Madam Chen eyed the exquisitely decorated guest room with envy, and said sarcastically, "They actually want us to stay in the same place as the servants! The gossip will drown him!"
Jiang Yuanfa said impatiently, "Will you just say a few less words? Have you not seen it? A second-rank Commander, what a high official! If such a high-ranking official truly harbors ill intentions, the two of us would probably lose our lives before we even knew what happened."
These words were true, Madam Chen knew it too. Ordinary people couldn't fight against officials, because they simply couldn't win!
They were just commoners, no matter how rich they were, and they had no connections.
If Xu Hongchuan really intended to kill, it was hard to say what ruthless methods he might use.
As mere commoners, they likely had no recourse.
Madam Chen couldn't help but glance at Rongyue's pretty face, and thought to herself that it was good she held back from slapping her at Fuxian Restaurant's door. This fox-like woman's face might be of great use tonight!
Her nephew was right. Blood ties alone wouldn't be enough to handle Xu Hongchuan, especially since the Jiang Family were the ones who drove him out in the first place. Even if they appealed to the Emperor, they might not be in the right.
To control Xu Hongchuan, they needed a hold over him!
Hmph! Little bastard, we've come prepared!
Seeing her mother-in-law looking at her, Rongyue hurried forward to serve her food. Madam Chen took a bite of the sea cucumber, and tsked, the taste was really excellent, three points better than the ones at Fuxian Restaurant.
Jiang Yuanfa also picked up his chopsticks and started eating, praising it as he ate, and didn't forget to say to Madam Chen, "It would be better for you to deliver the Honey Three Knives later, you're a woman, he won't do anything to you."
Madam Chen rolled her eyes at Jiang Yuanfa, "Look at how timid you are, let Rongyue deliver it later."
The two of them ate heartily and were full. Only then did Rongyue sit down to eat.
Only leftovers remained on the table, the sea cucumbers were gone, and her bowl of shark fin soup had been drunk by her mother-in-law.
Only some bean sprouts and a small piece of roasted bone remained on the table.
Rongyue was used to this. She picked up her white rice and ate it quietly.
As soon as she swallowed the last mouthful of rice, a servant came to clear the dishes and brought a pot of tea.
Jiang Yuanfa leaned over and sniffed, and praised with a grin, "Good tea!"
Rongyue poured tea for her father-in-law and mother-in-law. Jiang Yuanfa took a sip of tea and smiled again, praising, "Tsk tsk, Longjing is still the best!"
Madam Chen also took a sip, and indeed, it was fragrant, good tea.
After eating and drinking their fill, Jiang Yuanfa was tired and wanted to rest, so Rongyue went to another guest room with her mother-in-law.
Madam Chen leaned on the bed and said imperiously, "Massage my legs, I'm so sore from standing all day."
Rongyue responded, "Yes," and obediently massaged her mother-in-law's legs.
She was used to these things. Her mother-in-law usually bossed her around, making her do things that the maids could do, such as massaging her shoulders and legs.
Madam Chen let out a comfortable sigh, looked at Rongyue thoughtfully, and said with rare good temper, "Rongyue, you are a considerate child. It's the Jiang Family's fortune that you married into our family."
Rongyue was a little flattered and lowered her head, saying, "Mother's praise, I dare not accept it."
Madam Chen fanned her fan while saying, "The Jiang Family has treated you well too. Look at the Zhang Family, who owns the cloth shop. Their daughter-in-law didn't get pregnant a year after marriage, and Madam Zhang immediately took two concubines for her son. That Zhang Family daughter-in-law doesn't enjoy a life like you do, does she?"
Rongyue's throat felt bitter, and she whispered, "It's my fault, I haven't been able to add an heir to the Jiang Family."
Madam Chen glared at Rongyue with disdain, but said, "As long as you are wholeheartedly for Cheng'er, everything else is fine. You must remember this."
Rongyue nodded obediently. Madam Chen thought of her son in the prison and felt like she was being burned by fire, and couldn't help but cry when she thought about it.
She shed a few tears and choked out, "I don't know how much my Cheng'er will suffer, his body is frail, he wouldn't be able to endure it!"
Seeing her mother-in-law crying, Rongyue was a little at a loss. She immediately knelt down and said, "Your husband is blessed by heaven, your uncle will surely help."
Madam Chen wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and suddenly got up from the bed to help Rongyue.
Rongyue was startled at first. What was wrong with her mother-in-law today?
Madam Chen helped the surprised Rongyue up and choked out, "You are a good child, and you know how to think of your husband. You've seen it, that Xu Hongchuan is not easy to deal with, he probably won't help. You'll go with me to give him Honey Three Knives later, and then you must beg him properly. Now, who else can save Cheng'er besides him?"
Rongyue frowned, thinking that she wouldn't have the face to ask Commander Xu for help?
He didn't even acknowledge his own father now, let alone herself, an outsider.
Madam Chen took out a wooden hairpin from her bosom, squeezed out a smile, and pretended, "Good child, this is my family heirloom, carved from the finest Zitan wood, I'm giving it to you now."
Rongyue was surprised to see the hairpin, and it looked very finely crafted, with a peculiar fragrance.
Madam Chen put the hairpin on Rongyue and said earnestly, "I'm counting on you now. We'll go later, and you must beg Commander Xu properly to release Cheng'er."
This was truly a surprise. Her mother-in-law had never been so amiable. Rongyue was somewhat terrified and nodded obediently.
Only then was Madam Chen satisfied, and handed the food box they had brought to Rongyue, saying, "Let's go."
Rongyue nodded hesitantly, thinking that it wasn't early, and hesitated for a moment before cautiously saying, "Mother, this house is so big, and it's dark. What if we can't find our way? How about… how about we go tomorrow morning…"
Madam Chen's expression suddenly changed, and she said in a low voice, "You're dragging your feet on such a simple task! What's that you have under your nose? If you can't find your way, why don't you ask!"
Rongyue immediately lowered her head. Madam Chen rolled her eyes at her and urged impatiently, "Alright, hurry up and go."
Rongyue hurriedly carried the food box, although she felt that this matter was inappropriate in many ways, she dared not disobey her mother-in-law's wishes, and could only grit her teeth and followed her mother-in-law out the door