Chapter 594 - 220: Making a Decision (2)

Chapter 594: Chapter 220: Making a Decision (2)

If Zhao Jing really did rise up the ranks in the future, how could having such a connection be a bad thing for their family?

But it was too late to think about that now. Mrs. Xie was also unwilling to admit that she had been so short-sighted as to cut off such a connection.

Gathering her thoughts, she said to Zhu Tongzhi, "Naturally, it’s not impossible, but I think the chances are slim to none. No matter how promising Zhao Jing is, he won’t make a name for himself for at least eight to ten years. If the Xu family truly intended to build a relationship, having Xu Yanlin step forward would be enough. There was no need for Xu Shiling to show up."

Zhu Tongzhi added, "Perhaps Xu Shiling was invited by Mr. Sheng specifically to show support for the Chen family?"

"That’s not impossible either. But I lean more toward the possibility that Chen Song’s wife is the missing daughter from the Xu family."

"How could there be such a coincidence in the world? If she really is the Xu family’s daughter, why hasn’t she returned home all these years?"

"I heard she lost her memory."

"That’s probably just a bluff. Stop thinking about this, Madam. The survival rate of someone caught in an undercurrent is absolutely less than ten percent. Even if that Miss Xu managed to survive, what are the chances that a pampered young lady wouldn’t be abducted by human traffickers and would happen to meet a good husband? Even plays wouldn’t dare write such a coincidence. If you’re really that bored, you should figure out something else to do."

Zhu Tongzhi changed his clothes. Tossing out a brief, "I’m going to take a stroll in the West Garden," he left the room.

This left Mrs. Xie glaring at Zhu Tongzhi’s retreating back, simultaneously cursing the little vixens in the West Garden to hell and back.

Normally, Mrs. Xie wouldn’t do what Zhu Tongzhi forbade her from doing, but she really needed to get to the bottom of Mrs. Chen’s background. It was for no other reason than the fact that after the Xu family’s daughter went missing in the undercurrent, the engagement between the Xu and Yan families had been called off.

Yan Cheng had refused to believe that Miss Xu had died in the undercurrent and remained unmarried for her sake. However, unable to withstand his family’s constant pressure, he eventually took in a noble concubine.

That noble concubine was none other than Mrs. Xie’s legitimate younger sister.

It was only after her sister went on a hunger strike and threw tantrums at home that their family found out she had always harbored feelings for Yan Cheng. Since Yan Cheng and Miss Xu had been engaged early on, she was a step too late and was forced to suppress her deep affection.

When the opportunity finally arose, she seized it tightly, even declaring that if she didn’t get her way, she would offer herself to his bed out of wedlock. Fearing that she might do something even more disgraceful to the family’s reputation, the family had no choice but to agree.

For the legitimate daughter of a dignified fifth-rank official to willingly become someone’s noble concubine was utterly humiliating.

After her sister got married, the family told her not to visit home unless it was absolutely necessary. In reality, this was tantamount to severing ties. Bound by her father’s orders, Mrs. Xie couldn’t easily help her sister and had to watch as she was bullied by Yan Cheng’s cousin in that household, which was incredibly frustrating.

If Chen Song’s wife really was Miss Xu, she could use this opportunity to get rid of that cousin.

From then on, even if her sister had to wait on Yan Cheng without ever winning his heart, Mrs. Xie would still be happy. Of course, if Yan Cheng was still longing for Miss Xu, her sister could finally give up. In the future, she could just focus on having a child and living her life, without holding out any hope for Yan Cheng.

After mulling it over and over, considering every aspect of the situation, Mrs. Xie finally asked the maid beside her, "What was the name of the Xu family’s missing daughter again?"

Her dowry maid replied, "I truly don’t know. That young lady was much younger than you, and you didn’t usually play together. We all just called her ’Third Miss.’ I honestly have no idea what her actual name is."

"Then go out and ask around—never mind, what could you possibly find out?" After a moment of thought, Mrs. Xie had someone summon Zhu Caiwei.

Zhu Caiwei had stopped going to the Prefecture School recently.

She hadn’t told Mrs. Xie that Sheng Saya and Zhang Lingxin were deliberately distancing themselves from her. If her legitimate mother found out about this, her situation in this family would become even more difficult. However, Sheng Saya and Zhang Lingxin hadn’t invited her out recently. How could Mrs. Xie not understand the hidden meaning behind that?

Mrs. Xie remained outwardly unfazed, so Zhu Caiwei also bit the bullet and pretended nothing had happened. When Mrs. Xie told her to stay at home in peace and wait for marriage, she obediently remained at home, no longer thinking about anything related to the Prefecture School.

Approaching Mrs. Xie, she had barely bowed before she was told to rise.

Looking benevolent, Mrs. Xie said, "Sheng Saya got engaged today. You two have always been close, so you should go and congratulate her. Your father and I are also very curious about her future in-laws. Go ask around and see exactly what kind of person her future mother-in-law is."

Zhu Caiwei understood perfectly. Congratulating her and asking about the future in-laws were nothing but excuses. The only thing her legitimate mother wanted to know was information about Mrs. Chen.