Chapter 523 - 522: Conduct

Chapter 523: Chapter 522: Conduct

Sister-in-law discord is not unusual, but physical altercations are rare, especially in public, with so many eyes watching.

Moreover, Mu Lianhui has a title; her being hit is a disgrace to the court.

Jin Huan turned pale.

She had just learned the reason for Jin Shang’s death and, in a fit of rage, rushed to the hall to confront Mu Lianhui without considering whether it was appropriate to act against her.

Upon hearing Du Yunluo’s words, her face flushed red, glancing at the people inside and outside the hall, her ears buzzing as if she heard the murmurs of those coming to offer incense.

Jin Huan felt guilty, but being used to acting domineeringly, she didn’t know how to back down, and said defiantly, "So what if she’s a Lady? She killed her own husband, does that honor the court’s reward?"

The onlookers, hearing this, assumed there was an unspeakable inside story about Jin Shang’s death, and instinctively pricked up their ears.

Du Yunluo looked Jin Huan up and down.

With such unreasonable behavior, it’s no wonder even Huo Ruyi, who loves to have the last word, was provoked into wanting to get physical with her.

The sister-in-law rivalry between Huo Ruyi and Jin Huan was indeed intense, with much back-and-forth, and in the end, even the two brothers rolled up their sleeves to join in.

Du Yunluo, disdaining to waste words with Jin Huan, glanced through the crowd, found Eldest Granny Jin, and said, "Eldest Granny Jin, your family’s young lady is being unreasonable over something so petty, and in front of the Lady’s natal family, in front of all these madams, she dared to strike at the Lady, yet no one from Pingyang Marquis Mansion stepped up to stop it. Is this the kind of life our Lady leads at her in-law’s?

If this is happening behind closed doors, who knows how you’re mistreating her!

Pingyang Marquis Mansion is hereditary, but Dingyuan Marquis Mansion is no pushover either. Our families arranged a marriage alliance and sent our Lady over, not for you to smear her and berate her.

A dignified marquis mansion behaving like common folk?"

Eldest Granny Jin’s face flushed a liver color; she’s but the eldest daughter-in-law of this generation, where it’s the Marchioness and the Heir’s Wife who have the final say, not her.

Never had she faced the wrath and accusation from other marchionesses and madams, her slender eyes brimmed with tears as she stepped forward to pull Jin Huan away, only to be shaken off.

Mu Lianhui gently pushed Jiang Yunuan aside, stepped forward, and said, "I killed Jin Shang? Ridiculous!

That concubine was already kept before I came in, and I never said he couldn’t go to Rouge Alley. The concubine room’s mistress was promoted at my behest, all obedient and compliant.

Jin Shang chose such a restless concubine, is that my fault, too?

If he didn’t want to keep her and wanted to send her away, did I have the mistress poison him, or did I provide the poison?"

"It was your brother..." Jin Huan shouted, Eldest Granny Jin lunged to cover Jin Huan’s mouth, but was pushed aside, "It was your brother who wouldn’t allow my brother to keep the mistress!"

Mu Lianhui sneered, "So you’re saying your brothers agreed to keeping concubines for your husband? Has he taken one yet? If not, he should hurry up, if the wife’s family approves, not keeping one is a waste.

Jin Huan, my brother spoke rationally to Jin Shang, but Jin Shang swung his fist at my brother right away, how do you account for that?

Instead of blaming that poisonous mistress, you come to trouble me, utterly absurd!"

In their exchanges, the whole story of Jin Shang’s death became clear.

With the commotion escalating, Marchioness Pingyang was informed, and Mu Lianxiao and his two brothers came over from the front.

"What’s going on?" Mu Lianxiao, with sharp eyes, immediately noticed the dirt on Du Yunluo’s hem.

Du Yunluo looked at her hem following his gaze, lightly brushed it off, and recounted the incident, "Right in front of us, she dared to strike, if we don’t address this, the face of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion will be utterly lost."

Mu Lianxiao acknowledged her, understanding her implicit intent: she didn’t want to defend Mu Lianhui, but had no choice.

That slap on Mu Lianhui’s face was equally a slap on Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s face.

Mu Liancheng, having also learned from Jiang Yunuan about what transpired, fumed internally.

No matter the faults of Mu Lianhui, even if she angered their parents, she was still his sister; when was it someone else’s turn to step in and discipline her?

The group then went to see Pingyang Marquis and the Marchioness.

In the Flower Hall, the silver-haired Pingyang Marquis, seeing Jin Huan, scolded, "Have you lost your mind!"

"Enough," Marchioness Pingyang interrupted, turning to Mu Lianhui, "Shang’s wife, Sister Huan has such a temperament; she’s quick to jump to conclusions. As the sister-in-law, just ignore her bad temper."

Mu Lianhui’s eyes brimmed with mockery; yesterday at her natal home Mu Yuanmou tried to smooth things over, and today Marchioness Pingyang wanted to do the same, but she’s not a pushover, to be toyed with at will.

"Look at what you’re saying, I’m just a widow whose husband has died, do I even have any temper left? When that slap landed, I didn’t even hit back," Mu Lianhui turned to Jin Huan, "Even though I am the court-appointed Lady, and even though my natal family is here, I wouldn’t raise my hand against a family member in front of their natal family, firstly I don’t have the nerve, secondly, that isn’t a rule we have at Dingyuan Marquis Mansion."

Jin Huan, irate, raised her arm to strike again, but Mu Liancheng, quick-eyed and quick-handed, blocked her arm.

"What are you making a fuss about? Still not embarrassed enough? Get back to your marital home!" Marchioness Pingyang tapped her cane repeatedly.

Jin Huan was dragged out, and only then did Marchioness Pingyang invite everyone to sit.

Du Yunluo took her seat, watching the little maid nervously serving tea, understanding clearly.

Just sending Jin Huan away without apology or acknowledgment of wrongdoing, Marchioness Pingyang’s stance was clear.

"We came today to incense for the son-in-law, didn’t expect such a scene," Du Yunluo held the teacup, saying, "In front of our family she dares to act, once we leave, how many losses will Lady suffer?"

Rank-wise, Du Yunluo is the junior, by noble title, she too is a Marchioness.

Marchioness Pingyang gritted her teeth, silently cursing Jin Huan’s stupidity.

Jin Shang died because of a mistress, but Mu Liancheng’s interference in his sister’s marital affairs didn’t exactly hold up either, though with a death at Pingyang Marquis Mansion, Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was somewhat lenient to discuss.

Otherwise, with Jin Shang poisoned by the mistress, and Mu Lianhui clamoring for judgment at Cining Palace, Pingyang Marquis Mansion could only endure.

But now, with that slap, the spirit of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion rose, and from now on, who can hold down Mu Lianhui in this household?

If Mu Lianhui gets injured or sick, who knows what these ladies here today would think upon witnessing this drama?

The more Marchioness Pingyang thought, the angrier she got, wishing she could drag Jin Huan back for a severe scolding.

Clearing her throat, keeping a tight expression, Marchioness Pingyang assured a few statements that Mu Lianhui wouldn’t be troubled, allowing natal family frequent visits to their widowed Lady, thus putting the matter to rest.