Chapter 116: Chen Yusong

Chapter 116 Chen Yusong

An Zhi knew her mother spoke the truth.

If there were a way for them to live better, her mother would not hesitate.

But such was the lot of women in this world.

No matter how generous her parents' dowry, her future security and standing would always depend on others.

Chen Yuhu mused that perhaps the only woman in the world who could truly live freely was the Empress Dowager.

Even the most exceptional women were still bound by imperial power.

Yet, the Empress Dowager of their Great Yong seemed a little too free.

Three days later, Lin Qingjiao returned for her bridal visit.

An Ze brought gifts filling two carriages, every item of genuine quality, none a mere token.

All were excellent things.

An Ze also specifically mentioned that his mother had prepared them.

This demonstrated Chi Wanqing's satisfaction with Lin Qingjiao, and indeed, with the Lin family's upbringing.

Chen Yuhu smiled outwardly, but her heart remained unmoved.

Lin Qingjiao was dressed head-to-toe in new clothes; Chen Yuhu estimated their total value could likely purchase a two-courtyard house in the capital.

And that was a conservative estimate.

Lin Qingjiao seemed to be doing very well, which only dampened Chen Yuhu's spirits further.

She saw herself as a temporarily caged eagle, destined to return home sooner or later.

She also refused to acknowledge the identity of "Lin née Chen."

But Lin Qingjiao and others like her were different.

If Chen Yuhu was an eagle with clipped wings, confined to the inner chambers, then girls like Lin Qingjiao were the embodiment of countless ancient women.

They were like ripe seeds, destined to take deep root in another family's courtyard, finding their place and purpose there.

They were like plants, unable to choose their soil, unable to speak, unable to move.

This stark difference in perspective made Chen Yuhu feel even more sorrow for them.

Their lives were truly their entire lives.

Chen Yuhu's mood grew heavy, and she began to understand Mother Chen.

She also started to rein in her emotions, appropriately withdrawing the affection she had placed on Lin Qingjiao.

Otherwise, she would only be the one to suffer.

Provide appropriate support, but prioritize self-love.

This would become Chen Yuhu's motto from then on.

Lin Qingjiao noticed that her mother had suddenly become less...

It was a difficult feeling to describe.

In truth, it was because Chen Yuhu had previously been driven by a strong sense of responsibility and the duty of raising them, her attention subtly, yet constantly, drawn to them.

With Lin Qingjiao's marriage, a portion of that responsibility had shifted, and Chen Yuhu suddenly felt deflated.

It even affected her mood.

Lin Qingjiao asked An Zhi and Yu Zhi about Chen Yuhu's spirits; both had observed her closely.

Naturally, they spoke highly of Chen Yuhu.

Lin Qingjiao, thinking her mother was simply saddened by her departure, felt even more touched.

Fortunately, the Spring Examination was approaching. As An Ze needed to focus on his preparations, Lin Qingjiao frequently returned home.

She even stayed for extended periods, ostensibly to allow An Ze to study undisturbed.

Chi Wanqing had no objections to this.

Although she was aware of her daughter-in-law's subtle intentions, she agreed—when Lin Qingjiao was home, An Ze truly neglected his studies.

The Spring Examination took precedence.

During her stay, Lin Qingjiao spent most of her time with Chen Yuhu, just as before.

Chen Yuhu: Happy!

But the decision she had made would not change.

Fortunately, no one in Chen Yuhu's immediate family was participating in the Spring Examination.

Even when Chen Yusong brought her children, it was for the upcoming Autumn Examination.

She and Chen Yuhu were truly rivals.

Even their children were taking the exams in the same year.

If one failed while the other succeeded...

So Chen Yuhu recently urged Qing Bai and Qing Zhuo to apply themselves more diligently to their studies.

To bring honor to their mother.

As expected, Chen Yuhu's guess was correct. Chen Yusong waited until after March, after the Spring Examination had concluded.

By then, Chen Yuhu had already bid farewell to An Ze, who was departing for his post in the Shu region, and Lin Qingjiao, who was accompanying her husband.

Only then did Chen Yusong unhurriedly bring her children to the capital.

Fortunately, during this time, she had been in contact with the Xiao Family, and the two families were already discussing the engagement arrangements.

When Chen Yusong arrived, Chen Yuhu knew but did not specifically return to the Chen residence.

She would have to be utterly bored to return to the Chen residence to celebrate with Chen Yusong.

Especially to attend the family gatherings she loathed the most.

She simply sent someone back with a message: "My lady has just seen off our young lady and her husband, and she is aching for her daughter. Recently, she has been feeling emotionally and physically unwell."

"She has been plagued by headaches these past few days and asks everyone to enjoy themselves without her, so as not to dampen the festivities."

Chen Yuhu's elder sister-in-law, Qiao-shi, dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief.

Her daughter Qingjiao had just gotten married and was able to immediately embark on married life with her husband, even moving to Shu, a place Chen Yuhu adored.

Not long ago, Chen Yuhu had been quite happy, so much so that even the sorrow of her daughter’s marriage had lessened.

Why would she suddenly develop headaches?

A faint smile vanished beneath the handkerchief.

Qiao-shi knew that the household was about to become lively.

But she felt displeased. After all, they were sisters—if Yusong had left a few days earlier, she could have attended her niece's wedding.

Instead, she took her time arriving in the capital with her children.

She claimed her youngest son was too young and the weather too cold to endure the journey.

At this thought, Qiao-shi felt a slight displeasure and annoyance—this was simply bad manners.

And she didn’t even try to hide it.

Relying on Mother Chen’s favoritism, even though she was the one who had sought the Lin family’s marriage, she treated Yuhu and the Lin family as insignificant.

With such a temperament, it was no wonder she had caused those past incidents.

No wonder her husband had told her not to get involved.

Judging by Yusong’s character, she truly had no intention of getting involved.

Qing Bai had studied with the Chen family for several years, and she had watched him grow up. What did such a fine young man do to deserve a mother-in-law like that?

Qiao-shi schooled her features, keeping all her thoughts to herself. No matter how one looked at it, she remained the image of a proper lady.

Chen Yuhu’s second sister-in-law, Tang Yunyu, chuckled while patting her belly.

Chen Yuhu’s second brother was an eccentric who kept to himself.

When Chen Yuhu picked Qing Luo up from the academy last time, her second brother only cared about whether Chen Yuhu had found a tutor for Qing Luo and what kind of tutor it was.

He didn’t want the child’s studies to be delayed.

Once he confirmed that Qing Luo had a decent tutor, he didn’t care about anything else.

Tang Yunyu was sharp-eyed and clear-minded but always followed her husband’s lead.

She simply smiled, knowing no one would dare involve her—they’d rather avoid her.

Her husband was a free spirit but also stubborn and terrifying when angered.

Su Shi, who had always been close with Chen Yuhu, smiled without saying much. She knew drama was brewing in the family.

In the second month after giving birth, she left the city to join her husband. The couple had agreed to stay away from the Chen family unless absolutely necessary during this period.

The Chen family was full of clever people, and none wanted to be sucked into a muddled affair.

Whether this matter succeeded or failed, it would only create resentment with Chen Yuhu. They wanted no part in it.

No one stepped forward to advise Mother Chen, not because they were unwilling, but because they knew her too well.

She wouldn’t give up until she got her way.

Chen Yusong stood beside Mother Chen, watching her youngest son perform for his grandmother, her heart bitter.

She wasn’t ignorant of what was happening.

But she had no other choice.

The Chen family always sought strong alliances, never weak ones.

Their social status and the candidates were all carefully vetted by Mother Chen.

As a result, Yusong didn’t dare cross any of her sisters-in-law—not even with the Xu family’s backing.

Her eldest sister-in-law came from a prominent clan.

Her second sister-in-law’s father was a great scholar with countless students, and her second brother was one of them.

Her younger sister-in-law’s father held a seemingly modest official position, but it was crucial, and he was based in Jiangnan.

Yusong had always been proud since childhood; otherwise, she wouldn't have resorted to cunning when choosing her marriage.

But the Xu family was now in decline, unlike before, and she had not returned home in glory as she had imagined.

At least she could still rely on her mother.