Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The water vendor, guiding his cart through the capital’s streets, paused at an alley entrance. He hoisted two buckets onto his shoulders and began his measured walk down the lane. The shoulder pole bowed deeply under the weight, seemingly on the verge of snapping, yet it remained perfectly balanced, not a single drop spilled.

He knocked on the back gate of the Chen residence, placed the water in its designated spot, then carefully unfolded a piece of paper from his pocket. Handing it to the servant who came to collect the water, he waited for her fingerprint.

The old woman took the paper, a smile playing on her lips. "Our young mistress says we won’t be needing this anymore. From now on, we’ll pay on the spot." With that, she meticulously counted the fingerprints on the sheet and handed him the corresponding sum.

The Yuanhe Tongbao coins of Great Xia were substantial. The water vendor, clutching the heavy string of copper coins, fumbled nervously before finally tucking them into his pocket. His most pressing concern, however, was: "Miss, will your household still require water?"

For the past three years, this household had ordered a daily load of mountain spring water, ten coins per load, never shortchanging him. Sometimes, they even rounded up, giving him extra. As the family explained, "The young mistress says you’re practically part of our ‘unofficial staff.’ Consider this your ‘bonus.’"

The water vendor didn’t know what a "bonus" was, only that he was earning more than before.

Every little bit helps, and this was a steady, long-term income with no upfront costs—just a bit of labor. The vendor feared this household might stop ordering water from him.

The old woman lifted the bucket lid, inspecting the water. Finding it clean and free of impurities, she nodded in satisfaction. "Of course, we’ll still need it." She shot him a sidelong glance. "Isn’t it better to pay per load? Are you worried our family would cheat you?"

The vendor said no more, offering a quick flattering remark before happily returning to the alley entrance, where he rejoined his fellow vendors to pull the cart to the next household.

Outside the city, Jade Cry Mountain was renowned for its abundant springs. The water was clear, crisp, and flowed year-round, far superior to the city’s well water. Ming Tang, ever one to enjoy life’s luxuries, spared no expense on this daily indulgence.

With premium ingredients, the morning’s tofu meatball soup was rich and flavorful. Ming Tang had two bowls, feeling noticeably refreshed.

Estimating that Madam Chen would have finished her breakfast by now, Ming Tang examined herself in the mirror, adjusting an exquisitely carved hairpin shaped like a rain-drenched begonia.

As if struck by a thought, she opened her jewelry box. Amidst the glittering treasures, her eyes quickly landed on a gold hairpin inlaid with turquoise. But just as she reached for it, her hand seemed to move of its own accord, bypassing the finery to pick out the simplest silver hairpin from the corner of the box and fasten it in her hair.

The motion was so fluid that Ming Tang only realized what she’d done when she saw her reflection. Her lips twitched, and she mentally chided herself for two seconds before shrugging it off.

"Increase income, reduce expenses," she justified to herself, then strode confidently to the main courtyard with Zhe Liu in tow.

Madam Chen had indeed finished breakfast and was seated by the window with Chen Wenyao, speaking earnestly. When Ming Tang entered, she showed no sign of stopping, adding as an afterthought, "Remember what I told you."

Chen Wenyao, ever the filial son, nodded obediently. "I’ll remember."

Then, glancing at Ming Tang, he gave his mother a meaningful look.

Reluctantly, Madam Chen forced a smile that could almost pass as affectionate. "Tang'er, you’re here. Sit down. Did you enjoy breakfast? You look thinner—you should take better care of yourself and eat more nourishing food."

Her words were stiff, and inwardly, she squirmed as if ants were crawling under her skin. With every sentence, she cursed silently—never had she seen such a picky daughter-in-law, obsessed with food! She wasn’t thin at all; if anything, she’d grown more rounded! What kind of daughter-in-law ate better than her mother-in-law? And now she wanted more? How unfilial!

Ming Tang sat beside her and smiled sweetly, teasing, "You’re right, Mother. I do feel a bit weak lately and should nourish myself. I heard you have some blood bird's nest. Why not spoil your daughter-in-law and give me some? Not too much—just a bowl every few days would do."

Madam Chen felt like choking. Even if she had any left—which she didn’t—she wouldn’t waste it on a childless daughter-in-law! Did money grow on trees?

Seeing her son’s approving expression only stoked her fury, and she conveniently forgot his earlier warnings. "Bird’s nest isn’t for just anyone. I’ve heard it’s best for pregnant women. Since you’re not with child, it’d be wasted on you. If you could give me a grandchild now, I’d gladly give you bird’s nest every day!"

Chen Wenyao frowned. "Mother! It’s just bird’s nest. Is this really necessary? Have Shu Ma send some over later." Even if she was reluctant, she shouldn’t say it so bluntly—it was embarrassing.

Ming Tang lowered her eyes, well aware that Madam Chen had nothing left to give. What would she say next? Ming Tang studied the white crescents at the base of her nails, mildly amused.

"It’s not that I’m stingy," Madam Chen said, glancing at her son. His fierce glare startled her, and she blurted, "I already gave it to Ya'er. I don’t have a single bit left now."

Seeing Chen Wenyao’s face darken, Madam Chen faltered. "Maybe... I could buy some later and make it up to you?"

But Chen Wenyao was no longer concerned about bird’s nest. His gaze was fixed on Ming Tang.

At first, Ming Tang frowned slightly, as if puzzled. Then, realization dawned, and she stood abruptly, locking eyes with Chen Wenyao. "Husband, may I ask—who is this 'Ya'er'?"

Chen Wenyao’s thoughts were in disarray. He had planned to raise the matter gradually, but his mother had let it slip on his very first day back!

His mother’s words about the bird’s nest being "best for pregnant women" still rang in his ears. Ming Tang was perceptive—he knew he couldn’t hide it any longer. Kneeling on one knee, he grasped Ming Tang’s hand and looked up earnestly. "I've betrayed you."

His voice was tight, as if wrestling with immense guilt. "Once, at a colleague’s banquet, I drank too much and... with Miss Ya. Just that once. My colleague then gave her to me. I didn’t want to bring her home, so I found her a small place outside, intending to arrange something else for her later. But then... she became pregnant."

Ming Tang looked down at him, struggling to recall how she’d felt the first time she learned of Chen Wenyao’s infidelity. Her expression was impassive, which only unnerved him further.

Silence stretched between them. Even Madam Chen seemed subdued, sitting quietly. Ming Tang finally remembered her initial reaction—a sense of inevitability, as if she’d always known this would happen.

But that wasn’t the right mood for the moment. Ming Tang imagined herself as someone watching another person keep her lost purse without returning it. Anger and resentment tinged her voice. "Just once? Should I applaud your prowess?"

Chen Wenyao’s face remained stoic, but guilt flickered in his eyes. He lowered his gaze, the picture of remorse.

The moment stretched unbearably. Madam Chen, snapping out of her daze, watched her son kneel before Ming Tang and grew indignant. Her son—such a good boy, who had sacrificed everything to bring her to the capital, studied diligently for ten years, and now held a prestigious government post—deserved better than a barren wife.

And now, just as he finally had an heir on the way, he was kneeling before his wife! In all her years, she’d never seen such an insolent woman!

Madam Chen’s breathing grew ragged, her chest heaving. Seeing the pair frozen in their standoff, she finally exploded. "What’s done is done. Daughter-in-law, what do you propose? Our Chen family isn’t desperate to legitimize a child born outside—it’s just that you can’t conceive! If you could give my son a child, even if that woman outside were a fairy, we wouldn’t take in a bastard!"

Ming Tang’s expression shifted slightly, as if struck.

For the first time, Madam Chen scrutinized her daughter-in-law’s face intently. A spark of triumph flared—perhaps infertility wasn’t such a bad thing. She’d never been able to control Ming Tang anyway. If Ming Tang had borne two children in three years, she’d have trampled her mother-in-law long ago.

But if the son could still produce heirs, it didn’t matter which woman bore them—they’d still be her grandchildren, and she’d dote on them all the same.

Better yet, this was her chance to rein in her noble-born daughter-in-law.

Eagerness swelling, Madam Chen spun her words carefully. "Besides, concubines are mere chattel. You’re from a noble family—you understand these things better than we do. Wenyao never had feelings for her; it’s just about the child. You’re still young, relying on your parents, thinking life will always be easy. But without a son to uphold the family in your old age, how hard will it be?"

"When Wenyao’s father died early, we at least had him. If he hadn’t been ten years old and strong enough, who knows what those shameless elders would’ve done to us!" Her voice cracked with emotion, tear-brightened eyes glistening.

"Mother!" Chen Wenyao interjected urgently.

Madam Chen wiped her tears but watched Ming Tang closely from the corner of her eye.

Perhaps moved, Ming Tang sat back down, avoiding their gazes. "What’s done is done—how fitting. Since both my husband and mother-in-law wish to bring her in, so be it. But I have two conditions."

Chen Wenyao relaxed slightly but subtly shook his head at his mother. Both waited in tense silence.

"First, if she’s to be a concubine, proper documentation is required. Second, I refuse to live under the same roof as her. Since she’s already pregnant, let her stay in the main house—Mother will surely feel more at ease that way. As for the rest... we’ll discuss it later."