Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Upon entering the room, Marquis Yongyi promptly deflected the blame: "Just now, Li Mao and Peng'er mentioned that Chen Zhiyuan had an excellent attitude. He vowed to send that concubine either to the manor or sell her off. He also said that since she had been involved with men even before entering the family, who knows whose child she is carrying." The implication was clear: the Chen family would not acknowledge this child.

Lady Marquis' attention was indeed diverted, and her eyes shifted to her eldest grandson, Li Mao.

Li Mao quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Grandmother, Chen Zhiyuan did say as much. He claimed it was just a trifle, not even comparable to a servant girl in his household."

"Grandmother," Wen Shi stepped forward. "While on the carriage coming back with my sister-in-law, we reviewed the situation from the beginning. It's uncertain whether Mister Chen is aware of it or not. But it seems Elder Grandfather Chen and Eldest Brother Chen are oblivious to this matter."

Lady Peng, the wife of Chen DaLang, was also in the room at that time. When my younger sister exposed the concubine's true identity, I distinctly saw the shock on her face – it was a genuine display of surprise that couldn't have been faked.

Wen Shi and Meng Die were the ones who had saved the day. With Wen Shi speaking up, the Marquis' wife finally calmed down, nodding as she regained her composure.

The four of them, grandfather and grandchildren, all heaved a collective sigh of relief.

Marquis Yongyi quickly changed the subject: "Butterfly, how did you come to know about that concubine's identity?"

Meng Die replied, "In response to Grandfather, after Mother told me about it, I dispatched people to gather information. Initially, the details were vague and uncertain."

Later, when my elder brother's wife and I visited the Chen family, I detected an unusual demeanor from them. On purpose, I decided to bluff, never anticipating that their guilty conscience would get the better of them – they confessed at the slightest provocation.

Marquis Yongyi nodded repeatedly. "It's remarkable to have gleaned such vague hints in such a short time. Where did you hear this?"

"Eh!" For the first time in her life, Meng Die found herself at a loss for words. She stammered, "I... I instructed my servants to inquire at gambling dens and brothels."

A collective gasp echoed in the room. No decent lady would ever be associated with such places, let alone a servant. This Butterfly maid was indeed excessively bold.

Unable to explicitly express her suspicion towards Madam Chen, Meng Die started weaving a tale. "At the time, I thought that the concubine might have been a courtesan or an actress. It would be easier to inquire about the truth at such establishments. I wanted to find out if Li Erlang has always been like this or if it was a momentary lapse of judgment."

"Secondly, time is of the essence. Decent people in proper society wouldn't engage in idle gossip. Those two disreputable places are devoid of upstanding individuals; they all act solely out of self-interest. A mere sprinkle of silver coins, and they'll divulge anything."

Marquis Yongyi nodded vigorously. "Though these places may not be reputable, their information network is indeed more efficient."

Lady Hou dismissed this notion. "Reputation aside, what matters is getting things done properly. If not for your quick thinking, Meng Die, we might have been deceived."

Meng Die replied, "Grandmother, since they wish to become a secondary wife, our side will never consent. The longer the standoff persists, the more likely they'll expose themselves. Eventually, we would still learn the truth."

Lady Hou said, "There's no need for modesty. Regardless, we owe this progress to you. Had the situation remained unresolved, Jin'er would have been the one facing difficulties. Now that we have leverage over them, even if they continue to behave dishonorably, we can take the matter to the imperial court for a divorce. In that case, our family will be in the right."

The situation had become clear, and smiles graced the faces of everyone in the Marquis Yongyi's residence.

In contrast, the Chen family was plunged into an icy abyss. The head of the family, Chen Guanqing, the Minister of the Imperial Stables, sat grimly in the main hall of the rear courtyard. His widow, Elder Madam Zhao, his eldest son, Eldest Son's wife, Madam Zhu, their eldest grandson, Chen Zhiyuan, his wife, Peng, and the severely injured Chen Zhining were all standing in the room. Chen Zhining lay on a stretcher with the doors tightly shut, while a few sturdy old servants stood guard at the entrance.

Elder Madam Zhao and Madam Zhu were as pale as sheets, beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads without them daring to wipe them away.

Chen Guanqing demanded, "Speak! Explain it to me clearly, who exactly is that concubine, and how did you address the female members of the Marquis Yongyi's household today? If there's even one false word, don't blame me for not considering our past relations."

Elder Madam Zhao's lips quivered, but she didn't dare to speak. What could she say? That she had been preoccupied with the family's assets, wanting to secure more for her own biological son, knowing full well she couldn't compete with her stepson? So, she had sought ways to strengthen the ties between her family and her stepson, hoping that her two sons would receive more support in the future.

Madam Zhu also dared not make a sound. At this moment, she was filled with regret. She could have remained uninvolved, so why did she let her heart rule her head? The Empress Dowager chose the first daughter-in-law, and the Old Master decided on the second. Why did she feel that they were disregarding her face, causing her to nitpick every day?

Thinking about how she had to carefully choose someone who pleased her and was familiar to her according to her stepmother-in-law… Madam Zhu now wished she could strangle the woman. How could she have thought that such obvious provocations were reasonable back then?

"Silent all of a sudden? You've all become mutes? Weren't you all very talkative when facing the Marquis Yongyi's residence?" Chen Guanqing sneered. "No, I spoke wrongly. When dealing with the Marquis Yongyi's residence, you all acted high and mighty. They exposed your pretenses and scolded you all fiercely. Now, the whole capital knows that the Chen family isn't an upright household, and our family morals are corrupt!"

"Chen Zhining, tell me, where did that shameless thing come from?"

Zhining, lying on the stretcher, trembled and subconsciously glanced at Elder Lady Zhao. His face was as pale as paper. "Grandfather, I, I…

Chen Guanqing: "If you can't explain it clearly now, there's no need for you to speak again in the future."

Chen Zhining: "I'll tell you, she is the niece-granddaughter of Grandmother's family, the daughter of my second uncle."

Madam Zhao closed her eyes and fell to her knees before Magistrate Chen, "My husband, all the mistakes are mine. I shouldn't have taken that disgraceful relative to stay with us, and I was even more wrong to try to conceal their secret affair when I found out about it."

Chen Guanqing: "Conceal? You were beating the drums and ringing the gongs, wishing the whole world would know."

Madam Zhao: "I genuinely wanted to keep it hidden, or else I wouldn't have sent her away. It's just that I didn't expect, didn't expect Ling girl to be with child. I was filled with panic, fear, shame, and embarrassment, and there was a hint of selfishness too. After all, she is our Zhao family's daughter, carrying the Chen family's offspring. That's why I was momentarily possessed by the idea of giving her a rightful status."

Chen Guanqing looked at Madam Zhu. "Whose residence is that?"

Madam Zhu promptly knelt down. "Father, that residence belongs to my family's estate. Zhining asked me for a house, and at first, I thought he just wanted a place to entertain his friends, so I didn't think much of it and gave it to him. Later, when I found out the truth and Miss Zhao was pregnant, I couldn't help but soften, considering it's my own grandchild."

Chen Guanqing glanced at his kneeling wife and daughter-in-law, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes, though neither the kneeling Elder Lady Zhao nor Madam Zhu noticed. "It's well-known throughout the capital that the Marquis Yongyi's household has an excellent family style. Do you know what aspect of this excellent family style I'm referring to?"

Everyone in the room secretly looked at Chen Guanqing, while Chen Zhining also lifted his head, looking up at his grandfather in confusion.

Chen Guanqing continued, "The Marquis Yongyi has five sons, with the eldest and second born as legitimate offspring. The heir has three sons, with the eldest and second also being legitimate. The second legitimate son of the Marquis, who currently serves as the governor of Wu City, has two legitimate sons as well. Do I need to continue?"

Chen Zhining blinked his eyes.

With his eyes closed, Chen Guanqing could no longer deny the truth. He was forced to admit, even at this moment, that his second grandson was indeed a genuine fool. No wonder others saw him as an easy target for their schemes.

Chen Guanqing remarked, "Do you truly believe this to be mere coincidence? How could it possibly be? This is a steadfast rule of the Marquis's Estate – only when the principal wife bears two sons, thus firmly securing her position, may the man take concubines to further expand the family lineage."

"A union between two noble households cements the bond between two families. What is this bond? It lies in the children who carry the blood of both clans, serving as the vital link that truly unites the two families, sharing both prosperity and adversity in harmony."

Child? A sudden flicker of understanding illuminated Chen Zhining's usually slow-witted mind. He began to grasp the reason behind his grandfather's furious outburst.

Chen Guanqing asked, "Do you know what a 'xiaqi' is?"

Chen Zhining shuddered. He felt that his grandfather was more intimidating now than when he was enraged earlier. His instincts as a small creature prompted him to choose a middle ground for his response. "A xiaqi is also a concubine."

Chen Guanqing replied, "That's correct, she's a concubine, but why is the word 'wife' attached to her status? Have you ever thought about why? A concubine can never be promoted to the position of a wife. If one treats a concubine as a wife, they will be punished with a hundred lashes by law in the Great Yi Dynasty. However, a xiaqi can be elevated to the status of a wife. If the legal wife passes away, a man can remarry or promote his biji or xiaqi to the position of a wife. This is also written in the laws of the Great Yi Dynasty."

"There's someone who can replace you at any moment. How do you think your legitimate wife would feel about it? Courtesans and actors become mistresses to secure a stable life. You still don't understand that what Zhao's family aimed for was your wife's status, which endangered Li Jin's life, severed your connection with the Marquis Yongyi's mansion, and ruined your future. She's truly not even worthy of being compared to a courtesan or an actor."

Madam Zhao slumped to the ground, staring at Lord Chen in shock. That statement about being unworthy of comparison with a courtesan or an actor wasn't an insult to her niece but to herself.

Chen Zhining turned his head to look at Madam Zhu, his eyes filled with disbelief. He was not that foolish to not know that the Marquis Yongyi's residence far surpassed the Zhao family. He was well aware of which family would be a better match: "Am I really your biological son?"

Madam Zhu, who had been kneeling respectfully, was struck numb by her son's gaze, causing her body to sway and collapse to the ground: "How can you ask such a question? I carried you in my womb for ten months..."

Chen Zhining: "Then why did you try to harm me?"

Madam Zhu was at a loss for words. How could she explain? In her anger, she had been blinded, not considering the consequences. All she wanted was a daughter-in-law from a lower status whom she could control effortlessly.

Chen Zhining lifted his head to look back at Lord Chen: "Grandfather, I didn't mean to harm Jin'er, I truly didn't."

Lord Chen waved his hand, too lazy to continue the conversation with Chen Zhining. His gaze swept across Madam Zhao and Madam Zhu, then he instructed towards the door, "Fetch Second Madam here, and summon all the household managers to assemble."

At the head of the family's command, the servants immediately sprang into action. In no time, the courtyard was filled with a sea of black figures. Li Jin arrived promptly, accompanied by her maidservants and nurses.

She stepped into the main hall and bowed slightly before moving to stand beside Chen Zhining. Chen Zhining struggled to look at her, reaching out to hold her hand, but Li Jin evaded his grasp without hesitation.

Chen Guanqing observed these subtle gestures, adding a shade of dejection to his face. "Granddaughter-in-law, you've been wronged. It was our Chen family's fault. Tomorrow morning, I'll personally take this wayward creature to the Marquis residence to apologize."

Li Jin was taken aback; she hadn't expected Lord Chen to acknowledge his mistake directly to her. She promptly knelt down, addressing him, "Grandfather."

Chen Guanqing: "Hurry and rise."

Peng hurried to assist Li Jin in getting up.

Chen Guanqing heaved a sigh of relief. As expected, she was chosen personally by Empress De, demonstrating her grace and understanding. An idea suddenly dawned on him, unraveling the answer to a long-standing question. Chen Guanqing could only smile wryly at the realization.

He should have guessed it earlier. Empress De had always been cautious and conscientious, never interfering in matters concerning her own family, lest whispers of collusion between court officials and the harem taint her reputation.

After all these years of dedication, why would she suddenly choose a wife for Eldest Brother? It must be because she had long observed that Zhao and Zhu were not suitable matches. Thus, she took it upon herself to find a worthy wife for her own nephew.

Forming an alliance with the Marquis Yongyi's residence, Empress Dowager De was so overjoyed that she lost her usual composure. She personally summoned Chen Zhining to the palace and gave her a thorough admonition. Every detail had already been laid out, but he had not taken them seriously, nearly resulting in a disastrous outcome.

Chen Guanqing declared, "From today onwards, all household affairs will be managed by Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt. They will handle everything."

Lady Zhao and Lady Zhu both trembled in unison.

"Grandfather," Li Jin bowed again. "Your granddaughter-in-law is young and inexperienced. I fear I might not be capable of handling such significant matters..."

"Sister-in-law," Peng Lady approached Li Jin and held her hand. "People often say that when brothers are united, nothing can stand in their way. I believe this applies to sisters-in-law as well. Only if we work together can we manage the household affairs effectively. Otherwise, with such a large family, I too would feel overwhelmed, having not dealt with many such matters before."

Chen Guanqing nodded repeatedly, the stern expression on his face finally softening with a hint of a smile. "Indeed, your eldest brother's wife has a point. Everyone goes through their youth. There's always time to learn. If any servants presume on their seniority and act haughtily, there's no need to show them leniency or respond to them. Sell them off immediately."

As Chen Guanqing finished speaking, many of the supervisors standing outside felt a chill run down their spines, as if a cold wind was blowing at the back of their necks.

Chen Guanqing continued, "Pass my word around: Both the old lady and madam are advanced in years. From now on, they should be left to rest quietly in their own courtyards. Do not disturb them."

Madame Zhu's eyes rolled back, and she fainted from the shock. The authority she had yearned for as the head of the household, her image as a doting mother-in-law—she had lost everything.

After settling the domestic affairs, Chen Guanqing promptly composed a letter of visitation addressed to Marquis Yongyi. The next day, he planned to personally take Chen Zhining to the marquis's residence to apologize. He dispatched someone to deliver the letter while casting a glance at his eldest son, who was equally stunned. Chen Guanqing found himself without the energy to feel angry.

Aside from composing poetry and couplets, his eldest son had never shown concern for anything or anyone: "Since Lord Chen's health is not well, he should focus on recuperating at home. There's no need for him to venture out this year."

Lord Chen: ...

True to his word, the next day, which happened to be a day of rest, Chen Guanqing ordered that Chen Zhining be placed in a sedan chair and then summoned Li Jin to join them on their visit to the Marquis Yongyi's residence.

As a high-ranking official as the Third Rank Taipu Siqing, Chen Guanqing's personal visit was highly regarded. The Marquis Yongyi remained at home to receive guests and even opened the main gate in welcome. The moment Chen Guanqing laid eyes on his old friend, the tension he had been holding finally eased slightly; their meeting indicated that there might still be room for reconciliation.

After Li Jin returned to the inner courtyard, he went to the main chamber where the lady members of the household were waiting.

The moment Li Jin entered the room, Lady Hou hurriedly waved her hand. "Come here, come here quickly."

"Grandmother." Li Jin rushed into Lady Hou's embrace.

Lady Hou held Li Jin tightly, unwilling to let go. "My dear grandchild, have you suffered?"

Madam Wu craned her neck to look at the entrance and immediately exclaimed, "Jin'er, what did the Chens say? As for your heartless great-grandmother and grandmother, why haven't they come today? I've prepared a basketful of words for them!"

Madam Zhou chimed in, "Indeed, could it be that they suddenly know how to save face now?"

Madame Fang curls her lip, "Or perhaps they think our Marquis Manor is not worthy of their presence even once."

Amidst the chorus of support from her aunts, Li Jin's sense of injustice diminished considerably. Leaning on Madam Hou, she replied, "I suspect they would have liked to come if given the chance. But Grandfather has spoken, stating that, given their advanced age, they should be resting peacefully in their own courtyards, undisturbed by anyone."

Meng Die barely managed to stifle her laughter; wasn't this just a subtle form of house arrest? For a concubine to reach such a state within the inner courtyard was indeed no easy feat.

Madam Hou immediately rejoiced, "Deserved it! A vile and corrupt creature, full of deceitful schemes – this is karma coming back to haunt them."

Madam Ning's face lit up with a smile. "Mother speaks the truth; this is their karma coming back to them." Changing the subject, she asked, "So, what is the current situation at home?"

Li Jin: "Grandfather said he wants me to manage the household together with my eldest sister-in-law."

Meng Die was the first to respond: "That's great. From now on, those two venomous women will have to earn their keep under your supervision. And although I've only met your sister-in-law Peng once, she left a rather favorable impression on me. Her speech and actions carry a certain grace befitting an elder sister-in-law."

Wen Shi's face flushed slightly as she playfully nudged Meng Die. "You don't praise people like that."

Meng Die: "How is this praising? This is simply my honest opinion."

Li Jin chuckled. "I share the same sentiment. That's why I didn't hesitate much before agreeing."

Wen Shi looked at Li Jin and said, "Many of the household managers in the estate must be loyal to that mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo. What do you plan on doing about it?"

Li Jin replied, "I haven't discussed this with Eldest Sister yet, but Grandfather has already made it clear. If anyone goes against our wishes, we can simply sell them off. With Grandfather's word, I doubt those people would dare to hinder us."

Meng Die chimed in, "With Lord Chen's support, you and Madam Peng can act freely to rectify the situation at home."

Li Jin nodded, "That's what I'm thinking too."

Meng Die continued, "Those two women have shallow minds, so their underlings are likely sycophants or close associates. Over the years, there must have been significant embezzlement. If you and Madam Peng investigate swiftly, you might be able to recover some losses. Otherwise, if you delay too long, those dishonest individuals will surely transfer everything away!"

Upon Meng Die's words, even Lady Hou straightened her posture slightly. "Your Second Sister-in-Law is correct. That brothel madam is so eager to push her daughter at Li Erlang precisely because she is a stepmother and Empress De is not her biological child. She knows she can neither compete with your family for inheritance nor for connections."

"Though it's said that good men don't rely on their parents' wealth, and virtuous women don't cling to their dowries, you shouldn't be shortsighted enough to focus only on that bit of property. But what's rightfully yours should not be taken by those petty villains without a fight."

Madam Ning echoed her sentiment. "Mother speaks the truth. Even if we don't need that wealth ourselves, distributing it to the needy would earn us genuine gratitude. But giving it to those villains? Ha!"

Li Jin turned to Madam Ning. "How do we go about settling those old accounts?"

Madam Ning paused.

Meng Die shot a subtle glance at Li Jin.

Li Jin immediately caught on: "Elder Sister, why don't you lend Ruixue to me for a few days?"

Wen Shi looked at Meng Die speechlessly, while Meng Die pretended to be innocent.

Wen Shi gently tapped her wrist, not fooled by the act. "Still pretending? Do you think I didn't notice the silent exchange of glances between the two of you?"

The Countess chuckled heartily. "Look at them, trying to pull something over our eyes right under our noses."

Madam Ning and the others also joined in the laughter, completely restoring the atmosphere in the room to its former joy and merriment.

Wen: "Lending Ruixue to you wouldn't be an issue. But it's best if you consult Madam Peng first and see what her stance is. If she also wishes to audit the accounts but lacks reliable assistance, send someone to inform me. I'll then dispatch Ruixue to her."

Li Jin: "As always, Eldest Sister-in-law's considerations are meticulous. Let's proceed as you suggest."

All was well in the inner chambers, and likewise in the outer court. Chen Guanqing, for the sake of his grandson, had truly set aside his elderly dignity, adopting an extremely humble demeanor.

Marquis Yongyi had known him for several decades, and their relationship had been close in the past, otherwise they would not have entered into a marriage alliance. Seeing his old friend in such a state, most of his anger dissipated, and he did not make things difficult. However, Chen Zhining was beaten up again by Li Mao and Li Peng.

It must be said that in this regard, the military family truly excels. Li Mao and Li Peng have been practicing martial arts since childhood, and their understanding of the human body is truly profound. When it comes to fighting, they specifically target areas that won't leave much of a mark but are excruciatingly painful. Chen Zhining was in unbearable agony, which left a deep psychological scar on him. The term "outer room" became an inescapable nightmare that haunted him for the rest of his life.

With relations between the two families reconciled, the Marquis Yongyi's residence kindly entertained their guests for another meal. Meng Die even contributed her own cultivated shiitake mushrooms, granting a favor to Lord Chen in the process.

After bidding farewell to the Chen family and Li Jin, the group of ladies-in-waiting didn't disperse either, leisurely discussing the matters concerning the Chen family.

Madam Hou couldn't help but remark, "They say a virtuous wife brings prosperity to three generations, but an unvirtuous one truly brings calamity to the same. How could a wise and reasonable man like Lord Chen have married such a foolish woman?"

Madam Ning let out a sigh. "That's often the case with a second wife. Most come from humble backgrounds, with differing educations and perspectives. When they're suddenly placed in such a high position, it's only natural for them to feel insecure and make mistakes."

Promoting a village head to govern a province would likely result in incompetence.

"Worse than all, it's Second Brother Chen's mother. She's narrow-minded and foolish, born into a higher status than her stepmother-in-law, yet she still allows herself to be manipulated by the woman." Wu sighed. "When I first heard this news, I was genuinely stunned. What kind of mind could conceive such actions?"

Fang speculated wildly, "From what Yun and Die said, Madam Peng seems to be a shrewd one. Our Jin'er isn't one to endure quietly either. With Old Lady Zhao's lack of control over herself, it's possible that she feels envious of her two daughters-in-law, leading to their conflicts."

Little did Fang know that her wild conjectures were surprisingly accurate.

Amidst the laughter and chatter, a maid rushed in with an urgent report. "Matriarch, Madam, all the ladies, Duke Cheng'en's residence has just sent word that Fourth Aunt has suffered a miscarriage."

The atmosphere in the room froze.