Li Madam originally intended to hear more gossip.
The problem is, typically they gossip behind the backs of the concerned parties. Now, with both parties present, she, being the only possible outsider for gossip, feels particularly awkward and embarrassed.
Li Madam regrets deeply within her heart, wondering why she agreed to come incense with Madam Zhou today. It would have been better to change the day and avoid meeting Miss Ye.
Madam Zhou had forgotten that Li Madam was still beside her. She was infuriated by Ye Xinyan’s words and angrily said, "This is the daughter raised by your Ye Family. How she knows about the affairs within Ye Family’s marital links is something you should ask your own people, not me."
"Oh, I see." Ye Xinyan responded mildly, "If it’s not Lord Ji’s doing, then it’s Madam Zhou’s lack of strict management. I didn’t expect a daughter-in-law of the Ji Mansion, with several layers of relations, to be able to inquire about the affairs of Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion. I always thought Madam conducted household matters meticulously, leaving nothing to chance in actions. Unexpectedly, Madam Zhou’s so-called meticulousness is mere talk, proving that what one hears is indeed unreliable."
"You..." Madam Zhou raised her finger at Ye Xinyan, full of anger. How dare Ye Xinyan, a woman lacking in virtue, criticize her?
"You, a junior, you a, a..." Madam Zhou considers herself a lady with profound upbringing, but the following words kept turning on the tip of her tongue, as she couldn’t continue.
Ye Xinyan laughed scornfully, "Considering my father’s concubine, Aunt Liu, her skills are top-notch. Even though my mother was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis Mansion, she was suppressed by her for twenty years. Later on, she further managed the Duke’s Mansion and cultivated a deep foundation. Yet, when my grandmother decided to strictly control her, Aunt Liu never got another chance to stir trouble. Her ladyship surely doesn’t share Madam Zhou’s renowned status."
Beside, Ye Xinyi had already begun to worry, listening to Ye Xinyan’s latter remarks, feeling even more hurt and distressed.
She merely mentioned a few veiled words, not expecting this wretch, Ye Xinyan, to trace back to her mother-in-law, directly accusing her of poor household management. And using her aunt as an example—her aunt being locked in that chilly temple—wasn’t that pathetic enough?
The wretch’s mind was so malicious!
Now it wasn’t merely her mother-in-law’s loss of face in public, but whether she would adopt Duke An’s methods after being provoked by Ye Xinyan and have her locked away.
Currently, she no longer has a father acting as heir apparent; there’s no one in her maternal family to stand up for her.
She must first help her mother-in-law regain her face, lessen her mother-in-law’s anger towards her, only then might she escape the fate of being locked up.
Ye Xinyi suppressed her hatred intensely, took half a step forward, and spoke softly, "Sister, let me share a word with you. We’re all juniors; how can sister be so disrespectful to family elders? Mother’s virtues and refinement, significant cultivation, how can they be evaluated by you and me? Sister, as a household woman, would do well to examine her own conduct shortcomings."
Ye Xinyan raised her brow, her gaze toward Ye Xinyi—is this hitting a sore spot, unable to conceal anymore, thus stepping out?
"And you?" Ye Xinyan said, "Shouldn’t you examine yourself as well? You are merely the concubine-born daughter, yet your dowry is extraordinarily lavish. Despite this, you stand by your numerous dowries unmoved, yet deceive father into providing wealth, and even persuade him into pawning valuable possessions to buy a construction firm for your own vent. Hasn’t the workshop head from that construction firm come looking for you? I’ve heard that construction firm has been delaying payments for quite some time."
Is there such a thing? Madam Zhou turned her severe gaze towards Ye Xinyi.
After gradually realizing the disquiet in the fourth daughter-in-law, she had tightened the measures, yet how could she still manage to stir up trouble? Could she still seek silver coin from the Duke An’s incapable son? It’s simply bringing disgrace to the Ji Mansion!
If someday the Ji Mansion were really besieged by a throng of low-status, threadbare craftsmen, their Ji Family would become a laughingstock in the capital, and the esteemed reputation of the Ji Family, renowned for its scholarly heritage, would come under suspicion.
Ye Xinyi panicked inwardly—when did this wretch find out that Dongze Construction Firm was hers?
Even though Guangsha Construction had once targeted Dongze Construction, it had never retaliated against her. Ye Xinyan wasn’t someone who would swallow loss quietly; what were her intentions?
Being swept by Madam Zhou’s severe glance once more, Ye Xinyi grew increasingly fearful, compelled to change her mother-in-law’s impression of her.
She retorted furiously, "How dare you speak of these? You ignore father; that aside, I consider father’s interests, trying to help him find a source of income, yet still face your groundless criticism. What’s your intent? Do you wish us children to be as unfilial as you?"
Indeed, hearing her words, Madam Zhou’s expression softened slightly.
Ye Xinyan sneered coldly, "Really? Upon my return, I shall ask grandfather—has the Duke’s Mansion truly reached such dire straits, needing to rely on an unbusinesslike father for profits to sustain?"
Ye Xinyi was drenched in sweat again, but at this moment, there was no considering alternatives, hoping only to pass this mother-in-law test temporarily. As for grandfather, grandfather was originally dissatisfied with them siblings, with Ye Xinyan in power it was certainly out of question now. Even if grandfather had a heightened disapproval for her, it wouldn’t worsen.
Li Madam stood exceedingly embarrassed on one side; the confrontation between the two families, being marital relations—mostly family matters spoken of—she truly found it difficult to interject, yet simply walking away isn’t suitable.
Seeing now the confrontation seemed to reach a pause, she promptly stepped forward, acting as if nothing occurred, took Madam Yin’s hand and smilingly asked, "How rare for us to meet today, may I ask what Mrs. Yin has next in plans? We have booked vegetarian meals and resting places at the temple. Would Mrs. Yin care to join us?" Follow current novᴇls on Nove1Fire.net
Her inquiry was merely distracting conversationally; secretly praying devoutly that Mrs. Yin and her daughter have no intentions of lingering longer at Cien Temple, all the better for maintaining distance between the contradicting families henceforth.
If by any chance the conflict further escalates, it would become increasingly difficult for her.
Madam Yin, having come to Cien Temple for incense peacefully, felt disparaged by Ye Family’s concubine-born daughter and wished to leave sooner. Hearing Li Madam’s topic diversion queries, she immediately declined: "We have no plans; intending to depart after the incense. You...you two please be your own hosts; no concern for us is needed."
Madam Yin felt unsatisfied with Madam Zhou’s targeting of her daughter, tongue-tied as she managed delicate respect for the two ladies.
Ye Xinyan naturally had no wish to remain; her engaging in verbal battle against Madam Zhou and her mother-in-law was purely to caution the Ji Family. Do not think they’re easy to bully; once she gets provoked, she’d dramatically reveal her perceptions about the Ji Family’s omnipresent intelligence.
Even if the world might not readily believe Ji Xiaoyuan to be so trivial to investigate private affairs of officials’ households, the world’s opinion remains where truth and false exist, at worst causing significant trouble for the Ji Family.
Ji Xiaoyuan and Madam Zhou cherish their reputation and certainly wouldn’t desire to face such a scenario.
At the same time, Ye Xinyan too grows irate at her fortune—how could it be so grim!