Chapter 33: The Caustic Tongue

Aunt Yun turned pale on the spot, as if she were unable to bear the humiliation and could no longer stand, collapsing against her maid.

Old Madam Mu, who had originally been feigning illness, was so enraged by these words that she nearly coughed up blood for real. Her status as a concubine had been the greatest shame of her life, which was why she harbored deep-seated jealousy toward the legitimate daughter of the Shen family that her son had married, and by extension, toward Shen Ruojin herself. Ever since Mu Gaoyuan inherited the title of Marquis of Linyang and she became the Old Madam, no one in the household had dared to utter the word "concubine." Even someone as unruly as Shen Ruojin would never have used such a thing to pierce the Old Madam’s heart. Little did she expect that this young Prince Qin would arrive and, with a double entendre, trample her dignity as the Old Madam beneath his feet in front of everyone.

Mu Gaoyuan’s expression also turned grim. "She is the widow of my elder brother, so—"

"Marquis, the Prince of Zhenbei’s estate has no concubines. Even a man of such romantic reputation as the young Prince has never brought anyone into his household. It stands to reason that the Prince’s estate has strict rules, and noble people cannot abide the likes of concubines. You needn't explain further. Aunt Yun, why haven't you left yet?"

Lady Sun, the legitimate wife of the eldest branch, spoke with a gentle tone, though she was seething inside: *I am the legitimate wife sitting right here; what kind of 'widow' does a concubine like Aunt Yun think she is?*

Upon seeing his sister-in-law, Mu Gaoyuan realized he had spoken carelessly in his haste and hurriedly ordered Aunt Yun to be taken away. Mu Yunwei opened her mouth to speak but stopped herself, merely calling out "Grandmother" with reddened eyes. After all, it was to her, the third miss of the Marquis’s estate, that young Prince Qin had originally proposed. Back then, Qin Lang had known she was the daughter of a concubine and had not minded; why, then, would he use that very fact to humiliate her today? It must be that Shen Ruojin had said something to him!

Old Madam Mu slumped in her chair. Seeing how Shen Ruojin had become increasingly defiant as she grew up, and now that she had married into a high-ranking family, she cared even less for her grandmother. As for this young Prince Qin, he was even more aggressive. Unable to swallow this insult, the Old Madam forced herself to sit up and, adopting the air of an elder, lectured, "No matter how noble the young Prince’s status may be, today you are merely a son-in-law accompanying his bride on a return visit. For a new son-in-law to point fingers in his in-laws' home is a display of arrogance that reflects poorly on the upbringing of the Prince’s estate."

"Old Madam, please be careful with your words!" Shen Ruojin interrupted coldly. "As for upbringing, since you yourself lack it, you should not use it to lecture others."

She no longer cared how this grandmother treated her. They shared blood, but there was no bond between them; calling them enemies would not be an exaggeration. However, she could not tolerate Qin Lang being slighted in the slightest at the Marquis’s estate.

Old Madam Mu shouted at the Marquis of Linyang in her rage, "Gaoyuan, listen to her! Do you hear the rebellious words she is speaking?"

Mu Gaoyuan’s head throbbed with agony. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard Qin Lang laugh scornfully, "Oh? Has the Old Madam’s illness recovered so quickly?"

Old Madam Mu pointed at him, trembling, "I... you!"

Mu Gaoyuan was also stunned to see the Old Madam recover so quickly, but in this setting, he could not say much. He hurried to press her hand down and whispered, "Mother, calm your anger. This is the young Prince of the Zhenbei estate, not one of our own juniors. You must weigh every word you speak..."

The Old Madam had no chance to speak, for Qin Lang continued, "I find the Old Madam’s illness quite peculiar, as it seems even ordinary doctors cannot cure it. Since you believe in ghosts and spirits, and force my wife to kneel in the ancestral hall at the slightest sign of a headache or fever, why do you not reside there yourself? If the Old Madam is sincere, kneeling day and night, the ancestors of the Mu family will surely bless you to live to a hundred, kneeling all your life."

Shen Ruojin had thought this before, but when she was young, her tongue had not been as sharp as the young Prince’s. She truly couldn't compare.

"You—you are actually cursing me, telling me to kneel in the ancestral hall? Do you have even a shred of respect for your elders? You’ll be the death of me... you’ll be the death of me!"

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Mu was genuinely angered to the point of illness. Her breath caught in her throat, and her face turned a sickly shade of blue and purple. Mu Yunwei tried to soothe her, but it was to no avail.

This time, Mu Gaoyuan could not tell whether the Old Madam was truly sick from anger or just pretending. He cooperated and ordered, "What are you all staring for? Quickly call a doctor and help the Old Madam back to her chambers!"

"Yes, Marquis."

Nanny Li and the maids hurriedly helped the Old Madam away, and Mu Yunwei, worried about her grandmother, followed them to the back courtyard. After such a commotion, Lady Sun of the eldest branch, fearing she might be implicated, quickly led her daughter Mu Yunyi back to their quarters. Within moments, there were few people left in the hall.

Mu Gaoyuan wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to Qin Lang with a forced smile. "The Old Madam is getting on in years and has become a bit muddled. She wasn't like this before; she used to dote on the younger generation. Ruojin, isn't that right?"

This was a pointed remark aimed at her. Qin Lang’s gaze shifted to her.

"Indeed," Shen Ruojin replied truthfully. "The Old Madam told me that since I bear the name Shen, I am not considered a junior of the Marquis’s estate."

Mu Gaoyuan’s smile vanished instantly. Back when he and Lady Shen were deeply in love, he had promised that their first child would take her surname. It was a beautiful story of deep affection. But Lady Shen had failed to bear him a second child, and the Old Madam, disliking that Shen Ruojin was a girl with the surname Shen—and convinced by the superstition that she was cursed to bring misfortune to her kin—had made a scene for many years. It didn't matter when only their own family knew, but today, the incident had played out in front of two new sons-in-law.

The Marquis of Linyang could not save face, and he said awkwardly, "Ruojin, today is a grand day for your return visit. There is no grudge between grandmother and granddaughter that cannot be mended; let the past be the past. Your grandmother even personally arranged this return banquet herself. Come, let us move to the floral hall for lunch."

"I am not hungry. I am going to the ancestral hall."

Shen Ruojin had already eaten her fill at the Prince’s estate; she had known from the start that nothing good would come of this visit. She had returned to the Marquis’s estate only to show those sent by her grandfather to check on her that she had married, was not so bound by rigid rules, and was trying to live a stable life without causing trouble or clashing with the Marquis’s family. But Old Madam Mu was unwilling to maintain even that thin veneer of peace. In the end, the facade had been torn away.

"You child, you have such a temper. No one is actually making you kneel in the ancestral hall!" Mu Gaoyuan, in front of the young Prince, could not scold his daughter and could only laugh it off.

Shen Ruojin said, "I am going to offer incense to my mother."

Qin Lang retracted his sharp edge, returning to his usual cynical, playful demeanor. "Come to think of it, I should accompany you to offer incense to my mother-in-law."

"That is only proper."

Mu Gaoyuan, only hoping that the two would let the matter rest, agreed repeatedly and even offered to lead the way himself. Shen Ruojin refused, "I know the way to the ancestral hall perfectly well. Father, please stay here to entertain your virtuous nephew-in-law."

She spoke calmly, but Mu Gaoyuan had the lingering illusion that he had been mocked. Just as the Marquis of Linyang wanted to say more, he heard Qin Lang say, "I follow my wife's lead."

"Fine, fine, fine. As you wish, all as you wish." Mu Gaoyuan did not press the matter further.

Shen Ruojin led Qin Lang out of the hall toward the ancestral hall. Now that no one was watching, she tried to pull her hand away, but Qin Lang held it even tighter.

Qin Lang said with a straight face, "When acting, one must play the part to the very end."