GBP Chapter 121 The Zhang Family Takes a Concubine
Chapter 121 The Zhang Family Takes a Concubine
"My dear relatives, why don't you arrange the wedding for Xiangling and her family when it's appropriate?" Li Xiangling's mother asked Zhang's mother with a smile.
"Yes, yes, Xiangling's belly is getting bigger and bigger. If we delay any longer, we will definitely be laughed at by others." Li Xiangling's father also agreed.
"Hmph, now you're afraid of being laughed at. Why did you shamelessly come here first?" Li Baoer said sarcastically.
"You..." Li Xiangling's mother wanted to refute something, but in the end she couldn't say anything.
"Bao'er, how can you talk like that!" Zhang's mother scolded quickly. Although she was somewhat disgusted with Li Xiangling's behavior of getting pregnant before marriage, after all, if it happened now, she would be thrown into a pig cage, but now it was related to her own son's flesh and blood, so it was not appropriate to make the relationship too stiff.
Li Xiangling's parents and brothers also looked very unhappy, but they knew they were in the wrong and didn't say anything.
"I think we should hold it on the eighth day of next month. It's a good day for getting married." Father Zhang spoke up to break the deadlock.
"Well, that's settled then." Li Xiangling's father quickly agreed.
After the two families agreed on a wedding date, they began to prepare for the wedding. However, Li Baoer was unhappy and remained depressed.
Zhang's mother kept her word and gave a betrothal gift of one hundred taels of silver, not including other things. This betrothal gift was unprecedented in Zhangjia Village. Even when they married Li Baoer, the Zhang family only gave fifty taels of silver. When Li Baoer learned that Zhang's mother had given Li Xiangling a betrothal gift of one hundred taels of silver, she was furious again. Li Baoer became more and more angry and ran to Zhang Yuxuan to complain.
"Husband, your mother is too partial. She actually gave that bitch so much betrothal gifts!" Li Baoer said indignantly.
Zhang Yuxuan pretended to comfort her, "Bao'er, don't be angry. My mother did this for our child. After all, Xiangling is pregnant with our Zhang family's flesh and blood."
"But...but that's too much! And when we got married, your mother only gave us fifty taels! The gap is too big!" Li Baoer still refused to give in.
Henry Zhang sighed in false helplessness, "Bao'er, don't worry about it. Anyway, our family's property will be ours in the future."
Hearing Zhang Yuxuan's words, Li Baoer felt a little relieved. But she still decided to give Li Xiangling a warning at the wedding to let her know how powerful she was.
On the eighth day of the first lunar month, the Zhang family took in a concubine, which was rare in Zhangjia Village. After all, life in the countryside was difficult, let alone having the money to take in a concubine. The Zhang family was able to allow Zhang Yuxuan to take in a concubine because they had a lot of fertile land and a rich financial situation.
On the wedding day, Li Baoer deliberately dressed up in an extravagant way, hoping to steal the limelight from Li Xiangling. However, Li Xiangling was not to be outdone. She wore a simple and elegant new dress, and her elegant temperament made her even more attractive.
During the wedding ceremony, Li Baoer tried to trip Li Xiangling and embarrass her, but Li Xiangling was prepared and cleverly avoided Li Baoer's trap.
After the wedding, Zhang Yuxuan came to Li Xiangling's room. He gently stroked her face and said softly, "Xiangling, you look so beautiful today." Li Xiangling lowered her head shyly and said, "Thank you, my husband." Zhang Yuxuan smiled slightly and said, "From now on, you are mine. I will treat you well." After that, he lowered his head and kissed Li Xiangling's forehead.
Li Xiangling was moved. She raised her head, looked into Zhang Yuxuan's eyes, and said softly, "Husband, Xiangling will serve you and your wife well." Zhang Yuxuan smiled and said, "Xiangling, you are really sensible." Then he took Li Xiangling to visit his mother.
When Zhang's mother saw Li Xiangling, a satisfied smile appeared on her face. She took Li Xiangling's hand and said affectionately, "Xiangling, we are a family from now on. If Yuxuan bullies you, just tell me." Li Xiangling nodded quickly, "Thank you, mother."
Seeing this, Li Baoer couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Looking at Zhang Yuxuan and Li Xiangling holding hands, Li Baoer instantly understood the feelings of the two. No wonder her husband had always been cold to her, it turned out that he had this bitch in his heart!
Li Baoer gnashed her teeth and decided to teach Li Xiangling a lesson. So, during the meal, she deliberately found fault with Li Xiangling's cooking, saying that it was not tasty.
Li Xiangling was not angry, but apologized with a smile and said that she would work hard to improve. Zhang's mother was very satisfied with Li Xiangling's attitude. She glared at Li Baoer and said, "Baoer, don't go too far. Xiangling just got married. You should take better care of her."
Li Baoer ate her meal indignantly. After dinner, Zhang Yuxuan wanted to take a walk with Li Xiangling, but Li Baoer pestered him. Li Xiangling sympathetically let Zhang Yuxuan go with Li Baoer while she went back to her room to rest.
However, when she passed by the garden, she heard the conversation between Li Baoer and Henry Zhang. "My husband, why are you so nice to that Li Xiangling? She is just a concubine."
Zhang Yuxuan felt impatient in his heart, but he remained calm and persuaded her, "Bao'er, don't be silly. Xiangling is pregnant with our Zhang family's child, so I naturally have to treat her better."
"But I am your wife!" Li Baoer continued to insist.
"Baoer, stop being unreasonable. Xiangling is now a member of our family. You should respect her." After saying that, Zhang Yuxuan turned and left.
After hearing this, Li Xiangling was secretly delighted. It seemed that her strategy of retreating to advance was still useful.
Li Xiangling turned back to her room and met Zhang's mother on the way. Zhang's mother asked her why she was not taking a walk in the garden, and Li Xiangling told her the conversation she had just overheard.
After hearing this, Zhang's mother comforted Li Xiangling and told her not to worry about Li Baoer's words, and told her to take good care of her pregnancy. Li Xiangling's face was filled with gratitude, and she promised to serve her mother-in-law with all her heart.
As the days passed, Li Xiangling's belly gradually grew bigger.
Li Baoer, unable to win Zhang Yuxuan's heart, became increasingly irritable and often picked on Li Xiangling. However, Li Xiangling always endured her anger and never argued with her, which made Zhang's mother appreciate her even more.
Li Baoer's life in Zhang's family was becoming more and more difficult. She also thought about going back to her parents' home to ask her family for help, but when she thought about the situation of her family, she thought that they would only make things worse, so she gave up the idea.