Hong Yingrong felt a surge of regret in her heart. She should have told Jiang Shuxiu about this matter earlier. Now it seems that after hearing it from Zhao Bai, Jiang Shuxiu must have had many unnecessary suspicions in her heart.
"Shuxiu, I didn't mean to hide this matter." Hong Yingrong's voice was full of apology.
Jiang Shuxiu shook her head slightly and replied respectfully, "Mother, I don't blame you. On the contrary, it's because I'm worried that my husband might become addicted to the entertainment industry that I've asked Zhao Bai to secretly monitor his movements."
She paused, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, "It's just that this time, my daughter-in-law does have some selfish motives. She wants to see what kind of servant could make her husband take such great pains to place him in the Treasure House, and even be completely captivated by him..."
At this point, Jiang Shuxiu took a deep breath, as if wanting to pour out all the frustrations in her heart. "Mother, I want to tell you something from the bottom of my heart. I have been married to the Marquis' Mansion for many years, but I have yet to give birth to a child for my husband's family. Even if my husband wants to take a concubine or a second wife, I will never complain."
"I even thought that if a prostitute outside could give birth to a child for my husband, as long as it didn't damage the dignity of the Marquis's mansion, I would be willing to take her into the mansion, treat the child as my own, and raise him as a legitimate son. But now, she is just a servant..."
Having said this, Jiang Shuxiu could no longer hold back the tears in her eyes. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she choked with sobs, her heart filled with helplessness and bitterness.
Hong Yingrong gently hugged Jiang Shuxiu, wiped her tears with a handkerchief, and said kindly, "My dear child, how could your mother let you suffer such an injustice? You are the legitimate daughter-in-law of the Marquis's Mansion. Your status is unmatched."
Jiang Shuxiu gradually calmed down in Hong Yingrong's arms. She looked up at her mother-in-law with a sincere look in her eyes, "Mother, I'm not afraid of my husband taking a concubine. I'm even willing to accept a woman from outside for the sake of the Marquis's offspring. This is my duty as a daughter-in-law of the Marquis's mansion."
"But now the appearance of this young servant has indeed made me suspicious. I am not jealous, but I am truly worried that my husband will be tainted by those extravagant and dissolute ways, and do things that will harm the Marquis's Mansion and himself."
When Hong Yingrong heard what Jiang Shuxiu said, she couldn't help but sigh deeply, and an indescribable worry surged in her heart.
She had never expected that Xue Yuanchu would be involved in activities that would damage the reputation of the Marquisate so early on. It was not difficult to imagine that if this continued, in three years the thousand-mile dam would undoubtedly be breached by an ant hole.
Now that things have come to this, it is imperative to reorganize the inner court.
"That child's name is Guanyan, right?" Hong Yingrong said slowly. "Now you've brought him back, but have you ever considered that even if you keep Guanyan by your side, he'll always be difficult to escape Yuanchu's control over the long term?"
"If this incident causes Yuanchu's resentment in the future, how will you cope with it? In my opinion, you should bring the child here now. I will make my own plans."
Hong Yingrong spoke these words with great sincerity. They were not only a reminder to Jiang Shuxiu, but also demonstrated her majesty and wisdom as the old lady of the Marquis's Mansion.
To preserve the innocence and reputation of the Marquisate, all possible troubles must be cut off at the source.
Rui'er was standing outside the door. When she heard Jiang Shuxiu calling her name, she immediately went into the house to listen to his instructions.
Upon learning that the old lady wanted to see Guanyan, she immediately went to the backyard to find Mother Zhou and Guanyan, and brought him to see Hong Yingrong.
Before this, Rui'er had been worried. She was afraid that Jiang Shuxiu would secretly take Guanyan back to the mansion, which would anger Xue Yuanchu and cause unnecessary rifts between the two.
At the same time, she was also worried that there would be gossip that was unfavorable to Jiang Shuxiu. After all, although Guanyan was only a child of about ten years old, it was always necessary to avoid suspicion between men and women.
However, the intervention of the old lady made Rui'er feel relieved. With the support and protection of the old lady, her girl could get away with it. Moreover, the Great Zhou Dynasty governed the world with benevolence and filial piety. When the old lady came forward to teach the prince, the prince dared not disobey.
Thinking of this, Rui'er felt a little relieved, her steps became much lighter, and she soon reached the corridor leading to the backyard.
"Good sister, where are you going in such a hurry?" A clear question broke the silence around. Rui'er was startled unexpectedly. When she looked up, she saw Xue Yuanchu's personal servant watching chess and staring at her with a playful expression.
"I'm just going to the backyard to get some needle and thread." Rui'er didn't want to cause any trouble, so she said casually.
Upon hearing this, Guanqi immediately put on an attentive and ingratiating face: "Everyone in the mansion praises your needlework skills, sister. If you have time, could you embroider a purse for me?"
Rui Er raised her eyebrows slightly and replied with a half-smile: "You follow the prince out drinking and socializing all day long. Don't other sisters have the courage to embroider a purse for you?"
After hearing this, Guanqi hurriedly raised his hand and swore, "Sister Rui'er, if I recognize any other sisters, I will be struck by lightning immediately... Good sister, please embroider one for me."
As Guanqi spoke, he pulled out an exquisite rouge box from his bosom and handed it to Rui'er as if begging her: "This is the new rouge cream from Danxiang Pavilion. The color is so beautiful that the noble ladies in the capital can't afford it. I finally got this box, so naturally I want to give it to you, sister."
Although the lid of the box was tightly closed, a faint fragrance of roses wafted out, intoxicating.
Rui'er is still young and naturally finds it hard to resist such rouge and perfume.
She pursed her lips slightly, but finally couldn't resist the temptation and reached out to take the rouge box: "Okay, when I have time, I will embroider a purse for you with the moon reflected in the lotus pond."
After saying that, she turned and walked towards the backyard.
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