Ideally of the Da Cheng empire, there can only be one principal wife. However, the ancestors allowed families without heirs to take a second wife. If the Shen family wishes to elevate Li Lianshuang to the rank of principal wife, equal to Meng Zhilu, they can do so under three conditions. First, Li Lianshuang must be the daughter of a third-rank noble or higher. Second, Shen Zhongting must be the heir to both the Shen family and the Li family to perform a joint marriage ceremony before Heaven and Earth. Third, Shen Zhongting must have an elder brother who has no heirs.
But Shen Zhongting is an only child. Furthermore, he is not the heir to the Li family of Fuling City, who were merely minor officials just a small sheriff, equivalent to seventh-rank nobles.
Additionally, within three months of the wedding ceremony, the bride's name must be submitted to the Household Registration Office of the Department of Administration, designating her as the principal wife, called Huyin. Any other wives who do not undergo these steps are considered concubines, regardless of their position within the household. Concubines are not officially registered with the government; their status is managed internally within the family.
But this time, Shen Zhongting was determined to break all the rules. In addition to violating the law, his actions were an insult to both Meng Zhilu and the Meng family. If Meng Zhilu were to take legal action against the Shen family, Shen Zhongting's future would be ruined, and the family name would be forever tarnished.
When persuading Elder Tai Tai failed, Shen Zhongting looked pleadingly at his mother, who was displeased and unhappy.
Although Elder Huyin wanted to help her only son, she couldn't openly support his reckless plan, which risked breaking the law. So, she tried to reason with Shen Zhongting, urging him to reconsider.
“My dear son, next month, I will hold a grand tea ceremony for her and invite many guests to witness it. As for the baby, once born, he will be raised as Zhilu's child. This way, your son will have a legitimate heir born to the principal wife. It's a beneficial arrangement for everyone. What do you think?”
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She addressed her son, then turned to her daughter-in-law, her eyes filled with expectation. “What do you say, Zhilu?” She gently squeezed Meng Zhilu's delicate hand, subtly pressuring her to agree.
Meng Zhilu pretended to be happy, then nodded her head slightly. “As you wish, Mother, I agree with you.” Her voice was soft, her eyes downcast to the floor to hide her emotions.
Li Lianshuang felt a surge of fury upon hearing her mother-in-law's words. The child in her womb was hers; why should she give it to Meng Zhilu? Moreover, her hopes of marrying into the Shen family with honor were being dashed by her mother-in-law's foolish plan. She opened her mouth to protest but was silenced by Shen Zhongting's firm grip on her hand. Li Lianshuang could only swallow her words, her anger simmering beneath the surface.
Li Lianshuang's forced composure brought a surge of satisfaction to Meng Zhilu. She laughed triumphantly in her mind. ‘Haha, Shen Zhongting is not the Li family heir, nor does he have any brothers. He's ineligible to have two principal wives. Li Lianshuang, you fool. Did you really think you could usurp my position? Keep dreaming!’
Elder Huyin's actions further intensified the tension in the room.
Shen Zhongting pleaded on behalf of his beloved wife. “Mother, please review again, I believe that no mother in this world wants to give up her child to someone else to raise. And I also wanted Li Lianshuang to be my main wife. I don't want to give our child to Meng Zhilu. I beg you, Mother, please...”
His words escalated the tension. Elder Tai Tai grimaced, and Elder Huyin exclaimed in frustration, "Hu! Why are you being so stubborn?"
“Mother, please,” Shen Zhongting begged.
Finally, Meng Zhilu seized the opportunity to intervene and end the dispute. She would never allow Li Lianshuang to share her status. In this life, she would never let that bitch have an equal status with her. “Husband, please listen to Mother, her thoughts are good to all parties. I didn't want to take a child away from the mother's bosom either. After giving birth, you only give her child to be my child in my name. As for the tea ceremony proposed by the mothers, when the day to send sedan chairs to pick up the bride, I would add ten more boxes of dowries to her. Please don't worry that she will be at a disadvantage. Is this good or not?”