Chapter 106: Is She Third Mistress or Mother-in-Law?

Chapter 106: Is She Third Madam or Mother-in-Law?

In the blink of an eye, all the servants had left the main hall.

Wu Songran watched quietly as Li Yunda said, “My distant cousin—the chubby one—cousin, please find somewhere else to rest. I have matters to report to my mother!”

Wu Hong’s heart skipped a beat. He thought, "Could it be that my sister’s lover intends to tell our mother something?"

The chubby Li Yunda shamelessly grinned and said, “Sister, we’re family. What’s there that you can’t say openly in front of me?”

After speaking, the chubby man even patted his belly with a self-satisfied smile, showing no embarrassment at Wu Songran’s words.

“Songran, no impudence! Brother Yunda is right. Since we’re family, there’s nothing we shouldn’t discuss!” Mrs. Li said, a hint of anger in her voice.

Wu Songran glanced at Li Ruolan, her expression proud and unyielding, as if trying to assert something. Inwardly she scoffed, “Hmph—my brother’s affection for you changes nothing. In the end, I will be the one who triumphs.”

Wu Hong, of course, did not notice Wu Songran’s provocation toward Li Ruolan. He only felt unbearably awkward, unsure how to proceed.

Wu Songran saw that Li Yunda seemed somewhat angry, but since her mother had spoken, she had no choice but to accept it. Remembering that Li Yunda was also a friend of Wu Hong’s, she let go of further words and did not press the issue.

Wu Hong suddenly felt his arm lighten; Wu Songran had released her grip on his arm and was trying to hurry toward Mrs. Li.

Suddenly, she stumbled with an “Oh!” nearly falling to the ground. Blushing deeply, she looked at Wu Hong, then turned away awkwardly and headed toward Mrs. Li.

“Pfft—” Li Yunda, who had just drunk a mouthful of tea, suddenly spat it out, tea leaves scattering far and wide. He stared at Wu Songran in surprise and then straightened himself, limping toward Mrs. Li again.

“Yunda, Ruolan, I think it’s better if you two step aside,” Mrs. Li said, her face darkening as she addressed Li Yunda and Li Ruolan.

Clearly, she and Li Yunda sensed something unusual. As for Li Ruolan, innocent and inexperienced, she had no idea why Wu Songran acted this way.

“Y-Yes, auntie is right. I’m not suitable to be here!” Li Yunda hurriedly stood up, passing by Wu Hong and secretly giving him a thumbs-up.

Wu Hong was utterly embarrassed. Li Ruolan was confused but maintained her usual composure, withholding any questions.

Now, only Wu Hong, Wu Songran, and Mrs. Li remained in the living room.

“Songran, get on your knees! Who is it you’ve been involved with in such a scandalous way? Who is this man?” Mrs. Li was furious, her mind automatically excluding Wu Hong.

Because in her heart, she had always treated Wu Hong like a son, despite there being no actual sibling relationship between him and Wu Songran.

But in Mrs. Li’s eyes, Wu Hong was still Wu Songran’s brother.

“Mother, what are you saying?” Wu Songran was angry, but she refused to kneel.

Mrs. Li, exasperated, laughed bitterly. “What am I saying? You’re a pure maiden! How could you do such things without being married? Don’t think I don’t know. You sent everyone away just to tell me something, and now you turn it on me?”

Deep down, Mrs. Li despised such behavior—intimate relations before marriage—because she herself was a painful example.

Years ago, she had been involved with Emperor Yang Guang, hoping he would bring her into the palace. But to protect the royal dignity, she never achieved that wish.

It was a long-standing pain until one day she realized she had fallen for the Prince of Wuwei, and that shameful, humiliating feeling slowly faded.

She did not want Wu Songran to follow in her footsteps.

“Mother, isn’t the man you speak of right here before your eyes?” Wu Songran said directly, seeing Mrs. Li’s anger.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Where is this man?” Mrs. Li, angry and confused, did not grasp the implication of Wu Songran’s words.

“Isn’t it him?” Wu Songran pointed with her delicate finger at Wu Hong.

Mrs. Li stared at Wu Hong standing nearby, stunned into silence. Her expression shifted repeatedly as chaos swirled in her heart.

“Third Madam, I... I...” Wu Hong, though he had admitted the relationship with Wu Songran that surpassed mere friendship, found himself at a loss for words when facing Mrs. Li.

“Heh heh, Mother, you’re not wrong. I did have relations with this blockhead, and I plan to marry her one day,” Wu Songran said playfully, her smile mischievous.

Mrs. Li still said nothing, her face twisting through several emotions, seemingly lost in thought.

“Mother, what’s gotten into you today? Didn’t you always teach me that a girl has the right to pursue the one she loves? Brother Wu Hong isn’t my biological brother. What’s the harm? It was all my choice!”

“Silence!” Mrs. Li suddenly snapped.

Wu Hong shuddered inwardly. He thought, “As a man, having done such a thing, I must bear the responsibility myself. No girl should have to defend me like this.”

“Third Madam, yes, it was a moment of foolishness that led me to be with Sister Ran, but I do not regret it. I am willing to take the responsibility it entails,” Wu Hong’s voice suddenly grew firm and resolute.

Wu Songran’s heart soared with joy, a surge of happiness blossoming within. After all, she was a girl; to speak so shamelessly about such matters was difficult for her. Wu Hong’s words felt like a calming balm.

“Rejoicing inwardly, Brother Hong has finally acknowledged my existence!”

Mrs. Li was startled. Seeing the pure, sincere determination in Wu Hong’s eyes, she felt as if she glimpsed the shadow of the Prince of Wuwei himself.

“Oh, you two children, what am I to say? Hong’er, from now on, don’t call me Third Madam anymore. Just call me ‘Mother’ in front of Ran’er,” Mrs. Li said helplessly, shaking her head.

“Mother, you agree to let me be with Brother Hong? That’s wonderful!” Wu Songran eagerly grabbed Mrs. Li’s arm.

“Hmph—A young lady should know shame! How can you say such things so openly?” Mrs. Li’s dissatisfaction was long past. It was clear the two youngsters had crossed lines, evident from Wu Songran’s awkward gait.

“But you two must keep this quiet for now. After all, Ran’er is not the true daughter of the Prince of Wuwei, and this fact hasn’t been revealed. It’s not the right time to announce your relationship.”

“I understand, Mother. We will obey you,” Wu Songran agreed gladly, knowing Mrs. Li’s caution was to protect the Prince’s reputation.

Wu Hong also nodded in agreement.

“A young lady dressed like this—what kind of example is this?” Mrs. Li finally noticed her daughter was wearing loose, oversized male clothing, her curves faintly visible beneath.

Mrs. Li suddenly produced a beautiful set of women’s clothes and said to Wu Songran, “Change into this quickly!”

Wu Songran gladly accepted the garment, thanked her mother, and prepared to change right there in front of them.

“Stop, stop! How can you change clothes here?” Mrs. Li hurriedly reprimanded.

Wu Songran was stunned. “Mother, what’s the big deal? You see, Brother Hong has already seen everything...”

Wu Hong was utterly speechless. He never imagined Wu Songran would be so brazen as to change clothes openly before his mother and him. Blushing deeply, memories of their recent intimacy rushed through him, blood surging wildly.

Excited, his vital energy surged within, wisps of white mist continuously rising from his body.

Mrs. Li covered her face with her hand, utterly helpless. This daughter had been rebellious since childhood; she truly didn’t know if marrying Wu Hong was blessing or misfortune.