flstandardbreds Chapter 111 Liu's Thoughts!
Chapter 111 Liu's Thoughts!
Although the news of Li Wanqing losing her hair didn't spread openly throughout the capital, many young ladies were discussing it privately!
After learning all this, Mu Xin Nuan became much colder. Song Tao's matter had just ended, but unexpectedly, things had gotten lively on her uncle's side!
Song Tao was sentenced to death by beheading, and the execution would take place in a few days. Although the entire Song family was not implicated, Song Tao's affair had utterly ruined the Song family!
Mu Xin Nuan recalled the day she woke up and found 50,000 taels of silver notes under her pillow. Then she thought back to the day before yesterday when she accidentally saw Xu Shi on the street. How could she look like a woman who was not yet twenty years old? She was exhausted, her face was full of vicissitudes, and there were even a few wrinkles at the corners of her eyes!
For some reason, Mu Xin Nuan suddenly thought of that silver-masked boy! Could these silver notes be related to him?
“Miss, your maternal uncle’s wife has arrived. She’s talking to the madam in the brocade courtyard right now. Your eldest cousin has also come and is asking you to come over,” Rongyue said, curtsying.
"I understand. Then I'll go over there. It'll be good to see how my aunt plans to deal with that troublemaking concubine."
Rongyue was confused, but Granny Yu understood. What those young ladies from prestigious families were saying was nothing more than an insinuation that the legitimate mother or eldest daughter had secretly harmed the more outstanding and capable illegitimate daughter. If such rumors spread widely, it would be extremely damaging to Miss Yu's reputation!
Mu Xin Nuan's worries were similar to, yet somewhat different from, those of Granny Yu!
Mu Xin Nuan wasn't particularly anxious. At least, after this incident, the Crown Princess probably wouldn't have any designs on Li Wan Yue anymore. However, it would damage her reputation after all, and if she really did nothing, it might hinder her future marriage.
Accompanied by Mu Qing, Mu Xin Nuan arrived at Jin Yuan.
"Ah Nuan seems to be in good spirits these days. She must have been terrified by the assassination attempt that day, right? By the way, have you used up the calming medicine that Hao Ran sent over?"
"Yes, Aunt, I used some. Thank you for your concern. This time, I have to thank my grandfather and my eldest uncle for being able to bring the mastermind out."
"What are you saying? We're all family, there's no need for thanks!" Liu pretended to be annoyed, but her eyes were full of smiles.
"I heard that my second cousin has lost a lot of hair, is that true?" Mu Xin Nuan didn't bother to beat around the bush and asked directly.
"Yes. She cries every day now, and her aunt is making a scene all the time! Humph! If it weren't for the fact that she gave birth to a daughter for the master, I would have beaten her to death! Even though the facts have been investigated, she still keeps making a fuss. She's definitely from a small family and can't be brought up in public."
"Aunt, but things always have to come to an end! Although there aren't any open rumors circulating outside, many young ladies are quite sympathetic towards my second cousin in private!"
Mu Xin Nuan's words were very clever. Even without saying anything else, just the fact that they were all on Li Wan Qing's side was enough to make Liu Shi think carefully.
In fact, Mu Xin Nuan knew that this aunt was no pushover. Otherwise, her uncle's household wouldn't have only had two legitimate sons and two concubines with only two illegitimate daughters, but none of them had given birth to a son!
“Anuan is right, they are all troublesome. But it’s nothing. In the end, it’s because the master spoils her too much. He only cares about protecting Wanqing now that she has no hair, and lets her make a fuss. When the master gets annoyed by her, he will naturally stop.”
Mu Xin Nuan's eyebrows twitched. So that's how it is! It seems her aunt is quite shrewd! She probably intended to use this incident to discourage the Crown Princess from betrothing Li Wan Yue to the eldest grandson as a concubine. Furthermore, it would make her uncle fundamentally dislike that mother and daughter. Truly a brilliant move!
No matter how much a man dotes on a woman, it's only because of her looks and her understanding nature. That concubine's youth has faded; no matter how well she takes care of herself, she's no longer a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl. Plus, with her own antics, even the uncle's initial sympathy and pity have been almost completely worn away!
It seems that compared to her aunt, her own mother is really quite weak!
Once the eldest uncle grows tired of the mother and daughter, the eldest aunt can then step in. By then, people's sympathy for Li Wanqing will have faded, and the eldest cousin's reputation will remain unaffected! Most importantly, by then, it will likely be just in time for His Highness the Grandson to select his consorts.
"Ah Nuan, you still have to say that? That second sister insisted there was something wrong with that hair oil, which terrified me. I know she also gave you a box. Luckily you didn't use it. Otherwise..."
"What are you saying, eldest cousin? Even if I used it, nothing will happen. Didn't second cousin say that the hair oil was a gift from my aunt?"
Li Wanyue was taken aback, while Liu's eyes flickered, and she laughed, "Anuan is indeed a clever one! Wanyue is several years older than you! You are more sensible than me."
"Auntie, please don't flatter me. By the way, I heard that my two older cousins are here too. Right now, they're teaching their younger brothers martial arts. Cousin, let's go and take a look."
Mrs. Li chuckled, "Look at her, I just praised her for being sensible, and now she's acting like a little rascal, going to watch others practice martial arts!"
Mu Xin Nuan smiled playfully, "Mother, I'm just concerned about my two younger brothers. You and Auntie should talk for a bit. Cousin, let's go. Perfect timing, I had someone prepare some snacks in the kitchen, let's eat while we watch."
"Alright! But letting them practice their boxing while we eat... thinking about it, doesn't it seem a bit unfair of us?"
The two of them chuckled at the same time, and their laughter could still be heard even after they had walked quite a distance.
"Your daughter, Nuan, is a good girl! My dear sister, listen to my advice, it's best to teach her what she needs to learn as soon as possible. Don't let this child's potential go to waste!"
Madam Li didn't immediately grasp the implication in Madam Liu's words, and laughed, "Yes, Master has invited several famous teachers to teach her. But now, they're still missing a zither player. I wonder when they'll be able to find one."
Upon hearing this, Liu knew that her younger sister was clueless!
“You! Anuan is eleven this year, and in two more years, it will be time for her to get married! Given your brother-in-law's current status, Anuan would be worthy of being married into a noble family! Not to mention, she has received praise from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager!”
This time, Li realized what was going on, and her expression immediately turned somewhat worried.