Chapter 121: The Dilemma of the Marquis of Fengyang’s Estate

"Huai'er, does this matter really involve the Marquis of Fengyang?" In the candlelit room, the Old Madam had not yet retired. She sat in her chair, her brows tightly knitted.

"Yes. It is currently being held up by the Marquis of Fengyang, and for the time being, the Ministry of Personnel cannot assign me a post." Qin Huaiyong remained silent for a moment, his expression weary.

Having just arrived in the capital, he had yet to find his footing. What troubled him most was that while he had been transferred to the capital, his specific duties remained unassigned. It was said that his file was under review by the Marquis of Fengyang, but how long this review would take was impossible to say.

"Does that mean you have to have Lady Di accompany you to the Marquis of Fengyang's banquet?" The Old Madam was a perceptive woman; she understood Qin Huaiyong's intent the moment she heard him.

"Mother, that is the only way now," Qin Huaiyong said, feeling guilty.

"Is Ruolan going too?" The Old Madam pondered for a moment before asking, a flicker of coldness in her eyes beneath the lamplight.

"It would be best if Ruolan went as well. Otherwise, Lady Di might stir up trouble, and since she can always find a way to link things to the Marquis of Fengyang's estate, it would be easier for me to approach them directly." Qin Huaiyong’s guilt deepened. He had finally seen through Lady Di’s true character, but he also knew that while there were things he could handle in Jiangzhou, he could not do so in the capital.

Even though he had sent all the evidence and witnesses of Lady Di’s crimes to the residence of the Earl of Yongkang, they refused to acknowledge them. They insisted that it was all a malicious attempt by others to frame Lady Di, biting back that someone as virtuous as she would never do such a thing, and that the witnesses and testimonies must have been bribed.

Qin Huaiyong was so infuriated by the shameless behavior of the Earl of Yongkang’s household that he almost spat blood. In his anger, he had considered making the evidence public to blow the matter wide open. However, the Earl’s household had feigned a reasonable front, claiming that although Lady Di had been wronged, they were reasonable people who recognized the status of Shui Ruolan and hoped that the two wives would live together in harmony.

They also stated that they would not interfere in the internal affairs of the Qin household, leaving everything to Qin Huaiyong.

Of course, they repeatedly reminded Qin Huaiyong not to forget that Lady Di was his original wife and the mother of his daughter, and they even hinted at the possibility of a marriage alliance between their families.

However, they added that if anything were to happen to Lady Di, they would be deeply disappointed, and such a marriage alliance would be off the table.

With a mix of soft and hard tactics, Qin Huaiyong understood their meaning perfectly. He was angry and annoyed, but felt helpless. He had no foundation in the capital, and Lady Di’s wicked deeds had occurred in Jiangzhou. There was a high probability that the Earl’s family could turn the tables on him, so he had no choice but to let Lady Di out.

Another factor, of course, was Qin Yuru. Regardless of everything, she was his only daughter, and this was for her future.

"If Ruolan goes, will Lady Di let go of such an opportunity to humiliate her?" the Old Madam asked coldly, her displeased gaze falling upon Qin Huaiyong, her heart heavy with disappointment.

"This... but if she doesn't go, who knows when I will have another chance to get involved with the Marquis of Fengyang?" Qin Huaiyong sighed, his face full of vexation. "If I had known, I wouldn't have brought Lady Di to the capital. I should have just sent her to the old family home to avoid all these unexpected problems."

"So you mean Ruolan must go?" The Old Madam’s brows knit tighter, her gaze fixed on Qin Huaiyong like a physical weight.

"This... if Lady Di agrees, then it shouldn't matter!" Qin Huaiyong felt ashamed even saying it.

"And what if Lady Di insists that Ruolan must go? A few days ago, she specifically said she wanted to take Wanru along," the Old Madam huffed, her tone filled with dissatisfaction.

"This... the greater good must come first. Once the major matters are settled, there will be plenty of time in the future for Lady Di to stay quietly in the inner courtyard." Qin Huaiyong’s face flushed slightly; even being as slow as he was, he could hear the anger in the Old Madam’s tone.

"Mother, please rest assured. I will never treat Ruolan poorly. Once things are settled, Ruolan will be the mistress of the inner courtyard and the entire Qin household. Even if Lady Di isn't locked away, she won't have the authority to meddle in anything; she will merely be a figurehead of the Qin house. Once Yuru is married off, I will find an excuse to send her to the small Buddhist shrine to meditate!"

There was a small Buddhist shrine left behind in the Qin family’s inner courtyard that the Old Madam was very fond of. She had recently been having it cleaned, a fact Qin Huaiyong was well aware of.

The Old Madam looked at Qin Huaiyong and sighed deeply. She waved her hand and said, "You may leave. I understand the situation. As long as Lady Di does not demand that Ruolan go out, that will be enough, won't it?"

"Yes!" Qin Huaiyong lowered his head.

"I am tired, you may go!" The Old Madam stood up, leaning on Nanny Duan’s arm, clearly unwilling to discuss the matter further.

Qin Huaiyong had no choice but to bid her farewell. Standing outside the room, he looked up at the gloomy sky with his hands behind his back. After lingering for a moment, he left the courtyard and turned toward the residence of Shui Ruolan.

The next day, after finishing her breakfast, Qin Wanru went to pay her respects to the Old Madam.

The Old Madam did not want her to come over without eating, so she had specifically ordered her to have her meal first.

Upon entering the room, Qin Wanru sensed a stifling atmosphere. Though it was usually quiet, Shui Ruolan, who always had a smile, was not smiling now. When she saw Qin Wanru enter, she lowered her head slightly and offered a faint smile.

However, beneath her slightly reddened eyes, that smile looked forced.

"Grandmother, what is the matter?" Qin Wanru asked calmly, glancing at the scattered pieces of fabric on the table.

"I am helping your mother choose some fabric for clothes. Because there wasn't enough material before, your mother only made two outfits," the Old Madam sighed. Though she spoke of making clothes for Shui Ruolan, there was no joy on her face.

Shui Ruolan turned her head away, seemingly not wanting Qin Wanru to see her face.

Seeing this, and recalling the previous behavior of Lady Di and Qin Yuru, which revealed their determination and aggressive stance, how could Qin Wanru not understand? A cold glint flashed in her watery eyes as she pursed her lips. "Is Mother going to the banquet at the Marquis of Fengyang's estate?"

"After your father arrived in the capital, his affairs were held up by the Marquis of Fengyang. He wants to use this banquet to build a connection," the Old Madam said, her expression clearly showing her displeasure.

"Then what does that have to do with Mother? Can't the Lady and Father just go together?" Qin Wanru raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Lady Di has already told your father in private that she wants to take your mother with her!" In truth, this was not something suitable to say to her young granddaughter, but the Old Madam felt so stifled that she could not help it. Besides, she felt that her granddaughter had become increasingly sensible.

Ever since the incident with Qin Yuru and Qi Tianyu’s marriage, she had seemed more and more like a little adult.

"Grandmother, no! The Lady will humiliate Mother!" Qin Wanru shook her head, her face grave. It would not just be humiliation; it would be the kind that would strip Shui Ruolan of the courage to live. With Lady Di’s malicious nature, she was sure to do exactly that.

"Your father has already agreed!" the Old Madam said helplessly.

Qin Wanru’s brows furrowed slightly. After thinking for a moment, a faint smile appeared on her face. "Grandmother, Mother, please don't worry. I will go see the Lady and sound her out. Perhaps she doesn't necessarily need Mother to go!"

"That... that is unlikely!" The Old Madam shook her head.

"Grandmother, how will we know if we don't try?" Qin Wanru laughed.

Seeing Qin Wanru’s confident appearance, the Old Madam’s brows relaxed slightly, but she remained skeptical and eventually furrowed them again.

"Wanru, don't go. I'll be fine," Shui Ruolan said, forcing a smile to stop her.

Qin Wanru stood up. "Grandmother, Mother, I will be right back."

Without waiting for them to say anything further, she turned and left the room, taking Yujie with her toward Lady Di’s courtyard.

On the way, she unexpectedly ran into Qin Yuru. Upon hearing that Qin Wanru was going to see Lady Di, Qin Yuru wore a look of mocking amusement and, with a hint of triumph, invited her to go along.

Thus, the two arrived together at Lady Di’s courtyard.

Seeing them arrive together, someone had already reported it to Lady Di. Hearing that Qin Wanru had come, Lady Di invited them inside, wearing a gentle smile. Once they entered, she immediately ordered the maids to serve tea. Once the tea was served, she spoke affectionately to Qin Wanru.

"What wind blew you here today, Wanru?"

"When you go to the Marquis of Fengyang's banquet, are you planning to take Mother and me along?" Qin Wanru asked, looking up.

"About that... actually, I have to think about it. Your father did suggest it, but the Marquis of Fengyang's estate isn't a place just anyone can enter. I cannot make the decision myself; I have to ask others," Lady Di began to put on airs, speaking in a slow, deliberate manner.

"Lady, can I not go? I don't really want to go!" Qin Wanru picked up the teacup beside her but did not drink, her gaze fixed on the tea leaves inside, appearing quite calm.

Lady Di had not expected her to be there for reasons other than Shui Ruolan, and she was somewhat surprised. "Why don't you want to go? Aren't you young girls the ones who love excitement the most?"

Whether Qin Wanru went or not was not the most important thing. She insisted on Shui Ruolan going. If she didn't go, then she would not attend the banquet either, leaving Qin Huaiyong with no way to use his connections.

Having been married for so many years, she naturally knew what Qin Huaiyong needed, how to make him concede, and that in order to attend the Marquis of Fengyang’s banquet, Qin Huaiyong would have to lower his stance and beg her.

If she didn't put on airs now, when would she?

She was determined to take Shui Ruolan with her. She wanted to humiliate that wretch so thoroughly that she would never be able to show her face again, and it would be best if she returned so ashamed that she could no longer bear to live.

A soft knife kills without blood; Lady Di had long understood this principle.

As for Qin Wanru, she was just an afterthought. Whether she went or not was not urgent; she was merely a prop to show her own magnanimity and propriety. Of course, if Qin Wanru did not know her place, she wouldn't mind letting her suffer a little.

"Lady, I... yesterday when I went to Huaguang Temple, I saw a lady from the capital. A month ago, she was at the Jingxin Nunnery in Jiangzhou. I’m afraid that if this lady says something at the banquet regarding what happened then, it might not be good!"

Qin Wanru furrowed her beautiful willow-leaf brows and said in a low, slow voice.

"What lady?" Lady Di’s expression changed, and she suddenly had a very bad feeling.