What Do I Need My Dignity For Anymore?

Zhou Wanwan nodded and said:

"There's still half a glass of water here, with some medicinal herbs in it. It's good for your health. Drink it."

However, your body is severely depleted, so I'll prescribe a remedy for you.

If you follow the prescription and take the medicine consistently for a year or two, and take good care of yourself, your body can gradually recover; it's not a difficult condition to treat.

Your health isn't at its worst; it's not that scary. You're not incapable of having more children.

However, we are currently suffering heavy losses, with insufficient qi and blood and a weak constitution. We need to strengthen our foundation and clear out the toxins first.

Once your body is fully recovered, you can gradually start preparing for pregnancy.

Madam Cheng shook her head and said:

I don't plan to have any more children.

I've come to realize that it's impossible to tie someone down for life through a child.

Zhou Wanwan said speechlessly:

I didn't ask you to have Cheng Xiao's child!

What I mean is, you're still young. If you meet the right person, you can always remarry!

Madam Cheng looked at Zhou Wanwan in horror and said:

"What kind of thinking is that? Aren't women supposed to be faithful to one man for life?"

I think your words and actions right now are simply... simply outrageous.

Zhou Wanwan raised an eyebrow and said:

"How is my behavior so outrageous? Cheng Xiao has treated you like this, does she want to kill you and your daughter?!"

Are you going to spend your whole life with him? How old are you this year?

The old woman standing nearby chimed in, "My lady is only 24 years old this year."

At only 24 years old, in the prime of her life, why should she wither away in the inner courtyard?

Zhou Wanwan looked at her and said, "Even if you raise a child alone for the rest of your life, isn't that better than staying in this backyard?"

Feng Jiao nodded and said, "Then let's take it one step at a time!"

Cheng Xiao arrived with a group of servants and said, "Since you're unwilling to contribute to the household, then you have no right to live in the main courtyard. Throw all of Madam's belongings into the side courtyard."

Feng Jiao was trembling with anger; this was utterly humiliating.

Many young ladies from prominent families were peering out from the doorway, saying, "Poor Madam Cheng, she's been thrown into a side courtyard."

"What's there to pity? It's her fault for giving birth to a mute child! And I heard she can't have sons either!"

"From now on, Feng Caigu will rule the Cheng Family's backyard. I'm laughing so hard! What family would let a wet nurse manage the household? Anyway, I'm going back now."

"I'm not staying here either; I'm afraid people will laugh at me."

These young ladies from prominent families packed their things and left, and the others followed suit.

The men looked at each other, all of them women, who already had a hard time finding work. Now that they had all left, they were getting anxious.

Cheng Xiao looked at Feng Jiao and said, "You're just asking for trouble! Are you satisfied now? I'll see how you'll face people here later."

Feng Jiao looked at him and replied, "What do I need to save face for? Anyway, I'll be living in the backyard from now on, so it doesn't matter if I don't have any."

After saying that, she left with her people. There were two side courtyards, and she went directly into the western one.

The houses in this side courtyard are so dilapidated that even the servants don't want to sit there.

Feng Jiao sighed and said, "Let's clean this place up!"

Zhou Wanwan looked at her and said, "People can live here? Winter is coming soon, I think it's better to buy a house than live here."

Feng Jiao looked at her and said, "Buy a house?"

Zhou Wanwan nodded and said, "Let's just look around here and see if there are any houses for sale. We can just buy them! This outlying courtyard is too dilapidated."

Some rooms didn't even have roofs anymore, Feng Jiao nodded and said:

"That's true. Why should I, with my money, compromise myself by living here?"

"Steward Feng, could you find a house for sale? We'll just buy it."

Steward Feng chuckled and said:

Actually, there's a house right across from us that's much more impressive than the one we live in now.

However, it's a bit expensive, costing over 8,000 taels of silver.

Feng Jiao sneered, "I'll just buy the place across the street. I, Feng Jiao, will live comfortably. Why should I suffer this kind of humiliation?"

Feng Jiao's father was a low-ranking earl in the imperial court, with no real power, but his family was wealthy.

Her mother was the legitimate daughter of the late emperor's younger brother, and was bestowed the title of Princess Yongning by the emperor himself. She was of noble birth and her status far surpassed that of her father.

Feng Jiao immediately took a liking to Cheng Xiao, who was the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination. Cheng Xiao came from a declining family, whose fortunes had fallen and whose family was struggling to make ends meet.

The mother at home is strong-willed, assertive, and decisive.

The Feng Clan disapproved of the marriage at the time, but Feng Jiao took a liking to him at first sight.

Steward Feng was quite efficient; around noon, he came over with a smile and said, "The formalities over there are all done. Let's go now!"

Feng Jiao led Zhou Wanwan and Cheng Yueyao to the house next door. The house next door was much better than the Cheng residence, with pavilions and towers, and it looked very grand. Feng Jiao liked it at first sight.

She specially chose the best room in the mansion for the two children, and holding Wanwan's hand, she said, "Wanwan, this room is yours from now on, and these jewels are also a gift from your godmother."

Feng Jiao was very generous, taking out several pieces of jewelry, including a gold lock, a small gold bracelet, and several headdresses inlaid with gemstones.

Zhou Wanwan looked at her and said, "Thank you, godmother."

Cheng Xiao's original intention was to make things difficult for Feng Jiao, but when she heard that Feng Jiao had bought the apartment across the street, she angrily shouted, "How interesting! The county magistrate's wife is living next door. If people find out, what face will I have left?"

Feng Caigu said with a wronged expression:

"My sister did this on purpose. What will outsiders think of me then? Waaaaah..."

"Cheng, My Love, I can't manage the household anymore. Outsiders won't take me seriously then."

Cheng Xiao looked at her and said, "Fine, it was all Feng Jiao who forced me to do this. Since she did this, I won't let her get away with it."

I'm marrying you as my second wife, and the whole county has to know, since our family is short of money anyway."

Feng Jiao really didn't expect Cheng Xiao to be so ruthless. The butler, holding the wedding invitation, sighed and said:

"Miss, I'm not sure if we've made the right move?"

Cheng Xiao is actually going to marry Feng Caigu as his second wife.

Feng Jiao smiled faintly and said:

"If he wants to marry a concubine, then let him! The more reckless he acts, the worse his career will become."

Let's just close our doors and live our own lives. As for the wedding invitations, let whoever wants to go can go.

Zhou Wanwan woke up in the morning and couldn't help but shake her head when she saw the wedding invitation; he was definitely a scumbag.

Feng Jiao didn't want to cause trouble, but Feng Caigu on the other side wasn't so easy to talk to. She strode in with ten servants and said, "Oh! Sister, your courtyard is quite big! I brought an invitation today, just in case you didn't see it."

Feng Jiao glanced at her indifferently and said:

"He's just a concubine, I don't know what you're so proud of. If you like him..."

Then just stay with him, no need to come here and brag."