Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1114 - 481: Marital Discord (Part 1)

Yueyao looked at Tingzheng and saw that he wasn’t speaking for a long time. Her heart felt as if it was blocked by a stone, very uncomfortable. Thirteen years, she thought she had given it her all for Tingzheng, but she didn’t expect this to be the final outcome.

Yueyao wanted to laugh, but she found herself unable to. Her eyes were misted over: "Tingzheng, it’s my fault." Her mistake was compromising at that time; she should have insisted on her opinion, even for the second branch of the Lian family, she should have vetoed this marriage. But she was worried that Tingzheng would resent her, and she believed she had fulfilled her duty, so she compromised. The cause of that day has led to the effect of today, so she has nothing to complain about.

Lin Qinghan had no idea what Yueyao meant by these words, thinking Yueyao had instigated this. At that moment, her gaze at Yueyao was fierce enough to spew fire.

But Tingzheng understood the implication behind Yueyao’s words and saw tears welling up in Yueyao’s eyes. Tingzheng’s heart was aching like being pricked with needles. He knelt in front of Yueyao, saying painfully, "Sis, it’s my fault, all my fault." He was wrong, truly wrong; he shouldn’t have had an affair with Lin Qinghan, nor should he have defied his sister’s wishes to insist on marrying Lin Qinghan. The words of parents and the matchmaker, in the matter of marriage, he should have listened to his sister’s arrangements.

Tingzheng’s kneeling left not only the maids and old nannies in the room shocked, but Lin Qinghan was completely stunned, as she tightly grasped the brocade quilt upon hearing Tingzheng’s words.

How Lin Qinghan was, Yueyao didn’t care at all; what she cared about was Tingzheng. With Tingzheng’s words, Yueyao’s heart was somewhat comforted: "Forget it, we’ll discuss this matter later. Since she believes I intentionally harmed her, I won’t stay here anymore, you handle this matter well yourself!"

As Yueyao exited the courtyard, she saw Imperial Doctor Gu from the Imperial Medical Bureau approaching. She turned to Tingzheng and said, "You should go back!" No matter what, Madam Lin had already been married into the family, and now that she was pregnant, even if her words were excessive, Yueyao couldn’t do anything to Madam Lin.

Tingzheng felt indescribably uncomfortable. He had vowed to be a strong support for his sister as he grew older, but now? Not only did he fail to support her, but he also made her bear such injustice: "Sis, I’m sorry. If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have never let you come."

Yueyao, even if she wanted to comfort him, had no way to do so. The marriage with the Lin family was something Tingzheng insisted on himself; he couldn’t blame anyone else, and now that things had come to this, words were meaningless.

Xiang Wei, after hearing the whole story, looked at Yueyao guiltily as well: "I didn’t expect Madam Lin would be like this." Xiang Wei clearly understood that Yueyao hadn’t opposed the matter entirely because she trusted Xiang Wei’s judgment. But Xiang Wei hadn’t expected that, regarding Madam Lin, she was not just wrong but completely blind. Otherwise, how could she have thought Madam Lin was not bad?

Yueyao always thought Madam Lin was just a bit petty and was mentally prepared for the difficulty of coexisting peacefully with Lin in the future. But now the developments were somewhat out of control. Yueyao thought about this and said: "Xiang Wei, don’t you find something strange about this situation?" Lin Qinghan was someone she had personally assessed; minor issues might exist, but in general, she was absolutely acceptable.

After hearing Yueyao’s remarks, Xiang Wei also sensed a problem: "True, according to the data I previously checked, Lin Qinghan is not a fool. But why does she insist that the maid climbing into bed was orchestrated by you?" If Yueyao truly had that intention, she wouldn’t need a maid to climb into bed; she could directly send two beautiful women to Tingzheng as concubines, so why bother with such trouble?

Yueyao also found Lin Qinghan a bit odd. It’s normal for a pregnant woman to have wild imaginations, but this level of bizarre thinking is inexplicable.

Xiang Wei thought this matter required investigation. She wasn’t kind-hearted enough to excuse Lin Qinghan; surely someone was targeting their master.

Yueyao shook her head and said: "Find an opportunity to ask Peng Chun’s Wife and see who Madam Lin has been particularly close to lately."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Wei said: "No need to investigate that; the closest person to Madam Lin is Mu Qinglian. Do you think Mu Qinglian is stirring up trouble behind the scenes?"

Yueyao was somewhat puzzled: "Why would she do something like that?"

Xiang Wei shook her head with a laugh: "If I’m guessing correctly, it’s because you’ve unknowingly offended her!"

Yueyao said nothing more. In this lifetime, she hadn’t had much interaction with Mu Qinglian, but in the past life, their relationship was quite good. No need to verify this incident; Yueyao was already certain it couldn’t be unrelated to Mu Qinglian. Mu Qinglian appears gentle and understanding on the outside, but inside she cannot tolerate anyone being better than her, and she’s someone who holds grudges. Yueyao’s cold demeanor at the last banquet must have been unbearable for Mu Qinglian, who is inherently proud. Additionally, since they are both considered Beauties of the Capital but Yueyao is now living so comfortably, Mu Qinglian must be envious. With all these reasons combined, Mu Qinglian inciting conflict between Lin Qinghan and Yueyao is not surprising: "I thought I would never cross paths with her again."

Xiang Wei snorted coldly: "I’ll make sure she pays the price."

Yueyao immediately stopped Xiang Wei. Even if Mu Qinglian had that intention, the root issue still lay with Lin Qinghan herself: "Mu Qinglian is not a simple woman. The external situation is so complicated now, we can’t act impulsively due to temporary emotions."

Seeing Xiang Wei’s disapproving expression, Yueyao said: "Mu Qinglian is not as simple as you think. Unless necessary, don’t confront her directly." Given Mu Qinglian’s nature, she would use any means to achieve her goals.

Xiang Wei had previously disregarded Yueyao’s decisions, but facts proved Yueyao was thorough in her considerations and had a keen eye for people: "Alright, I’ll take your advice." They couldn’t confront her directly, but they could resort to minor actions, bringing more trouble to Mu Qinglian.

Imperial Doctor Gu prescribed fetus-preserving medicine to Lin Qinghan, reminding Tingzheng: "Pregnant women must avoid intense sadness and joy, as the first three months are the most dangerous time for the child. This time, it was fortunate that nothing happened, but if it occurs again, it might be difficult to keep this child." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Tingzheng listened carefully, then personally escorted Imperial Doctor Gu out the door.

Lady Lin heard that her daughter nearly had a miscarriage and started bleeding, and she rushed to Yuhua Alley upon receiving the news. When Lady Lin saw Lin Qinghan, she had already finished drinking the medicine.

Lady Lin looked at her daughter’s pale face, anxiously asking: "How did this happen? What went wrong?"

Lin Qinghan heard these words, and tears started to flow. Lady Lin, helpless, first comforted Lin Qinghan, then inquired from Nanny Shi, Lin Qinghan’s wet nurse.

Nanny Shi did not hide anything and recounted the sequence of events. Though slightly angered, Lady Lin felt the fault was not entirely Tingzheng’s: "Ridiculous servant, where is that maid now? Has she been dealt with?"

Nanny Shi replied: "The master has already had her given medicine by an old nanny and called a broker to sell her off."

Lady Lin was very satisfied with this outcome. However, upon walking around, she noticed Yueyao had not come, feeling displeased. Even if her daughter doesn’t get along with her regularly, not visiting Qinghan at such a time seemed too unreasonable.

Nanny Shi’s face showed signs of trouble.

Lin Qinghan currently couldn’t stand Yueyao the most, immediately cried: "Mother, don’t mention that person. It’s better that she doesn’t come."

Lady Lin saw the abnormality in Nanny Shi but, given Lin Qinghan’s delicate situation, naturally went along with her daughter.

Lin Qinghan drank the fetus-preserving medicine, which contained calming herbs, and soon fell asleep. Only then did Lady Lin ask Nanny Shi: "Was there something else you wanted to say?"

Nanny Shi, now without reservations, told Lady Lin everything that had happened a short while ago. After finishing her tale, Nanny Shi added: "I don’t understand why the young lady would say such things." The reason Nanny Shi reported to Lady Lin was that she felt the situation was severe. Previously, arguments between the couple over Great Aunt were minor, but this time was different. Every time the scene crossed her mind, Nanny Shi felt a chill.

Lady Lin’s face turned pale: "What did you say?"

Nanny Shi knelt on the floor, nearly burying her head: "I have no idea what happened with the young lady at that moment, why she said those things. Madam, when Madam Lian heard those words, she was livid. The master knelt right there in front of us servants to apologize to Great Aunt. Madam, this matter surely won’t end easily."

Lady Lin heard these words and felt entirely drained; it took a while before she regained composure: "Haner wouldn’t have such thoughts for no reason. Is there someone who has been gossiping in front of Haner?" Her daughter can be somewhat petty, but she would never be confused like this. Certain someone is sowing discord, inciting her daughter’s jealousy.

Nanny Shi grudgingly named Mu Qinglian as the prime suspect.

Lady Lin heard it was Mu Qinglian sowing discord and tensed her forehead veins. She had heard of her daughter getting close to Mu Qinglian, mentioned it once, and since her daughter agreed, she thought no more of it, unexpectedly leading to such consequences.

Lady Lin immediately sought Tingzheng, saying: "Son-in-law, Haner is with child and might have wild thoughts, please be more forgiving."

Tingzheng smiled reluctantly: "Mother-in-law, this time, it is my fault." If Lin Qinghan rebuked him, he wouldn’t utter a complaint regardless of the severity. The fault was entirely his. But Qinghan shifted her anger to her sister and uttered such words; Tingzheng could not overlook it.

Lady Lin saw Tingzheng’s expression and understood that unless resolved, this matter would cast a long shadow.

Lady Lin was no fool; quite the contrary, she was astute and understood that unraveling the knot requires the one who tied it. Only if Lian Yueyao forgives Haner will this matter pass. Otherwise, this looming shadow would lead to a difficult time for her daughter.