Whenever Lian Shouxin’s family ca to visit her, Lady Zhou always maintained an air of authority. Usually, when she wanted to suppress Lian Shouren, Lian Jizu, and Lady Chiang, she would frequently ntion Lian Shouxin’s family. Such words were often very effective; in this family, no one dared to refute Lady Zhou’s statents.
"Granny, that’s not what I ant. I’m more than happy for you to discipline Niuniu." Seeing Lady Zhou starting to speak in twisted logic again, Lady Chiang had no choice but to smile and say, "We’re young, what could we possibly know? You, with your vast experiences and wisdom, know all the proper rules and etiquettes better than we do. It’s Niuniu’s blessing that you are willing to guide her."
"Hmph." Seeing Lady Chiang speaking with constant smiles, her words soft and pleasing, Lady Zhou’s anger subsided a bit, but she still snorted coldly. "If nothing had happened, do you think I would just scold her for no reason? This child, she’s so young yet so cheeky! Who taught her that? If I don’t control it, she’ll turn the world upside down. I’ve worked hard for this family, and still, she dares to argue with !"
Lady Chiang caught the implication in Lady Zhou’s words. She turned around, used a handkerchief to wipe Da Niuniu’s tears, then gave her a secret look before asking Da Niuniu, "What did you say that made your great-grandmother so angry?"
Da Niuniu glanced at Lady Chiang, then looked at Lady Zhou behind her, and then slowly lowered her head.
"I... I didn’t say anything." Da Niuniu whispered.
"Still claiming you didn’t say anything? Who was glaring at with puffed cheeks?" Lady Zhou snapped angrily.
Lady Zhou, despite her age and seniority, felt entirely justified in bickering with such a young great-granddaughter.
As a mother, Lady Chiang naturally understood her daughter’s character. Seeing Da Niuniu’s attitude and manner of speaking, she knew there must be sothing that couldn’t be said openly.
Moreover, when it involved Lady Zhou, trying to distinguish right from wrong was futile. Another thing she knew she had to be more cautious of: Lady Zhou’s words had already hinted that whatever Da Niuniu did to upset her, she would not only be angry with Da Niuniu but also suspect that as her mother, she had said or taught Da Niuniu sothing behind her back.
She couldn’t let Lady Zhou think that way.
"Niuniu, quickly apologize to your great-grandmother." Lady Chiang said, while signaling to Da Niuniu while standing with her back to Lady Zhou.
Feeling wronged, Da Niuniu pursed her lips.
Lady Chiang reached out and squeezed Da Niuniu’s hand, signaling her again, then pushed Da Niuniu toward Lady Zhou.
"Great-grandmother, I’m sorry. Please don’t be angry. I won’t dare do it again next ti." Da Niuniu, being an understanding child, had been taught by Lady Chiang on how to get along with Lady Zhou. So, despite feeling wronged, she apologized to Lady Zhou.
A soft child’s voice uttering such words could move even the coldest heart.
Lady Zhou’s expression softened slightly.
"Don’t imagine you can just coast along... Like Old Fourth’s wife; don’t think about what she is now, even she bows to . In the past, whatever I said went, and she wouldn’t dare contradict ! Now when she sees , she trembles like a little mouse!" Lady Zhou seed to murmur to herself.
Lady Chiang didn’t dare to breathe too loudly beside her. She knew this comnt from Lady Zhou was a warning to her.
"Go, wash your face, will you? Looking like a crying raccoon, who wouldn’t think you’ve been terribly wronged?" Perhaps realizing she had given enough of a dressing-down and vented all her anger, Lady Zhou waved them off.
"Granny, I’ll take Niuniu to wash her face." Lady Chiang said with a smile to Lady Zhou, then led Da Niuniu out.
Behind them, Lady Zhou sat on the kang, her gaze gloomy as it followed the back of Da Niuniu’s head.
Lady Zhou didn’t like Da Niuniu.
Lady Chiang took Da Niuniu back to her own room, poured so warm water, and gently helped Da Niuniu clean up with a handkerchief. With the door closed, mother and daughter spoke in hushed tones.
"Niuniu, what really happened?" Lady Chiang asked Da Niuniu quietly.
With only the two of them, Da Niuniu spoke without reservation. She leaned in and whispered to Lady Chiang. It turned out Lady Zhou had spoken ill of Lady Chiang in front of Lian Yaya and Da Niuniu. Da Niuniu didn’t like what she heard and refuted Lady Zhou’s words.
"I just said that you’re not like that, mom." Da Niuniu told Lady Chiang.
Lady Zhou speaking ill of her behind her back was nothing new. Lady Chiang knew that no matter how carefully she conducted herself, it was impossible to fully win over Lady Zhou. The best she could hope for was that Lady Zhou would save so face for her in front of others, which was already a rare achievent.
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