Chapter 73: Take Action

Chapter 73: Take Action

Tang Shuyi's mention of waiting for Master Wu to arrive clenched Old Madam Zhang's hand resting on her knee into a fist. It seemed that the Marquise had truly come with ill intentions today. As she pondered over a solution, she heard Tang Shuyi inquire further, "Is Miss Wu the second in the residence?"

Old Madam Zhang forced a stiff smile, "She is, she has been living here for some time. She lost her mother at a young age, so it's up to this old woman to provide extra guidance."

Tang Shuyi glanced at her hands, murmuring, "Indeed, more guidance is necessary."

Old Madam Zhang's brows knotted, "What has Jingyun done again?"

Instead of answering, Tang Shuyi said, "Old Madam, please have Miss Wu the second come over. We should discuss the matter face-to-face."

After pondering for a moment, Old Madam Zhang instructed the nursemaid beside her to summon Wu Jingyun, then said, "Marquise, please speak your mind."

Pressed repeatedly for answers, Tang Shuyi no longer held back, recounting the incident at Shanglin Academy before adding, "Old Madam, it's well-known that your esteemed family has close ties with Director Fang. His public defense of Miss Wu the second, accusing my son of moral failing, would lead no one to believe that the Zhang family isn't involved."

Old Madam Zhang's liver-spotted hands, even clenched together, couldn't stop trembling, indicating her intense anger. At over sixty years of age, her hair graying, such agitation seemed hard for Tang Shuyi to bear.

She said, "Old Madam, I have nothing but respect for the years of friendship you shared with my mother-in-law. Today, I simply wish to inquire how Miss Wu the second's indignation can be assuaged."

Old Madam Zhang exhaled, striving to stabilize her emotions, "Marquise, let's clarify the situation first. If it truly originates from my household, I assure you, you will have your explanation."

"Very well," said Tang Shuyi.

In truth, her visit today was not to seek explanations, but to thoroughly resolve the matter.

At that moment, the door curtain was lifted, and Wu Jingyun entered. She had clearly lost weight and carried an air of melancholy about her. After paying respects to Elder Madam Zhang, she turned to Tang Shuyi and greeted, "Madam Marquess, I trust you're well."

Tang Shuyi hummed in acknowledgment, and Wu Jingyun's gaze shifted to Xiao Yuchen, her grip tightening on the handkerchief she held.

Elder Madam Zhang then broached the topic of Director Fang speaking ill of Xiao Yuchen's moral character, and questioned, "Was it your doing?"

Wu Jingyun appeared stunned, seemingly clueless about the situation. Then, the voice of a nanny rang out, "Young Master Five, the Elder Madam has guests, you mustn’t intrude."

Followed by a young man's voice: "I'm aware. Is it the Marquess of Yongning’s wife? If someone is to blame, let it fall on me. If there are grievances to be aired, direct them my way."

"Oh, Young Master Five, please don’t add to the confusion."

"Step aside!"

The door curtain was then briskly swept open, and a young man of about eighteen or nineteen strode in. He paid his respects to Elder Madam Zhang before turning to Tang Shuyi, his anger palpable as he declared, "Madam Marquess, my cousin was betrothed to the Heir of Xiao, yet he maintains a concubine elsewhere. If this isn't a failing of moral character, what is it?"

Pointing at Xiao Yuchen, he continued, "He's the one responsible, the one who harbored the person. You transfer her away and clean up the trail as if nothing ever happened?"

"Young Master Zhang," Xiao Yuchen suddenly stood, his gaze seething as he addressed Zhang, "Is this the tone you use when speaking to my mother?"

Young Master Zhang was momentarily taken aback, realizing his manners had indeed been lacking, not befitting of a gentleman. But it was their Marquess household’s bullying that drove him to such discourtesy. He retorted, "Xiao Yuchen, you..."

"Little Five, hold your tongue," Elder Madam Zhang interjected sharply.

"Grandmother..."

"Elder Madam, Director Wu has arrived," announced the nanny from outside.

"Let him in," Elder Madam Zhang instructed.

The door curtain was lifted once more, and Wu Guoliang made his entrance. After surveying the room, he paid his respects to both Elder Madam Zhang and Tang Shuyi. As Elder Madam Zhang was about to speak, Tang Shuyi took the floor.

"Now that Director Wu is also here, allow me to say a few words," Tang Shuyi rose, her gaze settling on Wu Jingyun. "All things considered, it seems Miss Wu still harbors resentment towards my son Yuchen. I've brought him here today for you to air your grievances."

"Yuchen, come here," Tang Shuyi beckoned Xiao Yuchen.

Xiao Yuchen glanced at Wu Jingyun, his eyes brimming with disdain. He was thoroughly fed up with Miss Wu. Time and again she tested his patience; did she take him for a clay figurine to be molded at will?

With a taut expression, he moved to stand beside Tang Shuyi, mere steps away from Wu Jingyun.

Tang Shuyi noticed his displeasure but paid it no mind. She addressed Wu Jingyun, "Miss Wu, I know you harbor resentment towards Yuchen. Today, I'm giving you the chance to vent."

As she spoke, she drew a half-foot long dagger, sheathed in silver, from her sleeve and unsheathed it with a decisive flick of her wrists.

"Madame Marquess."

"Madame Marquess."

Both Dowager Zhang and Wu Guoliang exclaimed in alarm upon seeing the dagger. Tang Shuyi gestured dismissively at them, then took two steps forward, seized Wu Jingyun's hand, and thrust the dagger into her grasp. Gazing intently into her eyes, she said earnestly:

"If you feel wronged by Yuchen, if you despise him, here's your opportunity for retribution. In the presence of your grandmother and father, I, Tang Shuyi, give you my word: as long as you spare Yuchen's life today, no matter how gravely you injure him, I will not hold it against you. However, henceforth, you must cease harboring any malice towards him and the Marquess's estate. Agreed?"

"Mother!" Xiao Yuchen cried out in disbelief. He had done nothing to wrong Wu Jingyun; why should he be subject to her whims?

"Silence," Tang Shuyi rebuked coldly. Even though the sins he committed against Wu Jingyun in a past life remained uncommitted, his concealment of Liu Biqin in Plum Blossom Alley alone warranted a stern punishment. Previously, she had only made him kneel in the ancestral hall to avoid raising suspicion and prompting an investigation into Liu Biqin's whereabouts.

The Liang family had accused Xiao Yuchen of harboring a traitor's daughter, but without evidence. Shortly afterward, Xiao Yuchen had been beaten so severely he couldn't leave his bed, leading to speculations that weren't far from the truth.

Today presented an ideal opportunity for him to experience firsthand the consequences of his actions.

As for allowing Wu Jingyun to vent her frustration, that was just another motive.

Pulling Xiao Yuchen in front of Wu Jingyun, she said, "Miss Wu, here he is. Do as you will."

Xiao Yuchen clenched his fists, staring intently at Wu Jingyun. He couldn't fathom his mother's actions or understand why Wu Jingyun harbored such deep resentment towards him.

Wu Jingyun's grip on the dagger tightened. As she looked at the man before her, her vision blurred. In a previous life, she had set eyes on him at a banquet and etched his image deep in her heart, which led to a life filled with humiliation and suppression.

Recalling her past sufferings, she longed to plunge the dagger into him repeatedly, but the weapon felt as heavy as a thousand pounds and wouldn't budge.

At that moment, Xiao Yuchen spoke, "Miss Wu, our betrothal was arranged by our parents, and my family fulfilled all customary rites without fail. I personally delivered the betrothal gifts and treated your family with due respect. I fail to understand your hatred towards me, your relentless schemes against me."

Wu Jingyun clutched the dagger tightly, tears streaming down her face, but she remained silent.

Xiao Yuchen continued, "My mother believes your hatred stems from my affection for another, but my closeness to Miss Liu of the Liu family was no secret in the capital; surely, you were aware. If you agreed to our betrothal, weren't you prepared to accept this? Besides, what noblewoman would resort to violence upon learning her husband has affections for another?"

Tang Shuyi wanted to cover her face.

The gall of this scoundrel! Spouting such nonsense with righteous indignation. Fortunately, this is in ancient times. If it were the modern era, he'd be verbally torn to shreds.

At that moment, Xiao Yuchen pointed mockingly at Zhang Wugongzi and taunted, "Not to mention others, even your cousin Zhang Wugongzi harbors feelings for you, yet he is betrothed to another. Has his fiancée ever sought his death? Has she ever contemplated annihilating the Zhang family entirely?"

By the end, Xiao Yuchen was so furious that his eyes turned red. How unlucky he was to be engaged to such a woman.

PS: Madame Hou's intent wasn't merely to have Wu Jingyun stab Xiao Yuchen once; she had other plans up her sleeve. Soft approach before force!