After resting for a while to relax her mind, Mian Tang returned to the main hall. This time, she paid attention to Cui Xingzhou’s brother-in-law, Guo Yi.
Though not as strikingly handsome as Cui Xingzhou, this young master from a noble family had a certain debonair charm, cultivated by his privileged upbringing.
He was now toasting with a group at his table, reportedly relatives from his mother’s Gai family. A young woman had seized the opportunity to sit beside him.
Mian Tang’s sharp eyes caught Cui Fu watching them from the corner of her eye.
When she saw her husband half-heartedly sit next to the young woman, Cui Fu’s expression darkened.
Mama Li, observing the smiling young woman, whispered to Mian Tang, “That’s the newly acquired concubine, named Gai Yurao.”
Mian Tang glanced at her. Though not exceptionally beautiful – her features slightly inferior to Cui Fu’s – Gai Yurao had the advantage of youth. At seventeen, her skin was naturally radiant without makeup, exuding a lively, endearing freshness.
Mian Tang looked at Cui Fu, wanting to offer words of comfort, but held back. Her sister-in-law valued face; now was not the time to speak.
However, before leaving, she invited Cui Fu to visit Prince Huaiyang’s mansion in the coming days.
“Now that we’re both in the capital, not separated by great distances, we should visit each other often. This is my first pregnancy, and without my mother nearby, I feel uncertain. Having you here, sister, I can seek your advice and guidance.”
Mian Tang’s words were tactful, emphasizing her need for Cui Fu’s company. Cui Fu readily agreed: “Even if you hadn’t asked, I would have come. I’ve had my servants prepare double sets of infant clothes and small items. I’ll also bring some of Jin’er’s old clothes… Don’t refuse them; they’re for good luck in childbirth and the first month.”
Mian Tang smiled, grateful for her sister-in-law’s thoughtfulness. Though Cui Fu might look down on her background, she had a kind heart beneath her harsh exterior.
It was why she had taken charge of the Fifth Young Master’s wedding in Zhen Province, not just out of distrust in Mian Tang’s household management, but also to prevent her from overexerting herself.
Unaware that Cui Fu had been pregnant then, Mian Tang now felt guilty seeing her severe pregnancy symptoms. Thinking of the unpleasant situation in the Guo household, she was determined to have her sister-in-law stay at the prince’s mansion for several days.
Upon returning to their mansion, Mian Tang mentioned this to Cui Xingzhou. To her surprise, though he looked grim, he didn’t seem shocked.
He said slowly, “I’ve known about this for a while. I hinted at it to my sister before she left last time.”
Surprised by his prior knowledge, Mian Tang asked, “What do you think about it?”
Cui Xingzhou, removing his shoes, replied, “The Guo family’s decision to take a concubine is not our business. But whether our Cui family’s daughter continues to live with them is not their decision either! I suggested to my sister that she issue a divorce letter and part ways with the Guo family, rather than let that pestilent mother-in-law keep bringing women into the household like a rat hoarding food.”
Mian Tang was taken aback. Cui Xingzhou, who would glare at the mere mention of divorce for himself, was so open-minded and decisive about his sister’s marriage.
This revelation made her look at her husband with newfound respect.
Noticing he had set a bad example, Cui Xingzhou quickly added, glancing at her, “Even if my sister is pregnant, she wouldn’t struggle to remarry if she returned home divorced. I couldn’t control who she married initially, but if she were to look again, I’d ensure she found someone suitable. However, women from humbler backgrounds should be cautious. Don’t entertain thoughts of trading up in marriage. When the time comes, forget about divorce – they might not even be able to leave the house!”
Irritated by his tone, Mian Tang sat up abruptly, glaring at him with wide eyes, “Who are you talking about? Name them! Let’s see if they can leave the house then!”
Cui Xingzhou found her bristling demeanor quite provocative. He approached her, pinching her cheeks with both hands, “We were discussing my sister’s affairs. Why are you taking it personally? Do you have some improper thoughts you’d like to share?”
Liu Mian Tang, harboring more than a few secrets that couldn’t see the light of day, suddenly felt guilty. Her wide-eyed glare softened as she leaned into his embrace, muttering, “You started with the mockery… By the way, since you mentioned it, what was your sister’s response?”
Dissatisfied with his sister’s reply, Cui Xingzhou said flatly, “She’s reluctant to leave. She says she indeed hasn’t given the Guo family more children, with only one son. She can’t blame her mother-in-law for getting her husband a concubine. And Guo Yi has promised not to favor the concubine over his wife.”
Mian Tang found this unsettling. But it was indeed Cui Fu’s family matter. If she could endure it, even her brother couldn’t interfere.
She thought that although Cui Fu didn’t get along with her mother-in-law, she still harbored deep feelings for her husband, naturally rejecting her brother’s suggestion of a clean break.
“So that’s it?” Mian Tang felt this wasn’t like Cui Xingzhou’s usual approach.
Cui Xingzhou glanced at her, smirking slightly, “Since ancient times, when have there been perfect solutions? If my brother-in-law’s inner chamber is full of spring romance, then his official career should experience a harsh winter. Any sensible person in their family should figure out what to do.”
When Mian Tang pressed for clarification, Cui Xingzhou refused to elaborate. He only instructed her to let her sister stay for as long as she wanted if she came to visit.
A few days later, Cui Fu indeed arrived with Jin’er.
This time, Cui Fu planned to stay for an extended period.
During her pregnancy with Jin’er, she faced some difficulties, exacerbated by her mother-in-law’s strict rules, making it an unbearable experience.
Now pregnant again and feeling unstable, she had no desire to stay in the Guo household watching her husband being affectionate with his new concubine.
So when Mian Tang suggested she stay to keep her company, Cui Fu readily agreed.
Recently, Cui Fu had been constantly arguing with Guo Yi. Behind closed doors, she would unleash a torrent of grievances from the depths of her heart, unable to express them to others, venting her frustrations solely on Guo Yi.
A man understanding of his pregnant wife’s difficulties would naturally try to console and persuade her gently.
But Guo Yi, with his new companion, inevitably drew comparisons. On one side was youthful exuberance, a romantic interlude untouched by life’s mundane troubles; on the other were years of accumulated grievances and resentments.
He no longer wished to visit Cui Fu’s chambers, conveniently using her pregnancy as an excuse for separate living arrangements, naturally spending his nights in Yurao’s quarters.
Although her mother-in-law had introduced many bedmates before, none of those concubines had dared to so blatantly spend entire nights with the master. For the first time, Cui Fu felt that her husband was no longer hers alone.
Yurao, backed by the Gai family, was fearless, completely disregarding Cui Fu’s position as the principal wife. Feeling dejected, Cui Fu couldn’t wait to leave.
When she proposed staying at Prince Huaiyang’s mansion to accompany her sister-in-law, Guo Yi readily agreed, encouraging her to stay longer at her brother’s home, secretly relieved to avoid daily arguments with Cui Fu.
Seeing that he didn’t even ask about her return date, Cui Fu felt another wave of anger.
As soon as she left the Guo residence, she began crying in the carriage, covering her mouth.
Jin’er, not yet three years old but already somewhat perceptive, helplessly patted his mother’s knee upon seeing her cry.
However, by the time Cui Fu alighted from the carriage, she had dried her tears, not wanting Liu Mian Tang to notice anything amiss.
Unfortunately, her hastily applied makeup, not properly blended, was quite obvious.
Mian Tang pretended not to notice, warmly inviting Jin’er to have some snacks.
Jin’er, fond of his beautiful aunt who was as radiant as summer flowers, obediently nestled in her arms, eating date paste cakes. When his mother wasn’t looking, he whispered in Mian Tang’s ear, secretly telling her that his mother had been crying in the carriage.
Mian Tang, stroking Jin’er’s chubby face, smiled and said, “Your mother just missed your uncle too much. Now that she’s here, everything’s fine. You should be good and not upset your mother.”
Now, Cui Fu and Mian Tang found they had many topics to discuss. This is the benefit of frequent family visits.
Away from Zhen Province, Mian Tang as a sister-in-law seemed more approachable than the ladies of other households. Cui Fu had also come to appreciate Mian Tang’s straightforward and generous nature, finding their interactions effortless. Her words became much kinder, and they felt more like family.
For instance, when she first arrived, it was obvious to everyone that she had been crying. But Mian Tang didn’t even ask about it. Instead, the next day, she set up a stage in the prince’s mansion and invited famous actors to perform.
Cui Fu wasn’t in the mood to choose the plays, so she let Mian Tang decide. Consequently, every performance featured stories like “Chen Shimei Executed by the Sword” and “Wang Kui Betrays Gui Ying.”
Although the endings of these plays seemed satisfying and cathartic, after watching several, Cui Fu caught on and glared at Liu Mian Tang.
“Are you trying to embarrass me or show me a path? I can’t be like Judge Bao and execute the Chen Shimei in our household, nor do I have the courage to end my life like Gui Ying and return as a ghost for revenge. What’s the use of watching these?”
Mian Tang, engrossed in Gui Ying’s angry monologue, was wiping away tears. Hearing Cui Fu’s words, she replied with a tear-stained face and a nasal voice, “Sister, you’re neither the poor Qin Xianglin nor the singing girl Jiao Guiying. As the legitimate daughter of Prince Huaiyang’s family, why can’t you live well? Why seek official complaints or death? If you followed these examples, wouldn’t it be laughable?”
For the past few days, Cui Fu had been wallowing in self-pity, unable to find solace. But after watching a series of plays about unfaithful men, her grief and anger began to dissipate. Hearing Mian Tang’s playful teasing, she felt her heart lighten.
Indeed! She wasn’t a destitute woman without a roof over her head if she left the Guo family. Why should she hide and weep all day like the female leads on stage?