Shi Yun had been gone for so long, and Zhou Fu still hadn't come to propose marriage. Hong Lingxiang felt that Zhou Tianpeng was no longer as attentive to her as before.
In the past, after so many days apart, he would have secretly contacted her or sent her some money. But now, she hadn't even seen a shadow of him. If it ultimately didn't work out and she couldn't become Mrs. Zhou, what was all this effort for?
Although she had been married before, she believed that with her looks and demeanor, she could find a satisfactory match. It was all because Shi Yun had set a trap for her before she left. The incident at Zhou Fu last time had eventually gotten out.
Everyone knew she and Zhou Tianpeng were involved. Her reputation was ruined. Where else could she marry but the Zhou family? She was truly in a predicament.
She thought about it and decided to write letters to Zhou Wanqiu and Zhou Wanyue, inviting them out.
When Zhou Wanqiu and Zhou Wanyue got married, the Zhou family hadn't developed yet, and they had only married into ordinary merchant families. On normal days, they received money from the Zhou family, and their husbands doted on them. After their last empty-handed return, the atmosphere at home had become a bit strained.
It just so happened that life at home was stifling, so when Hong Lingxiang invited them, they came very quickly.
"Sister Lingxiang, it's been a while. How have you become more beautiful?" Zhou Qiuxiao exclaimed, feeling a genuine envy for her looks every time she saw her.
"Alas, what's the use of being beautiful? I'm still a widow. Unlike you, who have happy families and children," Hong Lingxiang said sadly and dejectedly.
Although the two sisters had been having a rough time lately, what she said was still quite pleasing to hear.
"Loneliness is temporary. You are going to be my sister-in-law. Hey? Speaking of which, why hasn't my brother come to propose?" Zhou Wanyue quickly comforted her, voicing her confusion.
Hong Lingxiang had been waiting for her to say that. "You'll have to ask your brother. As a woman, some things are hard for me to say."
"Your brother doesn't still have feelings for that girl Shi Yun, does he? If that's the case, he's truly foolish. What's so good about that woman? She has no talent, no beauty, and no family background. How can she compare to you?" Zhou Wanqiu couldn't sit still at the thought of this possibility. She had long been fed up with Shi Yun being above her, and she didn't want them to get back together.
"Don't worry, I'll go back to Zhou Fu tomorrow and persuade my brother, telling him not to be foolish. You two were originally a pair, and Shi Yun interfered," Zhou Wanqiu said firmly, looking at her.
Zhou Wanyue nodded in agreement. Their feud with Shi Yun had started when she first married into the Zhou family.
At that time, the Zhou family had already declined. The two sisters considered themselves ladies and did nothing but wait to be served.
Shi Yun, after marrying into the Zhou family, had many chores to do. Later, she had children and couldn't stand their behavior. So, she earnestly advised them to do what they could within their abilities.
Their mother even agreed with her views. From then on, their good days ended. They had to clean the courtyard, wash clothes, and cook.
It was truly difficult at first. After being ladies for so many years, suddenly having to start fires and cook, they often made themselves a mess. The fire wouldn't even light, and even if it did, either the rice was raw, or the vegetables were burnt. They were often scolded.
Not only that, but they also had to wash clothes in the dead of winter, and their hands cracked and bled. Thinking of this, they gritted their teeth in hatred.
Now that everyone was well-off, they didn't have to cook or clean themselves. But thinking of the difficult times they had endured, they didn't want the culprit to have an easy life.
"Thank you both so much, my dear sisters. It's been a long time since we've seen each other, and I don't have any impressive gifts. These two hairpins are ones I've carefully selected. I hope you won't dislike them," Hong Lingxiang presented the gifts she had prepared. This time, she had spared no expense, feeling a pang of pain. But for her future, she steeled herself; you can't catch a wolf without a cub.
The two women looked at the glittering golden hairpins and showed expressions of joy. They said shyly, "For so many years, Sister has always sent us gifts from time to time. Now that you're in trouble, you've spent so much. We truly feel unworthy."
"Who told us we are good sisters?"
"Since Sister is so polite, I have nothing significant to repay you with. I'll handle the matter between you and my brother. I'll definitely satisfy you." With their mouths full and hands accepting gifts, Zhou Wanyue felt that this was the only thing she could do to repay her.
Hong Lingxiang nodded shyly.
After lunch, she sent them off. Watching their retreating backs, she recalled the scene of their first meeting.
Her days in the Prefect's mansion were not smooth, so she paid close attention to every move of the Zhou family. When she heard that the Zhou family had developed, she secretly regretted her past.
She heard that the two daughters of the Zhou family had come to the prefectural city to procure goods. They wanted to attend the ladies' gathering but were ostracized because they were ordinary and from a county town. She knew her opportunity had arrived.
After finding out that they wanted to attend Mrs. Liu's banquet, she specifically requested an invitation. As soon as she entered, she heard Madam Huang speaking sharply, "Oh, aren't these two sisters from the countryside? How come you show up everywhere?"
"Madam Huang, isn't that meddling too much? We're not here to attend your banquet," Zhou Qiuwan said indignantly. To be honest, in her entire life, she had never suffered so much humiliation.
"Mrs. Liu and I are close confidantes, and we've known each other for many years. Anything you have to say can be told to me. If you're just looking to make friends, I'm afraid she doesn't have time to see you. You can leave now," Madam Huang said, pointing towards the door with a provocative expression.
The reason she picked on these two sisters was that they wanted to go into the tea business. Didn't they know that the tea in the prefectural city was controlled by the Huang family? How could she be nice to them if they wanted to compete for her business?
The two women looked at the surrounding ladies who were gloating. They wished they could leave, but thinking that their mission wasn't accomplished, their husbands would surely scold them when they returned, they stood there, unsure of what to do.
From time to time, ladies would cover their mouths with their handkerchiefs, whispering and laughing, looking at them with mocking eyes. They wished they could disappear into a hole.
"Guests are guests. We are all of the same status, so why make things difficult for each other?" Hong Lingxiang stepped out at the opportune moment, smiling gently.
The two women followed the sound of her voice and saw a beautiful woman looking at them with a comforting gaze. Their eyes welled up with tears. In their eyes, Hong Lingxiang was a savior at that moment.
She gently took their hands, comforting them as she walked, and introduced them to Mrs. Liu.
Although Hong Lingxiang was the daughter-in-law of a concubine in the Prefect's mansion and knew she couldn't make the decisions, these merchants didn't dare to offend her easily. For a moment, no one dared to stop them.