Chapter 105: Sister Still Doesn’t Believe Me?
Madam He was such a rigid person who valued family rules, how could a mere concubine possibly do anything to her?
Madam He usually loved to sit on the fence and watch the flowers, but this time the fire had burned to her own body. She wondered if she could still remain so calm.
After resolving the Lin Family matter, Jiang Ruanxi thought of the Jiang Family matter again.
She kept rubbing the jade pendant in her hand and looked at it for a long time, but still couldn’t see what significance this jade had.
But what Jiang Changjun gave her before his death certainly wouldn’t be simply given to her; it must be hinting at something. Jiang Ruanxi’s expression turned icy.
“Hong Ye, prepare some generous gifts. Tomorrow, we go to the Crown Prince’s Manor.”
The next day, Hong Ye got up early to help Jiang Ruanxi pack up. Jiang Ruanxi was restless, and Hong Ye glanced toward the front courtyard. “Madam, the Old Madam was very angry yesterday. She’s probably still venting her anger now. Should we go over to see her in the morning?”
What if the Old Madam was looking for trouble? What should they do?
“She has already gotten the silver money. Shouldn’t she be happy about that?” Jiang Ruanxi said casually.
“I heard it was the Clan Leader who went to see the Old Madam yesterday.”
“Oh?” Jiang Ruanxi immediately became interested. “What did the Clan Leader say to the Old Madam?”
“It was more than just saying; he practically tore the Old Madam apart without leaving an inch of intact skin.” Hong Ye described it vividly. “He probably said the Old Madam was shameless and had done something disgraceful to the family. Regarding the matter where the Cousin Miss offended the Crown Prince, the Clan Leader must be anxious, fearing that our manor matter would affect Master Lin Shu’s future prospects.”
Previously, the entire Lin Family relied on the Marquis Manor, so even though Lin Runkun was the Clan Leader, he still respected the Lin Family by three points. Even if he was really angry at times, he wouldn’t truly go against the Marquis Manor.
But now times had changed. The Lin Family’s noble title had been stripped, Lin Ningkun’s future was gone, and the revival of the Lin Clan had fallen on Lin Shu’s shoulders.
Naturally, the Clan Leader would not allow the Lin Family’s actions to affect the Lin Clan’s future.
“If she had any sense, she should behave herself.” Jiang Ruanxi touched the hair Hong Ye had combed for her and was very satisfied.
“It’s just a pity that the Old Madam still hasn’t realized the Lin Family’s current situation and always thinks the Lin Family is still the high-and-mighty Lin Family from before. Naturally, she won’t yield. She might even be scheming something with the aunt right now.”
Thinking of the rat poison from last time, Jiang Ruanxi became cautious. “Have someone go reveal a bit of information to the Clan Leader, so that when the time comes, at his age, he won’t die without knowing how.”
Hong Ye was also shocked. “Madam, are you saying the Old Madam wants to take the Clan Leader’s life?”
Wasn’t this too exaggerated? Even if the Old Madam was so muddled, she wouldn’t do something so foolish.
“If it were just Mother alone, she definitely wouldn’t do these things. But now it’s not just Mother alone…” Jiang Ruanxi paused. “But if there’s someone with malice by her side, then this matter really is possible.”
“Forget it, this matter isn’t urgent. Let’s go to the Crown Prince’s Manor first.”
After Jiang Ruanxi left, Madam Zhou was complaining to Madam Kang Zhou.
“That dead old man, when he was relying on the Lin Family before, he was servile to me, afraid of offending me. Now it’s good; he knows the Marquis Manor has fallen and actually starts criticizing me. What tone is that? He even dares to order me around. If this were before, I would make him come beg me.”
For that beast Lin Shu, he was willing to swallow his pride and scold her.
If he had been so attentive to Lin Ningkun back then, Lin Ningkun wouldn’t be in this state now.
“Good sister, that’s how people are in this world. When you’re thriving, they fawn and flatter behind you; when you’re down, they stomp on you hard.”
Welcoming the high and trampling the low—Madam Zhou deeply agreed. “Sister is still good to me. Even though the Lin Family has fallen now, sister hasn’t disdained me and still keeps in touch with me.”
Madam Kang Zhou looked at her foolish sister and smiled. “Of course. You and I are blood sisters. Even if you’re in trouble, you’re still my sister.”
Madam Zhou was moved to tears. Madam Kang Zhou continued, “But sister, with the Lin Clan Leader bullying you like this, can you really endure it?”
“What can I do if I can’t endure? He’s the Lin Family’s Clan Leader. In the future, our Lin Family still has to rely on him.”
At this point, she naturally could only swallow her anger.
Madam Kang Zhou’s eyes flashed. “The method I gave you last time—sister, you still haven’t taken action?”
Madam Zhou felt uneasy in her heart. “Sister, I’m afraid I won’t control it well and end up causing a death.”
“So you’re saying you still don’t trust me?” Madam Kang Zhou’s face turned cold.
“I…”
Madam Zhou kept twisting her handkerchief, her heart extremely conflicted.
Madam Kang Zhou took in all her actions and intimately took her hand.
“My good sister, if you want to vent your anger, you must be willing to act boldly. If you really can’t do it, no need to force yourself. It would just be wasting my good intentions in vain.”
“Sister, rest assured. I’ll go do it right now. This time, I must vent the Lin Family’s anger.”
In the end, Madam Zhou couldn’t bear to disappoint Madam Kang Zhou and gritted her teeth in agreement.
Madam Kang Zhou’s eyes flashed. “By the way, I just saw Jiang Xuerou go out. Why don’t you send it directly in Jiang Xuerou’s name?”
Madam Zhou’s mouth fell open in shock. Madam Kang Zhou explained, “Good sister, if nothing goes wrong, you’ll have vented your anger. But if something really happens, it has nothing to do with you anyway, right?”
Madam Zhou was very conflicted at first, but now she was completely unconflicted.
No matter what happened, as long as she didn’t get involved, what did she have to fear?
**
Jiang Xuerou arrived at the Crown Prince’s Manor and waited a long time before seeing Wei Chang.
“Greetings to the Crown Prince. Your Highness is so busy with state affairs yet still makes time to see this humble woman. This humble woman is endlessly grateful.”
“Madam Lin is too polite.” The Crown Prince’s expression was indifferent, showing no joy or anger. “I heard that when Jiang Changjun died yesterday, Madam was present?”
Jiang Ruanxi didn’t hide it and directly admitted.
“Jiang Changjun’s body was probably poisoned long ago. It just happened that this humble woman arrived at the moment the poison flared up and he died. Please, Your Highness, do not blame others.”
“Suicide out of guilt for his crimes—His Majesty has already investigated and clarified this matter. It has nothing to do with others.”
Jiang Ruanxi immediately understood.
In other words, the Jiang Changjun matter now could not implicate the Jiang Family.
They were really ruthless, sacrificing one chess piece to protect the entire Jiang Family.
However, they were really willing to pay the price—that was their own flesh and blood.
Thinking of Jiang Changjun’s indifferent gaze at the end, Jiang Ruanxi took out the jade pendant from her bosom and handed it to Wei Chang. “Your Highness, have you seen this jade pendant before?”
The jade pendant was warm, smooth, and translucent throughout, clearly the finest mutton-fat jade.
