Chapter 103
Chapter 103: Injured?
Madam Jia clenched her handkerchief. What did she want? She wanted Xia Meng Yan to give in and end the mother and daughter’s wild hopes. [I will make you lower your head.]
Even if the two elders favored Lin Yue, if this went to the clan elders, no one could protect Xia Meng Yan and her mother.
But that would be a last step. For now, Madam Jia did not want to offend the Xia Family.
At this moment, she had already forgotten everything the Eldest Master had told her.
Nanny Sun stepped past Madam Jia and faced Xia Meng Yan with a mocking tone: “Of course, you should apologize in public. Since Cousin Miss arrived, the Eldest Master ran into trouble. Now you almost ruined the Lin Family’s hundred-year name. One thing after another. An apology is already giving you face.”
Today, they had to make Xia Meng Yan admit fault. Otherwise even Nanny Sun would regret it.
Xia Meng Yan’s brow chilled as she looked at Madam Jia: “Is that what you think too?”
Madam Jia’s forehead creased. What Nanny Sun said made sense. An apology in public was the lightest punishment: “Meng Yan, even if we took this to the old madam, it would still be your fault. And it’s only an apology inside the manor. Outsiders won’t know.”
A sharp smile flashed in Xia Meng Yan’s eyes. Madam Jia truly was foolish. Whether outsiders heard or not, she didn’t know, but Nanny Sun would surely spread it.
“In the manor, apologize in public? Let me think,” Xia Meng Yan said with soft mockery. “Should I invite the masters of the East and West Wings, stand in the middle hall, bow three times and nine times, and serve tea to admit my mistake?”
Madam Jia frowned even tighter and, for a moment, had no words. She had indeed thought of doing exactly that, but facing Xia Meng Yan’s mocking gaze, she suddenly felt guilty.
Seeing her mistress lose nerve, Nanny Sun cursed her in her heart for having no backbone and said sharply: “Of course. An apology should be sincere.”
Xia Meng Yan lifted her hand and slapped her. The crisp crack shocked everyone.
For the second time, Nanny Sun was struck. She trembled with anger, covered her face, and edged toward Madam Jia: “Madam, look. Even in front of you, Cousin Miss is this arrogant. Clearly she doesn’t respect you at all.”
Madam Jia hadn’t thought Xia Meng Yan would hit someone and shouted: “Xia Meng Yan, you were in the wrong first and still dare to hit. Do you think, with the two elders backing you, I won’t dare touch you?”
When Madam Jia strode toward her, Xia Meng Yan quickly protected her belly. At the very instant Madam Jia reached out, Xia Meng Yan fell first with a cry: “Ah…”
“Big Miss?” Chun Yue gasped and stared at Madam Jia: “Doctor! My miss is still pregnant. How can you lay a hand on her?”
“I didn’t. She fell on purpose,” Madam Jia said. She knew her hand had not even touched Xia Meng Yan. The girl was scheming to smear her.
Chun Yue was about to argue when she felt Big Miss pinch her hand. She understood at once.
She hugged Xia Meng Yan and wailed: “We already apologized, and you still won’t stop. You even want to harm my miss’s baby. The Lin Family is bullying us too much!”
Xia Meng Yan clutched her belly, sweat beading on her forehead, and said weakly: “Chun Yue, quick, call a doctor.”
Seeing Big Miss’s pale face, Chun Yue forgot about acting and screamed: “Someone, get a doctor, get a doctor!”
The watching servants panicked. Several turned and ran to find help.
Madam Jia’s knees went weak, and Nanny Sun had to hold her up. Madam Jia whispered: “Will she… miscarry?”
Nanny Sun had not expected Xia Meng Yan to be this hard to handle. A few words, and the matter had exploded: “No. Cousin Miss is more than seven months along. There won’t be an accident. She’s pretending.”
Madam Jia nodded hard. Yes, Xia Meng Yan was pretending. This had nothing to do with her.
News of Madam Jia scolding Xia Meng Yan reached Matriarch Lin quickly. She arrived just as the doctor left the room and asked: “How is Yan’er? And the baby?”
Carrying his medicine box, the doctor bowed and said: “Cousin Miss has a strong constitution. She only stirred the fetus. Both she and the child are fine.”
Matriarch Lin thanked him and ordered someone to go with the doctor to fetch the calming medicine.
Afraid that Xia Meng Yan would rush to accuse her first, Madam Jia spoke up before Matriarch Lin could: “Mother, I truly did not touch her. She is slandering me.”
Matriarch Lin frowned, clear doubt in her eyes: “So you are saying Yan’er framed you?”
Madam Jia had never seen her mother-in-law so stern. She panicked and could not get any words out.
Supporting her mistress, Nanny Sun said: “Old madam, you know the doctor’s nature best. He puts everything on the table. Many servants were there when Cousin Miss fell. At least one or two saw the truth. Why not call them here and ask them yourself?”
Matriarch Lin snapped, anger rising as she thought of her granddaughter being bullied in her own house: “You are the elder. You pressed down on a small matter and even pushed her over. I think you should stop being the family head’s wife.”
“Mother,” Madam Jia said in shock, staring at her mother-in-law. Without even asking more, she believed Xia Meng Yan?
She had managed the household for so many years. Maybe she had no big achievements, but she had worked hard. Since Xia Meng Yan came, Mother-in-law had forgotten all of it.
“Luckily the child is fine,” Matriarch Lin said coldly. “Otherwise how would you explain it to Yue?”
“Explain what?” a low, stern voice asked.
Matriarch Lin looked up into Old Master Lin’s eyes and snorted: “This is the daughter-in-law you chose.”
“Madam Jia has done well,” Old Master Lin said. He glanced toward the room and then asked the maid at the door: “How is Cousin Miss?”
The maid bowed: “Cousin Miss is fine. She only stirred the fetus. She took the medicine and has fallen asleep.”
Quiet as a shadow, Chun Yue slipped into the inner room.
Xia Meng Yan was not asleep. When Chun Yue entered, she flicked a glance toward the courtyard.
Xia Meng Yan gave a light cough. Matriarch Lin lifted the curtain and came in, asking: “Yan’er, how do you feel?”
Eyes rimmed with red, Xia Meng Yan coughed softly a few times and said, aggrieved: “Grandmother, I am fine. I just… I just upset Big Maternal Aunt and made you worry.”
Seeing her so pitiful, Madam Jia suddenly thought of Concubine Nian in the back courtyard and scolded herself for not seeing Xia Meng Yan’s nature earlier. [She plays weak so well.]
Matriarch Lin pulled Xia Meng Yan into her arms and soothed her: “Don’t be afraid. With me here, let me see who dares touch you.”
“Foolish,” Old Master Lin barked from outside. “I already know the whole story. Yan’er was wrong this time and should apologize.”
“Apologize for what? We paid silver, and the Lin Family’s name is still intact. What more do you want?” Matriarch Lin shot back.
Old Master Lin bristled: “You are biased. You’ll ruin Yan’er like this.”
“You love fairness. I’m biased toward Yan’er. If you don’t like it, leave.”
“Fine, I’ll leave. I am the head of this family,” Old Master Lin said, flicking his sleeve and walking out.
Madam Jia was stunned. She had not expected the old master to support her.
This showed that Lin Yue and her daughter were not all-powerful in the Lin Family after all. As Old Master Lin said, he was the family head. No matter how the old madam fussed, a woman could not rule the Lin Family.
Coming to her senses, Madam Jia hurried after him: “Father, please don’t be angry with Mother. This is all my fault.”
For a moment, everyone in the courtyard followed after them, leaving only Matriarch Lin inside.
When the room was quiet, Matriarch Lin tapped Xia Meng Yan’s forehead and sighed: “You are just like your mother. Your courage could hold up the sky.”
“Grandmother,” Xia Meng Yan said in a spoiled tone, nestling into her arms. Her hand rested on her belly. [Thank goodness the child is fine.]
News of Matriarch Lin and Old Master Lin quarreling spread quickly, along with the rumor that Xia Meng Yan had framed Madam Jia.
In a remote corner of the Lin Family estate, a man stood outside a window and reported to someone inside: “Is that really what people are saying outside?”
From inside came the question: “Yes. What should we do next?”