Chapter 354: Next Time She Comes, She Will Turn This Place Upside Down (III)
Chapter 354: Next Time She Comes, She Will Turn This Place Upside Down (III)
Aunt Kang staggered with rage, but Old Madam Qin told her to repress her anger, “Think about it. If she isn’t utterly furious, she wouldn’t be like this. It shows that she has already hit a dead end.” Aunt Kang pondered carefully and then went back.
After a few days, the House of Auspiciousness still remained silent. Old Madam Qin also felt that something was wrong. Actually, forcing Minglan to accept a concubine wasn’t a smart move. Old Madam Qin who knew Minglan’s character didn’t believe that such a clever and optimistic girl would stay mad for this thing for so long without coming up with any solution.
As that thought struck her, she went to the Kang’s mansion to send the message. Aunt Kang also had a bad feeling, then she went to the Cheng Manor again.
“It has been so long, I don’t know if she’s fine or not. At least you should let me see her!” Aunt Kang tried her best to control her anger and said those words gently. Little did she know that she only received sneers from those sturdy servants.
A woman in gray satin vest was the most acidulous one among them. She rolled her eyes and said, “Now you pretend to be a caring mother. Don’t you find it’s too late? You truly are cruel to the child who was not given birth by you!” Another woman next to her chuckled, “That is so right. At that time, she abandoned such a nice girl here. Why didn’t she care about the girl’s condition at that time?” A woman who hid behind the others sneered, “And she called herself a Madam when she used her daughter to claim ties with powerful people. Even the old woman who has favus in our village wouldn’t do something like this!”
Their voices weren’t too loud, but Aunt Kang still heard them and found those words very hurtful. When she nearly went off in a huff, she was stopped by Mama Xiang.
Old Madam Qin walked out from behind with a smile on her face but a threatening look in her eyes, saying, “That’s the lady from the Kang family after all. Even if she’s a maid who was sold to this family, we should still allow her to meet her parents.”
The servants of the Gu family didn’t dare to offend Old Madam Qin. However, Liao Yong’s wife still said reverently and firmly, “Madam said that if Madam Kang truly wanted to see her daughter, we can bring Lady Kang here. However, I have to get one thing straight first, this place is not a tearoom or a tavern where everyone could decide to enter or leave. Madam Kang, you are not a close elder to our madam, so there is no reason for us to keep your daughter here for too long. When Lady Kang comes out, please take her away from here! Our Master hasn’t returned yet and the only male master in this mansion is Third Old Master, so Lady Kang’s reputation wouldn’t be ruined.”
Aunt Kang got hesitant at once and turned to Old Madam Qin. The latter also wavered. Old Madam Qin was almost certain that Kang Zhao’er was not in the Gu’s mansion anymore, but she was still afraid that there might be a trap and that Minglan had given away those messages on purpose.
If Kang Zhao’er walked out in great condition later, should Aunt Kang take her or not? Not taking Kang Zhao’er was like a slap on Aunt Kang’s face, but taking the girl would end the whole concubine incident and make Old Madam Qin look like a joke.
Sima Yi (Note: a famous general during the Three Kingdom period) hesitated when he had encountered the Empty Fort Strategy, not knowing if there was a trap in the empty fort. Old Madam Qin was in the same situation.
“Madam Kang, if you agree, please go to the gatehouse. We’ll bring Lady Kang there. After you and your daughter reunite and you find your daughter perfectly fine, you can go back to your own mansion on coach.” Liao Yong’s wife said with a respectful smile.
Old Madam Qin, teeth gritted, thinking, ‘No way! Leaving Kang Zhao’er here to annoy Minglan is also not bad.’
Then, Aunt Kang went back with nothing again.
After another two days, a short letter was sent to Minglan from the Sheng family.
Minglan smiled as she saw the words on it, feeling the depression she had over the past few days disappearing at once. Then she said with a loud voice, “Come dress me up, let’s go to Lily Garden.”
Old Madam Qin was playing with Xian in the inner room now with a genuinely kind look on her face. It was hard to tell how vicious she really was deep down. As she saw Minglan coming over with a smile, she startled and then chuckled, “Do you feel better now? Come have a seat.”
Zhu shi who sat beside Old Madam Qin got a bit anxious. Still, she stepped forward in a hurry to support Minglan. Minglan sat down slowly with her hands holding her belly. She found the little boy on the Arhat Bed beautiful and cute, so she gave a few compliments to him. After that, she cut to the chase straightly, “I’m here to announce a good news to you.”
“What… good news?” Old Madam Qin had a faint hint of unease.
Minglan observed Old Madam Qin’s expression and said slowly, “My cousin, Lady Kang, finally found a good husband.”
“What do you mean?” Old Madam Qin put on a long face right away, “A lady’s reputation is the most important thing. Don’t talk nonsense.”
Minglan said with a light smile, “She was already picked up by her families. You don’t need to worry about her from now on. If you don’t believe me, you can order someone to ask Madam Kang, but…” Minglan chuckled ironically, “She’s probably too busy to meet you now.”
Old Madam Qin stood up all of a sudden, with a shocked look on her face.
“I have another thing to say.” Minglan stood up slowly and walked out with Danju’s support, “Madam Kang might never visit you in the future. I am still pregnant now. If my other aunts, cousins or any relatives come, you don’t need to ask me to come.”
“You…” Old Madam Qin, infuriated, pointed to the door and scowled at Minglan.
Minglan casted a cold glance to Old Madam Qin. It was time to stop pretending now. Minglan didn’t care if things would get ugly or she had to fight Old Madam Qin openly. She was not afraid of that woman!
Minglan walked out of the door fearlessly. After she walked a few steps, she suddenly turned her head and looked up to the large, inscribed board at the top of the doorway. On the shiny and clean century-old redwood carved the delicate and complicated Auspicious Qilin, in the middle of which were written two solemn and neat words in regular script--- Lily Garden. ‘Puff, that evil woman doesn’t deserve such pretty words!’
Minglan gave a short sneer--- Next time she comes, she will turn this place upside down!