Chapter 246: Chapter 246: Forced Acceptance
When Xu Yulan found out the news, her whole world collapsed. She couldn’t have imagined that her father-in-law (uncle) would be so eager and actively take a concubine for his son, and all while avoiding her, the legitimate wife.
"Why?" Xu Yulan was stopped, clenched her fists, and asked angrily.
"Look at what you’ve become! Do you want everyone to know this?
It’s precisely because I knew you have this disposition that I resorted to this plan."
Xu Yulan sneered, "What a convenient excuse. It’s clear you three father and sons were eager to slap yourselves in the face, breaking your own rules. Gu Kaichen sets this precedent today and bears the infamy, so you father and sons can later enjoy the blessings of both wives and concubines. Yet people will still blame Gu Kaichen for starting it all."
"Stop fussing about it here," Gu Baijiang removed his shoes and sat cross-legged, "I’ve told you before, haven’t you already got that Fan girl wrapped around your finger?
Since you’ve accepted it, what difference does a day sooner or later make?"
After speaking, Gu Baijiang ignored Xu Yulan. Truth was, even if she went over now, there was nothing left to say; she had to accept it regardless.
Gu Anwei saw his mother faltering and quickly went over to support her.
Xu Yulan sensed her son’s presence and suddenly came to, "Why didn’t you come to me?"
"Father stopped me..." Gu Anwei said, feeling wronged, "No one wanted to help me..."
Even his usually amiable eldest cousin refused his plea for help this time.
He could feel the isolation his mother was experiencing, but he was too insignificant to change anything.
Xu Yulan looked around and suddenly realized that apart from her son, she seemed to have nothing left.
"Mother," as if connected telepathically, Gu Anwei quickly noticed Xu Yulan’s odd demeanor and tightly gripped her arm with a worried expression.
This call from her son snapped Xu Yulan back to reality. Yes, she still had her son; she was still Gu Kaichen’s legitimate wife. Wasn’t it just a concubine?
In Shangjing, she had seen more than enough how those legitimate wives made concubines suffer.
Taking a deep breath, she immediately turned to face Gu Baijiang and asked, "Father, since our Gu Family has broken the rule of forbidding concubines, and you yourself have made the decision, as the daughter-in-law, I naturally won’t object, but I do have one question: In our Gu Family, are concubines favored over wives?"
Gu Baijiang, "Of course not. You entered with an eight-carriage bridal procession, and in due time, have Fan come and offer you tea, and you may set the rules for her."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "If you don’t know how to be a proper mistress, you can ask your elder sister-in-law for advice."
Liu Yun, "..." Their main room had no concubines yet, this was a veiled message...
Xu Yulan smirked as she walked towards Liu Yun, "Elder sister-in-law, I look forward to your guidance."
Liu Yun, "..."
On the side, Xu Shuanghong and her daughter sat quietly, both wearing grim expressions, who knew what they were thinking.
But their faces were gloomy; clearly, they were not in a bright mood.
That night, many people tossed and turned, unable to sleep, waiting until the next day when Gu Kaichen returned full of cheer, bringing along a pale-faced Fan Mei Bao.
Xu Shuanghong and Fan Mei Lin rushed over to support Fan Mei Bao, but before they could ask her anything, Xu Yulan already approached coldly, "I’ve never seen such impatience, rushing to the bed before offering tea to the mistress."
Xu Shuanghong, "Mrs. Xu, things are already settled, and you should be questioning your husband instead of troubling Mei Bao. Surely, it’s not something a young woman like her can decide."
Xu Yulan, "Mrs. Xu truly is a good mother, rushing to send your daughter to be someone else’s concubine. Since you’ve chosen this path, you should adhere to its rules.
Now that she’s a member of the Gu Family, our matters should not involve you.
Since you’ve returned, better pack everything onto the cart.
As for the kneeling and tea ceremony, we’ll discuss that later."
Xu Shuanghong, "You..."
"Mother," Fan Mei Lin quickly grabbed her, "When under another’s roof, one must bow their head. And if this matter were to stir up, we’d be the ones in the wrong."
From the night before, the mother and daughter had understood Gu Baijiang had played a brilliant move, securing Fan Mei Bao’s status hastily. If word spread, it’d only tarnish their family’s name; silently suffering this loss was all they could do.
With no other choices, the mother and daughter helped Fan Mei Bao load her things onto the cart, while Gu Baijiang did nothing to stop them.
The movements on this side were seen by others nearby, but since everyone was busy protecting their own interests, observing the drama was all they’d do; none would think of causing trouble for themselves.
Thus, this farce of accepting a concubine in the Gu Family disappeared quietly, with no mention from anyone.
Only Xu Yulan remained filled with fury and sorrow, especially seeing Gu Kaichen attached closely to Fan Mei Bao. She had an urge to cut them apart with a cleaver.
"Second sister-in-law," Liu Yun discreetly moved the cleaver aside, "Since the event has occurred, it’s best to see it with clarity and think of how to maintain your position."
"Elder sister-in-law, what do you mean by that?"
"Those mother and daughters are no easy characters. Your presence is a roadblock for theirs, and which woman would willingly be a concubine?
The road ahead is fraught with dangers. What if an accident happens? Who will manage your second household then?"
Xu Yulan looked icily at Liu Yun, "Elder sister-in-law, are you here to mock me?
Don’t forget, those Fan sisters aren’t easy opponents. Fan Mei Bao is already a concubine of our second household, but Fan Mei Lin hasn’t found her place yet. The sisters being sisters-in-law would indeed be quite a tale."
Liu Yun’s eyes narrowed, "Second sister-in-law, what nonsense are you saying? My husband isn’t interested in someone like Fan Mei Lin. I’ve come kindly to remind you, but apparently you don’t appreciate good intentions."
"Elder sister-in-law, is it truly good intentions?" Xu Yulan’s voice grew cold, "You’re just hoping I’ll stir things up, to restrain Xu Shuanghong and her daughters, letting your main household devise strategies.
Perhaps we’ve all misunderstood, these mother and daughters have grand ambitions, wanting to encompass our entire family’s three men, placing the whole Gu Family under Xu Shuanghong’s control."
"..." Liu Yun would’ve believed Xu Yulan’s claims if Gu Kaiping hadn’t analyzed it for her.
"Sister-in-law thinks too much, but I urge you not to go too far.
You see how Fan Mei Bao’s frail and aggrieved appearance tugs at Gu Kaichen’s heartstrings even more. You’re not tormenting her; you’re creating opportunities.
Think of those concubines in the backyards of noble houses, aren’t they using this to please men? Stay sharp."
Liu Yun would’ve refused to advise this fool if she didn’t want a smart sister-in-law. The Gu Family’s men, when ruthless, were unimaginable.
