Chapter 32 New Year's Eve Conflict
Ms. Wen twirled the prayer beads in her hand, constantly reminding herself to speak calmly and politely.
Her savings and dowry were used to pay off most of Zheng Xiulan and Qiao Muyang's debts, and now she has no money left to spare.
If she hadn't taken care of things for them during the Lunar New Year, they probably wouldn't have made it through the winter.
Ms. Wen, who was preoccupied with her niece and grand-nephew, never dreamed that the mother and son were celebrating that Ms. Wen had paid for their money and saved them from financial ruin.
Lady Wen waited anxiously and even arranged for someone to stand guard at the door and come back to inform her as soon as they saw the carriage.
The little maid, her face red from the cold, sniffled and said happily, "Replying to the old lady's words, the Marquis and the others have returned!"
Ms. Wen nodded: "I understand, you may leave."
"Someone, prepare the dishes!"
The young maidservant, assigned by Madam Wen to guard the door, nearly fainted from the cold after waiting all night. Who would have thought she wouldn't even receive a reward? She waited and waited, only to be met with Madam Wen's impatient scolding: "What, do you intend to stay and dine with your master?"
"Ha, is this the rule of our Marquis Wenyang's mansion? Guards, drag her away!"
The young maid had just entered the mansion when she heard from the older sister in the bamboo garden that she would be rewarded for doing errands for the old lady that day, so she took the place of that older sister and stood in the cold winter for several hours.
Who would have thought that instead of a reward, there would be a punishment!
"Please spare me, Madam! That's not what I meant! Please spare me, Madam!"
Wen recognized this brat. Last time, it was she who made Zheng so angry that she vomited blood. If she hadn't provoked people, none of the subsequent events would have happened!
The more Wen Shi thought about it, the angrier she became. With nowhere to vent her anger, she decided to make an example of this little maid. Ignoring her pleas for mercy, she immediately summoned two strong old women to take her away.
"Guards! Take this lowly slave away!"
The people present frowned. Liu Yueyao was about to speak when Su Wenqi suddenly tugged at her and shook his head at her. Her mother had lost money and was now taking it out on others; standing up for her now would only invite criticism.
Su Wenqi coughed lightly, about to speak up for his wife, when his father's displeased voice came from outside as soon as he called out to his mother: "What kind of behavior is this, fighting and killing during the New Year!"
Marquis Wenyang stepped in first, and frowned repeatedly as soon as he met Lady Wen.
Su Junyao and Yun Jinglan lagged behind, waving away the two rough-looking old women.
Yun Jinglan held the hot water bottle she had prepared for Qiuqiu earlier; it was still warm. She handed the hot water bottle to the little maid, whose nose and face were red from the cold.
"Today is New Year's Day, and the household is not bound by rules; there has been no beating or killing of servants. Quickly go back and have some hot dumplings. The steward has also prepared a meal. You may all leave and enjoy the New Year!"
"Yes! Thank you, Madam!"
When Yun Jinglan was in charge of the household, she was generous and her rewards and punishments were fair and just. She was never as unreasonable as Wen Shi. The servants' eyes lit up when they heard this, and they knew that this year's double reward was secured!
Knowing that the little maid had been wronged, Yun Jinglan secretly slipped her a fresh peanut.
The little maid was so moved that her eyes turned red.
The Crown Prince's wife not only pardoned her but also gave her a reward!
"Thank you, Madam! Thank you for your generous gift, Madam!"
"Alright, hurry up and go down."
Ms. Wen gripped her Buddhist prayer beads tightly; there were some things she couldn't calm her mind about even while fasting and chanting.
This lowly servant only stood outside for a while and was able to get a reward, while her niece was almost driven to death just because she used some money from the Marquis's mansion. When did the Marquis's mansion become so stingy!
When Wen looked at Yun Jinglan, who was pretending to be a good person, she immediately concluded that Yun Jinglan was the one who was causing trouble!
But thinking of what he wanted, he forced down his resentment and managed a weak smile: "Your Excellency is back. Please take a seat. Men, bring the dishes!"
Marquis Wenyang glanced at her, but considering it was New Year's Eve, he didn't say anything more.
They barely managed to eat a few bites of cold food at the palace banquet, but now they felt much better after warming up the wine and having a few drinks.
Yun Jinglan doesn't drink alcohol. She helps the twins serve food, and then sighs as she thinks of Wang Xinyu, whom she met that evening.
"Eat less, don't get indigestion."
Su Xiucheng's eyes were deep and unfathomable: "We've been starving all night!"
Grandmother asked them to come over and sit down, but she wouldn't let them eat anything. Luckily, my third aunt gave them some snacks.
Yun Jinglan glanced at the person in the seat of honor and immediately understood, but she didn't say anything and just kept putting food on the twins' plates.
Seeing this, the two brothers looked at each other but dared not say anything.
Yun Jinglan used to think that her mother-in-law was kind and loving, and that she had mediated the discord between her and Su Junyao. However, after learning that her mother-in-law had found such a wet nurse for Qiuqiu, and considering the strange things about Zheng Xiulan's matter, she suddenly realized how well Wen Shi had maintained her facade all these years.
She didn't want to get entangled with her, otherwise she wouldn't be able to bear the accusation of disrespecting her mother-in-law.
The unexpected incident just now ruined the otherwise joyous Lunar New Year's Eve.
Marquis Wenyang sighed inwardly and had no choice but to put down his chopsticks. He looked around and finally his gaze fell on Su Changxu, who was all alone: "Second son, you've been in Huizhou for three months, why didn't you bring your wife and daughter back?"
Suddenly called upon, Su Changxu quickly put down his chopsticks and bowed to his father, saying, "Your son is incompetent and has failed to gain the forgiveness of my wife and daughter."
Not only did he not receive forgiveness, but his brother-in-law also threatened to beat him every time he saw him.
Marquis Wenyang: "Then what are you doing back here?"
Su Changxu pursed his lips and didn't dare to speak. He didn't dare to tell his father that his reputation in Huizhou was now almost no different from that of a river bandit. If it weren't for the power of the Wenyang Marquis's mansion, he probably would have already put up a sign to inform him.
Seeing his frustrated expression, Marquis Wenyang knew exactly what was going on. He glared at him and then downed a mouthful of wine.
"Second son, remember that harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things." As he spoke, he glanced at Madam Wen sitting beside him. "Marry a virtuous wife. Put away your petty thoughts and make sure all the women in your courtyard are settled, or else you'll face the family rules!"
Although there was no ancestral rule against taking concubines in their family, any woman in his courtyard would run away.
Hearing what Marquis Wenyang said, Lady Wen immediately felt that her opportunity had come. She poured Marquis Wenyang a full glass of wine and chimed in, "What the Marquis says is right. Second son, hurry up and get rid of all those women! Otherwise, it will be difficult to invite Bei'er back."
"By the way, Lord Marquis, you just said that harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things, so what about Lan'er..."
"Lan'er?" Marquis Wenyang raised his eyes, staring at Madam Wen with a half-smile, which made her feel flustered. Then he smiled and said, "Eldest son, your mother said your wife is here. Ask her what's wrong."
Yun Jinglan, Zheng Xiulan...
Su Junyao was moved, and he didn't know who he was explaining to: "Lan'er is very good."
Marquis Wenyang pointed at Yun Jinglan: "Did you hear that? Lan'er is doing very well!"
"Also, as you just said, not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can sit at the banquet today. Madam, please watch your words!"
Ms. Wen persisted: "But..."
"Enough!" Marquis Wenyang kicked the table over. "Today is New Year's Eve, a time for family reunion. If you're only thinking about your dear niece, then go and celebrate the New Year with them!"
"Someone, prepare the carriage and take the old lady to her residence in the east of the city!"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
