A Good Country Wife
Chapter 378 - 372_1

Chapter 378: Chapter 372_1

The Magistrate had been reassigned to the capital, which was good news to old man Wei. Unlike Lin Yue’s worry, old man Wei was thrilled. In his eyes, whatever the Magistrate that would come next, he could hardly be worse than the current one. Magistrate Chen was not only troublesome but also biased toward Zhao Erhu, giving no favors that silver could buy. There had been no chance to gain leverage, so good riddance. He just waited for the arrival of the next Magistrate, plotting how to ingratiate himself.

Old man Wei hadn’t been seriously harmed by the fake formula incident, but the loss was not small, especially in terms of reputation—a big discount that hit hard for a businessman like him. Though begrudging, he yearned to retaliate against the entire Zhao Family but hesitated due to Zhao Erhu’s connection with the Magistrate, with Zhao Xinglin watching over. Hearing that the Magistrate was soon to leave, old man Wei eagerly started scheming again.

"Master, a servant from Auntie Zhao has come to ask if you will join her for lunch?" As old man Wei was devising his wicked plans, the young servant, having received some benefits from Zhao Lingxiang’s maid, came in to inquire.

Old man Wei, interrupted yet seemingly in a good mood, instructed, "Mhm, go over to Auntie Zhao’s for lunch. Tell her to prepare a few more dishes. The master is in high spirits today and wishes to enjoy a few drinks."

Ever since his return from Zhao village, old man Wei, perhaps finding a kindred spirit in Zhao Lingxiang, showed her more favor than before. Plus, with her carrying his child—a son, the doctor had said—he grew increasingly protective of Zhao Lingxiang. He lavished treats upon her and visited often, no longer bothered by the counterfeit formula incident.

Zhao Lingxiang had worried for some time, but seeing that old man Wei never mentioned the issue, she presumed he had decided not to hold her accountable. Relieved, she served him with growing care and tenderness, pleasing him so much that his visits to her quarters became more frequent.

"Auntie, the master has replied and will come over for lunch. He asked you to prepare a few more dishes as he intends to have a little drink. The people serving the master say he’s in very good spirits," Xiaocui hurriedly reported to Zhao Lingxiang, her words brimming with joy and a touch of flattery.

"Oh? The master must have encountered some joyous occasion. Let’s ask him when he arrives; he might even reward you all. Now hurry along to the kitchen and instruct them to bring over more of the master’s favorite dishes at noon. Remember, only the best, and have the first portion brought here. I won’t tolerate any talk of primary courtyard or not—the master’s business is top priority, and as the master’s wife, I should prioritize him above all else. Do you understand?" Zhao Lingxiang lay on the chaise longue, casting a lazy sideways glance at Xiaocui as she ordered languidly.

Zhao Lingxiang, spoiled by old man Wei’s favor these days, was exceptionally pleased with herself and increasingly dismissive of the lady of the house. Regardless, the lady already despised her so bitterly that even if she were to act submissively, the lady would not spare her if given the chance. Recalling past mistreatment by the lady, Zhao Lingxiang was unwilling to live peaceably and simply wanted to trouble her—if she could anger the lady to death, all the better.

"Did that wretch really say that?!" The lady held a cup of tea in her hand, a piece from her dowry of fine Ru ware celadon. Her voice, though calm, was laced with immense fury.

"Lady, I heard it loud and clear. Xiaocui from Auntie Zhao’s quarters commanded the kitchen as such, and not just I, but everyone in the kitchen heard. They even sent over the lotus seed sweet soup and flaky-skinned duck intended for you to Auntie Zhao’s quarters. I simply couldn’t stand it, that Auntie Zhao—who is she to defy you? She’s totally out of line!"

"Insolent, absolutely insolent! Just a country bumpkin inflated with the idea of carrying the master’s child. Now she dares to disregard even me, the principal wife. With such behavior, does she aspire to take my place, to usurp my position as the lady? She should look at what she is, a cheap thing!"

With a snap, the delicate teacup shattered on the ground, and all the servants in the room knelt down, trembling in fear and daring not to utter a word. They were terrified of angering the mistress. Under such a furious outburst, their fate certainly wouldn’t be good.

Madam Zhao was now the apple of Old Master Wei’s eye, carrying his child within her, and she had attracted many followers, no longer as isolated and weak as before. It didn’t take long for the news of the mistress’s agitation to come her way. Zhao Lingxiang sneered coldly after hearing, "Mistress, you can’t even bear this much? You really lack patience. You’ll endure more in the future. However you had humiliated me in the past, I will repay it all."

As soon as Old Master Wei entered the room, he saw his concubine Zhao, lying on the chaise longue, deep in thought about something, so much that she hadn’t even noticed his arrival. This was unprecedented; knowing Zhao Lingxiang had always been trying to capture Old Master Wei’s heart, she would attend to him with all her might whenever he came. Therefore, although surprised this time, he was not angry, but rather curious about Zhao Lingxiang’s unusual demeanor.

"Lingxiang, what are you thinking about? You’re so engrossed that you didn’t even notice me, your lord, standing right in front of you," he said.

At the sound of Old Master Wei’s voice, Zhao Lingxiang immediately came back to her senses and hastily got up, her face adorned with a complaisant smile, "My lord, you’ve arrived. It’s Lingxiang who has been rude. I hope my lord will not blame me."

"You are carrying my child now. Even if I were to blame someone, I wouldn’t bear to blame you. Sit down comfortably, and don’t harm my son," Old Master Wei said jokingly, reaching out to touch Zhao Lingxiang’s increasingly prominent belly, feeling a surge of satisfaction inside.

"Rest well and give birth to a plump son for me. You won’t lack rewards when the time comes."

"I will heed my lord’s instructions," Zhao Lingxiang nestled in Old Master Wei’s arms and answered shyly.

"What were you thinking about just now that made you so distracted?" Old Master Wei felt good and didn’t mind showing some concern for Zhao Lingxiang. Recalling her earlier daydreaming, he asked naturally.

Zhao Lingxiang was cunning, always looking for an opportunity to set traps for the mistress. She wouldn’t let go of such a fortuitous chance. Upon hearing Old Master Wei’s question, her face, which had been smiling, turned sorrowful and troubled, as if weighed down by indescribable worries and distress.

"My lord, I—I didn’t mean to. I was just thinking that since my lord is in such a rare good mood today, there must have been some joyous event. That’s why I asked the kitchen to prepare the best food to celebrate with my lord. I truly didn’t intend to offend the mistress," she said.

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