Chapter 218: Chapter 218: Then… Shen Hua Will Not Be Polite

In the Daqi Dynasty, women are in a disadvantageous position as per the laws and decrees. Therefore, it becomes a woman’s utmost duty to get married, serve her parents-in-law, and be considerate of her husband.

Whether it’s dealing with what should or should not be done, one must remain obedient.

Even though they take their husband’s surname, there’s still a barrier as thin as a cloth. Many a mother-in-law make things difficult by setting strict rules.

Thus, there are many cases of men divorcing their wives.

When abandoned, a man can easily remarry, while the woman is inevitably subject to pointing fingers. It seems the world has been numbed by deeply rooted bad ideologies.

They won’t say:

—-She too is pitiful, treated so badly by her in-laws. Ending up in such a situation in the end.

Instead, they would eye her critically from head to toe.

—-She got divorced, obviously unable to be a good, modest housewife as rejected by her husband’s family.

—-She has been divorced already, such a disgraceful person, how can she still have the face to live? It would have been better off with a white noose around her neck, to prevent bringing misfortune to her family.

Thus, very few opt for a separation.

For a moment, Xuan Ai felt a void.

Her body trembled lightly.

Concerning Chong Bingwen, it was like she had never harbored any feelings; she married because Daddy said so.

After marriage, as a wife and a daughter-in-law, she believed she had never been negligent. She managed everything well enough and made no mistakes.

The only issue was that her belly remained quiet.

Seeing Xuan Ai remain silent, Xuan E turned her head away, not looking at this mild-tempered Xuan Ai.

Cui Xuan ultimately felt sorry for her.

“What your mother just mentioned, that is also our wish.”

“You’re a good one, aunt knows, but it’s precisely because you’re good that your Mama is so frustrated. Children are debts; you live your own life, but if you’re unhappy, how can your Daddy and Mama be at peace?”

Xuan Ai is different from her.

Back then, when Cui Yang got married, Cui Xuan actually had a marriage arrangement already. But the late Emperor decided otherwise, and nobody could change that.

She went through with the marriage reluctantly.

But Xuan Ai had paths she could backtrack on.

What is the Chong Family anyway?

Cui Xuan truly didn’t want Xuan Ai to walk the same old path.

“I–” Xuan Ai opened her mouth, her lips and teeth dry. Her nose was sour too. Yet some words felt stuck in her throat.

“What is cousin worried about?”

As younger members of the family, they usually don’t speak until an elder says something. It was out of nowhere when Cui Yun spoke up.

“Such a man isn’t worth your sentiment, is he?”

He calmly asked, “Are you worried about bringing shame to the family, or concerned that uncle cousin’s career in the court might be jeopardized and not go smoothly?”

This statement hits the nail on the head.

“Sister!”

Xuan Chen abruptly looked over.

“The Xuan Family didn’t come this far by relying on the women of the house. My standing in the court is due to my genuine talents and a clean conscience. How the world mocks us? The glory of the Xuan Family remains unaffected.”

It’s hard to control what people say since mouths are on others’ faces.

In the future, whether to remarry or to remain a noble lady in the Xuan Family for a lifetime, it is all up to Xuan Ai’s wishes.

In fact, between those two choices, he secretly hopes Xuan Ai chooses separation.

Having such a son-in-law, Xuan Chen feels suffocated for Xuan Ai.

But, although such a decision sounds simple, actually asking Xuan Ai to make a prompt decision on the spot, momentarily…

Xuan Chen could only pressure her: “Sister, take your time to think today, I will wait for your response nevertheless.”

The atmosphere in the room became increasingly heavy.

And suddenly, Xuan E looked towards Shen Hua.

She vividly remembered the scene when she first met Shen Hua.

“Miss Shen.”

Shen Hua was bewildered.

Xuan E strived to stay calm and composed: “If you were in my disappointing daughter’s shoes, what would you do?”

Shen Hua blinked. Hearing this, she had already grasped the gist.

She modestly adjusted her handkerchief.

Xuan E: “Go ahead, it’s alright to speak.”

Shen Hua was afraid her rudeness had scared everyone, the girl subconsciously turned her head to look at Cui Yun.

Cui Yun nodded slightly towards her.

After contemplating, the girl calmly stated: “Although it’s normal for a man to take a concubine, the Chong Family hasn’t taken one, which shows that they dare not offend our Xuan Residence. Thus, they sneakily support a concubine like thieves.”

She used the word ‘we’, not realizing that it had softened Cui Yun’s expression for a moment.

“Since they dare not, yet still do it, it shows they are despicable.”

“Killing one concubine today, who knows if tomorrow they will need to deal with another concubine. Could it be that the two cousins have nothing better to do, spending every day monitoring the Chong Family?”

Is the Chong Family even worthy?

Shen Hua looked towards Xuan Ai.

“Cousin, tell me, after this incident, can you still focus solely on returning to the Chong Family and being Lady Chong?”

Xuan Ai paused.

It seemed like…she couldn’t.

She couldn’t act as if nothing had happened and share a bed with Chong Bingwen again.

Shen Hua then asked: “The Chong family may feel guilty, but think again, cousin. After harming his concubine and using the Xuan Residence to suppress the Chong Family, how can he not bear a grudge?”

This is not a family, but rather an enemy in the future.

The girl’s words were logical and well-founded.

Shen Hua paused slightly, glancing cautiously at Xuan E.

Xuan E seemed to be listening very seriously, and no one in the room felt that Shen Hua’s words were presumptuous.

Then… Shen Hua wouldn’t hold back.

“That is–” she paused

Cui Yun, as if knowing what she was about to say, reminded her: “Chong Bingwen.”

Shen Hua was stunned for a moment. Then she continued.

“Even if Chong Bingwen promises to treat my cousin well from now on, he has already made a mistake. Why should we expect that he won’t err again in the future?”

These words spoke directly to Xuan E’s heart.

She wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief: “Do you mean to choose divorce?”

Shen Hua hesitated for a moment: “Not exactly.”

If she were Xuan Ai, she would turn the Chong Family upside down.

Anyway, making it as frustrating as possible.

She is delicate, unable to endure grievances.

She would make the Chong Family untied with fear whenever they see her.

She would make Chong Bingwen kneel on the ground, offering divorce papers with both hands, and respectfully ask her to leave.

Obviously, the gentle Xuan Ai couldn’t engage in such petty actions, the matters that follow would likely involve Cousin Xuan taking action.

After Shen Hua found out that the concubine willingly seduced Chong Bingwen, she pondered: “They should drag his concubine in front of the Chong Family’s door and beat her to death in front of them, then proceed with the divorce. This would also expose the filth of the Chong Family and notify everyone that the fault lies with Chong Bingwen, and has nothing to do with my cousin.”

Xuan Ai took this in.

“But the child is innocent.”

Shen Yangyang has never been kind: “Innocent? That’s for the Chong Family to worry about.”

Let’s see if the Chong Family can or dares to save him.

“In my opinion, rather than living a life as a disgraced and dishonorable bastard, ineligible even for family records, it’s better to let him reincarnate well. At least, this counts as the Xuan Residence doing a good deed.”

The children of concubines, which of them lives well?

Shen Hua felt she was again spreading kindness.

Xuan Ai: “But the concubine has only brought shame to the family; if she is executed publicly, I’m afraid it could bring criticism and calamity to the Xuan Family.”

Shen Hua slowly turned to Cui Yun.

“May I speak?”

Cui Yun raised an eyebrow: “Go ahead.”

Receiving Cui Yun’s response, Shen Hua glanced subconsciously at Xuan Chen.

“Then it’s up to Cousin Xuan.”

“Let him figure it out.”

“If he can’t even provide the satisfying resolution the cousin wants, how can he claim to take charge for you? Such a useless brother is better discarded.”