Although she resented her own daughter bitterly, in her heart of hearts, she still cared about her. Especially since her future life depended on the other party's current status. Ever since she married into the Sun family, her standing in the Bao family had plummeted. She was basically reduced to a maid, doing laundry and cooking daily, yet even then they weren't satisfied. It was as if she were a concubine. Every time she complained to her husband, he turned a blind eye. She had to accept reality: only by becoming powerful herself could she stand invincible.
So, when Mr. Bao cast a pleading glance at her, Madam Bao pretended not to see. She understood that her husband wanted to get his hands on those few thousand taels of silver. He knew that the current Bao family had already offended their daughter because of that concubine and son, and it was unlikely the daughter would give him thousands of taels. Seeing the money about to slip through his fingers, he desperately wanted to make an effort.
He cast a pleading gaze at his wife, but to his surprise, she completely ignored him. Madam Bao was not foolish. The past few years had shown her her husband's heartlessness. She had only given birth to a daughter, and this was how he treated her. She had no intention of returning to their old home this time. What was the point of going back? To continue being a servant?
Those years had been worse than death. Not only was there endless work, but sometimes she couldn't even get a meal. Occasionally, the concubine would resort to vile tactics, leaving her with no recourse. She had no place in the family at all.
Having finally arrived in the capital, she saw her daughter's life improving. And just now, her daughter had explicitly stated that she would prepare a courtyard and servants for them. As long as someone served her, she would be content.
Although at times she couldn't help but reveal her resentment towards her daughter, she had, after all, done her best to marry her into the Xu family and had devoted her heart to her. Her daughter was not foolish; she must understand her intentions and would treat her well. What was there to worry about?
She was unwilling to do anything against her daughter's wishes. Even if that money went to the Bao family, it wouldn't reach her hands; it would still go to the concubine and her son. What would she gain? It simply wasn't worth it.
Seeing that she wasn't responding, Mr. Bao knew he couldn't count on her. He hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "Sun Guotang said that if you can change your mind, he will officially recognize you. He is Duke Sun, the only famous person from our region in so many years. We only see such high-ranking officials in operas. Everyone in that area showers the Sun family with favors. I thought it would be best for you to become his main wife.
He is Duke Sun. Although you have the upper hand in your quarrel with him for now, everyone experiences ups and downs. What if he retaliates? Wouldn't it be a loss outweighing the gain? Always leave room for a future reunion."
In Mr. Bao's eyes, his daughter, a weak woman, couldn't possibly contend with the powerful Duke Sun. Although Duke Sun was asking him to intercede now, it was actually a show of respect for his daughter. If one day she fell into hard times, she would regret it later. He was doing this for her own good.
"Don't worry. Duke Sun will soon no longer be Duke. The Sun family will soon be inferior to our Bao family. In the future, you will be the one walking with your head held high in the city. Besides, have you ever considered why Sun Guotang is trying so hard to have you mediate? Clearly, I am doing better than him now, and he is in crisis. Only I can resolve it.
I am no longer the Bao Susu of the past. Now, I am the one everyone tries to appease. In the future, I don't want to hear that person's name from your mouths again. If you can do that, you can stay tonight. If not, then leave immediately."
Wu Caiwei knew that she had to make things clear from the start, otherwise there would be endless trouble later. If Mr. Bao thought she was easygoing, he might still secretly scheme for his own benefit.
"You are my daughter, of course, I will listen to you. How could I side with outsiders? Don't worry, I will never mention Sun Guotang again. By the way, you just said you would prepare a courtyard and servants for us. Is that true? I plan to stay in the capital. If you weren't capable, we wouldn't talk about it. Now that you can support me, my latter half of my life depends on you." Madam Bao did not hesitate to state her demands right away.
Wu Caiwei looked at Madam Bao's hands, which were cracked and abnormally thin, and knew that she had had a difficult time in the Bao family in recent years. In fact, the original owner had feelings for her mother and was grateful that, even in her difficult circumstances, she had managed to marry her into the Xu family. It was she herself who hadn't cherished it. Second Young Master Xu was a good person, so Madam Bao was also a target for the original owner.
Wu Caiwei nodded without hesitation and promised, "As long as you don't interfere with my affairs and are willing to live with me, we will live together. Of course, if you don't want to live with me, I will also buy you a separate courtyard, hire servants, and give you some assets so that you can live comfortably for the rest of your life. Don't worry, your daughter is doing well, and no one dares to covet your property. On the contrary, many people want to get through you, but you need to ask me for everything and not easily agree to others' requests."
Upon hearing this, Madam Bao immediately beamed. Nothing made her happier than her daughter's personal promise. It seemed her daughter still remembered her kindness, and indeed, she was her own flesh and blood.
Mr. Bao looked at Madam Bao in surprise. He never imagined that his wife would want to stay. He had intended to get benefits from his daughter and then return to their hometown with his wife to live a peaceful life. With their daughter providing protection, no one would dare to look down on him. He could then focus on nurturing his son to inherit the Bao family. Things had taken an unexpected turn. Recalling how he had treated her over the years, he couldn't help but feel some regret. It seemed one shouldn't push things too far.
However, with his daughter's firm attitude, he dared not say anything more. Thus, they stayed in her courtyard. But Wu Caiwei was very busy, going out early and returning late. Every day, they were taken care of for their food, drink, and entertainment. They were curious about what their daughter actually did. Every time, everyone said that their daughter was working with the Third Prince, which further puzzled them. What could their daughter do? After a few days, someone found out they had come to the capital and intercepted them.
Looking at the fawning expressions of others, they finally understood their daughter's words. Everyone subtly hinted that they wanted an introduction, which made them take it seriously. It seemed their daughter was indeed different from her former self.