Chapter 29: Generations of Stubbornness_1

Nanny Wu knew today’s purpose was to fetch Bai Jinxiu and stop Qin Lang from moving out of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage Mansion. She quickly smiled to smooth things over.

“Oh, Madam Crown Princess, you’ve misunderstood! Our madam didn’t mean it that way! No matter what, our madam would never dare to have the Eldest Princess welcome her! Our madam is just concerned about the Eldest Princess and our young madam. She has a good heart but speaks poorly. How could it be an accusation?”

Nanny Wu smiled apologetically and subtly tugged at Mrs. Jiang’s sleeve. “Our madam heard the young madam woke up and came specifically to take her back to the mansion. Since we’re here, we must pay our respects to the Eldest Princess. Hearing that the Eldest Princess was ill and feeling it was an inappropriate time, she just said a word! Madam Crown Princess, you and our madam have known each other since childhood. Don’t you know her?”

Mrs. Jiang stifled her anger, nearly tearing the handkerchief in her hand, and said, “That’s right! Madam Crown Princess and I have known each other since childhood. This is just a misunderstanding.”

Mrs. Dong did not respond to Mrs. Jiang’s words at all. Hand adorned with a fine jade bracelet resting on the armrest, her demeanor as the head mistress was far more dignified than Mrs. Jiang’s. “So, you came today to apologize?”

“And to bring Jinxiu back to the mansion. After all, Jinxiu is already a member of the Qin family. It’s inappropriate for her to stay at her maiden home, lest people laugh,” Mrs. Jiang said.

“Jiang Fengchun, stop circling around! Yesterday, His Majesty issued an edict granting Qin Lang a residence. Once Qin Lang moves out, it signifies the discord within the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage Mansion. The incident where your daughters harmed our Jinxiu will be exposed! Realizing there’s no way out, you came to our Duke’s Mansion, intending to take Jinxiu back, hoping to control Qin Lang and prevent him from moving out to save your mansion’s face, correct?”

Suddenly being exposed by Mrs. Dong, Mrs. Jiang’s face turned even worse. Nanny Wu quickly chimed in, “Madam Crown Princess, our madam is also thinking for the family. In a family, we shouldn’t speak as if we’re from different households! You say… with both parents still here, how can he move out? Look at the prosperous Zhen Duke’s Mansion, isn’t it because they haven’t separated the family that they have someone like Bai Qingyan? If the princely heir moves out while his parents are alive, others might question his filial piety in the future.”

A nanny wasn’t someone Mrs. Dong deemed worthy of responding to. She simply lifted her teacup. Bai Qingyan slowly asked, “Are these words from the madam?”

Mrs. Jiang, unwilling to speak to Bai Qingyan, wanted to drink tea but found that Mrs. Dong had not even offered a cup. She flung her handkerchief in anger. “I’m doing this for the good of Qin Lang and his wife.”

“Madam, you speak boldly. The Empress Dowager ordered my brother-in-law to move to a new house and take a new path. Yet, you say not letting him move out is for his good. Are you suggesting you’re wiser than the Empress Dowager?” Bai Jintong raised her eyebrows.

Mrs. Jiang’s heart skipped a beat. She wouldn’t dare question the Empress Dowager’s words even if she had the guts. “Watch your tongue!”

Bai Qingyan’s gaze was intense, her voice soft. “Madam came today without bringing your two daughters to apologize to my second sister. You entered our Duke’s Mansion with an attitude and then wanted to take my second sister back! Do you think the Bai family fears your mansion, or do you think we’re foolish enough to send my second sister back to suffer?”

“Let me be clear…” Bai Jintong spoke slowly. “The other day when brother-in-law came to apologize in person, my second sister told him… she endured your daughter’s stone attack to clear the way for him to leave the mansion. If he doesn’t have the courage to move out, he’s unworthy of a Bai family daughter, and divorce is inevitable. Even if it means mutual destruction, she would request a divorce paper and never live with him again!”

Mrs. Jiang and Nanny Wu both widened their eyes. They never expected Bai Jinxiu, who seemed so gentle and weak, to use such a ruthless tactic! Divorce?! How could a reputable family tolerate divorce?

Mrs. Jiang’s hands trembled with anger. Bai Jinxiu was so vicious! This was clearly pushing her to the brink!

Bai Qingyan’s cold gaze swept over Nanny Wu as she sneered. “Now that His Majesty has issued an edict, and the Empress Dowager has given clear instructions, who dares use filial piety to speak of Qin Lang’s future, it’s an accusation against His Majesty and the Empress Dowager! Qin Lang has packed and is ready to move out, with great days ahead for my second sister. But madam… hasn’t your years of scheming been for this princely heir position? Now that Qin Lang is openly giving it up, why don’t you dare accept it?”

Nanny Wu broke into a cold sweat. She had just spoken about filial piety.

“Dong Wanjun, I came today, kindly, to bring Bai Jinxiu back! Ask around Dadu City, how many mothers-in-law are as magnanimous as I am! Yet, I get nothing in return?! Haven’t had a sip of tea, and now these two children from your Duke’s Mansion are stepping on me!”

Mrs. Jiang, also furious, called Mrs. Dong by her full name and slammed the table. “Even as a stepmother, Qin Lang’s father, our marquis, is still present! Family shouldn’t separate while parents are alive; your second daughter, encouraging Qin Lang to move out right after marriage, defies filial piety! Aren’t you afraid of becoming the target of public criticism?”@@novelbin@@

Mrs. Dong blew on her tea slowly, too lazy to argue. “You think I don’t know what you’re thinking? You believe that since the Bai Mansion married a daughter into your mansion and you’re the legitimate mother-in-law, our Bai Mansion would hold you in esteem for Jinxiu’s future! But Jiang Fengchun, the Bai family has tough bones that aren’t easily chewed. Reflect on whether your teeth are strong enough before you come again.”

“Dong Wanjun!” Mrs. Jiang rose, slamming the table, and threw her handkerchief. “We shall see! You will regret this!”

Nanny Wu barely managed to restrain the furious Mrs. Jiang, winking continuously. “Madam, the young madam’s injury angered the Crown Princess who’s her family. Watch your temper; misunderstandings between our families could remain unresolved otherwise!”

Bai Qingyan, looking at Mrs. Jiang about to storm out, spoke slowly. “Speaking of my second sister’s injury, may I ask madam, where did you sell my second sister’s dowry maids after she fell unconscious? The parents of those five dowry maids are kneeling at our Duke’s Mansion gate, asking. I’m curious what kind of powerful backer dares take them when their contracts are in my second sister’s possession! Or… are the five maids in a plight like Mingyu, kept on your estate?”