Chapter 570 Second Madam Wen

The Second Lady occupied a status above that of a concubine but below that of the Main Wife.

Such a role was uncommon in prominent, high-status families.

Unless the Main Wife had been bedridden for years and unable to bear children, or if the Main Wife had committed a grave error and, being unable to be dismissed, could only be sent to rest in the family shrine.

Only under such circumstances would the existence of a Second Lady emerge.

Now... it seemed that Lady Yao belonged to the latter case.

The Xia Family was not a high-status family, nor did it have a specific family shrine for her convalescence.

Old Master Xia also would not divorce her (after all, a scholar still needs to save face, right?).

So, he decided to let her fend for herself.

The household management, family properties, and the children’s marriages would henceforth be overseen by Lady Wen.

Lady Wen had been with him for many years, and he trusted her to be a virtuous wife and good mother.

In fact, he was not wrong.

Maternal Aunt Wen truly was virtuous and indeed capable of managing the family affairs in an orderly manner.

But that’s a story for another time.

「Let’s return to the present.」

Lady Wen did not refuse but instead directly accepted Old Master Xia’s words.

She was very pleased.

It was undeniable that her son was successful, but her daughter was still of a concubine’s birth.

It would be difficult to arrange a marriage for her. However, if she became the Second Lady, then her own daughter would be considered almost of legitimate birth and could marry into a good family in the future.

Why wouldn’t she agree?!

Lady Yao, while technically the Family Matriarch, acted with a pettiness unbefitting her status and possessed a wicked heart, making her truly unbearable to behold.

Therefore, Maternal Aunt Wen genuinely felt that Old Master Xia had finally shown some backbone.

And so, Maternal Aunt Wen, in the capacity of Second Lady, moved into Lady Yao’s main courtyard.

Lady Yao, on the other hand, was moved to a corner of the back courtyard.

She cried and wailed several times, but no one paid her any attention. She was confined to her quarters, and her three daily meals were delivered to her.

However, these meals, decent enough at first, gradually became inedible. What did they consist of? Sour rice, leftovers, and cold, greasy scraps. There was even swill among them.

This mistreatment was a bit too much.

Lady Yao screamed and cried.

During one of the meal deliveries, she grabbed a Maid and threatened fiercely, "You! I want to see the Third Young Master and Third Young Miss. Bring them to me quickly! Or else you’ll pay!"

Little did Lady Yao know, this Maid was the daughter of the head Steward in the kitchen.

She usually carried herself with some dignity around the kitchen, but she had fallen victim to Lady Yao’s schemes several times.

Lady Yao had frequently deducted from her wages.

She had long harbored resentment against Lady Yao.

So now, wasn’t this the perfect opportunity for her to vent her resentment?

The Maid smiled coldly.

"My, my! I say, Madam, you are the mistress of this residence. Who is there that you cannot see? Why take it out on a lowly servant like me!"

"I am but a lowly serving girl, unworthy of attending to you!" the Maid said smugly.

Lady Yao’s face turned red and then green. These were the very words she had once said.

How did this little Maid know?!

The Maid continued, "This room has been specially chosen for you by Old Master Xia. Madam, please do enjoy your stay. I shall not disturb you further!"

With that, she rose, picked up the empty food container, and left!

"Hey!"

"Hey! Don’t go! Hey!!"

Yet the Maid walked away.

Lady Yao was extremely unwilling, but her stomach was growling with hunger.

Reluctantly, she opened the food bowl, intending to eat. But the sight of the cold leftovers inside made her vomit before she could even take a bite.

Lady Yao felt like crying but had no tears.

"Wei Feng, Ruyi, where are you!"

She had children, so why did Old Master Xia appoint a Second Lady? Could it be that this time he truly wouldn’t forgive her?

Old Master Xia!

"Old Master Xia, your concubine knows she was wrong!"

「The front courtyard」

Maternal Aunt Wen—no, she should now be addressed as Second Lady.

Kneeling before her were more than twenty Maids and servant boys.

They had all come with Old Master Xia to the capital this time and were also the experienced hands of the Xia Residence.

They had long seen which way the wind was blowing.

Lady Yao’s power had waned; it was clear that Second Madam Wen was now the one Old Master Xia favored and relied upon.

With this in mind, everyone’s respect for the Second Lady grew even more.

Lady Wen smiled.

"You may all rise!!"

"The Young Master’s grand wedding is coming up. Although it won’t take place in our manor, you will all need to go there to attend to him!"

"A wedding at the Marquis’s Mansion is unlike that of common folk. So pay attention. If there’s anything you don’t understand or know how to do, ask more questions and try not to make mistakes!"

Having been accustomed to the role of a concubine, Lady Wen spoke with an inherent air of approachability and kindness.

Her words made everyone feel much closer to her.

The servant boys were eager to prove themselves.

The Maids also felt it was their time to show their capabilities.

Each one of them was eager to use all their skills to serve her.

"Madam, rest assured!"

"We Servants will certainly prepare everything meticulously for the Young Master’s marriage!"

Lady Wen was quite embarrassed, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"What ’Madam’? I am still just a concubine. You mustn’t forget my actual position!"

The Servants below began to insist enthusiastically.

"The Madam is the Madam! We Servants only recognize one Madam!"

"Exactly! In our hearts, you are the true Madam!"

Each declaration was more pleasing to the ear than the last, but who could tell which were true and which were false?

Lady Wen didn’t take them to heart.

She simply said warmly, "Alright! I really can’t accept such a title. In the future, I will need all of you to help me!"

Look, she even used the word "help." She spoke so humbly that those below couldn’t help but laugh.

They all joined in the good-natured clamor.

Maternal Aunt Wen hastily left in a panic.

Alas, no matter how many years she had endured, a concubine was still just a concubine. She truly couldn’t compare to the dignity of a lady from a prominent family! However, she would wholeheartedly consider everyone’s well-being, and that was enough.

The group of Servants scattered noisily.

After dinner, once their duties were done, the Servants gathered to chat.

"Hmph, when the former Madam was here, who would have dared to speak so freely?"

"When Lady Yao was in charge, she’d seize upon the slightest mistake in the kitchen to deduct from our monthly silver!"

"We’d work for a whole month and sometimes still have to pay silver out of our own pockets! On what grounds?"

"Exactly! Lady Wen is so much better!"

"Isn’t that right? Second Madam Wen is kind and benevolent, treats everyone well. We finally have something to look forward to!"

"Yes, yes indeed!"

Everyone was very happy.

Lady Wen’s position in the Xia Residence was thus recognized by more and more people!

「On the sixteenth of the twelfth month, Xia Tingfeng had his grand wedding.」

Xia Tingfeng was very happy that Lady Wen could attend his wedding feast, feeling no regrets.

Early that day, he sent someone to escort his mother to Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion.

Lady Wen, dressed like a Family Matriarch in a phoenix crown and red robe, traveled there by carriage.

Throughout the journey, Lady Wen felt extremely ill at ease.

"Oh, this is so red! How can I wear this?"

"Isn’t this a bit improper?"

The Maid hurried to persuade her.

"What’s improper about it? You are a Madam now. Why can’t you wear red?"

Lady Wen still felt somewhat uneasy.

"I am only the Second Lady; I haven’t been formally instated as the Main Wife yet! According to custom, I should wear a more subdued color!"