Chapter 19 Her life is in your hands.
Ji Qingwu's heart stirred slightly.
After the eldest sister's husband entered the room, he not only noticed the change in his eldest sister's mood at a glance, but also asked her about it openly without any attempt to hide it.
It seems like they want to uphold justice for her?
It seems that the eldest sister's position in the prince's heart is not as low as Ji Qingrong thought.
Lu Juan saw Ji Qingwu's eyes darting back and forth between him and Qing Rong, her watery eyes darting around, before finally revealing a look of great satisfaction.
It seemed like she had come to approve of him to some extent.
Hearing Lu Juan's question, Cui felt a tightness in her chest. She knew he was on duty in the palace today and wouldn't be home, which was why she came to Ninghua Hall to ask about the soup.
Now, we can only try to gloss over it.
Madam Cui smiled and waved her hand, saying, "It was nothing serious, just a few words of argument in the inner quarters. It's not worth your time to concern yourself with it."
It's not such a trivial matter as a few words of argument.
Ji Qingrong lowered her eyes, concealing the resentment within.
It was clearly a misplaced affection over several years that left her childless and desolate, with no one to rely on in her later years.
Lu Juan's gaze deepened.
"Qingrong, you speak."
Ji Qingrong looked up into her husband's eyes, and she remembered the question her fifth sister had asked her earlier: would her husband handle this matter impartially...?
She bit her lip, hesitant. Should she take the gamble for that tiny chance of winning?
If, after speaking out, things end up in a completely chaotic situation...
Ji Qingrong held back.
She couldn't take that risk; she was already injured, and she couldn't impulsively ruin their marital relationship.
Seeing her hesitate and then lower her head in dejection, Lu Juan frowned again.
Even the upright and virtuous Lord Lu, when serving in the court, had never frowned so frequently because of the difficulties in officialdom.
Seeing his expression, Cui assumed he was dissatisfied with Ji Qingrong, so she smiled and advised, "Ziyou, don't be angry with your wife. There's nothing wrong with her. Even if she did something wrong, I've already disciplined her."
Lu Juan's courtesy name was Ziyou, which was what close people called him, but Ji Qingrong never did.
"What went wrong?" Lu Juan asked coldly.
Cui glanced at the maid beside her, and Zizhu, sensing the danger, knelt down in front of the hall.
He knelt on the ground, crying, and said, "Your Highness, Madam, Madam said she was going to sell me off, but I didn't do anything!"
Zizhu became more and more heartbroken as she spoke, and her sobs grew louder and louder, as if she were about to faint from crying.
Ji Qingrong frowned, her eyes blazing with anger as she watched Cui Shi and Zizhu put on their act of distorting the truth.
But she remained silent, and Lu Juan's expression turned completely cold.
At this moment, another person started sobbing, but not as loud as Zizhu's; they were just quietly whimpering.
It's time to show off our acting skills.
Everyone looked over and saw Ji Qingwu crying with tears streaming down her face, a beautiful woman with tears in her eyes, looking pitiful.
Ji Qingrong quickly took out a handkerchief from her bosom and wiped away her fifth sister's tears. Then she turned around and finally decided to say something.
Seeing this, Lu Juan raised one eyebrow and looked at Ji Qingrong, hoping she would speak.
But these words were not spoken to him.
Ji Qingrong angrily shouted at Zizhu's figure, "Why are you crying so loudly! You scared my fifth sister again!"
The roar abruptly stopped Zizhu's crying. She was crying with snot and tears streaming down her face, leaving several white streaks.
Zizhu stared back at Ji Qingwu with her mouth agape and her eyelids red and swollen. Why was she crying too?!
Ji Qingwu's eyes were filled with tears, and the tears slid down from the center of her eyes, which allowed her to see Zizhu's appearance clearly. Then, she bit her lip tightly, her mouth twitching as she lowered her head.
It almost made her break character and unable to continue acting.
The reason was simple: Zizhu, dressed in green, really looked like the Sad Frog she had seen in her previous life.
Ji Qingrong, unaware of the details, comforted her, "Fifth Sister, it's because your eldest sister is useless that you've suffered. Don't cry anymore."
As long as Ji Qingrong was willing to speak, no matter what she said, Lu Juan's expression softened considerably.
He asked, "Zizhu, what does Madam mean by 'again'? When I came in just now, I saw Fifth Sister crying. Was it because of you?"
If Lu Juan gets involved, this matter won't be so easily fooled.
Cui hurriedly explained on Zizhu's behalf: "The young girls are hot-blooded and just had a few words in their mouths. You just need to focus on your affairs of state and don't worry about household matters."
"quarrel?"
Lu Juan seemed to have heard something absurd and said in a deep voice, "Mother, you're telling me that your maid and my wife's younger sister were arguing? Since when have servants been allowed to stand above their masters and act wildly in this Marquis's mansion?"
Madam Cui rubbed her temples and sighed, “Zizhu has been by my side since she was a teenager. I consider her half a family member. You are busy with official duties all day long, and this girl is the only one who can keep me company and relieve my boredom. Last year, I contracted the plague. If Zizhu hadn’t been by my side, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be alive to talk to you here.”
Zizhu and Cui Shi's relationship was indeed special. Cui Shi wanted to play the emotional card and make Lu Juan remember Zizhu's good qualities.
But some people just won't buy it.
"You're getting senile."
These five words were uttered.
The people in Ninghua Hall were stunned.
Cui stared at Lu Juan in astonishment, his words echoing in her mind.
Ji Qingrong's eyes widened. What did her husband just say?
Ji Qingwu stopped crying and looked at her brother-in-law with bright, innocent eyes.
Lu Juan said self-deprecatingly, "Mother, you are confused. Last year, when I contracted the plague, Qingrong stayed in the side room of the main courtyard without taking off her clothes. She personally brewed all the medicine. She has a smart face, but she is clumsy and honest. I don't know how many times she was burned by that pottery pot. There are still marks on her wrists now."
Seeing that everyone's gaze was fixed on her wrist, Ji Qingrong, unwilling to admit that she was clumsy, quickly pulled her sleeve up to cover it.
Lu Juan continued, "Furthermore, how did a maid become half a family member? Your son and daughter-in-law are sitting here. If you have a problem with me, you don't need to beat around the bush like this."
Madam Cui could no longer sit still. Feeling extremely uncomfortable, she said, "How could I have a problem with you? I just—"
Lu Juan said to her, "You've simply forgotten that Qingrong is the Crown Prince's wife and also the mistress of this household!"
Cui was speechless and awkwardly closed her mouth.
Ji Qingwu applauded her brother-in-law in her heart. When it comes to harmonious mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships, it has to be the son who can stand up for her.
Ji Qingrong received unexpected protection, and her eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Normally, she would tolerate her mother-in-law as much as possible, but today, after learning the truth about her years of infertility, coupled with Zizhu's rudeness towards her fifth sister, she dared to argue with Cui.
Then Lu Juan said emotionlessly, "Let's sell the purple bamboo."
Zizhu didn't even dare to cry.
Because she knew that once the young master made a decision, he would not change it.
She didn't dare to ask the Grand Madam for help. As a confidante of Madam Cui, she knew that although Madam Cui was of noble status and was not afraid of the old lady or the Marquis, she was most afraid of the young master.
Cui covered her mouth and coughed.
Zizhu suddenly realized something and pounced at Ji Qingwu's feet.
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