Madam Zhang had always thought her second daughter-in-law to be shrewd and smooth in handling matters, but now she seemed utterly useless. Even if it really was her second daughter-in-law’s doing, she should have found a way to shift the blame. Silence is tantamount to confession, Madam Zhang thought with inward annoyance. It was a pity, with everyone watching, she couldn’t speak out to remind her, nor did she have the strength to turn the tides.
At that moment, a maid led the doctor in. After a careful examination, the doctor declared, "This young lady has fallen into a coma due to a sleep medicine."
"Sleep medicine?" Maternal Aunt Rou cried out loud, "Then what about the wound on Huanhuan’s forehead? Will it leave a scar?"
Huanhuan was already fourteen, an age suitable for discussing marriage matches. If she were left with a scar, how could they talk about a good marriage?
The doctor pondered for a moment, "Judging from the wound, it appears someone deliberately struck her with a hard object, and with considerable force. As for whether it will leave a scar, I dare not say for certain. I can only first try some medicines."
"What did you say?" Hearing the doctor’s uncertainty implied that her daughter might indeed be marred for life, Maternal Aunt Rou jumped up in agitation.
"Maternal Aunt Rou, mind the occasion!" Madam Qi secretly rejoiced inside but sternly scolded Maternal Aunt Rou on the surface, "Several nobles and ladies are present, and the young ladies are still here."
Seeing several nobles sitting solemnly, Maternal Aunt Rou, though brash and impudent, didn’t dare to make a further scene in public.
Madam Qi smiled at the doctor, "Maternal Aunt Rou is overly concerned about her daughter and has lost her composure. Please, doctor, don’t take it to heart. May I know when Huanhuan might wake up?"
Yang Mengchen raised an eyebrow, a glint of deep and quiet brilliance passing through his eyes.
"No harm done." The doctor internally remarked on the vulgarity befitting a concubine and looking at Guo Huan lying on the couch, answered, "Once the effect of the drug wears off, the young lady will wake. However, we will need to observe her for a while afterward." The injury on her forehead was severe; there was no guarantee she wouldn’t become a fool.
Madam Qi thanked him repeatedly, instructing Maternal Aunt Rou’s maid to fetch the medicine with the doctor. She had no intention of getting involved herself, just in case any blame fell to her should something go wrong.
Maternal Aunt Rou, failing to catch the deeper meaning in the doctor’s words, thought that with her daughter having suffered an incident, of course, the blame should fall on Hou Mansion, a noble family that would have to offer a significant compensation. Otherwise, wouldn’t her daughter have suffered for nothing?
"Huanhuan merely accidentally stumbled upon your secret, and yet you attempt to kill her to silence her, truly cruel and ruthless! If Hou Mansion does not provide us with an explanation today, my husband will not let this matter rest!"
Madam Xu kept her head down, saying nothing.
Looking up at Yang Mengchen, who was seated a few steps away, Madam Zhang’s face was pale and her eyes filled with venomous hatred. If anyone claimed that Princess Chen had nothing to do with this, she wouldn’t believe it even if it killed her!
Yang Mengchen’s expression remained calm, his eyebrows slightly raised, his dark eyes swirling with bone-chilling derision and a faint hint of provocation.
Feeling as though her blood had suddenly frozen, Madam Zhang slowly lowered her head, a boundless despair filling her heart.
Meanwhile, the elderly Madam was seething with anger. She had yet to recover from the shock of learning about her husband and Madam Xu’s affair when she was further entangled by Maternal Aunt Rou. Alas, the situation had gone too far, and she was powerless to change it, only managing to screech, "Maternal Aunt Rou, rest assured, Hou Mansion will prepare a generous gift."
The doctor’s words implied that Second Ms. Guo might become a fool; realistically, they might as well settle with a sufficient compensation once and for all, because if it truly came to that, Hou Mansion could completely shift the blame onto Guo Mansion.
Upon hearing this, Maternal Aunt Rou’s face lit with joy, but she quickly adopted a sorrowful demeanor, "Enough, I am a reasonable person. We shall discuss this slowly after Huanhuan wakes up. By then, I hope Hou Mansion will give Huanhuan a proper explanation."
She was a shrewd person and knew when to stop; after all, Hou Mansion and Prince Ke Mansion were related by marriage. She had heard that Maternal Aunt Yue was highly favored by Prince Ke’s Hereditary Son. If she offended Hou Mansion too much, not only would she not gain any advantages, but it could also harm her husband’s prospects.
Moreover, in the presence of several nobles and ladies, the elderly Madam had promised ample compensation, surely she wouldn’t dare to go back on her word.
One after another, maids and older maidservants came in, saying that the ladies’ husbands had sent for them and their daughters to return home. Presumably, the husbands had received the news by now, hence they sent messengers, aware that Hou Mansion had its own family matters to deal with. Taking the opportunity, the ladies and young ladies politely said their goodbyes and left.
Guo Huan hadn’t woken up yet, and Maternal Aunt Rou refused to leave, so Madam Qi and her daughters had no choice but to stay as well. They did, however, send someone back to the Secretary of Honglu Temple with a message.
After giving Madam Zhang a deep look, Yang Mengchen and Princess Ning, among others, left alongside, saying farewells to a few families at the entrance of Hou Mansion before they boarded their carriages and returned to Prince Mansion.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
