Chapter 354 Fire Burns Down Tianxiang Tower
In terms of real power, Jia She and Jia Zheng were definitely higher than Yuan Hongqu. However, they knew better that Yuan Hongqu was the Empress's teacher, and the current emperor respected her greatly. Even the retired emperor felt rejuvenated because of the ginseng products made by Yuan Hongqu, and he also protected her.
This led to Yuan Hongqu practically pointing her finger at the two of them and cursing them, and they didn't dare to refute her.
After all, this matter cannot withstand scrutiny. If Yuan Hongqu were to cause a scene before the Emperor, their family could very well be used as an excuse to be completely stripped of their titles and honors.
They originally thought that since Yuan Hongqu was not in the capital and Jia Lian had gone on a long trip, no one would help Wang Xifeng if she took action now. However, they did not expect that Yuan Hongqu would return to the capital ahead of time for Wang Xifeng's sake.
"Back in the day, your Jia family was truly a family of great wealth and power, with halls of white jade and horses of gold. But how can you expect your daughters-in-law, who are in charge of the family's affairs, to use their dowries to supplement the family income?"
Yuan Hongqu's words became increasingly impolite.
The Jia family maintained a facade of peace and tranquility, and no one dared to expose it, so they became indifferent and let things take their course.
Beneath the lush flowers lies filth and depravity.
Just because no one mentions it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Now that Yuan Hongqu has revealed this bloody truth, Jia She and Jia Zheng look increasingly displeased, while Lady Wang looks somewhat embarrassed.
After all, Lady Wang played a crucial role in marrying Wang Xifeng to Jia Lian and entrusting her with managing the household. When she realized something was amiss while managing the household, she wanted to shift the blame elsewhere.
Unexpectedly, in the past few years, Wang Xifeng and her husband have managed to revitalize the stagnant Rongguo Mansion, and some people have started to think about taking advantage of this opportunity.
He was initially a little embarrassed and was worried about not having an excuse when Jia Zhen provided a perfectly suitable reason.
Considering Wang Xifeng's behavior over the past few years, and based on Madam Wang's understanding of her niece, this could only be due to being possessed by a demon!
He's literate, he's a businessman, and he's even doing charity work to improve his reputation.
Would the previous Wang Xifeng have had such foresight?
Yuan Hongqu's next sentence instantly extinguished any thought Madam Wang might have had of using this as an excuse.
"Of all the people I've painstakingly trained, one became an empress, another a princess, and Wang Xifeng is the most foolish!"
Yuan Hongqu looked disdainful.
"If it weren't for your Jia family dragging her down, she should have achieved much more. You think she's capable after earning so little money?"
"Lord Yuan, we were misled and almost did something wrong." Jia Zheng looked ashamed. Even in front of the Emperor, he had never been reprimanded like this.
I only received such reprimands when I was a child, when my teacher gave me a serious lecture.
Jia She shared the same sentiment.
Perhaps because Yuan Hongqu was an educator, even though she was scolding people, it felt like a teacher educating students. People felt ashamed and thought that what the teacher said made sense, without feeling any anger.
Apart from Madam Wang, she saw that both the master and the other master were humble, and her face gradually darkened.
She was just a school nurse from the south who got lucky and had a student who became an empress, so she started acting all high and mighty.
“Mr. Yuan, what you said is rather biased. Everyone knows that you and Feng are close, so naturally you are speaking on her side. Even if she is not possessed by some kind of monster, she is heavily pregnant and should be sharing the household chores with others, but she is still holding on tightly.”
"You can just enjoy your life as the second wife. You'll have everything you need. As a woman myself, I understand your thoughts. But if you insist on putting Feng'er down, don't blame me for being ruthless towards you."
Yuan Hongqu stared directly into Madam Wang's eyes. Madam Wang felt as if those eyes could see right through her, revealing all her thoughts and intentions. Yuan Hongqu knew everything.
Madam Wang involuntarily took two steps back.
"Master, Master, something terrible has happened! A terrible thing has happened in the East Mansion!" An old woman rushed in from outside Rongyue Courtyard. She must have run too fast, because her hair had come undone.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Wang Shanbao's.
She ran up to him, not even bothering to bow, and tried to speak, but because she had run so fast, she was panting and couldn't utter a single word.
Having finally caught their breath, Jia She and Jia Zheng were about to call for someone to inquire again when they heard Wang Shanbao's wife speak up.
"Master, Master, Second Madam, there's a fire at Tianxiang Tower in the East Mansion. Little Rong is inside, her face is covered in blisters, and her hair is all burned off. Master Zhen rescued her, but she seems to have gone hysterical and somehow ran into the street. Master Zhen chased after her, and Little Rong suddenly hugged him and called him Zhen Lang... The two of them became the spectacle of the whole street."
Jia She kept giving Wang Shanbao's wife meaningful glances, signaling her to stop talking, since there were outsiders present!
However, Wang Shanbao's wife was born with a loose tongue. Having obtained this firsthand information, she naturally wanted to claim credit for delivering the news. Moreover, since the most powerful and influential people in the family were all here, she was bound to tell them all to show that she was capable!
Jia Zheng's face was ashen; he was clearly furious.
"Lord Yuan, we have some urgent matters to attend to, so we'll leave Lian'er's wife in your care. We'll come back to apologize once things are settled there."
"Do as you please." Yuan Hongqu's lips curled slightly, and her voice was no longer as stern as before.
After the group dispersed, Yuan Hongqu glanced at the guards on both sides and whispered,
"Send two people over there to keep watch secretly. If they see them trying to harm Qin Keqing, they should intervene and spare her life."
Originally, Hongqu wasn't acting out of a saintly heart. Qin Keqing begged Jia Zhen to spare Wang Xifeng, so at least she still had a shred of kindness left. Since she was disfigured and insane, it was better to spare her life, as a way of repaying that last bit of kindness.
If her prediction is correct, Qin Keqing's death at Tianxiang Tower in the original novel was probably murder rather than suicide. How could a woman like that be willing to commit suicide?
Although her arrival changed some of the plot, she didn't touch the places she hadn't touched. The butterfly's wings flapped, but the trajectory of history continued along its original path.
Wang Xifeng thought she would sleep soundly for a whole day and night, but little did she know that the little rascal in her belly would kick her awake in less than half an hour.
When she woke up this time, she felt full of energy, but she was terribly hungry.
Ping'er had the prepared food brought out, and Wang Xifeng, disregarding all etiquette and rules, devoured the food in a whirlwind.
Finally, he added one more thing.
I'm still a little hungry.
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