Quick Transmigration: Reversing the Life of a Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character

"She felt that she was suppressed because she was unprepared for her husband's actions, and that she even lost the life of her servant. She felt that divorce wouldn't bring any good life either, and that she would have to remarry anyway. But would the new family necessarily be better? Not necessarily. So she thought it would be better for her to stay in the Zhang family and keep Zhang Juncheng and his mother under her control. Wouldn't she be able to torment them at will?"

"Indeed, they have ambition," Madam Qin said tactfully.

The eldest princess asked her daughter, "You are the matriarch of the Xiao family, what do you intend to do?"

"My daughter thinks that since we already know Zhang Juncheng's character, it won't be difficult to control him. We can even keep this a secret within the Zhang family and let Cen'er take over the Zhang family's third branch's assets. But if Cen'er wants a divorce, it's not a big deal. It depends on what she, her second brother, and her second brother's wife think. After all, I am her aunt."

In the eyes of the eldest princess, these were all minor matters. Even if her daughter slapped the head of the Zhang family in the face, it wouldn't matter. It was not difficult to support her niece from her husband's side.

Madam Qin had many more thoughts. She had two legitimate daughters and three illegitimate daughters. She also had nieces on both her maternal and paternal sides, many of whom were married off, and some even married quite far away. She had to send trusted confidants to check on them frequently, so that if another madman like Zhang from the Zhang family were to appear, her maternal family could provide timely assistance.

Cui Yao gradually adapted to life in the capital. As a widow, she didn't have many social engagements, so she and a few craftsmen devoted themselves to the manufacture of crossbows.

Just as her crossbow was almost successfully completed, Xiao Wuyuan's wife, Madam Lin, returned.

Cui Yao came out of the courtyard where she was researching crossbows and ran into Xiao Cen at the entrance of the courtyard where he lived.

"Second sister-in-law."

"Eldest sister-in-law." Lin, her face weathered, was about to perform a deep bow to her eldest sister-in-law.

Cui Yao quickly reached out to support her, and Granny Cui also stepped forward to help Madam Lin up.

"We're family, no need for such formalities. Let's go see Cen'er first; that child is very stubborn."

In the courtyard, the mother and daughter first burst into tears. When Madam Lin looked at her daughter's slightly protruding belly, her eyes were practically blazing with anger.

"You still want to keep this wretched child?"

Xiao Cen said calmly, "Mother, this is also my bloodline."

"You must get a divorce, there's no room for discussion. After the divorce, I'll take you back to the frontier. You know the customs there, so it's fine if you don't want to remarry."

"Mother, I don't want a divorce."

"You...you still have feelings for him?"

"Mother, what are you saying? How is that possible? What feelings could I possibly have for such a beast? I'm just not reconciled. Why should I be expected to be forgiven by my family when it's clearly his fault, and even have to implicate my sisters? And what about him? He can just turn around and marry a beautiful woman? I'm not reconciled!" Xiao Cen's expression finally changed.

After being taken back to the Xiao family in the capital by her aunt, she did not relax. Instead, she kept rehearsing in her mind how to keep the Zhang family in check and take charge of the household.

These days, the Zhang family from the capital has come several times, but she hasn't met them. They've accepted the gifts, but she herself hasn't shown her face.

"You will return your parents and brothers; we will not let the Zhang family off the hook."

"Mother, that's different. If I divorce and return home, and you help me take revenge, wouldn't that make the Xiao family and the Zhang family go against each other? But if I'm still a Zhang family wife, and I only want the life of the third branch of the Zhang family, they will weigh the pros and cons."

"No wonder your aunt said you're stubborn." Lin was at a loss for words.

Seeing that the mother and daughter couldn't persuade each other in a short time, Cui Yao stood up: "The old lady went to the Taoist temple today and will stay on the mountain for three days before she returns. I thought I could catch up with my second sister-in-law when she arrived in the capital, but I didn't expect you to arrive ahead of time. In that case, my second sister-in-law, go and rest first. There's no rush. Let's chat slowly in a day or two."

These past few days have been crucial for her crossbow, and she's been getting restless.

Although Cui Yao called it a crossbow cart, it should actually be called a crossbow bed, also known as the Eight-Ox Crossbow. It fires giant arrows with a maximum range of 1500 meters, or 450 zhang (approximately 225 meters). It is extremely powerful and can be driven directly into the city wall for soldiers attacking the city to climb.

She needs to find a place to verify the results, then adjust the details, and then unveil it before donating it to the imperial court.

Lin didn't think much of it, assuming that her eldest sister-in-law was just busy managing the household affairs.

"I live in this stubborn girl's courtyard so I can keep an eye on her," Lin said, glaring at her daughter.

The courtyard that Cui Yao allocated to her niece is very nice; it's large enough, quiet, and well-furnished. It's also perfect for two masters to live in.

"Alright, this is your own home, don't be shy. If you need anything, just ask my servants or Lan'er." Although Cui Yao had taken over the management of the household affairs, she had only glanced at the account books and met with the managers a few days ago. The rest of the time, the nannies and head maids in her courtyard were in charge of the affairs with Xiao Lan.

After Cui Yao left, Madam Lin hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What is your aunt busy with? Why does she seem dressed so simply, and what's that scent on her? Is it some kind of new incense from the capital?"

It tastes strange, like wood.

Xiao Cen shook his head: "No, it seems that my aunt is doing something. She summoned several craftsmen into the mansion, and they haven't left since. They live and eat in the largest courtyard in the northwest corner. My aunt raised the courtyard wall and had the princess's personal guards personally guard it. Even the food is delivered by her trusted confidants."

"What are you doing? Why so mysterious?"

"I don't know," Xiao Cen shook his head. "Grandmother probably knows a little. A few days ago, I heard Lan'er say that Fourth Aunt tentatively asked Grandmother a few questions, and her words were a bit sharp. Grandmother scolded her and made Fourth Aunt go to her every day to learn the rules. She also took Fourth Aunt with her when she went to the Taoist temple this time."

"Your fourth uncle doesn't know either?"

Xiao Cen shook her head. As a married daughter, it wasn't appropriate for her to inquire about these things; she mainly learned them from Lan'er when she visited her each day.

"Fourth Uncle probably doesn't know the specifics, but he's smarter than Fourth Aunt and guessed that what Eldest Aunt did was beneficial to the Xiao family."

"Does Lan'er come every day?"

Speaking of her cousin, Xiao Cen's eyes lit up with a smile: "It must have been my aunt who told her to take care of me. The little girl comes every day, but she's afraid of touching on my sad memories, so she speaks very carefully and always brings me food and other necessities."

"Lan'er has it tough too. So many things have happened in her family, but she still has to manage the household for her mother."

"That's right, they do things in a very methodical and systematic way."

Lin was truly exhausted. She had traveled a long way and was worried about her eldest daughter. Although her situation was delicate, at least her child was sitting there safely. With that, she felt relieved and fatigue washed over her.

"I want to go rest now, and we'll discuss things further tomorrow."

"Mother, you should go and rest."

No matter how large the Marquis's mansion is, it's not enough to test the crossbow cart. The parts have all been processed, but the larger components haven't been assembled yet. Some of the craftsmen who have been involved in the whole process don't even know what they're doing. After all, there are some iron parts being made in another place. The wooden parts are being made at the Marquis's mansion for Cui Yao's convenience. After all, it's a bit too unusual for her to rush to stay at the manor right after returning to the capital.