Chapter 441 - 440: Saving Face (Monthly Pass 660+)

Chapter 441: Chapter 440: Saving Face (Monthly Pass 660+)

Mu Lianhui’s words made Mrs. Lian’s heart fluctuate, and now she felt suffocated again.

The atmosphere at the table suddenly became quiet.

Everyone knew Mu Lianhui’s words were sharp, but hearing her say it in person was truly unsettling.

Madam Wu shook her head repeatedly and said, "How can you speak to your mother like that? Your mother has been nothing but sincere to you, and you’re old enough to know better than to speak just for a moment’s satisfaction."

"Grandmother," Mu Lianhui’s long eyelashes trembled as she said stubbornly, "I seek more than just a moment’s satisfaction in words; I seek joy in what I do."

This was about the calculation with Li Luan in Wangmei Garden that day.

Wangmei Garden changed Mu Lianhui’s path; she lost the favor of Cining Palace, and it took years before her marriage could be arranged.

Madam Wu didn’t want to delve into the rights and wrongs of the past with Mu Lianhui. She sighed and didn’t press further upon hearing her speak like this.

The atmosphere at the table became considerably grim, but Mrs. Lu managed to find a topic of discussion, gradually bringing back some liveliness.

After the gathering, Mrs. Zhou helped Madam Wu back to the main room.

Madam Wu took off her shoes and sat on the Arhat bed: "Everyone has their own thoughts, I’m old and can hardly understand now."

Mrs. Zhou lowered her eyes and said, "Madam Wu’s mind is still as clear as a mirror."

Madam Wu smiled wryly, "It’s a mirror covered with dust.

Speaking of which, when I asked the Empress Dowager to help suggest marriage candidates for Lianhui back then, she mentioned Changping Marquis Mansion.

It’s only been a short time, and Changping Marquis Mansion has already fallen. Fortunately, Lianhui didn’t choose their family, otherwise, she would have been implicated again.

I’ve been thinking, when Lian Xiao returns at the end of the year, I’ll visit the Empress Dowager to suggest that the title be given to Lian Xiao."

Mrs. Zhou smiled softly: "Once he inherits the title, you’ll still be the Old Madam, but I’ll become the Old Madam’s wife, making me feel suddenly old too. Sometimes I feel like going to the temple and having a word with the old master."

Madam Wu smiled: "You have become a grandmother yourself, you are no longer young."

"Speaking of becoming a grandmother, I haven’t even seen Brother Yan, **** It’s already been almost seven months, I wonder how he’s been raised."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law talked about family matters for a while, then Mrs. Zhou returned to Jingshui Hall.

The moonlight was clear and bright, casting a silvery glow through the window lattice onto the ground.

Mrs. Zhou stood by the wall where the longbow was hung, gently brushing her fingers over the bow’s body, and sighed softly.

At the table, she drank several cups of osmanthus wine, and now her stomach was burning, the fiery sensation even reaching her throat.

Mu Yuance loved wine, and when he was around, Mrs. Zhou could hold her liquor quite well too.

She remembered when they were newlyweds, under a full moon like this, while the servants were asleep, Mu Yuance carried her to the rooftop. Nanny Su couldn’t stop them, so she turned a blind eye as they drank two jars of wine together on the roof.

At that time, she didn’t feel drunk at all, and there was no burning in her throat. Now, just a few cups made her so uncomfortable.

I am truly getting old...

There is no denying it.

Recalling her younger days made Mrs. Zhou feel stifled as she turned her eyes to the full moon without blinking.

Madam Wu’s words were well understood by Mrs. Zhou.

Changping Marquis Mansion took one wrong step and collapsed immediately; Dingyuan Marquis Mansion must not repeat the same mistake, and must act with more caution.

Even if she had doubts about certain matters, she couldn’t make a fuss about it openly, otherwise, it would harm Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, the very one to be handed over to Mu Lianxiao.

Whatever happened inside the mansion should be resolved behind closed doors. Making a big scene was not the best approach.

Mrs. Zhou agreed with Madam Wu’s perspective. The reason behind Mu Liankang’s disappearance was still unknown without tangible evidence. Even if there was evidence, could such sordid matters be spoken of?

The favor of the Holy Emperor, obtained by the bloodshed of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, made many people in the capital envious of Mu Lianxiao’s standing with the emperor over the years.

How could they let those people see them as a laughing stock?

The second branch’s improper conduct would certainly implicate Mu Liankang and Mu Lianxiao if others brought it up.

When people mocked the Duke Jing Mansion’s Old Duke’s wife, wouldn’t they also bring up the names of Ye Yuzhi and Princess An Ran?

For that reason, the Countess of Enrong Bo Mansion was extremely displeased, yet she couldn’t stop others from talking.

If Dingyuan Marquis Mansion turned into a joke like Duke Jing Mansion, how would Mrs. Zhou face Mu Yuance and the Mu Family ancestors in the future?

Behind closed doors, everything can be discussed.

After all, some people have no shame, but the first, third, and fourth branches do have it!

All matters will be settled once the two brothers return to the capital with their families at the year’s end after Mu Lianxiao takes the title.

By estimation, it would take about four more months.

Five days later, the Jiang Family sent people to visit Jiang Yunuan and Sister Niang.

Jiang Yunuan’s mother Mrs. Jiang Fang and sister-in-law Mrs.Jiang Deng came together.

After holding Sister Niang, Mrs. Jiang Fang gave Jiang Yunuan a red coral bracelet and said, "In a few days, it’s Sister Niang’s birthday. I know the Marquis Mansion doesn’t hold large celebrations or set up a big feast, so I’m giving this in advance."

Jiang Yunuan nodded and accepted it, then asked Mrs. Liu Menghai to take Sister Niang outside.

When there were only the three of them left in the room, Mrs. Jiang Fang said, "Even if she is a girl, she is still the eldest daughter of the ’Ling’ generation. How can she be treated with such neglect!

It’s no longer your mother-in-law managing the household, so even arranging a small gathering to invite relatives for a meal is out of the question."

"Who knows if she is the eldest daughter." Jiang Yunuan muttered softly.

"What?" Mrs. Jiang Fang was startled and exchanged a look with Mrs. Jiang Deng, both of them stunned, "What do you mean by that? Is it that the Princely Heir has someone outside, or does your husband have someone behind your back..."

Jiang Yunuan quickly shook her head: "No, it’s, it’s Big Uncle...

Big Uncle has been found, and now he’s with the Princely Heir, claiming to have sons and daughters."

Referring to Mu Liankang as "Big Uncle" made Jiang Yunuan feel awkward, but she had to call him that since she was already married, and calling him "Big Cousin" was inappropriate.

Mrs. Jiang Fang took a deep breath.

Mrs.Jiang Deng pinched herself hard: "Who did you say? Your aunt’s son? He, he is still alive? What will you do now?"

"What should I do?" Jiang Yunuan’s eyes widened, her eyes red, "What can I do? Other than calling him Big Uncle, what can I do?"

Mrs. Jiang Fang’s gaze darkened, a sharp look flashing in her eyes: "From your tone, are you going to blame us?

Don’t you think, you’re my own daughter, would I harm you?

Back then, you had a place for him in your heart, but did he know? Did he ever treat you as a romantic interest?

If he ever had feelings for you, he would have talked to your aunt about it, rather than letting your current mother-in-law get ahead of the Old Madam.

You were undecided at the time, so I put on a brave face and had a frank conversation with the Old Madam, who then suggested we wait and let her consider it.

But before the Old Madam could come to a conclusion, he disappeared.

Was I wrong to let you marry your husband?

You were determined to wait and wait, should I have let you? If I had, and he had never returned in his lifetime, you would have been waiting for nothing. Now that he’s back, he has a wife and children. What do you amount to?

I saw you and your husband getting along well and thought you had come to your senses, but in the end, you’re still a fool!"