Everyone in the room was stunned by Lin Tangtang’s words, exchanging glances.
“How dare you!” Yu Shi slammed the table angrily, causing the teacups to clatter sharply.
“Lin Tangtang, you actually have designs on Rong Jie’er!” The Third Madam’s face turned livid, her tone hostile.
“Wasn’t it you, Third Madam, who demanded I perform morning and evening greetings before marriage? But when it comes to your own daughter, you’re unwilling? What, other families’ daughters can be subjected to arbitrary rules, while you can’t bear to let your own daughter suffer even a little?”
Lin Tangtang’s eyes darkened. “So the Third Madam’s rules are based solely on personal preference, with no regard for fairness whatsoever.”
The Third Madam was left speechless by Lin Tangtang’s retort and turned to Yu Shi with a wronged expression. “Eldest sister-in-law! Look at her…”
“Why put on such a victimized act, Third Madam? The morning and evening greetings were your own proposal. I merely questioned you, and you become so agitated, complaining to the Madam of the Hou Estate in public?”
Lin Tangtang remembered that in her previous life, the Third Madam had been an accomplice to the Madam of the Hou Estate, repeatedly causing her to be punished. In this life, she had emerged even earlier.
“You…” The Third Madam trembled with rage, pointing at Lin Tangtang, her chest heaving violently.
“Lin Tangtang, have you caused enough trouble?” Yu Shi said angrily. “We all have your best interests at heart. If you refuse to appreciate it, so be it, but how dare you be so disrespectful to your elders?”
“Madam of the Hou Estate, there’s no need to use the pretense of caring for me to morally pressure me. Right and wrong are clear, and I believe all the elders present understand this.” Lin Tangtang showed no fear of Yu Shi’s authority, speaking with unwavering conviction.
The madams of the Second and Fourth Branches of the Marquis Estate exchanged glances and shook their heads.
Once the Madam of the Hou Estate was determined to discipline someone, no one could stop her.
“In my view, your actions today are wrong.”
Yu Shi snorted. “Since you’ve come to the Hall of Enlightenment, you must learn the rules properly. Since you refuse to learn from the estate’s mamas, I’ve invited Chen Momo, who teaches in the palace, to instruct you. As the future daughter-in-law of the Marquis Estate, do not disappoint me again.”
A hint of schadenfreude flickered in Lin Jiaojiao’s eyes—the palace had the most tricks up its sleeve.
Immediately, Chen Momo entered from the doorway, bowed to Yu Shi, and glanced sideways at Lin Tangtang. “Miss Lin was quite impressive just now. Disrespecting elders—what is the penalty for that under the laws of Great Feng Country?”
Right from the start, she pinned the serious charge of violating the law on Lin Tangtang, aiming to suppress her spirit and make her fearful and compliant.
She had heard that Lin Tangtang grew up freely in the Northern Territory, accustomed to wild ways and unlikely to be well-versed in the law.
“But Mama, have you forgotten that the law also states what should be done if elders fail to act respectably?” Lin Tangtang directly countered with the legal statutes.
“Who are you calling old?” The Third Madam’s face turned ashen. “Mama, don’t waste words on her—just teach her the rules!”
Chen Momo understood.
“Miss Lin’s posture is incorrect. You should…” Chen Momo picked up a ruler and swung it toward her elbow.
But Granny Li, who had been silently observing, caught the ruler.
“Chen Yu, you’ve grown bold, daring to discipline someone under my care?”
Seeing Granny Li, Chen Yu’s expression froze. “Granny Li? Why are you here?”
She had been entrusted by the Madam of the Hou Estate and, upon entering, had been focused solely on Lin Tangtang, failing to notice Granny Li.
Granny Li was once the head maid in the Empress Dowager’s palace. Chen Yu learned her etiquette from her. After the Empress Dowager passed away, she disappeared without a trace.
Who would have thought they would meet again at the Marquis Estate.
“Miss Lin is now under my care. What do you find improper about her?” Granny Li drew out her tone.
“Very well, nothing improper.” Chen Yu said awkwardly, quickly changing her words, “Miss Lin was rude earlier.”
She then hurriedly bowed to Madam of the Hou Estate, “Madam, I am unable to teach Miss Lin etiquette. I shall take my leave now.”
With that, she hastily departed.
“Since Chen Momo has said so, I shall also take my leave.” Lin Tangtang glanced at Granny Li, her eyes filled with gratitude.
Ignoring the oppressive atmosphere in the room, the two walked out.
The sound of a teacup shattering came from inside the room. Soon after, a servant brought Yang Chen over.
“Mama, I wonder if you could help me take a look at a few shops I own in the capital?” Lin Tangtang asked as they walked.
Being able to intimidate a palace etiquette instructor, Granny Li was truly capable. She must make the most of her.
Granny Li smiled faintly.
Lin Tangtang went out to buy a few medicinal herbs for treating pigeons.
When she returned to the West Garden, Yang Chen was standing in the courtyard.
“Is there something?” Suppressing her displeasure, she asked simply and headed toward the room.
“I heard you were disrespectful to the elders in the estate today. Go and apologize.” Yang Chen followed behind her, his tone definitive.
“I won’t go.” Lin Tangtang refused outright, placing the herbs on the table as Chunxue took them to grind.
She never once looked directly at Yang Chen.
“You are to marry into the Hou Estate. Making such a scene will do you no good.” Yang Chen pressed his lips together.
Earlier, Yu Shi had tearfully told him that Lin Tangtang ate, lived, and used everything from the Hou Estate, yet she showed no respect for the elders, behaving rudely and impolitely.
He had placated her with promises of future benefits before she stopped complaining.
“Making a scene? Which eye of yours saw me making a scene?” Lin Tangtang retorted angrily, “It’s one thing for others to accuse me of being unreasonable, but you are my fiancé. Not only do you not defend me, but you also slander me?”
“But they all say you defied the elders.” Yang Chen’s voice remained firm, “If you care for me, go and apologize.”
“I didn’t defy anyone. Why should I go?” Lin Tangtang lowered her gaze.
In her past life, when Madam of the Hou Estate reprimanded her, Yang Chen had also questioned her without distinguishing right from wrong, using the name of love to force her to compromise and apologize.
To apologize for something she hadn’t done.
Because she loved him, he took her for granted, and the people of the Hou Estate became so arrogant.
But now, all that love had turned into hatred.
This time, she wouldn’t go.
“Must you be so stubborn? It’s just an apology. If you offend the elders, how will you survive in the Hou Estate in the future?” Yang Chen couldn’t contain his frustration. How could Lin Tangtang be so domineering?
“Just an apology?” Lin Tangtang seethed, “Young Lord, you are trampling my dignity for their sake.”
Apologizing would only show her weakness and make those old women push their luck and act arrogantly.
“You… fine, I can’t reason with you.” Yang Chen massaged his forehead, looking as if he were playing the lute to a cow.
“Is it me who doesn’t understand?” Lin Tangtang mocked.
Yang Chen had always feigned understanding while glossing over the truth.
She was merely a pawn for the Hou Estate’s rise to power. He had never defended her, not even until her death.
“There’s one more thing.”
Seeing Lin Tangtang’s displeased expression, Yang Chen softened his tone. “What is the specific situation of the war in the Northern Territory? I have already applied to my superiors to lead the expedition and believe I will soon be dispatched to the Northern Territory with troops. At that time, I will ensure your father and brother remain unharmed. Do you have the Beijing Quanyu Yutu here?”
Yang Chen thought to himself that, since it concerned the life and death of her father and brother, she would surely hold nothing back.
Lin Tangtang’s eyes instantly turned icy cold, and her entire body felt as if frozen.
In her previous life, Yang Chen had said the same thing.
And what was the result?