Chapter 104: Chess Pieces

Xu Jun Lang and Bai Jing Yu were seated, listening to the elder lady’s reprimands, followed by a few fragmented words from the second lady. The other family members offered conciliatory words, gradually calming things down.

Ning Rulan asked a maid to bring hot water so Bai Jing Yu could wash her face. As she wiped her face, Bai Jing Yu briefly met Meinang’s gaze before quickly looking away, she didn’t want Meinang to see her like this. In a short few months, both their lives had changed drastically. The once timid and frail woman had survived illness and emerged more spirited, embodying the demeanor Bai Jing Yu once had. As for herself, she was on the brink of despair, almost with no way out.

“Divorce her, send her back to her family.”
Xu Jun Lang’s harsh words were final, and he promptly instructed a servant to bring in three elders as witnesses, personally preparing to write the divorce letter. Bai Jing Yu, desperate, sent Xiang Yu and Xiang Yun to summon the elder lady and second lady, while she ran to the table, scattering pens and ink across the room. Black ink splattered on Xu Jun Lang’s robe, like bamboo branches painted over his sky-blue garment. Enraged, he slapped her, knocking her to the ground. She truly couldn’t rise, dizzy and exhausted, she felt as though death would be a relief.

He was no longer the Xu Jun Lang she once knew, the gentle and affectionate husband. Ever since his promotion and his father’s position was filled, he had changed, favoring his son and concubines, warning her not to approach their son. Yet he’d never been this heartless, writing a divorce letter and striking her with such cruelty.

Bai Jing Yu felt she hadn’t done anything wrong, though sleepless nights were spent wishing ill on the concubines and their child. However, the second lady and Xu Jun Lang were always vigilant, making it impossible for her to act. Merely glancing at the child brought this misfortune upon her.

Earlier that day, after serving the elder lady dinner at Jinhua Hall, she had brought a gift to Ning Rulan’s courtyard to congratulate her on her pregnancy. The second lady had joyfully reminded her, as an elder sister in law, to show sincerity. They spoke briefly, as she had little to say to Rulan, especially after Meinang took over the household duties. Unlike others who now treated Meinang warmly, Bai Jing Yu couldn’t bring herself to do so, perhaps due to her initial prejudice against Meinang.

On the way back, she encountered Xiang Rui, a maid, and the wet nurse holding Wei’er. At the sight of them, Bai Jing Yu’s anger flared, for Xu Jun Lang and the second lady treated Xiang Rui with more esteem than anyone else, permitting her to care for her own child and excusing her from paying daily respects. Bai Jing Yu’s vision darkened with anger Xiang Rui was her maid! Was there no justice?

Seeing Xiang Rui trying to avoid her, Bai Jing Yu took several quick strides and slapped her. Xiang Rui wept silently, and the wet nurse, alarmed, tried to escape with the child, but Xiang Yun blocked her path. The wet nurse turned pale as Wei’er began to cry. Xiang Rui threw herself before Bai Jing Yu, begging, “Madam, please spare us. One day, Wei’er will also call you ‘mother.'”

Bai Jing Yu sneered, “You think I care? Raise him well if you can, but he likely won’t live up to it.” She wanted to insult Xiang Rui further, but the hour had arrived to accompany Xu Jun Lang for dinner with the elder lady. However, she couldn’t resist taking a look at the child. Xiang Rui tried to hide the baby, but the maids held her back, and Bai Jing Yu glimpsed the boy’s round face and bright eyes that resembled Xu Jun Lang’s. Her heart twisted with pain, nearly crushing her. Resisting the urge to harm the child, she left.

Unexpectedly, after dinner, Xu Jun Lang had gently coaxed her, even played with their daughter. But soon after, he returned with a furious expression, using cruel words against her, accusing her of endangering Wei’er. In anger, she slapped him, which escalated his decision for a divorce. It wasn’t just this, his heart hardened after a report from Xiang Rui’s courtyard about the child’s illness.

Bai Jing Yu, in shock, sat blankly as people left the room. Qin Meiniang approached, offering her tea with a gentle smile, “You’re tired. Take a warm bath, get some sleep. Tomorrow might be rainy, but dawn will come.”

Ning Rulan softly added, “Wei’er is fine now. He was just feverish, and after treatment, he’s nursing again. You don’t need to worry.”

Watching the others leave, Bai Jing Yu’s tears fell. She hadn’t expected that, in her darkest moment, Meinang would be the one comforting her. Who was Meinang, truly? Once despised, she had emerged as a capable and kind woman, excelling in household management. Bai Jing Yu had overlooked Meinang’s strength, misjudging her weakness.

Alone in the courtyard as the wind rose, Meinang felt a quiet joy, recalling a childhood love for such weather. Once, she’d run out into the rain and returned drenched. Her father, laughing, toweled her hair, saying, “Wait until a real downpour, then you’ll know real fun.” Her mother, overhearing, scolded them both. The memory brought a pang of longing, and Meinang sighed deeply.