Chapter Ninety-Four: Manipulation

Yang was forcibly dragged onto the carriage by Xu Ruojin.

The magistrate’s wife was eager to send away this harbinger of bad luck; as soon as Yang boarded the carriage, she immediately instructed her servants to see Madam Zhao and Madam Mo off as well.

The events of the day left everyone with aching heads.

The magistrate’s wife somewhat regretted inviting Lady Liang to this banquet. Yet, her husband’s orders were not to be disobeyed—what could she do?

Seeing Yuan Huiling’s guilty expression, the magistrate’s wife grabbed her and headed toward the rear garden. With no outsiders around, she was determined to get to the bottom of the day’s chaos. All the troubles and disputes were inextricably linked to this girl!

As soon as Xu Ruojin climbed into the carriage, Yang’s scolding rang in her ears:

“You have some nerve! To dare interfere with me in front of all those ladies? Shoving and pushing—you really think yourself some precious young lady? Bah!”

Unsatisfied with mere words, Yang snorted coldly and twisted Xu Ruojin’s arm. “I knew you were unreliable! Haven’t even set foot in the Zhang household and already siding with outsiders. Even a dog is better than you!”

Rubbing her sore arm, Xu Ruojin felt no urge to endure anymore. Yang had no sense of the gravity of matters, but Xu Ruojin was well aware that things would not end so simply.

“No matter how much Mo Rong blabs nonsense, she’s just a junior, a mere girl. You keep quarreling with a child—how do you expect the ladies to view you?”

“Others dig a pit, eager for you to fall in. You could’ve pretended not to hear and let it pass. But no, you took the bait and made a scene. Lady Liang is angry, Lady Zhang furious, and even the magistrate’s wife ignored you as she left. Do you think this is better?”

“I don’t know what other tricks Lady Zhang might have up her sleeve, but this won’t end here. If you don’t believe me, just wait and see!”

For the first time, Xu Ruojin spoke her mind so bluntly, leaving Yang stunned.

Recovering, Yang glared, “You—you dare argue with me? Do you believe I won’t tear your mouth apart?”

“Go ahead. If you tear my mouth, I’ll become a disfigured, ugly woman. The Zhangs will have all the more reason to refuse to marry me, and I’ll be spared from suffering in their home.”

Though Xu Ruojin spoke out of anger, it left Yang speechless.

Her raised hand paused mid-air, and after a long moment, Yang dropped it in a fit of pique, grinding her teeth. “I can’t control you. Once we’re home, your father will deal with you. No matter how outsiders challenge me, you are a Xu, a junior, not born from my womb—otherwise, I’d strangle you this very day!”

“If outsiders dig pits for you, is it wrong for family to try to stop you? Mother, I call you that because I am a Xu, but you must understand who is close and who is not.”

Xu Ruojin’s retort made Yang’s face darken. “All I know is you’re betrothed to the Zhangs, yet you’re so close to the Liang family. Who can’t tell where your loyalties lie?”

“Madam Fang is my tutor, chosen by you. Should I not even greet her when we meet—is that what you want?”

Xu Ruojin found it impossible to reason with Yang.

“Whatever I do, whether right or wrong, I haven’t yet entered the Zhang household. Why should Lady Zhang nitpick and judge me? You dislike her condescending airs, but if I seek her favor, you’re unhappy; if I keep my distance, you’re still dissatisfied. So tell me, what exactly do you want from me?”

Mentioning Lady Zhang’s arrogance, Yang’s anger surged again.

Pressed by Xu Ruojin, Yang inhaled deeply, unable to respond. “She—she has her reasons for being proud. The Zhangs are above us, and when you marry in, you’d better curry favor!”

“Curry favor?”

Xu Ruojin laughed coldly. “After today, I doubt the Zhangs will be so eager to finalize the marriage.”

“But the date is already set!”

“Then just wait and see…”

After Xu Ruojin finished, Yang said no more.

Neither spoke to the other, each turning away to brood.

Xu Ruojin did not regret breaking with Yang. She had a strong sense that Lady Zhang would not let matters lie.

In these times, reputation was valued above life.

Even if she did not wish to marry into the Zhang family, it should not be because they rejected her, but because she herself refused—otherwise, how could she face the future?

If the storm was coming, so be it.

She had reached this point; what was there to fear?

For her own life, she would gamble everything—fight to the very end.

Lady Zhang hurried home by carriage and immediately ordered her servants to fetch Zhang Zhongheng from the magistrate’s residence.

After sobering up at the magistrate’s, Zhang Zhongheng had regained some clarity.

But recalling the disgraceful drinking competition with Liang Xiao, resentment still simmered within him.

How could Xu Ruojin’s wine be so potent?

He still felt feverish, his vision shimmering with stars.

“What on earth did you all do at the magistrate’s today?” Lady Zhang began questioning as soon as she saw her son. “That girl Xu Ruojin’s wine—what kind of wine was it? A girl from a small family, daring to challenge me? I truly resent bringing such a daughter-in-law into our home!”

“You refused to let me break the engagement before. Now you regret it yourself?”

Seeing his mother’s furious state, Zhang Zhongheng responded, “Her wine was strange, very strong. After a single bowl, everyone was drunk.”

“How is that possible? The wine she gifted the magistrate’s wife was sweet.”

“No, this was something she brewed herself, separately.”

Thinking of Liang Xiao, Zhang Zhongheng snorted coldly, “That Liang Xiao—our enmity is settled!”

“Not sweet wine?”

“No, a new kind.”

“You dare try to fool me with such words?”

Lady Zhang slammed the table. “If she’s this cunning now, what chaos will she cause in the future? How can the Zhang household let such a woman in?”

“Who’s fooling you?”

Her anger brought Zhang Zhongheng fully back to his senses.

Lady Zhang recounted the day’s events in detail, and mother and son began to confront each other, guessing and deducing until they understood the gist.

“Too much! This is utterly outrageous!” Lady Zhang clenched her fists. “My reputation is ruined, the Zhang family’s reputation is ruined!”

“Wait.”

Zhang Zhongheng’s brows knitted. “Yuan Huiling played a part as well—she was forced into it.”

“You’re actually defending that girl?” Lady Zhang was shocked. “Say that again?”

“Mother, I have a better plan.”

Lady Zhang hesitated. “You want to break off the engagement?”

A fierce glint flashed in Zhang Zhongheng’s eyes. “No, I want her. I want her to be utterly obedient, but I will not make her the principal wife…”

He summoned his attendant and gave instructions.

Lady Zhang listened with mounting alarm, wanting to stop her son, but remembering Xu Ruojin’s demeanor, her heart hardened.

She decided to let her son vent his anger this time.