Seeing Old Madam Lin’s expression darken further, Shen Rumei felt a surge of delight and continued, “Sister-in-law has always been so sensible, yet after just one day with this child, her temperament has completely changed. She wants us to treat this stray child of unknown origin like a young lady, and even said she should be served…”
At this point, Shen Rumei deliberately hesitated, waiting for Old Madam Lin to grow angry before saying with a feigned look of alarm, “Sister-in-law even said she should be served like Third Young Master. Old Madam, Sister-in-law is just kind-hearted, but in the General’s Manor, no one can replace Third Young Master’s position.”
Lin Qingyi was Old Madam Lin’s most cherished treasure and the sole male heir of the Lin family. Shen Rumei’s words undoubtedly placed Nuonuo in direct opposition to Lin Qingyi.
Tang Wanqing, kneeling on the ground, was unaware of Shen Rumei’s words. Seeing her mother-in-law glare at Nuonuo with such severity, she knew the old woman had misunderstood.
She quickly explained, “Mother, you’ve misunderstood Nuonuo. If it weren’t for her subduing the frightened horse a few days ago, your daughter-in-law might have already lost her life. Nuonuo is the benefactor I met outside the manor.”
Just then, a young girl’s voice chimed in, “A child this small can subdue a frightened horse? Miss Nuonuo is truly remarkable. No wonder Auntie wants to give you the Qixia Courtyard to live in.”
The speaker was Shen Rumei’s daughter, Lin Ruoxuan. The General’s Manor was sparsely populated, and although Lin Zhicheng and Shen Rumei were from a collateral branch, Old Madam Lin and Tang Wanqing treated them as family. Thus, Lin Ruoxuan was raised in the General’s Manor as a young lady.
Unlike the humility her parents displayed, the eight-year-old Lin Ruoxuan carried herself with grace and poise, bearing the demeanor of a well-bred young lady from a prominent family.
Moreover, both Old Madam Lin and Madam Lin adored children and doted on her even more, leading everyone in the manor to treat her as the eldest young lady.
After hearing Lin Ruoxuan’s words, Old Madam Lin’s expression grew even more unpleasant. “Wanqing, do you truly think I’m old and muddle-headed, no longer of any use? To deceive me like this for a child of unknown origin—you’ve truly disappointed me.”
“Mother-in-law, every word I’ve said is true,” Tang Wanqing replied, feeling deeply wronged and no longer holding back this time.
Nuonuo was already upset that Auntie was being punished to kneel. If it weren’t for Auntie’s repeated instructions to behave well and not defy Grandmother, Nuonuo would never have remained quiet for so long.
But seeing Auntie continuously wronged, Nuonuo could no longer hold back. Puffing out her cheeks, she said, “Grandmother, you really are muddle-headed.”
“How dare you! Truly a wild child with no upbringing, actually cursing Old Madam!” Shen Rumei seized the opportunity, eagerly pinning the accusation on Nuonuo.
Beside her, Lin Ruoxuan looked horrified. “Little sister, how can you be so malicious at such a young age? Grandmother is the kindest person in the world. I won’t allow you to curse her like this.”
Unable to bear Nuonuo being wronged, Tang Wanqing said coldly, “Why must you two exaggerate so? That’s not what Nuonuo meant.”
“Sister-in-law, I don’t know what relationship you have with this child that you’d defend her so fiercely. Regardless, her cursing Old Madam as muddle-headed is an unforgivable offense,” Shen Rumei declared righteously.
Nuonuo, however, remained completely unfazed and continued with her earlier point. “Grandmother, if you weren’t muddle-headed, why would you punish kind Auntie by making her kneel and listen to this bad auntie who’s full of Black Qi?”
Called out by Nuonuo as a bad auntie, Shen Rumei completely lost her composure and angrily shouted, “Who are you saying is covered in Black Qi? Ever since you arrived, the general’s mansion has been in constant turmoil. Sister-in-law has already been fooled into a daze by you, and now you want to deceive Old Madam Lin too?”
Seeing Shen Rumei’s flustered anger, Tang Wanqing understood—this was her true face.
She blamed herself for being too consumed by grief, failing to notice any clues for three years. Her mother-in-law must have been the same.
She gestured slightly to Qiuyue, who understood and quickly helped her up. Before Old Madam Lin could say anything, Shen Rumei added fuel to the fire, “Sister-in-law, what kind of Confusing Soup has this little girl fed you? Old Madam hasn’t spoken yet, how could you get up? How could you be as ill-mannered as this little girl?”
Tang Wanqing didn’t even glance at her, instead bowing respectfully to Old Madam Lin, “Mother-in-law, I have something to say to you. After I finish, no matter how you punish me, I will not complain.”
Old Madam Lin was not unreasonable. Previously stirred up by Shen Rumei and her daughter, she had indeed been very dissatisfied with Tang Wanqing. But now that her daughter-in-law, who had been muddle-headed for three years, had regained her former spirit, she was overjoyed. So, with a stern face, she said, “I want to hear what you have to say.”
With her mother-in-law’s permission, Tang Wanqing said calmly, “Rumei, I have something to discuss with Old Madam. Please leave first.”
Since the mistress of the house had spoken, Shen Rumei, though unwilling, could not insist on staying. She fawned, “Old Madam, aren’t your legs hurting? Let Ruoxuan stay and massage them for you.”
Seeing her daughter-in-law’s expression, Old Madam Lin knew she had something serious to say and waved her hand, saying, “Everyone, leave.”
Shen Rumei had thought Old Madam Lin would at least keep her or Ruoxuan, but she hadn’t expected this outcome. Despite all her flattery and servility, she was still an outsider in the end. Clenching her handkerchief tightly, she suppressed her resentment and said with a smile, “Then we won’t disturb you.”
Qiuyue tactfully went to pull Nuonuo away, but Tang Wanqing said, “This matter concerns Nuonuo. Let her stay.”
A hint of mockery appeared at the corner of Lin Ruoxuan’s lips—Grandmother wouldn’t even keep her, so why would she keep this wild girl? Yet, to her surprise, Old Madam Lin said, “Since that’s the case, let her stay.”
Old Madam clearly didn’t like her at all, so why was she allowed to stay now? It was all Madam Lin’s fault—sick for so long but not dead, preventing Father and Mother from becoming the true masters of the Lin Mansion, and now picking up a little beggar to compete for favor.
She couldn’t help but glare fiercely at Nuonuo, who, not to be outdone, hid behind Madam Lin and stuck out her tongue at her. This infuriated Lin Ruoxuan—this little beggar was her nemesis, and she would have her revenge.
Shen Rumei still wanted to eavesdrop but was dragged out by Qiuyue, who linked arms with her, “Second Madam, the pastries you made last time were much liked by our Madam. Could you teach me how to make them?”
Only Old Madam Lin, Tang Wanqing, and Nuonuo remained in the room. Tang Wanqing took out the box, her face filled with self-reproach.
“Mother, Yi’er wasn’t frightened—someone tampered with his room. It’s all my fault for being too consumed by grief, giving the villain an opportunity and causing Yi’er to suffer for so long.”
Old Madam Lin looked at the plain and unremarkable box, truly unable to believe that such a small thing could cause unrest in the general’s household.