"This is outrageous!" The second wife roared in fury, "Who gave you permission to do this!" It wasn't that she pitied Mingrong for her ruined reputation, but rather that her plans had been completely destroyed. If she didn't succeed this time, she wouldn't have another chance!
She had even mentioned to the old lady that she wanted to marry Mingwei to Liu Ren... The second lady was terrified when she thought of this. Now that she knew what had happened today, the old lady understood her plan perfectly well!
The second wife didn't care whether Mingrong would be laughed at or how many people were watching the spectacle. She was filled with despair and didn't know how to explain the situation to the old lady.
Mingwei had been puzzled by the Second Madam's strange behavior these past two days, and now it all became clear! She clenched her fists, struggling to control her trembling body. It turned out the Second Madam not only wanted to scheme against her, but also to ruin her reputation!
If I hadn't been alert and deliberately delayed, I might have been the one whose innocence was ruined right now!
And Mingrong...
Mingwei glanced at Mingrong, who stood there heartbroken and pitiful, with complicated emotions. She saw the regret in Mingrong's eyes but felt no sympathy. The Second Madam had been spreading rumors that Liu Jun would marry her, and it seemed that her scheming older sister had taken it to heart and had done something like this to steal the bride.
Judging from her deliberately wearing light clothing today and "falling" into the koi pond in front of everyone, she probably wants to completely cling to Liu Jun!
It is unknown what means she originally intended to use to "force" Liu Jun to submit, but scholars value their reputation most, and after such an incident, Liu Jun would marry her no matter how unwilling he was!
But they all underestimated the second wife's ruthlessness—
At this moment, Granny Fang arrived with Dongmei. Seeing the scene before her and hearing the Second Madam's angry shouts, and with Tangli and Yuelin telling her everything that had happened that day, Granny Fang already understood the situation.
"Second Madam, Mother-in-law." Granny Fang walked up to the Second Madam with neither servility nor arrogance, and said in a deep voice, "The Old Madam invites you in."
Rongshantang.
The old woman remained silent, her face ashen, appearing quite calm, but everyone present could sense the storm brewing within her.
The room was filled with people: Mingwei, still wearing her dirty dress; the third wife of the Duke's mansion, looking embarrassed and blushing; Mingrong, who had hurriedly changed her clothes; the second wife, who wished she could bury her head in the ground; Hongyu, who led the way for Mingwei; Mingrong's personal maid; and Granny Fang, who brought everyone in.
Liu Ren, one of the parties involved, naturally dared not enter, but waited at a distance outside Rongshan Hall.
Even Dongmei and Dongqing were ordered to stand outside, only Xu Mama remained to serve the old lady.
No one dared to speak first, for fear of breaking the last calm before the storm.
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, my dear in-laws." The old lady's tone was flat, but it made people involuntarily guess at the anger behind it.
The third wife, despite being from a respectable family, had always been indecisive. Seeing the old lady like this, she was even more ashamed. "You, you mustn't say that! I'm truly ashamed to face you. It was my mistake, it's all our fault, it's—"
“My dear in-laws, there’s no need for further words. I understand.” The old lady’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint as she said firmly, “Please, my dear in-laws, return home first. With such a disgraceful incident at the Marquis of Chengping’s residence, we can no longer entertain you. Please visit the Duke’s residence another day to apologize to you and to the old lady of the Duke’s residence!”
The third wife almost wanted to disappear into a crack in the ground.
She wanted to say something more, but seeing the old lady's resolute attitude and knowing she was in the wrong, she dared not argue. She was usually easily swayed and couldn't resist the second wife's promises of various benefits, which led her to harbor wicked thoughts.
Now that such a mistake has occurred, she regrets her momentary lapse in judgment and resents the trouble caused by the second wife.
The third wife, her face flushed, bowed to the old lady, then turned and left, fleeing in panic.
At this time, all those remaining in Rongshan Hall were people from the Chengping Marquis's residence.
The old lady no longer concealed her emotions; her face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
Mingrong had been sobbing all the way, but she wisely stopped crying as soon as she entered Rongshan Hall, only hanging her head and weeping silently. Although she hurriedly changed into the clean clothes that Yuelin had given to Mingwei, her hair, which was still wet from the water, was not yet dry. A few strands clung to her face, and most of it was still wet and hanging over her shoulders. The sky-blue jacket was covered with conspicuous water stains.
She had long lost her former elegance and beauty, and looked extremely disheveled.
The second wife didn't dare utter a sound.
Caught up in the atmosphere, Mingwei could only lower her head and remain silent, even though it had nothing to do with her.
"Seventh girl, come to your grandmother's side." To everyone's surprise, the old lady's first words were to call Mingwei over.
Mingwei looked up, blinking in confusion. Seeing the old lady's resolute attitude, Mingwei had no choice but to tiptoe over to her.
"Please sit down." The old lady's tone was surprisingly gentle as she pulled Mingwei to sit beside her.
This made the situation inside the room quite interesting.
Mingwei sat next to the old lady, while the second wife and Mingrong stood with their heads bowed, and several maids had already knelt on the ground.
"Good, good, good!" The old woman said "good" three times in quick succession, her tone light and fast, but anyone could hear the underlying anger within. "This is the good deed you've done!"
The second wife's heart skipped a beat.
Chapter 103
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Tang Li and Yue Lin were too cautious and attentive, which caused them to take a little longer than expected.
Sitting gracefully before the dressing table, letting the two men comb her hair, Mingwei looked up at herself in the mirror. The ornate hairpins added a touch of elegance, and the light makeup on her face only accentuated her youthful beauty.
Mingwei was in a state of utter confusion.
Suddenly, her gaze fixed on a spot in the mirror. The curtain to the inner room was half-drawn to make it easier for the maids to come and go. The figure of the maid who had come to deliver a message from the Second Madam's courtyard was also reflected in the mirror.
She was supposed to be waiting outside, but instead she kept anxiously peering inside.
She seemed a little nervous and uneasy?
Mingwei immediately sensed something was off. Why was she in such a hurry?
"Seventh Miss." The little maid finally couldn't contain herself any longer and called out loudly, disregarding all decorum, "Second Madam and Aunt are waiting for you. Please come with me quickly!"
Such words would be considered extremely rude in front of the master. She was indeed new to the Second Madam's courtyard, but she certainly knew the most basic etiquette! Tang Li and Yue Lin both frowned, but because Hong Yu was from the Second Madam's courtyard, they refrained from speaking up.