Chapter 162

“I’m about to get married. This flower is for you all to keep as a memento,” Wang Min’er said as she sat down and handed the box of silk flowers to Wang Yuan’er.

Wang Yuan’er took the box and examined it. The silk flowers were incredibly lifelike, looking just like real flowers—very beautiful.

“Thank you,” Wang Yuan’er said, placing the box to the side. Noticing that Wang Min’er didn’t seem to have any specific request but looked hesitant, she asked, “Is there something you want to say?”

Wang Min’er glanced at her, lowered her head, and seemed unsure of what to say. Instead, she picked up Wang Baolai, but the child wasn’t close to her and started crying. This left her feeling awkward.

“Enough. You’re pregnant yourself, so don’t carry children,” Wang Yuan’er said as she pulled Wang Baolai back to comfort him. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Wang Min’er hesitated for a moment, then said, “The Tang family said that after I get married, I’ll only stay at their main residence for three days before being moved to the estate in Dongshan. I don’t even know when I’ll get to see you all again!”

As she spoke, her eyes turned red.

After spending more than a decade with her parents, the thought of leaving to get married filled her heart with reluctance and uncertainty. From now on, she would have to rely on herself, and the thought of being so far away left her feeling lost.

Dongshan, located in Shangqing County, was an eight- or nine-hour journey from Changle Town. It was extremely inconvenient, and if anything happened, it would feel like crying out to the heavens for help in vain. The Tang family had gone to great lengths to avoid her presence interfering with the new wife’s life.

Wang Yuan’er sighed and said, “Dongshan is about eight or nine hours away from here. It’s not too far, but not that close either—not as far as Lingnan or Jiangnan, at least. If you miss your mother, just send someone to pass along a message and invite her to stay with you for a couple of days.”

Wang Min’er nodded.

“One thing, though: since you’ve chosen this path, you need to walk it steadily. Don’t try to stand out or compete unnecessarily,” Wang Yuan’er added. Seeing that Wang Min’er was about to glare at her, she quickly continued, “If you find my words unpleasant, just listen anyway. After all, we’re both Wang family sisters—how could I ever harm you?”

Wang Min’er pressed her lips together and reluctantly held back her temper.

“There are plenty of sordid matters in wealthy households. Take the case of Tang Second Master’s mistress, for instance—you know how she ended up. In grand families, alongside wealth and luxury, there are countless traps and dangers. You are neither the legitimate wife nor entering the Tang family under ideal circumstances, so you must be extra cautious. Although you currently carry the title of the Old Madam’s lifesaver, which ensures your safety for now, open hostility is easy to handle, but hidden schemes are harder to guard against. As a simple village girl with nothing to fall back on, if someone secretly sabotages you, all you’ll be able to do is endure.”

“The older generation of the Tang family likely won’t have much conflict with you. The one who will clash with you most is that Rong woman who hasn’t yet married into the family. Min’er, no one likes to share a husband. Since you had a relationship with Tang San before her, she will hate you deeply. In wealthy families, the legitimate wife can deal with a concubine as she pleases. She can easily fabricate a mistake and dismiss you. Do you think anyone in the Tang family will help you? In the Tang family, Tang San is your lifeline—you should cater to him and keep him happy. While that’s true, pleasing a man is superficial. The most important thing is to please Rong—she is the one who holds your fate in her hands!”

Wang Min’er stared wide-eyed and asked, “What do you mean?”

“In wealthy households, the position of the legitimate wife is immensely important. You’ve frequently visited your aunt’s household—haven’t you noticed? No matter how glamorous a concubine is, she is still a concubine. No matter how much a man cares for you, few would dare to favor a concubine over their wife. Do you think Tang San would risk that?” Wang Yuan’er fixed her gaze firmly on her. “Relying on a man isn’t as dependable as relying on yourself. If you want to survive in the Tang family and live a good life, you must suppress your temperament, stay low, and never place your hopes on your husband. If you are obedient and don’t stir up trouble, Rong may grant you a way to survive. Otherwise…”

Wang Min’er’s face turned pale, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.

“You…stop trying to fool me! I will live well, and in the future, I’ll be glorious—you’ll see!” Wang Min’er shot to her feet, her voice sharp but lacking true confidence.

“As sisters, we all hope for your well-being!” Wang Yuan’er looked at her and offered heartfelt advice. “Remember this: the bird that stands out gets shot first. Staying alive—that’s what matters most. As long as you’re alive, there’s hope. If you stubbornly try to outshine others, it’ll only lead to your downfall.”