Chapter 565
Chapter 565
Wen Xiu stared at the various small porcelain bottles in her arms, utterly confused.
“Where did he go?” Wen Xiu asked with a frown.
“Probably off to settle a score with someone.” Jiang Yuanrang carefully arranged the porcelain bottles from Wen Xiu’s arms on the table, excitement evident in his voice.
“With whom?” Wen Xiu asked, perplexed.
Could it be that they were supposed to wait here for him to return?
“Probably my dear adoptive mother.” A smile curved Jiang Yuanrang’s lips at the thought.
Back then, because Jiang Yuanrang had fallen ill as a child, the Old Coot had declared that he would not live past the age of six.
At the time, his dear adoptive mother had been so furious that she had chased the Old Coot away with a broom.
Later, when she brought Jiang Yuanrang back, she had even taken him along to smash the old man’s signboard.
Unable to swallow his anger, the Old Coot had gone into seclusion here.
Now that he knew everything had merely been a lie concocted by Madame Jiang, how could the Old Coot possibly let her off?
Wen Xiu’s eyes widened at his words. She could not imagine what Madame Jiang was about to face.
“What do we do now?” Wen Xiu looked at the bottles spread across the table, troubled. Could these things be poisonous?
“Since the Old Man has left, we should go back too. Perhaps we can even invite the Old Man to the restaurant for a drink.” Jiang Yuanrang unceremoniously tucked the bottles into his robes, barely able to conceal his excitement.
“What are these things for?” Wen Xiu asked with a frown. Looking at bottle after bottle, she had a feeling they were nothing good.
“They’re extremely useful. I’ll tell you once we’re back. Come on, let’s hurry home and watch the show.” After putting everything away, Jiang Yuanrang quickly took Wen Xiu’s hand, eager to return and watch Madame Jiang get a dressing-down.
Madame Jiang was his adoptive mother, but for the sake of her own selfish interests, she had harmed two families.
Although Jiang Yuanrang did not want to admit it, if he had grown up in the Li family, things surely would not have turned out as they had.
He would have had parents and a younger sister by his side, and he would not have needed to constantly guard against schemes from the Jiang family’s second branch.
All these years, Jiang Yuanrang had not exactly had an easy time in the Jiang family.
The Jiang Residence
“Oh, Sister-in-law, I heard that Young Master Rang’s family has visitors?” Madam Feng swayed her hips as she entered, covering her mouth with a handkerchief—or rather, not quite covering it—as she laughed.
“You’re not in your courtyard looking after your second brother-in-law, Young Master Da, and Young Master Li. What brings you here?” Madame Jiang was already in a foul mood, and she had not expected Madam Feng to come and make things worse.
“I was afraid you might have too much on your hands, Sister-in-law, so I came especially to see whether you needed any help.” Madam Feng was not offended in the slightest. Her husband and son were already in such a state that if a few words from Madame Jiang could anger her into collapse, she would not be Madam Feng.
Besides, she had not come merely to laugh at Madame Jiang’s misfortune. More importantly, she had come for the Jiang family’s property.
Now that Jiang Yuanrang was not a son of the Jiang family, he ought to surrender the position of family head.
It should naturally be handed over to someone from the second branch.
“There’s no need. You should hurry back and look after your second brother-in-law. Otherwise, once he recovers, I’m afraid all he’ll remember is Concubine Song’s tender attentions.”
Madame Jiang’s words were dripping with sarcasm. After all, Concubine Song was the thorn in Madam Feng’s side.
“What are you saying, Sister-in-law? Since Concubine Song is Master’s concubine, isn’t it only natural for her to look after him?” Madam Feng no longer cared about Jiang Huaishan, who could do little more than moan in bed.
The Jiang family’s property was what truly mattered.
Although Jiang Huaishan was now useless, he still had a grandson.
The Jiang family’s possessions should rightfully belong to her own grandson.
“Second Sister-in-law, you certainly have a big heart.” Madame Jiang could hardly be unaware of Madam Feng’s intentions.
But how could she be willing to let Madam Feng have her way?
Did Madam Feng truly think the Jiang family had no one backing them?
At that thought, Madame Jiang decided that she would have to move her plans forward.
“Sister-in-law, I won’t beat around the bush. Since Young Master Rang isn’t actually a son of the Jiang family, and his biological parents have already come looking for him, we should let him go. After all, his birth parents appear to be people of wealth and status. You mustn’t be foolish enough to stand in the way of Young Master Rang’s future!”
Madam Feng sat beside Madame Jiang and spoke with the earnest, lecturing tone of someone offering heartfelt advice.
“What nonsense are you spouting? Young Master Rang is a child of my branch!” Madame Jiang shot to her feet, her face black with fury.
Inside, she cursed Madam Feng for being so despicable as to kick her while she was down.
“Sister-in-law, why deceive yourself? His biological parents have already come for him.” As she said this, Madam Feng could not stop herself from snickering.
After all, she had heard that the man’s father looked practically identical to Jiang Yuanrang, as though they had been carved from the same mold.
How could Madame Jiang explain that away simply by denying it?
At the thought, Madam Feng felt that Madame Jiang was far too greedy. The Jiang family had never belonged solely to the eldest branch in the first place, yet they had still gone so far as to bring back a fake child and deceive everyone for nineteen years.
“Get out! Get out of here!” Furious, Madame Jiang hurled her teacup to the floor and pointed at Madam Feng’s nose as she shouted.
“Sister-in-law, are people not allowed to speak the truth anymore?” Seeing Madame Jiang lose her temper, Madam Feng was thrilled. It seemed she really had struck a nerve. After all, whenever Madame Jiang had seen her in the past, she had always put on a lofty air and looked down at her with her nose in the air.
Who would have thought that Madame Jiang would have her day?
“Second Madam, you should leave for now!” Nanny Tang hurriedly grabbed Madam Feng and dragged her outside.
She sighed inwardly. The second madam truly knew exactly which sore spot to prod.
The Eldest Young Master was still the head of the Jiang family. Did the second madam really think she could seize the family property merely by running her mouth?
She ought to consider the fact that there was no one in the second branch capable of shouldering such responsibility.
“Sister-in-law, don’t be angry. I’ll leave now. I’ll come visit you again tomorrow.” Having achieved her purpose, Madam Feng did not linger. She left happily.
“Have someone throw everyone from the second branch out!” Madame Jiang ordered Xiaotao after sitting down.
“Madam, could we wait until the Eldest Young Master returns before discussing this?” Xiaotao was completely at a loss. She did not dare carry out such an order.
“What? Do I need you to teach me how to handle matters now?” Madame Jiang glared at Xiaotao in displeasure.
“This servant wouldn’t dare!” At her words, Xiaotao hurried out of the Peaceful Residence.
She had barely stepped outside when she collided with Nanny Tang, who was returning.
“Xiaotao, are you rushing off to be reborn?” Nanny Tang was knocked to the ground and could not help clutching her waist as she scolded her.
“Nanny, please think of something quickly! Madam said she wants everyone from the second branch thrown out.” Xiaotao hurriedly helped Nanny Tang to her feet and spoke anxiously.
“Ah, Madam has panicked herself into foolishness.” Nanny Tang sighed.
“What do we do now? I can’t handle the people from the second branch either!” Xiaotao said anxiously.