405, Nightmare after Nightmare (4 more updates)
“I told my mother that I already had a girl in mind whom I fancied,” he said. “When she asked who it was, I mentioned your name. She remembered you and praised you for being bright and beautiful, as well as understanding of the bigger picture. She also talked about how, ever since marrying into the Marquis’s household, she’s had to contend with a mother-in-law who cherished her son like life itself and fight with concubines as ferocious as wolves and tigers. She realized early on that for a principal wife, whether the husband is a nobody or someone of high status, without his love, it’s most devastating when he takes one concubine after another, bringing beauties into the residence. Her affection for her sister has its roots in her sister’s birth, which led her to completely give up on our father, letting him take concubines and bring beauties back to the house without caring when he left or returned!”
“My mother said she could grant me my wish, but on one condition: that I would never take concubines in my lifetime unless you were approaching forty without bearing children, only then could I consider taking a concubine!”
“I thought I had made my feelings clear enough, yet you never thought I had any affection for you, so I married you!” Xie Qian spoke softly.
There was a hint of helplessness and a pinch of frustration.
He carried the burden of the Marquis’s estate, the future of his two younger brothers, the search for his sister, and was busy every day. When he came home and after washing up, there were still piles of matters waiting for his attention. The only time he and his wife saw each other was in bed, and of course, he was eager when it came to their intimate affairs, but by the time he was satisfied and wanted to say something, she would already be exhausted and asleep.
Thus, communication was lacking.
Upon hearing his words, the Crown Princess felt both joy and self-reproach. “I’m sorry, I… I…”
“There’s no need for apologies. These years, it is thanks to your management of our home that I have been able to focus wholeheartedly on my struggles!”
“I did it willingly and with pleasure!”
What could be better than knowing that the person you’ve been longing for loves you in return? It was cause for great happiness.
Perhaps because the couple had spoken openly about certain matters, the pleasure of that night felt especially different and tenderly intimate.
After the affair, Xie Qian finally said, “Liang Shuyue, she’s a Liang Family girl…”
After Xie Qian had finished explaining, the Crown Princess exclaimed in shock, “They… They, how dare the Liang Family?”
Poisoning Xie Nuan, substituting a figurehead, and impersonating someone else.
Clutching her fists tightly, “Detestable and vile, the Liang Family is utterly malicious, you mustn’t easily forgive them, they must pay a price a hundred, a thousand times over!” the Crown Princess said and then sighed in relief, “Thank goodness my sister turned misfortune into fortune. Shall we prepare to bring her back home?”
“Not so urgently, Mother has her plans, and in the family, only I, Mother, my second brother, my third brother, and you know of this. You must not tell anyone else,” Xie Qian cautioned.
The Crown Princess nodded and added, “No, actually Hanhan might have guessed already, but she never said anything. And those three people from the Liang Family, they wouldn’t dare speak either!”
She mentioned the loss of their wealth and prestige, and even imprisonment.
“Hanhan…”
Xie Qian thought of this adopted sister with ambivalence. Neither overly fond nor resentful; just indifferent.
He didn’t mind giving her some money.
But his mother and wife both spoke well of her, which suggested she had her merits.
“As for how to deal with that counterfeit, you don’t need to worry, Mother will handle it!”
The Crown Princess agreed graciously.
She truly would not intervene, only would she discreetly cover some of her mother-in-law’s oversights to prevent others from noticing anything amiss.
The Liang Family had wild ambitions, but she wouldn’t let the noble estate throw its pearl before the rotten Liang Family.
Fengping County
Liang Family
“Ah…”
Madame Liang cried out in alarm, waking up sweaty and startled.
“Madame, Madame?” The attending maid immediately lit the lamp and came forward with concern.
“…”
Madame Liang’s back was drenched with sweat, her heart racing and chaotic.
She remembered the dream where she was torn apart by five horses, her daughter had gone mad, everything of the Liang Family had turned to ashes, her son’s life hung in balance, and the whereabouts of her grandsons were unknown-all because of the Marquis’s household’s actions in the capital.
The Xie Family was seeking vengeance for the impersonation and for the harm they had brought upon the Xie Family’s daughter.
“…” Madame Liang considered everything with a mix of regret and resolve.
Chapter 407