Chapter 232

Chapter 236: Dispute (Part 2)

Fourth Madam immediately stopped mentioning helping Ten Miss and skillfully changed the topic, speaking with Eleven Miss about Fifth Concubine.

"...I had little contact with her before and only heard that Fifth Concubine didn't interact much with others, thinking she was aloof. Now, after more contact, I realize she is just reserved by nature, but actually very kind to people."

"Thank you for your praise, Fourth Madam," Eleven Miss responded softly, engaging in polite conversation. "Fifth Concubine is indeed reserved, but also quite gentle. It's a rare connection that she gets along so well with you."

Fourth Madam nodded and smiled, "Misunderstandings often arise from lack of interaction. It's always good to visit and communicate more."

"Indeed..."

They chatted and laughed, soon arriving at Duke Mao's residence.

Wang Lang's body still lay in Shuntian Prefecture, and the Wang family could neither hold a funeral nor issue a death notice. Although there were no white decorations, the bright red curtains and furnishings had been replaced with deep blue, and the servants had all changed into dark-colored clothes.

Luo Zhenxing and others were welcomed by the stewards into the main hall, while the eldest madam, Eleven Miss, and Fourth Madam were led by a stewardess to Old Lady Wang.

"...Please forgive any shortcomings, distinguished guests. Old Lady Wang fainted upon hearing the news. The eldest madam is also bedridden. Fortunately, Sixth Madam has returned to the capital to visit and is helping with some trivial matters. There might be some oversights, please bear with us."

The stewardess, in her early thirties, had a decent appearance and wore a simple yet elegant blue silk cotton jacket. Her demeanor suggested she was not an ordinary servant of the Wang family. Eleven Miss couldn't help but glance at her a few times.

Noticing Eleven Miss's gaze, the stewardess did not shy away but smiled and bowed slightly to her.

Eleven Miss found it strange, feeling that the stewardess seemed particularly kind to her.

The eldest madam also noticed and, seeing her speak and act very appropriately, did not dare to underestimate her, politely asking, "May I know your surname, madam? From your tone, it seems you serve Madam Jiang."

"Not worthy of a surname," the stewardess replied respectfully. "My husband's surname is Yuan, and my humble name is Baozhu. You may call me Baozhu's wife. I was sent by Sixth Madam to help due to the incident at Duke Mao's residence."

So she was indeed from Madam Jiang's side, which explained her dignified manner.

The eldest madam understood and said, "So it's Madam Yuan. Such a sudden event is hard for anyone to bear. But we are not outsiders, so no need for formalities."

Madam Yuan smiled modestly, bowed slightly, and quietly accompanied them into the elder madam's courtyard.

Just as they reached under the eaves, before the maid could lift the curtain, a cold laugh suddenly came from inside the room.

"...What the eldest madam said is really unpleasant. A married daughter is like spilled water. You are a distinguished guest here, and we treat you as such. But family matters are for your brothers and younger brothers to handle. It's not for the eldest madam to interfere. The Wang family is not without sons."

The words were very blunt.

"Who are you to speak here?" a sharp, high-pitched female voice retorted. "Don't forget, this is Duke Mao's residence, and Duke Mao is my father."

The speaker was Madam Jiang, Wang Lin.

The three pondered the meaning behind these words, looking at each other in surprise, stunned at the doorway.

Unexpectedly, with Wang Lang's body not yet cold, the Wang family's conflicts had already surfaced.

Madam Yuan's face turned red, and she immediately announced loudly, "Sixth Madam, the two Luo family madams, and Lady Yongping have arrived."

The room fell silent for a moment, then someone quickly lifted the curtain.

"Please come in, please come in."

Eleven Miss looked up and saw that it was Madam Jiang herself who had lifted the curtain.

Her eyes were bloodshot, with crow's feet spreading, her face extremely haggard, forcing a smile.

The First Lady, Fourth Lady, and Miss Eleven exchanged glances. Then the First Lady whispered, "We’re sorry to trouble you, Madam Jiang," and led the Fourth Lady and Miss Eleven into the room.

Old Lady Wang’s main residence consisted of five rooms, each with a side chamber, the central one being the hall. The room was now packed with people. Some were dressed in finery, while others wore simple attire. The older guests were in their sixties, the younger ones in their twenties.

Everyone’s faces were grave, their eyes cold and unyielding. It was impossible to tell who had been arguing with Madam Jiang.

The room was thick with tension. As they entered, the guests’ eyes flickered with wariness. A few women hunched their shoulders, clearly frightened.

Madam Jiang gestured casually toward the room’s occupants. "They’ve come to offer their condolences upon hearing of Lang’s passing." Without introductions, she led them directly to the inner chamber on the west side. "Mother is bedridden, so we must be considerate of our guests."

The three women quickly followed Madam Jiang into the inner chamber.

The inner chamber had a different atmosphere from the main room. The room carried a faint, medicinal aroma. Two teenage maids and a matronly woman in her fifties were tending to the bedside. All three had tear-streaked faces and looked deeply sorrowful.

As Madam Jiang entered, they stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Madam Jiang waved her hand and asked softly, "Has Mother improved?"

The matron whispered in reply, "She’s just taken her medicine and is resting now."

Madam Jiang’s face softened with apology.

The First Lady, without waiting for Madam Jiang to speak, said formally, "In that case, we’ll take our leave. Please give our regards to the Old Lady when she wakes."

Madam Jiang thought for a moment and replied, "Very well. Let me take you to see Ten Miss. She’s been struggling these past few days." As she spoke, tears welled in the corners of her eyes.

Seeing Madam Jiang’s demeanor, the three women felt somewhat reassured. They followed Madam Jiang out of the inner chamber and made their way to Ten Miss’s quarters.

Ten Miss’s quarters were the complete opposite of the Old Lady’s. The three main rooms were cold and desolate, with a listless little maid of about eight or nine standing at the door. Seeing Madam Jiang bringing people over, she nervously bowed and hurried inside to announce.

As they approached, Yin Ping lifted the curtain.

"Madam, First Lady, Fourth Lady, and Madam of the Marquis."

"How is your First Lady?" Madam Jiang asked softly.

Yin Ping's eyes reddened as she whispered, "She’s sitting by the window, lost in thought."

Madam Jiang sighed deeply, turning to explain to the First Lady and others. "Since she learned of Lang’s passing, my sister-in-law often sits by the window, lost in thought. If there is any discourtesy later, I hope the First Lady, Fourth Lady, and Madam of the Marquis will not take offense."

Would Ten Miss grieve for Wang Lang's death?

Miss Eleven felt somewhat puzzled.

But the First Lady said, "She is young, and such an event naturally cuts her heart like a knife. We are her family, how could we take offense?"

After a few polite exchanges, they entered the inner chamber.

In the inner chamber, a thin woman sat on the large kang by the window. She wore a lake-colored brocade jacket and a moon-white skirt, sitting quietly on the kang by the window, as still as a lifeless puppet.

Jinlian, with eyes swollen like walnuts, was attending to her.

"First Lady, Madam, First Lady, Fourth Lady, and Madam of the Marquis are here to see you!"

Yin Ping cautiously stepped forward to speak.

The woman on the kang turned her head.

Her face was thin and pale, with a pointed nose and large, sunken eyes that were somewhat unsettling.

Eleven Miss was momentarily stunned.

Is this Ten Miss? The one who was as proud as a peacock and as radiant as a summer bloom?

"Ten Miss..." Fourth Madam's voice choked with emotion.

But Ten Miss glanced at them blankly, then turned her head back, staring out the window as if captivated by some rare and beautiful scene.

"Fourth Madam," Jinlian stepped forward to greet them, "Madam has been in a bad mood these past few days." She quickly brought over a stool, "Fourth Madam, Madam, please sit down."

The four of them sat down, and Yin Ping and Jinlian brought tea.

Fourth Madam then asked Yin Ping and Jinlian about Ten Miss's daily life.

"...Although she still eats three meals a day, she eats less than usual. She also doesn't talk much. Often, she just sits alone all day."

As long as she's eating, that's something!

Eleven Miss sighed softly.

For a moment, everyone was silent, quietly drinking their tea.

Madam Jiang forced a bitter smile and said, "I apologize for making you witness such a family misfortune. My brother Lang has not yet been laid to rest, and those who want to take advantage are already restless." She seemed eager to discuss this with them.

Fourth Madam, who was genuinely concerned about Ten Miss, didn't avoid the topic and directly asked, "Who are these people? What have they been saying?"

Madam Jiang, seeing that the Luo family was willing to engage, breathed a sigh of relief.

"My great-great-grandfather's generation was the last direct line. By the time it reached my brother Lang's generation, it was all distant branches. They often received aid from my father. Who would have thought that after Lang's incident, not a single one of them cared about who the perpetrator was? Was Lang's death unjust? All they care about is rushing forward to claim that their branch is the closest to us, urging my father to select an heir as soon as possible and petition the Ministry of Rites to report to the Emperor." As she spoke, her eyes were like sharp arrows, "Who did the Shuntian Prefecture arrest? It was Ren Kun's personal servant. A lowly commoner, how could he have the audacity to kill the heir of Duke Mao's household? Either Ren Kun ordered it, or he is taking the blame for Ren Kun. Either way, the real culprit is Ren Kun, and how can I let him go unpunished?"

She gritted her teeth, "Those people are blinded by greed, saying that the Shuntian Prefecture has already closed the case, and all that's left is to execute him after autumn. There's nothing more to investigate. They claim that I'm making a fuss out of nothing, just afraid that the heir of Duke Mao's household won't be my own brother, and I won't benefit from my natal family... urging my father to quickly discuss the matter of adoption and petition the Ministry of Rites."

At this point, her eyes reddened. "But my father is easily swayed. Listening to their instigations, he's afraid that the Wang family will lose its title due to the lack of an heir. He agreed to select an heir from those families. If it weren't for the fact that those families also have their own agendas, the petition for succession would have already been submitted to the Ministry of Rites."

She looked at Eleven Miss and wiped her tears, "It's just pitiful for my sister-in-law, to endure such hardship..."

But Eleven Miss sensed something.

She glanced at Fourth Madam and Fourth Madam.

Fourth Madam was accompanying Madam Jiang, wiping her tears.

Fourth Madam, however, looked back at her. Their gazes met in the air. Fourth Madam nodded slightly to Eleven Miss and softly said to Madam Jiang, "From what you're saying, Duke is considering adopting a son from the collateral branches?"