Chapter 222 – Concubine Dong And Wei Yuejiao Ate Humble Pies
When dinner was ready, the Madam Dowager sent someone to call her grandchildren back.
Wei Yuewu was the nearest to the dining place, so she was the first to return. However, Wei Ziyang and the others weren’t slow either. She had only been seated for a while before Wei Ziyang and the other brothers and sisters were back.
She was arranged to sit in the place below Wei Yuejiao, and even more coincidentally, Mo Huating was sitting on the other side, and Wei Ziyang was seated next to him!
Concubine Dong naturally didn’t have any seat, and even Lady Zhang stood at the side to serve the Dowager.
When the Madam Dowager saw the seats of Wei Yuewu and Mo Huating, her brows furrowed. Apparently, she did not like the arrangement very much. Wei Luowen glanced over, and his gaze was still indifferent and cold. Nobody could tell whether he was happy or angry. However, Wei Yuewu knew that it was impossible for a dignified marquis to personally arrange seats.
Wei Yuewu’s gaze swept across the crowd silently. Finally, it landed on Concubine Dong, who was helping Lady Zhang serve the Madam Dowager. She sneered in her heart. This Concubine Dong really knew how to disgust her. She knew that her engagement with Mo Huating was canceled, but she still arranged adjacent seats for the two of them.
Was she still trying to send her into the mansion of Marquis Jing Yuan?
It was a rule not to talk while eating. Everyone ate silently. Not long after, they finished the meal. Lady Zhang instructed the servants to tidy up the table. Everyone returned to the living room and sat down.
However, although they were divided into two rows, their seats were still arranged according to the previous sequence.
On one side of Wei Yuewu was Wei Yuejiao, while on the other side was Mo Huating. Next to Mo Huating was Wei Ziyang. Wei Qiufu, Wei Qiuju, Wei Ziyi, and Wei Zifeng sat opposite them.
Wei Yuejiao looked at Mo Huating and seemed to have discovered him only now. She gently pushed Wei Yuewu and asked, “Sixth Younger Sister, is this your fiance Marquis Jing Yuan?” Although her voice was low, it was quiet in the hall, and almost everyone in the hall heard her.
“Third Elder Sister, you are wrong. Marquis Jing Yuan has nothing to do with me.” Wei Yuewu quietly put down the teacup in her hand and said indifferently.
“How could that be? I heard that Mother had arranged a good marriage for you long before…” Wei Yuejiao’s face was filled with surprise, as if she had only found out what happened to Wei Yuewu’s engagement. Her voice also became louder.
The expression of the Madam Dowager seated in the place of honor immediately darkened.
“Third Elder Sister, if you don’t believe me, you can ask grandmother!” Wei Yuewu said expressionlessly.
Wei Yuejiao thought that Wei Yuewu was embarrassed so that she asked her to confirm it with the Madam Dowager. She smiled and turned around as she said “Grandmother!” with her eyes flickering. Well, she was determined to embarrass Wei Yuewu and make her uncomfortable.
Concubine Dong said that her father intended to marry Wei Yuewu to Mo Huating. She knew that Wei Yan had an affair with Mo Huating in the past. Even if Wei Yan was gone now, Mo Huating was definitely not a good person. If Wei Yuewu really married into the mansion of Marquis Jing Yuan, the outcome must be very miserable for her. Of course, she and Concubine Dong were happy to see that.
Wei Yuejiao was confident that the Madam Dowager would have no objection. Marquis Hua Yang had already expressed his intention. How could the Madam Dowager say no? In the past, when the two of them had different ideas, the Madam Dowager would always yield to Marquis Hua Yang.
Wei Yuejiao only thought about plotting against Wei Yuewu, but she didn’t notice Wei Luowen’s expression suddenly turned cold.
“Alright, shut up. The engagement between the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang and the mansion of Marquis Jing Yuan was canceled at the order of Her Majesty. How can we talk about it again?” The Madam Dowager didn’t wait for Wei Yuejiao to finish her sentence, and she already scolded her sternly.
Wei Yuejiao’s smile froze on her face. She looked at the Madam Dowager in disbelief. Tears immediately gushed out of her eyes. She had never received such a harsh reprimand from the Madam Dowager. Moreover, it happened in front of Mo Huating, an outsider.
Wei Luowen was also surprised by the Madam Dowager’s reaction. However, his expression was very extremely well-controlled. His eyes flickered for a moment and he didn’t say anything else.
Mo Huating also had a deadpan expression. He suddenly remembered Wei Yan in his mansion. Although she was only his concubine, she was still a daughter of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. For this fact, the Madam Dowager would never agree to his marriage with Wei Yuewu. He lowered his head and pretended that he did not hear Wei Yuejiao’s words. Then, he began to ponder silently.
Concubine Dong, who was standing behind the Madam Dowager, was also stunned. She did not expect the Madam Dowager’s reaction to be so strong. Furthermore, she clearly indicated that this was the Empress’ intention. In fact, it was equivalent to breaking off the marriage between Wei Yuewu and Mo Huating. Furthermore, it was done in a high-sounding manner.
This meant that she could never mention this engagement in the future!
“Grandmother…” Wei Yuejiao stammered, “I… I didn’t know!”
The complacency in Wei Yuejiao’s eyes was replaced by anger, which was naturally directed at Wei Yuewu. She glared at Wei Yuewu fiercely. However, she had no choice but to admit defeat to the Madam Dowager.
“Grandmother, Third Elder Sister hasn’t been in the capital for long. I’m afraid she doesn’t know that this is the Her Majesty’s order!” Wei Yuewu blinked her eyes and said sincerely.
These words made the Madam Dowager even angrier. She knew in her heart that Wei Yan was not dead and that she was currently in the mansion of Marquis Jing Yuan. If Wei Yuewu really renewed her engagement with Mo Huating, serious trouble would be caused!
Wei Yan was now a “dead” person!
“There’s no hurry to talk about Yuewu’s marriage. Let’s talk about Yuejiao’s marriage first. She has grown up. Now that she has returned to the capital, we should find a nice young man for her this time!” the Madam Dowager ignored Wei Yuejiao and turned to Wei Luowen.
“Imperial Academician Xie!” These three words were spoken silently by Wei Yuewu. Others might only notice the movement of her lips. However, it was a different story with Wei Yuejiao. When she heard the Madam Dowager mention her marriage, she immediately thought of Xie Qingzhao. She subconsciously turned around and saw the three words being uttered by Wei Yuewu.
She suddenly stood up and said anxiously, “Grandmother, I don’t want to marry that Imperial Academician Xie. I heard that he was an immoral person and had improper relations with other sisters in our mansion!”
Of course, she was talking about Wei Yan and Wei Qiuju. Although their scandals were properly dealt with and kept a secret to outsiders, Concubine Dong also had her own agents in the mansion, who kept Wei Yuejiao well-informed of the secrets. When she heard the Madam Dowager mention her marriage, she immediately became upset.
“How dared you!” The Madam Dowager was furious. She slapped heavily on the table and shouted sternly.
In the Madam Dowager’s eyes, it was really a shameful act for an unmarried young lady to say such words in front of a man who was an outsider to the family!
Wei Qiufu swept her eyes over Wei Yuejiao, and a trace of seriousness flashed through the bottom of her eyes. Did Wei Yuejiao’s words indicate that Concubine Dong knew about the relationship between her and Xie Qingzhao?
It seemed that she must not contact Xie Qingzhao in the near future!
In any case, the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang was just a part of her plan. Whether the matter concerning Xie Qingzhao succeeded or not, she had better not contact him for the time being. This Xie Qingzhao was deeply devoted to her and would be of great help to her in the future. There was no need to hurry at this time.
Concubine Dong reacted quickly. She went behind Wei Yuejiao and took her hand. Then, she knelt down to the Madam Dowager. With tears in her eyes, she said, “Madam Dowager, please calm down. Yuejiao has been living with Lord Marquis since childhood. She has always imitated Lord Marquis in every aspect of her manners. She was used to speaking her mind freely, and I often advised her against that. However, Lord Marquis… Anywhere, I failed to discipline her. Madam Dowager, please punish me.”
She wiped her tears with a handkerchief, but she was quite articulate. Every word carried a trace of sorrow, and it was obvious that she uttered those words from the bottom of her heart.
Wei Luowen’s expression relaxed after he heard those words. He was indeed not strict with this daughter.
“Grandmother, please calm down. Third Elder Sister has been living at the border since she was a child. She has learned from father to be a straightforward person. The border is different from other places, where there are many rules to learn and many taboos… Concubine Dong has taught her very well!” After saying these words, Wei Yuewu had a forced smile on her face. Although the smile was a gentle one, it made people’s heart ache for her.
As a legitimate daughter of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang, she was sent to her maternal grandparents’ mansion when she was still a little girl. She must have been extremely careful over the years, trying not to make others unhappy. How could she be as carefree as Wei Yuejiao, who grew up by her father’s side and could speak freely and ask for whatever she wanted!
Apparently, Wei Yuewu, the legitimate daughter of Marquis Hua Yang, couldn’t even compare with a concubine-born daughter.
In particular, by saying that Concubine Dong taught Wei Yuejiao well, she made people realize the drastic difference between Wei Yuejiao and her!
Hearing Wei Yuewu’s words, Wei Luowen’s eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness. His gaze towards Wei Yuejiao wasn’t as concerned as before. Instead, stared at Concubine Dong without saying a word.
“Alright, now that you’re in the capital, you have to obey the rules of the capital. Yuejiao, go back to your courtyard and copy Lessons for Women as a punishment!”
Since Wei Luowen had just returned to the capital, the Madam Dowager couldn’t make things too difficult for Concubine Dong. She waved her hand and gave her verdict.
Concubine Dong didn’t expect that Marquis Hua Yang didn’t say a word despite her humble apology. Besides, the Madam Dowager didn’t bother to give her face as she used to do. A trace of malice flashed in her eyes. She didn’t expect that such a little girl would change Lord Marquis’s temper with just a few words.
That bitch had been dead for so many years. Could it be that this cheap girl could compete against Yuejiao for Lord Marquis’ favor?
However, Concubine Dong also knew what to do at this time. She quickly hid the coldness in her eyes and said, “Yes. Yuejiao, hurry and thank the Madam Dowager!”
“Concubine Dong!” Wei Yuejiao was still at a loss for becoming the target of the Madam Dowager’s anger. When she heard Concubine Dong asking her to yield, she was extremely reluctant. But when she saw Concubine Dong glaring at her, she didn’t dare to say anything else. She picked up her handkerchief and wiped away the tears. Then, she said to the Madam Dowager, “Yes, Grandmother, thank you. I… will go and copy it immediately!”
“You can leave now!” The Madam Dowager said impatiently with a gloomy expression.
“You go and keep an eye on Yuejiao. Don’t let her do such a disrespectful thing again!” Wei Luowen waved at Concubine Dong and said coldly.
“Lord Marquis, I…” Being berated by Wei Luowen in front of so many people, Concubine Dong immediately blushed.
“Leave now!” Wei Luowen’s expression darkened.
“Yes, I’m leaving!” Concubine Dong didn’t dare to disobey Wei Luowen. She had no choice but to retreat with Wei Yuejiao.
Wei Yuewu tilted her head and her eyes moved slightly. A dark light flashed in her eyes. Since Mo Huating appeared here, he must have something important to do. She did not want Concubine Dong and her daughter to stay here and cause trouble!
There was a strange pause in the room, but in the next moment, Wei Yuewu’s eyes narrowed coldly.
Mo Huating actually stood up and took out an item from his pocket. He strode in front of Wei Luowen and presented the item in his hand. Then, he respectfully said, “Lord Marquis, please have a look!”
Wei Yuewu instantly widened her eyes at the sight of the bright red envelope…
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