CHAPTER 398: CHAPTER 400: STATE OF MIND (4)

It could be considered a method of tactical provocation.

The Count listened, and anger flared up in his heart. He waved his hand and shouted, "Drag him out for me!" The old women and servants outside dared not really drag Third Master Ren, all stood at the doorway not daring to move...

Seeing the situation at a turning point, Xiqiu smiled and intervened, "Count, let’s forget about the family punishment. Third Brother-in-law has a position, too. We should avoid making it a joke for others to see." She spoke sincerely, even Ren Jun couldn’t help but glance at her. Hearing Xiqiu give in, First Young Madam Ren immediately picked up the conversation, "Right, right, Sixth Lady is right." After saying this, seeing that Madam Jiang still seemed angry, she hurriedly added, "Just let Third Brother apologize to Third Sister-in-law, and we can consider this matter resolved, alright?!"

The Count listened and was taken aback, furrowing his brows slightly, and Ren Jun was also full of displeasure. Xiqiu looked at First Young Madam Ren, and nodded earnestly, "First Young Madam’s idea is not bad." Then she turned to persuade Tong Xiyang, "Third Sister, I know you’re upset and can’t get over this, but Third Brother-in-law didn’t do it on purpose. He’s ready to apologize now, so let it go for peace of mind, and focus on your health, that’s what’s important."

Tong Xiyang hung her head without opposition.

Over there, the Count heard that the Tong Family would not pursue the matter further, so he frowned and scolded Ren Jun, "Didn’t you hear? Go apologize to your wife at once."

Ren Jun, unwilling, looked towards First Young Madam Ren, who nodded encouragingly.

He sneaked another glance at the Count, seeing his fierce demeanor, as if the moment he refused, he could not escape a beating today, so he stiffened his resolve, bowed his head, and apologized to Tong Xiyang, "Madam, it’s all my fault. Please forgive me!" Though lacking sincerity, the words were spoken.

Tong Xiyang was taken aback by this, and then, as Xiqiu lightly pinched her arm, a flash of clarity struck her mind, she suddenly began to cry, clinging to a handkerchief and falling into Ren Jun’s arms, her weeping far more fragile and pitiful than Liuzhi’s earlier display, evoking sympathy...

As Tong Xiyang collapsed softly, Ren Jun furrowed his brows, momentarily pausing his actions. At this time, someone from outside reported through the curtain, "Count, Grand Commander Xiao has arrived." He continued, "Grand Commander Xiao asked me to give this to Third Young Madam." With that, two chests were brought in: "The Grand Commander said Third Young Madam’s health is not well, and these are nourishing medicines for her."

Everyone looked at this in surprise, all turning towards Xiqiu.

Xiqiu’s gaze shifted, and she smiled calmly.

Nothing more needed to be said; the presence of these two chests was the best evidence.

Ren Jun saw those two chests and felt a jolt in his heart. Tong Xiyang, nestled in Ren Jun’s arms, sobbed softly, her crying stirred something in Ren Jun’s heart, softening his expression slightly.

This was Fourth Master Xiao expressing his stance. The Count coughed and instructed towards the door, "Serve the good tea for our distinguished guest!" Then he looked towards Xiqiu, "Fourth Madam Xiao, please take a seat." With a wave of his sleeve, he angeredly glanced at Ren Jun, shouting, "Useless, come with me to meet with the Grand Commander Xiao."

Upon hearing that he would meet Fourth Master Xiao, Ren Jun shrank back slightly. He obeyed, released Tong Xiyang, bowed to Xiqiu, Madam Jiang, and First Young Madam, and sheepishly followed the Count out the door.

Once Ren Jun had left, First Young Madam Ren had a glint in her eye, knowing that the three sisters-in-law still had things to say, she smiled, "Well then, Sister-in-law and Sixth Lady, please take a seat; I’ll go check ahead first." Saying this, she lifted her skirt and led the household servants away.

Once alone, Tong Xiyang collapsed on the ground, her face as white as snow, the veins on her forehead clearly visible.

Madam Jiang sighed and sat down in a chair, while Xiqiu also somberly sat down opposite Madam Jiang. The three of them sat silently, until after a long time, Tong Xiyang slowly opened up, "Am I... completely useless?"

Indeed, she was quite helpless. Ren Jun appeared unruly and idle, but he had a fatal flaw: fearing the Count. Such a person might not easily offer love, but controlling him seemed effortless.

She always thought Tong Xiyang’s life in the Ren Family was good, with her mother-in-law’s protection above, and subduing her husband’s concubines below, even holding the illegitimate children and daughters in her palm. But seeing today, perhaps all that was a façade she put on when visiting her family.

"Third Lady," Madam Jiang shook her head, "after we leave, don’t bring this up with Third Master again, just let this page turn over..." She stopped, thinking of that maid Liuzhi and could not continue. After all, it was a maid given by the Lady initially, so she couldn’t say much.

However, to silently dispose of a mere maid without anyone knowing, there were numerous means, no need to blow it up to the Count.

Today, Ren Jun should have sincerely apologized!

Tong Xiyang defiantly bit her lip, squinting at Xiqiu, asking, "Is Sixth Sister laughing at me? Do you think you’re mocking me for not even being able to manage a man or a concubine?"

Xiqiu nodded honestly, Tong Xiyang’s face flushed with anger, "Yes, I’m useless. I don’t have your good luck, your good fate, so now of course you have the right to turn back and laugh at me!"

Tong Xiyang was always like this, never reflecting if she did things right, only blaming others for doing too well, overshadowing her brilliance. She said calmly, "Third Sister, why don’t you think about it yourself, was it you and Madam Wang who chose this path? Marrying into the Ren Mansion, you should have known what kind of person Ren Jun is, you should have expected this day; yet now you blame your bad luck. Isn’t it too late!"

"You..." Tong Xiyang, extremely angry, pointed at Xiqiu and hissed, "What right do you have to mention my aunt? If it weren’t for you back then, how would I have fought for this marriage?" What if, nowadays, she was the one married into the Xuanning Marquis Mansion.

"Since you fought for it as you wished, what standing do you have to complain and blame others." She said, standing up and coldly staring at Tong Xiyang, "Third Sister, you’d better think carefully about how to get through the days ahead." With that, she looked at Madam Jiang with helplessness, then rose and told Madam Jiang, "I’ll go find Fourth Sister, and leave the mansion directly afterward, no need to see me off." With those words, she left without looking back.

Tong Xiyang sat on the ground, her tears silently falling.

What was the point of Ren Jun’s apology, it was only a show for others. Once they left, she’d still keep vigil as a living widow, watching him bring one concubine after another, each bringing more illegitimate children, while she, now, didn’t even have her own child.

How could she not resent her fate? If she were born of the Lady’s womb, the road would have been paved, would she have needed to contend? If she hadn’t scrambled, she might not have even married into the Count’s family, and the most hateful was Sixth Girl. If not for always overshadowing her, would she have married so early out of calculation? If not, would she have missed the marriage into the Xuanning Marquis Mansion, whether continuing as the wife of Second Master Xiao or the rightful wife of Fourth Master Xiao, wouldn’t she, Tong Xiyang, have been the first choice!