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Fu Lianyin had a stiff expression: “Seventh Young Lady, it would be best not to disturb Master regarding this ‘backyard’ matter. If I, as the legitimate wife, cannot even handle such a trivial issue and cannot make a decision, then what am I as the rightful lady of the house?”
“Mother, are you really going to let Water Lily take care of Third Uncle?” Yun Kexin asked, her expression unchanged.
Seeing that Yun Kexin was no longer speaking so sharply, Fu Lianyin instantly found a way out—she understood Yun Kexin's words but was unwilling to swallow her pride. In truth, if she were to deal with Water Lily, she had her reservations. After all, Water Lily was currently in a position to be favored. The saying goes, “One must consider the master when dealing with the dog.” She had secretly sent Water Lily away without informing Yun Yang. If Yun Yang found out that she intended to do this, there would surely be consequences.
“No, I believe Seventh Young Lady is right,” Fu Lianyin said with a smile, taking the opportunity. “In that case, Water Lily should not go to see Third Uncle anymore. As for those rough tasks, there are Nursemaid and others.”
“Water Lily thanks Third Madam…” Water Lily said with a slight bow.
Upon hearing this, a fleeting smile of triumph appeared on Fu Lianyin's face but did not escape Yun Kexin's eyes. She sneered inwardly: The Fu Family probably thinks that their “tolerance and generosity” can win over “hearts,” hoping that we will bow down at their feet and obey them. How ridiculous!
This incident came to an end with Fu Lianyin's attempt to “smooth things over,” but she still occasionally inquired about Water Lily, asking if she was feeling “unwell,” which was just a roundabout way of probing whether she was pregnant. This made Water Lily feel particularly uncomfortable; although she denied it verbally, she understood very well that Third Madam feared she might conceive. This made her anxious and frustrated: As a concubine without status, she relied on having at least one son or daughter for support, especially since Yun Yang had always longed for a son. If her belly showed no signs of movement, he would surely become disappointed and stop favoring her, making her life in the Third House increasingly difficult. After two months of anxiety, she finally noticed something unusual about her body in the third month. After consulting with the Physician, it was confirmed that she was pregnant. She was overjoyed and cried tears of happiness; Zhou felt greatly relieved, and Yun Kexin was all smiles. However, Fu Lianyin could not sit still; in front of everyone in the Third House, she forced a smile and pretended to be happy while personally instructing the kitchen to prepare more nourishing meals for Water Concubine. Privately, she cried bitterly in front of Han Wangfu—
“Elder Brother, Sister-in-law, what should we do?” Fu Lianyin sobbed while covering her face with a handkerchief, her chest heaving. “I have tried every possible way to prevent that wretched woman from having Master's child, but unexpectedly, she succeeded…”
“You're really being foolish,” sighed Han Wang, his tone mixed with both pity and mockery. “How can you stop something like this? Can you even control what happens in someone else's bed?”
The bluntness of Fu Yueze made Fu Lianyin feel both ashamed and angry.
“Exactly! Sister, it's not like I'm you,” admonished Consort Wang, her eyes narrowing slightly as she scolded with a pale face. “You are after all the legitimate wife of the Duke of E State Mansion's Third House. Are you really afraid of a concubine?!”
“Elder Brother and Sister-in-law do not understand,” said Fu Lianyin, staring at the table leg across from her with tears in her voice. “In recent years, my relationship with Master has grown increasingly cold. As the Third Madam, I am merely holding onto a title; in reality, I am no different from those Empresses who have been cast into the cold palace. I am not afraid of Water Concubine, but I worry that once she gains power, she will ride over me and leave me without any say in the future within the Third House—”
“Don't take it so seriously,” said Fu Yueze as he shook his head dismissively. “I see that the three elders still regard you as the legitimate wife; after all, he has reached the position of Deputy Minister of Justice and would never break the law by favoring a concubine over his wife.”
“I know well enough about Master's character but still cannot stand how favored Water Concubine has become,” replied Fu Lianyin, anger evident in her voice.
Cannot stand it? Why don’t you realize that it’s your own body that’s letting others take advantage?! thought Wang Ling, feeling cold disdain inside!
“Sister, there's something I’m not afraid to say in front of the Prince,” said Wang Ling, turning her face away to avoid seeing her sister-in-law crying pitifully. She spoke nonchalantly: “Men are always attracted to ‘newness.’ Once the novelty wears off, they will return to where they belong.” She paused for effect before casting a seductive glance at Fu Yueze. “Isn’t that right, Prince?”
While speaking lightly on the surface, she secretly resented how neglected she had been by Han Wang, who had been exclusively favoring a maid named “Yuru.” Thus, her words were directed at both Fu Lianyin and also meant for Han Wang. Sure enough, upon hearing this, Fu Yueze immediately understood what Wang Ling meant; his face flushed red without saying a word. However, Fu Lianyin did not perceive any underlying issues between her brother and sister-in-law and continued to lament:
"Well, well," she cried, trembling slightly, her voice thick with nasal tones, "does the sister still have to serve her like a precious treasure (referring to Water Concubine), so that she can give birth to the illegitimate child of Yun Yang?"
Fu Lianyin's words were somewhat heavy-handed and even sharp, causing Han Wang to frown involuntarily. It sounded like an insult directed at him and the concubines of the royal residence, which displeased him and made him unwilling to engage further. Meanwhile, Wang Ling felt a sense of amusement; after enduring so many veiled insults for a while, it was refreshing to hear Fu Lianyin express them so indirectly. It was not entirely unpleasant. Logically, she should be on good terms with her sister-in-law, who seemed like a discarded woman, and avoid further provocation. Instead, she could offer some "guidance," as it might be useful later to use Fu Lianyin to control her brother Han Wang.
Wang Lingdan narrowed her phoenix eyes, her expression calm, but her mind was racing with calculations.
"That's right!" Consort Wang made up her mind and abruptly chimed in with a gentle smile. "Sister should treat Water Concubine well, help her give birth smoothly, so that she will genuinely appreciate you as the Third Madam, and then let her hand the child over to you to raise."
"What? It's one thing to serve that wretched woman, but now you want me to help her raise the child?!" Fu Lianyin jumped up as if someone had stepped on her tail, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"The words of your Sister-in-law have been spoken," Wang Ling adjusted her sitting posture and spoke with impatience. "Sister is a smart person; think carefully about whether fighting is more important or your husband comes first!"
"I... I..." Fu Lianyin paced around the hall in a daze, at a loss for what to do. "Brother, Sister-in-law..."
She pondered over Wang Ling's words for a moment before suddenly stopping in her tracks: Yes! In the future, if Water Concubine hands the child over to the Legal Wife, with flesh and blood in hand, how could she possibly rebel?! Or perhaps once Water Concubine gives birth, she could quietly arrange for her to "die suddenly"!
As she thought about it, Fu Lianyin became excited but managed to keep her emotions in check on the surface.
"Sister-in-law, I understand," she sighed dramatically and feigned helplessness. "Thank you for listening to my grievances; I appreciate it."
"We're family; there's no need for formalities," Fu Yueze said when he saw her return to normalcy instead of acting like a resentful woman who could only complain. His anger had mostly dissipated. "Remember that you have your family backing you in everything; do you understand?"
It was rare for Fu Lianyin to see her brother being so understanding, and she nodded gratefully as she bid farewell:
"Thank you, Brother and Sister-in-law. I will remember this and take my leave."
"Go ahead."
In the following days, Fu Lianyin indeed stopped complaining and settled down considerably. She no longer kept a watchful eye on Water Lily as if guarding against a thief; instead, she would check on her diet and daily life before bed and ask if she felt unwell. Beyond that, there were no excessive or deliberate inquiries that would make Water Lily anxious—Third House experienced several months of relative tranquility. When Water Lily's belly began to show clearly, Fu Lianyin appropriately visited her bedroom one day, sitting closely across from each other:
"How has Water Concubine been feeling lately?" Fu Lianyin asked as she looked at Water Lily, whose complexion had become increasingly rosy due to pregnancy. She suppressed the jealousy stirring within her and smiled.
"Fortunately, Madam Xie cares," Water Lily said with a gentle and calm smile, "I feel a bit better than in the early stages of pregnancy; no nausea, and I can eat now."
"That's good to hear. Water Concubine must take good care of this child," Fu Lianyin replied with a smile, "You know? I mentioned your situation to Physician, and he is sure it's a boy."
"Oh, really?" Water Lily believed it, her smile becoming even sweeter, though she didn't show much excitement, "It's just that Consort would prefer a Daughter."
Fu Lianyin secretly scoffed: Stop pretending; who doesn't know what you concubines really want? You don't want a Son, but a Daughter, who would believe that! In truth, Water Lily was speaking honestly, especially after witnessing the cleverness of Seventh Sister Yun Kexin, but she understood that the Third House wanted a boy more.
"Bah! Bah! Bah!" Fu Lianyin feigned displeasure, "Quickly rid yourself of these ominous thoughts." After pausing, she smiled again, "You must believe me, while girls are loved, the matter of Succession of Lineage still relies on boys."
"You are absolutely right, Madam," Water Lily said, one hand supporting her lower back and the other unconsciously stroking her rounded belly, apologetically adding, "It's just that Consort fears disappointing Master and you. If it's a boy, that would be best."
"Do you feel the baby moving yet?" Fu Lianyin glanced at Water Lily's belly and narrowed her phoenix eyes, "When I was pregnant with Xiao Er, the girl didn't kick much."
"I felt movement as early as four months," Water Lily replied slowly, her delicate face radiating the happiness of becoming a mother for the first time. "Now, it's kicking quite hard; I can't sleep well at night."
Right! The more it moves early on, the more likely it is to be a boy. Could it really be a boy?! Fu Lianyin fixed her gaze on Water Lily's belly as if she wished to reach inside and pull the child out tightly into her embrace. That expression and look startled Water Lily, who sat across from her.
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