Chapter 83: Second Sister-in-law, Are You Having Second Thoughts?
Jiang Ruanxi put down the teacup with a seeming smile and said, “Third Sister made such a big joke, tell us about it. I also want to know whether I should laugh or not.”
Lin Tingting’s face flushed bright red. Although she had used a little trick, it was not exactly honorable after all. She stammered, unable to speak it out.
Seeing this, Jiang Ruanxi sneered, “Since Third Sister can’t say it, it probably isn’t a big deal. It’s late at night, so Third Sister, stop crying. It wouldn’t be good to disturb others’ sleep.”
“Mother, look at what she’s saying!” Lin Tingting was almost infuriated to tears again and couldn’t help saying.
Madam Zhou then said, “Alright, stop arguing, both of you.”
Madam Zhou briefly explained tonight’s matter.
“Your Third Sister was sent home tonight by the Heir Apparent of Yongning Marquis Manor. Although it was late, I’m afraid many people saw it. What do you think should be done about this?”
“Look at what Mother is saying. Shouldn’t this matter depend on what Yongning Marquis Manor does? If they are sincere, they will definitely send someone to propose marriage soon. Mother doesn’t need to worry about anything else. This
If it were that simple, Madam Zhou wouldn’t be so worried.
“But what if they don’t come? Then Tingting’s reputation will be ruined!” Madam Zhou’s expression was very grave, without the optimism she had when speaking to Lin Tingting earlier.
Jiang Ruanxi picked up the teacup, drank the tea inside, put down the cup, and said indifferently, “I’ve only heard of the man’s family coming to propose marriage. I’ve never heard of any young lady rushing over. If Mother can swallow this humiliation, I can’t afford to lose this face.”
Hearing this, Lin Tingting became furious directly.
“Jiang Ruanxi, what do you mean? Don’t think you’re just jealous of me, so you won’t help me.”
“I’m jealous of you?” Jiang Ruanxi seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. “Third Sister, tell me, how am I jealous of you?”
“Our Lin Family has fallen, and Second Brother is no longer the Marquis of Dingning. If I marry the Heir Apparent of Yongning Marquis Manor, I will become the Marquis’s Wife in the future. You must be jealous that I will marry better than you, so you don’t want to see me doing better than you. That’s why you refuse, right?”
Jiang Ruanxi said faintly, “So Third Sister knows that the Lin Family is not doing well.”
Lin Tingting’s face stiffened, but whether to cover up her guilt or for other reasons, she stood up and angrily pointed at her, saying, “Jiang Ruanxi, don’t change the subject on me. Let me tell you, in this matter, you have to help me whether you want to or not.”
At this tone, Jiang Ruanxi was somewhat amused with anger.
She leisurely drank her tea without responding.
Madam Zhou saw the atmosphere was tense. Normally, she wouldn’t care about such things, but now that she needed something from Jiang Ruanxi, she could only step forward and say, “Alright, Tingting, sit down and talk properly.”
Although Lin Tingting was extremely unwilling in her heart, she couldn’t disobey Madam Zhou and sat down huffily.
“Ruanxi, she’s young. As her sister-in-law, don’t argue with her.”
But now was not the time to tear faces.
After a while, Jiang Ruanxi suddenly said, “Third Sister, I can help you, but you must promise me one condition.”
Lin Tingting’s eyes lit up. As long as she agreed, her marriage into Yongning Marquis Manor would be half successful.
Overjoyed, Lin Tingting impatiently said, “I promise you. Tell me quickly.”
“Doesn’t Third Sister want to consider it?” Jiang Ruanxi reminded.
“Is Second Sister-in-law going to go back on your word?” Lin Tingting frowned and asked rhetorically.
Jiang Ruanxi curved her lips, “Of course not. I just hope that after Third Sister marries, unless Mother has died, don’t come back to the maternal home. I find it disgraceful.”
The smile on Lin Tingting’s face froze, turning pale, “Second Sister-in-law, how can you be so vicious? You won’t even let me return to the maternal home?”
“You, an unmarried girl, shamelessly met a strange man in private, were sent back at midnight, and seen by others. You’ve done something to humiliate the Lin Family. Even sending you to a temple to become a nun wouldn’t be too much. And you still have the nerve to negotiate conditions with me here?” Jiang Ruanxi said sternly.
For her to step forward was already very generous.
Although Lin Tingting was displeased at heart, Jiang Ruanxi wasn’t going to indulge her. “If Third Sister disagrees, then pretend I never said anything about this matter. As for your marriage, Mother can handle it herself.”
Jiang Ruanxi placed the teacup on the table and stood up to walk straight out.
Jiang Ruanxi lowered her head with a cold smile, saying nothing.
Seeing this, Lin Tingting panicked, afraid she would leave, and quickly said, “Fine, I promise you. But you have to keep your word.”
Lin Tingting wore a humiliated expression, her hands tightly clenched at her side.
But there was no way around it. If her mother Madam Zhou had the ability, she wouldn’t be threatened like this by Jiang Ruanxi.
However, once she became the Heir Apparent’s Wife of Yongning Marquis Manor, she could return to the maternal home however she wanted, and Jiang Ruanxi couldn’t control it.
For now, she was just pretending to agree to placate her.
After figuring it out, much of the anger in Lin Tingting’s heart dissipated.
Jiang Ruanxi naturally understood Lin Tingting’s thoughts. After returning to sit, she said to Hong Ye outside the door, “Hong Ye, bring the things in!”
Soon, Hong Ye entered from the doorway carrying a tray with writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on it.
Jiang Ruanxi took a sheet of paper, spread it out, dipped ink, and wrote on it. In a moment, she finished writing.
Jiang Ruanxi handed the written paper to Lin Tingting.
“Third Sister, take a look. If you have no objections, sign here.”
Lin Tingting stared blankly at the paper Jiang Ruanxi held in front of her. “What do you mean?”
“Third Sister, I’m afraid you’ll go back on your word, so I’m making a written agreement. If you don’t keep your promise and return to the marquis manor after marriage, I can unconditionally drive you out. This will be the evidence that you can’t return to the marquis manor.”
Lin Tingting’s breathing hitched, her eyes filled with bloodthirsty hatred. “Jiang Ruanxi, are you really so heartless?”
“I’m not forcing Third Sister. If Third Sister wants to shave her head and become a nun, then this matter won’t happen.”
Thinking that without Jiang Ruanxi’s help, she might not necessarily marry into Yongning Marquis Manor, and with so many people seeing last night, if she couldn’t marry Sun Chengye in the end, she really would have to take the veil.
She would rather die than do that.
“In your dreams.”
Lin Tingting snatched the paper from her hand fiercely, too angry to even look at the content, and unhesitatingly pressed her finger on it.
Finally, she slammed the paper heavily on the table, her face full of ferocity. “Jiang Ruanxi, I won’t become a nun as you wish. Don’t think you can laugh at me.”
Madam Zhou wanted to stop her, but it was too late.
She watched helplessly as Jiang Ruanxi folded the receipt with the handprint and placed it inside her collar.
“Since Third Sister is so insistent, as her sister-in-law, I will naturally do my utmost to handle this matter for you.”
