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Liu Siniang felt that her life was too bitter. Her parents had passed away, and her eldest uncle, citing the lack of male heirs in the family, had seized all the house and wealth, leaving her only a meager dowry. After that, he no longer cared about her life or death. Upon marriage, she took on all the household chores like a beast of burden, but still did not receive any affection from her new family. She had thought that as long as she endured and bore a child, there would be hope, but she never expected her husband to bring another woman home.
“Siniang, what do you think?” Su Zhi felt Liu Siniang’s hand trembling in her own. She held it tightly, hoping to provide some strength. She knew that at this moment, no one could make decisions for Liu Siniang regarding her marriage. Even though she pitied her, all she could do was offer support and not draw conclusions for her. Yet, deep down, Su Zhi kept repeating to herself: “Divorce, divorce. Leave this home that brings you suffering, abuse, and hardship!”
Liu Siniang glanced at the four people standing in the center of the room, then, as if she didn’t want to see anymore, she turned back, squeezing Su Zhi’s hand. With a bitter smile, she said, “What choice do I have? Can I even think about it? They have long made their plans. Even if I don’t agree, I can’t stop that woman from entering our home.”
Su Zhi sighed inwardly, feeling sorry for the women in ancient times. Even if a husband took a concubine, they couldn’t stop it. Even if they were fierce, they could only cause a scene before eventually giving in, unless their family had influence to suppress the husband’s family. Unfortunately, Liu Siniang’s family was utterly unreliable, or else she wouldn’t have been bullied by the Zhao family like this.
“Siniang, have you agreed to the Zhao family taking this concubine?” Su Zhi asked. In her heart, she thought that if she were Liu Siniang, and her husband took a concubine, she would also divorce and leave, believing she could live a better life and make the man regret his decision.
Su Zhi truly wished Liu Siniang would act this way, but Liu Siniang was not her. Even if she promised Liu Siniang to support her in case of divorce, she feared that Liu Siniang might not withstand the gossip in the village. At this moment, whether a woman was divorced or separated, her reputation would be affected, which Su Zhi, a modern woman, didn’t care much about. However, Liu Siniang was an ancient woman, adept at enduring whatever came her way.
Su Zhi felt deeply for Liu Siniang’s predicament.
Liu Siniang looked at Su Zhi, her expression somewhat vacant, then let out a laugh that sounded desolate and mocking. It made Su Zhi’s heart clench. Why was Liu Siniang laughing like this? Was she truly driven to this point? The strange mix of bitterness and mockery in Liu Siniang’s laughter left Su Zhi feeling puzzled.
“Su Zhi, you’re mistaken. She’s not a concubine,” Liu Siniang said with a bitter smile, a coldness tinged with loneliness and sorrow evident in her expression, as if all vitality was slowly fading away.
Su Zhi was taken aback. “Not a concubine? But wasn’t Xiaohua just saying she’s a wife?”
Su Zhi wondered if Zhao Xiaohua had said that to avoid displeasing Zhang Qingniang, perhaps finding “concubine” less flattering. However, upon further reflection, Su Zhi began to feel that something was amiss. Zhang Qingniang was well-dressed and didn’t seem like someone willing to play a subordinate role. Would she agree to be a concubine, especially beneath Liu Siniang? The fact that the Zhao family dared to mistreat Liu Siniang to bring Zhang Qingniang in made Su Zhi question why they would have her as a concubine. In rural areas, wealthy farmers often had more than one wife, but concubines were rare. How could the Zhao family make Zhang Qingniang a concubine and treat her like a daughter-in-law?
Su Zhi considered that perhaps Zhao Xiaohua’s earlier statement was true; Zhang Qingniang was indeed a wife, not a concubine, as Liu Siniang had indicated.
“Siniang! Are you saying—”
Su Zhi considered a possibility, and suddenly, a fiery anger ignited within her. Her brows furrowed almost instinctively. She thought she might be overthinking, but how could the Zhao family be so shameless, so audacious, so ruthless!
Liu Siniang covered her eyes with her hands, sobbing uncontrollably, nodding incessantly, trembling all over, like a leaf in the wind. Her sorrow was truly heartbreaking.
Yueyue touched Liu Siniang’s hair gently, comforting her, saying, “Auntie, don’t cry, don’t cry…”
Xiaori and Xing’er stood beside them, their faces also showing anger. They stood in front of the bed, glaring at the Zhao family of three and Zhang Qingniang. Even Little Black and Little White watched the scene unfold.
Su Zhi watched as Liu Siniang went from holding back tears to crying uncontrollably. Her own eyes welled up, tears streaming down her face.
“This is too much, this is way too much!”
“Why cry? No one in our Zhao family has died. Stop mourning here; outsiders would think we’ve done something to you!” Aunt Li scolded loudly, directing her words at Liu Siniang before switching her tone to address Su Zhi, “Zi’an’s wife, this foolish woman doesn’t know her place. Don’t cry with her. She needs to be taught a lesson. Don’t let her affect your eyes with all this crying; it’s not good for them.”
Zhao Xiaohua added, “Sister Zhao, come to the main hall and sit. My brother brought back some snacks this time. Come and try them.”
Su Zhi wiped away her tears, looking at the Zhao family with a sense of disgust. Their shamelessness was on full display, yet they acted as if nothing was wrong, even scolding Liu Siniang in front of her and then bringing up snacks as if nothing had happened.
“I can’t afford your snacks! I’m asking you, if this Zhang Qingniang is not a concubine but a wife, not even a secondary wife, then she’s a wife, right?” Su Zhi asked sternly, holding back her anger as best as she could for Liu Siniang’s sake. She wanted to hear them admit their despicable actions.
Under Su Zhi’s stern gaze, Zhao Daliang slightly lowered his head. He had always found Su Zhi, Zi’an’s wife, attractive, and surprisingly, her glare made him feel somewhat uneasy. He found it difficult to bring himself to speak about such matters. Zhang Qingniang, aware that Su Zhi’s family had some wealth, felt the pressure of Su Zhi’s imposing presence. While understanding Su Zhi was siding with Liu Siniang, she didn’t want Su Zhi to completely detest her, so she feigned a look of distress and discomfort, staying behind.
Aunt Li, being older and thick-skinned, spoke up, “Since Su Zhi is aware, let’s be straightforward. Our Zhao family has no intention of hiding this matter. Liu Siniang has been married into our Zhao family for three years but has not borne any children for us. She’s like a hen that can’t lay eggs. Since she’s incapable, my son can’t let our family line end because of her. Hence, he and Qingniang share mutual affection, and she will carry on the family line for us. It’s only natural.”
Zhao Xiaohua chimed in, “Exactly, filial piety has three aspects, and having no descendants is the greatest failure. Men having multiple wives and concubines is normal. We can’t let my brother’s line die out, right?”
“I’m asking, if this woman is a wife, then what does that make Liu Siniang?!” Su Zhi demanded, feeling incensed by the mother and daughter’s words. Zhao Daliang was often away, making it challenging for Liu Siniang to conceive. Blaming her for being infertile was simply unreasonable. However, at that moment, Su Zhi didn’t want to argue about that. She simply wanted to understand how they viewed Liu Siniang’s position.
Zhao Xiaohua stated, “Qingniang’s family has a family rule against becoming concubines.”
Su Zhi, glaring at her, responded sharply, “I’m not asking about her, I’m asking about Liu Siniang!”
Aunt Li, growing impatient, grumbled, “What is she? She’s been here for three years, not even laying an egg, always looking miserable, eating plenty but doing little. Our Daliang, a talented man, is not someone a foolish woman like her can match. It would be generous of us not to divorce her. She still wants to be a wife? Ha! Just look at her face, how could she be worthy! Being a concubine is already a show of our family’s benevolence. She’s seeking death or trouble, doesn’t know her place. If it were a more influential family, they’d have sent you packing long ago. How dare you cause a scene!”
Zhang Qingniang, supporting Aunt Li’s arm, patted her back, saying, “Mother, calm down. Don’t ruin your health. Don’t speak ill of Sister Siniang. She’s just confused for now. When she understands, she’ll appreciate Mother and my husband’s kindness. Let’s take care of her well. Otherwise, with a wound on her head, others might think you lack benevolence.”
Aunt Li patted Zhang Qingniang’s hand, pleased, and said, “Good daughter-in-law, you care about Mother’s health. I was really about to lose it because of her. If only Liu Siniang had half your understanding. Talking to her nicely, yet she still dares to cause a scene, even hitting her head, bringing bad luck!”
Su Zhi thought to herself, “Is that old woman even speaking humanely? And this Zhang Qingniang, not a decent person at all! Trying to steal Liu Siniang’s husband, turning a devoted wife into a concubine, then shamelessly belittling Liu Siniang and praising the Zhao family indirectly – a despicable homewrecker! She’s worse than those concubines!
“So, are you planning to demote Siniang from a wife to a concubine, making this woman Zhao Daliang’s legitimate wife? Zhao Daliang, is this also what you want? Are you going to forget your years of marriage with Siniang because of her? What family rule does Zhang Qingniang have that prohibits her from being a concubine? Does it also forbid her from being a secondary wife? Just because of her, your lawful wife must be demoted to a concubine? How can you bear to do this to your heart?!”
Su Zhi no longer wanted to reason with the Zhao family. It was futile. In their minds, if Liu Siniang didn’t bear a child, making her a concubine was justified, and if she resisted, she was ungrateful. Su Zhi was fed up with their selfishness and had no desire to engage further. Her words to Zhao Daliang were intended to reveal his true nature to Liu Siniang.