High-class maid

Speaking of Xiao Yizhou, he is the eldest son of the Second Master, and also the Second Master's only son.

In his early years, the second master ruined his health by frequenting brothels. Although he had many concubines, he only had one son and one daughter. Therefore, he doted on his only son from a young age.

The biggest conflict between the second master and the second mistress lies here: the second master spoils his son too much, while the second mistress, although she has a bad temper, is strict with the children, so the two often quarrel over the children.

However, Xiao Yizhou had always studied diligently since childhood and had a good relationship with the young master, whom he always respected.

Seeing how well-behaved his son was, and how, as the nephew of a high-ranking official, he showed no airs whatsoever.

Therefore, he felt that his son was nothing like him, and while neglecting his second wife, he even neglected his son.

I heard from the people in the manor that the second master said to the second young master more than once that he would get half of the family fortune in the future, and that he should work hard to surpass the eldest young master, and that he should not get too close to the eldest young master.

But the second young master said, "What's mine is mine, and what's not mine can't be forced. Instead of resorting to tricks, I should think about how to improve myself." This angered the second master so much that he didn't see him for a month.

The next day, early in the morning, Xiao Jiushan waited for Madam Li in the old lady's courtyard.

Seeing his absent-minded look, the old lady was furious. She rubbed her forehead and asked the second master, "Jiushan, what have you prepared? You can't go to your father-in-law's house empty-handed, can you?"

"Mother, your son has prepared two jugs of fine wine and a box of Xishan Bailu tea," Xiao Jiushan said.

"How can this be? Your wife has been staying at her parents' house for almost ten days, and this is all you've prepared? Are you going to see your father-in-law or to appease your wife?" the First Madam said as she walked in.

"Mother, your daughter-in-law has prepared two boxes of Qianshansu pastries, a tea set, and several bolts of silk bestowed from the palace for my second brother. Is that enough?"

The old lady nodded in satisfaction and said, "Yes, the eldest son is the most thoughtful. Second son, prepare a few more purses and give them to the younger generation."

"Well, my son's money is all with Zhang Shi. Why don't you wait here for a while, sister-in-law, and I'll go ask Zhang Shi for some money?" the second master tentatively suggested.

"You! That's ridiculous. How can you entrust all the money to a concubine? No matter how much you dislike your wife, you are not allowed to give this financial power to a concubine. Since you don't want to give it to Wang, then let me keep it for you."

The old lady was speechless. What kind of bewitching potion had this concubine given the second master? He, who had always been greedy for money, was actually willing to give money to his concubine.

"Yes, son knows his mistake," the second master reluctantly replied.

"Alright, let's not go back. I always carry a purse with me. Second brother, let's go."

The First Madam didn't bother with the Second Master. After speaking, she glanced at him and walked straight out.

The two of them each boarded a carriage and, accompanied by maids and servants, arrived at the Prince's mansion in a grand procession.

The second mistress lay alone in the room, and a maid was slowly feeding her a bowl of medicine.

From initial sadness to anticipation, and finally to despair, she became indifferent to everything the Second Master had done.

All she wanted was to control the finances, take good care of her son, and watch him get married and have children; the rest was none of her business.

"Madam, Madam, the Second Master and the Lady of the Minister's Mansion have arrived with a cart full of things. I heard they've come to ask you to return to the manor." A little maid ran over happily.

The room was eerily quiet. The second madam seemed not to have heard anything, and the head maid who was feeding her medicine also seemed oblivious, focusing intently on administering the medicine.

The maid who delivered the message didn't receive the reward she expected, and awkwardly curtsied before retreating. As she turned away, she muttered to herself, "Could she have gone mad with anger?"

"You!" Upon hearing this, the maid who was feeding the medicine turned around to scold the other maid, but was stopped by the second madam.

"Banjian, don't chase after her. She's right. I'm so angry I'm practically dying."

Back then, to escape the identity of a merchant's daughter, I ignored my grandmother's advice and was determined to marry him, even though he was an illegitimate son and even though he didn't love me.

"I naively thought that as long as I secured my position as the mistress of the house, no one could do anything to me. But I was wrong. I was so wrong!"

"I'm so sorry to Yizhou, and I'm even more sorry to my beloved grandmother!" After saying this, the second wife lay down by the bed and wept bitterly.

Seeing this, the maid patted the second mistress's back with heartache and also shed tears.

“Madam, it’s not your fault. You’re just unlucky to have met the right person. Now that the Second Master is here, we should go back and not let that woman get away with it. We should take back the power of managing the household that belongs to you.”

“I’ve cried enough these past few days, and I’ve thought it through. For my son’s sake, I must be strong.” The second wife’s eyes revealed determination.

Inside the main hall of the Prince's mansion, the second wife's father, Master Wang, said...

"I wonder what brings my son-in-law to my residence? Your time is precious, so please finish quickly so as not to interfere with your business."

The second master touched his nose sheepishly and said, "Father, I acted impulsively a while ago and slapped Ruolan. I knew I was wrong that very day."

I was afraid Ruolan was angry, so I didn't dare come to pick her up. I've been missing her terribly lately, so I've come to invite Ruolan home."

"Hmph, is it that you miss Ruolan, or do you want my daughter to take care of your concubine? But your frail and helpless concubine has fainted again," said Wang's mother.

The second master was about to get angry when he heard such an embarrassing remark, but the first madam quickly chimed in.

"Please don't be angry, Jiushan really knows he was wrong. His older brother hasn't let him go out recently, just to let him stay home and reflect on his mistakes."

The two old people snorted but didn't reply. The second master, who had come reluctantly in the first place, remained even more silent.

"Oh, by the way, this is Xishan Bailu that my second brother specially brought for you. He's not a very talkative person, so please don't take offense at him. Second brother, why don't you take it out?" The First Madam said to the Second Master with a wink.

After handing over the things, the second master said, "Father, where is Ruolan? Shall I go and see her?"

"Hmph, you're having a good time with your concubines, while our daughter has been sick for days. If you're really fed up with it, we'll get a divorce!"

Clearly, Lord Wang was also extremely angry, and in ancient times when men were considered supreme, he uttered the words of divorce.

The second master and his wife were stunned, not expecting him to mention divorce.

Although the second master and the second mistress didn't get along, they had been together for more than ten years. The second mistress was also very beautiful. Otherwise, no matter how much money the second master had, he would not have married her in the first place.

Moreover, he is middle-aged, how could he possibly get a divorce? If he really did get a divorce, what would his colleagues think of him?

"Father, I really know I was wrong. I shouldn't have hit Ruolan. You, you can hit me, hit me a few more times, I won't dare to complain at all," the second master said in a panic.