CHAPTER 109: CHAPTER 109: FATE (3)

The First Master pressed her hand and pointed to the chair opposite, signaling for her to sit down. Once the Lady had seated herself, he asked, "What are your thoughts?"

The Lady took a sip of tea, paused slightly, and then said, "Today, the Third Miss was supported back by Third Master Ren, and all the servants in the mansion witnessed it. Coincidentally, those several dignitaries were admiring flowers in the second house, and with the Tongji River beside them, whatever happened was clearly seen. This matter cannot be concealed; the Third Miss’s reputation is thoroughly ruined."

She paused to look at the First Master, "It might not matter for her alone, but within the mansion, there are the Fourth Girl, the Sixth Girl, and the Eighth Girl who are also growing up. We can’t let one person implicate several sisters, so in my opinion..." Better send her to the temple...

Before she finished speaking, she saw the First Master raise his hand to stop her. Then he suddenly asked, "That Madam Chen, is she the wife of Minister Chen?"

The Lady was taken aback, nodded, and said, "Yes!" She suddenly understood the First Master’s intention and exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that you want to?"

The First Master nodded wearily and said, "I indeed see that Third Young Master Ren’s character is not good, but Third Miss is still a young lady of the Tong Mansion. As parents, we didn’t teach her well and let a concubine misguide her, which is also our fault! Now that it’s known to everyone, if we send the Third Miss to a temple, others will inevitably gossip about us. It’s better you go to the Chen Mansion tomorrow and see Madam Chen’s thoughts!"

The First Master included the Lady’s responsibilities in his words, also blaming her for rejecting Wujin Bo Mansion’s marriage proposal and not handling the matter properly. If the matter had been kept secret, how would Madam Wang have known, and how would there have been today’s troubles?

The Lady’s expression turned extremely unpleasant. She looked at the First Master and said, "You want me to talk to Madam Chen? Isn’t this like proposing marriage to the Wujin Bo Mansion, Master!" She frowned deeply, "How could this be appropriate!"

The First Master took a sip of tea and looked at the Lady with an inscrutable expression, "How can it not be appropriate? With our current status, if you propose and the Wujin Bo Mansion agrees, wouldn’t that enhance your face?!"

The Lady also became angry, "Did you consider that if I propose, in the eyes of outsiders, won’t we become those who flatter and pursue power? Where would the face of our Tong Mansion be? Besides, we’ve already agreed to the Hong Mansion’s marriage."

Who knew that mentioning this would ignite the First Master, causing him to slam the table and stand up, looking at her with eyes full of ridicule, "At this point, do you still have the face to talk about these things?"

In all her years of marriage to the First Master, he had never spoken to her in this tone. The Lady was shocked, almost dropping her cup of tea, and hurriedly explained, "Master... It was indeed the Wujin Bo Mansion who proposed marriage to us at that time, and I did not agree. Besides, we were thinking of the Sixth Girl then. Even if it involved the Third Miss, I never expected things to reach this point..."

The First Master snorted coldly, "This matter is settled; pick a date and visit the Chen Mansion." After speaking, he flung his sleeves and left the room.

The Lady leaned tiredly against the chair, without the usual intention to pursue him...

Today’s move by Madam Wang could be described as destroying the dam from under the boat. Although she harmed herself a lot, she equally damaged the Lady. Initially, refusing Wujin Bo Mansion, and now having to personally propose again was like vomiting into a cup after drinking all night, only to be forced to drink it again.

She felt nauseous and uncomfortable. Even if Madam Wang was used as cannon fodder and sent to the manor, she felt none of the long-awaited joy.

Nanny Fang quietly walked in and said softly, "Madam, I have a word, but I don’t know if it’s appropriate to say!" The Lady glanced at her and said, uninterested, "You’ve been with me for so many years, what can’t you say?"

"Then I shall be presumptuous," Nanny Fang lowered her voice. "In my opinion, the First Master’s decision is reasonable. Although Madam Wang’s words were crude today, the principles aren’t wrong. The Count is now in favor with the Emperor, his words carrying much weight. The First Master is at a critical juncture, and don’t you want him to stay in the Capital? If the Count speaks favorably, wouldn’t we get twice the result with half the effort?"

The Lady raised an eyebrow and pointed to the chair in front of her, "Sit down and talk." Nanny Fang smiled and said she dared not, and the Lady did not insist further, but said with a frown, "Of course I understand this reasoning. Initially considering the Wujin Bo Mansion was for the First Master and Shenzhi. If it were the Sixth Girl, she’s honest and timid, with Madam Xia and the Seventh under my control, she would obey me. But the Third Miss is different, in her heart and eyes I am no more than a stepmother. Marrying her off would be like making clothes for someone else!"

Nanny Fang smiled broadly, "It seems I worried needlessly; Madam understands well, it’s just a mental hurdle." Pausing, she added, "Now that Madam Wang has been sent away, if the Third Miss wants her back, whom else can she please but you? In my opinion, compared to the Sixth Miss, the Third Miss would be easier to handle."

The Lady’s eyes brightened, then dimmed again, "How can I bring myself to visit Madam Chen!" Remembering the First Master’s earlier gaze, her heart chilled, and she sighed, "I fear that even if I don’t want to go, there’s no room to maneuver. The First Master is still angry about Madam Wang’s miscarriage and blames me." The First Master’s words today were obviously filled with resentment and blame, believing Madam Wang’s words that it was she who couldn’t tolerate her and harmed her unborn child.

This accusation felt extremely unjust to the Lady.

Nanny Fang hadn’t expected this, and tried to comfort her, "Regarding the Heavenly Fire Grass, the First Master asked Mr. Hu, and the matter is clear. How could he think it was your doing? I think it’s simply because the First Master, having a late-born child, is more sensitive about it. In time, it will pass; it doesn’t mean he blames you." The Lady waved her hand, interrupting her, "I’m aware of the situation, no need to say more... Go prepare, we’ll visit the Chen Mansion the day after tomorrow!"

Nanny Fang nodded and withdrew!

The next day, the Lady began organizing the East Cross Courtyard and Tong Xiyang’s quarters, sending Nanny Qiu from Madam Wang’s room along with two elderly women to the manor, and selling the young maids. She left none behind. The same was done in Tong Xiyang’s quarters, with Moxiang and Shuixiang being sold off through Manager Lai’s connections. The other older women and young maids were sent away along with those from Madam Wang’s room.

Chunyan returned, still frightened, and said, "Before Moxiang left, she ran headlong into the Hanging Flower Gate, blood pouring from her forehead, painting the ground red... But the Lady didn’t even glance, simply letting a woman bandage her carelessly. Seeing Moxiang like this, Shuixiang went mad and begged the Lady, only for Nanny Fang to have her mouth gagged and thrown onto the carriage with the bandaged Moxiang."