Chapter 276 - 251: Madness

After the little episode just now, everyone had more or less figured out the dispositions of Su Yaoguang and her mother. Anyone with a bit of sense wouldn’t want to provoke them again.

Throughout the entire banquet, things went smoothly. There wasn’t even a minor argument, and everyone enjoyed a rare moment of peace during the meal.

After the meal, servants from the General Mansion brought out digestive tea and some after-meal fruits.

The women formed alliances, chatted with Zhang Zhaodi, and while some tried to cozy up to her, others aimed to suppress her, creating quite a spectacular scene.

"Madam, this is from the General." A servant presented a cloak to Zhang Zhaodi, saying, "The General said the wind is a bit strong today, so he asked you to keep warm."

Zhang Zhaodi smiled and said, "Our General is always like this, worrying over everything. I’m such a grown woman, yet he still constantly worries whether I can take care of myself. But after all, we haven’t seen each other for years, he feels indebted to me, so it’s normal to go along with everything I say. Unlike Mrs. Xia, Mrs. Yang, Mrs. Li, and Mrs. Wang who get to be with their husbands day and night, enjoying the same affection for ten years without being apart. It must be so easy for them."

The other ladies: "..."

Su Yaoguang noticed that Zhang Zhaodi hadn’t suffered a loss and even managed to sarcastically criticize those sharp-tongued ladies.

Which back courtyard of these aristocratic families doesn’t have a flock of wives and concubines? The households of the ladies she mentioned are extremely chaotic. Precisely because these women are living unhappily themselves, they want to tear apart others’ happiness when they see others living more comfortably. What they didn’t expect is that others aren’t fools either, so why would they let things go their way?

Su Yaoguang encountered a few noblewomen who pulled her aside for tea.

"This is the Second Madam of the Jing’an Marquis Mansion." One of the noblewomen introduced a young woman who had her back to Su Yaoguang.

The young woman, holding a child, turned around slowly after handing the child to a nearby servant.

As Su Yaoguang saw the face in front of her, her smile vanished.

Jiang Yihuan.

The Second Madam of the Jing’an Marquis Mansion?

So, after being abandoned by Xiao Yanci, she managed to climb up to a new high branch, and this person is actually a Marquis?

She was holding a child just now; could that child be hers?

Su Yaoguang’s expression was strange, while Jiang Yihuan across from her remained calm and smiled as usual, as if they were strangers.

"The only daughter of the National Guardian General, Miss Su, right? I felt an immediate connection with you. If you have time, come to Jing’an Marquis Mansion for tea."

"Sure, Second Madam," Su Yaoguang replied, "But you look really familiar, like someone I once knew. That person’s surname is Jiang, I wonder what the Second Madam’s surname is?"

"My surname is Fang," said Mrs. Fang, the Second Madam of the Jing’an Marquis Mansion. "Was this friend with the surname Jiang very close to you?"

"Yes, we were like sisters," Su Yaoguang said, wiping tears from her eyes, "We were the best of sisters, grew up together, but one day she fell for a cold and heartless man and was abandoned by him. Who knows what has become of her now. If possible, I really want to find her and tell her that the man has now become the third-place examinee, how impressive..."

As Su Yaoguang said this, she covered her mouth as if accidentally revealing everything she shouldn’t have.

The others who heard this were shocked.

"Third-place examinee? Could it be the new third-place examinee?" Others whispered among themselves.

"Isn’t that Xiao Tanhua engaged to Prime Minister Wang? Isn’t he soon to be married to Wang Ruyan? If that man had once been married, wouldn’t Wang Ruyan become the second wife, no better than a concubine? Do you think Wang Ruyan knows about this?"

"She’s such a proud person, she probably doesn’t know! If she did, she wouldn’t be able to face anyone."

"Do you think this Second Madam is really the friend Miss Su was talking about?"

Mrs. Fang listened to the conversations around her, and after hearing Su Yaoguang mention Xiao Yanci, she said with a stern face, "I am the Second Madam of the Jing’an Marquis Mansion, and the current heir of the Jing’an Marquis Mansion is my son. I am not the friend you mentioned, nor do I know the new third-place examinee. Even if your friend was wronged by the new third-place examinee, that is your friend’s issue, don’t pin it on me."

"Second Madam, don’t be so worked up. I just said you look alike; I didn’t say you are that woman. My friend has a birthmark on her wrist, Second Madam probably doesn’t, right?"

Mrs. Fang pressed her wrist and said in a neutral tone, "Of course, I don’t have one."