Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1407 - 577: Divorce (Part 2)_3

The news about Tingzheng and Madam Lin’s divorce quickly spread. Typically, when a couple divorces, both parties would be criticized, but in the case of Tingzheng and Madam Lin, public opinion was one-sided and entirely supportive of Tingzheng. It’s no wonder people sided with him; Madam Lin was notorious for causing trouble, to the point where everyone believed her to be peculiar.

Criticizing Madam Lin was akin to criticizing the upbringing of the Lin Family. The Lin Family still had several unmarried daughters, and if they were branded with such a bad reputation, their prospects for marriage would be bleak. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

To prevent her granddaughters from getting implicated, Lady Lin publicly stated that her daughter was misled by others, which led to the divorce, and that her daughter Madam Lin was also a victim. Although Lady Lin didn’t name anyone directly, it was evident to everyone that she was referring to Lady Mu.

Lord Lin also believed that the real culprit behind his daughter’s divorce was indeed Lady Mu. If Lady Mu hadn’t swayed his daughter, she wouldn’t have become increasingly extreme and ended up in her current predicament. With Lord Lin’s support, not only did Lady Lin, but the Lin Family’s daughters-in-law also blamed Mu Qinglian for Lin Qinghan’s divorce. The idea of sacrificing someone else to save themselves made Mu Qinglian the scapegoat instead of the Lin Family suffering the consequences.

It should be noted that while Lin Qinghan was still living at home, though she had a bit of a temper, she acted appropriately and never did anything outlandish. But after marriage, she seemed to have changed into a different person. Now that the Lin Family mentioned it, those familiar with the Lin Family readily believed this claim. Of course, it was mainly because Mu Qinglian had a poor reputation, known as a Jinx, which was deeply ingrained in people’s minds.

Mu Qinglian’s reputation was already terrible, and after this incident, it completely fell apart. Even the few women who were on good terms with her were ordered by their husbands not to associate with her anymore. These husbands feared that their wives would be influenced by Mu Qinglian, causing unrest in their families.

Mu Qinglian was so furious that she wished she could strangle Lin Qinghan. She had helped out of kindness, only to end up bringing trouble upon herself; could there be anything more frustrating?

In the evening, when Ning Lixuan returned, he looked displeased, but he didn’t vent his anger on Mu Qinglian for this matter. Mainly because Mu Qinglian had previously told him about Madam Lin, Ning Lixuan just felt the Lin Family was too despicable for not blaming the main culprit, Madam Lian, but rather picking on his wife.

Mu Qinglian, looking haggard, forced a smile upon seeing Ning Lixuan: "You’re back."

Ning Lixuan, feeling guilty, said, "I’m sorry for the grievance you’ve suffered." They picked the soft target to bully. The Lin Family dared not confront Madam Lian because they didn’t want to upset An Zhichen. Their own family’s influence was weak, so they chose Qinglian as the scapegoat instead.

Mu Qinglian smiled and said, "It’s nothing; I just feel sorry for Younger Sister Lin. Such a good person, yet now reduced to this state."

Ning Lixuan waved his hand and said, "Don’t concern yourself with such matters in the future." In truth, Ning Lixuan was also intimidated by An Zhichen. The last time due to rumors, An Zhichen specifically sought him out, and his intense aura and those sharp, terrifying eyes were something Ning Lixuan never wanted to face again.

Mu Qinglian softly agreed and then asked, "How is Mr. Zhao?" Although the Ning family resides in the Duke Mansion, because of their fading influence and poor reputation, esteemed teachers who cherished their reputation were reluctant to come. Those who coveted the Duke Mansion’s generous payment for private tutors were looked down upon by Ning Lixuan and Mu Qinglian, causing the couple much distress. With much difficulty, Mu Qinglian had managed to have her brother find a teacher who taught their two children for three years, but now the teacher’s family faced an issue, requiring them to return home and resign, so they had to find a new teacher again.

Ning Lixuan shook his head and said, "Not very good." This Mr. Zhao was recommended by Ning Lixuan’s friend, but upon interaction, Ning Lixuan was not very satisfied.

Mu Qinglian recalled something she heard recently and said, "I heard that Mr. Min from the An family seems to be leaving their academy, could you look into this?" Mu Qinglian intended for her younger son to pursue the imperial examinations, and having a good teacher was essential.

Ning Lixuan shook his head and said, "No need to think about it, let’s just slowly inquire around." Even if Mr. Min were to resign, he wouldn’t come to their family. Ning Lixuan had enough self-awareness to know that.

Mu Qinglian’s expression slightly changed, but she said nothing more, although she felt unwilling at heart. She didn’t think she was any less than Lian Yueyao; in many aspects, Lian Yueyao wasn’t even as good as her. Yet now, Lian Yueyao surpassed her in everything, and even her son had to trail behind Lian Yueyao’s sons, which made it hard for her to reconcile.

Ning Lixuan was unaware of Mu Qinglian’s thoughts and seeing her troubled expression, only assumed she was upset about not finding a good teacher for their son. "Don’t worry; we’ll eventually find a good teacher, and in a couple of years, when the children are admitted to the academy, everything will be fine."

In the current circumstances, with An Zhichen’s powerful influence, Mu Qinglian, no matter how unwilling, didn’t dare to confront Lian Yueyao directly. Thinking of An Zhichen, Mu Qinglian couldn’t help but glance at Ning Lixuan. Ning Lixuan constantly professed his love for her, claiming he’d give up everything for her, but what now? He still had four concubines in the rear courtyard. An Zhichen hadn’t made any grand promises, yet all these years, besides Lian Yueyao, there wasn’t a single woman by his side. It’s undeniable that Lian Yueyao was extremely fortunate, so fortunate that it filled Mu Qinglian with a desire to ruin her.