Chapter 530: Chapter 174 Framed (1)_3
"Do you have any good ideas?" Xie Ruilin asked Chun Tao.
Chun Tao thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Speak," Xie Ruilin commanded coldly.
Chun Tao leaned close to Xie Ruilin’s ear and shared her thoughts.
A cold smile formed at the corner of Xie Ruilin’s mouth.
"Chun Tao, I didn’t see it coming, that such a young girl like you could hide such wicked schemes."
"How could the young madam speak of the servant like that? The servant only wishes for the young madam’s well-being. The position of the Song Family’s principal wife should have rightfully been yours, but it was snatched away by the eldest sister. The servant is simply voicing indignation on behalf of the young madam," Chun Tao defended herself.
Xie Ruilin sneered.
For her, the most important thing right now was to eliminate Xie Ruotong before she could give birth, securing her position as Song Yanqing’s legitimate wife.
...
Xie Ruotong and Qiao’er finished their lunch.
Xie Ruotong was painting in her room.
She couldn’t go anywhere else.
Although the sun had come out these past few days, it was still quite chilly outside, and even a brief walk in the yard could lead to freezing.
The best course of action was to find some chores to do inside the house and pass the time.
Xie Ruotong was painting the plum trees in the courtyard.
She heard Qiao’er making a fuss in the outer room.
"What’s wrong?" Xie Ruotong asked Qiao’er.
Unable to bear it any longer, Qiao’er entered the room with her eyes red, "Young madam, we’re about to run out of charcoal again."
If we’re out, just go to the storeroom and fetch some more."
"The last time I went for charcoal, that wretched girl Chun Tao tampered with it. She deliberately made sure the storeroom gave us less, and that’s why it ran out so quickly," said Qiao’er, tearing up from the memory of being bullied by Chun Tao.
Xie Ruotong was aware of the incident that day.
Qiao’er had come back and told her.
She didn’t pursue the matter, hoping peace would prevail.
After all, since Xie Ruilin was pregnant, she could do as she pleased in the Song Family. Should she cause any offense to Xie Ruilin, Xie Ruilin could use any excuse to make a fuss, making life difficult for them in the Song family.
Xie Ruotong set down her brush and ink and, looking at Qiao’er’s teary red eyes, she consoled her, "We will have to endure for a while, and it’s fine to use a little less charcoal."
"Why should we?!" Qiao’er protested. "The eldest sister is the principal wife; why should we let a concubine bully us this way?"
Why indeed?
Because Song Yanqing does not like her.
She said, "Just do as I told you, and we’ll use less charcoal from now on."
"Young madam..." Qiao’er couldn’t help but call out to her.
"It’s not that I’m afraid of Xie Ruilin; I’m just very aware that during Xie Ruilin’s pregnancy, we can’t compete," Xie Ruotong clarified.
During this time.
Even if they were in the right, it wouldn’t matter compared to Xie Ruilin.
Qiao’er bit her lip and reluctantly agreed, "Then I will use less charcoal."
Xie Ruotong nodded.
Qiao’er left.
Xie Ruotong continued to paint.
Because there was less charcoal in the room, her hands were indeed getting cold.
She found it a bit stiff to hold the brush and ink.
Xie Ruotong decided not to force herself.
She got up to get a cup of hot tea.
Just as she stood up.
She saw Qiao’er return excitedly from outside, holding a basin of charcoal, "Young madam, the steward just had me fetch some charcoal from the storeroom, saying that he heard we were given less last time, and especially instructed me to go get it."
Xie Ruotong’s brow furrowed slightly.
She felt that something was unbelievable.
In the Song Family, everyone had to curry favor with Xie Ruilin. Knowing Xie Ruilin dislikes her, why would anyone make a goodwill gesture?
Just as Xie Ruotong was about to ask something.
Qiao’er had already excitedly knelt down to add more charcoal to the brazier.
And at that moment.
A group of people suddenly burst into her courtyard.
Xie Ruotong was visibly surprised by the people in front of her.
The one leading them was Chun Tao.
Followed by many other maids and servants.
Xie Ruotong knew something must have happened but could only watch quietly to see how things would unfold, "Chun Tao, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit to my courtyard?"
"Search!" Chun Tao ordered the servants behind her without any of the proprieties she should have observed.
Upon hearing the command, the servants were ready to enter Xie Ruotong’s room.
"Stop right there!" Xie Ruotong exclaimed with a cold voice.
Her presence was strong.
For a moment, it made all the servants hesitate to proceed rashly.
Chun Tao, looking at Xie Ruotong, stepped forward and said, "Just now, the servant found a talisman in my young madam’s room, hidden under her pillow! The servant specifically inquired with a Taoist, and it’s a talisman to curse a miscarriage!"
Xie Ruotong’s eyes narrowed.
"And such a talisman is controlled by a figurine. Only by finding the figurine can the curse be lifted! Now, madam has ordered the servant to lead others to search the entire courtyard for that figurine! I would ask the young madam not to make things difficult for the servant," Chun Tao pressed aggressively.