CHAPTER 393: CHAPTER 395: DISPUTE (PART 3)

Madam Jiang nodded and sat down on the chair brought by the little maid with First Young Madam Ren. Xiqiu and Tong Xiyang also took their seats.

The room fell into an awkward silence.

Madam Jiang wiped her eyes and said, "What did the doctor say? How could it suddenly turn out like this..."

Tong Xiyang’s eyes reddened, and she turned her face away. The maid beside her, wearing a green overcoat, responded, "The doctor said she needs careful care... it might take two years..." As she spoke, she began to cry softly.

Madam Jiang’s expression changed as she furrowed her brows, saying, "How did it become so severe? Which doctor did the examination? My uncle from my maternal family mentioned there’s a gynecologist in Yingtian who’s coming to the Capital soon. A noble in the Capital has invited him, and when he arrives, we can also have him come to take a look at you."

Tong Xiyang showed no reaction, but the maid beside her was full of joy, "Thank you, Mother-in-law." She paused and then explained for Tong Xiyang, "Madam hasn’t eaten since yesterday, and only just agreed to take some medicine..."

First Young Madam Ren interrupted, "How could you be so muddleheaded as to not eat? This is how the body deteriorates, how can you let yourself starve like this." With a furrowed brow, she asked, "Where is Third Master? Why isn’t he here?"

The maid’s face was full of difficulty as she replied, "Th... Third Master is in the room of Aunt Liu at the back."

Madam Jiang’s face sank, but First Young Madam Ren spoke up first, "Go, bring Third Master back, and tell him that Madam refuses to eat and he needs to come back!"

The maid glanced at Tong Xiyang with some apprehension, but Tong Xiyang continued to keep her head turned and silent, so the maid curtsied and withdrew.

First Young Madam Ren turned to Tong Xiyang, "Sister-in-law, I know you’ve been aggrieved, but regardless of the grievance, you must take care of your own health." As she spoke, her eyes also filled with tears, "This being the first pregnancy and lacking experience, I’d say it’s those maids who should be sold off. They’re useless!"

She deftly shifted Ren Jun’s responsibility onto the maid.

Tong Xiyang turned to look at First Young Madam Ren, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

Madam Jiang furrowed her brows. What First Young Madam Ren was saying was meant for them to hear, implying that they didn’t know the underlying reasons, pinning the blame on the maids and servants.

But with First Young Madam Ren present, even though she wanted to question Tong Xiyang, she couldn’t bring herself to do so. She furrowed her brows and said, "Honored Lady, what First Young Madam Ren says is right. If you don’t care about these things, you’ll end up suffering needlessly." Saying this, she held Tong Xiyang’s hand and added, "Why don’t you come back with me? Although it’s not as prestigious, the maids and servants have attended to you for over ten years and know your tastes well."

Tong Xiyan turned away, a smile appearing on her lips.

Once Madam Jiang finished speaking, the expression on First Young Madam Ren’s face froze.

Madam Jiang wasn’t genuinely intending to take Tong Xiyang back with them. It was merely a way to signal the Ren Family that they were aware of the situation and were dissatisfied with Ren Jun’s conduct.

"How can that be appropriate?" First Young Madam Ren laughed, "Now that her body is still weak, she certainly needs to rest well, moving around might further deplete her energy." After saying this, she turned to her maid and instructed, "Go, bring in the bird’s nest soup that Madam instructed to be brewed in the kitchen."

The little maid responded and went on her way.

Madam Jiang lowered her head to drink tea, a helpless smile playing at her lips.

Tong Xiyan was clearly unhappy as she set down her teacup and looked at Tong Xiyang, "Third Sister, you should say something. Not long ago, I heard that everything was fine, the fetus was stable. How could it suddenly result in a miscarriage, and so severely? If you’ve been wronged, I will speak with Brother-in-law Ren even at the Marquis Mansion."

Her words were rather harsh, and First Young Madam Ren laughed, "Sixth Lady, your words are too estranged. Third Brother has always been very fond of Third Sister-in-law, there’s no way he would let her be wronged. Besides, even if Third Brother doesn’t care, Mother and I would certainly not let her suffer."

First Young Madam Ren’s eloquence was truly impressive, Xiqiu had to commend her.

"Third Sister-in-law, you should have a good conversation with Fourth Lady, so that our families don’t end up with a misunderstanding," First Young Madam Ren said with a smile.

Tong Xiyang listened and turned her head, coldly glancing around before dropping her gaze, "Stop it, this has nothing to do with Third Master. It was my own carelessness that caused the fall." After speaking, she turned away, tears spilling from her eyes.

For some reason, Madam Jiang breathed a sigh of relief.

If Tong Xiyang had caused a commotion asking her to stand up for her, she would really be at a loss for what to do.

Could she confront the Marquis Mansion? Not to mention if it could be pursued successfully, such matters couldn’t publicly disgrace either family.

However, it’s said that the elder sister-in-law is like a mother, and today’s events must not let Tong Mansion lose face.

Hearing this, Tong Xiyan suddenly stood up, sneering, "It’s really hot in here, I’ll go for a walk." Saying so, she left without looking back.

Xiqiu watched Tong Xiyan’s retreating figure and sighed.

At this, First Young Madam Ren’s expression slightly changed, looking somewhat awkwardly at Xiqiu: "Why doesn’t Sixth Miss speak?"

Xiqiu put down her teacup, glanced at Tong Xiyang, and said, "Sister-in-law, Fourth Sister and I are here because we’re genuinely concerned about Third Sister’s well-being. Seeing her like this is truly upsetting." Her eyes reddened as she spoke, "Fourth Sister also feels upset, First Young Madam mustn’t be angry with her."

First Young Madam Ren narrowed her eyes slightly as she listened, "How could there be anger? I’m also genuinely distressed; there’s no need for Sixth Lady to mind it."

Both Madam Jiang and Xiqiu didn’t respond.

At this point, the curtain lifted and Ren Jun strode in. He wore a light blue daoist robe, his round, fair face gave him a domineering air when his eyes squinted. He entered with a smile, his gaze immediately fixed on Xiqiu, and gave a respectful gesture to those assembled, "Sister-in-law." Then addressing Madam Jiang and Xiqiu, "I didn’t know Mother-in-law and Sixth Aunt were here, I’m sorry for the slight!"

Xiqiu returned a half-bow with a smile to Ren Jun, then looked at Tong Xiyang, noticing her expression soften slightly.

"Third Brother, you’re really muddled. With Third Sister-in-law’s health in this state, no matter how busy you are, you should prioritize her well-being." She finished speaking just as the maid who fetched the bird’s nest soup entered with the bowl: "Quick, hand the bowl to Third Master."

Ren Jun’s expression shifted, and First Young Madam Ren had already pushed the bird’s nest bowl into his hands, "Quickly, take it." Finished speaking, she exchanged glances with Madam Jiang and emphasized with a look towards Xiqiu.

Tong Xiyang’s face showed a look of expectation.

Ren Jun furrowed his brows, visibly displeased, but upon seeing Xiqiu, he recalled Fourth Master Xiao’s indifferent demeanor, though upon reconsideration, he assumed that someone like Fourth Master Xiao wouldn’t confront him about an aunt’s matter.

He placed the bird’s nest on the table, pointed at the returning Xiuyun and said, "Fool, why are you standing there? Quickly serve your mistress." With that, he flung his robe aside and sat down on a chair, smiling at Xiqiu, "How come Sixth Aunt has time to visit today? How has Fourth Master been lately?"