Chapter 121
Chapter 121: Another Motive
Xia Meng Yan nodded and rose slowly with one hand on the chair arm, warmth in her gaze as she said: “Grandmother said you have a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Even if you were given a packet of poison, you would take it yourself rather than harm the innocent. Because of that, uncle agreed to meet you, and in the end they welcomed you through the gate.”
When she finished, shock gave way to a flash of feeling in Madam Jia’s eyes. She had never imagined she became the Lin Family’s household matriarch because the Old Madam had set it in motion.
“But sadly,” Xia Meng Yan added, “what makes you shine can also cut you. Being soft?hearted is good, but if you use it in the wrong place, it becomes a knife pointed at the Lin Family.”
“I have not, how could I ever harm the Lin Family,” Madam Jia shot back at once. She often complained that the Old Madam was biased, but in her heart she knew that with her temper many noble houses would have crushed her. “Meng Yan, you must not suspect me like this.”
Xia Meng Yan knew Madam Jia had not understood. She turned her eyes to Madam Wang. Seeing the woman’s face turn from green to red, she knew her guess was right. She said to Madam Jia: “Maternal aunt, why not ask Madam Wang this: if the head of the Wang Family fell ill, would they hand their business to my uncle to manage?”
Madam Jia was stunned and looked to Madam Wang.
Madam Wang bristled like a porcupine, unable to sit still or stand straight: “Why are you looking at me like that? Do you wish your elder brother would fall ill?”
Even a slow person could see she was dodging. So if something happened to the Wang Family, they would never hand their business to the Lin Family. Then why had Madam Wang suggested her elder brother manage the Lin Family’s business?
She had helped her natal family plenty over the years, and many Jia Family deals were thanks to her connections. Yet in her elder brother and sister?in?law’s eyes, she was easy to push. They wanted to knock on the Lin Family’s door while the Eldest Master was hurt.
“I only made a suggestion,” Madam Wang said, standing with a dark face. “If you do not like it, pretend I never spoke. Why stare at me like I did something wicked? Fine then, I will go look in on the children.”
With that, she left in a hurry. A gust lifted the gauze hangings in the garden and brushed the hem of Madam Jia’s skirt. She stood up awkwardly, not sure how to explain. After all, without her consent, Madam Wang would not have dared speak like that.
“Maternal aunt,” said Xia Meng Yan, “this is not something I should be the one to tell you, but I worry what happened today will hurt your relationship with uncle.”
Madam Jia clenched her hands and nodded: “Say it.”
“My uncle and my maternal grandfather asked me to manage the Lin Family’s businesses to keep peace among the various branches,” said Xia Meng Yan. “To put it simply, I am a trusted outsider to them. If I take over, no one is offended. And when I give birth, it can be taken back naturally. It serves two purposes.”
“That makes you a target. How can they do that?” The words jumped out of Madam Jia’s mouth. As soon as she said them, she realized she had also circled herself into the trap. Feeling embarrassed, she held Xia Meng Yan’s hand: “It was my mistake, no wonder your uncle told me again and again to trust you. I was just stubborn, and when I could not figure things out, I made a mess. I am sorry. Please forgive me this time for your uncle’s sake.”
Xia Meng Yan smiled lightly. Madam Jia was not fit to be a household matriarch, but she could be a caring elder. How many elders admit fault and change? Madam Jia could.
“I know you did not mean harm,” said Xia Meng Yan. “But the Lin Family is big and rich. In everything, keep your guard up. Otherwise, when cousin takes over, who knows how much will be left.”
Talk reason to someone like Madam Jia and it went in one ear and out the other. But tie it to her child, and she would fight anyone.
Sure enough, hearing this made Madam Jia’s face change: “Yes, yes, the Lin Family’s business cannot fall into other hands, not even my elder brother’s. These next months I will trouble you to keep a closer watch. If you need anything, just say it. Oh, I still have a fifty?year ginseng root. When you give birth, hold it under your tongue. Wait here, I will fetch it.”
She rushed off like a whirlwind.
Xia Meng Yan opened her mouth, wanting to say there was no need to be so formal and that she too had her share of benefits. But before she could speak, Madam Jia was gone. She let it go. When uncle recovered, he would explain it to maternal aunt himself.
“Miss Xia has quite the hand,” came a cool voice.
Xia Meng Yan turned and saw Zheng Ming Lan and Qiao Xi Wan standing behind her. The garden was divided only by gauze curtains. If people in the next section spoke a little louder, it was easy to hear. She had not expected them to be right next door.
Zheng Ming Lan stepped around a pot and approached with a smile: “I underestimated you. In just a few sentences you set those two at odds. As expected of someone from the Capital.”
Qiao Xi Wan followed half a step behind, inclined her head, and said: “Greetings, Big Sister Xia.”
They had come as guests, and even if Xia Meng Yan disliked them, she could not show a foul face. She kept her tone light as she replied: “I did not think Miss Zheng enjoyed eavesdropping. My ignorance.”
Zheng Ming Lan’s eyes narrowed.
Afraid the two would clash again, Qiao Xi Wan quickly took Zheng Ming Lan’s arm and said: “We were only passing by and heard by accident. I did not expect Lin Family business is being managed by Miss Xia. It is surprising.”
“Surprising? I do not like that word,” said Xia Meng Yan. She sat, lifted the tea cup on the table, and took a sip.
Zheng Ming Lan wanted to teach her a lesson, but remembered the reason she had come today and forced her temper down: “About last time, it was my oversight. Father has already scolded me. I came today to apologize in person.” She raised the tea cup on the table and said, “I offer tea in place of wine and toast Miss Xia. From now on in Man Lin City, may we still meet as sisters.”
This did surprise Xia Meng Yan. Zheng Ming Lan was not a magnanimous person. To apologize and offer a toast did not fit her nature. “Miss Zheng jokes. Lord Zheng has already given more than enough. I am very satisfied.”
A three?year Salt License could bring the Lin Family a million in gold. With one staged fall, the deal was worth a thousand times over.
Zheng Ming Lan did not know about the Salt License. Seeing the pleased look on Xia Meng Yan’s face, she clenched her handkerchief and forced a smile: “As long as Miss Xia is satisfied. After all, something like that will not happen again.”
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“To speak plainly today so there is no shadow later, and so we can still be sisters when we meet,” said Qiao Xi Wan with a gentle smile. “There are many young talents here today. I wonder if any catch Miss Zheng’s eye.”
Hearing this, Xia Meng Yan only drank her tea. With her belly so large, it was not a topic she could join.
Zheng Ming Lan did not look toward the men’s side at all. She picked up a pastry and took a bite, then her eyes lit up: “I did not expect the Lin Manor’s pastries to be this good.” She clapped her hands and gave Qiao Xi Wan a look.
Qiao Xi Wan understood and brought up the latest rumor in Man Lin City: “They say Heir Apparent Duan is coming to Man Lin City. I do not know if it is true. Miss Xia was on good terms with Heir Apparent Duan in the Capital. Do you know anything?”
The hand holding Xia Meng Yan’s cup paused. From the corner of her eye she glanced at Zheng Ming Lan and saw that although the woman looked casual, she had leaned closer. [So that is it. They want news about Duan Yi Chen.]
She gave a small cough and said: “You called it a rumor, so do not believe it. Man Lin City is a hundred li from the Capital. What would Heir Apparent Duan come here for?”
“Perhaps he wants to get out of the city for a change and pass through Man Lin City to see you,” said Qiao Xi Wan. For some reason, though Xia Meng Yan’s face was calm, a chill crept into Qiao Xi Wan’s heart. Maybe it was because at the Qiao Family last time, Xia Meng Yan’s behavior had been too bold and had left her uneasy.
“I am not close to Heir Apparent Duan,” said Xia Meng Yan as she rose. “Miss Qiao asked the wrong person. I am a bit tired. I will step away for a while. Please help yourselves.”
Chun Yue heard the movement and came to support her.
“She is nothing. Why act so delicate,” Zheng Ming Lan said once Xia Meng Yan had gone, dropping the act completely. “Even without her, I can find out about Heir Apparent Duan.”
Truly tired, Xia Meng Yan headed back to rest. She had just turned the corner when a pair of hands suddenly reached out. She did not have time to react and stumbled straight into them.