Chapter Seventeen: How Is This Enough?

“I advise you to speak like a reasonable person!” Zhou Wenjin shot Zhou Shi a sharp glance.

“Secondary wife!” Zhou Shi gritted his teeth. Although he felt it was unfair to Xin Niang, his heart’s beloved, to be made a secondary wife, there was no other choice now.

In truth, he was very afraid of his second uncle. His father was strict and old-fashioned, but the second uncle was ruthless!

So their threat was real. If he didn’t comply, it would be difficult to see Xin Niang again in the future.

Zhou Shi immediately gathered his thoughts. Given the situation, he could only try his best to secure a better future for Xin Niang.

He quickly knelt before the matriarch at the head of the room and bit his lip. “Grandmother, your grandson wishes to marry Xin Niang as a secondary wife! If granted this, I vow to study diligently and strive to achieve fame in the imperial examinations next year!”

The old lady’s eyes narrowed slightly. This young man had suddenly come to his senses and was even bargaining with them.

His words had indeed struck a chord.

Why hadn’t they given up on Zhou Shi so far? It was because he was among the top scholars of his generation, already holding the title of juren at such a young age.

Cultivating a scholar like him was no easy feat for the family. His innate talent and the family’s investment were both indispensable. They wouldn’t give up unless absolutely necessary.

Zhou Yushi was also deep in thought. Previously, no matter how much they reasoned, this boy remained indifferent. Now, at least he had shown some willingness.

But...

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Yang Yin.

Yang Yin watched the change in attitudes with bitter laughter. Why? After marrying into the Zhou family, she had devoted herself wholeheartedly and even bore He Ge’er! Why did the Zhou family humiliate her like this?

She only hated that she was not a man!

“Secondary wife? Why should that be?” Yang Yin’s voice was calm yet repressed.

“What status does she have? How can she be on equal footing with me?” Yang Yin sneered bitterly.

She had never used Hu Xin Niang’s background as a weapon, for she had investigated and learned that Hu Xin Niang was an orphan and had not entered the brothel voluntarily.

But now, how could she stop this?

Should she recount the years of hardship and endurance? Ha... who would care? They would only demand more toil and more patience from her.

Her sacrifices meant nothing to these people.

She could only appeal to what mattered most to them—the family’s reputation!

She had ultimately become the very person she despised the most.

Sure enough, the old lady frowned, and Zhou Yushi and Zhou Wenjin’s faces darkened.

The legitimate wife was still here and blameless. Marrying a secondary wife was already much criticized. If this secondary wife was born in a brothel and had a history as a courtesan, imagine the gossip that would spread outside!

This concerned the future happiness of the family. Zhou Shi’s mind raced swiftly, “We can change Xin Niang’s identity, find a peasant family... offer some silver to smooth things over, and say... she’s the daughter of a farming household!”

“Do you think everyone in the capital is blind?” Yang Yin pointed at him, her hand trembling.

The old lady seemed to be seriously considering the feasibility of this, and everyone watched her expressionlessly.

Her heart sank inch by inch. This inner household truly devoured people!

She suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed backward.

“Sister-in-law...”

“Madam...”

“Someone quickly fetch the doctor!” Sun Shi was the first to react. As a woman and a daughter-in-law of the younger generation, she sympathized with Yang Shi.

She hurried to summon the maids and attendants to carry Yang Shi away.

Watching Yang Shi leave, Zhou Shi, like a victorious rooster, became instantly elated. “Grandmother, if Xin Niang enters the household as the daughter of a farming family, there will be no need to worry so much!”

He spoke while trying hard to conceal the pride on his face.

The old lady looked down on him but showed no emotion.

...

Yang Yin was placed on a canopy bed, and Sun Shi brought her a soft purple satin pillow to lean on.

The maids hung delicate gauze curtains on copper hooks and slightly opened the window for ventilation, so the patient wouldn’t feel stifled.

Cuier hurriedly led in two young women.

One looked like a maid from a noble household, while the other carried a medicine box and appeared to be a female doctor.

Sun Shi was surprised. “Where did you find a female doctor?”

These days, doctors were mostly men. Female doctors were rare. Some wealthy families kept female physicians for the convenience of their womenfolk.

“From Prince Ning’s mansion,” Cuier bowed her head. “When I went out to fetch the doctor, I met Qing Zhu, a lady-in-waiting to the princess. Upon hearing that Madam was ill, the princess arranged for Nurse Wu to come.”

Qing Zhu stepped forward, bowed to both of them, and said, “The princess is concerned about Madam but is busy with affairs at the mansion and cannot come herself.”

“No matter, would the princess come if she could?” Yang Shi forced a smile.

“Everything is well,” Sun Shi pressed her lips and gave a signal to a nearby maid.

Nurse Wu took Yang Shi’s pulse and said it was caused by extreme anger affecting her heart. After administering acupuncture, Yang Shi’s condition improved.

She looked around and then smiled at Sun Shi. “Thank you, sister-in-law.”

Sun Shi held her hand reassuringly. “Rest well, sister-in-law, and don’t get angry. I will report to Father-in-law soon so they can rest easy.”

“All right.” Yang Yin forced a smile.

After Sun Shi left, Yang Yin propped herself up and grabbed Qing Zhu’s hand. “You were sent by the princess?”

Qing Zhu smiled faintly. “Yes, the princess sent me to visit Madam.”

“Hua Jie’er once wrote to me saying that if I ever find myself in trouble, I should pretend to faint. Did she foresee this all along...” Yang Yin’s expression darkened.

“Did she bring anything for me?”

Nurse Wu smiled. “That depends on what Madam needs.”

Yang Yin bit her lip, eyes reddening. “Do you have any tasteless, odorless poison?”

Qing Zhu and Nurse Wu were slightly taken aback.

In the main hall—

Zhou Shi was still kneeling, arguing his case with the look of someone saying, “If you don’t support me, then I’ll just give up.”

Sun Shi hurried over to report.

“Sent by Princess Ning?” The old lady was taken aback.

Zhou Yushi quickly spoke, “Princess Ning had previously sent her maid to visit He Ge’er and brought gifts for him!”

Zhou Wenjin frowned. “If that’s the case, this matter must be reconsidered.”

Indeed! With such a relative, Yang Shi’s position was different. She could not be overly pressured.

Seeing their reaction, Zhou Shi knew things were not going well. “Princess Ning is not favored in the Ning Mansion. The most favored is the consort!”

The old lady sneered, “Where did you hear such rumors?”

Zhou Shi hurried to say, “It’s true...”

“She is the princess, not a concubine! Why would she need to be favored?” The old lady looked at him with a hint of mockery. “Who in the capital doesn’t know Princess Ning is virtuous and an excellent housekeeper? The noble consort is very pleased with her—that’s enough!”

Zhou Yushi was aware of this as well.

Zhou Shi moved his lips but couldn’t argue. Was that really enough? If Princess Ning didn’t love her, what good was it?

He glanced at the matriarch, then at his stern second uncle, and finally at his displeased father.

None of them understood! There was no way to communicate!

No one could understand him! What was he to do?

“Hu Xin Niang can only be a concubine!” The old lady’s words were final.