Chapter 146 What's the use of being so sour?
Lu Yifang was somewhat soft-hearted, even naive, but she was definitely not stupid. She could naturally sense the Princess Consort Kang's hostility towards her. However, she wasn't afraid; she had the Duke of Chu's mansion and the Marquis of Anyuan's mansion behind her, and that was her confidence.
After Princess Kang told her to stand up, she stood up indifferently, her previous smile gone, and there was no longer any pity for Princess Kang on her face.
"Ever since I heard about Miss Jiang's deeds, I've often lamented why I'm not that kind of woman, doing what I want to do." Princess Kang's voice was still weak, but the tone of her words was noticeably more sincere than before.
"I've always believed that temperament is something you're born with," Lu Yifang said. "My daughter Zhu'er has always been independent and knows what she wants, what she should and shouldn't do."
Hearing these words at this moment, Princess Kang and Madam Tang felt a pang of unease. Princess Kang clenched her hands tightly together. "Yes, not many women can be like Miss Jiang, who can divorce so easily and prevent her ex-husband's family from taking the imperial examinations for three generations."
These words ignited a surge of anger in Lu Yifang's heart. She glared at Princess Kang with hostility, but in that instant, she remembered Jiang Yu and Jiang Yu's style of roasting people.
She withdrew her gaze from Princess Kang, leaned back slightly, and said, "Therefore, the Emperor, the Prime Minister, and the Ministers of the Six Ministries all praised her answers and her essays."
In other words, what's the use of being so sour? My daughter has been praised by the emperor and high-ranking officials. If you're so capable, why don't you try to solve a problem that's even harder than the imperial examination?
The room was quiet. Neither Princess Kang nor Madam Tang had expected Lu Yifang to be so difficult to handle. They knew Lu Yifang was kind and gentle, but they hadn't anticipated how challenging she was now.
At this moment, Madam Tang sighed and said, "I called you over because I wanted to have a chat with you about everyday matters."
Madam Tang wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and said, "You've seen the Princess's health, Madam. She won't last much longer. But what will happen to the two children if she passes away?"
Madam Tang began to sob, leaving Lu Yifang somewhat confused. Neither the Duke of Chu's mansion nor the Marquis of Anyuan's mansion were close enough to the Tang family or the Prince Kang's mansion to exchange such private words. Moreover, it was clear that the Princess Consort of Kang was not friendly towards her. Therefore, she remained silent.
Mrs. Tang had intended for Lu Yifang to respond so she could continue speaking, but Lu Yifang remained silent. However, she didn't seem embarrassed and continued:
"I heard that your son is also in poor health. You have consulted many famous doctors. I was thinking of asking Madam to introduce him to some doctors so that the Princess can also take a look."
"Oh, I'll put together a list for you later," Lu Yifang said.
Madam Tang thanked her, then sighed, "I'm afraid that if the Princess goes, the two children will suffer."
“Mother, please don’t say that,” said Princess Kang. “I did say that even if I were to go, the Prince would still have to marry a girl from our household as his princess. No one but a girl from our family can hold the position of Princess Kang.”
"Oh, you silly child, I was just having a casual chat with the young master's wife, why are you bringing this up?"
"I'm just trying to put your mind at ease."
"Sigh, all the noble ladies in the capital are so precious, none of them want to be a stepmother."
......
The mother and daughter spoke in unison, and Lu Yifang realized they were addressing her, but she found it utterly baffling. "Your Tang family wants to cling to the position of Princess Kang, that's your business, what does it have to do with me?"
She felt very uncomfortable and was about to find an excuse to leave when a maid suddenly walked in and said sternly to Madam Tang, "Master said he has something to say to Madam."
Mrs. Tang looked flustered. She forced a smile and said to Lu Yifang, "I'm sorry, I'll take you to the banquet hall."
Lu Yifang stood up. "No need, you're busy. I can go back by myself."
“I’m sorry for the neglect.” Madam Tang instructed the nanny beside her to escort Lu Yifang back to the banquet hall. After the person left, she looked at Princess Kang and said, “Your father must know that we spoke to the wife of the Duke of Chu’s heir, and he must be angry.”
Princess Kang straightened up, supporting herself on the brocade couch. "Father doesn't care about my two children, so I have to think about them. If I leave, and someone else becomes Princess Kang, how will my two children survive? Therefore, it must be a girl from our Tang family who becomes Princess Kang."
“That’s what I thought too,” Madam Tang said anxiously. “But I don’t know what your father was thinking. The prince asked him to invite Jiang Yu over, and he actually did invite Jiang Yu over.”
Princess Kang clenched her fists tightly and said, "Mother, you should go quickly, otherwise Father will get angry again."
Madam Tang sighed heavily and turned to leave. By this time, most of the guests had already left. Tang Boyang was in his study when he saw Madam Tang enter. He smashed the teacup he was holding at Madam Tang's feet with a loud crash.
"What did I tell you before? Don't talk to the people from the Duke of Chu's mansion. Do you think everyone else is a fool and only you are smart?"
Madam Tang stood there with her head down, not saying a word. Tang Boyang then threw another teacup at her, saying, "You're so self-righteous and think you're so clever. Do you know you've ruined everything?"
"I don't know what your plans are." Mrs. Tang said through gritted teeth, her face filled with fear. "How did our daughter's health deteriorate? She's endured so much for so many years, and her health has deteriorated to this state. Are we just going to let her give up everything she's gained?"
"Ignorant and foolish woman!" Tang Boyang pointed at Madam Tang and said, "One of your daughters is already dying in the Kang Prince's mansion, and you still want to send another one in? What's going on in your head?"
“If I don’t send another daughter in, what will happen to those two children? They are our daughters’ flesh and blood.” Madam Tang shed tears. “I know you feel sorry for your illegitimate daughters. But if my daughters can endure hardship and suffering, why can’t they?”
"You..." Tang Boyang pointed at Madam Tang, not knowing what to say. Finally, he warned, "I'm telling you, you are not allowed to participate in the affairs of the Kang Prince's Mansion from now on. If I find out that you are making decisions again, I will not let you off the hook."
Madam Tang gritted her teeth and remained silent. Tang Boyang continued, "Don't think that just because you're so old, have sons and grandsons, and your position is secure, I can't do anything to you. Think about your family. If I wanted to take action against them, what would happen?"
“How could you…how could you do this to me?” Mrs. Tang cried. “Whom am I doing this for? Am I only doing it for this family?”
"With a brain like yours, if you were in charge of this family, it would have been ruined long ago. Get out!"
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