Chapter 1268: Spilling Tea

But with so many ladies present here, Mrs. Zeng could not argue with Mrs. Chen, and could only endure it, saying, "My dear sister-in-law, you are considerate. Girl Ling is not very old, and according to our customs in Great Chu, the elder siblings should have their marriages arranged first, only then the younger ones can have theirs arranged."

These words, on first hearing, seem fine, but on closer examination, there are many issues.

Mrs. Chen was originally pleased, but upon realizing the implication, was almost fuming with anger. Good for you, Mrs. Xu Zeng, aren’t you clearly saying that Xu Zhong is too old to get married, so he has to settle for Brother Xing?!

Mrs. Chen came today to make a splash; how could she take this underlying insult without retaliation? She sneered, saying, "Then, dear sister-in-law, you should quickly find a match for the young Zhao Ming; he isn’t getting any younger. If you delay any longer, Girl Ling might become an old maid."

Ha, you think only Brother Xing and Xu Zhong are old? Your Xu Zhao Ming isn’t young either, what’s there to mock?

Mrs. Zeng didn’t expect Mrs. Chen to bring up Xu Zhao Ming, and was so angry her face almost twisted, but she quickly smiled again, saying, "My dear sister-in-law, you worry too much. Zhao Ming is a man, also a scholarly person with an official position. Scholars often marry late due to their studies, many marry after thirty."

"Marry after thirty? If his life is short, he might already be dead!" Mrs. Chen exclaimed in shock, then continued, "Dear sister-in-law, you better hurry and arrange a marriage for Zhao Ming. As he grows older, if he doesn’t have a wife to burn off his energy, he might go looking outside, and if he catches some venereal disease, it won’t be good. And what about the Immortal Lord, if Zhao Ming... wouldn’t that mean no descendants?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was stunned; the other ladies lowered their heads to suppress laughter. This Mrs. Gu Chen dares to say anything!

Mrs. Zeng was utterly shocked by Mrs. Chen’s boldness, and was momentarily speechless.

Third Grandma slapped Mrs. Chen angrily, scolding, "Mrs. Chen, are you acting foolish again? Zhao Ming is a grandson of the Xu Family, and his marriage is decided by Xu Family People, what are you, a sister-in-law, interfering for?"

Can’t you stop causing trouble for the old woman? If this continues, will this marriage still happen? Aren’t you afraid that Elder Xu will cancel the marriage in anger?

She turned to Mrs. Zeng, saying, "Big Daughter-in-law of the Xu Family, don’t be angry. Mrs. Chen is a rural woman, used to being senseless; don’t stoop to her level."

"You shrew, how dare you speak about my brother like that? Get out of the Xu Family!" Xu Ling was also shocked by Mrs. Chen’s words, and as she recovered, she was so angry she picked up her teacup and splashed it at Mrs. Chen.

Mrs. Chen was clever, and had been guarding against Xu Ling. When she saw Xu Ling pick up the teacup, she immediately jumped aside to dodge.

With a splash, the tea was all over Mrs. Jiang... In fact, the person closest to Mrs. Chen was County Magistrate Zheng’s Wife, and if Mrs. Jiang hadn’t leaned forward to block it, the tea would have splashed on Mrs. Zheng.

Mrs. Zheng was stunned, having never imagined she’d witness such a squabble face-to-face at a simple gathering.

And the quarreling parties were supposed relatives by marriage! This... Her husband was indeed right; this Mrs. Chen is truly a troublemaker wherever she goes.

"Don’t be angry, Mrs. Jiang!" Mrs. Zeng hurried over to apologize to Mrs. Jiang, and quickly called out to the maid, "Bring a dry cloth to help Mrs. Jiang dry off."

Mrs. Zeng’s hands were trembling; Mrs. Jiang is the birth mother of Jiang Qi, the County Captain Jiang, and is both old and of high status. To be splashed by that Girl Ling, won’t Girl Ling be severely punished by her father-in-law?

With so many ladies present, if a few idle words get out, it would ruin Girl Ling’s reputation.

"Girl Ling, hurry over and apologize to Mrs. Jiang!" Mrs. Zeng shouted, wishing she could slap Xu Ling, but more than that, she wanted to kill Mrs. Chen.

This troublemaking Mrs. Chen has caused so much trouble for her family.

Xu Ling was dumbfounded, crying, "I, I didn’t mean to splash Mrs. Jiang, I meant to splash Mrs. Chen."

She pointed at Mrs. Chen, cursing, "You shrew! You’re the reason for all this, hurry and apologize to Mrs. Jiang!"

Mrs. Chen: "Ah, phooey, it was you who splashed the tea, what’s it got to do with me, apologize yourself!"

"You, you, waah waah waah~" Xu Ling was extremely aggrieved, crying loudly.

Third Grandma wanted to grab Mrs. Chen and beat her up, but if this continued, it would only look worse, so she had to come over and apologize to Mrs. Jiang: "Mrs. Jiang, Mrs. Chen is just a rough rural woman, I’m really sorry to trouble you."

Mrs. Jiang was exhausted, waving her hand, saying, "Let’s not talk about this. Today is a good day for the Gu and Xu families to arrange a marriage; let’s all be happy."

After saying this, she turned to Mrs. Zheng, "Mrs. Zheng, countryside places don’t have rules as good as noble families, I’m sorry if you were startled."

Seeing this, Mrs. Zeng and Ms. Lu hurried over to apologize to Mrs. Zheng: "Ma’am, please calm down, sorry to let you see such a scene."

County Magistrate Zheng had already warned Mrs. Zheng about Gu Family People’s temper, especially mentioning Mrs. Chen’s pugnaciousness. Although Mrs. Zheng was startled, she still said, "I’m fine, there’s no need for apologies from everyone."

She continued, "Mrs. Jiang is right, today is a great and joyous day, let’s not hold grudges, everyone."

After finishing, she glanced at Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Zeng.

Mrs. Chen smiled, "Since the County Magistrate’s wife has spoken, I’ll do as she says and hold no grudges."

Her demeanor was that of an obedient woman doing as the wife says, making Mrs. Zeng very angry, yet she couldn’t lose her temper, and could only apologize: "Ma’am is right, today is a good day for the Gu and Xu families, we must not spoil the joy."

Then she called to Xu Ling, "Come over and apologize to Mrs. Zheng!"

This troublesome girl, can’t even help the family, do you want to be sent off to the Manor?

Hearing this, Xu Ling walked over tearfully, curtsied, and said, "I’m sorry, ma’am, it’s all my fault."

Mrs. Zheng really didn’t want to discuss the matter anymore, so she said, "It’s fine, no need to mention it."

After speaking, she looked at Mrs. Jiang, saying, "Madam, I’m sorry for the trouble. I brought a change of clothes, let me accompany you to change. Wearing wet clothes is bad."

Women from noble families usually bring extra clothes when attending a feast, just in case the clothes they wear get dirty or something unexpected happens, they can change.

Mrs. Jiang smiled, "Thank you, madam."

Mrs. Zheng leaving for a moment with her would be good, to avoid further awkwardness.

Ms. Lu quickly got up, saying, "Let me accompany the two madams."

"Alright." Mrs. Zheng smiled and nodded, took her daughter, accompanied by Mrs. Jiang, and followed Ms. Lu out.

After the two ladies left, Mrs. Chen apologized again to the ladies present: "Ladies, sorry to let you see such a joke, I’m really sorry."

All the ladies laughed awkwardly, "Miss Gu, you speak too seriously, we are fine."

Truly fine, just that Mrs. Zeng is almost out of breath from anger. Wouldn’t you just apologize to her?

Apologize to Mrs. Zeng? That’s impossible; Mrs. Chen couldn’t wait for Mrs. Zeng to die of anger. Who asked Mrs. Zeng to slyly say things to annoy her?