Early the next morning, Madam Xu sent word summoning Shao Zhen.
This was a rule she had established beforehand—every four days, Shao Zhen was required to pay her respects and study household regulations.
Though it was called "learning the rules," she never actually bothered to teach Shao Zhen how to keep accounts or manage finances. She merely used it as a pretext to vent her anger.
Before Shao Zhen even entered the room, she could hear laughter drifting from within—Madam Xu's mingled with that of another young woman. She found this somewhat curious, for every time she came to the Tao residence, all she ever received was the older woman's sneers and taunts.
That laughter was like silver bells, and somehow, she felt it sounded familiar.
Sure enough, when she stepped through the doorway, the warm and harmonious atmosphere inside immediately cooled. Madam Xu's smile froze mid-expression, as if an invisible slap had been delivered across Shao Zhen's face.
But at this moment, Shao Zhen had no attention to spare for Madam Xu's expression—because the person seated beside the woman was none other than Wang Jing!
It had only been a few days, yet the young woman who had pressed a blade to her face now raised an eyebrow, watching her with a faint, ambiguous smile from across the room, looking utterly innocent and unbothered.
As if what Shao Zhen had endured that day was nothing more than harmless play.
Seeing Shao Zhen standing below like a stunned goose, Wang Jing felt immense satisfaction welling up inside her.
"Madam Shao, why are you still standing there in a daze? You should pay your respects to the mistress." One of Madam Xu's maidservants reminded her with feigned kindness.
Only then did Shao Zhen snap back to reality, her face pale as she bent her knees and bowed. "Greetings, Aunt."
Wang Jing, having received this bow alongside Madam Xu without any justification, felt intense delight churning in her eyes.
Just as she'd said—she had plenty of ways to humiliate Shao Zhen.
Shao Zhen remained half-crouched, head lowered, waiting for a long time without hearing Madam Xu tell her to rise. On ordinary days, the woman would nitpick and humiliate her, but today, in front of Wang Jing, she still showed no intention of granting her niece-in-law even the slightest shred of dignity.
"I notice Madam Shao's complexion looks rather poor. Could she be feeling unwell somewhere?" Wang Jing's timely voice slithered through the air like a cold viper, devouring the last of Shao Zhen's self-respect. "Madam, you should let her rise."
Only then did Madam Xu let out a derisive snort. For Wang Jing's sake, she said impatiently, "Rise."
Shao Zhen stiffly took a seat at the side.
She was the one who was Tao Wenkan's wife—her niece-in-law.
…Compared to Wang Jing, she was the one who seemed like the outsider who didn't belong.
Watching this scene unfold, she couldn't help but feel grateful that she hadn't told Madam Xu about Wang Jing's attempt to kill her. If she had, all she would have received in return was doubt and abuse.
After all, when the banquet had ended that day, the woman hadn't even noticed she'd changed her clothes.
Madam Xu had clearly never regarded her as family.
Seeing Shao Zhen sitting below like a mute gourd, Madam Xu's anger flared.
She had no idea what kind of love potion Shao Zhen had fed Tao Wenkan to make him give up such an excellent match as Wang Jing—even going so far as to defy her wishes.
She remembered that before Shao Zhen appeared, Tao Wenkan had respected her like his own mother and never once disobeyed her.
Then Shao Zhen had been in the household for six months with not the slightest sign of pregnancy. She had wanted to take a concubine for him to produce an heir and continue the bloodline—though she did harbor the selfish motive of replacing the old with the new, ultimately it was for his own good.
But she had exhausted every word, both sweet and bitter, until her lips were practically worn thin, and he had refused flat-out every time.
And the nonsense he'd spoken!
He said he would only ever have Shao Zhen as his wife for his entire life.
That his children could only be born from Shao Zhen, and she should stop entertaining the idea of taking a concubine for him, as it would only cause Shao Zhen needless grief.
Every time she thought of the child she had raised with her own hands now turning his elbow outward, Madam Xu felt a sharp, throbbing pain in her chest.
Fortunately, there was still a turning point.
Yesterday, Wang Jing had suddenly come to her, telling her she was still willing to marry Tao Wenkan and would bring a generous dowry. However, she refused to lower herself to the position of a concubine, and the Wang family would never allow her to debase her status. Therefore, she wished to become an equal wife, standing shoulder to shoulder with Shao Zhen, who had entered the household first.
Madam Xu had originally assumed Wang Jing would demand Shao Zhen be driven out of the Tao residence before she'd be satisfied—she never expected the request to be so simple.
Wang Jing had been exactly the daughter-in-law Madam Xu had wanted to secure for Tao Wenkan all along.
Never mind the prestige of the Wang family name—just consider Wang Jing's merchant uncle, whose taverns and teahouses spanned the entire Great Yan. The man doted on his niece Wang Jing especially, sending a constant stream of exotic goods from foreign lands straight to her boudoir.
With such formidable family wealth behind her, how could one not be tempted?
Now that she was willing to endure such a grievance for Tao Wenkan's sake, Madam Xu was overjoyed and would support her no matter what.
Most importantly, Tao Wenkan needed this marriage. Anyone with eyes could see that the Tao household was on the decline—otherwise, he wouldn't have had to personally risk his life on the battlefield to earn military merit. If they had the Wang family's powerful backing, the situation would be entirely different.
With this thought, Madam Xu steadied her nerves. Today, while Tao Wenkan was away, she was determined to finalize this marriage alliance.
She refused to believe that a woman as insignificant as Shao Zhen could stir up any waves.
"Madam, now that Lady Shao has arrived, you should explain the matter to her." Wang Jing smiled lightly, her eyes gleaming with certainty.
To reach this day, she had spent no small effort persuading her father after returning home, convincing him to allow her to marry Tao Wenkan under these circumstances. But if she could spite Shao Zhen and witness the pain on her face with her own eyes, everything she had done would be worth it.
As long as she could marry Tao Wenkan and move into the Tao residence, there would be no shortage of opportunities to torment Shao Zhen and drive her out. After that, she alone would be Tao Wenkan's true wife.
Shao Zhen raised her head upon hearing this, instinctively sensing that whatever was to come would not be good news.
Yet the matter still far exceeded her expectations.
Madam Xu's expression softened slightly, and she cleared her throat with great solemnity. "I called you here today to tell you some good news."
Her tone was not one of consultation with Shao Zhen, but rather a decision made over her head. "I intend to arrange for Lady Wang to be brought into the household for Wenkan. As Wenkan's wife, you have produced no child in a year—you cannot simply cling to him willfully and forbid him from taking another woman."
"Lady Wang is considerate and magnanimous, willing to stand as your equal. Why don't you come over quickly and thank her?"
What absurd words. Wang Jing had clearly come today to take her husband and usurp her position.
Yet Madam Xu's words made it sound as though Wang Jing were doing Shao Zhen a favor.
To twist right and wrong so brazenly—how could she even have the face to say such things?
Shao Zhen dug her nails deep into her palm, forcing herself not to let her eyes redden with tears out of weakness.
Seeing that she had not moved at all, Madam Xu felt her authority challenged and snapped, "Shao Zhen, I told you to come over—did you not hear me?"
"Madam, don't be hasty. Lady Shao is perhaps too overjoyed to react at once." Wang Jing reached out to restrain Madam Xu, a kindly smile on her face as she stepped forward toward Shao Zhen. Today she had unusually dressed in a plainer set of robes, gliding over with delicate steps—nothing about her suggested she had ever harbored ill will toward Shao Zhen.
Only Shao Zhen knew that the fingertips of the hand Wang Jing extended were digging deeply into her flesh, even as she spoke with a sweet smile: "Lady Shao, I know you're still hung up on the misunderstandings between us. Regardless, let me offer my apologies to you here first."
"From now on, we shall emulate Ehuang and Nüying in serving Tao Lang together—we'll be one family."
And Madam Xu chimed in with her: "Shao Zhen, learn from Lady Wang. If you had even half her thoughtfulness and tolerance, you wouldn't give me such a headache."
Their voices buzzed in her ears, more grating than mosquitoes, churning her stomach with waves of nausea until she nearly vomited on the spot.
A year of forbearance and compromise had accomplished nothing except emboldening the woman to push further.
Her compliance, her self-abasement—all of it had become a colossal joke.
Then why should she remain silent?
She was indeed soft-natured, but she was not so spineless as to let herself be bullied without a shred of dignity.
As this bold thought surfaced, a sudden surge of defiance rose within her body.
To the astonishment of Madam Xu and Wang Jing, the silent Shao Zhen abruptly wrenched free of Wang Jing's hand and shoved her, sending the unprepared woman tumbling to the ground. Ornate hairpins clattered and scattered across the floor.
"You—how dare you lay hands on me!" After a brief moment of shock, Wang Jing was helped to her feet by her maidservant, then furiously swung her hand toward Shao Zhen.
Shao Zhen caught her wrist firmly, steadying herself against the armrest of the chair as she rose. Though her entire body trembled and she seemed on the verge of collapse, her delicate face was eerily calm, carrying the resolve of one who had nothing left to lose.
She swept a cold gaze over their stunned expressions and said, "I will write a letter regarding this matter of taking an equal wife and send it by swift horse to my husband this very moment. If he agrees, I will have no further objections."
"Otherwise—if my husband returns and learns that his aunt made this decision on his behalf without his consent, and he takes offense, do not blame me for failing to warn you today."
She no longer cared about the consequences of offending them both. After all, she who had nothing to lose feared no one who had everything to protect.
Then, while the group was still frozen in shock, she turned and walked out without looking back. Xiaowen, who had overheard the entire conversation from outside and was already so furious she could barely restrain herself from charging in, hurriedly fell into step beside Shao Zhen.
Madam Xu's shrill cries were left behind: "Fine, fine! This is rebellion! How dare you sow discord between me and Wenkan!"
"Go stop her at once!" A maidservant rushed forward, but before her hand could even catch the hem of Shao Zhen's sleeve, Xiaowen slammed into her with full force, sending her tumbling to the ground with a yelp.
"If you walk out that door today, don't ever think of coming back!"
Hearing Madam Xu's harsh threat, the previously furious Wang Jing narrowed her eyes in a smile. Let her make a scene—the bigger the better. Then she could claim the position of rightful wife without lifting a finger.
At those words, Xiaowen couldn't help but glance at her mistress's profile. Shao Zhen paused mid-step, pressing her bloodless lips tightly together.
But this time, she did not choose to turn away. Instead, she broke into a light run, her skirts sweeping past one threshold after another, like a butterfly colliding with the breeze.
Only after she had settled into the carriage did Shao Zhen seem to have all the strength drained from her bones, slumping weakly against the carriage wall.
"Madam…" Xiaowen studied her weary countenance, reluctant to disturb her.
Even though she too had found their reckless outburst rather satisfying, she knew that after today's commotion, Madam Xu would have yet another reason to make trouble for Shao Zhen. And then there was Wang Jing—she was never one to let things slide, and would surely seize any opportunity to exact revenge.
How could Shao Zhen not have thought of this herself?
After indulging in that momentary thrill, a profound regret began to take root within her. She regretted that she could not have simply endured it as she once had, swallowed her pride, and stalled the matter until Tao Wenkan returned home.
If Madam Xu, in a fit of rage, were to cast her out of the residence directly, how would she even respond? But what was done was done—she could hardly turn back now and apologize.
Merely thinking of the faces Madam Xu and Wang Jing had just made left her chest tight and her stomach churning with disgust.
Besides, it was they who had been so overbearing, pushing her to the brink, that had provoked her in the first place.
There was one thing, however, that Madam Xu had gotten right. She was indeed greedy and selfish—she simply could not accept sharing Tao Wenkan with anyone else, even if that person were not Wang Jing.
When she had first married Tao Wenkan, she had never harbored any illusion that he would fulfill his vow to marry only her. With his status, it would already be more than enough if he remembered their old affection and gave her a place in the inner courtyard. In any case, staying by his side was far better than returning to the Shao household.
Back then, she could never have imagined that one day she would become someone even she found unfamiliar.
For Tao Wenkan's sake, she could humble herself and endure Madam Xu's cold demeanor.
But if Tao Wenkan's heart were to change and he took another wife, would he still be worth all these grievances she bore?
As Shao Zhen mulled over these matters, her heart felt like a tangled knot of threads that she simply could not unravel.
She lifted her beautiful eyes, looking lost. "Xiaowen, I… I don't know what to do anymore."
Of course she had to write to Tao Wenkan, but as for that unknown answer, she was filled with anxiety and uncertainty.
Such was the price one paid for falling into the throes of love.
Xiaowen took her hand, offering silent comfort.
The moment she returned to the residence, Shao Zhen sat before the desk. She hesitated several times before lifting her brush, recalling how Tao Wenkan had once held her hand at this very desk, teaching her to paint and write, recalling the meticulous instructions he had given her before their parting—and before she knew it, two lines of tears slipped down her cheeks.
She lowered her gaze to the blank letter paper, marked with both tear stains and ink smudges, and quietly took out a fresh sheet.
This matter was no small affair. She entrusted the letter to Zhu Yue to deliver to Lucheng.
Zhu Yue was reluctant to leave at first—Tao Wenkan had given him strict orders to guard the residence and protect her—but Shao Zhen's stance was equally resolute, going so far as to draw his own sword and threaten him with death.
This was the first time Zhu Yue had seen this ordinarily gentle and meek young woman display such a hardened demeanor, and he had no choice but to do as she said.
That night was the new moon, and the room was pitch black. Shao Zhen lay on the bed, staring blankly with wide-open eyes. Tears streamed continuously from the corners of her eyes, soaking her temples and the lonely pillow.
In the deep silence of the night, alone with her thoughts, the strength she had forced herself to project before others during the day crumbled all at once.
Tao Lang, while you're away, they're all bullying me…
When will you come back, come back to stand up for me?
I'm about to reach my limit on my own…