Chapter 266 Wan Ning's Madam's Shady Tactics
When Jiang saw that she had barged in without even saying hello, she frowned and was about to scold her for being rude.
Wan Ning's mother stepped forward first: "Madam, please don't be angry! Have you heard? The Duke of Di's mansion is actually going to ask for that slut Lu Zhaoruo's hand in marriage in three days! Just think, if she really manages to climb up such a high branch, won't she be so arrogant? Will she still have eyes for you then? Nian'er's wife is still suffering in the Duke's brother's mansion. All the suffering Nian'er's wife has endured is thanks to her!"
She glanced at Madam Jiang's expression and quickly added, "Madam, I know some of Lu Zhaoruo's dirty secrets that can't be brought to light! As long as we find an opportunity to expose them to Old Madam Di, not only will the marriage be ruined, but she'll also be smeared throughout the whole city!"
"Oh? What is it?"
Jiang was rather curious.
Wan Ning's mother leaned closer to Jiang Shi and whispered, "That Lu Zhaoruo is a slut! She was defiled by wicked men in Jizhou and even did the filthy thing of abortion. Someone died in her womb!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang sneered, "I never imagined she would have such a sordid past."
Seeing that her attitude had softened, Wan Ningniang hurriedly revealed the vicious plan she had been thinking of: "Don't worry, Madam, I have a plan! In three days, isn't the Duchess of Di going to Yunshang Pavilion to propose marriage in person? That's a big day, and the gate will definitely be crowded with people watching the excitement."
Her eyes gleamed with malice: "I will arrange for an 'old friend' who 'happens' to come from Jizhou to mingle in the crowd. Once the Duke's carriage arrives, she will expose all of Lu Zhaoruo's shameful deeds from back then! Let Old Madam Di and everyone in the city hear what kind of person Lu Zhaoruo really is!"
"With everyone watching, the Duke's mansion will definitely call off the marriage to save face! Lu Zhaoruo will also be disgraced. Let's see how arrogant she can be then!"
After hearing the specific arrangements, Jiang's furrowed brows relaxed slightly.
She sneered inwardly. This Wan Ningniang was indeed a despicable person, full of such underhanded tricks, but her schemes were quite vicious and thorough.
However, she had to admit that these words did indeed touch upon her deepest concerns.
If Lu Zhaoruo were to truly climb the social ladder of the Duke of Di's mansion, and become powerful in the future, wouldn't it be even more difficult to avenge Nian'er?
This woman from Wanning, though foolish and vulgar, now seems like a ready-made, poisoned dagger.
She knew Lu Zhaoruo's background well and hated her to the core. This viciousness and specific plan were perfectly suited for this time and place.
Jiang remained expressionless, picked up her teacup, and gently stirred the foam with the lid. Her tone was still indifferent, but there was no longer any hesitation, carrying a hint of tacit approval: "Hmm... timing, place, pretext, you've certainly thought of everything."
She slightly raised her eyelids and glanced at Wan Ningniang: "Since that's the case, then... as you say, go and give it a try. Just remember, keep your hands clean. If you implicate the Xiao family, I will hold you responsible."
Wan Ning's mother nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, Madam! I understand, I understand! I will handle things properly and will never dare to implicate the household in the slightest!"
Jiang waved her hand: "Go down."
Wan Ning's mother lowered her head and respectfully withdrew.
She stepped back to the doorway, slowly raised her right hand, and stared down at her bare palm with only four fingers remaining.
This hatred and resentment are etched into my very bones!
Her fingertips gently traced the ugly scar where the finger had been severed, and a bone-chilling hatred blazed in her eyes.
“Lu Zhaoruo…”
She spat out the name through gritted teeth, "You made me lose a finger, so I'll ruin your reputation. You want to marry into the Duke's mansion? Keep dreaming!"
Meanwhile, Xiao Yeming was investigating clues about the assassin.
When he learned that the Duchess of Di was going to personally come to propose marriage for Meng Xi, he was picking up the broken scimitar.
Upon hearing the news, the cold rust that my fingertips touched seemed to come alive instantly, piercing straight into my heart along my veins.
There were no gasps of surprise, no expressions of anger.
He slowly lowered the broken knife, his movements still steady, but his chest felt as if all the air had been drained, and a heavy feeling of suffocation pressed down on him.
The Duke of Di's mansion acted so quickly!
He knew Meng Xi was interested, but he didn't expect even the Duchess to personally step forward, so solemnly and urgently!
The memory of that family dinner day flashed uncontrollably through my mind, and my mother's urgent voice still echoed in my ears: "Ming'er, what are you waiting for! Quickly say you're willing! Say you want to have the proper ceremony and marry her!"
How did I respond at the time?
Yes.
Using the excuse that "the Japanese invasion is not yet over and I have no time for family matters," he personally pushed away the happiness that was within his grasp.
Yes, he was the one who refused the marriage proposal.
Now that someone of higher social standing, more sincere intentions, and with the strong support of his elders is proposing to him, why should he be upset? What right does he have to be upset?
But my heart felt like it was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, each beat accompanied by a dull, aching pain.
How could he not want to marry her?
But.
How can I match myself with that?
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, all that remained in his eyes was a bottomless, icy pool.
Right now, finding out who the assassin is and protecting her is the only thing he can and should do.
For three consecutive days, Madam Xiao heard rumors outside that the Duke of Di's family was about to formally propose marriage, which made her so anxious that blisters appeared on the corners of her mouth.
She went to Xiao Yeming's study every day, trying to persuade and scold him, but the room remained deathly silent.
On the third day, with the auspicious hour fast approaching, Madam Xiao could no longer contain herself. She rushed to the study door, pounded on the door, and cried out, "My child! How long are you going to hide? Today is the day that Old Madam Di will personally come to propose marriage for Meng Xi! If you don't speak up, Zhao Ruo will really be betrothed to someone else!"
There was still no movement from inside the door.
Madam Xiao's anger flared up, and all the worries and frustration she had been holding back for three days exploded. She kicked open the door with a loud bang!
Xiao Yeming sat in the shadows by the window with his back to the door. He hadn't groomed himself properly for days, and dark stubble had sprouted on his chin. He exuded a sense of dejection and death.
Upon hearing the loud noise, he only tensed his shoulders and back almost imperceptibly for a moment, without turning around.
Seeing him like this, Madam Xiao felt both heartache and exasperation. She took a few steps forward, pointed at his back, and scolded, "You wretched child! Have all your usual decisiveness gone to the dogs? Zhao Ruo is such a good girl. Now the Duke of Di's mansion has set up a formal marriage ceremony at the door, and you're still pretending to be deaf and dumb, just suffering here?"
Her voice was choked with sobs, yet unusually sharp: "If you truly love her, then fight for her now! Fight for her! Even if you lose, it's better than watching her in her phoenix coronet and wedding gown marrying someone else, and then regretting it for the rest of your life!"
Xiao Yeming's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice hoarse and low, carrying an almost desperate sense of self-abandonment: "...Compete? What do I have to compete with? Mother, I... am not worthy of Sister Lu."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xiao was even more disappointed in him, pointing at him angrily and saying, "Unworthy? With your current indecisive, cowardly, and retreating manner, you are indeed unworthy!"
She paused, staring intently into her son's eyes, trying to see into his heart, with unprecedented seriousness: "Yeming, tell your mother, you have repeatedly refused marriage, and now you are suffering so much. What is the unspeakable reason? If it is something very important, tell me, and your mother will bear it with you!"
Xiao Yeming pursed his lips, avoiding his mother's probing gaze, and remained silent.
Seeing his reaction, Madam Xiao's anger flared. Her impetuous nature could no longer be contained. She grabbed his arm and pulled him outside, saying, "Fine! You won't tell me, huh? Then come with me to Yunshang Pavilion now! We'll clear things up in front of Zhaoruo! If you really have some difficulties, tell her yourself! If not, then go and propose to her openly and honestly! Let's go!"
Xiao Yeming was half-dragged and half-pulled out of the room by his mother.
After the mother and son disappeared at the end of the corridor, a slender figure quietly emerged from behind the artificial hill beside them—it was Wang Miaoyin.
She gazed in the direction they had left, pondering the news she had just heard. Far from being angry, a smile of joy slowly spread across her face as she murmured to herself, "The Duchess of Di herself came to propose marriage? Meng Xi wants to marry Lu Zhaoruo…?"
Her lips curled up higher and higher: "Good, very good! If she really marries Meng Xi... then my brother Ye Ming will finally be mine."
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