Chapter 1278: Chapter 1276: Impervious to Reason
Madam Wang watched Wu Lihong speak excitedly about that mother and daughter, and her heart grew colder. At a time when her own family was in trouble, he was so thrilled over those despicable people. His joyous expression truly pierced both her eyes and heart.
She wished she could splash the tea at hand onto the face of this hypocritical scoundrel!
Madam Wang gripped the armrest of the chair so hard that her knuckles turned white.
"After all, they are the blood of the Wu Family, and we canât let them drift outside. Besides, she is pregnant, and we shouldnât let the child become illegitimate. Eldest, what are your plans regarding this matter?" Old Madam Wu glanced at Madam Wang and said, "You canât decide on elevating the concubine on your own. Madam Wang is your Legitimate Wife, you must discuss this matter thoroughly."
Madam Wang kept her head lowered, silent, but her eyes were full of sneers. It seemed as if she cared for her own dignity, but in truth, these words werenât meant for her.
"Madam Wang." Old Madam Wu grew irritated as her eldest sonâs wife pretended not to hear, and said, "Since the birth of Yizhen, no other child has been born into your main branch. For these years, the main branch has had only Yuyu, and a single pillar is hard to support a house. How can one son uphold the entire family? Having one or two brothers to help him would be a good thing."
Madam Wang replied faintly, "Mother, many noble families have only one son, and some even pass down the line for nine generations. Our Wu Family doesnât pass down the line singly; Yuyu has several cousins."
Old Madam Wuâs face darkened, "Cousins are indeed kin, but when I die and your branches split the family, the main branch will only have Yuyu. Is it not single succession then? If you could give birth, I wouldnât be stopping you from it." Itâs because you canât give birth.
These words were heart-exposing. The warmth Madam Wang felt just moments ago instantly dissipated. She looked at the Old Madam and said, "Is Mother blaming me? Iâve given the main branch three legitimate children."
Old Madam Wu said, "How could I dare to blame you? Anyway, I wonât talk of the past. Now that the eldest has another child, it ought to be brought back. Our family isnât short of food for two more people!" She paused, then added, "Regardless of who gave birth to the child, you are the eldest sonâs Legitimate Wife of the Wu Family. Isnât every child of the eldest required to call you mother respectfully?"
Madam Wang twisted the handkerchief forcefully, sneering coldly, "I cannot bear it!"
Seeing this stubborn attitude truly exhausted Old Madam Wuâs patience, she said coldly, "Never mind about anything else for now. What should be done about todayâs matter? Shouldnât someone be sent with gifts to the Princeâs Mansion to apologize?"
Madam Wangâs face stiffened. Upon her return, she learned of her familyâs troubles and hadnât had a chance to deal with this matter.
Seeing her like this, Old Madam Wu felt a weight in her heart and slammed the small table in anger, "Confused, really confused! Ningningâs impudence at the Princeâs Mansion upset Princess Changping. How could you not have sent gifts to apologize? Where has your usual wit gone? Do you wish for the Princeâs Mansion to hold a grudge against our Wu Family to find comfort? Nanny Liu, Nanny Liu."
An old nanny entered, the trusted servant of Old Madam Wu. She greeted with a curtsey. Old Madam Wu instructed, "You personally go to my stores, select a fine gift, and send it to the Princeâs Mansion immediately."
"Yes."
Nanny Liu retreated, and Old Madam Wu, looking at Madam Wangâs unwilling demeanor, completely lost patience, "Enough, itâs been a long day, you better go back first!"
Madam Wang immediately stood up, curtsied, and as she left, Old Madam Wu called Wu Lihong to stay. Her hand tightened, and she pursed her lips and walked out.