Although Emily Foster wore a sweet smile on her face, Jessica Bolton could still detect a hint of jealousy in her tone. Even in the polygamous ancient times, even those women renowned for being “virtuous and understanding,” could not truly wish from their hearts for another woman to share their husband.

Jessica Bolton felt awkward but couldn’t refuse, so she accepted the drink and swallowed it. Olivia Miller sighed softly, unable to hide her disappointment: “In the future, Your Highness will likely have thousands of concubines. By then, we sisters may find it hard to even see Your Highness.”

“Sister, you mustn’t speak such nonsense!” The Foster Family knew today was a day of great joy and feared Jessica Bolton would be displeased, so she quickly said, “This is the emperor’s act of benevolence, a special decree to grant marriage, and it carries deep meaning. It brings great benefit and no harm to His Highness. We should emulate Ehuang and Nüying, and serve His Highness together. When the Huang family’s daughter marries in, we must get along well with her and avoid conflict. If His Highness becomes emperor in the future and takes more concubines to extend the Shang bloodline, that is only natural. How can you not see the bigger picture?” Emily Foster, worthy as the daughter of the Marquis of Dongbo, immediately saw the benefits of an alliance with the Huang family. Her poise and breadth of mind were truly exceptional. No wonder she would one day become empress, rule the inner palace, and earn the respect of all the concubines.

Olivia Miller was not a jealous person. She herself was a secondary wife and naturally accustomed to polygamy. Her earlier words were just an emotional outburst. She nodded and said, “Sister, you are absolutely right. Jiu’er knows she was wrong. Your Highness, please don’t be upset.”

Hearing Olivia Miller’s apology, Jessica Bolton was filled with emotion: ancient women truly were victims of polygamy, knowing only to accept their fate. But what fault did she really have? Both The Foster Family and The Miller Family met tragic ends in the novel: The Foster Family, as empress, was framed by Daji and Fei Zhong for assassinating King Zhou and died under cruel torture; The Miller Family, grieving her husband’s heartlessness, hanged herself. Looking at the slightly anxious faces of these two sisters, Jessica Bolton secretly vowed never to let such tragedy happen in the future.

“Jiu’er, you and Wenqiang are both my treasures. How could I bear to be angry with you?” Hearing such sweet words, The Foster Family and The Miller Family felt reassured and blushed. He continued, “My beloved wives, there’s no need for jealousy. What kind of man am I! How could I ever forget my roots?”

Vinegar had already been invented in the Shang dynasty, also called “cu.” The Miller Family asked in surprise, “Vinegar tastes so sour, and my sister and I have never liked it. Why do you say such a thing, husband?”

Only then did Jessica Bolton remember that the phrase “eating vinegar” (meaning jealousy) originated in the Tang dynasty, so naturally these two women wouldn’t know it. She proceeded to tell them the story.

In the Tang dynasty, the famous minister Fang Xuanling was highly valued by Emperor Taizong Li Shimin, but was also known for being afraid of his wife. One day, Emperor Taizong invited the founding ministers to a royal banquet. After a few drinks, Fang Xuanling, unable to resist his colleagues’ teasing, boasted that he was not afraid of his wife. Taking advantage of the merriment, Emperor Taizong bestowed two beauties upon Fang Xuanling. Fang, not expecting his drunken boasting to be taken seriously by the emperor, had no choice but to accept the two beauties by imperial decree. Thinking of his domineering yet attentive wife, he was at a loss for what to do. It was Yuchi Jingde who encouraged him, saying that no matter how fierce his wife was, she wouldn’t dare harm women gifted by the emperor. Only then did Fang Xuanling cautiously bring the two beauties home.

Unexpectedly, Fang Xuanling’s wife was unmoved by such reasoning. Upon seeing her husband bring home two beautiful young concubines, she flew into a rage, shouting and cursing, even grabbing a feather duster to beat them. Seeing things going awry, Fang Xuanling had no choice but to send the beauties away. When Li Shimin heard of this, he wanted to curb the arrogance of the prime minister’s wife, so he immediately summoned Fang Xuanling and his wife to answer for their actions.

When the couple arrived, Emperor Taizong pointed to the two beauties and a jar of “poisoned wine,” saying that Lady Fang had to choose: either accept the two beauties and live together, or drink the poisoned wine and die for defying the imperial decree. Fang Xuanling, knowing his wife’s fiery temper, feared she would drink the poison, and knelt down in panic to plead for mercy. Li Shimin angrily said, “You are the prime minister of the realm, yet you dare defy my orders and still argue?”

Seeing things had come to this, Lady Fang looked at the two women, knowing she was old and losing her looks. If these two entered the household, she would eventually be forced down the path of defying the imperial decree. Rather than die of humiliation, she might as well drink the poisoned wine and be done with it. Before Emperor Taizong could urge her again, Lady Fang picked up the jar and drank it all in one go. Fang Xuanling was so distraught he wept bitterly, holding his wife and sobbing, while the assembled ministers burst out laughing. It turned out the jar contained not poison, but vinegar from Qingyuan in Jinyang—completely harmless. Emperor Taizong was deeply moved and withdrew his decree. From then on, “eating vinegar” became a byword for women’s jealousy.

Jessica Bolton moved the story’s timeline to an earlier dynasty and slightly changed the names. Emily Foster and Olivia Miller listened intently, and the ending made both women smile.

“Husband, rest assured. Though I am not talented, I am not a jealous woman. In the future, I will do my utmost to manage the inner household and not trouble you,” Emily Foster said firmly. In the days to come, she truly lived up to this promise.

Jessica Bolton was deeply moved. Seeing two white rabbits crouched in the corner of the Hundred Flowers Garden, inspiration struck, and he recited in a deep voice: “Lonely white rabbits, running east and glancing back, new clothes are not as good as old ones, and people are not as dear as those from the past. Please, my virtuous wives, be at ease. No matter how many women I may have in the future, Jessica (Zixin) will never betray the bond between husband and wife.”