Chapter 175: What Is Conscience? Sister, Do You Have Any?
Seeing Hong Ye and Yushui’s expressionless faces, Jiang Ruanxi instead appeared somewhat embarrassed.
“All done?” Fortunately, Wei Chang had thick skin; after putting on his clothes, he came over and asked.
“Mm.”
“Then let’s go.”
**
Three days return to maternal home.
At the Zhong Family gate, Zhong Xintong looked at Jiang Ruanxi’s delicate face that seemed ready to drip water and her current attire; the fire in her eyes was practically eager to burn her into a deficit right there.
Wasn’t it said that Second Master was wife-cursed?
How did she not die on the wedding night?
How was she still alive and well now?
Not only alive and well, but it seemed her days were passing quite nicely.
Look at that jade agate on her finger…
And look at the hairpins on her head, and the clothes she was wearing.
All of it was extravagant wealth she had never even seen before.
And all of this should originally have belonged to her.
What right did she, Jiang Ruanxi, have?
“You’re back.” Zhong Ding was the first to speak, breaking the silence, and said gently, “The wind is strong outside; let’s go inside and talk.”
The more Zhong Xintong looked, the redder her eyes became; she simply couldn’t move her feet. Zhong Ding noticed something was off, coughed once to remind her, “Xintong, why don’t you invite your sister and brother-in-law inside.”
Zhong Xintong was unwilling deep down, but she hadn’t forgotten Zhong Ding’s instructions to her that morning.
She said reluctantly, “Sister, brother-in-law, please come inside.”
Although she wasn’t her own blood sister, Jiang Ruanxi, considering the Zhong Family had given her a safe haven, naturally wouldn’t hold it against her.
“Sister is too polite. After just a few days apart, you’ve become much more sensible.”
Wei Chang frowned slightly. Taking advantage of the good atmosphere, Sir Zhong hurriedly said, “This rain looks like it’s going to pour; let’s head inside sooner.”
Only then did the group enter the room.
Jiang Ruanxi had always been with Wei Chang, but Zhong Ding seemed to have something to say to him, so he said to her, “Ling’er, your grandmother hasn’t seen you in days and must miss you. Why don’t you go with Xintong to her room and have a good chat?
“Sure.” Jiang Ruanxi didn’t refuse and smiled sweetly, “Then I’ll trouble sister to go with me.”
Though unwilling, Zhong Xintong still stood up.
Only after everyone had left did Zhong Ding say, “Second Master, you’ve been troubled by us these past days.”
Wei Chang looked at Zhong Ding’s smile, merely lowering his gaze slightly; beneath the silver mask was a trace of cold intent imperceptible to others.
“During this time, Madam has stayed in my family manor, which has indeed brought some inconvenience to my household, but I have done my utmost to care for her, thinking in my heart that being able to handle matters for Second Master is the Zhong Family’s honor.”
Indeed, ever since Jiang Ruanxi came to his home, though his family had been disharmonious and often quarreled over trivial matters, he had recently been thriving in officialdom, and he knew it was all due to Jiang Ruanxi’s face.
Now that he had helped Second Master with such a big favor, the usual small returns were beneath his notice.
He only wanted a tangible benefit.
How could Wei Chang not understand?
His gaze darkened, “The Zhong Family has indeed helped me greatly, and I should indeed express gratitude to Sir Zhong. I just don’t know how Sir Zhong wants me to repay.”
Zhong Ding was delighted at heart and hurriedly said, “Second Master may not know, but I’ve been trembling with fear in Lingnan for so many years, and this official position hasn’t changed in all that time.”
So he was seeking an official post.
Wei Chang’s eyes were cold and aloof, saying nothing; for a moment, Zhong Ding couldn’t guess what he was thinking.
After a long silence, under the heavy pressure, Zhong Ding added, “If it would trouble Second Master, then forget I said anything about this matter…”
“Fine.”
Before Zhong Ding could finish, Wei Chang spoke, “Sir Zhong has helped me so much; this official position should indeed be promoted.”
Zhong Ding was overjoyed. He had just been worried that pressing for reward like this might provoke Second Master’s displeasure, so he had felt a bit regretful after speaking.
Now that he agreed so readily, Zhong Ding felt it was all his own overthinking.
“Tomorrow I will return to the Capital with Madam. Sir Zhong knows what to do next, right?” Zhong Ding’s smile hadn’t faded when Wei Chang’s tone turned cold, “After going to the Capital, I don’t want Madam’s maternal home matters brought up by anyone.”
The smile on Zhong Ding’s face instantly froze.
He knew full well deep down that Second Master was warning him: after this promotion, Jiang Ruanxi would have no relation to the Zhong Family.
“Second Master, rest assured; the Zhong Family knows what to do.”
Only then was Wei Chang satisfied; cold sweat was already beading on Zhong Ding’s back.
It seemed the Yu Family had no desire for any ties with the Zhong Family; his plans to continue profiting off Madam Yu’s father’s identity were probably impossible.
Zhong Ding was shrewd and knew not to dwell on the topic, quickly shifting to other matters.
But Wei Chang remained indifferent throughout, only responding occasionally.
The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward but was passable.
As for Jiang Ruanxi, after they left, Zhong Xintong changed her face.
“Sister has gotten such a good marriage now; shouldn’t you express gratitude to me?”
On the covered walkway in the Zhong Family garden, Zhong Xintong’s tone was hostile, but Jiang Ruanxi only frowned slightly, “What kind of talk is this from sister?”
“Hmph, don’t play dumb. You clearly know the Yu Family first proposed marriage to the Zhong Family for me, but you came back and took it all. Now that you’ve gotten the benefits, you wouldn’t forget to repay the favor, would you?”
At this moment, Zhong Xintong was arrogant and overbearing, paying no heed to anyone else.
Jiang Ruanxi couldn’t help but find it amusing. Though Zhong Xintong didn’t know she wasn’t her real sister, nor that the Yu Family had initially proposed to her, her arrogance made Jiang Ruanxi pity the late Eldest Daughter of the Zhong Family.
“So what does sister have in mind?”
“How about this: bring over the betrothal gifts the Yu Family gave you directly. How’s that?” Zhong Xintong said, “Anyway, you’ll be Madam Yu from now on, and all the Yu Family’s things will be yours. I believe sister won’t be so stingy as to refuse me even this little thing, right?”
This little thing?
Yushui and Hong Ye, standing nearby, twitched at the corners of their mouths upon hearing this.
The betrothal gifts from the Yu Family would suffice even for marrying a princess, yet Zhong Xintong thought it was just a little thing?
Moreover, Zhong Xintong was utterly lacking in propriety; of all things, she had to demand someone’s betrothal gifts.
“Sister is right; I am indeed a very stingy person. I won’t give sister the betrothal gifts.” Jiang Ruanxi refused without a second thought.
Zhong Xintong’s face flushed with embarrassment, “Zhong Ling, this is biting the hand that feeds you; you have no conscience.”
“What is a conscience? Does sister have one?”
“Zhong Ling, now that you’ve married above your station and gotten benefits, you’ve forgotten your maternal family, haven’t you?” Zhong Xintong was so furious she nearly exploded, “Even after marrying out, you’re still a daughter of the Zhong Family; showing filial respect to the Zhong Family is what you should do.”
