Chapter 27: Does the Tang Family Really Think Our Duke’s Household Doesn’t Exist?

After Tang Mi and Tang Feng left the lotus pond, Madam Lin and Madam Su rushed over upon hearing the news.

“I heard something happened?” Madam Su anxiously looked at Tang Mi and Tang Feng. When she saw that both of them were soaked from head to toe, she gasped in horror. “You fell into the water?”

“Ning’er, you” Madam Lin also turned anxiously to look at Tang Ning.

Tang Ning quickly shook her head. “I’m fine. It was Eldest Sister and Second Sister who fell into the water.”

Upon learning that both Tang Mi and Tang Ying had fallen into the water, Madam Su frowned. “How did they both fall in? What exactly happened?”

Madam Lin also looked shocked, suddenly realizing a serious issue. “Then who rescued them?”

For young ladies to fall into the water, there were too many implications. This was no small matter.

Hearing Madam Lin’s question, Madam Su also tensed up.

Knowing what they were worried about, Tang Ning quickly explained, “It was Third Brother and Cousin Qingyu who rescued them.”

Hearing that it was Tang Feng who saved Tang Mi, Madam Su finally relaxed a bit.

Madam Lin also let out a sigh of relief.

If it was Feng’er and Qin Qingyu, then the issue might not be too serious. Tang Feng needed no explanation, and Qin Qingyu, as Tang Ying’s cousin, shouldn’t pose much of a problem. Even if Tang Ying’s reputation was affected, Qin Qingyu wasn’t a bad match. As the Qin family’s nephew, a marriage between the families could actually be a good outcome.

Tang Mi wrapped herself tighter in her cloak and turned to Madam Su and Madam Lin. “Aunt, Third Aunt, Feng’er and I will return to the carriage first.”

“Of course, of course,” Madam Lin quickly nodded, her eyes full of concern. “Go on now. Be careful not to catch a cold.”

Madam Su also quickly added, “Take the Duke’s household’s carriage.”

Tang Mi bowed to Madam Lin before she and Tang Feng followed Madam Su out of the Imperial Garden.

Tang Ning wanted to go as well, but Madam Lin pulled her back.

“Mother, what are you doing?” Tang Ning protested unhappily as she watched Tang Mi and the others walk away.

“What happened exactly? How could they just fall into the water like that?” Madam Lin had noticed Tang Mi’s expression earlier and suspected this wasn’t just an accident.

Tang Ning frowned, clearly troubled. “Honestly, I don’t really know either. Eldest Sister said Second Sister pushed her into the water and even tried to harm Third Brother while they were in it. But Second Sister denied it, saying she was falsely accused…”

She explained roughly what had happened by the lotus pond.

Meanwhile, Tang Mi was recounting the events to Madam Su, who grew furious upon hearing them. “This Tang Ying has gone too far. Was she trying to kill you all?”

Tang Mi’s expression was icy cold. Tang Feng, on the other hand, found it hard to believe that Tang Ying would deliberately try to harm them. He wanted to defend her, but seeing Tang Mi’s pale face, he ultimately said nothing.

Just as the three reached the palace gates, Madam Lin came rushing out.

“Eldest Girl,” she panted, looking at Tang Mi with guilt, “this is all because Third Aunt failed to keep Tang Ying in check. I let her harm you and Feng’er.”

Tang Mi looked at her without expression. “You think what happened during the Mid-Autumn banquet was just her trying to harm Feng’er and me?”

Madam Lin’s face changed instantly.

Madam Su glared at her without holding back. “Your second branch of the Tang family is truly outrageous. You drugged our Mi’er before, nearly ruining her life. And now you’re trying to kill her and her brother? Do you people really think our Duke’s household doesn’t exist?”

Tang Feng frowned deeply at her words.

Drugged? When had that happened?

Seeing how bluntly Madam Su spoke, Madam Lin flushed with shame. “I truly apologize. I will personally report this to the Old Madam. Rest assured, we will give both Eldest Girl and Feng’er an explanation.”

“You’d better,” Madam Su snorted. “Otherwise, don’t think our Duke’s household will let this go.”

She then helped Tang Mi into the carriage.

Tang Feng, still drenched, got in as well.

Madam Lin watched the carriage leave, her eyes narrowing.

Eldest Girl was right. What Tang Ying did today probably wasn’t just targeting the eldest branch. She must’ve had the third branch in her sights too.

“Ning’er, we’re going back,” Madam Lin said, furious. She pulled Tang Ning into their own carriage.

Tang Ning frowned. “Aren’t we going to wait for Second Sister? She hasn’t come yet.”

“Wait for what? If she has the brains to scheme against others, she’ll figure out how to return by herself.” With that, she ordered the driver, “Back to the residence.”

“Yes, madam.” The driver cracked his whip, and the carriage departed.

By the time Tang Ying stumbled to the palace gates, looking a mess, the Tang family’s carriage was long gone.

Tang Mi!

Madam Lin!

Tang Ying gritted her teeth, fists clenched in fury, wishing she could tear Tang Mi and Madam Lin to pieces.

The noble ladies who were leaving the palace in groups whispered and laughed at her disheveled state.

“Didn’t she act all high and mighty before? Who knew she’d end up like this!”

“She’s so malicious, it’s what she deserves!”

“If it were me, I wouldn’t let her ride with me either. Who knows, she might push me out of the carriage too!”

Hearing their gossip, Tang Ying’s eyes reddened with rage. She turned to her maids, Yiyun and Qianliu. “Go get me a carriage!”

“Yes, miss.” The maids hurried off, but just then, a carriage pulled up in front of them.

“Cousin, let me take you home,” Qin Qingyu said as he lifted the curtain and jumped down.

The surrounding noble ladies began whispering again at the sight of him.

“Does Young Master Qin like Tang Ying?”

“They’re cousins, childhood sweethearts. Isn’t it normal?”

“Looks like the Qin and Tang families are about to be connected by marriage.”

Qin Qingyu blushed at their words.

Seeing his expression made Tang Ying even angrier. Without a word, she climbed into the carriage.

Qin Qingyu quickly followed.

Inside, he stole glances at her, as if wanting to say something.

But Tang Ying kept a cold face, distancing herself. In the end, Qin Qingyu said nothing.

Madam Su escorted Tang Mi and Tang Feng back to the Tang residence but didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she went to see the Old Madam.

Tang Mi didn’t go with her. She looked at Tang Feng and said, “It’s getting chilly. Go take a hot bath right away so you don’t catch a cold.”

“Alright,” Tang Feng nodded obediently. “You too.”

“Mhm.” Tang Mi gave a small nod and gestured for him to go.

After watching him leave, she returned to her courtyard.

“Miss, what happened?” Fu Ling exclaimed when she saw how soaked Tang Mi was.

“Miss fell into the water. Go prepare hot water,” Ban Xia ordered before Tang Mi could speak.

“She fell in?” Fu Ling’s eyes widened, but she rushed to fetch the water.

Tang Mi entered the room, and Ban Xia brought over clean clothes. “Miss, change quickly or you’ll catch a cold.”

Tang Mi removed her cloak and stared at it blankly for a moment. Suddenly, she looked at Ban Xia. “Bring me the cloak I asked you to put away earlier.”