The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 96

The Third Master interrupted him without expression, “If the Liu family is threatening you with this matter, then such an in-law is better off not having. As my brother, you can’t let yourself be threatened every day.”

“Don’t you see that this is exactly what the Liu family is deliberately doing? You are my brother. This matter must be handled according to the Wang family’s rules.”

The Eldest Master sat dejectedly in the armchair and said nothing.

The Third Madam glanced at the Fourth Madam and her husband. Seeing no objections from them, the matter was settled.

Soon, a maid came to report, “Master, Madam, the Young Master of the Liu family requests an audience, saying he’s come to take our young lady back.”

The faces of the masters and madams were all cold. Wang Shuqing, standing beside the First Madam, immediately stopped crying, wiped away her tears, and straightened up.

The Third Madam calmly stared at the open door and said in a cold voice, “Everyone, please leave. I’ll handle this alone. Making such a fuss only elevates him. Why should we give face to someone so insignificant? Leave!”

The Third Master was the first to stand, and the other masters and madams followed suit. Soon, only the First Madam and Wang Shuqing were left.

The Third Madam turned to Wang Shuqing and asked, “Aunt is asking you a serious question. What do you really think?”

She needed to understand Wang Shuqing’s stance in order to act accordingly.

Wang Shuqing hesitated, choking on her words. “I don’t want that woman to enter the door.”

The Third Madam pressed further, “If the other party insists on letting her in, will you accept her as a concubine, or will you choose to divorce?”

Wang Shuying was stunned when she heard the word divorce. “I…I…” She couldn’t make up her mind for a moment, and tears flowed out again.

The Third Madam, somewhat disappointed, didn’t push further. After all, this was someone else’s marriage. If she wanted to support Wang Shuqing, the latter needed to stand firm herself.

“Tell me your true thoughts, so I can make arrangements.”

The First Madam, concerned that the Third Madam’s decisive approach might pressure her daughter into a divorce, gently nudged Wang Shuqing’s elbow. “I think, as long as she isn’t made a formal wife, we could just accept her as a concubine.”

Wang Shuying turned back with tears in her eyes, her heart aching as she said, “Mother, you don’t know, but they’ve had feelings for each other for more than ten years. Once she enters the door, where would I stand? You don’t know that woman, she’s two-faced—sweet as can be in front of me, calling me ‘sister-in-law’ so affectionately, but behind my back, she steals my man. Just thinking about her makes me sick, I can’t eat or sleep…”

The Third Madam couldn’t listen any longer and interrupted her, “I have an idea. Why don’t you take a gamble? I bet the Liu family won’t dare to break things off with our Wang family. In that case, we’ll use the threat of a divorce to force them to back down. Of course, you must be mentally prepared, because if the Liu family really agrees to the divorce, you can’t regret it.”

“Think it through and then give me your answer.”

Wang Shuying took a step back, sitting down heavily in a chair, as the five years of her marriage played before her eyes. A forced marriage was never sweet. Because of her status as the daughter of a criminal, the Liu family had always looked down on her and never treated her as a proper Wang family member. She regretted it, but it was too late. If she were to be honest with herself, she didn’t want a divorce. After all, where could she go after a divorce? But compared to enduring that pair of lovers, she’d rather divorce.

After making up her mind, she took a deep breath and firmly replied to the Third Madam, “Alright, I’ll leave everything to you, Third Aunt.”

The First Madam immediately became anxious upon hearing this, “Child, you must think this through.”

Wang Shuying gritted her teeth as she cried, “I’ve thought it through.”

Hearing this, the Third Madam felt somewhat relieved. She looked at the First Madam with a calm expression and said, “Sister, the Liu family only dares to bully Ying’er because they know your and Brother’s temper. If you fight back, they won’t dare to go too far.”

She clapped her hands and stood up, “The more you back down, the more they’ll take advantage.”

The maid outside urged, saying the person had already arrived in the small hall.

Wang Shuying pulled her mother away from the main hall, while the Third Madam leisurely walked outside, “Take him to the side hall.” If Liu Xun wanted to marry a concubine, he wasn’t qualified to sit in the Wang family’s main hall.

The Third Madam led her maids and servants out and noticed Wang Shuqin and Xie Yunchu whispering under the corridor. She glared at them and immediately said, “You two, come with me.”

Caught eavesdropping, both Wang Shuqin and Xie Yunchu were startled and, without a word, followed the Third Madam into the side hall. After a while, a tall man was brought in by a maid.

The man was in his twenties, dressed in a tea-colored gown with a jade pendant hanging from his waist. In terms of appearance, he could be considered a handsome young man. Wang Shuqin glanced at him disdainfully and turned her eyes away, while Xie Yunchu and the Third Madam looked straight ahead, their faces unreadable.

When Liu Xun entered, his eyes immediately landed on Wang Shuqin. He froze for a moment when he saw her turning away in disdain. Awkwardly, he lifted his knee-length cloak and entered the hall, greeting the Third Madam and Xie Yunchu.

Xie Yunchu returned the greeting and then stood next to the Third Madam.

The Third Madam casually sipped her tea and, with a nonchalant wave of her hand, gestured to a seat, “Master Liu has arrived, feel free to sit.” Her tone was as casual as discussing daily matters.

Liu Xun wasn’t foolish. Upon hearing that he was coming to see the Third Madam, he knew things wouldn’t go smoothly. He respectfully bowed towards the Third Madam.

“Liu Xun greets Third Madam. Recently, I had a little argument with Shuying. I couldn’t even have dinner properly, so I came immediately to bring her back. I didn’t handle things well earlier, and I hope Madam will forgive me. Family harmony is the most important thing, so please allow me to take her home.”

The Third Madam slowly stirred her tea, asking in a slow voice, “A little argument? I heard that Master Liu plans to take a second wife, so our young lady will return to make room for the new wife. Rest assured, our Wang family isn’t the kind to force anyone. If you intend to marry someone else, we can also find our young lady a new husband—one who isn’t so foul. We can part ways peacefully.”

This was a veiled insult at the Liu family. Liu Xun’s expression changed. He shot a cold glance at the Third Madam, but she simply continued sipping her tea, turning to Xie Yunchu to discuss some household matters, completely ignoring him.