Guan Rongrong Comes To Make Trouble

In the Guans’ living room, Madam Zhang sat in the seat reserved for the person of highest status in the room. She was holding her teacup with a grim look on her face.

Guan Rongrong stood next to her. The hairstyle she was given as a married woman made her look so much older for no good reason. She still looked fierce, but she no longer had the youthful sweetness she used to have.

Two steps behind her was an auntie who stood with her hands folded in front of her and her head bowed. She was in her forties, had a round face, wore a light green plain dress and her hair was combed very neatly into a bun. Not a single strand was out of place and she looked even more well-groomed than an elderly woman from a rich family.

She didn’t look familiar. She wasn’t one of the maids that went along with Guan Rongrong when she got married. She also seemed too confident.

Song Caitang got it immediately. This auntie was from the Jiang family, and her position was not low either.

The moment Guan Rongrong saw Song Caitang, she flew into a rage and slammed the table hard as she glared at her cousin. “Song Caitang, what do you think you’re doing? Are you tired of living well? Look at what you’ve been doing! Mr. Jiang is my father-in-law, a relative of ours! If you’re unhappy about something, come at me! Why screw with my father-in-law! You think that’s a sign of your capability or something?!”

The auntie behind her coughed very loudly.

Madam Zhang glared at her daughter from the corner of her eye to tell her to watch her words.

What did she mean by screwing with her father-in-law? Couldn’t she choose better words?!

As the saying goes, one’s environment affects one’s character. Changes in status and the environment could change the way a person behaved or spoke. Guan Rongrong wasn’t like this before. Before she was married, she was still able to suppress her temper and she would watch her words because her mother kept a close eye on her. But now, she was another man’s concubine.

As a concubine, she was destined to lead a lowly life of being just part of the harem. She would have to fight with other women in the inner house, fight to win arguments, fight to get resources. She even had to decipher what her own maids could be thinking about and decide if she had to get into her good books or to get rid of her…

Most concubines decided how to treat others based on whether you benefitted them or not, so they seldom observed manners or carried themselves well. They wouldn’t swear in front of a man, but things were very different in private. They were better at swearing than even a commoner older lady along the streets. It seemed like Guan Rongrong had gotten used to such behavior around her and learned how to behave like that after being exposed to it every single day.

Guan Rongrong did not think she was behaving out of line, or rather, her focus was entirely on Song Caitang and she didn’t notice anything else.

Song Caitang did not get angry with her and gave her honest feedback, “You consider them relatives, but I… don’t think they consider you one.” She glanced at the auntie standing behind Guan Rongrong. “Only one servant came with you and you think that’s something to boast about?”

Guan Rongrong furrowed her brows and screamed at Song Caitang, “You’re not even a Guan! How dare you say such things! My mother is here too!”

“So, you know your mother is here,” Song Caitang shifted her gaze to Madam Zhang, whose temples were tense and seemed somewhat angry. Song Caitang smiled more broadly, “Is it really okay to embarrass her like that?”

Song Caitang had never been a pushover. She would not bully others, but if someone tried to bully her, she wasn’t afraid to fight back.

She had gone through much more in life and knew what to say in such a situation. She knew exactly what would hurt her the most.

“I’m so glad we still have Guan Lang.”

Guan Lang was the only male heir in the family and Madam Zhang’s lifeline. Madam Zhang would sacrifice even herself as long as she could protect him.

Song Caitang stole a glance at her and as she had expected, Madam Zhang looked even more upset.

It was clear that Guan Rongrong had disappointed her greatly.

Also… Song Caitang looked out of the window. Guan Qing was probably almost home by this hour.

“I’m going to cut to the chase.” Guan Rongrong waved her hand and said directly to Song Caitang, “You must talk to Prince Ping about my father-in-law right now! Stop making life difficult for him!”

Those were incredibly direct words. She was just short of telling Song Caitang that she was going by the back door and she was here to make sure her father-in-law didn’t get arrested.

Song Caitang turned her face slightly. She was quite shocked. How did Guan Rongrong muster up the courage to say such things?

Wasn’t she the slightest bit embarrassed?

Song Caitang straightened out her sleeves and sighed. “Do the Jiangs know what you’re doing for Jiang Shaoyuan?”

Before Guan Rongrong could respond, she added, “I’m sure you must have put in a lot of effort to be allowed out of the house at such a time, right? If your trip ends up having no effect whatsoever, do you think the family will like you more? Or hate you more?”

She didn’t bother talking about what sort of effect was at stake here, because as long as she was around, nothing was going to change. The investigation was going to continue as per normal.

Guan Rongrong’s eye twitched as she pursed her lips and continued to insist, “My in-laws take very good care of me, so don’t you worry about that! My mother-in-law even let me have the housekeeper! You don’t know anything!”

When the auntie heard Guan Rongrong mention herself, she sighed inwardly. This woman…

She looked pretty clever and was good at handling small matters, plus she knew how to stand up for herself. But she wasn’t good at handling more serious matters. Her view of things was too narrow and nothing she said was right.

Thankfully, this girl was only a concubine. If she were a wife, she would turn the household upside down.

The auntie’s gaze flickered as she assessed Song Caitang’s character as well as where this conversation was going.

She was assessing who in this household had the final say, where Guan Rongrong stood in this family, who the Jiangs should respect and not respect. She had to understand all of this today.

Madam Zhang noticed the change in the auntie’s gaze, so she gently struck the table with her hand. “Alright, alright, stop quarrelling, sisters should get along. It’s fine to argue once in a while at home, but it’s been a long time since Rongrong’s come back. Her temper is a little short because bad things have happened at home and she’s worried. Caitang, you’re a sensible girl who’s always been mild-tempered – why are you so fiery today? Did some maid offend you by doing something she shouldn’t have?”

She spoke gently and slowly, as though to comfort Song Caitang. At the same time, she was an expert at changing the topic.

She also knew that timing was important. Before Song Caitang could reply, she went on, “Caitang, are you really unable to do something about our in-laws’ case?”

Song Caitang’s gaze was calm. “The authorities are in charge of cracking the murder case, while the courts and the law of the country will determine who will be punished and how. Even if the emperor breaks the law, he will be tried and sentenced just like any other citizen. I’m just a young, unmarried woman. What could I possibly do about this?”

“You’re right to say that. There are certainly laws and authorities that govern the way a case is investigated and punishment is meted out. But our in-law, Mr. Jiang, is an upright man, so he definitely can’t be such a wicked murderer,” said Madam Zhang slowly as she looked gently at Guan Rongrong. “Isn’t that so?”

Guan Rongrong nodded vigorously. “Of course he’s not that sort of person! My father-in-law is a good and upright man! He definitely didn’t kill anybody!”

Song Caitang smiled. “If that’s the case, what are you afraid of? If the authorities question any of you, just cooperate and give honest answers. If Mr. Jiang is truly innocent, Prince Ping will make sure to prove it.”

Guan Rongrong started getting jumpy. “But there are so many cases where people are wrongly accused! Once he’s been wrongly accused, it will ruin his reputation forever!”

Song Caitang narrowed her eyes. “Are you blaming Prince Ping for being unfair and for deliberately trying to bring harm to an innocent person?”

That was a serious thing to accuse someone of. Guan Rongrong immediately shut her mouth again. Of course that wasn’t what she meant!

Madam Zhang quickly stepped in as well and glared at Song Caitang. “Why is it so hard to explain things to you? Our in-law is a man of impeccable character and a trustworthy person, plus we are all one family now. This is something you could settle for us easily, so why are you being so stubborn?”

“Besides, it’s high time for you to get married. It’s time you learned how to control your temperament.”

This was basically a threat. Madam Zhang was using marriage to threaten Song Caitang.

Song Caitang couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Madam Zhang seriously didn’t know her well enough at all. And because she had been stuck in Luanze with Guan Rongrong for so long, even her news had fallen behind.

If Zhao Zhi was here to hear what Madam Zhang just said, he might actually slap her across the face!

“You really enjoy calling him your ‘in-law’ and claim that we’re ‘one family’, huh! If you’ve got the guts, go to the Jiang house and say that! See if they’ll respond to you! The Cuis might tear you apart!”

Song Caitang spun around and broke into a bright smile. “Eldest Sis!”

Because she was at home, Zhao Zhi wasn’t around and so he wasn’t able to argue back, but Guan Qing could do it instead. This was her house as well, plus she was very protective of the people she loved.

Guan Qing glared at Song Caitang as if to say: Tsk! Why are you so weak! Why don’t you have the courage to yell back at them!

Song Caitang bowed her head as though she was very apologetic.

Guan Qing sighed inwardly as she marched to the front and pulled Song Caitang behind her.

Then she looked up to see the change in Madam Zhang’s expression.

The Cui family that Guan Qing mentioned earlier was a fairly prominent family that was on par with the Jiangs. The woman who was Jiang Wenrui’s official wife and had the right to call Jiang Shaoyuan her father-in-law, was a daughter of this very family.

Guan Qing glanced past Guan Rongrong to stare at Madam Zhang. She snorted quietly, “Even if you don’t have any shame left, the Guans would like to keep some!”

Madam Zhang and Guan Qing had never gotten along and were constantly quarrelling. And now, Guan Qing was actually scolding her directly!

“Why, you—”

“Me what?” Guan Qing didn’t even give her the chance to speak and cut her off. “You want to scold me? Or do you think you have control over me? Just because you’ve got a backer, you think you can fight with me for power and status?”

Madam Zhang was too stunned to say anything.

Guan Qing had always been a steady, focused and decisive person who didn’t like to beat around the bush, so she went straight to the point, “The Jis don’t owe us any favors and they aren’t obliged to be kind to us. So, why would they be so nice to us?”

The mention of the Jis made Madam Zhang’s eye twitch. “You…” How did she know?!

Her expression was enough for Guan Qing to know what she meant to say. “How do I know? So, you’re allowed to have networks and contacts, but I’m not allowed to have any?”

Madam Zhang pursed her lips tightly and lowered her gaze.

“But of course, there are good and reliable contacts, and there are bad and unreliable ones,” Guan Qing narrowed her eyes. “Our third uncle had a falling out with Grandfather and my father many years ago, and doesn’t treat his own older brother, your husband, nicely either. I don’t think a man like that would bother to be sincere to you either.”

Song Caitang took a while to process this. There was a lot to glean from these words.

She had sensed that Madam Zhang must have a good reason for confidently sticking her nose into the Guans’ family business even though her own family was unable to help her and she knew nothing about business. Someone must be backing her. But she never knew who it was or went to find out who it was. After all, she knew her Grandmother and Guan Qing would take care of this.

But today, Guan Qing had turned the tables on Madam Zhang. And based on her tone of voice… she just found out recently?

Also, which Ji family was this?

As far as she knew, the only Ji family that was more prominent and would have dealings with the Guans would be that Ji family. Ji Bo’s family.

The family of the man connected to the murder case she was investigating now, Ji Bo, were originally merchants who started having officials in the family later on. They were a huge family, so those who were able to do well in school aimed to work for the government, while the rest aimed to become merchants. The two sides of the family might not interact a lot, but they were still able to help each other and the family was very united too.

Ji Bo had been chosen by Prince Ling not only for his talent and potential, but also because of the family he hailed from. Ji Bo was someone who could support the prince financially.

Of course, Madam Zhang was too much of a small fry. Even if she had a contact in the Ji family who could help her fight Guan Qing, this contact was definitely not Ji Bo. It would probably be someone in upper management on the merchant side of the family.

She must have hidden this matter well, and based on what Guan Qing said, this connection was made through their third uncle.

No wonder she had heard the maids in Luanze mention several times that Madam Zhang would sometimes behave secretively and send out secret letters…

Madam Zhang’s expression was funny to watch, so Guan Qing paused to enjoy it for a while. “You want to know who MY contact is, don’t you? You want to know how I found out about all this even though you’ve been so secretive, don’t you?”

Madam Zhang narrowed her eyes at Guan Qing.

But Guan Qing just grinned back. “I’m… not… telling… you!”

Madam Zhang glared furiously at Guan Qing! One day, she thought, one day! I’ll get back at this woman!

But even as she glared at Guan Qing, she was still able to observe the auntie standing behind Guan Rongrong.

Once this woman knew about it, the Jiangs would know. Was this secret a good thing or a bad thing?

After giving it more thought, she felt that it was a good thing that the Jiangs found out about this.

They would think more highly of Guan Rongrong and her daughter would live a better life there.

During this time of thinking and hesitation, Madam Zhang did not speak. The room was silent enough to hear a pin drop.

Guan Rongrong was completely flummoxed.

She had no idea what in the world was going on. The Jis? Which one? And what was this about their third uncle? What was Guan Qing talking about?

She had always been afraid of Guan Qing and lived in her shadow all her life, relying on her mother to fight Guan Qing for her. Now that even her mother had fallen silent, it meant that this matter was very serious. She dared not speak now..

She could only glare nastily at Song Caitang.

It was all her fault!

If this despicable woman had not done all those things, she wouldn’t be in such trouble!

As she glared at Song Caitang, she started getting anxious and tried to think of how else she could salvage this situation.

It hadn’t been easy for her to come here at all. If she couldn’t prove her value, how was she going to keep her position in her husband’s family? How was she going to even keep her head up?