"I know you won't believe anything I say, but my heart has always been with you, my mother and my four children." The Prime Minister quickly tried to comfort her, sighing. He had imagined countless times how he would explain himself if the truth were ever revealed, but facing it now, he knew all words were powerless.
The Prime Minister's wife had been doted on by her parents since she was young, developing a willful and overbearing personality. After marrying him, she hadn't suffered much hardship. Once she had vented her frustrations, she wiped away her tears and stopped indulging in self-pity.
Thinking about it, she couldn't let it go. She was curious what kind of vixen could capture his heart. Was she of a better family, or more beautiful than herself?
The next day, as soon as the Prime Minister left, she, along with her servants, set off in grand fashion towards Number Twenty-Five, Xinghua Hutong.
Hearing the knock on the door, Madam Lin found it a bit strange. The master had only been here yesterday; why was he back again today? This was very unlike his habits.
Although she had been with him for more than ten years, had borne him two sons and a daughter, she knew that in his heart, she would never measure up to the Prime Minister's wife.
In the past, when she was trying to conceive, he would even stay the night. Later, as children were born one after another, he would only stay for a short while before leaving.
The cook, a woman who normally had no reason to overthink, assumed the visitor must be the master, as no one else ever came. Hearing the knock, she hurried to open the door. Upon seeing the imposing crowd, her mind went blank, and she froze.
A servant beside the Prime Minister's wife roughly pushed her aside, deeming her an obstruction.
Because the other woman had used too much force, she stumbled back several steps, falling to the ground with a thud, and couldn't get up for a long time.
The residents of this hutong were all common folk. Seeing this group arrive with such menace, clearly of high status and wealth, they were curious and craned their necks to watch the spectacle.
Having lived here for so many years, they knew a bit about Madam Liu's situation. Her family never went out to work, yet they had money to spend and servants to command. Occasionally, a master would visit. This arrival clearly indicated an outside mistress. For so many years, no one had come to cause a scene, so they assumed the main wife at home had allowed it. Now, it seemed the wife had no idea.
Madam Liu reacted quickly. Seeing the situation, she knew her secret was out. She immediately pulled her children behind her and looked at them with trepidation.
The Prime Minister's wife walked up to her, grasped her chin with a hand, and could clearly feel her trembling. Now she knew fear. If only she had thought of this before, why had she acted this way? The Prime Minister's wife scoffed inwardly.
She applied a little pressure, forcing Madam Liu's face upwards. An ordinary countenance was revealed to her. She was greatly disappointed, having expected some peerless beauty, only to find this plain and unadorned woman.
Seeing that her actions had startled Madam Liu, she felt a surge of satisfaction and said disdainfully, "I thought you were supposed to be stunningly beautiful, otherwise, how could you be an outside mistress? You're a complete disappointment. Even the maids in our mansion are prettier than you."
Madam Liu remained outwardly calm, but inwardly, she seethed. If she hadn't taken that wrong step in the past, this woman would have no claim on him.
Although Madam Liu hid her feelings well, the Prime Minister's wife, having grown up in the inner quarters of a noble household, was adept at reading people. She could see the defiance in Madam Liu's eyes.
Angered inwardly, she directly exposed her thoughts, "You're unhappy? Did I say something wrong? Look at the maids behind me, which one isn't prettier than you? As for the brats you've given birth to, there are plenty of women who want to bear the master's children, and besides, the master never intended for them to be officially recognized."
As if to inflict more pain, the Prime Minister's wife continued to stab at her heart. After all, she had come here to vent, and as long as Madam Liu was unhappy, she would feel better.
"Madam, you worry too much. In terms of family background and looks, I can never compare to you. I am merely fortunate to have met the master when he was young and struggling. Our families were close in childhood, and we were betrothed. Later, due to various circumstances, we missed our chance. You married him. A decade ago, we met again and got back together. However, the master said he would not let me enter the Lin family, because he had made a promise to you and did not wish to break your vows," Madam Liu said, her head bowed humbly.
Upon hearing her words, the Prime Minister's wife's anger intensified. Madam Liu's humble demeanor was a subtle display of power, telling her that even if she wasn't beautiful or from a good family, she had known the master longer, and they were childhood sweethearts. Otherwise, why would he have chosen her among so many beautiful women to bear his children? He simply couldn't forget her.
The Prime Minister's wife was never one to suffer in silence. She raised her hand and delivered two sharp slaps.
Madam Liu's eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn't expected the high-and-mighty Prime Minister's wife to strike someone in front of so many people. She had thought the wife would sulk or, to save face, pretend to be magnanimous and ignore her.
The Prime Minister's wife seemed to read her thoughts and said dismissively, "These two slaps are to remind you that no matter what, I am always the Prime Minister's wife. Put away your little schemes; they are not enough to impress me. If you want to provoke me and make me unleash my fury, so you can go back and complain, then I will oblige you."
As soon as she finished speaking, to Madam Liu's and her children's horrified eyes, she ordered her servants to smash everything in the courtyard. She also instructed the head servant to hold the woman down and give her a good beating.
As for the children, she hadn't yet ascertained their standing in her husband's heart. Although she was furious, she hadn't lost her reason and decided to spare them for now.
Madam Liu watched as the four gates were flung open and a crowd of onlookers gathered outside. Several maids pinned her down while the head servant slapped her. The pain was constant, the sounds of destruction echoed through the house, and she felt more humiliated than she had ever been in her life. She was filled with despair and rage, yet utterly powerless.
Just as she thought she was about to be beaten to death, the Prime Minister, having received the news, rushed over. Seeing that the children were unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief. Without even a glance at Madam Liu, he approached his wife.
"Why did you come here? This courtyard is cramped and has no fine scenery. We should return to the mansion," he said.
The Prime Minister's wife, seeing an opportunity to de-escalate, followed his lead.
"Indeed, this place not only has a small courtyard but also the flowers are not fresh and beautiful. There's nothing worth seeing. Let's go home." The servants had stopped their actions when the Prime Minister arrived. Seeing their mistress ready to leave, they quickly stepped forward to assist.
Madam Liu watched the pair walk away hand in hand, clenching her fists and suppressing the surge of bitterness. That man hadn't spared her a single glance. She witnessed his heartlessness and fickleness once again.
The three children, now free, quickly helped her up. Ignoring the pointing fingers of the crowd outside the courtyard, they embraced each other, burying their faces and weeping bitterly.