Tianliangyuan

Chapter 298 Apology

Xie Xiaowei heard about this on his way back and became extremely anxious.

He had originally planned to thank his niece-in-law properly, but who would have thought that his good-for-nothing wife would stab him in the back.

Xie Xiaowei was so angry that he started cursing.

"I don't expect her to amount to much, but at least she shouldn't cause trouble! Now that things have come to this, how are we going to clean up this mess!"

Xie Xiaowei was furious.

When summoned by the old lady, one is inevitably forced to kneel as punishment before being questioned.

Fortunately, the old lady gave him some face, and there were no other people around. Otherwise, Xie Xiaowei would have felt that it would have been incredibly embarrassing for him to be scolded by his mother at his age.

"This whole thing was that shrew's fault to begin with. Mother, this matter involves some outside affairs, and I'm afraid I can't tell you the whole story, but I should be thanking my niece-in-law for this. Besides, the business deal between the Lin family and the Jia family fell through, and that was my father-in-law's decision. What does it have to do with my niece-in-law?"

I don't know if that foolish woman was instigated by outsiders, but in any case, this is entirely our fault. It's understandable that my niece-in-law is angry; she just helped us, and we're being bitten back the next day—isn't that just being an ingrate?

Although Xie Xiaowei's words were unclear, the old lady understood that this time, Madam Lin was completely wrong.

Xu Zhaozhao must have received some news, and then Sanlang, thinking that they were all family, let the fourth brother know. Unexpectedly, Xiaolinshi treated the kindness as an enemy!

Sure enough, this Lin family member was spoiled rotten and had no brains at all.

"You handle this matter as you see fit. Sanlang's wife was indeed wronged. Sigh, what kind of status does she have? From childhood to adulthood, she's always had everything she wanted in the Marquis's mansion. She can even speak for His Majesty. And today, she was suddenly scolded and berated by your wife for no reason. What kind of situation is this!"

Xie Xiaowei also felt that this matter was difficult to handle.

Xu Zhaozhao was born into a marquis's family. Although she married into the Duke's family, it could not be considered a marriage of high status. She earned the title of county princess through her own abilities, which is enough to show her competence.

Unfortunately, Ms. Kobayashi, in her muddle-headedness, went to their door and offended them.

"Son, go back and prepare some apologies. Also, I'll have that foolish woman come to apologize in person."

"Yes, an apology is a must. Go back and tell your wife not to think that just because you're an elder you can't bring yourself to apologize. Xu Zhaozhao is no ordinary woman confined to her quarters. If you really anger her, she won't acknowledge you as her elder, and she can even have the upper hand in front of the emperor."

Xie Xiaowei understood his mother's advice and readily agreed.

That evening, a fierce argument broke out in the fourth house, along with the incessant weeping of Mrs. Lin.

Of course, outsiders couldn't hear it once they left the courtyard of the four houses.

Ms. Lin never expected that her husband would severely reprimand her for standing up for her family, and would even make her personally go to apologize.

Ms. Lin felt extremely wronged.

She didn't say anything too offensive, so how did she offend this scoundrel?

Ms. Lin never felt that she had done anything wrong. She was an elder, so what if she scolded Xu Zhaozhao a few times?

Not only did she feel she was right, but she also felt that the people in the Duke's mansion were taking Xu Zhaozhao too seriously.

So what if she has the title of county princess?

After all, she is a woman, and she cannot go to the court or the battlefield. Why should the whole family have to act according to her wishes?

Just thinking about it makes me feel so frustrated!

Upon arriving at Jinxiu Courtyard again, Madam Lin actually had the time to look around carefully.

I came in a hurry yesterday, focused on finding Xu Zhaozhao to settle accounts and demand an explanation, and didn't have time to properly tidy up the courtyard.

When she first married into the family, Xie Zheng was the only one living here. Although Xie Zheng was still a child at the time, Madam Lin only visited once or twice.

At that time, I didn't think there was anything good about this courtyard. Although it was big, it felt desolate and dilapidated everywhere.

Back then, Ms. Kobayashi was young and impetuous, and she always felt that it was inappropriate for a child to live there.

She had never been here until Xie Zheng's wedding. After all, Xie Zheng was already a grown man, and as his fourth aunt, she should know to keep quiet.

Therefore, most of the arrangements and repairs in this courtyard were done by Xie Zheng's men.

Later, Madam Yu came two or three times, each time to bring him things.

On the day of the wedding, Madam Lin did come, but at that time, everything was decorated with red and colorful decorations, which showed some joy, but it still felt just so-so.

But when I came back today, it felt different.

Upon entering the courtyard, after passing a natural screen wall formed by lush bamboo, a magnificent courtyard comes into view.

The bluestone-paved path extends straight ahead, flanked by carved railings and jade-paved corridors. Gilded palace lanterns hang beneath the corridors, their flickering shadows illuminating the exquisite patterns on the pillars.

In the center of the courtyard stands a huge white marble lotus pond, with koi swimming in it. In the height of summer, one would surely see lotus flowers in full bloom and the water surface covered with emerald green lotus leaves, but unfortunately, that's not the case now. However, the calm and clear water shimmers in the sunlight, and just looking at it is soothing.

The artificial hills by the pond are layered with lush greenery and craggy rocks. A few ancient pine trees stand among the hills, their needles as green as jade, swaying gently in the wind. Further ahead, there are a few magnolia trees, but unfortunately, there are no flowers to be seen at this moment, only bare branches.

Separated by a wall, Madam Lin knew she couldn't go to the other side; it was Xie Zheng's study and training ground.

In the distance, a magnificent pavilion with upturned eaves stands tall, its glazed tiles gleaming in the sunlight. The copper bells hanging from the eaves tinkle softly in the breeze, their notes clear and melodious. A faint scent of sandalwood permeates the entire courtyard, making it feel like a fairyland.

That pavilion is Xu Zhaozhao's current residence. When Xiao Lin came yesterday, she was not invited to speak there at all. She only sat in the front hall of the courtyard for a short while and caused a great mess.

At this moment, Xie Xiaowei walked in front, followed closely by Madam Lin, and then several maids and servants, all carrying boxes and chests. These were all apology gifts prepared for Xu Zhaozhao.

Xie Xiaowei hadn't expected that the Brocade Courtyard, without the red silk ribbons, would be so beautiful.

With Xie Zheng absent, Xie Xiaowei, as a male elder, naturally couldn't go any further.

After Xu Zhaozhao came out, Xie Xiaowei lowered his stance and explained his purpose.

"It's all because your aunt spoke without thinking and was instigated by others. I hope my niece-in-law can be magnanimous and forgive her this time. I promise you here that if she does it again, I will not let her off easily!"

Xu Zhaozhao smiled faintly: "Fourth Uncle, you've gone too far. You two are elders, and it's already a favor that you came to apologize to me. As for what happened yesterday, it's like this wisp of smoke, it will dissipate when the wind blows."