The survival rule of a concubine's daughter 94: The jealousy of a good person, the sourness of beauty, the acting skills of love.

  In fact, the marriage of children in ancient times had nothing to do with love. Those classic love stories that have been passed down through history or are well-known, mostly ended in tragedy.

  Zhuo Wengou and Sima Xiangru's elopement has been passed down for thousands of years because the male and female protagonists bravely pursued true love and achieved a perfect ending. However, it is considered a classic because this is an unreplicable legend.

  But, to say it again, if Zhuo Wenjun's father was just an ordinary commoner, would Sima Xiangru really elope with her? Why do poor scholars always fall in love with rich girls and elope, instead of falling in love with girls from poor families?

  Cui Yingying and Zhang Sheng's performance of "The West Chamber" was just a fabrication by the author, but the real Cui Yingying ultimately ended up in a desolate and desperate situation.

  So, she really won't believe in love again. Even if the outside world is buzzing with rumors that Li Xiao has fallen for her and loves her, she doesn't believe it at all. Because a man's love is worthless.

  But it's not because of lack of love that I'm afraid of marriage.

  As she thought it through, after being severely interrogated by the Empress Dowager, and then guided by the Empress, thinking about the hardships she had endured in her marriage over the years, being a princess was indeed glorious.

  ……

  Outside Songhe Hall, there is a small pond. At this time of the year, the surface of the lake has already frozen into a thick layer of ice.

  After lunch, like a loving mother wearing thick cotton-padded jacket squatting by the pool, holding her cheeks to watch the fish swimming freely in the lake.

  The pool in Fang Fu's house is not big, about three feet wide. The fish are domesticated and were bought from outside and thrown into the pool. Occasionally, they would feed them, but most of the time, they let them fend for themselves. After a summer and an autumn passed, by the winter solstice, these fish had grown so big. It's true that modern fish can be divided into farmed and wild, with wild ones being twice as expensive because they taste better and are more nutritious. Whether or not there is scientific basis for this, it can also be applied to marriage.

  As a woman, if she finds her own marriage, she will be inferior in her husband's family. On the contrary, if she is sought after by her husband himself, she will receive more respect.

  Today, Mr. Li went out and called the matchmaker who had previously arranged the marriage, went to the He family, and asked them to personally write a divorce agreement, returned the dowry that had been sent to the Fang family, and the Fang family returned the betrothal gifts and other gifts given by the He family in advance. Both parties each held one copy of the document, and the marital relationship between the Fang and He families was formally annulled.

  According to Li's account, the He family was very polite to them. At first, they praised how elegant and refined Ruo Xue was, saying that even the King of Jing would have broken off his engagement to marry such a wonderful woman. Then, they self-deprecatingly said that their He family lacked virtue and ability, and couldn't marry a daughter-in-law as lovely as Ruo Xue, which was their own misfortune and had nothing to do with the Li family. Finally, both sides shook hands and made peace, declaring that even if they couldn't become in-laws after all, the two families would still be related by marriage. This point would never change.

  Finally, Mrs. He said to Li, "When you get married next time, don't forget to send me an invitation."

  Mr. Li was overjoyed and couldn't close his mouth, in the officialdom, having one more friend means having one more help. Although it's sour in heart, this truth is still understood.

  At present, all the servants in Fang's mansion know that Ruoqing is about to marry into the Jingwang Mansion, and they are just waiting for the Jingwang Mansion to send someone to propose. As a result, the quiet and peaceful residence of Xieyemen, which had been calm for nearly ten years, suddenly became bustling with activity.

  It was only half a day's work, and the maids of Ruyu Residence had already received many valuable gifts... Old Lady Yu had previously mentioned that for this marriage, they needed to prepare four accompanying matrons and twelve accompanying maids. Ruoyu only had one Zhou Mama by her side, and her trusted maids were only Xiangxiang, Linglong, and Yaqin, followed by Lanyin and Shushu. There were still three matrons and six maids missing from the list of attendants, so the wives and maids of various residences who had some connections with Ruoyu's family were all excited, trying to curry favor through relationships or gifts, or asking her trusted maids to put in a good word for them.

  It turns out that knowing the benefits of being in power is good, it seems that if one person becomes a Taoist immortal, even chickens and dogs will be elevated.

  Suddenly, it seemed like a good idea to marry Li Xiao too.

  Although having a good appearance may lose its inner value, there are more people who would rather cry in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle.

  And it was after Ru Xiang's visit that such thoughts deepened.

  ……

  As a modern person, Ruxi is superior to Youqing in terms of family background and appearance. In the present day, her father is the chairman of the board, while Youqing is just a small employee in his company. After being reborn in ancient times, although they are both illegitimate children, she always has a better life than Youqing. Whether it's food, clothing, or other things, she always has to be more dignified than Youqing.

  She thought she would forever trample on the beauty and romance, but fate brought her Li Xiao, making her lose all her reputation, not to mention that now she has to spend the rest of her life losing face.

  As for Rumei, she didn't mention it again. She had already trampled her under her feet long ago. But as for Ruomei's feelings, she couldn't help but think that this silly and stupid fool would actually have such good fortune in the future, which was really beyond her expectation.

  In the boudoir of Xieyi House, Chenxiang carefully placed tea in front of Ruxin, then stood with Linglong and Yaqin in a triangular formation before Rusong.

  With a glance at the three maids' movements, he couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, "Sister is about to become the princess of Jing Wang Fu, and these maids have already started putting on airs like they're from the royal household."

  "As for me, I won't interfere with the government or plot for a position. If I really become the queen, I will definitely play the role of queen well. Of course, the people below will be the same. Second sister came today, what's the matter?"

  She smiled and said, "Nothing much, just came back to see you. I heard that after being robbed by Li Xiu, you fell ill and didn't get up, so I came back to take a look at you. Now that I see you're fine, I can put my mind at ease."

  Previously, in order to show his indignation at being robbed of his daughter's marriage and his fearlessness in the face of power, Fang Jinglan would always severely scold King Jing in front of people, then reveal in a sorrowful tone, "My little girl has been bedridden with illness ever since. Later, when she heard that she was to be married into King Jing's household, she cried bitterly and her illness worsened. Now, she can't even get out of bed."

  Of course, this is just Fang Jinglan's external statement, the main purpose is to announce to the world that my family's daughter really doesn't care about marrying into the King of Jing's mansion. It's said that she was so heartbroken when she heard she had to marry into the royal family that she fell ill, and when outsiders who didn't know the truth heard this, they truly admired the Fang family for being a scholarly family that views power, wealth, and fame as worthless.

  The news reached the ears of Yu Prefecture Wangfei, and Yu Prefecture Wangfei was suspicious, so she sent Ruxiang back to inspect the military situation. Under the name of visiting her sister with concern.

  "Of course, Ru Shang knew that Ru Shan wouldn't really come to care for her, so she just lightly said: 'Thank you, sister, for caring. Actually, I'm fine. It's just that Father and the brothers all think I'll get depressed, so they send people to watch me every day. But what do I have to be depressed about? Whether it's the Jing Wang Fu or the He family, in the end I still have to marry. The difference is just that one looks rich and noble but is actually thin ice, while the other is good in all aspects but is like a flower in the mirror or the moon in the water - something you can look at but not attain.'"

  "So, it seems that sister really doesn't want to marry Li Xiao?"

  She gazed at him with a deep look, sighed and said: "If I say I won't marry, would I really dare not to? You know me, I'm a weak-willed person, how could I dare to defy the conventions of society?" Moreover, the imperial edict for the marriage had already been issued.

  "After staring at him for a while, he suddenly changed his expression and said, 'Actually, you're not weak-willed, but rather too clever and used to being obedient, so you don't dare to have any thoughts of resistance.'"

  "As if he had understood, he said in a low voice: 'What you say is right, perhaps it's really like that.'"

  Actually, it was I who had narrow thoughts back then, thinking that as long as I married into wealth and nobility, I could look down on everything. Now that I think about it, it's really a joke. Someone like Li Xiao has concubines and a eldest son born out of wedlock, and he has a bad temper, often beating and scolding people... Fortunately, I coincidentally met your sister's husband back then, otherwise, thinking about Ruyan's fate would make my hair stand on end.

  Chen Xiang glared at her, this second aunt was indeed not here with good intentions. Her family's daughter was already suffering and worried enough, yet she still came to add fuel to the fire, truly despicable.

  How can one not understand the good intentions of others, yet not point it out, and instead become even more sorrowful, with a melancholic expression.

  As Ru Xian continued to speak, she revealed some things about Li Xu that were not publicly known. For example, before this, Ru Yan had been physically abused by Li Xu, and he was also having an affair with his concubine, who happened to be his cousin. This concubine was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager and was raising the eldest illegitimate son, who was also deeply loved by the old king and the Empress Dowager. Additionally, there were two beauties in Li Xu's residence who had been gifted by the two empress dowagers and were now elevated to concubine status. Furthermore, it was rumored that the Empress Dowager had heard that Fang's family was of low social status, with a low-ranking father and brother, and that they were also illegitimate children, making them unsuitable matches for Li Xu or unfit for the role of princess. The Empress Dowager was considering selecting a talented and beautiful girl from a noble family to be a concubine. Upon hearing this, Chen Xiang became enraged and could no longer hold back her anger: "Second Aunt, what is your purpose in saying all these things without any reason? Our young lady is still 'ill', you only speak of the bad things and not the good ones, intentionally trying to provoke our young lady and make her illness worse?"

  Rushan scolded: "The master is speaking, what business does a slave like you have to interrupt? You're being impudent."

  Chen Xiang raised an eyebrow, but couldn't refute her. Qing shouted, "Chen Xiang, shut up! Apologize to Second Sister quickly!"

  Chén xiāng bù gān bù yuàn de chōng rú shàn fú le shēn zǐ.

  Translation: Chen Xiang reluctantly rushed to the good fortune and bathed his body.

  She smiled slightly, her complexion improving, and seeing Ruoxi's increasingly sorrowful expression, she patted her hand reassuringly and said, "Although Li Xiu indeed has many flaws, sister will still be a proper princess after marrying him. As long as you're careful and cautious, I believe there won't be any major issues. Don't worry, earlier I wasn't intentionally provoking you. It's just that I wanted to give you a heads up, so you can prepare yourself mentally."

  Ru Qing said in a low voice: "Thank you for reminding me, sister. I'll remember it."

  She finally felt at peace, left with a sense of satisfaction. After her figure disappeared behind the gate of Xieyiju, Chen Xiang cursed: "This Second Young Mistress is really a weasel paying New Year's greetings to a chicken."

  Linglong said, "What a pity for Second Auntie, she's been outsmarted." In the end, our girl got a great bargain. She secretly glanced at Ruqing with admiration: when it comes to acting skills, Second Auntie is far inferior.

  ……

  Rumeng and Ruxiang are the same, both openly showing concern but secretly speaking ill of others. However, with the same intention, different people express it in different ways, giving off distinct feelings.

  When eating the snacks brought from the kitchen, Mei didn't pick at them as usual, but instead said with a tone of mystery and ambiguity: "Indeed, people who marry well are different, even the food made in this kitchen is different." Then she put the plate in front of herself and started eating voraciously, "Don't be heartbroken, I haven't eaten enough for lunch today yet."

  Why are you so busy?

  "It's not that annoying Yang Qining yet." Rulan gnashed her teeth and took a bite of the pastry, but smiled and said, "This dead girl has many tricks up her sleeve at the dinner table. One moment she wants to hold chopsticks, the next she wants to drink tea, and then she wants to eat pastries again. Ha! I've never seen anyone so willful."

  Staring at the rare joyful smile on Mei's face with extreme surprise, he asked: "Third sister is not angry?"

  She gave her a cold hum, and glanced at her, "I know that the man she likes was intercepted by someone else halfway, so she's in a bad mood. Moreover, the person who robbed her of her favorite family is my own sister. She doesn't dare to scold or hit, so she can only use these childish methods to vent."

  Looking at the triumphant Rumi, she is still as willful and sharp-tongued as ever, but somehow, things feel different now.

  "She triumphantly listed the tricks her spoiled little sister-in-law had used to vent her grievances against her. 'The night before last, when I was serving dinner to my parents-in-law, she again pretended to want to eat lobster and asked me to peel it for her. I kindly peeled it for her, but then she complained that my hands were not clean and told me to wash them first. I was so obedient and went to wash my hands. Just as I was about to go back, my parents-in-law scolded her and she slammed the chopsticks on the table and stormed off to her room.

  And yesterday morning, when I went to pay respects to my mother-in-law and serve her breakfast, she actually tried to pretend to accidentally knock over a bowl of boiling congee to scald me. Luckily, it spilled on my jacket, so I didn't get burned. But then she had the nerve to apologize insincerely, saying that she hadn't gotten enough sleep in the morning and wasn't steady-handed. Ugh, she was clearly trying to hurt me on purpose!'"

  "Like a raging fire, 'You're useless! At home, you're always so fierce and overbearing, just like a demon king. How is it that now you've become so timid? This really doesn't suit your temperament.' After a pause, she asked again: 'And what about your mother-in-law? Doesn't she care?' Yang Tai's wife had a reputation for being strict, especially after her husband's death, her strictness towards her two sons was renowned in the capital. So why was she so lenient with her daughter?"

  "Still, as Sister-in-law said, a daughter-in-law can't be compared to one's own daughter. No matter what the daughter does, no matter how outrageous it is, she's just being childish and willful. Even if she did all those disgusting things, my mother-in-law still took her side, this time just scolding her lightly."

  As quiet as she is, I suddenly have some admiration for Ru Mei. Previously at home, she was always making demands and throwing tantrums, but now she has to be humble and obedient everywhere, swallowing her anger and enduring hardships. This person is really not to be underestimated.

  Ru Mei saw Ru Qing's face full of sympathy and anger, and suddenly said: "You don't have to worry about me too much. When dealing with such a willful girl, you must not get angry with her. Sister once said that the more you get angry with her, the more energetic she becomes. So this time when she brought hot porridge to scald me, I just lightly retorted with one sentence."

  After taking a deep breath and swallowing the last bite of pastry, she said: "I gently told her that it's okay, I used to treat my sister-in-law like this when I was at my parents' house. I thought being a younger sister-in-law was fun and impressive back then. Now that I'm someone else's daughter-in-law, I realize how foolish I was. Fortunately, my sister-in-law never held it against me. My sister-in-law is so broad-minded, I should learn from her too. And besides, you're still just a kid."

  "Are you really saying this?"

  "Is that even possible?"

  "Was it your sister-in-law who taught you, or did you figure it out yourself?"

  Ru Mei's face turned slightly red as she said in a low voice: "Eldest sister-in-law is indeed a good person. Unfortunately, I used to be against her everywhere."

  As if following a familiar tune, he slanted his eyes and said, "Sister, isn't it that you're not good to Eldest Sister alone?"

  Ru Mei's face turned red again, and she hummed for a while before suddenly becoming angry: "You're always laughing at me. I heard that the Jing Wang Fu also has several girls, one of whom is the illegitimate but arrogant Celebrating Peace Princess, one legitimate Pure Sun Princess, and another illegitimate daughter without any title or rank. Let's not mention the illegitimate daughter, but Celebrating Peace Princess is notoriously stubborn and willful, just like my younger sister. And I heard that Pure Sun Princess isn't much better either. Hmph, people from those kinds of families aren't all vegetarians, so don't come crying to me when you're wronged."

  She rolled her eyes and regretted it. If she had known that a leopard couldn't change its spots, she shouldn't have admired her so early on.

  It suddenly occurred to Ru Mei that she had come for a purpose, and she couldn't help but feel a little schadenfreude. "I heard that Li Xun's temper has never been good, you'd better be more careful, with your gentle nature, oh... But don't lose heart either, maybe he likes your weak appearance."

  "Are you trying to comfort me with this?"

  "Like beauty pouts," "You're marrying up, I'm so jealous I don't have time to comfort you, I'm just stuffing my face!"

  Fortunately, her mood was good, and she lifted the pole with him.

  "You're jealous of me? I'm even more jealous of you, your house is so clean. All that's left to say is that there's only one aunt who has lost her charm."

  "Good for nothing, even this has to be envied. I'm just a stepmother, do you know how embarrassing the status of a stepmother is in her husband's family?" The mother-in-law was picky and the younger sister looked down on her. Even sometimes the servants would give her attitude.

  It took her a while to come back to her senses, and only now did she hear that Ruyi's husband was also a second-hand goods? However, she didn't dare ask, but instead said: "......Anyway, the original wife is already dead, you are openly married, who dares to look at your face?"

  "But in front of her spirit tablet, we still have to perform the concubine's rites."

  "What's the big deal? It's only once a year, anyway. Even if you don't kneel, it's not like others will deliberately take out her memorial tablet just to make you kneel."

  As the weather cleared up, she gave her a push. "You may be soft-tempered, but you're still quite comforting. However, I won't congratulate you. I'm the legitimate daughter, and yet you married even higher than me, it's just not pleasant for me to see."

  "Should I show off with my nose in the air?"

  "No one will stop you if you want to be a peacock."

  "Never mind, peacock butt is so ugly."

  "You're still sensible after all. However, I heard that Li Xiu's house has a highly valued concubine, you'd better be careful."

  "There's no need for you to remind me, Second Sister already kindly reminded me yesterday."

  "She? Hmph, it's probably the weasel paying New Year's greetings to the chicken. But, I heard that my little sister-in-law found out about Li Xiao wanting to marry you and smashed a whole room full of things. Later, she even wanted to make a scene and become Li Xiao's concubine, but was scolded by my mother-in-law. You should also be careful, in case she acts impulsively and tries to cook raw rice into cooked rice like Ruxiang did."

  Suddenly, he pinched her and scolded: "You're a guy who only reports worries but not happiness, always saying things that add to my troubles. Just watch me pinch you to death."

  As if suddenly enraged, she was pinched by a hand, anger rising from her heart, evil growing in her gallbladder, she slapped several times and furiously shouted: "Don't think that just because you married into the Wang family, you're someone to be reckoned with. Dare to lay hands on me again, and I'll beat you up."

  You're as fierce as a shrew, "You hag, wait till I get back and let that little wife of yours deal with you."

  As beautiful as she was, she hated to say: "Good, I also hope that Princess Qing'an will run back and forth to the Jing Wang Fu to disgust you."

  "If she dares to come, I'll slap her to death." He made a vicious gesture as if he was about to hit someone.

  Ru Mei stared blankly, "Aren't you afraid I'll report this to Princess Qing An?"

  "Are you not afraid that I will tell your mother-in-law about your younger sister's bad behavior?"

  "You... despicable person."

  "Alright then, we're even."

  "...You got married and I gave a generous gift. This time don't think about making me give a second gift."

  "No way, I have to go."

  "You greedy ghost, the wealth of the Wang estate can rival a country's, and yet you still want to come and take a share of mine."

  "Who said you're the older sister and I'm the younger one? Who said you have to get married first?"

  ……

  After the sisters vented their emotions, they finally felt better and brought out the long-unused brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. On the rice paper, they wrote in large characters: "Man can conquer nature!"

  Chen Xiang secretly glanced over and muttered to himself a few times, suddenly praising, "Miss has finally opened up. I can finally put my mind at ease."

  ……

  After eating a sumptuous dinner, I strolled in the garden with a bloated stomach.

  The winter in the capital is really not suitable for going out for a walk, the night wind and snow are extremely strong, blowing on the face like a knife cut. Even wearing thick fox fur hats and cloaks, with thick cotton-padded jackets inside, and wearing furry homemade cotton shoes on feet, it's still hard to withstand the cold weather in the north, and soon you'll be shivering with cold.

  Outside the gate of Yuanyi House, there are several tall banyan trees, on which many wind lanterns are hung, emitting a bright and dazzling light. Although it is a snowy night and the river is less than three feet deep, so many lanterns hanging together are still worth seeing.

  As soon as he felt something was amiss, he quickly discovered the bulky figures under the elm tree. He was taken aback and took two steps forward, asking in a low voice: "What are you gentlemen doing here?"

  One of the guards cupped his fist and replied, "Following General's orders, to prevent thieves from sneaking in and disturbing the young lady, we were ordered to guard this place to protect her safety."

  After being stunned for a while, looking around and asking: "Are you just the few of you?"

  "No, there are a few more brothers outside. And also in the girl's backyard."

  It's just a small matter of knowing the meaning of love, but it has become a big deal. Although being a princess is indeed enviable, it shouldn't be enough to provoke jealousy or assassination, should it?

  ……

  On the second day, Xing Xiang slept until noon before reluctantly getting out of her beloved bed, and it was only after much coaxing that she finally got up. As she helped her change clothes, she complained, "Miss, you're really something! After marrying into the Wang family, how can you still sleep in so late?"

  The maid who served beside Third Madame returned to report that Third Madame would get up at 3 o'clock every morning when she was in her husband's household. She would serve breakfast to her husband before he went off to military duties, then go pay respects to her mother-in-law and serve her breakfast. Only after serving her mother-in-law could she eat her own breakfast. Even after finishing her meal, she couldn't have any private time for herself; instead, she had to wait in her mother-in-law's chambers, pouring tea and water. The younger daughter was always stuck in the mother-in-law's chambers, even having to serve alongside the younger daughter...

  Thinking of this, Xing Xiang sighed endlessly. "In the past, Third Madame lived such a carefree life in the manor; now she's been reduced to dust in her husband's household. Even as a noble family, there are so many rules and regulations! If we really go to the Wang manor, won't it be even more suffocating?"

  Her head was spinning and she yawned several times in a row, saying: "It's because when you become a daughter-in-law, you have to be shorter by a few inches, so I'm taking advantage of the time before I get married to sleep enough... Where's my handkerchief? Quick, bring it to me."

  Xiang hastily took a snow-white handkerchief from the carved lacquer table and handed it to Ruqing. Ruqing pinched her nose, facing the rattan basket beside the stool, and sucked in a long string of clear nasal mucus that dripped onto the handkerchief.

  Chen Xiang's face changed greatly in surprise, "Oh no, has the young lady caught a cold? Yu Qin, hurry up and get some ginger soup from the kitchen, and have one of the maids go find a doctor, tell them the young lady is ill."

  Yu Qinyin was stopped by Ruyi, "Don't go, don't go, it's just a minor cold, nothing serious." After blowing her nose, she felt much better, but, coughing, why did her throat feel itchy too?

  Forget it, although marrying Li Xiao is indeed a very sad thing, but one's life is still important, so she waved her hand and said to Yuqin: "Let the kitchen cook ginger soup first."

  After Yuqin left, Chen Xiang complained to Qing, "Miss is really something, I know you don't want to marry into the Jing Wang Fu, but no matter how unwilling you are, you can't joke about your own body, right?" Last night, she had been outside for a long time and couldn't withstand her repeated urging to enter the house. She had thought that Miss's body was usually strong and she was wearing thick clothes, so she should be fine, but unexpectedly, Miss fell ill.

  Chen Xiang blamed himself while resenting the girl for being too careless, and also resented himself for not forcing the girl to drink the ginger soup last night.

  She endured the dizziness and discomfort that her brain brought to her whole body, forcing a bitter smile. "Alright, I've already admitted my mistake. Just leave me alone." She really shouldn't have come up with this foolish plan to delay the wedding. Alas, now it's too late, she's in a difficult situation.

  After dressing up, Xiang looked out the window and suddenly cursed: "That dead servant girl Ling is so lazy, why hasn't she brought hot water yet? I don't know where she's hiding to have fun again."

  Just then, Linglong brought in hot water and handed a snow-white towel to Ruyi, who washed her face and hands. As she took the towel from Ruyi and wrung it out in the basin, she said, "Miss, this morning, Prince Jing came to pay his respects."

  Ru Jing's hand paused as she reached for the mirror, and suddenly turned her head to look at her, "What did he come here for?" Her head spun too quickly, and she felt a bit dizzy, not good, probably really caught a cold, need to go lie down on the bed.

  Linglong said: "This slave is also unclear, it seems to want to see Miss, unfortunately was driven away by the second master."

  Her heart skipped a beat again, she let out a sigh and silently scolded herself for being useless. Every time she heard his name, her heart would speed up, of course, don't get it wrong, it was just because she was nervous and had a fear of him.

  Chen Xiang was also very dissatisfied with Li Xiao, and asked Linglong: "What is he doing looking for a girl?"

  Linglong shook her head, "I'm not very clear about this either. But I only vaguely heard a sentence at the gate of the Second Master's courtyard..." Linglong imitated Zhiyi's tone, with an air of old-fashioned dignity and an icy voice, "The imperial edict will be issued soon, my sister is already a cooked duck that can't fly away. The prince really doesn't need to worry anymore."

  No matter how heavy the mood is, no matter how depressed the brain is, at this time, I couldn't help but smile wryly. This second brother really has the talent of a cold-faced comedian.