Chapter 164 Men are merely accessories [6]
Upon hearing this, Aunt Xin cried even more bitterly.
She took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, but unexpectedly a violent cough suddenly struck... she coughed so hard she was bent over backwards, as if she would be unable to breathe at any moment.
"Cough cough... Madam... I... cough cough..." She stammered, her breathing rapid, and she was about to slip off the chair.
The maidservant next to her quickly stepped forward to support her and gently patted her back.
It took a while for the cough to subside slightly.
But Aunt Xin's eyes were already brimming with tears, her hair was slightly disheveled, and she looked like a pear blossom swaying in the wind and rain, pitiful and forlorn, a sight that would make anyone feel sorry for her.
Qian Yuexia simply watched this scene quietly, her inward sneer growing even stronger.
This Aunt Xin is truly a master in this field.
Look at that one cry and one cough, the timing was just right. If Qu Bai were here, he would probably have softened his heart and taken her into his arms to comfort her.
Seeing their master like this.
Bi'er, the maidservant beside Aunt Xin, suddenly turned around and headed towards the door.
"Stop!" Qian Yuexia's personal maid, Chunmei, immediately stepped forward to stop her. "Where are you going?"
Bi'er stopped but didn't turn around. She just said stiffly, "My aunt is not feeling well. I'll go and ask the young master to come and take a look."
Chunmei sneered, "Madam is still reprimanding you. How can a maid like you leave without permission? Besides, if Consort Xin is unwell, just call the family physician. Even if the eldest young master comes, we'll still have to call the family physician, won't we?"
“But…” Bi’er wanted to argue.
"No buts!" Chunmei interrupted sharply. "How dare you be so insolent in front of Madam? Get out!"
Bi'er bit her lip and glanced at Aunt Xin with resentment.
Seeing that Aunt Xin shook her head slightly, she reluctantly returned to her original position.
Qian Yuexia took it all in, her mind clear as a mirror.
The master and servant were playing good cop and bad cop, clearly intending to use this as an excuse to ask Qu Bai to come and get them out of trouble.
If we really let them succeed.
Today's attempt to establish authority may well undo all previous efforts.
She slowly rose, walked to Aunt Xin, and looked down at her: "Since you are not feeling well, sister, you should go back and rest properly. I hope you will remember what I just said."
Aunt Xin raised her tearful eyes and looked at Qian Yuexia pitifully, as if she wanted to say something.
Qian Yuexia didn't give her a chance. She turned to Chunmei and instructed, "Send Aunt Xin back and have a doctor examine her properly. Make sure your sister takes good care of herself. She should stay in her own courtyard these days and not go out."
These words, seemingly out of concern, are actually a disguised form of confinement.
Upon hearing this, Aunt Xin trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes again, but she dared not say anything more.
With only Bi'er's support, he shakily bowed and slowly left.
This is what happened.
The concubines probably understand now.
It turns out that Aunt Xin was the woman Qu Bai truly cherished.
Especially Aunt Hua.
As a favored concubine, she never called Qu Bai "husband"!
What gives Aunt Xin the right?
If it were Aunt Li, that would be one thing, since she had a respectable background.
But Aunt Xin was just an actress, and her background was no different from her own.
Although she came from a brothel, she was an innocent girl when she was with Qu Bai.
On the other side.
Watching Aunt Xin's departing figure, Qian Yuexia's gaze was deep.
She knew that today was just the beginning, and the contest with this Aunt Xin was far from over.
After Aunt Xin and her servants left, the main courtyard returned to peace. Qian Yuexia sat back down in the main seat, picked up the slightly cooled cup of tea, and sipped it gently.
Chunmei stepped forward lightly and whispered, "Madam, this Concubine Xin is indeed no pushover. Her behavior just now was clearly an act for us."
Qian Yuexia chuckled: "It would be strange if she were truly a docile person. To have been favored by Qu Bai for two years, she can't be a simple character."
"Why didn't you punish her severely just now, Madam? That would have put an end to her arrogance."
"What's the rush?" Qian Yuexia put down her teacup, her gaze distant. "Today was merely a test. If she knows what's good for her and behaves herself from now on, I might tolerate her. But if she insists on being my enemy..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but the fierce glint in her eyes said it all.
Chunmei understood and added, "But what if the eldest young master finds out about today's events..."
"So what if he knows?" Qian Yuexia raised an eyebrow. "As the legitimate wife, it's my duty to rectify the family's conduct and educate the concubines. If he blames me for this, it's seen as favoring the concubine over the wife. If word gets out, what will become of the Qu family's reputation?"
Despite this, Qian Yuexia knew in her heart that things were far more complicated than that. Her marriage to Qu Bai was essentially a union between two families, with interests far outweighing feelings. And Aunt Xin was the apple of Qu Bai's eye; if a conflict were to arise, it was uncertain which side Qu Bai would take.
"Go and find out when the eldest young master will return to the manor today," Qian Yuexia ordered. "Also, investigate the background of this concubine Xin, the more detailed the better."
"Yes," Chunmei replied and withdrew.
Qian Yuexia sat alone in the hall, gazing at the blooming crabapple blossoms outside the window, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
She knew that her actions today would soon spread throughout the entire Qu family.
Those servants who were watching from the sidelines, and those concubines who had ulterior motives, would decide their future attitudes towards Qu Bai based on her reaction.
This battle between the principal wife and the favored concubine has only just begun.
She absolutely cannot lose!
Qu Mansion.
As soon as Qu Bai returned in the afternoon, he was summoned by Aunt Xin's maid.
"Young Master," Chunxing said in a very low voice, with a hint of timidity, "My aunt was summoned by Madam to pay her respects today and fell ill from the anger. Please come and take a look at her."
Qu Bai paused slightly.
Aunt Xin is hiding her true identity so well.
Did Qian Yuexia find out after all?
As expected, neither she nor the Qian family were as simple as they seemed.
So as soon as he got back, he went to Aunt Xin's place?
Will Qian Yuexia be angry?
Just as he was hesitating.
Bi'er spoke up again: "Young Master, you should go and see Aunt Xin. She's vomiting blood."
"I understand." Qu Bai finally turned and headed towards the west courtyard.
Aunt Xin leaned against the chaise longue by the window, without lighting any candles, letting the deepening night blur her figure.
Hearing footsteps, she slowly raised her eyes, her gaze shimmering with tears, but she remained silent, only twisting a handkerchief embroidered with twin lotus blossoms again and again.
"Where do you feel unwell?" Qu Bai sat down on the edge of the couch, his tone carrying just the right amount of concern.
"My heart is heavy." Aunt Xin's voice seemed to drift from afar. "Today, Madam said that I cannot call you husband, but I have always..."
Qu Bai frowned almost imperceptibly.
Actually, Qian Yuexia did nothing wrong.
Officially, she is not allowed to shout.
But Qu Bai still coaxed her, saying, "You can still call me 'husband' in private."
She was once the woman he loved most, and he was willing to pamper her more.
Aunt Xin looked at Qu Bai in disbelief: "So, my husband has changed his mind?"
“Madam is just following the rules.” He carefully chose his words. “Don’t worry, besides her, I still love you the most.”
Aunt Xin suddenly burst into tears: "So now, I'm no longer the woman you love most?"
Qu Bai remained silent.
He did treat Qian Yuexia differently.
I'm even liking it more and more...
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