Chapter 2: Obstacles to Divorce

“Third Sister, Third Brother’s behavior is truly outrageous. He used to
seem like a good brother, how could he do such a thing? You’re pregnant, and he
wants a divorce. I’ve never heard of such absurdity in all my years.”

Madam Liu, the second wife of Anding Hou Mansion, immediately came to the Begonia
Courtyard to see Yuwan upon hearing about the situation.

Her voice reached Yuwan even before she entered the room.

Yuwan was lying on the Empress’s couch, resting.

In the previous life, due to An Shaoyu’s return and the sudden divorce
without notice, during the last three months of her pregnancy, she couldn’t
eat, couldn’t sleep, and her emotions were extremely unstable. Every time she
talked about this matter, tears would flow endlessly, to the point that when
her daughter was born, her body was weaker than usual.

Now, she didn’t want to waste any emotions on this person.

Qing He helped Yuwan sit up and placed a soft cushion behind her.

Seeing Madam Liu’s angry appearance, Yuwan smiled faintly,
“Sister-in-law, don’t be angry, come and sit down for a cup of tea.”

After Madam Liu sat down, Yuwan smiled and said, “Since my husband
values her so much, that lady must have exceptional qualities.”

Madam Liu was surprised, “I never knew you were so understanding. What
exceptional qualities? Could it be that it’s exceptional to want to divorce a
pregnant legitimate wife for another woman?”

Yuwan helplessly said, “No matter what that woman looks like, once my
husband has decided on her and is determined to divorce me to marry her, even
if I belittle that woman, what’s the use?”

Madam Liu sighed, “I never expected that after this incident, you would
mature so much in such a short time. I thought you would hide in the Begonia
Courtyard and cry for a while.”

“But don’t worry, Third Sister, my husband can’t make the final
decision on this matter. Even if the Grandmother dotes on him, she won’t allow
him to do such outrageous things. I heard that Master and Madam scolded Third
Brother severely. Before I came, I heard that Master had already made Third
Brother kneel in the ancestral hall to reflect before coming out.”

Yuwan knew that Anding Hou Mansion would not agree at this time.

But seven or eight years later, when the Shu family fell, An Shaoyu became
the savior of the entire Anding Hou Mansion. Zhao Qing Qing had two sons and a
daughter, and when he returned, he wanted a divorce. Apart from Madam Liu
muttering about causing trouble, no one in Anding Hou Mansion objected.

Seeing Yuwan lost in thought, Madam Liu, as a woman herself, felt
uncomfortable. She thought Yuwan’s calmness at this moment was a forced smile,
after all, who could be happy when their husband, during the sixth month of
their pregnancy, wanted a divorce to marry another woman, especially one of
lower status than themselves.

So she comforted her gently, “Third Sister, take care of yourself and
your body during pregnancy. Master, Madam, and the Grandmother will take care
of everything else, so don’t worry.”

Yuwan smiled gently, “Thank you, Sister-in-law. Rest assured, for the
sake of the child in my belly, I won’t make things difficult for myself.”

Madam Liu was relieved to hear this and said, “It’s good that you can
be open-minded. Rest well, and I’ll come by for a chat when I have time.”

“Thank you, Sister-in-law. Qing Dai, please see Sister-in-law
off.”

After Madam Liu left, Yuwan instructed Qing He to prepare writing materials
and sat at the table to write a letter, which she then sealed in an envelope.

“Qing He, have someone deliver this letter back to the Shu
family.”

“Yes, madam.” Qing He responded and left.

On the other side, in the Fushou Hall, Wei Shi Shi was angry, mother of shaoyu.

 “A merchant’s daughter, even
being taken as a concubine, she’s still not satisfied and wants to be the
legitimate wife. Truly shameless.”

“Women from good families are usually betrothed according to their
parents’ wishes and matchmakers’ arrangements. This merchant’s daughter
actually seduced Shaoyu on her own and even convinced him to divorce and marry
her. She’s not much better than the courtesans in Qin Lou and Chu Guan.”

Grandma intervened, “Alright, the more you talk, the less dignified it
becomes.”

“This woman is not worth mentioning. The main issue is Shaoyu’s
behavior, which may harm the relationship between him and Yuwan. And judging by
Shaoyu’s current attitude, he might be stubborn for a while.”

Grandma massaged her temples, clearly feeling a headache.

After scolding her youngest son, Anding Hou, and making him kneel in the
ancestral hall, he had calmed down considerably.

Comforting Grandma, Anding Hou said, “Mother, I have instructed the
mansion not to let Shaoyu leave the estate for some time.”

“Alright, for now.”

“On Yuwan’s side, you should also pay more attention.” Grandma
instructed Wei Shi Shi.

“Mother, rest assured, i will take care of Yuwan.” Wei Shi Shi
replied.

Wei Shi Shi returned to the main courtyard and decided to send the
housekeeper Mother Zhao to the Begonia Courtyard to comfort Yuwan.

Seeing this, Anding Hou instructed Wei Shi Shi, “You should personally
go. Although Shaoyu’s behavior this time is not commendable, Yuwan mentioned
that Shaoyu should post the reasons for the divorce all over the capital and
take the child in her belly to the Shu family. If she agrees to the divorce, on
this visit, besides comforting her, you should also give her some advice.”

Wei Shi Shi responded, “I understand. However, Yuwan, being the
youngest daughter in the family, just like our Shaoyu, has been pampered since
childhood. This may just be a moment of anger for her, saying things in the
heat of the moment.”

Anding Hou remained noncommittal.

When Wei Shi Shi arrived at the Begonia Courtyard, Yuwan was taking a walk
in the courtyard.

Wei Shi Shi joined her for a walk.

“Yuwan, just relax and take care of yourself during pregnancy. We won’t
let Shaoyu cause chaos.”

Yuwan was tired of hearing these words.

In the previous life, she felt fortunate that everyone in Anding Hou Mansion
stood by her side. Despite Shaoyu’s antics, he didn’t receive support from
anyone in Anding Hou Mansion. At that time, she felt that Anding Hou Mansion
understood the righteousness.

Now, she understood the current attitude of Anding Hou Mansion. For the sake
of reputation and compared to Zhao Qing Qing, as the legitimate daughter of the
Shu family, she was clearly more valuable. When her value was less than Zhao
Qing Qing’s, it was only natural for her to be abandoned. All this was just to
ensure the maximum benefit for Anding Hou Mansion.

Now, she just wanted to divorce as soon as possible and avoid entanglements.
The current opposition from Anding Hou Mansion had become an obstacle for her.

Seeing Yuwan’s calm demeanor, Wei Shi Shi continued, “It’s
understandable that you’re angry with Shaoyu. Shaoyu is still young and doesn’t
understand the gravity of his actions. He will mature with time.”

“However, Yuwan, what you said in the Fushou Hall was inappropriate.
Writing such notices and posting them all over the capital, how can Anding Hou
Mansion maintain its dignity? Moreover, the child in your belly is Shaoyu’s
child, the legitimate heir of Anding Hou Mansion. How can you take the child
back to the Shu family for nurturing? It would only invite ridicule upon Anding
Hou Mansion. Shaoyu is causing trouble, but you shouldn’t follow suit.”

Yuwan stopped in her tracks.

“Mother, I just told my husband the cost he needs to pay for the
divorce.”

“Since ancient times, women obey their fathers at home and their
husbands after marriage. If my husband wants a divorce, I cannot refuse.”

“I will return home during pregnancy and divorce. It will surely raise
speculation, but I am innocent in this matter. The Shu family will not allow
anyone to tarnish the reputation of a Shu family woman. It’s necessary to
clarify the situation and inform the capital of the causes and consequences.
Even if Anding Hou Mansion doesn’t do it, the Shu family will. If Anding Hou
Mansion takes the initiative, at least it shows an attitude and preserves the
relationship between the two families.”

Wei Shi Shi was surprised. She hadn’t thought about it so deeply.

Because she never considered letting Shaoyu divorce. In her view, Shaoyu’s
current behavior was just a youthful indiscretion that would pass.

“Mother, now I just want to give birth to the child and let things take
their course.”

Wei Shi Shi comforted Yuwan a few more times before hurriedly leaving.