Chapter 446 — Repaying a Debt
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 3 of 4
She still had candy in her mouth, yet she planted her hands on her hips and argued loudly, "The Dou family isn't being stingy at all! Just look at the betrothal gifts the Dou family gave the Eldest Young Master and you'll see how rich they are—why would they care about a little money like this! It's only because some things came to light at home a while back, and everyone's saying the Second Master was brought in from outside by Lord Zhenguo. To make the Second Master a legitimate son, Lord Zhenguo swapped him with the eldest young miss born to Lady Jiang... The Heir Apparent fell out with Lord Zhenguo over this matter. If someone from the Dou family came to join in the fuss over the Second Master's marriage, of course the Heir Apparent would be displeased!"
Liu Hong was aghast, and could not help glancing toward the next room.
Fuye understood at once.
Either Miao-shi was in the next room, or Miao-shi's most capable senior maid, Jihong, was.
The thought had barely crossed her mind when she heard the sound of porcelain shattering from next door.
Liu Hong caught her breath and managed to force out a smile. "You're making that up, aren't you? When a lady of the household gives birth, there must be no end of people crowded around. Even if it could be hidden from Lady Jiang, how could it possibly be hidden from the capable old nurses at Lady Jiang's side? Don't try to fool me!"
"Why would I fool you?" Fuye said, displeased. "If you don't believe me, just ask anyone. Otherwise, how do you explain why the young miss from Bishui Pavilion looks exactly like Lady Jiang? When the young miss was sent back to her natal family, why didn't she return to the Jiang family instead of coming to seek refuge with the Song family? And why does the Madam promote the young miss instead of the Second Madam?"
When the Eldest Young Madam of the Lu family suffered a miscarriage, by all rights the Madam should have invited her sister-in-law Miao-shi to go with her to the Lu residence to pay a visit. So why did she set Miao-shi aside and take the young miss instead? Was the Madam not afraid the Lu family's old master and old madam would blame her?
Miao Zhi's mind was in utter turmoil. She did not even notice when Fuye left.
She sat alone in silence until the lamps were lit. Only when the maids came in to light them did the piercing glare bring her back to herself.
"Has the Second Master come back?" Miao Anruo asked Jihong.
Song Han had no particular duties, yet on the fourth day of their marriage he had made the excuse that Lord Zhenguo was strict about his studies and returned to the academy to read. He left early and came back late every day. He was more diligent than the students of the Imperial College.
Jihong said, a little uncomfortably, "The Second Master is back. He's changing his clothes in the small study."
All the things Song Han had customarily used before the marriage had been moved to the small study.
Miao Zhi understood in a flash. "Is Qixia and the others waiting on him?"
Jihong nodded.
Miao Zhi flew into a rage.
He slept with her maids, yet never let her former maids wait on him—what sort of reasoning was that?
No wonder—was her own room some brothel, then?
Miao Zhi sprang up to head for the small study, but Jihong held her back with all her strength. "Second Madam, you've only just married in. If you make a scene, even what isn't your fault will become your fault. Besides, the Second Master's position is awkward right now. If you do this, you'll only make him resent you!"
Miao Zhi calmed down.
When Song Han returned to the room, she greeted him with a smiling face and asked whether he had eaten supper. She brought him water to wash his feet with her own hands, and once they were in bed, she gently and softly told him about Dou Yan taking Jiang Yan to the Lu family. Then she tested him, saying, "Tell me—shouldn't you also prepare some gifts and go pay a visit to the Eldest Young Madam of the Lu family?"