The Fifth Madam rose and bowed to the Second Madam, saying, "Second Sister-in-law!" The Second Madam nodded in response, acknowledging her.
The Fifth Madam sat down again, her face showing anxiety as she asked the Grand Dowager, "Mother, the rumors circulating outside are truly unpleasant. In our inner quarters, we might not hear much, but the n are out there facing it. Even as the Fifth Young Master left this morning, people pointed and talked behind his back." She paused to look at the Second Madam, "And could it be worse for Second Brother, surely there will be nastier comnts."
The Second Madam’s eyes flickered.
The Fifth Madam continued, "Mother, I know you are upset with , but given the family’s difficulties, being a part of this family, our relationships are inseparable. When we step outside, everyone knows we are the Fifth Madam and Young Master of the Xuanning Marquis Mansion. Now, due to Fourth Sister-in-law’s affairs, such an uproar has occurred, we cannot just sit idly by!"
The Grand Dowager frowned and finally spoke, "Then in your opinion, how should we handle this matter?"
The Fifth Madam’s eyes lit up, she replied, "In my view, regardless of whether this matter involves Fourth Sister-in-law, our priority should be to bring Miss Hu into the Mansion. As soon as Miss Hu enters, the outside rumors will gradually disappear; people tend to forget. When Miss Hu lives well within the Mansion, getting along harmoniously with Fourth Sister-in-law, even if we say nothing, others will see for themselves, and these rumors will fall apart. Is this not reasonable?"
The Grand Dowager looked deeply at the Fifth Madam, then suddenly turned to the Second Madam and asked, "Chengning, how do you think this matter should be managed?"
"Mother, Fourth Sister-in-law has only recently joined us, but throughout her ti here, she has been respectful and filial to you, and harmonious with us sister-in-laws. The children enjoy her company, not to ntion her and Fourth Brother’s relationship, being sweetly affectionate, how could she possibly have instructed the two uncles to do such a thing? No matter what is said outside, I certainly do not believe it."
She paused, glancing at the Grand Dowager, who nodded in agreent. The Second Madam’s eyes flickered as she continued, "In my view, this is rely a misunderstanding; outsiders do not grasp the details and are blindly guessing!"
It’s no use speaking then!
The Grand Dowager remained silent.
The First Madam mockingly glanced at the Second Madam, speaking lightly, "If these are rely rumors, how could they be so detailed?"
The Second Madam was montarily stunned. The First Madam rarely involved herself in the Mansion’s affairs or voiced her opinions, and yet today, she unexpectedly countered her. She blinked slightly and asked, "Then what does Eldest Sister-in-law an?"
"A ploy of self-sacrifice!" The First Madam seed to say casually, "Although I do not know Fourth Sister-in-law’s character well, looking at the matter itself, it is clearly Miss Hu’s sche, waiting for us to bring her into the Mansion for the family’s reputation!"
Having spoken, she lowered her head to sip her tea, as if that was all she intended to say.
The Second Madam slightly wrinkled her brow, looking at the Grand Dowager’s expression, which seed unchanged from before but with a touch more softness.
She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, "Hearing Eldest Sister-in-law say this, I suddenly think there might be so sense in it."
Effectively overturning her own words, agreeing with the First Madam.
The Fifth Madam frowned, retorting, "Eldest Sister-in-law, what you said is rather one-sided. You do not know, Miss Hu and Madam Hu are currently residing in a bustling inn, if it were truly a self-sacrifice ploy, how could she place herself in such a situation without leaving any retreat? Moreover, I believe we should consider the cause and effect of this matter, while for now the most crucial thing is to find a way to suppress these rumors to avoid making it difficult for several masters outside and damaging our Mansion’s reputation."
"Does Fifth Sister-in-law an..." The Second Madam paused, "to bring Miss Hu into the Mansion?"
The Fifth Madam’s expression showed that she thought this was the most suitable.
The Second Madam furrowed her brows, saying, "Though this thod is effective, it might inevitably give people the impression that the Marquis Mansion is being coerced by the Hu Family; even if we bring Hu Suqing into the Mansion, she cannot be allowed to enter gracefully, otherwise, how can we Marquis Xuanning stand tall in front of the world in the future!"
The implication is to bring her into the Mansion but not easily concede.
The First Madam slowly sipped her tea, her gaze shifting between the Second and Fifth Madam, then looked at the Grand Dowager saying, "Mother, since this involves Fourth Sister-in-law, should we not listen to Fourth Sister-in-law’s opinion as well?"
"Hmm." The Grand Dowager slightly nodded and instructed Ziwei, "Invite the Fourth Madam."
Ziwei acknowledged the instruction and left.
Tong Xiqiu may have so thoughts, certainly unwilling to let Hu Suqing in; the Fifth Madam’s eyes shifted as she said, "Fourth Sister-in-law is probably very upset right now; asking her might yield nothing, only adding to her distress."
"Enough." The Grand Dowager spoke lightly, looking at the Fifth Madam, saying, "You’ve moved out now, the Mansion’s affairs are no longer your concern. If you’ve finished speaking, you should leave the Mansion early."
"Mother!" The Fifth Madam was startled, not expecting the Grand Dowager to directly dismiss her; she felt awkward and embarrassed, "Though I have moved out, I am still your daughter-in-law, how can you..."
Listening, the Grand Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly, glinting coldly.
The Fifth Madam was sowhat petrified, stood up, reluctantly saying, "Then...then daughter-in-law takes her leave." Saying this, she slowly walked towards the door, while Nanny Wu smilingly kept the curtain up for her, "Fifth Madam, I will accompany you out."
The Fifth Madam had no choice but to leave!
Once the Fifth Madam was gone, the Grand Dowager frowned and said, "A young girl, with such ans, thinking to manipulate us." Her voice cold as frost, causing the Second Madam to pause montarily; then the Grand Dowager turned to her, instructing, "Let Housekeeper Hu lead people to tidy up the mansion at Jiwei Mountain; have Hu Suqing and her mother sent to Jiwei Mountain, outwardly saying they go there for recuperation."
This is the most balanced solution, if acting as the Fifth Madam suggested, bringing people into the Mansion directly, outsiders would perceive this as the Xiao Family guilty and desperate to silence rumors, but if following the Second Madam’s approach, Hu Suqing’s health might not withstand any turmoil, should a fatal incident occur, matters would not only remain unresolved but beco even more difficult to handle.
The First Madam subtly nodded.
The Grand Dowager then coldly said, "Station guards there, without my orders, their mother-daughter aren’t allowed to take a step out of the villa!"
This intention is to put them under house arrest.
The Second Madam listened quietly, stood up to respond, "Understood, I’ll have Housekeeper Hu attend to it imdiately!"
The Grand Dowager nodded, watching as the Second Madam left!
The Grand Dowager sighed, speaking to the First Madam, "Initially, I was mindful of the Hu Family’s goodwill towards us, also considering Miss Hu’s marriage to Fourth Brother, I took care of the Hu Family in many ways; anything within my ability, as long as they requested, I would surely agree." Pausing she continued, "Yet I did not foresee, that they would turn face and engage in such actions!"
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