Chapter 335 - 294: In-laws
Chapter 335: Chapter 294: In-laws
If Fang Lanqing hadn’t confessed it herself, Lin Aizhen would only have had her suspicions. She never would have been able to confirm the cause of her little brother’s death.
’The worst part was that at the time, I didn’t even dare to accuse the murderer to her face. I could only swallow my tears, force a smile, and say, "Mrs. Tang, you have such a sense of humor. You are so upstanding and kind. Even if you were some warrior heroine who could kill a person with a gun, you would only point it at our enemies. You could never possibly harm one of our own comrades!"’
’Oh, the hatred! I wished for Fang Lanqing’s death even in my dreams, but the woman just wouldn’t die!’
’By what right does she get to do as she pleases her entire life and still live in peace and comfort? She persecuted me and murdered my little brother when we were young, and now she wants to keep my own daughter under her thumb?’
’Fang Lanqing, you think you can rule with an iron fist and play Empress Dowager Cixi for the rest of your life? It won’t be that easy! As long as I, Lin Aizhen, am still breathing, even if I can’t poison you or kill you outright, I’ll find a way to vex you to death, to make your life a living hell!’
’See? My daughter married your son. You once declared that we were mortal enemies who could never live under the same sky, yet here we are, family. My daughter has given birth to your direct-line grandson. What do you have to say now?’
’Did you really think it was some fateful encounter? Heh, that’s just nonsense from a fairytale! Qingyun had just gotten back from Nanjing and was at a party right next door to a relative of the Yang family. My children and I were passing by on our way to have dinner at our relative’s home when someone pointed him out to me: "That’s the second son of the Tang family." So I convinced Xiao Wen to go in with the others, bring a cup of hot tea to a tipsy Qingyun, and say a few words of concern. And just like that, it was done. So simple!’
’Of course, it all worked because my Xiao Wen is a true beauty—as radiant as a blossoming flower, elegant, gracious, thoughtful, and gentle. More than enough to bewitch Tang Qingyun! And don’t forget, I know Tang Renqian all too well. His own flesh and blood would naturally be just like him: a debauched womanizer with a weakness for pretty faces. Qingyun was more than happy to drive Xiao Wen around every day. They were whispering in each other’s ears day and night. With that much intimacy, how could their passion not ignite in an instant?’
’You have no idea how overjoyed I was when I learned Xiao Wen was pregnant. I wanted to march right up to your door just to see the priceless expression on that old face of yours!’
’My plan is far from complete. Unfortunately, the Wu Family has too many vicious enemies. To protect my family, I have to put my plans aside for now. All I can do is pray that we can leave Beijing safely and escape their clutches.’
’Fang Lanqing, you’re ruthless and vicious, I’ll give you that. But I, Lin Aizhen, will never back down!’
’Just you wait. My daughter will be the mistress of this house one day. Since you refuse to die, fine, keep on living. You’re old, no matter how clever you think you are. You’re no match for my Xiao Wen! I can’t wait to see with my own two eyes this splendid mansion—your "Imperial Palace"—finally change owners. Or maybe, we’ll just strip it of the Tang name entirely. Tear it down, sell it off, devour it whole to compensate the Wu and Lin Families... I wonder what expression you’ll make then? Will you be so enraged you choke on your own breath and die? HAHAHA! Actually, I’ve changed my mind. I can’t let you die that easily. This needs to be done slowly. I want to see you spit up blood again!’
Lin Aizhen paced around the courtyard and came across a gardener mixing fertilizer. Seeing the ferocious look on her face, the gardener stopped what he was doing and stared at her. A sudden discomfort washed over Lin Aizhen, and she turned to go back to the living room. She failed to notice a young woman in a pale, willow-yellow spring dress who had appeared outside the iron gate, her head tilted up as she spoke with the guard.
In the living room, the nanny anxiously wrung her hands as she reported to Tang Renqian. Wu Xiaowen stood nearby, a sour look on her face. ’I just asked the cook to go buy groceries to make lunch for my parents, and she agreed without a problem,’ she thought resentfully. ’Who knew she would immediately run to my father-in-law for instructions? What is that supposed to mean? Am I not even allowed to give her orders? Just you wait. I’ll make you pay for this later!’
After the nanny finished speaking, Tang Renqian saw Lin Aizhen enter and offered a slight smile. "My sincerest apologies to you both," he said. "Qing Lan went to see our eldest, and I don’t have the mind to cook. Usually, when I’m hungry, I just grab a bite at a friend’s house. The kitchen is cold, and it would be a bother to start it up. Why don’t we do this? I’ll have Xiao Wang book a private room at the Kyoto Restaurant and order some dishes. Xiao Wen, you can go with Professor Wu and Professor Lin and take your time. I have to receive an important guest for lunch, so I’m about to head out. Please, forgive me!"
Wu Yu Xuan and Lin Aizhen were both taken aback. On paper, the level of hospitality was high—he was booking them a private room at the Kyoto Restaurant, no less. But for their son-in-law’s father to not even join them... no matter how they spun it, something was off.