34 The Matriarch’s Love Story (2/2)

The matriarch sighed at the question. How could she not understand Ji An's feeling? Would a woman want to share her own husband with other women? No. Therefore, she could also see the pain in Ji An's eyes.

”Hmm… there was always a positive and negative outcome in our choice. The positive thing from my story is the fact that we were in love with each other for better or worse. The negative things are a lot in order to achieve that love. I had gone through the hardship of being poor and losing dignity in front of my family. The same things happened to your grandfather. It wasn't so easy back then.”

The matriarch looked at Ji An kindly. ”You don't need to compare your life to mine. Not everything is as good as it sounds. You should cherish your relationship with Luo Hai. Your circumstances and mine back then are far too different. Your father-in-law died at a young age. Though we loved each other, I could only live in memories now. It's more painful. Not being able to touch or see him smile anymore for a long time is pure torture. If it weren't for Luo Hai, I probably wouldn't live until today. Instead, I would choose to follow your father-in-law.”

The matriarch's words stroke a core to both of the younger women. Yao Ling put what she said inside her heart and it would be her strength and guidance to pass her upcoming troubles. 'There's no need to envy others. It will only lead a bitter life. Grandmother is correct. She should cherish every moment with Yao Ying.'

Madam Wang felt ashamed with her shortcomings. She used to freely love Wang Luo Hai, but lately, her heart was full of bitterness. Not being able to give an heir with the pressure of concubines' presence, she felt lost. Maybe she should put her mind at ease. She looked at Yao Ling. Maybe she should pour her heart in loving her new daughter, instead of feeling bitter all the time.

Madam Wang understood that she had to keep certain boundaries with Yao Ying because he wasn't her real son. It was inappropriate for her to be close to him. They didn't have a blood relation and she didn't raise him from small, so the connection wasn't going to be there. Luckily, Yao Ying got himself a wife. Yes, that was a good idea.

The matriarch seemed to notice the subtle change in Ji An from the way she looked at Yao Ling. This was what she planned to do from the start. When she was gone, Ji An would get a backing from Yao Ying and Yao Ling and she would feel at ease. She was old but she wasn't blind. The matriarch could see the greediness of the concubines. If it weren't because of the need of an heir, then there would be no concubines in this household. Who knew that it was actually Wang Luo Hai's fault in the first place? The matriarch didn't approve the act of favoring concubines instead of the main wife. Luckily, her son wasn't that muddleheaded.

The matriarch smiled to herself because her mission was completed. ”Your lesson with Zhang Mo Mo will start tomorrow. You can spend more time with your mother today. Being close to each other isn't so bad. Go now! I feel tired.”

Madam Wang and Yao Ling nodded in understanding and bid goodbye to the matriarch. They left the matriarch's room. Madam Wang felt she should be the one who broke the ice. When the three of them were together, usually, the one who talked was the matriarch and Yao Ling. Maybe she should be the one who took the first step forward.

”Why don't we enjoy the scenery in the garden? It seems that there's a lot of things we need to talk to each other.” Madam Wang invited Yao Ling for a walk.

Yao Ling gladly accepted. ”Okay, Mother.”