Hong Lingxiang waited for two days at her residence, and when she didn't receive a reply from Wu Caiwei, she became anxious and decided to visit in person.
Seeing Hong Lingxiang standing before her, clearly having made an effort to dress up, Wu Caiwei was somewhat speechless. The excuse of visiting her was a thin veil; her true intentions were likely elsewhere.
However, Wu Caiwei didn't obstruct her. Perhaps the way for her own departure lay with Hong Lingxiang.
This was Hong Lingxiang's first time at the Zhou family's residence. She had heard whispers of the Zhou family's wealth, but she hadn't paid much mind to it, knowing how poor they had been in the past. Yet, looking at the furnishings in Wu Caiwei's room, she felt a pang of jealousy.
Being married into the Prefect's mansion sounded grand, but in reality, the items in her own rooms were nowhere near this level compared to what she saw.
"The Zhou family's wealth is indeed as renowned as they say. Sister, you are enjoying such a life, but you mustn't forget our Hong family. After all, if Father hadn't brought you back, you wouldn't have this good life. Yet, I feel you're rather ungrateful. I only wished to stay at your residence for a few days, and you wouldn't even agree."
Wu Caiwei looked at Hong Lingxiang, who practically had the word "jealousy" written all over her face. Such a thoughtless woman, and yet several men fought and bled for her. Was her face more important than anything else?
She admitted Hong Lingxiang was beautiful, but beauty couldn't rule her heart entirely, especially if it couldn't put food on the table.
"Staying for a few days is certainly not a problem. I suspect the issue isn't just about staying for a few days, but that you wish to stay here permanently," Wu Caiwei said, cutting to the chase and avoiding indirect talk.
"I don't understand what you're saying," Hong Lingxiang denied instinctively. While she harbored desires to take Wu Caiwei's place, she knew some thoughts were best kept to oneself.
"Stop playing dumb. I've already laid my cards on the table with the Zhou family and stated my conditions, but unfortunately, they disagreed."
Hong Lingxiang looked at the composed woman before her. Though unwilling to admit it, she truly desired to be the mistress of this household. Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "What conditions did you propose?"
"I want to take the two children with me. If not, they'll have to contend for the family's inheritance with your children in the future. See how considerate I am, resolving your future worries," Wu Caiwei said meaningfully.
"It's likely more than that, there must be other conditions," Hong Lingxiang mused, putting herself in Wu Caiwei's shoes. It was unlikely she wouldn't have designs on the Zhou family's considerable wealth.
Wu Caiwei quickly gave her a thumbs-up. "Not bad, you're getting smarter! You even thought of that. It seems you've gained much insight in the Prefect's backyard! My other condition is that I want half of the Zhou family's shops. Of course, if the Hong family can provide a written confirmation that all our past grievances will be settled from now on, I can forgo the property claim and only take the two children. This is my bottom line."
"Are you truly willing to give up all this wealth?" Hong Lingxiang asked uncertainly.
"Of course. While it might seem like a fortune to others, to me, it's mere external possessions. Whether the Zhou family acknowledges it or not, without my help, could they have developed to this point? I am confident that I can live well even after leaving." Wu Caiwei was speaking the truth; whether Hong Lingxiang believed her was her own concern.
"Let me think. My mind is quite cluttered right now."
"Escort the young lady to the guest room," Wu Caiwei instructed the maid waiting outside. She then looked at Hong Lingxiang and said casually, "You can take your time thinking. There's no rush for this matter."
When Zhou Tianpeng returned to the residence and heard that the woman he longed for was staying in the guest room, he could no longer contain himself. However, he hadn't completely lost his senses, knowing it was inappropriate for them to meet alone given their current statuses.
He waited until the moon was high in the sky before he secretly slipped into the guest room and held her tightly.
From where Zhou Tianpeng couldn't see, Hong Lingxiang revealed a triumphant smile. She knew no man could resist her charm.
"Don't do this, our statuses aren't suitable," she said, feigning resistance and trying to push him away.
Her strength was minimal, like a kitten's scratch, causing Zhou Tianpeng to hold her even tighter. "Ever since we parted last time, I've longed for you day and night. I wish we could be together forever."
"I wish that too, but what about Shiyun? She's your wife," Hong Lingxiang said sadly.
"We are true love. She's been in the position of Mrs. Zhou for so many years; she's had her due. Don't carry any psychological burden. Rest assured, I will definitely marry you openly." When this topic came up, Zhou Tianpeng felt a headache. He felt that the current Shiyun was difficult to deal with, but for the sake of his beloved, he would find a way.
"When I first arrived at the residence today, I overheard the maids whispering that she had proposed conditions, but you didn't agree," Hong Lingxiang said, looking at him with a hint of suspicion, silently questioning him.
"Don't misunderstand. I didn't refuse out of reluctance to part with her, but because her demands were too excessive. She wanted half the family's assets and to take the two children with her. Any man would find that unbearable." Zhou Tianpeng quickly explained, fearing he might leave even the slightest bad impression on his beloved.
"Although those two children are your flesh and blood, I feel uncomfortable seeing them. After all, whenever I see them, I'm reminded of the years you and Shiyun were so loving. I feel like a thief, that I shouldn't have met you. I also regret not having stayed home back then. If the Prefect's son hadn't seen me, he wouldn't have wanted to marry me, and we would have been together long ago, not going through such a roundabout journey." Hong Lingxiang appeared extremely sorrowful and dejected.
This sentiment was genuine. Had she known how difficult life as the concubine's daughter-in-law of the Prefect would be, she wouldn't have married into that family. Then, where would Shiyun have fit in?
"This... actually, I don't have much affection for these two children. If you truly find them displeasing, you can let her take them. After all, we will have children of our own in the future, and they shouldn't take away resources from our children," Zhou Tianpeng said tentatively. In truth, as he said, he was indifferent. He was only worried about his mother's disapproval and felt unsure, but he didn't want to disappoint the one he loved, so he spoke boldly first.
"If you are willing to give up your children, and if my father were to step in, perhaps she would leave willingly. After all, our family has shown her great kindness," Hong Lingxiang said, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
Honestly, at this moment, Zhou Tianpeng felt a complex mix of emotions. When they first married, he and Shiyun had no emotional foundation. They were two strangers thrown together to live, their home was extremely poor, and everything was a mess. Nothing went smoothly.
Later, when she started earning money and their family's life improved, he didn't feel happy. The reason was that he felt increasingly less confident at home. Although Shiyun didn't say anything, he unconsciously felt inferior when facing her. Whatever she said, he would agree without a second thought.