Chapter 172: That’s Just Too Lenient on Them

Chapter 172: That's Just Too Lenient on Them

The next morning, Madame Tong and Old Lady Tong arrived with Chang Jing. Upon seeing Tang Shuyi, Chang Jing bowed deeply, "Thank you, Madam, for saving my life."

If it weren't for the people from the Yongning Marquisate who let him escape, he wouldn't have been cautious enough to hide in advance when the Wu family came to kill him, nor would he have found his current family.

"That's your fate," Tang Shuyi said. She hadn't expected that Chang Jing's life would be so dramatic.

"We still need to express our gratitude," Old Lady Tong said, also bowing to Tang Shuyi.

Tang Shuyi hurried to assist her, then personally helped her into the house. After sitting down, Old Lady Tong wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said, "I thought I would only see my second son and his family after I died. I never expected that my grandson would still be alive in this world."

Tang Shuyi softly consoled her, "That's why I say you're blessed. Now that your grandson has returned, what a joyous occasion!"

Old Lady Tong smiled upon hearing her words, "Madam Marquis, you're a good person. Your great fortune is yet to come."

Tang Shuyi smiled in return, "Then I shall accept your auspicious words."

"People must do good deeds, otherwise they will surely face retribution," Old Lady Tong said, her tone carrying a note of hatred.

Tang Shuyi knew she was referring to the Wu family, but she didn't want to get involved in their feud, so she didn't respond.

Then Old Lady Tong said again, "Madam Marquis, how can you tolerate the Wu family's actions?"

Xiao Yuzhu's and Wu Jingyun's engagement was called off, and the word outside was that their birth charts were incompatible. But almost everyone knew that this was just an excuse. Incompatible birth charts? Which family wouldn't match them before engagement? The birth charts were compatible when they got engaged, so how could they become incompatible later?

In time, no unpleasant words were exchanged between the families, and the matter seemed to have passed. However, after Xiao Yuchen broke off the engagement, many families sought to replace Wu Jingyun with their own daughters, while Wu Jingyun was left without suitors.

Unfortunately, this reflects the disparities between men and women in ancient times. This is also why Wu Jingyun’s cousin, Master Zhang the Fifth, broke off his engagement with the eldest Zhao daughter and made their affair public.

Breaking off an engagement doesn't imply fault on the part of our girl; it's due to a scoundrel.

The Tong family naturally didn't believe the rumors about the incompatibility of horoscopes, but what they didn't expect was the magnitude of trouble the broken engagement would cause. However, they were puzzled as to how the Marchioness of Yongning could bear such a major incident; she didn't seem like someone who would suffer a loss quietly!

Hence, the elderly Madame Tong asked that question; she truly couldn't swallow that insult! The Wu family had gone too far, plotting against her grandson and even seeking his life.

"Elder Madame," Tang Shuyi sighed, "My pride is not as important as a human life!"

Madame Tong asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"You must have heard about the incident that day. If word gets out, all the women of the Wu family will be implicated, and innocent lives might truly be at risk," Tang Shuyi explained.

Madame Tong was momentarily at a loss for words.

Having lived to a ripe old age, she understood that Tang Shuyi’s words were not mere scaremongering and could even be an understatement. She had indeed thought about making the matter public, and her visit today was to discuss it with Tang Shuyi, given Xiao Yuchen’s involvement.

But now, she was uncertain what to do. As a devout Buddhist, she feared accruing sin. Yet, if she didn’t speak out and allow the Wu family to be taught a lesson, she couldn't swallow her pride!

Then, Madame Tong spoke up, "The Marchioness, like my mother, is kind-hearted. If it weren't for the innocent women of the Wu family, we would have made the matter public already. However..."

Madame Tong looked at her mother-in-law and said, "There are plenty of ways to teach the Wu family a lesson."

Elder Madame Tong remained silent, lips pressed together.

Tang Shuyi picked up her cup and took a sip of tea, deliberately ignoring the mother-daughter-in-law dispute. Clearly, though the invitation was sent by Madame Tong, it was the Elder Madame Tong who truly wished to speak with her. Hadn’t Madame Tong been silent all this while?

It didn’t take much to understand that as the parents of Chang Jing’s father and mother were Elder Madame Tong’s direct son and daughter-in-law, and Chang Jing her direct grandson, the family’s tribulations directly affected her. She was undoubtedly seeking retribution for any grievances her grandson had suffered.

But Madame Tong’s concerns were different. She might have had some affection for Chang Jing’s parents initially, but after so many years, those feelings had faded. Her primary concern now was for her children and her husband, Magistrate Tong’s, career.

Indeed, making the matter public would certainly strike a blow to the Wu family, but it would also lead people to think the Tong family too ruthless, especially considering the innocent Wu women involved. This could potentially impact her children’s marriage prospects.

In ancient times, while marriages were arranged by parents and matchmakers, families that cherished their children would thoroughly investigate the other party. Any slight misgiving could weigh on their minds, for marriage was a lifelong commitment.

This also underlines one of the reasons why ancient people placed such importance on reputation; the dishonor of one member could tarnish the entire family's name.

"That would be letting them off too easily," declared the Elder Lady Tong.

To this, Tang Shuyi merely smiled without a word. Whatever revenge the Tong family might seek against the Wu family had nothing to do with her; she just needed to mind her own business.

Lady Tong tried to persuade further, speaking of sparing the innocent women of the Wu family from disgrace as a virtuous deed, accruing merit for Chang Jing. Now, Chang Jing was the apple of Elder Lady Tong's eye, and any mention of him would dissuade her from divulging their secrets.

After sitting for a while longer, it was time for them to take their leave. Tang Shuyi rose to see them off, and parting, she said with a smile to Lady Tong, "In a few days, I'm planning a boating and archery outing with my sisters-in-law and the Lady of Nanling. Would you care to join us?"

Lady Tong's face brightened with a smile, "That would be delightful, be sure to include me."

The corners of Tang Shuyi's mouth lifted, "Certainly."

Socializing among ladies, whether in ancient times or the modern era, is a necessary and pragmatic form of networking. Hence, these ladies of prominent families would usually partake in any suitable gatherings.

Tang Shuyi's aspiration was to make her club one of the prime venues for these elite ladies' social events.