Chapter 367 The Dull Wife in Republic of China Literature (24)

Chapter 367: The Inflexible Wife in a Republic of China era Story (24)

"Have you heard?"

"Last night, it was said that the young master left the young mistress's room in a rage!"

"It seems our young mistress probably won’t be around much longer… Last time in the main hall, I even heard the young master say he wanted to divorce her…"

In the courtyard of the Fang residence, several servants were whispering among themselves.

The commotion last night was quite loud—the young master’s outburst could be heard late into the night. No one knew exactly what had happened, but it seemed he was so furious that the kitchen had to send up a lot of ice…

"Ah, what’s the use of the young mistress being so beautiful? She’ll still end up divorced."

"If you ask me, the young mistress just doesn’t have a child… If she had a son or daughter, maybe she could hold onto the young master’s heart…"

Hearing this, Xiao He couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

It was true that the young mistress was beautiful.

And it’s also true that the young master was heartless.

Given how he kept calling out "Wan Ran," "Wan Ran" last night, even ten children probably wouldn’t be enough to change his mind!

Hmph!

Thinking about how the young master was still hung up on Miss Qu even while drunk last night…

Xiao He only wished she’d added more chili pepper to the remedy last night!

Just as she was fuming, Xiao He never expected to lay eyes on Miss Qu again!

How daring is she?

She had openly come to the Fang residence again!

Watching Qu Wanran, dressed all in white, glide past her, Xiao He immediately put down her broom…

…

"Mrs. Fang, these are the most fashionable styles right now."

"Westerners like to play with gemstone cuts in their jewelry. What do you think of this malachite pendant? Do you like it?"

"And these pearl earrings—simple, elegant, and perfectly round."

…

Dragged over to the main hall by Xiao He, even Tang Qing was surprised.

So Qu Wanran had…

gotten into the Fang family’s inner circle?

Watching Mrs. Fang and Qu Wanran laughing and chatting happily, an outsider would think Qu Wanran was the daughter-in-law of the Fang family.

The two of them were getting along oddly well…

"Mom," she said.

That form of address instantly wiped the smile from Mrs. Fang's face.

Her immediate reaction showed clear displeasure, "Why are you here?"

"Shouldn't I be here?"

Throwing the question back at Mrs. Fang, Tang Qing turned to look at Qu Wanran and slowly asked, "And Miss Qu, what brings you here?"

"Oh." Under Tang Qing's direct gaze, Qu Wanran showed no trace of embarrassment. She even picked up a necklace from the table with a generous air, saying, "Tang Qing, I brought back quite a few accessories from overseas."

"They're all popular with foreigners. I thought you and Mrs. Fang might enjoy them."

"Tang Qing, why don't you come over and take a look? See if there’s anything you like?"

It was a classic case of borrowing flowers to offer Buddha.

With just a glance, Tang Qing could tell... the jewelry Qu Wanran had brought was incredibly valuable.

It seemed Qu Wanran was already getting ready to step into the role of the Fang family’s daughter-in-law, trying to curry favor with her future mother-in-law...

Her expression unchanged, Tang Qing spoke directly, "Are you planning to give all of these on the table to us?"

Qu Wanran maintained her smile, replying lightly, "They’re just little trinkets."

"Their charm lies in their clever design."

Tang Qing casually picked up one of the rings. It had a ruby setting, bright and transparent, of excellent quality. The ruby was surrounded by many small diamonds, making the entire face of the ring appear even larger.

A ring like this, worn on the hand, signaled wealth and status.

Tang Qing held the ring against her hand for a moment, then said, "It’s very beautiful."

Qu Wanran: "Of course."

"I picked them out specially, Tang Qing..."

"Since you haven't been overseas, you might not know—these are all the most popular styles among foreigners right now."

Perhaps without even realizing it, Qu Wanran’s every word carried a hint of superiority, "Some of them were even specially made by jewelers I sought out in the United Kingdom..."

"Like that ruby you’re holding, for example—it’s quite rare."

Hearing this, Mrs. Fang couldn’t help but take another look at the ring in Tang Qing’s hand.

After Qu Wanran’s description, the ruby ring looked even better.

Growing increasingly pleased, Mrs. Fang praised, "Wanran, you really have seen the world."

"The jewelry you brought is truly beautiful..."

No woman could resist the allure of what Qu Wanran had brought.

As for the items laid out on the table, Mrs. Fang could only resent Tang Qing’s untimely appearance—otherwise...

All these things would have been hers!

She had long heard about what's going on between Fang Zhuo and Qu Wanran.

But men—who doesn’t have their wild days when they’re young...

Moreover, judging by Qu Wanran's qualifications in all aspects, she indeed has the capital to be a confidante for his son.

Just as Mrs. Fang was indulging in her imagination, thinking about how to politely accept the jewelry before her...

Tang Qing suddenly spoke up!

"Miss Qu."

"The jewelry you've brought is very valuable."

"If you hadn't mentioned giving them away, I might have thought—"

She paused slightly, and both Qu Wanran and Mrs. Fang looked over at Tang Qing.

"I might have thought these were engagement gifts from Miss Qu."

What nonsense!

Mrs. Fang’s expression instantly changed!

"Tang Qing, what are you talking about!"

What engagement gifts!

By that logic, does it mean Zhuo Er could become a live-in son-in-law for the Qu family instead?

Mrs. Fang glared, her face displeased!

"How could you say something so absurd in front of our guest!"

Mrs. Fang chose to stand up for Qu Wanran then and there.

In that case...

Qu Wanran’s gifts were not a wasted effort.

Even though she was called out publicly by her mother-in-law in front of her rival, Tang Qing remained calm. "If they’re not engagement gifts, then I suppose they must be the dowry Miss Qu has prepared for her marriage."

"Miss Qu."

"If I’m not mistaken, every time we’ve interacted, you’ve emphasized to me..."

"That you’ve been educated overseas, seen the world, and are an independent woman with modern ideas and ambitions."

Not understanding Tang Qing’s intention, Qu Wanran asked, "What do you mean?"

Tang Qing replied, "I’m just curious..."

"As a progressive woman like you, how many kids are you planning to have with Fang Zhuo?"

"After all, according to my mother-in-law’s standards, a woman is only valuable if she has children."

As she finished speaking.

Qu Wanran was totally stunned!

Even the usually socially adept Mrs. Fang was at a loss for words.

Never had she expected that her daughter-in-law, who had always been a doormat, could one day be so quick-witted and biting!

Has she no shame!

Talking about having children in front of outsiders!

"Tang Qing... you..." Weighing her words, Mrs. Fang wished she could have someone just drag Tang Qing out right then and there!

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

"That was something I said to you... how dare you put Wan Ran in the same category!"

Tang Qing's expression didn't even flicker.

"Mom—"

"Last time, you were the one who advised me that Miss Qu's entry into the family was just coming in as some worthless concubine and that I shouldn’t take it to heart."

"You told me it would be best to have several children with Fang Zhuo to really tie him down."