Chapter 28: Prioritize The Big Picture
As soon as she finished speaking, Madam Zhou’s hand holding the teacup trembled violently, and the water in the cup instantly spilled out.
Lin Qingxu didn’t know why Madam Zhou was suddenly so excited, but without thinking much, she stepped forward, took her teacup and placed it on the table. Seeing some red marks on her back, she asked with a face full of concern, “Mother, are you alright?”
She took out a handkerchief and covered the back of her hand.
“No, I’m fine.”
Madam Zhou was a bit embarrassed, but afraid she would overthink, she explained, “I was just a bit surprised. Your Second Brother hasn’t gone to your manor for a long time. Why did he suddenly think of going yesterday?”
“I was wondering the same. Ever since I got married, Second Brother hasn’t come. When he came today, I was a bit surprised, but later I found out he came because Mother was ill, so he asked me to come back to see you.”
Hearing this, Madam Zhou breathed a sigh of relief, but she still had other worries in her heart. She carefully probed, “Besides asking you to come, your Second Brother didn’t do anything else improper, did he?”
Looking at Madam Zhou’s anxious face, Lin Qingxu frowned, “Mother, after Second Brother delivered the letter, he left. He didn’t do anything improper. Besides, in the Zhenguo Marquis Manor, what improper thing could Second Brother possibly do?”
Madam Zhou’s suspended heart settled, and she dryly laughed to cover her embarrassment, “That’s not what I meant. I mean, our family and the Zhenguo Marquis Manor are originally in-laws. Your Second Brother going to the manor should be to see the Marquis. I’m afraid he doesn’t know proper etiquette.”
“The Marquis is not well now and doesn’t want to see anyone. Second Brother wanted to see him, but I didn’t allow it.”
“I see…”
At this moment, Madam Zhou’s heart finally settled. As long as the two didn’t meet, it was fine.
But in her heart, she felt a bit more blame. Her son usually seemed quite steady, but how could he be so muddled in this matter?
It was one thing to hide before, but now he actually couldn’t hold back and went to the door. Wasn’t he worried about being discovered?
“Mother, I didn’t come back during the family banquet before, but I heard about what happened.”
Lin Qingxu was quite thoughtful and didn’t notice Madam Zhou’s unnatural expression at all.
“Is that so?” Madam Zhou was still blaming her son in her heart and said absentmindedly.
“Mother, the rumors outside are really awful now. You had better control Second Brother and not let him get involved in any relationships with others. It might be nothing, but getting involved with the Heir Apparent’s Wife, how can that be?”
Madam Zhou’s heart started pounding again, “Don’t listen to those people talking nonsense. Your Second Brother and the Heir Apparent’s Wife have absolutely nothing to do with each other. That’s just those people spouting rubbish.”
“Mother, I know.” Lin Qingxu didn’t suspect that Lin Ningkun and Jiang Xuerou really had any relationship. It was just that people in the Capital were like that—some coincidences would be exaggerated into something mysterious.
“But public opinion is formidable. Our family Marquis already knows about this matter and specially asked me to come tell you. This matter concerns the reputation of both families, so you must handle it properly.”
At this time, Lin Qingxu didn’t believe this matter was true; it was just some gossip. But she couldn’t ignore it, “Second Brother has just returned to the Capital, and his future prospects in all aspects need to be managed. At this time, public opinion will also affect him. Mother doesn’t want the silver I just lent out to be wasted, right?”
“You’re right. I will definitely find out who is spreading the rumors. I won’t let her get away with it.”
Seeing Madam Zhou’s reaction, Lin Qingxu felt relieved.
“Mother, Second Brother has been back for so long. I heard his relationship with Second Sister-in-law still hasn’t improved?”
“How can I manage the matters between that husband and wife?”
“Mother, Second Brother was wrong in this matter. Although the marriage back then wasn’t what he wanted, it’s been so many years. Second Sister-in-law has been holding up the Marquis Manor alone. Now, although the days in the Marquis Manor are not as good as before, it’s at least on the right track. To marry a virtuous wife, what more could a husband ask for?”
Although matters of emotion can’t be forced, if Lin Ningkun were smart, he should know that even if he doesn’t like Jiang Ruanxi, he should give her sufficient respect.
Lin Qingxu couldn’t help but advise Madam Zhou, “Mother, His Majesty now values family harmony greatly. The relationship between Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law concerns our Lin Family’s future prospects. You must properly advise Second Brother to prioritize the bigger picture.”
Madam Zhou looked troubled.
In fact, how could she not want to advise Lin Ningkun, but how could Lin Ningkun possibly listen to her.
Lin Qingxu knew that Madam Zhou had always looked down on Jiang Ruanxi’s merchant identity. She also knew that no matter what she said, Madam Zhou wouldn’t listen to her. She didn’t want to manage Lin Family matters either.
So she changed the topic.
“I heard a while ago that the child Second Brother brought back called our family Heir Apparent’s Wife ‘Mother’ and said the child looks like the Heir Apparent’s Wife. I’m a bit curious and want to see.”
Madam Zhou’s body stiffened, and she said without hesitation, “That child went to the school and is not in the manor now.”
Lin Qingxu didn’t suspect anything and stood up, saying, “In that case, I’ll go see Second Sister-in-law. She’s been gone so long and hasn’t come back. She must be very busy.”
Madam Zhou was a bit displeased with her daughter. She had come back to see her, so why go see Jiang Ruanxi? Her being busy was her duty.
Lin Qingxu didn’t care about Madam Zhou’s mood and went straight out.
After she left, Madam Zhou took a big gulp of tea to calm herself and instructed the maidservant beside her, “Go out and tell people to watch Xiao Ge’er. Make sure Qingxu doesn’t see him. If she does, see if I don’t skin them alive.”
“Yes, Old Madam.” The maidservant knew Madam Zhou’s temper and shrank back involuntarily.
**
Lin Qingxu arrived at Jiang Ruanxi’s courtyard. Jiang Ruanxi was looking at an account book inside the room.
“I guessed you must have returned to your own courtyard.” Lin Qingxu entered the room very familiarly, “Mother nagged a bit. You definitely didn’t like hearing it.”
Jiang Ruanxi just smiled, neither admitting nor denying.
She only said to Hong Ye, “Second Miss is here. Go brew a pot of good tea.”
The smile on Lin Qingxu’s face deepened, and she sat beside her, “Second Sister-in-law is still the best to me.”
After saying these warm words, she thought of Madam Zhou’s matter again, and the smile on her face faded a bit, “Second Sister-in-law, I’m really sorry about my mother’s matter.”
Jiang Ruanxi didn’t speak, but the smile was already gone from her face.
Lin Qingxu knew she wasn’t happy inside and felt a bit guilty.
But for the sake of her maternal home, she braced herself and said, “Second Brother is young and a bit arrogant. He doesn’t know your goodness, but I believe he absolutely wouldn’t do anything improper. Those bits of gossip are just ridiculous. Second Sister-in-law, don’t take them to heart.”
Jiang Ruanxi was slightly stunned. Seeing her trembling with fear and extremely careful appearance, she just found it very ridiculous.
