WBSGVS Chapter 4

After passing through an archway and lifting his gaze, Zheng Yihan saw the tearful and accusing look from the charming young lady, which softened his heart. He gave a slight bow and said with a tinge of regret, “I’m sorry. The situation was urgent at that time, and I didn’t have time to think about it.”

His voice was even gentler than usual, with a hint of ingratiation, showing no pretense of superiority but treating her as an equal.

Seeing him like this, Su Tingxue couldn’t stay angry any longer. She pouted and said nothing more.

Zheng Yihan relaxed a bit and took a couple of steps closer to her, opening his mouth to explain his intentions but found himself unable to articulate them immediately.

In truth, after spending so much time together, it was impossible for him not to have feelings. He wasn’t a saint.

Otherwise, why would he have instinctively ignored Ji Qingli’s suggestions and chosen to take a concubine as a way of repaying his debt? If Ji Qingli hadn’t fainted from blood loss, he wouldn’t have stepped back and made taking a concubine seem like a pretense.

But Ji’s family was powerful, and in his heart, Ji Qingli had always been more important, so the balance was easily tipped.

However, he also saw Su Tingxue’s feelings for him clearly, and because of this, it was particularly difficult for him to suggest she marry someone else.

Su Tingxue looked at him in confusion and asked, “What are you doing? Did you come here just to stare at me?”

“Of course not,” Zheng Yihan said with a smile, feeling a bit more at ease. He waved to dismiss the two maids and then continued, “You and I initially called each other husband and wife to avoid persecution, but outsiders are unaware of this. You shouldn’t have to be a concubine because of it. I’ve wronged you.”

Su Tingxue, already anxious about his attitude, now realized her fears had come true. Her heart trembled, but she forced a smile and said, “Why are you suddenly saying this?”

Zheng Yihan didn’t answer that question directly. Instead, he said, “Tingxue, you saved my life, and I will remember this debt forever. Rest assured, I will find you a suitable husband. If he ever mistreats you, I won’t let him off!”

“Really?” Su Tingxue smiled shyly at him.

Zheng Yihan assured, “Absolutely!”

Su Tingxue shook her head and replied, “Forget it. If Mr. Zheng doesn’t want to marry me, just say so. Even though not many people know about our arrangement, some do. If my future husband learns of this, I will surely be discarded. If that’s the case, I’d rather remain an old maid.”

Zheng Yihan was anxious and quickly explained, “Don’t worry. The husband Ah Li finds for you won’t care about these matters. Even if he does, with the Zheng family and the General’s Mansion backing you, he won’t dare mistreat you!”

The General’s Mansion?

Su Tingxue lowered her head, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of her lips. As expected, it was just as she thought!

Some people are born into privilege, like Ji Qingli, so they don’t have to worry. But can they look after her for a lifetime?

Especially if they could truly provide for her lifetime, such families would be far superior to the Zheng family, and people would be far superior to Zheng Yihan. So why should she forsake the Zheng family to marry into a lower-status family?

But she couldn’t refute this now.

Su Tingxue bit her tongue, feeling the pain, which cooled her anger. She lifted her head again, now calm, with tears in her eyes, but said, “Since Mr. Zheng has thought it through so well, I have no right to object. Let it be.”

Zheng Yihan sighed inwardly and moved closer. He reached out to ruffle her hair gently and said softly, “I promised Ah Li that I wouldn’t take a concubine in this life. Besides, being the main wife is a hundred times better than being a concubine, isn’t it?”

“Mr. Zheng is right,” Su Tingxue smiled brightly, not refuting, seemingly resigned to her fate.

Seeing her like this made Zheng Yihan feel even more guilty as if he were a heartless person. But since things had come to this, there was no point in discussing it further. He steeled himself and walked away.

He then sent a lot of valuable gifts, including medicinal herbs and precious trinkets, and even two shops. This was his way of showing his attitude, repaying the life-saving grace.

However, Zheng Yihan did not realize that Su Tingxue looked at the room full of valuable items and didn’t find herself as comforted as he hoped.

Instead, she felt even more unwilling.

Why should she have the chance to marry someone who could afford to give such valuable gifts, yet be forced to follow Ji Qingli’s arrangement to marry a lower-status family, living off whatever little resources came her way?

But right now, she was in a very passive position. Ji Qingli had blocked all her options, and with no excuses left, she had no choice but to marry Zheng Yihan.

Unless she exposed her ruined reputation…

But she didn’t dare to.

If she did, Zheng Yihan would certainly develop a rift with her.

With Ji Qingli’s childhood affection, she wouldn’t get any good treatment!

At this moment, Old Lady Cui from Zhang Shi’s side came over, warmly pulling Su Tingxue along. “The madam wants Miss Su to come over. The tailor for your clothes has arrived and is waiting to take your measurements.”

Is the tailor personally coming to take measurements?

Su Tingxue was a bit dazed and anxious. “How can that be? I’m staying with the Zheng family, with maids serving me. Mr. Zheng has sent so many good things. I already feel guilty.”

Old Lady Cui waved her hand dismissively. “What’s that? You saved our eldest young master. It’s only right that we do this for you! Besides, the madam likes Miss Su very much. You should go over.”

Su Tingxue nodded with a smile and was escorted over, her mind already buzzing with thoughts.

If Zhang Shi likes her and dislikes Ji Qingli, then surely she would help her, right?

In the East Main Courtyard

Qing Li was lounging in bed, eating melon seeds and listening to her maid tell jokes.

At the door, a figure quickly disappeared, leaving the main courtyard for the study. It was Zheng Yihan, the eldest young master of the Zheng family.

Wan Yue was puzzled. As soon as the joke ended, she hurriedly asked, “Young Mistress, why have you been sending the eldest young master away for days? Are you still angry about the concubine issue?”

Could it be that the Young Mistress was ill?

No one knew better than Wan Yue that the Young Mistress’s health had indeed been poor on the first day, but she was much better the next day, able to eat, drink, and sleep normally. She even took them for a walk before bed for half an hour, sweating a bit and sleeping more soundly. She was no longer sad.

How could she still be sick?

She hadn’t even taken the medicine the doctor prescribed.

Yet, she kept using her health as an excuse to send the eldest young master to the study, which was confusing.

The eldest young master had promised not to take a concubine, hadn’t he?

The Young Mistress wasn’t interested in divorce, so isn’t that a sign of a harmonious life?

Qing Li smiled faintly and replied, “It’s fine. Let him learn a lesson.”

Wan Yue looked troubled and whispered, “But Miss Su has been very close to the madam these days, always by her side, and this morning she was even taken out to play by the eldest young master for an hour!”

For the past five years, Zhang Shi’s desire to have a concubine for her son had never ceased. The people she had chosen were either intimidated by the General’s Mansion or were sent away by the Young Mistress. Su Tingxue was different.

She was the life-saver of Zheng Yihan, and as a couple, she could also be considered a benefactor to the Young Mistress, so naturally, she couldn’t be treated the same way as others.

Why did the Young Mistress still have no sense of crisis?

Qing Li found it both amusing and exasperating. She put on a confident facade and said, “Don’t worry, the eldest young master won’t take a concubine.”

She then recalled something and said with a hint of amusement, “When he came to propose to me, he swore a deadly oath that if he took a concubine or wronged me, he would cut off his descendants.”

Wan Yue didn’t believe in such oaths. She used to think Zheng Yihan wouldn’t take a concubine, but after what happened that day, she was now quite uneasy. She muttered, “Even if he does take a concubine, the oath won’t come true.”

Otherwise, how would there be so many people breaking promises in this world?

Qing Li raised an eyebrow and said meaningfully, “You never know.”

“What?” Wan Yue didn’t catch it clearly and asked.

Qing Li patted her hand and said, “Nothing. Just continue with the jokes.”

“Yes.” The two lively maids immediately nodded, and their clear voices rang out again.

Just as Qingli was about to say something, a voice from the courtyard interrupted, and the maidservants frowned, murmuring, “It’s the madam trying to make things difficult for the young mistress again.”

Qingli’s expression turned calm. “Let her in.”

“Yes,” Wan Yue nodded and went to greet the old maid, Cui.

Cui walked in with a stern expression, her demeanor as cold as it had been warm and friendly with Su Tingxue. She scanned the room briefly before commenting in a sarcastic tone, “The young mistress seems to be in high spirits.”

“Indeed,” Qingli responded with a graceful nod, cracking a smile as she cracked a melon seed. Her demeanor was relaxed, and she showed less deference than she had previously to her mother-in-law’s entourage.

Cui’s eyes darkened, and she was about to speak out, but the coldness in Qingli’s gaze made her feel uneasy. She swallowed her words, realizing that Qingli was still the wife of the eldest son of the Zheng family and the daughter of a general’s household, not someone she could treat lightly.

She cleared her throat and said, “Madam sent me to check on the young mistress’s health. It seems to be much improved now. We shouldn’t forget to offer our respects.”

After several days of rest, Zhang had felt uncomfortable without making any trouble for her daughter-in-law, so she had sent for her.

Wan Yue’s expression soured, but Qingli remained composed. “Understood. If there’s nothing else, you may leave.”

Cui felt a lump in her throat and shot Qingli a resentful glance before turning and leaving with a stern face.

What was she so upset about?

She would have to report this attitude to the madam. Tomorrow morning, she would make sure to address it properly.

“Young mistress, you should rest early,” Wan Yue said, watching Cui’s departing figure with a worried expression and turning to Qingli with a look of helplessness.

Qingli was feeling a bit drowsy but decided to add to Zhang’s discomfort, so she nodded, slid down, and covered herself with the quilt, saying, “Have Ah Bin come over tomorrow morning. If there’s anything, you can find him.”

Wan Yue smiled, “Ah Bin has already been sent away by the young mistress. Have you forgotten?”

Qingli suddenly remembered and promptly replied, “Then have someone else come.”

“Yes,” Wan Yue responded, adjusting the mosquito net for her.

The next day

Yesterday’s clear sunshine had turned into a sky full of clouds today as if it might rain at any moment. The dark, oppressive sky made everyone feel gloomy.

But even so, one still had to pay their respects.

Qingli dressed and felt a chill outside, so she put on a large red robe.

Though her body had not changed much, her vitality had improved greatly. Her face, no longer pale, was now brightened by the red embroidered robe, adding to her dignified and elegant appearance.

Despite knowing that the young mistress was recovering, Wan Yue was still cautious due to the recent blood incident and helped her carefully to Zhang’s place.

When Qingli entered, Zhang and Su Tingxue were chatting with smiles, and the room was filled with a lively atmosphere as they sat with the wives from the second and third households.

However, as soon as Qingli stepped in, it was as if the noise was muted. Zhang’s face darkened, and she said disapprovingly, “I thought you weren’t coming. After waiting so long, I see you were just dressing up.”

Qingli smiled faintly and approached. “I’m here to pay my respects to Mother. My health hasn’t fully recovered, and the doctor advised me to rest more, so I got up late. Please forgive me.”

Forgive?

Zhang didn’t want to hear any excuses. She glared at Qingli’s strikingly beautiful clothes and said with displeasure, “You still have time to dress up even though you’re not well. Truly, you are my best daughter-in-law. Even Tingxue was more obedient, arriving early to keep me company. I’d rather have Tingxue as my daughter-in-law.”

Su Tingxue blushed and lowered her head, but she was secretly relieved. It seemed the madam disliked this daughter-in-law; she had played her cards right!

But it wasn’t just dislike—it was almost as if there was a deep-seated grudge!

Wan Yue gritted her teeth in frustration.

What kind of person was this?

Previously, when their young mistress arrived early for her respects, Zhang would always sleep in and claim she couldn’t get up because of her age.

Why didn’t she ever praise the young mistress back then?

Sometimes Wan Yue felt that Qingli was being wronged by the Zheng family. When Ji Shuxin proposed divorce, she truly felt happy for Qingli, but unfortunately, Qingli did not agree.

Qingli, on the other hand, remained unruffled. She sat down directly and said with a hint of a smile, “It’s a pity. Mother, since all your sons are married, why not have Father father another one?”

“Ji Qingli!” Zhang exclaimed angrily. Was that what she meant?

She wanted Su Tingxue to marry her eldest son, not for her husband to take another concubine!

Qingli looked at her innocently. “What’s wrong, Mother?”

Zhang was even angrier. “What do you think is wrong?”

“Your daughter-in-law doesn’t know,” Qingli said sincerely.

Zhang: “…”

Seeing Zhang’s temper rising, Su Tingxue quickly offered a cup of hot tea. “Madam, please have some tea.”

“You’re so thoughtful,” Zhang said, sipping the tea and calming down a bit. She then sighed, “Unlike my eldest daughter-in-law, who only knows how to upset me.”

Su Tingxue’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she said with a reproachful smile, “Auntie, you’re joking.” She then turned to Qingli with an apologetic look. “Sister Ji, don’t take it to heart. Auntie is just joking.”

Qingli found it amusing that the term of address had changed. She took a sip of tea, nodded, and said, “Of course, it’s just a joke. After all, if I were truly that bad, why would Mother have sent multiple matchmakers to propose marriage to me back then?”