Favoring a concubine and destroying the wife? I'll abandon my husband and children and wipe out

"Madam, we'll be arriving at the manor soon!"

As Cheng Nanzhi sat in the carriage heading to the capital, her maid Qingdai lifted the curtain to look outside and spoke to her.

Cheng Nanzhi felt no joy whatsoever.

Three years ago, during the royal autumn hunt, Cheng Nanzhi accompanied her husband, Zhao Ye, the Vice Minister of Rites, to participate, but unexpectedly, an assassin appeared along the way.

She took an arrow for her husband, which injured her lungs and internal organs. She had to listen to the doctor's advice and leave the capital to find a quiet place to recuperate. She stayed at the manor until now before returning home.

However, last night, Cheng Nanzhi had a bizarre dream.

She dreamt that shortly after she returned home, a distant cousin from her husband's family came to stay with her.

Cheng Nanzhi felt sorry for her loneliness, but she had a feeling that the other woman's close relationship with her husband made her uncomfortable.

Gradually, she became suspicious and investigated, only to discover that the other party was Zhao Ye's childhood sweetheart. The two had been having an affair and had even had a son and a daughter. These were the siblings that her mother-in-law had taken from a charitable institution of the same clan and registered under her name after she fell into the water and became unable to conceive! Her mother-in-law had known about this for a long time!

Cheng Nanzhi immediately started making a scene and questioned her.

The result filled Cheng Nanzhi with intense hatred. It turned out they had been deceiving her from the very beginning, only wanting to use her as a stepping stone to climb the social ladder!

Her two children were also ungrateful wretches; they helped her trick her into going to a side room, locked her up, and then set it on fire, burning her alive!

In the end, they ruined her reputation, while they enjoyed a lifetime of wealth and honor!

Cheng Nanzhi immediately woke up and felt it was absurd.

She was indeed born into a prominent family, but when she came of age, she fell in love with Zhao Ye, a newly appointed scholar from a poor family, and married him against all odds. Everyone laughed at her, saying she was blind.

However, even after seven years of marriage, her husband still loves her and has never taken any concubines or maids, and she is still young with a bright future ahead of her.

Her mother-in-law treated her like her own daughter, never minding her inability to conceive, and even comforting her. The two children she carefully chose for her were well-behaved and obedient, even better than her own.

The noble ladies of the capital were all envious of her smooth and happy life, and no longer mocked her as before!

Thinking of this, Cheng Nanzhi clenched her hands, comforting herself that she was just having a nightmare because she was too homesick, and that dreams are always the opposite of reality!

They soon arrived outside the Zhao residence, where the family was already waiting.

The tall, handsome, and dignified Zhao Ye immediately came over, his face beaming with joy: "Madam, it's good that you're back!"

Cheng Nanzhi was helped down from the carriage by Qingdai. She felt a sweet warmth in her heart when she saw him and was about to go forward when suddenly an impatient male voice rang out.

Why didn't you stay at the estate? What are you doing back here? Now I can't even take Yue'er boating today!

Cheng Nanzhi was taken aback.

She knew that voice all too well; it was…

"Husband, what...what did you just say?" she asked hesitantly.

Zhao Ye said softly, "I miss you very much, my wife. I have been so busy with official duties these days that I have not had time to personally pick you up. Please don't be offended."

Looking at Cheng Nanzhi, Zhao Ye felt annoyed.

[I finally got to be with Yue'er, but now I can't, and I have to keep putting on an act for Cheng Nanzhi. Enough is enough!]

Cheng Nanzhi stared at Zhao Ye, who hadn't uttered a word, and instantly realized that she had heard his inner thoughts!

Cheng Nanzhi had become accustomed to being able to hear other people's thoughts.

Three years ago, she was seriously injured and almost died. After recovering at the manor, she often saw Qingdai with her mouth closed but able to speak.

At first she was very surprised and confused. After several attempts, she realized that she could hear what others were thinking, but she could only hear the thoughts of those she was close to.

She accepted it quickly and didn't tell anyone about this miraculous event.

But to her surprise, upon returning home, she overheard her husband, who had always loved her dearly, being two-faced. Not only did he not want her to come back, but he also seemed to have another woman by his side!

This...this matches the dream I had!

Cheng Nanzhi was struck dumb and immediately asked, "Has Madam Zhao come with her children?"

"Nanzhi," her mother-in-law called out affectionately, "You must be exhausted from this long journey."

Cheng Nanzhi had been separated from her mother since childhood and was alone. She regarded her mother-in-law as her own mother. Hearing her concern warmed her heart and her shock subsided a little.

"My daughter-in-law isn't tired, so everything is fine."

Her mother-in-law has always doted on her, and if her husband really takes a concubine, she will be the first to object!

So, did she misunderstand or mishear?

Her husband treated her so well; she really shouldn't have doubted him because of a dream.

Cheng Nanzhi suddenly heard:

[Luckily, I told Ruyue to leave early. Otherwise, if Cheng Nanzhi had found out, she would have made a huge scene!]

[She's infertile and a jealous woman. If it weren't for her high social standing and ability to help my son's career, why would I want such a daughter-in-law!]

Cheng Nanzhi stared at Old Madam Zhao in disbelief.

Ruyue... The cousin in my dream was named Ye Ruyue!

In her dream, her mother-in-law was also with her... and they were facing off again?!

The other person's inner voice echoed again, beaming with joy:

[My son is so clever; he and Ruyue had these two wonderful grandsons, Ze-ge and Yu-jie, so that the Zhao family line wouldn't be cut off!]

Cheng Nanzhi suddenly turned her head to look at her two children.

The son, Zhao Shize, was spoiled but had a sweet tongue and was obedient. The daughter, Zhao Huaiyu, was also well-behaved and sensible, and had always been very filial to her.

Upon closer inspection, they do bear some resemblance to Zhao Ye. She had previously thought that since they were relatives, it was normal for them to look alike.

But if it's Zhao Ye's own child... they're already eight years old. She and Zhao Ye have only been married for seven years, meaning Zhao Ye already had a family before the marriage! But when he proposed, he clearly said he had never had a woman or children!

He's been lying to her all along?!

Mother-in-law too?!

This actually matches what I was dreaming about!

"Mother?" Zhao Shize and Zhao Huaiyu had been waiting for a long time and were somewhat resentful, but now that she was looking at him like that, he felt inexplicably scared and hid behind the old lady.

Cheng Nanzhi heard it clearly:

[After three years, my mother has become so frightening!]

[I still prefer Aunt Ye, whom Dad introduced us to a few days ago!]

If only Aunt Ye were our mother!

Cheng Nanzhi trembled all over.

Qingdai, who was supporting her, was the first to notice and was startled: "Madam, what's wrong? Are you terribly cold?"

Zhao Ye and Madam Zhao were taken aback for a moment, and then asked with concern.

Cheng Nanzhi gritted her teeth inwardly.

She couldn't panic, and she certainly couldn't confront him directly like she did in her dream.

If the dream were all real, she might end up with the same fate as in the dream if she did that!

She needs to verify whether their sentiments are true before figuring out a solution!

What if... there's something else going on?

Over the years, they have clearly been so good to her!

Cheng Nanzhi managed to calm herself down.

"It's alright. Perhaps you didn't rest much along the way, and with the unseasonably cold weather in March, you caught a chill."

Qingdai couldn't help but say, "Madam, I told you we weren't in a hurry to get going, but you can't even wait a moment for the joy of returning home."

What used to sound pleasant as Cheng Nanzhi now only feels ironic.

“Madam, that’s not right. Going home is important, but your own health is the most important thing.” Zhao Ye said, and tried to put his arm around Cheng Nanzhi’s shoulder.

Although he didn't love Cheng Nanzhi, she was undeniably beautiful, radiant, and elegant, and it wasn't that he couldn't get close to her.

But they ended up with nothing.

Cheng Nanzhi avoided it without even thinking.

"Madam?" Zhao Ye asked in surprise.

The words she had just spoken were like a thorn in her heart, and Cheng Nanzhi simply could no longer get along with Zhao Ye as before.

She tried to act as if nothing was wrong: "I think my headache is getting worse, I want to go back and rest first."

"Then let's hurry inside the mansion." Old Madam Zhao appeared very worried and even asked her trusted nanny, Zhang, to fetch a doctor.

In his heart, he cursed: "Sickly and weak, I wonder how much money he'll spend on medicine! He's truly useless except for his family background!"

Cheng Nanzhi's body stiffened even more.

Qingdai thought she was really unwell, so she hurriedly helped her back to her residence, Guantang Courtyard.

Not long after, the doctor was brought by Granny Zhang. After examining Cheng Nanzhi, the doctor said that she was fine and just needed to rest more. The doctor also prescribed some calming medicine.

Zhao Ye personally saw the doctor out and kept asking about the details of his wife's recovery, showing to anyone that he loved his wife dearly.

Cheng Nanzhi heard a completely different impatient complaint from him, and her mind went blank.

Old Mrs. Zhao told her to rest more, and her two children just echoed her indifferently.

Cheng Nanzhi was too exhausted to deal with it, so she made up an excuse to let them go.

When Qingdai returned after seeing them off, Cheng Nanzhi stared at her intently.