Early the next morning, Zhao Yuechan prepared herself and ordered the carriage to be readied for her return to her parents' home. Leaning on her maid's arm, she entered the main hall and saw her mother, Lady An, reclining on an Arhat Bed with a cat nestled in her arms. Her father, Zhao Xuede, sat on the other side of the bed, smoking a pipe.
Lady An glanced at Zhao Yuechan and said, "Why have you come back home again for no reason? Aren't you afraid your in-laws will be displeased?" Though in her forties, Lady An appeared remarkably youthful, heavily made-up and strikingly beautiful.
Zhao Yuechan pouted. "Your daughter is nearly bullied to death, why should I care whether they're pleased or not?"
Zhao Xuede frowned and scolded, "Nonsense!"
Zhao Yuechan sat down on a chair by the window and waited until the maid had served tea and withdrawn before saying, "I'm not talking nonsense! I was so furious yesterday!" She then recounted the incident involving Xianglan.
Upon hearing this, Lady An grew furious. "How outrageous! That son-in-law of ours is utterly unreasonable! How dare he threaten to divorce you over a mere maid and humiliate you like this? I'll go back to the Lin residence with you right now—this matter won't be settled until we've had it out!"
Overjoyed, Zhao Yuechan immediately clung to Lady An's side. "Mother truly cares for me the most."
Zhao Xuede, who had been frowning all along, snapped at Lady An, "Foolish woman's talk! Hold your tongue! The more you meddle, the worse it'll get."
Lady An retorted indignantly, "How can you call this meddling? When our daughter is wronged, shouldn't I stand up for her? What does the Lin family think they are? Can they just bully people as they please?"
Seeing that Zhao Xuede refused to support her, Zhao Yuechan quickly shed two tears, dabbing the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. "Father, you don't understand. He used to show me some respect in front of others, but now he's become increasingly intolerant. I thoughtfully arranged a concubine for him, yet he didn't even appreciate it. And now, over some lowly maid, he's made me lose all face... I don't even want to live anymore..." She opened her mouth as if to wail.
"If he treats you so heartlessly, why not simply divorce him?" Zhao Xuede said coldly. "Come back home, and your mother and I will find you a wealthy family from another province to marry into. It may not compare to the Lin family, but we'll make sure you don't suffer. Are you willing or not?"
Zhao Yuechan's sobs caught in her throat, and Lady An exclaimed, "That's absolutely out of the question!"
Zhao Xuede glared at both mother and daughter. "If you're unwilling, then stop this tantrum and foolishness at once!"
Lady An was clearly unconvinced, while Zhao Yuechan lowered her head and fell silent. Zhao Xuede sighed and, after a long pause, said, "Since we're all family here, I'll speak bluntly behind closed doors. The Lin family is an established aristocratic clan spanning generations. Our Zhao family, though well-rooted, only rose to prominence because The Emperor succeeded in his uprising, and because our family produced an imperial consort. Your grandfather is highly trusted by The Emperor in court—that's the only reason we've prospered. Do you really think the Lin family would have chosen to ally with us otherwise?"
Zhao Yuechan interjected, "That's exactly what I was going to say next! That Lin ingrate repays kindness with enmity! If he hadn't married me, his family would have ended up like the Shen and Bai families back then—if not executed to the last member, at least exiled. How could they possibly be living in such peace and luxury now?"Zhao Xuede lowered his voice and said, "The Lin family was originally neutral in court, though they leaned toward the Crown Prince, it wasn't particularly obvious. After the Eighth Prince succeeded, he didn't intend to slaughter the Lin family, only to punish them. But that old fox Lin Zhaoxiang played his cards cleverly by marrying a daughter of our Zhao family, allowing the Lin family to escape unscathed." His tone darkened as he continued, "However, Lin Jinlou is right. Although the Old Master intended for him to marry a Zhao daughter, he didn't choose you—he had his eye on your uncle's fourth daughter. But I knew the Lin boy had a taste for beauties, so I made sure you dressed up and stood beneath the lanterns on the Lantern Festival, just so he would notice you. Otherwise, how could such a fine marriage have come about?"
Zhao Yuechan was startled and murmured, "So Father had already thought of all this..." In truth, many young men had gazed at her that Lantern Festival, but Lin Jinlou was the most handsome, which was why she had frequently cast flirtatious glances his way. Little did she know her father had been scheming behind the scenes.
Zhao Xuede said smugly, "Naturally. Otherwise, how could I allow an unmarried young lady like you to appear in public? This is the Eldest Master of the Jiangnan Lin family! If the Crown Prince hadn't fallen from power, would the Lin family have agreed to marry into the Zhao family? I couldn't let your uncle's family take this advantage. The Old Master felt the same—as long as the Lin and Zhao families were united, it didn't matter who married whom. Haven't you noticed how I've been promoted these past two years? That was the Old Master's doing, all because you married well, and your grandfather intended to lift our family up." His expression darkened again. "From now on, behave yourself. Your husband merely has a flirtatious nature—just turn a blind eye. Men, after all, are easily tempted. Right now, he only has three women in his chambers, including the Bedchamber Attendant, which is already few. Curb your jealousy, be more gentle and considerate, and he won't spend every night in another woman's room! As long as you remain the Lin family's legitimate eldest daughter-in-law, you'll eventually see brighter days."
Twisting her handkerchief in grievance, Zhao Yuechan said, "I've tried to be endlessly tender with him, but he won't even look at me..."
Zhao Xuede glared fiercely. "How dare you say that! If it weren't for your disgraceful behavior with that little beast before the marriage..."
Zhao Yuechan shrank back, and Zhao Xuede took a few deep breaths.
Madam An quickly intervened. "Why bring up the past?"
Zhao Xuede slapped the rosewood table carved with peonies. "Do you think I enjoy mentioning it? It's utterly humiliating! Fortunately, the Lin family still values our reputation somewhat. I had to kneel and beg to prevent the engagement from being called off. Otherwise, with such shame, Chan'er would have had to hang herself to erase this scandal!"
Zhao Yuechan's face flushed crimson as she bit her lip, secretly fuming. "The world is full of wretched rules. Why must women die over such matters while men prance about happily? If they want my life, I'll drag him down to hell with me!"Zhao Xuede gazed at his daughter's delicate, rosy-cheeked face and sighed inwardly. Among his three daughters, Zhao Yuechan was the most beautiful and clever, yet she possessed an unyielding temperament, having been strong-willed and spoiled since childhood, unable to tolerate others. He spoke slowly: "Your husband is right—if he divorces you, the Zhao family has plenty of daughters eager to take your place. He’s now renowned for his military leadership, even praised twice by The Emperor. He’s clearly rising swiftly—don’t be foolish at this critical moment."
Zhao Yuechan listened with her head bowed, her expression troubled, twisting a handkerchief between her fingers. Seeing this, Zhao Xuede knew she had taken his words to heart. He cleared his throat and added, "Besides, it’s just over a maid—hardly worth all this weeping and wailing. Since that girl came from that Concubine’s quarters, let them fight like tigers against each other. Play them against one another..." He whispered a plan.
Zhao Yuechan nodded repeatedly, her face brightening into a smile. "Father, you’re truly brilliant."
Zhao Xuede shot her a stern look. "Just spare me some worry!"
Madam An chuckled, "It’s not just about getting rid of that little vixen. Chan’er, you must also focus on nurturing your health and bearing a son soon—only then will you secure your position."
These words pierced Zhao Yuechan’s heart even deeper. She murmured vague acknowledgments, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then took her leave to return home.
OpenNovel