A Good Country Wife
Chapter 416 - 410_1

Chapter 416: Chapter 410_1

Regardless of how Chen Qing might have been explaining himself to Jiang Ziqi, over at the Chen Mansion, before Chen Qing left, he had already sent a servant to warn Madam Chen and her daughters not to go out. Although Madam Chen was uncomfortable inside, there was still some dread within her. Chen Ruyu, on the other hand, was even more infuriated. She just knew her father would act this way—with his words clearly implying criticism towards her and her mother. Even though she was the legitimate daughter, her father always favored his concubine-born daughter. Whatever that base-born daughter did was right, and everything she did was wrong. It was utterly infuriating.

"Ruyu, what’s wrong with you? Why do you look so pale? You’re not feeling ill, are you?" Zhang Peilan asked with considerable concern upon seeing Chen Ruyu’s poor complexion.

"Don’t worry about me, Peilan. I am just angry that my father can’t differentiate between right and wrong. What’s so good about that peasant woman? Yet he expects me to yield to her in everything. Regardless of anything else, I am still a legitimate daughter. How could I be worse than an outsider, a mere peasant woman?" Chen Ruyu said with a pained heart, her face full of aggrievement. However, she had some intelligence; while expressing her inner grievances, she did not reveal everything about Chen Qing, transparently declaring her father’s allegiance to the Jiang Family. Instead, she skimmed over the matters involving the Jiang Family, pointing directly at Lin Yue. After all, her main goal for the day was to make that peasant woman suffer.

"Ruyu, I understand your aggrievement. Your father really doesn’t know what he’s doing. It’s merely a peasant woman, could it be he’s taken by her beauty? Since he won’t let you deal with that peasant woman, there will always be me to help you out. No matter what your father does, he wouldn’t dare to scold me. Just watch and see," Zhang Peilan said with generosity, though inwardly she sneered. Of course, her presence in the Chen Mansion wasn’t for such simple reasons. How could she not be aware of the affairs between the Chen Family and Jiang Family? Chen Qing, you foolish old man, to curry favor with the Jiang Family, you even pander to a woman who has good relations with them. Your precious daughter is quite resentful now. I should help her stir up a good scene.

"Thank you, Peilan," Chen Ruyu said, although she was somewhat displeased with Zhang Peilan speaking of her father in such a manner. However, on the surface, she showed a grateful and delighted smile. After all, Chen Ruyu was raised in a noble house and was skilled at acting.

"It’s nothing, we’re good sisters after all, of course, I should help you," Zhang Peilan stated righteously, her inner thoughts laced with mockery. Feeling pleased that she had the Chen Family wrapped around her finger, as they had sought approval from both the Jiang Family and the Zhang Family, and had now even curried favor with Commandery Princess Roujia—such capability indeed.

Just as Zhang Peilan was thinking, suddenly a servant came to report, "My lady and miss, Commandery Princess Roujia has arrived."

"What, Commandery Princess Roujia has come?!" Madam Chen and her daughter looked at each other, both surprised and puzzled. They hadn’t invited Commandery Princess Roujia, and with her status, she was not someone they could easily ask over. They didn’t usually interact with the Royal Family, so why had she come now? It was truly a strange occurrence.

Upon hearing of Commandery Princess Roujia’s arrival, everyone present was taken aback. They didn’t know whether Madam Chen and her daughters had invited the princess, but they certainly hadn’t expected Commandery Princess Roujia to come. The Chen Mansion was impressive indeed, not only had they ingratiated themselves with the Jiang Family and Zhang Family but now even Commandery Princess Roujia—what a feat of skill.

"Come, since the princess has arrived, let’s go greet her," Madam Chen said aloud. Whatever the reason for Commandery Princess Roujia’s visit, they couldn’t neglect the proper etiquette.

Among those present, some were of lower status, and others held no rank. This time was different from when the Jiang Family or Zhang Peilan visited, occasions when Madam Chen and her children purposely greeted them at the entrance due to their desire to curry favor. Commandery Princess Roujia’s status was different. Not just Madam Chen and her daughters, but everyone present immediately rose to follow them to welcome Commandery Princess Roujia.

Everyone followed Madam Chen to greet Commandery Princess Roujia, who was already on her way. The crowd promptly paid their respects: "We pay our respects to Commandery Princess Roujia."

Given everyone’s actions, Lin Yue had no choice but to follow suit, kneeling on the stone ground until her knees ached. Inwardly, she cursed the abominable old societal etiquette with vehemence. Damn it! In her past life, she only knelt to heaven, to earth, and to family, yet never kneeled before anyone else. Now in ancient times, she was expected to kneel down before any tom, dick, or harry, official or noble alike, upon meeting them.

It was Lin Yue’s first encounter with a member of the Royal Family in this ancient era, and she was quite curious. She dared not openly gaze at Lady Roujia, only casting sidelong glances to stealthily observe her. What she saw was...

Lady Roujia, being of the Royal Family, carried an innate pride that radiated from within, unlike the forced demeanor of Chen Ruyu and Zhang Peilan. Though her gestures were casual, every movement exuded nobility. Lin Yue thought this must be the so-called royal bearing.

Everyone paid their respects to Lady Roujia, and since the hostess, Madam Chen, along with her daughters, had no official of higher rank present, they knelt at the very front.

Lady Roujia cast an indifferent glance at Madam Chen without paying much attention; her expression remained aloof. Her eyes swept over the circle of people, but when she saw Lin Yue, kneeling at the very back, her gaze paused momentarily. According to the description given by that scoundrel Jiang Ziqi, the woman before her must be Lin Yue. She had been fervently invited to offer her protection to someone who, upon first glance, was just a slightly more attractive woman with no distinctive feature. It was puzzling what merit had caught that man’s interest so, especially since he was already married.

As it turned out, Jiang Ziqi, upon learning that the legitimate young Miss of the Zhang Family would also attend the Chen Mansion, feared his own daughters couldn’t compete, at least not in terms of status. That’s why he had gone to such lengths to invite Lady Roujia. After all, Lady Roujia and Jiang Ziqi had grown up together. Though Lady Roujia appeared to be dignified and virtuous, she, in fact, had a temperament somewhat resembling a man’s, and the friendship between Jiang Ziqi and her was akin to that of ’buddies’—lacking any romantic involvement.

How could Jiang Ziqi have known in advance? Waiting for the head of the Chen Family to notify them would undoubtedly be too late. The Jiang and Zhang Families had been rivals for many years, and the Jiang Family naturally had their informants within the Zhang Family.

Lady Roujia pondered these thoughts privately but, having promised Jiang Ziqi, she intended to keep her word. Besides, she had nicely extorted a sum from him and felt obliged to earn her keep. Thus, her demeanor shifted to a smile as she approached Lin Yue, helping her up with a beam.

"So, this is Miss Lin Yue, indeed a beautiful and charming young lady. You have a kind face, no need to kneel like this, please rise," said Lady Roujia genuinely, as she indeed felt a sense of familiarity upon seeing Lin Yue’s face. However, they certainly had never met before. Besides the disparity in their statuses, it was Lin Yue’s first time in the capital, so there was no chance they could have crossed paths.

Lacking any prior notice from Jiang Ziqi, Lin Yue had no idea who Lady Roujia was or what she represented. Though she kept her composure, her mind was filled with speculations, pondering the Commandery Princess’s intentions.

The crowd, witnessing Lady Roujia’s attitude, was filled with conjecture. Could it be that this peasant woman, whom the young Miss of the Zhang Family had looked down upon, had another identity? That would be the only explanation for Lady Roujia’s favorable treatment. Although Madam Chen tried not to show it, her smile became somewhat stiff. Chen Ruyu, not troubled by such thoughts, simply turned green with envy seeing Lady Roujia’s friendly gestures towards Lin Yue.