CHAPTER 1296: CHAPTER 1295: ARRANGEMENTS

Old Doctor Du curled his lips, "As a grandfather, I have to play the villain too? I haven’t complained, what do you have to complain about?"

What could Wang Yongzhu say? Even the child’s biological grandparents had stepped in, so she, as a younger teacher aunt, could only go along with it.

She touched her face and looked at Lady Qi, "Master’s wife, did I overplay the part of being spoiled just now?"

Lady Qi nodded repeatedly, "You performed well! Thanks to our Yongzhu, otherwise as the grandmother, with the child just arriving, I would have to hold back and not show concern or say a few kind words, it’s unbearable!"

"Especially seeing Brother Jun looking so pitiful, it breaks my heart—it’s such a sin. He has such an unreliable mother and such a heartless father—"

Old Granny Zhang quickly comforted her, "Sister, you shouldn’t say that. Brother Jun’s father cherishes him; for his own good, he came up with this plan. When the child grows up and understands, he’ll realize it!"

Lady Qi, having found a confidante, held on to Old Granny Zhang, half complaining, half explaining, "It’s all my fault. At first, I thought although Lady Yan seemed a bit petty, she was really good to our Eldest Brother. Besides, as a mother-in-law, if the daughter-in-law is good to the son and the children, what more can I ask?"

"If I demanded more, wouldn’t I become a wicked mother-in-law? Then it would only make things difficult for my son and make my daughter-in-law detest me. I’m fortunate in my life to have met a kind and generous mother-in-law myself, so I thought I’d never trouble my own daughter-in-law."

"But who would have thought that it would mean indulging her, allowing her to do things that offend the family. Just the other day, our Eldest Brother wrote to me, and I found out Lady Yan had been giving Yongzhu a hard time. When I read the letter, I was so angry my chest hurt, and I couldn’t sleep half the night!"

"And today, seeing how my Eldest insists on shamelessly letting Yongzhu and others bring Brother Jun back with them! My old face, it’s truly a disgrace—"

Lady Qi blushed.

As the saying goes, children are debts! Otherwise, at such an age, after so many years, she wouldn’t need to bow her head like this.

For that disappointing daughter-in-law, she could only speak up.

Old Granny Zhang protested, "Sister, you’re treating us as outsiders. Such a small matter, why talk about it? Better not mention it again."

Wang Yongzhu quickly said seriously, "Master’s wife, don’t speak in such outsider’s terms. We’re all family. Master and Mistress treat me like a daughter, and I see them like my own parents. My senior brother doesn’t treat me as an outsider; that’s why he trusts me enough to entrust Brother Jun to me."

"If it were someone else, I don’t think my senior brother would be so assured. Besides, the relationship between sisters-in-law is just like that between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law; how many families truly live in harmony? Isn’t it just good enough to save face? When I was at Qilidun, there were times I didn’t get along with my own sister-in-law; family matters were just laughed off, not something to seriously hold onto. It’s a matter of face, is it not?"

What Wang Yongzhu said indeed made Lady Qi laugh.

"If Master’s wife blames herself this much, I should write to question my senior brother. Was he at ease letting you, an elder, apologize to a junior like me because of his main wife? It’s ultimately my senior brother’s fault; what does it have to do with you?"

"It was Senior Brother who chose to marry Senior Sister-in-law, and the good and bad should be his responsibility! Frankly speaking, it’s me, so you mediated the matter; but if they offended someone in the Capital, who would mediate for them?"

"As the saying goes, children have their own blessings. Mistress, you and Master are enjoying your days in Jing County, why worry about the Capital? Can you worry about them all your life just because you can worry for a short while?"

"If Mistress is really worried, it’s better to educate Brother Jun well so he doesn’t repeat the same mistakes."

After hearing what Wang Yongzhu said, Lady Qi stopped smiling and after some thoughtful turns in her mind, couldn’t help but feel wistful.

The previously impatient Old Doctor Du insisted, "I’ve always said, since we’ve retired to the countryside, let’s not meddle in the children’s affairs. They are fathers now; do we still need to teach them how to behave?"

"With the time we have, it’s better to focus on our business and make some Silver rather than worrying about this."

With that, he shook his sleeve and, looking at Wang Yongzhu, said, "Come with me——"

He then walked straight out.

Wang Yongzhu signaled to Old Granny Zhang to accompany and comfort Lady Qi, then followed Old Doctor Du to the study.

Old Doctor Du didn’t waste any time and asked about what happened in the Capital. After listening to Wang Yongzhu recount the events one by one, he asked, "What are your plans once you return to Jing County?"

Wang Yongzhu pondered for a moment, "Tomorrow, I need to pay respects to my mother-in-law and ease her spirit in heaven, also to let her feel at ease and joy."

"Today, Magistrate Lv invited us; we need to reciprocate the invitation. We must also host a banquet to thank the Academy’s dean and Teacher, which should take three to five days. After handling things here, we’ll return to Qilidun. After all, it’s an imperial decree to return home and revel in the glory!"

Old Doctor Du nodded, finding no oversight in Wang Yongzhu’s plans.

He furrowed his brow, wanting to say something more, but Lady Qi had already composed herself as the servants reported that dinner was ready, inviting them to eat.

Before they even took their seats, it was reported that Song Chongjin had arrived.

Before the messenger could leave, Song Chongjin, reeking of heavy alcohol, was helped into the room by two Personal Soldiers.

Old Doctor Du eyed Song Chongjin with disdain and ordered someone to fetch a sobering pill.

But Song Chongjin had already pushed the Personal Soldiers aside, quite sober in his gaze.

He approached to greet Old Doctor Du and Lady Qi, then shamelessly seated himself at the table, "I drank a stomach full of water at lunch, I’m starving, bring the food—"

He was utterly unreserved.

The remaining anxiety in Lady Qi’s heart vanished instantly; she cheerfully ordered food for Song Chongjin.

Old Doctor Du, though expressing disdain, was secretly pleased.

Lord Du, observing his grandfather and grandmother’s attitude, seemed to understand something, silently bowing his head to eat.

After dinner, Old Doctor Du pulled Song Chongjin to the study to talk, while Wang Yongzhu stayed with Lady Qi.

As they discussed the visit to pay respects to Qi Huan the next day, Wang Yongzhu suddenly remembered something. Seeing no one else in the room, she approached Lady Qi and asked in a low voice, "Master’s wife, about tomorrow’s visit to pay respects to my mother-in-law, I suddenly remembered something. Do you happen to know about it?"

Lady Qi was taken aback, "What is it?"

Wang Yongzhu recounted hearing from the old lady of the Duke Weiguo about Qi Huan having another sister called Qi Le who married far away, but no one knew where. There were even inquiries from the palace about it.

She asked, "Do you recall my mother-in-law’s cousin? Have you heard any news about her whereabouts?"

At the mention of Qi Le, Lady Qi’s face turned pale, a look of panic appearing on her face.

"Who... who told you about her?"

"It was the old lady of the Duke Weiguo, she accidentally let it slip. After I asked repeatedly, she revealed this bit of information, saying that’s all she knew." Wang Yongzhu, watching Lady Qi’s expression, couldn’t help but feel her heart tighten.

What had Qi Le done to make everyone so terrified at her mention?

Lady Qi seemed to fall into a memory, holding a cup of hot tea but not drinking it, remaining silent and lost in thought for a while before saying, "Qi Le is not only a taboo in the palace but also within the Qi Family."