“It’s empty in my hands now. Where are the dowries? If anything here takes your fancy, you can take it!” Madam Jiang sneered. She looked around and reached out to point at somewhere, indicating that Shao Wanru could take whatever she liked. She was so tart that she was completely different from the image of a dignified Madam she had used to show.
“Second Madam, this is Old Madam’s order. If you can’t explain it clearly, all your things will become the compensation. If you don’t have enough dowry, you can pay with other things left in the courtyard. This is Old Madam’s order, so if you have any dissatisfaction, just go to tell Old Madam!”
Shao Wanru said with a slight smile.
“What nonsense are you spouting? That’s mine!” Madam Jiang was furious.
“I don’t know whether this is Second Madam’s stuff. Old Madam means that you should take out as much as the amount that you have lost. So use all your things to make up for it first,” Shao Wanru told this truth calmly.
“You dare to touch my things. Those are the things I left for Ru’er and Hua’an… Ahem…” Madam Jiang rebuked harshly, and her eyes were almost spitting fire. She suddenly began to cough violently for speaking too fast.
The old maid standing aside walked over and gently patted her on the back. It took so long for Madam Jiang to recover.
Shao Wanru watched these calmly. Looking at Madam Jiang uneasily, Shao Jie’er gritted her teeth and lowered her head again.
After Madam Jiang finished coughing, Shao Wanru said slowly, “If Second Madam wants to give these to Big Sister, it is unnecessary to do so. Big Sister is now the Emperor’s Secondary Consort, so she has no need to get Madam’s dowry. As for Big Brother, his marriage hasn’t been settled yet, so you don’t have to prepare for him early.”
“You… you are talking nonsense. How could Ru’er…” Madam Jiang did not believe this and roared in a hoarse voice.
“Second Madam, if you don’t believe me, you can ask Second Sister.” Shao Wanru took a step back and made way for Shao Jie’er, who was hiding behind her.
“Tell me!” Madam Jiang stared at Shao Jie’er fiercely and said.
Shao Jie’er was so timid that she wanted to move behind Shao Wanru, but she had to raise her head and say timidly under the vicious gaze of Madam Jiang, “Madam, Big Sister… is now the Emperor’s Secondary Consort. She has… entered the palace!!”
“What?” Madam Jiang suddenly sat up straight. She stared at Shao Jie’er fiercely and scolded, “You are talking nonsense!”
“I… I’m not talking nonsense… Big Sister has really entered the palace… Now she is the Emperor’s Secondary Consort!” Maybe because she had stood for a long time and found that Madam Jiang was no longer as powerful as before, Shao Jie’er was not so flustered in her heart. She finally looked straight at Madam Jiang and stutteringly said everything.
“You both are talking nonsense!” Madam Jiang picked up her teacup nearby and flung it at them.
Yujie reacted the fastest because her eyes were steadily fixed on Madam Jiang. Seeing that Madam Jiang took action, she hurriedly pulled Shao Wanru aside. But Shao Jie’er was not that lucky and the teacup smashed on her forehead. This not only made her head fully wet but also made a big bump immediately appear on her forehead.
The teacup fell to the ground and it broke into several pieces.
The old maid screamed “Madam” and squatted down to pick up the broken porcelain pieces on the ground.
Although Shao Jie’er was afraid to see Madam Jiang, she was a little angry now after being smashed with a teacup. In addition, it was said that Madam Jiang would probably not come out in her current situation. At this time, she felt pain and anger. New hatred piled on old hatred had surged up. She shook off the tea foam on her forehead and shouted at Madam Jiang, who was lying on the bed, “What are you doing? Big Sister is indeed the lowest-level Secondary Consort in the palace. If you don’t believe me, you can go to have a look by yourself!”
The servant girl hurriedly came over to cover her forehead with a handkerchief. Fortunately, Shao Jie’er did not bleed, but there was water and tea stain on her head, as well as a bump, making her look in a mess.
Shao Jie’er swung her sleeves hard and glared at Shao Wanru angrily, also blaming this on Shao Wanru. Then, she turned to go out with her servant girl.
Zhao Xi was outside the door in the yard. She had already been surprised when hearing Shao Jie’er’s voice inside. Then, when she saw Shao Jie’er coming out in a mess, she stepped forward in surprise and was about to say something. However, Shao Jie’er glared at Zhao Xiran and left the yard angrily with her servant girl, just ignoring Zhao Xiran.
Zhao Xiran hesitated and then walked towards the main room.
“Miss!” Her servant girl grabbed her and shook her head silently.
Zhao Xiran stopped and helplessly looked at the door of the main room. Now, it was quiet in the room and there was only faint sound coming out, which did not seem to be someone quarreling again.
After thinking for a while, she stepped back to the courtyard. In this position, as long as the person inside did not speak loudly, she could not hear clearly what was going on inside.
In the room, Shao Wanru raised her eyebrows and looked at Madam Jiang with deep eyes. She slightly lifted the corners of her lips and said, “Second Madam, now Second Sister is not here, so you don’t have to pretend. Don’t you know what happened to Big Sister? Many people must have sent this message to you, so let’s speak frankly. You must return my mother’s dowries.”
What Madam Jiang had done just now was to make such a big noise on purpose. Even if her Second Uncle hadn’t sent a message to the mountain, Shao Hua’an would definitely have sent a message to her. How could Madam Jiang pretend as if she had just heard such shocking news? So she definitely did all these on purpose.
When she saw Shao Wanru’s cold eyes, the hatred in Madam Jiang’s eyes almost overflowed. She reached out to tightly grip the corner of her quilt and said with hatred, “What does your mother’s dowry have to do with me? She sent it away by herself. Why do you come to ask me? If you really want it, I don’t have this even you kill me!”
What she meant was that she would definitely not give the dowry back！
This indirectly admitted the meaning in Shao Wanru’s words. Madam Jiang did know this, but she was also sure that Shao Wanru couldn’t do anything to her. If Shao Wanru really forced her to death, Shao Wanru, who had not married to become the official Princess Chen, couldn’t afford it. The royal family wouldn’t accept a vicious daughter-in-law who wanted to kill someone.
After the old maid picked up the porcelain pieces on the ground, she put them on the table and then retreated aside to make another cup of tea for Madam Jiang.
Shao Wanru was so angry, but this speechless situation made her want to laugh. It turned out that Madam Jiang was waiting for her here. Old Madam now blamed it on her, but Madam Jiang had determined to break her promise, which indicated that she knew Shao Wanru dared not to really do something on her. Madam Jiang looked so miserable and now Shao Yanru was also in trouble, so she was in an unstable mood now. Something terrible might easily happen.
Madam Jiang had figured that Shao Wanru couldn’t do anything to her, so she acted in this way today. Moreover, Zhao Xiran was in the yard. Even if Madam Jiang really made trouble, it was impossible for her to be harmed. But Shao Wanru would have the fact that she once forced her aunt to death.
With such an established fact presented to her grandma, her grandma could only give in. For the sake of Shao Wanru’s reputation, her grandma did not dare to push Madam Jiang too hard.
As for outsiders? That didn’t exist, because Zhao Xiran was Shao Hua’an’s future wife. Even if Zhao Xiran knew something, she would not speak it out casually. This could be regarded as a piece of evidence that they could use against Shao Wanru, but it had not been exposed. It had no impact on Duke Xing’s Mansion’s reputation, but it had a deterrent effect on Shao Wanru.
If that was the case, then Shao Wanru would be in trouble now. In this room, except for the servants of Madam Jiang, there was only her servant. She rolled her watery eyes and her eyes fell on a place in Madam Jiang’s sleeve. That was the shining porcelain piece. Those porcelain pieces had not been cleaned just now, and they were put back on the table in front of Madam Jiang. If Shao Wanru had not been paying attention to them, she would not have seen that Madam Jiang had secretly taken a piece of porcelain.
When the two were quarreling fiercely, no one would pay attention to such a small thing. Additionally, Madam Jiang’s action was quite covert.
The broken porcelain pieces had not originally been there but were smashed by Madam Jiang in anger. The old maid picked them up, poured water, and put the pieces away casually. Everything seemed to be very real as if there was no flaw.
Looking at the furious Madam Jiang, Shao Wanru suddenly turned around and said, “Second Madam, wait a minute. Miss Zhao said that she wanted to give you something just now, and she especially said that she would give it to you after Second Sister left. I will go to call Miss Zhao now.”
The moment she finished her words, Shao Wanru had already reached the door.
Shao Wanru left so decisively that this made Madam Jiang stunned. She held a piece of broken porcelain in her hand and did not know whether she should cut it on her hand. Zhao Xiran brought something for her and she had to avoid Shao Jie’er seeing this. Could it be that Old Madam had a new idea?
Madam Jiang hesitated. During the period of her hesitation, Shao Wanru walked out of the room.
Shao Wanru stood in the corridor and waved to Zhao Xiran, “Miss Zhao.”
Seeing Shao Wanru call her, Zhao Xiran came over and smiled to ask in a soft voice, “Fifth Miss, what’s the matter?”
“Miss Zhao, can I bother you to go in with me? Second Sister was with me just now, but now there is no one else… I…” Shao Wanru bit her lip and said with nervousness and uneasiness.
Zhao Xiran understood when she thought of Shao Jie’er’s head and face being smashed just now and then looked at Shao Wanru. She nodded and walked up, “Okay!”
Originally, she should not have gone in. Even though the two mansions were discussing their marriage, she should not have gone in with Shao Wanru at this time. But just now, Shao Jie’er had come out in a panic with her hand pressing on her forehead. It was understandable for Shao Wanru to feel flustered when she was alone.
She didn’t have to go in and just stood at the door to embolden Shao Wanru. In fact, she was also shocked when she saw Madam of Duke Xing again. The woman in front of her was no longer the extraordinary, noble, and dignified Madam in her memory.
Shao Wanru entered the room again. She just stood at the door, far away from Madam Jiang. Standing at the door, Zhao Xiran looked at Shao Wanru and then looked at Madam Jiang on the bed. Suddenly, she felt that something was wrong. When she wanted to leave, she saw Shao Wanru reaching out to hold her hand intimately.
“Miss Zhao, I will leave right away. Wait a minute for me!”
After saying that, Shao Wanru turned to Madam Jiang, who looked skeptical, and said softly, “Second Madam, Second Sister, and I came here today to pass on Old Madam’s message. It was Old Madam who asked you to write down what had been sent out and to whom those had been sent. Those are my mother’s dowries, and Old Madam wants to redeem these things.”
As for who used the money to redeem them, both Shao Wanru and Madam Jiang knew clearly. Old Madam would not spend her own money, so, of course, she wanted to spend Madam Jiang’s money.
After Shao Wanru finished her words, she bowed to Madam Jiang before Madam Jiang could say anything, and then she left with Zhao Xiran. She didn’t show any anger in the whole process, as if she was just coming to pass on a message on behalf of Old Madam. As for the other things, those had nothing to do with her.
Anyone who heard this would not think much of it, nor would he commit suicide at the moment. With Zhao Xiran as a witness, even if Madam Jiang really committed suicide at this time, it still had nothing to do with Shao Wanru, and she would not bear the reputation of wanting to force her aunt to death!
“It’s empty in my hands now. Where are the dowries? If anything here takes your fancy, you can take it!” Madam Jiang sneered. She looked around and reached out to point at somewhere, indicating that Shao Wanru could take whatever she liked. She was so tart that she was completely different from the image of a dignified Madam she had used to show.
“Second Madam, this is Old Madam’s order. If you can’t explain it clearly, all your things will become the compensation. If you don’t have enough dowry, you can pay with other things left in the courtyard. This is Old Madam’s order, so if you have any dissatisfaction, just go to tell Old Madam!”
Shao Wanru said with a slight smile.
“What nonsense are you spouting? That’s mine!” Madam Jiang was furious.
“I don’t know whether this is Second Madam’s stuff. Old Madam means that you should take out as much as the amount that you have lost. So use all your things to make up for it first,” Shao Wanru told this truth calmly.
“You dare to touch my things. Those are the things I left for Ru’er and Hua’an… Ahem…” Madam Jiang rebuked harshly, and her eyes were almost spitting fire. She suddenly began to cough violently for speaking too fast.
The old maid standing aside walked over and gently patted her on the back. It took so long for Madam Jiang to recover.
Shao Wanru watched these calmly. Looking at Madam Jiang uneasily, Shao Jie’er gritted her teeth and lowered her head again.
After Madam Jiang finished coughing, Shao Wanru said slowly, “If Second Madam wants to give these to Big Sister, it is unnecessary to do so. Big Sister is now the Emperor’s Secondary Consort, so she has no need to get Madam’s dowry. As for Big Brother, his marriage hasn’t been settled yet, so you don’t have to prepare for him early.”
“You… you are talking nonsense. How could Ru’er…” Madam Jiang did not believe this and roared in a hoarse voice.
“Second Madam, if you don’t believe me, you can ask Second Sister.” Shao Wanru took a step back and made way for Shao Jie’er, who was hiding behind her.
“Tell me!” Madam Jiang stared at Shao Jie’er fiercely and said.
Shao Jie’er was so timid that she wanted to move behind Shao Wanru, but she had to raise her head and say timidly under the vicious gaze of Madam Jiang, “Madam, Big Sister… is now the Emperor’s Secondary Consort. She has… entered the palace!!”
“What?” Madam Jiang suddenly sat up straight. She stared at Shao Jie’er fiercely and scolded, “You are talking nonsense!”
“I… I’m not talking nonsense… Big Sister has really entered the palace… Now she is the Emperor’s Secondary Consort!” Maybe because she had stood for a long time and found that Madam Jiang was no longer as powerful as before, Shao Jie’er was not so flustered in her heart. She finally looked straight at Madam Jiang and stutteringly said everything.
“You both are talking nonsense!” Madam Jiang picked up her teacup nearby and flung it at them.
Yujie reacted the fastest because her eyes were steadily fixed on Madam Jiang. Seeing that Madam Jiang took action, she hurriedly pulled Shao Wanru aside. But Shao Jie’er was not that lucky and the teacup smashed on her forehead. This not only made her head fully wet but also made a big bump immediately appear on her forehead.
The teacup fell to the ground and it broke into several pieces.
The old maid screamed “Madam” and squatted down to pick up the broken porcelain pieces on the ground.
Although Shao Jie’er was afraid to see Madam Jiang, she was a little angry now after being smashed with a teacup. In addition, it was said that Madam Jiang would probably not come out in her current situation. At this time, she felt pain and anger. New hatred piled on old hatred had surged up. She shook off the tea foam on her forehead and shouted at Madam Jiang, who was lying on the bed, “What are you doing? Big Sister is indeed the lowest-level Secondary Consort in the palace. If you don’t believe me, you can go to have a look by yourself!”
The servant girl hurriedly came over to cover her forehead with a handkerchief. Fortunately, Shao Jie’er did not bleed, but there was water and tea stain on her head, as well as a bump, making her look in a mess.
Shao Jie’er swung her sleeves hard and glared at Shao Wanru angrily, also blaming this on Shao Wanru. Then, she turned to go out with her servant girl.
Zhao Xi was outside the door in the yard. She had already been surprised when hearing Shao Jie’er’s voice inside. Then, when she saw Shao Jie’er coming out in a mess, she stepped forward in surprise and was about to say something. However, Shao Jie’er glared at Zhao Xiran and left the yard angrily with her servant girl, just ignoring Zhao Xiran.
Zhao Xiran hesitated and then walked towards the main room.
“Miss!” Her servant girl grabbed her and shook her head silently.
Zhao Xiran stopped and helplessly looked at the door of the main room. Now, it was quiet in the room and there was only faint sound coming out, which did not seem to be someone quarreling again.
After thinking for a while, she stepped back to the courtyard. In this position, as long as the person inside did not speak loudly, she could not hear clearly what was going on inside.
In the room, Shao Wanru raised her eyebrows and looked at Madam Jiang with deep eyes. She slightly lifted the corners of her lips and said, “Second Madam, now Second Sister is not here, so you don’t have to pretend. Don’t you know what happened to Big Sister? Many people must have sent this message to you, so let’s speak frankly. You must return my mother’s dowries.”
What Madam Jiang had done just now was to make such a big noise on purpose. Even if her Second Uncle hadn’t sent a message to the mountain, Shao Hua’an would definitely have sent a message to her. How could Madam Jiang pretend as if she had just heard such shocking news? So she definitely did all these on purpose.
When she saw Shao Wanru’s cold eyes, the hatred in Madam Jiang’s eyes almost overflowed. She reached out to tightly grip the corner of her quilt and said with hatred, “What does your mother’s dowry have to do with me? She sent it away by herself. Why do you come to ask me? If you really want it, I don’t have this even you kill me!”
What she meant was that she would definitely not give the dowry back！
This indirectly admitted the meaning in Shao Wanru’s words. Madam Jiang did know this, but she was also sure that Shao Wanru couldn’t do anything to her. If Shao Wanru really forced her to death, Shao Wanru, who had not married to become the official Princess Chen, couldn’t afford it. The royal family wouldn’t accept a vicious daughter-in-law who wanted to kill someone.
After the old maid picked up the porcelain pieces on the ground, she put them on the table and then retreated aside to make another cup of tea for Madam Jiang.
Shao Wanru was so angry, but this speechless situation made her want to laugh. It turned out that Madam Jiang was waiting for her here. Old Madam now blamed it on her, but Madam Jiang had determined to break her promise, which indicated that she knew Shao Wanru dared not to really do something on her. Madam Jiang looked so miserable and now Shao Yanru was also in trouble, so she was in an unstable mood now. Something terrible might easily happen.
Madam Jiang had figured that Shao Wanru couldn’t do anything to her, so she acted in this way today. Moreover, Zhao Xiran was in the yard. Even if Madam Jiang really made trouble, it was impossible for her to be harmed. But Shao Wanru would have the fact that she once forced her aunt to death.
With such an established fact presented to her grandma, her grandma could only give in. For the sake of Shao Wanru’s reputation, her grandma did not dare to push Madam Jiang too hard.
As for outsiders? That didn’t exist, because Zhao Xiran was Shao Hua’an’s future wife. Even if Zhao Xiran knew something, she would not speak it out casually. This could be regarded as a piece of evidence that they could use against Shao Wanru, but it had not been exposed. It had no impact on Duke Xing’s Mansion’s reputation, but it had a deterrent effect on Shao Wanru.
If that was the case, then Shao Wanru would be in trouble now. In this room, except for the servants of Madam Jiang, there was only her servant. She rolled her watery eyes and her eyes fell on a place in Madam Jiang’s sleeve. That was the shining porcelain piece. Those porcelain pieces had not been cleaned just now, and they were put back on the table in front of Madam Jiang. If Shao Wanru had not been paying attention to them, she would not have seen that Madam Jiang had secretly taken a piece of porcelain.
When the two were quarreling fiercely, no one would pay attention to such a small thing. Additionally, Madam Jiang’s action was quite covert.
The broken porcelain pieces had not originally been there but were smashed by Madam Jiang in anger. The old maid picked them up, poured water, and put the pieces away casually. Everything seemed to be very real as if there was no flaw.
Looking at the furious Madam Jiang, Shao Wanru suddenly turned around and said, “Second Madam, wait a minute. Miss Zhao said that she wanted to give you something just now, and she especially said that she would give it to you after Second Sister left. I will go to call Miss Zhao now.”
The moment she finished her words, Shao Wanru had already reached the door.
Shao Wanru left so decisively that this made Madam Jiang stunned. She held a piece of broken porcelain in her hand and did not know whether she should cut it on her hand. Zhao Xiran brought something for her and she had to avoid Shao Jie’er seeing this. Could it be that Old Madam had a new idea?
Madam Jiang hesitated. During the period of her hesitation, Shao Wanru walked out of the room.
Shao Wanru stood in the corridor and waved to Zhao Xiran, “Miss Zhao.”
Seeing Shao Wanru call her, Zhao Xiran came over and smiled to ask in a soft voice, “Fifth Miss, what’s the matter?”
“Miss Zhao, can I bother you to go in with me? Second Sister was with me just now, but now there is no one else… I…” Shao Wanru bit her lip and said with nervousness and uneasiness.
Zhao Xiran understood when she thought of Shao Jie’er’s head and face being smashed just now and then looked at Shao Wanru. She nodded and walked up, “Okay!”
Originally, she should not have gone in. Even though the two mansions were discussing their marriage, she should not have gone in with Shao Wanru at this time. But just now, Shao Jie’er had come out in a panic with her hand pressing on her forehead. It was understandable for Shao Wanru to feel flustered when she was alone.
She didn’t have to go in and just stood at the door to embolden Shao Wanru. In fact, she was also shocked when she saw Madam of Duke Xing again. The woman in front of her was no longer the extraordinary, noble, and dignified Madam in her memory.
Shao Wanru entered the room again. She just stood at the door, far away from Madam Jiang. Standing at the door, Zhao Xiran looked at Shao Wanru and then looked at Madam Jiang on the bed. Suddenly, she felt that something was wrong. When she wanted to leave, she saw Shao Wanru reaching out to hold her hand intimately.
“Miss Zhao, I will leave right away. Wait a minute for me!”
After saying that, Shao Wanru turned to Madam Jiang, who looked skeptical, and said softly, “Second Madam, Second Sister, and I came here today to pass on Old Madam’s message. It was Old Madam who asked you to write down what had been sent out and to whom those had been sent. Those are my mother’s dowries, and Old Madam wants to redeem these things.”
As for who used the money to redeem them, both Shao Wanru and Madam Jiang knew clearly. Old Madam would not spend her own money, so, of course, she wanted to spend Madam Jiang’s money.
After Shao Wanru finished her words, she bowed to Madam Jiang before Madam Jiang could say anything, and then she left with Zhao Xiran. She didn’t show any anger in the whole process, as if she was just coming to pass on a message on behalf of Old Madam. As for the other things, those had nothing to do with her.
Anyone who heard this would not think much of it, nor would he commit suicide at the moment. With Zhao Xiran as a witness, even if Madam Jiang really committed suicide at this time, it still had nothing to do with Shao Wanru, and she would not bear the reputation of wanting to force her aunt to death!
