Chapter 374
Chapter 374 The Vital Past
The person who came was Wei Yuejiao.
Looking at Concubine Dong, whose cheeks were swollen and battered, she almost screamed in utter shock.
When they were at the border, there were no other women, and Concubine Dong, as the madam of a mansion, was very glorious and honorable. The soldiers guarding the border all knew the smart and capable Lady Dong of Marquis Hua Yang. Besides, in addition to Wei Yuejiao, she was the only woman who had been by Marquis Hua Yang’s side for years, so everyone respectfully addressed her as Lady Dong.
For so many years, Concubine Dong had received all sorts of respect at the border. She had never been in such a miserable state.
She had been punished by the Madam Dowager before because of Wei Yuejiao, but the punishment was just kneeling on the floor and nothing serious. This was the first time she had sustained such a severe punishment.
“Concubine, I’m going to tell Father about this!” Seeing Concubine Dong in such a state, Wei Yuejiao turned around and ran out of the courtyard as her expression changed drastically.
“Stop her!” Concubine Dong ordered the maids anxiously. Although she looked miserable, the punishment was not a big deal for her. The Madam Dowager had already minimized the punishment in mercy. If any commotion came from her side and even alerted Lord Marquis, she might end up in bigger trouble.
Jinzhu and Yuzhu quickly pulled Wei Yuejiao back.
“Third Young Lady, I deserved to be punished by the Madam Dowager. It is useless for you to see Lord Marquis because of this!” Concubine Dong winked at Nanny Dong, who was beside her. Nanny Dong nodded in acknowledgment and followed Jinzhu and Yuzhu to pull Wei Yuejiao back.
“You deserved it? What do you mean? Grandmother is too biased. In the past years, when we entered the capital, Grandmother doted on us a lot. But this time, Grandmother always punishes us over some random charges. What’s the difference between our trip to the capital this time and those in the past? ” Although Wei Yuejiao was pulled back, she stomped her feet indignantly.
“Shut up!” Hearing her rebuke the Madam Dowager like this, Concubine Dong shouted in a low voice, and her expression immediately changed.
However, Wei Yuejiao was in great dismay when she saw that her omnipotent mother had ended up in such a miserable state. She even deliberately raised her voice and hissed “Did I say anything wrong? Sixth Younger Sister and I are both Father’s daughters! What’s the difference between us? Also, I’ve been with Father for years. How come when Sixth Younger Sister came, Grandmother favors her more and dislikes us in every way?!”
Wei Yuejiao felt that her trip to the capital this time was beset with difficulties. Her hands were tied, and everything she did had been condemned repeatedly. She did not even make it to enter the Palace to join the Third Princess’ prayer session. The more she thought about this, the more indignant she was.
In the corridor, Nanny Hong walked out as she heard the screams outside and saw Wei Yuejiao frowning.
Concubine Dong’s explanation had calmed the Madam Dowager down a little, but the Madam Dowager was still skeptical about this matter. Third Young Lady making such a fuss would not calm the Madam Dowager down at all. Instead, the situation would take a turn for the worse.
Nanny Hong clearly knew what had happened back then. The Madam Dowager did not want anyone to mention it, nor did she want anyone to spy on this matter or even have the intention of making use of this matter. Even if the troublemaker was the real Marquise Hua Yang, the Madam Dowager would never let her off the hook, let alone Concubine Dong, who was just a concubine in the mansion.
Concubine Dong had been too comfortable at the border recently and had long forgotten the Madam Dowager’s means back then!
At this moment, the Madam Dowager asked Nanny Hong to come and take a look instead of persuading them, so Nanny Hong quietly watched Wei Yuejiao frowning and growling furiously and did not come over to say anything.
“What’s the difference? Third Elder Sister, you are really forgetful. The main difference is that I am the legitimate daughter while you are the concubine’s daughter. It’s a difference between heaven and earth. Are you trying to persuade Grandmother to forget about the difference between a legitimate daughter and a concubine’s daughter?” A soft voice came from the gate of the courtyard.
The voice was very gentle, but the meaning of her words was fierce.
Wei Yuewu slowly walked over with Huamo behind her. She had already washed up and gotten changed into her usual clothes. Her makeover was plain with a hint of cold elegance. Compared with Wei Yuejiao’s shouting, Wei Yuewu looked like a gorgeous and gentle plum blossom, which was totally different from Wei Yuejiao’s raging look.
The difference between the legitimate child and the concubine’s child had been known since ancient times, especially in dignified aristocratic families. The difference was like an endless chasm that could not be crossed.
However, Wei Yuejiao, who had always been raised as the only legitimate daughter, had never been questioned like this. Even the Madam Dowager’s maids and old maidservants secretly covered their mouths and giggled. This scene infuriated Wei Yuejiao even more.
“The difference between the legitimate child and the concubine’s child?! There’s no such difference between you and me! Where have you been for so many years? My mother wholeheartedly serves Father, and I have always been filial to Father. At that time, why didn’t you come to tell me about the difference between the legitimate child and the concubine’s child? Why didn’t you request to come to the cold and deserted border state to take care of Father? You should show Father that you are the legitimate daughter and should often accompany him!”
Wei Yuejiao stood up straight and retorted in disdain as she glared at Wei Yuewu, who was leisurely walking over.
In her opinion, she and Concubine Dong were respectively Father’s daughter and wife, and Wei Yuewu was nothing but an abandoned daughter. Hence, it was not only an interrogation but also a show-off.
She was showing off that Father loved her more than Wei Yuewu. So what if Wei Yuewu was the legitimate daughter? She had been dumped aside and ignored for years.
Hearing Wei Yuejiao’s question, Wei Yuewu calmly stood there, waiting for Wei Yuejiao to finish her fierce narration before slowly saying, “Whether I should be with him at the border or stay somewhere else, it is all Father’s idea. Since Father has this intention, as his daughter, I should obey him!”
When she said this, she was extremely calm as if she was talking about other people’s affairs. She did not have any complaints about Wei Luowen ignoring her for so many years.
Her composed and generous demeanor was much superior to Wei Yuejiao, who was stomping and shouting harshly.
On the other hand, Nanny Hong, who was standing in the corridor, could not help but secretly nod in satisfaction. Compared with the Third Young Lady, the Sixth Young Lady was even more elegant and noble. In fact, she had completely surpassed the Third Young Lady.
Despite her young age, the Sixth Young Lady’s calm attitude had already been revealed in her delicate eyes, and she also had the demeanor of an aristocratic young lady.
On the contrary, the Third Young Lady, who was older than the Sixth Young Lady, was like a mischievous and feisty girl. Not only did she not have any noble temperament, but she also did not have the slightest bit of a young lady of aristocratic families’ demeanor. She actually dared to shout in the Madam Dowager’s courtyard, completely disregarding the Madam Dowager.
“Hmph…” Wei Yuejiao was rendered speechless. Then, she watched helplessly as Wei Yuewu walked toward the Madam Dowager’s main room. Behind her, Huamo was holding a tray. There was something in the tray. Huamo walked carefully, so there must be something fragile on the tray.
“Nanny Hong, is Grandmother resting?” Wei Yuewu walked to the corridor and bowed to Nanny Hong, who was walking over.
“The Madam Dowager was angry just now. She was displeased!” Nanny Hong didn’t dare to accept Wei Yuewu’s salute. She stepped to the side and whispered to Wei Yuewu.
“Is Grandmother angry because of Concubine Dong? Did Concubine Dong do something to upset Grandmother? Or is it because of the clothes I brought back earlier?” Wei Yuewu widened her eyes and asked in confusion.
“It was caused by something the Madam Dowager asked Concubine Dong to do previously. Not only did Concubine Dong not do it well, but she also argued with the Madam Dowager. The Madam Dowager was angry and punished her. It was not because of your clothes!” Nanny Hong answered carefully.
The Madam Dowager absolutely did not allow anyone to mention what happened in the past, so Nanny Hong could only prevaricate over this matter for other reasons.
“Then, can I go and see Grandmother? I personally made her a bowl of snow pear dessert. It can calm her down, and it’s especially good for the elders. I don’t know if it’s done well or will Grandmother like it?” Wei Yuewu said with a slightly embarrassed look.
This was indeed the first time she had sent food to the Madam Dowager after she entered the mansion. She was a little timid, and it was expected.
Concubine Dong asked someone to hold Wei Yuejiao while paying attention to Wei Yuewu. The courtyard was very quiet, so she could hear Wei Yuewu even though they were a distance away. Her heart skipped a beat.
Wei Yuejiao had also not personally made food for the Madam Dowager. Compared with what the servants had made, the food the young ladies made would definitely cheer the Madam Dowager up even if it was not tasty.
Nanny Hong was so happy that a wide smile appeared on her face. She hurriedly said, “The Madam Dowager will like it. How can the Madam Dowager not like the dessert you have personally made? Sixth Young Lady, please wait a moment. I will go in and report to the Madam Dowager. She was still upset about Concubine Dong just now.”
“Thank you, Nanny Hong!” Wei Yuewu smiled and said softly.
Nanny Hong immediately turned around and walked toward the main room. She lifted the curtain and saw the Madam Dowager sitting there with a gloomy face. When the Madam Dowager saw Nanny Hong, she asked lightly, “Did Yuewu come over?”
“Yes. Sixth Young Lady even personally made you a bowl of snow pear dessert. She’s standing outside now. Madam Dowager, how about…” Nanny Hong asked as she observed the Madam Dowager’s expression.
“Do you think Yuewu knows something?” The Madam Dowager did not answer her question. Her cold gaze landed on the curtain at the door and she asked thoughtfully.
This question caused Nanny Hong’s heart to tremble. She hurriedly smiled and said, “Madam Dowager, you’re overthinking this. How can the Sixth Young Lady guess anything just because of some trivial matters in the Palace? Not many people knew about this in the first place. Later, Grand Preceptor Tu Mansion dealt with the aftermath wisely. Even if someone found out about this matter, it would not implicate that person.”
Nanny Hong gestured in the direction of the imperial palace as she mentioned “that person” in a low voice.
“When that matter happened, the Sixth Young Lady hadn’t even been born yet!”
The last sentence completely reassured the Madam Dowager. She would not show mercy to anyone or anything that would endanger the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang, even if this person was Wei Luowen’s beloved daughter!
Back then, Qin Xinrui was the woman he loved the most, but now, she had been dead for years…
The Madam Dowager leaned back and narrowed her eyes slightly. Then, she waved her hand and said, “Let Yuewu in!”
“Yes, I will immediately invite the Sixth Young Lady in!” Nanny Hong breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with a smile. She went out happily and invited Wei Yuewu in.
“Third Young Lady, you are also the Madam Dowager’s beloved granddaughter. You should go and take a look now that the Sixth Young Lady goes in!” Concubine Dong had been paying attention to the situation. When she saw Nanny Hong coming out happily, she hurriedly winked at Wei Yuejiao and reminded her.
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