Chapter 205
“Xie Qingzhao?” She subconsciously blurted.
“If you don’t believe me, you can go back and ask around. This Lord Xie is specially prepared for you.” Wei Yuewu’s sarcastic gaze silently enraged Wei Yuejiao. She did not believe that Wei Yuejiao could endure it.
The fact was that Xie Qingzhao had indeed proposed to Wei Yuejiao, and he had communicated it to Madam Dowager through Third Madam Zhang. It was probably because he felt that he could not afford a marriage with a legitimate daughter of the mansion, and that of the two concubine-born daughters, Wei Yuejiao was more favored.
“Or, you can ask Fourth Elder Sister. I heard from Fourth Elder Sister that she has a good relationship with Imperial Academician Xie. Perhaps she is more familiar with him than we are.”
Wei Yuewu continued to enrage Wei Yuejiao and quietly disclosed Wei Qiufu’s previous connection with Xie Qingzhao to her.
“Nonsense, you…you…” Wei Yuejiao couldn’t help but scream. She had said that she was going to become a legitimate daughter soon, but now she was told that the person the Madam Dowager intended to betroth her was completely incompatible with her future identity as a legitimate daughter. In other words, she would remain a concubine-born daughter.
This was heart-breaking news to Wei Yuejiao, and she gritted her teeth with hatred.
“Miss, Miss, have you forgotten what Madam said when you came back?” Jinzhu hurriedly pulled on Wei Yuejiao’s sleeve and whispered to warn Wei Yuejiao.
Upon hearing about Concubine Dong, Wei Yuejiao was stunned for a moment, and then the anger on her face slowly receded. Finally, her expression calmed down. Although there was anger in her eyes, at least she did not lose her mind.
Wei Yuewu had been watching Wei Yuejiao’s reaction all the time. She was surprised that Wei Yuejiao actually listened to the maid! She couldn’t help but glance at the maid named Jinzhu. She didn’t expect this maid to be so smart.
However, there were enough events today. Now it was not the best time to enrage Wei Yuejiao. After thinking for a while, she closed her eyes slightly and ignored Wei Yuejiao.
Wei Yuejiao gradually calmed down. Looking at Wei Yuewu whose eyes were slightly closed, her eyes were filled with jealousy. Her mother was about to enter the capital soon, so she had to bear with her for a little longer.
The carriage moved forward slowly and it was now completely quiet inside. The two young ladies were leaning on each side, closing their eyes to rest. Of course, the maids did not talk.
The carriages were finally back to the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. The four of them got off the carriages and headed towards the Madam Dowager’s Tranquility Courtyard with solemn expressions. They were accompanied by a nurse-in-charge of Princess Nan’an.
“What happened?” The Madam Dowager asked with a fierce expression when she saw that her four granddaughters had actually returned early.
“Madam Dowager, our princess sends me here to thank you and to deliver some gifts. Please don’t decline.” Princess Nan’an’s nurse-in-charge smiled and said. She waved her hand and four maids walked forward, each holding a gift in their hands.
“It’s so polite of her.” The Madam Dowager’s expression became even more solemn. No matter what, it was impossible for Prince Nan’an Mansion to deliver gifts under such circumstances. She looked at her four granddaughters who were lowering their heads. She knew that the situation was not good.
“Our princess said that Madam Dowager is really good at nurturing the young ladies. You raised our heiress-apparent so well. Our princess should have already entered the Palace by now. She can’t let Fifth Young Lady suffer any grievances.” The nurse said smilingly.
“Why is it related to our Fifth Young Lady?” Seeing the Madam Dowager’s increasingly cold face, Nanny Hong stood up and asked.
“Of course she is related. The heiress-apparent feels that her health is not good and wants to let Fifth Young Lady be our heir-apparent’s concubine. So she specially invited Fifth Young Lady over to let our princess and heir-apparent have a look.” Prince Nan’an Mansion’s nurse said politely.
However, the contents of these words made Madam Dowager even angrier. She almost fainted. She pressed down on the corner of the table with trembling hands. Her face went pale with anger.
What did she mean by letting Wei Qiuju be a concubine? Furthermore, she was afraid that others might not like Wei Qiuju, so she specially called her over to let them have a look. What did she think the young lady in the mansion was!
Moreover, even though the Heir-apparent of Prince Nan’an’s status was noble, he was a rogue young master without any talent. If it wasn’t for the fact that Prince Nan’an was the emperor’s biological brother, it would have been impossible for her to marry Wei Fengyao to that useless heir-apparent!
“Where’s your heiress-apparent?” The Madam Dowager forcefully suppressed the anger in her heart and asked in a deep voice.
“One of the maids of our heiress-apparent wanted to harm her and she had a slight wound on her face. It’s inconvenient for her to come back now. When she recovers, she will definitely come back to see you without delay.”
Prince Nan’an Mansion’s nurse replied swiftly. Her answer was perfect and made people believe Prince Nan’an Mansion had no responsibility at all. If there was one, it was merely because Wei Fengyao did not manage the backyard properly and let her maid have other thoughts.
Wei Yuewu secretly sighed. No wonder Princess Nan’an sent her over. Obviously, Princess Nan’an trusted this nurse.
“Please tell Princess Nan’an. Qiuju’s matter cannot be handled in haste.” The Madam Dowager snorted coldly.
“Madam Dowager, this can’t be delayed. Previously, when they were in the mansion, the heir-apparent and Fifth Young Lady also expressed their love for each other and begged our princess and heiress-apparent to help them.” As she said this, the nurse glanced sideways at Wei Qiuju, who was standing aside. A trace of disdain flashed in her eyes. Even as a servant, she knew that this Fifth Young Lady had an affair with the heir-apparent, which was why the matter escalated like this.
Princess Nan’an kept it a secret because she needed to protect her son’s reputation. A young lady actually had an affair with her elder sister’s husband. This was such a disdainful scandal.
“Qiuju, what’s going on?” The Madam Dowager understood what she meant by now, and she glared at Wei Qiuju and shouted sternly.
How could Wei Qiuju still stand at this time? She knelt down with a plop and said, “Grandmother…I…”
Nanny Hong reached out and tugged at the corner of the Madam Dowager’s clothes, reminding her that Prince Nan’an Mansion’s nurse was still there.
“You go back first. We can’t accept these gifts for the time being. Once we figure out what happened, I will definitely visit Princess Nan’an.” The Madam Dowager took a deep breath and said. This meant that she would go to see Prince Nan’an Mansion and talk with her after the matter was clear.
“This…”
“Nanny Hong, send the guests off!” The Madam Dowager became impatient.
Nanny Hong took a step forward and smiled as she made a “please” gesture. The nurse-in-charge knew that the Madam Dowager was in a rage now and that she couldn’t force her too much. So she respectfully bowed to the Madam Dowager and retreated with Nanny Hong.
The Madam Dowager pounded heavily on the table and angrily said to Wei Qiuju, “Tell me, what’s going on?”
Wei Qiuju recounted what had happened in Prince Nan’an Mansion. She did not conceal anything. She admitted that she mistook the safety talisman in Wei Yuewu’s purse for the Fourth Prince’s and offended the Fourth Prince. In the end, she was forced to say that she had an affair with the Heir-apparent of Prince Nan’an because she had angered the Fourth Prince. She was afraid that the Fourth Prince would really pursue the matter and that she couldn’t bear the responsibility.
Her words were extremely well organized. Although she cried as she spoke, she did not shirk her responsibility in the major issues. It seemed that a misunderstanding caused such a result.
Wei Yuewu smiled coldly and swept her gaze over Wei Qiufu who was looking at Wei Qiuju with a worried expression. Such words were not something Wei Qiuju could come up with. Even if Wei Qiuju mentioned her and the Fourth Prince, she would not dare to admit her mistake. But now, she not only admitted it, but she also said that she had misunderstood and explained the matter to the Madam Dowager so clearly.
However, these words directed the topic to her…
“Grandmother, the incident happened suddenly. My sisters and I were unable to react for a while. After that, Sixth Younger Sister’s dog suddenly went crazy and started to attack people. Originally, it almost injured Sixth Younger Sister. Later, for some reason, it rushed towards Eldest Sister across from Sixth Younger Sister. Eldest Sister’s face was scratched.” Wei Qiufu explained for Wei Qiuju.
On the surface, these words sounded unbiased and extremely fair, and they even vaguely meant to help Wei Yuewu. It seemed she was trying to explain for Wei Yuewu, and she was very protective of her sister.
But in fact, she meant that Wei Yuewu was the culprit.
The Madam Dowager looked at Wei Qiufu with a gentler expression, but when she turned to Wei Yuewu, her expression turned sharp and she said angrily, “Yuewu, tell me, what happened to your dog?”
As Wei Yuewu heard Wei Qiufu’s words, she knew she was framing her and she answered calmly, “Grandmother, that dog was sent by Eldest Sister. I kept it here for the night last night, but it was in low spirits. Today, when I left, it still had its eyes closed. When I got to Prince Nan’an Mansion, the maid beside Eldest Sister had something on her body that irritated the puppy. After I dodged, it pounced on Eldest Sister.”
The words were well-organized and informative.
How would a maid be capable of doing such a thing?
The dog was sent over by Wei Fengyao. The maid had a drug on her body that could drive the puppy crazy. The target was obviously Wei Yuewu. It was just a coincidence that Wei Yuewu avoided it, and Wei Fengyao, who was standing opposite Wei Yuewu, was injured.
The Madam Dowager understood the meaning behind it and her expression relaxed a litter.
“Grandmother, Princess Nan’an said that she would definitely punish that maid and help Eldest Sister discipline the servants. This will never happen again!”
Wei Yuewu added.
“Princess Nan’an didn’t say anything else?” When the Madam Dowager heard that Princess Nan’an did not pursue the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang’s responsibility, she couldn’t help but ask and frown more tightly.
“The princess was very reasonable. She did not blame me. She also said that she wanted to form a relation by marriage with the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. Coincidentally, the Fourth Prince was also there. He also said that he would return to the Palace to explain the matter between Fifth Elder Sister and the heir-apparent.” Wei Yuewu explained tactfully.
But she secretly revealed some information…