Chapter 216: What If She Isn’t Stupid?

Chapter 216: What If She Isn't Stupid?

Lu Lingyun had been having someone observe Jiang Qianzhu for several days.

After Madam Jiang witnessed Jiang Qianzhu's true nature, she too became wary of Jiang Qianzhu and took precautions, secretly reassigned the maid who had been closely attending to Jiang Qianzhu, instructing her to report Jiang Qianzhu's whereabouts.

As a result, Lu Lingyun was fully aware of Jiang Qianzhu's daily activities.

After getting closer to Aunt Yang, Jiang Qianzhu made excuses about going on outings with her friends in the Imperial City. But in reality, she spent those days drinking tea and shopping with Aunt Yang.

Their relationship became closer and closer.

Behind closed doors, Jiang Qianzhu constantly bad-mouthed Madam Jiang.

She accused Madam Jiang of being two-faced, hypocritical, and only pretending to be kind. Lu Lingyun wasn't spared either in her complaints.

Jiang Qianzhu called Lu Lingyun a common bird that had flown into the treetops, acting like a queen just because she had married into wealth.

Aunt Yang would laugh heartily whenever Jiang Qianzhu spoke ill of them. When they were in high spirits, Aunt Yang would steer the conversation toward more topics, many of which involved secretly probing into the internal affairs of the Wang family.

Within a few days, Yangshi had thoroughly probed all the affairs of the Wang family.

From major details like General Wang's daily routines and his frequent associations, to minor ones such as the fact that Wang Qiluo had just become pregnant a month ago—something that outsiders wouldn't know.

Fortunately, Lu Lingyun had never liked Jiang Qianzhu from the start and had cut off any possibility of her entering the Marquis's Mansion, otherwise, all the private matters of her household would have been exposed to Yangshi.

"Your sister Qiluo is pregnant," Yangshi said slowly.

"Yes, it's been a month, so it's probably close to two months now."

"It seems that the young couple is getting along well," Yangshi said with a meaningful sigh, "By the way, how is your brother-in-law Liu Shuhui doing now? He's the top scholar of the imperial examination this year, so his official career must be promising."

Hearing the name Liu Shuhui, Jiang Qianzhu thought for a moment, "I wouldn't know about that."

She had never met Liu Shuhui. By the time she had arrived, Qiluo had already left with him. No one in the family really talked about him much, and even if they did, there was no need for them to mention him in front of her. At most, the General and his wife would think of their daughter and son-in-law privately in their rooms.

"I've heard that he's been doing a great job handling the heretical sects in Jiangnan recently," Yangshi continued in a low tone.

During this time, news from Jiangnan had reached the Imperial City, all of them good news. The emperor had praised Liu Shuhui several times in court, causing many to take note of him.

Many believed that this year's top scholar, Liu Shuhui, would go far in his career.

Unfortunately, Jiang Qianzhu truly didn't know any of this, nor did she care.

"I don't understand these things," Jiang Qianzhu said bluntly.

As her words fell, Yangshi smiled meaningfully and said, "Qianzhu, you should start paying attention to current affairs. Liu Shuhui is your cousin's husband. In the future, when he rises to prominence, you'll surely benefit from it too."

Hearing this, Jiang Qianzhu thought seriously and said, "Alright, then Aunt Yang, I'll ask around in the Marquis's Mansion when I go back."

"That's the right attitude!"

Yangshi couldn't help but take Jiang Qianzhu's hand, affectionately patting it as she led her into a cosmetics shop, "Auntie will buy you some new makeup. A girl must dress herself up well to find a good husband!"

Upon hearing that she would be bought things, Jiang Qianzhu's eyes filled with greed. "Thank you, Aunt Yang!"

After leaving the cosmetics shop, the maid and matron behind Jiang Qianzhu were carrying large and small bags. Noting that it was getting late, Madam Jiang arranged to meet her again the next day and smiled as she saw her off onto the carriage.

Once Jiang Qianzhu's carriage was out of sight, Madam Jiang entered her own carriage, and the smile on her face immediately dropped. Her eyes turned cold and calculating.

"Wang Family, just wait and see how I will take revenge on you!"

She seethed with resentment toward the Wang Family and Madam Jiang.

When the Wang Family had not married Wang Qiluo into hers, they had made a mortal enemy of her!

Who did the Wang Family think they were to reject her precious, noble son?

Her son beating a woman was nothing, and even if he beat their daughter, it would be their honor!

How dare they reject them for that reason and slander their family. The Luo Family had just arrived in the Imperial City and hadn't established themselves yet. They were ostracized and unable to form marriage alliances. She would definitely take revenge for this humiliation!

Of course, in her opinion, even if the Wang Family had married into hers, she wouldn't have spoken well of them.

For Wang Qiluo to marry her precious son would have been an overreach. How could she be worthy of her son? If the Wang Family dared to stand up for their daughter and slander the Luo Family, she would never let them off!

Anyone who spoke against her son or harmed the Luo Family's reputation would not be tolerated!

She was just waiting for the right opportunity to take revenge on the Wang Family!

When Jiang Qianzhu returned, as soon as she entered, she saw Lu Lingyun sitting in the main hall, chatting amiably with Madam Jiang.

Seeing her, the ingratiating smile on her face froze halfway.

"Aunt, she's here too," Jiang Qianzhu said sarcastically.

Madam Jiang's gaze fell on the large and small bags that Jiang Qianzhu's attendants were carrying. Her gaze turned sharp. "Why did you buy so many things again?"

"A friend gave them to me," Jiang Qianzhu said casually, without a trace of guilt in her eyes. "I'll take these things to my room first."

Madam Jiang nodded and gave a subtle signal to the maid behind Jiang Qianzhu.

The maid followed Jiang Qianzhu to her courtyard to deliver the items, then found an excuse to leave. She returned to the main hall and reported everything that had just happened to Madam Jiang.

When Madam Jiang heard that Jiang Qianzhu had readily agreed to inquire about Liu Shuhui upon returning to the Wang Family, she could not contain her anger.

"How could she be this foolish?" Madam Jiang raged.

Anyone with eyes and ears could see and hear that Madam Yang was clearly probing into their family's secrets. To agree to such a matter concerning the core of the family was utterly foolish!

"What if she's not stupid?" Lu Lingyun, sitting beside her, said slowly.

Her words immediately halted Madam Jiang's anger, replacing it with shock and cold realization.

Lu Lingyun rarely attributed foolishness to others, for there were not many truly foolish people. Everyone acted according to their own interests, some with long-term gains, some with short-term benefits, and some with completely conflicting interests.

Lu Lingyun did not find Jiang Qianzhu stupid at all. She had managed to manipulate Madam Jiang, gaining favors from her while making her believe it was her idea. Jiang Qianzhu had plenty of schemes; how could she not have understood Madam Yang's intentions?

But she went along with it and revealed all the Wang Family's secrets.

Because she wasn't stupid. She was malicious.

She enjoyed spreading her aunt's family's private matters, allowing malicious people to learn of them, setting up a dangerous trap for her aunt's family, which filled her with a deep sense of excitement and anticipation.

Because, like Madam Yang, she was jealous and resentful of her aunt's family, waiting to see them fall.

In her eyes, her aunt's family wasn't her own family.