Having transmigrated into a book, who would still want to be a secondary wife?

"Reporting to Second Madam, that was just calming incense. Miss Song said that Madam hasn't had a proper rest in a long time, and the calming incense can help calm the mind and soothe the nerves."

Xu Qingmei was skeptical. At that time, Xu Yingqiao and Song Ruozhen's expressions didn't seem to indicate that they were talking about something so simple. However, the two had walked far away and she couldn't hear them at all. Her anxiety was growing, and she felt that something was about to happen.

Madam Dong understood, "Look at all this fuss. Yingqiao has been exhausted lately, so it's good that she can get a good night's sleep."

“Mother-in-law, I don’t think it’s that simple. A single stick of calming incense costs 100,000 taels of silver. Isn’t Miss Song asking for an exorbitant price? My sister-in-law is always smart. She won’t be easily fooled.”

"One hundred thousand taels of silver?" Old Madam Dong frowned. Giving away so much silver so readily was indeed too hasty. However, thinking about her grandson's disappearance, she felt sorry for her eldest daughter-in-law. Could she blame her for wasting money?

"Never mind, as long as Yingqiao is alright."

Madam Dong waved her hand, preparing to leave, when she heard a familiar scream.

"what--"

The piercing cries, filled with intense resentment, sounded particularly mournful in the night.

"Something's happened!" Xu Qingmei's eyes changed. "Mother-in-law, you see I was right, there really is a problem!"

At this moment, Madam Dong had no time to spare, and the group rushed inside.

Lin Yingqiao was pale and covered in cold sweat. Her eyes were red as she looked at the empty surroundings. Just a moment ago, Bei Yu was right in front of her, but now... she would never have the chance to see Bei Yu again.

"Beiyu, Beiyu, don't leave your mother."

"It's all your mother's fault. She didn't protect you well!"

When Madam Dong and Xu Qingmei entered, they heard Lin Yingqiao screaming hysterically. Her distraught appearance was heartbreaking to see.

"Yingqiao, are you having a nightmare?"

Old Mrs. Dong stepped forward with concern. She had long heard that her eldest daughter-in-law couldn't sleep all night, and even when she did fall asleep, she would wake up quickly. In order not to disturb her eldest son, they were now sleeping in separate rooms.

"Sister-in-law, don't overthink it. I believe Beiyu will be fine. Song Ruozhen was just talking nonsense today; she's really hateful!"

However, just as Xu Qingmei was pretending to be considerate and caring, Lin Yingqiao slapped her across the face.

"Snapped--"

A resounding slap, delivered with all its might.

Everyone stared in astonishment at this sudden turn of events. Why would the First Madam suddenly hit the Second Madam?

"You vile woman, you killed my son and then pretended to be a good person in front of me! I'm going to kill you!"

Lin Yingqiao gripped Xu Qingmei tightly with one hand, her eyes fierce, her knuckles white, showing the immense force she was using.

"Yingqiao, what are you doing? Quickly let go of Qingmei, she is your sister-in-law!" Old Madam Dong said hurriedly.

All the maids and nannies stepped forward, intending to separate the two, but Lin Yingqiao coldly shouted, "No one is allowed to move!"

"Go and bring the old man back."

Upon hearing the commotion in the courtyard, Dong Hanzhou rushed over and found his usually well-mannered wife acting as if she had gone mad. "Madam, what's wrong?"

"My lord, Beiyu appeared to me in a dream. He said he was killed by Xu Qingmei!"

Lin Yingqiao's eyes reddened, and she sobbed uncontrollably, but she didn't loosen her grip on Xu Qingmei's neck. "Beiyu was so pitiful. He was so young, yet he was killed by his most trusted aunt. How unwilling he must have been to appear in my dream!"

“Madam, it’s just a dream. You’re having nightmares because you’re overthinking. Your sister-in-law has always treated Bei Yu very well. How could she possibly harm her?” Dong Hanzhou earnestly advised. “Let go first, and we’ll talk this out.”

Seeing his wife being choked by his sister-in-law, Second Master Dong Zhushu said, "Sister-in-law, we are all family. Qingmei has always been kind and gentle. How can you take dreams seriously?"

Of all the people present, only Xu Qingmei felt horrified, and the reason for her unease was found.

Can Dong Beiyu really appear in dreams? Or is all of this related to Song Ruozhen?

"This isn't a dream, it's all real!"

Lin Yingqiao didn't care about any of that. She stared intently at Dong Hanzhou, her voice mournful but her expression resolute. "Husband, if you care about our marriage, come with me to Xiyun City tonight."

Dong Hanzhou didn't expect Lin Yingqiao to be so insistent, but he and his wife had always had a harmonious relationship. They were both heartbroken by the disappearance of their youngest son. Even though they had just returned from a fruitless search in Xiyun City a few days ago, he still nodded in agreement.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Lin Yingqiao breathed a sigh of relief, and an unprecedented seriousness appeared on her elegant and beautiful face before she knelt down in front of Old Madam Dong.

"Yingqiao, what are you doing?" Old Madam Dong tried to help her up but was refused.

“Mother-in-law, since I married into the Dong family, I have always followed etiquette, been a good wife and mother, and been filial to my elders. Now, your daughter-in-law would like to ask you for a favor.”

"You said."

"While my daughter-in-law and husband are away from the capital, I ask that you, mother-in-law, send someone to look after my sister-in-law and not allow her to leave the family even for a moment."

Xu Qingmei's expression changed. "How can this be?"

Lin Yingqiao's expression remained unchanged. "If everything is false, I will apologize to my younger brother and sister-in-law when I return. I will accept any punishment, whether it's a beating or a letter of divorce to kick me out of the Dong family!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room turned serious, surprised that Lin Yingqiao would make such a decision based on just a dream.

Although it's unfair to Xu Qingmei, she's already said so much, what else can be said?

Minister of Rites Dong Linqing arrived late. Looking at the large group of people in the room, and after hearing his eldest daughter-in-law's words, he nodded and said, "This matter shall be handled in this manner."

“Father, how can this be?” Dong Zhushu couldn’t help but ask.

Dong Linqing's expression was cold and stern. "Your sister-in-law said that if everything is false after she returns, she will apologize with a bundle of thorns on her back. Now we are just letting the second daughter-in-law stay in the mansion. We are not trying to torture her. What's wrong with that?"

Although Dong Zhushu was unwilling, he always respected his father, and at this moment he had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Xu Qingmei became anxious, "Mother-in-law, father-in-law, it's one thing for my sister-in-law to be acting crazy, but why do you all have to join in her crazy behavior?"

I've always been diligent and conscientious in the Dong family all these years. I know I can't compare to my sister-in-law in terms of being liked by both of them, but you can't treat me like this!

Lin Yingqiao watched as the culprit continued to complain, and she wanted nothing more than to strangle her. This hypocritical woman, everything she did was just an act!

“Sister-in-law, if you are truly wronged, why not wait for the truth to be revealed? Why be so impatient? It only makes people think you have a guilty conscience.”

Xu Qingmei's face turned ashen. "Sister-in-law, I know you don't like me and think my background is inferior to yours. You've been unwilling to open up to me all these years, but it's too much to pin such a crime on me!"

Staying in the manor is fine, but if this news gets out, what will people think of me? Will I be unable to face anyone anymore?