Huan Yue and the others dared not disobey, and could only leave anxiously. They all guessed what had happened, and could only pray that their young lady could get away with it...
"Jinniang, did you say those things?" Xiao Ji paced back and forth in front of Xiao Jin. Just when Xiao Jin was almost dizzy from looking at him, he suddenly shouted, "Tell the truth!"
"Father!" Xiao Jin, already trembling with fear, was further weakened by Xiao Ji's shout, her knees buckling and she knelt on the ground. She stammered, "Daughter doesn't know what Father is saying..."
When Xiao Jin denied it, Xiao Ji's face immediately darkened, becoming terrifyingly gloomy. He laughed angrily, "Fine, fine, Jin-niang! Now that you've grown up, your audacity has only grown! You actually dare to slander your own father!"
"Your daughter wouldn't dare!" Xiao Jin lowered her head almost to the bluestone slabs, feeling as if she could soon bloom from the dust. Her voice was filled with sorrow as she said, "Father, think about it carefully. I haven't forgotten Mother's teachings since I was little, how could I dare to speak ill of you!"
"Still dare to talk back!" Xiao Ji was so angry his liver trembled. He slammed his fist on the tall table beside him, smashing the teacups and other items on it to pieces. "Raise your head!"
When Xiao Jin shakily straightened up, what came into Xiao Ji's view was a face streaked with tears, lips trembling uncontrollably, and a look of terror on her face. Xiao Ji felt a sudden pang of sympathy. But then he remembered that it was his own daughter who had tripped him up, and he hardened his heart, his expression turning cold and stern.
"Father, please investigate! I would never dare to spread rumors!" Xiao Jin pleaded softly, her voice trembling. "I respect you the most, Father!"
Seeing that Xiao Ji still remained silent with a gloomy face, Xiao Jin braced herself and stammered, "She... said it was for your own good, Father, that's why I said it!"
"Her?" Xiao Ji keenly noticed the unusual tone in Xiao Jin's words and asked in return, "Who is she?"
Xiao Jin simply knelt on the ground, her hands tightly twisting the handkerchief, tears welling in her eyes, on the verge of sobbing.
Just as Xiao Ji was about to explode, a flash of inspiration struck him. Everything became crystal clear. How did Xiao Jin know he was going to marry Zhao Ruizhu? The person most afraid of him taking a second wife probably wasn't even Xiao Jin… Xiao Jin had been used as a pawn!
"Who instructed you to say that!" Xiao Ji's expression softened slightly, but his tone was still unpleasant. However, Xiao Jin could tell that Xiao Ji's anger was no longer directed at her.
Xiao Jin secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Xiao Ji wasn't just a Hanlin Academy scholar for nothing; with just a hint, he would quickly figure out the connection. Having made up his mind, Xiao Jin wore an extremely troubled expression, shrinking back and daring not to speak.
"Is it Concubine Chen or Concubine Xu?" Xiao Ji pressed closer, his eyes flashing with a chilling light. "Speak!"
"My daughter knows nothing!" Xiao Jin's sobs grew louder and louder, until finally they were almost a sob. "No...no one instructed my daughter—"
Xiao Ji's mind was clear. He frowned in thought. Could it be that the news had leaked when he had Aunt Xu accompany Madam Qin? Or had Zhang Xing leaked it? After all, besides himself, only Zhang Xing knew this news!
Noticing Xiao Ji's cold, questioning gaze, Zhang Xing's heart began to pound. Too few people knew about this; naturally, the master would suspect him!
Seeing that Xiao Ji's attention was no longer on her, Xiao Jin hurriedly wiped away her tears with her sleeve, but the tears flowed uncontrollably.
Seeing Xiao Jin's weak and cowardly appearance, Xiao Ji was even more furious. How could she, as the legitimate daughter, have no sense of responsibility whatsoever! She was being used as a pawn willingly! Had he forgotten how he had treated Xiao Jin and her mother in the past…?
Xiao Ji grew angrier the more he looked, so he simply ignored the heartbroken Xiao Jin and stormed off.
Zhang Xing inwardly groaned. If he couldn't give the master a satisfactory explanation today, his future was probably over! Thinking of Steward Song's scheming face, he felt another headache coming on. Without thinking too much, he hurriedly followed Xiao Ji out.
As soon as they left, Huan Yue, Zi Su, and the others who were guarding outside rushed in and helped Xiao Jin up from the ground.
"Miss, Miss, are you alright?" Seeing Xiao Jin's red eyes and pitiful appearance, Huan Yue said with heartache, "How did you get like this..."
Xiao Jin shook her head, then stood up unsteadily. Suddenly, she cried out, "Ouch!" startling Zisu and the others. "Miss, what's wrong!"
"Too much chili powder..."
This incident did not cause any disturbance on the seemingly calm surface of the Scholar's Residence, but Xiao Jin was certain that she had achieved her goal.
Xiao Ji was already well-known for his good reputation, and as a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, his actions naturally garnered much praise. Therefore, he couldn't resort to his original plan. Even if Grand Secretary Zhao thought highly of Xiao Ji, he probably couldn't marry Zhao Ruizhu into the scholar's household!
For officials in the imperial court, reputation is more important than anything else.
The fact that it was spread so perfectly is probably largely thanks to the Qin family...
Xiao Jin couldn't fully comprehend all the complexities and intricacies involved; all she knew was that she had secured three years to arrange everything within the manor, and that was enough.
It's likely that Xiao Ji won't be in the mood to promote any of his concubines anytime soon. His resentment towards the two women will probably be difficult to dispel in the short term.
She finally had time to plan her future with Xiao Ye.
***************
That day, Xiao Jin had just finished washing and dressing with the help of her maid, Cuizhu, when she heard light footsteps in the courtyard. Listening to the sounds, she couldn't help but smile. Soon, the curtain was lifted. Zisu, with a lively smile, peeked in and exclaimed, "Miss, look who's here!"
When Xiao Jin saw Zi Su's overjoyed expression, she already guessed who it was. Just as she was about to go out to greet her, a middle-aged woman wearing an indigo vest came out from behind the curtain. Her expression was both excited and sad. She said in a trembling voice, "Miss!"
The person who came was none other than Mama Lu.
"Aunt Lu." This was the first time Xiao Jin had met Aunt Lu. Although such a person existed in her memories, Xiao Jin's impression of her was not deep. She was slightly plump, with her hair in a bun, a round face, and soft features. Aunt Lu was someone who could inspire a sense of goodwill.
"This servant deserves to die, I didn't even get to see Madam one last time!" As she spoke, tears welled up in Lu's eyes again. From her red eyes, Xiao Jin could tell that Lu's mother had already cried once.
It seems that Madam Lu is loyal to Madam Luo! Loyalty to Madam Luo is equivalent to loyalty to her...
Xiao Jin felt a little relieved.
Seeing that Madam Lu was crying so sadly, Xiao Jin had no choice but to cry along with her. Because he was afraid that Madam Lu would ask about the details of Luo Shi's death, Xiao Jin had already ordered someone to call Xiao Ye over to meet him.
With one arm around Xiao Jin and the other around Xiao Ye, Lu's mother felt an overwhelming sadness and sorrow. What would become of her two young siblings?
"Mom, you must have come in as soon as the city gates opened!" Xiao Jin wiped away her tears and forced a smile. "I was so sad just now that I forgot how long and tiring your journey was!"
Before Madam Lu could answer, Xiao Jin instructed, "Zisu, have Huanyue take Madam Lu downstairs to change her clothes and rest. She can come back after breakfast!"
Zisu readily agreed and went, leaving Madam Lu astonished.
Is this still the same timid and cowardly young lady? The overly docile eldest daughter of the scholar's family?
Madam Lu naturally loved Xiao Jin dearly. Since her own daughter wasn't around, she treated Xiao Jin almost like her own daughter. She had seen everything Xiao Jin had done before and was worried about her, but because of the difference between mistress and servant, she couldn't say anything more.
Today, Xiao Jin was still as gentle and obedient as ever, but her demeanor was poised and graceful, something Xiao Jin had never dared to hope for before…
"Miss..." Faced with Xiao Jin's drastic change, even the seasoned Madam Lu was astonished. Could a person really change so much in such a short time? Madam Lu's voice trembled slightly, "This servant... this servant is not tired!"