No one in the Marquis of Longnan’s residence had expected that, after returning from the wedding banquet, before anyone had even had a chance to sit down, the in-laws would summon them!
The Marquis, already frail from illness, had tried to make the trip but collapsed from exhaustion.
The step-mother had no choice but to go alone.
The messenger maid detailed the events of the night, handed her a handwritten letter from Hu Rui, and concluded:
“This matter concerns the reputation of both our families. Madam, you must persuade your eldest young lady to reverse the bride swap.”
The step-mother’s expression turned grave:
“That wretched servant actually made such a serious blunder…
Don’t worry, maid. Whatever the mother-in-law of the in-laws requires me to do, I will fully cooperate.”
The maid spoke delicately:
“Tonight’s matter involves your two young ladies. It would be best to bring along the second young lady’s mother as well.”
The step-mother nodded and summoned Consort Zhao, issuing a veiled threat:
“You wouldn’t want the Marquis to learn of what you did last time, would you?
Do exactly as I say, or if the Marquis already ill finds out about your foolish actions, whether he continues to favor you will be uncertain…”
Consort Zhao could only respond reluctantly.
Recalling the arrangements she had made with her daughter Yu Lin, her heart filled with anxiety and fear.
Inside the General’s residence, all the lights were blazing; it was the middle of the night, yet it seemed as if the entire household was awake.
Seeing the Marquis’ party arrive, the gatekeeper silently opened the door, expressionless.
Consort Zhao, heart pounding, ignored her tension with the step-mother and leaned in, whispering: “This doesn’t look like they just finished a wedding… Could it be ”
Her words abruptly stopped.
The step-mother stopped in her tracks, turning to glare: “What do you mean by that?”
Consort Zhao’s eyes darted nervously: “Mean? I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The step-mother studied her, suspicion and calculation in her gaze.
The lead maid had gone halfway into the house and turned back to urge them:
“Hurry along, Madam is waiting.”
The step-mother pointed at Consort Zhao with a warning in her voice: “This matter tonight would be best if you had nothing to do with it. Otherwise…
The Marquis is ill, and I am in charge here. Understood?”
Consort Zhao, used to indulgence, had no choice but to lower her head in frustration: “Yes… I’ve taken note.”
Zhiyuan Pavilion.
The main hall was empty.
The step-mother frowned: “This is…”
The maid led them to a side room and knelt: “Please, Madam, take a seat for a moment. Our Madam will arrive shortly.”
She turned to Consort Zhao: “Please follow me.”
Consort Zhao panicked slightly: “Ah? We’re being separated?”
The maid did not answer: “Please.”
Consort Zhao was led to another side room. The maid handed her a note and left.
Opening it, she saw only a single sentence:
Advise your daughter to return to the proper path.
She didn’t understand, tossing it aside.
Her mind preoccupied, she paced anxiously like an ant on a hot pan.
“Mother, why are you here?”
Yu Lin’s expression changed at the sight of her and she quickly stepped inside, closing the door.
Consort Zhao hurried after her, lowering her voice: “What’s going on? It’s the middle of the night. Shouldn’t the newlyweds be in the bridal chamber?
Could it be that that little schemer Yu Mu’an found out about the bride swap and is causing trouble?”
Before Yu Lin could answer, she anxiously pulled her around to look: “Have you finished your side?
No matter… as long as the deed is done, that little schemer’s protests won’t matter…”
“No!”
Yu Lin cut her off angrily.
Consort Zhao froze: “Ah… ah?”
Realizing her daughter’s meaning, her brows shot up and she stomped in panic: “Oh my! How long has it been and you still haven’t finished?! Ah?! Could it be…
Could it be that Brother Hong isn’t able to…?
Why don’t you just say you’ve consummated the marriage? After all, the truth is only known to you…”
“No!” Yu Lin interrupted impatiently. “It’s Brother Hong!”
Consort Zhao didn’t understand: “What?”
Yu Lin then seized the chance to explain in detail what had happened that night.
Consort Zhao pounded her chest: “Oh, Brother Hong! How obedient! Why follow the rules so strictly?
A mistake is a mistake; wouldn’t it be better to marry the girl he truly loves?!”
Yu Lin glared silently.
Having lived a second life, she was far from the innocent naivety of a fifteen-year-old girl.
She knew Brother Hong truly loved her, but regarding marrying Yu Mu’an… she felt that he was not entirely opposed.
Even if she didn’t want to admit it, she had to acknowledge
Her Brother Hong actually intended to marry Yu Mu’an.
This ignited a furious flame in her heart.
In the previous life, Yu Mu’an had stolen the position of noble wife that rightfully belonged to her.
This life, she only wanted to reclaim what was hers. What was wrong with that?!
Consort Zhao fumbled: “What should we do? I… I was asked by Madam to persuade you…”
Thinking of her life of luxury, she carefully looked at her daughter: “Lin, maybe… we should just forget it…”
“No! Brother Hong must be mine!”
Yu Lin flared up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
“Brother Hong will be the Supreme General one day! I’ll be a first-rank noble lady! All of this belongs to me!”
Yu Lin’s eyes were fierce: “Mother, listen to me. Soon we will…”
In the side room, the mother and daughter plotted in secret, while in the main hall, the step-mother and Yu Mu’an appeared close and intimate.
The step-mother dabbed her tears with a handkerchief:
“It’s all Mother’s fault. Tonight’s fiasco must be Zhao and her daughter’s doing!
Your father favors concubines over wives. Zhao has more people in the residence than I do. When she subtly sabotages, I can’t even know…”
Yu Mu’an gently wiped her tears and said obediently “It’s not Mother’s fault. How could An’er blame you? Stop crying…”
The step-mother held her hand, tears welling:
“Good child, I understand. You can’t bear to see our Marquis’ household embarrassed. You will agree to set things right, won’t you?”
Yu Mu’an’s expression was soft, her voice gentle: “Mother, An’er cannot bear to see our Marquis’ household ridiculed, which is why she intends to go along with the mistake.”
The step-mother paused, about to speak, when Yu Mu’an lightly patted her hand and continued:
“With so many people around, this matter will surely spread tonight. If the public finds out the two brothers of the General’s household casually swapped wives, how would they view them?
And the two brides, both daughters of the Marquis’ family, how would they view us?
Even though we are innocent, can you imagine the vulgar speculations they would make?
Our Marquis’ household may be in decline, but it was still granted by the Emperor. What of our daughters’ reputation? Isn’t this slapping our household in the face?”
The step-mother was rendered speechless, stammering: “The General’s household is… very secretive…”
“Can you guarantee it won’t spread?”
The step-mother could not refuse: “Since your mother-in-law requires it, she can ensure the servants stay silent. But if you act stubbornly, both our families will suffer!”
Yu Mu’an was not anxious: “Mother, An’er is not acting stubbornly. She only…”
“An’er,” the step-mother held her hand, speaking earnestly, “listen to me.
Neither side has consummated yet. It’s not too late!
I’ll let you in on a secret… only Brother Hong is the true son of the General’s wife!
Think about it his future is limitless.
The eldest may be the legitimate son, a young general, but haven’t you seen him? He’s a fool! Why risk yourself?
Everything I plan is for your benefit!
Our Marquis’ household may look impressive, but compared to the General’s household, we fall short… The Supreme General is even a loyal prince personally appointed by His Majesty!
If we anger such a family, what will become of our household? Heng’er is still young. The rise and fall of our Marquis’ household depends on you, An’er!”
Yu Mu’an smirked inwardly.
If she hadn’t learned the step-mother’s true nature before dying in the previous life, she would have been deceived this time.
To care for her sincerely, for the family, how could this not be a good step-mother?
Suddenly, a maid knocked on the door “Madam of the Marquis, Fifth Young Madam, the other side has given way. Please move to the main hall, Madam.”