CHAPTER 574: CHAPTER 563: THE MARCHIONESS’S MAID

"Mother, will this really work?" Zhong Yin was somewhat persuaded, her eyes involuntarily flickering.

"Certainly, the Duke Mansion is a prestigious household; would the Lord wish to see his wife as a ruthless and heartless person?" Aunt Wei confidently smiled, "Listen to me, no matter how unsightly Zhong Lan’s expression is tomorrow, no matter how your father tries to stop you, you must apologize to Zhong Lan in front of the Lord, you must make her forgive you."

"I understand."

On the following day, Duan Rongjing and Zhong Lan rose early, preparing to return to the Zhong Family with their two children. The gifts had been prepared well in advance, filling two large carriages. Initially, Zhong Lan was against having so much, but Duan Rongjing insisted, feeling it was inadequate for her, saying it was to give her prestige upon her return. Unable to dissuade him, she complied.

The Zhong Residence had received news of their return the day before and had thoroughly cleaned the house. Zhong Huaiwen and Zhong Jue were also waiting early at the entrance.

The Duan Residence’s threshold was originally higher than the Zhong Residence’s, and now it was even more elevated. Zhong Huaiwen dared not slack off at all.

Zhong Jue, on the other hand, was worried about his sister’s status in the household. While it’s true that she had given birth to a legitimate son and daughter, the couple had not seen each other for almost a year, and the Lord was the legitimate master of the house. If he took a dislike to his sister, it would be futile no matter how many children she had.

As for Zhong Lang and Zhong Yin, Zhong Huaiwen had ordered them to stay in their own courtyard and not come out. Old Madam Wei indeed wanted to see her grandson-in-law, but she was bedridden and couldn’t meet him.

"They’re here, they’re here, the son-in-law and young Lady are back." A servant ran back from the end of the street, and firecrackers were set off in the residence because it was the first time the Duke, the Princely Heir, and the Commandery Princess were visiting as newcomers.

After the firecrackers had burned out, the figure of Duan Rongjing riding a tall horse appeared before everyone.

Duan Rongjing was tall in stature, and the horse was a rare breed from the Western Regions, exceptionally fine, dazzling them at first sight.

When he reached the gate, Duan Rongjing dismounted, proactively giving a respectful bow: "Father-in-law, elder brother-in-law, Rong Jing is late, please forgive me."

Since he was paying the respects of a junior that day, Zhong Huaiwen did not stand on ceremony and accepted the greeting, but quickly helped him up: "We are all family, there’s no need for excessive formality."

Zhong Jue was satisfied with his humble attitude and finally let go of some of his worries at that moment. Then, seeing Duan Rongjing personally helping Zhong Lan out of the carriage, his satisfaction grew even more.

"Father, elder brother," Zhong Lan smiled and nodded to them.

Zhong Jue felt affectionate, whereas Zhong Huaiwen felt a bit uncomfortable; unknowingly to him, his eldest daughter had matured to be so graceful and dignified.

"Let’s go inside. Today father and son-in-law should share a good drink," Zhong Huaiwen said without daring to look directly at his daughter, yet he could laugh heartily with his son-in-law.

Duan Rongjing actually already learned some of the Zhong Family’s general situation from Zhong Lan the day before. Although he was displeased with his father-in-law’s neglect of his wife over the years, in such a public setting he couldn’t fail to give him face, otherwise, people might say his wife holds no status in the Duke Mansion.

"Please, father-in-law, elder brother-in-law, as well," he said.

Zhong Jue patted Duan Rongjing’s shoulder and smiled. Without saying anything, a mutual understanding was reached.

"So these are my grandchildren, a boy and a girl—they’re really adorable." Upon entering the room, Zhong Huaiwen lifted the swaddle covers, smiling fondly.

Zhong Lan felt rather unnatural watching this. For more than ten days, her father had never looked at her like this, nor had he ever complimented her. And yet, today he came to praise her two children. She found it somewhat ironic, thus she turned her head away.

Zhong Huaiwen was about to speak with her when he caught sight of her unnatural expression and immediately felt awkward.

Just then, an uninvited person walked into the hall.

"Big sister, brother-in-law, you’re back! Yin’er greets you." Zhong Yin greeted them with a smile, bending her frail body in a graceful curtsy.

"Why have you come? Didn’t I tell you to stay in the courtyard and not come out?" Before Zhong Jue and Zhong Lan could speak, Zhong Huaiwen had already burst out angrily.

"Father, Yin’er just wanted to greet sister and brother-in-law." Zhong Yin’s face showed a look of grievance and weakness, as if she had been terribly bullied in this mansion, appearing extremely pitiful.

Zhong Jue and Zhong Lan felt like throwing up. Was there something wrong with Zhong Yin? Why act so pitiable at this time?

However, Zhong Yin paid no mind to Zhong Huaiwen’s rage. She glanced inadvertently at Duan Rongjing and noticed a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes as he frowned.

"Big sister, please forgive Yin’er. I didn’t know any better before and must have offended you in many ways, but now I realize my mistakes. Can you ask father and big brother not to confine me to my quarters anymore?" As she spoke, tears began to fall, her face the picture of wretched sorrow.

"Scoundrel! Take the second Miss down immediately!" Zhong Huaiwen, driven to fury, once thought Zhong Yin’s pitiable demeanor was endearing, but now he only found it detestable, wishing she would disappear before his eyes.

"Son-in-law, don’t mind her. She’s sick and her mind’s a bit muddled. Don’t listen to her nonsense," Zhong Huaiwen hurriedly explained, his smile stiffening.

Hearing her father say this, Zhong Yin couldn’t help but clench her teeth in fury. Ha, she was the one with a sick mind? Who was the one who had grown tired of the old in favor of the new?

Now that her concubine mother was no longer favored, her status as a concubine daughter was worthless? Zhong Lan had married well, so everything was about her. Why? Since they’re now choosing to abandon me, then why were they so good to me before?

"Father, even if you don’t like Yin’er, there’s no need to say that. How will Yin’er save face in the future? How can I possibly get married later?" Zhong Yin cried and wailed as if her heart was breaking, wishing she could die right then and there.

"Big sister, Yin’er truly knows she was wrong. Please don’t punish her like this," Zhong Yin, on her knees, crawled towards Zhong Lan, noticing the slight avoidance in her sister’s gesture, her lips curling up slyly as she moved towards her real target, "Brother-in-law, Yin’er knows you are an upright hero. Please save Yin’er, please persuade big sister to forgive me. Otherwise, I might as well die here today, to let big sister completely vent her anger."

"You... you wretched girl." Zhong Huaiwen, seeing Zhong Yin belittle her older sister before her son-in-law, felt darkness cloud his vision and nearly fainted, realizing only now the wickedness hiding beneath his youngest daughter’s frail appearance.

"Someone, take her away and confine her! Without my orders, she is not to be released," commanded Zhong Huaiwen, his voice seething with malice.

Panic spread across Zhong Yin’s face as her pleas for mercy grew louder, clutching onto Duan Rongjing’s robe without letting go.

"Wait a moment." In the midst of everyone’s astonished voices, Duan Rongjing finally snapped out of his reverie, "Miss Zhong Yin? Didn’t you visit Ci Yun Temple two years ago?"