The concubine's frequent provocations further weakened her already frail body.
To regain her status and the attention of her mother-in-law and husband, she secretly vowed to give birth to the Mu family's eldest legitimate son before the concubine did.
She wrote a discreet letter to her brother, asking him to find a doctor skilled in this area to examine her.
As the old doctor placed his hand on her pulse, his brow furrowed deeper with each passing moment. Liu Zhiyi's heart pounded in her chest, more intensely than ever before.
"Doc... doctor, how is my health? Can I conceive?" she asked tentatively after the doctor finally withdrew his hand.
"The previous pregnancy injured your foundation, but it's not a major issue. I will prescribe some medicine for you to take. In about ten days to half a month, you should be fine. However, it is crucial that you do not conceive for the next two years, as it could affect your lifespan."
The old doctor was not one for idle chatter, but her brother, Liu Zhihui, had done her a great favor, prompting him to share a bit more. Though he was merely a town doctor, he had once been a physician to the imperial family. During his service, a case involving the treatment of consorts had implicated him, nearly costing him his life. Disheartened, he had left the capital. It was only through Liu Zhihui's persistent entreaties that he had agreed to return to the capital.
"You said I would be fine in half a month? Why can't I get pregnant?" Liu Zhiyi exclaimed, alarmed. She had hoped to quickly bear her husband a son. If she couldn't conceive for two years, who could guarantee her son's position as the eldest?
"This last pregnancy was very taxing, and you developed a lingering illness. While I can cure you, it will take two years of recuperation to reach optimal health, which is best for both you and any future child." The old doctor said no more, sensing her reluctance. Some things, however, could not be forced.
Returning from the old doctor's, Liu Zhiyi was preoccupied. Yet, she continued to take her medicine and pay her respects to the old madam, maintaining an appearance of normalcy.
Unfortunately, it wasn't long before the concubine became pregnant. All eyes turned to her once more, and Liu Zhiyi felt a surge of desperation. Gritting her teeth, she made a resolute decision to stop taking the contraceptive soup. Soon after, she too conceived. This pregnancy, as the old doctor had warned, was exceptionally difficult. She endured all the hardship, yearning for the arrival of her child. However, despite her best efforts, she was unable to deliver the baby, ultimately succumbing to severe bleeding, a tragic loss of two lives.
The Mu family could not be without a matriarch. Two years later, Master Mu married his cousin. After more than a decade of diligent service, he was already a high-ranking official of the third rank, with prospects of becoming a marquis and a minister.
Emerging from his memories, Master Mu's resolve hardened. The thought of immense wealth and power ignited a fire in his heart, leading to Wu Caiwei's return to the capital.
Hearing the commotion outside, Wu Caiwei knew they had reached the capital. In another half an hour, she would be back at the Mu residence.
In her previous life, upon entering the Mu household, she never left. Six months later, she married into the Xu family. On their wedding night, as the young master of the Xu family lifted her veil, he was shocked to find that the bride was not the woman he yearned for, and he loudly demanded to know who she was.
The commotion naturally alerted everyone, and they all looked at her with suspicion and scrutiny. The original owner, bewildered, stated her identity. It was then that they remembered the Mu family had another eldest daughter. The young master of the Xu family, naturally believing that his beloved did not wish to marry him, inwardly resented this woman for obstructing their union, harboring a desire to kill her.
On her wedding night, she slept alone, utterly unaware of what had transpired. From the moment she entered the house, Master Mu had informed her that the Emperor had decreed a marriage between the eldest daughter of the Mu family and the son of the Xu family, to be celebrated in six months. From then on, she had remained in her courtyard, doing needlework. She had even secretly sent people to inquire about the young master of the Xu family's disposition and heard that he particularly doted on the Mu family's fiancée, praising her to everyone.
Despite the fear of the future, she held onto a glimmer of hope. She believed that she and he were the closest people in the world, and if he treated her well, she would dedicate herself to him wholeheartedly.
However, she never imagined that her wedding night would turn out this way. The next morning, she awoke in a panic, her eyes swollen like walnuts. Her maid, hearing her stir, brought out pre-prepared eggs to soothe her eyes. Once she felt a little better, she proceeded to the madam's courtyard.
The previous day's events in her son's bridal chamber had given Madam Xu a severe headache. She had immediately dispatched people to investigate the bride's identity. The news soon arrived. Upon learning that the bride's mother was of merchant background and that she had been raised in the countryside for over a decade, Madam Xu's vision blurred. She instinctively understood that the bride's rustic demeanor stemmed from her upbringing. She held her in utter disdain.
Even Mu Fei, renowned as the most beautiful woman in the capital, was nothing special in her eyes. If not for her son's strong affection, she would never have sought an imperial decree for the marriage. A daughter from a mere third-rank official's family, while a passable match for her son, was hardly suitable for her ambitions to further bolster the Empress's influence; she had hoped to select a bride from a family of first or second-rank officials.
The great misunderstanding had caused quite a stir. Madam Xu was unwilling to accept the situation, but since the Empress herself had intervened, she had no choice but to force a smile to avoid offending the Emperor and Empress.
Seeing that only the bride had come to offer tea, she even instructed her trusted嬷嬷 (nanny) to fetch the young master. Even if it was just for show, it was important to avoid gossip.
Young Master Xu was reluctant, but he understood the gravity of the situation and reluctantly complied. Though faces were filled with contempt and disdain, no one dared to make things difficult. Thus, the ceremony proceeded smoothly, much to the original owner's relief. Regardless of their motives, from that day forward, she was the legitimate eldest madam of the Xu family.
To avoid further unpleasantness, Madam Xu directly informed the original owner that she did not need to report to her courtyard for morning greetings, as she did not wish to see her. As for Young Master Xu, he was found indulging in the company of courtesans on the second day of their marriage, instantly turning her into the laughingstock of the capital.
Soon, it was time for the bride's return visit to the Mu family. Upon their arrival, Young Master Xu couldn't even be bothered to feign politeness. Seeing his timid wife standing before him, he directed his anger at her, giving Master Mu a meaningful look and a cold snort.
Master Mu, having anticipated this scenario when he decided to bring his eldest daughter back, calmly led the way as if oblivious to the simmering anger. He maintained his ever-present smile and enthusiastically engaged in conversation, capable of holding his own even when ignored.
Mu Fei, observing from the shadows, had a sudden idea upon witnessing the scene.
On this day, all the masters and mistresses of the Mu family were gathered at the entrance to welcome the newlyweds. Only Old Madam Mu, due to her seniority, remained seated in her courtyard, quietly awaiting their visit.
As Young Master Xu stepped into the inner courtyard, he saw someone he did not expect.