Wu Ваozhang was nеvеr one tо sit idly by аnd wаit fоr fаtе.
Аfter much dеliberation, she decidеd tо prоcееd in twо stеps.
First, shе wоuld writе а lеtter tо Madam Zhеng оf the sеcond branсh, who had аlways bееn оn gооd tеrms with hеr and had еvеn aсtеd аs her mаtchmаkеr. She would ехplаin the whole situаtion and ask fоr hеr аdvicе. Her fathеr-in-lаw аnd her оwn fаthеr did nоt undеrstаnd her; thеу beliеved thаt since shе had bееn mаrried fоr fоur оr fivе years withоut bearing a child, she shоuld have "virtuouslу" arrangеd a соncubinе for her husband long ago. But the Cheng family had an ancestral rule: one could only take a concubine after turning forty without a son. Even though the main branch and Nine Prosperities Lane had split into separate lineages, this ancestral rule still applied. Though she was at fault, her position was not unreasonable. And since Madam Zheng was also a daughter-in-law of the Cheng family, as long as Wu Baozhang insisted that she had sought medical help but it was simply heaven's will, Madam Zheng would surely sympathize with her and take her side. All she needed was a buffer of time; even if she had to hold her nose, she would find a way to share a bed with Cheng Nuo and bear a child. Once that happened, Cheng Nuo would never escape her grasp, and that wretched servant girl would regret not entering the Cheng family today.
Second, she would win Cheng Nuo over. Ultimately, it was all because she had underestimated him before, never thinking to bear a son before turning against him. Now that she had exposed Cheng Nuo's affair to the main branch, given their temperament, they would never allow him to take a concubine. That woman would never enter the Cheng family and would remain an outsider, just like her father-in-law's mistress—even after bearing four sons and three daughters, she was still an outsider, never allowed in. Even if, by some chance, the main branch allowed that woman to enter, one would be the wife and the other the concubine, and that woman would fall right into her hands, to be dealt with as she pleased... This would actually align with her original plan.
However, when she had previously suggested letting that woman enter the family, Cheng Nuo had refused. Was he afraid that once she had status, she would harm that woman? Was this Cheng Nuo's idea or that woman's?
Thinking this, Wu Baozhang clenched her handkerchief.
She was certain it was Kang Liu Niang's idea.
Based on her understanding of Cheng Nuo, he wasn't that clever.
Only a merchant's daughter would scheme so meticulously.
It seemed that woman was no pushover either.
The thought filled Wu Baozhang with fighting spirit.
She refused to believe she couldn't control a merchant's daughter.
Wu Baozhang called her personal maid in. "Fetch water and help me freshen up."
She planned to go to the teahouse to find Cheng Nuo.
The maid hurried off to comply.
She deliberately changed into a pomegranate-red robe embroidered with gold thread, lightly powdered her face, applied rouge, and looked in the mirror, satisfied that she appeared radiant. Only then did she get into her sedan chair.
To her surprise, Cheng Nuo was not at the tea shop.
Frowning, she sent someone to look for him at Kang Liu Niang's place.
The old maidservant returned drenched and looking embarrassed. She whispered, "Sister Kang Liu said the young master isn't there... She also said, 'What does it matter to me if the young mistress can't control her husband?'... Then she splashed water all over me..."
Wu Baozhang flushed with anger.
Not only because of Kang Liu Niang's rudeness, but also because the maidservant had blurted out those humiliating words—"What does it matter to me if the young mistress can't control her husband?"—in front of so many people.
She waved her hand, dismissing the maidservant.The old woman, however, complained aggrievedly, "Madam, that Kang Liu Niang is so shameless. Why bother reasoning with her about propriety and integrity? Even if you tried, she probably can't read a single character and wouldn't understand anyway. I think it would be better to call a few of those female sedan carriers, rush into Kang Liu Niang's home, and cause a scene—smashing and beating things up—to shame her and embarrass the Cui family. Let's see if the Kang family will still keep her then. Once she loses her support, she’ll have no choice but to obediently enter the Cheng family’s door, allowing you to mold her however you wish..."
Wu Baozhang’s heart skipped a beat.
What the old woman said aligned perfectly with her own thoughts.
Could it be that everyone already knew her intentions?
Her expression immediately turned somewhat unpleasant.
Seeing this, the old woman rose to take her leave.
But Wu Baozhang’s mind stirred.
When they first came to the capital, they had only intended to attend Cheng Chi’s wedding and then tour around before returning. They never imagined they would stay in the capital to do business. Apart from two or three personal maids and young attendants, they hadn’t brought many people. Later, when Cheng Wen decided to stay in the capital, he called over a couple of trusted helpers but still didn’t bring many into the capital. Those currently serving in the household were either newly hired or purchased. This old woman was one of them.
Wu Baozhang had always looked down on such people and didn’t know them well.
Seeing the old woman act this way today, she couldn’t help but have an idea. She called the old woman back, had a maid brew her a cup of tea, and brought a small stool for her to sit on.
The old woman was both flattered and apprehensive.
Without wasting words, Wu Baozhang said, "I see you’re quite resourceful. Regarding this matter of mine, how do you think it should be handled?"
The old woman hesitated, too timid to speak.
Wu Baozhang rewarded her with two silver ingots.
The old woman’s eyes lit up, and she cast aside her reservations, saying, "I was originally a wet nurse in a wealthy household, but I was implicated in some trouble and driven out, making a living through odd jobs. If Madam trusts me, in my opinion, your family holds official status while theirs are commoners. Why not plant something in that Kang woman’s home, then report it to the authorities and let the officials investigate? Whether they find it or not, Kang Liu Niang’s reputation will be ruined... If she goes to beg the master, you’ve already gained the elders’ approval, so take this opportunity to bring Kang Liu Niang into the household. If she doesn’t go to beg the master, seize the chance to notify the authorities and have her thrown into prison. If the master intends to rescue her, the elders surely won’t disregard your face to save that Kang woman. Then the master will have no choice but to come begging to you, and won’t you have the final say in how things are handled?"
What a brilliant idea!
Wu Baozhang pondered silently but also realized that this old woman was vicious and ruthless. Keeping her around would be a source of trouble—she needed to find a way to send her away.
She rewarded the old woman with two more silver pieces to keep her steady and said, "I haven’t made up my mind about this matter yet. You’ve worked hard, Mother. Allow me to think it over a bit more."
The old woman chuckled and said, "Women are just like men—once they enter the bridal chamber, they toss the matchmaker over the wall."
Wu Baozhang said nothing, looking at her vulgar demeanor.
The old woman, likely accustomed to such reactions, also fell silent and was led out by the maid.
Wu Baozhang then had the kitchen prepare a feast and waited at home for Cheng Nuo.
Cheng Nuo didn’t return until lantern-lighting time, looking rather weary.
Seeing Wu Baozhang waiting for him in the main hall, he couldn’t help but pause in surprise.Wu Baozhang smiled and walked over, calling a young maid to fetch water for Cheng Nuo, then personally attended to him as he changed clothes.
Cheng Nuo was greatly startled. Clutching his collar, he said, "If you have something to say, just say it! I can manage myself!"
What a disgraceful creature!
Wu Baozhang inwardly snorted coldly at the sight, saying, "Didn’t I used to help you change clothes before? Why are you suddenly uncomfortable with it now?"
Even during their newlywed days, she had only perfunctorily helped him change a few times… Who couldn’t see her half-hearted attitude?
After silently grumbling to himself, Cheng Nuo smiled and said, "I’ve grown accustomed to doing everything myself. Let me handle it, alright?"
He insisted on changing by himself.
Wu Baozhang grew increasingly irritated.
What was he afraid of?
They were husband and wife.
Even if they indulged in intimacy during the day, as long as Cheng Wen didn’t interfere, who would dare say a word?
Clearly, Cheng Nuo didn’t see it that way. He dashed into the side room for washing and grooming, slamming the latch shut with a loud "thud." That night, he even used work as an excuse to sleep at the shop.
Wu Baozhang had someone keep an eye on Cheng Nuo.
Sometimes he slept at the shop, but other times, his whereabouts were unknown.
She had no choice but to run to the eldest branch again to weep and complain.
Madam Yuan comforted her, "Your uncle has already agreed to speak to him. He said he happens to have some matters to attend to these past few days, but he’ll invite your father-in-law over this rest day."
Wu Baozhang returned disappointed.
She discovered that most of Cheng Nuo’s clothes and belongings were gone.
Furious, she immediately summoned the household steward to question him.
The steward replied awkwardly, "The young master said he had already made arrangements with the merchant caravan from the west some time ago. He joined the horse caravan and won’t be back for two or three months."
By the time he returned, it would be far too late.
Madam Yuan clearly had no intention of intervening.
Gnashing her teeth, Wu Baozhang returned to her room and called for the old matron. From her dowry, she took out two solid gold phoenix hairpins, a pair of solid gold bracelets with a hint of oil, and a Hetian jade pendant carved with magpies on a plum branch, handing them to the matron. "I’ll need your help with this matter. Once it’s done, there will be a generous reward."
The matron happily agreed. Using some method, she stuffed all the jewelry into Kang Liu Niang’s dressing case, then reported it to the authorities. She directed people to retrieve the items and brought officials to compare them with Wu Baozhang’s dowry list, leading to Kang Liu Niang’s arrest.
This stirred up a hornet’s nest.
Cheng Nuo immediately stepped forward to have the case dismissed and returned home to beat Wu Baozhang.
Wu Baozhang’s two personal maids loyally protected their mistress, wrapping their arms around Cheng Nuo’s waist to restrain him. Only then did Wu Baozhang manage to break free. Seeing no other choice, she decided to go all the way and, with a dark bruise on her face, headed to Apricot Grove Lane.
Cheng Wen had just returned from a trip to Tongzhou, having closed a modest but successful deal. He was in high spirits when Cheng Jing summoned him.
The two cousins were sharing a drink and chatting when the steward from the tea shop, led in breathlessly by a Cheng family servant, announced, "Eldest Master, Fifth Master, something terrible has happened! The young master and his wife got into a fight, and that Kang Liu Niang was thrown into prison, only to be rescued by our young master."
Both Cheng Jing and Cheng Wen were taken aback. They let the steward catch his breath and explain slowly, finally understanding what had happened.
Before they could react, a young maid hurried in and reported, "Madam Nuo has arrived. The mistress requests the master to return to the inner courtyard to speak."This time, Cheng Wen was rather annoyed.
What was the point of bringing a marital squabble and jealousy to the house of their eldest uncle, who served as a Grand Secretary in the cabinet?
He set down his wine cup and stood up as well, saying, "Since it's no outsider, I'll go take a look too."
Cheng Jing had originally called Cheng Wen over to warn him not to act recklessly. As for how to handle the matter, he had no intention of intervening. Since Cheng Wen wanted to see for himself, he could leave it to him. After all, Cheng Jing was merely a paternal uncle, and Cheng Nuo’s parents were both alive and well—it wasn’t his place to interfere. This was also a good opportunity to make things clear to Cheng Wen, so that trivial matters like this wouldn’t cause such a fuss. The capital was unlike other places; everyone kept their ears and eyes open. If other prominent families from Jiangnan heard about this, it would only invite ridicule.
The two of them headed to the inner residence together.
※
Extra update for Kinka.
PS: Sorry, sisters. I originally intended to wrap up this matter in this chapter, but it still ended with a loose end…
The evening update will be around ten o’clock.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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