Chapter 022: Be a Good Girl, Sleep

Chapter 022: Be a Good Girl, Sleep

The Ruan residence was bustling with activity, the side hall brightly lit. The old Madam held onto Ruan Qingzhou's hand without letting go, afraid he might run back to Jiangnan again.

Zhou Yunzhi was unusually happy but couldn't help but scold, "You've been back in the capital for a while now. Why did you cause such a fuss staying outside? It's all because of you."

Clearly favoring He An, Ruan Qingzhou felt irritated.

"Mother, my brother-in-law doesn't trust my sister. When others spread rumors, he believes them. How can this be my fault?"

He An looked embarrassed. "This matter was indeed handled improperly by me. I was wrong to rely on others. I am willing to accept punishment. I hope Grandmother, Madam, and Sir can calm down."

"Alright, anyone would get angry hearing about this matter," Zhou Yunzhi had already asked about the details when they returned to the residence. She wasn't entirely angry, but as an elder, she always tried to mediate.

"However, the person who did this has ill intentions. It's best that such things don't happen again." Forgiveness was given, but the necessary words were still spoken.

Zheng Qiaohui sighed. "In my opinion, Miss Liu dared to do such a thing because someone is protecting her. I heard that on the night of the wedding, the Prime Minister brought Miss Liu back to the Prime Minister's residence. There's more to this than meets the eye."

Ruan Xiaoyue agreed. "Mother, Miss Liu's brother is a loyal and brave general who sacrificed for the country. It's said that their family's status is much higher than our merchant family."

Ruan Xiaorou tugged at her mother's sleeve. "Mother, sister, please stop talking."

Ruan Qingheng, sitting in his nursemaid's arms, stared at Ruan Qinghuan and said in a childish voice, "Sister, when will you get a divorce? Mother said that after your divorce, you can come back home. Qingchi misses you..."

The room fell silent at these words.

Zheng Qiaohui, with a sarcastic tone, stood up, scooped up her son, and gave him a couple of light slaps on the bottom. "This child, what nonsense."

Ruan Qinghuan, feeling heartache, took her younger cousin from her. She warned, "Second Aunt, do you think it's appropriate to make a scene here with Grandmother present?"

"You..." Zheng Qiaohui was silenced by the old Madam's gaze and had to leave before finishing her meal.

After her mother left, Ruan Xiaoyue followed. Ruan Xiaorou came to the table of the main branch. "Grandmother, Madam, my mother's temper is like this. I apologize on her behalf."

The old Madam sighed. Among the second branch, only Xiaorou was sensible. "Forget it, it's not your fault."

Just as the commotion in the room subsided, a servant came to deliver a message. "Madam, there's an urgent matter at the Prime Minister's residence. The Prime Minister and Madam are requested to return."

Zhou Yunzhi, worried, looked at her daughter. "Qinghuan, let me go with you."

She feared that the Prime Minister's mother might not know the truth and might wrong her daughter.

Any mother-in-law would find it hard to tolerate such matters, but avoiding it wasn't a solution. The truth needed to be clarified.

"Mother, the Prime Minister knows the truth. Mother-in-law won't make things difficult for me. Once I've sorted things out, I'll come back and spend more time with you."

The old Madam stood up and spoke solemnly to He An. "He An, I believe you know what kind of girl Qinghuan is. She can be a bit hot-tempered at times, but her morals and character are beyond question. You must handle this matter well and give Qinghuan a proper resolution."

The old Madam didn't mention her natal family's backing, but every word implied it.

Ruan Qinghuan was inexplicably moved to tears by this protection. Though the Ruans were wealthy, they pale in comparison to the Prime Minister's household. Yet, her grandmother was willing to stand up for her.

As Ruan Qinghuan left, her younger brother Qingzhou insisted on going with her. His mother Zhou Yunzhi held onto his arm. "Stay home and behave. If you really want to go, we'll discuss it tomorrow."

She knew her son's temperament was similar to his sister's. He was never afraid of making trouble.

Having been trained in martial arts in Jiangnan for over ten years under his grandfather, if he were to stir up trouble, wouldn't that just add chaos to the existing disorder?

After a whole night of struggle yesterday and a day today, Ruan Qinghuan was exhausted to the extreme. Otherwise, given her temperament, she would never have allowed her second aunt to provoke her without responding.

Having gotten into the carriage, she let out a long breath of relief, all the energy she had been holding up throughout the day finally draining away. She yawned, leaned against the carriage wall, and closed her eyes to rest.

He An watched her with a pang of guilt. Last night, in his drunkenness and anger, he had shown no restraint and failed to consider her feelings.

Today, she had insisted on accompanying her brother back to the Ruan residence, leaving her without a moment's rest.

Ruan Qinghuan completely ignored He An. Just as she was drifting off to sleep, she felt herself being lifted and abruptly opened her eyes to find herself in He An's arms.

Ruan Qinghuan glared at him.

He An said, "Rest now, I'll wake you when we arrive."

Ruan Qinghuan was truly too exhausted to argue with him in this situation, but once she closed her eyes, her sleepiness vanished.

She was all too aware of what last night meant for their future.

The breakthrough in their relationship meant she had truly become the mistress of the Prime Minister's residence and He An's wife. But how would she live her life from now on?

This situation was far removed from anything the original host had ever faced, something Ruan Qinghuan had never considered before. She finally understood what it meant for plans to change faster than expected.

In the main hall of the Prime Minister's residence, the atmosphere was solemn. It was already late, yet two Madams sat on one side of the hall.

There was no help for it; since the incident had occurred at a villa of the Prime Minister's residence, the elderly lady of the residence had become angry and insisted they come to bear witness, lest there be any unclear accounts in the future.

"I never thought that even if Miss Liu was so deeply in love, she would act this way."

"Exactly, with a marriage contract, she should have been married with proper rites, not engaged in secretive and shameful acts."

The two ladies murmured softly, then sighed.

Liu Yueru, who had dressed elegantly before coming out, sat woodenly to one side. The man in simple clothes next to her felt the contemptuous gazes of those in the hall, but even killing him would not have assuaged her hatred.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Prime Minister's residence. Jiang Ming lifted the curtain, about to speak, when He An's glance stopped him.

He An got off the carriage, holding the sleeping Ruan Qinghuan. He had intended to head straight to Changchun Garden, but when Chen Po called out, "Lord, Lord, the elder lady requests your presence in the main hall," Ruan Qinghuan woke up, though still groggy.

It was dark, and only when He An approached did Chen Po realize he was carrying his wife. She was about to remind him that there were guests in the hall, but He An had already bypassed her and stepped inside.

The main hall was brightly lit. Ruan Qinghuan, seeing her mother-in-law seated above, fully woke up and nervously asked He An to put her down. Blushing, she bowed and said, "Mother, I..."

Meng Suqiu, looking troubled, waved her over urgently, "Come quickly. If not for the urgency today, I wouldn't have disturbed you so late. Come sit by my side."

The two Madams seated to the side exchanged glances.

It seemed the elder lady doted quite a bit on this new daughter-in-law.

Still groggy, Ruan Qinghuan allowed He An to guide her to the upper seats beside her mother-in-law. Looking at Liu Yueru and the man in simple clothes in the hall, she asked, "Mother, what is the meaning of this?"