CHAPTER 354: CHAPTER 348: I AM THE MARQUIS MANSION DOWAGER 37

With a loud wail, Tang Bai suddenly burst into tears.

"Fourth sister, it’s all my fault, I didn’t know earlier that that vile Ms. Zhang wanted to harm you, if I had known, I definitely wouldn’t have let her demean you like this, my poor fourth sister, my poor niece lost her mother at such a young age..."

Ms. Zhang’s face turned ashen; she knew she was finished this time.

Mrs. Song looked at Ms. Zhang, her hatred so intense she ground her teeth: "Despicable woman, despicable woman, you harmed my Xu, my Xu..."

After crying, Tang Bai went to see Housekeeper Xu.

"Housekeeper Xu, we were truly unaware of the acts committed by Ms. Zhang. Your lady is my blood sister, my own sister from the same mother. If I had known, I wouldn’t have allowed it to happen; I would have fought to the death to protect Sister Xu. This matter, our Tang Mansion truly owes your Xu Family an apology. When you go back, please tell your master I apologize. I will not let that vile Ms. Zhang off either. Plus, now that my niece has arrived, I will surely treat her well, as my own daughter. Please rest assured of this on behalf of your master."

Housekeeper Xu nodded, his face stern as he said, "I will convey Mr. Tang’s words to our master. Our master has said that we must avenge our lady, and if the Tang Mansion does not act, the Xu Family will."

With Housekeeper Xu stating things to this extent, even if Mrs. Song wanted to shield Ms. Zhang, it would no longer be possible.

Moreover, at this point, Mrs. Song truly no longer wished to protect Ms. Zhang.

No matter how ruthless Mrs. Song could be, she dearly loved her two children.

In being a mother, she was not the slightest bit negligent.

When Tang Xu was yet to be married, Mrs. Song spoiled her with every luxury, and after her marriage, she would often worry and long for her.

She hoped that Tang Xu would have both sons and daughters, and that she would enjoy wealth and prosperity into her old age.

But Tang Xu left this world early, the sorrow of a parent burying a child is truly unbearable; when Tang Xu died, Mrs. Song couldn’t sleep for several days straight, crying until her pillow was wet with tears at the mere thought of her daughter.

She had thought that Tang Xu passed away due to frailty of health and the weight of her thoughts, but now she knew that it was all Ms. Zhang’s doing behind the scenes.

Now she wished she could tear Ms. Zhang to pieces, so where would she still be willing to plead for her.

Thinking of how her own daughter died because of a foolish woman, Mrs. Song cried uncontrollably.

Tang Zong was afraid that Mrs. Song would cry herself sick, so he hurried over to comfort her.

While consoling Mrs. Song, he cried along with her.

Tang Xu was his blood sister from the same mother, and when she was unwed, Tang Zong had a very good relationship with her. Now Tang Zong felt distressed for his sister, and doubly guilty towards his sister’s family, at a loss for what to do.

After crying for a while, Mrs. Song pointed at Ms. Zhang and said, "Second brother, lock her up first, send a message to the Zhang Family, and let her brother come, I want to see how the Zhang Family explains this to our Tang Family."

"Alright."

Tang Zong agreed, and called a few sturdy old women to carry Ms. Zhang away, locking her in a small side courtyard.

Tang Bai watched as Ms. Zhang was taken away; Mrs. Song cried so tragically, she would probably be sick for some time.

And now Tang Zong had also wilted, likely not going to manage household affairs anymore.

He felt somewhat smug inside.

For years, Mrs. Song had bullied him, always indulging Ms. Zhang in undermining the main house, and even handed all the management tasks to Ms. Zhang. Her intent was clearly fixated on the main house’s title, and secondly, even if she couldn’t secure the title, she wanted to drain the main house’s wealth, leaving an empty shell of a Marquis Mansion for the future.

But she hadn’t anticipated that her indulgence would foster Ms. Zhang’s audacity, leading Ms. Zhang to harm people without hesitation.

First, it was Pei’er; she wanted to shock Mrs. Li into dying, bringing about two deaths from one life.

Harming Tang Xu was simply coveting the Xu Family’s wealth.

Don’t think others don’t know what she’s plotting.

She was originally thinking that as long as Tang Xu didn’t give birth to a son, she would have to cling to the Tang Family. Whether for her own sake or for her sickly daughter, they would have to hold on tightly to the Tang Family. During the holidays, the gifts they sent were indeed substantial. Just the holiday gifts from the Xu Family alone could allow the Tang Family’s masters and servants to live lavishly for several months.

If Tang Xu had a son, there would be no need to be concerned, and they might neglect the Tang Family’s side. Ms. Zhang certainly didn’t want to miss out on a sum of money.

Moreover, Ms. Zhang probably harbored the thought that if the Xu Family died out and Tang Xu fell ill and died, then Xu Wan would be taken in to be raised by the Tang Family. Once Xu Wan came to the Tang Mansion, Xu De would have to send generous gifts and a good sum of Silver Coin.

If Xu De also died, with just a little manipulation, she would be able to coax Xu Wan, a young girl, and have her way with her; the Xu Family’s vast wealth would then belong to the Tang Family.

And what belonged to the Tang Family would essentially belong to her, Ms. Zhang.

This woman was truly malicious and selfish, willing to harm others’ lives for some money.

Yet the reason she became this way was all because Mrs. Song had spoiled her.

Now, Mrs. Song must be tasting the bitter fruits of her actions, only it’s unclear whether she regrets it or not.

After sending Ms. Zhang away, Tang Bai called a doctor to check Mrs. Song’s pulse and, confirming there was nothing wrong with her health, only then did he leave the main room.

He returned to his own room and could not help but laugh out loud.

This time, with Ms. Zhang’s downfall, it was their chance for the First Branch of the family to turn over a new leaf.

Ms. Zhang’s affairs were said to be a secret, but in truth, she was not a capable mistress. While she was in charge, the Tang Family was managed like a colander, anything could be heard.

As a result, the entire Tang Family, from the Family Head to the servants, knew within half a day what she had been detained for.

Even Tang Rong, who usually didn’t care much about anything, knew about this incident.

Tang Rong’s heart was filled with complex emotions.

No matter how evil Ms. Zhang’s deeds were, she was his mother. Others could blame Ms. Zhang for being vicious, but Tang Rong couldn’t.

Yet, Tang Rong did somewhat blame Ms. Zhang.

He really couldn’t understand why Ms. Zhang would do this? Why would she be so cruel to harm Aunt Tang Xu?

Thinking of Xu Wan, who was young and without reliance, living in the mansion, Tang Rong felt even more heartache.

He really felt ashamed to face Xu Wan now.

Tang Rong grieved for a while but still decided to go and see Xu Wan.

And what was Xu Wan doing now?

She was crying.

She had also heard about Ms. Zhang’s incident and even knew the cause of her own mother’s death.

To say she didn’t hate the Tang Mansion was impossible.

But she didn’t know how to hate them. After all, she was living in the Tang Family now, and her maternal grandmother, uncle, and eldest aunt treated her really well. She got along well with her sisters and liked the sisters in the mansion very much. If she were asked to harbor resentment against these people, she truly couldn’t do it.

Xu Wan cried while thinking about what she should do.

She was now considering whether she should return to the South.

She was in the midst of crying when Anning arrived.

Seeing Xu Wan cry so sorrowfully, Anning knew why she was upset.

Walking over slowly, Anning took Xu Wan into her arms: "My dear child, I know you’re upset now, but you have to think positively. Even if your mother is watching from the heavens, she would only want you to live happily. She wouldn’t want you to be so sad."

Xu Wan’s eyes were red from crying, and she looked up at Anning: "Great Ancestor, what should I do?"