LOT – Chapter 8 The Eternal Mother-in-Law vs. Daughter-in-Law Struggles

The Assistant Minister of War’s face was now an unsightly shade of green. First, because his concubine had been caught having an affair, and second, because his private scandal had been dragged into the open.

System (excitedly): [That steward has shifty eyes and a rat-like face — definitely not as handsome as the Assistant Minister. But the thing is, the Assistant Minister’s always busy.]

[He’s out from dawn till dusk, and when he does come home, he spends most of his time in his wife’s courtyard. He has three concubines — when you split his time like that, there’s barely any left for the others.]

[This particular concubine simply couldn’t take the loneliness anymore, so she started an affair with the steward.]

[As for why no one discovered them? Well, that’s because the Assistant Minister is way too into his job. Even when he’s home with his wife, they’re talking about work. That couple is basically a “workaholic married workaholic” combo.]

Lin Mo (with deep emotion): [Incredible. I never imagined someone in this world could love work so much. Maybe he should take my job — I’d much rather be lying around at home all day in comfort.]

Everyone else: …She really dares to dream.

Emperor Xuande cast a glance at the ashen-faced Assistant Minister of War and couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.

If he hadn’t given the man so much work, maybe this whole affair wouldn’t have happened.

Just as the emperor was caught up in his guilt, Lin Mo’s next comment completely derailed the mood again.

Lin Mo: [But really — if he had no time, why take so many concubines? He loves working, and his wife shares the same interests. Why go out of his way to collect concubines? I really don’t get it. Truly don’t understand.]

System: [That concubine wasn’t someone the Assistant Minister wanted — it was his old mother who gave her to him. She doesn’t like his wife at all and constantly tries to make her life difficult. This concubine was originally her personal maid, and she took it upon herself to promote the maid into a concubine.]

So it was forced on him, huh? The officials looked at the Assistant Minister with even more sympathy now.

Having a difficult elder at home… yeah, that’s a whole new level of suffering.

Lin Mo sighed again after hearing the system’s explanation.

Lin Mo: [The hardest relationship to deal with in the world is the one between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law.]

Everyone secretly nodded in agreement. Yes, yes, exactly!

Even Emperor Xuande strongly agreed. Back when the Empress Dowager was still alive, she often clashed with the Empress. The Dowager wanted to control the power of the harem, but now that the Empress was in charge, the two constantly fought over authority. The emperor had been endlessly tormented by their power struggle.

The emperor was actually very satisfied with the Empress. She kept the inner palace in excellent order. The Empress Dowager wasn’t his birth mother, and back when she was around, she always tried to place her nieces from her maternal family into the imperial harem.

Anyone could guess what she was trying to do. The emperor didn’t feel it was appropriate to directly oppose her, but luckily, the Empress was more than capable!

Every time the Empress Dowager brought up that topic, the Empress shut her down decisively. Honestly, the Empress was a true asset to the court!

Lin Mo continued, [Sometimes elders really shouldn’t meddle in the younger generation’s marital matters. Every child has their own fate. Why interfere so much?]

[When you get older, isn’t it better to focus on your health and enjoy your golden years peacefully? Why stir up so much drama? If an elder is kind and wise, it’s like having a treasure in the home. But if they’re confused and meddlesome, it’s truly a disaster for the whole family.]

Everyone nodded silently in their hearts. Yes, yes! Who would’ve thought this little girl from the Lin family could be so mature in her thinking?

System chimed in with gossipy enthusiasm: [Sigh… the one suffering the most is definitely the Assistant Minister of War. That concubine is actually pregnant. After the old madam found out, she treated that concubine like a precious jewel!]

[She doesn’t even like the legitimate children born from her daughter-in-law, yet she’s doting on a child that’s likely the result of an affair. Makes no sense, truly makes no sense.]

The Assistant Minister’s face turned bright red. So humiliating! Absolutely humiliating!

Although everyone sympathized with him, the gossip was just too juicy to pass up — they were eating it up happily.

When court was dismissed, Emperor Xuande deliberately kept the Assistant Minister of War behind. The Crown Prince and the two other princes stayed as well.

Looking at the pale-faced minister, the emperor spoke with sympathy, “My dear subject, I don’t even know how to begin comforting you. But I think the first thing you need to deal with is your old madam.”

“Elders should be enjoying their retirement. It’s best if she doesn’t interfere in household matters anymore. I remember your wife being quite capable — you should feel assured letting her handle the inner residence.”

The Assistant Minister quickly nodded. “Your Majesty, I understand. I will definitely take care of this matter.”

Emperor Xuande was satisfied with this response and even added, “Let me know once it’s resolved.”

After all, one doesn’t eat half a melon — you’ve got to follow the story through to the end. He definitely wanted to know what fate awaited that concubine.

Once the Assistant Minister left, the Crown Prince and the two younger princes looked at their father with expressions of helplessness.

“Father,” the Crown Prince said, “aren’t you just rubbing salt in his wound? You really shouldn’t get involved in his household affairs.”

The Crown Prince was seriously starting to think his father was getting more and more unserious with age.

The Second Prince glanced at his stoic elder brother and disagreed, “How can you call that meddling? Father is just showing concern for his officials. If someone can’t even manage their household, how can they govern a country? If one can’t sweep their own house, how can they sweep the world?”

The Third Prince echoed, “Second Brother is absolutely right!”

Looking at his father and two younger brothers, the Crown Prince was speechless: Am I really the only normal one in this family?

Still, the “normal” Crown Prince, on his way out, quietly whispered to Eunuch Li, “If there are any updates… let me know.”

Eunuch Li: …

You’re all exactly the same, this whole family!

When the Assistant Minister of War returned home, he immediately had the adulterous pair seized.

The old madam, seeing her favored maid-turned-concubine captured, was so enraged she grabbed a cane and tried to strike her son.

“You unfilial wretch! What are you doing?! Xiao Lian is still pregnant!”

The Assistant Minister ordered his servants to restrain the old madam. Then he said coldly, “Mother, from now on, please don’t meddle in household affairs. My wife manages things perfectly well. As for Xiao Lian — she knows exactly whose child she’s carrying.”

“I was a fool for being kept in the dark for so long. A concubine sleeping with a steward — what a joke our household has become!”

“If you hadn’t spoiled her so much, how would she have dared to commit such a disgraceful act?”

In his heart, the Assistant Minister did feel resentment toward the old madam. If it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t have become such a public laughingstock.

He was genuinely grateful to Lin Mo — even though she had exposed everything in public and cost him face, if this scandal hadn’t come to light, he might have worn that green hat* for the rest of his life… and raised someone else’s child without knowing.