225 Suffering a Double Loss
Mu Jin deserved this outcome for what she had done, but Yang Shuwan thought that everything would be fine after pushing Mu Jin away. That was impossible.
Old Madam Yu sneered. “It’s your duty as a wife and mother to take care of your husband and children and be filial to your elders. You’re Fourth Sister’s stepmother. Fourth Sister’s behavior shows that you’re not raised well as a stepmother. You’re not strict with the family and have raised the daughters in the family without any rules.”
Yang Shuwan did not acknowledge this. She pinched her handkerchief and said, “Fourth Sister has always been with Concubine He…”
Old Madam Yu interrupted her. “Everyone knows that Yao Yao has grown up in front of me since she was young. Her upbringing has nothing to do with you. Fourth Sister is the daughter of a concubine and has been raised by her mother since she was young. However, don’t forget that you’re a mother. It’s the responsibility of a proper wife to raise the children. It’s the same even for a concubine’s daughter. It’s the same for any big family. You raised Jia Jia yourself. If Fourth Sister isn’t raised her well, how can Jia Jia be respected in the eyes of outsiders?”
Yang Shuwan’s eyes widened in shock.
Old Madam Yu smiled faintly. “They’re all grown up now. In a few years, it’ll be time for them to go into society. Even if you’re scheming, I’ll have a say in their future.”
With just one sentence, Yang Shuwan was completely under her control.
No matter which family Yu Jianjia wanted to marry into in the future, other families would definitely have to ask her elders. If her elders said no, no matter how good the marriage was, it would not work.
Now, Yang Shuwan had no choice but to pinch her handkerchief and wipe her tears.
Yu Zongzheng was annoyed and said coldly, “Mother is right. It’s the duty of a wife to take care of her husband and teach her children. If you can’t even do this well, you might as well take the divorce letter home.”
With that, he flicked his sleeves and left.
Yang Shuwan’s body went limp and she almost fell to the ground.
Old Madam Yu lowered her head. As she pinched her prayer beads, she said, “Concubine He has been locked up in the courtyard and Eldest Master still needs someone to serve him.”
Yang Shuwan’s heart skipped a beat and she held her breath.
As expected, Old Madam Yu changed the topic. “Lady Qiu has a clean background and has learned some poetry and books in the past. She was originally chosen from the manor to enter the residence, so she’s also loyal. She has served Master for quite a few years and is also liked by him. He arranged for Lady Qiu to become his concubine and stay in the Rain Autumn Courtyard. As the main wife, you can manage it yourself!”
Yang Shuwan’s eyes widened in shock. “Old Madam, Lady Qiu’s family is a little weak. Should we carefully find someone with a better background as a concubine for Master?”
She did not really want to take in a concubine for Master. After all, if she took in a new concubine, wouldn’t the concubine be seducing Master? It was also an excuse to delay this matter.
She had spent so much effort today not only to embarrass Yu Youyao and help Jia Jia, but also to kill two birds with one stone. She wanted to lock Concubine He in the courtyard again so that she wouldn’t be a vixen.
However, this little b*tch, Concubine He, had been locked up in the courtyard and wouldn’t be able to come out for a while. Before she could even gloat, Old Madam wanted to make Concubine Qiu his new concubine.
Then what was the point of bringing Mu Jin into this scheme?
Wouldn’t that be a double loss?
Then, she thought of Concubine Qiu’s willowy figure. Master had always loved this. Yang Shuwan almost tore her handkerchief. That vixen was already doted on. If she mentioned Concubine He, wouldn’t she be like Concubine He in the future who climbed over her head and abused her power?
Furthermore, Lady Qiu was Old Madam’s woman and was wholeheartedly on her side. In the future, if she were to be exposed in front of Master, wouldn’t Master’s heart side with Old Madam?
How could Old Madam Yu not understand Madam Yang’s thoughts? “Why don’t I find someone with a good background and take in a concubine for Master? In the future, I’ll help you manage the household and you can also rest.”
Yang Shuwan’s expression turned miserable. “Your d-daughter-in-law only said it casually. Lady Qiu has served Master for many years. It’s time for her to be a concubine.”
Although the status of a concubine could not be compared to that of the first wife, she still had a status. Wasn’t the Imperial Concubine Lu in the palace a concubine?
She had even suppressed the Empress of the Central Palace for many years as a concubine.
She was a concubine’s child who married into this family. If Master really wanted to marry a concubine, she would definitely be the daughter of a concubine with a good family background. How could she suppress it righteously?
Wouldn’t she let the noble concubines climb over her head and act like a tyrant?
Old Madam Yu said calmly, “Go and make the arrangements!”
If it weren’t for the fact that she was worried that a noble concubine would mess up the house, she really wanted to do this.
After Yang Shuwan left, Old Madam Yu hugged her granddaughter. When she heard about the small banquet today, a gratified smile appeared on her face. “You’ve done well. You took the initiative to send an invitation and invited her over. You weren’t arrogant and asked her to eat at your banquet. Yet, she still felt unhappy. There’s a room full of young ladies. What’s the point of poetry and talent? Isn’t it just putting on an act? It’s better for things to be lively so that you can see them clearly.”
Now that the guests had arrived, not only were the others looking at Yao Yao, but she was also looking at her.
Yu Youyao smiled. “That’s what I think.”
Old Madam Yu chuckled. “It’s also because you’ve been open with them from the beginning, so Yu Qingning’s ruckus has become a farce in their eyes. They’ve taken a fancy to your personality, so they naturally don’t care about these daughters of concubines.”
If Yao Yao didn’t open up at the start, Yu Qingning would cause a commotion and embarrass her.
Yu Youyao straightened her back. “I don’t have anything to feel guilty about, so I let Yu Qingning cause trouble. Even if she makes a fuss, I’m not afraid.”
Old Madam Yu smiled again. “You’re smart.”
Yu Youyao stuck out her tongue.
Old Madam Yu stroked the top of her granddaughter’s head. “In the past, I always thought that my children and grandchildren would have their own blessings, so I didn’t care about anything and just let Madam Yang do whatever she wanted. She could still put on an act and fool others, but after managing the family for a few years, she’s become more and more controlling. Seeing that you were in the limelight, how could I be willing to accept it? I couldn’t have made a stupid move. Lady Qiu is still considered well-behaved. She can also distract Madam Yang.”
In the past, Fourth Sister had also been a little smart. She knew how to please her father, how to work hard in school, and how to care about her reputation. It was just that she had been too ambitious and did not want to seek a future for herself. All she wanted was to climb up the social ladder to be a legitimate daughter.
After being locked in the courtyard, she did not learn the rules, but became resentful.
It was probably also Madam Yang who controlled the Hanlu Courtyard and let the old maids gossip in front of Yu Qingning every day.
Learning the rules was difficult to begin with, and Yu Qingning was not willing to learn. She was already unhappy to begin with. After hearing these words, the resentment accumulated deeper and deeper, making her feel even more embarrassed.
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