The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 595 - 562: Little Schemes (Part 2)

Xu Jia thought of the jade pendant she lost as a child; it was indeed made of blood jade, but she wasn’t sure if it was the Phoenix Blood Jade Yun Shisan mentioned.

The Holy Emperor wanted to bestow a concubine upon her father, and no one could stop it. The only thing she could do was to find a way for her mother to live safely and healthily.

If she could get both the Yun Family’s bracelet and the Phoenix Blood Jade, perhaps her mother would not repeat the tragedies of the past life.

Thinking of this, Xu Jia made a resolution she could not declare to anyone.

Seeing her lost in thought, Yun Shisan called out to her a couple of times.

Xu Jia looked at him and forced a smile, "Thank you, young master, for your rescue."

Yun Shisan maintained a boyish, innocent smile, "It was the family head’s order. If you want to thank someone, thank our family head."

"I indeed ought to thank him well." Xu Jia smiled warmly.

Leaving Tang Yong to wait outside, she walked to the door of Yun Huai’s room and knocked.

Soon, a man’s clear and melodious voice came from inside, "Please enter."

Xu Jia pushed the door open and went in.

Yun Huai was sitting by the window, holding a sword in his left hand and gently wiping it with a silk cloth in his right. Xu Jia noticed a string of jade lotus pendants hanging from the sword’s hilt.

Without looking up at her, he briefly asked, "What is it?"

Xu Jia said, "Thank you, Sixth Son Yun, for today’s events."

As she spoke, she picked up a purple clay teapot from the table, poured him a cup of tea herself, and then walked over to offer it with both hands.

Yun Huai paused his sword-wiping for a moment, then placed the sword on the table. As he reached for the teacup, he noticed the silk handkerchief slipping to the edge of his snow-white robe.

After serving the tea, Xu Jia moved aside.

Yun Huai seemed oblivious to her subtle intentions, bringing the teacup to his lips for a sip. Though only nineteen years old, his manner of speaking was akin to a senior addressing a child’s prank — tolerant and calm, with emotions unreadable.

"The handkerchief fell; pick it up."

Xu Jia: "..."

Alright, Yun Huai was just young, but his seniority was inherently higher.

Embarrassed for a moment, Xu Jia bent down to obediently pick up the handkerchief.

Whether she left Yun Huai’s room feigning calm and composure or fled in panic, she couldn’t remember.

All she knew was that when she regained her composure, she was already on the carriage back to the manor.

Tang Yong noticed something was off with her, and his gaze frequently swept over her.

Being watched, Xu Jia couldn’t help but think of how her little scheme failed miserably right at the start. Her face grew hot with embarrassment.

Afraid Tang Yong might notice something, she hurriedly changed the subject by talking to him.

Upon reaching the Tang Mansion, Xu Jia asked Tang Yong to return to the Zilan Courtyard first, while she immediately went to the main courtyard to see Mrs. Qiao.

After resting for several days, Mrs. Qiao’s complexion had improved by seventy to eighty percent. Knowing Xu Jia went to the Song Mansion with her eldest grandson to seek medical help that day, she showed a kind smile, asking Xu Jia how things went and if there was a way to cure him.

Xu Jia truthfully said she had happened upon an expert in poisons, who could formulate an antidote based on Tang Yong’s symptoms. However, for the next few days, she would have to go to the Song family.

With the weather outside being cold, Mrs. Qiao was somewhat worried about her grandson, fearing he might catch a chill. "Can’t we invite the person to our house instead?"

Xu Jia didn’t even want to mention that the person was from the Suzhou Yun Family, not someone the Tang family could simply pay to invite. In response to her mother-in-law’s words, Xu Jia replied sharply, "The legal wife had just entered the house, and Second Master was already preparing to elevate a concubine. I thought mother would believe the Tang family should now close their doors to hide their shame. Since you don’t mind, I’ll bring the person over tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Qiao’s face turned like a dye shop with vibrant colors, so spectacularly complex she was at a loss for words.

"That vile woman, Mrs. Jiang!" She spat angrily, and soon after, began to feel a headache and shortness of breath, panting heavily.

The accompanying maid, seeing this, quickly came to support her. "The mistress has only just improved a bit and can’t take any more upset. Second Mistress, you should leave now."

Xu Jia inwardly chuckled, saluted for goodbye, and left.

When she returned to the Zilan Courtyard, she was surprised to find Tang Yuan there as well, his hand ruffling Tang Yong’s little head while speaking to his nephew.

Xu Jia went over and sat on the warm bench, "Why is Second Master here?"

Tang Yuan looked at her with mocking eyes, "Can’t I come?"

Before Xu Jia had the chance to say anything, he continued, "You left for the Song Mansion in the morning. Why are you just returning now?"

Although not obvious, Xu Jia detected a questioning tone.

Xu Jia did not get angry; she smiled and said to him, "Second Young Master, are you unable to manage the expenses for taking a concubine, or are you short of cash? Just say the word, and I’ll have the accountants allocate some funds for you. Why bother probing into my situation at the Song Mansion? Does it affect you?"

Tang Yuan remained silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled, "No matter your jealousy, Qingyu will definitely wed."

"I daren’t be jealous." Xu Jia flattered him, "Second Young Master of the Tang Family is loyal and righteous, fulfilling your elder brother’s dying wish by bringing the sister-in-law into your own quarters. I, a latecomer, naturally have nothing to say, nor any right to intervene. You carry on with your business, just save me a cup of your celebratory wine when the time comes."

The first part of the sentence hit Tang Yuan’s sore point directly, and his face fell, "Every time Qingyu is mentioned, your words are always barbed. Xu Family, can’t you tolerate her?"

These words made Xu Jia laugh, "What do you mean I can’t tolerate her? I merely think that Second Young Master is handling this matter inefficiently."

"What do you mean?" Tang Yuan’s expression showed no improvement.

Xu Jia continued, "When Mrs. Jiang was the primary wife, Young Master Yong was her biological son, properly the legitimate heir of the first household. Even though he lost his father at an early age, he had a stature when introduced to others. Now that Mrs. Jiang has become your concubine, if Young Master Yong is handed over to her again, henceforward, everyone will know this young master of the Tang Family’s first household is raised by a concubine."

The words "raised by a concubine" made Tang Yuan’s lips tremble in anger.

Seeing his reaction, Xu Jia’s smile deepened.

"Not only seizing your brother’s woman, but also turning the son into one raised by a concubine; Second Young Master certainly is unprecedented and unparalleled in this regard."

"Shut up, shut up!" Tang Yuan’s teeth were chattering, his eyes bloodshot as if he wanted to eat someone. But in the end, he merely shouted in anger and slammed the door on his way out.

Xu Jia watched the man’s guilty retreat and chuckled softly.

Mo Xiang came in with the evening meal from the main kitchen, just in time to see her master with a face like he had swallowed a fly. After she entered, she looked wide-eyed at Xu Jia, who was still smiling, "Miss, did you anger the master again so he left?"

Xu Jia dished up rice for Tang Yong with an innocent expression, "How was I to know he’s so thin-skinned, turning sullen at the slightest jab, slamming doors every time he gets angry? Luckily, this door wasn’t part of my dowry, or I’d be heartbroken."

Mo Xiang watched her mistress with a carefree demeanor and couldn’t help but twitch her lips, but then she said, "But speaking of which, seeing the master’s face like that makes me feel delighted."

"Glad is fine with me." Xu Jia gestured for her to sit down to eat together.

When it was just master and servant, Xu Jia was not too concerned with propriety.

Tang Yuan went straight to the outer study. When the maid came in to offer tea, he waved his hand and flipped it onto the ground, bursting into a rage.

The servants serving in the outer courtyard were trembling with fear, none daring to approach the study.

...

The next day, a rumor spread outside that the first wife, who was maintaining chastity for her husband at the outer estate of the Tang Mansion, was critically ill and feared she might pass away with no one to care for her son. Therefore, she intended to send her twin sister into the Tang Mansion as a concubine for Second Young Master Tang Yuan to help care for her son, and Tang Yuan agreed.

It was widely known that when Tang Yuan sought to marry Xu Jia, he put in considerable effort. At that time, everyone thought Tang Yuan was enamored with Xu Jia. Now, barely after the new bride has entered the household, he’s already taking concubines. Aside from questioning the purpose of taking a concubine, Tang Yuan’s entire behavior not only represents a disregard for the principle wife, Xu Family, but also an affront to General Chang Wei’s Mansion.

Moreover, the person Tang Yuan is accepting as a concubine is none other than his sister-in-law’s twin sister.

This sort of strange affair is seldom seen in households of high repute in the Capital, there’s talk all over.

Some people curse Tang Yuan’s character as lower than that of animals.

Some feel sorry for Xu Jia, who has been so coldly treated by her husband right after entering the family.

Others suspect there might be undisclosed details in this affair.

Most are simply there to watch the drama unfold.

Invitations for various house banquets poured in endlessly, clearly intending to have Tang Family insiders attend to witness the farce firsthand.

Mrs. Qiao declined all invitations, feigned illness and stayed indoors, wishing nothing more than to cover herself completely with an eggshell, woebegone and ashamed to face anyone.

Compared to Mrs. Qiao, Xu Jia remained composed, sitting at the table with Tang Yong, sipping porridge and listening to Mo Xiang report on the situation outside.

After listening, she merely smiled lightly.

Mo Xiang was almost beside herself with worry, "Miss, what should we do? The young master is impulsive; when he hears about this, he’ll surely charge straight to the Tang Family."

Xu Jia took a napkin to wipe her mouth, "If that’s the case, we’ll head back to the General Mansion shortly."

Mo Xiang hesitated, "Would the master allow it?" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"He won’t have time to concern himself with me." Xu Jia knew without a doubt; Tang Yuan would least want to see her at this moment.

"Raised by a concubine."

The destructive power of these four words was self-evident, enough to stew him in anger for some time.