She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 496 - 494: What’s the Matter?

Chapter 496: Chapter 494: What’s the Matter?

Madam Liang cast her eyes down and let out a cold laugh, "Sister-in-law, you think too highly of your elder sister—how significant is a Prefect, anyway? In this world, there are plenty of influential people who keep a low profile. What does it matter if the Qi family doesn’t have a place for me to stay? Even if the Old Master himself came and the Qi family did not receive us, we would still happily find another place to go."

Lady Liu curled her lips in disdain—like that was your choice! Absolutely nonsensical. You and your husband have exhaustively toadied up to Sixth Master Rong. Who could possibly control you?

Madam Liang coldly regarded Lady Liu, who wore a look of disdain, "I came here this time specifically to visit the wife of the heir of Duke An at the Qi family in Clear Water Village."

"..." Lady Liu was astonished, turned her head to glance at Liang Qiyuan, wondering where did such dignitaries come from in their place? That little village? There wasn’t even a proper house, let alone possible?

A trace of a cold smile flickered across Madam Liang’s lips as she continued to speak slowly: "The wife of the Qi family’s head, originally Duke An’s legitimate elder granddaughter, is named Ye Xinyan. She ran away from home in a fit of pique with a personal maid and just happened to encounter Old Master Qi, Qi Younian, who then settled down in Clear Water Village with her."

Madam Liang deliberately slowed down her pace of speaking. Lady Liu was so shocked by the first few sentences that her eyes widened. As soon as Madam Liang finished speaking, Lady Liu’s legs gave way and she almost fell to the ground.

Liang Qiyuan was also frightened out of his wits; seeing Lady Liu’s body sway, he hastily reached out to grab her.

"Before the New Year, Duke An’s Mansion sent people to bring Miss Ye back to the capital. It is said that Miss Ye still has unresolved business in Yuyuan Prefecture, so after the New Year, Miss Ye returned to take care of the business before going back. With Miss Ye also came the wife of Duke An’s heir apparent."

"Given that such a noblewoman has come to Yuyuan Prefecture, I had to pay her a visit," Madam Liang said.

After speaking, Madam Liang looked indifferently at Liang Qiyuan and his wife, remaining silent for a good while.

These two buffoons held a grudge against her and her husband from the incident two years ago. Not only was there no warm welcome when Biyao visited, but they returned all the festival gifts she sent as if it was they who had been wronged.

One simply needed to see who they were dealing with; although no one knew at that time that Qi Ye was the granddaughter of Duke An, a little inquiry would reveal that Duke An’s Mansion had sent servants to take care of Qi Ye.

To be honest, even the servants of Duke An’s Mansion held more power than this couple. Yet, they dared to have the granddaughter of Duke An serve them snacks. What audacity! It wasn’t that she held no grudges; it’s just that they refused to agree. These two relentlessly troubled the Qi family’s business, and even caused trouble at the county government office...

At this point, Lady Liu couldn’t care less about squabbling with Madam Liang and, pale-faced, collapsed into a nearby chair. It was over—the mother of Qi Ye, a woman with authority and power, had come. As a commoner family without official rank, even if they were to be beaten at their doorstep, or even killed, would anyone dare to seek justice for them?

Lady Liu’s eyes, rigid with fear, moved to Madam Liang, "Big sister, we... we didn’t know she was the daughter of Duke An’s Mansion back then. We didn’t mean to show contempt to Duke An’s household. The wife of the Princely Heir is here now, she wouldn’t come after us to take revenge for her daughter, would she?"

Liang Qiyuan also stared intently at Madam Liang. That time in prison, that bout of caning, had already scared him witless. If it happened again, not only could he not endure the physical pain, where would his family find that much silver?

"Big sister, why don’t we have my brother-in-law come over? If the wife of the heir apparent arrives, my brother-in-law, as an Imperial Appointed Official, will surely be able to intercede on our behalf," Liang Qiyuan pleaded in his voice.

Madam Liang looked at the two of them, feeling both anger and pity for her own siblings. She said impatiently, "If they had wanted to hold you accountable, they wouldn’t have spared you that day. As long as you realize whom you’ve offended, it’s enough to know that your brother-in-law exerted himself in this matter two years ago, just don’t blame our family for not doing enough."

"How could I? Am I that kind of person?" Liang Qiyuan looked sheepish and then glared fiercely at Lady Liu, "Aren’t you quick enough to serve tea to my big sister and Biyao!" It was this woman’s fault. She caused the trouble and instead of reflecting on herself, she contrived to blame my brother-in-law’s family for not being genuine in their help.

Madam Liang was so exasperated she almost laughed, "As the head of the family, stop blaming others for your mistakes. If you could make sound judgments and backed off early, or had simply apologized, it wouldn’t have escalated to this point."

Now Liang Qiyuan truly dared not resent Zhou Bingyi and his wife any further, "Yes, big sister is right. If I had known that Lady Liu was inviting Miss Ye to our house to make snacks, I should have stopped it right away and not entertained any crooked ideas; then none of this would have happened. Our Liang family wouldn’t have come to... ah..." He was filled with regret.

Madam Liang thought of the family fortune her father had left behind, of growing up playing in the big mansion in Qingyuan County, and now, there wasn’t much left that belonged to them.

"Knowing your fault is good. Think more carefully when you face problems in the future; you cannot engage in such bullying ever again. As for the family property, if one is willing to work hard, it can always be earned back."

Lady Liu took a teacup from the maid’s tray and placed it in front of Madam Liang, smiling sheepishly, "Big sister, have some tea. Please don’t take offense at someone as uninformed as me. Being from a remote place, I truly lack understanding and didn’t know any better. I hope you can forgive me for my husband’s sake."

Madam Liang took the tea and responded with a faint hum. This sister-in-law truly lacked experience. But then, what good would holding a grudge do?

Lady Liu then turned to Zhou Biyao with a flattering smile, "Biyao, please take a seat. The journey must have been tiring. Sit down and rest, have some tea. Last time, your aunt was worried about your uncle and the Liang family’s fortune, and wasn’t thinking clearly. Don’t be resentful towards your aunt, will you? I’ll go to the kitchen and arrange a table with your favorite dishes."

Zhou Biyao’s eyes fixed on the high window sill, and she did not respond or look at Lady Liu. She remembered well that after the Liang Residence had problems, she had come over twice, and each time she was met with hostility.

Being able to enter the hall with her mother was one thing, but when she came by herself, listening to Lady Liu loudly scolding the servants all the way, she was too ashamed to even enter the door and simply left in dejection. While leaving, she also had to endure her aunt’s loud remarks behind her back: Some people just disdain the poor and aspire to cling to the wealthy, they slink away swiftly as soon as they see their uncle’s house fall into ruin.

Lady Liu, with an embarrassed expression, held the teacup indecisively, not knowing whether to place it down or not and looked pitifully towards Madam Liang.

Madam Liang couldn’t stand it any longer and said to Zhou Biyao, "All right, you are the younger one here. Since your aunt has already spoken to you like this, even if there’s some grievance, let it pass. Go on, take the tea."

Madam Liang watched as Zhou Biyao reluctantly took the teacup and sat down beside her in a lower-ranked seat, then said to Liang Qiyuan and his wife, "You two sit as well."

Liang Qiyuan tugged at Lady Liu, and the two of them sat on the other side of Madam Liang. Liang Qiyuan asked, "Did big sister come here specifically to see the wife of the Duke’s Heir Apparent this time, or is there another matter?"