Zhao Huanxi’s three older sisters arrived in the afternoon. Yin Furen’s appearance was radiant. She had given birth to several children, all of whom were good-looking. Among the three daughters, Zhao Jiazhen had the best appearance. The second daughter, Zhao Jiashan, was as Zhao Huanxi had described, looking serious and not easily smiling. The fourth daughter, Zhao Jiaxian, had a slightly protruding belly, it seemed like she was pregnant, and she looked gentle and virtuous, as round and smooth as a jade.

When the young couple arrived, Yin Furen and her three daughters had already been talking for a while. The three Da Gujie looked at Xu Nian’an with very kind and gentle eyes.

“Yo;, now that everyone’s here with Mother, you’re holding onto your wife’s hand so thight. Are you afraid us Jiejies will steal your wife away? Well, I might just do that.” Zhao Jiazhen, seeing Zhao Huanxi enter while holding Xu Nian’an’s wrist, got up with a smile and pulled Xu Nian’an over to where the sisters were.

Zhao Huanxi’s hand suddenly became empty, and he scratched his head awkwardly.

Zhao Jiashan gave a rare smile and playfully scolded, “You’re being too carefree, be careful not to scare Dimei.”

Zhao Jiaxian covered her mouth and laughed.

Yin Furen introduced everyone, and after they exchanged greetings, Xu Nian’an was pulled by Zhao Jiazhen to sit beside her and talk. Zhao Jiashan then said to Zhao Huanxi, “Ah Jun and your Si Jiefu are here. They’re at Zufu’s. You should go and join them for a chat”

Zhao Huanxi’s originally relaxed and happy expression instantly became awkward, and he sat there motionless.

Zhao Jiazhen laughed and said, “Why aren’t you going?”

“Afraid we’ll bully your wife?” Zhao Huanxi looked at Xu Nian’an eagerly.

Xu Nian’an also smiled and said, “You go ahead. I’ll honest and dutiful, and Jiejies won’t make things difficult for me.”

The phrase “honest and dutiful” reminded Zhao Huanxi of Xu Nian’an asking him to speak the truth in front of his grandfather. He hesitated, nodded, greeted Yin Furen and his three sisters, and then left.

As soon as he left, everyone’s gaze fell on Xu Nian’an.

Zhao Jiazhen stood up and said, “Dimei, they have a lot of parenting experience to share (remember that Zhao Jiazhen doesnt have any children). Why don’t you accompany me for a walk in the courtyard?”

Xu Nian’an nodded with a smile. “Okay.”

Watching the two leave, Yin Furen sent the maidservant and the nanny to take the grandchildren to play in the small garden, dismissed the servants in the room, and asked Zhao Jiaxian, “Wu Cheng has taken another concubine?”

Zhao Jiaxian’s smile disappeared, and she lowered her head, her eyes gradually turning red.

“What happened?” Zhao Jiashan hadn’t heard of it yet.

“What else could it be? It must have been after Xian’er became pregnant. It doesn’t matter, anyway, all men under the heavens are the same; they all have stinky morals. But how is it that I heard from the people Nanny Xian sent back that the woman’s belly looks even larger than yours? Yet she is not of the ‘lowly class’; what is going on here?” Yin Furen asked as she stared at Zhao Jiaxian.

贱籍 (jiànjí): "Lowly status" or "debased class." This refers to people at the bottom of the social hierarchy (like entertainers or certain servants). If a concubine is not from this class, it implies she might be from a respectable family, which makes her a much greater threat to the primary wife's position.

Zhao Jiaxian shed tears, remained silent, and just shook her head.

“You…” Yin Furen, seeing her daughter like that, was disappointed that the iron does not turn into steel, but also reluctant to say harsh words. She felt extremely stifled for a moment.

“The months of pregnancy are older than yours, but she entered the household after you became pregnant. Are you sure it’s Wu Family’s child?” Zhao Jiashan asked.

“Cheng Lang said it is.” Zhao Jiaxian wiped her tears and said softly.

Cheng is his name, and Lang is the affectionate term to husband, just like how XNA called ZHX "Sanlang".

“If he says it is, so it is? This kind of woman who is unclear with men before marriage, if she can be with Wu Cheng, she can naturally be with others. How can we be sure? Wu family’s two elders (Wu Cheng’s parents) are also muddleheaded!” Yin Furen said angrily.

“Mon, it’s useless to say these things now. It’s important to think of a solution for Xiao Mei. If that woman gives birth to a son, he will be the shu eldest son.” Zhao Jiashan frowned. “What is the character of that woman?”

“…she is deeply loved by Cheng Lang.” Zhao Jiaxian couldn’t help but burst into tears when she thought of her grievances.

Yin Furen sneered repeatedly. “Don’t just cry. If you don’t pull yourself together now, there will be plenty of reasons for you to cry in the future.”

“Mom!” Zhao Jiashan sat beside Zhao Jiaxian and gently advised her, “Mom is also worried about you. Stop crying. Your health is more important.”

“Er Jie.” Zhao Jiaxian cried as she leaned on Zhao Jiashan’s shoulder. “When we were newly married, he said he would only have me in this life. When I was pregnant with Ying Jie’er, he took a concubine and felt guilty, he knelt in front of me and apologize for a long time. But this time… this time…”

“If he is heartless, and that woman is truly not someone good to get along with, we also have ways to deal with her.” Zhao Jiashan’s eyes were cold and hard. “The tragedy of our family must not happen again to us sisters.”

Zhao Jiaxian looked up at Zhao Jiashan and asked, “Er Jie, what method do you have to deal with her?”

“If the child is born, it will be a problem, but if it’s not born, then there’s nothing to worry about.” Zhao Jiashan’s gaze was firm.

Zhao Jiaxian widened her eyes in surprise.

Yin Furen hurriedly said, “Don’t act recklessly. If this matter is exposed, how will you and your sisters be able to carry on in your husband’s family?”

With one hand on her belly, Zhao Jiaxian shook her head repeatedly. “No, Er Jie. I don’t want to do this. No matter what, I don’t want to harm or kill anyone.”

“You may not want to harm or kill anyone, but can you stop others from thinking that way? Think about Huanxi when he was young, falling into the pool while playing in the garden, tumbling down the steps, playing in the corridor on rainy days, and the servant boy just a few steps away from him struck dead by lightning… How many life-threatening incidents have there been? Can you dare to say they have nothing to do with Du Shi (their father’s concubine)? If you don’t want to harm anyone, you’re risking the lives of Ying Jie’er, yourself and the child in your belly.” Zhao Jiashan spoke sternly and forcefully.

Zhao Jiaxian was frightened.

Yin Furen, recalling Huanxi’s childhood experiences, also furrowed her brow and clenched her fists.

The room fell into silence for a moment.

After a while, Yin Furen relaxed her fists slightly and said to Zhao Jiaxian, “Go back and test Wu Cheng’s attitude first. Tell him that if the child born from that side is a boy, you will raise him as your own. If he refuses, we will plan again.”

Zhao Jiaxian nodded with lingering fear.

Zhao Jiashan glanced at Yin Furen and remained silent.

On the way to the Zhi Mount and Lan Lake, Zhao Jiazhen fanned herself and frequently turned her head to look at Xu Nian’an.

Xu Nian’an asked, “Why San Jie keep looking at me?”

Zhao Jiazhen’s smile was bright and beautiful as she said, “Dimei is so beautiful. My brother must be very fond of you, right?”

If it were someone else, they might have blushed long ago, but Xu Nian’an just smiled and said, “In terms of beauty, who can compare to Sanlang himself? How could he like me just because of my beauty?”

Zhao Jiazhen smiled, covering her lips with the fan. She slightly turned and waved to the maids following behind, and they stepped back.

“Dimei is a straightforward person, so I won’t beat around the bush. Dimei must have heard about the people and events at the Furong Pavilion, right?” Zhao Jiazhen spoke frankly.

Xu Nian’an nodded. “Sanlang did not hide it from me.”

“I wonder what plans you have in mind?” The sunlight was fierce, so Zhao Jiazhen led Xu Nian’an to a shady spot.

Xu Nian’an knew that she was probably probing on behalf of Yin Furen, so she didn’t hide anything.

“Sanlang was young and naive. From what I’ve observed, he may not have romantic feelings for Pang Guniang. He just sees her as a friend he gets along with, and he wants to protect her because of her kindness.”

“According to you, if my mother wants to drive her away now, is it feasible?” Zhao Jiazhen asked.

“It is feasible, but not necessary. Sanlang now has a compassionate heart towards that Pang Guniang, which is not a bad thing in itself. However, if manipulated by someone with ulterior motives, this compassion may become unclear. It’s better to let Sanlang get rid of this idea before driving her away.” Xu Nian’an said.

“It seems that Dimei had already planned long ago.” Zhao Jiazhen smiled beautifully.

Xu Nian’an let out a low sigh, “Before the wedding, Sanlang came to the flower field to find me and said he had someone in his heart and didn’t want to marry me. How could I not have a plan early on? Fortunately, he is not soft-hearted only towards Pang Guaning, so I have some chance of success.”

“Dimei is a clever person, my mother can rest assured now.” Smart people don’t need things to be spelled out too clearly, Zhao Jiazhen was very satisfied with Xu Nian’an’s answer.

The two of them wandered outside for a while before returning to Jiaxiang House to accompany Yin Furen and Zhao Jiashan and Zhao Jiaxian. They talked for a while.

Seeing that it was getting late, the three sisters bid farewell to return home. Yin Furen sent Xu Nian’an back to rest and asked Zhao Jiashan and Zhao Jiaxian to leave first, but she kept Zhao Jiazhen behind.

Zhao Jiazhen told Yin Furen about Xu Nian’an’s attitude towards the Furong Pavilion, jokingly saying, “To get a daughter-in-law who can solve your worries and difficulties, Mother is not bothered by her humble background now?”

Yin Furen scolded, “You talk too much.” Looking at her lively and lovely third daughter, she couldn’t help but show a trace of heartache in her eyes. She said, “Zhen’er, how have you considered the matter I mentioned to you last time?”

Zhao Jiazhen’s smile faded. She lowered her head and tightly clenched her handkerchief. “I don’t want to have children. Just the thought of giving birth to his child makes me feel sick.”

“But whether it’s a boy or a girl, you must have a child. Otherwise, what will you do in the future?” Yin Furen couldn’t help but hate Zhao Mingkun when she thought of her third daughter’s unworthy husband.

“However difficult it may be, you should think of it as enduring for the sake of your future. Just close your eyes and get through it.” When she thought of the painful past, Yin Furen couldn’t help but moisten her eyes. She dabbed them with her handkerchief and said, “Now that your brother is married, Xu Shi is capable and can control your brother. I’m not so worried about him anymore. Among the five children, you’re the one I’m most worried about now. It’s all my fault. I couldn’t stop your father from betrothing you to that beast…”

“How can it be your fault? Over the years, it hasn’t been easy for you in this family. We sisters have all seen it.” Seeing Yin Furen about to cry, Zhao Jiazhen went over to comfort her, putting her arms around her shoulders. She gritted her teeth and whispered, “Don’t worry about me. I… I will have one.”