We sat in the main hall for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea when we saw Rong Yuwei helping Madam Rong slowly walk towards us from the opposite corridor, followed by a large group of men and women, chatting and laughing as they entered the house. Rong Yuwei helped Madam Rong to sit in the main chair, then stood behind her. The others also took their seats after their mistress was seated. My uncle and I quickly knelt and bowed, "Greetings to Madam Rong." Madam Rong gestured, "Rise, in-laws. We're all family; there's no need to be so formal at home." "Etiquette must be observed." Although she called us in-laws, the difference in our positions—sitting and kneeling—was clear. Madam Rong took a sip of tea and smiled faintly, "In-laws are very busy. How come you have time to accompany Xiaoxiao today? Are you afraid we'll bully her?" Madam Rong said this casually. The uncle's lips curled into a slight smile as he said in a loud, humble voice, "You flatter me. Last time you personally visited my wife and brought valuable medicinal herbs, so I've come here today specifically to return the favor." "You're too kind, in-law," Madam Rong nodded slightly, seemingly quite pleased. The Rong family was large and prosperous. Lord Rong's one wife and eight concubines had given birth to nine daughters and ten sons, most of whom were already married with children. His eldest grandson was over ten years old, while his youngest son was still being held in his wet nurse's arms. It seems that Madam Rong values me highly. Rong Yuwei's father and two brothers from the same mother are all officials in the court. The chosen day happened to be a day off. Although I didn't see Lord Rong, Rong Yuwei's two brothers were present. Because I am the goddaughter that the First Madam wants to adopt, my status is different. All the other concubines from the various households also came to show their support. Looking at the gazes surrounding me, some were amazed, some were disdainful, some were indifferent, some were looking forward to a good show, and there was even a pair of menacing eyes staring intently at me. Am I the prey that has entered the hunting ground? I knelt properly on the prayer mat, took the teacup from the maid, raised it above my head to offer to Madam Rong, and smiled, "Godmother, please have some tea!" "Good, good, it makes me feel good to hear you call me godmother." Madam Rong chuckled and took a sip of tea, then reached out to help me up, handing me a brocade box. "Good daughter, get up quickly, see if you like it?" I opened the delicate clasp as instructed, and inside lay a jade pendant, about five centimeters in diameter, with a uniform and even color throughout. The white jade was as smooth and lustrous as jade, and it was engraved with a four-legged, three-clawed dragon. Having handled jade more over the years, my appreciation skills had naturally improved considerably. From the weight and translucency, I knew it was a fine piece. The Rong family was truly wealthy; I hadn't expected them to be so generous to me. "This is a gift from your godfather, a precious relic from the Zhou Dynasty. He should have given it to you personally, but unfortunately, he has important business to attend to today." She lowered her head, smiling apologetically, "I like it very much. Please thank my godfather for the jade pendant on my behalf, and I wish him good health and a long and happy life." After bowing to Madam Rong, she went to her aunt, curtsied, and said, "I greet my aunt!"

Madam Rong said I was her adopted daughter, and that I didn't need to kneel before anyone else today, regardless of her intentions. At least my knees wouldn't suffer. "Come, come, let me take a closer look. Whose daughter is this that my sister likes so much that she wants to adopt her?" My aunt smiled and lifted my lowered face. "What kind of hairstyle is this? It's so novel; I've never seen it before." Madam Rong was dressed elegantly and dignifiedly, like a Buddhist, while my aunt was dressed brightly and luxuriously. The pearl hairpins and gold hair ornaments in her hair swayed gently with her movements, making a tinkling sound. Although she was around forty years old, her voice was still as clear as a nightingale's song. Although makeup could no longer hide the traces of time, she was still quite graceful. "A woman past her prime, yet still retains her charm" was the most fitting description for her.

My aunt suddenly brushed my bangs aside. "Oh no, oh no, you've covered most of my face. I can't see it clearly."

My heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding washing over me. I'd deliberately kept my hair long and untrimmed these past few days to avoid any trouble. Though annoyed by her rude actions, I couldn't retaliate for the sake of the occasion. My entire face was now exposed to everyone, and a few soft gasps rose from the surroundings as a dozen pairs of eyes turned to me. My aunt paused slightly, then exclaimed in amazement, "Truly, your eyebrows are like distant mountains, your eyes like autumn water, your skin like solidified cream, your lips like red pomegranate blossoms, and your teeth like pomegranate seeds. You're beautiful even without makeup. That mole is so alluring, tsk tsk tsk, truly a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally beautiful without artifice. Men would be captivated by you. Are you already engaged?" She pinched my cheek with her other hand. I frowned in disgust, pulled my hands away, lowered my head, suppressed my annoyance, and shook my head.

"How come such a beautiful and charming girl isn't engaged yet?" The eldest aunt raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Everyone says Yuwei married the most handsome and loyal man in Liangjing City. I never expected that her husband's family had such a celestial beauty hidden away. I heard she's a cousin? Could it be that they're keeping the good stuff in the family?" Her tone was somewhat sour and sarcastic, and she glanced at Rong Yuwei every now and then. Knowing the fire would soon burn her, everyone held their breath as soon as the eldest aunt finished speaking, many pairs of gloating eyes fixed on Rong Yuwei, waiting to see a fight break out. Glancing at her uncle, she saw his eyes were slightly dark. He was about to speak when Rong Yuwei preemptively said, "My sister's important matters will be handled by someone else. Don't trouble yourself, eldest aunt." Rong Yuwei remained calm and composed, showing no anger. She slowly picked up her teacup, took a sip, and gently wiped her lips with a handkerchief, a smile still playing on her lips. She continued, "I heard that my brother-in-law's newly acquired fifth concubine is a true beauty. He even got into a fight with the maternal uncle of the Grand Councilor Di Qing over her. My brother-in-law really doesn't know his place. A mere courtesan from a brothel made him lose his composure. Everyone knows that General Di has repeatedly won military merits and is highly valued by the Emperor; everyone is trying to curry favor with him. If it weren't for Father and my elder brother intervening and protecting her, who knows how much trouble would have ensued. Aunt, you must teach my elder sister a lesson. She needs to act like the proper wife. Although she is born out of wedlock, she is still a daughter of the Rong family. How can we let such a lowly woman, who only knows how to entertain guests, into our family? We can't let the Rong family lose face!"

Though her words were soft, they carried weight. Madam Rong remained silent, ignoring her completely. Rong Yuwei, a married daughter, was able to lecture her aunt in front of the whole family, demonstrating her high status and favor within the household. "That's all in the past, why bring it up again!" The eldest aunt sneered, as if someone had touched a sore spot, feeling slightly embarrassed but unwilling to back down. She quickly composed herself and said with a sarcastic smile, "Yuwei, you've misunderstood. I was praising the third son-in-law's self-control. With such a beauty in the family, he remains unmoved, unlike my troublesome son-in-law. Yurong has given him three sons, and concubines keep coming in one after another. I don't know when he'll ever settle down. Sigh, Yuwei is much more discerning and has a better eye for people than Yurong!"

The aunt emphasized the word "son," causing Rong Yuwei's delicate body to tremble slightly. A crack finally appeared in her seemingly calm expression; her eyebrows furrowed, and her smile froze. "Yurong is a concubine's daughter, how can she compare to Yuwei? Aunt, you've been confused today. Yuwei is the legitimate daughter, naturally the most blessed daughter of the Rong family. She will be even more fortunate in the future." Madam Rong, who had been preoccupied with sipping tea, spoke up to support Rong Yuwei, her smile becoming more awe-inspiring. "Yuwei is right. You don't need to worry about such a small matter as marriage. You should spend more time on Yurong. It's rare for in-laws to come to our home today, so please keep quiet." "Eldest sister is right." Having successfully provoked Rong Yuwei, the aunt's brows furrowed with pride. She removed her pearl necklace. "Wear this. It's my greeting gift. The pearl necklace suits you perfectly." "Thank you, Aunt," I replied calmly. I greeted each person older than me in turn, finally reaching Rong Yuwei. "Good sister." Rong Yuwei raised her head and smiled as she called out, taking the hairpin from her hair and placing it in my hand. "Now we are even closer than family. This pearl and jade hairpin is my beloved possession when I was a young girl. I have never parted from it. My mother gave it to me when I came of age. She specially inlaid two large pearls on it, hoping that everything would be as perfect as pearls. I already have a white hairpin, and now I am giving it to you."

Suddenly, a young man in a brocade robe and jade belt, who was sitting to the side, stood up and walked into the hall. He knelt down on both knees. He was Rong Yifei, Rong Yuwei's fifth half-brother. He pleaded with Madam Rong, "Mother, please act as matchmaker for me and give this young lady to me!" His naked eyes were fixed on me. As soon as he finished speaking, a young woman with almond-shaped eyes next to him immediately turned pale with anger. She glared at me fiercely, her eyes almost popping out of their sockets. The others waited for the show with amused smiles and mocking expressions. Madam Rong flew into a rage, slamming her teacup heavily on the table, splashing tea everywhere. Her face was ashen as she sternly reprimanded, "You ill-mannered child! You've made me lose all face in front of our in-laws! Don't take advantage of the master's affection for you and act without thinking. I treat Xiaoxiao like my own daughter. I adopted her as my goddaughter out of pity for her being an orphan and out of genuine love for her. I didn't give her to you as a concubine. Besides, how could my goddaughter become someone else's concubine? Where would that leave my old face? Not even you, let alone someone born from my womb! If they dare to say that, I'll give them a good scolding back. And if anyone brings this up again, I won't let them off easily."

"You troublesome brat, you deserve to be scolded!" The fourth concubine of the Rong family walked up to Rong Yifei with a stern face and spat, "Who do you think you are? Look carefully at who she is. She is the goddaughter recognized by the main wife. How can this illegitimate son be worthy of her!" She pulled up her son, poked his forehead hard with her index finger, and kept cursing, "You, go back to your room. Don't stand here and embarrass yourself."