They needed to leave imdiately, with no need for discussion. This was an instinctive consensus reached by the mother and her daughters after witnessing the incident.
"We can’t leave today, but we won’t stay here either. Let’s spend the night at Old Wang’s Large Cart Inn," said Lady Zhang.
When they left, Lian Manman was careful to take a substantial amount of silver coins with her. They had spent so money touring Taicang County these past days, but the remaining silver was still plentiful, ensuring they would not have to worry about food and lodging upon leaving.
The mother and daughters packed their belongings and were about to leave when Lady Chiang, accompanied by others carrying food containers, approached them.
"Fourth Aunt, what are you doing?" Lady Chiang was startled to see Lady Zhang and her daughters with bundles, apparently ready to leave, and hurriedly ca forward to stop them.
"Jizu’s wife, we’re leaving now. It’s good that we’ve run into you. His grandfather and grandmother, as well as his great-uncles, seem quite busy, so we won’t bother visiting them in person. Please pass on a ssage for us, just say we’ve departed," Lady Zhang said with a forced smile.
Lady Chiang didn’t need to guess why Lady Zhang was in such a rush to leave.
They were indeed busy here. If Lady Zhang and her daughters had left after the wedding banquet, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. But now, it was imperative that Lady Chiang didn’t let them leave at this ti.
"Fourth Aunt, don’t be in such hurry to go. Just stay a little while longer. Fourth Aunt, you have co from afar, and these past few days have been hectic, we hardly had ti for you. But we will be free these next two days. You must stay longer so we can properly host you, otherwise, we couldn’t explain ourselves and I just wouldn’t feel right," Lady Chiang spoke at length, and seeing that Lady Zhang was still determined to go, she pleaded, "...If you must leave, Fourth Aunt, you should at least wait... wait... at least say goodbye in person to the Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother before you go."
What exactly they were waiting for, Lady Chiang didn’t say aloud. Presumably, they were waiting for things to calm down, hoping the family would beco harmonious once again, thought Lian Manman.
Lady Gu also heard the news and ca over, not letting Lady Zhang and her daughters leave.
Then Sanlang ca running with a ssage from Old Master Lian.
"Fourth Aunt, my grandfather says for you to stay put for now, if you must leave, at least wait until today is over..."
Once Old Master Lian had spoken, Lady Zhang and her daughters reluctantly agreed to stay for the ti being.
Soon, Lady Chiang brought in a table full of sumptuous food for Lady Zhang and her daughters, with Lady Gu personally serving the dishes.
"As a woman of the inner court, I have no say in matters," Lady Gu confided her grievances to Lady Zhang, "Outside affairs, are up to the Great Grandfather and the head of the family, and inside the house, it’s all the Great Grandmother’s realm. I just obey and run errands. Whatever anyone says, I dare not disobey. Fourth Aunt, I’m not like you; you have two sons, what do you have to fear? I, on the other hand, feel so insecure. No matter how well I treat Jizu, he’s not my own flesh and blood... If the Great Grandfather, Great Grandmother, or the head of the family even slightly disapproves, I would lose everything..."
Without explicitly ntioning Lian Xiuxiu’s matter, she completely distanced herself from the situation. Even if she was involved sohow, it wasn’t her own idea, she was simply manipulated by others.
"The situation in our family is unknown to others, but Fourth Aunt, you must be aware. Has the Great Grandmother ever treated us like human beings? Look at , a County Magistrate’s wife, yet even a lowly serving maid has more dignity than I. Whenever she is upset, she disrespects . The words she uses to curse , no elder should ever utter. It’s not enough to curse ; she even curses Huahua. Did she include Duoduo, who isn’t even betrothed yet, in her tirade? Isn’t that her own grandchild?"
Simultaneously seeking sympathy while complaining, Lady Gu sought acknowledgnt from Lady Zhang.
"Not a single daughter-in-law, grandson, or granddaughter is good enough in her eyes? We are right there, and she curses us like that. Even those of you who aren’t around get cursed; she’s made this her daily business. Fourth Aunt, it’s good that you stayed back ho; you can’t hear her curse you there, and at least you have so peace..."
After seeking acknowledgnt, it was ti for instigation.
Lady Zhang and her daughters kept silent, their understanding of Lady Gu’s ulterior motives was clear, yet what Lady Gu said was also true.
Lady Gu and Lady Chiang stayed to serve the al until Lady Zhang and her daughters finished eating. Only after receiving assurance that they would not leave that night did they leave.
After the two ladies left, Zhao Xiue’s mother and sister-in-law ca imdiately. Zhao Xiue did not co because she was still in her confinent period after giving birth and couldn’t leave her room.
"Big sister, don’t bla for speaking bluntly," Zhao Xiue’s mother said in a low voice to Lady Zhang, "We know the general situation with your family. Over the years, you have done a lot of work for them. When your family’s elder beca an official, you didn’t shine in his light... but now it’s different with the marriage of your old aunt... tsk tsk..."
"Your elder marrying your old aunt to Third Old Master Zheng, what’s that for? Your elder surely plans to use the power of the Zheng Family to thrive greatly. The Zheng Family is the real wealthy household, pulling one of their hairs is thicker than our waists. You should stay a few more days, give or not give, but you shouldn’t go back empty-handed... Your old aunt, she was raised on your milk, didn’t she? She’s got sothing now; she must repay your kindness." Zhao Xiue’s mother spoke with gleaming eyes.
What was ntioned here was not about Lian Xiuxiu being pregnant; it ant Lian Xiuxiu now had money, she was wealthy.
Lian Manman glanced at Zhao Family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and understood.
Lian Xiuxiu had now beco a piece of fat at, and everyone from the Lian Family wanted a bite, not to ntion the Zhao Family, who also wanted to partake as relatives!
********......***
Here’s the second update, asking for your support.
Striving for a third update tonight, please show your encouragent. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welco to vote for it on qidian with recomndation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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