Chapter 141: Chapter 141
Chapter 141
"Your honesty is truly fitting for the role of Young General’s principal wife." Whether this statement was meant as sarcasm or was genuinely sincere, listeners could easily understand without needing to think twice.
Tang Mujin was startled and shocked. The imposing presence of Furen Deng was indeed intimidating; merely walking in and speaking calmly was enough to make people tremble with fear. Only Yueqian seemed to be smiling through it all.
"I originally used to think the same, but my experiences have taught me that the general’s household doesn’t seek true honesty as they claim. They prefer someone who can convincingly feign sincerity. Otherwise, in the past... Qian’er wouldn’t have been repeatedly pushed away by you," Yueqian covered her mouth as she laughed, her gaze fixed openly on Young General’s mother, who was being supported by a servant on one side and Feixian on the other.
"Qian’er, you are so intelligent. I thought you would understand what I was trying to express. It’s a pity you keep making the same mistakes over and over."
"Yes, that’s right. So, I said I’m truly not suitable for the Deng family’s household," Yueqian replied. Furen Deng smiled at her without the slightest hint of anxiety.
It seemed that Majiao inviting Furen Deng to help him this time was a wise move. Otherwise, he alone would not have been able to handle this troublesome young girl, Yueqian.
"You are not suitable for the Deng household, but as the wife of a general, you are perfectly suited," Furen Deng smiled faintly. She stepped back, conceding that she didn’t like Yueqian, but concluded that despite her dislike, Yueqian was still the most appropriate person to be her son’s wife.
Her words enclosed Yueqian in a tight circle, gradually closing in. If it was Yueqian who truly had feelings for Young General before, she would likely feel ecstatic and very happy with such words.
However, because Furen Deng had made it clear that she disliked Yueqian. This might make Yueqian feel hurt. Therefore, Furen Deng straightforwardly admitted it but then praised her. It was obvious that the other party’s rhetoric was quite good. Yet, these would only work on someone who truly had feelings for Young General, not someone who never had any affection for him in the first place, like Yueqian.
At this point, no one would believe that Yueqian, who had been chasing after Young General since she was a child, did not love him. Who would believe that it was all part of her plan? So, no matter how smart Furen Deng was, she could not trigger the right response from Yueqian.
"I admit that as his mother, I do not like a woman like you at all. You speak harshly and don’t know how to spend money appropriately. However, if I step back and look at you as a woman who must stand above all other women and be strong enough to instill fear in his subordinates, your demeanor is indeed fitting. Otherwise, neither I nor Young General would have insisted on you being his betrothed until now."
Furen Deng reiterated her point, fearing that Yueqian might still be uncertain about what she was trying to convey. She clearly pointed out that the position of Young General’s principal wife still belonged to Yueqian and that she was the most suitable person for it.
This blatant lie, when spoken aloud, seemed almost unbelievable. For over ten years, Furen Deng had been subtly coaxing her son daily to change his betrothed. Not only did Young General refuse, but he also declared that the engagement would not be canceled and that if it wasn’t Yueqian, he would not appoint anyone else as his primary wife, leaving the position of the household’s management vacant.
At that time, even as his mother, she couldn’t understand why her son was so adamant, despite showing to the outside world that he had no feelings for Yueqian.
Until the day of the incident, even when Yueqian married someone else, he still insisted that only she would be his primary wife. When her son was like this, what could a parent do? In the end, they could only seek many women from other households to support them, but only in the roles of concubines or secondary wives.
Because of her son’s resolve, she eventually had to visit the Qin family and play along with their drama.
"Furen Deng, you are as eloquent as ever. But... is the future principal wife of Young General really that Qin Yueqian who acts like a loyal dog? If so... that dog is already dead," Yueqian gently brushed her hair with a grace never seen before.
How could a noisy and vicious woman like her carry herself with such poise like this? But now, she was doing it, acting like an immortal, superior to the concubines of the inner palace, noble, intelligent, and arrogant. All of this made Furen Deng’s heart tremble.
Originally, it was her who had tried to present herself as noble, knowing it was it was all pretense, telling herself to behave in a high-class manner. It wasn’t her true nature. Compared to Yueqian’s natural demeanor now, Furen Deng suddenly felt afraid of this cunning fox’s gaze.
"Ah, you’ve come to visit my mother, haven’t you? In that case, please go ahead. I’ll just drop by to visit Furen Tang. I heard she’s quite seriously ill, even the imperial doctors couldn’t cure her," Yueqian stepped back.
Although Qin Majiao had arranged for Furen Deng to help deal with the situation, he hadn’t expected this outcome. In the end, it was Yueqian who completely managed to put them to shame.
Fortunately, Furen Deng wasn’t someone easy to deal with. Even though she was taken aback by Yueqian’s changed demeanor, she was a woman who had met many people. How could she be defeated by a young girl like Yueqian?
"Furen Tang is indeed seriously ill, but your mother’s condition is just as grave. Today, I will stay with you to watch over your mother. If she wakes up, you’ll be there immediately. She fell ill because she was worried about you, so you shouldn’t let her feel that way again," Furen Deng said, showing her kindness.
If even an outsider like Furen Deng was willing to stay and wait for her mother, how could Yueqian, her own daughter, leave to visit someone else?
The accusation that would follow was too severe. Yueqian would instantly be branded an ungrateful daughter. This uncomfortable situation was handed to her by an experienced woman!
"Furen Deng is indeed very considerate of others. Even I didn’t think so deeply. Well, since you’ve mentioned it, I’ll wait here for my mother here," Yueqian said, then sat down by the bed.
Ailing’s body was still visibly tense. If she continued pretending to be a pale, bedridden patient with the blanket wrapped tightly around her, causing her to sweat, how long could she keep it up?
Yueqian knew that the other party was feigning illness, so she understood that there was no way she would be able to endure this for long.
Furen Deng and Qin Majiao also knew this. They exchanged glances, not expecting that Yueqian wouldn’t understand at all. Normally, when guests arrived, one would take them outside to rest, waiting for a servant to report whether Principal Furen Qin had regained consciousness or not, right?
"Why don’t you go prepare some snacks to entertain Furen Deng? Let’s go and wait outside; too many people in this room will only disturb Ling’er’s rest."
"I think so too. All of you should wait outside. I’ll stay here to watch over her," Yueqian smiled, gesturing for the others to leave.
Once again, Qin Majiao’s plan was thwarted. He could only grit his teeth and think to himself.
"Your concern for your mother is admirable, but there’s no benefit to you staying here. Let Xian’er take care of your mother instead. Your presence will only disturb her," Furen Deng suggested once more. This time, however, Yueqian shook her head in refusal.
"With my mother this ill, I cannot trust Feixian. Her long-standing illness only increases my suspicion of her. Feixian has no particular skills, yet she volunteered to care for my mother. Everyone knows about their previous discord, but suddenly she is overly eager to help. Even a “fool” would see that this is “suspicious,”" Yueqian said, openly slandering Feixian.
The woman being accused blushed with anger. There was no evidence to incriminate her, how could someone suddenly slander her like this? If it were anyone else, they would have been beaten to death by now, not to mention being able to file a complaint for slander and causing misunderstandings and grudges.
Only a fool would act this way, but Yueqian was that fool, and she made the mistake without anyone holding her accountable!!
"Sister, do you have any evidence for these accusations? This is clear defamation. The authorities can hold you accountable," Feixian retorted immediately, seeing no one else would defend her.
She didn’t want to lose face, especially in front of Furen Deng, her future mother-in-law.
"Accountable? What would you hold me accountable for? Where is the evidence of my wrongdoing? I was merely voicing my concerns. Given your well-known discord and your unusual behavior today, if you’re not the one acting suspiciously, are you saying that everyone in the Qin family’s manor is?"
The more Yueqian spoke, the more it seemed like she was passing a hot potato to others. Even Majiao signaled Feixian to keep quiet. After all, there was indeed something unusual going on with them. At the very least, Ailing wasn’t actually sick. If this matter escalated further, the Qin family, who fabricated this situation, would end up becoming a laughingstock.
"Qian’er, if you don’t trust her, I will have someone else take care of your mother," Majiao tried to defuse the situation. He didn’t care about anyone else’s opinion, only Yueqian’s.
"Why would you need someone else to take care of her when I’m right here?" Yueqian retorted, refusing to back down. No matter what, she intended to visit Furen Tang today.
"Then let Yueqian take care of her. Her filial piety is commendable," Furen Deng quickly intervened, fearing Majiao might say something even more suspicious.
If Yueqian found out her mother wasn’t really sick, wouldn’t that be worse? This act was far from over, so there was no need to rush to confine her within the Qin family’s manor.
"Ah, that’s right," Qin Majiao had no choice but to comply.
Fine, let Ailing endure for as long as she can. Allowing Yueqian to return home a bit early wouldn’t be too disgraceful. After all, her visit today had already allowed her to meet Furen Deng. Seeing Yueqian’s demeanor today, Furen Deng would likely go back and come up with a good plan. Furen Deng was clever. If it weren’t for Young General’s insistence on Yueqian, she would have found ten suitable wives for her son by now.
Besides, to be honest, Furen Deng was a formidable person, with extensive connections. This made Qin Majiao’s decision to cut off Yueqian and expel her swift. The moment Yueqian dared to cause a scandal in the Deng household, he didn’t want any trouble with Furen Deng. His flattering had pleased her initially. Otherwise, the Qin family might have been destroyed long ago.
"Cough, cough." Not long after, the dry coughing of a woman was heard. Sweat drenched her face and neck. This was why Ailing could no longer pretend to be sick under the thick blanket.
Seizing the opportunity, Feixian rushed in to support the pretend-sick Ailing. Her actions appeared caring and affectionate, but no one knew that something was hidden on her shoulder.And, of course, it was a scheme intended to take down both the principal wife and the former, despicable eldest young miss, ensuring they both meet their demise together!!
