The husband, who had an unspeakable illness, had a big daughter with another woman. Upon hearing this, Madam Zhang stood frozen on the spot, her face contorted, and her entire body trembled.
Throughout her life, she had been strong-willed. From beginning to end, she believed the problem lay with Qiao Fang. Upon finding out her husband kept a mistress, she thought about having an affair with the stableman. Firstly, for her own satisfaction, and secondly, if she got pregnant, it would shut Qiao Fang's mouth and make him give up struggling, enabling him to raise the child with her and the stableman properly.
But now, the stableman actually told her that the one with the illness wasn't Qiao Fang, but her, the lady of the house?
"I can't have a child, so why can you?"
Madam Zhang couldn't bear it, but she couldn't vent her anger at Qiao Fang either. Now, if it became known that she was the old hen that couldn't lay eggs, and if Qiao Fang was seen strutting out there, she'd surely end up with the reputation of a jealous woman. At that point, she wouldn't only lose face but would also find it hard to remarry.
In these times, bearing heirs is more important than anything. If you can't have children, you must compromise and step down.
Even as the main wife, you must be accommodating.
Similarly, if it turned out that Qiao Fang had the unspeakable illness, and she bore children with an outsider, sending the man away with some money afterward, it'd also be a common occurrence.
Not just among folks like them from humble backgrounds, but even in wealthy and powerful families, it's just the same.
This matter doesn't only concern reputation but also the issue of inheritance in the family.
But would Madam Zhang willingly allow the family inheritance to go to outsiders?
"Kong Youde, you've been a widower for many years, without wife and children. I've often aided you, helping you to relieve your loneliness. Shouldn't you repay me?"
The stableman nodded immediately upon hearing this, saying, "I, Kong Youde, am not an ungrateful person. Madam doesn't mind my humble status, is willing to accommodate me, and I always keep it in my heart. Madam only needs to give the orders, and Youde will surely comply."
"Good! Then I want you to kill that wicked woman and her illegitimate brat. Will you do it?"
"This, how could that be possible!" Kong Youde's eyes widened, seeing Madam Zhang's expression change, he quickly came up with a plan and said, "If Madam wants me to kill them, if the wind leaks and the Government Office finds out, it'll be hard for both of us to escape death."
"That vile woman has no family, usually only associates with the master, it can't be considered infidelity. Even if the Government Office investigates, it won't be in Madam's favor."
"You're right! I need to vent this anger, but I can't drag myself down with it!" Restless and uneasy, Madam Zhang left the stableman's place, pondering and thinking for a day and a night, and suddenly came up with an idea.
Early the next morning, while the stableman was cleaning the stables, Madam Zhang came to the backyard. They didn't say a word, engaging in passion during the day, and afterward, Madam Zhang cooed to Kong Youde, saying, "I've thought of a wonderful plan, in a few days I will have the master bring that wicked woman and her wild girl into the household, giving her the title of a concubine."
"Once she has this title, her flaw will be exposed."
Kong Youde didn't understand and asked, "What flaw?"
"Isn't that Big Mouth Zheng from the kitchen having a simple-minded fool for a son? Big Mouth Zheng often brings his son to the kitchen for a private meal, he can't hide this from me."
Kong Youde interjected, "Big Mouth Zheng wouldn't dare make private meals, I've seen his son eat the same meals as the servants daily."
"So what? Anyway, I don't like that fool. Once that slut is married in, find a way to bring that fool to the woodshed, and I'll have a way to lure that slut there. Once the door is closed, charge her with adultery, and we won't have to worry about handling her!"
"There's one more thing, after breakfast, prepare the carriage. I need to go to Ziyun Mountain outside the city. I've heard that the Bao Sheng Temple there is particularly effective; I need to pray for a good wish."
Kong Youde didn't think much of it, figuring that once Madam Zhang had released her anger and made her prayer, it'd be over.
About half a month later, Qiao Fang brought back Ye and their illegitimate daughter, Qiao Tian, to their home. Upon meeting them for the first time, Madam Zhang displayed her demeanor as the main wife, not only addressing Ye as a sister but also warmly caring for the two-year-old Qiao Tian, even ordering new dresses from the Chen Family Fabric Shop as gifts.
Qiao Fang knew well what kind of person Madam Zhang was. He had been very cautious two months prior, but when he saw that Madam Zhang was truly focused on managing the household, he relaxed his guard.
One day, Madam Zhang mentioned a liquor business that required Qiao Fang to personally go to the Prefecture City, a round trip needing at least ten days.
Seeing Qiao Fang hesitating, Madam Zhang said, "I see you aren't worried about the difficulty of this business; you're afraid that when you leave, Sister Ye and Tian'er might be wronged by me, isn't that so?"
"Certainly not, Madam is virtuous and kind, how could I think such a thing? Madam, you worry too much!"
Due to the matter of accepting Ye as a concubine, Qiao Fang always felt indebted to Madam Zhang, so he complied and accepted the task.
Once Qiao Fang left, Madam Zhang turned and sought out the stableman Sun Youde, instructing him to deceive Big Mouth Zheng's foolish son into the woodshed.
Madam Zhang then went to Ye's courtyard, claiming that Ye's daughter Qiao Tian had been lured into the woodshed by Big Mouth Zheng's foolish son. That fool had blocked the woodshed door from inside, and others dared not enter for fear of angering the fool and injuring the child.
"Sister, don't worry, I've already sent Sun Youde to the Government Office to report it. Once officials arrive, it'll be fine."
Ye had only her biological daughter, and upon hearing her daughter had been lured to the woodshed by the fool, she couldn't sit still. She rushed to the woodshed immediately.
No one was outside, she opened the door and went in, calling her daughter's pet name as she searched, only to find no trace of her daughter!
All she saw was a fool stripped naked, gleefully gnawing on a roast chicken, squatting in the corner laughing foolishly.