Chapter 204: “You’re Back”

Leng Qing Yu understood that if she backed down now, Xin Ran would also have to endure humiliation.

She could tolerate being wronged herself, but her daughter could not.

Moreover, her previous patience had been for the sake of the greater good. Now, what greater good was left to consider?

“Mother,” Leng Qing Yu began.

“I stayed in Yun Tong County for treatment. My poor health over the years has already worried you and Ting En quite a bit. Surely, Mother would wish for me to recover as soon as possible.”

The old madam was taken aback. She hadn’t expected her normally compliant daughter-in-law to talk back.

She slammed her teacup onto the table with a loud “clatter”, her face cold. “What kind of treatment could a tiny, remote place like Yun Tong County possibly offer?

Over the years, many renowned physicians from the capital have been invited to see you, even imperial physicians from the palace, all at Ting En’s request. And now you tell me you specifically went to that bac kwater to seek treatment?

If word of this spreads, people might think our Marquis’s household has been mistreating you!”

Leng Qing Yu remained composed and responded calmly, “Mother, how could you think such a thing?

Over the years, Ting En has shown me nothing but care and devotion, and you’ve entrusted me with managing half the household.

Everyone in the capital knows that the Marquis and I live in perfect harmony and mutual respect. No one would even entertain such a notion.”

The old madam let out a cold snort but said nothing.

Taking the opportunity, Leng Qing Yu added, “Aside from seeking treatment, there was another very important matter I attended to on this trip.”

With that, she gently pulled Ye Xin Ran forward.

“The Marquis and I unexpectedly found our long-lost daughter, Xin Ran, in Yun Bian Village. Xin Ran, this is your grandmother.”

Ye Xin Ran looked at the stout, sharp-faced old madam and felt an immediate dislike.

Still, she bowed respectfully and said, “Granddaughter pays her respects to Grandmother.”

The old madam stared at Ye Xin Ran, her expression turning slightly unnatural.

After a brief cough, she said, “Ting En has already told me about this.

Since she is of the Lu family’s bloodline, she should be properly settled.

Later, have Nanny Sun take her to stay in the west wing.”

Leng Qing Yu shook her head at this. “It’s fine to prepare the west wing, but Xin Ran has just arrived and isn’t familiar with many things. For the time being, she should stay in my quarters.”

“She’s already grown. Why should she stay with you?”

The old madam was clearly displeased.

Leng Qing Yu, however, remained firm. “We’ve only just been reunited as mother and daughter, and we need some time together to truly get to know one another.”

The old madam looked Ye Xin Ran up and down, her eyes filled with disapproval.

“Fine, teach her properly, but after all, she’s a wild child raised in the countryside, with no understanding of proper manners.

Later, make sure Zhi Yi doesn’t have much contact with her, or else she might influence Zhi Yi, a well-behaved child.”

Leng Qing Yu felt a surge of anger and retorted, “Xin Ran is not an ordinary child, Mother, please don’t look down on her.”

The old madam’s face changed. “Leng, I see that you haven’t made much progress on this trip, but your audacity has certainly grown.

I spared you just now for Ting En’s sake, but now you’re getting more and more reckless.

You’ve been away for so long, what’s really keeping you out there?”

As the matriarch of the Marquis’s household, for her to speak so harshly to her daughter-in-law made people pause and think.

Women in the inner chambers placed their chastity and reputation above their lives.

A casual remark like this could ruin someone’s reputation.

Ye Xin Ran couldn’t stand it anymore. She lightly curtsied and spoke up, “Grandmother, please calm down!

I noticed just now, you have three horizontal lines under your nose, indicating that you often have a lot of anger and harsh words.

You’re not young anymore, so you should be careful of what you say.

Since there’s a temple built for purification in the courtyard, you should make full use of it.

After all, health is important, and speaking too harshly may wear down your fortune.”

The old madam had planned to give Leng Qing Yu a stern scolding, but she never expected the sharp-tongued young girl she brought back to challenge her.

“You’re bold!” The old madam said angrily. “I’m teaching your mother a lesson, when did it become your turn to speak?”

Ye Xin Ran curtsied again, saying, “I only care about Grandmother’s health. I don’t want you to miss out on family happiness. If I’ve said anything wrong, I hope you’ll forgive me.”

The old madam slapped the table in fury. “How dare you! The descendants of the Marquis’s household are so disrespectful! Nanny Sun, give her a slap!”

“Yes!”

Nanny Sun, standing behind the old madam, rolled up her sleeves and walked over to Ye Xin Ran.

Just as her thick hand was raised to strike, a sharp pain suddenly ran through her wrist.

She turned and saw Ding Qiao, the maid beside Ye Xin Ran, had grabbed her wrist.

Ding Qiao exerted force, twisting Nanny Sun’s hand around.

With a “slap”, Nanny Sun’s own hand landed on her face.

“Ah… you… how dare you hit me!”

Nanny Sun covered her slapped face, the other half turning bright red with rage.

Ding Qiao, however, returned to her position with a stern expression.

“You just hit yourself, not me.

But if you dare to lay a hand on my mistress again, I won’t be so polite!”

“You… you’ve gone too far!”

The old madam slammed her hand on the table.

The tea in the cup was splashed out halfway.

“Leng, how dare you bring someone with an unclear background into the Marquis’s residence? What are you plotting? Do you want to strike your own mother-in-law?”

In the face of the old madam’s accusations, Leng Qing Yu remained unflustered.

She calmly explained, “Mother, Ding Qiao is Xin Ran’s personal maid, not someone of unclear origins.

Although Nanny Sun has served you for many years, she is still a servant.

A servant who dares to raise a hand against their master is disrespectful!

Ding Qiao was right to stop her!”

“Well, well! I see you don’t even respect me as your mother-in-law anymore!

Come here, take these two new maids away. I’ll personally investigate to see if they are truly of the Lu family!”

“Mother!”

Leng Qing Yu stepped in front of the old madam, “This matter was personally verified by the Marquis in Yun Tong County, why can’t you trust it?”

The old madam sneered, “Ting En is so kind, what if he was deceived by you? I think this whole thing is your plot!”

With that, she shouted at the house servants, “What are you standing around for? Go arrest them now!”

Ding Qiao immediately stood in front of Ye Xin Ran: “I dare you to lay a hand on her!”

The tension in the room was palpable, as if the next moment they might be at each other’s throats.

Just then, the Marquis walked in from outside.

“Qing Yu, you’re back!”

“Mother, what’s going on here?”

“Enough! Everyone, step back!”

The Marquis ordered the servants to leave.

He immediately walked over and grabbed Leng Qing Yu’s hand.

“Why didn’t you inform me in advance that you were coming back? I could have met you at the city gates!”

He looked at Leng Qing Yu with deep affection, his eyes filled with guilt, longing, and surprise.