Chapter 476 - 254: The Fierce Fear the Reckless

Chapter 476: Chapter 254: The Fierce Fear the Reckless

Yun Zhao knew that First Madam had originally planned to wait until Xie Linlang’s parents arrived before going, but since her father-in-law had brought it up, she thought for a moment and said, "Then we shall do as Father wishes. If the Left Minister still refuses to see us, our family will have fulfilled our obligations. We need not fear the gossip of others."

"I was thinking the same thing." First Madam nodded. With Yun Zhao’s agreement, a great weight was lifted from her heart. "Your second uncle and second aunt will be arriving soon. When they get here, Linlang will feel a little more at ease."

Song Yunzhao said, "You must be the one who invited Second Uncle and Second Aunt. You are so considerate of Linlang. She will surely be very grateful to you."

Xie Linlang’s parents were merely merchants. She did know that Xie Jinshu had written a letter asking his older brother to come along. His brother had a scholarly title and was at least a learned man, but the Xie family was still no match for the Song Family.

An act of life-saving grace, if between two families of equal standing, could become a beautiful story. But in a situation like this, with one family wielding immense power and the other of humble origins, it was perfectly normal for Madam Ji to fear that the Xie family would try to latch onto them.

However, with the Song Family involved, for Madam Ji to still act this way was tantamount to grinding the Song Family’s face into the dirt.

This did not please Song Yunzhao.

’Did they think Linlang would actually try to force herself on Ji Yunting?’

’Without Ji Yunting, was it impossible for Linlang to find a good husband?’

Her eyelid twitched when she remembered the part in the book where Linlang became Ji Yunting’s concubine. ’This tangled web of fate is so infuriating.’

’Once this matter is settled, Linlang’s marriage can’t be delayed any longer.’

First Madam looked at Yun Zhao, hesitated for a moment, and then asked softly, "Are we really not going to do anything about the horse incident?"

"We don’t need to," Yun Zhao said bluntly. "Eldest Aunt, we are the victims here. No matter how they fight it out or what the result is, our family should not get involved. Just wait for Marchioness Yongjia to come to our door. I imagine it won’t be more than a few days."

"Marchioness Yongjia sent word a couple of days ago, saying she would personally visit once there was a result," First Madam said with a smile. "Although Sixth Miss Huang is unreliable, the Marchioness herself is quite a thorough person."

"The Marquis Yongjia Mansion has suffered losses twice now, and both times it was related to those two families. They’re not some pushover anyone can mess with. You just wait and watch the show. When Marchioness Yongjia comes to apologize, all you have to do is be magnanimous," Song Yunzhao said with a smile.

First Madam was amused by Yun Zhao’s words, as she had been thinking the same thing. She said to her, "Last time, Marchioness Yongjia sent her daughter-in-law back to the capital. This time, when your third uncle came to the traveling palace, the people from our mansion brought some news. That Young Madam went straight back to her maternal home upon returning to the capital. I hear she raised quite a fuss."

Song Yunzhao was not surprised in the slightest. She chuckled and said, "Chu Yuying is just lucky. She has a good maternal family to protect her, and Huang Duo is so deeply devoted that he didn’t break off the engagement. Otherwise, with her temperament, it would be difficult for her to find a good match."

"That’s the benefit of a good birth," First Madam nodded.

"Still, for Marchioness Yongjia to send Chu Yuying back to the capital this time, disregarding the reputations of both Ding Nan Bo and the Huaiyang Marquis, shows she was truly angry. If Chu Yuying can’t get over herself, I’m afraid she and Huang Duo will grow estranged after they marry, and her life will become very difficult."

’Some people are blessed by the protection of their elders but don’t know how to cherish their fortune. There will come a day when that luck runs out.’

The Huaiyang Marquis Mansion was quite prosperous during the late Emperor’s reign, but after Feng Yi ascended the throne, their family gradually declined. If the younger generation doesn’t show any promise, they truly won’t be able to hold on to their hereditary peerage.

Seeing that Yun Zhao hadn’t seemed to consider Mrs. Cai, First Madam gave her a subtle reminder. "With Chu Yuying going back to her maternal home and causing a scene, Madam Ding Nanbo will certainly feel aggrieved. I’m afraid she will go complain to your mother. You should be prepared."

After all, at the end of the day, Chu Yuying was sent back to the capital because of Yun Zhao.

"I can’t be bothered with them." Yun Zhao paid it no mind. "Eldest Aunt, if Mother writes to you, just ask her directly: since Chu Yuying instigated Huang Mingxiu to frame me, why haven’t I seen her stand up for me and seek justice?"

Hearing this, First Madam knew that Yun Zhao still had no intention of reconciling with her mother. She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Rest assured."

Thinking of Mrs. Cai made Song Yunzhao think of Song Qinghan, and thinking of Song Qinghan made her think of Marchioness Wu Xin. She looked at First Madam and asked, "How is Song Qinghan doing in the Marquis Wuxin Mansion now?"

"Marchioness Wu Xin has long regretted this marriage, seeing that she can’t get any benefits from you. But Qing Han has matured a lot. She completely ignores the matter of Xu Anxing and that concubine. She has even forbidden the concubine from entering the main courtyard, spreading the word that it’s to prevent the woman from ’accidentally’ falling or bumping into something and then blaming her for being malicious and trying to kill her. In any case, they’ve completely torn off all pretense of civility now. Qing Han is willing to go all out, but the Marquis Wuxin Mansion doesn’t dare to throw caution to the wind."

Song Yunzhao understood. The bullies are afraid of the desperate.

A scoundrel like Marchioness Wu Xin would naturally be afraid of someone like Song Qinghan, who is both shameless and ruthless.

’The days of battle between this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are still to come. As for that useless husband, Xu Anxing, Song Qinghan probably considers him as good as dead. As long as she can secure her position as the Young Madam, then when Xu Anxing inherits the title and she becomes the Marchioness, with a favored imperial concubine like me around, even if our sisterly relationship is poor, Xu Anxing wouldn’t dare to easily divorce her.’

’Of course, that’s all provided Song Qinghan doesn’t let Xu Anxing get any fatal leverage on her.’

’That’s great. Let them tear each other apart internally. As long as they don’t come and bother me.’

"There’s one more thing." First Madam’s expression turned grave, and she lowered her voice slightly.

"What is it?" Song Yunzhao asked, rarely seeing her Eldest Aunt with such a look.

"Duchess Gu En returned from the traveling palace yesterday and brought her daughter back with her. Did you know about this?"

Yun Zhao genuinely didn’t know. ’An Shutong has gone home?’

Seeing the look on Yun Zhao’s face, First Madam knew she was indeed unaware. "This was done very secretively. If not for our people intentionally keeping an eye on Gu’en Houfu, we wouldn’t have discovered that Miss An had returned. At the time, she was disguised in a maid’s clothes, following beside Duchess Gu En. Anyone who didn’t know would never have guessed it was her."

Hm?

Song Yunzhao asked suspiciously, "What is she up to? Why does she need to be so furtive about returning to her own home?"

’It’s obvious she’s up to something she can’t let people see.’

"It’s precisely because I can’t figure it out that I’m worried. You should also be on your guard." First Madam looked at Yun Zhao. "I will have people continue to watch them. You must also be careful at the traveling palace."

Song Yunzhao’s brows furrowed. "The court is in turmoil right now, so the Emperor certainly has no time to pay attention to the affairs of the harem. For Duchess Gu En to bring An Shutong home at a time like this is indeed a bit surprising."

"Gu’en Houfu produced an Empress Dowager. With the Empress Dowager there, it’s only natural they would want to produce an Empress as well. This Miss An is no simple character. You must be careful."

"Not simple? Eldest Aunt, have you heard something?" Song Yunzhao asked curiously.