Chapter 675: Chapter 676 Extra Acidity_1 Chapter 675: Chapter 676 Extra Acidity_1 Mu Xinlin glared and said, “You still have the nerve to talk to me about that incident! That I fell into the lake, wasn’t it because of you?”

“I pushed you?” Tianniu’s voice also rose significantly.

“You!” Of course not; it was Mu Xinlin who intentionally planned to fall, but naturally she couldn’t say that. In a public setting, if someone were to decipher the true intention behind her words, it would instead ruin her reputation.

Mu Xinlin scoffed, “If you ask me, marrying you is just bad luck. Not to mention you don’t bring any family influence to the table but you’re also a burden. It’s precisely because Zhao Jiangshui has a narrow-minded wife like you that he’s missed so many opportunities to climb up the social ladder. Who knows, when his little bit of affection for you is gone, whether he will doubly regret his decision then!”

A sharp pain struck Tian Niu’s heart; this was her deepest wound. She could not tolerate other women, but she also cut off many opportunities for Jiangshui. Faced with Mu Xinlin’s unabashed ridicule, the last bit of Tianniu’s restraint was obliterated.

Tianniu sneered, “Miss Mu, are you implying that my husband didn’t receive Mr. Mu’s support this time because Miss Mu couldn’t get her wish to enter the Zhao Family as a concubine?”

Mu Xinlin’s face flushed, “When did I ever say that?”

“I was thinking of Miss Mu’s best interests. With your esteemed status, being a concubine is too humiliating. After all, you would have to lower yourself before a country girl like me every day, salute me daily, and your sons would have to call me mother. The thought of you, Miss Mu of noble birth, suffering such indignities really breaks my heart. That’s why I didn’t want you entering the Zhao Family. How could you misinterpret my intent?”

At Tianniu’s words, a series of low chuckles immediately rose around them. It had been Mu Xinlin herself who called others country bumpkins, and yet, hilariously enough, she was eagerly looking forward to joining the Zhao Family to be subservient to that very country girl. Isn’t that funny?

Mu Xinlin was furious, “Stop talking nonsense!”

“Mu Xinlin, you would do better to go back and learn some manners rather than embarrassing your father right now! After all, you are the legitimate daughter of the Junior Minister of Dali Temple. You’re disgracing your father by behaving like this; he must be so confident to let you out,” said Li Yuying, who, coming from a military family, spoke much more straightforwardly.

She was one of the few friends Tianniu had in the Capital, and seeing Mu Xinlin publicly making things difficult for Tianniu, she couldn’t help but intervene to stand up for her friend.

“What does this have to do with you, Li Yuying?” Mu Xinlin retorted angrily.

“How does it not concern me? I see some people being so jealous that they spew their sourness at others. You call Tianniu a burden for Zhao Jiangshui? Do you know what supports the entire Zhao Mansion from top to bottom? It’s Tianniu’s Yuyang Embroidery House! You say Tianniu is from the countryside, but which lady in the Capital can match her in learning? Even Master Ning praised Tianniu highly!

No wonder Zhao Jiangshui favors her and not you. After all, he was once the Number One Scholar; naturally, he prefers women with substance. What else can you do besides throwing your weight around as a young lady? You still want to marry Zhao Jiangshui as a concubine; he wouldn’t even bother to glance at you even to hold his shoes!”

Li Yuying’s barrage of words left Mu Xinlin flushed with shame and rage, aching to tear this woman’s face apart. But what she said was the truth, and Mu Xinlin had no way to refute it, nearly suffocating on her indignation!

“Don’t go too far, Li Yuying! Do you think just because you have your father’s backing, you can do whatever you please?”

“Everyone knows who’s been throwing their weight around thanks to their father. No need for you to make a spectacle of yourself here!” Li Yuying snorted coldly, then said to Tianniu, “Let’s not bother with her. She’s just like a mad dog, jealous of someone else’s good husband and starting to snap at people. Do you really think you can be bullied so easily? We’ll tell your husband about this; Mr. Mu is not willing to support Zhao Jiangshui anyway, but Zhao Jiangshui is not someone that can be easily pushed around. If his wife is being bullied by a mad woman, would he ignore it? We’ll see who is the unlucky one in the end!”

With that, she angrily pulled Tianniu away.

Mu Xinlin stamped her foot in anger, “You all!”

Only after Li Yuying took Tianniu away did she start to laugh, “That gave you some relief, didn’t it? It must feel so satisfying!”

Tianniu couldn’t help but smile, “Why did you have to turn against her in front of so many people, it wouldn’t be good to fall out too badly in the end.”

“Why can’t we fall out? That woman deserves a lesson! I’ve disliked her for a long time, and today I finally feel pleased. You are always too considerate of Zhao Jiangshui, do you really plan to tolerate her?” Li Yuying said, annoyed.

“After all, her father is the Junior Minister of Dali Temple, it wouldn’t be good for Jiangshui to fall out with him.”

Li Yuying tapped Tianniu’s head, “You are really stubborn! Can’t you think about yourself for once?”

Tianniu looked somewhat despondent, “I don’t want to be a burden to him.”

“You are so pigheaded, I don’t want to talk to you anymore!”

Tianniu linked arms with Li Yuying, “All right, all right, I’m very happy you took revenge for me today, okay?”

Only then did Li Yuying start smiling, “That’s more like it!”

Despite the satisfaction from today’s events, Tian Niu’s heart still felt uneasy, partly worried about the relationship between Zhao Jiangshui and Mr. Mu, and partly because Mu Xinlin had hit a sore spot for Tian Niu.

Because of her, Zhao Jiangshui had missed many better opportunities, she was not unaware. If Zhao Jiangshui could give up those opportunities for her now, what about the future? The two of them had only been together for three years, they still had a lifetime to face tests; could Zhao Jiangshui remain unwavering for a lifetime? If faced with greater temptations, more significant opportunities, would he continue to choose to protect her?

If Zhao Jiangshui could feel dejected for losing opportunities, it showed that he cared, so no matter how he reassured Tianniu, her heart could never be at peace. This was the reason for her constant unease over the years. She could trust him, but she dared not trust the future.

Thinking of this, Tianniu felt a sense of loss and sighed softly, allowing Li Yuying to lead her to wish Marquise a happy birthday.

“Tianniu wishes you a happy birthday, and also wishes on behalf of Mu and her husband for the Marquise’s health and happiness in everything,” Tianniu said respectfully as she approached.

Jian Yue smiled, “Come closer to me.”

Jian Yue took Tianniu’s hand, “You are such a good child. Did Mu specifically ask you to come and wish me a happy birthday on her behalf?”

“Yes, Mu sent a letter yesterday, specifically mentioning the Marquise’s birthday, and asked me to present this birthday gift that came with the letter to the Marquise. Marquise, take a look,” as Tianniu spoke, she had someone present the birthday gift.

Jian Yue smiled and nodded, “She’s thoughtful. Muniang is my eldest daughter-in-law, and I’ve always been fond of her. You are her most cherished sister; don’t be constrained when you come to Marquis Chen Mansion. Consider it your own home. I don’t have any daughters, but seeing how sensible and well-behaved you are, it makes me want to cherish you as my own daughter.”