Chapter 1915: 106. Draft a Written Agreement

Wan Jinnian took a liking to Lady Chen, not because of her beauty, but because she was obedient enough.

The Wan Mansion has three legitimate sons, countless concubines’ sons and concubine mistresses, all eyeing his family estate. The back courtyard of the house is full of schemes, and even unfilial children are targeting Wan Jinnian, who might not have much time left.

There was no one reliable by his side, not even someone he could trust, so the appearance of Lady Chen was like a savior for Wan Jinnian.

Because Wan Jinnian rescued her from a place of misery, Lady Chen had a near-fanatical loyalty to him, complying with his every demand.

Thus, even knowing that Wan Jinnian took her as his secondary wife but never touched her due to dislike, she had no complaints and did her utmost to please and serve him.

However, her days at the Wan Mansion were not smooth. Although she was the secondary wife of the mansion, her status was inferior to even the maids and old servants.

Wan Jinnian didn’t trust anyone in the house, so Lady Chen was in charge of all matters related to him personally. Despite the four beautiful servant girls following him to Dong Tian that day, they were not allowed near him at the Wan Mansion.

Listening to Lady Chen, Xiao He finally understood why she pretended not to recognize him when they were at Dong Tian. She was helpless, after all!

Hearing Xiao He’s uncontrollable sobs, Lin Yuan felt both heartache and helplessness, and when she heard Xiao He pledge to learn skills and rescue Lady Chen from the Wan Mansion, Lin Yuan finally sensed something was amiss.

She instructed Shi Liu to take Xiao He to rest in another room, and Lin Yuan furrowed her brow slightly, leaving Shui Xian behind to recount the scene of Lady Chen and Xiao He’s meeting.

Shui Xian hesitated: “Miss, once Miss Xiao He arrived at the tea house, Madam Wan took her into the elegant room immediately, not allowing us to serve nearby. We didn’t hear anything.”

So that’s how it was.

Lin Yuan shrugged, giving a light smile. Naturally, the mother and daughter hadn’t seen each other for a long time and would speak intimately, so why would they need maids nearby?

“However, I noticed Madam Wan didn’t bring anyone with her, just one maid, and she rented a carriage to come here. I tried to ask the maid some questions, but she was cautious and said nothing.”

As expected from someone from the General Mansion, even though restricted outside, Shui Xian didn’t passively accept the situation.

Lin Yuan nodded, praised her briefly, and then let her go to rest.

When Lin Yuan was left alone in the room, the smile on her lips gradually grew cold.

This Lady Chen definitely has issues. Even if she hadn’t seen her daughter for a long time, it doesn’t make sense to reveal all her scars at their first meeting.

Is it really okay for her daughter to know she was raped by another man and sold into a brothel?

Even if she doesn’t consider whether Xiao He will feel pain knowing this, she should think about her own dignity.

What is Lady Chen planning? Is she seeing Xiao He living well now and wants to play the victim to get Xiao He to rescue her?

Baffled, Lin Yuan slightly shook her head. Since she couldn’t understand Lady Chen’s intentions for now, she decided to watch and see.

The month quickly passed, and Madam Ming’s health improved significantly. As Lin Yuan anticipated, Zhong Yingming personally escorted her back to Idle Tea House on the day she recovered, to avoid compensating the sixty-five taels of silver.

Interestingly, it was Zhong Yingming’s first time visiting the capital not for the brothel.

To Lin Yuan’s surprise, Zhong Yingming did not foolishly seek her out this time but first investigated the background of Idle Tea House’s boss.

Upon seeing Lin Yuan, Zhong Yingming knelt down immediately, kowtowing repeatedly and saying things like “common people have no eyes” over and over.

Such a lowly demeanor was greatly despised by Madam Ming.

Even Madam Ming, as his wife, couldn’t stand him, let alone others.

The other young ladies of Idle Tea House had heard of Madam Ming’s return and were joyfully gathering to welcome her. Seeing Madam Ming’s husband behave like this, they secretly shook their heads, expressing sympathy for Madam Ming.

How could such a dignified and capable woman like Madam Ming have such an inadequate husband?