CHAPTER 394: CHAPTER 396: DISPUTE (PART 4)

Tong Xiyang’s face darkened once again.

Xiqiu replied coolly, "Knowing that Third Sister is unwell, Fourth Master arranged for a carriage to send my sister-in-law and me here. He mentioned he would come to pick me up later. If Third Brother-in-law is curious about his well-being, perhaps it would be better to ask him directly." After speaking, she took the bird’s nest bowl from Xiuyun’s hands and said with a solemn face, "I shall take care of feeding Third Sister."

She carried the bird’s nest to sit on the stool beside Tong Xiyang’s bed and scooped a spoonful to feed Tong Xiyang.

Madam Jiang and First Young Madam Ren were both taken aback, not expecting Xiqiu to say such things suddenly.

Ren Jun’s expression stiffened, and he looked at Xiqiu, seeing that although she had a smile on her face, there was a chilling coldness in her eyes. He was momentarily stunned with an open mouth.

Xiqiu held the spoon, gently blowing on it and smiling as she fed Tong Xiyang. After nearly a decade of rivalry, today might be their closest moment yet!

She cared not about how Tong Xiyang fared; today everything was her own "doing," and she should bear all consequences herself. But since she came with Madam Jiang today, this matter was not just a personal one for Tong Xiyang. It concerned the reputation of the Tong Family and even the Xiao Family.

At the very least, she had to fight for some dignity for Tong Xiyang.

As for what Ren Jun would do to Tong Xiyang after they left, that was beyond her control or influence.

Tong Xiyang looked at Xiqiu in shock but did not open her mouth.

Xiqiu smiled gently, leaned close to Tong Xiyang’s side, and whispered in a voice only audible to the two of them, "If you want to maintain some dignity at the Ren Mansion, you better cooperate."

Tong Xiyang was startled, mechanically opening her mouth, and Xiqiu opportunely put the spoon into her mouth, using the handkerchief in her hand to wipe her mouth, her voice soft and gentle: "Eat slowly." She continued, "I’ve heard about the doctor Sister-in-law mentioned. Third Sister should listen to Sister-in-law and wait for that doctor to come and have a proper look." With that, she fed her another spoonful: "This weather is cold, Fourth Master said he wanted to go to the Jiwei Mountain villa for a small stay. If Third Sister doesn’t mind, why not come with us? There’s a hot spring in the mountain where it feels like spring all year round, suited for recuperating."

As if she were indeed just having an intimate chat among sisters with Tong Xiyang.

Madam Jiang turned her face aside, unable to suppress a slight smile on her face.

First Young Madam Ren was also astonished, just having said Sixth Miss was agreeable, in the blink of an eye, she began to make things difficult.

In her heart, Xiqiu knew very well, as she had told the Countess, at their age, they couldn’t really say anything harsh. First Young Madam Ren was the same, she was merely Tong Xiyang’s sister-in-law, only by holding Ren Jun accountable could she make him apologize to Tong Xiyang, then Tong Xiyang’s dignity would perhaps really be regained a bit.

Besides, this matter indeed was not easy to handle, no matter what this discretion must be properly grasped.

Sure enough, Ren Jun’s face stiffened, and suddenly he stood up, walking to the bedside to take the bird’s nest bowl from Xiqiu: "How can this be proper, better let Brother-in-law feed." Xiqiu took the bird’s nest bowl away, smiling as she looked at Ren Jun: "Certainly don’t dare trouble Third Brother-in-law, better I, as the younger sister, feed her."

Ren Jun awkwardly extended his hand, while Xiqiu turned to smile and talk to Tong Xiyang: "Third Sister, do you think it would be good?!"

Tong Xiyang glanced at Ren Jun’s distressed expression, her expression somewhat peculiar. First Young Madam Ren’s eyes flashed, then she laughed and said, "If Third Sister wants to go, our mansion also has a villa on the West Mountain, going there wouldn’t be bad either."

Madam Jiang laughed and said, "I just mentioned that the people in this room aren’t thoughtful, their service is also inadequate, mentioned bringing Third Lady back to the mansion, now speaking of a villa for recuperation, that’s indeed a good idea. I see that both First Young Madam and Third Brother-in-law need not be busy anymore, better let Third Lady go with Sixth Lady to Jiwei Mountain, with Sixth Lady there, we’d feel more at ease, wouldn’t we?" Subtly hinting at Ren Jun.

Xiqiu nodded: "Sister-in-law’s words make sense."

First Young Madam Ren finally understood what Madam Jiang and Xiqiu were up to, she stood aside unable to speak, just kept glancing at Ren Jun.

When Third Sister-in-law had the miscarriage, speaking of which wasn’t honorable, Third Master Ren was the one who personally rid the child, they worked hard to cover up this matter, even kept it tightly from the Tong Mansion, only said outwardly it was an accidental fall, now it seems... the sisters-in-law must have already known.

Fortunately, Sixth Miss and First Young Madam Ren merely wanted Third Brother to apologize to Third Sister-in-law, that was rightly needed, saying it out wasn’t disgraceful either.

Ren Jun looked at Xiqiu, his gaze turned faint, his face with a smile just about to speak when Tong Xiyang, seeing Ren Jun standing there without making a statement nor holding back, snorted coldly in anger and said with irritation, "Go, of course, I’ll go. My going would surely save someone from worry."

Xiqiu and Madam Jiang exchanged a glance, both sighed.

Ren Jun initially sought a way to step down, but hearing Tong Xiyang say such words, his anger flared too, after all, being a man, he thought he had already stepped back a bit, what of it even if he made a mistake in this matter, lost the child they can have another, why be so petty, seeing him coldly snort at Tong Xiyang, he said, "You go ahead if you’re going, spare me the sight of your pretentious dying act, just makes me nauseous."

Tong Xiyang hearing this glared, her eyes reddened with tears falling down, she gritted her teeth and asked, "What’s the meaning of Third Master’s words, could it really be my fault that the child is gone? Third Master, despite me attending to you and managing the household affairs inside and out, also remember he is your legitimate kin." She said, sobbing.

Xiqiu and Madam Jiang both had cold faces, Madam Jiang more so angered to trembling, right in front of the natal family, Ren Jun speaks this way, absolutely disregarding the Tong Family.

Originally just wanted to talk properly, one look at Tong Xiyang, now she was even angrier, she coldly sneered looking at Ren Jun saying, "Third Sister-in-law is your rightful wife by formal marriage, the child too was your rightful offspring, yet Third Master feels no remorse, saying Third Sister-in-law’s grief is pretentious, no sense can make this logical anywhere."

First Young Madam Ren seeing things not looking good, came to mediate: "All family here, say less a word." Saying so she held onto Madam Jiang: "In-law Madam calm down, our Third Brother is sharp-tongued with a soft heart, saying harsh words, but in heart it’s not so, usually he treats Third Sister-in-law with utmost tenderness." Finished speaking, turning to ask Tong Xiyang: "Third Sister-in-law, isn’t that so."

This was to make Tong Xiyang express, whether to shield Ren Jun or adhere to her natal family and refuse to spare Ren Jun’s face.

Tong Xiyang was already enraged, but being asked by First Young Madam, she calmed down, frowned and her demeanor softened a bit, just then the curtain at the door lifted, in walked a woman dressed in a crimson overcoat, head adorned with red hairpins, striding in with a captivating air...