Chapter 518: Chapter 477, Resolving the Crisis (Two-in-One Mega Chapter)_3
“Well, why has everyone fallen silent?”
Lady Li feigned ignorance of the unusual atmosphere in the room and asked with a smile.
Daohua hurriedly walked over, taking Lady Li by the arm, “It’s all because of Lady Xu. She was curious about why Miss Jiang and I left in a carriage during the banquet at Judge Chen’s house that day.”
Feeling the piercing gaze of Madam Jiang sweep over her, Lady Xu shuddered slightly and hurriedly stood up, “No, I was just speaking casually, it was really a trivial matter. It was Miss Yan who insisted on explaining.”
Lady Chen glanced around the room at the women present, nearly all of whom were from prominent officials’ families of Ningmen Prefecture. Not wanting to escalate the matter and tarnish her daughter’s reputation, she came to her aid, “Indeed, it was just a small affair, no need to make a fuss over it.”
Upon hearing these words, Old Lady Chen and Chen Jiarou both thought to themselves that trouble was coming.
Sure enough, both saw the gaze of the Yan mother and daughter fall on their daughter-in-law (mother).
Lady Li looked at Lady Chen with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, “Lady Chen, you are mistaken. Rumors can become truths when repeated enough, and a bit of gossip can ruin a person.”
“My daughter Yiyi left with Miss Chen in the carriage that day. As the host, both emotionally and rationally, you ought to come forward and clarify the matter, Lady Chen.”
Lady Dong also timely stood up, “True, these past few days, I have heard some idle gossip. Although rumors are quelled by the wise, there are few wise people in this world; most love to watch the excitement. Now that the matter has come to this, with the young ladies present, it’s best to clear things up.”
Seeing everyone in the room looking at her, Lady Chen felt nervous and involuntarily sought the help of Old Lady Chen.
Old Lady Chen sighed. Her granddaughters had already told her that the Jiang family would explain today, but her daughter-in-law had to smartly chime in. Now, she had put her in an awkward position.
Jiang Wanying, feeling extremely uncomfortable under everyone’s peculiar gazes, didn’t want to complicate matters further. After some thought, she stood up, “The matter started because of me, so I should be the one to speak.”
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“That day, I was feeling unwell, and Miss Chen accompanied me on a walk to the back garden. Little did we know that my condition would worsen, and I needed medicine to alleviate it, which I happened not to have with me.”
“My illness struck urgently, the back garden was sparsely populated, and Miss Chen and I had sent away our maidservants. Miss Chen couldn’t support me alone, and just then, we encountered Miss Yan and Miss Dong. With their help, I was able to return home safely to take my medicine.”
“Who would have thought, such a small matter could lead to so much speculation.”
Madam Jiang looked at her daughter with distress. Although her daughter’s frail health was no secret, having it publicly disclosed still greatly annoyed her.
It was all the Chen family’s fault. All three families had kept the matter tightly under wraps, but it was the Chen family that let the news slip. With this thought, Madam Jiang cast a harsh glance at Lady Chen.
Of course, the Dong and Yan families were no saints either. If they really had any sense, it wouldn’t be her daughter having to feign illness to explain.
Daohua noticed the expression on Madam Jiang’s face, but she paid it no heed, replying with a faint smile, “Indeed, it was just an ordinary matter of returning home for medicine. How could it stir up such rumors?”
Hearing this, Madam Jiang once again shot Lady Xu a cold look. Were it not for these gossip-mongers, there wouldn’t be such trifling troubles.
Lady Li glanced at her daughter and followed her lead, “Perhaps Lady Chen seemed too anxious that day, leading to a misunderstanding.”
Daohua laughed, “Indeed, how can the host not be anxious when a guest is unwell? However, it’s unfortunate that it has led to misunderstandings…” she trailed off, tsking in mock sympathy.
A matron of a household, acting without calmness or composure, not only failing to resolve the problem but making it worse, what a disaster for a person, for a family!
The ladies from various families caught the implication in Daohua’s words. They covertly assessed the Chen trio, weighing internally whether it was necessary to continue their association with the Chen family.
Madam Sun saw that things had been almost settled and cheerfully walked in, “The feast is ready. Let us all go out and take our seats.”
The ladies, eager to ease the recent discomfort, immediately took the opportunity to rise, “I’ve heard that the Yan family’s cuisine is the freshest. We must indulge ourselves today.”
Lady Li said with a smile, “Feel free to eat to your heart’s content. If it’s not enough, just come back another time.”
“Well then, we won’t stand on ceremony.”
The atmosphere became jovial again.
As Daohua helped usher everyone out, she found herself at the rear, but noticed that Old Lady Chen had deliberately slowed her pace and was approaching her, “Miss Yan is indeed very sharp-witted.”
Turning her head to look at Old Lady Chen, Daohua responded with a dazzling smile, “Thank you for the compliment, ma’am. However, I’m rather dull; I only manage to get the better in verbal exchanges. It’s nothing compared to Miss Chen, who knows how to shirk responsibility at the first sign of trouble, avoiding any stain on her reputation. Now, that’s truly impressive.”
Old Lady Chen’s face darkened, “It is better for a young lady to be gentle and demure. Being too fierce can lead to great suffering in the future.”
Daohua sneered, “You needn’t worry yourself over me, ma’am. My future will be the concern of my grandmother, parents, master, and brothers. Lady Chen, you shouldn’t always fixate on others’ matters. If you have the spare time, you might do well to teach your own family members how to behave in society.”
Having said this, she turned and walked away.
