Chapter 270

Jia Mu still does not really understand Qin Keqing's situation.

Although she is still the senior matriarch of the mansion, news from all sides is certainly not as good as before!

On one hand, Rong Guo Mansion is now managed by Tan Chun, with Feng Jie as co-manager, and she is rarely consulted about daily affairs.

On the other hand, Jia Mu actually does not really want to involve herself in the mansion's troubles, and is happy to stay quiet.

And Yingying, after understanding Jia Jing's good intentions, does not bother to tell Jia Mu about minor daily matters.

Of course, when it comes to Jia Mu's beloved Baoyu, that is another matter.

Jia Zhen, hearing Jia Mu say that, felt his heart settle somewhat.

Since Jia Mu does not know about this, it is probably Feng Jie's own initiative, making the matter easier to resolve!

He was about to speak further when Feng Jie, smiling beside Jia Mu, explained to her:

"Old lady, you don't know! Qin Shi has been staying in my small courtyard these days to keep me company!"

"She is ill, her health is not good, and the doctor says she must avoid wind."

"It just so happens that Lian Er has been away these days, so I have kept her here to recuperate!"

"I don't know why Elder Brother Jia Zhen insists on having her sent back; is there still something unsettling about her staying at our mansion?"

Saying this, Feng Jie paused, then whispered another sentence to Jia Mu:

"Qin Shi and Jia Rong have had a little disagreement; she is not keen to return, and now she is ill, so I am letting her stay for a while!"

Feng Jie, being extremely shrewd, had already prepared a set of explanations.

Using Qin Shi's illness and inability to withstand wind, as well as her quarrel with Jia Rong, as reasons, she made her stay in her own small courtyard sound perfectly reasonable.

She even secretly pointed out that Jia Zhen, as the father-in-law, was overly concerned with his daughter-in-law—harboring ill intentions!

Jia Mu nodded upon hearing this, thus understanding the situation.

Speaking of which, Jia Mu actually holds Qin Keqing in high esteem.

Jia Mu once publicly called her "the first outstanding among the great-grandson's wives," considering her conduct proper and her temperament gentle, making her an outstanding among the younger generation of the Jia household.

Such high praise is extremely rare among the women of the Jia mansion, showing Qin Keqing's special place in her heart.

At this moment, hearing Feng Jie say she was ill, Jia Mu's face showed a hint of concern, and she said to Feng Jie:

"No wonder I haven't seen her come to talk with me these days; it turns out she is sick!"

"You didn't tell me; after we finish eating, I will go to your courtyard to see her!"

Having said that, Jia Mu then said to Jia Zhen:

"Brother Jia Zhen! Qin Shi is ill and cannot withstand wind; let her rest in Feng Jie's courtyard for a while."

"They have always been close; let Feng Jie keep her company, talk and console her, and she can return after a while, right?"

The meaning of Jia Mu's words is clearly that she thinks Qin Keqing's illness is a heart ailment,

that the young couple had a quarrel, feeling unhappy, which is why she is staying in Feng Jie's courtyard.

Jia Zhen, hearing this, felt anxious inside; he naturally knows that Qin Shi's illness is merely an excuse by Feng Jie, and he simply does not want her to return to the mansion.

However, Jia Zhen also came prepared, and naturally has his own argument.

He stared with his cloudy eyes, his voice somewhat wavering:

"Old lady, it is not that I insist on taking Qin Shi back."

"You also know that my household is still in mourning, with everyone busy to the point of chaos."

"Furthermore, Lady Yu is incapable and useless; many matters require Qin Shi to return and manage them."

"Besides, Qin Shi is the eldest grandson's wife; according to ritual, she should observe mourning before the spirit tablet."

"If she always stays at Rong Guo Mansion, outsiders will find it improper, and it will not be good for her reputation either!"

Jia Zhen's reasoning is very firm.

Not long after Jia Jing's death, Ning Guo Fu is in mourning, and Qin Keqing, as the eldest grandson's wife, should observe mourning—this is the place of filial piety and ritual.

It is not that one can neglect filial duty merely because of illness or similar excuses!

Lady Yu, standing nearby, heard Jia Zhen, in front of everyone, describe her as incapable and useless,

and her beautiful, charming, slightly mature face turned pale all at once, feeling she had no face to show.

She certainly knows Jia Zhen's true intentions and his designs on Qin Shi, but she dares not speak out against him; she can only turn her head away, secretly feeling sorrowful.

And Jia Rong, at this moment under Jia Zhen's piercing gaze, spoke in a very low voice:

"Old lady, please let your grandson take Qin Keqing back! I will treat her well!"

As he spoke, he dared not look at anyone, his face showing obvious guilt.

Wang Xifeng, hearing this, glanced at Jia Rong with contempt, thinking:

"Live well together? When have you ever lived well with her?"

"When your father forced her, you didn't even dare to fart—a showy but useless spearhead!"

Jia Mu fell silent for a moment, then sighed.

She, old and shrewd, saw from the expressions of Jia Zhen, Jia Rong, Feng Jie, and Lady Yu that the matter of Qin Keqing probably had another hidden meaning!

However, no matter what, Jia Zhen and Jia Rong, as the heads of Ning Guo Fu and Qin Keqing's husband,

they are determined to bring Qin Shi back, and even Jia Mu would find it hard to stop them.

After all, the reasons they gave are quite proper and reasonable.

The affair between them and Qin Shi is a domestic matter of Ning Guo Fu; outsiders, including her this old lady, can only mediate, not interfere excessively!

Of course,

no matter how experienced Jia Mu is, she could not have imagined that the hidden truth here is that Jia Zhen wants to commit adultery, and even gets his own son to speak for him.

Jia Zhen, too, is someone Jia Mu has watched grow up; although he has some faults—being fond of play, greedy for food, and not getting along with that turtle grandson,

but Jia Mu still regards him as a good person in her heart, and does not think too badly of him……

Jia Mu saw that Jia Zhen and Jia Rong had spoken to this extent, pondered for a moment, and said in a hoarse voice:

"Lady Qin's health is not great; originally staying here to recuperate for a while would also be fine."

"But what you say also makes sense; she is the daughter-in-law of Ning Guo Fu, and she is in mourning, so staying here altogether is indeed improper."

Jia Mu paused there, still feeling some pity for her most favored great-granddaughter-in-law, and continued with a somewhat consultative tone:

"Why not first ask Lady Qin herself? After the meal, I'll go see her."

"If she is truly seriously ill, we should still prioritize her health; there is no reason to neglect one's own daughter-in-law in the name of filial piety."

In an age where filial piety outweighs heaven, only someone of Jia Mu's stature as the elder of both mansions could say such a thing.

But Jia Zhen clearly had no intention of heeding Jia Mu's 'good advice'; he had come this time determined to bring Qin Keqing back.

Jia Zhen frowned, his face somewhat gloomy, and replied:

"Grandmother, even if Lady Qin is ill, returning to Dong Fu to recuperate is the same!"

"A married woman shouldn't stay out for so long; this is hardly proper to say!"

"I think you should let me… and Rong'er bring her back; we'll handle our family affairs behind closed doors."

Jia Zhen's words made his attitude clear, refusing to let Jia Mu interfere in Dong Fu's household affairs!

Upon hearing this, Jia Mu felt a surge of displeasure, her expression darkened, and she was about to continue speaking.

Suddenly, at that moment, a hurried footsteps sounded from the courtyard.

A little maid rushed in, her face deathly pale, panting, unable to speak clearly:

"Grandmother… Third Miss… ahead… there's an envoy from the palace!"