Chapter 30: You May Go
“I’m not saying that about today. I’m just reminding you that the Marquis doesn’t like it when Xiao Ge’er sees others without his permission. The Marquis has been back for so long, but the relationship between you two hasn’t eased at all. I’m thinking of you. When you do things, follow his wishes more, and he will naturally appreciate your feelings.”
Appreciate my feelings?
Jiang Ruanxi lowered her eyes to hide the mockery in them. In her previous life, she had already proven that even if she gave her all, he wouldn’t appreciate her feelings.
“Mother is right. I will pay attention in the future.”
Seeing her so docile, Madam Zhou finally felt relieved in her heart. But the matter with Lin Xiao was still a big matter, and she had to discuss it with Lin Ningkun.
“I’m tired. You can go now.”
After finishing speaking, Madam Zhou directly dismissed the guest.
Jiang Ruanxi didn’t mind.
After returning to the courtyard, Jiang Ruanxi instructed Hong Ye, “Go immediately and have He Kui find a woman named Li on East Street and secretly bring her to Second Sister.”
Although she didn’t know what Jiang Ruanxi wanted to do, Hong Ye agreed and went to handle it right away.
Jiang Ruanxi gazed at the plum tree just planted in the courtyard, a chill rising in her heart.
Lin Ningkun, don’t you want your son to recognize his ancestors?
She just wouldn’t let him have his way. Not only would she ruin his official career, but she would also make sure Lin Xiao could never return to the Lin Family and would have to recognize someone else’s ancestors.
**
Lin Qingxu returned to Zhenguo Marquis Manor, her mind restless all the while.
The maid Yuping beside her asked worriedly, “Madam, are you feeling unwell somewhere again?”
Lin Qingxu shook her head. “Yuping, did you see that child today?”
Yuping nodded. “This servant saw him.”
“Who do you think he looks like?”
Yuping bit her lip and said nothing. Lin Qingxu directly said, “Doesn’t he look a lot like the Heir Apparent’s Wife?”
“Madam, you can’t say such things carelessly.”
Yuping subconsciously looked out the window, afraid that others might overhear at this critical moment.
“This child doesn’t really resemble the Heir Apparent’s Wife in many ways right now, but you also saw what the Heir Apparent’s Wife looked like in the first few years after she got married…”
Jiang Xuerou’s face had been injured, originally leaving several scars. The Jiang Family didn’t know what method they used, but they cured her.
But her appearance had changed somewhat.
Otherwise, Lin Xiao would look even more like Jiang Xuerou.
“But Madam, Xiao Ge’er is a child the Marquis brought back. How could he be related to the Heir Apparent’s Wife?” Yuping said puzzledly. “Moreover, even if he looks very similar, and you’ve noticed it, how could the Lin Family Members not notice?”
Lin Qingxu’s face was grave, and a terrifying thought instantly surfaced in her mind.
“Yuping, go have someone investigate what the Heir Apparent’s Wife did during the few months she returned to her maternal home five years ago.”
**
A few days later, Lin Qingxu visited again.
“Mother, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, I’m here today to discuss something with you.”
Madam Zhou smiled and said, “We’re all family. Just say whatever it is directly.”
“It’s like this. I want to adopt Xiao Ge’er.” Lin Qingxu directly stated her objective.
As soon as she spoke, with a clatter, the teacup in Madam Zhou’s hand fell directly to the ground. Lin Ningkun’s refined and handsome face also carried a hint of strangeness, while only Jiang Ruanxi sat in place, lowering her eyes to fiddle with the teacup lid, her emotions unreadable.
“Second Sister, do you know what you’re saying?”
Lin Ningkun’s voice carried a bit of disbelief, but Jiang Ruanxi vaguely sensed that it restrained some anger. If not for the sake of face, he would probably be furious by now.
“Yes, why do you suddenly want to adopt Xiao Ge’er?”
Madam Zhou couldn’t sit still either. After all, Lin Xiao was her own grandson. If he were adopted away, what would that look like?
Lin Qingxu thought they were considering her feelings, afraid that others would gossip if adopted to her.
She was still very touched in her heart. Her maternal home’s mother and brother were thinking of her. Back then, when they let her marry the Old Marquis of Zhenguo, she had resentment toward them, but now that resentment had eased quite a bit.
“Not adopting to me, but to the Heir Apparent’s Wife’s name, this…”
“No. Xiao Ge’er can only stay in Dingning Marquis Manor. He’s not allowed to go anywhere.”
Lin Ningkun didn’t even wait for Lin Qingxu to finish and refused without thinking.
“Marquis, don’t be impulsive. Second Sister hasn’t finished speaking yet,” Jiang Ruanxi stood up and said.
“If I’m not impulsive, will they directly take Xiao Ge’er away?”
Jiang Ruanxi fell silent.
Madam Zhou frowned, not knowing what she was thinking.
Lin Qingxu slightly furrowed her brows, her face also becoming very serious.
“Second Brother, for other matters, I won’t insist, but this matter concerns Zhenguo Marquis’s future. I must take Xiao Ge’er away.”
“I said no means no. No one is taking Xiao Ge’er away.” Lin Ningkun looked at her coldly.
His whole body seemed coated with a layer of frost.
Lin Qingxu’s temper flared up too.
“Xiao Ge’er is the child of our Zhenguo Marquis Manor’s Heir Apparent’s Wife and also our Zhenguo Marquis Manor’s bloodline. It’s only right for him to return to our marquis manor now. You have no right to oppose.”
Lin Qingxu couldn’t understand either. This matter was perfect for the Lin Family in every way, so why was he so agitated, even opposing it?
“Because Xiao Ge’er is…”
“Lin Ningkun, shut up.”
Just as Lin Ningkun was about to blurt it out, Madam Zhou scolded loudly.
“Why are you so agitated? If Xiao Ge’er goes to Zhenguo Marquis Manor, he’ll have his own future prospects. Even if you care about him so much, you still have to plan for your own official career, right?”
These words were like a stick that woke him up.
Lin Ningkun instantly shut his mouth. His originally reddened eyes now carried a suppressed pain.
But it was fleeting, disappearing in a moment, and he returned to his usual cold and aloof demeanor.
Jiang Ruanxi watched his emotional shift and felt it was a pity. If Madam Zhou hadn’t stopped him just now, would he have revealed Lin Xiao’s background? She was just one step away from success.
It really was a pity.
“Mother, do you mean you agree to let me take Xiao Ge’er back?”
At this moment, Lin Qingxu was completely immersed in her own joy and didn’t notice anything wrong with Madam Zhou’s words.
“Yes, I agree to let you take Xiao Ge’er back.” Madam Zhou nodded.
“Then what about Second Brother?” Lin Qingxu looked at Lin Ningkun expectantly.
But Lin Ningkun’s hand at his side was tightly clenched, and he turned his face away.
Seeing this, Madam Zhou said, “Don’t worry. I will persuade him properly.”
After speaking, afraid that Lin Ningkun might say something inappropriate in his anger, she said to Jiang Ruanxi, “I’m a bit tired today. Your Second Sister is a guest. Take her to your courtyard and entertain her well.”
