Chapter 26 Jia Lian's Thoughts
"If that's how you want to think, then think of it this way! If you're afraid of being cuckolded, then just get a divorce!"
Wang Xifeng had finally found a glimmer of hope in her predicament because of her reunion with Yuan Hongqu these past two days, but now Jia Lian's appearance has suddenly poured cold water on her hopes.
She felt a chill run through her. All she wanted was to live. If she continued to associate with Jia Lian like this, she feared that even if she found a way to survive, she would still be doomed.
The two's argument had already alerted the servants outside. Ping'er had rushed over when Wang Xifeng smashed the teacup and heard the argument as soon as she reached the door.
"Second Madam, you can't say things like that lightly." Hearing Wang Xifeng even mention divorce, Ping'er was terrified.
She rushed in, only to see Jia Lian glare at her, shove her out, and yell:
"Get out! You're everywhere! Our family's business is none of your concern, a mere servant!"
"Second Master Lian, you're truly formidable!" Wang Xifeng sneered.
"Isn't she your concubine? Now you're treating her like an outsider? When you two were sleeping together, you didn't know how you were cursing me!"
"Ping'er, come in." Wang Xifeng pulled Ping'er in, completely ignoring Ping'er's terrified expression, and said directly to Jia Lian.
"Second Master Lian, tell me what you want today. If you don't like me, I'll divorce you and make way for those women outside. Ping'er, I won't stop you if you want to follow Second Master Lian, and you're welcome to come to my house too!"
After all, Wang Xifeng's soul had been replaced, so how could she possibly lose the independence and pride of a modern woman in her bones!
However, she was afraid of something, so she kept quiet and swallowed her grievances.
Now that she has someone to rely on, what is she afraid of!
Upon hearing this, Ping'er knelt down tremblingly: Why was she being made to choose when the couple had argued? She didn't want to choose...
Jia Lian was surprised by Wang Xifeng's firm stance, and then he saw Ping'er kneeling by the door, pleading with him:
"Second Master, you must try to persuade Second Madam... Don't you know what kind of person Second Madam is? What did you say to upset her like this..."
Jia Lian thought about the nonsense he had just uttered and realized he had gone too far.
Even so, Feng'er shouldn't have said she wanted a divorce so readily!
How can you say such things so easily? What's the difference between this and blasphemy?
Wang Xifeng ignored them and went to pack all the jewelry on the dressing table into the treasure chest. She knew that this would definitely not work, but she wanted to make a scene. She hoped that Jia Lian would get tired of her.
Jia Lian glanced at Wang Xifeng, then looked outside, and immediately sensed something was wrong. He quickly told Ping'er to go out.
"Go out and tell the old lady and the people from the madam's side that I offended the second madam and disturbed their rest. I will apologize to her tomorrow."
A number of maids and servants were gathered at the door. Jia Lian was both shocked and frightened. If they had heard what he said earlier and it had spread, Brother Zhen would probably skin him alive! He had also angered Feng'er so much. If he didn't handle things well tonight, the old lady and the madam would probably come and beat him tomorrow!
Sigh, he and Feng'er were childhood sweethearts who grew up together. How could someone like Feng'er do such a despicable thing!
Seeing Ping'er leave, he quickly closed the door, took three steps in two, knelt down beside Wang Xifeng's legs with a "thump," and hugged Wang Xifeng's legs tightly. Wang Xifeng kicked twice but couldn't break free.
"Feng'er, it's all my fault. I was blinded by greed and drank too much, so I talked nonsense. Feng'er, you can hit me or scold me, just don't say such things..." For a moment, Jia Lian felt that what Wang Xifeng said was exactly what she was thinking, that Wang Xifeng wanted to leave him.
As soon as Jia Lian realized this, he felt his heart clench and ache terribly. Feng'er couldn't leave him; he wouldn't allow her to leave him!
"Feng'er, you can't leave me. Those outsiders aren't even as good as a single hair on your head. I broke up with them a long time ago..." Jia Lian still felt wronged!
He only went out for a few drinks with Jia Zhen and a few others tonight, and they provoked him by saying that he hadn't been going out much lately, and wondered if his family was keeping a close eye on him.
Despite their teasing, Jia Lian did not participate in their subsequent activities. After having a few drinks, he said goodbye and went home.
He returned home in high spirits, only to find that Wang Xifeng was nowhere to be seen. The servants said that the Second Mistress had gone to Rongyue Courtyard after finishing her business.
It's Rongyueyuan again!
She was supposedly at Rongyue Courtyard last night too. Could it be that she has a lover there?
Jia Lian grew angrier the more he thought about it, and fueled by alcohol, this led to tonight's incident.
"Feng'er, I haven't done those things with my older brother and the others for a long time. I haven't even gotten close to Ping'er." He spoke with utmost sincerity.
"If you don't know what's going on outside, you should know what's going on at home!"
"You...you actually changed?" Wang Xifeng said in a daze. The philandering Second Master Lian could actually stop messing around outside?
She shook her head, utterly disbelieving.
"How could that be?"
Jia Lian himself couldn't believe he had become like this. Seeing Wang Xifeng's disbelief, he hurriedly said...
“Feng’er, I’ve developed a problem. I no longer have any interest in other women. I only think about you… If I hadn’t been afraid of being laughed at by my older brothers, I would have gone to see a doctor. But after I got used to it, I think it’s fine this way.”
Wang Xifeng looked at him with suspicion. Jia Lian happened to look up and saw Feng'er at a glance. She was no longer the decisive and ruthless housekeeper she was during the day. She was clearly a naive and innocent young woman.
Jia Lian felt a surge of passion and immediately reached out to embrace Wang Xifeng. However, Wang Xifeng remained on guard and, seeing him about to hug her, kicked Jia Lian in the shin. Jia Lian cried out in pain and immediately let go.
"Stay away from me! I need to find out if it's really true before I say anything!" Wang Xifeng scolded.
"Go to the outer study tonight to check the accounts. If your Jia family had a little more silver in the accounts, managing the household would be a bit easier for me, and I wouldn't be giving you such a sour face every day!"
"Feng'er, you've worked hard." Jia Lian paused, thinking about the things at home, and felt troubled.
"It's good that you know I've had a hard time, so don't make me angry anymore. Hurry up and leave." Wang Xifeng hurriedly urged Jia Lian to leave.
"Feng'er, you can't say things like that again!" Jia Lian looked back every few steps, still feeling lingering fear as he thought of Wang Xifeng's words about divorce. He turned back to Wang Xifeng and asked her to make a promise.
Wang Xifeng sighed inwardly; she knew it was just talk.
Just like Teacher Yuan said, she can't get a divorce.
Since she still had to go to work, she couldn't afford to offend the boss's foolish son. Wang Xifeng's acting skills instantly kicked in, transforming her into a resentful, petty woman.
"I was furious too. Don't say such nonsense or do such nonsense. Of course I wouldn't have such thoughts."
Upon hearing this, Jia Lian felt a sense of comfort wash over him.
He knew that Feng'er felt the same way as him, so how could she leave him?
Having received Wang Xifeng's assurance, Jia Lian instructed Ping'er, who was at the door, to take good care of the Second Mistress during the night. He also told Ping'er that if Ping'er was late the next morning, she would still be responsible for roll call, and that the Second Mistress should not be troubled...
Although he knew that Wang Xifeng worked hard, managing a household was a thankless and arduous task.
However, it was absolutely impossible for him to agree to let Wang Xifeng hand over the power to manage the household.
His father, Jia She, inherited the title, and in principle, the first wife should be in charge of the household. However, the first wife was a second wife and came from a humble family, so it would be improper for her to be in charge of the household.
So after his biological mother passed away, the family was handed over to the second wife to manage. When Feng'er entered the family, she was the eldest son's wife, so it was only natural for her to manage the household.
Previously, because the second wife managed the household, he still faced many inconveniences despite being the eldest son of the main branch.
Only when Feng'er took over as housekeeper did he feel at ease and realize that this was his own home.
Therefore, this power of stewardship must never be handed over again.
However, the lack of money in the account has been a long-standing issue. If he were to inherit the title in the future and be left with a mountain of debt, it would be a huge loss.
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