Chapter 661: The Concubine Enters the House First (1)_1
Bai Jinyan had been clever since childhood and was exceedingly skilled in accounting. Under Old Lady Bai’s tutelage, she mastered the art of business and began to independently manage the family’s affairs at the age of fifteen. Through her hands, the Bai family’s business largely avoided losses, and within a few years, it flourished, earning a sterling reputation throughout Cangzhou Residence.
The Yang family had likewise risen through commerce, and seeing such an outstanding and excellent niece, they took the initiative to request a marriage alliance, strengthening the bond between the two families with nuptial ties.
The Yang family originally sought to marry Bai Jinyan as the main wife for their eldest son, intending her to become the principal daughter-in-law of the main house. However, Bai Jinyan had her own plans. While she agreed to the marriage, she was unwilling to marry Dalang of the Yang family but instead chose Yang Boyan, the third son who was three years her junior.
Yang Boyan had long admired his formidable cousin, but after he married her, he felt like fleeing. Bai Jinyan clutched onto him, controlled him, and educated him. It was a situation the whole family was pleased with, and the marriage was settled for several years.
In order to break off the engagement, Yang Boyan had committed many acts but had never succeeded. This time, however, he was resolute in his determination to marry Pei Qian, and the family, though reluctant, agreed to break off the engagement but still made adjustments and concessions.
Pei Qian would enter the family as the legitimate wife, managing the household and supporting her husband in child-rearing. As a concubine of equal status, Bai Jinyan would handle the clan’s business affairs after the wedding.
Having waited until this year, Bai Jinyan was already twenty-one years old. Although with her talents she could find another marriage prospect, the entire Cangzhou Residence knew that she was waiting for Yang Boyan. Moreover, finding someone of comparable age was not easy; she could not lower herself to become a second wife and was unwilling to settle for someone else.
Previously feeling a great sense of crisis, Yang Boyan’s broken engagement also infuriated her. Now, seeing Pei Qian’s demeanor, Bai Jinyan felt reassured. Even if she possessed some cleverness, she was still just a young girl who could work with her hands. In her own territory of Cangzhou Residence, she was incomparable to Bai Jinyan.
Pei Qian, seeing Bai Jinyan looking down on her with such a self-confident and arrogant air, felt her anger and resentment ignite into fighting spirit. Clenching her fists and pursing her lips, she took a deep breath, "Even so, you are still only a concubine! If I am the legitimate wife, you will always be beneath me, and you must bow and kowtow when you see me! The sons and daughters you bear will forever be illegitimate!"