Li Wangzhou’s words were music to Sun Jingyou’s ears. She lowered her head, a glimmer of a smile passing through her eyes.
It lasted only a second before she composed herself, looking up to continue her persuasion. "Husband, I think older sister is just a bit stubborn; she doesn’t mean any harm. If you talk to her properly, I believe she will eventually agree to let me enter the household as an equal wife. After all, I am already carrying your child. Surely, she won’t be so heartless."
At these words, Li Wangzhou’s anger flared, and his voice rose. "Stubborn? She isn't just stubborn; she is cold-hearted. I have already told her that you are my savior and that you are carrying my child, yet she still acts as if she has suffered some great injustice, as if we have committed some heinous crime. Does she expect me to drive you and our child out of the General's Manor?"
His expression grew increasingly cold and harsh. "I must have been blind in the past to think she was a good woman. Now I see that compared to you, she is like mud on the ground while you are the clouds in the sky. If she truly refuses to accept you, I will divorce her."
The declaration was ironclad, and Sun Jingyou was overjoyed. However, she did not let it show. "Husband, she is your childhood sweetheart after all. Such deep feelings cannot be severed so easily. Besides, if you were to cast her out, how would she survive? Please, don’t say such things in anger."
"Jingyou, you are always so kind. If only Shen Yiru were half as sensible as you." Li Wangzhou pulled her into his arms, soothing her. "Just focus on the pregnancy and don’t worry about these trivial matters. As for the General's Manor, I will never let you suffer, no matter who else is wronged."
"Husband, you are so good to me," Sun Jingyou said softly, her eyes filled with triumph.
This result was exactly as she had expected and exactly as she had planned. Li Wangzhou was indeed a man of little loyalty, but that suited her perfectly. Otherwise, her mission would be much harder to complete. Once she drove Shen Yiru out of the General's Manor and became the lady of the house, it would be much easier for her to act.
"It is only right," Li Wangzhou said gently. "Tomorrow, I am to go to the palace to receive the Emperor’s reward. Whatever I receive, it shall all be yours."
Sun Jingyou lowered her eyes. "Sister is still the lady of the General's Manor. The Emperor's rewards should rightfully be managed by her."
Seeing her decline, Li Wangzhou grew impatient. "The Emperor’s reward was earned through my military achievements. I have the right to decide who keeps them. As for Shen Yiru, it remains to be seen whether she will continue to manage this household. In any case, leave it to me; I will handle everything."
Sun Jingyou said no more and leaned obediently into his arms, nodding slightly. "Very well, I will listen to you, Husband."
"Good, my Jingyou is always so sensible." Li Wangzhou reached out to gently stroke her hair, his eyes overflowing with tenderness.
That day, Li Wangzhou stayed at Mengyun Courtyard. Early the next morning, he left for the palace.
At Qingyou Courtyard:
"Mistress, the General has gone too far," Qiuyan complained while helping Shen Yiru dress. "Not only did he bring back an outside mistress, but he didn't even visit your quarters upon his return. He went straight to Mengyun Courtyard."
She continued, "You are the General’s official wife. If news of the General favoring a concubine over his wife gets out, not only will you lose face, but the General himself will be held in contempt."
Wenchany, who was wringing out a towel nearby, added angrily, "What concubine? That Sun Jingyou is just an outsider he kept elsewhere. She doesn't even qualify as a concubine. If you ask me, Mistress, you should take advantage of the General’s absence and drive her out."
"Stop talking nonsense. Our mistress has her own judgment," Qingyao said as she walked in, cutting them off.
Shen Yiru spoke then: "Driving her out directly won't change anything, and it would only provide others with ammunition against me. In the end, all the blame would fall on my shoulders. One must be firm in spirit, but wield power with a gentle touch. Giving others an excuse to attack me is not a wise move."
"So we just do nothing and watch the General and that woman play the lovers?" Qiuyan asked, unable to stop herself.
Shen Yiru smiled. "Whether they are affectionate or not is no longer important to me. I only want to reclaim the justice that is owed to me, and then retreat unscathed."
The maids were stunned into silence. Qiuyan was the first to gasp. "Mistress, do you mean you intend to divorce the General? But how could that be so easy? If only the Master and the eldest young master were still with us, you wouldn't be bullied like this."
Qiuyan realized her slip of the tongue and immediately knelt, begging for forgiveness. "Please forgive me, Mistress. I didn't mean it."
Shen Yiru closed her eyes, feeling a sting of sadness. Indeed, if her father and brother were still alive, her situation would not be like this. But even if they were, Li Wangzhou’s affection had always been a sham. What use was such a pretense? Was she to waste her life drowning in his lies? It was better to be clear-headed and leave sooner.
"Get up," Shen Yiru said, waving her hand.
"Thank you, Mistress." Qiuyan stood, keeping her head lowered.
Shen Yiru looked at Qingyao. "Has Lady Xie returned to the manor?"
Qingyao bowed. "Yes, Mistress. She is currently at Fuxi Courtyard."
"Good," Shen Yiru nodded. "Go and take all the account books of the manor to Fuxi Courtyard and deliver them to Lady Xie. Tell her that I am unwell and can no longer manage the General’s Manor. The authority to manage the household is returned to her."
"Yes, Mistress." Qingyao felt a surge of joy and walked off briskly to deliver the books. Over the two years her mistress had managed the manor, she had constantly used her own dowry to subsidize it. The manor had nearly five hundred people, and with no steady income, the mistress had to cover the expenses to maintain appearances. The amount she had spent was no small sum. Since the General was so heartless, the mistress should no longer subsidize them.
At Fuxi Courtyard, Lady Xie was delighted to hear her son had returned, but then she learned that he had brought back a pregnant woman from the frontier and was forcing Yiru to accept her as an equal wife.
Lady Xie panicked. "How can Wangzhou be so foolish? Keeping an outside mistress is one thing, but to bring her into the manor without a word? Now, without any preparation, if Yiru makes a scene, won't it ruin my son's reputation?"
With that, Lady Xie stood up to go to Qingyou Courtyard to see Shen Yiru and gauge her attitude.