As a servant, I have committed a transgression today, reminding Lord Zhu that our Huang family is not one that can be easily dismissed with a little favor. We might not even be able to get through their doors. The butler said these words while casting a pointed glance at him, essentially demanding a king's ransom.
Lord Zhu's heart clenched. He suppressed his anger, forced a smile, and nodded, engaging in negotiations with the butler.
After finally seeing him off, he returned to his room and violently smashed the teacup the butler had just used onto the ground. This was blatant extortion, yet Lord Zhu was powerless. The incident had spread widely, with many witnesses present. It was, after all, their own fault.
Madam Zhu, frightened, had been hiding in the inner quarters the entire time, daring not to make a sound. The mistake was hers, and it was fortunate that her husband did not vent his anger on her. In reality, Lord Zhu was not holding back his anger, but after so many years together, he understood her. He knew she had merely acted impulsively, and any outburst would be futile. He could only focus on finding a solution.
The next morning, Lord Zhu, with two cartloads of goods, headed to the Huang family's residence. The Huang family's servants kept him waiting at the gate for a considerable time before announcing his arrival. In the past, Lord Zhu would have turned back immediately. But today, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and wait patiently.
Upon finally meeting Lord Huang, Lord Zhu quickly offered a conciliatory smile. "This is a small token I've brought to help Madam Huang recover from her shock."
With that, Lord Zhu's butler immediately directed his men to unload the goods and open them one by one.
Lord Huang took a cursory glance, estimating the value of the items to be around twenty thousand taels. Only then did his anger subside somewhat, but he still offered no pleasantries.
"It's not that I intend to make things difficult, but when your wife kicked my wife into the water in front of so many people, how am I supposed to save face for the Huang family?" Lord Huang looked at him with a gaze filled with hurt and disappointment.
"My wife knows she was wrong and has been filled with remorse ever since. When we meet next, I will certainly have her apologize to Madam Huang in front of all the ladies," Lord Zhu said, humbling himself. Honestly, in all his years, he had never felt so humiliated.
"Alas, after returning from the Li family, Madam has been hiding in her room, refusing to come out, feeling too ashamed to face anyone. My father-in-law's family heard the news and sent someone to inquire if they needed to intervene. I spoke highly of you, Lord Zhu, and smoothed things over, which is why they abandoned the idea. Your visit today provides me with a way out, so I will reluctantly accept these goods," Lord Huang said, feigning difficulty, as if he were already doing them a great favor by letting them off the hook.
"Thank you, Lord Huang, for interceding on my behalf. Your magnanimity and great benevolence are something I, Zhu, will never forget," Lord Zhu said, relieved that it was finally over. He spoke all the words of praise as if they were free.
Lord Huang, flattered by his effusive praise, unconsciously softened his tone.
After leaving the Huang family's grand gate and settling into his carriage, Lord Zhu's face immediately fell. Spotting a book he usually read in a corner, he quickly grabbed it and tore it to shreds, venting his frustration. Only then did some of the anger in his heart subside.
Although somewhat guilty, Madam Zhu had been waiting in the main hall. Seeing her husband return with a grim expression, she anxiously inquired about the situation. If the Huang family decided to pursue the matter, not only the Zhu family but also her own family would be implicated. This was the reason why, despite her dislike for Madam Huang over the years, she had always endured.
"The crisis has passed for now. I hope Madam will be more cautious with her words and actions in the future, and go out less often. If such a thing happens again, Madam will have to return to her maiden home to reside," Lord Zhu said without restraint, having endured a whole day of suppressed anger. If he had spoken to Madam Zhu like this normally, she would have been unable to bear it. Knowing she had made a mistake, she could only lower her head guiltily. Su Dan Novel Network
To this day, she still felt as if she were dreaming when recalling the scene. How she wished she had never done it. She understood that her husband was indirectly placing her under house arrest. In fact, even if he hadn't said it, she had no intention of attending ladies' banquets anytime soon. After all, having done something so embarrassing, she feared the mocking glances of others.
"You did this, didn't you?" Zhu Yuxuan indulgently patted Wu Caiwei's head, stating it with certainty.
"It was merely a small lesson for her. The real show has just begun. It seems the medicine I've been researching lately is quite effective," Wu Caiwei said triumphantly.
"The medicine you researched can make people lose their sanity? But why doesn't Mrs. Zhou seem out of her mind?" Although Zhu Yuxuan had also conducted extensive research in medicine, he had to admit that Wu Caiwei's skill and talent surpassed his.
"The medicine I prepared this time is a bit special. It amplifies feelings of discontent or grievance, causing people to act in uncontrolled, mad ways."
"So, she was already dissatisfied with Madam Huang, or perhaps she was jealous of all the madams?"
Wu Caiwei nodded. She had fallen for her trap this time, and it was truly worth it.
Perhaps it was this lesson that truly instilled fear in Madam Zhu. She had become much more subdued recently, refraining from any further minor provocations. However, Wu Caiwei would not let her off the hook. Although the tragedy of the Liu family in her previous life was caused by the second young madam and the second young master, Madam Zhu was the one who had dragged Zhu Yuxuan's health down. If they hadn't intervened, it was imaginable that the Zhu family would have been preparing for a funeral.
Originally, Madam Zhu intended to use illness as an excuse to cover up her recent seclusion due to shame. However, her health deteriorated day by day. The doctors could find no explanation, attributing it to psychological stress and misperception. To her surprise, one morning she woke up feeling utterly weak.
After consulting several doctors, all of whom stated that everything was normal, Madam Zhu nevertheless felt unwell. A strong intuition told her something was wrong, but she couldn't pinpoint it.
In the past, Lord Zhu would have immediately visited his wife upon hearing of her illness. However, because he was angry with Madam Zhu, he had recently moved into the concubine's chambers and they were inseparable. Madam Zhu secretly seethed but was powerless. She knew this was her husband's punishment and, feeling a sense of loss, secretly resolved that once she felt a little better, she would certainly teach that concubine a lesson.
The Zhu family appeared calm on the surface, but beneath the placid exterior, currents were surging. Although Li Wenwen had been sent away, Liu Zhiyi knew that Zhu Chenxing often visited her in secret.
As soon as he left, Liu Zhiyi sent someone to subtly hint to the steward of the estate to make things difficult for Li Wenwen.
Meanwhile, Li Wenwen tried every means to send messages to Zhu Chenxing or to complain about the steward during their next meeting. Zhu Chenxing, in his anger, dismissed them from their posts. This cycle of events caused headaches for those below, truly a case of the masters fighting and the servants suffering.