Chapter 45: Could It Be They’ve Discovered Something?
“Second Miss, it was this servant who remembered wrongly. When the Heir Apparent’s Wife went out, she headed east, but after leaving this courtyard, this servant does not know where she went.”
This courtyard faces east, so if one were to go out, they would definitely head east, and Qing’er’s words were quite right.
“In that case, was it I who misunderstood?”
“If you ask me, it wasn’t Second Sister who misunderstood; it was this maid who didn’t explain clearly.”
Jiang Xuerou let out a sigh of relief, but afraid she would suspect again, she defended once more, “Second Sister, I really didn’t see the Marquis. Don’t misunderstand.”
Seeing her anxious appearance, Jiang Ruanxi chuckled softly, “Third Sister, I was just joking with you. You and the Marquis are in-laws after all, so even if you met, what would be the problem?”
Jiang Xuerou realized her earlier gaffe, her face growing even more embarrassed. To cover it up, she put on a very serious expression.
“Second Sister, this joke is not funny at all. Second Sister, you know I have little courage, so don’t make this kind of joke with me again.”
“Is that so? I heard Second Brother say before that Third Sister could climb trees and scale walls since childhood. I thought you had great courage and dared to do anything!” Jiang Ruanxi looked at her with a half-smile.
She sneered inwardly: What is she pretending to be? If she were really timid, would she do such an unethical thing like cheating with a married man?
Her words made Jiang Xuerou’s heart tighten, thinking she knew something, her hands at her sides clenching tightly.
Pretending to stay calm, she said, “Second Sister just said it too—that was a childhood thing. People change.”
“Cough cough cough…”
After Jiang Xuerou finished speaking, she couldn’t help but start coughing.
She covered her mouth with a handkerchief, looking weak.
“Sister’s health is poor, so she should rest well in the courtyard. Running around everywhere like this—if her condition worsens, there will inevitably be someone who feels heartbroken.”
Jiang Ruanxi slowly stood up, “Sister has some matters to attend to. I’ll come see you when I have time.”
This pointed remark made Jiang Xuerou’s body stiffen, thinking Jiang Ruanxi knew something, but seeing the smile on her face, she felt she was overthinking it.
Composing herself, she showed a weak expression, “Alright, thank you, Sister, for visiting me.”
Jiang Ruanxi nodded slightly and left directly.
After Jiang Ruanxi left, Jiang Xuerou’s earlier weakness vanished instantly, replaced by a ferocious face.
“When did Jiang Ruanxi come? Why didn’t you notify me?”
Qing’er trembled in fright and quickly kowtowed.
“Heir Apparent’s Wife, you had just left not long ago when Second Miss arrived. I originally planned to go find you, but Second Miss said it was fine and she could just sit here and wait. Young Master Xiao was asleep, and this servant was worried that if I went out, Young Master Xiao might wake up with no one to care for him.”
Jiang Xuerou frowned tightly. Normally, Jiang Ruanxi always disliked her—why would she suddenly come to see her at this time? That woman usually despised her the most, so why visit now?
Could it be that she discovered something?
But thinking about it, if she really knew something, why didn’t she go to the scene and catch them in the act?
Why wait here for her?
After thinking for a long time without figuring it out, Jiang Xuerou decided she was overthinking it.
It must be Jiang Ruanxi playing tricks to scare her.
Having figured it out, Jiang Xuerou said impatiently, “Alright, be smarter from now on. Go find me a set of clothes. This is disgusting.”
Thinking of how Lin Ningkun had just held her, it felt as disgusting as being stuck with shit, making her feel nauseous inside.
Even more disgusting, to keep Lin Ningkun from noticing anything, she had endured the disgust and kissed him.
Thinking about it, she couldn’t help but vomit.
“Heir Apparent’s Wife, what’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. Hurry and get me clothes.” Jiang Xuerou said impatiently while vomiting.
Qing’er didn’t dare delay and turned to get a set of clothes from the inner room. After Jiang Xuerou changed, she felt slightly more comfortable.
She couldn’t stay any longer and directly instructed Qing’er, “Pack up. Tomorrow after burning incense, we’ll return to the manor.”
Before coming, she had planned to stay here with Lin Ningkun for a few days, so that after his high promotion, he could take her away from Zhenguo Marquis Manor. But now knowing she would have to face that ugly monster in the future, she would rather stay in Zhenguo Marquis Manor.
“Heir Apparent’s Wife, what if Marquis of Dingning asks?”
Qing’er knew all about the illicit things Jiang Xuerou and Lin Ningkun had done over these years.
“Why bother with that ugly monster? I just want to stay away from him now—seeing him makes me sick.”
Qing’er was a bit puzzled; how could one trip out cause such a big change?
“Why not just be straightforward? Maybe Marquis of Dingning will give up.”
In Qing’er’s view, Jiang Ruanxi had already brought back Young Master Xiao, so there was no need to take risks outside.
Most importantly, Jiang Xuerou’s feelings for Lin Ningkun seemed to have faded a lot.
“Keep him for now. His official career matters are still unresolved. I’ve waited so many years already—not a few more days.”
If there were no better options, Lin Ningkun could still be used.
“Madam, just as you said, the Marquis was indeed at the back mountain just now, really going to see Third Miss.”
When Hong Ye learned of it, it shocked her to her core.
How could Lin Ningkun get involved with Jiang Ruanxi?
Not to mention the layer of relationship with Jiang Ruanxi—they should originally keep their distance. Crucially, there was also the relationship with Lin Qingxu; they were a generation apart, as aunt-in-law and uncle.
How could they have the face to do such a shameless thing?
But Jiang Ruanxi seemed to have known long ago and wasn’t surprised at all.
Recalling Jiang Ruanxi’s series of actions recently, it seemed she had known for a long time.
Hong Ye felt a bit sorry for Jiang Ruanxi—her own husband had never given her a proper glance, and yet he was involved with her own sister. How disgusting.
Jiang Ruanxi fiddled with the teacup lid and said indifferently, “Unintentionally leak the news to the Heir Apparent’s Wife that Crown Prince is coming to Guangming Temple.”
“Crown Prince?”
Hong Ye was secretly shocked, “Madam, what if someone finds out and Crown Prince investigates, discovering it was our news that was leaked? Won’t that cause trouble?”
After all, Crown Prince did not come to Guangming Temple.
This was spreading a rumor!
Jiang Ruanxi set down the teacup lid and smiled, “Don’t worry, there won’t be trouble. When you go out, slip this note into that side room to the west—then there will be a good show.”
Jiang Ruanxi looked profoundly enigmatic.
Hong Ye took the note, though doubtful, she didn’t say more.
“Yes, Madam.”
After Hong Ye left, Jiang Ruanxi fell into contemplation.
