From now on, whoever wants to be the sucker can go right ahead.
Seeing Xia Xing’er stand up to leave, the old madam grew anxious. “Wait,” she said.
Her expression darkened as she continued, “Xing’er, this is simply unreasonable of you. Which man doesn’t have three wives and four concubines? If you can’t even tolerate this much, what will people say? It’s one thing if they call you narrow-minded and jealous, but don’t forget—the Changxin Marquisate still has two young masters who haven’t married yet.”
Perhaps it was because Xia Xing’er had been too obedient over the past three years, appearing gentle and soft-natured, that they had developed the illusion they could manipulate her at will.
In her past life, hadn’t they done exactly that—pushed her around and taken whatever they wanted?
Now, reborn into this life, they still thought she was a soft bun to be squeezed.
Xia Xing’er, abandoning her usual deference, replied with calm indifference, “People can say whatever they want—I can’t control their mouths, nor do I care. As for my brothers, they would agree with my stance.”
The old madam was truly flustered now. She stood up and tried to grab Xia Xing’er but, careless with her footing, tripped and fell.
In the past, Xia Xing’er would have rushed forward to help her up, fussing over her with concern.
This time, she remained standing still. The sunlight from outside the door fell upon her coldly beautiful, pale face, as if she were a lofty deity looking down upon lowly ants.
Helian Rong stepped forward to help the old madam up from the floor. Puffing with anger, she said, “Eldest sister-in-law, Mother fell and you didn’t even bother to help—just stood there watching. Is this how a daughter-in-law should behave? And you call yourself the legitimate young lady of a marquisate—such poor upbringing! Don’t forget, you’ve already married my eldest brother. If you treat Mother like this, aren’t you afraid he’ll divorce you?”
Xia Xing’er looked at the young girl accusing her. Her face still retained its baby fat, and she wore a light blue dress—one Xia Xing’er had ordered custom-made for her in early spring. Now, wearing the clothes Xia Xing’er had given her, she dared to criticize her. What a fine sister-in-law she was.
Ever since marrying into the General’s Manor, Xia Xing’er had treated her like her own younger sister, never sparing gifts of clothing or jewelry. And what had it earned her?
In her past life, this girl had played her part in Xia Xing’er’s miserable death.
At this thought, Xia Xing’er suppressed the hatred in her heart and said coolly, “Take off what you’re wearing and remove what’s on your head before you lecture me. Don’t be the kind of person who eats from the bowl and then curses the one who filled it.”
Helian Rong’s face flushed red with anger. “I never asked you for these things! You gave them to me to curry favor and flatter me. Do you think I care for your worthless trinkets? I’ll throw them all back to you later, hmph!”
“Good. I hope you keep your word and return everything to me later,” Xia Xing’er said, then swept her gaze over the others in the room, all of whom wore grim expressions.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.” With that, Xia Xing’er strode out of the room.
The remaining members of the Helian family exchanged glances, momentarily speechless. None of them had expected that the usually agreeable Xia Xing’er would be so unyielding today.
The one who had always shown such respect to her mother-in-law had now refused to even listen to her.
The old madam said coldly, “Don’t worry. She’ll agree. And she’ll be as obedient as before from now on.”
Even if the people from the Changxin Marquisate came, they had nothing to fear. The Helian family hadn’t wronged her—she was still the principal wife.
Even if this matter were spread abroad, it would be Xia Xing’er who was in the wrong, and the Changxin Marquisate would be blamed for failing to teach their daughter properly. No one would speak ill of their General’s Manor.
After leaving the old madam’s room, Xia Xing’er took Chunliu and boarded the already prepared carriage, heading straight for the imperial palace.
At noon, under the scorching sun, Xia Xing’er stood motionless at the palace gate with Chunliu, awaiting the Empress Dowager’s summons.
“Miss, do you think the Empress Dowager will call for you? We’ve been waiting so long. In the past, whenever you entered the palace, you would be summoned within a quarter of an hour.”
They had waited for nearly two hours, yet the Empress Dowager still had not summoned them. Chunliu grew worried for her mistress.
“Miss, are you hungry? You didn’t eat breakfast. Can your body still hold up?”
“I’m fine, not hungry.” Xia Xing’er truly felt no hunger at all. Her only thought now was to request a decree for a Divorce Decree, so she could return to the Changxin Marquisate with dignity.
Heaven knew how hard she had struggled not to rush home immediately to see her father, mother, brother, and sister-in-law.
“Miss, maybe we should just forget it. No matter what, you are the rightful wife, the general’s lady. Even if she enters the household, she will only be a concubine. Let’s go back and just swallow this bitter pill.”
Hearing Chunliu’s words, Xia Xing’er’s eyes instantly turned cold. “Chunliu, you know your mistress. From now on, don’t say such things that boost others’ morale while dampening your own. I don’t like hearing them.”
Chunliu sighed helplessly. She had no choice but to feel heartache for her mistress.
She had thought that once the young master returned, her mistress’s life would improve, but she never expected it to turn out like this.
How she missed the mistress back in Mei Shan—so vibrant, carefree, and unrestrained.
If only they hadn’t listened to the madam’s advice to let the mistress marry, sparing her this humiliation.
Inside Shoukang Palace, Granny Hua reported to the Empress Dowager, “Your Majesty, Miss Xing’er has been waiting at the palace gate for nearly two hours. Will you see her or not? Should this servant send someone to dismiss her?”
Granny Hua had served the Empress Dowager since she was still a young maiden.
The Empress Dowager put down the fan in her hand. “That girl hasn’t come to see me since her wedding. Coming to seek an audience at this critical moment must be because of Helian Zhi and Ye Qingyu requesting the emperor to grant them marriage.”
The Empress Dowager felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. “Her mother and I were childhood friends, and I watched this child grow up. She’s no different from my own daughter. But how can I interfere in matters of the court?”
Granny Hua understood the Empress Dowager’s meaning. “Your Majesty, why not summon her in to see her? Let the child pour out her grievances. I’ve heard she hasn’t had an easy time in the General’s Manor these past three years.”
The Empress Dowager then recalled how the wife of Chang Xin Hou used to bring Xia Xing’er into the palace every time she visited. Back then, she was fair and tender, as adorable as a porcelain doll. After being sent to Mei Shan, they rarely saw each other. The last time was three years ago, just before her wedding. At that time, she had lost the liveliness and cuteness of her childhood, replaced by the rigid demeanor of a noblewoman.
“Very well, summon her for an audience.”
Upon hearing this, Granny Hua immediately went to summon Xia Xing’er.
Xia Xing’er followed Granny Hua to Shoukang Palace, knelt down, and paid her respects without raising her head.
Seeing the figure kneeling on the ground, the Empress Dowager felt a surge of pity. “Rise and speak.”
Xia Xing’er clasped her hands together, bowed her head in gratitude, and said, “Your Majesty, this subject seeks an audience today to beg for a favor from Your Majesty.”
The Empress Dowager said, “What you seek today must be about Helian Zhi wanting to take Ye Qingyu as his equal wife.”
“Your Majesty, that is indeed the matter.”
The Empress Dowager sighed softly before speaking slowly: “Xing’er, although I am the Emperor’s mother, I cannot interfere in the affairs of the imperial court.”
“I know you wish for me to prevent the Emperor from issuing the decree for the marriage.”