124. My suggestion is to directly address the root cause.
Inside the carriage, Xie Wenling was carefully inquiring about the details of Jin Lanyue's day.
The little dumpling thought for a moment. Sister Fufu only said that we shouldn't tell others those strange words, but she said it shouldn't be a problem to talk about their plans, right?
So, the little dumpling told Lin Fuman and her the whole story of the twin lotus plan.
Xie Wenling listened without reacting: "It sounds like he's reformed, but who knows if he has some new schemes up his sleeve."
He said, "My suggestion is to strike at the root of the problem, go to the palace and file a complaint with the emperor, and wipe them all out at once."
“There’s no need to get entangled with them and argue about trivial matters,” he said, looking at Jiang Xiyue. “The Duke of Anguo favors his concubine over his wife and even wants to beat his own daughter to death. We’ll go to the palace and file a complaint with the Emperor, asking him to order them to divorce and award the legal wife a sum of money that will be enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life.”
Upon hearing this, the little dumpling immediately looked up: "Then what about big sister? Can't big sister go with her mother?"
“It’s difficult,” Xie Wenling said.
Jiang Xiyue gently stroked her daughter's hair and sighed, "Uncle Xie, you don't know this."
She explained the background of the first wife.
Thus, the path of divorce was closed.
“There is another way,” Xie Wenling said slowly, “find a way to kill Duke Anguo, and then the mother and daughter will be free.”
He spoke so casually about wanting to kill someone, and a duke no less! Jiang Xiyue was horrified. She quickly looked around to make sure no one could hear her before lowering her voice and saying, "Are you crazy? You just say something like murder in public?!"
"But it's a good idea, isn't it?"
"What's so good about it? They're orphans and widows. Even if they inherit the Duke's mansion's property, how will they survive? Won't those collateral branches who covet the property devour them alive?"
"Then let it go, whatever, life and death are in the hands of fate," Xie Wenling leaned back and closed his eyes. "You can help for a while, but not forever. If you can't stand on your own two feet, no amount of help from others will help you. You can't make mud stick to a wall."
He really didn't want to deal with it anymore.
He was never the type to meddle in other people's business.
The sound of the carriage wheels rolling over the road was particularly clear in the silence.
Jiang Xiyue thought it over and sighed softly, "I know, Brother-in-law Xie, you are right. But since it concerns them, we should ask the wife herself first, so as not to make things worse."
The little dumpling reached out and tugged at Xie Wenling's sleeve: "Brother Xie, Sister Fufu has become nicer too! She said she's going to return all the things she stole from Big Sister, and she's going to help Big Sister's mother! She also won't let her father bully Big Sister and the others anymore."
Xie Wenling didn't let her fall into an awkward silence, and casually replied, "That's quite interesting."
The carriage stopped in front of the Marquis of Beiding's residence.
Everyone disembarked from the carriage.
The autumn wind swept through the courtyard, and the lanterns swayed gently under the eaves.
Xie Wenling stood on the stone steps, his voice calm as still water: "So, you're sure now? You really won't take my advice and will still interfere in the affairs of the Duke of Anguo's mansion?"
Jiang Xiyue pulled the little dumpling closer to her side and said gently, "Thank you, brother-in-law. My wife and I are both wives of the clan. Seeing her difficult situation, and considering how young Lin Lingrong's child is, I really can't bear it..."
Xie Wenling did not try to change their minds, but simply stated his own opinion and judgment, saying only: "The Duke of Anguo is a person of despicable character, and his daughter Lin Fuman is already quite similar to him at such a young age. Is it really worth it for them to get involved in this mess?"
Xie Wenling still believed that killing Duke Anguo was the best solution.
Jiang Xiyue shook her head: "What's wrong with punishing evil and promoting good, helping the weak and punishing the strong? There's also Lin Lingrong and her mother in the manor, they..."
"Lin Lingrong is reckless. As for the legal wife, she can't even protect her own daughter. With such a weak nature, how long can you protect her?"
Xie Wenling concluded: "The Duke of Anguo and Lin Fuman are ruthless, Lin Lingrong is reckless, and the principal wife is incompetent. This mansion is rotten to the core."
The little dumpling tugged at her mother's clothes and whispered, "But big sister did it to protect her and mother, and Sister Fufu has become a good person too..."
“Human nature is inherently evil,” Xie Wenling said, lowering his eyes. “It is impossible for someone to suddenly change their personality and turn from evil to good.”
“But, but the Grand Tutor said that human nature is inherently good,” the little dumpling tried to argue, “the first line of the Three Character Classic says that…”
"The book also says 'Everyone for me, and I for everyone,' but isn't it actually 'If a person doesn't look out for himself, he'll be punished by heaven and earth'? It's clear that what's in the book isn't entirely credible. Much of it is just to educate the people, to make them docile and harmless, and easy to control..." Xie Wenling said, feeling ironic.
"My goodness!" Jiang Xiyue quickly covered the little dumpling's ears, "How dare you say anything to outsiders? Don't you value your life?"
"It's just the truth," Xie Wenling finally changed the subject. "If you want to help, then help. Just remember, if the legal wife and her daughter don't dare to fight for it themselves, all your efforts will be in vain."
He turned and left.
The little dumpling suddenly asked, "Will Brother Xie help us?"
Xie Wenling paused, turned his head and saw her hopeful eyes: "...Let's see if they can prove themselves."
-
It was late at night.
The little dumpling tossed and turned in bed, clutching the quilt.
"Master... Master..." she muttered softly, still thinking about her plan, "Where should I find the master?"
In her mind, a master should live in a temple or Taoist temple.
Unfortunately, her mother said she was too young and frail to go, so she never took her with her when she went to offer incense.
Therefore, the little dumpling naturally didn't know any masters.
The little dumpling is very conflicted right now.
Suddenly, she sat up abruptly, her large, dark eyes shining brightly in the darkness: "That's it! I'll ask Little Cloud and the Little Prince tomorrow!"
The little princess and the little prince must know many, many people; they will surely find the master!
With this thought in mind, the little dumpling felt much more at ease, yawned, and quickly fell asleep.
The next morning, the little dumpling woke up early.
While Jiang Xiyue was combing her hair, she was still thinking about how to ask the little princess and the little prince for a master today.
"Why are you in such a hurry today, Yue'er?" Jiang Xiyue smiled as she tied her hairband. "It's still a long time before school starts."
The little dumpling wiggled its tiny feet and asked, "Mommy, do the little princess and little prince know a lot of people?"
“Of course there are many,” Jiang Xiyue said as she straightened her collar. “They grew up in the palace.”
"That's awesome!" the little dumpling cheered.
-
Wenhua Hall.
The little princess is practicing calligraphy.
Seeing the little dumpling come in, the little princess immediately put down her calligraphy brush and waved to her: "Little Moon, come and play!"
The little dumpling immediately ran over happily, and just as she was about to speak, footsteps came from outside the door.
"Why are you all here so early today? I thought I'd be the first one," the little prince strode in. "What are you playing? Count me in."
My second brother isn't here today; he took leave to go on a spring outing.
Speaking of which, Jiang Xiyue hesitated for a long time last night about whether to call the Marquis of Beiding and his son back, but then decided against it and let them have their fun.
So now, there are only three children in the Wenhua Hall.
The little dumpling asked, just as she had planned before going to bed last night: "Little Cloud, Little Prince, Yue'er has something she wants to ask you..."
She briefly recounted the story of Lin Fuman and Lin Lingrong.
The little princess listened intently, her face sometimes puffing up in anger, sometimes showing a hesitant expression.
---
A note from the author:
Author: Today we'll talk about the original female lead's character design.
After much deliberation, the author finally came up with a brilliant solution—that would allow the original female lead to fulfill her villainous role while also making her likable and fond of the little dumpling.
Similar to Xiao Tuanzi but not quite the same; both do villainous things, but are actually good people.
It is still being improved.
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