No matter how much Li pleaded, Yun Shen had already made up his mind to ignore her.
“Third Sister, you are the mistress of the house, and this matter should be handled by you.” Yun Shen always felt guilty towards Third Sister regarding Li’s matter. If Li were as well-behaved and sensible as she had pretended to be, it would be fine. But now that Li has tried to scheme against Third Sister and even implicated Third Sister’s sister, Yun Shen absolutely cannot tolerate Li.
Yun Shen was the legitimate son of the Prince, and his preference for the legitimate wife over the illegitimate one was deeply ingrained. He also had two younger brothers born out of wedlock. Although he loved Dong Ge'er, that didn't mean he could tolerate Li Shi's actions that disrupted the proper order of legitimate and illegitimate children, and that she dared to openly scheme against his legitimate wife.
"You've worked hard."
Li knelt on the ground, her gaze fragile and sorrowful, full of pleading. But a torrent of jealousy crashed down upon her, filling her with both anger and regret. She shouldn't have escalated things; now there was no way to salvage the situation.
So, Yun Shen let Third Sister deal with him, or Third Sister had a hard time?
Lady Li was seething with hatred, but she forgot that this was the proper role of a principal wife and a concubine. Before entering the mansion, she only saw the glory of Consort Li. She thought that with the Princess Consort's power, how could Consort Li be so carefree and glamorous? With Third Sister's temperament, it was only a matter of time before she replaced her.
Unexpectedly, after returning to the manor pregnant with the eldest son of a concubine, although she was granted the title of a noble concubine thanks to the reputation of the Grand Princess of Lin'an, she was always suppressed by the Third Sister in the manor and never had a chance to hold her head high.
How could she accept this?
It's all because of An Jiuniang...
Thinking of An Ran, Li Shi gritted her teeth in hatred. If it weren't for An Ran's constant help to San Niang, she wouldn't have ended up in such a state!
Li had forgotten that she had once tried to ruin An Ran's reputation, and An Ran had not yet avenged that. Today, An Ran was naturally making a big scene without making a sound.
"Managing the household affairs is simply my duty." Third Sister was unusually calm today, without the impatience of anger or the smugness of someone who had suffered Li's misfortune. She displayed the dignified and composed demeanor of the eldest daughter of the Marquis's household and the wife of the Prince's heir. "Li's matter was my oversight; I hope you won't blame me, sir. How can I bear the reputation of having worked so hard?"
The way San Niang and Yun Shen treated each other with such respect made Li Shi even more envious.
This is different from her being able to hold Dongge'er in front of Yun Shen and show off her favor. This is the dignity of a legitimate wife, the respect and equality that only husband and wife can have. As for her, she is like a pet, only able to wait for her master's reward.
Li had never felt the difference between his wife and concubine so clearly before.
No matter how hard she tried, how painstakingly she gave birth to the eldest son born out of wedlock, and how tenderly she served the heir, she could never compare to the third wife, who was the principal wife. She could only kneel on the ground like a servant, while Yun Shen only looked at his principal wife.
Yun Shen looked at Third Sister tenderly and smiled.
"I couldn't bear to see you and your son separated, that's why I never mentioned bringing Dong-ge'er to my side." Third Sister sat gracefully, looking down at Madam Li, and said calmly, "Since the young master has spoken, Dong-ge'er—"
Before San Niang could finish speaking, Li Shi panicked. She disregarded everything else and kowtowed to San Niang, saying, "Please, Madam, have mercy! Don't take Dong Ge'er away! Dong Ge'er is my life, I can't live without him!"
Seeing the indifferent expression on Third Sister's face, Li felt uneasy.
In the past, even when Third Sister threw a tantrum, cursed, or punished her hysterically, Li Shi was never afraid. She knew that the more Third Sister lost her composure, the more advantageous the situation would be for her. But Third Sister's change of heart made Li Shi feel particularly guilty.
Seeing Li's astonished expression, San Niang smiled coldly to herself.
She naturally hated Li Shi intensely, wishing she could tear her apart, but she gradually realized that the more hysterical she became, the further she would push Yun Shen away. On the other hand, on these two occasions, when Jiu Niang advised her to handle things calmly, she gained Yun Shen's respect and the support of the Princess Consort.
A different approach can achieve the same goal more effectively.
Today, Li actually plotted against her and even attacked Jiu Niang... San Niang's gaze turned slightly cold. Jiu Niang probably sensed something was wrong. She risked injuring her face but didn't touch the wet nurse or Dong Ge'er at all, otherwise it would have been even harder for her to explain herself.
Jiu Niang was only thirteen years old, and she could still act spoiled and unreasonable with her; she was still a little girl. But Jiu Niang was able to hold her own and remained calm and composed in the face of adversity, surpassing Jiu Niang herself. Jiu Niang was seven years older than Jiu Niang, yet she was still inferior to Jiu Niang.
In the past, it was one thing for Ninth Sister to stand up for her, but this time, Ninth Sister was injured because of it, which Third Sister could not tolerate.
Third Sister felt extremely angry, yet she remained unusually calm. She still remembered Ninth Sister's clear, bright eyes, looking at her with trust and reliance... How could she, as the older sister, allow her younger sister to be hurt by others time and time again?
Moreover, Jiu Niang has already paved the way for her; if she doesn't do something about it, wouldn't she be letting Jiu Niang down?
“Dongge’er is the child you went through so much trouble to give birth to, I know that all too well.” Third Sister said calmly and slowly, “You also gained status because of your son, and were promoted to a concubine.”
Li felt a chill run down her spine from that calm tone.
Third Sister deliberately avoided mentioning the Grand Princess of Lin'an. Since the matter wasn't brought up openly, she had even less reason to hold back. "But you must remember, Dongge'er isn't just your son." She changed the subject coldly, "Dongge'er is also the eldest son of the Heir Apparent and an heir of the Prince's mansion. Just because Dongge'er is your son, should I allow him to fall into the hands of wicked people?"
"Last time Dong-ge cried and made a fuss, it was because the wet nurse pinched him until he was bruised. This time, the wet nurse and your personal maid actually used Dong-ge to frame Jiu-niang because they held a grudge against her!"
“Aunt Li, do you dare say that their actions have nothing to do with you?” Third Sister’s tone turned serious, her eyes fixed on Li Shi with dark intensity, and she pressed her for an answer: “Do you dare say that they acted on their own?”
The series of questions from Third Sister not only left Li Shi bewildered, but also a hint of admiration flashed in Yun Shen's eyes.
Seeing that Li was stunned and didn't answer, Yun Shen asked on behalf of the Third Sister, "Li, the Crown Princess is asking you a question, why aren't you answering?"
The unity between Yun Shen and San Niang as husband and wife stung Li Shi's eyes.
She could never sit with Yun Shen like this, speaking on equal terms, even if it was just casual conversation...
"You can't lose your composure!" Madam Li desperately told herself. She bit her lower lip tightly until she tasted a salty, metallic flavor in her mouth, then took a deep breath and looked up to reply. Dong-ge'er was absolutely essential; she could only have Yun-shen return to her courtyard because of him. If Dong-ge'er were taken to Third Sister's courtyard, wouldn't she, as a concubine, become an empty shell, a laughingstock?
"Replying to Madam," Li Shi swallowed bitterly. To retain custody of her son, she had no choice but to abandon her right-hand woman. "I truly did not know. I know how much the young master values Dong-ge'er. If I had known beforehand, I certainly would not have dared to do this!"
Even when she was at a disadvantage, she didn't forget to stab San Niang.
At this point, Third Sister was completely unaffected by her words. Seeing that Yun Shen was only supporting Third Sister and ignoring her, she humbly crawled to Third Sister's side and kowtowed heavily. "This concubine truly did not know, please, Madam, investigate thoroughly!"
Third Sister looked at her thoughtfully, remaining silent for a long time.
"What do you have to say?" After a while, Third Sister ignored Li Shi and turned her gaze to Xiao Cui and the wet nurse who were kneeling. She asked, "Did anyone instruct you to do this?"
Before San Niang finished speaking, both of their bodies trembled almost imperceptibly.
Sitting high above them, every subtle movement of theirs could be clearly seen. Third Sister smiled faintly, but remained silent.
“Replying to the Princess Consort,” the wet nurse spoke first, saying with difficulty, “It is my fault. I dare not conceal the truth from Madam or implicate the concubine! Xiao Cui was implicated by me. She was forced to do this by me. I beg the Princess Consort to punish only me and forgive Xiao Cui.”
Since she has already died, at least we must keep Xiao Cui by her aunt's side! This wet nurse is a loyal one; she was originally kind to Li's parents, and she wanted to repay them.
After saying that, she suddenly kowtowed to Third Sister.