Chapter 327: Using Public Opinion to Build Momentum
Gu Ziyan asked, "What if it gets out of hand?"
Shen Xia smiled and said, "You are a woman, why do you care about their faces? Believe me, they care more about their faces than you do. You have been wronged all these years because you were too well-educated."
In fact, Shen Xia didn't understand. Princess Rui was such a strong woman, why could her daughter be so timid? She should be half as timid as her mother.
Even the Duke's Mansion didn't dare to trample on her.
Is it because the status of Prince Rui’s Palace is not as high as that of the Duke’s Palace?
Of course, Shen Xia didn’t quite understand this matter, but she could go back and ask her fourth brother about it.
"My husband will think I'm ignorant." Gu Ziyan frowned and said with some entanglement.
She knew in her heart that her husband's attitude towards her had disappointed her, but she still hoped to maintain that superficial harmony.
"He can watch you suffer injustice and do nothing about it, so why do you care about his feelings?" Shen Xia couldn't help but remind him. She really couldn't stand seeing Gu Ziyan being so submissive.
Hearing this, Gu Ziyan couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
She thought of everything that had happened before, and a feeling of grievance welled up in her heart.
"If Sister Shen encounters this incident, what will you do?" Gu Ziyan suddenly asked. She wanted to know how Shen Xia would deal with such a situation.
Shen Xia smiled slightly and said with a firm look in his eyes: "I will let the servants spread the news that the Duke's Mansion favors the concubine and kills the wife, and use public opinion to create momentum, without having to do it myself. In order to break this rumor, the Duke's Mansion must suppress the power of the concubine and show that they value you very much, otherwise the rumor will be confirmed.
Moreover, life is very long, and love is not the most important thing. If the other person loves me, I will love him too. If he makes me feel wronged, I will leave. A woman does not have to rely on a man for her whole life."
After saying these words, Shen Xia took a deep breath and continued, "If you don't treat me well, then divorce me and be beautiful alone."
After hearing this, Gu Ziyan was shocked. She had never thought of such an option.
Divorce, these two words flashed through her mind like a bolt of lightning, making her start to re-examine her life.
Gu Ziyan stared at Shen Xia, recalling her decisive breakup with her brother, and couldn't help but sigh at Shen Xia's free and easy attitude.
At that time, she thought it was just an unmarried love affair, but now, when she saw that Shen Xia was still so calm after getting married, she sincerely admired her character.
After hearing Shen Xia's suggestion, Gu Ziyan said with emotion: "My sister once said that she didn't like the turmoil in the capital. Now it seems that even if my sister is in the capital, she can handle everything with ease, unlike me who has a hard time."
Shen Xia smiled and responded, "Sister, you are too kind. Those who seem arrogant and domineering are actually not difficult to deal with. The truly terrifying ones are those who hide their true power and keep silent. Sister just disdains to use these despicable means. If Sister is willing to take action, they will definitely not be her opponent."
"Sister, you really compliment me." Gu Ziyan raised the corners of her mouth slightly, with a hint of smile in her eyes.
"No, sister, you just need to understand that you should never look down on yourself at any time. For so many years, you have been compromising. Do you feel that you have not given birth to any children for their family? Not to mention that you gave birth to a child. Even if you didn't, you can just get a divorce. It's not a reason for them to bully you." Shen Xia said seriously.
The little maid next to her listened to Shen Xia's words and nodded repeatedly to show her agreement.
Mrs. Shen is absolutely right!
She secretly thought in her heart that the lady had been enduring grievances all these years, which was really heartbreaking.
Gu Ziyan suddenly felt that, yes! She was a princess, even if she didn't have a title, she shouldn't have been oppressed by a concubine for so many years.
Although he had never taken the concubine seriously, she could not climb over his head so unscrupulously.
At the same time, she also realized that she should establish her authority in the mansion.
After all, my husband loves his illegitimate son no less than Mo Yan. If I don't pay more attention, there will probably be more trouble in the future.
Will there be anything for us Mo Yan in the future?
Gu Ziyan said with a look of relief: "Sister Shen, I understand."
Then he turned to look at the maid beside him and ordered: "Yanzi, go and do it! But don't go in person."
When Xiaoyan heard this, she immediately smiled and said, "Okay, ma'am."
Xiaoyan was a dowry from the Prince Rui's Mansion, and Gu Ziyan trusted her quite a bit.
Seeing that Gu Ziyan had figured it out, Shen Xia felt relieved, but still asked curiously: "By the way, why did Sister Gu want to sell the farm?"
Gu Ziyan then explained: "My husband wants to buy a summer resort. Many officials have bought resorts there, so he also wants to buy one so that the whole family can go there for summer vacation in the future."
Shen Xia asked again: "So, does the manor that was sold this time belong to the Pei family, or is it your dowry?"
Gu Ziyan answered truthfully: "It's my dowry."
Shen Xia was shocked and couldn't help but repeat: "You actually want to use your dowry to buy the Pei family's assets?"
In fact, family members don’t need to be divided so clearly, provided that the other party is worthy.
But looking at the arrogant look of the concubine just now, she still had to keep her dowry.
At this moment, Gu Ziyan suddenly realized that what she had done was inappropriate.
Before, we thought of ourselves as a family, so we didn’t think much about many things. But now, from the perspective of an outsider, no matter how I look at it, I find problems.
My husband said that there was not much money in the public account. Indeed, my housekeeper also knew that there was not much money in the public account. The Duke's Mansion was large and had a lot of expenses.
He asked if there were any empty farms or shops at home.
I thought of this because I had a farm that I didn't use much. Now it seems that it was a calculation or an unintentional act.
"What should we do now?" Gu Ziyan wondered.
"Let's just say the buyer is an acquaintance and the farm wasn't sold, so we're going into business together," Shen Xia said.
Gu Ziyan shook her head after hearing this: "This is not appropriate. The house has been transferred to another owner, so he can check whether it has been sold or not."
"That means they sold it to me, but they knew I was short of money for my business, so they gave me the money as a share."
Gu Ziyan thought for a moment and said, "Well, that's the only way to put it."
However, Shen Xia suddenly changed the subject, revealing a hint of worry in her tone: "Sister Gu, I don't mean to sow discord, but after all, not everyone in your family is a family member."
These words made Gu Ziyan's heart tighten, and she knew that what Shen Xia said was true.
"Well, of course I know your good intentions. By the way, how many years have you been married? Do you have any children?"
Shen Xia smiled and replied, "We have been married for more than five years and have three children, one girl and two boys."
Gu Ziyan's eyes flashed with surprise after hearing this, and she quickly said, "Great! Then we can take the children out for an outing together some other day."