Chapter 173
**Chapter 173: Not a Good Wife and Mother**
Sun Qingmei silently clenched her sleeves, her nails nearly breaking from the pressure.
She raised her eyes, her gaze slowly sweeping over the room filled with all manner of vile characters. Each face was grotesque, ugly.
Her once-beloved husband sat high on the main seat, looking down upon her like a king surveying ants.
Since their marriage, Sun Qingmei had adhered strictly to the duties of a wife, following the teachings of her deceased father and brothers, striving to be a competent mistress of the marquis's household. All she wanted was to stay away from conflict, serve her in-laws, bear children, and live a life of peace and tranquility.
But now, the threshold of the marquis's residence felt insurmountable. After all her hard work managing the household, her husband brought home a new woman, and everyone rallied around him, looking down on her with arrogance. It seemed that if she refused to accept being a "concubine," she was the one at fault.
Is there any sense in this world?
Sun Qingmei felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. She knew that if she didn’t yield tonight, only the abyss awaited her. Lowering her gaze, she spoke softly, “It’s getting late, and tomorrow is Mother’s birthday. Let’s discuss everything after the celebration.”
Her words sounded like a concession.
Outside, night had fallen, and indeed, it was late. The old matriarch was celebrating her sixtieth birthday, and Sun Qingmei was one of the main organizers of the feast. If they quarreled tonight, the celebration could be ruined.
“Very well,” the old matriarch said, relieved to see Sun Qingmei relent. “Xuan’er has been traveling all day; he should rest well tonight.”
Sun Qingmei forced a gentle smile, as if she had finally come to terms with it. She stepped forward, her tone warm as she looked at Shangguan Xuan. “Husband, I’ll have a maid prepare hot water for you. As for Miss Zhao Qing, I’ll arrange a spacious courtyard for her.”
Shangguan Xuan finally let out a sigh of relief.
He looked down at his wife—her delicate features framed by a brocade shirt embroidered with peonies, making her appear slender. She was petite and gentle, exuding an air of grace and propriety in every movement.
She was the epitome of a refined lady, raised to be dignified before her marriage. But Shangguan Xuan had grown tired of such decorum; he preferred ambitious and clever women like Zhao Qing.
Seeing Sun Qingmei yield, Shangguan Xuan felt a wave of disdain. Indeed, she was a pampered lady, unable to withstand the storms of life; a little pressure forced her to bow her head.
He secretly plotted. Once he married Zhao Qing as a concubine, he would find an excuse to dismiss Sun Qingmei. He could only have one legitimate wife!
“Alright, everyone, return to your rooms and rest,” the old matriarch said, and the guests began to take their leave.
Shangguan Xuan did not return to Sun Qingmei’s chamber but chose to sleep in the study instead. Sun Qingmei made no objections, calmly instructing the servants to prepare the bedding in the study, arranging everything neatly.
As the night deepened, the masters of the marquis's residence settled into their respective quarters.
In Sun Qingmei’s bedroom, candles flickered in the dim light. She sat at the table, watching the flames dance, her eyes vacant.
The cold wind of early winter battered against the window, forcing it open and letting in a chilling draft. With a sudden gust, the candle was extinguished, and a long sword hanging on the wall clattered to the ground.
“Madam, you should rest,” her maid, Xiao Cha, said as she hurried to close the window and relight the extinguished candle.
Xiao Cha picked up the fallen sword, checking for damage before hanging it back on the wall.
Xiao Cha was Sun Qingmei’s only maid, and they shared a sisterly bond. Seeing her mistress return to the room in silence, Xiao Cha felt a pang of sympathy, tears welling up in her eyes. “Madam, when under someone’s roof, one must bow their head. The marquis has been unfaithful, but you are already married to him... There’s nothing we can do. As long as we keep our heads down, perhaps the marquis will remember your kindness in the future.”
The wind outside grew louder.
Sun Qingmei closed her eyes and suddenly said, “Xiao Cha, this winter is truly cold.”
So cold that even tears wouldn’t fall.
Xiao Cha looked puzzled, not understanding why her mistress would say such a strange thing.
Sun Qingmei slowly rose, taking down the long sword from the wall. The scabbard was old, rusted, and the blade was damaged.
“Madam?” Xiao Cha furrowed her brow.
Sun Qingmei sighed deeply, gripping the sword tightly. “Before my brother passed, he told me to be a good wife and mother, to support my husband and raise children. But he was wrong; the more virtuous I am, the more I am bullied.”
Xiao Cha thought about it carefully and realized it was true. Her mistress had always been gentle and accommodating, but the people in the marquis's household only took advantage of her kindness, growing more arrogant by the day.
“Xiao Cha, prepare the carriage. I’m going to the princess’s residence.” Sun Qingmei drew the rusted sword.
The blade may not have been sharp, but it could still cut through the chaos.
Her father had once told her that in battle, the key to victory was “swift resolution.”
On that early winter night, a plain carriage left the marquis's residence through the back door, heading toward the princess’s residence.
...
...
The cold wind howled throughout the night, causing the two trees in the courtyard of Liuli Pavilion to rustle. The next morning, Shen Wei woke up to find the yard littered with fallen leaves. Mama Rong was directing a few young eunuchs to sweep them away.
Today was uneventful, and Shen Wei felt quite relaxed.
The old matriarch of the Zhen Nan Marquis’s residence was celebrating her birthday, and Shen Wei personally selected suitable gifts to send over through the steward of the Wang residence.
The Yan Wang had not yet returned, and Shen Wei guessed he was likely busy at the Ministry of War and the Eastern Palace, working on the composite bow until it was perfected before returning to the Yan Wang residence to rest.
While the Yan Wang was out working hard, Shen Wei had to play the role of a “good wife,” ensuring he wanted for nothing. So she instructed Cai Lian, “Cai Lian, prepare some hot meals and send someone to the Ministry of War at noon. Make sure they watch the Wang Ye eat. Also, prepare some warm clothing and cold medicine, just in case.”
Cai Lian nodded eagerly. “I’ll take care of it right away.”
In the afternoon, a sliver of sunlight broke through the gray sky. Shen Wei, afraid of the cold, hid in the warm room, playing with the children. Li Yao also came over to play with her sister, and the two girls rolled around on the soft wool blanket, their laughter ringing like silver bells, creating a warm scene.
Leaning back in a soft chair, Shen Wei held a brush, contemplating her plans for expanding her business. Suddenly, Cai Ping rushed in, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Mistress! You won’t believe the news!”
Cai Ping was a master of gossip, naturally curious and always eager to collect the latest tidbits. From the Yan Wang residence to the entire city of Yan Jing, she always had her finger on the pulse of the latest news.
“What is it this time?” Shen Wei asked with a smile.
Cai Ping exclaimed, “The wife of the marquis, Sun, has committed suicide!”
Shen Wei nearly dropped her brush.
What? Suicide?
Cai Ping hurried to calm Shen Wei, patiently explaining, “Mistress, don’t panic! Sun’s fine; let me explain.”
It was said that yesterday, Shangguan Xuan brought Zhao Qing back to the marquis’s residence and publicly announced that he would make Zhao Qing his “concubine.” Sun Qingmei, who usually appeared gentle and soft, turned out to be a woman of resolve; she left the marquis’s residence in the middle of the night to seek an audience with Princess Zhaoyang.
Princess Zhaoyang despised scoundrels the most and took Sun Qingmei into the palace to seek justice from the Empress. By that time, it was already late at night, and both the Empress and Emperor had retired. The old matron of Kun Ning Palace feared disturbing their rest and told Sun Qingmei to come back the next day.
Sun Qingmei knelt directly at the gate of Kun Ning Palace, holding the long sword that had belonged to her father. Her father had once saved the Emperor’s life with this sword, and Sun Qingmei declared that if the Emperor and Empress did not grant her justice, she would take her own life with it.
A rusted sword left by a loyal subject, and the last daughter of that family coming to the Emperor to commit suicide—this would not reflect well on the Emperor’s reputation.
With a sigh, the Emperor summoned Sun Qingmei.
It’s unclear what Sun Qingmei said before the Emperor, but when she left Kun Ning Palace, she held a decree of “divorce” in her hands.
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