Transmigration into a Book: My Lord, Your Wife Has Taken Another Concubine for You

Chu Mochen was silent for a while, then sighed before replying, "Mother, Ran'er is a princess, unlike ordinary daughters-in-law."

Although to ordinary people the Marquis's family was already the most prestigious family, in front of the royal family they were merely their retainers.

"It's fine if you and Ran'er have a few words to say in the manor, but you can't take it to the imperial family."

Madam Xie, the old lady of the Hou family, was already quite regretful, but when she heard her son say those words to her, she found every word grating.

Old Madam Hou couldn't help but retort, "Then why are you keeping a mistress outside?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Mochen did not erupt in anger as Old Madam Hou had imagined. Instead, his tone was quite calm. "Keeping a mistress won't harm Xuan'er and Heng'er's interests."

As for the princess's desire for a lifelong, monogamous relationship, once it's gone, it's gone.

My son has always firmly believed that for children who grow up in the center of power, these are just icing on the cake; what truly lasts is the common good.

You see, after her son's affair was exposed, the princess's first thought was to make her son the heir apparent and to secure his private treasury; these were her interests.

As for whether or not there's love, all that crying is about it.

If the original owner of this body were here and heard Chu Mochen say that, she would probably add loudly, "You heartless man, you'll never find me again!"

Upon hearing this, Lady Hou retorted sarcastically, "You certainly see things clearly."

Chu Mochen looked into the distance, his voice slightly melancholy, "Mother, don't think of your son as so foolish. I can see the princess clearly, and I can see you clearly too."

You seem to be doing all this for Yu'er, but it's actually for your second brother, isn't it?

You always feel that I have a title while my second brother has nothing, and that it is you and I who have wronged him.

It's not that I didn't benefit, but who told him he was born later! Which family's title isn't given to the eldest son of the legitimate wife?

Just like my title, I tacitly agreed to give it to Xuan'er.

This is what they call destiny, something ordained by heaven, and I won't feel guilty about taking it.

Besides, I've given my second brother's family quite a bit of financial support over the years! Ever since we fell out over the title and separated our families.

My second and third brothers both live in the mansion, and all their expenses are covered by public funds, so I didn't say anything.

But you're also asking my daughter to help my younger brother and his family in the future, that's a bit much."

Old Madam Hou pretended to wipe away her tears with a handkerchief, "He is still your brother after all."

"I didn't say he wasn't my brother. He's an official, he lacks nothing, what do I need to say to be good enough?"

Chu Mochen's eyes were filled with annoyance.

Madam Hou didn't want to argue, but she also didn't want to compromise, so she just silently shed tears.

Chu Mochen...

"Whatever you want to do, Mother, don't scheme against the Princess. Now that love is gone, the Princess sees you as just an old lady with a lower rank than her."

Don't try to use any motherly favors. You didn't give birth to her or raise her; she's still a member of the royal family.

In any situation, you come first.

After giving his angry instructions, Chu Mochen stormed off.

When Madam Hou saw her eldest son like this, she was so angry that she almost fainted. It was only after Ruyue and the others who were serving her kept patting her back that she recovered.

Before the next day even arrived, Old Madam Hou fell ill. This time, it wasn't feigned illness; she was genuinely sick.

After being frightened by the Empress's words in the palace, Old Madam Hou was covered in cold sweat. When she returned to the Hou residence, she chatted with her eldest son for a while and then caught a cold.

In the past, when Madam Xie, the matriarch of the Hou family, pretended to be sick, she would always make a big fuss by summoning the family physician and the imperial physician.

This time he was really sick, but he kept a very low profile, only having the people around him secretly brew some of his usual medicine to take.

The old lady Hou did this because she was afraid that if the palace found out, they would think that she had some kind of dissatisfaction with the Empress.

However, Lin Yanran was informed by someone sent by Old Madam Hou that evening that "she doesn't need to go over to pay her respects recently."

Lin Yanran was happy to have some peace and quiet, and the next day she packed a whole cart of good things and returned to the Princess's residence.

Of course, upon hearing that Lin Yanran had brought a whole carriage full of good things back to the Princess's residence, Old Madam Hou was so angry that she lay on her bed and smashed her medicine bowl.

Lin Yanran was unaware of this and didn't care about anything else; at this moment, she was very happy in the Princess's residence.

The eldest princess and her husband, Lin, were visibly delighted to see their daughter return.

The way Lin, the Imperial Son-in-Law, expressed his joy was by being quick-witted and saying, "Finally, someone has come back with something."

Lin Yanran looked around curiously, "Who is Father talking about? Who is he?"

The eldest princess angrily grabbed Lin, the imperial son-in-law's arm. "My daughter has finally returned, and what is this fellow saying?!"

Under the intimidation of the eldest princess, Lin Fuma only snorted at Lin Yanran and sat quietly next to the eldest princess.

Lin Yanran also stood up and moved her chair closer to the Princess, her provocation of Lin the Prince Consort quite obvious.

The eldest princess really had no way to deal with this father and daughter. In the past, neither of them liked to talk to the other when they met, but now neither of them would give in when they met.

The eldest princess was very puzzled and didn't try to think of a solution.

Lin Yanran looked around, quite puzzled. "My eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law aren't in the manor?"

The eldest princess smiled and explained on behalf of her two daughters-in-law, "Of course they're here. It's mainly because your father is with me, and it's inconvenient for your eldest and second sisters-in-law to come. Also, they're afraid you'll go back to the manor and cry."

"If those two were here, you might feel embarrassed. Your sisters-in-law are giving you some space!"

Thinking back to the original owner's interactions with her two sisters-in-law, Lin Yanran sincerely said, "My eldest and second sisters-in-law are still so considerate."

Lin, the imperial son-in-law, rolled his eyes and interjected, "It's because your older brother and sister-in-law spoil you so much that you're so biased towards outsiders."

Lin Yanran... another day of contemplating murdering her father.

Lin Yanran was angry inside, and tears welled up in her eyes, making her cry pitifully.

Lin Fuma's first reaction was to stand up and take two steps back. "No, I didn't hit you. Don't try to frame me."

The eldest princess reached out and slapped Lin, the imperial son-in-law, on the back, quickly coaxing her daughter, "Don't take it to heart by your father. He's just saying it; in reality, he..."

With tears in her eyes, Lin Yanran complained pitifully, "Actually, he only likes the two older brothers."

Lin, the Imperial Son-in-Law, instantly lost his composure and became less assertive. "Don't talk nonsense! How could I possibly like your two older brothers more?"

The eldest princess could only helplessly adjudicate the lawsuit between the father and daughter, saying, "Your father likes your eldest brother a tiny bit more than you, but your second brother is definitely on the same level as you."

Lin Yanran, feigning being coaxed by her mother's words, burst into laughter through her tears:

"Alright then! I'm a content person, at least I still have my second brother with me! As for my eldest brother, forget it, I don't dare to compete with him, our whole family's hearts are devoted to him."