When she heard Jiang Qingyu had returned, Mrs. Qiao’s smile slowly cracked until it turned into one of anger.
Tang Yong was already restless, and stood up with his short legs running outside.
Xu Jia looked toward Tang Yuan discreetly, unsurprised to see that the man’s face had slightly softened, the sharp coldness in his eyes and brows had dissipated, replaced by an indescribable tenderness.
Xu Jia withdrew her gaze, bowed to Mrs. Qiao, and said, "This daughter-in-law takes her leave."
"Stay a little longer," Mrs. Qiao said. "You and your sister-in-law from the first wife are of the sa rank, there’s no need to avoid her, it would be proper for you to et."
No matter how dissatisfied she had felt with Xu Jia before, at this mont, Mrs. Qiao was quite willing to turn a foe into a friend.
Xu Family’s backing is no small matter. If she could use her to deal with the mistress, Mrs. Jiang, she as a mother-in-law could reap a fisherman’s profit.
With Mrs. Qiao having spoken, Xu Jia naturally had no choice but to comply and left gracefully to sit at the side.
In that mont of courtesy, the hall fell completely silent, as if awaiting the arrival of an extraordinary figure.
In fact, Mrs. Qiao, Tang Yuan, and Xu Jia each had their own thoughts.
Mrs. Qiao secretly pondered how to incite a rift between these two sisters-in-law, making them both suffer losses in their conflict.
Tang Yuan’s heart beat slightly faster, his mind filled only with Jiang Qingyu, unable to see anyone or anything else.
In contrast, Xu Jia remained much more composed.
In her previous life, she couldn’t rember exactly when Jiang Qingyu returned, but it definitely wasn’t this early, showing how much Tang Yuan moving to Zilan Courtyard had shocked the first wife.
After all, on the day of Tang Yuan’s wedding in her previous life, Yuan Yang had co to inform him that the eldest lady was ill with a high fever that wouldn’t go down.
Without a second thought, Tang Yuan left all the guests and the bride he had just wed at the altar and headed straight to the countryside estate, not returning for the night.
At that ti, Jiang Qingyu was quite triumphant. A single sentence from her could make Tang Yuan lose his mind over her, disregarding everything for her sake.
But in this life, things have veered off course. Since his marriage, Tang Yuan hasn’t visited the countryside estate even once, even though Yuan Yang had visited twice; Tang Yuan only expressed his concern verbally and quietly took out that comb to recall her when no one was around.
As for why he didn’t go to the countryside estate, Xu Jia hadn’t quite figured it out herself.
But she speculated that Tang Yuan might have too much pride.
Because of his pride, she had repeatedly pulled his face down, making him feel sha.
Tang Yuan’s feelings for Jiang Qingyu were certainly not so easily dismissed, yet between them, the nature of their relationship had beco a thorn in his heart, a thorn representing disgrace.
He thought that by not going to the countryside estate, by not seeing Jiang Qingyu, he could secretly keep it in his heart, and the sha would lessen.
In the end, he was rely deceiving himself.
When footsteps sounded outside, Xu Jia tily gathered her scattered thoughts, and then she saw the two maidservants, Yuan Yang and Cui Xi, leading the way, as the main guest Jiang Qingyu gracefully entered.
Her black hair was styled like clouds, with simple pearl and jasmine hairpins, adorned in a short jacket embroidered with pale lotus flowers, azure in color with hints of white, and a light-colored skirt with intricate stitching. Her face was veiled, leaving only her eyes exposed.
At first glance, except for the purple sable fur on her shoulders that appeared sowhat luxurious, she seed ethereal and refined; one didn’t need to unveil her face to imagine she was a stunning beauty.
As she turned past the screen, Jiang Qingyu held her son Tang Yong’s hand, but her eyes looked towards Xu Jia, her beautiful eyes subtly sizing up, as if asuring who was superior between her and Xu Jia.
Xu Jia wasn’t lacking in beauty, but she was still an unmarried young lady; no matter how mature at heart, her brows and eyes carried a reserved youthfulness, not comparable to a woman like Jiang Qingyu who had awakened, lacking the allure and charm that naturally revealed itself in front of n, making her overall appear less attractive.
In her past life, when facing Jiang Qingyu’s initial scrutiny, Xu Jia had not been timid, for she didn’t know about the relationship between this uncle and niece-in-law and only regarded Jiang Qingyu as a normal elder sister-in-law.
In this life, facing Jiang Qingyu’s scrutiny again, she remained calm, but her mindset was vastly different, born out of the serenity and composure developed from having lived a second life.
In a short mont, Jiang Qingyu had already withdrawn her gaze, respectfully greeted Mrs. Qiao who was seated at the main position, "Mother."
Mrs. Qiao kept a stern face, "Why have you co back? What’s that on your face?"
Jiang Qingyu tily covered her lips with a cough, her breath slightly weak, "This daughter-in-law caught a mild cold these past two days and must wear a light veil over the face. I hope mother will forgive this."
Hearing this, she raised a hand to gently caress her son’s tiny head, her voice tender, "I heard Yongyong has been a bit fussy these past days, maybe because Second Master just got married and his thoughts are elsewhere, leaving him unattended. As a daughter-in-law, I couldn’t rest assured, so I specially ca back to check on him."
Mrs. Qiao was unaware of the ambiguous relationship between Tang Yuan and Jiang Qingyu and simply thought this woman was an eyesore, regardless of what she said, Mrs. Qiao found it unpleasant to hear.
But for Tang Yuan, Jiang Qingyu’s words, hinted with aning, turned into reproachful questions that struck his heart, leaving him uneasy.
Forcibly calming himself, Tang Yuan wore a guilty expression, "There are many tasks with the wedding, and the Hanlin Academy is hurrying to compile a batch of historical docunts. In terms of caring for Yongyong during this period, so lapses are inevitable, but Sister-in-law, rest assured, I will make it up to him when I have the chance."
The nephew and sister-in-law exchanged veiled words before the crowd, one full of grievance from not seeing her lover, the other indirect promise due to guilt.
Such a high-level affair sneaking scene, had she not lived another life, Xu Jia certainly couldn’t have noticed.
She glanced at Mrs. Qiao, indeed seeing this mother-in-law, kept in the dark, had no reaction at all.
After he finished speaking, Tang Yuan didn’t forget to express concern, "Sister-in-law, is your health alright?"
Jiang Qingyu sat with Tang Yong at her right side, took the tea offered by the maid, and seed inconvenient to unveil, so she didn’t drink, just held it in her hand, sighing softly, "All these years without your eldest brother around, I’ve been uneasy alone. It’s only natural that over ti, so minor health issues would arise, nothing serious, just need to take a few more dicines."
Before, she never ntioned the eldest brother at every turn. These words appeared normal, but Tang Yuan knew she was using this as an excuse to poke at him, also blaming him for ignoring her all this while.
Tang Yuan knew he owed Qingyu, but he still didn’t want to visit the countryside estate, perhaps being pricked by Xu Family again and again left a shadow, perhaps it was so other reason.
Mrs. Qiao couldn’t grasp the nuances in words exchanged between this pair of uncle and niece-in-law, simply warned Jiang Qingyu coldly, "Since you’re ill, first get well before returning. What if you pass the illness onto my grandson?"
"Mother’s advice is right," Jiang Qingyu lowered her head docilely, "I just missed Yongyong too much, ca back to accompany him, and will return at daybreak tomorrow."
Mrs. Qiao glanced at Xu Jia and said to Jiang Qingyu, "Beside the second one is your younger sister-in-law, the entire house’s household affairs are under her managent now. If you lack anything, you can just find her later."
Jiang Qingyu seed to realize Xu Jia’s presence only then and looked straight at her for a mont, eyes gleaming with smiles, tone gentle, "Younger sister-in-law looks quite fresh to handle the heavy task of running the household, can you manage it?"
Xu Jia returned a smile, "Second Master’s new wife, legally wedded, is naturally a young and fresh maiden, inevitably appearing naïve, unlike sister-in-law who has such experience, making fun of as the newcor."
The amount of barbs within these words was known only to Tang Yuan and Jiang Qingyu.
Jiang Qingyu’s smile faded.
Tang Yuan’s brows and eyes darkened, overshadowed with a deathly stillness; he didn’t know if he was angry at Xu Family’s sharp tongue or because Jiang Qingyu was not a complete maiden anymore.
Over the years, he’d often visit Jiang Qingyu at the countryside estate, but the closest they got was holding her in his arms, even though Jiang Qingyu intentionally seduced him, he hadn’t gone further.
He always thought it was because he adhered to gentlemanly conduct, unwilling to touch her before Qingyu changed her na and beca his rightful wife. Now, exposed by Xu Family’s one statent, he realized that what he cared about perhaps wasn’t only about the title.
Otherwise, how could there be no emotional stirring in a solitary man and woman in the sa room?
From being uncle and niece-in-law to this reality that he’d been too numb to admit all along.
Tang Yuan felt like he’d been stripped bare from head to toe, from skin to bone, by Xu Family without rcy.
She said nothing, yet seed to say everything, the ambiguous feeling equal to putting him on trial by fire, unbearable to endure.
Jiang Qingyu observed Tang Yuan, who intermittently frowned and pursed his lips, and with her eyes holding thoughts, suddenly said, "eting the younger sister-in-law for the first ti, I feel an instant cordiality, would you honor with a small gathering in my courtyard later?"
Xu Jia smiled softly as she responded, "Since sister-in-law graciously invites, it would be a lack of courtesy for to decline."
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