Bai Shi had never felt so dejected. Wang Shi was sharp-tongued, and her mother-in-law seemed unwilling to intervene. What was she to do?
Wang Shi felt a surge of triumph. She had never seen Bai Shi in such a sorry state. Usually, relying on her status as the matriarch of the eldest branch and her favored position with the mother-in-law, she carried herself with an air of aloofness, as if nothing mattered. Ha! Seeing her like this brought her immense satisfaction.
"Sister-in-law, you've been out for so long. Your husband has no capable person to attend to his daily life. Aren't you worried?" Wang Shi asked with a smile.
Wang Shi believed this was the opportune moment to subtly reveal some information to Bai Shi, striking while the iron was hot.
Bai Shi was a clever woman. Wang Shi's words at this moment couldn't possibly stem from concern for her husband. So, what news had she received?
"My brother and sister-in-law sent a letter a while back saying they saw Elder Brother accompanying a young lady and a child about Yu'er's age shopping. I've thought about it carefully, and our Li family has no relatives who fit that description. Elder Brother is a righteous man; perhaps he was accompanying the female family members of a colleague or subordinate out of kindness?" Wang Shi said slowly.
Did he need to accompany the female family members of colleagues or subordinates? Clearly, clearly...
Bai Shi could barely maintain her composure. She wished she could immediately return to Yunnan.
No wonder that damned man had sent a letter not long ago, telling her to stay in the capital with her son and daughter with peace of mind. It turned out he had already taken a mistress, and he wished she would stay in the capital so he could enjoy himself with his mistress.
"If you ask me, it's not a big deal for a family to take in a concubine. Men, having one or two confidantes, is normal. Among the gentlemen in the capital, who doesn't have a few gentle and considerate women around them? No matter how meticulously the servants attend to them, can they compare to the one by your side? However, Elder Brother's actions are truly wrong. Our Li family has a certain standing in Yunnan. If he found someone suitable and she was willing, he should have brought her into the household. Keeping her outside, once discovered, would surely lead to criticism of the Li family's poor moral conduct. A mistress is the most looked down upon!" Wang Shi sighed.
Bai Shi gritted her teeth. Although she knew Wang Shi's words were likely true, she couldn't admit it. Her greatest pride in life was that the eldest branch was pure, without any promiscuous women. Everyone outside spoke of her with envy, envying her skill in managing her husband. But it turned out all of this was an illusion; her pride and dignity over the years were all a facade. The child was already five or six years old; this wasn't something that happened overnight.
What Bai Shi found most unbearable was that she wasn't the first to know about this. If she had known, she could have handled it. Now, everyone in Yunnan was probably waiting to laugh at her.
"Sister-in-law, your complexion is so poor. Are you alright? Ah, seeing you like this, I really don't feel right about pressing you further," Wang Shi said with a feigned look of reluctance. "However, I certainly won't help conceal today's matter. You know my second master's temperament; he definitely won't hide such a thing from Elder Brother. He'll surely send a letter back once things settle down. Also, with so many guests here today, this matter might not be kept quiet. As for Qing'er..."
"There's no need for Second Brother to send a letter. I'm going back. I'll take Qing'er back," Bai Shi forced out through gritted teeth.
She had intended to find a suitable husband for her daughter in the capital. Now, with these repeated incidents, her daughter's reputation was tarnished, making it harder than climbing to heaven. It would be better to return to Yunnan, find someone of equal standing, and by the way, she would confront the scoundrel's long-hidden vixen.