Yao Xue i stared vacantly at the luxurious courtyard, as if her tears had run dry. She began to wonder when her husband had grown distant from her!
They had once loved each other so much, they were willing to give up everything to be together. But now, ever since their big fight last ti, he hasn’t co to her courtyard for a whole month. It’s said he’s spending every day with that woman he brought in from outside.
For the first ti, she felt that having money wasn’t such a good thing. She would rather go back to those tough days, even though she had endless chores to do back then. But at least he was with her, wasn’t he?
Yao Xue i didn’t dare to tell her children about the situation with her husband; her daughter was already busy with the family business every day, and her son couldn’t afford to fall behind in his studies at the academy. However, little did she know, the longer it dragged on, the more the family would fall apart.
But if she told her daughter Yang Xiudan, perhaps that Ruirui would no longer stir up trouble. Yet, doing so might push Yang Yuqin even further away. Yang Xiudan didn’t care if her parents were separated; she felt that once feelings were strained, divorce was a normal thing. But for Yao Xue i, it was different.
So when Ye Qiu and they arrived in the capital, they saw a family that only appeared together but was truly divided.
"Mom, we have plenty of rooms at my place. Why not stay with us? Big brother and third brother can co too," Yang Yuqin said with anticipation.
"There’s no need." Ye Qiu treated him with the usual indifference. "Your brother-in-law has already arranged a place for us, so we won’t trouble you."
Yang Yuqin’s face turned ashen: "Mom, how can you say it’s trouble? Where outside can be as comfortable as staying at your son’s house? At ho, there are maids who can take care of you. How nice that would be!"
"I’m used to being rough on my own and can’t get used to being served by others."
"Mom, Yuqin really ans well, so please pity his filial heart. When you co to our residence, I will serve you devotedly too." Ruirui curtsied sweetly, speaking with a manner that was kind and generous.
She seed to have the presence, yet made Yao Xue i so angry. Who in this family is the rightful Lady? She hadn’t spoken, so how could this little wench dare to speak?
However, just as she was about to speak, Ruirui continued, "I’ve heard that Sister Wen and Mother have not been getting along well. Please give Yuqin a chance to honor you."
Hearing her speak so considerately for him, Yang Yuqin suddenly felt warmth. At least Yao Xue i never spoke this way—never took the initiative to honor his mother over the years, always silent as if soone wronged her.
Yet, Ruirui’s manner was liked by Yang Yuqin, but not by everyone. At least Yang Xiudan was not pleased now. She coldly said, "Is there any place for you to speak? Hurry back inside."
Ruirui’s eyes instantly reddened and she floundered, saying, "I just wanted to honor Mother with my husband. If the Eldest Lady is unhappy, please reprimand privately. But outside, we should mind Father’s dignity."
Her words made it seem as if Yao Xue i and Yang Xiudan didn’t want to honor their elders. Even though her status was low, it shouldn’t be Yang Xiudan, a junior, reprimanding her. She played her cards skillfully, and sure enough, Yang Yuqin’s face darkened as soon as the words fell.
"Xiudan, is this how you speak to your concubine? Is it impossible for her to honor your grandmother? The older you get, the less you understand the rules. Is this how your mother taught you?"
"You being annoyed with is one thing, but why implicate Xiudan? She’s a concubine, does she have a place to speak?" Yao Xue i glared at Yang Yuqin, pointing at Ruirui, refusing to be intimidated.
"Do you not want to honor your mother, nor let Ruirui and do it? Yao Xue i, back then your parents took so many things and silver from the house, did I say anything? You should rember this family bears the Yang surna, not Yao," Yang Yuqin said with a darkened face.
"Father." At this mont, Shuchen spoke up, his face similarly poor. Today was supposed to be the day to welco Grandma, Big Uncle, and Third Uncle’s families, but these events unfolded instead. Isn’t it intentional to make them laugh? It’s only been a few months since his departure, so when did the relationship between father and mother beco so strained?
"Please discuss this matter with mother another day. She didn’t say she wouldn’t honor Grandma. Grandma must be tired from the journey. Perhaps we should first invite Grandma and the others to the residence!" he said.
With his son speaking up, Yang Yuqin’s expression finally eased, and he smiled at Ye Qiu, saying, "Mom, please get on the carriage first."
"There’s no need. I will still go to your aunt’s place. The people in the residence look chaotic, and it frustrates . Second son, it’s not that I’m saying this, but our Yang family never took concubines. Now that you have money, you have more thoughts—I understand that. But rember who your official wife is, and think of the children," Ye Qiu said bluntly.
She could see at a glance that this Ruirui was not well-intentioned, and feared her daughter-in-law wouldn’t be a match. Though she didn’t quite like the second son and daughter-in-law, she didn’t want their lives to be turbulent, so she gave a warning.
Yao Xue i imdiately red-eyed upon hearing this. She never expected her mother-in-law, who always disliked her, to speak up for her.
Yang Xiudan was equally stunned, and felt so resistance towards Grandma dissipate. Thinking if she could protect mother more in the future, there’s no reason not to help the family prosper along with Big Uncle, Third Uncle, and Aunt.
But little did she know, whether others wanted to accept her sowhat condescending goodwill was another matter.
"Mom, let’s return." Zhou Qi looked at his second brother-in-law’s ugly face with so disdain. He moved to the capital roughly the sa ti as this second brother-in-law, but they didn’t interact much. He just heard the business was large and well-known in the capital, with even nobles frequenting it.
But the business leader was just their thirteen or fourteen-year-old niece, and the second brother-in-law was said to be the master of the house, but didn’t actually manage it. He knew that people’s abilities vary, but letting an unmarried daughter show herself publicly is sothing he couldn’t agree with.
Now, with a brothel woman brought back, boldly disrespecting the Lady, and the second brother-in-law defending this misconduct—what kind of rules were there? How can the family tradition be righteous? No wonder even with money, the mother-in-law didn’t like him, choosing to rent a house rather than live in his mansion.
What a pity for this nephew Shuchen. Although not highly talented, he was diligent. If he could settle down, his prospects would be bright. But with parents like this—mother unattentive, father unclear in command—it’s no wonder his recent essays were unsettled.
Luckily, Shuliang has entered the capital. Perhaps when the two brothers are together, he will feel so pressure, focusing more on his studies.
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