A Good Country Wife
Chapter 403 - 397_1

Chapter 403: Chapter 397_1

Xiaofang, observing Lin Yue in this manner, was uncertain whether Lin Yue had connected today’s events to her own doing, but until Lin Yue spoke of it, Xiaofang would absolutely not mention it. Moreover, although Xiaofang outwardly showed respect to Lin Yue, she did not necessarily feel it inwardly. To her, a rural farmwife from a small place who could merely read and write was already doing well, and would likely be ignorant of the conspiracies and deceptions within a great household. With this in mind, Xiaofang did not admit her fault and simply kept begging for mercy.

"Madam Lin, I beg of you, if the Family Head knows of the incident you encountered in the back garden, he will not spare this servant. He will blame me for not taking good care of you. Besides, it was I who suggested that you go to the back garden to relax. It was meant kindly; who would have thought that such an incident would occur? I beg Madam Lin to show mercy and save me this once."

Lin Yue listened to each of Xiaofang’s pleas, not only void of remorse but carrying a hint of accusation. She couldn’t help but scoff, "So you’re saying, today’s events have nothing to do with you at all, that it’s purely my bad luck to have encountered those women, and that I deserved to be belittled and insulted. It’s just that I shouldn’t have involved you—is that what you mean?"

Intimidated by Lin Yue’s aura, Xiaofang felt a tremor in her heart yet stubbornly refused to change her tune, "This servant dares not, I only wish for Madam Lin to speak a just word for this servant before the Family Head."

"A just word, what is just? You think I’m so foolish as to not understand that, without reason, you urged me to go to the back garden, and then such drama ensued? I have spared you from blame already, yet you have the audacity to ask that I speak in your favor before Brother Jiang? You must think me truly foolish. Leave now, it is impossible for me to speak on your behalf before Brother Jiang. However, if Brother Jiang does not ask, I also will not bring it up unnecessarily; you are on your own."

After speaking, Lin Yue waved her hand dismissively. It wasn’t that she was compassionate enough to let Xiaofang off the hook; she was merely too bothered to tangle further with Xiaofang. Affairs in a large house were numerous and it was not abnormal for Xiaofang to behave so. Lin Yue was about to move out of the Jiang Residence anyway, and there was no need to fuss over Xiaofang. Everyone reaps what they sow, and with Xiaofang’s dishonest heart, she would eventually face her comeuppance. Furthermore, Jiang Ziqi was a perceptive person who had grown up in such an environment and was likely able to discern the trickery involved.

Not being permitted to leave by the gatehouse, she could do nothing but wait for Zhao Erhu’s return if she wished to step out and see if there were suitable courtyards available for lease.

Zhao Erhu and Jiang Ziqi, after finishing their tasks in the workshop, returned together. Jiang Ziqi also accompanied Zhao Erhu to Qiwu Courtyard, only to learn that Lin Yue intended to move out and was startled, "What happened? Why do you suddenly want to move out? Has a servant in the residence slighted you, or did something else occur?"

"Nothing happened. It’s just inconvenient to live in the Jiang Residence. I’d prefer to move out to avoid misunderstandings by ill-intentioned people." Though Lin Yue disdained resorting to complaining to Jiang Ziqi, the slander and contempt she suffered were unbearable and she couldn’t help but remark. However, she refused to say anything more.

Jiang Ziqi, seeing Lin Yue like this, chose not to press her further, pondering whether it was because he had ordered the gatehouse to prevent Little Yueyue from going out, which angered her, or whether it was another matter. Although unclear at that moment, since Little Yueyue was living there, he doubted anything within the residence could remain hidden from him. He would learn the truth upon inquiry, thus he did not continue to persuade her.

After Jiang Ziqi left, Zhao Erhu found out about the incident involving Lin Yue. He too was incredibly incensed, but although there was nothing illicit between his wife and the doctor from the Jiang Family, Zhao Erhu understood Jiang Ziqi’s thoughts more than anyone. Probably others in the residence had also noticed something amiss, leading to these rumors. It might be for the best to move out of the Jiang Residence. Originally, he had not been keen on moving in, but having accepted out of respect for Jiang Ziqi’s hospitality, he had complied.

"Zhao Erhu, I am truly furious. These people, with nothing better to do post-meal, speculate wildly. You wouldn’t believe how vile their words were; they infuriated me. Moreover, people from the Jiang Family look down on me, a farmwife from a small place. Staying here doesn’t make any sense. We should move out. Oh, and you wouldn’t know—today I wanted to go out for a stroll but was actually barred by the gatehouse." Lin Yue let out her frustrations to Zhao Erhu without holding back.

Zhao Erhu ruffled Lin Yue’s hair, his heart also filled with anger towards the actions of Jiang Ziqi’s concubines. However, since those women were Jiang Ziqi’s concubines, not only could he not touch them, he wouldn’t dare for the sake of the doctor from the Jiang Family, even if he had cause. But considering how the doctor from the Jiang Family felt about his wife, upon learning the truth, there would certainly be consequences for them—though it was merely Zhao Erhu’s speculation. As for the gatehouse incident, he knew that it wasn’t that they refused her exit but that he, and the doctor from the Jiang Family, out of concern, had specifically instructed the gatehouse to do so. Of course, Zhao Erhu would never reveal this as it would surely upset her.

"Alright, let’s move out then. I don’t think the doctor from the Jiang Family will object this time. But we’ll have to stay here a couple more days until we find suitable accommodation. Can you bear with it just a little bit longer? Otherwise, we could move to an inn for a few days first, but that might cause the doctor to worry."

"Then let’s stay a couple more days; those days won’t make a difference. After all, Brother Jiang let us stay at the Jiang Residence out of kindness; we shouldn’t make too much of a scene."

After leaving Qiwu Courtyard, Jiang Ziqi went straight back to the main courtyard and summoned the Hidden Guard. Since he became the Family Head, all the concealed strength of the Jiang Family, including the Hidden Guard unknown even to the Emperor and concealed from the public eye, was under his command. Each Aristocratic Family had such hidden forces, and the Jiang Residence was no exception. Jiang Ziqi could naturally discern the complete story by consulting the Hidden Guard.

"Speak, what exactly happened to Little Yueyue? Report all of today’s events in the residence in full detail."

"Yes," the Hidden Guard, always following the Family Head’s commands, reported all occurrences related to Lin Yue that day.

The more Jiang Ziqi heard, the more displeased his expression became. These women were sent by powers seeking goodwill with the Jiang Family, carrying implications of forming ties. Being the heir to the Jiang Family, he couldn’t refuse for the family’s interests and was compelled to accept them letting them fend for themselves in the back quarters. It seemed he had been too lenient, thinking as long as he kept those women at a distance and provided for their needs, they would behave respectfully and not stir trouble. Now, he realized it was too naive a thought.

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