Chapter 182
Chapter 182 – Visitors Coming One By One
Chapter 182 Visitors Coming One by One
These words made Duan Jinxiang calm down. Although her face was gloomy, she nodded. Because of this engagement, she had been denounced by others. Many people even thought that she had plotted against Young Master Yongning and caused Young Master Yongning to call off the previous engagement and thus he had no choice but to marry her. In fact, Duan Jinxiang felt that she had been wronged.
She had indeed accidentally fallen into the water. And it was indeed Young Master Yongning who saved her. Although her mansion had indeed pressured the Marquis Yongning’s Mansion and they had indeed finally agreed on this engagement, in which her father had helped a lot, she actually did not plot against Young Master Yongning since the start, so she was innocent.
However, others did not believe her innocence. Now, it seemed like a good idea if she were to let Second Madam Qu bear this responsibility!
“It won’t be that easy,” Duan Jinxiang said.
“If not Second Madam Qu, there are other scapegoats, like Fourth Lady Qu, or that Concubine Yu. My lady, you can just act according to the situation.” The old maid hinted.
Immediately, Duan Jinxiang understood…
“What? Madam Duan brought Second Lady Duan here to visit Second Madam for her illness?” When Qu Moying received this news, she raised her eyes, slightly surprised. This excuse of visiting was really far-fetched.
“Yes, I heard that Madam Duan has gone to Second Madam’s place now. Third Lady is accompanying Second Lady Duan to come and see you. They should be here by now,” Granny Miao said.
Granny Miao had just received the news, and she rushed back to report to her lady.
“See my lady? For what?” Yu Dong sneered. Although his lady had taken the initiative to call off the engagement and Young Master Yongning was not worthy of his lady, Yu Dong felt that Second Lady Duan was not a good person. Otherwise, she would not have insisted that Young Master Yongning married her after he saved her. She even had him cancel the previous engagement.
“My lady, I am going to stop her.” Yu Dong volunteered.
Qu Moying nodded and smiled. “Just say that I am sick and I haven’t gotten up yet, so it is inconvenient for me to meet guests.”
“Yes, I know.” Yu Dong excitedly walked out, planning to go outside the yard to stop them.
“My lady, since they’re here, it’s not good to not see them.” Granny Miao said, feeling that Yu Dong was not reliable this time.
“It’s fine. If she can come in, just let her in.” Qu Moying said indifferently. It was obvious that Second Lady Duan had come here with ill intentions, for the first place in the mansion she visited was Qu Moying’s yard.
Qu Moying did not mind meeting Second Lady Duan. She guessed that the reason why Second Lady Duan was here today was related to Yu. However, she did not mind letting Second Lady Duan know that she was not a pushover.
“Yu Chun, help me wash up,” Qu Moying said.
Seeing Qu Moying’s appearance, Granny Miao knew that Qu Moying already had a card up her sleeve, so she did not say anything more. She helped Yu Chun freshen up Qu Moying again and then helped her sit down.
Outside the yard, Duan Jinxiang and Qu Qiuyan came over together. They chatted and laughed. The atmosphere looked very good. When they saw Qianyue House from afar, Qu Qiuyan said something, and it caused Duan Jinxiang to smile sweetly. They looked harmonious as if they were actually best friends.
“Yu Dong, is your lady inside? Second Lady Duan has come to visit.” When they reached the entrance of the yard, Yu Dong came out from inside. Qu Qiuyan asked him warmly.
“Greetings, Third Lady.” Yu Dong went forward and bowed.
Qu Qiuyan waved her hand, indicating for him to forego the formalities.
“Third Lady, my lady is not feeling well and is still resting. It may be inconvenient for her to meet guests.” Yu Dong straightened his body and said respectfully to Qu Qiuyan.
“Moying is feeling unwell? Did you guys call a doctor?” Qu Qiuyan asked with concern.
“It’s not that bad. She just feels a little under the weather and might not be able to meet guests,” Yu Dong reiterated. His gaze swept over Duan Jinxiang, who was at the side, without much respect.
Duan Jinxiang’s face darkened, and her smile immediately faded from her face. What did Qu Moying mean? Qu Moying did not want to see her? But she insisted on seeing Qu Moying today.
“Second Lady Duan, what do you think?” Qu Qiuyan turned to look at her awkwardly.
“I just need to see her for a bit. If Fourth Lady Qu is really seriously ill, you need to call a doctor. It’s all my… I feel bad for Fourth Lady Qu. I’m here to apologize today.” Seeing Qu Qiuyan look at her, Duan Jinxiang immediately smiled again and said with a guilty face.
Everyone present understood her words.
“Well…” Qu Qiuyan was in a dilemma.
“Third Lady Qu, I only need to say a few words to Fourth Lady Qu before I leave. Please make an exception. I have let Fourth Lady Qu down and caused her to be like this… I feel really sorry. I must take this opportunity to meet her and tell her how I feel. The matter at that time had evolved to that stage. I… I did not mean to…”
Duan Jinxiang said with a hypocritical expression. Her words were extremely soft and she seemed to be apologetic.
“Alright then… Let’s go in and take a look.” Qu Qiuyan was in a pickle. She turned to say to Yu Dong, “You go and tell your lady that Second Lady Duan came from afar and deliberately came to see her. Just one look, and we’ll leave.”
“Yes, Third Lady.” Yu Dong reluctantly agreed and turned back to go in, but soon he came out again. “Third Lady, Fourth Lady says that she is not familiar with you guys, and it is even more inconvenient for her to see you at this time. As for what Second Lady Duan said, my lady says that it has been so long since the incident, so there is no need to be concerned about it.”
Hearing a maid say this so casually, Duan Jinxiang became stiff, and the smile on her face faded. The corners of her mouth slightly twitched.
“Moying really doesn’t want to see us?” Qu Qiuyan also frowned helplessly. She looked at Duan Jinxiang and said, “Second Lady Duan, well… Since Moying has said so, you don’t have to take the matter to heart. It’s all in the past.”
“I’m already here. I have to go and see Fourth Lady Qu.” Duan Jinxiang pushed Yu Dong away, picked up the corner of her skirt, and rushed in.
No one expected that she would actually lay her hands on someone. Yu Dong staggered and almost fell. He quickly steadied himself and shouted, “Second Lady Duan…”
Duan Jinxiang walked fast. She had already entered the yard and went straight to the room in the middle.
“Yu Dong, don’t stop her. It won’t be good if she gets anxious and falls. After all, she is a guest in the mansion now.” Qu Qiuyan gave Qing Ju a look, and Qing Ju held Yu Dong back by pretending to support him.
“Third Lady, my lady is resting now.” Yu Dong grew anxious. He struggled to get up, but Qing Ju held him tightly and refused to let go. He couldn’t break free and could only watch Duan Jinxiang enter the main room.
Although the servants in the yard saw Duan Jinxiang coming over, no one dared to stop her. They all retreated to the side.
Duan Jinxiang aggressively entered. Her maid, who was staying beside her, lifted the curtain. Suddenly, an old maid rushed out from inside and crashed into Duan Jinxiang’s maid. The young maid staggered backward two steps and fell heavily to the ground. She cried out in pain.
The one who came out was Granny Miao. She glanced at the maid coldly and ignored the maid. Then, she walked to the curtain and lifted the curtain. She looked at the stunned Duan Jinxiang and pulled out a fake smile. “Second Lady Duan, since you are here to see my lady, please come in! My lady has long been waiting for you.”
After saying this, Granny Miao calmly bowed with a natural expression.
Duan Jinxiang had imagined countless times the scenarios of when Qu Moying saw her. She imagined that Qu Moying would feel guilty, afraid, would not dare to raise her head, or feel inferior. However, Qu Moying did not show any of these, and she seemed to have prepared for this meeting. Inexplicably, Duan Jinxiang felt weak, and her imposing manner immediately went down a tone.
The curtain had been lifted, and she could see Qu Moying sitting in the chair in the main room. She just sat there, quietly waiting for Duan Jinxiang to go in. Her expression was composed and without the slightest panic. Her eye veil covered her eyes and also her countenance. Only her cherry lips were light, revealing a hint of calmness.
After composing herself, Duan Jinxiang could only go in at this time. Moreover, she was originally going to go in.
She glared fiercely at her maid, who had just gotten up from the fall. It was all because of this useless maid that her imposing manner lessened a bit as soon as she met Qu Moying.
Qu Qiuyan gave Qing Ju a look. Qing Ju quickly let go of Yu Dong’s hand and then gave a look to the maid who was following behind her. This young maid had been following behind Qu Qiuyan and Qing Ju, and when she saw Qing Ju give her a look, the young maid hurriedly turned around and ran away.
Under the corridor, Granny Miao looked at the figure of the young maid who left in a hurry. The corner of her lips curved silently. Seeing Yu Dong come over, she let go of the curtain in her hand. After her eyes and Yu Dong’s eyes met, Yu Dong entered the room, whereas Granny Miao went outside. Just now, her lady had asked her to keep watch outside.
Duan Jinxiang was here, so there must be someone else coming next.
Her lady said that if someone came later, she should lead them outside. Her lady’s yard was situated in Qianyue House. Her lady did not want anyone to taint her place.
When Qu Qiuyan and Qing Ju crossed paths with Granny Miao, they did not notice her, an old maid.
They were far away and didn’t have a clear look just now. Now, they only felt that Duan Jinxiang seemed to appear much weaker.
“Is there something you want to talk to me about, Second Lady Duan?” Inside the room, Qu Moying stared at Duan Jinxiang coldly. The corners of her lips curved up slightly, and she said it with a faint smile. She was not courteous.
“Fourth Lady Qu, I do have something to talk to you about…” Duan Jinxiang composed herself and raised her head arrogantly.
“Please wait a moment, Second Lady Duan.” Qu Moying stood up. When Yu Chun went forward to help her sit in front of the wheelchair, Yu Dong happened to come in. The two of them pushed Qu Moying out together.
Duan Jinxiang had no choice but to step aside. “What’s the matter, Fourth Lady Qu?”
“Grandmother told me to go over now. If you have nothing else to do, should we go out together?” Qu Moying asked.
“Alright!” Duan Jinxiang was only looking for Qu Moying to denounce her. Duan Jinxiang really didn’t care where to do it. She watched the two maids carefully pushing Qu Moying out of the door and down the cloister.
“Third Sister, you are here too?” Once Qu Moying arrived outside, she saw Qu Qiuyan. Qu Moying’s smile became even colder.
“I accompanied Second Lady Duan here. Second Lady Duan insisted on coming over to chat with you and see how you are doing.” When Qu Qiuyan saw Qu Moying come out, she was also stunned for a moment. She asked in surprise, “Moying, where are you going? You’re feeling unwell, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I feel unwell inside. Originally, I didn’t want to see anyone, but it just so happened that Grandmother sent someone here to ask me to go over. If Second Lady Duan wants to talk to me, let’s talk on the way!” Qu Moying said.
The so-called “feeling unwell” referred to feeling uncomfortable inside. What it meant was that she didn’t want to see Duan Jinxiang.
Such obvious words were as if slapping Duan Jinxiang in the face.
Not long after they left, someone else reached the door of Qianyue House again…