Madam Zuo and her husband were childhood sweethearts, and their marriage was arranged from a young age.
They grew up together, married when they were of age, and everything seemed perfect.
However, after they wed, Madam Zuo discovered her husband wasn’t as flawless as she had believed.
The differences in personality weren’t the issue; what truly troubled Madam Zuo was that just a year into marriage, Lord Zuo started indulging in affairs.
The vows once made, turned into fleeting memories.
In these times, having multiple wives and concubines was seen as normal.
So, people would say that Madam Zuo was too petty, lacking the magnanimity to be the primary wife.
Even those from the Zuo family indeed said the same.
Even her own family advised her.
As the main wife, she should ease her husband’s burdens instead of causing a fuss over such trifles.
But Madam Zuo always knew since childhood that she would spend her life with her childhood love, giving all her affections to him.
She believed her husband would honor his promise and love her alone throughout his life.
Yet...
Within just a year, he had already started pursuing other women.
Every time Madam Zuo confronted him, he went from coaxing her to becoming impatient, finally resorting to cold words.
The childhood sweetheart she cherished seemed completely transformed.
The betrayal was harsh, as not long after Lord Zuo married a concubine.
Because of their estrangement, Lord Zuo dearly loved his concubine.
Chuzheng hearing this, could only sigh in her heart that the original protagonist and Madam Zuo were truly two peas in a pod.
Aside from the different causes of their marriages, everything following seemed exactly copied.
Lord Zuo had a terrible temper after drinking, and several times Madam Zuo was hit by him when unlucky enough to cross his path.
She dared not tell anyone about this, only going secretly to buy medicine.
But later, Madam Zuo realized that Lord Zuo wasn’t like this with everyone.
With that concubine, he behaved completely differently.
With only her...
It was only in her presence that such a side of him emerged.
Lord Zuo and the concubine grew more egregious; the concubine sought to replace her, doing everything possible to ruin her reputation in the Zuo household.
Madam Zuo knew today’s incident was orchestrated by that concubine.
She didn’t know if Chuzheng hadn’t intervened, whether she’d end up being beaten to death or face some other mishap...
And that Madam Zuo was not of a humble background, being the cousin of the Imperial Noble Consort who recently failed at organizing an imperial banquet.
Probably because the Imperial Noble Consort had encountered trouble, the opposing side dared to be so arrogant.
"I would like to ask the Third Princess Consort to help my sister," Madam Lin, with reddened eyes, pleaded, "If this continues, she’ll surely perish."
"What can I do to help her?" Chuzheng leaned against the wall, speaking indifferently, "Kill Lord Zuo?"
Madam Lin’s heart raced; that wasn’t what she meant!!
Madam Lin glanced around nervously, recalling she was in Chuzheng’s shop, and calmed herself, "I’d like to ask the Third Princess Consort to guide my sister to a clear path..."
"A clear path?"
Madam Lin nodded.
She didn’t know why but just felt the Third Princess Consort could save her companion...
Chuzheng pondered for a moment, "Leave him."
Madam Lin’s expression shifted slightly, "I’m afraid it’s not easy..."
In modern times, leaving would be routine, perhaps celebrating with skewers after the paperwork.
However, this is ancient history, where women were in a subordinate position under feudal conditions.
What did leaving mean to them?
Some would rather die than accept that piece of divorce paper.
Their deeply ingrained beliefs held that a woman divorced had no dignity, facing social stigma.
"Then there’s nothing I can do."
Either divorce or die.
There were other solutions, but for a stranger, Chuzheng felt no necessity to extend herself so far.
[...] The King’s Account wanted to advise, but upon further thought, Chuzheng’s method might not be proper, hence it chose to stay silent.
Can’t risk losing for trivial reasons!
The tasks set by the young lady were beyond mere mortals.
"Ah... I just wish the Third Princess Consort would persuade her not to walk into a dead end" Madam Lin hadn’t thought it through.
She felt the Third Princess Consort exuded an open-minded aura, even if she didn’t speak much, inducing trust.
Perhaps her counsel to Madam Zuo would be effective.
Contemplating the Thank-You Card from Madam Zuo, Chuzheng reluctantly agreed to Madam Lin’s request.
-
In the room, Madam Zuo had already treated her injuries, her eyes swollen from crying, though there were no more tears now.
"Third Princess Consort..."
Upon seeing Chuzheng enter, Madam Zuo immediately rose, respectfully greeting her.
"Alright, sit down."
Chuzheng waved her hand.
Madam Zuo hesitated, daring not move until Madam Lin assisted her in sitting.
"The Third Princess Consort is stern yet kind-hearted, don’t be afraid."
Chuzheng: "..." My heart is also cold, truly!!
Madam Lin briefly explained, basically informing Chuzheng of Madam Zuo’s situation.
Madam Zuo merely smiled wryly, not displeased by Madam Lin’s unauthorized decision.
Chuzheng pulled a chair to sit down, pouring herself a cup of tea, "Do you still love him?"
"How could I not love him?" Madam Zuo clenched her hanky, her fingertips pale from exertion.
From her first memories, that person had always been present.
In all her life’s significant events, he participated.
"Do you love him because of love, or from instinct?"
Madam Zuo gazed at Chuzheng.
The latter leisurely sipped tea, calmly as though attending a session without passing judgment.
Madam Zuo’s fingers pressed harder.
Was it love... or instinct?
She didn’t know...
She could no longer distinguish.
Perhaps she merely instinctively loved him, he being the sole person she needed to love in life.
She regarded him as her everything.
"If you can’t leave him, then gain control over him, frighten him, make him dread you, ensure he dares not abandon you."
Madam Lin: "!!!"
What was the Third Princess Consort suggesting!
It wasn’t what she meant!
Madam Zuo also looked dazedly at the woman in front of her.
Chuzheng wasn’t one to offer emotional mentorship, preferring simplicity.
She set down the teacup, remarking leisurely, "If you can’t stabilize yourself in his heart, then secure your place in power."
Chuzheng paused, meeting Madam Zuo’s eyes, "You’ve liked him for so many years, surely you deserve to gain something?"
Chuzheng’s advice ended here.
Whether it was taken was entirely up to her.
"You may rest here; leave whenever you wish." Chuzheng stood, "I’m leaving now."
Madam Lin came to herself, hurriedly got up to see Chuzheng off.
"Those two, handle it yourselves." Chuzheng recalled the two others, "Shi Yi, where did you lock them?"
"The woodshed out back."
Madam Lin hadn’t seen them, only hearing their voices.
"Thank you, Third Princess Consort..."
"Hmm."
Chuzheng left with her hands behind her back, while Madam Lin stood there for a long time before going up heavily to accompany Madam Zuo.