Chapter 416 - 410_1
Regardless of how Chen Qing might have been explaining himself to Jiang Ziqi, over at the Chen Mansion, before Chen Qing left, he had already sent a servant to warn Madam Chen and her daughters not to go out. Although Madam Chen was uncomfortable inside, there was still some dread within her. Chen Ruyu, on the other hand, was even more infuriated. She just knew her father would act this way—with his words clearly implying criticism towards her and her mother. Even though she was the legitimate daughter, her father always favored his concubine-born daughter. Whatever that base-born daughter did was right, and everything she did was wrong. It was utterly infuriating.
"Ruyu, what’s wrong with you? Why do you look so pale? You’re not feeling ill, are you?" Zhang Peilan asked with considerable concern upon seeing Chen Ruyu’s poor complexion.
"Don’t worry about me, Peilan. I am just angry that my father can’t differentiate between right and wrong. What’s so good about that peasant woman? Yet he expects me to yield to her in everything. Regardless of anything else, I am still a legitimate daughter. How could I be worse than an outsider, a mere peasant woman?" Chen Ruyu said with a pained heart, her face full of aggrievement. However, she had some intelligence; while expressing her inner grievances, she did not reveal everything about Chen Qing, transparently declaring her father’s allegiance to the Jiang Family. Instead, she skimmed over the matters involving the Jiang Family, pointing directly at Lin Yue. After all, her main goal for the day was to make that peasant woman suffer.
"Ruyu, I understand your aggrievement. Your father really doesn’t know what he’s doing. It’s merely a peasant woman, could it be he’s taken by her beauty? Since he won’t let you deal with that peasant woman, there will always be me to help you out. No matter what your father does, he wouldn’t dare to scold me. Just watch and see," Zhang Peilan said with generosity, though inwardly she sneered. Of course, her presence in the Chen Mansion wasn’t for such simple reasons. How could she not be aware of the affairs between the Chen Family and Jiang Family? Chen Qing, you foolish old man, to curry favor with the Jiang Family, you even pander to a woman who has good relations with them. Your precious daughter is quite resentful now. I should help her stir up a good scene.
"Thank you, Peilan," Chen Ruyu said, although she was somewhat displeased with Zhang Peilan speaking of her father in such a manner. However, on the surface, she showed a grateful and delighted smile. After all, Chen Ruyu was raised in a noble house and was skilled at acting.
"It’s nothing, we’re good sisters after all, of course, I should help you," Zhang Peilan stated righteously, her inner thoughts laced with mockery. Feeling pleased that she had the Chen Family wrapped around her finger, as they had sought approval from both the Jiang Family and the Zhang Family, and had now even curried favor with Commandery Princess Roujia—such capability indeed.
Just as Zhang Peilan was thinking, suddenly a servant came to report, "My lady and miss, Commandery Princess Roujia has arrived."
"What, Commandery Princess Roujia has come?!" Madam Chen and her daughter looked at each other, both surprised and puzzled. They hadn’t invited Commandery Princess Roujia, and with her status, she was not someone they could easily ask over. They didn’t usually interact with the Royal Family, so why had she come now? It was truly a strange occurrence.
Upon hearing of Commandery Princess Roujia’s arrival, everyone present was taken aback. They didn’t know whether Madam Chen and her daughters had invited the princess, but they certainly hadn’t expected Commandery Princess Roujia to come. The Chen Mansion was impressive indeed, not only had they ingratiated themselves with the Jiang Family and Zhang Family but now even Commandery Princess Roujia—what a feat of skill.
"Come, since the princess has arrived, let’s go greet her," Madam Chen said aloud. Whatever the reason for Commandery Princess Roujia’s visit, they couldn’t neglect the proper etiquette.