Chapter 204

The saying “know yourself and your enemy, and you will be invincible” holds true—if one wants to uncover the opponent’s weaknesses and strategies, the best way is to keep them under close observation.

This was exactly how Madam Rong thought. After Wang Yuan’er’s long-winded speech filled with alternating sweet and harsh words, wasn’t she implying that the Tang family was unfair to its concubines and lesser ladies? All of this, only to seek justice for that little wench? What a joke—only small, common households would come up with such things. In a prominent household like theirs, concubines were merely playthings. Never would the maternal family stand up for them; by lowering themselves to such a status, any suffering was for them to endure alone.

However, Wang Yuan’er did remind Madam Rong of something. The little wench was too far away in the village to do anything about, so why not bring her back to keep her directly under her watch? She was merely a bedchamber maid, not even an official concubine. And even if she were, she was a concubine incapable of bearing more children. With Madam Rong’s status as the legitimate wife pressing down and with only a single illegitimate daughter by her side, what kind of trouble could she possibly stir up?

Her plan was clear, but how could Old Madam Tang, who had lived and schemed for most of her life, not see through it? She instantly understood Madam Rong’s intentions.

“With so many matters to attend to in the household, what’s the point of bringing her back? Why let her get in the way? Let her continue recuperating in the village for now. Your main focus should be taking good care of the third young master and, as soon as possible, giving birth to a legitimate son. That’s what truly matters; don’t concern yourself with anything else.” Old Madam Tang’s gaze shifted to Madam Rong’s abdomen—she had heard that Madam Rong’s cycle had returned.

Madam Rong, who had an ambitious personality, tightly controlled Tang Xiuping and wouldn’t even allow the two concubine maids near him earlier. That was one thing, but having secured her husband’s affections, she ought to have conceived a child by now.

Detecting the implied tone in Old Madam Tang’s words, Madam Rong felt aggrieved. How long had she been married, and already they were pressuring her to bear a child? If she failed to conceive within a year or two, would they then promote a few concubines to take her place?

The very thought made Madam Rong’s heart race with anxiety. While outwardly she responded obediently, inwardly she cursed. Clearly, in Old Madam Tang’s mind, heirs were the most important thing. Now she wouldn’t even allow Madam Rong to bring back the Wang mother and daughter, likely as a precaution.

With these thoughts, Madam Rong had no intention of staying longer. She excused herself, claiming that she needed to attend Tang Xiuping, and left.

Old Madam Tang then called out to Third Madam Tang, saying, “Even if she’s just an illegitimate daughter, she’s still Ping’er’s flesh and blood and calls you grandmother. Assign someone to care for her properly. We can’t afford any rumors to tarnish the Tang family’s current precarious reputation.”

Initially indifferent, Third Madam Tang’s heart skipped a beat at the final statement and she agreed.

After the two women left, Old Madam Tang rubbed her temples and muttered, “I must be getting old, unable to outwit even a young girl.”

Old Madam Tang’s attendant, Nanny Tang, could tell she was referring to Wang Yuan’er and said, “Old Madam, it’s beneath your dignity to fuss over her.”

“Concubine Wang is foolish, incapable of scheming. Were it not for her cousin fighting on her behalf, humph,” Old Madam Tang sneered.

Nanny Tang tentatively asked, “So, are we not bringing that mother and daughter back?”

“There’s already enough chaos at home, and now isn’t the right time to bring them back. Concubine Wang is not one to endure quietly. If she causes an uproar, I’m the one who’ll be troubled. It’s better to keep them at a distance—out of sight, out of mind. Moreover, with Madam Rong’s temperament, she’s hardly accommodating. If those people return, who knows if they’ll even survive?” Old Madam Tang sighed and continued, “I’m old and cannot bear witnessing life and death struggles. Even if the illegitimate girl is insignificant, she’s still Ping’er’s flesh and blood. Madam Rong herself is incapable of conceiving, yet she insists on monopolizing her husband, not letting anyone else near him. Who behaves like this? Can’t you see Ping’er is almost no longer a man under her control?”

This revealed Old Madam Tang’s dissatisfaction with Madam Rong.

Nanny Tang smiled and consoled her, “The third wife has only been married two or three months. It’s not unusual for her not to conceive yet. Some women take a year or more. Please don’t worry.”

“Wait? How much time do I have left to wait? I already have one foot in the grave! All I hope for now is for Ping’er’s son to call me great-grandmother.” Old Madam Tang clasped her prayer beads and said, “If she doesn’t live up to expectations, don’t blame me for intervening in the young couple’s household affairs.”

Nanny Tang naturally went along with her words.

As Old Madam Tang fingered her smooth prayer beads, she thought of what Wang Yuan’er had said and added, “When the third madam sends someone to assign tasks, you go to the manor too and check on that girl—what’s her name again? Zhilian?”

Nanny Tang was startled. Clearly, Old Madam Tang wanted her to see if the girl resembled Tang Xiuping. She sighed inwardly—if only Concubine Wang were as clever as her cousin, perhaps she could have fought her way to a bit of wealth.

Meanwhile, at the Wang family residence, Wang Er and his wife were listening to Wang Yuan’er recount the happenings of the Tang family.

“Amitabha, it’s good that they’re willing to send someone to care for her,” Madam Zhang clasped her hands together in prayer and continued, “But if they could bring her back, that would be even better.”

Wang Yuan’er disagreed. They had gone to confront the Tang family, and her greatest fear was that the Tang family would propose bringing her and her mother back. In fact, if she were in Madam Rong’s position, she might also prefer to bring them back. Why?

The reason was twofold. First, it would bolster her reputation, presenting herself as virtuous, composed, and magnanimous—qualities appreciated by her in-laws. Second, having them under her watchful eye would ensure she could monitor any schemes they might concoct. Being far away on the estate served no practical purpose.

If Madam Rong harbored more malicious intentions, the fragile newborn baby and the weakened mother after childbirth might suffer during the journey back. Even if no major incident occurred, returning them to the manor would provide more opportunities to act against them.

In Wang Yuan’er’s heart, though it was somewhat lonely, life on the estate was ultimately more comfortable, at least without having to cater to the whims of the mistress.

But clearly, Madam Zhang did not think this way. Nor would Wang Min’er. Their minds were likely preoccupied with dreams of extravagant riches.

Wang Yuan’er sighed deeply. While she could help for a moment, she couldn’t support them for a lifetime. Whether their fate brought fortune or disaster would depend on themselves and the will of heaven.

After a moment of silence, Wang Er suddenly said to Grandpa Wang, “Father, I want to withdraw my investment in the Tang family’s merchant ship stocks.”

Everyone was stunned, including Wang Yuan’er, who was equally surprised.

“Are you mad? Withdrawing the investment now leaves no room for discussion! We worked so hard to join the venture, and it’s about to yield returns. Yet you’re talking about withdrawing your investment now?” Madam Zhang’s eyes widened sharply, her voice shrill as she was the first to object.

Grandma and Grandpa Wang remained silent, instinctively looking toward Wang Yuan’er. After everything that had happened, they subconsciously already saw Wang Yuan’er as the backbone of the Wang family, though they had yet to realize it.

Wang Yuan’er met the eager and stirring gaze of Wang Er. “Second Uncle, what’s your plan?”

Wang Er drank a bowl of tea at the table before replying, “My brother-in-law has passed away, and my sister-in-law has been cast out of the Tang family. Our relationship with the Tang family master is weak—there’s no communication or mediator. Without a connection, I doubt we’ll gain any benefit. Min’er is not faring well in the Tang family. Her situation is dire, and it’s already impressive if she can take care of herself; how could she possibly spare the effort to help us? So, I’ve been thinking it’d be better to withdraw the investment, get back the stock funds, and use it to buy a shop or something. I could still make ends meet if I work diligently.”

Wang Yuan’er raised an eyebrow—so, Second Uncle was feeling the pressure.

Thinking it through, Wang Er’s reasoning wasn’t wrong. The merchant ship investment was initially tied to Tang Xiuping via Zhang Dapeng’s connection to the Tang family master. Maybe Tang Xiuping played a minor role in this, but now that Zhang Dapeng had passed away and Tang Xiuping had taken a new wife, coupled with the Wang Min’er incident, he was no longer reliable. If something were to happen to the merchant ship or the Tang family, what would become of the stock funds?

“This won’t do. If we withdraw the stock funds now, all our efforts will be wasted. Neither side will benefit. I don’t agree,” Madam Zhang dismissed Wang Er’s reasoning outright, as she was still hoping the merchant ship would bring them significant profits.

“Shut up! When men are talking, what place do you have to speak? If you keep interrupting, get out.” Wang Er glared at her and said, “I am the head of the household. It’s not your place to speak here.”

“You…” Madam Zhang was so furious she was practically steaming.

Grandpa Wang coughed lightly, casting a sharp glance her way. Madam Zhang felt intimidated and immediately quieted down, lowering her head indignantly.

“Yuan’er girl, what do you think of your Second Uncle’s idea?” Grandpa Wang turned to Wang Yuan’er, seeking her opinion.

Madam Zhang’s gaze immediately shifted to Wang Yuan’er.

Wang Yuan’er responded, “From the very beginning, when Second Uncle and Second Aunt proposed investing in the Tang family’s merchant ship, I was against it. Now, Second Uncle’s concerns align with my own worries. If withdrawing the investment is possible, it would naturally be the best option. After all, the relationship with the Tang family is rather awkward now.”

She had always opposed entangling the Wang family too deeply with the Tang family. The matter involving Wang Min’er was already enough; there was no need to tie their entire livelihood to the Tang family’s ship. What’s more, Wang Min’er was merely an insignificant concubine. Being able to preserve her own life was fortunate enough—how could she possibly have any influence in the Tang family?

It wasn’t that she looked down on Wang Min’er or the Tang family, but often, from a single matter, one could discern a person’s or a family’s character and values. From what happened with Wang Min’er, she didn’t believe the Tang family was honorable!

But would the Tang family even allow them to withdraw their investment?

“Second, Uncle, the issue isn’t whether you want to withdraw the investment but whether the Tang family will let you. What does the original contract say about the withdrawal terms?” Wang Yuan’er asked.

“It states that if we want to withdraw the investment, we can only get back half of the funds,” Wang Er mumbled, which was one of the reasons he hesitated.

“What?” Madam Zhang and the others were shocked.

Half of the funds—considering the initial investment was a full 500 taels, that meant only 250 taels would be returned.

Grandpa Wang furrowed his brows. That figure was indeed significant.

“Half the funds? Wouldn’t that be a complete loss? We can’t withdraw—it would mean a huge financial loss,” Madam Zhang said darkly.

If the withdrawn money were returned in full, it would be one thing, but losing half the silver was akin to throwing it directly into the water!

Grandpa Wang remained silent, taking a puff from his pipe, seemingly deep in thought.

WWang Yuan’er, however, found this entirely reasonable. After all, they were the ones breaching the contract first. Losing half the money wasn’t unjustified. In business, one couldn’t simply decide to withdraw unilaterally—what if it caused a funding shortage on the other side and drove them into a corner?

However, for some reason, she still felt that withdrawing the investment was the right choice. Why exactly, she wasn’t sure. Ultimately, it would depend on Second Uncle and his family’s decision.