Chapter 11: The Cuckoo Occupying the Magpie’s Nest
Yun Wei did not even look back.
The moment she stepped into Yilan Courtyard, Tian’er hurried over and anxiously informed her that Old Madam Li had already sent someone to summon her.
It was probably because Chen Yuniang had suffered a loss at her hands, refused to let it go, and had gone crying to Old Madam Li.
Back when the Chen family had fallen from grace, Old Madam Li had desperately tried to distance herself from them. But now that the Chen family was about to rise again, naturally she had to curry favor with Chen Yuniang.
Since Chen Yuniang had been wronged, Old Madam Li would certainly seek justice on her behalf.
There was also the matter of the household meals.
The household management was still in Yun Wei’s hands, and the servants responsible for purchasing supplies had all been appointed by her.
She did not even need to give instructions. Those servants, wanting to stand up for her, naturally knew what to do.
For the past few days, the Li family’s dining table had probably been filled with nothing but plain, crude dishes.
“Ignore them,” Yun Wei said calmly.
Hearing this, Tian’er finally relaxed and brought up another matter.
“By the way, Miss, everything you asked this servant to do has been taken care of.”
Seeing the excitement on her face, Yun Wei knew the errand had gone smoothly.
“Good.”
Just imagining the chaos that would soon erupt in the Li household amused her.
With that thought, she took out the household authority tokens and the storeroom keys, handing them to Tian’er.
“Take these to Madam Shen.”
Tian’er was stunned.
“Miss, you’re giving the household management over to Second Madam?”
“Mhm.”
Yun Wei nodded.
Because Second Master Li, Li Chengting, had crippled legs, no respectable family had been willing to marry their daughter to him. Only the equally declining Shen family had agreed to let their daughter marry into the Li family.
Ever since Madam Shen entered the Li family two years ago, she had coveted the household authority in Yun Wei’s hands.
Little did she know that although the Li family still carried the title of a noble house, it was already an empty shell.
For two generations, no outstanding men had emerged from the Li family. Other than their noble title, they held no important positions in court, nor were they good at managing wealth.
Living off their dwindling fortune year after year, the Li family had gradually declined.
By Li Yaoting’s generation, the family had completely fallen into ruin.
Tian’er also knew the Li family’s situation. Seeing how ungrateful they all were, she felt that Miss truly should not waste another coin on them.
Following Yun Wei’s instructions, she delivered the authority tokens and the storeroom keys to Madam Shen.
When Madam Shen received the household tokens and the keys to the estate’s storeroom, she could hardly believe such good fortune had fallen into her lap.
Yun Wei was actually willing to hand over the household management?
Seeing the unconcealed delight on Madam Shen’s face, Tian’er’s eyes flickered.
In a few days, once those people came knocking at the door, Madam Shen would surely be overwhelmed.
The next day.
Having handed over the household management, Yun Wei felt completely at ease. She reclined leisurely on a chaise lounge, reading a book.
Just then, Tian’er hurried in.
“Miss… M-Madam… Madam has really come. Old Madam has sent someone to invite you over.”
Yun Wei paused for a moment.
Li Yaoting certainly moved quickly.
Tian’er hurriedly added,
“And… Third Miss came as well.”
Yun Yao?
Yun Wei narrowed her eyes.
A moment later, she rose to her feet.
Autumn Paulownia Courtyard had been filled with cheerful conversation.
The moment Yun Wei arrived, however, all conversation stopped.
Her birth mother, Madam Xu, forced a somewhat stiff smile onto her face and called gently,
“Weiwei.”
Yun Wei nodded.
“Mother.”
“Sister.”
Yun Yao greeted her with a bright smile.
Yun Wei ignored her entirely and sat down directly.
Seeing that Yun Wei neither greeted nor bowed to Old Madam Li, Madam Xu frowned slightly but suppressed her displeasure. Instead, she turned to Old Madam Li.
“My daughter and I haven’t seen each other in a long time. We have some private matters to discuss, so we won’t disturb you here.”
Old Madam Li smiled kindly and nodded.
Then she looked at Yun Wei.
“Your mother came specially to visit you. Hurry and take her back to your courtyard for a chat.”
Without saying a word, Yun Wei glanced at Madam Xu before walking out.
Madam Xu suppressed her anger the entire way.
The moment they entered Yilan Courtyard, her face darkened.
“Yun Wei, is this how you usually treat your mother-in-law? Where are your manners? Your upbringing? You’ve disgraced the Yun family!”
Every word was filled with reproach.
Standing beside her, Yun Yao hid the gloating in her eyes.
As expected of someone raised in the countryside—utterly lacking in manners.
Yun Wei’s gaze darkened.
The moment Old Madam Li had sent someone to summon her, she had already known her mother would not stand up for her.
Otherwise, she would at least have secretly sent someone to warn her first.
But hearing her mother scold her without even asking what had happened, showing not the slightest concern for her feelings, still made Yun Wei’s heart ache.
“So all Mother cares about is the Yun family’s reputation? You won’t even ask whether I’ve been wronged in the Li family?”
she asked quietly.
Madam Xu paused for a moment before frowning.
“What man doesn’t have multiple wives and concubines? Is it really worth getting angry over? All you’ll accomplish is making yourself look petty, intolerant, and earning yourself the reputation of a jealous wife.”
“If word reaches the Lou family and affects your younger sister’s standing in her husband’s household, won’t that be a great loss?”
Yun Wei froze.
Her mother already knew Li Yaoting intended to take a concubine.
Not only was she unwilling to support her, she was actually worried that Yun Yao—the one who had occupied her rightful place—would be implicated?
Both were daughters.
She even carried their blood.
Yet the difference in how they were treated was so painfully obvious.
How foolish she had been.
To have ever held hope for this cold-hearted family.
The warmth completely disappeared from Yun Wei’s eyes.
Perhaps sensing the icy aura surrounding her, Madam Xu softened her expression and reached out to take her hand.
Yun Wei stepped aside.
Madam Xu showed no embarrassment and continued,
“Weiwei, I’m only saying this for your own good. It’s perfectly normal for a man to take concubines. What can you possibly gain by fighting Li Yaoting? Rather than losing your temper, you should graciously accept the newcomer. That way, you’ll at least earn a reputation for being virtuous and magnanimous.”
Yun Wei had long since become disappointed and no longer wished to hear such words.
She replied calmly,
“Mother, if you’ve only come today to say these things, then there’s no need. I’ll handle my own affairs.”
At this, impatience flashed across Madam Xu’s face.
“And how exactly are you going to handle them? Continue throwing tantrums at Li Yaoting? Threaten him with divorce? Do you really think he can’t live without you? When the time comes, if he simply finds an excuse to divorce you instead, you’ll regret it.”
Yun Yao, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward to add fuel to the fire.
“Sister, a divorced woman is worth nothing. It’ll be difficult for you to marry again. It’s only a concubine. Endure it, and it’ll pass. Why make such a fuss over a divorce?
“Li Yaoting is handsome enough, and I’ve heard he earned military merit at the border. His Majesty will soon reward him.
“If you divorce him, can you really guarantee your next husband will be better? Don’t end up losing more than you gain.”
Yun Wei glanced at her.
“You certainly are generous, Sister. When your husband takes a concubine one day, remember what you said today. Don’t quarrel or complain. Just graciously welcome the newcomer.”
A shadow flashed across Yun Yao’s eyes.
But remembering something, she quickly smiled again.
“Chaoan devotes all his heart to state affairs. He doesn’t have those kinds of wandering thoughts. Sister worries too much.”
Her words were filled with unconcealed pride.
“Then you’d better cherish him. After all, marrying Lou Chao’an is the greatest fortune of your life—just like becoming the Yun family’s daughter.”
Yun Wei smiled meaningfully.
