Madam Shen’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot. She never imagined that the daughter-in-law who had always been obedient would speak so rudely today. Though she knew she was in the wrong and felt a flicker of guilt, she quickly brushed it aside. How could she show weakness to a junior? Now her son was a great general, and his new wife was a princess of Xilong. She ought to stand tall. Clearing her throat, she lifted her chin, adopting the air of an elder with authority and confidence.
“Que’er has returned victorious, bringing glory to our family. He is now a rising star of the court, and soon a princess will preside as mistress of this household. The prestige of the General’s Manor will only soar higher. We are one in honor and one in loss. As the manor prospers, your own standing rises with it. Que’er said you would be made a secondary wife. Whether one calls it wife or concubine, the title still carries the word ‘wife.’ It cannot be dismissed as a mere concubine. Even if it were concubine, countless women in the capital would rush to be taken into this household. To make you a secondary wife is hardly mistreatment. You should count your blessings. Things have come to this point—accept reality gracefully. Fulfill your duties as secondary wife. In public you will shine, and the days of enjoyment lie ahead.”
Su Ran was stunned by such shamelessness. A lump of anger lodged in her throat, neither rising nor falling. She had married at fifteen, served them for four years, never lacking in food or clothing, never stingy with gold or jewels. She had treated them as family, without drawing lines.
Yet today, when she poured out her grievances, she received not understanding but scorn and dismissal.
She laughed coldly. “So all my devotion these past four years was nothing more than feeding dogs.”
“Outrageous!” Madam Shen slammed the table, pointing at her. “Such temper today! Is this how you speak to your mother-in-law?”
“Su Ran, don’t go too far!” Shen Que also rose abruptly, his face full of anger.
The rebuke struck like a stone into water, stirring waves upon waves. Scolding voices mingled with the clatter of teacups, filling the room with noise.
Su Ran met their eyes steadily, her voice calm but cutting: “You eat my food, spend my wealth—tell me, have I spoken falsely?”
Madam Shen was taken aback.
This girl had always been gentle, well-read, dutiful, serving tirelessly, speaking softly, treating her sister-in-law kindly. And now she dared to argue with her? It infuriated her.
Just as she was about to lash out again, a child’s tender voice came from outside: “Grandmother, Mother and I are here.”
Both Madam Shen and Shen Que turned toward the sound.
Nan Lexi entered, leading Shen Qinghong by the hand, her steps graceful.
The woman wore a luxurious peacock-blue satin gown scattered with floral motifs. Her face was a perfect oval, her hair pinned with a golden filigree ornament inlaid with rubies, twin phoenixes adorned with kingfisher feathers. With each movement, the ornament chimed with a cold, crisp sound. She lifted her chin slightly, brushing past Su Ran who stood at the doorway, without sparing her a glance. The flicker at the corner of her eye carried a pride too lofty to waste on charity. Crossing to the opposite side, she sat down on her own.
Shen Que lowered his gaze, his eyes brimming with affection as he looked at her. The sharpness from their earlier quarrel had faded, replaced with a gentler warmth.
Madam Shen, meanwhile, scooped up the little boy and settled him firmly on her lap. Her features overflowed with tenderness as she looked him over again and again, as though she could never get enough.
“My precious grandson—so handsome, so clever. One day you’ll be as accomplished as your father.”
“Grandmother, you just praised me already.”
“Hahaha…” Madam Shen’s laughter rang bright and sweet, honeyed with delight. “You are Grandmother’s dearest treasure. I can never dote on you enough.”
As she spoke, she picked up a lotus pastry from the plate and held it to his lips, coaxing with a smile: “Hong’er, come, taste this lotus pastry.”
“Pah! Pah! Pah!” Shen Qinghong bit into it, his face twisting with disgust as he spat repeatedly, flecks of saliva flying.
“What… what’s wrong?” Madam Shen’s face was full of worry.
“This swill dares to be served? It’s vile! Which fool of a cook made this?”
Madam Shen cast a glance at Su Ran.
The lotus pastry was Su Ran’s new creation. Because Madam Shen herself liked it, the girl often made it for her. Everyone praised the pastry—yet her grandson’s palate was impossibly picky.
“This lotus pastry was made by the Second Young Madam—your second mother.”
“Second mother?” Shen Qinghong mumbled through the crumbs he was still spitting out, his words muffled. “Grandmother means that concubine-wife?”
“Yes.” Madam Shen gestured with her eyes. “Quickly, pay your respects to your second mother.”
The four of them seemed a picture of family harmony.
Su Ran, standing across from them, was like an outsider. She had become the unnecessary one. Second mother, my foot—she would leave.
“Wait, Su Ran—this is your first time meeting Le Xi. Let me introduce you.”
Just as Su Ran turned to leave, Shen Que called out, then tried to pull the woman beside him to her feet.
But Nan Le Xi shook off his hand, remaining seated with steady composure, her face radiating superiority. “Why should I rise? I am a princess, my status exalted. I cannot sit as an equal with her. I am noble, she is lowly. To make her a co-wife, sharing one husband with me, is already elevating her.”
Shen Que flushed with embarrassment. Instinctively, he glanced at his mother, who pretended not to hear, busying herself with her grandson.
Forget it, forget it. He turned back to Su Ran, hedging: “Le Xi is just straightforward by nature. She means no harm.”
Su Ran smiled lightly, unconcerned. “Princess of Xilong, one should not overvalue oneself while belittling others.”
“Whether I belittle or not, I am still a princess of the realm. What right do you have to compare with me? From my husband I learned yours was a blind marriage, unconsummated. We are different—my husband and I are true love, natural and destined.” Nan Le Xi’s brows arched, her tone dripping with arrogance.
“True love is not about who came first, but about honor and decency.” Su Ran’s lips curved in a mocking smile.
This marriage had been begged for by their general’s household—yet now they called it a blind match?
Suddenly, Shen Qinghong wriggled down from Madam Shen’s lap, circled the table, and without hesitation kicked Su Ran four or five times.
“My mother is a princess—you cannot speak to her like that! I hate you, you wicked woman! Father and Mother truly love each other, don’t you dare ruin them!”
Though his kicks were light, his whole bearing was spoiled and domineering. His little face showed hostility, stripped of childish innocence.
Su Ran stood unmoving, her eyes sweeping the room. As she expected—the three before her remained calm. As if this was nothing unusual.
“You indulge him like this?” Su Ran’s lips curved into a cold smile.
“Hong’er, this is your second mother. You mustn’t raise your hand.” Madam Shen’s rebuke was perfunctory, her tone devoid of blame.
“Heh, what an eye-opener.”
“Su Ran, what kind of smile is that? He’s only three years old, new here, ignorant of rules. In Xilong, he is heir apparent. And really, how much strength can a child have? Must you stoop to quarrel with a child? I never thought you’d become so petty.” Madam Shen’s voice carried displeasure.
“A child may be small—but are the adults all dead?” Su Ran’s tone was cool, edged with restrained anger.
Before her words faded, Shen Qinghong’s little fists were already pounding her stomach, one blow after another.
“Wicked woman, get away! I hate you…”
Her maid Chun Xing moved to intervene.
But Su Ran was quicker—she seized the small fist in her hand. “If no one will discipline you, then I must.”
“You dare!” Nan Le Xi shot to her feet. “He is my son with my husband—the legitimate heir of the General’s household. Who dares lay a hand on him!”