Being a second wife is difficult

The footsteps stopped at the door.

Qinghe lifted the curtain and went out. There were a few whispered words outside, then she lifted the curtain again and came back.

"Madam, it's a message from the gatekeeper that the young lady is returning to the mansion tomorrow, and the old lady has asked everyone to make preparations."

Jiang Wan stopped what she was doing.

Great-aunt.

Before she married into the Lu family, her stepmother, Madam Sun, specifically mentioned this person.

"The eldest aunt of the Lu family married into the Chen family of Huzhou, and her husband is the prefect."

"This woman is remarkable. She was known for her competence even when she was still a young woman. More than ten years after she got married, she still sent gifts to her parents' home every year during festivals. No one dared to compare with her in terms of filial piety in front of her mother-in-law."

When Sun said these things, his tone was complex, as if it were a reminder or a warning.

"She comes back occasionally. If you see her, be polite and don't offend her."

Jiang Wan agreed at the time and made a mental note of it.

"Okay," she said to Qinghe. "Wake me up early tomorrow so I can change into that navy blue jacket."

Qinghe agreed, then asked curiously, "Why isn't Madam wearing that new royal blue dress?"

"My aunt is a guest, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to dress too plainly, nor too brightly. Navy blue is just right, not too plain or too bright."

Qinghe seemed to understand but not quite, and nodded to get ready.

The next morning, Jiang Wan got up half an hour earlier than usual.

After changing her clothes, she styled her hair into a flawless bun and wore a pair of silver hairpins, neither shabby nor ostentatious.

When we arrived at Songhe Hall, several people were already sitting inside.

My mother-in-law wore a royal blue jacket and a red gold headdress today, looking much more formal than usual.

Fang sat at the lower end, wearing a brand-new light green jacket and ruby ​​earrings, looking as vibrant as a spring onion.

Aunt Zhou stood behind her mother-in-law, dressed more presentably than usual.

Jiang Wan glanced around and sat down in her seat.

After waiting for about half an hour, a report came from outside.

"Grandma has arrived."

A genuine smile appeared on the mother-in-law's face, and she leaned forward slightly.

The curtain was lifted, and a woman in her late thirties walked in.

She wore a dark blue embroidered jacket and a red gold hairpin with pearls on her head. She walked with a breezy air, and her skirt barely swayed.

His face resembled Lu Huaijin's somewhat, but he had a sharper, more decisive look in his eyes, clearly someone who was in charge.

"Mother." Madam Lu quickly stepped forward and bowed to her mother-in-law.

Her mother-in-law took her hand and said, "You must be tired from the journey. Sit down and rest."

Lu didn't sit down immediately, but turned to look at Jiang Wan.

His gaze swept over her from top to bottom, revealing no emotion, as if he were assessing something.

"This must be your new sister-in-law, right?"

Jiang Wan stood up and bowed slightly: "Greetings, Grandma."

Madam Lu smiled, a genuine smile, unlike Madam Fang's forced politeness.

"Don't call me 'Grandma,' just call me 'Big Sister,' like Huaijin does."

Jiang Wan readily agreed: "Big sister."

Madam Lu looked her up and down again, nodded, and then sat down.

The mother-in-law held Lu's hand and asked her all sorts of questions.

After traveling for several days, they asked a whole host of questions, including whether the old lady of the Chen family was in good health and how the children were doing with their studies.

Mr. Lu answered each question clearly and calmly.

As they talked, the topic turned to Jiang Wan.

"How has everything been since your wife and I got married?" Mrs. Lu asked.

"Thanks to my elder sister, everything is fine."

"That's good."

Madam Lu turned to her mother-in-law and said, "Mother, I think my sister-in-law is a reliable person. Being a second wife is not easy; there are so many eyes watching you from all sides. It's already quite good that she's managed to get through these days without any major problems."

The mother-in-law nodded: "She's easy to take care of."

"My new sister-in-law works so hard to take care of so many things at home, Mother should take good care of her." Madam Lu said naturally, as if she were saying something that was only natural.

Jiang Wan lowered her head and drank her tea, without replying.

These words sound like they're supporting her, but it depends on who's supporting her.

As a woman who married out of her family, Lu's influence in her natal family depended on her status in her husband's family.

The Prefect's wife—that's quite a significant title.

The mother-in-law smiled and said, "You certainly know how to speak up for others."

"I'm telling the truth."

Madam Lu patted her mother-in-law's hand. "Mother, think about it. Which family doesn't establish rules for their new daughter-in-law upon entering the family? Have you heard her complain once since she joined? No, right? If you don't love someone like that, who will?"

Her mother-in-law laughed at her words and tapped her forehead: "You have such a sweet tongue."

The atmosphere became lively.

Fang sat to the side, a smile on her face, but she twisted the handkerchief in her hand a couple of times.

Jiang Wan caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of her eye, but didn't say anything.

When it was time to eat, my mother-in-law invited me to stay for dinner.

The banquet was held in the flower hall of Songhe Hall. The mother-in-law sat in the main seat, Lu sat to her right, and Jiang Wan and Fang sat at the lower end.

Lu ate quickly and decisively, without being picky or hesitant, eating whatever was picked up.

Halfway through the meal, she put down her chopsticks and looked at Jiang Wan: "Sister-in-law, after dinner, come for a walk with me. It's been several years since I've been back. Has the manor changed much?"

"Not much, everything is still the same as before."

"Then come with me for a walk."

"it is good."

Fang smiled and interjected, "It's rare for my eldest sister to come back, shall I accompany you for a walk?"

Madam Lu glanced at her and smiled politely, "Next time, just let my new sister-in-law accompany me today."

Fang's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered and continued eating with her head down.

Jiang Wan held the bowl, her mind racing.

Madam Lu specifically requested that she accompany her, but Madam Fang offered herself up only to be turned away.

This is not just about taking a walk.

After the meal, the maids cleared away the dishes, and the mother-in-law went to take a nap.

Madam Lu stood up and waved to Jiang Wan: "Let's go."

The two walked along the veranda toward the garden.

Qinghe followed behind, about seven or eight steps away, neither too close nor too far.

Lu walked slowly, looking at the flowers and trees on both sides as she went.

"This osmanthus tree has been here since I was a child. It was much shorter back then. I climbed up to pick osmanthus flowers, fell down, and scraped my knee. My mother scolded me for three days."

Jiang Wan smiled and said, "My older sister was quite mischievous when she was little."

"Who wasn't mischievous as a child? Didn't you climb trees when you were little?"

"He crawled over it. He got caught and was punished by copying 'Admonitions for Women' ten times."

Madam Lu laughed, and this time her laughter seemed more genuine.

As you walk deeper into the garden, all around becomes quiet, with only the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind.

Lu stopped in front of a clump of bamboo, reached out and touched the bamboo leaves, and suddenly spoke.

"Sister-in-law, let me tell you something honest."

Jiang Wan stopped and waited for her to speak.

"Don't count on my younger brother."

Lu turned around and looked at her directly, without beating around the bush.

"He was alright as an official, but far from being a good husband. Back when Madam Gu was alive, he was just like that, neither warm nor cold, neither loving nor indifferent. Madam Gu was such a strong-willed person, and she never heard a single kind word from him before she died."

Jiang Wan didn't respond, waiting for her to continue.

"Before you married into the family, I told your mother to just find someone reliable and easy to live with, and not to expect a second wife to be like the first wife. Your mother listened to me, otherwise you wouldn't have had the chance to come in."

This is a straightforward statement, but it doesn't hurt anyone.

Because it is the truth.

Being a second wife is difficult.

Madam Lu continued walking forward, slowing her pace. "If you keep barging around in this house, the people below won't respect you; they'll just think you're arrogant and ignorant. If you just keep echoing others, I'll see you're incompetent and I'll teach you a lesson."

Jiang Wan listened, and her heart stirred.

What she had been thinking about these past few days was explained to her in just a few words by Madam Lu.

"What does eldest sister mean?"

What I mean is, let's take a step back first.

Madam Lu stopped, looked into her eyes, and said, "You just walked in, and everyone is staring at you. Whatever you do now is wrong because you haven't found your footing yet. Once you've found your footing, it won't be too late to do anything."

"When will we retreat?"

"Retreat until someone begs you to come out."

Madam Lu smiled. "If I don't give you the power to manage the household, then don't ask for it. If Aunt Zhou wants to serve you, then let her serve you. If the second branch of the family wants to show off, then let them. Just manage your own affairs well, don't make any mistakes, and don't give anyone any leverage against you. As for the rest, just wait."

Jiang Wan remained silent for a while.

"What are you waiting for?"

"Wait for an opportunity," said Madam Lu. "There's a long road ahead, and things will inevitably go wrong. When things do go wrong, whoever stays calm will be the one in charge."

The wind rustled through the bamboo forest.

Jiang Wan looked at Madam Lu and suddenly asked, "Did you go through the same thing, eldest sister?"

Mrs. Lu was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"You have a good question."

She shook her head. "My situation is different from yours. I was in charge of the household from the moment I entered the family. My mother-in-law stopped managing things a long time ago. You are a second wife, so it's definitely more difficult for you than for me."

He paused for a moment.

"It's precisely because you're having a harder time than me that I'm saying these few words."

Jiang Wan nodded earnestly: "Thank you for your guidance, elder sister."

"Don't thank me."

Madam Lu waved her hand, "I'm telling you all this not entirely for your sake. If the Lu family prospers, I'll have face in my husband's family too. If you don't manage this household well, it's the Lu family that will lose face."

Although the words were direct, they were not offensive.

Because she was telling the truth, without hiding anything.

The two strolled slowly along the garden path and returned to Songhe Hall, where the mother-in-law had already woken up.

Fang was also there, talking with her mother-in-law.

Seeing the two enter, Madam Fang asked with a smile, "Did you enjoy your shopping, eldest sister?"

"It's fine." Madam Lu sat down, took the tea handed to her by the maid, and took a sip.

The mother-in-law glanced at Jiang Wan, her gaze holding something that was hard to pinpoint.

Suddenly, Madam Fang spoke up: "By the way, eldest sister, there's something I'd like to ask you for advice on."

Madam Lu put down her teacup: "What is it?"

"A few days ago, the Gu family sent a letter saying they wanted to invite Zhao-ge'er and Wan-jie'er to stay with them for a while."

Fang spoke slowly and deliberately, "After all, they are my maternal family, and the children should visit each other more often. The old lady hasn't made a decision yet, and I thought that since my eldest sister is back, it would be a good opportunity for her to make a decision."

Jiang Wan paused slightly in the hand holding the teacup.

Family-oriented.

The late wife's family.

She lowered her eyes, staring at the foam on the surface of the tea, and remained silent.

The mother-in-law frowned: "I'm a little worried. The two children are still young, and it might not be appropriate for them to stay at my parents' house for too long. But if we don't let them go, the Gu family will say we're heartless."

Upon hearing this, Madam Lu didn't rush to respond, but first asked, "How long did the Gu family say they would be staying?"

"They didn't say," Madam Fang smiled. "They just said they'd be staying for a few days."

"That won't do." Madam Lu said decisively. "You can stay at your parents' house, but not for more than three to five days. If you stay too long, the children will miss home, and the family will miss the children too. Besides, both children have homework, and we can't afford to delay it."

The mother-in-law nodded: "That's what I meant too."

Before Fang could say anything more, Lu had already picked up her teacup and taken a sip, making it clear that the matter was settled.

Fang swallowed back the words she was about to say, and smiled, "Eldest sister is right, let's do as eldest sister says."

Jiang Wan remained silent, drinking her tea with her head down.

She could feel Fang's gaze sweeping across her face, as if waiting for her to say something.

But she didn't say anything.

She had no say in this matter.

The Gu family is the original wife's family, and they are supposed to take in the original wife's children. As a second wife, she can't say anything right.

Saying she can go makes it seem like she's eager for the child to leave, while saying she can't go makes it seem like she's clinging to the child.

Keeping quiet is the smartest choice.

Madam Lu glanced at her, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

After sitting for a while, Madam Lu got up to take her leave.

"Mother, I'm going back now. I'll come see you again in a few days."

"Be careful on the road." Her mother-in-law held her hand, a rare look of reluctance on her face.

Madam Lu patted her mother-in-law's hand and turned to walk out.

As he reached the door, he suddenly turned back and said, "Sister-in-law, will you see me off?"

Jiang Wan followed them out.

The two walked to the second gate, where Lu's carriage was already waiting.

Lu stopped, took off a jade bracelet from her wrist, pulled Jiang Wan's hand, and put it on.

"Take it."

Jiang Wan looked down and saw that the jade bracelet was of excellent quality, with good translucency and a bright green color, much better than her pair.

"Big sister, this is too precious—"

"Take it if I give it to you." Madam Lu pressed her hand down. "It's nothing rare, I have more."

He paused for a moment.

"If there's anything I can help with in the future, I'll do my best, but first you need to stand on your own two feet."

Jiang Wan looked at the jade bracelet on her wrist and didn't refuse anymore.

"Big sister, I've got it."

Madam Lu nodded, turned around, and got into the carriage.

The carriage curtain was lowered, the carriage wheels turned, rolling over the bluestone road, and gradually disappeared into the distance.

Jiang Wan stood at the second gate, a breeze blowing in, carrying the scent of early summer.

She glanced down at the jade bracelet on her wrist.

What Madam Lu said today was more effective than everything that everyone else had said in the past few days since she married into the family.

Let's take a step back first.

Waiting for an opportunity.

Finally, someone in this family told her some truth.

Back in her own courtyard, Qinghe brought over tea and immediately stared wide-eyed at the jade bracelet on her wrist.

"Madam, this bracelet... was it a gift from your great-aunt?"

"Um."

"This quality is worth at least several hundred taels of silver," Qinghe said in a low voice. "You're really generous, madam."

Jiang Wan took off the bracelet and put it in her dressing case, placing it together with the pair her birth mother had left behind.

One pair is old, and one pair is new.

The old ones are of average quality, while the new ones have excellent clarity.

She stared at it for a few moments, then closed the box.

"Madam, why didn't you say anything when the Second Madam brought up the matter of the Gu family picking up the children today?" Qinghe asked.

"Why should I say anything?" Jiang Wan sat down by the window and picked up the embroidery board. "That's the late Madam's family home. No matter what I say, it's wrong. Silence is the best response."

Qinghe thought about it and agreed, so she stopped asking.

Jiang Wan lowered her head and embroidered a few stitches, then stopped.

Was Fang bringing this up casually today, or was it intentional?

If the Gu family wants to pick up the child, they can just tell the mother-in-law directly. Why do they need to go through Fang to relay the message?

Was it that the Fang family wanted to act as the middleman, or was it inconvenient for the Gu family to speak directly?

After thinking for a while without coming up with a solution, she shook her head and continued embroidering.

Some things can't be rushed.

and so on.

As Lu suggested, we will wait.