Chapter 153

When Grandma Wang returned from the Tang household, the first thing she did was gather the Wang family members in the main room, except for the youngest three children, who were too young to understand. From now until the situation was settled, Wang Min’er was forbidden from going outside. If anyone asked, they were to say she had caught a cold and developed rashes, making it unsuitable for her to be exposed to wind while recovering at home. No one was allowed to reveal the truth about Wang Min’er’s condition.

This was an attempt to quash rumors and speculation.

Although the first and second branches of the Wang family had never gotten along, this incident forced the entire Wang family to unite as one to navigate the embarrassing and awkward predicament. Wang Min’er’s tarnished reputation would drag down the first branch, too, especially since they still had four unmarried daughters.

Wang Min’er was desperate to know the Tang family’s stance on the matter, as their attitude was the most important.

“The Tang family’s affairs are none of your concern—go back to your room!” Grandma Wang was both angry and deeply disappointed in her granddaughter, but above all, she was worried.

Grandma Wang knew Wang Min’er’s temperament well, having watched her grow up. She understood that even if Wang Min’er got her wish and went to the Tang family, it wouldn’t guarantee her a good life.

While Old Madam Tang might have treated her better out of consideration for the child she was carrying, Third Madam Tang was not an easy person to deal with. Moreover, the Rong family, with its fiancée yet to officially join the Tang household, posed an even greater challenge.

From her visit to the Tang household, Grandma Wang foresaw that the Tang family would not cancel the engagement to the Rong family and choose Wang Min’er instead. At best, Wang Min’er might receive the status of a concubine, which was already a blessing hard-earned over several lifetimes. Becoming the official wife? That was entirely out of the question.

Wang Min’er, however, was unwilling and insisted, “Grandma, Brother Tang said he would marry me. Now that I’m carrying his child, he won’t break his promise.”

Seeing her naive and innocent attitude, not only was Grandma Wang deeply disappointed, but even Wang Yuan’er wanted to scold her for being so foolish.

At this point, still counting on him marrying you as his wife? That’s truly wishful thinking!

Even being granted the status of a concubine might not be stable—let alone guarantee the opportunity to enjoy any blessings.

Let’s not even mention Tang Xiuping’s fiancée, who is not someone to trifle with, nor Third Madam Tang, who isn’t easy to deal with. Tang Xiuping himself, a man who first took her body before marrying her, clearly doesn’t hold her in high regard.

Men seek novelty. Wang Min’er had no advantages to offer—no great family background, no wealth. Aside from novelty, what else could she give him to make him look twice? Perhaps her youth and beauty, but a woman’s youth is limited. When that fades, what then? Being disrespected by her mother-in-law, bullied by the first wife, and disregarded by her husband—what kind of life could she expect?

Thus, Wang Min’er’s situation was like being caught between wolves in front and tigers behind—a perilous predicament. Yet, she remained oblivious to the complexities of the situation, still dreaming her unrealistic fantasies. Wang Yuan’er didn’t know whether to call her naive or outright foolish!

And there was one grave concern Wang Yuan’er didn’t voice—if Miss Rong (Tang Xiuping’s fiancée) turned out to be truly ruthless, Wang Min’er’s life could be in danger. Who would tolerate the sight of their husband’s concubine, let alone one who was pregnant, wandering about in front of them?

In households of high standing, there were countless ways to quietly remove a concubine without leaving any traces.

Given Wang Min’er’s low background and naïve nature, how could she ever match the games others played?

Yet, seeing Wang Min’er’s joyful demeanor, if she were to lose the child and be sent to marry into an ordinary family, she would likely prefer death over parting from Tang Xiuping.

Wang Yuan’er sighed deeply—what a wretched fate.

Grandma Wang was also deeply troubled. The future of Wang Min’er weighed heavily on her heart, and soon, she fell ill from the burden.

The Tang family was also in turmoil over the mess caused by Tang Xiuping.

The Wang family had made it clear they wouldn’t let the matter rest. The Tang family had to provide an explanation; otherwise, if the scandal spread, it would harm everyone involved. The Tang family couldn’t afford to be caught in a controversy, and Tang Xiuping’s future prospects had to be considered.

The Wang family wouldn’t back down, and the Rong family was even less likely to compromise. The Tang family couldn’t cancel the engagement with the Rong family for Wang Min’er, a rural girl with no solid background—even if she was carrying Tang Xiuping’s child.

“Mother, the Wang family wouldn’t dare spread this. They don’t have the standing for it, and they have their daughters to marry off!” Third Madam Tang was adamant about not accepting Wang Min’er into the household, even as a concubine.

“You forget that the Wang family’s eldest granddaughter is in business with Jinji,” Old Madam Tang retorted coldly, silencing Third Madam Tang.

The decision was made to quietly bring Wang Min’er into the household and send her to a rural estate to live. Once the child was born, they would deal with the situation. As for the Rong family’s inevitable backlash, they would argue that the deed was done and that men of their status often had multiple concubines.

With the plan set, discussions with the Wang family were scheduled. Tang Xiuping’s carefree attitude infuriated Third Madam Tang, who called for his nanny, Madam Zhou, and berated her for being untrustworthy and scheming to use her niece to trap her son. Third Madam Tang even threatened to expel Madam Zhou.

Shocked by the severity of the situation, Madam Zhou begged for forgiveness, swearing she had no knowledge of the matter and pledging her loyalty. Third Madam Tang ultimately punished her by docking six months of wages and scolding her thoroughly.

The loss of six months’ wages was a painful blow for Madam Zhou. After leaving the Tang household, she headed straight to the Wang family.

Over the years, Madam Zhou had treated Wang Min’er with great kindness, partly because she had no daughter of her own and secretly hoped Wang Min’er would marry into her family. But now, she felt betrayed. Wang Min’er had seduced the young master behind her back and even gotten pregnant. Madam Zhou was furious, realizing she had misjudged Wang Min’er’s character.

Fuming, Madam Zhou stormed into the Wang family’s courtyard and headed straight for the west room. Madam Zhang was chatting with Wang Min’er when she arrived. As Madam Zhang moved to greet her, she launched into a tirade.

“You ungrateful girl, Wang Min’er! I treated you like my own daughter, saving the best food and clothes for you, and this is how you repay me? I should’ve known when you begged me to take you to Xiangshan to broaden your horizons—it was all part of your plan to climb the social ladder! Bah! Do you even know your place? Dreaming of becoming a phoenix on a high branch? Keep dreaming!”

Wang Min’er sobbed softly.

“You’re still crying? How do you even have the face to cry? You slept with a man before marriage, brought shame upon yourself, and even dragged others down with you. Aren’t you ashamed? Oh, you want to climb the social ladder and become the young mistress of the Tang family? Do you even have the fate for that? Let me tell you, our young master is already engaged—to a proper lady from a prestigious family, a true noblewoman. And you? You’re just a commoner. What do you have to compete with her? In the end, you’ll just end up as a concubine. You were given the chance to be a proper wife, but you chose to degrade yourself and become a concubine. Shameless!” Madam Zhou spat her words with venom, pointing at Wang Min’er as she scolded her thoroughly. If Wang Yuan’er were present, she might have clapped her hands in approval.

“Zhou Jinying, that’s enough! Do you think this is the place to spew such filth?” Madam Zhang jumped up in anger, shoving her. “I didn’t come looking for you, yet you came here to stir trouble. If it weren’t for you, would Min’er have ended up like this?”

“Ha! Are you blaming me for her disgraceful actions? Do you people have no shame? What did I do to her? Did I push her into the fire pit? Did I help her take off her pants and climb into a man’s bed? She’s the one who lacked virtue. Who else is to blame?” Madam Zhou sneered with her hands on her hips.

“You…”

“Stop arguing, all of you, stop!” Wang Min’er cried out, dropping to her knees in front of Madam Zhou. “Aunt, I’ve wronged you. I’ve let down your kindness. But Brother Tang and I, we’re in love! Aunt, please help me!”

She cried like a flower in the rain, her face pale and weary from sleepless nights, with dark circles under her eyes, looking utterly pitiful.

But Madam Zhou was unmoved. All she could think about was how Wang Min’er had disgraced her, cost her six months of wages, and wasted years of her efforts. She was furious, enraged, and felt utterly deceived!

“Help you? Aren’t you all so capable? You went to demand justice yourselves. What more can I do?” Madam Zhou sneered coldly. “I don’t have your skills—climbing into a man’s bed and even producing a bastard child.”

“Aunt, I’m destined to marry Brother Tang in the future. You’re his wet nurse, and if I’m with him, wouldn’t that benefit you too?” Wang Min’er suddenly said.

Madam Zhou froze.

“Think about it, Aunt. You’re his beloved wet nurse. If I become his wife, wouldn’t the management of Brother Tang’s household fall to us? If it were someone else, would you still gain any favor?”

It must be said that Wang Min’er’s words truly hit Madam Zhou’s weak spot.

Now that the young master had grown up, he naturally no longer listened to her as he once did. Currently, she is still managing the third household’s courtyard, but once the mistress of the house arrives, there will surely be accompanying servants. At that point, would she still have her place? It was said that Miss Rong was quite a formidable character!

But what if the house mistress was someone close to her, like Min’er? Wouldn’t that eliminate such worries?

Madam Zhou hesitated but quickly recalled Third Madam Tang’s decision and said, “You can forget about being the young master’s wife. Both the third madam and the old madam have decided—you will be brought into the household as a concubine.”

A concubine? Wang Min’er and Madam Zhang were stunned!

“Elder sister-in-law, is what you said true?” Madam Zhang asked urgently.

“At this point, would I lie?” Madam Zhou snorted. “Don’t think you can still be the proper wife. Don’t be foolish. With your Wang family’s status, you still dream of climbing the social ladder? If it weren’t for the child in your belly, you wouldn’t even qualify to be a concubine!”

“But this—this is the Tang family’s flesh and blood!” Madam Zhang exclaimed.

“So what? Who told you to be foolish and offer yourself? The third madam has made it clear—the position of the proper wife is out of the question. If you refuse to be a concubine, they’ll give you a sum of silver and some medicine. You can choose one.” She looked at Wang Min’er’s stunned expression and snorted. “If I were you, I’d take the silver and marry far away. The young master’s fiancée, Miss Rong, is not someone to be trifled with!”

At this point, Madam Zhou, out of her years of affection for Wang Min’er, offered her a piece of advice.

Glory and wealth—one must have the fate to enjoy them!