Chapter 465: Fang Jinxiu Demoted from Wife to Concubine

Chapter 465: Fang Jinxiu Demoted from Wife to Concubine

This mistake left Wang Fuzhen speechless.

No matter how many reasons she had, it couldn't hide the fact that she had done something incredibly foolish in the past.

Madam Lu saw the pain in her eyes and offered a sweetener.

"Let's not talk about the past. Now that both of you are married into the family, I only hope that from now on, you can live in harmony and protect the interests of the main branch together."

Ha, the interests of the main branch?

Did they really think she was still the fool she used to be?

Did they think she didn't know that the interests of the main branch were the same as Lu Ning's and Fang Jinxiu's interests?

Even if they understood, they had to pretend they didn't.

Might as well play along and play them until they died.

Wang Fuzhen smiled and said, "If you want me to help protect the assets of the main branch, fine, but only if..."

She paused here, sneering as she glanced at Fang Jinxiu. "Only if she becomes a concubine, and I remain the sole legitimate wife."

Fang Jinxiu stopped crying and the pain on her face vanished immediately. She retorted fiercely, "In your dreams."

Wang Fuzhen wasn't angry; she merely said calmly, "Then there's nothing to discuss. My dowry is enough for me to live comfortably for the rest of my life, and since I have no son, I don't care about the Lu family's assets."

"You..." Fang Jinxiu was so enraged she couldn't speak.

The need to ask for help made her lose some of her confidence.

Wang Fuzhen said calmly, "Fang Jinxiu, you know how much I despise you. To me, rather than giving those assets to your son, I'd rather let the second and third branches take them. At least they would remember me kindly. Unlike you, an ungrateful wretch. No matter what I do for you, Wang Fuzhen, you never appreciate it. Instead, you blame me. Now you even try to make me the scapegoat. Where do you get the nerve?"

Fang Jinxiu was so furious she could barely breathe.

"So, there's no negotiation?"

Wang Fuzhen replied, "If you want me to help you, forget it. This is my condition. If you agree, we can talk; if not, then there's nothing to discuss."

With that, she smoothed her disheveled hair.

Though she looked disheveled, her demeanor remained composed.

Fang Jinxiu was infuriated.

"Wang Fuzhen, you..." Before she could finish, Madam Lu held her back.

"Fine, I agree." She made the decision for her.

Fang Jinxiu's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Madam Lu.

"Mama, what are you saying? If I'm demoted to a concubine, Ning'er and this child in my belly will become illegitimate. Can you bear to see your grandson become illegitimate?"

Madam Lu replied, "We can have Ning'er recognized as a legitimate daughter."

What?

Fang Jinxiu clutched her chest, feeling dizzy with rage.

This was their plan all along. She had heard rumors that they intended to give their son to Wang Fuzhen to raise and kick her out.

"Hahaha..." Fang Jinxiu laughed hysterically. "You... You've planned this all along. You wanted to take my son and give him to Wang Fuzhen, the barren hen, while using me to bear children for your family, right?"

"Jinxiu," Madam Lu shook her head, hesitating to speak further.

She meant for Fang Jinxiu to agree first, and then she would explain later.

Unfortunately, Fang Jinxiu, driven by rage, refused to listen and pretended not to understand.

"You've planned this all along. Don't think I don't know. Fine, you treat me like a fool. I... I won't bear any more children."

With that, she slapped her belly.

However, she knew her limits and used an empty-handed slap, making noise but applying little force.

Madam Lu was terrified. In her view, Fang Jinxiu deserved whatever happened to her, but her grandson must be protected.

Seeing her hit her belly, Madam Lu rushed to stop her.

"Jinxiu, don't be rash. It's not worth it. You can't hurt the child."

Fang Jinxiu cried, "My child will be given to others. Why should I bear him? I won't bear him anymore. I'll just abort him."

"No, no, oh my dear, I beg you. I yield. The child won't be given away. Without a legitimate son, an illegitimate one will inherit the family assets."

She was no longer hinting but stating outright.

She told her that even if she was demoted to a concubine, her child would still inherit the family assets.

Hearing this, Fang Jinxiu slowly calmed down.

Wang Fuzhen watched their performance quietly.

Seeing that Fang Jinxiu was pacified, Madam Lu turned to Wang Fuzhen. "Zhenzhen, you must keep your word. I agree to demote Jinxiu to a concubine, and as the sole legitimate wife, you must show your capabilities and stabilize the current situation."

Seeing their concession, Wang Fuzhen finally smiled. "Of course. Since the man wants me to manage the household, I will do so. The assets of the main branch will not be given up."

Madam Lu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After much persuasion, she finally managed to convince Fang Jinxiu to leave.

She personally escorted Fang Jinxiu back and dismissed everyone else before whispering, "Jinxiu, don't be angry. You are the only daughter-in-law I recognize. After all, you are the mother of my grandsons. As for Wang Fuzhen, hmph, don't think I don't know that she hasn't even consummated her marriage with my son. To put it bluntly, since the marriage rites haven't been completed, she doesn't count as part of our Lu family, and I won't acknowledge her."

Fang Jinxiu sneered, "You promised to let her be the sole legitimate wife and manage the main house."

"Ah, that was just a temporary measure. We can't handle the second and third houses on our own, so we need her help to stabilize the situation using the influence of the Wang family. Once things settle down and we secure the family assets and the position of the main branch, I'll kick her out."

"You're going to kick her out?"

"Yes, you forgot that she has been childless for three years. It's perfectly justified for Lu Shen to divorce her, even the Emperor wouldn't say anything. Once she's divorced, you will be the sole legitimate wife, and our Ning'er will still be the eldest legitimate son."

Fang Jinxiu knew her previous plan, but hearing it again, she still found it hard to believe.

"Really?"

Madam Lu replied, "Of course, I've said it before, she hasn't even consummated her marriage with my son, so she doesn't count as my daughter-in-law. Why keep someone like that around?"

"But... what if Lu Shen doesn't come back? How can he divorce her?"

Madam Lu: "... Are you hoping my son won't come back?"

"If... if Shen Er really doesn't come back, I'll send her back on the grounds that she refused to consummate the marriage and that the marriage rites were never completed."

Fang Jinxiu: "You promise?"

"Of course, I would choose you over Wang Fuzhen any day. After all, you are the mother of my grandsons. If I don't treat you well, won't Ning'er hate me when he grows up?"

That made sense.

Fang Jinxiu reluctantly believed her.