Chapter 151

Even though Grandma Wang appeared stubborn on the surface, she couldn’t bear to watch her beloved granddaughter, whom she had raised tenderly since childhood, face death. After a sleepless night of consideration, she decided to visit the Tang family and meet their matriarch, the Old Madam.

When Madam Zhang heard this, she was naturally delighted. However, Grandma Wang poured cold water on her enthusiasm, warning her not to get her hopes up. She cautioned that this visit was bound to involve humiliation and belittlement. Madam Zhang meekly agreed.

Before heading to the Tang family, Grandma Wang consulted her other granddaughter, Wang Yuan’er. This granddaughter was intelligent. From the way she handled the Wang Min’er matter, it was clear that she was composed and astute. Seeking her opinion was certainly wise.

“Grandma, we cannot soften our stance. We need to take the initiative,” Wang Yuan’er suggested thoughtfully.

“Take the initiative?” Grandma Wang asked, perplexed.

In this situation, the bride’s family was at a disadvantage. If they approached the matter passively, it would only invite further disrespect. Instead, they should emphasize their moral high ground, accusing the Tang family of deception, fraud, and seduction, taking advantage of Wang Min’er’s innocence before marrying someone else.

“But what if the Tang family refuses to acknowledge it?” Grandma Wang asked with a frown.

Wang Yuan’er had considered this possibility. Fortunately, Wang Min’er, though foolish, had been clever enough to secure a token of trust. Producing the token, Wang Yuan’er said, “This is the evidence.”

“Grandma, here’s how you should approach the Tang family…” Wang Yuan’er whispered her instructions.

Grandma Wang listened intently, feeling astonished. Her gaze grew complex as she looked at Wang Yuan’er, sighing, “If only you were a boy!”

Wang Yuan’er was momentarily stunned.

Grandma Wang regained her composure and said, “You are unmarried. It’s not appropriate for you to get involved in this matter. Stay home and wait; don’t accompany us to the Tang family.”

Unwed pregnancy was certainly not ideal. The fewer people who knew about it, the better. As an unmarried young lady, Wang Yuan’er had no place in this matter. Discussions within the family were fine, but everything had to be kept concealed outside of the home.

Wang Yuan’er understood her position and did not argue.

Of course, visiting the Tang family unannounced was inappropriate. Fortunately, the Tang family had someone named Zhou, Wang Min’er’s aunt, who could serve as a mediator and help arrange a meeting with the Tang family’s matriarch.

Madam Zhou found it strange—what kind of relationship could Grandma Wang possibly have with the Tang family matriarch? Why would Grandma Wang want to pay respect to her?

Madam Zhou tried to inquire further, but Grandma Wang glared at her. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had to make this visit.”

Madam Zhang pleaded again and again, promising to explain everything later. She insisted it was a matter of life and death for Min’er!

Madam Zhou’s curiosity grew stronger, mixed with a hint of unease. Nonetheless, she managed to arrange the meeting, adding a reminder: “In front of the Old Madam, you must be respectful. Every gesture of courtesy must be done properly.”

Grandma Wang suppressed her anger.

At the Tang family’s back courtyard was a scene of joy and harmony. Old Madam Tang sat in the main seat, smiling as she listened to the third daughter-in-law discuss the marriage plans for her most cherished grandson, Xiuping. Suddenly, her personal maid approached and whispered something in her ear.

“Oh?”Old Madam Tang raised an eyebrow in surprise. After confirming with the maid, she said, “Let them in!”

The maid followed her orders, and shortly after, an elderly woman, short in stature and dressed in a horse-faced skirt with a small bun, entered the room. She was followed by a young woman who was glancing around curiously, her demeanor suggesting restlessness.

Old Madam Tang’s brows furrowed slightly but quickly returned to normal.

At that moment, Madam Zhou stepped forward to make introductions, speaking an abundance of flattering words: “My in-law thought of you, Old Madam, and sent some fresh fruits as a token while also coming to pay her respects.”

Grandma Wang approached and gave a simple and shallow bow. “We’ve lived in the same town for many years, and only now I’ve come to greet the Old Madam and exchange a few idle words.”

Old Madam Tang felt puzzled but did not show it on her face. She smiled warmly and said, “Come in and sit, Sister Wang. I’ve heard about the Wang family—Zhang Dapeng’s household mentioned that your eldest granddaughter makes fermented tofu, and it is truly delightful. Sister Wang, you’re truly blessed to have such a skillful granddaughter! Please, take a seat.”

“Blessed? I dare not claim that. My eldest granddaughter is indeed capable, and I am happy for her. She’s managed to succeed in business and is now collaborating with Jinji, so at least the three daily meals are secure. I don’t have to worry about her anymore.” Grandma Wang remained calm and composed, letting out a faint sigh. “But my other granddaughter—now she has truly worn me out with worry.” As she said this, her gaze fixed sharply on Old Madam Tang with a hint of intensity.

A visitor who comes with ill intentions—this wouldn’t be a friendly encounter.

Old Madam Tang’s heart skipped a beat, though she maintained a steady expression, and smiled, “Oh?”

Grandma Wang looked around the room, where there were maids, nannies, a couple of young ladies, and a wealthy, well-dressed woman. It was unclear whether this woman belonged to the eldest branch, the third branch, or someone else entirely.

“I heard Old Madam Tang has a clever grandson named Xiuping, who recently passed the scholar examination. He is extremely handsome—a sight that even an old lady like me would find delightful. I wonder if I might be fortunate enough to see him?”

Old Madam Tang’s smile froze for a moment, and even the well-dressed lady beside her paused and looked at Grandma Wang, feeling uneasy.

“Third daughter-in-law, hasn’t Xiuping mentioned going to West Mountain to visit his teacher? Has he returned?” Old Madam Tang turned to ask the lady.

The third daughter-in-law smiled knowingly, fully understanding the matriarch’s intentions, and responded warmly, “Mother, you’ve forgotten—Xiuping just went yesterday. He won’t return for several days!”

“Oh, look at me! Age is catching up, and my memory isn’t what it used to be. Sister Wang, isn’t that truly unfortunate!” Old Madam Tang chuckled heartily, patting the armrest of her grand chair.

Grandma Wang sneered inwardly. She wasn’t foolish—she could clearly see the two of them exchanging knowing looks and subtle signals. Most likely, they were hiding that mischievous boy from her. A den of cunning foxes!

“He’s not here? Then I suppose venting my grievances to Old Madam will suffice…” Grandma Wang glanced around the room without continuing her sentence.

Old Madam Tang immediately dismissed everyone, leaving only her trusted maid. Even the third daughter-in-law was about to leave but was stopped by Grandma Wang.

Seeing Grandma Wang take charge in this manner made Old Madam Tang’s heart race with unease. She began to wonder nervously—Grandma Wang first expressed worry for her own granddaughter, then asked about Xiuping’s whereabouts, and now held back the third daughter-in-law. Could it be that Xiuping had done something disgraceful?

Sure enough, once everyone had left the room, Grandma Wang slammed her teacup heavily onto the table and started wailing.

“What kind of performance is this?” Old Madam Tang had never witnessed such a scene and was momentarily stunned. Before she could say anything, Grandma Wang started crying and speaking.

“Old Madam, I am so heartbroken! My poor granddaughter, whom I have cherished and raised with love, has been deceived into marriage by a heartless and ungrateful scoundrel. Not only did he deceive her, but he also violated her, and now she is pregnant! That wretched boy has disappeared without a trace. It’s all my fault; I should have taught her better.”

Deceived into marriage, violated, pregnant!

Old Madam Tang’s eyelids twitched, and her heart seemed to crack. Her lips trembled, but she couldn’t find any words to say.

The third daughter-in-law of the Tang family was also shocked. “Who deceived someone into marriage?”

“I’m not going to beat around the bush. I just want to ask Old Madam—does the Tang family have a young man named Tang Xiuping? Is he your third young master?” Grandma Wang’s piercing gaze fixed on Old Madam Tang. “If so, bring him here! I want to ask if his conscience has been devoured by dogs, leaving my granddaughter in such despair. She’s a good girl I’ve loved and cared for since she was little!”

Old Madam Tang felt her mind go blank; her head buzzed, and her body swayed. Fortunately, her maid supported her.

The third daughter-in-law of the Tang family jumped up. “How dare you! Who do you think you are, coming here and causing a ruckus? What do you take the Tang family for? My son is an honorable man—how could he do such a thing? You, a rural old woman, I advise you to go back where you came from! Otherwise, we’ll have to settle this in court!”

Deceiving someone into marriage, violating her, and leaving her pregnant—was this truly her son’s doing? If word got out, what would happen to his reputation?

“So, Tang Xiuping really is your family’s young master!” Grandma Wang stared at her intensely.

“He is indeed my young master, but Sister Wang, this matter is baseless and cannot be simply spouted around. My Xiuping is already engaged, and his fiancée is the daughter of an official ranked fifth. How could he do such a thing? Perhaps you’ve been tricked by someone else,” Old Madam Tang steadied herself with the help of her maid, speaking calmly. “Everyone in Changle Town knows the reputation of the Tang family. We would never engage in such deceitful actions. Even if this matter were taken to court, the result would be the same!”

Old Madam Tang was subtly asserting the Tang family’s status and mentioning Xiuping’s engagement as a way to suppress Grandma Wang’s accusations.

“Exactly! You’ve come to the wrong place!” The third daughter-in-law added, “Seeing your pitiful state, we won’t pursue this matter further. But if you don’t leave soon, we’ll report it to the authorities!”

Old Madam Tang remained silent, clearly agreeing with this stance. This was truly an act of bullying, relying on their status to oppress others!

Grandma Wang let out a cold laugh. “Report to the authorities? Sure, let’s do that. I’d love for the officials to examine whether this jade pendant belongs to the Tang family’s young master! Let the world see how a supposed scholar has committed such heartless acts of deceiving someone into marriage.”

She pulled out a jade pendant—a piece of premium yellowish-white jade, intricately carved and tied with golden silk threads into a decorative knot symbolizing blessings and longevity. Clearly, it was not an ordinary object, and more importantly, the carvings faintly depicted the character “Ping.”

Upon seeing the pendant, Old Madam Tang and the third daughter-in-law’s expressions changed drastically. Old Madam Tang’s heart raced, and she gestured to her maid.

The maid stepped forward, attempting to take the pendant from Grandma Wang. But Grandma Wang, knowing the value of this evidence, immediately tucked it back into her pocket.

“Sister Wang, if you don’t let us examine it, how can we determine whether this pendant belongs to my Ping’er?” Old Madam Tang said cautiously.

“I may be a rural old woman, but I’m not foolish. Once it’s in your hands, would I ever get it back?” Grandma Wang sneered. “Go ahead and report to the authorities. Regardless, it’ll likely end with my granddaughter dying from despair. But I’ve heard your young master just passed the scholar examination, and your second master is an important official in the court. If the Tang family really committed such a despicable act of forcing a respectable girl into despair, I wonder how the censors would react!”

Old Madam Tang’s face darkened as she stared at Grandma Wang, her gaze changing significantly. It was said that hostile visitors don’t come with good intentions—and Grandma Wang was clearly no easy opponent. She even knew how to invoke the censors as leverage!