Chapter 132: If We’re Talking Tough, Who’s Afraid of Whom?

"Hand it over to Madam Di?" Shui Ruolan asked, puzzled and feeling uneasy.

She wanted to relinquish the management of the household, but like Qin Wanru, she dared not. She remembered how Madam Di had once orchestrated a scheme at the General's manor, luring a drunken Qin Huaiyong into her own bedroom. If Madam Di were capable of that, she was certainly capable of worse. Shui Ruolan could not bear the consequences of letting Madam Di take control.

"No, that's impossible!" Qin Wanru shook her head, rejecting the idea outright. Madam Di was not even an option.

"Then perhaps to Concubine Xu or Concubine Dong?" Shui Ruolan suggested another possibility. Qin Huaiyong had only these two concubines, both former personal maids promoted after Madam Di entered the household. By convention, they had been elevated by Madam Di, and they had always been very obedient and orderly in the manor.

"Mother... let's try Concubine Xu first. She used to handle more of the household affairs, and compared to Concubine Dong, Father seems to trust her more. I can help her occasionally, but not too much. If I assist while you are in charge, Madam Di won't have grounds to complain," Qin Wanru pondered and replied.

There were only so many people in the manor; for now, this was the only way.

In truth, Qin Wanru wanted to step in and manage the household herself, but that would be improper. Qin Yuru had not even intervened, so why should she, still so young, be allowed to take charge?

However, if she allowed Qin Yuru to intervene, Madam Di would certainly force her way in, as it was only natural for a mother to support her own daughter. To keep Qin Yuru out, Qin Wanru could only assist Shui Ruolan slightly, and only in matters concerning Shui Ruolan personally, as she was, after all, now her mother.

Hearing Qin Wanru's reasoning, Shui Ruolan felt at ease. Qin Wanru then wrote out a few prescriptions, instructing Qionghua to gather the ingredients and brew them herself, telling everyone outside that Shui Ruolan was simply feeling unwell due to the change in climate. This way, they would not need to call for outside doctors.

Just because Madam Di had not made a move this time did not mean she wouldn't in the future. Both Qin Wanru and Shui Ruolan knew that once Madam Di discovered Shui Ruolan was pregnant, she would stop at nothing to destroy the child. Not having a son was Madam Di's greatest vulnerability.

After discussing a few more precautions, Qin Wanru prepared to leave, seeing that Shui Ruolan was truly exhausted.

"Madam Shui! Madam Shui, you must seek justice for our young miss!" Just as she stood up, a shrill, weeping voice rang out from outside. It sounded as if someone were running in while crying, though they were ultimately blocked by the maids in the courtyard.

Recognizing the voice, Qin Wanru understood the situation immediately. She gave a faint smile and sat back down. Were Qin Yuru and Qi Rongzhi causing a scene again? It seemed her earlier efforts had taken effect.

"What is going on?" Shui Ruolan’s face darkened; since taking charge, she had grown much more authoritative.

Qionghua nodded and ran out, returning shortly after to report: "My Lady, it is Meixue, the maid by the Eldest Miss's side. She says the Eldest Miss and the eldest daughter of the Qi family are fighting again. Miss Qi beat the Eldest Miss and smashed the things in her room. It is absolute chaos over there. You must go and take a look!"

"Let's go," Shui Ruolan said, rubbing her temples. She knew that as the lady in charge, she had to intervene.

"Mother, I will accompany you. Please be careful," Qin Wanru said, standing up. She was worried about Shui Ruolan.

Seeing the concern in Qin Wanru’s eyes, Shui Ruolan nodded. The two stepped out of the room to see Meixue standing in the courtyard, her hair disheveled and several bloody scratches on her face—a truly pathetic sight.

"Madam Shui, Madam Shui, please save our young miss!" Meixue, having been blocked from entering the room by two burly matrons, lunged forward the moment she saw Shui Ruolan.

Qin Wanru stepped forward, shielding Shui Ruolan, and looked coldly at Meixue.

Taken aback by the icy gaze, Meixue stopped in her tracks, not daring to rush forward again.

"Lead the way," Qin Wanru said indifferently.

Facing Qin Wanru’s cold, clear eyes, Meixue dared not throw a tantrum. She wiped her tears and turned to lead the way, feeling a sense of unease. She cast a cautious glance at Qin Wanru, wondering when this Second Miss—who used to be bullied by the Eldest Miss—had developed such an imposing presence.

Meixue’s gaze met Yujie’s, and Yujie glared fiercely back at her, causing Meixue to quickly look away. Not only the Second Miss, but even her maid was so formidable!

When the group arrived at Qin Yuru’s Yalan Pavilion, the room was in total disarray, though the situation was largely under control. This meant that Qi Rongzhi was being held by the arms and pressed against a small side table, while Madam Di sat by with a dark face. Qin Yuru was covering her face with her hands, glaring viciously at Qi Rongzhi.

Was this all just waiting for Shui Ruolan to arrive? Qin Wanru’s eyes fell on Madam Di. Seeing her cold gaze fixed on Shui Ruolan’s flat stomach, Qin Wanru’s heart skipped a beat. Could Madam Di have sensed something, and was she using this opportunity to harm Shui Ruolan?

It seemed she would have to act according to the situation and dismantle Madam Di’s scheme today.

The room was a mess, with overturned chairs and stools, scattered debris, and shattered porcelain. There was hardly a place to step. Shui Ruolan did not enter immediately; she first directed the matrons to clear the floor before entering with Qin Wanru and taking a seat.

"Sister, you are certainly quick to arrive when it comes to managing the manor. If you had come any later, I fear Yuru would have been beaten to injury by Miss Qi again!" Madam Di’s triangular eyes narrowed as she looked at Shui Ruolan, her tone filled with sour mockery.

Her well-laid plan had been ruined by the intervention of the Marquis of Yangqu's wife, and she was furious. She had expected that in a few days, after something happened to Shui Ruolan, the management of the inner household would fall back into her hands. But at the final moment, she had been forced to stop. This suppressed rage made it impossible for her to speak calmly to Shui Ruolan.

"Sister arrived quite early herself. What happened here?" Shui Ruolan did not argue, but asked gently, her eyes sweeping over Qi Rongzhi, who was firmly held by two matrons.

"Madam Shui, is this the way you treat your guests? When I followed you into the manor, my father and mother entrusted me to your care, saying that our two families were on good terms and that everything would be handled well. But what is this now? To have me held down like this? I am the daughter of a dignified Prefect!" Qi Rongzhi struggled violently, but finding herself unable to move, she grew furious and glared at Shui Ruolan.

"Release Miss Qi," Shui Ruolan ordered.

The two matrons glanced at Madam Di, not daring to let go.

"Sister, Miss Qi is a guest in our manor. Furthermore, the General has repeatedly spoken of her arrival in the capital, stating that Prefect Qi entrusted us with her full care. If we go back on our word, it would not look good, would it?" Shui Ruolan turned to Madam Di, her words polite and impeccably framed.

However, the implication behind them made Madam Di think twice. It wasn’t just Qi Rongzhi in the capital; the Qi brothers were here too, especially Qi Tianyu. If he were to speak of the incidents in Jiangzhou, Qin Yuru’s reputation would be ruined all over again, just as it had been back then.

"Release her!" Madam Di gritted her teeth and waved her hand.

The two matrons retreated. Qi Rongzhi swung her arms, loosening her stiff muscles.

"Miss Qi, can you now explain why you picked a fight with Yuru? Although your family entrusted you to the General, if you refuse to behave, our manor cannot afford to host such a 'goddess' as you," Shui Ruolan said, her gaze resting on the indignant Qi Rongzhi, her tone turning stern.

The implication was clear: if Qi Rongzhi did not behave, she would be sent back to the Qi residence in the capital.

Qi Rongzhi had not expected Shui Ruolan to be so firm. Feeling humiliated, she flew into a rage. "Shui Ruolan, you..."

Qin Wanru let out a cold hum, stepped forward, and delivered a sharp, stinging slap to Qi Rongzhi’s face.

"Qi Rongzhi, this is the Qin manor, not your Qi residence in Jiangzhou. If you want to throw a tantrum, go back to Jiangzhou. We do not welcome you here!"

Qin Wanru said coldly, then wiped her palm with a handkerchief, her fair, delicate face wearing a sharp, fierce expression.

No one expected Qin Wanru to strike without a word. A strange silence fell over the room as everyone stared at her in astonishment.

Qi Rongzhi’s eyes widened, her hand covering her face as she glared at Qin Wanru, wishing she could jump up and claw at that beautiful face. But the slap had sobered her. She could act arrogantly in front of Madam Di and her daughter, but she could not do so before Shui Ruolan and Qin Wanru.

After all, the two of them were not afraid of what she might say outside. The affairs in Jiangzhou were stirred up by Madam Di and her daughter; if they came to light, it would only ruin their reputation. It had nothing to do with Qin Wanru or Shui Ruolan—in fact, they might even hope for her to stir up trouble.

The bigger the scandal, the better it was for them! Realizing this, Qi Rongzhi gritted her teeth and held back.

"Wanru, what are you doing?" Madam Di, clearly realizing the same thing, slammed the table and shouted angrily.

"What is wrong, Madam? I am merely standing up for my elder sister. Miss Qi just hit her, so is it not fair that we hit her back?" Qin Wanru looked genuinely puzzled, then turned to look at Qin Yuru, who was still clutching her face—it was evident she had been struck.

Given Qi Rongzhi’s strength and Qin Yuru’s lack of confidence, it was highly likely that Qin Yuru had taken the brunt of the fight. Although Qin Yuru disliked Qin Wanru, seeing Qi Rongzhi get slapped made her feel a sense of satisfaction. She lowered her hand, revealing a large, red palm print on her cheek.

"Qi Rongzhi, tell us, why did you pick a fight with my elder sister this time?" With the facts laid bare, Qin Wanru stepped back and sat in a nearby chair, speaking coldly.

Qi Rongzhi looked from one to the other. Both were people of the Qin manor, and she suddenly felt isolated and helpless. She burst into tears, stood up, covered her face, and ran out.