Chapter 126 Counterattack
He has a round face and a humble posture, making him appear weak when he cries.
“Sending her back to Lanxi would have the least impact on Zhou, and would be the end of it all.”
"But what if the rumors reach Madam Xi? What will people think of a woman who was favored by the Third Master but was sent back to Lanxi by Madam Zhou?"
"At that time, someone could force her to her death by saying 'Master Zhou doesn't want her anymore'."
"It is, after all, a human life."
She paused, and Li Qu then spoke up at the opportune moment: "Three men can make a tiger, and public opinion is a fearsome thing. For us women, our reputation is as important as our lives. I understand your concerns."
Lady Hai was surprised that Li Qu was so easy to talk to, and immediately slid down to her knees and begged, "Third Madam is kind and benevolent."
"I have not met my niece since I came to your residence, and now I must beg you for help."
"Please spare her life, give her the title of concubine, and leave her wherever you like in the courtyard. It would be better than letting her die like this."
"I'm here for two reasons: first, to demonstrate your virtuous reputation as the first wife; and second, to save a life is also a good deed!"
"On behalf of my deceased brother, I thank you for your great kindness."
As she spoke, she bowed to Li Qu.
Li Qu let her bow: "I heard that my second sister-in-law is in charge of my cousin Xi's marriage. Is it inappropriate for you and me to make this decision on our own?"
Mrs. Hai straightened up and dabbed her cheeks with a handkerchief.
"In urgent situations, one must act expediently. I can make the decision for my niece."
"As long as the Third Madam agrees, I can persuade my niece."
"After all, it's better to live a miserable life than to die a good death."
Li Qu leaned back in his chair: "Cousin Xi is so strong-willed. If she doesn't listen to your advice, wouldn't our decision become a joke?"
"Moreover, her parents and elders, who could rightfully be her masters, are not here."
"In my humble opinion, Second Sister-in-law, entrusted by her mother, has the right to handle this matter. Either we ask Second Sister-in-law to make the decision, or we need to obtain Cousin Xi's consent. It's ultimately inappropriate for you and me to make a decision on our own."
Upon hearing this, Madam Hai replied, "Then why not invite Ling Rou over and hear what she has to say? After all, it's her own future."
“Yes.” Li Quwu agreed.
The old lady then had someone help Hai Shi up and sent Rong Mama to lead the people away.
Seeing this, Zhou Lan couldn't help but praise her while subtly mocking her: "Although my third sister-in-law comes from a humble background, she is broad-minded, kind and compassionate, and has the demeanor of a first wife. She is a role model for us all."
Li Qu smiled and looked at Zhou Lan: "Thank you for the compliment, Sister."
Seeing that Li Qu was unmoved, Zhou Lan rolled her eyes.
The old lady ignored the two men and spoke to Mrs. Hai.
It took about an incense stick's time for Xi Lingrou to be invited.
Her shoulders were like those of a beautiful woman, graceful and charming; her tear-streaked eyelashes made her look pitiful.
He entered and respectfully bowed to everyone.
Seeing her like this, Mrs. Hai wanted to go up and hug her, but hesitated because of the situation. In the end, she could only look at her with a worried and distressed expression.
The old lady offered her a seat, and she sat down with her buttocks halfway down in the position below Mrs. Hai, acting reserved and cautious.
After taking his seat, he looked up and exchanged a glance with Mrs. Hai, their aunt and niece showing deep affection.
Li Qu spoke first: "It is not our wish for Cousin Xi to be burdened by rumors."
"Now, your aunt wants to secure a concubine position for your cousin Xi. Is your cousin Xi willing?"
Upon hearing this, Xi Lingrou lowered her brows, tears streaming down her face, feeling extremely wronged.
"This matter is a misunderstanding."
"My third cousin only protected me once, how did such rumors spread?"
She covered her eyes with a handkerchief: "How innocent am I?"
Hai's wife leaned forward seemingly to advise Xi Lingrou, but in reality, she was speaking to Li Qu.
“I know you are innocent, and it is unfair to you to be a concubine. With your looks and family background, you should be a wife.”
"Isn't this just a result of being pressured by rumors?"
Zhou Lan, always eager for excitement, said, "Maybe it's not just a rumor. Flies don't land on eggs without cracks."
Xi Lingrou hurriedly looked up at Li Qu and explained hastily, "Third cousin and third cousin's wife are deeply in love. It's all just a rumor, really just a rumor."
"Third cousin's wife, please don't overthink it."
"I have been at your residence for many days, and I have not spoken a single word to my third cousin. It was only because he protected me this time that we had any interaction."
Zhou Lan chuckled: "My third brother has a cold personality and would never protect a woman casually."
“This…” Xi Lingrou blushed and avoided Li Qu’s gaze.
The topic naturally came up, and Madam Hai knelt down and looked up at Li Qu: "Third Madam, your daughter-in-law is completely innocent. The rumors originated from you, Zhou Shi. She is the victim."
"Otherwise, given her looks and family background, why would she become someone's concubine?"
"She would even be a concubine."
The implication was clear to everyone present.
Xi Lingrou was filled with shame and quickly got up to pull Hai Shi's wife away, saying, "Aunt, what nonsense are you talking about? Please get up."
She neither refused nor agreed to become a concubine, only saying that she was innocent.
It makes people feel that if they don't treat her well, they are bullying her.
It would be disgraceful for a family like the Zhou to bully a deceased father and daughter like that.
She was morally blackmailing Li Qu, wanting Li Qu to willingly feed her the result she wanted.
During this time, he didn't forget to disgust Li Qu, and his words were vague about Zhou Jin's feelings for him.
She tried to pull Mrs. Hai up but failed, so she knelt down beside Mrs. Hai and wiped away her tears with a handkerchief: "Even if I die, I would rather do something that causes a rift between my third cousin and his wife."
Upon hearing this, Madam Hai embraced Xi Lingrou tenderly, saying, "Our bodies and hair are gifts from our parents; how can we so easily say goodbye!"
Even if you don't think about yourself, you should at least think about your mother.
"She finally survived the pain of losing her husband, are we really going to make her, an old woman, bury her son?"
Madam Hai looked at Li Qu and said, "Third Madam, your daughter is gentle, kind and virtuous. Please spare her life."
"Aunt, you mustn't..."
The aunt and niece, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop, laid out the matter before Li Qu.
Li Qu looked at Xi Lingrou, who was being held in Hai Shi's arms, picked up his teacup, and looked at Hai Shi.
"She was plagued by rumors that ruined her reputation, and with no hope for the rest of her life, she wanted to die."
"Now, you're willing to follow the rumors, become someone's concubine, and live a good life, is that what you mean?"
Madam Hai emphasized, "Given Lingrou's status and appearance, she is perfectly acceptable as a concubine."
"aunt!"
Hai's wife scolded Xi Lingrou: "If you don't marry now, do you really intend to do something as unfilial as suicide!"
Xi Lingrou seemed helpless, lying on the ground in great pain, her shoulders trembling: "It's just my bad luck! I can't blame anyone else."
Li Qu took a sip of tea: "It is heartbreaking to hear that a woman is being swayed by rumors."
"But now that you two have come to me for help..."
"After I returned, I sent a letter to invite my third aunt to come in and have a few words with her, trying to secure the position of a concubine for my cousin Xi."
Xi Lingrou, who was lying on the ground, suddenly looked up at Li Qu.
Mrs. Hai couldn't quite grasp the situation.
Li Qu put down his teacup and leaned back deeply in his chair.
Her gaze fell on Xi Lingrou, looking down at her from above.
What rumor?
It's just a war of words.
Whoever hires more online trolls will have the upper hand.
Breaking this deadlock is not difficult.
"What, what do you mean?" Mrs. Hai broke the silence first.
Xi Lingrou stared blankly at Li Qu, then couldn't help but crawl forward on her knees and grab Li Qu's skirt: "What do you mean, Third Sister-in-law!"
Granny Xu frowned and said, "Miss, you have been impolite."
Xi Lingrou has no time to worry about anything else right now!
She felt a chill run down her spine when she considered the possibilities in Li Qu's words.
Li Qu lowered her eyebrows and calmly looked at Xi Lingrou.
Xi Lingrou gripped Li Qu's skirt tightly, the veins on the back of her fair hand clearly visible: "What do you mean!"
"As you wish, and in accordance with the rumors, I will grant you the opportunity to become a concubine."
Xi Lingrou couldn't wait to confirm her guess: "What rumor!"
Seeing that Xi Lingrou was reluctant to let go of Li Qu's skirt, Xu Mama stepped forward, pried Xi Lingrou's hand off, and gave her a hard shove.
"Naturally, it's about 'Miss Cousin and Young Master Jian being mutually attracted, engaging in indecent acts of affection at the gate of the Zhou residence's inner courtyard. After the Third Master caught them, he punished Young Master Jian, and the Second Madam forcibly sent you back to Lanxi. Unwilling to be separated from Young Master Jian, you committed suicide and caused trouble, even going so far as to have your maids slander you, claiming that the Third Master had taken a liking to you, making a big scene to ensure that you and Young Master Jian would never be separated again!'"
She finally got her revenge.
She dares to dream of becoming the Third Master's concubine!
*
Xi Lingrou's hands were pressed to the ground by the shoving.
Her black hair was disheveled, covering her chest and back, and her chest heaved violently.
His face was filled with disbelief and fear.
My cousin was right; she was aiming to take over and replace me!
What do you mean by exclusive favor?
It was just a temporary pause for the picky man!
If she stirs up conflict and suspicion between the couple, the man will definitely shift his gaze from that commoner woman and discover how wonderful Xi Lingrou is!
She succeeded!
She successfully used seemingly unintentional events to create a rumor that "that man has feelings for her."
As long as rumors plant the seeds of doubt in that commoner woman's heart.
All that's left is for her to use the rumors to gain a legitimate place in their lives.
She would then have countless opportunities to create internal and external conflicts and sow discord between the couple.
She wants to be his legal wife!
Only she and his child are worthy of this supreme power in the South.
In this southern land, only Master Zhou is worthy of her!
Now, that commoner woman has turned the tables and used rumors to slander her!
Rumors are more dangerous than tigers!
*
They will repay them with their own methods.
This was Li Qu's counterattack.
To stop a boiling cauldron, we must address the problem at its root.
This will leave you with no rumors to rely on.
Then, in turn, I'll let you experience what it's like to be forced by rumors.
Li Qu felt her milk flow returning and, realizing she had been there for quite some time, stood up and bowed to the old lady: "Mother, Xi-ge'er is almost hungry."
"My cousin Xi and I share a deep and abiding affection; it touches my heart."
“I will definitely help with this. I will write a letter as soon as I get back and ask my third aunt to come and matchmake us.”
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
The old lady served tea: "Let Rong Mama deliver it to you."
Granny Rong agreed.
Li Qu greeted Zhou Lan again and then walked outside.
Zhou Lan was very disappointed to see that Xi Lingrou was of no use and gave her a lazy glance.
When Li Qu arrived at the door, Xu Mama, Hong Guo, and others came forward to help Li Qu put on a cloak and a veil.
Xi Lingrou got up from the ground and confronted Li Qu, demanding, "Third cousin-in-law, how dare you smear my reputation with rumors!"
Li Qu raised her head slightly so that Xu Mama could adjust the cloak around her neck.
She said calmly, "Cousin Xi, without evidence, I can consider your words as slander."
Madam Hai also stood up, and couldn't help but interject, "Madam Xiao, the Prefectural Magistrate, and the others all heard it..."
Li Qu: "Did you hear Xi's maid say, 'Third Master has taken a fancy to Xi'?"
"If only Xi's maidservant makes such a statement, who can testify? If there is no testimonies, it is undoubtedly slander."
Mrs. Hai refused to give up: "Now there are rumors going around, and many people are saying the same thing!"
"How come this is different from the rumors I heard before I came? Why don't you go out and listen to them again now?"
Li Qu blocked their paths one by one.
Xi Lingrou's bright red nail polish dug into her palm.
The thought of the rumors that she and that playboy Zhou Jian were 'mutually in love' made her feel nauseous!
She panicked and said to Li Qu.
"My third cousin has feelings for me, but you used rumors to frame me for having feelings for Zhou Jian!"
"My third cousin will definitely hate you if he finds out!"
"A woman's virtue and generosity are fundamental."
"Third cousin's wife, why don't you grant your third cousin's wish? You'll even get a compliment from him on how virtuous you are."
Granny Xu helped Li Qu put on the cloak and then put the veil on Li Qu's head.
Li Qu directly mocked, "Aren't you ashamed?"
Xi Lingrou's chest heaved more and more violently, her cheeks flushed red, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.
She couldn't believe things had gotten to this point!
This commoner woman has such audacity!
She demanded, "Have you considered the consequences of offending the Xi family?!"
Granny Xu fastened her veil and withdrew.
Li Qu raised her hand and gently lifted the light veil on the veil, looking at Xi Lingrou.
"Dare to scheme against my Zhou family? Has your Xi family considered the consequences?"
Xi Lingrou's pupils contracted.
The woman behind her, Mrs. Hai, turned pale instantly.
The old lady in the main seat raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile unconsciously creeping into her eyes.
Zhou Lanjue glanced at Li Qu, disgusted by her demeanor.
Li Qu lowered her hand that had been lifting the veil, bowed to the old lady seated above, grasped the edge of the cloak with both hands, crossed her arms slightly, and wrapped herself up tightly in the cloak.
Rong Mama lifted the curtain for her, and Xu Mama helped her walk outside.
Xi Lingrou staggered to her feet and tried to chase after him, but was held tightly by Hai Shi.
Xi Lingrou knew she shouldn't waste any more words now, but should try to find a way to break the deadlock.
But some things just just have to be said.
Xi Lingrou raised her voice: "Have you considered his feelings even a little bit!"
"How many sons can you bear for him by yourself!"
"And how can one guarantee that their own son will grow up smoothly and inherit their mantle..."
Mrs. Hai quickly covered Xi Lingrou's mouth.
Xi Lingrou pulled Hai's hand away.
If you love him, you should think more about him!
"I promise I won't argue with you about anything!"
"I would never let my child compete with your child for anything!"
"Third cousin's wife!"
"Instead of letting someone you can't control into the house later, why can't it be me!"
"I promise I'll listen to you and follow your lead!"
Li Qu's figure was already outside the curtain.
When Xi Lingrou saw the figure outside the curtain stop, hope instantly welled up in her eyes.
Unexpectedly, he heard Zhou Jian's disgusting voice.
"Is it Third Sister-in-law?"
*
Under the eaves outside the door.
Zhou Jian stood on a wooden plank, which was suspended from a carrying pole by a thick rope. The carrying pole was carried by four people.
He also had a stick hanging from his chest, draped under his armpit.
It was quite comical that it was carried back and forth like this.
Li Qu asked, "What's wrong?"
"Hey, it's because Third Brother beat me with a board and I can't walk anymore that I came up with this idea."
"It doesn't stop me from going out to cockfighting and listen to opera."
"Please forgive me for not bowing to Third Sister-in-law."
He smiled with smug satisfaction.
"My younger brother only just learned that Lady Xi had made quite a fool of herself because of me."
"But don't worry, Third Sister-in-law, I have already written a letter and sent it to all the major families in Hezhou, explaining that I and the Xi family girl are in love, that I was caught by Third Brother having a secret meeting inside the courtyard gate, and that Third Brother beat me with a stick."
“Now that I can no longer hide my affair with Lady Xi, I have to take responsibility for her.”
“I told my mother I wanted to marry her, but she said her reputation was ruined and she wasn’t even worthy of being a concubine. So I came to ask my aunt to help me persuade her…”
"Ah!" A scream suddenly came from inside the door from Xi Lingrou.
Then Mrs. Hai cried out in alarm, "Lingrou!"
"Miss!" the maids and servants exclaimed.
Xi Lingrou raised her voice: "I saw you as innocent, but now you've ruined my reputation, as if you're forcing me to die, sob sob sob..."
Mrs. Hai: "The old lady is here; she will surely stand up for you."
A commotion erupted inside. Li Qu and Zhou Jian bid each other farewell and walked away.
She broke free from her own trap, and afterwards, the old lady took charge.
*
By the time Li Qu arrived at Fanghua Garden, she was covered in sweat again.
After removing her veil and washing herself briefly with a hot towel, Li Qu took the child from Zheng Zhenniang's arms and sat down on the couch.
She unbuttoned her clothes and skillfully fed her slightly engorged breasts to the child.
The little guy touched the rice bowl with his mouth and began to wolf it down.
Around 5 PM, Cui Guo returned, and Li Qu was writing a letter at his desk.
She went to Li Qu's side to report her business with great excitement.
"As Madam instructed, I went home and whispered the whole story to my mother."
“My mother was whispering in her ear with the aunt she worked with.”
"And then, Auntie..."
New public opinion, secretly spreading and covering among close relatives and friends, can gradually wash away the previous public opinion within the household.
Li Qu: "Could you give me some instructions or precautions?"
Cui Guo nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, Madam, I wouldn't dare to be arrogant or offend anyone in such a dangerous situation."
After Li Qu finished writing the invitation, he put down his pen and blew on the ink.
"How's things going with Quan?"
"I was waiting for news from my brother, that's why I came back late."
“My brother said that she had already paid a lot of money to buy that ‘advertisement’ at the theater and teahouse, as instructed by the madam.”
The advertisement refers to the rumors that Granny Xu had mentioned before.
The names of the people mentioned are obviously not real people.
Xi Lingrou was replaced with "West Girl," and the others were replaced with "East, South, North."
Then hire a dozen or so online trolls to stir things up in the audience, and the hidden meaning in the advertisement will be widely publicized.
"Now, probably no one in Hezhou City doesn't know about Miss Xi and Young Master Jian."
Li Qu: "But what if someone notices the traces?"
"As Madam instructed, we concealed our true appearance, changed our tone, and had the thugs act in front while my brother observed from behind. They couldn't trace it back to my brother."
Li Qu handed the invitation to Cui Guo: "Send it to my third aunt in the three mansions."
Regardless of the old lady's final decision regarding Xi's daughter, she wanted to make her stance clear.
She wanted to show everyone that she was not to be trifled with.
The predicament that Xi's daughter is now facing is her counterattack.
Zhou Jin did not return today. After dealing with the matter of the Xi woman, Li Qu did not forget to try to make his presence known to Zhou Jin.
She wrote a letter to Zhou Jin.
I wish to be a beast in the distance, walking side by side. I wish to be a tree in the deep mountains, branches intertwined.
The implication is that she's afraid he'll be taken away by someone else...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
