Cui Anru shook her head. "She wouldn’t dare. I’m still in mourning, and my father and brother died in battle. If she proposed a political marriage for me, the entire world would condemn her."
Liang Ziyu nodded. "Well, since you put it that way, I feel relieved. Our Zhenguogong Mansion still has Lang’er, and the Duke of Zhenguo’s title hasn’t been revoked. No one should look down on our Cui family."
After some thought, Cui Anru decided it was time to make her sister-in-law see things clearly.
"Sister-in-law, if it weren’t for the Emperor’s suspicion, Father and Brother wouldn’t have needed to lead the troops into battle themselves, nor would they have had to marry me off to a lower-status family. If I hadn’t stirred up trouble today, and if Lin Zhiyin’s pregnancy hadn’t given people grounds for criticism, I doubt I could have obtained the decree for a consensual divorce."
Liang Ziyu was taken aback, unable to hide her surprise.
Cui Anru sighed. "It’s because Xiao Rang used his military achievements to pressure the Emperor."
"Even with such outstanding military merits, Father and Brother never forced the Emperor to do anything. Yet Xiao Rang, a newly ennobled court favorite, dared to demand an unprecedented reward in front of all the civil and military officials. That’s why the Emperor was willing to help me humiliate the Xiao Family."
Liang Ziyu felt a chill run down her spine.
"I don’t know whether to feel fortunate or sorrowful. If it weren’t for the Emperor’s wariness, given my family background, I likely wouldn’t have had the chance to marry into the Cui family."
Cui Anru clasped her hand tightly again and said, "Sister-in-law, perhaps it’s true that the Zhenguogong Mansion married you into a lower status, but the affection Father, Mother, and Brother showed you was genuine."
"Now that our loved ones are gone, the only ones we can rely on are those chosen by fate. Regardless of our past backgrounds, heaven destined us to be sisters-in-law."
Liang Ziyu was deeply moved.
"If I hadn’t seen you storming their doorstep with Lang’er today, I truly wouldn’t have known where to go after leaving the Xiao Family…"
Cui Anru couldn’t help but say with emotion.
Liang Ziyu panicked and quickly reassured her, "Sister, don’t say such things again. This will always be your home. With Lang’er here, no one can bully you. If he ever treats you poorly in the future, or if his new wife disrespects you as his aunt, I’ll be the first to disown him."
"Sister-in-law, let’s rest early. Starting tomorrow, there will be many matters to attend to."
Liang Ziyu also knew that those from the Xiao Family and the Lin Family would certainly not let things go easily.
Cui Anru’s actions today had completely caught them off guard, leaving them defenseless.
Once they regained their footing, whether for the sake of pride or their future prospects, they would surely retaliate.