Wang Qingzhu was merely a concubine's daughter of the Wang family, always meek and a fence-sitter within the household.
Her mother was not favored by Lord Wang, and she herself had no distinguishing qualities. With Wang Qinglin and Wang Qingzhen ahead of her, she also failed to gain the affection of Lord Wang or Old Madam Wang.
Therefore, she had very little confidence to return to her maiden home to lodge a complaint.
Furthermore, she did not want her family to know how miserably she was living.
This marriage was something she had schemed for with all her might, yet who would have thought she would end up living like this after marriage!
She truly had no face to return and complain.
Faced with Wang Qingzhen's exasperated questioning, she stammered, unable to speak.
Wang Qingyao stood tall, exuding an aura of authority and grace befitting someone of a higher status.
She looked at Wang Qingzhu and said slowly, "You must remember, your father is the Minister of Revenue, your mother is a noble lady from a marquis's household, and your cousin is the Princess of Ding'an. These identities are your foundation in your husband's home. If you are bullied, fight back! Your family has influence to back you up, what do you have to fear?"
Wang Qingzhu envied Wang Qingyao greatly. Although Wang Qingyao had grown up in a less favorable environment than her, she had blossomed into a radiant and confident woman, like a sunflower facing the sun.
Completely different from herself.
"However," Wang Qingyao's tone shifted, "if you cannot stand on your own, even the strongest family backing will be of no use."
Previously, Wang Qingyao had been unwilling to meddle in the affairs of the Marquis of Jinxiang's household because Wang Qingzhu was always flaunting her marital bliss.
But now that even the concubine was encroaching upon her, presenting herself so brazenly, there was no reason for her not to act.
Wang Qingzhu bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. After a long while, she choked out, "It's no use for me to stand up for myself; no one considers me Pan Yan's legitimate wife, and I have no say in the household. Instead, Concubine Lian schemes against me at every turn. Pan Yan trusts her and always thinks I bully Concubine Lian by virtue of my status as the principal wife. I have no way to explain my suffering..."
As Wang Qingzhu spoke, she began to cry.
Her personal maidservant also shed tears.
Bai Junya said softly, "Please stop crying. You need to take care of yourself, especially after your miscarriage." She then instructed a maidservant to help Wang Qingzhu wash her face.
Wang Qingzhen felt quite fortunate at this moment. If Wang Qingzhu had not harbored ill intentions, she would be the one suffering now.
Wang Qingyao said calmly, "There will be no more trouble from now on. Concubine Lian has broken her leg." A beautiful arc curved on her lips. "A cripple, how long do you think Pan Yan's so-called love for her will last?"
It wasn't that Wang Qingyao looked down on Pan Yan.
If he truly loved Concubine Lian, he wouldn't be so eager to marry a new wife. Even more so, he wouldn't have come to court Wang Qingzhu repeatedly after just one glance.
A concubine, without her husband's favor, could not stir up any storms.
Wang Qingzhu was stunned.
Thinking of something, her expression suddenly turned shy, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Wang Qingyao watched coldly and continued, "If you expect Pan Yan to love you, you are gravely mistaken. Without Concubine Lian, there will be other concubines. Do you remember Madam Bai?"
Madam Bai, Wang Qinglin's mother, Pan Yan's first wife.
What was her ultimate fate?
Wang Qingzhu's face turned pale.
"Placing your hope in a man is the most foolish thing to do! You just need to remember that you are Pan Yan's legitimate wife, you have your maiden family's support, and you should do whatever a principal wife is supposed to do. As for those ethereal feelings of love, ha..."
Wang Qingyao sneered, "Those with a heart full of love will be digging wild vegetables for eighteen years."
Everyone: "???"
What did she mean?
"In short, your most important task now is to recuperate and give birth to a legitimate son. Concubine Lian is a concubine; you don't need to lower yourself to compete with her. She is not worthy."
Of course, Concubine Lian could no longer compete anyway.
After hearing Wang Qingyao's words, not only Wang Qingzhu, but also Wang Qingzhen and Bai Junya fell into contemplation.
Wang Qingzhen weakly interjected, "Second Sister, I understand what you're saying, but aren't you and the Prince of Ding very much in love? Isn't love not so ethereal?"
"Of course, love that is reciprocated is the sweetest, but only if the other person is worth your devotion! Although the Prince of Ding and I get along well, you don't know that I have a lot of private savings that he is unaware of."
"Wow!" Wang Qingzhen's mouth gaped open.
I'll start saving private money when I get back, she thought to herself.
At this moment, the Marquis of Jinxiang, along with the masters and mistresses of the household, came to pay their respects to Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao put on a grand display befitting the Princess of Ding'an, sitting upright in the main seat in the adjacent flower hall, accepting everyone's kowtows.
Wang Qingzhen gazed at her sister with admiration, her eyes practically sparkling with hearts.
After standing up, Pan Yan wanted to question Wang Qingyao and seek justice for Concubine Lian.
However, Wang Qingyao was faster. Before he could speak, she asked with a cold face, "How did my fourth sister miscarry?"
She directed this question at Pan Yan, who was startled and too guilty to meet her gaze.
The Marquis of Jinxiang was not very clear about the affairs of the inner chambers, but the Madam of Jinxiang was fully aware. She curled her lips, revealing a gloating expression.
Previously, Pan Yan had told the Marquis of Jinxiang that Wang Qingzhu had accidentally fallen and lost the child.
The Marquis of Jinxiang then showed a sad expression and explained, "Our daughter-in-law accidentally fell. Alas, this child was not destined for our family. Princess, please comfort her and tell her not to be too sad. She will have more children."
Pan Yan became even more guilty.
Wang Qingyao held her teacup, stirred it with the lid, glanced at Pan Yan, and said coldly, "Why did Zhu'er tell me that Concubine Lian fell and pounced on her, causing her to fall and lose the child?"
The Marquis of Jinxiang looked surprised.
Pan Yan almost immediately retorted, "Concubine Lian didn't do it on purpose."