actions. Don't disgrace the Changxing Marquis Mansion again because of a woman who can't see the light of day."Gu Xiuming was furious, gritting his teeth: "Gu Xiwen, who are you saying can't hold the...Just now, when I saw the movements of the young masters from the First and Second Houses, I pretended not to see. But now that I hear about the imperial examination, I'm quite interested. The nephew-in-law of the Gu family is promising, and it will be beneficial for the Gu family as well. In the future, he can support the children of the Gu family.

Gu Xuailing replied, "According to my mother-in-law, her husband ranked 87th in this autumn examination. The ranking is relatively low, and the chance of being on the list next spring is small. Therefore, he doesn't plan to participate in the spring examination next year. He wants to accumulate his knowledge and strength, and take the examination again in three years."

Chen nodded: “That's good too.

Gu Xuanyi, upon hearing this, felt even more heartbroken. Her spirit was once again dealt a blow. She felt that her husband had been overshadowed by Liu Zifang. While her husband had failed the autumn imperial examination this year, her brother-in-law, Liu Zifang, had passed with flying colors. Perhaps Liu Zifang would soon enter the capital to serve as an official, while her husband remained without a position in government.

Compared to this, her husband's family background seemed much more respectable. She felt increasingly unhappy, realizing that despite being inferior in every way to her cousin, she was always worse off than her in life.

Weakened by the constant blows, Gu Xuanyi felt a little dejected. Looking at her cousin who was beaming with happiness, she felt even more unbalanced. Before, without a sister to compare herself to, she could still comfort herself. She told herself that this was how all new wives were. But now, having a comparison, especially one who was a lowly concubine's daughter, made her feel suffocated.

Back in Zhang's courtyard, when Gu Xuanyi spoke privately with Zhang, her emotions could no longer be contained. Tears streamed down her face as she rushed into Zhang's arms and cried out angrily, "Mother, why am I so unlucky I have such a terrible mother-in-law! I have to follow strict rules and serve my mother-in-law like a maid every day. And I'm constantly being bullied by my younger sister-in-law. Where do I fall short compared to Gu Xualing She's just a lowly illegitimate daughter, why does she get to live better than me"

Zhang saw her daughter's tearful and distraught face, filled with unwillingness and near collapse. Although she felt heartache, there was nothing she could do. She sighed softly: "Xuan Yi, this is fate. I told you about the problems with the Wuan Marquis's mansion before, but you wouldn't listen. You insisted on private contact, and now that you are married, what can be done First, you must serve your mother-in-law well. Once she is satisfied, there will be no need to follow such strict rules. "

Gu Xuyan was tired of hearing this, and angrily said, "Mother, I'm not a three-year-old child. Please don't treat me like one and keep using these words to coax me. She can never be satisfied; she will never be satisfied in her lifetime!"

Zhang shi was afraid that her daughter would be upset today and, after returning home, wouldn't be clearheaded and offend her mother-in-law, making her life even worse. She hurriedly advised her earnestly, "You've only been married for over a month. Setting rules isn't for your whole life. After a year or so, it should be fine. You should bear with it for now. In front of your mother-in-law, you must be respectful. Even if you are unhappy inside, don't conflict with her, or she will become even more ruthless in her treatment of you."

Gu Xuanyi couldn't hear anything, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed: "What rules I think she's intentional, she wants to grind me down for my whole life. She was bullied by her mother-in-law, so she vents her anger on me. Her mother-in-law isn't even her biological one, it's a step-mother-in-law! I am her own daughter-in-law, how can she treat me like this"

"Xiang, wiping her daughter's tears, said: 'Xiayi, you are already someone else's wife. It is customary for a daughter-in-law to be given rules by the in-laws. This is something I cannot help you with, unless your mother-in-law goes too far."

She spoke with a hint of resignation in her voice. After all, she was also a mother-in-law. Though she didn't intentionally mistreat her daughter-in-law, she understood the mindset of most mothers-in-law – wanting their daughters-in-law to experience the same hardships they had endured. She couldn't bear to see her daughter-in-law live comfortably. But what could she do She couldn't control her daughter's in-laws, so she could only advise her daughter to be patient and tolerant for now.

When Gu Xuanyi heard her mother say this, she cried even harder. She raised her hands and continued, "Look at my hands, aren't they rough Look at the cuts on my fingers. At least I am a noblewoman, the wife of a prince! She has maidservants who don't attend to her, yet she makes me shell walnuts for her, not just once or twice!"

Zhang lowered her head to look at her daughter's hands. Her fingers were really broken, and she felt pained in her heart. Her daughter didn't touch any household chores. As a mother, she hadn't even eaten the walnuts peeled by her daughter because she couldn't bear to let her do such things. But her in-laws were willing, after all, she was their daughter-in-law, not their own flesh and blood.

But, shelling walnuts for elders is an act of filial piety. It's perfectly normal for elders to want their younger generations to shell them nuts, and no one can say otherwise. She couldn't possibly cause a scene in front of her in-laws just because her daughter was showing respect to her mother-in-law by shelling walnuts, and got a small cut on her finger, could she

Seeing her mother's silence, Gu Xuanyi suddenly stopped her tears and choked out, "Mother, I am your biological daughter. How can you remain indifferent and let your daughter be bullied"

Zhang originally felt sorry for her daughter, but hearing her daughter say this, she became angry and retorted, "Then tell your mother, how should your mother help you If you had listened to your mother back then, would you be suffering like this now"

Gu Xuanyi opened her mouth, but did not speak.

Zhang patted her daughter's hand and said solemnly, "If you want to change the current situation, the best shortcut is 'mother relying on son'. You two work hard together. Once you become pregnant, your mother-in-law will be kind to you because of the eldest grandson in your belly. You won't have to serve her morning and evening. Otherwise, overworking yourself could harm the baby, which would also hurt her grandson."

Gu Xuanyi, upon hearing this, slightly lowered her head and cast down her eyes, without responding.

Mrs. Zhang gave her advice on how to conceive easily. Seeing that her daughter was listless and silent, she comforted her kindly and then went to see how the noon meal arrangements were going.

As Gu Xuanyi left Zhang's courtyard and walked to the back garden, she ran into Gu Xuming. She didn't want others to know about her grievances at her in-laws' home. Besides her mother, she always spoke well of her in-laws to avoid being laughed at. Now, seeing Gu Xuming approaching, she immediately put on a smile and called out, "Third brother

Gu Xiuming nodded in response. Seeing that her eyes were a little red and swollen, he asked with concern, "Big Sister, have you been crying Was your brother-in-law bullying you"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xuanyi smiled unnaturally and replied, "Third Brother is joking. How could my husband ever bully me It's just that the wind is a bit strong and sand got into my eyes."

Gu Xiuming didn't doubt him, smiling and saying, "That's true, your brother-in-law looks like a good person, it's impossible that he would bully people. Your brother-in-law has a good temper, and Lady Wu'an is also a kind woman. It's hard to find such a good family even with a lantern. Your younger sister is truly lucky."

Gu Xuanyi heard this, her heart ached, but on the surface she was smiling, distractedly responding. She sent her cousin away and immediately her smile vanished upon his departure.

Although the Marquis of Wuan's mansion was filled with troubles, her husband treated her well enough. However, there were also things that made her dissatisfied. She dared not tell her mother about it, fearing it would affect their marital relationship. After all, she still liked her husband very much.

At this time, Marquis Wu'an's son walked towards her, not far away. In fact, he had discovered her earlier, but seeing her talking to Gu Xiuming, he did not come over.

Lord Wu An's son walked closer and noticed that his wife's eyes were slightly red. He frowned subtly, then reached out to tuck a strand of hair that had fallen from her temple behind her ear. His gaze fell on Gu Xiuming, who was walking away step by step, and he asked softly: "Xuan Yi, I saw you talking and laughing with Third Brother just now, what did you talk about"

Ku Xuanyi knew her husband was a bit sensitive and suspicious. If he found out she had been crying, he would definitely ask questions. So, she took the opportunity to joke with him: "I just got sand in my eyes. My third brother walked by and, not knowing the truth, thought you were bullying me. I explained it to him."

Having heard this, Prince Wu'an took a deep breath and said in a soft voice, “Although it hasn't snowed yet, the north wind is rather strong. Let's go back inside to avoid having our eyes blinded by sand later.”

Gu Xuanyi nodded. "Okay", his father and grandmother would regard him even more highly, ensuring his position as crown prince would be secure.Gu Xiuhong watched the two of them hurry away, lost in thought, and then returned...