Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 660 - 660 661 Scheming_1

Chapter 660: Chapter 661: Scheming_1 Chapter 660: Chapter 661: Scheming_1 Jian Yue gave a bitter smile. “How can it not be necessary? If you do not get angry, how can he feel remorse? If you don’t withdraw at the right moment when things start to look up, naturally, he too will grow tired. You don’t understand this principle.”

Muniang pursed her lips. She had heard Yu Ze say before that Jian Yue and Marquis Chen were childhood sweethearts, they loved each other and got married. To outsiders, they also seemed to be a couple deeply in love, but it turns out that this so-called ‘deep love’ between husband and wife was also built with so many deceitful maneuvers. Listening to how Jian Yue spoke, it seemed as if she had grown accustomed to it and even took it for granted. For a woman to go to such lengths for a man, it was indeed too painful.

Jian Yue sighed, “You don’t understand, yet I envy your lack of understanding. Ze’er has never been this concerned about any woman before. I used to worry that he would become too enchanted by you, losing all sense of judgement. Now it seems that it is not the case, and indeed, you are much better off than I am.”

Muniang didn’t know how to comfort her. After all, the Marquis Mansion, which had been quiet for so many years, suddenly welcomed a sixteen-year-old concubine. How much favor must she occupy? Even if Marquis Chen was reluctant to let her in, could he really stay so reluctant once the woman was truly in his embrace? Probably not.

Jian Yue chuckled, “Talking like this, I’ve turned the mood somber, but you shouldn’t take it too much to heart. I am just venting my irritation. I’ve managed the back house all these years; how could I lack any tactics? It’s just a concubine; naturally there’s no reason I can’t control the situation. The peace of the He Family is my greatest wish right now.”

Muniang nodded gently, “Mhm.”

Everyone originally thought that this new concubine would only enjoy a moment’s favor. Although ravishing beauty can make hearts yearn, a mere vase will eventually become tiresome. But it seemed everyone was wrong; Marquis Chen appeared to become even more devoted to this concubine, spending entire months in her quarters and only occasionally giving Madame a semblance of face by sleeping in her chambers for a night, but that was also extremely perfunctory, as if his entire heart hanged upon this new concubine.

Not only did Muniang not expect this, but Jian Yue didn’t either. She thought she had planted a seed of guilt in Marquis Chen’s heart, which would prevent him from showing too much enthusiasm towards that concubine. But ever since that night, Marquis Chen had lifted that concubine right up to the top of his heart, like he had never placed any concubine in such regard before.

In the morning greetings, as Madame sat at the seat of honor, Muniang clearly saw a trace of fatigue and sorrow in Jian Yue’s expression. She felt a slight pang of sympathy for her in her heart. Even for a woman accustomed to such a life, it must have been difficult to accept.

The three concubines had already arrived with their concubine’s daughters to pay respect to the bride. As the only legitimate daughter-in-law of Jian Yue and the sole Princess of Marquis Mansion, Muniang’s position was naturally at the forefront.

After respectfully performing the ritual greeting to Jian Yue, she then took her seat.

Madame’s voice carried a hint of gloom, “Has Concubine Wu not arrived yet?”

Qiao Xin said with difficulty, “This servant just sent someone to check. Concubine Wu has just gotten up, saying that yesterday…”

Madame’s expression stiffened slightly, “What about yesterday?”

“Last night, she was… tired,” Qiao Xin spoke with a blush. Although she had seen quite a few maneuvers in front of Madame, being an unmarried maiden, she naturally felt shy to speak of such matters.

Madame trembled slightly, yet still spoke in a heavy voice, “Then we need not wait for her to come.”

Out of the blue, Mrs. Feng laughed, “Speaking of which, our new Concubine Wu is really favored. Indeed, as a beauty from Louxi, she is different. Just look at how our Lord Marquis is ensnared. He can’t wait to sleep there every day.”

This remark was clearly mocking her, as her maternal home, the Feng Family, had been harmed by Muniang, demoted three ranks; now holding the official position of the sixth grade, they even lost the qualification to attend the court and face the emperor. How could she not feel bitter? Obviously, Qiao Muniang wouldn’t have the audacity to harm the Feng Family on her own, it must have been under Jian Yue’s instruction. Mrs. Feng naturally harbored resentment towards Jian Yue. Originally, she was already nearly invisible within the mansion, but seeing Jian Yue frustrated brought her joy. Thus, mocking her a few times was the only way for her to feel truly elated.

“Lady Feng, you sure have the gall,” Jian Yue said coldly, “Is the Lord Marquis someone you can casually slander? This is truly becoming more and more outrageous!”

Lady Feng’s face turned pale, and she said awkwardly, “It was just a casual remark.”

“Go kneel in the ancestral hall for a whole day, reflect well on your mistakes. As a concubine, you should know what to speak and what not to speak!”

Lady Feng bit her lip, trembling with rage, yet she had no choice but to swallow the humiliation; she had no one to support her anymore.

The entire room instantly became solemn, as no one dared to utter another word. Jian Yue’s lesson was a warning to others, to signal to everyone that she was still the one in charge of this household, no matter what, and Concubine Wu, favored as she might be, was but a concubine!

It wasn’t until Madame said they could disperse that Concubine Wu hadn’t shown up, behaving spoiled because of favor, seeming like every woman was inclined to act this way.

After leaving Jian Yue’s courtyard, Muniang was planning to return to her own when she encountered Concubine Wu, who was walking over leisurely. Though she had seen her in the grand hall before, Muniang still found her stunning. It seemed a beauty would always be pleasing, no matter what.

“Is this the Princess?” Concubine Wu said languidly as if she were a cat that hadn’t fully woken up, and she showed no intention of greeting Muniang properly.

Muniang glanced at her, but suddenly found such beauty repulsive on her person.

“Concubine Wu, what an attitude you’ve got. It seems you still haven’t learned the proper behavior,” Muniang said with a cold voice.

Concubine Wu gave a cold snort and laughed, “Aren’t we all the same? Why the pretense of etiquette? You’re just a bit more capable than I am, having become the rightful wife as soon as you entered. But rest assured, in a few days, I will be as well.”

A sharp look flashed in Muniang’s eyes, “Who is of the same kind as you?!”

“Aren’t we? You captivated the heart of Marquis Chen Prince Heir, I captivated the heart of Marquis Chen, aren’t we similar? I don’t care about how things used to be in Marquis Chen Mansion, but how they should be in the future, that’s for me to decide,” Concubine Wu said with a light laugh before gracefully walking toward the Madame’s courtyard.

Muniang was frustrated but didn’t show it, only pondering the meaning behind Concubine Wu’s words, which were truly baffling.

When she returned to her own courtyard, Qingya came in: “Lady, He Fangfei from the palace has sent a message for you.”

Muniang opened it and looked, her brow furrowed. The situation in the palace turned out to be the exact same as in Marquis Chen Mansion. The Divine Goddess was in no way spurned by the Emperor; instead, she enjoyed double the favor. It was frightening how, in the span of three months, the frequency of visits to He Fangfei’s palace could be counted on one hand.