Melody of Strength novel

Meredith was far from being put off by Carissa and Violet’s

unexpected visit. In fact, she welcomed them with great warmth and

enthusiasm.

“I should have sent a formal notice of our visit, but it was an urgent matter. I hope you will forgive our impromptu arrival,” Carissa apologized.

Meredith smiled. “Why make such formalities between us? It’s a pleasure to have you here. Just so happens that today, Henrietta is also my guest. She overindulged and upset her stomach. She’s currently in the restroom, but you’ll see her shortly.”

“What are you talking about? Meredith, don’t speak nonsense,”

At this moment, Henrietta entered with her attendants. She was holding her stomach and clearly still felt unwell, but her retort to Meredith was forceful.

Meredith laughed. “Oh, Henrietta, you want to keep up appearances just because Carissa is here. Even if you refuse to admit it, you’re still a glutton, and Kiera’s just following your lead.”

Carissa, Violet, and Rowan greeted her.

“Greetings, Princess Henrietta.”

Henrietta responded with a respectful nod. “Please, sit down. Why stand? Carissa, why do you look so pale today? Has someone bullied you?”

Carissa took a seat and explained the situation regarding their visit to Gracehold Estate, detailing everything straightforwardly, including Violet’s confrontation with the courtesan.

Henrietta cast an approving glance at Violet. “Well done!”

Then, slamming her hand on the table, she exclaimed,….at kind of audacious woman dares to provoke the primary wife like that? If she disregards even a princess consort, it’s clear how poor Leona must have been treated in the household! Now, even pregnant, Leona receives no affection from her husband. How is she supposed to endure such a life?”

Upon hearing this, Meredith understood the purpose of Carissa’s visit.

She took a slow sip from her cup. Her eyes betrayed a hint of anger, but she maintained her composure. As her father–in–law was the Oversight Minister, it required her to be measured in her responses.

After setting down her cup, she said, “Henrietta, why are you getting so worked up? Calm yourself.”

“Calm down? I can’t possibly calm down!”

Henrietta was not typically rash or fierce, but she deeply understood the struggles faced by women. As a princess, she lived a life of luxury, but she had also been exposed to the hardships faced by the common people.

“Although our culture allows for concubines,” Meredith said slowly,” there are regulations governing it. However, the world is ruled by men. Laws exist to protect the primary wife’s rights, but they are seldom enforced, and men often do not adhere to them.

“Our kingdom’s laws stipulate that a man can only take concubines if his primary wife is over forty and has not borne children. Yet, no official or noble family adheres to this rule.”

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In practice, the law was effectively useless and couldn men. For the average man, marrying one wife was already a challenge. As for thewealthy merchants with multiple concubines hidden away in their mansions, no one bothered to intervene. When it came to government officials, receiving a woman or two from a superior as a plaything wasn’t exactly something they would refuse.

So bringing up the issue of concubines would hardly lead to action, as few in the court had entirely clean hands.

However, Samuel was different. Government officials were explicty forbidden from visiting entertainment parlors–a rule the late king had stressed again and again.

Yet, since the new king took the throne, those restrictions had started to loosen.

Moreover, Samuel prided himself on his exceptional talent and enjoyed showcasing it in places like entertainment parlors, atracting women who admired him

Inadvertently, he became infatuated with the courtesan in the entertainment parlor and was eager to marry her.

Visiting entertainment parlors and marrying a courtesan was one thing–but doing so while his wife was pregnant? That crossed a line. Worse still, he arranged to many two concubines

simultaneously, and used the money from one to pay for the other.

In the end, he got the woman he wanted without spending a sirge

coin.

Such conduct was a true disgrace of a man!