The eldest daughter's scheming, the crown prince's exclusive favor to the venomous concubi

When her daughter spoke to her like that, You Min immediately became angry and said, "How dare you talk to me like that? I'm your mother."

"What do you mean, how am I supposed to talk to you? You know you're my mother? We already agreed that Ya Xun would come into our family. Look at Ya Xun's upbringing, she's so much better than this little vixen. How come you changed your mind as soon as you heard she's pregnant?"

Whether Han Que's side is really telling the truth is uncertain. Anyway, I think Dad conspired with them to make things difficult for us. Didn't you see Dad call her into his study alone? Maybe she even seduced him.

Upon hearing this, You Lin was immediately enraged. He stood up and slapped Shangguan Mingzhu across the face, scolding, "Mingzhu, who taught you to talk about your father like that? How could you do that?"

"Why can't I? Why are you all siding with Han Que and not with me? I'm your daughter too. All I do is come home often. Why is it all my fault? I'm just worried about you."

You always accuse me of having ulterior motives, but can you even calculate what I'm thinking? My son is inheriting the family business, so you should at least give me some money, right? My husband and I are, to put it nicely, part of the Shangguan family, but to put it bluntly, we're just working for you.

"Do you see other people laughing at us? My husband can't hold his head up in public, that's a disgrace to me, and it's all your fault, your favoritism."

Shangguan Mingzhu roared in frustration, and You Min, feeling a sharp pain in her heart, collapsed onto the sofa. At this moment, Shangguan Zhi, angered by the commotion, came out of the study. Upon seeing the scene, he immediately went downstairs and slapped Shangguan Mingzhu. He then helped You Min up and said, "Butler, throw this unfilial daughter out of here. And call her back with one of your own and tell her that something has happened to Madam."

Seeing You Min's face turn ashen, Shangguan Mingzhu was a little scared. Hearing her father's words, she said unwillingly, "This is not my fault. I didn't make her have an attack. Besides, she might be faking it."

Just then, the butler arrived with his men and dragged Shangguan Mingzhu away. Shangguan Mingzhu was furious and said, "What are you doing? Let me go! I am the young lady of this house! Let me go! You are being insolent! Let me go!"

Shangguan Zhi ignored her screams and said to the butler, "From now on, she is forbidden from appearing at our front door. If she appears, she will be driven away."

Guan Jian nodded, waved his hand, and had someone take Shangguan Mingzhu away. Shangguan Zhi then looked at You Min and asked, "How was it?"

Youlin shook her head, closed her eyes, and tried to calm herself down. Shan Guanzhi sighed, "Look at her, this is all because of your spoiled daughter. Not only does she covet your money, but she also doesn't want anything good for her own brother. You always say she's childish, but she's not a child at all."

Tears welled in You Min's eyes. Although she already knew the truth, she still didn't want to believe it, so she closed her eyes and remained silent. Shangguan Zhi sighed and put her on the sofa. Not long after, the family doctor, who hadn't gone far, rushed back, gave You Min an IV drip, left some medicine, gave her some instructions, and then turned to leave.

By the time Hua Xiangrong and Shangguan Hanque learned of this, it was already the next morning.

At breakfast, You Min did not come downstairs to eat, and Hua Xiangrong did not leave either. It wasn't until noon that You Min came downstairs with the help of a servant. She sat on the sofa and kept staring at Hua Xiangrong's belly. Hua Xiangrong was quite embarrassed at this time, but she was thick-skinned and pretended not to care while being affectionate with Shangguan Hanque.

You Min had a prejudiced view of Hua Xiangrong, after all, who would know that their son would suddenly get married and have a woman who was a child bride?

Therefore, I didn't think much of Hua Xiangrong at first glance, especially since she spoke so sarcastically and was not on the same level as Xiao Yaxun, who was good at coaxing people.

But now that Hua Xiangrong is carrying her son's child, the scales tip back on their own. Now that the weights on both sides are equal, a new understanding emerges from this comparison.

You Min was born into a wealthy family, and her marriage to Shangguan Zhi was a business arrangement. Although they never had any romantic feelings for each other, she did like the handsome and serious Shangguan Zhi. And over the years, Shangguan Zhi never changed his mind, which made her incredibly happy.

Her son, Shangguan Hanque, was just like his father, stubborn and unyielding. Ten years ago, he said he had chosen his wife and he has kept his promise ever since. Looking at the deep and unwavering gaze that Shangguan Hanque gave the woman in his arms, she seemed to see her own past self looking at Shangguan Zhi.

Although Hua Xiangrong seems unrestrained, she knows when to stop. Although she behaves disrespectfully in front of her parents, she never yells at them. Especially when she is sick, if the servants are careless, she will lend a hand to help them up, and will also give them fruit and cook lotus seed porridge.

Especially since she didn't seem to be flattering or fawning, but rather exuded a natural, family-like aura, Hua Xiangrong suddenly made You Min feel at peace.

She thought about how, in the years since her daughter got married, she had spent each year either in silent battles or surviving under Shangguan Mingyue's constant nagging and pleading. Her daughter had never given her a piece of apple or cooked her a meal.

Thinking about it, You Min suddenly burst into tears again. Shangguan Zhi was reading and didn't notice, but Hua Xiangrong did. She got up from Shangguan Hanque's arms, moved to You Min's side, and said, "Why are you crying again, Mommy? Does your mouth taste bitter? Want some candy?"

You Min shook her head, then suddenly said with a wronged expression, "I have diabetes, so I can't eat sugar."

Hua Xiangrong was stunned, never expecting that her mother-in-law, who looked down on her, would actually act coquettishly towards her. She was at a loss and looked at Shangguan Hanque. Shangguan Zhi also looked up in surprise after hearing this.

You Min picked up a handkerchief to wipe her tears and looked at Hua Xiangrong, saying, "I haven't gone shopping in a long time. Is there anything you want to buy? Let's go shopping tomorrow when I'm feeling better."

Hua Xiangrong blinked and said, "I don't lack anything, I don't need to buy anything."

Upon hearing this, You Min looked like she was about to cry again, and Hua Xiangrong quickly said, "Oh dear, what's wrong with you?"

Yu Min, her eyes brimming with tears, said, "Since you're not going, then forget it. I'm going upstairs to rest." She stood up, and Hua Xiangrong, startled, grabbed her hand, saying, "Do you want to go out and clear your head? That's great! Going out will cheer you up. It's alright, you can go out whenever you want. I'll stay here a few more days to keep you company, as long as you don't mind."

Hua Xiangrong was vengeful, but the other party was Shangguan Hanque's mother, especially since this mother had now yielded. How could Hua Xiangrong possibly maintain her dignity? At the very least, she should have some traditional virtues.

After Hua Xiangrong finished speaking, You Min's mood immediately improved, and she said repeatedly, "Okay, let's stay a few more days. We'll go out for a walk tomorrow morning to relax."

Watching You Min go upstairs with satisfaction, Hua Xiangrong looked at Shangguan Zhi in surprise and said, "Dad, what's wrong with my mom? She seems like a different person."

Shangguan Zhi smiled and watched the figure go upstairs, sighing, "She's not a bad person, but she hasn't received the warmth she wanted all these years, so her heart is lonely. Qingcheng, you really are our family's lucky star."

Hua Xiangrong smiled slyly and said, "Is that so? It seems I really am loved by everyone and admired by all. Dad, you don't object if I stay at home for a few more days, do you?"

Shangguan Zhi shook his head repeatedly: "How could I object? This house hasn't had this kind of liveliness in a long time."

Shangguan Hanque was unhappy. He didn't want to be with a bunch of people all day long, and he didn't have time to be intimate with his beloved wife. So he reached out and tugged at Hua Xiangrong's clothes, looking at her with a mournful expression.

Hua Xiangrong knew what he meant, but pretended not to know and smiled, saying, "Why are you pulling my clothes?"

Shangguan Hanque frowned, stared at her and said, "I won't allow it, I want to go home."

Shangguan Zhi slammed the book down and looked at him, saying, "Isn't this home? Which home do you want to go to? If you want to leave, then leave. Qingcheng, stay."

Shangguan Hanque stood up abruptly and said coldly, "Why? She's my wife."

Shangguan Zhi also stood up abruptly and roared, "You are my son, and she is my daughter-in-law."

The father and son glared at each other, neither willing to back down. Just as Shangguan Hanque was about to explode, he suddenly felt a sharp rap on the head. He turned his head, glaring, and Hua Xiangrong flicked him on the forehead again, saying, "What are you yelling about? You're almost deaf."

Shangguan Hanque immediately said in a low voice, "I'm afraid that other unrelated people will come knocking on my door. I find it too troublesome to deal with so many things."

Shangguan Zhi snorted coldly: "Who dares to come in without my permission? Are the guards just sitting around doing nothing? I've already given the order that no one is allowed to come in except for our family. Hmm, your sister has been kicked out too, she's not allowed to come in either."

Shangguan Hanque remained silent and unyielding with a gloomy face. Hua Xiangrong pinched his armpit and whispered, "Back then, you were terrified of Grandpa's low growl. How come you've become like this now? Has your temper grown since you've been the boss for so long?"

Shangguan Hanque then retorted in a low voice, "No, it's just that I don't like it here."

Hua Xiangrong said cheerfully, "You don't like it, but I do. This place is so antique, it always reminds me of the past. Besides, I haven't had enough of staying here yet. Why leave? Sit down and stay here."

Hua Xiangrong pressed Shangguan Hanque down to sit, and Shangguan Zhi followed suit, looking at Shangguan Hanque's aggrieved expression with schadenfreude.

Good lad, there's always someone who can subdue another. Let's see what other tricks you have up your sleeve.

With such an excellent daughter-in-law, it seems that if I can keep her happy, my son will be able to stay at home longer.

You Min saw this scene upstairs as well. She clenched the silk handkerchief in her hand. A servant beside her called out softly, "Madam." She nodded, walked back to her room, sat down, and suddenly smiled. She looked at the photo of Shangguan Hanque with her and her husband when they were children, which was placed on the bedside table, and sighed, "This house finally feels like a home."