Chapter 113 The daughter-in-law dares not!
"The Marquis of Anping's family is also a family of high-ranking officials. If it's not the heir's wife who's in charge of the household, then is it the Marquis's wife who's in charge?"
Meeting the questioning gaze of the Duchess of Xin, Marquis Anping felt a sudden chill run down his spine.
His beard twitched before he gave an embarrassed laugh and explained.
"My wife is unwell and naturally unable to manage the household; the household..."
He wanted to say that the second wife, Sun, was in charge of the household, but when he met the gaze of the Duchess of Xinguo, he felt that saying this might make people look down on him.
Just as she was hesitating about how to explain, Madam Sun smiled and took over the conversation.
"Madam, you may not know this, but my sister-in-law was indeed in charge of the household a while ago. However, she has been unwell these past two days, so I will temporarily take over for the next two days."
"So that's how it is."
Lady Xin, without suspecting anything amiss, turned her expression to concern.
"We've come at an inopportune time. Since we're already here, we should at least visit the Crown Prince's wife."
"Please lead the way, Second Young Madam, we're going to visit the Heir Apparent's wife."
Sun's expression changed slightly.
Song Yi is still kneeling in the back corridor of the flower hall.
She twitched her lips and said, "This is not good. My sister-in-law has caught a cold. If the illness is passed on to the Duchess, wouldn't that be a sin for our Marquis's mansion?"
Lady Xin recalled that when she entered the gate and passed through the hallway, she heard two maids talking at the corner.
"The young master's wife is so pitiful. She did nothing wrong, yet she was scolded by the marquis."
"What do you know? The Marquis just wants to give the management of the household to the Second Young Mistress, so naturally he thinks that whatever the Heir Apparent's wife does is wrong."
"The Marquis threw a huge tantrum and even shouted that he would divorce the heir apparent's wife on behalf of the young master."
Lady Xinguo had lived with her husband at the border for several years. She was a person of strong principles and hated evil.
Their family owed Song Yi a favor, and her visit to deliver the gift was to express her gratitude.
Hearing the maids' comments, he became prejudiced and very dissatisfied with Marquis Anping and his second young mistress.
Seeing that Madam Sun was making excuses, his expression darkened slightly.
"It's just a common cold. Even with the strong sandstorms at the border, I've never caught a cold."
"I've come to pay my respects to the Crown Prince's wife. Second Young Mistress, please lead the way."
Sun's face turned somewhat unpleasant, and she subconsciously looked at Marquis Anping.
Marquis Anping quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.
"It is an honor for the Duchess to see Madam Song. How about this, Duchess, please come with us to the front hall for a short while."
I sent someone to summon Madam Song to come and entertain the guests.
Lady Xin Guogong quickly raised her hand to stop her.
"There's no need for such trouble. I can just go directly to the Crown Prince's wife's courtyard. My lord, you may not know this, but my family has received a favor from the Crown Prince's wife."
I came here today to express my gratitude to the Crown Prince's wife; how could I trouble her to come see me while she is ill?
Marquis Anping stared in astonishment.
Did the Song family do the Duke of Xin's family a favor?
What did she do?
Sun, standing to the side, was also anxious and eager to know what Song Yi had done to earn such gratitude from the Duchess of Xin.
However, the Duchess of Xinguo remained indifferent and did not utter a single word.
She was too embarrassed to ask directly.
"Second Young Mistress?"
Lady Xin urged her to lead the way.
Sun had a sudden inspiration and said, "I'll send someone to tell my sister-in-law to tidy up her yard first."
"Madam, why don't you come and sit in my courtyard for a while? Once my sister-in-law's things are settled, I'll invite you over."
Marquis Anping quickly replied, "That makes perfect sense. Duchess, please go to the inner quarters and sit for a while. I will accompany the young master to the study for a bit."
Lady Xin Guo thought about it and agreed.
After all, she had come to deliver a thank-you gift, so it wasn't appropriate for her to directly interfere in their family affairs.
He nodded slightly at that moment.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Second Young Madam."
Mrs. Sun was so happy she almost burst out laughing.
"This way, Madam Duchess."
As soon as the two left, the heir of the Duke of Xin waved goodbye with a grin.
“I’ve been wielding swords and spears since I was a child, and I’m most afraid of going to places like the study. If you don’t mind, I’ll just wander around in the garden by myself.”
Marquis Anping thought to himself that a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy is full of energy and cannot sit for long periods of time.
He readily agreed and sent a servant to accompany him.
He hurried to the back corridor of the front hall and saw Song Yi and Li Nanke still kneeling there.
He stepped forward hastily and asked, "Song, what did you do to the Duke of Xin's mansion? Why did the Duchess say you were kind to her family?"
Song Yi shook her head.
"I didn't do anything."
Marquis Anping frowned, seeing her blank expression, which didn't seem to be feigned.
He then waved his hand impatiently.
"Don't just stand there. The Duchess of Xinguo has arrived with gifts of thanks. Get up and go and greet her."
Song Yi pursed her lips.
“My husband just said that I am filial to my elders, but I can’t manage the household well, and he’s even preparing to divorce me on behalf of my husband.”
The daughter-in-law thought about it and felt that her father-in-law's words made sense. She was deeply reflecting on herself at the moment, so she decided not to go see the Duchess.
"Now that my second sister-in-law is in charge of the household, it's fine for her to handle the reception of the Duchess."
Marquis Anping narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Are you threatening me, Song?"
"I wouldn't dare. I'm just reflecting deeply on myself. Why can't I manage the household well and why have I made my father-in-law so angry?"
Are you deliberately trying to annoy me?
"The daughter-in-law wouldn't dare."
"you!"
Marquis Anping was furious, but he was also worried that Lady Xinguo was getting impatient.
He could only grit his teeth and lower his stance to discuss it with Song Yi.
"I promise you, I won't write a letter of divorce, okay? You'll be able to get up now, won't you?"
Song Yi shook her head.
"Please forgive your daughter-in-law for not being able to get up. Since your father-in-law has punished your daughter-in-law by making her kneel, your daughter-in-law must kneel until she fully understands her mistake."
But I still haven't figured out exactly where I went wrong, nor why managing the accounts in the inner quarters was wrong.
"Please ask my second sister-in-law to convey my apologies to the Duchess."
Marquis Anping was so angry that his hands trembled.
"Let me tell you, when the Duchess of Xin came to express her gratitude, it was just a matter of politeness. Do you really think you've gotten ahead just because you've found a powerful backer?"
Let me tell you, even a duchess shouldn't interfere in other people's family affairs. I'm the one who calls the shots in this household!
Song Yi lowered her eyes, her expression respectful.
"Your daughter-in-law wouldn't dare!"
"You...you!"
Marquis Anping was furious, but had nowhere to vent his anger. His sinister gaze fell on Li Nanke, who was kneeling beside him.
"Since you are so stubborn, don't blame me for being ruthless."
He reached out to pull Li Nanke.
No sooner had he reached out than Li Nanke jumped up from the ground.
The little body nimbly slipped out from under his arm and ran outside in a flash.
"Oh no! Grandpa's angry again and he's going to hit us!"
Marquis Anping was so angry he nearly fell backward.
"You brat, come back here right now!"
Li Nanke ran very fast and reached the courtyard gate in the blink of an eye.
He turned around and made a face at Marquis Anping, then ran outside, shouting even louder.
"Grandpa broke his promise! Grandpa's going to hit me! Grandpa's going to beat Ke'er to death! Help!"
Marquis Anping's expression changed drastically, and he quickly chased after him.
"Quick, grab that brat!"
He chased after her while yelling, only to see the butler running towards him, panting heavily.
"Oh no, my lord!"
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