Free Web NovelChapter 366: Chapter 145: Aftermath
Even Mrs. Zhao, who had been filled with indignation when she first heard of the wicked deeds committed by Shi Lanhua and her brother, couldn’t help but soften upon hearing Shi Lanhua’s remorseful sobs and the children’s helpless, terrified wails.
She was a soft-hearted person by nature and couldn’t bear to see others in even the slightest pain, especially when that pain came from the women and children of her own kin. The pity on her face grew all the more obvious. freewёbnoνel.com
But in front of everyone, Mrs. Zhao held her tongue.
It was only after everyone had dispersed and returned home that she couldn’t help but speak up.
"Wanqing," Mrs. Zhao said, clutching her handkerchief, her face full of embarrassment.
"Mother, are you trying to plead for Lanhua?"
At these words, Mrs. Zhao’s fair cheeks flushed a deep red.
She wanted to wave her hand and deny it, but that was truly her intention.
But looking into her daughter-in-law’s clear, perceptive eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to say the words.
After a long hesitation, it was Chen Wanqing who gave her an out. "Mother, do you think Mr. Zhao’s punishment was too harsh?"
Mrs. Zhao chose her words carefully. "I can’t say it was too harsh; after all, what Lanhua and her brother did was even more outrageous. Your Moonlight Fragrance is mainly sold to scholars, and it concerns their health and the imperial examinations. Not even the smallest detail can be overlooked. But the children are still so young, it’s just heartbreaking. You might not know this, but your Fifth Aunt’s family values their reputation above all else. After what Lanhua has done, I’m afraid their family won’t keep her. They’ll probably divorce her and send her back to her maiden home. Your cousin Zhao Liang is still young, so he’ll surely remarry. Leaving two children to fend for themselves under a stepmother... it’s just so pitiful."
’Chen Wanqing wanted to point out that if what Lanhua and her brother did had gone undiscovered, their greed would only have grown. Once it reached a certain point, would they have been satisfied with merely stealing Moonlight Fragrance? Who’s to say they wouldn’t have coveted the formula for Moonlight Fragrance itself, and just like the younger brother of that spice shop owner in the county, set up a scheme to steal it? Then you’d see who the truly pitiful one is.’
Chen Wanqing didn’t even need to say any of this; Mrs. Zhao knew it all perfectly well. She even knew that one couldn’t afford to offend scholars, and she certainly couldn’t afford the compensation. Yet, despite knowing all this, she had still said what she shouldn’t have.
A chill went through Chen Wanqing’s heart, and she lost all desire to speak. But it was Xiang’er who confronted Mrs. Zhao first.
"Mother, I think you’ve had it too easy for too long; you’ve forgotten what hard times are like. It’s true. When Father was alive, he supported this family, and all you had to worry about were household matters. After Father passed, my brother stepped up. Whether it was social obligations or paying for doctors and medicine, my brother handled everything. You haven’t had to worry about a single thing. But just because your life is good, you can’t go around pitying others. If they were a good person, if their family’s elders or children were so sick they couldn’t get out of bed, I wouldn’t care how much you pitied them. Even if you gave them your own private savings, I’d still praise your kindness and compassion. But you can’t stand here and defend Lanhua in front of my sister-in-law when you know full well she’s a person of flawed character! You only see that her children are pitiful. Why don’t you stop and think? If something had really happened to the Moonlight Fragrance, wouldn’t my sister-in-law be pitiful? Wouldn’t my brother be pitiful? Then, my brother and sister-in-law would have been a thousand times more pitiful than them! You only care about pitying their children, without a thought for your own. How can you bear to do that?"
"I... I..." Mrs. Zhao stammered, her eyes instantly turning red. "I didn’t mean it like that... I... It just slipped out."
"Then please, don’t ever say it again. Your words sent a chill through my own heart. Put yourself in my sister-in-law’s shoes—how do you think she feels?"
"Qing’er, I... I really didn’t mean anything by it. Jing! Get over here and say a word for your mother! I truly meant nothing else by it!"
Zhao Jing had exchanged a few words with Mr. Zhao. After seeing the old man off, he came into the courtyard.
He had heard everything on his way over—his mother’s voice and Xiang’er’s.
He looked first to Chen Wanqing. Her expression was clear and composed, showing neither resentment nor sorrow. But seeing her like this made his heart ache all the more, and a sense of panic washed over him.
Zhao Jing walked over, took her hand, and said, "Wanqing, didn’t you want to teach Xiang’er how to tie decorative knots? Since you have some time now, why not go and give her a few pointers?"
Xiang’er quickly ran over and took her sister-in-law’s arm. "Yes, yes! Sister-in-law, you have to teach me! I only know how to make a couple of styles, and they’re so tacky. But you know so many new ones! If you teach me all of them, I can go show off to my friends later!"
