Chapter 26: The Old Madam And First Madam Are Quarreling
“Have He Kui go look into it.”
Only after ruling out any human interference would Jiang Ruanxi feel at ease.
**
Jiang Ruanxi had just returned to the courtyard when the sound of Madam Zhou’s crying and shouting came from her room.
“Go inquire about it, see what happened.”
Before long, before Jiang Ruanxi had even finished a cup of tea, Hong Ye had already inquired and brought back the information.
“Madam, the Old Madam and the First Madam had a quarrel.”
Jiang Ruanxi rubbed her teacup, suddenly finding it amusing.
In her previous life, her elder sister-in-law had always been this fiery, and Madam Zhou, relying on her identity as mother-in-law, had always wanted to control Madam He.
But Madam He was well-versed in the classics, had received the best etiquette training, and looked down on Madam Zhou’s ways, so how could she go along with her? Later, she didn’t know what methods she used, but she made Madam Zhou not dare to criticize her anymore.
“Tell me what happened?” Jiang Ruanxi set down her teacup, suddenly gripped by gossip.
Hong Ye recounted everything she had heard, one by one, to Jiang Ruanxi.
It turned out that after Madam He returned, she scolded Lin Feng, and Lin Feng was a spineless man who had always feared the stern-faced Madam He. While he was kneeling and admitting his wrong, Madam Zhou happened upon them.
Madam Zhou immediately scolded Madam He, saying she was overbearing and domineering, and what kind of wife makes her own husband kneel to her. So she tried to pressure Madam He with her identity as mother-in-law, but ended up getting retorted by Madam He, and Madam Zhou was so angry she fainted.
Jiang Ruanxi thought of that scene, and the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curve into a smile.
She felt a bit regretful for having gone out earlier, otherwise she could have watched the show.
Jiang Ruanxi thought Madam Zhou was just senile. Apart from Madam He’s personality not being very likable, there were no flaws elsewhere. Though she was a bit rigid, she was someone who understood reason.
But thinking of Madam Zhou getting retorted, she was still very happy inside.
After feeling happy, she remembered something, “Right, how did the information you were inquiring about for me go?”
Speaking of serious matters, Hong Ye, who had been happy, also became serious.
“Madam, the First Madam did return for a reason.”
Jiang Ruanxi’s gaze darkened, “What reason?”
“It seems the First Madam is pregnant.”
Jiang Ruanxi was not surprised; in her previous life, it was also around this time that Madam Zhou’s belly showed movement.
Though she thought highly of herself, in the end, she compromised because of the child.
Jiang Ruanxi felt a bit regretful; if Madam He had left the Lin Family because of this matter with Lin Feng, it would have given her a path to leave the Lin Family later.
But now it seemed that even someone with Madam He’s family background couldn’t escape the Lin Family, making it even harder for her.
Jiang Ruanxi’s heart instantly filled with melancholy.
Seeing this, Hong Ye was a bit puzzled; she had been so happy just now, how did she suddenly become like a wilted eggplant.
But no matter how difficult, she couldn’t lose confidence; she would definitely leave this filthy place after taking revenge.
She had to scheme step by step.
After figuring it out, Jiang Ruanxi forced herself to perk up and instructed Hong Ye.
“Go send a card to Second Sister, saying that Mother is unwell due to depression, and ask her to come visit and comfort Mother after her postpartum confinement.”
Hong Ye was stunned, not expecting Jiang Ruanxi to suddenly switch topics so abruptly.
But she never had any objections to Jiang Ruanxi’s instructions and did everything as told.
“Yes, Madam.”
Hong Ye had just left when Lin Xiao arrived.
“Madam, I heard you were looking for me.”
After the previous incident, Lin Xiao had become much more mature.
Even if more mature, he was still a child.
As soon as he entered Jiang Ruanxi’s room, he couldn’t contain his curiosity and looked around up and down.
Jiang Ruanxi looked at the child before her, remembering how in her previous life she had given everything to treat him well, but ended up raising an ungrateful person.
She lifted her hand to pick up the teacup and sip some tea, barely suppressing the disgust and resentment in her heart.
She placed the teacup on the table and smiled, saying, “Xiao Ge’er, it’s been some time since you came to the Marquis Manor, are you used to living here?”
“Replying to Madam, it’s been over a month since I came. Everything for expenses is very good.”
“During this time, have you missed your mother?”
Lin Xiao was still a child after all; no matter how mature he pretended to be, when speaking of his own mother, longing still flowed out.
He also had many doubts in his heart.
Before coming, both mother and father had said this was his home, but why couldn’t he say this was his home, and last time why couldn’t he call his mother when he saw her.
Not only that, father and mother wanted him to deceive the woman before him, who seemed very kind.
But father and mother had said it was all because of the person before him that he couldn’t return home or reunite with his parents.
“I do, but my mother said to study hard at the Marquis Manor, to bring honor to the family in the future.”
Jiang Ruanxi fiddled with the teacup lid, glancing out of the corner of her eye at the figure not far away. She quickly set down the teacup, pulled Lin Xiao over, and smilingly stroked his head.
“What a filial child, remembering your parents’ words so well. Your father would be very happy seeing this from the nine springs below.”
“No, my father and mother, they…”
“Xiao Ge’er.” Lin Ningkun’s voice interrupted Lin Xiao. Lin Xiao timidly looked over, his eyes lighting up at the familiar figure, but dimmed upon seeing Lin Ningkun’s stern face.
Seeing that Lin Xiao was fine, Lin Ningkun breathed a sigh of relief and pulled Lin Xiao to stand before him.
“Didn’t I tell you to come to my room after school? What are you doing here?” Lin Ningkun’s face carried some anger.
Lin Xiao had never seen Lin Ningkun so angry, and his body shrank back involuntarily.
Jiang Ruanxi knew these words from Lin Ningkun were meant for her, and she sneered inwardly.
Rushing over so urgently, afraid she would do something to Lin Xiao.
Composing her expression, Jiang Ruanxi smiled and said, “Marquis, he’s still a child; you’ll scare him like this. Actually, Marquis needn’t be so nervous. I’ve just seen that the child has been at the Marquis Manor for so long without really meeting him properly, so I specially found time to talk with the child.”
Lin Ningkun stared at her face, trying to gauge the truth of her words.
“Why is the Marquis looking at me like this? No matter what, since the child’s parents showed kindness to the Marquis, it’s only right for me to care.”
“This is my private matter; you don’t need to get involved.”
Not get involved?
Jiang Ruanxi lowered her head, hiding the cold smile at her lips.
“Marquis, we are husband and wife after all; it’s only right for me to care about your matters. Besides, the Marquis is now the pillar of our Marquis Manor, so those who showed kindness to the Marquis are naturally benefactors of the Marquis Manor. As the Mistress of the Household, this care is my duty. If the Marquis thinks I’m meddling, then I won’t involve myself in Xiao Ge’er’s matters from now on.”
