Union

Chapter 148, Section 147: I'll be your mother for the rest of my life.

Chen Yanzhou was summoned to the palace without even having time to change his clothes.

Among his other close friends were Zhou Zhenshu, who taught at the Imperial Academy; Chen Songnian, who served in the Imperial Guard; Gu Yuanxi, who compiled books at the Hanlin Academy; and Liu Ying'an, who entertained his parents at home in colorful clothes.

The four of them watched as Chen Yanzhou was taken away by the palace eunuchs. They exchanged glances and knew that they would not be able to get together today.

After Liu Ying'an finished her task, she decided to make a detour to the Rongguo Duke's Mansion to inform the people there that Chen Yanzhou had been taken to the palace. As for the other three, they all went home.

Not to mention that everyone in the Rongguo Duke's Mansion already knew about this, the news that Chen Yanzhou had been brought into the palace to meet the emperor quickly reached the Chang'an Marquis's Mansion.

Upon hearing this, Lady Chang'an's expression softened slightly. Looking at her arrogant and stern-faced daughter, she gently persuaded her, "Look, it's not that Yanzhou didn't want to come and pick you up. He just returned to the capital and has been extremely busy since his first day back."

Lady Chang'an is also having a headache right now. She has been feeling very unwell these past few days because of a cold.

Last night, the symptoms worsened; in addition to coughing and chest tightness, a low-grade fever also developed.

By morning, her fever had subsided, but she hadn't slept well all night, causing her headaches, which hadn't bothered her for a year, to flare up again.

She was in excruciating pain, and only with encouragement and persuasion from her daughter-in-law was she able to manage to eat half a bowl of rice.

As a result, no sooner had he put down his chopsticks than this unfilial daughter showed up at his door.

She cried out "Mother" as soon as she entered the door, followed by frantic screaming and wailing. She said that Chen Yanzhou ignored her and wouldn't enter her room at night; she also said that her brothers, sisters-in-law, and other relatives were no good either, just standing by and watching the spectacle without offering any advice.

Upon hearing this, Lady Chang'an forgot all about her headache and felt only heartache for her daughter's misfortune in marrying the wrong person.

But how well did she really know her daughter? And she had visited her daughter's yard many times.

After thoroughly interrogating her daughter and inquiring about the events of yesterday, how could Lady Chang'an not know that her daughter was exaggerating and sowing discord?
To say that Chen Yanzhou's brothers, sisters-in-law, and other relatives were laughing at him is utter nonsense.

Chen Yanxi's courtyard and those of her brothers were not in the same direction, while the courtyard of the Duke of Rongguo's heir and his wife was closer to Wenhua Garden.

When they arrived at Wanxiang Hall, where her daughter lived, she and Chen Yanzhou were accompanied by only the third young master, Chen Yanhuai.

Chen Yanhuai was the most gentle and mild-mannered person. He was still young and kind-hearted. If he saw his brother and sister-in-law going their separate ways, he would only offer advice and would not stand by and watch their drama unfold.

Therefore, what Shuqing just said—that Chen Yanzhou's brothers, sisters-in-law, and siblings are all on the same side as him, and that they only know how to manipulate her, humiliate her, and laugh at her—is all nonsense.

Realizing that her daughter was talking nonsense again, Lady Chang'an had an even worse headache.

At this moment, she didn't even have time to wonder why Shuqing hadn't mentioned Yanzhou's return at all. It was already past the Lunar New Year, and she had thought Yanzhou wasn't coming back this year, but it turned out he was coming back...

Of course, this is a small matter.

The important thing is that Lady Chang'an has not forgotten the mistakes Shuqing made when she was deceived by Ruizhu, including the fact that she made Xiao Fengshi sick.

Lady Chang'an felt a headache coming on when she thought about these things.

At that time, she forced her daughter to go to the Rongguo Duke's Mansion to apologize. She blamed everything on Ruizhu, and Xiao Fengshi didn't hold it against her daughter, so the matter was let off lightly.

However, the matter was only glossed over at the time; it did not simply disappear.

Chen Yanzhou couldn't possibly be unaware of these things; if he had, he couldn't possibly not be angry.

He didn't get close to his daughter, and he didn't even go back to the courtyard with her, which was perfectly normal in the eyes of Lady Chang'an.

No matter how noble the young master was, if he had any temper, he could not tolerate his wife being so unable to distinguish right from wrong, so blind to what is near and far, and so foolish and arrogant.

Chen Yanzhou was still the same proud son of heaven. If it weren't for the accidental rescue of her daughter from drowning, given Shuqing's character and talent, marrying Chen Yanzhou would have been a pipe dream.

But their daughter was truly spoiled. She got such a perfect husband, but instead of pleasing and coaxing him, she acted up and pushed him away!

What she should do now is to humble herself, apologize, and act coquettishly to win Yan Zhou back. Otherwise, what use would it be if she truly alienated Yan Zhou's heart, even if she held the position of the second wife of the Duke of Rong's mansion?

Lady Chang'an rubbed her aching temples. Unfortunately, she had explained these principles to Shuqing again and again, but Shuqing just wouldn't listen.

She even made veiled accusations and dared to run home early in the morning to complain.

Lady Chang'an had such a headache that she felt like her whole body was about to split open. She quickly called over Liu Mama and said, "Go and call Shuyu's family. Tell Shuyu to keep an eye on Shuqing."

Lin Shuyu was called back under these circumstances.

Along the way, Liu's mother didn't hide anything and told her everything in detail.

After hearing this, Lin Shuyu felt a little numb.

She knew before that her younger sister was unruly and somewhat willful. But if the legitimate daughter of a prestigious family were to have no temper at all, it would be a laughing stock.

Although Shuqing's behavior was somewhat willful, Lin Shuyu, as her older sister, saw it as a good thing. As long as Shuqing could distinguish between what was important and what was not, and could keep her husband in check, who could say that her willfulness and capriciousness weren't part of the fun in a marriage?
Unfortunately, this was just Lin Shuyu's imagination.

In fact, Shuqing's temper was not something that could be considered a source of amusement in the bedroom.

Shuqing couldn't distinguish between inside and outside, right and wrong; she had been spoiled rotten.

While pondering how to discipline her younger sister on behalf of her mother, Lin Shuyu also sent people to inquire about any movements at the Rongguo Duke's Mansion and whether her son-in-law intended to visit.

As soon as he finished giving these instructions, the carriage stopped.

Lin Shuyu got off the carriage and went straight to her mother's courtyard.

As soon as they reached the doorway, the maidservant accompanying the Crown Prince's wife brought over a bowl of mint and tangerine peel soup to soothe the liver and regulate qi.

After exchanging greetings, the mother said to Lin Shuyu, "The young master is practicing calligraphy and is asking his wife to keep him company. Since his wife is too busy to come, she specially prepared a bowl of mint and tangerine peel soup and asked me to bring it to my mother-in-law."

Lin Shuyu, being a shrewd person, immediately understood her mother's unspoken meaning.

It was clearly her mother's responsibility to discipline Shuyu, and she didn't want her sister-in-law to interfere. Her sister-in-law, being a sensible woman, deliberately avoided it. However, worried that Shuqing would upset her mother, she specially prepared some herbal medicine and brought it over. Understanding this, Lin Shuyu couldn't help but think that she didn't expect Shuqing to be perfect in everything; if she could learn even three of her sister-in-law's skills, she wouldn't have to worry about not getting along in the Rongguo Duke's mansion, and her mother wouldn't have to clean up her messes time and time again.

"Thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law. I was just about to go see my mother, so I'll take this tangerine peel soup in for her. My mother has worked so hard, and you can't be without me, so I won't trouble you to go in again."

As Lin Shuyu spoke, Liu Mama behind her quickly took the medicine from her, while her maid cleverly took out a silver ingot and stuffed it into Liu Mama's hand.

The mother initially declined, but Lin Shuyu spoke up again, and only then did the mother accept it with a smile.

After watching the mother walk away, Lin Shuyu led her servants into the courtyard of the Marquis of Chang'an's residence.

Before she could say anything after entering, she bumped into Lady Chang'an, who was banging her head against the bedpost in a headache. Her voice was weak and hysterical, "I must have been utterly wicked in my past life to be your mother in this one."

Upon hearing this, Lin Shuyu was startled. She quickly stepped forward to comfort her mother, urging her not to harm herself. Meanwhile, she ordered someone to take Lin Shuqing away, saying she would talk to her properly after settling her mother.

Lin Shuqing was unwilling and wanted to argue, but Lin Shuyu glared at her fiercely, "If you dare to talk nonsense and upset your mother again, I will have you thrown out of the mansion. As long as you don't mind the shame, you can shout as much as you want."

Whether out of fear of her elder sister's authority or fear of being thrown out and humiliated, Lin Shuqing kept quiet and followed the maid to the next room, grumbling and cursing.

Lin Shuyu coaxed her mother to take the medicine and then let her lie down to rest.

Lady Chang'an was convulsing with a headache and couldn't care less about her youngest daughter. She grabbed her eldest daughter's hand and said, "Shuqing is confused. She wants to stay at her parents' house and wait for Yanzhou to come and pick her up. But you know, she was in the wrong in the first place. It's understandable that Yanzhou is dissatisfied. What I mean is, later you can send your sister back and tell her that she made an appointment with you to go back to her parents' house together today."

Lin Shuyu comforted her mother, "Don't say anymore, I know what I'm doing."

“I trust you to do things, but that wretched child, she, she actually wants to divorce Yan Zhou... Shuyu, you should persuade her, your sister has her head full of straw, she’s completely confused.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Shuyu frowned deeply. She could now understand why her mother had been so distraught when she entered the room, even banging her head against the wall and saying things like, "I was utterly wicked in my past life, and now I'm your mother."

Not to mention the mother, even she was trembling with anger when she heard her sister's unreasonable request.

After settling the Lady of Chang'an Marquis in, Lin Shuyu watched her mother fall asleep and sat by the bedside for a long time before getting up to go find her younger sister.

Even though it was just a few steps, Lin Shuyu felt a pang of sorrow as she thought of her mother's white hair.

The joy my mother felt when my sister got married is now replaced by weariness. This sister, perhaps, isn't here for revenge.

Lin Shuyu entered the room, where Lin Shuqing was throwing things on the floor in a fit of anger.

She was sensible enough not to smash the tables, chairs, stools, cups, and plates, but instead tore up the bedding and curtains.

The room was already a mess, and Lin Shuyu almost had nowhere to step when she went in.

Lin Shuyu slammed her eyes shut, then opened them again, walked straight up to Lin Shuqing, and slapped her twice across the face.

Lin Shuqing was stunned at first, then screamed and roared, "You actually hit me! I'll fight you to the death!"

Like a hysterical beast, she raised her hand with bloodshot eyes, ready to fight her sister to the death.

However, before Lin Shuyu could even lift a finger, she was subdued by Lin Shuyu's maid.

Lin Shuyu took two steps back, watching her younger sister put up a stubborn resistance.

She was subdued, but her eyes were filled with resentment and hatred, as if she were not her own sister, but an enemy with whom she had an irreconcilable feud.

For a moment, Lin Shuyu was in a daze. Was this really her sister?
Her sister was clearly just a little willful and capricious, when did she become so foolish and vicious?

This isn't her sister. Was her sister switched with someone else?

But this face was so familiar, so familiar that even the tiny mole at the end of her eyebrow was the same color she remembered. This was definitely her sister.

Even though she was unwilling to admit it a thousand times over, Lin Shuyu realized that her sister had changed. She had become foolish and domineering, unable to distinguish right from wrong, and had become the very thing she least wanted to see.

Lin Shuyu suddenly felt cold, realizing that no matter how much she said, her daughter wouldn't listen.

Since they won't listen to gentle persuasion, let's try a tougher approach.

Lin Shuyu sat down on the chair next to her. "Shuqing, listen to me."

Lin Shuqing paused in her struggle and truly fell silent, but her eyes, still filled with wariness, resentment, dissatisfaction, and bitterness, remained fixed on Lin Shuyu.

Lin Shuyu pretended not to see these expressions and said coldly, "If you want a divorce, you can. But after the divorce, the manor will no longer be your home. In order not to delay the marriages of the girls in the clan, and not to affect the reputation of the manor, after the divorce, you will either marry a poor scholar far away, or become a second wife for a family outside the capital, or, at worst, you will only be able to spend your old age in seclusion."

Lin Shuqing seemed insulted, her face filled with humiliation. "I am the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Chang'an's household, and you want me to remarry a poor scholar and become someone's second wife? I want to remarry, not be a pauper! You want me to spend my life as a Buddhist nun? Are you still my sister? Fine, I knew it! You've always been jealous of Mother's favoritism towards me since I was little. Now that you've got your chance, you're going to humiliate me to death. Luckily, I've already prepared a way out. I don't need your help. I just hope you won't rush to claim kinship with me. I want to marry, marry..."

Lin Shuqing screamed hoarsely, her face contorted in a grotesque expression, as if possessed.

Lin Shuyu just stared at her sister, completely ignoring her angry shouts.

She had also prepared an escape route.

If she truly had the ability, she should have sought a way out for her and helped her seek justice. Why would she come to the mansion to cause trouble for her mother?

Shuqing has finally revealed her true colors.

Lin Shuyu said, “You can keep yelling and shouting. It would be even better if you could attract your father and brothers. You know better than I do what kind of person your father is. If he finds out you want a divorce, you won’t just be marrying far away or spending your life in seclusion. He will make you die.”

Lin Shuqing looked terrified, her mouth wide open, her eyes filled with fear.

Clearly, she knew something about her father's character and ruthlessness.

Even though she considered herself her father's daughter and believed he would never kill her, her father always valued the family's reputation above all else. If she divorced him, the family's reputation would be tarnished because of her... and her father would not let her off easily.

"If you're smart, you'll shut up now. Let's pretend this never happened. You can rest, and I'll take you back to the Rongguo Duke's Mansion later. Otherwise... don't blame your father and mother for not cherishing their own flesh and blood."

Babies, I have the flu. It's really bad these past few days; the hospitals are full. I had a fever from Friday to Sunday, and on Saturday night I suddenly developed a high fever and kept vomiting. I had to go for injections first thing Sunday morning, and I've had three so far. The fever is gone, but my throat feels like a broken gong; it's so hoarse that it's hard to even speak, and it hurts like I've swallowed razor blades. Everyone, please wear masks when you go out, take precautions, and drink plenty of hot water. It's almost the end of the year, so I hope everyone stays healthy and doesn't get sick.