"It's not about status!"
Madam Kang suddenly stood up, and the coiled silk gold bracelet on her wrist clanged against the edge of the table.
"The young master has only come of age for two years, and you're not even twenty yet. How can you be Zifu's adoptive mother? If this gets out, won't it be a laughingstock?"
"Oh? Really? Then Auntie, on the very first day your niece - in - law entered the house, you stuffed a girl into your nephew's room. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
Li Wanming put down her teacup, a mocking arc curving her lips. "Could it be that all the jokes in the world are produced by our dear Auntie? Right and wrong are all up to your words?"
Her eyes were cold, and her tone became frosty, no longer the gentle and amiable one from before.
Madam Kang didn't expect her attitude to change so quickly. She was caught off - guard and could only stutter, repeating, "It... it was my elder sister - in - law who said she wanted to elevate a concubine..."
Li Wanming gently stroked the edge of the teacup with her fingertips. The fine porcelain reflected a cold glint in her eyes. "Since it's the princess's idea, then of course we should wait for the princess to come back and decide. How could I, as a daughter - in - law, overstep my bounds on the first day I enter the house?"
Suddenly, her tone shifted. Her eyes fell on Zifu, who was kneeling on the ground, looking at a loss. "But of course, if Miss Zifu is willing to be my adopted daughter, I can make the decision."
She dragged out the last word. Suddenly, she leaned forward, reached out and grabbed Zifu's wrist. Her rouge - colored fingernails almost dug into the girl's skin.
"I can't drink the tea meant for a concubine, but this cup of tea you offer to your mother, I'll drink it right now!"
At this moment, Li Wanming finally understood that the path of being gentle, virtuous, and proper simply didn't suit her!
Since she met Madam Kang today, she had been cautious and respectful, trying her best to humble herself. Whether it was Madam Kang taking advantage of her in the ancestral hall or deliberately making her stand in proper posture at the dinner table, she had held back her anger.
It was because she remembered the teachings of Princess Chengping. When dealing with Madam Kang, she couldn't confront her head - on. She had to be respectful and patient, maintain the superficial harmony, and earn a good reputation for being generous and kind, so as to ensure her own safety!
However, just now, she suddenly saw the truth.
She had been yielding and enduring all morning. What good result had it brought?
It had only emboldened Madam Kang to push her further. One scheme after another, endless and relentless!
Princess Chengping's words might have been more of a hint rather than an unbreakable rule.
If she really tied herself down because of these words, it would be like using her own weakness to attack the enemy's strength, completely binding her own hands and feet and letting others trample on her!
Since Madam Kang was so difficult to deal with, she had to show her temperament, style, and capabilities from the very beginning! Let Madam Kang see her power!
Otherwise, there would be endless troubles in the future!
Didn't Madam Kang want to give Zifu a status? Didn't she worry about Zifu being wronged?
Well, it's easy!
Adopted sister or adopted daughter, you choose!
Either one has a higher status than a concubine, and neither one is a disgrace!
Having figured this out, Li Wanming became even more outspoken. She simply crossed her legs and looked down at Zifu from above.
"What, Miss Zifu doesn't want to recognize me as her mother? Could it be that you think I, the young master's wife, am unworthy of your status and would disgrace you?"
"No, no, no..."
Zifu was so frightened that she stammered. She knelt on the ground, trembling constantly. The blue - and - white teacup in her hand seemed to be burning hot, and it clinked slightly in her quivering hands.
"Oh, so it's not...," Li Wanming propped her chin with her hand. Her rouge - colored nail polish was as bright as blood, making her fair face look like it was carved from ice and snow.
"That's strange!"
"Auntie keeps saying that you and Jingnan have had a deep affection since childhood and that you mustn't be wronged. But you don't want to be my adopted sister, and you don't want to be my adopted daughter either. I really don't know how you can be considered not wronged!"
"Could it be that Miss Zifu is also one of those low - class people? Do you have to climb into the young master's bed and become a concubine serving a man to fulfill your great ambition?"
Madam Kang was so angry that her face turned ashen. She pointed a trembling finger at Li Wanming and said, "You... How can you speak so vulgarly? Saying such filthy words. Where is the dignity of a young master's wife?"
Li Wanming twirled a strand of her hair around her slender finger, looking nonchalant. "Where is it vulgar? Am I not telling the truth? It's you, Auntie..."
Suddenly, her tone changed. She let go of the strand of hair. "You've been so eager to stuff Zifu into Jingnan's room. What's your intention?"
"I really don't understand. You said it was to fulfill Miss Zifu's affection, but you don't let her be an adopted sister or an adopted daughter. You only have your eye on the position of a concubine... I really don't understand. Could it be that a concubine is really more attractive than the status of the young master's adopted daughter?"
After Li Wanming said these words, Zifu couldn't help but start to waver.
Yes!
Being the younger sister or daughter of the young master of the Ningwang Mansion would surely be better than being a concubine!
Although she might marry a poor scholar in the future, according to Li Wanming, if she could get along well with her in the future and receive a generous dowry, she might have a good life...
Li Wanming observed Zifu's expression and knew what was going on in her mind.
She smiled faintly and added another incentive. "The younger sister of the young master should be titled a county princess."
"However, even if we recognize each other as relatives, it's only an adopted sister relationship. Of course, we don't dare to compare with a county princess. But for Miss Zifu, since our affection is special, I will surely prepare a dowry no less than that of a county princess in the future. I'll send you off in a grand wedding procession with ten miles of red bridal finery!"
"Of course, if you're my daughter..."
Li Wanming looked at Zifu, blinked her eyes slightly, and then waved her hand boldly. "Double it!"
Zifu's eyes lit up immediately!
A dowry comparable to that of a county princess...
And double it!
This was much more promising than being a concubine!
Moreover, perhaps in the future, if she didn't like her husband, she could even get a divorce and live a carefree life with countless gold, silver, treasures, and property deeds. Just thinking about it made her feel happy!
After hearing Li Wanming's words, the maidservants around also showed envious looks in their eyes.
For them, the peak of their career as maids was to become the master's concubine and then give birth to a son, so that they could transform from servants to half - masters.
All this hard work and effort, for what?
Wasn't it for a stable and prosperous life in the second half of their lives?
But now Li Wanming said that they didn't have to be concubines. They could directly become the younger sister or daughter of the young master, a legitimate daughter of the mansion, and would be married off in a grand manner according to the dowry standard of a county princess...
This... Not to mention being a daughter, they'd even be willing to be a grandson!
The maids looked at Zifu with even hotter gazes, and the jealousy in their eyes was hard to hide.