Chapter 74 Concubine vs Main Wife

Chapter 74: She's a Concubine, You're the Wife

The next day.

Liu Ruozhu had fallen ill. Upon hearing this, her mother, Duchess Zhengguo Feng Shi, worried about her, and without sending word ahead, came to visit in person that day.

On ordinary days, if Liu Ruozhu were ill, Feng Shi would not come in person; at most, she would send a head maid to check on her.

Otherwise, her visit would cause unpleasantness, making it look like the Duke of Ding's mansion was mistreating her daughter.

However, in the past two or three months, too many things had happened in the Duke of Ding's mansion. With the heir's concubine pregnant again, she was already worried about her daughter. When she fell ill, Feng Shi could no longer sit still and decided to visit directly.

Upon learning that her in-law had arrived, Lady Mu naturally hurried to welcome her, receiving her warmly and attentively, and specifically said,

"Ah, it's my fault. I've handed over all the household management to Ruozhu. Since she's just taken over, everything is messy and chaotic; she hasn't been resting well, so she caught a cold easily."

Lady Mu's words were cleverly phrased, showing concern for Liu Ruozhu and casually mentioning the handover of power, indicating that even though the heir's concubine was pregnant, Liu Ruozhu had not suffered any grievance and had fully taken control.

Hearing this, Feng Shi's expression relaxed. After a brief exchange of pleasantries with Lady Mu, she said she would go to her daughter's courtyard to see her.

Lady Mu had her head maid lead the way, saw Feng Shi out, and then asked Nanny Fang,

"Where is the heir? Today is his day off. His mother-in-law has come; he should come out to pay his respects. Also, Yun Shu—Feng Shi will likely want to see her as well. Have her prepare and respond properly."

Nanny Fang did not know whether the heir had gone out, so she quickly sent a maid to the heir's courtyard to inquire. After a while, word came back.

"Madam, the heir is in the study. Upon receiving the news, the heir has already gone to the young lady's courtyard to pay respects to Duchess Zhengguo," Nanny Fang said softly.

"However, the heir said that Concubine Jiang has gone out to the Grand Princess's mansion."

Lady Mu frowned, thinking that Yun Shu, being pregnant, should be resting in the mansion instead of going out voluntarily, especially since the Grand Princess had not summoned her.

Lady Mu's displeasure had barely risen from her heart to her throat when a eunuch from the Grand Princess's mansion arrived.

He said that the Grand Princess had summoned Concubine Jiang and requested she go to the Grand Princess's mansion immediately.

Lady Mu...

Had Yun Shu somehow predicted that the Grand Princess would summon her and left early?!

-

When Lu Jinyan learned that his mother-in-law had come to visit his wife Liu Ruozhu, he was stunned for a moment, frowned, then relaxed his brow.

If he had gone out with Yun Shu today, it would certainly have caused a scene.

Was this simply because Yun Shu was cautious and thorough, or did she truly have the ability to foresee the future?

These thoughts just flashed through Lu Jinyan's mind; he didn't dwell on them.

Then, he got up and headed to the Wutong Courtyard.

When he reached the courtyard, his mother-in-law Feng Shi was sitting by the bedside talking with Liu Ruozhu. Lu Jinyan stepped forward a few paces, gave a slight bow with his hands clasped, and said:

"Good day, Mother-in-law. Have you been well?"

"No need for formalities, my good son-in-law," Feng Shi said with a smile. "I have always been well. In fact, I was just telling Ruozhu that you are busy with official duties; you should also take care of yourself and not work too hard."

Lu Jinyan again thanked his mother-in-law for her concern.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Lu Jinyan, Feng Shi brought up the matter of heirs, saying,

"Heir, I hear Concubine Jiang is exceptionally clever and very lucky. Ruozhu just now praised her highly, so I want to meet her. How about sending someone to call her over?"

"She has gone to the Grand Princess's mansion," Lu Jinyan said calmly.

"That's really bad timing." Feng Shi paused, then gave a laugh and said,

"Since we can't meet this time, it's just as well to wait until the child is born. I, too, hope she can give birth to a son, thus solving the heir's problem of having no son."

"Thank you for the kind words, Mother-in-law," Lu Jinyan thanked her again.

After a couple more remarks, Lu Jinyan took his leave first; staying any longer would be awkward and stop the mother and daughter from talking freely.

Once Lu Jinyan had left, the warm smile vanished from Feng Shi's face, turning dark.

"Did you get sick from anger because Concubine Jiang got in good with the Grand Princess?" Feng Shi asked Liu Ruozhu.

Liu Ruozhu pressed her lips together, her face pale, and said,

"Mother, if you haven't seen her, just hearing about what she has done should let you know how formidable she is. I feel like I can no longer control her, and it suffocates me."

"She comes from a lowly background and has to scheme her way up. But no matter how much she builds her reputation, it is useless.

She is a concubine, you are the wife. She can never surpass you, so why bother getting angry over her?" Feng Shi continued, speaking with disdain,

"Her being able to have children is also good for you. Ordinary women can even die in childbirth, let alone with your delicate health.

That Concubine Zhu, relying on her elder sister Consort Rong and Prince Qi, as well as Duke Ding's favoritism, will definitely come back strong.

Since you don't need a child to secure favor, don't conceive.

As someone who has been through it, I tell you, childbirth is an ordeal for us women.

Raising a child is another ordeal. If the child turns out stupid and useless, it's heartbreaking.

Just like your elder brother; he drives me mad every day. But at least he gave me a clever grandson, giving me a bit more hope now.

If Concubine Jiang's child is intelligent, you then devote yourself to raising it. When it becomes accomplished, that will be your credit as the legitimate mother.

If it is stupid, that has nothing to do with you; it is because Concubine Jiang gave birth poorly.

Just grasp the household management well, hold power in the mansion. If that Concubine Jiang tries to harm you, find a way to get evidence and eliminate her.

If she has no intention to harm you, then turn a blind eye and don't mind whether the heir's heart is with her."

Liu Ruozhu listened to her mother's words, her heart churning, knowing that her mother meant everything for her own good.

"But, Mother, am I to live like this for my whole life? This life stretches out ahead of me, all the same, with nothing to look forward to." Liu Ruozhu was still somewhat unwilling.

It wasn't that she particularly wanted a biological child, nor did she want the heir's heart.

To be honest, she didn't even like sleeping with the heir; it felt uncomfortable.

But then again, Liu Ruozhu couldn't clearly articulate what she wanted.

"You, oh you, have always been proud since childhood, thinking about outside matters." Hearing this, Feng Shi understood some of her unspoken words, and sighed,

"I really wish I could swap your gender with your elder brother's. If only you were a son, you could do great things. And that brainless elder brother of yours—if he were a girl, we could marry him off to a family we can control, and I would have no worries at all!"

Liu Ruozhu pressed her lips together, saying nothing, looking utterly dejected.

Her mother's words only made her feel worse.

"Enough, stop overthinking. Why not find something to keep you busy?" Feng Shi saw her despondent look and tapped her on the forehead.

"That Concubine Jiang proposed that the Grand Princess organize the compilation of a medical text. If the Grand Princess agrees, you should get involved as well.

On the pretext that Concubine Jiang needs to rest for her pregnancy, you can frequently run errands for the Grand Princess and take over some of the tasks."

"Ah?!" Liu Ruozhu looked at her mother in shock, never expecting her to come up with such an idea, and was instantly resistant.

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