Chapter 270: Why Not Make a Wager

Chapter 270: Why Not Make a Wager

The words of Concubine Zhao infuriated Tong Nanyuan, "Is this how a mother should act?"

Meanwhile, Nan Xia, who was feigning illness, couldn't hide her disappointment, "Third sister, forget it."

Hearing her speak, Concubine Zhao quickly said, "See, she's just fine."

Nan Xia dared not say more and hung her head. Concubine Zhao continued, "I told you nothing would go wrong. The capital is a blessed place for the noble, how could it be haunted by evil spirits? If you were indeed affected, it's because your fate is lowly. Your lowly fate is your own fault, not anyone else's. If you're not feeling well, just go back and rest for a bit."

"Yes, Concubine."

"Nan Xia." Tong Nanyuan wanted to pull Nan Xia back to seek justice for her, but Lu Lingyun held her wrist.

Lu Lingyun gently shook her head at her.

Concubine Zhao smiled as she watched them, "I'll accompany Nan Xia back to rest, she'll surely be fine."

"Go ahead, Concubine Zhao." Lu Lingyun nodded at her.

Concubine Zhao led the obedient Nan Xia out and back to their room. Once inside, she grabbed Nan Xia and said, "Now you're scheming against your own mother."

"Mother, I didn't."

"Do you think I'm stupid? Out of everyone, only you were affected by evil spirits, and you're conspiring with outsiders to deceive me. Have you lost your mind? Do you really think I'd believe that?"

Nan Xia pursed her lips, not daring to speak.

"Born useless, and now you've lost your mind. What do you think you are? Do you really think others are helping you? Conspiring with them to deceive your own mother, they're just making fun of you! You're just a lowly concubine's daughter, can't even recognize your own status!"

Nan Xia clenched the handkerchief in her hand, not daring to utter a word.

"I'm so unlucky to have given birth to such a fool like you. Not even a son to support me, and now you're conspiring with outsiders to plot against me! How unfortunate I am!"

"Mother, I was wrong, I won't dare to do it again..."

"You need to know, you're born lowly. In this world, only your mother truly cares for you. Stop fooling around with your legitimate sisters!"

"I know, mother..."

Their conversation reached Lu Lingyun, and Tong Nanyuan was furious again.

"I knew that Concubine Zhao is always sowing discord, never saying anything good! She's been bullying Nan Xia terribly!"

Tong Nanyuan was so angry that she wished she could rush to the neighboring courtyard right now to rescue Nan Xia.

Back in the Tong family, she knew Nan Xia was timid and bullied by her mother, but her mother was a skilled actress, always pleasing those above.

Among her children, only Nan Xia was kept by her side, and no one could forcefully take her away.

Nan Xia was quiet, never speaking up in the mansion, and no one knew when she was wronged. Tong Nanyuan could only stand up for her a few times when she heard her being scolded.

Now hearing Concubine Zhao's behind-the-scenes discord, she really couldn't stand it.

No wonder Nan Xia never told her.

It was all Concubine Zhao stirring up trouble behind her back!

Seeing Tong Nanyuan's temper just like in her previous life, Lu Lingyun held her back and said, "What are you going to do?"

"To save Nan Xia!"

"How do we save her?" Lu Lingyun smiled faintly.

Tong Nanyuan gritted her teeth and thought, "I will forcibly take Nan Xia out and never allow Aunt Zhao to scold her again."

Lu Lingyun chuckled lightly, "Do you think Nan Xia will be grateful to you?"

"Otherwise?" Tong Nanyuan looked curious.

"How about we make a bet," Lu Lingyun gently tapped the lid of her teacup.

"What bet?"

"Let's see if Nan Xia chooses you or her aunt." Lu Lingyun smiled, her calm eyes showing a cold understanding of human nature.

In the evening, Tong Nanxia came to Lu Lingyun's courtyard for dinner.

When she arrived, the servants informed her, "Fourth Miss, our young mistress has just set dinner in the flower hall and forgot to notify you and Aunt Zhao. Please join us in the garden for dinner."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao immediately became displeased, "No need, we'll go ourselves."

She turned to leave with Tong Nanxia, and as they turned, she said to her, "See, you're just a daughter from a concubine. They don't even bother to notify you about dinner in advance."

Tong Nanxia remained silent.

"You're so naive, always thinking someone is good to you, but in reality, they all look down on you!"

Just as Tong Nanxia was being scolded into silence, a clear voice rang out ahead, "Aunt Zhao, is this how you sow discord behind our backs?"

Tong Nanyuan suddenly appeared, causing Aunt Zhao's face to stiffen. She quickly forced a smile, "Third Miss, I wasn't sowing discord, just making casual remarks."

"Casual remarks? Remarks about how we look down on Nan Xia? Remarks about how Nan Xia is a concubine's daughter, and my cousin doesn't even bother to notify her about dinner?"

"Third Miss, you must have misunderstood!" Aunt Zhao hurriedly tried to make amends, "I meant that Nan Xia is of low status and doesn't deserve to be notified by the young mistress, so she should stay in her lane."

"Stop making excuses. Don't you usually bully and scold Nan Xia enough?" With that, Tong Nanyuan turned to Tong Nanxia, "Nan Xia, do you believe your mother's words or mine?"

Tong Nanxia's timid eyes looked anxiously at both of them.

"Let me ask you, do you really think the young mistress and I look down on you?"

Tong Nanxia shook her head, "Third Miss, Young Mistress, you both treat me very well."

"Good, with your words, I am reassured," Tong Nanyuan turned back to Aunt Zhao, "You, a disrespectful aunt, always bully the young misses of the house. You dare to openly sow discord in front of me. I will teach you a lesson today!"

With that, she rushed forward to pull at Aunt Zhao.

Seeing this, Tong Nanxia urgently said, "Third Miss, maybe let it go!"

At that moment, a jade pendant that Tong Nanyuan carried was pulled off by Aunt Zhao and shattered with a loud crash.

Seeing the broken jade pendant, Tong Nanyuan shouted, "You broke the jade pendant Grandmother gave me!"

Hearing this, Aunt Zhao's face changed.

Tong Nanyuan picked up the pendant and grabbed Aunt Zhao, "Aunt Zhao, you're really in trouble this time. You bullied the young miss first, and now you've broken my pendant. I'll report this to Grandmother and let her handle you!"

"Third Miss, this..."

"Third sister, maybe we don't need to..."

"What do you mean, we don't need to!" Tong Nanyuan turned to Tong Nanxia. "Nanxia, don't be afraid. Just spill everything you've heard and seen to Grandma. Today, I'm going to take care of Aunt Zhao for you and make sure you get justice!"

With that, Tong Nanyuan grabbed Aunt Zhao and marched off to the flower hall.

Seeing this, Tong Nanxia hurried after them.

Soon, Lu Lingyun and Grandma Lin, who were having dinner in the flower hall, heard the sound of someone being dragged.

"Grandma, this time, you have to really come down hard on Aunt Zhao!"

Grandma Lin turned towards the noise and saw Tong Nanyuan dragging someone in. "What's going on here?"