Chapter 18: Standing Up for Mother

Chapter 18: Having Mother’s Back

Zhu Mingzhi had her mask torn off by this damned little brat, and she fumed, taking several deep breaths to alleviate the pain in her body. Though her eyes were filled with stifled resentment, she forced a look of utmost virtue and maternal kindness on her face. Standing straight, she put on a fragile act and weakly defended herself.

"Wan Jie'er, you’ve misunderstood. I truly didn’t come here without reason to pick a fight. It’s just that Little Xushi has been bullying others beyond reason!"

She emphasized the words "Little Xushi" with particular force, intending to remind this supposedly crazy fool of a girl that the old woman she was so fiercely defending was only her stepmother, not her birth mother!

Since her first defeat, Zhu Mingzhi hadn’t sat around. She had pulled out all the stops to gather information and had only managed to scrape together the current situation of the Jiang family.

The old master and mistress were Jiang Huailiang’s biological parents, but Xu Shi was only his second wife. Moreover, the eldest daughter, who had been rumored to be mad for many years, was not born to the current Xu Shi but was the child of the late wife.

In high-society families, the relationship between a stepmother and the eldest daughter from the first wife alone suggested there was a lot to work with! Especially since this eldest daughter had once been a fool—what kind of good life could she have had?

Forget that Little Xushi and Big Xushi were sisters. In the struggles of the inner household, one’s main rivals in the early stages were often one’s own siblings!

Zhu Mingzhi judged others by herself, thinking of all the hardships she had endured under her stepmother over the years. She took for granted that the Jiang family’s foolish girl must have also led a difficult life under her stepmother.

So, her expression softened even further, and her tone carried a hint of shared bitterness and sly provocation.

"Wan Jie’er, you’re already a big girl now. You should be able to tell right from wrong. You mustn’t let yourself be used as a pawn by those with sneaky agendas!

If you casually resort to violence and it gets around, what will become of your reputation? Once your reputation is tarnished, your status as the eldest daughter will become insignificant. Wouldn’t that just make room for those with sinister intentions?"

Well, well, who would’ve thought this little green tea had some tricks up her sleeve? Her seemingly heartfelt concern was almost intoxicating, making the crazy Wan almost buy it.

She very cooperatively shook off her mother’s hand, pretended to frown, and adopted the trademark innocent look of her former foolish patient, asking with a face full of worry.

"Then what should I do?"

With a mischievous blink and a curl of her lips, she added, "How about I just finish you off? If I kill you outright, then word won’t get out, right? That way, my reputation won’t be harmed. Is that what you meant?"

What do you think you’re doing?!

The already injured mistress and maid were so frightened by these mad words that they stumbled backward several steps. Zhu Mingzhi hurriedly waved her hands in denial.

"That’s not what I meant! How could I go around spreading rumors? I would never harm you, Wan Jie’er, I promise! We’re both in the same boat, struggling to survive under stepmothers. How could I not stand with you?"

A series of rebuttals spilled out in a rush, desperate to make this crazy girl believe that she truly meant every word from the bottom of her heart.

"Ah, too bad. But if you ever have such thoughts in the future, just say the word. I can fulfill them for you."

Jiang Wan let out a seemingly regretful "oh," and after sufficiently scaring them, she turned to check Xu Shi’s expression, smiling somewhat ingratiatingly.

"Mother."

Just yesterday, she had promised her mother that she was learning martial arts to strengthen her body, not to pick fights with others. But today, she had already broken that promise. Jiang Wan felt a little guilty.

Xu Shi glared at her daughter with a mix of anger and helplessness. Ultimately, mindful of the outsiders present, she held back from scolding the child and instead shot her a look that said, "We’ll talk about this later."

Jiang Wan gave a low chuckle.

This starkly different attitude toward the two sides instantly needled Zhu Mingzhi. Even though she knew it was probably futile, she continued to provoke.

"Even if you don’t believe me now, Wan Jie’er, I still feel I must advise you.

You’re all grown up now, not as foolish and easily deceived as you were when you were young. You must keep your eyes peeled!

After all, sometimes a person may seem human, but who knows what kind of monster lurks behind? Don’t let yourself be fooled. If you end up being betrayed later, how could you ever face your birth mother, who fought so hard to bring you into this world?"

Jiang Wan’s eyes shifted back, her arms crossing over her chest. Not a trace of ladylike demeanor remained; she now resembled a neighborhood punk who had spent years roaming the markets.

"I probably never told you this, but I have no patience for fools. Especially for those who are not only unintelligent themselves but also insist on treating me like a fool.

Since we’re on the topic, let me make things clear: my mother is not only my stepmother but also my blood aunt. We share blood ties, and she has raised me with love.

As long as I hold the position of the Jiang family’s eldest daughter, no one can touch my mother’s status as the mistress of the Jiang household.

Understood?

The gate is behind you. Turn around and leave without delay. If you linger for even a step longer, I’ll make sure you’re carried out feet first!"

The last sentence carried an inexplicable ferocity, tinged with a deadly vibe.

But Xu Shi’s eyes quietly reddened.

Her child had finally grown up and was now capable of standing up for her mother. Though it wasn’t exactly proper for a young lady, it warmed a mother’s heart. All the hardships of these years melted into heartwarming sweetness, smoothing the fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes into a joyful smile.

Zhu Mingzhi, who had arrived full of fighting spirit, ultimately caved to this blatant threat. No matter how angry or resentful she was, she could only helplessly let her maid support her onto her family’s carriage.

She cried angrily the whole way to her cousin’s Clear Hibiscus Courtyard.

"Elder sister, please help me again! Otherwise, I truly won’t be able to go on living, boo hoo…"

Hearing her cousin’s tearful pleas once again, Zhu Mingfu rubbed her temples in frustration. The refined beauty was now visibly annoyed, her face clouded with irritation.

After dismissing all the servants with a wave of her hand, she sighed at her weeping cousin.

"What’s the use of crying to me? If I had any say in the matter, would I have ended up as someone’s concubine? You know full well what Grandfather is like. For the sake of our sisterhood, I advise you: if the Jiang family isn’t working out, quickly look for another prospect. Otherwise, your future looks bleak."

These words, which clearly indicated a desire to wash her hands of the matter, only made Zhu Mingzhi weep more bitterly in dissatisfaction.

"Where am I supposed to find another match? You’ve already secured a promising future, but what about me?

My brother died saving Jiang Huailiang—such a life-saving favor should mean he marries me to compensate our family branch!

Why should that old hag Xu Shi be allowed to humiliate me like this? The Prince of Huai himself promised this marriage, yet the Jiang family dares to disobey. They ought to die!"

"Shut your mouth! Stop this nonsense!"

Zhu Mingfu was nearly going out of her mind by her foolish cousin!

In the rear courtyard of the Prince of Huai’s residence, she dared to voice complaints about the Prince? Was she trying to make things harder for her cousin in the Li household?