Chapter 176: A Married Daughter Like You, What Right Do You Have?
“According to what my younger sister means, you’re now asking me for the Yu Family’s betrothal gifts, and it’s Zhong Ding who told you to ask?” Jiang Ruanxi deliberately misinterpreted her meaning, “That’s perfect then. Since I’m here today, I’ll go ask him.”
“You… you’re simply bullying people too much.” Zhong Xintong stomped her foot fiercely, “I’ll go tell Grandmother. You’ll suffer later.”
Yushui said, “Madam, are we still going to see Old Madam Zhong?”
“Of course.” Jiang Ruanxi looked at the rain-soaked banana leaves, “Since I’ve used Miss Zhong’s identity, I have to do more things for her.”
During this time, Jiang Ruanxi had basically learned all the matters of the Zhong Family.
Back when Zhong Ding was still a xiucai, he liked going to romantic places and met Zhong Ling’s mother.
The two fell deeply in love, and Zhong Ling’s mother brought a generous dowry when she married Zhong Ding.
Who would have known that Old Madam Zhong looked down on this woman from the pleasure quarters and insisted that Zhong Ding divorce her and marry her own maternal niece.
She had thought Zhong Ding also liked Zhong Ling’s mother, but who would have thought that after Zhong Ling’s mother brought out all her dowry, Zhong Ding became cold and indifferent toward her.
The Zhong Family used her dowry to build relationships, and Zhong Ding managed to become a minor official.
But the Zhong Family felt no gratitude toward her and instead was extremely disgusted with her.
On one hand disdaining her identity, yet on the other hand coveting her dowry.
Doing all kinds of bad things yet still wanting to take advantage, just like they did to her in the Lin Family.
She was so similar to Zhong Ling’s mother.
“Grandmother, Zhong Ling is bullying me.”
Just as Jiang Ruanxi was recalling this matter, she heard Zhong Xintong’s voice coming from inside.
Yushui said angrily, “Madam, Miss Xintong is filing a complaint against you.”
Jiang Ruanxi didn’t care at all, “No matter, let’s go in first.”
When she entered the room, Old Madam Zhong was sitting in the highest seat, and Zhong Xintong looked at her smugly with a hint of provocation.
“I’ve seen you, Old Madam.” Jiang Ruanxi curtsied.
But Old Madam Zhong acted as if she hadn’t heard and didn’t tell her to rise.
Jiang Ruanxi ignored it and directly sat down on the side.
“After all, she’s from the countryside, without any manners at all. Grandmother hasn’t told you to rise, so what are you rising for?” Zhong Xintong acted as if she had caught her mistake, her momentum rising a bit, “Why don’t you hurry and kneel down to apologize to Grandmother?”
Old Madam Zhong also said, “Yes, no matter what, I am your grandmother. Is this your idea of rules?”
“Rules?” Jiang Ruanxi sneered, “Mocking me for being from the countryside—didn’t Old Madam come from the countryside herself back then?”
Old Madam Zhong and Zhong Xintong were both stunned, clearly not expecting the former little white rabbit to suddenly start biting.
“Insolent! Zhong Ling, you bitch born of a mother but not raised by one—how dare you speak to Grandmother like that? Hurry and apologize to Grandmother!”
Jiang Ruanxi’s face darkened, “I’m not wrong, so why should I apologize?”
“You’ve contradicted Grandmother like this—how are you not wrong?”
“Contradicting Grandmother is wrong, but contradicting Imperial Decree of Nobility Madam is not?”
Zhong Xintong and Old Madam Zhong were stunned again, clearly not understanding what Jiang Ruanxi meant.
Yushui explained, “Our Second Master is a second-rank court official, and His Majesty once issued a decree that if the Yu Family takes a wife, the madam shall automatically be conferred as Imperial Decree of Nobility Madam. Now our madam is a second-rank Imperial Decree of Nobility Madam. If not for considering this her maternal home, by reason, you all should curtsy to the madam upon seeing her.”
“Nonsense, you’re clearly the Zhong Family’s daughter—where has there ever been a case of elders curtsying to juniors?” Clearly, Old Madam Zhong didn’t believe it.
Yushui continued, “What Zhong Family’s daughter? After marriage, she follows her husband. Our madam is already married, so she is first a Yu Family wife and then a Zhong Family daughter.”
“Forget it, after all she’s from the countryside and doesn’t understand rules.” Jiang Ruanxi didn’t hide the sharp sarcasm in her words at all, “But considering we’re all family, I won’t quibble.”
Old Madam Zhong and Zhong Xintong had never been so slighted in the Zhong Family and grew even angrier.
They indeed didn’t understand these things, just like they didn’t now understand whether what she said was true or not.
But in the end, they didn’t dare say anything more excessive.
Jiang Ruanxi fiddled with the teacup lid, “As for what my younger sister just said about wanting my betrothal gifts, although I’m the Yu Family’s wife, I can’t decide everything on my own. How about I ask Second Master’s opinion later?”
If she asked, wouldn’t that bring all these matters out into the open?
Although Old Madam Zhong had thick skin, it wasn’t thick enough to accept that.
Zhong Xintong’s face flushed even redder. If things got so noisy that everyone knew, wouldn’t she become a laughingstock?
She hadn’t even had any marriage proposals yet—after this fuss, would any good family come to propose?
“Let’s forget it. Xintong is young and was just joking with you.”
If Zhong Xintong could think of it, so could Old Madam Zhong.
Jiang Ruanxi’s eyes flashed, and she set down the teacup, “Is that so? I remember my mother left a lot of dowry when she was alive.”
Hearing this, Old Madam Zhong’s face tightened.
Zhong Xintong looked vigilant, “What do you want to do?”
“Younger sister, don’t be nervous. My mother should have left me quite a bit of dowry. Old Madam, why not have my mother’s dowry sent to my manor today?”
“On what basis? Your mother married into the Zhong Family, so naturally she’s part of the Zhong Family, and that dowry is naturally the Zhong Family’s. A married-out daughter like you—on what basis do you want it?” Zhong Xintong spoke first.
Deep down, Zhong Xintong knew clearly that the dowry left by Zhong Ling’s mother had been substantial, so much so that even now, the Zhong Family’s good life was all thanks to that dowry.
If that dowry were taken away, how would the Zhong Family get by?
“My own daughter can’t take it, but does younger sister’s meaning imply that a non-biological daughter can enjoy it?” Jiang Ruanxi said coldly, “How about I spread this matter and let everyone judge the reason?”
“You…” Zhong Xintong angrily raised her finger at her, too furious to say a complete sentence for a long time.
Old Madam Zhong saw the atmosphere wasn’t right and quickly said, “This matter can be discussed. You’re back at your maternal home today, which is a happy occasion—not suitable for talking about these things. Besides, there’s still your father. Even if it must be discussed, it should be with your father, right?”
Even though Old Madam Zhong brought up Zhong Ding, thinking it would suppress Jiang Ruanxi, Jiang Ruanxi seemed truly frightened.
After taking the teacup to her lips for a sip, she said faintly, “Old Madam is right. I was just joking with you earlier—don’t take it to heart.”
She was not Zhong Ling. Although the Zhong Family had swallowed the dowry, she couldn’t demand it back directly.
