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"If this in-law's relationship with the Marquis's Residence is truly not that deep, then Marquis Jining might not necessarily stand up for her!" Master Fan frowned, then looked at his wife, whose cheeks were swollen and seemed to be progressing towards a pig-like appearance, saying, "However, we hadn't anticipated that Lady Dou from the Dou family is her childhood confidante!"
"Who in the capital doesn't know that Dou Zhao, the eldest daughter of the Dou family, is the Head Lady of the Marquis Jining's Residence, and deeply favored by the Marquis!"
"If she wishes to stand up for her legitimate mother's confidante, then controlling our Fan family would be effortless!"
Upon hearing her husband's analysis, Madam Fan's face immediately turned despairing again. It sounded as if there was no hope at all! After all, even if a merchant family's business was immense, encountering a noble family was like being struck down by a superior force. They could casually use their connections to cause your business to plummet, making your life miserable from then on.
"However, Fu Hui is our family's daughter-in-law after all. If our family collapses, wouldn't she, the Li family's second daughter, also suffer with us?" Master Fan, being cunning and old, immediately grasped the crux of the matter.
"That's right! With Fu Hui here, our in-law, Lady Li Niang, wouldn't leave us absolutely no face!" Madam Fan was startled, then her face immediately broke into an expression of joy. However, her sudden change in expression made Master Fan frown in exasperation.
"Now you realize?! If you had shown a little respect to our in-law, we wouldn't be in this predicament now!" Master Fan severely reprimanded his wife. If it weren't for her face being swollen like a pig's, he would have slapped her a few more times.
"Master, I was wrong, I won't dare again!" Madam Fan, however, was adaptable. Seeing her husband's fierce gaze, she quickly shrank her neck in fear and said, "Then what do we do now?"
"What do we do?" Master Fan glared at his wife with a speechless expression, saying, "Do you still need to ask what to do? Immediately bring gifts, and call Fu Hui to come with us to apologize to our in-law!"
"Then open the central gate wide and welcome our in-law to temporarily reside in our residence!"
"Entertain them well with delicious food and drinks; absolutely do not neglect them again!"
"In the future, if our in-law wishes to establish roots in the capital, we must assist them to the best of our abilities!"
Madam Fan was stunned upon hearing her husband's words, then quickly nodded, "Yes, yes! I'll go now! I'll go now!" With that, she immediately turned and ran out, clutching her skirt, to find Fu Hui. And Master Fan, seeing his wife run out in a panicked manner, immediately frowned again. Is this 017 enough? Probably not...
As dusk fell, in the courtyard of the Marquis Jining's Residence, the long table was laden with a dazzling array of delicious dishes. Wei Tingyu and his wives and concubines were currently gathered around the table, dining. Wang Yingxue arrived just as Dou Zhao and the others had finished preparing dinner, so she naturally stayed to eat with them.
"And then, like this... we came back!" Little girl Dou Ming vividly described what had just happened to her other sisters during a break in eating. When she reached an exciting part, her eyebrows even danced, revealing the lively side of her personality to its fullest.
"After watching such a good show, younger sister Ming must be delighted!" Dou Zhao was very pleased to see Dou Ming's vibrant and lively appearance now. After all, this could be considered making up for a previous regret for her.
"But this Fan family is really not good! So greedy and superficial, flattering the powerful and trampling the weak!" Zhao Zhangru was still her straightforward self. She frowned, stuffed a sparerib into her mouth, and said while chewing, "If I had been there, I would have severely taught that arrogant wicked servant a lesson!"
"They're someone else's servant, what right do you have to teach them a lesson?" He Weifang immediately laughed upon hearing this, saying, "If you don't change that temper of yours, you'll cause trouble for the Marquis sooner or later!"
"I was just saying it..." Zhao Zhangru immediately shrank her neck, as she couldn't refute anything He Weifang said. Thankfully, everyone knew her personality, so they treated it as a joke, chuckled, and let it pass; no one took it seriously.
"But I suppose this Fan family must be restless by now!" Miao Ansu still sat beside Wei Tingyu, pouring him wine and serving him dishes, saying with a smile, "I wonder what kind of faces and expressions Master and Madam Fan will have when they hear that Lady Li Niang is connected to the Marquis's Residence?"
"That's right! Just thinking about it is satisfying!" Zhao Zhangru's eyes lit up after hearing this, and she slapped her thigh, "It's such a pity I couldn't see their faces with my own eyes, otherwise I would have ridiculed them thoroughly..."
"But for me to act so rashly... I wouldn't have caused trouble for the Marquis, would I?" In terms of seniority, Wang Yingxue was the eldest at the table. But at this moment, she sat silently at the end of the long table like a timid daughter-in-law, looking cautiously at Wei Tingyu and asking in a low voice.
Now you're afraid of causing me trouble? Why didn't you think of that before? Wei Tingyu couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing Wang Yingxue's words and seeing her current expression. However, although he inwardly complained, he could never blame Wang Yingxue for such a trivial matter! After all, two confidantes who hadn't seen each other for over ten years had just coincidentally met on the streets of the capital; it would be strange if they weren't excited! Putting himself in her shoes, Wei Tingyu felt that if it were him, his reaction wouldn't be much calmer than Wang Yingxue's. Plus, seeing a good friend subjected to bullying and neglect by her in-laws, she naturally wouldn't let it go! On this point, Wei Tingyu knew clearly that he and Wang Yingxue were actually quite similar! If a good brother whom he hadn't seen for over ten years received such treatment, he would definitely step forward to help him out!
And Dou Ming, after hearing her mother's words, was first startled, then her previously animated and excited expression immediately subsided. At the same time, she looked at Wei Tingyu with some worry. After all, unlike the other sisters here, she hadn't formally entered the household yet! At present, she was still residing in the Marquis's Residence as a sister-in-law. If she were to cause trouble for Wei Tingyu directly now, wouldn't that be too much?
"Mother, no need to worry!" Dou Zhao looked at Wang Yingxue with a meaningful glance, then said, "What trouble could a mere Fan family cause our Marquis's Residence?"
"Yes, yes..." Wang Yingxue was startled, then her face flushed as she quickly lowered her head and pretended to calmly drink a cup of wine. After all, Dou Zhao knew about the matter between her and Wei Tingyu! For her to still address her as Mother at this moment made Wang Yingxue feel quite awkward! However, thankfully, she and Dou Zhao had already discussed things in the carriage earlier, so she knew the other party wasn't being sarcastic. It was just that she couldn't adapt to this change in identity in a short time.
And Dou Ming, after hearing Dou Zhao's words, first breathed a sigh of relief, then was bewildered by her mother's strange behavior. However, before she could delve deeper into why Wang Yingxue suddenly blushed and fell silent, she heard a rush of footsteps.
"Marquis! Head Lady!" Suxin came forward and bowed to everyone, saying, "Master Fan has sent a visiting card, saying he has brought his entire family to beg for forgiveness from the Marquis!"
"The Fan family?" Upon hearing this news, everyone present was startled, then they exchanged glances. Good heavens! Speak of the devil! Everyone had just been discussing it, and unexpectedly, Master Fan had come knocking on their door? But he said he was coming to beg for forgiveness, and with his entire family! What had happened? Was it that serious?
"Just say we are dining and ask him to come another day!" Wei Tingyu waved his hand without thinking, saying directly.
"Yes!" Suxin acknowledged the order and immediately withdrew. As soon as she left, the other women at the table began chattering.
"This Fan family wouldn't happen to be the same Fan family that little sister Ming was just talking about, would it?"
"It must be their family! Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence? But what are they doing at our Marquis's Residence?"
"They say they've come to beg for forgiveness, but they haven't offended our Marquis's Residence, have they?"
"I think it's because the Fan family isn't sure if what happened earlier offended us, so they came to beg for forgiveness first!"
"That makes sense! So what do we do?"
"Didn't the Marquis say to tell them to come another day? We'll just continue drinking and dining; the Marquis will handle everything else!"
...Amidst the joyous chattering of the women, the atmosphere in the courtyard was once again ignited. Wei Tingyu also enjoyed the delicious food and wine, his eyes gazing at the beautiful women filling the courtyard, feeling extremely content!
"The Marquis and Madam are dining; they have no time to see you!" At the main gate of the Marquis's Residence, Suxin glanced at the few people standing before her and said with a slight curl of her lips.
"Then please, young lady, help me present this visiting card! Just tell the Marquis that our entire family, old and young, is waiting at the gate, and we can meet him after he finishes his dinner!" Master Fan, of course, wouldn't leave so easily. He quickly smiled and respectfully handed the visiting card to Suxin. He even took out a gleaming silver ingot, intending to slip it into Suxin's hand.
However, Suxin knew what her Marquis disliked most! Moreover, ever since she came to the Marquis's Residence, the Marquis had directly doubled her already generous monthly allowance. She wouldn't do something as foolish as losing a lot for a little!
"Put your silver away! What kind of people do you think we are in the Marquis's Residence?" Suxin frowned and looked at Master Fan with disdain.
"Yes, yes, yes! I was presumptuous!" Master Fan was startled, not expecting there to be people in this world who weren't greedy for wealth! This showed how strict the rules of the Marquis's Residence were! But now that he couldn't even enter the Marquis's Residence's gate, how was he supposed to beg for forgiveness from the Marquis? Master Fan immediately frowned anxiously, and Madam Fan beside him was now so frightened she was almost in tears!
"Cry, cry, cry! All you know is crying!" Master Fan became even more agitated at the sight. He pointed at his wife and loudly reprimanded her. As for their son, the timid Fan Lianghan, he was now shrinking his neck and standing to the side, not daring to say a single word.
Fu Hui, the Fan family's daughter-in-law, seeing her irritable father-in-law, her useless husband, and her mother-in-law who only cried when something went wrong and caused trouble when nothing was happening, immediately felt speechless. She had only been married into the Fan family for two years, but she had experienced all sorts of human coldness and warmth! And this Fan Lianghan truly wasn't a good husband! He was easily swayed, stayed out all night, and moreover, showed no kindness to her, his lawfully wedded wife! In these two years, he hadn't even touched her once! Instead, she was constantly ridiculed by her in-laws for not being able to bear children! Before, he wouldn't allow her to see her maternal family and sisters, but now that a huge disaster had struck, he shamelessly dragged her along to beg for forgiveness! To be stuck with such a set of in-laws was truly the worst luck in eighteen lifetimes!
However, despite Fu Hui's internal complaints, since she was already in the Fan family and knew the principle of "all for one and one for all," she reluctantly stepped forward and bowed slightly to Suxin. "Sister, please trouble yourself to report to the Marquis again, and tell him that our entire family is waiting at the gate, respectfully awaiting the Marquis's permission to see him!"
"..." As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. Suxin had unconcealed disdain for the other members of the Fan family, but facing this extremely beautiful and dignified young woman, whose attitude was also so gentle, it suddenly made her feel as if she was punching cotton! She wanted to get angry but couldn't! Especially Fu Hui's pitiful appearance now; even Suxin, a woman herself, couldn't help but feel pity. What a pity! Such a good woman has fallen into the hands of these good-for-nothings from the Fan family!
Suxin felt very indignant, but she still nodded at Fu Hui, agreeing to her request. After Suxin left, Fu Hui's mother-in-law quickly came up to her and started praising her profusely. Words of flattery like "outwardly graceful and inwardly wise," "reliable in critical moments," and "truly a good daughter-in-law" poured out of her mouth one after another. Fu Hui was bewildered hearing all this. Her mother-in-law was truly changeable!
Inside the main hall of the Marquis's Residence, Wei Tingyu sat on the main seat, looking expressionlessly at the four people kneeling below him. Master Fan and his son, Fan Lianghan, were currently bowing their heads low, their foreheads pressed directly against the floor. And Madam Fan, though not speaking, knelt behind the two men, her body trembling uncontrollably. It was evident that she was the most terrified person among the four at this moment! As for Fu Hui, the beautiful young woman, although she also knelt respectfully, her body didn't tremble at all. Her demeanor was very submissive, yet her eyes were secretly and curiously observing Wei Tingyu's figure.
As expected, she's a daughter trained by Lady Li Niang, she's certainly got guts! Wei Tingyu inwardly sighed. Of course, Fu Hui's beauty and temperament also made his eyes light up; she was absolutely no less beautiful than the beauties in his own residence! Kneeling there so pitifully now, she was truly captivating!
Dou Zhao's position as the Head Lady of the household was currently empty, as she had no intention of joining this commotion! The other sisters in the household were also the same, chatting and drinking tea in the back courtyard with Dou Zhao. And the purpose of the Fan family's visit was to beg for forgiveness for the day's events, so the two women, Wang Yingxue and Dou Ming, who were related to the matter, were also present. Wang Yingxue sat on the first chair on the left, while Dou Ming stood behind her and did not take a seat.
"What is the meaning of this, everyone? Please rise quickly!" Wei Tingyu looked down at the four people bowing their heads and said from his elevated position.
"Marquis, please understand! What happened today was absolutely not our intention!" Master Fan's body trembled violently upon hearing Wei Tingyu's words, but he did not actually rise. Instead, he continued, "It was all our household's ill-behaved servants who offended the Marquis's old acquaintance!" Pushing all the blame onto the servants below was a common practice in wealthy families. Wei Tingyu wasn't surprised at all by the reason the other party offered.
"This is too much! Do you expect this Marquis to personally come forward and help you up?" Wei Tingyu sneered and continued. However, he was only saying it; he had no intention of actually getting up to help them. After all, when he arrived, these four were already kneeling here, so what did it have to do with him? He hadn't forced them to kneel! Besides, apart from the pitiful Fu Hui, Wei Tingyu wouldn't feel the slightest bit of pity for the other three!
"Dare not, dare not! How dare we trouble the Marquis..." Master Fan repeatedly shook his head upon hearing this, then cautiously stood up. And his four family members, seeing this, naturally also rose! However, although they had risen, apart from Fu Hui, who merely lowered her gaze slightly, not daring to meet Wei Tingyu's eyes, the other three still maintained a bowing posture. Their three heads were bent so low that they looked like hunchbacks!
And upon seeing Fu Hui's performance, Wang Yingxue also nodded in satisfaction. Her confidante's education of her daughter all these years had been quite successful! Indeed, such a humble yet firm character was almost identical to her mother when she was young!
"Why do you come to me to beg for forgiveness?" Wei Tingyu looked at Master Fan and said, "It wasn't me who was offended, and as for that so-called old acquaintance, there's no need to mention it! My family and Lady Li Niang's family are not acquainted at all!"