The Survival Rules of a Concubine's Daughter 1-2-3 The Man Appears and Subsequent Developments
"I may be cold-blooded and heartless, but I will never stoop to the point of losing face for the Fang family. No matter how selfish I am, I will not threaten my parents with my own life. My body is given by my parents, and although I was not born from Lady Fang's womb, I have always despised those who cry, make a fuss, and try to hang themselves. My nanny taught me that a proper young lady from a respectable family would never seek death for the sake of love." She gazed steadily at Lady Fang, raising an eyebrow, her voice ringing out clearly.
Mrs. Yang was furious, and the crimson gold hairpin with a pendant of a golden flower on her chignon quivered violently. Her face turned bright red, her chest heaved rapidly, but she couldn't utter a word for a long time.
Mrs. Zhang looked at her cousin with a mixture of pity and admiration, and couldn't help but steal a few more glances, secretly shocked in her heart. She had always thought that this child was weak, but unexpectedly she was so fierce. With just that mouth, she could strike people down without giving them any chance to fight back. And yet, she always managed to seize the initiative, leaving others speechless.
Mrs. Zhang said quietly, "Niece-in-law is indeed formidable. Although it's reasonable to say so, but niece-in-law's behavior today has also made people feel ashamed." Then she looked at the imperial consort quietly and said, "Such defiance towards elders is against the teachings of our family's Confucian values."
Her heart was bleeding with hatred, but she could only let the big hat of offending her elders be placed on her head, and she couldn't refute even half a sentence.
"Mrs. Zhang, your words are unjust. Heaven and earth are my witnesses, the sun and moon are my judges. I have always treated both of you with respect and courtesy. How can you say that I am rude to my elders?"
Mrs. Zhang was silent for a while and then said: "Look at you, making Yang's mother so angry? Isn't that being rude?"
"As if biting her lip, she asked in return: 'Listening to your words, it seems that you are also a well-read person. Do you know the saying "what one does not desire for oneself, do not impose on others; what one desires for oneself, also do not impose on others"?"
Madam Zhang's eyebrows jumped, and the imperial concubine lightly rebuked: "You're getting more and more unscrupulous, Madam Zhang is your elder, teaching you is for your own good, yet you dare to speak back with a few words of cleverness."
Ruqing hastily said: "The empress taught that a daughter-in-law should know her mistakes." Then she turned to Madame Zhang and said, "Ruqing was just very disrespectful earlier, please don't mind it, madam."
Mrs. Zhang did not expect the girl to be so flexible, and for a moment she didn't know whether to scold her or admire her, and was stunned there, but at this time, a clear voice came from outside.
"What is right or wrong, let the people of the world judge for themselves. What fault does the princess have?" Along with this voice, Li Xu had already taken large strides and entered.
Because of the wind and dust, Li Xiong hurried back, wearing a strong outfit, with only a black grey fox fur cloak draped over his shoulders, striding in, and saw Ru Ru kneeling on the ground with her hair disheveled. His heart tightened, his face pained, "What have you done wrong, why are you kneeling like this?" As he spoke, he bent down to help her up.
She refused to get up and only whispered, "I should be forgiven by the elders for offending them."
Li Xiu heard the implication in her words and sneered, "You've always been sensible and filial, since marrying into our royal family, you've never taken a wrong step. Father King and Mother Queen are extremely satisfied with you. Such a virtuous and excellent wife, how could you do something as rebellious as defying your elders? Who drove you to this point?"
Madam Yang was stunned, Madam Zhang was also stunned, and even the Imperial Concubine was stunned. It's said that no one knows a child better than their mother, and upon hearing her son speak in such a manner, she had already made up her mind to support him. The Imperial Concubine cleared her throat, "Xiao Er, Yang Shimei has deep feelings for you, and has resolutely decided to marry you, even going so far as to threaten suicide. Your aunt, Madam Yang, was at her wit's end, and that's why she came to ask your wife to agree to let Qingning enter the household as your concubine."
Li Xiao lowered his head, "So you agreed?"
With a humble expression, she lowered her head and spoke in a low voice, "Please forgive me, Your Highness, I did not agree to it."
Li Xiang let out a sigh of relief, "Fortunately you didn't agree, if we had really taken this person into the Wang Fu, then our Wang Fu would have no peaceful days to speak of?"
Mrs. Yang was furious and angrily said, "This is unreasonable, nephew! You don't often see Qīníng, how can you slander her like this and ruin her reputation?"
Li Xiang retorted: "Since Aunt also knows that I don't often meet with your daughter, why does my sister-in-law keep saying that she won't marry anyone else?"
Madam Yang was stunned. Li Xiu continued, "And then, I married my legitimate wife. But my cousin still wouldn't give up. What's the meaning of this?"
Mrs. Yang said harshly: "Qining has always loved you, how can you be so heartless?"
Li Xiao said calmly: "There are many women who adore me, must I marry them all and support them at home?"
Mrs. Yang's face turned extremely difficult to look at, and she secretly vented her emotions. The imperial consort slightly furrowed her brow. Mrs. Zhang also secretly felt shocked, it seemed that today she had indeed done something foolish.
Madam Yang still refused to give up and said, "Qīníng has been so deeply in love with you that he couldn't eat or drink for three days, how can you trample on his true feelings?"
Li Xiu still didn't bat an eyelid and said, "It's precisely because she can seek death for a person who has nothing to do with her, without considering the face of her parents and elder brother who raised her. What's more, as the legitimate daughter of the Hou Mansion, she is willing to be a concubine, enjoying all the glory given by the Hou Mansion, but in the end, she brings shame to the family. This kind of person who doesn't know what shame is, who is unkind, unfilial, and disloyal, I shouldn't have any relationship with her." It seemed like Zhang Furen also wanted to say something, so he looked at her and said calmly, "Zhang Bomo, Shi Cheng has already reached the age of majority, it's time for him to get married. Since you and Yang Bomo are close sisters, why not arrange for Yang Shimei to be his wife, strengthening the ties between the two families?"
Mrs. Zhang hastily waved her hand, "Qining's heart is always thinking of you, how can he be willing to depend on others?"
Li Xue's lips slightly curved, "Auntie also wants to marry a proper daughter-in-law, someone like Yang Shi Mei, Auntie says a fair word, can she be called a good wife?"
"Zhang's wife was stuck, and she said: 'Qining is so deeply in love with you, even if the young master doesn't like her, he can't humiliate her feelings like this, can he?'"
"Is that what you mean? She likes me, so I have to marry her and support her?" Li Xiao's eyes turned icy cold, his tone also became sharp.
Mrs. Zhang regretted again for coming to this muddy water, if she accepted, it would offend the Jingwang Fu, but if she didn't accept, it would offend the Qingchang Hou Fu, neither side was pleasant.
Finally unable to withstand Li Xiao's questioning, he could only be evasive, "Qining this child is just infatuated with you, willing to be a concubine, why must the young master be so angry?"
Li Xiang coldly said: "Willing? You've driven my wife to this state, and you call that willing?"
Mrs. Zhang's heart skipped a beat, unable to withstand Li Xiao's anger, and she hastily retreated two steps, waving her hand: "Nephew, this is going too far, what kind of coercion is this? It's just a discussion, just a discussion."
Li Xiang coldly smiled: "Am I blind? If it's a negotiation, why would you use the crime of being overly jealous and disrespectful to elders to suppress my wife? If it's a negotiation, you wouldn't threaten my wife with death. If it's a negotiation, why say that if she doesn't agree, she'll die? You've negotiated my wife into kneeling on the ground, humph, you're definitely relying on your seniority and using the big hat of being virtuous and jealous to suppress her, forcing her to be helpless, crying out to heaven and earth, with no way to clear her name, like snow in June, with nowhere to speak. Is that right or not?"
Actually, I really wanted to laugh and tell him, "Brother, your adjectives are a bit over the top and don't quite match." Sneaking a peek at him, all I saw was a man with a stern face, looking fierce and menacing like an evil spirit, but in my eyes, he suddenly looked incredibly handsome, so handsome that it made me dizzy.
Mrs. Yang was so angry that her eyes turned black, but she opened her mouth and didn't know how to refute.
Mrs. Zhang was scolded and retreated repeatedly, shouting that she was wronged. She hadn't even touched a single hair of his daughter-in-law, so how could she be accused of such a crime?
"Are you wronged? Then isn't my wife even more wronged? You've brought this upon yourselves, and yet you're forcing her to kneel down and beg for mercy?" Li Xiong's anger grew as he spoke, and he couldn't help but shout: "My wife may be younger, but she is also a dignified princess, bestowed by the Empress Dowager, the Queen Mother, and the Emperor himself. We were married through proper channels, with eight sedan chairs carrying her into the palace. She's a daughter of heaven, and I don't even dare to scold her. And yet you people, relying on your seniority, dare to treat her this way? Do you think I'm dead?"
Li Xiu's crime is even greater, if calculated according to rank, Zhang Furen and Yang Tai Furen are both first-class and second-class wives of the imperial family, but Wang Fei is a super-first-class wife, only below the empress dowager. Being pressed by Li Xiu's four words "Tianjia xifu" (imperial daughter-in-law), it's even more unbearable. If calculated according to rank, as the wife of a nobleman, she should also pay respects to Wang Fei, not to mention that Wang Fei should kowtow to her. Zhang Furen thought about how she had just accepted Li Xiu's kowtow with a flourish, and was so frightened that her face turned pale and she almost couldn't stand up straight. She stuttered, "Shidi xin nu, earlier... earlier..." Then, as if seeking help, she looked at the imperial concubine, "Meimei, can you say something for me? I really didn't mean to do it."
The princess timely interrupted, "Xiao'er, don't you know what kind of person Zhang Bomu is? How can you treat your elders like this?"
Li Xiao hummed softly and asked Ru Qing with his head down, "Have they bullied you?"
Ru Jing shook her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito's hum, "Mrs. Zhang did not bully me, but I felt that my words were impulsive just now, and I offended the two Mrs., knowing that I was wrong, my virtue was damaged, and it also affected the reputation of King Wang, for a moment I felt very frightened."
"What are you afraid of? You're a princess, apart from showing filial piety to your real elders, I don't believe anyone else would dare to put on airs just because they're older than you."
The "unrelated elders" were black in the face and had nothing to say, they were so angry that they wanted to find a hole in the ground to hide.
The princess saw that the fire had almost gone out, and only then came out to make amends. First, she scolded Li Xiong for being rude to his elders, and then comforted the two ladies, saying it was all just a misunderstanding. As for Yang Qining's affair, she expressed understanding, saying that parents' hearts are pitiful, and Madame Yang was also thinking of her daughter, so it wasn't right to blame her. However, as the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's manor, Yang Qining didn't need to humiliate herself by becoming a concubine, which would indeed damage her reputation. Finally, she apologized on behalf of Li Xiong to the two ladies, saying that newlyweds were still in their honeymoon phase, and young couples were affectionate and couldn't tolerate outsiders interfering. Young people were also prone to being competitive and impulsive, acting rashly and speaking without thinking, with a youthful vigor that sometimes led to offense, so please forgive them if they had caused any harm.
The British public, although in charge of the left army horse in the five military governor's mansion, is already old and his sons are not worthy of the task. In order to kill into the core of the imperial court in the future, he still needs the help of the Jing Wang Fu, so he also sees good and collects, borrows a donkey to go downhill, and makes peace again.
Madam Yang's two sons were quite capable, but the Jing Wang Fu was too powerful and didn't dare to easily cross her. Today's matter was originally her fault from the start, although she was secretly resentful, seeing the Empress Dowager giving her face like this, she could only swallow her anger and force a smile, self-criticizing and admitting her own wrongdoing.
As if he had reflected on himself, he said that he shouldn't have spoken so impulsively. Although Qīnìng Shì's behavior was not proper, she was also suffering from her emotions and deserved sympathy. Furthermore, today's events were indeed her fault. The matter of making Qīnìng Shì a concubine should never be mentioned again. On one side, he spoke in an official tone, then nudged the man's waist, hinting for him to say a few words in an official tone as well. Unfortunately, Lǐ Xiāo still had anger in his heart and completely ignored him. Rú Qíng was not pleased and kicked him again. Only then did Lǐ Xiāo reluctantly bow to the two madams: "I was rude earlier, please forgive me, both aunts."
Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Yang knew he was speaking insincerely, but they didn't dare to argue again. After some reconciliation, they made up as before.
Finally got rid of the two pests, Ruo Xin let out a sigh of relief. The Empress Dowager scolded, "Xiao Er, although they were unreasonable first, but the Zhang and Yang families are founding contributors with noble titles, how can we easily offend them? Earlier I had a plan with Ruo Xin, but you came along and tore everyone's face apart, which is of no use."
Li Xī couldn't help but lower his head and glance at Rú Qíng, humming softly, "It's better to tear it apart now, so these people won't keep making progress and rubbing their noses in our faces."
The princess scolded, "No one is always good for a thousand days, no flower is red for a hundred days. In the officialdom, having one more friend is better than planting an enemy. Besides, Zhang's and Yang's families are not ordinary families, you can't be so arrogant and careless."
Li Xuan's face turned black, "They've all already smeared their noses on their faces. I see that this Yang Taijun is also becoming more and more like a maternal aunt." Similarly forced to take in concubines, similarly not agreeing would find a bunch of reasons to seek death and whatnot, why bother being polite?
Li Xiao said: "Empress Dowager, a woman like Yang Qining, do you think she is suitable to be a daughter-in-law?"
The empress sighed and said, "That child is too stubborn and obstinate."
Actually, this person doesn't necessarily love Li Xiang that much, she's just resentful because Li Xiang was snatched away by someone of a lower status than her. This kind of ruthless and cunning character, combined with her illustrious family background and doting mother, makes for a formidable force to be reckoned with.
Li Xuan's face turned black with resentment, "Since the empress also knows that this person is not suitable to be my concubine, why didn't she explicitly refuse? Instead, everything was pushed onto Ruoqing."
The princess also had grievances that she couldn't express, and couldn't help but complain: "Do you think I'm having an easy time? As soon as they came, they made it sound like Enning was in a desperate situation, as if I didn't agree to let her in, I would be driving her to death. And then there's the fact that I've always gotten along with Madame Zhang and Madame Yang, our friendship of many years... even if I were unwilling, if I were to bluntly refuse, wouldn't that be slapping them in the face?"
Mrs. Yang only wanted to decline as tactfully as possible, but if she really couldn't refuse, she would have no choice but to bring out her husband and son. She hadn't originally planned on having Ruo Xin come out to play the bad guy, but she hadn't expected Ruo Xin's combat strength to be so strong and fierce. A round of words that were both insipid and well-founded had Mrs. Yang retreating step by step.
They were originally in a dominant position, and just as they were about to wrap things up, their son ran back, and although they won overwhelmingly, it also tore the faces of both sides apart.
"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Queen Mother has already been very protective of me. However, in this situation, she cannot be overly protective of me for the sake of the overall situation, otherwise it would not be good to offend the Zhang and Yang families either. Can't have me playing the white face and her playing the black face, can we?"
The empress glanced at her daughter-in-law with approval, thinking that this child was indeed sensible and considerate of the overall situation.
Li Xiu was still indignant, "You're a new daughter-in-law who just entered the door, everyone wants to see your joke and catch your mistakes. Now it's good, these two shameful old women actually forced you like this."
The queen was deeply moved, and with a surge of energy, she said many emotional words. "One cry, two fusses, three hangings are the best tricks to manipulate people. The queen's heart is kind, and she has also been manipulated by Mrs. Yang. But I am different, I have already experienced this situation where right is wrong and wrong is more wrong, and I know how to deal with it."
At that time, Tong Qingwen played a trick on the lady, forcing her to be at a loss for what to do even if she went up the mountain or into the sea. Although she later came back with some dignity after begging for forgiveness, if it weren't for her brother's help, she would probably have been crippled for life.
Later, after marrying into the Wang family, she often thought about how she would deal with such people if she encountered them again in the future.
As it happens, Yang Qining bumped into her, just in time for her to practice her eloquence. The effect seems not bad.
Of course, she had just gotten married, and Li Xiu was devoted to her. Yang Qining's character was really not good, but he had the advantage of heaven, earth, time, and human support, so it didn't make sense that they couldn't win this battle.
Empress Li Xiu simultaneously recalled the Tong Qingwen incident and deeply empathized with it. This was also her first time encountering such a thing, which indeed made her feel suffocated. However, she was being manipulated and couldn't do anything about it, feeling extremely stifled. Just now, hearing Ru Jing's scolding, it was indeed a very effective method. She smiled and said: "Good child, only you have this kind of ability. If it were me, I truly wouldn't know what to do, I could only pretend to be blind."
Ru Qing smiled and said: "Your Majesty is different, you have a relationship with Yang Tai's wife, but not with me." So she can give full play.
Actually, from the queen's standpoint, she was indeed in a difficult position. On one hand, there was her son; on the other hand, there was her close friend. It was really hard to handle. Moreover, her close friend was crying and begging, agreeing to let her own family suffer, but if she didn't agree, she would offend her close friend and gain a reputation for being ruthless. She was indeed in a dilemma.
But she was different, and she didn't have much of a relationship with the Yang family, so there was no need for her to be restrained.
The princess was very pleased and felt that Lu Jing was indeed considerate, able to put herself in her shoes and think for her, so she couldn't help but look up to him a few more notches.
After arriving at Long Xianju's residence, Li Xi was both angry and ashamed, and apologized to Ruqing with a guilty conscience, "I'm sorry, I've caused you trouble." He should have come back earlier.
"As soon as Yang Qining showed off that imperial flower in front of me and the empress, I knew this matter would have to be faced sooner or later." People like Yang Qining, combined with the power of the Qingchang Marquis Manor, are not something Li Xiao can deal with by simply refusing. Such people never know what it means to give up, and eventually they will have to confront each other head-on.
Li Xiao frowned, "You said, Gong Hua is in her hands?"
"Indeed, that's why I'm really puzzled. Clearly in the empress dowager's residence, yet somehow it ended up on her head. Who knows what kind of method was used."
Li Xiao's face turned iron-green, gritted his teeth and cursed: "It turns out that others had been calculating us long before, hum."
As if stealing a glance at his expression, she added more firewood and said, "Actually, Yang Qining's move was already within my expectations."
Li Xue glanced sideways, a faint smile on her face. "On the day Second Brother left, he secretly warned me that Yang Qining had ulterior motives towards Prince Wang. And my Third Sister told me to be careful of that little girl on my wedding day. It seems that as soon as she entered the door, I, this lowly concubine's daughter, would have to step aside." She said up to here, and looked at the man with a helpless smile. "Third Sister also said that on the day Prince Wang took Meng Ge to Yang Manor as a guest, this person tried every way to curry favor with Prince Wang, but secretly threatened Meng Ge..."
"What did she say to Mian Ge?"
Ru Jing shook her head, "Third sister said it was too far away and didn't hear clearly, but later when Meng Ge came back, he told me that he disliked Yang Aunt, I guess it wouldn't be good words either."
Li Xiaoqing's face turned cold, and he sneered: "Just because of her, she also wants to be my queen, next life." Suddenly, he started complaining, "Since you knew long ago that this person would have such tricks, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
With a low head and a tone of grievance, "My second brother said that it's not necessary to mention this matter, and when the time comes, Master Wang will handle it himself."
Li Xun's expression turned gloomy, with an indescribable taste. After a long while, he said: "Is he testing me or trusting me?"
"As I thought about it, 'it must be trust'. Moreover, Prince Wang indeed did not betray my brother's trust in you, did he?"
Li Xiang's expression eased slightly, but soon turned fierce and menacing again: "You always listen to Zhiyi, can't you have your own opinion?"
Her expression suddenly froze, she lowered her head and muttered to herself: "This... this... brother is the closest person to me in this life, how could he harm me?"
Li Xiu's breath was suddenly caught, and he said with hatred: "Can't I be close to you?" The man's gloomy eyes stared at his little wife with anger and tension. If she dared to say a word of refusal, he would definitely strangle her slender neck.
But what made him even more angry and frustrated was that his little wife actually thought for a moment with her head tilted, seemingly entangled, and couldn't help but get angrier.
"Hmm, from young to old, my brother has scolded me a lot, but it's all for my own good." Suddenly, an irrelevant sentence flew in, "But the prince is different, though."
Li Xī suppressed his anger and gritted his teeth, asking: "What's different?"
"No matter how many conflicts there are between siblings, the blood flowing through their veins will never change. But it's different with you, Prince. A husband only has one in this life, but a wife can be changed at will."
Li Xuan's anger dissipated because his little wife's tone seemed to have an almost imperceptible sense of unease and anxiety, which came from him. This made him extremely disheartened, and he couldn't help but scoop her up in a big hug, pressing her soft body into his chest, lowering his head to fiercely kiss her tender pink lips, finally feeling satisfied, only then did he let her go, saying viciously: "You'll be sorry tonight."
With a pitiful and coquettish gaze, she stared at the man with an evil and ferocious eye, and in a sorrowful tone, she begged for mercy, "Just last night... just... we did it, didn't we..." Even if one is young and vigorous, full of energy, this isn't the way to behave, is it?
The little wife's pitiful appearance made the man feel extremely satisfied and proud, and he couldn't help but secretly pinch her cheek, "Let you know the power of a husband."
As the beauty of the flowers faded, in the midst of a man's triumphant laughter, she secretly cursed under her breath: "Damn it, doing that kind of thing doesn't require her to exert herself anyway, he can do it all night and she'll still accompany him." The reason she put on a fearful appearance was just to satisfy his masculine self-comforting mentality.
……
As expected, given Yang Qining's temperament, even if this time was unsuccessful, he might come up with an even more ruthless second move, so it's best to keep a close eye on the movements in the Yang mansion. And Rumei played the role of Ruqing's best mole in the Yang mansion.
On the second day, early in the morning, Ru Mei sent someone to report to Ru Qing about the situation after Mrs. Yang returned to the Yang Mansion last night.
"What exactly did my sister's husband say? Yesterday, Old Auntie came back with a face as gray as ash, and she rushed to Qining's room and scolded her nonstop. I arrived later and only vaguely heard something like: 'You shameless thing, you've brought me nothing but humiliation, and you've lost all my face... If you still don't want to give up, then go ahead and die if you want, I won't stop you anymore...'"
On the third day, Ru Hua sent someone to deliver a message: "It's true what your sister said. My mother has lost all hope and is fed up with her harsh words. She says that if she wants to die, then let her die, I won't stop her. Unfortunately, my younger aunt is stubborn and although she no longer tries to kill herself, she still refuses to give up."
"On the fourth day, '...these two days have not left the hospital, and it's not good to investigate the truth, but this person is indeed a stubborn one, sister still needs to be more careful.'"
On the fifth day, "... Qi Ding seems to trust that maid from Shanxi very much, and has even kissed his wet nurse. The master and servant spend their days shut up in the house whispering about something, and that maid looks like she's not a good sort, but is being treated with increasing importance by Qi Ning."
On the sixth day, "still not going out much, but has calmed down. My mother-in-law is now looking for a husband's family for her everywhere. But I really feel sorry for my future brother-in-law."
On the seventh and eighth days, there was nothing new, except that Mrs. Yang took a walk to observe flowers for Yang Qining to find a suitable match, but it seemed that they didn't understand, either because of an unfavorable start or because the young man already had a girl in mind.
On the ninth, tenth and eleventh days, the Yang residence returned to calmness. Ruyi couldn't find out any valuable information, but she still didn't dare to let her guard down. She only gave a few pieces of silver to Hong's nanny and asked her to continue gathering information, telling her to come notify her as soon as there was any news.
Hong's aunt received the silver and, as before, made another promise to investigate more diligently. However, most of the news she gathered afterwards were trivial matters, with the majority being about how Mrs. Yang was worried sick over her daughter's marriage. Yu Qing initially felt schadenfreude but later became anxious; if this Miss Yang couldn't get married off, what if she ended up relying on Li Xiao again?
By the way
Alas, I should really change my greedy nature. These past few days have been exhausting, and I thought about updating less to get some rest, but I just can't withstand the sugar-coated cannonballs from a group of bad women. I hate myself for being such a money slave. If I were to die young, don't be surprised - it's either being crushed by money or being worked to death by money.