Chapter 18: How Could It Be This Serious?
Hong Ye paused, then said, “The Second Old Madam saw the Marquis and the Heir Apparent’s Wife of Zhenguo Marquis Manor hugging together.”
“Oh.”
She continued to recount everything she knew, “Madam, the Second Old Madam was frightened and cursed the Heir Apparent’s Wife inside for being shameless…”
“It’s actually this serious?” Jiang Ruanxi feigned surprise, “Let’s go in and take a look.”
Her calm and indifferent demeanor surprised Hong Ye. Shouldn’t Madam be angry upon learning these things?
Why did she seem to show excitement and delight instead?
“I’ve really gained some insight. In broad daylight, to see the Marquis and the Heir Apparent’s Wife of Zhenguo Marquis Manor hugging together—it’s simply too humiliating. Who has ever seen such an outrageous thing?”
As soon as Jiang Ruanxi reached the door, she heard Second Aunt Lin’s shrill voice, which shook the rafters as if they might fall.
“Second Aunt, how can you speak nonsense? The Heir Apparent’s Wife is the Marquis’s niece-in-law. How could there be anything between them? You must have seen wrong.”
Madam Zhou’s anxious voice rang out, clearly intending to deny the matter to the end.
“How could I have seen wrong? I clearly saw it. Why won’t you admit it?”
“Second Aunt, the banquet has started. I didn’t see you in the front courtyard, so I searched everywhere for you. I didn’t expect you to be talking with my mother here. It was quite a search.”
Jiang Ruanxi entered, pretending to know nothing, and spoke very warmly.
Seeing Jiang Ruanxi arrive, Madam Zhou’s heart leaped to her throat, while Second Aunt Lin pulled Jiang Ruanxi over.
“Niece-in-law, I originally came in to find your mother to go eat, but who would have thought that while I was in the courtyard, I saw two people hugging and embracing. Those two were clearly the Heir Apparent’s Wife and the Marquis.”
“Second Aunt, medicine can be taken carelessly, but words cannot be spoken carelessly. Do you know what you’re saying?”
Compared to Madam Zhou’s panic, Jiang Ruanxi appeared extremely composed.
“How could I have seen wrong? My eyesight hasn’t reached the point of being dim with age. I absolutely did not see wrong.”
“Second Aunt, I was just outside entertaining guests and drinking. How could I be here? Are you sure you saw me in person?”
At this time, Lin Ningkun clearly knew the news and had already entered. Compared to his usual cold and aloof demeanor, his face now was filled with menace, his whole body emanating a chilling aura that kept people at bay.
It was clear he was truly angry.
“I was with Young Master Li Xun of the Li family the whole time. If you don’t believe me, you can go ask him.”
After speaking, she looked toward Li Xun behind her.
Li Xun was the son of the Minister. He didn’t know the actual situation and answered truthfully, “The Marquis is telling the truth. Just now, I was speaking with the Marquis in the parlor.”
Second Aunt Lin still believed what she had seen and thought they were colluding to deceive her, “You’re talking nonsense. I clearly saw you two hugging just now.”
Lin Ningkun’s face was as black as ink, “Second Aunt, please watch your words. Are you saying that Young Master Li is lying?”
“I… I…” Second Aunt Lin was hit with such a big accusation and couldn’t utter a word for a long time.
Li Xun, being questioned, also became angry.
“I have studied poetry and books since childhood, learning propriety, righteousness, integrity, and honor. My father has always taught me to be a person who discerns right from wrong. How could I lie about this matter? Just now, in the parlor with me, besides the Marquis, there was also the Minister. If Lin Family Aunt doesn’t believe me, surely you believe the Minister?”
After speaking, he angrily flicked his sleeves and left.
Upon hearing that the Minister was also there, Second Aunt Lin began to doubt herself, “That’s not right… I clearly…”
“Nonsense, what are you babbling here?”
At this time, the Second Master of the Lin Family, Second Aunt Lin’s husband, received the news and hurried over.
He immediately scolded Second Aunt Lin, “You usually can’t even see things within three meters clearly, so how could you witness such things? This is clearly a mistake on your part, and you’re still talking nonsense?”
Second Aunt Lin had always feared this husband and instantly shut her mouth upon hearing this.
Jiang Ruanxi slightly curved her lips and stepped forward to smooth things over, “It seems it’s all a misunderstanding. Everyone has explained clearly, so it’s fine.”
At this time, Hong Ye entered from outside and whispered a few words to Jiang Ruanxi.
Jiang Ruanxi then said, “This morning, the Heir Apparent’s Wife said she wasn’t feeling well. My mother just had her sent back, and she’s probably already at the manor by now.”
Zhenguo Marquis Manor was some distance from Dingning Marquis Manor. If she had already returned at this time, that meant she left right after the greeting.
Thinking this way, what Second Aunt Lin saw was indeed not the Heir Apparent’s Wife.
“By the way, the banquet has started outside. Why don’t we all go eat?” Jiang Ruanxi reminded again.
“Yes, yes, the food is ready. If we don’t go soon, it’ll get cold.” Madam Zhou chimed in.
Everyone had eyes and naturally wouldn’t linger, quickly leaving.
Jiang Ruanxi walked at the back and saw that Second Aunt Lin hadn’t left yet, even muttering to herself, “But I really don’t think I saw wrong…”
“Second Aunt, let’s go eat.”
Second Aunt Lin was unwilling deep down. It seemed no one believed her. She would definitely find evidence to prove she hadn’t seen wrong.
After everyone left, Hong Ye said, “Madam, that girl and the servant have left the manor. I’ve already had someone send them out of the Capital.”
“You did very well. When Second Aunt leaves later, remember to see her off personally.”
Hong Ye nodded. Jiang Ruanxi looked toward the front courtyard, a cold smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.
She had schemed all of this from the start.
According to the plan, Lin Ningkun couldn’t hold back and went to see Jiang Xuerou, but for some reason, he turned back halfway.
Moreover, Madam Wei had sent Jiang Xuerou away before the banquet even started.
Later, Jiang Ruanxi had people wear clothes similar to Jiang Xuerou’s and Lin Ningkun’s, hugging in the courtyard, precisely so Second Aunt Lin would see.
She knew Second Aunt Lin’s personality well and that she would definitely spread this matter.
Although Lin Ningkun would ultimately clear his name in the end, calling it a misunderstanding, once the seed of suspicion was planted, it would inevitably take root and sprout. She didn’t believe the matter between them could stay hidden for long.
During the meal, Jiang Lin Second Aunt had little appetite because of the back courtyard incident and left after a few bites.
“Second Aunt is usually the most eager to eat at banquets. Why didn’t she eat today?”
“What else could it be? She must think today’s banquet isn’t tasty.” Lin Tingting said disdainfully from the side, “My Second Sister-in-law is too stingy. We usually hold banquets at Jixiang Tower, but today’s looks very meager—not like banquet food at all.”
