CHAPTER 405: CHAPTER 407: CONFIDENCE (2)

But the First Young Madam Teng clearly did not accept the favor. Xiqiu wondered if she believed that because the Emperor ascended the throne smoothly due to the Teng Family’s support, they held the same fatal weaknesses as the Dongchang Bo Mansion. The Emperor regarded the Teng Family highly because of this, and could they use this to leap over the dragon gate and restore their family prestige?

But why didn’t she consider, the most unpredictable thing is the Emperor’s will. Just as He elevates, He can suppress; in a moment, the cloud can turn to mud. If that time truly comes, the hundred-year-old Marquis Mansion would be their last reliance. Being in-laws, they could only attach themselves to the Marquis Mansion to possibly save their lives.

Always be prepared for danger in times of safety!

Clearly, the First Young Madam Teng hadn’t thought of this. All she could see was the little property the Fifth Madam got from the division of assets. The Teng Family, rich and powerful in their own right, came to the Marquis Mansion to scheme over this meager property.

Xiqiu sighed, feeling an urge to dissect First Young Madam Teng’s brain for study.

She thought, her eyes went to the Fifth Madam, noticing her timely change of expression, suddenly standing up to stop the First Young Madam Teng: "Sister-in-law, please stop." As she spoke, she dabbed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and then said to the Grand Dowager: "Mother, my sister-in-law was just speaking without thinking, please don’t be angry with her."

One plays the good cop, the other the bad cop.

Xiqiu slightly raised an eyebrow.

The Grand Dowager placed her tea cup on the table with a bang, eyes narrowing with an intimidating and lethal gaze. In that instant, Xiqiu seemed to see Fourth Master Xiao, with the same murderous look, an invisible pressure rushing at them. The First Young Madam Teng and Fifth Madam’s faces changed immediately, involuntarily stepping back a pace.

"Mother!" Outside the Warm Pavilion, Xiao Yanting also heard the First Young Madam Teng’s words and burst in before the Grand Dowager could express her fury, kneeling directly before her: "Mother, it’s my fault, it’s all my fault, punish me, rebuke me..."

Seeing Xiao Yanting’s sudden entrance, the Fifth Madam and First Young Madam Teng looked even more displeased.

The Second Madam’s face darkened, standing up from the couch and looking down at Xiao Yanting: "Fifth Brother, though I have only been in the mansion for a few years, I can see clearly that mother treats you and Sheng equally, even more as if you were her own. The Marquis always treats you like a real brother, when was there ever an exception?" The Second Madam finished, and Xiao Yanting knelt before the Grand Dowager, his face immediately turning ashen like a stray dog. She continued, "Your Fifth Sister-in-law repeatedly oversteps, and mother tolerates her as much as possible, never truly reproaching. But ask yourself honestly, why did mother want to separate you this time? Wasn’t the property and house she gave you plentiful? You should know better than anyone, yet today you let your Fifth Sister-in-law bring someone so reckless here to speak such nonsense before mother. I truly misjudged you!"

Xiao Yanting was left feeling utterly disgraced, kneeling before the Grand Dowager and slapping himself on the face.

The Grand Dowager frowned at him, her initial anger gradually subsiding. Weary, she waved her hand: "Leave now, from here on, don’t step into the Marquis Mansion again!" This time, the Grand Dowager was truly angry.

The Fifth Madam’s expression changed when she heard this, retorting sharply: "Mother, you can’t treat us like this, you can’t!"

"Shut up!" Xiao Yanting, sobbing, pointed at the Fifth Madam and scolded: "You ignorant woman, get out, get out immediately!"

The Fifth Madam’s face darkened at Xiao Yanting’s scolding, and the First Young Madam Teng’s expression turned thoroughly black. The Second Madam’s words were harsh and left no room for maneuver. She narrowed her eyes, stepping up to yank away the Fifth Madam, angrily glaring at Xiao Yanting. "You tell her to get out? By what right? I warn you, Xiao Yanting, my sister marrying you was truly her misfortune. Not only did she gain nothing from it, but Sheng received no benefits either..." she paused, glaring directly at Xiqiu, gritting her teeth, "she even lost her ability to bear children!" She grabbed Xiao Yanting’s clothes relentlessly, "Tell me, what benefit has she gained from marrying you besides suffering? What gives you the right to speak to her that way?"

"Shut your mouth!" The Grand Dowager slammed the table, squinting her eyes, roaring: "Where are the servants? Are they all dead? Throw these reckless people out!"

Xiao Yanting was stunned at the words, his sobbing stopped, the Fifth Madam too stood in shock with a handkerchief pressed to her eyes. The First Young Madam Teng gaped, a look of disbelief...

Throw them out?

She was the dignified First Young Madam of the Teng Family, in Tongzhou who wouldn’t bow and scrape before her, eager to worship her. Even the Empress conferred gifts of cloth and pins upon hearing of her arrival...

Yet now she was to be thrown out?! On what grounds!

As soon as the Grand Dowager’s words fell, Nanny Wu led the servants in, coldly blocking the door, glaring at the First Young Madam Teng and Fifth Madam!

"Who dares!" The First Young Madam Teng looked ready to face the consequences, glaring: "I want to see who dares to touch me today." She then turned to the Grand Dowager, "Grand Dowager, was anything I said today incorrect? A concubine’s offspring splitting assets naturally entitles them to equal shares with the legitimate. This principle stands everywhere without any shame. I’m merely asking for a fair share, why do you treat me this way? Moreover..." She pointed inside the green gauze cabinet, "Sheng is your grandson, but also my sister’s legitimate son. While there’s no harm in you keeping him beside you, he should also be with his rightful parents!"

The Grand Dowager smirked derisively: "First Young Madam Teng, if you are ignorant, I do not blame you. But if there is anything unclear in your heart, go back and ask the wise ones in your Teng Family. Once you understand, come talk to me!" With that, she flung her sleeve, "See the guest out!"

Nanny Wu, undeterred, moved with the servants, ready to advance.

Just then, Ziwei rushed in, speaking to the Grand Dowager: "Grand Dowager, the Marquis is escorting the First Master Teng here."

Before the Grand Dowager could respond, the First Young Madam Teng turned her eyes, threw herself to the ground, and wailed: "Master, please come save me, the Xiao Family has murderous intentions today!"

The Grand Dowager frowned and waved her hand, signaling Nanny Wu to pause, then said to Ziwei: "Invite them in."

The Second Madam and First Madam both stood up, dumbfounded at the First Young Madam Teng’s reckless, mad display. They had never seen a woman act so crazed and unrestrained before...

Xiqiu, watching, could only laugh and cry.

The Second Madam, First Madam, and Xiqiu all retreated to the tea room.

Nanny Wu paused, standing beside the First Young Madam Teng, and with mockery, said leisurely: "Truly as expected from a merchant’s sordid family, utterly lacking in manners!"

This sentence was indeed a perfect summation of the First Young Madam Teng’s current behavior.

The First Young Madam Teng’s sobbing halted, her eyes lifting sharply at Nanny Wu like poison darts, Xiqiu sighed and shook her head.