She immediately got out of bed, picked up her brush, and wrote a letter. She clearly and directly expressed the inappropriateness of his recent actions, the fact that they both had new lives, and that they should cherish the present and live their own lives well.
Meng Changqing examined it carefully, nodded in satisfaction, and called for her personal attendant, instructing him to deliver the letter first thing in the morning.
After the letter was sent, there was a period of quiet. Zhou Shaoqiu thought that the other party had given up after she had spoken so clearly. To her surprise, not long after, he achieved political merit elsewhere and was specially promoted by the Emperor to the position of Prefect of Wuhu.
Merchants naturally needed to maintain good relationships with the government. As the outgoing Prefect was leaving, he prepared many gifts, hoping to establish a good relationship with the new Prefect. Upon learning it was him, Meng Changqing lost all interest.
Originally, they expected the arrival of Kong Jialiang to bring suppression, but unexpectedly, he offered help both overtly and covertly. While secretly pleased, Meng Changqing couldn't help but suspect if the other party still harbored feelings for his wife and intended to use this to curry favor, hoping for a future reunion.
Unconsciously, he looked at Zhou Shaoqiu with suspicion, and their relationship rapidly cooled. He began to stay out all night. In a world of tenderness, he met a woman of both talent and beauty. Feeling pity for her, he was moved by compassion, redeemed her, and kept her elsewhere.
How could Zhou Shaoqiu not notice his change? But she was powerless. Knowing he was troubled, she never mentioned the Prefect in front of him. However, sometimes, living together in Wuhu meant you couldn't avoid dealing with people.
For example, this time, the Prefect's wife sent invitations to all the officials' wives and the wives of prominent merchants in the city, inviting them to her courtyard for a flower viewing. Others attended, so could she not?
She had no choice but to dress up and go to the banquet with her head maid, Huayi. Everyone knew her background and treated her with considerable warmth. Zhou Shaoqiu, having been accustomed to such scenes in the capital, interacted with the various ladies with ease.
As soon as the Prefect's wife arrived, the atmosphere immediately quieted down. Everyone looked at her with enthusiastic gazes, hoping to befriend her.
Zhou Shaoqiu didn't know why she always felt a bit guilty facing her. Perhaps it was because the other party was already married to Kong Jialiang, while he was still preoccupied with her. She felt a sense of guilt for disrupting someone's family, even though the other party didn't blame her.
At this banquet, the Prefect's wife, being new, intended to build good relationships with them, while they also wished to please her. It was a joyful gathering for all.
"Madam Meng, please wait." After the banquet, as Zhou Shaoqiu was about to leave with the others, the Prefect's wife called out to her. She stiffened for a moment, then quickly turned around and bowed with a smile.
Jiang Yin slowly walked up to her and said gently, "There were so many people just now, it was inconvenient for me to be particularly close to you. Sister, please don't be angry with me."
Zhou Shaoqiu was somewhat flattered and said in trepidation, "What are you saying, Madam."
"My husband often mentions you to me, saying you are virtuous and kind. I've long wanted to meet you, and today's meeting proves you are as renowned as they say. He originally wanted to find a good marriage for you, but I didn't expect you to find a merchant as soon as you returned to Wuhu. I even feel that the Meng family has wronged you, after all, among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants have the lowest status," Jiang Yin said with some regret.
"Thank you, Madam and Sir, for your concern. Although the status of merchants is not high, my husband treats me very well, and I am content," Zhou Shaoqiu said truthfully. She truly felt this way and a sincere smile unconsciously appeared on her face.
"Seeing you like this, I am relieved. My husband and I have prepared some gifts for you. I will have my personal maid deliver them to your residence shortly, to let the Meng family know that you are not to be trifled with and that we will support you," Jiang Yin said with a smile, expressing her friendliness. Sudancd.com
"No, no, they are all quite good to me. I appreciate your kindness," Zhou Shaoqiu quickly waved her hands. Honestly, the previous two gifts had already caused such a rift between her and her husband; she didn't want to cause any more trouble.
"Don't worry, I'll have my maid deliver it and leave. We won't cause you any trouble." Without waiting for her refusal, she directly took her towards the gate.
"Really, no need..." Zhou Shaoqiu was somewhat helpless. Why didn't the other party listen to her? It was an unnecessary act. Did she know Kong Jialiang's feelings? If she did, would she still be so friendly and consider her in every way? Probably not.
Jiang Yin, without allowing refusal, personally escorted her to the sedan chair and gave an instruction. The sedan bearers quickly lifted it and departed. She gave a meaningful look to her personal maid, who nodded and followed.
This happened just as it did when Wu Caiwei first arrived, causing Meng Changqing to misunderstand again. The original host had experienced a similar incident in that lifetime. The original host was heartbroken and unable to defend herself. What made it difficult for her to accept was the condescending attitude of her personal maid, Siqin. She wondered how such an arrogant maid could be trained by someone as gentle as Jiang Yin.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yin happily returned to where she had been chatting with Madam Meng. Kong Jialiang had already come out from behind and was sitting in the pavilion, watching the fish below.
"Now, my dear, you can rest assured. Regardless, the Meng family are merchants, and they will naturally try to curry favor with you. With you as her backer, I believe they will treat your sister as an honored guest, treating her with utmost care," Jiang Yin couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of the scene.
Kong Jialiang looked at her deeply and sighed, "I don't know how to thank you."
"We are husband and wife, we are one. Why say such things? Your matters are my matters. Since you can't let go of your sister, I will do my best to ensure she lives well. Only when she is well can you and I live together harmoniously," Jiang Yin said with sincere eyes.
Kong Jialiang was deeply moved. He stood up, embraced her, and said with emotion, "Thank you. She and I are already in the past. It is you and I who are husband and wife. I will try my best to remove her from my heart. From now on, let us live well together. Please give me some more time."
Jiang Yin nodded vigorously.
In the original host's lifetime, this was just the beginning. If she remembered correctly, in a few days, Meng Changqing would bring a woman back from outside, wanting to take her into the mansion. But Madam objected to her background from a brothel, and they argued fiercely. In the end, they compromised. Madam allowed her to enter, but only after marrying a virtuous woman as a secondary consort.
The husband's chambers suddenly had two concubines. The original host was heartbroken, but she couldn't do anything. Although she was once a lady of an official family, that was in the past. Now her family had fallen, and the Zhou family even relied on the Meng family's support to survive. She could only swallow all her grievances.