The eldest wife was indeed in better spirits than the last time she was seen. Her hair was combed neatly and her clothes were simple and elegant. Mother Xu was serving her diligently.

When she heard that she was going to see Shi Niang, she pouted, but her expression couldn't return as quickly as before, so she looked a little weird.

"It's a lesson for her when she can't have a peaceful life all day long."

Eleventh Lady found this very irritating and just sat there smiling without saying anything.

The eldest wife asked about the people in her room: "... three concubines, Concubine Qin is old, the Marquis probably goes to her for the occasion. Concubine Wen always nags about the Wen family's business every time she sees the Marquis. The one you have to be wary of is Concubine Qiao. Do you know when she has a good life?"

"No questions asked." Eleventh Lady smiled faintly.

She arranged it according to the degree of respect, not according to who is more likely to conceive. Xu Lingyi is not a fool. Even Nan Yong's wife knows about it, doesn't he know? Even if he doesn't know, doesn't the Tai Madam know? Doesn't the Third Madam know? She doesn't want to become a laughing stock in the Xu family.

The eldest wife frowned.

"Didn't Mother Tao teach you?" Even though she was sick, her eyes were still stern. "The difference between legitimate and illegitimate children is fundamental. What would you do if Qiao Lianfang gave birth to a son?"

Eleventh Lady smiled slightly: "Now that the Marquis has both a son and a daughter, having more children would be icing on the cake, so mother doesn't have to worry too much."

The eldest wife glared at Eleventh Lady: "You idiot..."

Just then, a little maid came in and reported, "The eldest lady is here." The eldest lady snorted coldly and dropped the topic.

The eldest grandmother had changed into a royal blue sable fur coat, and had lightly powdered her face. Her long eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes made her look even more charming than usual. After asking the eldest wife if she had any words to bring, she and Eleventh Lady said goodbye to the eldest wife and took a car to the mansion of the Duke of Mao in Shishi Hutong.

A servant had gone in to announce it, and when the carriage stopped in front of the hanging flower gate, my mother immediately came out to greet us: "My uncle is here, my aunt is here!"

The eldest grandmother casually gave away the reward money and led the mother into the inner courtyard.

The green pines and cypresses on both sides reflect the white snow, and a fresh air blows in your face.

Entering the house, there was burning vanilla in a large basin in the middle, a ticking clock on the incense table in the middle hall, and a maid with lowered head standing beside the curtain. It did not lose the style of a noble family.

A white-haired woman came out of the inner room surrounded by maids and servants. "It must be my uncle and auntie!"

When Eleventh Lady saw that the woman had a tourmaline the size of a pigeon egg inlaid on her headband, a ruby ​​ring the size of a lotus seed on her hand, and a dark blue silk jacket with full sleeves, she was already secretly guessing her identity.

Someone on the side said, "This is the old lady in our house."

Unexpectedly, Wang Lang's mother would be in Shi Niang's room.

The two men hurried forward and saluted.

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but look at it carefully.

She had a pretty appearance, and Madam Jiang was quite similar to her, except that her eyes and eyebrows were filled with a dark undertone, making her look haggard, like someone who had been ill for many years.

Old Lady Wang held the grandmother in one hand and Shiyi Niang in the other: "Please get up quickly!" As she spoke, tears were already falling, "Shi Niang has not eaten or drunk for two or three days. I really have no other choice, so I sent someone to bring a letter. Please help me persuade her!"

Grandma and Eleventh Lady were both shocked.

I didn't expect that the incident had happened two or three days ago.

The two of them nodded randomly and hurried into the inner room.

The big red curtains were half-drawn. Shi Niang's face was pale. She leaned on the large emerald green pillow with her eyes closed. There was no longer the brightness of blooming summer flowers between her brows. Instead, there was only the pale yellow of autumn leaves.

"Shi Niang." The grandmother's eyes immediately became wet. She quickly walked to the bed and sat down, calling her softly, "Shi Niang, I'm your sister-in-law. I'm here with Shiyi Niang to see you."

Old Madam Wang and a group of people surrounded Grandma and Shiyi Niang: "Shiyi Niang, your family is here to see you."

Shi Niang's long eyelashes trembled slightly a few times, and her eyes slowly opened.

"Shi Niang." The grandmother called her excitedly.

Her gaze lingered on the grandmother's face for a moment, then stopped on Eleventh Lady's face.

"Tenth sister." Eleventh Lady called her softly.

Shi Niang stared at her blankly, her eyes as empty as death.

Eleventh Lady looked at her and felt something was wrong, and called out "Tenth Sister" again with some uneasiness.

Shi Niang was still staring at Shiyi Niang blankly, as if she didn't know who was in front of her.

Everyone looked at Shi Niang with bated breath, and the atmosphere was somewhat tense.

After a while, Shi Niang slowly closed her eyes and turned her face to the side.

He actually looked like he refused to see Eleventh Lady.

Everyone was stunned, and their eyes fell on Eleventh Lady.

For a moment, the room was as quiet as water.

The eldest grandmother hurriedly said, "Everyone, please stop gathering here. It's boring." As she spoke, she glanced at the crowd and saw Yin Ping. She told her, "Take the eleventh aunt to sit outside."

Yinping came over hurriedly to pay her respects to Shiyi Niang. Old Lady Wang also noticed something was going on and personally accompanied Shiyi Niang to the hall outside.

Amber immediately smiled and said, "Madam, it's getting late. The Marquis should be leaving the yamen. Let's go back first! Otherwise, you will be late and the Marquis will worry."

After hearing this, Old Lady Wang said hurriedly, "Shi Niang and Eleventh Aunt are sisters, and she has the mind of a child. I think Eleventh Aunt also knows this. Please don't be surprised." She gave Eleventh Niang a gift on behalf of her daughter-in-law, and her smile was quite awkward.

Eleventh Lady smiled and said, "Don't worry, old lady. We grew up together, and I know her temper a little bit." Then she said to Amber, "Since you came with my sister-in-law, I'd better wait for her!"

Yinping said hurriedly, "Yes, yes, since Eleventh Aunt is here, please have some tea before leaving." As she spoke, she served tea to Eleventh Aunt diligently, as if she was afraid of offending her.

Old Lady Wang asked about the Lady Dowager: "...I saw her during the Chinese New Year. I think she was still as energetic as ever!"

"Thank you for your concern, old lady." Eleventh Lady greeted her, but she looked towards the inner room from time to time, as if she was worried about what might happen.

Eleventh Lady remained calm.

After sitting for two cups of tea, the grandmother came out from the inner room with red eyes.

Madam Wang immediately went to meet her: "Grandma, please have dinner at home before leaving!"

The grandmother glanced at the calm Eleventh Lady and shook her head, saying, "It's getting late. I'll come visit her tomorrow."

Old Madam Wang did not stay long and personally escorted the two out the door.

The eldest grandmother looked at Shiyi Niang and ordered loudly, "Go back to Gongxian Hutong."

It was already dusk when they came out of Wang's house. Eleventh Lady took the Xu family's carriage. Normally, they would say a few words to the eldest lady and then go back home. She specifically gave such a loud instruction. Eleventh Lady thought of the anxiety of Mrs. Wang just now. Eleventh Lady immediately whispered to Amber: "Let's follow the eldest lady's carriage." Then she was helped into the carriage by the maid who followed her.

Amber calmly ordered the driver, and the Xu family's carriage followed the Luo family's carriage out of Shishi Hutong.

"Madam's temper is too good." Amber closed the car door, with a bit of dissatisfaction in her tone, "What's wrong with the tenth aunt? She can't take her anger out on you! Where is your dignity?"

Eleventh Lady smiled faintly: "Did I do anything wrong?"

Amber was startled and said, "No!"

"Then it's over." Eleventh Lady smiled, "Since I didn't do anything wrong, why should I be uneasy or angry?" As she spoke, a hint of pity appeared in her eyes, "You don't know, Tenth Sister... Whether she loves or hates, she always has a reason to support herself to live..."

Shi Niang's resentful eyes, her aggressive look, her unwillingness when she overturned her table at Lujun Tower...all kinds of scenes were spinning in Shiyi Niang's mind like a kaleidoscope.

* * * * * *

The carriage stopped at the intersection of West Street.

Eleventh Lady was wondering when the maid who accompanied the carriage knocked on the door and said, "Madam, my uncle's grandmother is here."

She quickly opened the car door, and the grandmother braved the cold wind and came in, lifting her skirt.

"I think Shi Niang looks strange." She exuded a coldness. "She won't say anything when I ask her! When I ask her urgently, she only says 'OK'."

After hearing what the eldest grandmother said, Eleventh Lady told her about the uneasiness she felt when Old Lady Wang was with her.

The eldest grandmother nodded and said, "You have your mother-in-law above you and your sisters-in-law below you, so it's not convenient for you to go in and out. I can go see her by myself tomorrow. If there is anything, I will send someone to tell you." She added, "It's very close for you to go back to Hehuali from here, so we can say goodbye here. Otherwise, the Marquis will worry if you go back late."

Eleventh Lady was very grateful for her thoughtfulness. She said some words like "be careful on the road" and parted ways with the grandmother at the intersection of West Street.

When she returned home, Xu Lingyi had already left the government office. He had changed his clothes and was lying on the big kang by the window reading a book. When he saw her come in, he looked up, said lightly, "You're back," and then lowered his head to read again.

Eleventh Lady responded, and Amber helped her change her clothes, wash her face, and comb her hair again. Then she sat down on the kang and said, "Tenth Sister had a miscarriage. My eldest sister-in-law and I went to see her."

Xu Lingyi nodded and said, "I will go to Zichun's place in person when the time comes. As for Shandong, let's send Manager Zhao! The snow came early and fast this year, so I'm afraid the road will be difficult to travel. We need to set off early."

Eleventh Lady didn't expect that he would go to Qian Ming's place in person. The benefits to Qian Ming are self-evident. She smiled and said, "Fifth Brother-in-law will definitely be very happy when he knows this. He just likes the lively gathering of relatives."

Xu Lingyi smiled.

If relatives want to use his influence, he usually won't refuse as long as they don't do anything illegal.

He put down the book: "It's getting late, let's go to mother's place!"

Eleventh Lady immediately said "yes", asked Xia Yi to bring Xu Lingyi's cloak over, and stood on tiptoe to put it on Xu Lingyi herself. Just as she was about to put on her own cloak, a little maid came in and reported, "My Lord, Madam, Mrs. Qiao wants to see you!"

Mrs. Qiao? Qiao Lianfang's mother?

Eleventh Lady was quite surprised. She didn't know why she came to see Xu Lingyi. Seeing that Xu Lingyi looked calm and didn't mean to refuse, she smiled and told the maid, "Please invite Mrs. Qiao in!" Then she went to untie Xu Lingyi's cloak.

Xu Lingyi stretched out his hand to stop her action and stood there waiting for Mrs. Qiao, looking like he was about to go out and wanted to say something quickly.

Eleventh Lady took a few steps back and stood behind Xu Lingyi.