Chapter 99: The Lin Family Can’t Afford To Lose This Face
The two looked toward the voice and saw Madam Kang Zhou and Madam Zhou walking out side by side, their faces rosy and looking quite well.
“Aunt.” Regardless, she was an elder, so Lin Qingxu was the first to curtsy to her.
“I was just telling your mother that it’s not easy for me to come to the Capital once, and I wanted your whole family to reunite while I’m still here. Now that you’ve returned, I don’t know if Tingting can come back to see her aunt.”
Lin Qingxu frowned slightly. Lin Tingting had not returned when she got married.
One reason was that Li Xi was angry about the Lin Family’s scandal, and another reason was that Lin Tingting’s marriage was not glorious.
Although she had married into a Marquis Manor, she was ultimately a concubine, and Zhenguo Marquis Manor could not afford to lose that face.
“Third Sister has only been married for a short time, so she probably doesn’t have time to see you.”
Although Lin Qingxu had not returned, Madam Zhou had told her about the agreement between Lin Tingting and her, so she would not speak up for Madam Kang Zhou at this time.
“Is that so?” Madam Kang Zhou looked very disappointed. “I was just talking about Tingting with your mother. She’s been married for so long, and your mother really misses her Third Sister.”
It was not yet winter, but Madam Kang Zhou’s words instantly cooled the atmosphere.
Lin Qingxu felt quite awkward and quickly glanced at Jiang Ruanxi, only to see her with downcast eyes, not knowing what she was thinking.
Madam Kang Zhou pretended not to notice and smiled at Lin Qingxu. “Since you’re here today, why not take this opportunity to go to your Third Sister’s home and bring her back, fulfilling one of your mother’s wishes and showing your filial piety. How about it?”
“This…” Lin Qingxu hesitated for a moment but ultimately did not agree.
“Although I am the Mistress of the Household of Zhenguo Marquis Manor, I am ultimately a married daughter. I cannot make decisions about family matters. Aunt, you should ask my sister-in-law’s opinion.”
If you want to court death, do it yourself, but don’t drag her down with you.
Her words were perfectly reasonable, with no flaws.
Madam Kang Zhou had no choice but to look at Jiang Ruanxi. “I think my niece-in-law is also a very filial person. Surely she can help fulfill this small wish for your mother?”
Only then did Jiang Ruanxi lift her eyelids, her eyes clearly carrying a chill. “Naturally, it can be fulfilled.”
Madam Kang Zhou felt secretly triumphant inside.
She knew that a young daughter-in-law like Jiang Ruanxi might seem formidable, but she was still thin-skinned and definitely wouldn’t refuse in front of Lin Qingxu.
“Hong Ye, go prepare sedan chairs for Mother and Aunt.” Jiang Ruanxi instructed the Hong Ye beside her.
Madam Kang Zhou was stunned, her face full of bewilderment. “Jiang Ruanxi, have you got it wrong? Shouldn’t you send someone to Third Miss to ask her to come over?”
What was the sedan chair for them for?
“Didn’t Aunt say you wanted to see Third Sister? Naturally, I am preparing sedan chairs for you to go see Third Sister.” Jiang Ruanxi’s eyes carried mockery. “But I remind Aunt that Third Sister is only a concubine of Yongning Marquis Manor, and can be considered half a servant of Yongning Marquis Manor. Whether Yongning Marquis Manor will let you see her this time is really uncertain.”
The relatives of a servant naturally do not count as proper relatives and will not be treated with courtesy!
Madam Kang Zhou’s face immediately darkened.
“You know that’s not what I meant. I want you to go bring your sister back to the manor.”
“Then I’m afraid Aunt will be disappointed.” Jiang Ruanxi refused decisively and straightforwardly. “When Third Sister got married, she made it very clear: unless Mother died and she returned to mourn, she could never come back to the Lin Family.”
“That’s all in the past, how can you be so hard-hearted?” Madam Kang Zhou persuaded. “You are all sisters and brothers, why do you have to make it so absolute?”
“To have a Third-rank Madam go to fetch a concubine home, I absolutely cannot do it.” Jiang Ruanxi gave a cold smile and simply laid it all out. “Aunt and Mother can afford to lose that face, but I cannot, and the Lin Family cannot either.”
This snobbish attitude made Madam Kang Zhou and Madam Zhou seethe with anger.
Especially Madam Kang Zhou—Jiang Ruanxi was so direct, clearly not taking her seriously.
“Mother, Aunt, I’ve finally come back. Let’s not talk about those unpleasant things.” Lin Qingxu knew it would end like this and quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “The wind is strong outside; let’s go inside to talk?”
Madam Zhou was naturally willing and looked at her sister. “Then let’s go in first.”
“Second Sister has returned and surely has many private words to say to Mother. I won’t disturb you. I have many things to do in my courtyard. Second Sister can come to my courtyard later when you have time.”
With that, she flicked her sleeves and left.
Madam Kang Zhou’s face twitched. Did Jiang Ruanxi have a grudge against her?
These mother and daughter had private words to say—wasn’t that telling her not to follow?
“Aunt, shall we go in?”
Seeing her not moving, Lin Qingxu kindly reminded her.
Jiang Ruanxi’s words were still echoing in Madam Kang Zhou’s ears—how could she have the face to follow?
“Your cousin’s injury hasn’t healed yet. You two talk about your important matters first. I’ll go back to see Hui.”
Almost in a sulky tone, Madam Kang Zhou quickly returned to her own courtyard.
Madam Zhou knew she was angry, her face full of worry. “Your aunt is really angry this time. Sigh…”
“Mother need not be sad. To me, Aunt bringing this anger on herself is purely self-inflicted.”
Madam Zhou frowned. “She is still your aunt after all. How can you speak so disrespectfully?”
“Mother, it’s not that I’m disrespectful, but this aunt is too lacking in propriety. I don’t even dare to meddle in our family matters, so what right does an aunt have to criticize our manor?”
“Your aunt is just caring about me.”
“Care is care, but care should have limits, not inciting you to do things you shouldn’t.”
Madam Zhou knew she usually got along well with Jiang Ruanxi and thought she was favoring Jiang Ruanxi, so she got angry too. “You don’t come back on ordinary days, and now that you do, you start lecturing me. So you just don’t want me to be at ease, is that it?”
She could tolerate looking at her daughter-in-law’s face, but now her daughter was back, thinking she could confide in someone. Yet she hadn’t expected her own daughter not to side with her—she really felt extremely wronged.
Lin Qingxu knew Madam Zhou’s personality and that some things could not be said too much, so her tone softened unusually.
“Mother, how am I lecturing you? I just hope our family can be harmonious. Third Sister’s matter was her own choice. Don’t be muddled at this time. Offending sister-in-law is a small matter, but if Yongning Marquis Manor becomes displeased because of it, then Third Sister’s days will be hard, and wouldn’t you be even more heartbroken?”
