The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

The shock to Old Madam was considerable upon learning that Xin Lan had initially wanted to marry Xiao Yuan.

She herself felt ashamed; if this news spread, where would the Wei family’s reputation be?

At this time, Old Madam did not blame Mr. Wei or Xiao Yuan, after all, they were her own son and grandson, and she certainly didn’t dare to blame Anning.

So she directed all her anger at Xin Lan.

”Daughter-in-law of my grandson, if Xin Lan troubles you in the future, just ignore her. If she does anything... you should deal with her as you see fit.”

Old Madam pondered for a while and spoke with Anning.

Anning nodded, ”Understood.”

Knowing Old Madam still needed time to think, Anning stood up and paid her respects, ”Grandmother, Master still has matters to discuss with me, I will take my leave.”

Old Madam waved her hand, ”Go, go. By the way, when does Yuan’er take office? I’ve heard the place is not close; if you can leave early, do so, so as not to delay things.”

”Yes.”

Anning responded and left the room.

Returning to her own room, Anning felt parched and asked her maid to prepare a pot of tea.

She drank several cups before feeling less thirsty.

Anning tapped the table, pondering that she must teach Xin Lan a sharp lesson; in the coming years, never shall she let her days be easy.

”What are you thinking about?”

Xiao Yuan entered, seeing Anning lost in thought, he walked over and embraced her.

”Don’t disturb me; I’m thinking.”

Anning pulled Xiao Yuan to sit down, ”Old Madam urges us to leave early.”

”Then prepare in the coming days.”

While Anning and Xiao Yuan talked, Old Madam called Mr. Wei into her room.

Mother and son dismissed their maids and old women, sitting together to speak quietly.

”Mother, I’m considering having Yuan’er divorce Mrs. Miao.”

After settling down, Mr. Wei made this declaration to Old Madam, ”And remove Mrs. Miao’s name from our family’s ancestral records, changing the name to the original legitimate wife.”

This Mrs. Miao referred to the deceased Miao Anruo, naturally, the original daughter-in-law meant Anning.

Old Madam began to carefully consider: ”But what about Xing’er and Susu?”

Old Madam wasn’t heartbroken over Miao Anruo’s fate, but her concern was for the two children. Without Mrs. Miao, where did these children come from?

This Mr. Wei had already thought about it: ”The children were born to Yuan’er’s concubine, and after giving birth, she passed away.”

Mr. Wei intended to transform the legitimate son and daughter into children of a concubine.

Old Madam considered for a while: ”That works too.”

Once Old Madam agreed, Mr. Wei smiled: ”Mother, it’s not my unkindness; the fact is those two are Miao Family’s grandchildren. Their nature is to remember grievances, not kindness, and I fear they might harbor enmity toward us in the future.”

Old Madam nodded in understanding, ”I know your concern. Moreover, the original daughter-in-law is the Empress’s goddaughter and Chief Bai’s biological daughter; it would be a bit unjust to make her a second wife. Plus, Mrs. Miao wasn’t anything good... Could we still have our family’s Yuan’er walking outside bearing the title of Miao Family’s son-in-law? That would not do.”

Mr. Wei lowered his voice further: ”The most crucial point is, the original daughter-in-law and Miao Family harbor irreconcilable hatred. If she were to become a second wife, she’d have to pay concubine respects to Mrs. Miao every year at festivals; how would the original daughter-in-law feel comfortable? Would Chief Bai be willing? Our family’s Yuan’er still relies on Chief Bai’s support for his career; making the original daughter-in-law uncomfortable might upset Chief Bai and hinder Yuan’er’s prospects.”

These were the main considerations for Mr. Wei and Old Madam.

The Miao Family had already fallen, and were guilty of crimes, but Chief Bai remained esteemed by Your Majesty’s side, an individual many officials in the Capital could not easily ingratiate themselves with. Comparing the two sides, anyone would clearly see which weighed heavier.

Mr. Wei, after years of maneuvering in the political arena, naturally prioritized assessing advantages and disadvantages first.

”Discuss it with Yuan’er.”

Old Madam reminded Mr. Wei, ”Don’t let Yuan’er feel uncomfortable; after all, they were originally husband and wife.”

Upon hearing this, Mr. Wei chuckled: ”Mother, I see Yuan’er and his wife’s relationship is good, better than that with Mrs. Miao. I believe Yuan’er would be willing.”

After settling the matter about Mrs. Miao, Old Madam talked to Mr. Wei about Xin Lan.

Mr. Wei’s expression darkened upon hearing, ”That wretched woman.”

Old Madam restrained Mr. Wei’s hand: ”Don’t get angry. Since things have come to this, we must suppress it and not let it turn ugly.”

Mr. Wei took a deep breath: ”Mother, I understand.”

”Talk to Mrs. Xin, advise her to behave. If she keeps making trouble, there won’t be a place for her in our family.”

Old Madam warned Mr. Wei, ”If you want to continue living with her, keep her. If you feel uncomfortable, bear with it for now. After some time, find an excuse to divorce her.”

Though still quite angry, Mr. Wei knew this matter couldn’t be explicitly discussed, only suppressed.

Thinking of Xin Lan and her pursuit of his son, running all over the streets, anger welled inside him.

Mr. Wei left Old Madam’s room, pondered for a moment, and decided to investigate Xin Lan’s issues; he couldn’t just react based on hearsay without personally verifying.

Not mentioning how he instructed someone to investigate.

He called Xiao Yuan over and discussed the plan to divorce Mrs. Miao, which Xiao Yuan naturally agreed to.

Afterward, Mr. Wei and Xiao Yuan joined forces to find many faults with Mrs. Miao and then sent a divorce letter to the Miao family in prison. As for Mrs. Miao’s dowry, Xiao Yuan discussed with Mrs. Miao and some female relatives in the Miao Family, promising to use the dowry to make arrangements for them, so they’d suffer less during exile.

Mrs. Miao knew that sending the dowry away wouldn’t preserve it, and giving it to the Wei family might even earn them some aid.

After arranging matters with Xiao Yuan, Mrs. Miao watched him leave.

Once he was gone, Mrs. Miao cried uncontrollably.

”Oh, my poor daughter...”

Sitting on the ground, Mrs. Miao sobbed heavily: ”It’s your father who burdened us. Even in death, you cannot be at peace. What shall we do now? Your remains can’t stay in the Wei family grave. Where shall mother lay you? Come festival time and New Year, who will offer sacrifices to you...”

She was truly heartbroken.

She didn’t know if she’d survive till the exile, initially thinking her daughter’s early passing spared her from the family’s burdens; death was at least dignified. Yet, even in death, peace was denied them. The Wei family was indeed heartless; seeing the Miao family’s downfall, they relinquished the legitimate wife who bore them children.

That Wei Yuan was cold-hearted; people said a day of marriage ought to ensure a hundred days of favor. Her daughter had been married to him for several years, even if not deeply in love, they had been mutually respectful, yet now he shows no regard for their marital bond and leaves no dignity for the Miao family.

Thinking of her daughter and the two pitiable children, Mrs. Miao wept even more bitterly.

After crying for a while, she wiped her face: ”I’ll see what fate Anning will meet! Since Wei Yuan could divorce my Ruoruo, who knows whether he’ll do the same to Anning—let her not be too complacent...”