Chapter 419: Chapter 426: Unable to Bear It
 

Chen Li had no choice but to acknowledge the reality of Liu Xiu’s engagement to Yin Lihua, but how could things have come to this? Liu Xiu had been so good to her these days, even more tender and affectionate than before, and she had made her own feelings clear, Liu Xiu couldn’t possibly misunderstand!

Chen Li’s knowledge of history was only general, and even the parts she knew had undergone great changes. However, in her understanding, Liu Xiu was not an emperor who indulged in wanton passion, and the harem didn’t have many concubines.

As for who was in Liu Xiu’s harem, how could Chen Li have known she would travel to this era and never paid attention to such details? Therefore, she hadn’t considered Yin Lihua a threat, even though there had been rumors outside about an alliance through marriage between the Yin Family and the Liu Family, Chen Li didn’t take them to heart.

In her eyes, an emperor like Liu Xiu, of such ability, wouldn’t need to secure his position through marriage alliances. An emperor from horseback—his country was won through battle, after all. Chen Li was pitfallen by her own half-baked and rudimentary understanding of history; moreover, there had been so little interaction between Yin Lihua and Liu Xiu normally that Chen Li had truly underestimated the situation, and now it was too late to realize the news.

“No, no, he couldn’t do this to me,” Chen Li murmured unconsciously, unable to believe that Liu Xiu could treat her in such a heartless manner. If Liu Xiu truly intended to get engaged to Yin Lihua, why wouldn’t he have mentioned anything to her beforehand? Today, she had dressed up especially beautifully and had come to the banquet in high spirits, only to feel like a fool in hindsight.

Chen Li was not adept at hiding her emotions, and at this moment, she had no intention of doing so. Her forlorn appearance was seen by everyone, but nobody sympathized with her; instead, faces twisted with disdain and mockery.

In the eyes of these noblewomen, Chen Li was the daughter of a merchant, not suitable for the limelight. That would be tolerable on its own, but Chen Li defied convention by conducting business outside and even meddling in men’s affairs. Many had been irked by her behavior but tolerated it only because of Liu Xiu. Now they seized the opportunity to ridicule her.

“Oh, what’s wrong with Miss Chen? Looking all forlorn as if her man was stolen from her. Quite pitiable to see,” someone jibed.

“Indeed, Miss Chen’s complexion seems off; surely she hasn’t been abandoned by a man, has she? Tsk, tsk, it’s important to know one’s place. One shouldn’t covet what isn’t theirs, or else retribution is bound to follow,” said another.

“Isn’t that the truth? A woman ought to remain demurely at home, looking after her husband and teaching her children. So restless, attempting to meddle in men’s matters outside—no matter how capable, what good did it do in the end? Still discarded. She’s got too high an opinion of herself,” chimed in a third voice.

“Well, that’s not necessarily true. If not as the first wife, taking on the role of a concubine might be acceptable. After all, the Liu Family are Imperial Descendants and now prosperous. For the daughter of a merchant to be a concubine is already reaching higher than one’s station. Could she possibly aspire to be the first wife? Ridiculously preposterous. Only someone like Miss Yin, with her grace and character, truly deserves that position!” another added.

Chen Li had not yet recovered from the shock of Yin Lihua’s engagement to Liu Xiu. She was besmirched by the ladies’ successive remarks, and although nobody spoke outright due to certain relationships, the insinuations were clear enough for anyone to understand. Yet Chen Li treated it all as mere background noise until Yin Lihua approached her.

“Miss Chen, you seem indisposed. If you’re feeling unwell, I can have the servants take you to rest at the back,” suggested Yin Lihua with her usual placid, smiling expression, considerate and thoughtful in her role as the hostess, though her goodwill might not be entirely pure.

At that moment, Chen Li was in no mood to appreciate the gesture. Seeing a rival was like waving red in front of a bull—her eyes reddened at the sight of Yin Lihua: “Yin, cut the pretense, your act disgusts me. You know why I’m upset! How shameless can you be? Knowing full well of Big Brother Liu’s mutual affection for me, you had to wedge yourself in. Leveraging your looks to entice him away—really, is it that amusing to be a home-wrecker? Now parading around like the victor in front of me, utterly shameless!”

Chen Li’s words were harsh and showed no mercy. Even though Yin Lihua knew not to expect any civility, her face still changed upon hearing this in front of so many people. While not everyone would believe her words, Yin Lihua cared deeply about her reputation and could not tolerate Chen Li’s slander. She turned red with anger.

“Miss Chen, mind your words, do not slander. I, Yin Lihua, am not such a frivolous person. My relationship with Big Brother Liu is pure and chaste. Now that we are engaged, it is by the agreement of our parents, the words of the matchmaker—honorable and untainted. I wonder, by what right or identity do you question me so? I respect you as a guest of honor and appreciate the aid you’ve given to Big Brother Liu, which is why I’ve treated you courteously. But, Miss Chen, do not mistake that for weakness, thinking my Yin Family can be bullied!”

True to her upbringing as an aristocratic lady, Yin Lihua kept her composure despite her irritation, avoiding coarse language when addressing Chen Li, earning admiration for her demeanor. Nevertheless, Yin Lihua’s words, clean of curse words, were sharp.

Despite her contempt for the customs of the era, Chen Li couldn’t deny that when it came to Liu Xiu, she had no official standing or right. Although there was a hint of romance between her and Liu Xiu and he was aware of her feelings, Liu Xiu had never promised to marry her, nor had he ever acknowledged her as his woman. Stumped by Yin Lihua’s retort and seeing the surrounding crowd’s contemptuous and disdainful glances, Chen Li felt overwhelmed.

“I don’t believe it, I don’t believe Big Brother Liu would do this to me! I’ll go and ask him myself!” Saying so, Chen Li rushed out, as if determined to get an answer from Liu Xiu.

Yin Lihua watched Chen Li run out but wasn’t concerned. Even if Chen Li sought out Liu Xiu, what of it? She couldn’t believe that Liu Xiu would change his decision to align with the Yin Family for a businesswoman. She had a clear understanding of that man, who had his eyes set solely on his grand ambitions and was not the type to be swayed by a woman. Her willingness to marry Liu Xiu was precisely because he had the potential to raise her to unprecedented heights and only such a man was worthy of her, Yin Lihua.

As for Chen Li’s secret relations with Liu Xiu, how could Yin Lihua claim to be entirely indifferent as his fiancée? But she knew what mattered most was not the petty affairs of the heart. She was marrying Liu Xiu not for love or affection, but for his potential to lift her to new heights. As the first wife, she must exhibit the dignity and magnanimity of her position, not succumb to jealousy. Liu Xiu had other women before Chen Li, and Chen Li wouldn’t be the last.