Chapter 385.4: Can’t Screw You to Death
Prior to marrying, she was also once innocent and pure, but after entering Rui Qinw.a.n.g for this many years, all her wonderful dreams have all gotten shattered. Because of this and that, she also became scheming and calculating, and at the same time, also numbly getting by. She thought that for this entire lifetime, it’ll just be like this, but unexpectedly, there were still moments where her feelings stirred.
Jing Wan got up, pulling along a child in each hand, “Third sister-in-law, come over and have a seat.”
Rui w.a.n.gfei smiled, just that smile was a bit forced. Jing Wan’s att.i.tude wasn’t cold, and her tone further wasn’t harsh. She knew, this was because of the two children. Who Jing Wan was considering for wasn’t her, but rather the children. The relations.h.i.+p between the adults, towards the children, the influence was actually very big. On this bit, when she was still in her maiden home, she already deeply experienced. The actual mother exploiting the children, while the opponent diligently took care of the children, how ironic.
The place to entertain the guest was in the courtyard. Although the weather was getting colder and colder, the courtyard was still full of life, appearing to be much better than other family’s.
Seeing the things Jing Wan prepared for the two children, the toys not having any dangerous elements, and the food also all tasty and easy to digest, it was all putting in her heart.
Jing Wan first took the two girls to play for a while, “Look, sixth aunt and your consort mother have something to talk about, so why don’t you two go play on your own first, alright? There are treasures in the courtyard, if you two find it, sixth aunt will give it to you as a present, what do you think?” Then, she instructed the servants to watch over them, and don’t run too much, but aside from this, there’s no need to restrain.
The two little girls happily went to look for treasure.
“Sixth sister-in-law has heart.”
Jing Wan still looked in the direction of the two children, “For small children, running around is better for the body. Moreover, children’s internal heat is already relatively heavy to begin with, so the clothes don’t need to be packed too tight either.” It can be said to be the ‘horse and cow not crossing paths[1]‘. Just when Rui w.a.n.gfei wanted to open her mouth to say something, Jing Wan turned around, smiling. Just, there was no warmth in her eyes, “Whether or not I have heart, there’s really no need for others to say. I’m just doing things with a clear conscience, that’s all. It’s fine if third sister-in-law uses the children, that’s your business after all. Just, don’t use the children to scheme against someone, and let the children suffer as well.”
Although she knew Jing Wan was blunt with her words, this while, she was still in a rather sorry state from having gotten exposed, as well as feeling angry, “Look at what sixth sister-in-law is saying, the malicious tiger still won’t devour its own cubs. How can I possibly do something that will harm the children?”
“That isn’t certain. For the sake of achieving certain goals, there are even those that will personally strangle to death their own child[2]. Third sister-in-law perhaps won’t, but who can be certain that Rui Qinw.a.n.g won’t? After all, it’s just two daughters. For certain men, as long as there is worth, they probably won’t care what kind of method is used.”
Rui w.a.n.gfei wanted to retort, but it was like as if getting tightly clutched by the throat, unable to say a single word. Because she was very clear, if such a situation really were to appear, her husband, the children’s father, not possibly, but rather certainly will do this kind of thing.
At this time, Rui w.a.n.gfei was somewhat falling apart, her tears streaming down.
“Third sister-in-law, quickly wipe your tears. For it to get out that I bullied third sister-in-law is rather irrelevant, just fearing that when the two little junzhus see, they will feel sad, ruining their mood.” Jing Wan calmly said, appearing very indifferent.
Rui w.a.n.gfei hurriedly wiped her tears, forcing herself to smile.
“The reason for third sister-in-law’s visit today, I also am aware, so no need to say more. Originally, our w.a.n.gye was more or less done with giving Rui Qinw.a.n.g the cold shoulder, but you bringing the two little junzhus to visit today has angered me, so sorry, will have to let Rui Qinw.a.n.g run a few more days, then let our w.a.n.gye ‘humiliate’. Of course, these words, third sister-in-law doesn’t need to tell him. Else, that man perhaps will say that you’ve made the situation worst, being more of a hinderance than helpful. Just say that our w.a.n.gye’s temper is big, he is him, and I’m me. If he’s still angry, then even I can’t do anything about it, and if he still wants to torment someone, I can’t just oppose him for the sake of outsiders, right? However, there is one thing that you can tell him. ‘Reconciling’ is possible, just prepare five million taels of silver.”
Rui w.a.n.gfei was still quietly listening at first, but towards the end, she was truly startled, “Silver?”
“Our w.a.n.gye has no power and no influence, so can only ask for a bit of materialistic goods. Five million taels of silver, although not little, but for a qinw.a.n.g, it isn’t that big of a deal either. Actually, Jin Qinw.a.n.g Manor doesn’t lack money the most. This is something known to all, but our w.a.n.gye this time has truly been ruthlessly angered, so if not bringing up any conditions, he certainly won’t be able to swallow this anger. Originally, according to our w.a.n.gye’s original intentions, it should at least be eight million taels, but seeing on behalf of consort mother, it was reduced a little.”
Rui w.a.n.gfei tugged the corner of her mouth. Jing Wan has blocked all arguments, so it wasn’t good for her to say ‘isn’t it a bit too much’ either.
But this amount, for Rui Qinw.a.n.g Manor, was indeed a bit too much. Rather, it wasn’t to the point of being unable to bring out, but once brought out, it certainly will be serious.
Exactly how much money Jin Qinw.a.n.g Manor has, outsiders were unaware. All say that it was even more than all the other brothers added together. This most likely was true. Five million taels of silver, for Jin Qinw.a.n.g Manor, perhaps really was nothing at all. However, Jin Qinw.a.n.g Manor didn’t need to cultivate its own power, so no matter how luxurious the entire manor was, it still can’t compare with the wealth that the others needed to toss into gaining power. One has to know, that was practically just a bottomless pit.
Jin Qinw.a.n.g Manor didn’t understand, so naturally will think that Rui Qinw.a.n.g Manor was able to bring out this sum of money, yet they were unable to state the truth. The world belonged to that one on the dragon throne. As the son, cultivating power in private, that was also just turning a blind eye. If brought onto the surface, was it wanting to look for death, or wanting to look for death? Moreover, if those things get exposed, it certainly won’t be within that one on the throne’s scope of tolerance. That’s why, they can only clench their teeth and endure.
“Alright, I will pa.s.s on to w.a.n.gye when I return.”
Jing Wan nodded, “Now that the important matters are taken care of, imperial sister-in-law can relax a little. In Jin Qinw.a.n.g Manor, no need to be that tense.”
When not talking about official matters, in this Jin Qinw.a.n.g Manor, even if it’s the enemy’s territory, it indeed made one at ease quite a bit, even more relaxing than one’s own manor, how laughable………….
The two little girls’ forehead was faintly covered in sweat, as they somewhat dispiritedly returned, “Sixth aunt, we didn’t find any treasure.”
“That’s because you two don’t know what’s what. In this courtyard of your sixth aunt’s, any random plant or flower, that is all a treasure. That’s why, this entire courtyard is filled with treasures.” Rui w.a.n.gfei said with a smile.
The two little girls widened their eyes, “Sixth aunt, is this true?”
“Right.” Jing Wan smilingly nodded, “Although you didn’t discover, sixth aunt still can give you two each a pot. You can pick out yourself. When you leave, I’ll let someone send it back for you.”
However, the little girls simultaneously looked towards their own consort mother.
Rui w.a.n.gfei nodded her head, “Your sixth aunt’s plants and flowers are amazing. One is unable to obtain when seeking outside. Now that there’s an opportunity, no need to be polite with her.”
“Then can we each ask for two?” The younger one stretched out two of her slightly chubby little fingers.
“This sly girl, your greed insatiable.” Rui w.a.n.gfei pretended to be angry.
“It’s fine, don’t listen to your consort mother. It’s just one more, that’s all. Sixth aunt is happily willing.” Jing Wan rubbed the little girl’s head with a smile. “Why don’t you go pick.”
The two girls didn’t understand, but weren’t greedy either, not asking for the biggest one. However, it was precisely because of this that they instead really picked out something good.
Jing Wan directly laughed, “Their eyesights are really quite good.” Turning around, she just ordered someone to go prepare. Two were planted in pots, so can just directly move away. The other two were a bit troublesome, because it wasn’t a good time to transplant, so they can’t injure the roots, needing to leave behind a lot of soil.
“Sixth sister-in-law, you don’t need to spoil them like this.”
“How can it be spoiling, I’m just keeping my word. I can’t, because they’re small children, just deceive them.”
Rui w.a.n.gfei no longer said anything.
And once the plants were all prepared, the servant came to report that Rui Qinw.a.n.g came to pick up Rui w.a.n.gfei and the little junzhus.
“Alright, then I won’t keep third sister-in-law any longer.”
Everyone all knew, the so called picking up was just an excuse. His goal was nothing more than wanting to enter the manor. As a result, Jing Wan pushed along the waves.
[1] This idiom is used to describe to completely unrelated things.
[2] Most likely a reference to Wu Zhetian, the sole female Emperor of China, personally strangling to death her first infant daughter in order to frame Empress w.a.n.g, which worked, resulting in Empress w.a.n.g and Consort Xiao stripped of their t.i.tles and imprisoned. Although this wasn’t the only time she killed her own children, she poisoned to death most of her sons too.