After sharing a body with her husband

"Mother-in-law and seventh sister-in-law are finally back! You must be exhausted from the long journey. Hurry, hurry..."

Murong greeted her with a smile, helping Old Madam Wei up with just the right amount of concern on her face.

"The quiet life in the temple must be very nourishing. Look at my mother-in-law's complexion, she's getting better and better! It's just that we've been suffering at home, missing her day and night."

Murong patted Shang Lingjun's hand affectionately again.

"Thank you for your hard work, sister-in-law. My mother-in-law is getting on in years, and I worry about her every time she goes out. I can only feel at ease with you by her side."

Shang Lingjun smiled, pursing her lips.

"Sister-in-law, what are you saying? Taking care of my mother-in-law is my duty as a daughter-in-law. Besides, my mother-in-law is in good health. It is my blessing to be able to accompany her in her meditation at the temple."

Shang Lingjun's heart stirred slightly. She thought to herself that the words spoken by the Xie family matriarch of the Murong clan were truly impeccable, pleasant to listen to, and without appearing deliberate.

Such a clever and insightful mind is not something everyone possesses.

The eldest branch of the Xie family had no children born out of wedlock, except for one son and two daughters born to Lady Murong, named Xie Hengzhi, Xie Zhiwan, and Xie Zhiyuan respectively.

Xie Hengzhi and Xie Zhiwan are already married, while Xie Zhiyuan is still unmarried.

Xie Hengzhi had already passed the imperial examination and entered officialdom. He married Zhao Shuangyue, the eldest daughter of the Earl of Shunkang. She also brought her two-year-old son, Xiao Yunge'er.

Besides the eldest son's family, Xie Ruowei from the third son's family, and a group of children from the fourth son's family, all crowded at the door to welcome Old Madam Wei and Shang Lingjun.

But Ms. Li did not come because she was still under house arrest.

"Nephew/niece greets Aunt Seven. Aunt Seven is about our age, so we're sure she has a lot to talk about. We're really looking forward to hearing about the interesting things happening at the Buddhist temple!"

A group of children, in a lively atmosphere, greeted Old Lady Wei and then bowed to Lord Shang Ling.

Shang Lingjun smiled gently.

"What a coincidence! There is indeed something interesting. The Qiming flowers at Puji Temple are in full bloom, so I specially brought back a lot. They are perfect for making porridge, and you are in for a treat."

"Thank you so much, Auntie Seven! I've been craving this!" Xie Zhiyuan said.

"Your aunt is thinking of you younger generation," Murong said with a smile.

Everyone was overjoyed and eagerly anticipated the Qi Minghua porridge for dinner that evening.

Xie Ruowei, hidden behind the crowd, could only manage a forced smile; she would never utter such flattering words.

Shang Lingjun is so fickle; not only did she abandon her third brother, she also made her kneel in the ancestral hall as punishment.

She still holds a grudge!

By the way, why hasn't Mother come back?

Xie Ruowei peered at the carriage behind her.

Shang Lingjun didn't have time to pay attention to Xie Ruowei. She genuinely felt strange that she was the same age as them, yet she had to act like an elder.

This feeling is just...so awesome.

Because of her different status, people treat her differently. She remembers that in her previous life, she was not well received by the third branch of the family. It was already quite good that people didn't kick her when she was down and just treated her with courtesy, but that was a distant politeness.

How unlike the bustling atmosphere now!

Although it was just a superficial gesture, this was exactly the kind of respect Shang Lingjun wanted.

A kind smile graced Old Madam Wei's face.

"With Jingwan taking care of the housework, I can relax. You kids, stop blocking the door and come inside."

Jingwan was Murong's maiden name; her full name was Murong Jingwan. In fact, her background wasn't high; her maternal family was the Sun family, scholars of the Hanlin Academy, holding the fifth-rank official position.

Back then, she was able to marry Master Xie entirely thanks to the efforts of Old Master Xie, because Murong Jingwan's birth mother was Old Master Xie's cousin, so this marriage was a double blessing between relatives.

Initially, Old Madam Wei looked down on her somewhat, but seeing that Murong was intelligent, shrewd, and adept at managing the household affairs, arranging everything in an orderly manner...

After spending time with her, she became satisfied with her eldest daughter-in-law.

A group of people filed in and returned home, chatting and laughing. The Murong family had made all the arrangements, and the evening feast was very lavish. After eating vegetarian food for so long in the Buddhist temple, Shang Lingjun also had a great appetite.

Because the Xie family is large, the elders and younger generations do not eat at the same table, and Shang Lingjun naturally sits at the head table of the elders.

Master Xie returned rather late. When he arrived and saw Shang Lingjun at the head table, where the elders were seated, he looked away, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

He thought to himself that his stepmother really knew how to arrange things; this Shang woman had almost become his daughter-in-law, but now she had transformed into his sister-in-law.

How could he possibly bring himself to call her "sister-in-law"?

After respectfully paying his respects to Old Madam Wei, Third Master Xie walked towards his seat.

But Shang Lingjun's expression was perfectly normal; she greeted Third Master Xie with a calm smile.

"Third Brother."

Upon hearing the word "Third Brother," Xie Sanye's scalp tightened. He gave a perfunctory reply and then awkwardly took his seat.

Seeing Third Master Xie return, Old Madam Wei wiped her mouth with a handkerchief before saying:

"Third brother, Ronghua is going to the temple to pray for blessings this time. The morning bells and evening drums of the Buddhist temple have mended her broken heart a little."

But she was determined to stay, saying that the world was a sea of ​​suffering and it was better to find peace in Buddhism. I couldn't persuade her otherwise, so I had to let her have her way. Do you want to try and talk to her again?

Master Xie was stunned. How could Ronghua be so heartbroken?

She was clearly full of resentment and complaining!

He didn't feel the slightest remorse for making his own daughter dress as a man; he even turned around and blamed the other person.

With her competitive nature, she would never follow any Buddhist path!

Master Xie met Old Madam Wei's calm and collected gaze with a puzzled look. He was startled and paused for a moment before he realized that Ronghua was not going to become a Buddhist nun at all. It was clearly his stepmother who wanted to put Ronghua down at Puji Temple!

Third Master Xie glanced quickly, seemingly unintentionally, at his solemn elder brother, First Master Xie, at the table, his hand hanging at his side tightening subtly.

He wasn't naive enough to think that his stepmother was actually asking for his opinion, but was simply informing the family.

He sighed and deliberately said:

"Mother, since Ronghua has made up her mind, no amount of persuasion from others will work. I'll go to Puji Temple to see her when I have some free time."

Old Madam Wei simply hummed in agreement.

"It's tough on you. There'll be no one to manage the household affairs from now on. I think Aunt Liang in your courtyard is quite obedient, so let her take care of things."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a crisp sound of bowls and plates falling to the ground came from the younger generation's table, shattering porcelain shards all over the floor.

"Miss, you must be careful!" a maidservant reminded her.

Xie Ruowei stared in disbelief, blood dripping from her hands as if she felt nothing, her voice trembling slightly as she said:

"Impossible! My mother said she would take me to my maternal grandparents' house for a few days when she returned. How could she have converted to Buddhism?"

Master Xie's face immediately darkened.

"How dare you! How can you be so insensible? Your third brother passed away suddenly, and your mother was just too heartbroken to hold on. It's a good thing that she can find solace in the Buddhist temple now."

Xie Ruowei stood up abruptly, pointed at Shang Lingjun with great emotion, and cried out:

"It's all because of her! If she hadn't run out and made such a fuss that day, my third brother wouldn't have died, and my mother wouldn't have been so heartbroken."

She's caused such a mess in our family, she deserves a beating and to be kicked out. Grandmother, why did you insist on arranging a marriage for her? I just don't understand!