I was so cornered by my parents that I was on the verge of nodding with tears in my eyes. But just then, the door was suddenly and forcefully pushed open from the outside. Everyone looked over in surprise, only to see Li Qiyu swagger into the room, hands on her hips, looking ready to pick a fight at any moment.
"Who's trying to force a woman into my big brother's room?"
Seeing my parents looking embarrassed, I finally relented and tried to smooth things over. "Qiyu, don't believe the rumors. There's nothing like that. My parents just came to check on me."
However, Li Qiyu clearly had no intention of giving my parents a break. She marched right up to them and demanded, "Is it you two who want to force a woman into my brother's room?"
Confronted like this, my parents had no choice but to answer. "We're doing this for the good of the Li family."
My father had been a scholar all his life. He'd never even picked up a heavy object, let alone wielded a weapon. Facing the intimidating Li Qiyu, he was naturally terrified.
My mother chimed in, "Yes, yes."
"You want to be like the madams in a brothel, but don't treat my brother like a customer. My brother isn't someone who'll take just any woman." Li Qiyu wasn't holding back. She drew her long sword and stood in front of my parents with the sword planted on the ground. "Let me make this clear. If anyone dares to force some random woman on my brother, even if I agree, my sword won't."
"You... Look at you. Is this how a girl should behave?"
"Yes, your Li family is so ungrateful. We're doing this for your own good."
"My brother and sister - in - law have only been married for a few years. We're not in a hurry. What are you guys so anxious about? Besides, since sister - in - law married into our Li family, she's part of it. Even if she never has a child, our Li family can afford to support her."
Just as Li Qiyu finished speaking, Li Yuanhua walked in.
"Father - in - law, mother - in - law, Qiyu is right. I've chosen Yan'er as my wife. She's so kind and gentle. No other woman can catch my eye. So please take back your decision. And the decision to not have children for now was mine. The country is in a turbulent time. I was worried that if Yan'er got pregnant and stayed in the capital alone, there'd be no one to take care of her. Yan'er was just following my orders."
Hearing Li Yuanhua's words, a warm current welled up from the bottom of my feet and spread throughout my body. All the panic, fear, and worry I'd felt about not having a child vanished in an instant.
I was so stupid. I should have communicated with Yuanhua earlier.
My parents truly had my best interests at heart. Seeing the situation, they didn't insist anymore. Li Qiyu also softened her attitude and apologized sincerely.
"Sorry for scaring you two just now."
But before my parents could breathe a sigh of relief, she added, "But my words are always valid. Please watch your words and actions."
I saw my father glance at the long sword in Li Qiyu's hand and wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. "We'll watch our words and actions. We'll watch our words and actions."
After Li Qiyu's outburst and Li Yuanhua's public statement, everyone finally stopped staring at my belly.
Later, I went to visit my close friend from before I got married. She'd just had a baby, and she looked like she'd been through hell.
She was even younger than me, but she was already the mother of three children. What was even more terrifying was that since all three were girls, she was taking tonics while in confinement, preparing to have a fourth child.
Seeing how hard she was struggling, I couldn't help but advise her.
"You haven't had a moment's rest in these past few years. Even an iron - clad body couldn't take it. You should take a year or two off before thinking about having another child."
The once - lively and cheerful girl now looked completely drained. Her eyes were as calm as an ancient well.
She forced a smile and told me her story.
"Do you know? Before I got married, my husband's concubine had already given birth to a son. The boy is smart and lively, and he's the old lady's favorite. I've given birth to three daughters in a row, and everyone is laughing at me. The old lady even said that I should just give up and adopt the concubine's son as the legitimate heir. My husband also scolds me for being useless. This time giving birth was especially difficult. I came back from the brink of death, and the first thing he said to me was that after three children and still no son, even a pig could do better than me."
How could anyone say such things? Giving birth is so hard for a woman. Not only did her husband not take care of her, but he also said such heartless things.
"What's the point of marrying such a man?"
My friend was one of the most talented girls before she got married. There were so many match - makers that they almost broke down the threshold of her house. But now she's just a baby - making machine.
"Yan'er, you married well, so you don't understand. I've given birth to so many daughters, and I'm still in my husband's good graces. I haven't been sent to a cold corner. That's already a blessing. If I can't give birth to a legitimate son, not only me but also my natal family will be affected." She closed her eyes painfully and sighed. "In this society, most people are like my in - laws and my husband. A family like the Li family is one in a million. My life is ruined. You're luckier than me. You should cherish this opportunity."
As I walked out of her house, my heart felt as if it was weighed down by one heavy stone after another. I was completely at a loss.
Thinking about how I used to feel so bitter because of a few words of criticism, I now realized how ungrateful I'd been.
I was living in bliss but didn't even know it.
The Li family had given me not only tolerance and warmth but also respect.
They didn't see me just as a mother, a housekeeper, or a woman.
In the Li family, I wasn't just a symbol whose life could be manipulated. I was a real person worthy of respect.
I was so lucky to be a member of the Li family.
As soon as the carriage stopped at the door, I heard Li Qiyu's bright voice from afar.
"Sister - in - law."
As always, Zhou Donglin, her little sidekick, was following behind her.
Seeing the bruises on Zhou Donglin, I knew that this little girl had caused another ruckus and made Zhou Donglin clean up her mess.
Looking at the two of them, my heart was warmed by Li Qiyu's radiant smile, which was as bright as the sun.
"Qiyu, Prime Minister Zhou entrusted his beloved son to your care, not for you to bully him. Look at this. How are you going to explain this to the prime minister?"
Unexpectedly, before Li Qiyu could even retort, Zhou Donglin spoke up first to defend her.
"It's not Master's fault. It's just that I'm not skilled enough. Master even came back to save me later."
"Zhou Donglin, let me tell you, if you don't run faster in the future, I'll leave you behind."
"That's not allowed. I can take the beating, but you can't leave me behind."
Look at how nervous little Donglin is. Li Qiyu only says such things. She's never really left him behind.