After Wang Qingyao stood up for Wang Qingzhu, Wang Qingzhu realized that with such a cousin as the princess consort behind her, the others in Jinxiang Bo's manor would not dare to look down on her.
She consciously began to associate with Wang Qingyao.
Concubine Lian's leg was completely crippled. Pang Yan repeatedly invited doctors to their home, having consulted almost every doctor in the capital, but the result was always the same.
Concubine Lian could no longer stand up.
With her leg broken and having suffered humiliation at Wang Qingzhu's hands, Concubine Lian cried and threw tantrums daily, demanding that Pang Yan avenge her.
She knew very well that Pang Yan could not touch Wang Qingyao, so she cried and pleaded, wanting to make up for it at Wang Qingzhu's expense.
In the past, she was exceptionally skilled at brewing green tea, but now, with her leg broken, she had lost her spirit. Relying on Pang Yan's favor, she directly intended to deal with Wang Qingzhu.
How could Pang Yan agree?
Thus, contradictions arose between them.
They argued daily.
Concubine Lian could only lie in bed, unable to do anything.
Slowly, Pang Yan grew weary.
In less than half a month, he stopped going to Concubine Lian's courtyard.
Even when Concubine Lian sent for him, he refused to go.
At this point, Wang Qingzhu suddenly became enlightened.
She gently advised Pang Yan, "Concubine Lian cannot walk now, so she must be feeling distressed. Husband, please be understanding and spend more time with her."
This magnanimity and kindness were precisely what Pang Yan had seen in Concubine Lian before.
He was deeply moved, but when he thought of Concubine Lian's current disheveled appearance, swollen body, and her constant nagging and crying, he felt a headache coming on.
No one stays devoted by the bedside of the chronically ill, let alone a spouse.
"If only Concubine Lian were half as sensible as you."
Pang Yan held Wang Qingzhu's hand and sighed.
He had forgotten that he had once said the same words to Concubine Lian.
"If only the Madam were half as sensible as you."
Heh, truly, the tables have turned.
Wang Qingzhu found it ironic.
She said to Wang Qingyao, "I thought he truly loved Concubine Lian."
Wang Qingyao scoffed, "Someone like Pang Yan, who marries one principal wife and then another, and has other concubines besides Concubine Lian, what true love is there!" Seeing Wang Qingzhu's stunned expression, she smiled, "Sorry, I accidentally swore."
Wang Qingzhu looked at her with envy. It was so good to say whatever she wanted without having to carefully consider every word four or five times.
"Your Highness... does His Highness truly love you?" Wang Qingzhu mustered her courage and asked softly.
Wang Qingyao showed a sweet smile, "Temporarily, yes."
"What if later..." Wang Qingzhu stopped herself after half a sentence, "I'm sorry, second sister, I didn't mean that. I just... I just..."
Wang Qingyao was not angry at all. "It's fine, I understand what you mean. Actually, humans are the most fickle creatures. If someone decides to change their mind, there's nothing you can do. So, my motto is, if you love me, I love you. If you don't love me, I won't love you either. It's all mutual."
Wang Qingzhu seemed to understand, yet not quite.
She had followed Wang Qingyao's advice, showing filial piety to Madam Jinxiang Bo every day, and subtly hinted that the eldest son born would be raised by Madam Jinxiang Bo. Madam Jinxiang Bo was indeed delighted and treated her much more warmly than before.
The management of Pang Yan's courtyard was handed over to her. Moreover, Madam Jinxiang Bo intended to entrust the entire manor to her, keeping her by her side daily to observe and learn, so she could take over later.
The servants in the manor, who used to look down on Wang Qingzhu, now eagerly sought to please her.
Concubine Lian's courtyard became desolate.
Apart from a few trusted maids, many servants were unwilling to stay.
This was once the most promising courtyard, but now, nothing more could come of it.
The Madam was young and would surely give the young master another legitimate son.
Concubine Lian's son was no longer precious.
How could a son born of a concubine compete with a legitimate son?
Everyone knew this clearly.
Only Concubine Lian remained lost in the dream that her son would inherit the manor in the future.
The child was only six years old, and Concubine Lian, fearing he would not win Pang Yan's favor, forced him to study and write daily, often crying and scolding, "It's all for you..."
Later, even her only son was reluctant to visit her.
Her daughter was willing to visit, but how could a daughter be as important as a son?
All Concubine Lian said to her daughter, over and over, was to take care of her younger brother.
Later, her daughter also visited less frequently.
Finally, one day, Wang Qingzhu became pregnant again. A fortune teller said that Concubine Lian's birth date clashed with the unborn child, and living in the same residence would bring misfortune to the child.
Therefore, Pang Yan ordered Concubine Lian to be sent to the estate.
The day Concubine Lian left, she first cursed Pang Yan profusely, and then cried heartbrokenly.
Alas, no matter how much she fussed, Pang Yan did not appear.
He stayed by Wang Qingzhu's side, envisioning the happy scenes after their son's birth.