Commandery Princess An Kang was truly terrified by her manipulative mother-in-law. Upon hearing just one sentence from He Tiantian, many baseless speculations surfaced in her mind.
"You have your Princess’s personal guards, don’t you? I remember the Saint and the Empress Dowager specially granted you 300 protectors."
And an ordinary Princess would only have 200 protectors.
The treatment of Commandery Princess An Kang was definitely the highest among the noble ladies of the Imperial Family.
Commandery Princess An Kang felt she couldn’t keep up with her mother-in-law’s train of thought.
She stammered, "Previously, previously—"
Previously, Ms. Hetian found those protectors an eyesore because they hindered her ability to freely manipulate her daughter-in-law, so she purposely complained that the He Family came from modest beginnings, with a small courtyard that simply could not accommodate, let alone support three hundred sturdy protectors.
Through tears and playing the pitiful card of poverty, she compelled Commandery Princess An Kang to keep only a few protectors to guard the home, and the rest, over two hundred of them, were temporarily settled on a farm that was part of her dowry.
The one who had chased away the protectors was her mother-in-law, and now the same person was grilling her about "where the protectors had gone."
For a moment, Commandery Princess An Kang didn’t know how to respond.
"Oh my, what’s done is done!"
He Tiantian seemed to recall the domineering actions "she" had once taken, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face. But even more quickly, she regained her gentle and weak demeanor.
"An Kang, in the past, it was Mom who was wrong, always feeling that the Tian Family was from a poor background and shouldn’t be so ostentatious."
"But I forgot that my daughter-in-law is the Commandery Princess An Kang, conferred by the Saint, and those protectors are a gift from the Saint and the Empress Dowager!"
"Alas, I have little experience and don’t understand these formalities. You, An Kang, are too obedient, which led to—"
"Let’s put the past behind us. From today on, let’s abide by the rules."
"Also, An Kang, don’t be too obedient. If Mom does something improper or commits a taboo, you must remind me in time!"
"Although I am illiterate, I still understand that ’good advice often grates on the ears.’ I know even more that my daughter-in-law would never mean me harm!" Fresh chapters posted on n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
Commandery Princess An Kang: ...
Despite these seemingly sincere words, she felt not the slightest bit moved but instead had an "afraid to stir" kind of feeling.
Mother-in-law, what on Earth happened to you?
Could it be you’ve really changed your tune? Thinking of switching up your performance style?!
"...Yes, I’ve taken note, Daughter-in-law!"
Suppressing the unease in her heart, Commandery Princess An Kang obediently agreed, like a well-behaved little rabbit.
"Today, when going out, you can first take those few protectors left in the house."
"When you return, call back all those protectors who were sent to the farm. Next time you go out, bring all the protectors with you."
"I, oh no, you, An Kang, you are a Commandery Princess, after all. Even if you just go out for a stroll, you must have the least bit of Commandery Princess’ presence!"
Commandery Princess An Kang felt numb; she could not keep up with her mother-in-law’s thought process and began to give up on guessing her mother-in-law’s "new tricks."
Resigned to her fate!
Who told her to end up with such a mother-in-law who liked to create drama in various forms?
Commandery Princess An Kang thought she had seen through her mother-in-law’s true nature, but the subsequent events told her—
Is that all there is to it?
Your mother-in-law is "unfathomable"!
An Kang obediently responded, commanded a dozen guards to follow, and the grand procession left the He Family to head to the bustling East Street.
"Mother, we’ve arrived!"
Upon reaching the entrance to East Street, the coachman stopped.
As a daughter-in-law, despite her esteemed status, An Kang had to attend to her mother-in-law first and foremost.
She alighted from the carriage first, then approached He Tiantian’s carriage, respectfully beckoning her to step out.
He Tiantian, holding on to An Kang’s hand, stepped down slowly.
Her body was not yet forty years old and was well-maintained, appearing to be just over thirty.
And she was beautiful, with a figure that hadn’t succumbed to middle-aged spread; instead, she was as slender as a young girl.
It was just that her clothes were somewhat old-fashioned, which was unavoidable.
The original Ms. Hetian, despite a heart that loved beauty, dared not challenge the conventional views.
A widow, especially one young and widowed, who had now become a grandmother, naturally couldn’t be too flamboyant.
Her clothes mostly featured somber colors, and her jewelry designs were all antique.
In a kinder light, it was called dignified.
In harsher terms, it was outdated.
Ms. Hetian’s manipulation of Commandery Princess An Kang was born not just from the natural enmity between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law but also from a hint of jealousy.
Why could An Kang wear bright clothes and dazzling jewelry?
While she, as the mother-in-law, looking almost as young as a sister to An Kang, had to dress as if she were her grandmother!