Chapter 131: Frustration

Chapter 131

Frustration

Princess An Le became the center of attention at the event. Her attendance underscored the close relationship between the Hou Manor and the royal family. However, the person Princess An Le seemed closest to wasn’t the Hou, Elder Furen, or young masters of the Hou Manor—it was the daughter-in-law with a humble background. Since entering the event, the princess had been in constant conversation with her, causing the attendees to rethink their opinions of the Hou Manor’s daughter-in-law.

Two years prior, many still remembered that the Hou Manor had planned to marry Chen Yuelan as another principal wife to General Song. But instead, General Song had abandoned the wedding without care, taking his current principal wife to the northern border, where they had triplets. At that time, Chen Yuelan had been so humiliated that she didn’t leave her house for a year. Even after she reappeared in society, she was still occasionally teased by her friends.

Now that Nie Shuang had returned, while Chen Yuelan remained unmarried, both women appeared at the same event, drawing much attention from those who recalled the past. Just before the princess’s arrival, some had witnessed Chen Yuelan approach Nie Shuang with an accusatory expression, but Nie Shuang had only smiled graciously, showing no sign of being upset. This led to whispers throughout the gathering, and some brave Furens even brought up the matter directly to Chen Yuelan and her mother.

"Wasn’t Young Miss Chen supposed to marry into the Song family as another principal wife alongside this Young Furen? Well, it seems you’re lucky you didn’t,”

One madam remarked, glancing over at Nie Shuang, who was seated beside the princess. Though the words seemed like an attempt to console Chen Yuelan, implying she was fortunate not to share a husband with that woman, they were actually mocking her. The underlying message was clear: How could you possibly compete with someone as beautiful and clever as Nie Shuang? Such veiled jabs were common in noble circles—smiling faces hiding sharp words like needles. Both Chen Yuelan and Chen Furen, having been in society for many years, understood this well. While Chen Furen only smiled in response, saying nothing, Chen Yuelan, being younger and still hot-headed—especially after being insulted by Nie Shuang earlier—couldn’t contain her anger and retorted immediately.

“So what if she had triplets? She’s still just a daughter-in-law who hasn’t even been accepted into the family!”

The onlookers were shocked. No matter what the Young Furen’s background was, the Hou family wasn’t to be insulted so openly. The Chen family had long been close friends with the Hou, making this even more inappropriate. Chen Furen, horrified, quickly apologized.

“I’m terribly sorry, everyone. Yuelan isn’t feeling well today. I’ll take her to rest for a moment.”

Once they were alone, Chen Furen scolded her daughter harshly.

“How could you say something like that!? What if the Hou hears of this? This is a serious matter. Do you want to ruin our family’s relationship with Yong An Hou!?”

Chen Yuelan, now realizing the gravity of her actions, still couldn’t help but retort with some defiance.

“Why should we grovel? I don’t even want to marry Song Ren. I’ll only ever be part of the secondary branch.”

Chen Yuelan’s mother sighed deeply. Being the first grandchild in her generation, Chen Yuelan had been showered with love and attention from everyone in the family, which made her spoiled and impulsive, often acting without thinking. In truth, Song Ren was not inferior to his elder brother; it was just that as the second son, he wouldn’t inherit the noble title. Chen Yuelan, feeling entitled as a legitimate daughter, believed she deserved to manage the Hou Manor in the future, rather than becoming part of the secondary household, which left her feeling it was beneath her.

Even though her family was one of high-ranking officials, they had increasingly relied on the Hou Manor in recent years. Her father was nearing middle age, and her only younger brother was still quite young. Aside from her father, the other men in her family had not passed the civil service examinations, instead using her father’s connections to secure modest positions. If the next generation failed to pass the examinations, the family’s status could decline significantly.

"A’Lan, surely you don’t wish to stay in our family home forever, do you? Everyone in the family loves you, but one day you will have to marry. You should think about how your future in-laws will view you. If they don’t favor you, what will you do then?”

Hearing her mother’s words, Chen Yuelan didn’t argue further. However, in high society, news traveled quickly. Soon enough, her earlier remarks had spread throughout the gathering.

Princess An Le sat at the head of the table with Nie Shuang as her companion. Meanwhile, the Hou proudly carried Bao Bao, now the legitimate heir, showing him off to all the guests, while the wet nurses followed, carrying Bei Bei and Xiao Hua Hua. It wasn’t long before Bao Bao wriggled to get down from the Hou’s arms. Fearing the children might become uncooperative during their grand display, Nie Shuang had to follow them around. Left alone at the table, Princess An Le grew bored. Being naturally restless, she decided to take a stroll in the garden. With her mischievous spirit, she weaved through bushes, avoiding being seen. Her two maids, accustomed to this, trailed behind quietly. As she neared a large group of people, Princess An Le overheard someone mention the Hou Manor.

"Did Young Miss Chen really say that!?"

The speaker’s voice was exaggeratedly excited, fueling the storyteller’s eagerness to share more.

"Of course, I heard it myself, along with Ma Furen.”

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I never thought that there would be such a thing in the Hou Manor. it looks so harmonious from the outside. Poor children, sigh...but what can they do with a low-born mother?”

Hearing this, the princess clenched her teeth. It sounded like they were gossiping about Sister Nie. She had to find out exactly what they were saying. Determined, she slipped behind a decorative rock formation to eavesdrop.

“If Young Miss Chen said it, it must be true,”

Another person added.

"The Song family of Yong An Hou is such an old and prestigious one. It’s no surprise they wouldn’t accept a merchant’s daughter as a daughter-in-law, which is probably why she’s not living in the manor.”

At this, Princess An Le was filled with rage, barely able to contain her temper. She was about to rush out and clarify that it was Nie Shuang who didn’t want to live here, but suddenly felt someone grab her arm. An Le spun around, ready to scold the person and pull away, but stopped when she realized it was Song Ren. He put a finger to his lips, signaling her to stay quiet, and gently pulled her away from the scene.

Once they were far enough from the group, An Le exploded,

"Why did you pull me away? Didn’t you hear them badmouthing Sister Nie?"

Song Ren had been busy overseeing the event inside and had only just come outside when he saw this young woman acting sneaky, so he didn’t know that Princess An Le had arrived at the gathering.

“I heard them, but even if we go over and defend her, we won’t change their minds.”

Song Ren replied calmly. His composed demeanor and scholarly air irritated Princess An Le, who never cared much for studying.

“And yet, you’re not going to defend your own sister-in-law’s honor?”

An Le snapped, clearly angered. Song Ren couldn’t help but chuckle at her fiery reaction. Seeing him laugh made her even angrier, and she glared at him with wide, furious eyes.

“It’s all because of your future wife’s big mouth. You’re not defending Sister Nie because you’re siding with that Young Miss Chen, aren’t you? It’s clear she’s causing trouble for Sister Nie, yet you still plan to marry someone like her?”

Princess An Le’s frustration was palpable. In truth, Song Ren was furious with Chen Yuelan, but his calm and collected nature allowed him to keep his anger in check.

“She might be thoughtless at times, but she’s not as bad as you think. Many women in the inner chambers are narrow-minded and only think about their own affairs. But my sister-in-law, she’s generous and won’t hold a grudge against her.”Song Ren’s eyes, as he looked at her, filled with a gentle warmth that resembled the comforting sun of winter. For a fleeting moment, Princess An Le felt a twinge of jealousy toward Chen Yuelan, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of frustration she had toward this man.