Chapter 81: Do What You Think Is Right
She changed the topic, “I see that Elder Brother isn’t going to take the Imperial Examination this time. Didn’t he already pass as a Child Scholar?”
In Marquis households and prestigious clans, passing as a Child Scholar was not particularly noteworthy.
In the Lin Clan, many of the young men had also passed as Child Scholars.
But Lin Feng was special.
After all, he had previously been an ignorant good-for-nothing, only caught back by Madam He and forced to study for a few days before he managed to pass as a Child Scholar in one go.
Now it seemed that the person in the Lin Family with the greatest talent for studying was actually not Lin Ningkun, but Lin Feng instead.
“Second Brother’s Wife, what exactly do you want to do? If life really becomes unbearable, there are naturally ways out. Why drive someone to utter destruction?”
In any case, Madam He would not believe at all that Jiang Ruanxi had done nothing.
“Elder Sister-in-law, when you didn’t want to live with Elder Brother back then and returned to your maternal home, did the He Family say the same things to you?”
Madam He was stunned, her eyes lowering as she fell into contemplation.
She still remembered how, back then, she couldn’t stand Lin Feng’s behavior and thought he was a profligate son, feeling utmost disdain in her heart, so she returned to her maternal home to complain.
Even her He clansmen felt that Lin Feng was in the wrong, but they had never agreed to her divorce.
She still remembered that on the first day back, she told her beloved family everything and finally proposed wanting a divorce.
That day, her grandmother, who had always doted on her the most since childhood, immediately pulled a long face.
“Which young couple doesn’t go through such bickering? You just need to have a child soon, raise the child well, manage the household in perfect order, serve the Lin family members well, and when he one day sees the error of his ways, your good days will come. Which of us women hasn’t come through it this way?”
Her mother felt heartbroken for her plight but still persuaded her.
“I know my daughter is feeling wronged now, but you must know that he is your husband, he is your sky. So when you go back, you must live well with him and urge him to study and make progress. Every time you quarrel and return to your maternal home, it affects your brothers and sisters too; they’ve complained to me many times.”
Even her father, whom she respected the most, had a stern face.
“You’re simply making a fuss. Divorce is impossible. If you divorce, our He clan’s reputation will be ruined by your hands. The unmarried girls and young masters in the clan will all be affected by your divorce. You can’t be selfish and only think of yourself.”
And her brothers and sisters, not one stood by her side to speak for her grievances; they were all words of blame and reproach.
“Why not live your good life properly and instead make a fuss? It’s just family matters, is it worth returning to your maternal home to stir things up? You have no shame, but we He Family still need to keep face.”
“You live every day like a resentful woman; it’s already good that your brother-in-law doesn’t disdain you.”
“Sister, just endure it. Harmony brings prosperity to the family. If you come back, won’t I have to keep supporting you?”
“…”
Recalling her own affairs, Madam He felt a stifling heaviness in her heart.
For a married daughter, all the grievances she suffered were just family matters; no one would stand on her side to help her. They would always persuade her to just endure it and it would be fine.
“Second Brother’s Wife, do what you think is right.”
With that, Madam He left directly.
Jiang Ruanxi hadn’t expected Madam He to change so suddenly, feeling a bit surprised in her heart.
Seeing her walking ahead with a slight bow, Jiang Ruanxi instantly understood why Madam He had said that.
She had experienced the filth of the Lin Family and had thought things through, so she could only go with the flow and compromise.
She wanted to escape the Lin Family, but thinking that even a powerful family background like Madam He’s couldn’t achieve divorce, how difficult it would be for her to do so.
Moreover, with the blood feud from her previous life, if she divorced so easily now, it would truly let the Lin Family off too lightly, and it wouldn’t be as convenient for her to take revenge on the Lin Family later.
Therefore, divorce was impossible; she could only become a widow.
She had already planned that after the Lin family members all received their due retribution, she could guard her silver money and live a carefree life as a widow, which wouldn’t be bad.
**
The moon rose above the eyebrows, and all around was quiet.
Jiang Ruanxi, who was fast asleep, was startled awake by bursts of crying.
Jiang Ruanxi frowned tightly and turned over, but the crying grew louder, and Jiang Ruanxi irritably sat up from the bed.
“Hong Ye, late at night, who’s going crazy outside?”
Hong Ye had also been woken up long ago and hurried in upon hearing Jiang Ruanxi’s call.
“Madam, it’s Third Miss crying. The Old Madam seems to have lost her temper greatly.”
“What happened?” Jiang Ruanxi asked with a slight frown.
“Third Miss disappeared somewhere today. After dark, the Old Madam and the Marquis sent people out but couldn’t find her. While the Old Madam was hesitating whether to continue searching, Third Miss actually returned.”
“Since she returned, why is she crying so late at night?” Jiang Ruanxi asked puzzled.
Hong Ye handed the clothing to Jiang Ruanxi to wear and said, “She did return, but not alone; she was sent back by someone.”
Jiang Ruanxi, originally woken up with a lot of morning anger, had it mostly dissipate upon hearing this, and even felt a spark of gossip interest.
“Who sent her back?”
“The Heir Apparent of Yongning Marquis Manor, Sun Chengye.”
Jiang Ruanxi was slightly stunned, thinking of the matter at Guangming Temple, and immediately understood what was going on.
Lin Tingting, an unmarried girl, now sent home late at night by a man.
What this meant, anyone with a brain would know.
It seemed that with Lin Ningkun stripped of his noble title, Lin Tingting was anxious about her own marriage.
So this was the scene.
It was truly interesting. She hadn’t even made a move yet, and Lin Tingting had thrown herself into the trap. The corners of Jiang Ruanxi’s mouth couldn’t help but curve into a smile.
“Madam, should we intervene in Third Miss’s matter?”
Hong Ye had long disliked Lin Tingting’s character, and seeing her like this now, she was also very happy.
But she knew Jiang Ruanxi was no longer the previous submissive Jiang Ruanxi, so she anticipated what Jiang Ruanxi would do next.
“Since she is so desperate to marry, as her sister-in-law, I naturally must help her scheme properly. Otherwise, how could I live up to her?” Jiang Ruanxi said faintly.
No one knew better than her what kind of person Sun Chengye was and what end he would meet.
She had originally thought that with the Crown Prince’s appearance back then, Lin Tingting could luckily escape disaster, but she hadn’t expected Lin Tingting to jump into the fire pit herself.
If she didn’t give a push from behind, it would somewhat betray her good intentions.
After Jiang Ruanxi finished dressing and washing up, Hong Ye walked ahead holding a lantern to light the way, while she strolled leisurely behind.
A gentle breeze blew, and the candle flames in the lanterns on the covered walkway swayed left and right.
Manyue, who was guarding the door, saw her coming and hurriedly went in to report.
“Old Madam, Second Madam is here.”
