The 80th time

  From the moment they entered the Rongguo Mansion, Old Madame Wang's face was frozen in a scowl. She first ordered Xiangling to go back and see his mother, then went to the main house to see Wang Shi. Just as she reached the entrance of the courtyard, she heard a shrill woman's voice: "You might as well give up! I'd rather raise my daughter for her whole life than let that ** have an easy time!" Then came Rongguo's roar: "What do you think is going to happen otherwise?"

  The old lady turned her head to look at Hai Shi, and Hai Shi's face was covered with a sleeve. She hastily pushed the maid beside her, who immediately shouted loudly: "The old lady has arrived!"

  The house became quiet, and the old lady led a group of people to lift the curtain and enter. They passed through the Baobao Pavilion and went straight into the room. Only then did they see Wang Shi lying on the bed, wearing a honey-colored camisole nestled in a golden silk quilt, with a waxen complexion and an abnormal flush on her cheekbones, apparently having just had a tantrum. Xing Yun, who was standing beside her, hurried over to pay his respects when he saw the old lady enter.

  The old lady gave him a cold glance, but didn't say anything. Mrs. Wang struggled to get up and greet her, but Minglan quickly went over and pressed her back down. The old lady walked over and said kindly, "Don't get up, just take care of yourself."

  Minglan stole a glance at the Sheng couple, and her heart skipped a beat. Sheng's temples had suddenly sprouted white hair, as if he had aged seven or eight years overnight. Wang's face was also pale and wan, as if she had just recovered from a serious illness. Seeing that something was amiss, Minglan did not dare to linger, and after paying her respects and asking about their well-being, she bowed and withdrew, returning directly to the Musou Studio.

  Wang looked at Hai, who was standing beside her, and saw that she nodded slightly. She knew that the old lady had already understood the whole story, and tears filled her eyes: "Old lady... my daughter-in-law is useless, and under my eyelids, such a shameless thing was called out! I... I..."

  The old lady waved her hand, cutting off Wang's words: "It's not your fault about Mo Ya's matter; there are no thousand-year-old thieves and no thousand-year-old anti-thieves. Moreover, it was the master who loved and respected him, so who would dare to give a few points of face and take control of his life?"

  This remark was laced with sarcasm, and Sheng Hong's face turned red as he bowed his head in silence, not daring to respond. When Wang saw the old lady speaking up for her, she covered her face with a handkerchief and wailed loudly: "Mother is right! If it weren't for Master's sake, who would have allowed them to become such sneaky scoundrels? They've ruined my son..."

  The old lady interrupted her again: "Moyu's affair is not your fault, but Ruyu's affair is indeed your mistake! As a young girl, how many families do you want to get engaged with? This mountain looks at that mountain high, one moment facing east and the next facing west. Your auntie loved you so much, now she's also angry with you, go and reflect on yourself!"

  Wang thought of his mother's anger and his sister's betrayal, a wave of sorrow in his heart, he buried his face in the pillow and sobbed.

  Sheng Hong's face was flushed with shame, and he lowered his head, saying: "Mother, what should we do about this?"

  The old lady still ignored him and said to Wang, "You should take good care of yourself first, don't think about those annoying things for now. Rulan is just coming of age, we can talk about her marriage slowly." She also instructed Hai to serve well and then turned around and left; Sheng Xiang saw the old lady's severe expression and didn't dare speak out, he could only stare at her leaving.

  As soon as Minglan returned to the Wumengzhai, she saw Ruohuai leading a group of young maids standing neatly at the door to welcome her. Minglan smiled and went into the house, seeing that the room was tidy and clean, with steaming hot tea by the door, and on the table were placed a set of white porcelain cups with colored drawings that Minglan used in spring days, and in the middle was also placed a plate of fresh fruit. Minglan was quite satisfied and praised Ruohuai a few words.

  As soon as they entered the house, Dan Ju smiled and opened a small wooden box, took out a light purple silk package and handed it to Ruo Mei: "I knew that Miss wanted to give you this special thick one, it's really good!"

  She raised an eyebrow, took the thing, and said lightly: "I'm a tongue-tied person, not as good as sisters in making girls like me, so I can only stay alone to watch the yard, naturally I have to work harder."

  Lu Zhui, who was busy moving things out of the big box, heard this and couldn't help but want to climb out and argue again. Yan Cao pressed her down, while Dan Ju smiled warmly and didn't say much in response. Xiao Tao couldn't help but say: "Rou Mei sister, I heard the young lady say that if you were to leave, it's not certain that someone else could take care of the house. You're a responsible person who can be relied upon, which is why the young lady felt at ease leaving you in charge of the gate."

  Her eyebrows slightly pursed, she nodded and left. Then Xiaocui slipped in through the bamboo curtain, smiling sweetly: "Sisters, you've worked hard. Your rooms and beds have been tidied up by Ruo Mei sister earlier. Once you're done with your tasks, you can rest; although Ruo Mei's words are harsh, she actually cares about you."

  After hearing this, Lüzhī let out a breath and continued working with her head down. Danju couldn't help but stifle a gentle laugh.

  It wasn't until the afternoon that Minglan finally had some free time, and after taking a long bath, she felt slightly refreshed and her body relaxed. Only then did she head to Shou'antang for dinner.

  The old lady's rule was to eat without speaking, and the grandmother and grandson sat down to eat properly. Minglan peeled rice on one side and secretly paid attention to the old lady's expression on the other, seemingly not particularly displeased, but only deeply furrowed her brow, as if she had a severe headache.

  After dinner, a bowl of clear tea, Minglan didn't know what to say to the old lady, so she went up and gently massaged her shoulders.

  "...Do you want me to intervene in this mess or not?" The old lady finally spoke up, the steam from her hot tea wafting around her face, looking tired and annoyed. Earlier, Housekeeper Fang had already come to report that Lin's wife was locked in a side room, Mo Lan was confined to her own room, and Sheng Hong had issued a strict order that no one was allowed to see them.

  “...control.” Minglan blurted out, seeing the old lady's unsuspecting expression, and immediately added, “But can't easily control; uh...at least have to ask Father to beg you......hmm, three times!” Bai Chuan's palm raised three tender fingers.

  The old lady rolled her eyes at her and hummed: "Just this afternoon, your father has come to beg twice already."

  Minglan smiled wryly, and her belly was full of complaints about Old Master Sheng being too impatient. She dryly laughed and said: "At least... five times." The five white fingers all loosened up.

  The old lady sighed, shook her head gently and said: "Blood is thicker than water, after all it's one's own flesh; well, this matter can't be stuck like this forever; however..." The old lady couldn't help but grit her teeth, "and yet doesn't want to fulfill the plans of those shameless things!"

  Minglan slowly stopped her hand, thought for a moment, and said: "One code is one code, Lin Niang's mistake is one thing, the family's face is another; what should be punished must be punished, what should be redeemed must also be redeemed."

  The old lady closed her eyes for a moment and then said: "That's right."

  On the second day, Old Mrs. called Minglan to distribute all the things she brought from Youshang. Wangshi was still lying in bed nursing her illness. Haishi saw that Old Mrs. had returned to the mansion and felt a bit relieved, so her spirit improved a lot and her complexion didn't look as bad as before. In the afternoon, Minglan took fresh osmanthus oil to Taoranju to comfort the victims. According to Minglan's speculation, at this time Rulan was either having a tantrum, had just finished having a tantrum, or was brewing about to have a tantrum. However, the result was unexpected, and Rulan didn't show the anger that Minglan had imagined. Although she still spoke viciously when mentioning Molan and her mother, she was very rational and even had the mood to ask the maid to draw flower patterns.

  "She's courting death herself, saying she's found someone else, and yet she wants to drag us down with her!" Rulan said indignantly, then relaxed her expression. "Marriage has its own destiny, heaven arranged it, no need to fuss." It seemed that she didn't have any feelings for either Qi Heng or Wang Jia's older brother, so she was also nonchalant about it.

  "Wow, Fifth Sister, you've grown up!" Minglan exclaimed sincerely; then she received a heavy slap on the forehead.

  These days, Sheng Hong didn't have a good time either. The family's reputation was completely lost. His normally fierce wife even threw a tantrum, and he had to go ask Old Lady for help. Within two days, he went to find Old Lady four times, but each time before he could even open his mouth, he was shut down by her cold words and returned. Sheng Hong knew that Old Lady had always secretly blamed him for being too soft on Lin Niang, not properly disciplining her. Look now, trouble has arisen!

  On the third day, Sheng Hong went to beg Grandma again early in the morning. Grandma had her hands hidden in her sleeves and counted on her fingers before slapping him a few times, then scolded him slightly more severely. Sheng Hong was overjoyed and hastily begged: "Son knows he's wrong, please mother discipline him!"

  The old lady looked at Sheng Hong quietly, her eyes stern: "I heard that Lin's family gave you a maid, and now she's pregnant? But it's during the national mourning period."

  Sheng Hong's sleeves passed over his ears, and with a "pu" sound, he knelt down, repeatedly saying: "Foolish son!"

  The old lady snorted: "I wondered why she was making waves again, it turns out she's won your favor."

  Wang regarded Sheng Hong as a prisoner, while Lin Niangniang was good at understanding people's intentions and gave him a beautiful and charming concubine, which was exactly what Sheng Hong wanted. However, after the event, Sheng Hong also greatly regretted it in his heart, for he had always valued his official reputation and this time he had been seduced into losing control of himself.

  "It's all the son's fault! Mother, please severely punish your son!" Sheng Hong bowed his head and knelt in front of the old lady.

  The old lady slapped her hand on the table and sneered, "You foolish thing! You've been calculated by others and you don't even know it! Don't you think that Mo Ya's plan was concocted in just one or two days? It's likely that they had already planned ahead of time to lure you into their trap! Letting you do something shameful, so they can control you!"

  Sheng Hong's forehead was beaded with sweat, and the old lady took a few deep breaths before calming down. She said slowly: "Hong'er, do you still remember the conversation we had as mother and son several years ago after Wei Niang passed away?" Sheng Hong hesitated for a moment before responding: "I remember."

  The old lady sighed and said, "At that time, I wanted you to take good care of Lin Shi, but you didn't listen; today, this great disaster has been brewed. In the past, I said that if the family is not peaceful, how can the official career be smooth? Now it's like this..."

  He felt ashamed and humiliated, but as the weather warmed up towards the end of May, he started to break out in cold sweats. He began to resent Lin's wife, thinking that if it weren't for her constant meddling, his colleagues wouldn't be pointing fingers at him.

  The old lady asked seriously: "Do you really want me to take care of this?" Sheng Hong nodded and said loudly: "My son is incompetent and untalented, these years have all relied on mother's guidance, please trouble mother to be busy for a while!"

  The old lady stared at Sheng Hong's eyes, word by word: "This time I'm not just talking, after the fact, you will be severely punished, can you bear it?!" Sheng Hong heard the cold meaning in the old lady's words, thought for a moment, gritted his teeth and said: "Of course!"

  The old lady pressed on with her questioning: "Even if I took her life?" Sheng Hong thought about the severity of the situation, and besides, over the years, his feelings for Lin had already faded a lot. So he steeled himself and said loudly: "She deserved to die! Even if I killed her, it would only be avenging Wei's death!"

  The old lady stared at Sheng Hong for a while, nodded expressionlessly and said faintly: "I won't take her life, but... I also can't keep her anymore." After dinner, the old lady sent Minglan back. Minglan left with a thoughtful mind, making an excuse to leave Danju in Shou'An Hall, so that she could report the situation back to herself later.

  Mrs. Sheng and Hai Rui had different working styles, Hai Rui was born into a noble family and liked to win people over with virtue, hoping that others would admire and obey her wholeheartedly. Mrs. Sheng, on the other hand, was the eldest daughter of a titled family, and when it came to doing things, she would not tolerate any nonsense, and as long as she had made herself clear, she didn't care whether you understood or not.

  Sheng Hong and Wang sat in the inner room of Shou'antang, one at the table and the other on the arhat bed by the window. The couple were both holding their breath, neither looking at the other. Outside, Old Lady Sheng sat alone in the main hall, calling for someone to bring Lin Niang and Mo Lan over.

  Lin's aunt knelt down with a smile, supported by a beautiful maid in a water-sleeved dress. The old lady looked at the maid for a few moments, seeing her almond eyes and peachy cheeks, her eyebrows and eyes full of emotions, but only her waist was slightly thick, and she couldn't help but sneer inwardly; on the other side, Mo Lan was even more stubborn, although she had suffered a lot in recent days, her dress was rough, and her expression was somewhat wilted, but she still stood proudly with her head held high.

  The old lady looked at Mo Lan and slowly opened her mouth: "I won't talk about the big principles, I'm sure your father-in-law and mother-in-law have said a lot to you. I only ask you one question, that Wen family, you can't marry into it anymore, what do you plan to do now?"

  Mo Lan's chest was filled with anger, and she hummed: "It's just a matter of life or death, what's the big deal?! You want me to die, I'll die then!"

  The old lady said without hesitation, "Well said! Bring it up." Fang's mother came in from the other end, holding a tray in her hand. The old lady pointed to the things on the tray and said, "Here is a piece of white silk and a bowl of arsenic tea. You can choose one; this will also clear the name of our Sheng family!"

  Mo Lan's small face turned pale, and her stubborn expression could no longer be maintained. Looking at the white silk and poison on the tray, her body shook violently. Lin Niang cried out in alarm and kowtowed, saying: "Old Madam, spare your life! Mo Lan, quickly kneel down and apologize to Grandmother!... Old Madam, please don't do this, Mo Ya is ignorant and has offended you, but please consider Master's face..."

  The old lady waved her hand, and with a loud "slap", a tea bowl smashed to the ground. She pointed at Lin's wife and shouted in a cold voice: "Shut your mouth! The biggest regret of my life is that I was soft-hearted and let you into the house after entering the door. How many things have you stirred up over the years? I won't argue with you for now, but if you say one more word, I'll immediately force this poison down your daughter's throat! You know me, what I say can be done!"

  Lin's aunt cleared her throat and lowered her head, her eyes searching around for something. The old lady sneered, "You don't have to look for your husband, he won't be coming today. Everything will be handled by me."

  Lin's wife fell to the ground, her expression pitiful and sad, but she didn't dare speak again. Wang Shi, sitting in the inner room, sneered and smiled, turning her head to look at her husband, but saw that Sheng Hong was motionless, and her anger subsided a lot.

  Mo Lan took a look at the situation and immediately knelt down, repeatedly apologizing: "Grandmother, spare your granddaughter! I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong! Granddaughter will never dare to do it again, Granddaughter... wants to die!" As she spoke, she began to cry, glancing at Lin Niang who was kneeling beside her. Suddenly remembering her previous plan, she quickly said: "Granddaughter didn't mean to, being confined at home every day, feeling really suffocated, so I went out to burn incense, thinking of praying for good fortune and longevity for the elderly, and hoping Father would be promoted... Who knew I'd encounter that thing... Granddaughter had no idea! It was just an unintentional mistake..." Mo Lan saw the old lady looking at her with a mocking expression and couldn't continue speaking.

  The Wang family in the inner house was almost furious, and it had come to this point. Mo Lan still wanted to deceive people, and Old Lady Sheng outside was also crying and laughing, saying slowly: "Your aunt has been eyeing the Liang family since a few months ago. She asked Lin Yiniang's former servant to get close to the Liang family's gatekeeper, and found out that on that day, Young Master Liang would accompany his mother to burn incense. Then you had your maid Yun Cai pretend to be you lying in bed, while you wore her clothes and sneaked out, got dressed up outside, and had Xia Xian get a carriage for you... Three rounds of interrogation, the servants said everything. If you two mothers and daughters don't mind losing face, then have someone bring them over to confront you; humph! You dare to fabricate lies in front of me? Ah! Indeed, you are talented! Lin Yiniang has always been good at turning right and wrong upside down, and you've learned from her too!"

  Mo Lan's face was drained of all color, knowing that the old lady had found out everything, she fell to the ground, her body shaking like a sieve.

  The Wang family in the inner house sneered at Sheng Hong, who felt very embarrassed; In the main hall, the old lady gestured to Fang's mother to put the tray aside before speaking again: "Now that you've ruined your reputation, other good families will be afraid to mention it, and the Liang family doesn't want you either. Did you think about the consequences of doing such a thing?"

  Mo Lan heard this and suddenly shuddered, saying loudly: "The matchmaker has not yet gone to propose the marriage, how do you know that the Liang family does not want me?"

  The old lady looked at her coldly: "So you and your mother are playing this trick, but have you thought that maybe the other family doesn't even look up to you? It's always been the man's family who proposes to the woman's family. Even if there are exceptions, it's because the two families had already communicated beforehand. If our family goes to propose and gets rejected, where will your father put his face?"

  Molan wiped away the tears on her face, arguing: "If Mrs. Liang likes Minglan, why can't she like me? What's wrong with me compared to Minglan? To say the least, my aunt is much better than her own mother!" Her tone still carried a hint of resentment.

  The old lady smiled and said, "Why don't you look down on him? I don't know about that, but since then, the Yongchang Marquis's mansion has been completely silent. Your father tried to spread some rumors, but it was like throwing mud into the sea."

  The orchid's chest heaved violently, gasping for air in big gulps, suddenly like a drowning person grasping at floating duckweed, kneeling down and grabbing the old lady's hem, loudly pleading: "Please, grandmother, have mercy on me! Minglan is your granddaughter, I am too! You've been working tirelessly to plan for her, you can't ignore me! I know I've disgraced the family, made Father disgusted with me, but I'm also helpless. Mother hates us mother and daughter, wishes she could swallow my aunt whole, how would she put her heart into my marriage? My aunt and I just want a good match, so we won't be bullied for the rest of our lives!"

  As she spoke, Mo Lan's face was covered with tears, her eyes were red and swollen, and she continued to cry: "I'm not convinced, I just can't accept it! Why does Minglan get to marry better than me? Grandmother, now that things have come to this, please just agree to it for my sake, pity your poor granddaughter!"

  Later on, Mo Lan fell to the ground and cried uncontrollably, her voice choked with sobs.

  "How can we help you?" The old lady said slowly.

  Mo Lan hastily raised her head, as if she saw a glimmer of hope: "Please ask Father to go and ask Yongchang Hou for help. Father has always had a good reputation, and the Hou Ye will not refuse! After all, Mrs. Liang originally wanted to form an alliance with our family, it's just a matter of changing people, aren't they all daughters of the Sheng family? What's wrong with me compared to Minglan?! Please ask Father to go, and Mother too! If I enter the Liang family, won't it also be beneficial for the Sheng family?! As long as Father and Mother are willing to make an effort, there's no way it can't succeed! Give me a chance to live!"

  The Wang family in the inner courtyard had been silently sneering, Sheng Hong's fist was tightly clenched, his face had turned a deep purple color. He had always been cautious in his official career, never offending anyone without reason, nor asking for favors without cause, and yet he had managed to reach his current position. But now, because of an ill-mannered concubine, he would have to lose face and become the laughing stock, if this were to be spread around, where would he put his face in this small capital city?!

  The old lady looked at Mo Lan, who had tears all over her face, and glanced at Lin Niang, her expression gradually turning cold. She sneered: "So you're saying that if things don't go as planned, it's because Master and Mistress didn't try hard enough? That they didn't give you a way out?"

  Mo Lan was startled and lowered her head, saying: "Father loves me, so he should consider for me!"

  The house was quiet, with no sound for a long time, only the rustling of the osmanthus tree's leaves outside the courtyard could be heard; Sheng Hong's face turned pale, and Lin's mother and daughter felt chilled to the heart. Wang saw her husband so sad, and her heart softened too.

  After a while, the old lady slowly said: "You've grown up so big, your father loves you so much, everyone in the house knows; as a concubine's daughter, your food and clothing are no different from those of the fifth girl, even the madam doesn't dare to neglect you, it's all because she's afraid of hurting your father's feelings. You're not like the concubine daughters of the Kang family, who know how to speak with a clear conscience. How could you say such unfilial and arrogant words?! Your father's efforts have all been wasted! The biggest difference between you and Mingyu is that she's optimistic and knows what to do and what not to do. I've planned for her, but I've also planned for you, are you willing? You always look at wealth and status with envy, this is exactly what I dislike; alas... forget it, the madam won't propose a marriage, I'll go myself!"

  As soon as this was said, several people in the inner and outer halls were shocked. At this point, Sheng Hong's face turned icy cold, thinking that it would be like serving a bowl of poisonous medicine to Mo Lan, and it wouldn't be unjust to her either. Wang Shi also jumped up in shock.

  Mo Lan looked up at the old lady in disbelief, her face immediately changing from resentment to surprise. Before she could even thank her, the old lady continued on her own accord: "I'll use my old face to go to the Liang household and propose a marriage for you, speak well of you, and plan for your future, but as for whether the Liangs are willing or not, I dare not guarantee that."

  Mo Lan's heart skipped a beat, the old lady stared at her eyes and said slowly: "If Mrs. Liang is willing to take you as her daughter-in-law, you don't have to thank me, it's your own luck; if Mrs. Liang doesn't want to...". Mo Lan's fingers trembled, the old lady continued: "Your father and brother are still officials in the capital, a girl from the Sheng family can't go to the Liang family as a concubine, your sister-in-law is still Liang Huan's superior, your sister also can't afford this person; I'll send you back to Rao Yang, let your aunt find a decent farmer's family for you to marry."

  Mo Lan was frightened, her forehead covered in cold sweat, and her back was also drenched with sweat. She wanted to argue a few more sentences, but the old lady pointed directly at the tray containing white silk and arsenic, saying: "If you still try to shirk and delay, then choose one from that tray or the razor! The funeral will definitely be grandly held for you, and after entering the nunnery, I'll come visit you often."

  Mo Lan was stunned and didn't dare to speak, but Lin Niangniang secretly rejoiced in her heart. She knew the temperament of Sheng Lao Taitai, since she had agreed to go all out, she would not pretend or fake it. Even Old Lady Sheng herself had come forward, so Sheng Xun would certainly go to find Yongchang Houye.

  After saying this, the old lady didn't look at Mo Lan again and turned to Lin Niang, saying: "As for you, you can't stay in Sheng Fu anymore; after tonight, tomorrow morning, I'll send you to the countryside manor."

  This sentence was like a thunderclap on a clear day, and Lin Yiniang let out a cry of surprise: "Old lady..." Before she could finish speaking, Fang's mother had already led two sturdy women to wait on the side, and they immediately covered Lin Yiniang's mouth and bound her hands and feet. Mother and daughter were connected at heart, Mo Lan cried out and begged for mercy, pulling on the old lady's hem. Lin Yiniang was like a wild beast, struggling frantically.

  The old lady stared at Lin Niang and said coldly: "If you make another sound, I'll send you to the Tong Peng An in the suburbs of Beijing!"

  Lin Yiniang didn't dare to struggle anymore, and Mo Lan also became stupid. The Tong Bao An wasn't an ordinary nunnery, it was a place where the female family members of wealthy families who had committed wrongdoings were sent to be punished. The nuns inside would often beat and scold them, and the labor was extremely hard, with not enough food or sleep. It's said that women who went in would have their skin peeled off.

  The old lady stood up, looking at Lin Niang on the ground. She saw that her eyes were filled with resentment and anger, staring fiercely at herself. The old lady was not afraid at all, but said calmly: "I really regret it. At that time, I should have taken Feng Ge and Mo Ya from you, even if it would make Master unhappy. Look at the son and daughter you've taught! One is self-proclaimed romantic but doesn't think about making progress, the other is greedy for vanity and doesn't know shame. You've ruined yourself, but also ruined the children! You're also responsible for someone's life, go to the villa to reflect on your actions. After 10 or 20 years, if your son and daughter have made something of themselves, they can come and take you out of the villa to enjoy their good fortune. If not..."

  Behind, didn't continue speaking, Lin's aunt's eyes revealed a fearful color, one or two decades ago, at that time she was how old, then desperately wailed and wanted to kowtow to beg for mercy, the hand strength of the woman who tied her up was very big, couldn't break free.

  The old lady suddenly turned her face, smiled slightly at the maid in a watersleeve dress beside Lin Niang, and said warmly: "You're called Ju Fang, aren't you?" The maid had been intimidated by the old lady's demeanor and was hiding in the corner, trembling. Upon hearing this, she hastily kowtowed.

  The old lady's expression was kind: "Indeed born with a good appearance, what a pity..."

  Chrysanthemum fragrance heard the previous sentence and the old lady's expression, still with some delight, who would have thought that the next sentence made her heart startled and frightened, looking at the old lady in confusion, only to hear her sigh: "You child, called people harm instead of knowing."

  Chrysanthemum fragrans was shocked and trembled with fear, saying: "Who... who hurt me?"

  The old lady shook her head with a sympathetic expression: "How many months are you?" Jiufang's face turned red, and she said shyly: "Four months."

  "That's what happens during the national mourning period." The old lady's icy words sent Juyuan into an ice pit, her heart was in a mess, she was shocked and lost color, after a while, she cried out repeatedly: "I didn't know, I didn't know! It was my aunt who told me to serve Master!"

  "Your master has his own reasons." The old lady glanced at Lin Niang, "During the national mourning period, if you become pregnant, how can Master avoid being ridiculed? When Madame gets angry later, you will be finished."

  The Wang family's mistress glared fiercely at Sheng Hong, completely unaware of this matter, and suddenly another fox spirit appeared out of nowhere. How could she not be angry? Sheng Hong's face turned red with shame, turning his head away from Mistress Wang, but in his heart, he secretly resented Lin Shi for being so vicious.

  Jasmine's face turned pale, and she cried out: "Old lady, save me!" In her heart, she scolded Lin Niang for being cruel. If she had truly wanted to help her, she should have avoided the national mourning period and made proper arrangements for herself, but instead she was harming her like this.

  The old lady beckoned to her, and Ju Fang ran over and knelt at her feet. The old lady said slowly, "Alright, after you go back, the housekeeper will give you some warm medicine to induce labor. You take care of yourself first, and then I'll arrange for a proper wedding ceremony for you."

  Although Ju Fang couldn't bear the pain in her heart, she thought of Wang's violent temper and looked at Lin Niang's situation, so she gritted her teeth and agreed, but deep down she hated Lin Niang.

  Seeing this scene, Lin Niang finally became truly afraid, unable to suppress her trembling. She had thought that Sheng Zong would cherish their past affection and after a year or two, when they had children, she could often plead with him to take her back. But if such a young, beautiful, and charming woman who deeply hated herself were to stay by Sheng Zong's side, whispering sweet nothings into his ear every day, Lin Niang feared that Sheng Zong would only have hatred for her in the end.

  Mrs. Lin's heart was filled with fear, and she cast a pleading glance at her daughter, Mo Lan. Seeing this, Mo Lan wanted to speak up and beg for mercy from her birth mother. However, the old lady had already stood up, supported by Cui Ping, and walked towards the inner room. Halfway there, she suddenly turned around and said to Mo Lan: "In two days, I will go to the Liang manor; if things work out..."

  Mo Lan's heart skipped a beat, and she closed her mouth to listen to the old lady, who spoke with a tired tone: "The Yongchang Marquis' household is more powerful than the Sheng family. You entered through this door, so from now on you must rely on yourself everywhere, win your husband's favor, and gain the affection of your in-laws. If you want to rely on your natal family, it will be difficult."

  Mo Lan heard this, and suddenly a surge of energy rose in her heart. She put aside the matter of Lin Niang for now, secretly making up her mind to take control of everything at home and outside, and when the time came, she would show her maternal family how powerful she was!