Chapter 13: Success

Wang Lin’s thoughts were in turmoil, yet on the surface, he maintained the appearance of a devoted husband concerned for his wife.

However, while playing the part of a good husband, he did not forget to address Lady Cui.

He bowed and offered a polite apology: "Jiuniang is still young. If there were any improprieties, I hope you will forgive her, Madam!"

Lady Cui stared steadily at Wang Lin. This was not her first time seeing him.

When the Lou family’s womenfolk had just arrived in Hedong, all the officials of the region, great and small, had gone outside the city gates to welcome them.

From within her carriage, Lady Cui had seen Magistrate Wang Lin standing at the very front, dressed in his official robes.

In all honesty, Wang Lin’s appearance, temperament, and the like were all excellent.

Even with Lady Cui’s critical eye, it was difficult to find any flaws in him.

The only shortcomings were perhaps his status as a widower remarrying and the fact that he had a legitimate eldest daughter from his first wife.

But, the niece was already married off. In the marriages of great aristocratic clans, one never looked at the personal feelings of the young couple, but rather at the exchange of interests between the two great families.

The Cui clan needed the prestige of the Wang clan’s name, and the Wang clan needed the Cui clan’s network of marital ties with the northern nobility.

Both sides had their needs; it could not be said that one was climbing the social ladder over the other.

Lady Cui’s so-called "pickiness" was merely the lingering obsession of an elder who doted on her niece—her niece should have married a perfect husband, not become a replacement wife and a stepmother like she had!

Alas... perhaps this was simply the fate of their aunt and niece; neither could have a husband from their first marriage.

Lady Cui sighed inwardly, though her face remained composed with her signature dignity and kindness.

"As you said, the child is still young. Being a bit mischievous is only natural!"

Lady Cui’s words seemed like a casual remark following Wang Lin’s tone.

But Wang Lin’s heart skipped a beat.

As Wang Heng’s biological father, his calling his own daughter "improper" was merely a courtesy.

But for Lady Cui, an outsider—and especially the hostess of this banquet—to call Wang Heng "mischievous" was undoubtedly pinning a label on her.

What was this? Had the aunt and niece conspired to force the charge of "offending a noble" upon Wang Heng?

A cold glint flashed rapidly through the depths of Wang Lin’s eyes.

But, even faster, his expression returned to one of gentleness and refinement.

He said nothing more, instead offering a deep bow as an apology.

Seeing Wang Lin so humble, a flash of satisfaction crossed Lady Cui’s eyes.

Good, he was sensible enough to know how to choose between family affection and interests.

Lady Cui believed that a clever man like Wang Lin, if further "persuaded" by the Cui clan, should know what to do!

"It is getting late, and this old woman is tired. Master Wang, you may go."

Lady Cui said this not to rudely dismiss him, but as if treating Wang Lin as her own close junior.

She did not address him as Magistrate Wang, nor as Master Wang, but simply as "Wang Lang."

In the current times, this was an "affectionate term" used by those who were relatively close.

Wang Lin was also tactful and quickly replied, "I shall obey your command!"

Although Wang Lin still did not address Lady Cui as "Aunt," he referred to himself as "son," which in itself expressed a sense of closeness.

Lady Cui was even more satisfied.

She waved her hand, signaling for Wang Lin to leave.

Wang Lin had arrived on horseback, but to keep up the act, he boarded the Cui family’s carriage to return home with his wife.

The wet nurse and Baizhi hurriedly took Wang Heng and boarded the carriage behind them.

...

The group traveled for half an hour before entering the city.

They proceeded along the bluestone road in the city for another quarter of an hour before arriving at the backyard of the magistrate’s office.

The carriage stopped steadily in front of the courtyard gate, and the servant accompanying the carriage quickly moved a footstool into place.

Wang Lin stepped down first, then stood by the carriage to help Lady Cui down.

"My lady, are you sure you are alright? Perhaps we should call a physician."

Wang Lin asked with great concern.

Back at the Lou family estate, Wang Lin had already called for a physician, but Lady Cui had refused.

Wang Lin, of course, knew Lady Cui’s concerns: pregnancy was likely still a "secret," and she did not even want to tell him, the person sleeping beside her.

If no physician was called, there would be no "congratulations" in person, and the secret would remain a secret!

Wang Lin had already guessed the truth, yet he had to continue putting on a show.

After all, for a husband who doted on and cared for his wife, he naturally had to be concerned about her health, mood, and other aspects.

"Master, I am truly fine!"

Lady Cui refused quickly.

Her aunt had also said that a woman is most fragile in the first three months of pregnancy, so it was best to be cautious.

Furthermore, Lady Cui’s plan to send Wang Heng away had not yet been completed; she did not want news of her pregnancy to break now, lest people link the two events together.

Although Lady Cui was not afraid of others knowing she could not tolerate Wang Heng, she had taken the advice of Pearl and her aunt to heart.

She and Wang Lin were husband and wife; she was the wife, and she could not be too overbearing or domineering.

Unless, that is, she did not want a loving marriage and a harmonious household.

They had been married for only a month, and Wang Lin was so gentle and attentive; naturally, Lady Cui did not want to reach a point of "mutual respect like ice" with him.

Being a bit more subtle was better; her relationship with her husband was the most important thing.

Lady Cui rejected her husband’s proposal to call a physician, and because of this, she thought of the reason for her rejection—Wang Heng!

"Sigh, I am just worried—"

Thinking of Wang Heng, Lady Cui began to deliberately put on a sorrowful expression.

Wang Lin’s eyes flashed, but his voice remained as gentle as ever: "Worried about what? My lady, if there is anything troubling you, just tell me. I will certainly find a way to relieve your worries!"

"Thank you, Master. However, it is not for my own sake, but for our Wang family!"

Hearing Wang Lin’s gentle voice and his offer to relieve her worries, Lady Cui felt a surge of sweetness.

"The Wang family? Is there something amiss with our Wang family?"

"The Wang family is fine, but today at the Lou estate, Jiuniang, she, she—"

Lady Cui subconsciously wanted to pin the blame on Wang Heng: she had offended the little tyrant of the Lou family!

Wang Lin, however, cut her off even faster: "When I arrived, it seemed a bit late. I saw A-Jiu and the eldest young master of the Lou family getting along quite well!"

"The eldest young master is also a well-mannered child. When A-Jiu was leaving, he even ran over specifically to see her off and gave her a 'gift'!"

Wang Lin deliberately mentioned this, hoping that Lady Cui would stop plotting against A-Jiu.

For one, A-Jiu was the child born to Wang Lin and the woman he loved most; she was the memory A-Jiang had left him.

Secondly, A-Jiang was currently in Yang Chong’s backyard. Although there had been no rumors of her being favored these days, as long as she was still there, it meant there was hope.

Why did Wang Lin offer a beauty?

Was it not to establish a connection with Yang Chong, a hero of the age?

A-Jiang was the bridge between Wang Lin and Yang Chong.

And to make A-Jiang willing to scheme for the Wang family, A-Jiu was the key!

Wang Lin knew that A-Jiang doted on A-Jiu most; for the sake of her daughter, she would strive to please Yang Chong, thereby seeking wealth and status for the Wang family!

A-Jiang was a clever woman; she understood what it meant to "prosper together or perish together."

Therefore, as long as the Jiang woman was by Yang Chong’s side, Wang Lin had to hold onto the chess piece that was Wang Heng.

He absolutely could not let Lady Cui ruin all his previous layouts and the future of the Wang family because of ridiculous jealousy!

Lady Cui wanted to use the Lou family to suppress the Wang family, and Wang Lin was indeed wary of that.

Yang Chong was Lou Jin’s superior, but unfortunately, A-Jiang was not yet favored enough, so Wang Lin could not directly leverage the power of the Yang family.

Lou Jin was his "immediate superior," and for now, Wang Lin still needed to be under the control of the Lou family.

Even so, Wang Lin did not want to be easily manipulated by Lady Cui this time.

The eldest young master of the Lou family was, after all, just a child, and most importantly, he had not truly been angry or enraged because of Jiuniang.

Wang Lin felt there was no need to take it too seriously.

Lady Cui did not expect Wang Lin to interrupt her.

She expected even less that Wang Lin would use the "gift" as a talking point.

A snake—that was a green bamboo snake.

She had been so frightened that she had tumbled from her palanquin in public, suffering a great humiliation!

And Wang Heng? She was only six years old, yet she dared to grab the snake and calmly say it was a gift.

That was the composure and ease of a noble lady, the bearing of a great family.

Lady Cui had perfectly become a foil for Wang Heng!

"...What a truly detestable little wretch!"

Having already intended to deal with her, Lady Cui felt even more urgent after returning from the Lou estate.

Perhaps because she was too eager, a flash of inspiration actually crossed Lady Cui’s mind. She hurriedly followed Wang Lin’s lead and said: "The Master is right. The eldest young master is always mischievous, and the only little girl who can talk and laugh freely in front of him is our Jiuniang."

These words... did not sound like a compliment!

Wang Lin’s gaze tightened, his lips maintaining an upward curve as he listened to Lady Cui continue.

"It’s just that, Master, the eldest young master is a little boy; having a reputation for being mischievous is harmless. But our Jiuniang is a little girl. If word gets out that she is a very compatible playmate for the little tyrant of the Lou family, that would damage Jiuniang’s reputation."

"Jiuniang is already six years old; she is no longer a small child. As parents, we should consider her reputation."

The thought had come to Lady Cui in a flash of inspiration.

But she was not truly stupid; as she spoke, she felt more and more that it made sense.

She even put on a sincere and earnest appearance, speaking to Wang Lin with heartfelt concern: "Master, you just said it yourself: the eldest young master knew Jiuniang was leaving, so he specifically came to see her off and gave her a gift!"

"From this, it is clear that the eldest young master likes playing with Jiuniang."

"The eldest young master is the most unrestrained and willful. If he decides tomorrow that he wants to play with Jiuniang again, he will surely come to the Wang house with great fanfare."

"Our Wang family’s little girl is naturally noble and reserved; how can she lower her status to humor the eldest young master?"

"Even if the Wang family values the 'way of hospitality' and is unwilling to slight a little guest, we would inevitably have to let Jiuniang keep him company. But if this spreads, Jiuniang’s reputation will truly be ruined!"

It had to be said that Lady Cui had put some thought into these words.

Some of them had indeed struck a chord with Wang Lin.

Yes, the eldest young master of the Lou family was a little demon. He had only been in Hedong for two or three days with the Lou family’s matriarch, and his reputation for being a jerk and a bully had already spread through the Hedong officialdom.

If his own daughter were to get involved with such a little madman... But, if he were to just go along with Lady Cui’s wishes, Wang Lin felt somewhat unwilling.

He raised his head and stared steadily at Lady Cui.

His gaze was gentle and affectionate, but in his heart, he had an urge to retaliate.

Fine, this time, I will go along with your wishes and send A-Jiu to the estate for the time being.

But do not think that I, Wang Lin, am easily manipulated.

"My lady is right! It was my lack of consideration; you are truly careful and thoughtful!"

"In this matter, we shall do as you say!"

...

"Sending A-Jiu to the estate?"

Wang Heng stood obediently before Lady Xie, listening to her words. She tilted her little head, her delicate face filled with confusion and bewilderment.

She seemed not to understand why, for no reason, her grandmother and father wanted to send her to the estate.

Standing behind Wang Heng, the wet nurse and Baizhi were frantic.

How could Jiuniang go to the estate?

She hadn't done anything wrong?!

But in front of Lady Xie, the servants dared not act out of turn.

"...Yes! To our Wang family’s estate in the east of the city..."

Even though Lady Xie did not like Wang Heng, she could not help but feel a pang of reluctance when faced with such an ignorant little granddaughter.

Sigh, she was still just a child, yet it was hateful that Lady Cui could not tolerate her.

It was just that the Wang family currently had to rely on Lady Cui and the Lou clan behind her.

"Jiuniang, this matter is, after all..." The Wang family owed her.

Lady Xie’s cold, hard heart finally felt a trace of guilt. She spoke to Wang Heng in a rarely gentle tone: "Jiuniang, if you have any requests, just tell your grandmother. As long as I can do it, I will certainly satisfy you!"

Hearing this, Wang Heng’s eyes lit up, and she said earnestly to Lady Xie: "Grandmother, after I go to the estate, will I be able to eat my fill?"