Chapter 27: What Nonsense Are You Talking?
Lin Ningkun felt a bit nervous in his heart. He was still counting on Jiang Ruanxi agreeing to Lin Xiao’s adoption. How could he possibly let her ignore it?
In the past few days, Jiang Ruanxi had indeed been appropriate in handling matters, and no mistakes could be found. Lin Ningkun also realized that his words had been a bit harsh, so his tone softened considerably.
“That’s not what I meant. It’s just that his father showed me kindness, and I don’t want to drag these matters into the family.”
She didn’t want to drag it into the family, yet she still wanted to adopt someone else’s son?
If it were her previous life, Jiang Ruanxi would definitely have believed it. But now that she saw through his selfishness, she found these words hypocritical.
“What the Marquis says is right. I just feel sorry for this child. His father and mother passed away early, and now he has to depend on others. I wonder if his father and mother knew, whether they would be sad.” Jiang Ruanxi followed his words and said, “Since the Marquis doesn’t want to drag it into the family, then Xiao Ge’er’s matter will be left for the Marquis to handle himself from now on.”
Lin Ningkun always felt that she was implying something, but for the moment, he couldn’t see where the problem was.
Originally, she had called Lin Xiao over just to disgust Lin Ningkun a bit. Now that the objective was achieved, Jiang Ruanxi thought of another matter and changed the topic.
“Marquis, Elder Sister-in-law has returned. I heard that Elder Sister-in-law and Mother had a big unpleasantness. When she came back, I saw that Mother had already called the doctor several times. Mother’s health is not good, and Second Sister-in-law has also come out of postpartum confinement. So I was thinking of having Second Sister-in-law come back to keep Mother company and chat. What do you think?”
Lin Ningkun’s thoughts stirred. “Good, no need for you to send someone. I happen to have something to do and need to go to Second Sister-in-law’s manor.”
He was so eager to go, probably just to see Xue’er, right?
Suppressing the disgust in her heart, Jiang Ruanxi agreed.
After Lin Ningkun and Lin Xiao left, Jiang Ruanxi lowered her gaze and said to Hong Ye, “You follow them too. Best to remind Second Sister-in-law about what happened at the banquet last time.”
“Madam, Hong Ye understands.”
The next day, Lin Qingxu came to visit.
“Second Sister has been here so long, what’s wrong with this Elder Sister-in-law? She still hasn’t come. She’s really not taking Second Sister seriously.” Lin Tingting said discontentedly.
Lin Qingxu slightly furrowed her brows and spoke up for Madam He.
“Third Sister, it’s fine. I heard Elder Sister-in-law is pregnant. Being pregnant is quite tiring. I’m just coming home for a visit, nothing urgent. The important thing is her pregnancy.”
Lin Tingting rolled her eyes.
“Second Sister, she’s just pregnant, it’s not like anything serious happened. I think she’s just pretending.”
Listening to Lin Tingting speak, Lin Qingxu subconsciously frowned. Jiang Ruanxi, however, was already used to it and pretended not to hear, slowly standing up.
“Mother, Elder Sister-in-law said this morning that her morning sickness was severe and she felt unwell, couldn’t eat anything. But she specifically instructed me that if Second Sister came back, to pass on a message. I have some things to instruct in the kitchen, so I’ll go pass the message to Elder Sister-in-law.”
As soon as Jiang Ruanxi finished speaking, Lin Tingting felt her face burning hot with pain.
Jiang Ruanxi saying this was clearly slapping her face.
She glared angrily, about to flare up, but Lin Qingxu quickly said, “Second Sister-in-law, no need to be so polite. Elder Sister-in-law being pregnant is a big deal. Whether she sees me or not doesn’t matter. You tell her, if it’s inconvenient for her, after I finish talking with Mother, I’ll go find her.”
After Jiang Ruanxi left, Lin Tingting could no longer hold back.
“Second Sister, why are you giving her so much face? Don’t you know how Elder Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law treat Mother at home? Mother was originally upset by Elder Sister-in-law. If she goes to bring Elder Sister-in-law over now, isn’t that deliberately adding to Mother’s aggravation? You’re not siding with Mother, and yet you’re even speaking up for them?”
“Tingting, your Second Sister finally came back. Why say those words? All day long without any propriety, look at what you’ve been spoiled into.”
Madam Zhou scolded her. Lin Tingting felt very uncomfortable in her heart but didn’t speak again.
“Mother, Third Sister is still young and doesn’t understand some things. Why get upset with her?”
Lin Qingxu looked at Lin Tingting. “Third Sister, last time you told me you liked rouge. I brought some for you today, from Danlin Workshop.”
Lin Tingting’s displeasure instantly vanished, her eyes lighting up. “Second Sister, really from Danlin Workshop? I heard their rouge has been super popular lately. Many people can’t even buy it despite queuing. How did you get it?”
“Things that Third Sister likes, I’ve always kept in mind. I’ve already had someone send them to your room. Why don’t you go see if you like them.”
Lin Tingting got happy. “Okay, I’ll go take a look.”
She left in high spirits, but Lin Qingxu’s face darkened.
“Mother, how did you spoil Third Sister like this? Disrespecting the sisters-in-law, and as a young lady, meddling in maternal home matters—it will ruin our Lin Family’s reputation if word gets out. She’s young, but she still needs to understand some things. You should talk to her.”
“Your Third Sister is also proud and arrogant. I’ve said things before, but sometimes it’s not that Third Sister is meddlesome, but these two sisters-in-law really aren’t great.”
Even now, Madam Zhou didn’t think Lin Tingting’s problem was that big. Lin Qingxu, however, slightly frowned, feeling that her mother’s way of handling this was improper.
“Alright, no more talking about these unhappy things. Your Second Brother’s future prospects matter will be handled soon. When your Second Brother gets promoted, I can finally hold my head high.”
Speaking of this, Lin Qingxu wasn’t as optimistic as Madam Zhou; instead, her face showed some gravity.
“Mother, is Second Brother’s matter really secure? Don’t let all that money be wasted in the end.”
Hearing this, Madam Zhou’s face immediately fell.
“How could it be wasted? That connection was made by the Clan Leader—very secure, absolutely no problem.”
Seeing the smile on her face, Lin Qingxu didn’t say more, but thought of yesterday’s matter when Lin Ningkun came to the Marquis Manor.
She added, “Mother, there’s nothing between Second Brother and our Marquis Manor’s Heir Apparent’s Wife, right?”
Madam Zhou’s heart jumped to her throat, her eyes flashing with nervousness, but it quickly vanished.
She put on a serious face to cover her guilt.
“What nonsense are you saying? Last time at the banquet, someone was spreading rumors. You know what kind of person your Second Brother is. How could he do such outrageous things?”
Lin Qingxu trusted Lin Ningkun’s character, but thinking of the coincidence at the manor this morning, she casually said, “I overthought it. Second Brother came to my manor yesterday, so it reminded me of this.”
