CHAPTER 406: CHAPTER 408: CONFIDENCE (3)

The Second Madam sat down on a chair in the tea room, took a sip of tea, and looked shocked: "How can there be such a person!" Clearly, she was also quite angry.

The First Madam lowered her head to drink tea, her expression regained a calm demeanor, but there was contempt in her eyes.

Seeing that the First Madam didn’t speak, Xiqiu sighed and continued the conversation: "I wonder if the Teng Family will be any better tomorrow!" The Second Madam, who was drinking tea, burst out laughing at Xiqiu’s words. She looked at Xiqiu and said with a laugh: "Fourth Sister-in-law, your words are indeed wonderful. I see the Teng Family will surely prosper tomorrow." Saying this, she laughed behind her sleeve.

The First Madam also faintly lifted the corners of her lips.

As the two were talking, Xiao Yanyi accompanied the First Master Teng and entered the door. First Master Teng, who was thin and small, appeared even more frail standing next to the tall Xiao Yanyi. However, his eyes suddenly shone brightly as he entered the room. Without looking at the crying First Young Madam Teng and the Fifth Madam, he first respectfully paid a deep bow to the Grand Dowager, full of guilt and apology: "Forgive me, Grand Dowager, my ignorant wife has disturbed your peace. I am here to apologize to you!"

He appeared scholarly and rather graceful.

Inside, Xiqiu slightly raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, realizing the Teng Family still had someone sensible.

The Grand Dowager looked at First Master Teng, her expression softened slightly, and she nodded: "It’s nothing serious, just take her away." First Master Teng bowed again: "Respecting the Grand Dowager’s command!" After saying this, he turned to look at the First Young Madam Teng sitting on the ground, his eyebrows furrowing coldly.

The First Young Madam Teng had forgotten to cry when First Master Teng apologized to the Grand Dowager. She looked at First Master Teng in astonishment, unable to understand why, given the current status of the Teng Family, he had to act so humbly toward the Xiao Mansion. If everyone kept arguing, she’d go to the palace and seek justice from the Empress. She wasn’t afraid of anyone!

"Foolish woman!" First Master Teng shouted angrily: "Hurry and go kowtow to the Grand Dowager and apologize. If anything bad happens because of you today, I’ll kill you!"

The First Young Madam Teng shivered at these words and involuntarily shrank back.

The Fifth Madam knew her eldest brother always meant what he said, and if he wanted to do something, he would certainly accomplish it. The current success of the Teng Family was achieved through her brother’s meticulous efforts. Alarmed, she knelt beside the First Young Madam Teng, protecting her and said: "Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law was speaking up for me. If you want to punish someone, punish me. It has nothing to do with Eldest Sister-in-law."

It would have been better if she hadn’t spoken. Upon her words, First Master Teng’s anger only grew: "Punish you? Humph!" He paused before continuing: "I will settle your account with you later; don’t think you can wash your hands of this."

"Go and apologize to the Grand Dowager now!" First Master Teng demanded angrily.

Xiao Yanyi stood at the doorway and saw the Grand Dowager wrinkle her brow with disgust. He stepped forward with a stern face, speaking with hands clasped behind his back: "It’s no use speaking further. Mother wouldn’t bother arguing with such younger people. Mr. Teng, you’d best lead them out of the mansion." He offered no face to even First Master Teng.

First Master Teng’s expression changed. Realizing that saying anything more today would be in vain, he thought it best to leave immediately to avoid further displeasure. He turned to Xiao Yanyi, clasping his hands in apology: "Many offenses were made today. I ask for Marquis’ forgiveness. Once I’ve dealt with this troublesome woman, I will return to apologize properly to the Grand Dowager and the Marquis!"

Xiao Yanyi did not relax his brow despite his words.

With a flick of his sleeve, First Master Teng ordered the maids and matrons who accompanied the First Young Madam Teng and the Fifth Madam: "Drag them out for me." The maids and matrons outside timidly entered, some supporting the Fifth Madam, others supporting the First Young Madam Teng.

The Fifth Young Master knelt by the Grand Dowager’s feet, refusing to even glance at the Fifth Madam’s current state.

At that moment, Sheng rushed out from the green gauze cabinet inside, filled with shock and disdain as he looked at his mother and aunt, his eyes red as he bit his lip... Upon seeing Sheng, the Fifth Madam suddenly broke free from the matrons and maids and ran to embrace Sheng: "Sheng, come back with Mother. Aunt has brought many delicious things for you. Won’t you come back with Mother?!"

Sheng shook his sleeve, frowning, his tears falling rapidly, his face full of humiliation: "Shrew!" With that said, he turned and ran out of the Warm Pavilion without looking back, followed closely by the nursemaid chasing after him in a hurry.

The Fifth Madam collapsed to the ground with a thud. There was no greater humiliation in the world than the unreserved disdain and scorn from her own son.

She wept like rain.

First Master Teng furrowed his brow harshly and signaled to the matrons and maids. They lifted the Fifth Madam, and together with the First Young Madam Teng, half carried and half dragged them out the door.

At the gate of the Grand Dowager’s courtyard, a woman timidly peeked out from behind a distant tree trunk, wiping her tears incessantly as she watched the two.

Inside the room, First Master Teng bowed to the Grand Dowager and Xiao Yanyi: "Excuse me, excuse me!" After speaking, he had no face to remain and quickly exited with his head bowed low.

As the matrons pushed the First Young Madam Teng into the carriage, she lunged at First Master Teng like a madwoman, hitting and kicking as she glared: "Are you mad? Not helping me in front of outsiders, but instead humiliating me?" The first capital to start Teng Family’s business came from her maternal family; what right did he have to treat her like this?

First Master Teng mercilessly pushed her away, reaching out to tightly grasp the First Young Madam Teng’s neck, glaring and gritting his teeth: "You foolish woman, do you think just because the Empress gifted you a few bolts of cloth, you are a First-Grade Lady? I warn you, if you don’t go apologize to the Grand Dowager tomorrow, I’ll divorce you when we return to Tongzhou!"

The First Young Madam Teng’s face turned crimson. She realized First Master Teng was truly angry enough to kill, and she trembled in fear. Clutching at his hands, she stammered: "Yes, yes! I will apologize tomorrow."

First Master Teng released her and turned to the guard outside the carriage, saying: "Send a message to the Second Young Master to come to the capital tomorrow." Someone outside responded affirmatively, and First Master Teng added: "Reserve a private room at Hongyan Building, and send an invitation to the Marquis and the Great Governor tomorrow!"

This sin must be atoned for.

After coughing for a long time, the First Young Madam Teng finally caught her breath and, unwilling to give up, asked: "Master, even if you mean to divorce me, I must have my say. When my sister is bullied like this in the Xiao Family, I came just to seek justice for her, what was wrong with that? Didn’t you also come to the Marquis Mansion... cause a scene before?"

She still believed that she had done nothing wrong today.

First Master Teng frowned, looking at her with disdain: "What do you know? Things then and now are not the same. At that time, my sister was indeed wronged, and there was no harm in me standing up for her. The Grand Dowager has always been fair in her dealings, and she truly took care of my sister thereafter. But when you came today, you questioned the Grand Dowager about unfair treatment in the family division? Who do you think you are to question the actions of the Grand Dowager? Even the Empress has no right to intervene in Xiao Family affairs!" He paused before continuing: "Now the mansion is in boiling oil over fire, and instead of pleasing the Grand Dowager, you’ve offended them. Do you know, if there ever comes a time where cunning hares are cooked, who do you think will save you? The Empress who gifted you a few bolts of cloth, or your wealthy bumpkin relatives? I tell you, besides the Xuanning Marquis Mansion, there is no one else!"