WBSGVS Chapter 9

Su Tingxue stared blankly until Granny Cui came over and called her, at which point she snapped out of it and adjusted her expression. “I got lost in thought for a moment. I’m sorry.”

Granny Cui gave a sympathetic smile. “Miss, come quickly. The madam is upset with the young master again. Only you can comfort her.”

Su Tingxue had previously thought that the poor relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was a gap she could exploit, but after the recent encounter with Qingli, she suddenly felt a sense of shared experience. She casually asked, “Is it that Auntie doesn’t like Sister Ji because she’s too overbearing?”

Granny Cui looked at her in surprise. “The young madam is not overbearing at all.”

Su Tingxue was taken aback and was about to ask further when Granny Cui leaned in conspiratorially and whispered, “The young madam was injured in her youth and has difficulty bearing children. She also refuses to let the eldest master take a concubine. After five years of marriage, there are still no children, and the eldest master’s household remains childless. Do you think this will endear her to the madam?”

Su Tingxue had never expected this reason. Although she had heard from the maidservants that the young madam had not had children, she had assumed it was just a matter of fate. After all, she had heard that high-born ladies were carefully nurtured from a young age, but she hadn’t anticipated this…

Her eyes suddenly lit up.

Infertility?

So, this was the young madam’s Achilles’ heel!

It was October now, and with less than two months until the New Year, the weather had already turned cold, and there weren’t many flowers in bloom. However, the Zheng family’s small garden had some narcissus flowers blooming.

Su Tingxue brought the narcissus into the somewhat oppressive room like a flower fairy breaking the heavy atmosphere.

Having been upset by her daughter-in-law earlier, Zhang Shi’s cold heart seemed to warm up upon seeing her rival. Her face lit up with a smile that seemed as if she had just seen a thousand taels of silver. “Tingxue, you’re here! Oh, these flowers are truly beautiful.”

“I picked them specifically for you, Auntie. They’re just blooming and still have some water droplets on them.” Su Tingxue was led to sit beside Zhang Shi.

Recently, their relationship had become very close, almost like mother and daughter, though they were not related.

Zhang Shi became even more pleased. The contrast of Ji Qingli, she found herself liking Su Tingxue more and more. The fact that Su Tingxue’s family background was not ideal no longer seemed like a drawback. After all, a good family background could just as easily come with its own set of problems, as was the case with Ji Qingli.

She admired the beautiful narcissus for a while and then casually asked, “Why did you come so late today?”

Su Tingxue paused and lowered her eyes. “I just ran into Sister Ji at the gate.”

Zhang Shi showed some interest. “What did you two talk about?” She scrutinized Su Tingxue’s expression and asked with suspicion, “Did Ji Qingli bully you?”

It didn’t seem like it.

Even though Zhang Shi disliked her daughter-in-law, she didn’t think Ji Qingli would bully anyone. Ji Qingli was known for being the kindest and most principled person five years ago. Everyone knew Ji Qingli was generous and gentle-hearted.

Despite having such a domineering family backing her, it didn’t stop admirers from seeking her hand in marriage.

A woman like that, marrying into the family as the main wife, would truly be a blessing.

Zhang Shi had initially looked forward to her son marrying Ji Qingli, hoping to make those high-born women from the countryside envious. But ultimately, her son’s descendants took precedence.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t resist her son’s pleadings at that time. Though she thought she might eventually relent, she ended up holding firm for five years.

Thinking about her unfulfilled wish to see her grandchild, Zhang Shi grew frustrated and quickly shifted her attention to the flowers.

Su Tingxue naturally shook her head and softly explained, “Sister Ji didn’t say she bullied me. She just mentioned that she’d be attending a banquet in a few days and would introduce me to a suitable match, but I… but…”

She hesitated to speak, showing a look of complete difficulty.

Zhang Shi, on the other hand, grew impatient. “Find a suitable match? What business is that of hers?”

Su Tingxue awkwardly lowered her head. At this moment, she couldn’t speak ill of Ji Qingli.

But Zhang Shi had jumped to the worst conclusion: “She must know I want you to marry Han’er, so she’s trying to get you married off first. What kind of good match can that be?”

“That’s not true. Sister Ji is a good person,” Su Tingxue weakly defended.

“A good person? If she were good, she wouldn’t let my son remain childless!” Zhang Shi snapped angrily, then asked, “You mentioned ‘but’—but what?”

Su Tingxue pressed her lips together, her ears turning red as she hesitated to speak.

Zhang Shi urged her repeatedly, and she finally spoke slowly, “I’m afraid, Auntie. Back then… to save Zheng Dage, we…”

Zhang Shi wasn’t a patient person, but she gave Su Tingxue all the patience she had, as she guessed the general situation and grew more excited. “What happened? Did you already…”

Goodness!

She couldn’t help but admire Su Tingxue.

Truly living up to her expectations as a potential concubine, if it had reached that point, Ji Qingli would have no choice but to accept!

But unfortunately, Su Tingxue shook her head. Seeing Zhang Shi’s disappointed expression, she whispered, “Back then, we addressed each other as husband and wife, lived in the same room at the foot of the mountain, and the villagers knew about our relationship. If I were to marry someone else in the future, and he hears about it, then I… Auntie, what should I do?”

Zhang Shi’s face fell. Having a real marital relationship and being regarded as such in a remote area were two entirely different things, with a vast difference in significance.

Is this it?

She pondered, “Does Ji Qingli know?”

“She does,” Su Tingxue nodded, looking at her expectantly as if hoping she would take charge.

Zhang Shi cleared her throat lightly. “This matter isn’t without a solution, but the Zheng family’s situation is special right now, so we can’t afford to stir up any more trouble.”

Su Tingxue’s heart sank, and she gritted her teeth, surprised that Zhang Shi didn’t take action.

Little did she know, Zhang Shi was genuinely scared by the reprimands she had received. Such matters could be serious, and if she made it worse, her husband might indeed let her suffer from an illness, as she had been harshly criticized last time.

Zhang Shi also felt distressed. A young girl so eager to marry her son, unafraid of the Ji family—how could she let this opportunity slip by? After thinking it over, she whispered, “Why don’t you directly…”

Su Tingxue obediently leaned in, and after a few seconds, her long lashes fluttered, her face flushed, and she shook her head. “I’m already embarrassed enough; I couldn’t do such a thing!”

It wasn’t at that point yet, and if she were to offer herself voluntarily, she would never be able to hold her head high again in her lifetime.

Let alone Zheng Dage, who is a gentleman, and with Sister Ji from the Ji family present, he definitely wouldn’t accept it.

Zhang Shi, feeling helpless and about to give up, suddenly had a flash of inspiration. She said, “It’s not that there’s no other way. It’s just that the Zheng family can’t take the lead. How about taking another approach? I heard that at this banquet…”

This time, Su Tingxue nodded obediently. “Auntie, I understand.”

When she returned to her courtyard, Qingli didn’t immediately go inside but walked around the courtyard for a while.

In ancient times, many women had poor health due to weakness. The original owner had been bullied by her mother-in-law for five years, and then her husband’s disappearance had a huge impact on her, leading to deep depression and poor health. Now that she was here, although her mind was no longer troubled, she needed to exercise more to truly improve her health.

Wanyue accompanied Qingli, and with some lingering resentment, she asked, “Young Madam, why are you so kind to Miss Su? She’s so awful!”

Qingli tilted her head and looked at her with deep affection.

Wanyue scratched her head, feeling uneasy. “What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”

Qingli smiled and patted her head. “No, it’s just that you’re too cute.”

Wanyue’s face flushed, but she quickly pouted and said in a low voice, “Even if you’re flattering me, I still don’t understand why you’re so kind to her. She wants to be the young master’s concubine. It’s not easy for women as it is, and now she’s giving up her rightful status as a wife to be a concubine. Her character is evident; she shouldn’t be given any benefits.”

Qingli smiled and said, “So, will she agree with my suggestions?”

“Ah?” Wanyue was taken aback and then suddenly realized, “You’re just saying that, aren’t you?”

Qingli nodded. “Yes, just saying it doesn’t cost me anything. On the contrary, she’ll be anxious for a long time because of something I mentioned casually.”

She would naturally help Su Tingxue; otherwise, how could she separate from Zheng Yi Han?

This concubine, Su Tingxue, was going to be part of the household.

As the main wife, she would still have to drink the tea that Su Tingxue offered. However, dragging it out indefinitely wasn’t practical, so she needed to push things along.

Currently, Su Tingxue was already racking her brain to take risks.

Although this girl was willing to be a concubine, she still had her limits and wouldn’t just recklessly pursue a relationship with Zheng Yihan. Her only option was public opinion.

She couldn’t speak directly and needed to use other people’s voices.

Since Zhang Shi had been criticized by Emperor Jiang for causing trouble with her daughter-in-law, which had affected her husband and son, the breakthrough should come from the upcoming banquet she was attending.

Qingli had only briefly thought about it, using the memories of Su Tingxue’s character from her previous life.

However, a few days later, as she was dressed up and preparing to go to the banquet, Zhang Shi was waiting at the entrance of the inner courtyard with Su Tingxue. Seeing her approach, Zhang Shi said with a look of pleasant surprise, “Oh, you’re going to the Li family’s flower viewing banquet?”

“Yes,” Qingli nodded and saluted. Then she straightened her back and adjusted her skirt, looking as though she was afraid of wrinkling her outfit.

Zhang Shi didn’t need to see it to know that the clothes were expensive!

The Ji family was indeed wealthy.

The dowry of the daughter-in-law was truly extravagant and enviable.

But this wasn’t the time to think about that. Zhang Shi cleared her throat. “I originally planned to take Tingxue out for a stroll, but I’m not feeling well. Since I remembered you were going to the flower viewing banquet, and you’re around the same age as Tingxue, I thought I’d bring her along. It’s good for her to see the world.”

“Take Miss Su with us?” Qingli raised an eyebrow, seeming a bit surprised, and looked at the girl beside Zhang Shi. She was also dressed in new clothes today, a light blue long dress, with a silver hairpin. Her face was neatly groomed, her skin much whiter than before, and her already good-looking features were even more attractive. Facing Qingli’s inquiry, she quickly lowered her eyes, not daring to make eye contact.

Qingli reminded her, “Mother, the places I go are full of official ladies and young misses. Miss Su is just a commoner. It might be inappropriate.”

Zhang Shi immediately glared. “It’s not like you’re doing anything wrong. Just take her to see the world. Even if it’s inappropriate, it’s not your problem.”

“Alright then.” Since her mother-in-law had said it this way, she had no choice but to agree.

Zhang Shi used her matriarchal authority to get her daughter-in-law to comply and feel pleased. She patted Su Tingxue’s hand. “Just follow along with Qingli. If you don’t know anyone, just ask her. If you need anything, find her.”

Although she said not to have Ji Qingli manage her, she still needed her to.

“Yes.” Su Tingxue responded sweetly.

Qingli, used to such situations, nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”

She went out first, letting Su Tingxue get into the carriage behind. Her outfit took up a lot of space, making the carriage seem a bit crowded.

Wanyue and the others were quite familiar with helping Su Tingxue, as the original owner had encountered similar situations before. However, those sisters-in-law were far inferior to her, and after going once, they were unwilling to go again.

Of course, the original owner would always get scolded in these situations.

It wasn’t that Zhang Shi cared much about her daughter-in-law; she just particularly disliked the original owner and found ways to make her uncomfortable.

Qingli said more than necessary to shut Zhang Shi up.

Su Tingxue was alone in a carriage, which swayed slightly as it moved.

She leaned against the backrest, curiously lifting the curtain to look outside. The view was completely different from when she had been taken out by Zheng Yihan.

Soon, the carriage passed through a bustling market, and the poorly dressed commoners automatically made way, looking at the carriage with envy.

Su Tingxue smiled with satisfaction, tilting her chin slightly.

Once upon a time, she was one of them. Now, she was the one being envied in the carriage, with silk and satin she had never touched before, exquisitely embroidered shoes she had never worn, and even more valuable jewelry on her head.

She enjoyed this life.

And she liked Zheng Yihan, who provided this life, so she wouldn’t leave the Zheng family!

It was a pity Zhang Shi was unwilling to take action, so she had to go herself.

Fortunately, Ji Qingli couldn’t have children. Even if Zheng Yihan developed some reservations, if she were pregnant, those reservations would likely disappear.

After all, she could also feel that Zheng Yihan liked her.

The Prime Minister’s residence was three streets away from the Zheng family, not far. Sitting in the carriage, looking east and west, the time passed quickly. The carriage stopped; they had arrived.

Su Tingxue was assisted out of the carriage by a maid. Looking at the grand gate, even more imposing than the Zheng family’s, she took a nervous breath.

Qingli wasn’t nervous. Having traveled through time multiple times and with the original owner’s memories, handling such occasions was easy for her. She instructed, “Miss Su, just stay behind me.”

“Thank you, Sister Ji.” Su Tingxue followed as instructed, but her eyes couldn’t help but wander around.

Qingli glanced at her and said nothing more, leading the way inside.

As they passed through the front yard, they encountered some young scholars. The Prime Minister was a civil official and also an examiner for the imperial examinations, so many young scholars admired him. The residence was filled with talented youths.

Additionally, since the Prime Minister’s residence was hosting a flower-viewing banquet, they also invited some friends. As they passed by, Qingli noticed that most of them were quite good-looking.

When they reached the backyard, Qingli still seemed somewhat reluctant to leave.

Su Tingxue frowned slightly. “Sister Ji, what are you looking at?”

Qingli said openly, “Those scholars look pretty good, refined, and handsome. By the way, Miss Su, it’s a pity. If you weren’t waiting for your beloved, young talents like these wouldn’t be out of the question.”

Su Tingxue smiled. “Sister Ji, you’re joking.”

She had no intention of marrying someone like that. After just a glance, she could see that half of them were not dressed well and didn’t have Zheng Yihan’s refined charm!