Heartfelt Words
Inside Madam Wang's house, Madam Wang wore a worried expression, grabbing Su Li's arm. "A-li, be honest with your mother. Who exactly is that Miss Mingyu living in the side room? From her manner of speech and the things she uses, she’s clearly not from an ordinary family. Who is she, and why is she staying with us?"
Su Li sighed. She had long known that the truth would eventually come out, so she told Madam Wang everything honestly.
Su Li had expected Madam Wang to be shocked or angry at her for hiding the truth. But to her surprise, Madam Wang only showed a slight look of surprise, nothing too dramatic.
Madam Wang sighed and said, "A-li, I’ve long suspected Yuanbao wasn’t an ordinary person. But I never thought his status was this high... Ah, that Princess of Chu is truly troublesome. Even a countryside woman like me has heard that the Princess of Chu wants to marry General Xiao Zhetian, the War God of Jin. Though there’s no official decree yet, it’s widely known among the people. Now this Princess Mingyu comes knocking on our door, what are we to do?"
Su Li was also deeply worried. Although she was recognized as Xiao Zhetian’s wife, what about his parents? Would they accept her?
From Su Li’s perspective, when it comes to choosing a daughter-in-law between a princess and a village girl, parents usually pick the princess, not the village girl.
This meant Su Li was very likely lacking the support of her in-laws.
Without her in-laws’ support and without the emperor’s recognition, Su Li had only Xiao Zhetian’s affection on her side compared to Princess Mingyu.
But in this era, with parents’ arranged marriages, matchmakers’ words, Xiao Zhetian’s special status, and the emperor’s decree, it was incredibly difficult.
Su Li wore a worried look. Madam Wang, feeling for her daughter, stopped pressing and instead spoke heartfelt words, holding Su Li’s hand: "A-li, you didn’t choose your birth, you were born in my womb as a farmer’s daughter, and no one can change that. But my girl has talent, not worse than those princesses. You just need to be yourself. As for Yuanbao’s parents, if they truly care for you, they’ll stand by you and fight for you. And the emperor? That’s beyond what we can control. In the end, it all depends on Yuanbao. But if things don’t work out, don’t blame him. After all, he did fight for you and even defied the emperor. That’s already rare. Anyway, our family has money, and you, A-li, have skills. If Yuanbao eventually has to divorce you, we can still live well."
Su Li felt a weight lift off her chest. She nodded and said, "Mother’s right. I’ll just be myself and do my best. As for the rest, what I can’t control, I’ll leave to Yuanbao. I know he will try his best, but since imperial power is supreme, if he ultimately can’t win against the emperor, I won’t blame him. I’ll just accept that we’re not meant to be."
Madam Wang tenderly stroked her daughter’s hair and said, "Ah, I really wish Yuanbao were just an ordinary person, even if he were a fool for life."
Su Li sighed as well, "I hope so too. If he’s a fool, I wouldn’t mind."
As the mother and daughter talked, outside, Lv Luo’s voice sounded, "Madam Wang, my lady asked me to bring you some white fungus and lotus seed soup. The lady said Madam Wang once took care of my master, and she’s very grateful for your kindness toward him."
Su Li was instantly annoyed. Xiao Zhetian was her husband—did anyone ask her about being called "master" or "master’s guest"?