Having transmigrated into a book, who would still want to be a secondary wife?

Chapter 954 is all about exploitation.

When it comes to matters of the heart, those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see things more clearly.

Although the Empress did not know what had happened to the Xiao family, as a man, the fact that he could abandon his wife and daughter, no matter how well he pretended before, was enough to prove that he had no feelings for Xia Zhilan at all.

If he were alive, he would never have done something so disgusting.

"Zhilan, true feelings are fleeting."

Everyone in this world hopes for lasting sincerity, but the reason they all pray to Bodhisattvas is because everyone knows that sincerity is hard to find, don't you think?

Xia Zhilan was slightly taken aback, as if she understood the Empress's meaning.

"You're not young anymore. It won't be easy for you to give up the feelings you've had over the years."

But think about it, you still have children.

Today's events have essentially put you through a near-death experience. You should be able to understand those things you couldn't figure out by now.

In this life, the most important thing is to live well yourself. Since your husband has abandoned you, why should you still hope for his return?

"There are plenty of good men in the world. With the Empress Dowager backing you up, why are you worried about not finding a suitable person?"

Even if you truly lose heart in men, the mansion the Empress Dowager bestowed upon you is still there, and you're not short of money. You can still live comfortably with your child!

Song Ruozhen listened to the Empress's words, a deep sense of surprise flashing in her eyes.

These were the words she wanted to say, but she never expected them to come from her mother's mouth. It turns out... her mother was also so insightful.

However, the royal family is different from other places. Once you enter the royal family, it is impossible to leave. But Xia Zhilan has many ways out.

"Your Majesty is right. I was too narrow-minded before. I should have considered Chuxue more."

Xia Zhilan nodded. Actually, after hitting the wall, hearing Chuxue's heart-wrenching cries beside her, she regretted it.

I regret my impulsiveness.

She tried desperately to wake herself up, thinking that she hadn't arranged everything for Chuxue yet, but she just couldn't wake up.

Fortunately, thanks to the Crown Princess, she was rescued and had another chance.

The Empress breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Xia Zhilan had come to her senses. She thought that the Empress Dowager would be at ease when she learned of this news upon returning home.

"So what are your plans right now?" Song Ruozhen asked.

As long as Xia Zhilan is willing to let go of her obsession, her future will be bright. However, to let go of her obsession, she will probably have to do something.

"Since he has already decided to abandon us, mother and daughter, we should no longer have any lingering feelings for him."

"I want to leave the Xiao family and return to my own residence," Xia Zhilan said earnestly.

Although she was a member of the Xia family, and her parents' home would certainly accept her, the Empress Dowager had already bestowed upon her a large mansion before she even got married. It had everything she needed, including servants, maids, and old women.

Even after she got married, everything in the house remained the same, and someone cleaned it every day.

Now that they've taken Chuxue back, the mother and daughter can live a good life.

The Empress nodded. "Don't worry, with me in charge, Chu Xue can only follow you."

Since ancient times, after a divorce, the children have always stayed with the father.

After all, the child was registered in the family genealogy from birth.

However, this was never a problem for the Empress; as long as she spoke, no one in the Xiao family dared to stop her.

"Actually, I had thought about leaving before, but they not only wouldn't let me take Chuxue with me, but also said that my relationship with my husband was good and that I should remain faithful to him."

If I were to leave like this, it would truly break my husband's heart.

Song Ruozhen raised an eyebrow, "Did your mother-in-law say that?"

“Not only my mother-in-law, but my brother-in-law said the same thing. He also said that Wen Che entrusted us to him before he died, and he will take good care of me and Chu Xue.”

Upon hearing this, both Song Ruozhen and the Empress couldn't help but laugh.

This is both necessary and necessary!

Although he had changed identities and gained the affections of his sister-in-law, he was unwilling to let his wife and daughter leave.

They've got a real scheme up their sleeves!

"You must have had a considerable dowry when you got married, right? Have they used any of your dowry in the years since you got married?" Song Ruozhen asked.

Xia Zhilan was slightly taken aback, then nodded. "Not bad."

"That's right. The reason they don't want you to leave must be because of this dowry."

Song Ruozhen's eyes were clear. "Even... the reason your husband has always been so good to you is very likely because of this."

Their own wife is a money bag. If she stays in the manor, they can not only get so much silver, but also have the Empress Dowager's favor. Only a fool would treat Xia Zhilan badly.

However, he really wanted to have a son, and since he had become involved with his sister-in-law, he came up with this way to have the best of both worlds.

Even after Xia Zhilan became a widow, she continued to stay in the mansion. When people needed money, they could ask Xia Zhilan for it. In fact, she was well-regarded outside the mansion for taking good care of her younger siblings.

Everything you need is there, you won't lose out at all!

As Song Ruozhen finished speaking, Xia Zhilan fell into a long silence.

She recalled the past. Xiao Wenche had always treated her very well, but upon closer examination of the details, they couldn't stand up to scrutiny.

Whenever he needed her help, Xiao Wenche would treat her exceptionally well, and when he needed to use her dowry, he would be even more considerate.

He kept promising that he would pay her back when he had more money, but she always thought that they were husband and wife, so whether he paid her back or not didn't matter.

Moreover, as a wife, she felt happy to be able to help her husband.

But now that she suddenly realizes that Xiao Wenche wasn't sincere towards her at all, but was just using her, she feels completely heartbroken.

Song Ruozhen watched as Xia Zhilan went from being stunned at the beginning to gradually becoming desperate, and finally only having a sarcastic smile left. She knew what Xia Zhilan had been thinking in that short period of time.

All trust collapsed at that moment, and everything that had been upheld became an irony.

"I'm so stupid. The Crown Princess saw through everything so soon after arriving, but I didn't understand it at all..."

Seeing Xia Zhilan looking completely lost and utterly dejected, Song Ruozhen smiled and said:

"From beginning to end, it was never your fault. The one who was wrong was him!"

Don't be foolish and blame yourself for someone else's mistakes. Think about it, I've also trusted the wrong people before, I just realized it a little earlier than you.

Song Ruozhen never shied away from her past. Fortunately, she transmigrated into the book on her wedding day. If she had already been married, she would have had to get a divorce, which would have been much more troublesome.

Xia Zhilan recalled Song Ruozhen's experiences and immediately understood.

Back then, Lin Zhiyue also wanted to marry Song Ruozhen because he was after her dowry, and he squandered her money recklessly, just like her.

However, Xiao Wenyuan's performance was more realistic and lasted longer than Lin Zhiyue's.