The Concubine of the Main Wife - Chapter 1

The mourning hall was draped in white, with a brazier gently burning and the sound of weeping unceasing.

 

 

Not far away, a long table was laden with offerings, incense smoke curling upward from the burner, and the eternal flame flickered in the wind.

 

 

The relatives and friends who had come to pay their respects quickly shifted their gaze from the opulent black lacquered coffin to the dignified and beautiful young woman.

 

Clad in mourning attire, her delicate features were like a painting, a white ribbon tied around her forehead, her sorrowful beauty striking and heartbreaking.

 

 

Yet she seemed on the verge of collapse, so grief-stricken that no tears remained. At this moment, she sat dazed and alone on a stool, barely held up by two maids behind her otherwise, she would surely have collapsed to the ground.

 

 

“Poor Mrs. Su, widowed so young!” one relative lamented with envy, itching to step forward and console her.

 

 

The surrounding crowd immediately erupted in chatter.

 

 

“Exactly, married barely a year, and her belly hasn’t even swollen before her husband died.”

 

 

“Marrying into a wealthy family is no easy feat. Do you think Old Madam Su is easy to deal with?”

 

 

“Right, it must be that wicked mother-in-law tormenting her, forbidding her from accompanying her husband on his travels, which led to this tragedy.”

 

 

“Let’s be fair, in all of Pingxi County, which daughter-in-law is as virtuous as her? Since the wedding, aside from regular temple visits, she’s never stepped out, let alone indulged in leisure or shopping.”

 

 

“The county even erected a chastity arch in her honor. She vowed to remain faithful to her late husband!”

 

 

“Ah, but what’s the use? Before he died, didn’t her husband still stir up scandalous affairs?”

 

 

…

 

 

“Shh, Old Madam Su is here again!”

 

 

Zhen Yao shifted her aching feet slightly at the sound but remained seated as if deaf. Sure enough, the hefty dragon-headed cane came down on her. Once, twice and it wasn’t until the third strike that the crowd reacted.

 

 

“Good heavens, this is sinful! Old Madam, what are you doing?”

 

 

A matron from afar quickly embraced Old Madam Su, then swiftly ordered someone to wrest the “weapon” from her hands. Soon, a swarm of aunts and relatives encircled her, some scolding her for being a senile, black-hearted fool, others blaming her for taking out her rage on her daughter-in-law with such vicious temper.

 

 

Enraged, Old Madam Su retorted with incoherent shouts, but no one paid attention or understood. They only saw her murderous intent.

 

 

Indeed, she wished nothing more than to kill Zhen Shi!

 

 

Now that her only son had died far from home, what was the point of her, a pitiful old woman, living on? No, she would drag someone down with her. On the road to the underworld, she must take that wretched Zhen Shi with her. With this thought, Old Madam Su mustered all her strength to break free from the crowd.

 

 

But just then, a delicate, willow-like woman with alluring charm came wailing into the mourning tent from outside.

 

 

“Who is this?” someone asked in surprise.

 

 

Old Madam Su also looked puzzled, but at that moment, her ever-disliked daughter-in-law rose quietly, her expression complicated as she gazed at the woman.

 

 

“Oh, my lord! How could you leave us behind? How am I and our child supposed to live now?”

 

 

So this was the infamous scandalous affair. The crowd finally understood.

 

 

As the mourning hall descended into chaos, the seductive woman cried and wailed to her heart’s content. Finding no one willing to step forward and help, she swept a resentful, humiliated glance around before suddenly lunging toward Old Madam Su’s dragon-headed cane.

 

 

This was disastrous. Terrified, Old Madam Su immediately perked up, visibly invigorated. Though illness had robbed her of speech, she frantically signaled to everyone with her eyes.

 

 

So you coaxed me into persuading her to hand over the water, and only then did the situation stabilize. The woman stopped crying and making a scene, making herself at home as she sprawled on the soft cushion, and then, basking in the attention, proceeded to down three large cups of hot tea in a row.

 

 

Seeing this, Zhen Yao slowly walked over, but before she could speak, Old Madam Su glared at her like a tiger guarding against a thief.

 

 

“What does Mother-in-law mean by this?”

 

 

The old lady couldn’t speak, so her personal maidservant glanced at Zhen Yao and replied respectfully, “Madam may not know, but the old lady fears you won’t accept this child.”

 

 

Before the words had even settled, the curious gazes of onlookers converged in unison.

 

 

Zhen Yao gave a faint, seemingly bitter smile and silently stared at the woman’s belly, her expression calm. “Since my sister has come seeking reassurance, I might as well introduce her to everyone.”

 

 

This hired concubine was named A’Lian, said to be from Jiangnan, and had only met Zhen Yao’s late husband three months prior. Now, she was already over a month pregnant.

 

 

“I was the one who sent someone to bring her back. If I had any ill intentions, why wouldn’t I have acted sooner?”

 

 

At these words, the crowd immediately sympathized. After the funeral rites concluded, everyone returned home with mixed emotions.

 

 

That night, the Su residence was brightly lit as the old physician stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly.

 

 

“Indeed, but the pregnancy is unstable. The pulse is far too weak.”

 

 

Hearing this, Old Madam Su nearly fainted again. Fortunately, the physician added that a dose of medicine and rest would suffice.

 

 

After generously rewarding the old physician, only the three widows remained in the hall.

 

 

Zhen Yao spoke little and had a cold temperament, her face perpetually expressionless, like a beautiful portrait of a noblewoman hanging on the wall.

 

 

A’Lian, in contrast, had mesmerizing peach-blossom eyes and an exceedingly coquettish demeanor. In the past, this type of woman was the kind Old Madam Su detested most, but now she cherished her like fragile treasure, wishing she could enshrine her as an ancestor.

 

 

“What a tiring day! Ah, I’m exhausted and starving! Old Madam, where am I staying tonight?” A’Lian was young and blunt by nature.

 

 

Old Madam Su had initially wanted to invite her to stay with her, but then reconsidered the most dangerous place was also the safest. So she pointed her cane at Zhen Yao.

 

 

“Old Madam, have you lost your mind? How can I stay with the Madam!”

 

 

A’Lian rolled her eyes and even secretly pinched the old lady several times.

 

 

“Fine. Since you distrust me, I’ll take on this thankless task today to avoid future unrest in the household.” Zhen Yao’s voice was crisp, like the chime of jade.

 

 

“So the Madam’s tone is this alluring. I thought you were mute too!”

 

 

A’Lian’s eyes flashed with cunning and unconcealed smugness. After all, she was now the treasure of this household.

 

 

“Ah ah ah ah ah…”

 

 

Old Madam Su muttered to herself, rambling a long string of gibberish no one could understand, and everyone couldn’t be bothered to guess.

 

 

And so, before they knew it, it was time to retire. A’Lian clutched her little handkerchief and sauntered after Madam Su back to her quarters.

 

 

One in front, the other behind, their figures staggered in height.

 

 

The Su residence was indeed spacious, divided into front and rear courtyards, each with side rooms, annexes, and servants’ quarters. Beyond that, there were layered shadow walls, winding corridors, and artificial hills surrounding a horizontal pond.

 

 

According to the maid leading the way, the old lady lived in the front courtyard, while Madam Su preferred the quiet and resided in the rear. Now, A’Lian stroked her still-flat belly and leisurely followed behind the Zhen woman.

 

 

Her gaze wandered up and down, from the slender, pale neck to the delicate waist that could be encircled with a single hand, then down to the long, straight legs beneath the swaying skirt.

 

 

“Madam, you walk so fast! One might think you’re trying to shake this belly right off me!”

 

 

At these words, the graceful figure ahead suddenly stopped, nearly causing A’Lian to stumble.

 

 

“Do you truly wish to provoke me?”

 

 

Meeting those serene, moonlit eyes, A’Lian, confident in her advantage, felt a sudden urge to tease. After all, as someone well-traveled and experienced, she rarely encountered such a young yet old-fashioned prude. Slowly, she bit her red lips and said, “Madam is so virtuous and gentle. I’m only afraid that if I provoke you, by evening you’ll be lying in that grand canopy bed crying your eyes out. Hahaha.”

 

 

“A’Lian, one must know when to stop!”

 

 

Their eyes locked in an instant, yet A’Lian remained fearless. She stroked her belly deliberately, one hand after another, flaunting it with unbridled arrogance. “But I have this, do you?”

 

 

Zhen Yao’s gaze involuntarily dropped. She was tall and slender, standing a full head and a half above A’Lian. From her vantage point, she couldn’t actually see the belly A’Lian was so proud . Only the hint of springtime allure peeking from the neckline, which was indeed quite real.

 

 

“No!”

 

 

With that, Zhen Yao turned and walked away without a backward glance, her indifference as cutting as ice.

 

 

Does such a person even exist in this world?

 

 

Cruel beyond reason, yet rigidly principled. Just wait until the mission is .She’d deal with her then.

 

 

A’Lian cursed under her breath, though walking separately wasn’t so bad. Her eyes darted around, and as soon as the maid wasn’t looking, she quickly flexed her stiff ankles.

 

 

Damn it, pretending to be pregnant was unbearable, especially as the pregnant wife of some resentful noblewoman in a secluded mansion!

 

 

If not for the Su family’s immense wealth, she’d never have come here, not with security this tight. Sooner or later, she’d have to rein in her impulses. Once this job was done and she had the money, she’d be free as a bird, soaring wherever she pleased!

 

 

“Hey, little maid, what’s your name?”

 

 

After a moment’s thought, A’Lian began to strike up a conversation in her most coquettish tone. She prided herself on her . No one had ever refused her requests. Unfortunately, she forgot this was Zhen Yao’s maid.

 

 

The straight-backed maid didn’t even glance up, dutifully holding the lantern as she answered, “This servant is called Qing’er. The one walking ahead with Madam is Hong’er.”

 

 

Qing, Hong, how utterly cliché. But their demeanor and actions were just like their mistress.

 

 

“‘Qing’er,’ hmm, what a fresh name,” A’Lian drawled, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness.

 

 

To her surprise, the maid ignored her entirely, pretending not to hear and even subtly quickening her pace. Only when they turned a dimly lit corridor corner did she glance back at A’Lian, still lingering in the shadows, and softly remind her, “Please watch your step, Concubine. We’ll reach Fangxin Garden in a few hundred meters.”

 

 

“Hmph, insolent little wretch!” A’Lian muttered venomously.

 

 

Her mood soured further as they walked, stopping and starting until they finally arrived at Fangxin Garden.

 

 

“Concubine, please enter.”

 

 

Before Qing’er had even finished speaking, A’Lian swaggered in, lifting the curtain and striding into the inner chamber.

 

 

Before the pearwood dressing mirror, Madam Su sat in her undergarments, her long hair cascading down as she tilted her head slightly, allowing her maid to comb it.

 

 

Admittedly, the late Master Su had quite the eye for beauty. A’Lian didn’t even realize how intently she was staring.

 

 

“You arrived in haste. With the funeral these past few days, we haven’t had time to prepare properly. Aside from a few servants’ quarters, only the guest rooms at the back are barely fit for lodging.”

 

 

Hearing this, A’Lian immediately cut her off, grinning shamelessly, “I see this canopy bed of yours is quite spacious. It could easily fit three or four people. Why don’t I just squeeze in with you, Madam?”

 

 

At the sound of her voice, Zhen Yao looked up meaningfully and fixed her with a cool gaze.

 

 

“But you’re with child, and I’m not. I fear I might jostle you in the night.”