Chapter 285: Who Can Do What to Whom?

What method could she have? This isn't an illness; it's Ru'er's own problem—she has a flaw in her character, not something that can be solved by taking a few medicines.

If you won't go, then I'll go ask. I can't just watch Ru'er be ruined like this.

That's also her destroying herself; who can be blamed?

No, I'm her mother; if there's a way, I must try.

Just like that, Lady Wang hurried to Yuexian Pavilion; Qiao Mai was not surprised when she saw her, she had Lady Wang sit down and poured her a glass of water.

Lady Wang didn't drink it, and immediately began recounting the pitiful scene of seeing Ru'er today to Qiao Mai.

Qiao Mai kept her head slightly lowered, listened without responding, and finally Lady Wang knelt before her.

"Qiao Niangzi, I know your abilities—please, save Ru'er."

Qiao Mai let out a soft sigh, helped her up, and said, "Sit first, Lady Wang."

Lady Wang was startled; the address felt very strange, and Qiao Mai's expression was cold.

They only stayed at the Zhen Guo Gong Residence for a short while before leaving; now the whole family could stroll around Jingcheng properly.

"Everything is left to father and mother's decision; as long as they look smooth, are filial to parents, the son will be content."

Until the morning of the first day of the new year, everyone exchanged New Year greetings, and only then did they have a meal together.

"I am the wife of the Minister of War; behind me is my little daughter; seeing Lady Yuan, I wanted to say hello."

"Choosing a date is not as good as just happening on the day."

Yuan Jiaqi looked at his wife's angry demeanor and burst out laughing with a "pfft."

Qiao Mai hates such women the most; like a piece of dog‑skin plaster, she slammed the door shut.

Besides going in the morning to pay respects to the old master and the old lady, Qiao Mai spent the rest of the day at her own Yuexian Pavilion.

But the children liked it, so she patiently stayed with them, and the whole family going out was truly a rare chance.

If they hadn't prepared any New Year goods over there, the old master and old lady would hardly have dared to do this.

This command undoubtedly gave Wang Zongsheng a slap; he knew his wife had passed.

At that moment Feng'er's eyebrows knit, and he made a bowing gesture toward the lady.

"Grandmother understood—it's that servant girl who's too ungrateful, can't see the situation; we're angry too, sigh~"

"Madam, let me say it again: today's setting is inconvenient, your daughter is also unmarried, and my family has several men; isn't it said that great households are extremely proper?"

This place is a spot frequented by Jingcheng's wealthy, but because it's the first day of the new year, few come, which fits Qiao Mai's intention perfectly.

"Is it that they've taken a liking to Yun'er?"

Qiao Mai was furious; because of that ungrateful thing, the whole family got annoyed—truly!

She didn't want to see Lady Wang's resentful face, so she directly ordered the kitchen to deliver the meals to each courtyard, no communal dining.

"After marriage there can be only one wife; who dares to bring in a concubine like other men do? Don't blame me for not recognizing your son; not only do I not recognize him, the consequences are beyond what you can bear."

"What? She's the one who'll spend a lifetime with you, why must you like her? Today, talking about marriage, I'll put the ugly words first."

"In front of a large public audience, who can do what to whom?"

Jin Mama was fairly familiar with Jingcheng; she introduced whatever the main family looked at.

"Madam, hello, today is our family's gathering, and my son Xianggong is also present; it's truly inconvenient, shall we meet another day?"

In fact Jingcheng has no real scenery; besides ancient buildings it's just buildings, and in Qiao Mai's eyes there's truly nothing to see.

They didn't go anywhere else, only to the Zhen Guo Gong Residence; after all, they're future in‑laws, so this New Year visit isn't flattery.

Lady Wang got up, left dejectedly, and shortly after the old lady arrived; she took Qiao Mai's hand.

The New Year in the South differs a lot from that in the North, but for the Qiao Family it's the same.

The children could sense something; they rarely go over, occasionally look for Zihan to play, but not to meet Lady Wang.

"If they don't know the mistake, then just keep it closed like this; I believe as long as the Wang family continues to supply silver to the Wang Mansion, they will keep Ru'er's position as princess, the two children will remain legitimate sons and grandchildren, and I trust that with time the bad habits she has will be cured."

Don't think the three Feng Yunchuan brothers have been in Jingcheng long; they haven't really seen much. Ling'er just arrived too and needs to look around to avoid getting lost.

They have always prepared according to Northern customs, but because of Wang Jiaru's matter, the atmosphere in Jixiang Yuan has been somewhat gloomy.

At noon, the family dined in the best private room of Wangyue Lou, the largest restaurant in Jingcheng.

"That woman is merely the concubine of the Minister of War; during the big New Year, the head lady usually entertains guests at home, not like her who actively brings her daughter out."

Feng'er stepped back, turned and gave Qiao Mai an embarrassed glance, and at that moment Qiao Mai rose to the doorway.

"How do you want me to save her? Tell me—should I kill the Little Prince, kill the old Prince, or the old Prince's consort, or slaughter the entire Prince's family, leaving only her and the child to dominate the Wang Mansion?"

"May I ask which person you're looking for, madam?"

"Mother, please speak."

"It's fine, I don't mind; it's just that I can't fulfill her request."

The woman, having been rebuffed, was so angry she wanted to curse, but seeing the waiting guests, she suppressed her fury and left with them.

Seeing Qiao Mai's cold stare, Lady Wang shivered, then immediately came to her senses.

"Qiao Niangzi, I'm sorry; I was too impatient just now."

"I'm sorry; you don't mind, but our family does."

Their family seemed to come over for the New Year, crying all day, which made the old lady so angry she wanted to send the three of them to Bichun Garden to live.

"Then what do you want me to do? I'm neither a deity nor the one on the dragon throne; I have no authority. Apart from being a bit more skilled in martial arts or obtaining some rare items, I can't do anything else. Are you overestimating me?"

"I'm truly sorry; my daughter‑in‑law dotes on that servant girl so much that whenever it's about her, things get out of hand."

A woman stood at the doorway, about thirty‑something, still retaining a hint of youthful charm; behind her was a young lady, and two maids followed the lady.

Qiao Mai, sipping wine and looking at Yun'er, said, "Tell me, have you settled your marriage matter? If not, we as parents can arrange it for you."

It was quiet and pleasant, a large table full of dishes; Yuan Jiaqi served the lady, Ling'er served the mother, the three sons served Yuan Jiaqi, and the whole family was harmonious.

Lady Wang's lips trembled, "I… I never thought of that."

At that moment, the private room's door rang, and Feng'er got up to open it.

"It's Auntie's fault,"

She lets a few children come to her side for lunch and dinner, unless they have social obligations.

But when you try to persuade her, she also cries and wails, leaving Wang Zongsheng at a loss.

"Is this because you've taken a liking to him, or to our Yun'er?"

"Madam Wang, I understand how you feel—parents' hearts are pitiful across the world—but when you ask someone for a favor, there must be a limit. The thing you request is beyond my ability, so please don't make things hard for me."

Then they each went their separate ways. Yuan Jiaqi, finally getting a rare break, pulled his wife and children along, intending to stroll them around Jingcheng.

The brothers stood up together and promised Qiao Mai.

"Mother, don't worry; we brothers will have only one wife in this life, and will never take a concubine."

"Hmm, a harmonious family brings prosperity; I don't want my inner chambers to turn into a chaotic mess."

Chuan'er also quickly raised his hand, "Mother, the son will not take a concubine either."

"Po—, ha ha!"