Chapter 160

The Tang family’s behavior is truly unreasonable. They didn’t even grant a proper status, yet they’re taking her away like this. This is extremely damaging to Wang Min’er’s reputation and is a slap in the face to the Wang family.

But Wang Min’er, that fool, willingly let herself be slapped on the left cheek and then offered the right cheek for more. She agreed, but Wang Yuan’er did not.

Grandma Wang had been deeply troubled these past few days. Hearing Wang Yuan’er speak like this, she sat down and looked at her.

“Tell me, given the current situation, is there any room for maneuvering?” Grandma Wang asked as if grasping at straws.

“Grandmother, Min’er willingly chose to step into that pit, and we can’t interfere. It’s her path, and she must walk it herself. But the way the Tang family is handling this—it’s humiliating to our family.” Wang Yuan’er grabbed the nearby cup of water and took a sip. “Like I said earlier, if the Tang family ends up not even giving her the status of a concubine, then Min’er is truly ruined, and our Wang family loses face as well.”

“Do you think I don’t know that? But Min’er… Your second uncle and the others have already agreed!”

“But they haven’t negotiated with the Tang family yet, right? Grandmother, if we can’t stop Min’er’s determination, we can’t just let the Tang family take advantage of us, either! If Min’er is entering the Tang family, it must be under some formal title. Otherwise, going into the Tang family without reason—what will outsiders think?”

“The Tang family said she’ll serve the Old Madam as her maid, staying by her side,” Grandma Wang replied.

“Grandmother, our Wang family may not be a large household, but we do own a shop and are not struggling to put food on the table. Is it necessary to sell our daughter as a servant girl? If word spreads, who would believe it? People would start making wild guesses—that would truly be scandalous,” Wang Yuan’er pointed out.

“If this won’t work and that won’t work, then what do you suggest?”

“As it stands, I think we need to firmly tie the Tang family and Min’er together. That way, the Tang family won’t easily abandon Min’er, and our family’s reputation won’t end up being trampled,” Wang Yuan’er said with her lips pursed. “If we’re all tied together on the same boat, only then will it be harder for the boat to capsize!”

Grandma Wang was momentarily stunned as she looked at her granddaughter. Her slightly narrowed eyes, lightly pursed lips, and composed expression gave her an inexplicable air of authority—something that naturally inspired trust.

“Tell me, what’s your plan?” Grandma Wang asked.

“Grandmother, remember when someone from the Tang family visited our house recently? Everyone was curious about it, weren’t they? Let’s do this…” Wang Yuan’er then laid out her idea.

Grandma Wang was stunned.

Giving Wang Min’er the title of the Old Madam Tang’s savior—so the Tang family comes to express their gratitude, and the Old Madam likes Min’er and invites her to stay at the Tang household for a while? Could this really work?

“But Min’er, she never…”

Wang Yuan’er smiled and said, “Whether it’s true or not, who’s going to investigate? The key is that it’s plausible. Tell me, who’s more important—a lifesaver or a common maid? Would the Tang family still refuse to grant Min’er the title of a concubine in the future? With the reputation of being a lifesaver, they would have to give her proper respect and treat her well.”

“But, will the Tang family agree?” Grandma Wang was tempted but still skeptical. Would the Tang family accept this so easily?

“Rumors—who can stop them? Let it spread for a couple of days, and then, Grandmother, you and the others can go to negotiate. A slap followed by a sweet date—the matter will naturally flow smoothly!” Wang Yuan’er pursed her lips and added, “The Tang family cares about their reputation too. Unless Tang Xiuping doesn’t want to take the imperial exams, accepting a lifesaver as a concubine is certainly better than being accused of stealing her, wouldn’t you agree? It might even become a celebrated story!”

Grandma Wang nodded, feeling that her reasoning wasn’t wrong.

That evening, Grandma Wang gathered Wang Er and his wife, along with Wang Min’er, and conveyed Wang Yuan’er’s plan.

Wang Min’er was initially bewildered but wasn’t foolish. She quickly realized that Wang Yuan’er’s strategy was entirely beneficial to her—it would ensure her future was more secure.

“But, but the Old Madam is always surrounded by maids and attendants. The idea of a lifesaving grace seems a bit far-fetched,” Wang Min’er said after her excitement subsided, raising a concern.

Everyone turned their eyes to Wang Yuan’er.

Wang Yuan’er pondered briefly and said, “Who would pay attention to such details? The key is the bigger picture. Besides, wouldn’t it be possible that the Old Madam wanted some time alone to quietly recite Buddhist scriptures without anyone accompanying her?”

“Exactly, that’s it! This way, the Tang family will have no choice but to regard Min’er as a great benefactor!” Madam Zhang clapped her hands and looked at Wang Yuan’er, saying, “Good girl! This time, it’s thanks to your clever idea. When Min’er has a great future, she’ll surely remember you!”

Wang Min’er, though somewhat reluctant, cast a sideways glance at Wang Yuan’er and said, “Thanks!”

Wang Yuan’er could only chuckle helplessly. She wasn’t doing this for any personal gain—she just didn’t want the Wang family’s reputation to fall into the dirt, nor for their household to be subjected to whispers and pointing fingers wherever they went.

The next day, as per Wang Yuan’er’s plan, Wang Fuquan, with his loose tongue, “accidentally” let it slip that, during a trip to Xiangshan the previous month, Wang Min’er had saved Old Madam Tang. This, he said, was the reason the Tang family had come to express their gratitude and establish a connection with the Wang family.

Rumors spread quickly, from one person to ten, from ten to a hundred. Before long, the entire Changle Town was talking about it. Everyone said that Wang Min’er was the lifesaver of Old Madam Tang. They marveled at how deeply grateful the Tang family was and how respectfully they treated Wang Min’er.

When this rumor reached the ears of Old Madam Tang, she was so furious that she swept a whole set of teacups off the small table onto the ground.

“Who? Who spread such absurd rumors? Simply ridiculous!”

Third Madam Tang San was equally furious, saying, “Mother, if not the Wang family, then who? Hmph! I’ve always said that such small, humble households are full of scheming minds, using dirty and lowly tactics. Repaying kindness? What repaying kindness!”

“The Wang family?” Old Madam Tang tightened her grip on her prayer beads and sneered coldly. “I truly underestimated the Wang family. They’ve played quite a clever game!”

As they were talking, a maid came in to report, “Someone from the Wang family is here, waiting outside.”

“They came quickly indeed!” TOld Madam Tang’s face grew even colder.

“Drive them out! Such despicable people—why waste time meeting them?” Third Madam Tang waved her hand dismissively and turned to the Old Madam Tang, adding, “Mother, let’s cancel this marriage altogether. Such vile people aren’t even fit to be concubines!”

“Let them in. Let’s hear what they have to say!” Old Madam Tang snorted.

Third Madam Tang was still resentful and sat to the side sulking.

The visitors were, once again, Grandma Wang and Madam Zhang. After paying their respects, they sat down and began to explain the Wang family’s position.

“That girl and your third young master are deeply in love. She is determined to follow him. As elders, we can’t bear to break apart a pair of lovebirds. We’ve spoiled her since she was little. We can only hope that once she enters the Tang family, for the child’s sake, the Old Madam can be lenient with her!” Grandma Wang sighed dramatically, carefully avoiding any mention of the rumors.

Old Madam Tang, suppressing her anger, remarked, “Sister, have you heard the rumors outside? Since when did your granddaughter save me?”

Hearing this, Grandma Wang looked distressed, and Madam Zhang explained, “Speaking of that, it’s our fault. Ever since this incident, our family has been overwhelmed. For the sake of both families’ reputations, we couldn’t let the truth get out. But we still have children in the household; young children are loose-tongued and say anything. So, after discussing it, we told the younger ones that the sudden interaction between the families was because Min’er had saved you. It was just to keep the children quiet. Otherwise, the gifts you sent wouldn’t make sense. Who knew my eldest son, loose-tongued as he is, blurted everything out under pressure?” She spoke with great emotion, but who present would believe her? The story was full of holes—no one could possibly find it convincing.

Old Madam Tang grew angrier the more she listened, gripping her prayer beads tightly, her face devoid of any trace of a smile.

Madam Zhang, however, remained unbothered. Following the plan her family had discussed, she clapped her hands and said, “But the timing of this rumor is perfect, and it makes sense. Your family’s act of sending gifts now has a reasonable explanation, and when Min’er is formally brought over, it will all appear legitimate, won’t it? This will preserve the honor of both our families, and in the future, it might even become a celebrated tale!”

Old Madam Tang’s face twitched slightly.

“Your Wang family has truly played a clever game—this is nothing short of using a favor to demand repayment, isn’t it? Using this title to put my Tang family in a tough spot. In the future, won’t we have no choice but to treat your daughter exceptionally well and cater to her every need?” Third Madam Tang couldn’t hold back her anger and erupted furiously.

“Be quiet!” Old Madam Tang’s eyelid twitched as she glared at her daughter-in-law. Wasn’t she practically admitting to the accusations against them?

It was too late to turn things around. Grandma Wang’s face darkened as she said, “According to Third Madam Tang’s words, taking my granddaughter into your family is only temporary? Your Tang family never intended to give her a formal status. Now you’re saying you’ll wait until the child is born to decide—are you just stalling? Is this how the Tang family handles matters?”

Old Madam Tang sensed trouble and forced a smile. “Sister, what are you thinking? How could that be? Whether for the older generation’s sake or the younger’s, we all value family, don’t we?”

Grandma Wang sneered, standing up as she replied, “You know exactly what your intentions are. I wanted to support the union of these two young people. Despite the harsh conditions you set—waiting until the child is born to grant her a status—I reluctantly agreed. But it turns out you’re just dragging things out. No matter what, my granddaughter is a respectable young lady from a proper family. If you intend to humiliate her, then let’s call off this marriage and go our separate ways!”

Old Madam Tang’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly said, “Oh, come now, old sister. Aren’t we all just startled by these outrageous rumors? It’s all baseless! If someone asked me about them and I couldn’t explain, wouldn’t that cause trouble?”

“Baseless or not,” Grandma Wang replied coldly, “I think this is the perfect explanation. As my daughter-in-law just said, proceeding with the marriage under such a title would give it legitimacy. Or would you prefer the rumors that your young master has seduced and impregnated my granddaughter without proper intent?”

“Mother, don’t say that!” Madam Zhang interjected. “The Old Madam just hasn’t come around yet. Such a celebrated tale and noble reputation—who wouldn’t want that? Right, Old Madam?”

“Yes, yes, that’s exactly right. After a few days, we’ll have Min’er come stay with me for a while—it makes perfect sense. This is excellent, truly excellent!” Old Madam Tang quickly followed their lead, though she was seething inside. One played the bad cop, the other the good cop—it was clearly a coordinated act to back them into a corner.