Chapter 45: Qian Mengyun Conceives a Sinister Scheme

While Chu Xi agreed to let Qian Mengyun stay in the General’s Mansion, she also instructed Zhao Cheng to send someone to the Marquis’s residence.

When Marquis Chu and Lady Liu learned that the Qian couple had brought Qian Mengyun to the General’s Mansion and insisted on her staying there as the future daughter-in-law managing the household, they were both stunned.

“What?! How could that girl be so outrageous?” Marquis Chu could hardly believe it.

Lady Liu also found the move highly inappropriate, especially since it had been kept from them.

“What is Mengyun trying to do? How could she behave so recklessly? If this gets out, it will surely disgrace our Marquisate.”

Marquis Chu shouted angrily, “This is all because you spoiled her. Send someone to bring her back immediately.”

Suddenly, Lady Liu seemed to remember something. “Marquis, how did the Qian family learn about Old Madam Mo’s critical illness?”

Marquis Chu snorted coldly, “They must have gone behind our backs to the General’s Mansion again.”

Lady Liu said indignantly, “Now they’re outright bypassing us. This cannot be allowed.”

“Tell the Qian family that if they continue this nonsense, they won’t blame me for being rude!” Furious about the honor of the Marquisate, Marquis Chu’s anger was unmistakable.

Inside Old Madam Mo’s chamber at the General’s Mansion, Chu Xi led Qian Mengyun inside.

Wang Mama, who was guarding there, stood up in surprise at their arrival.

Chu Xi said to her, “Wang Mama, you may go about your duties. We will take care of her here.”

Wang Mama hesitated briefly but then nodded. “Alright,” she said, and left the room.

At the sound, the elderly lady slowly opened her eyes. Turning slightly, she saw Qian Mengyun standing inside her room, her eyes instantly widening in astonishment.

Chu Xi quickly bowed slightly and explained softly, “Old Madam, Qian Mengyun hurried here upon hearing of your illness, saying she wants to repay her filial duty by serving you here.”

Qian Mengyun stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and spoke softly, “Mengyun pays respects to Old Madam.”

Though Old Madam Mo had suffered a stroke, her mind remained clear, and she immediately understood Qian Mengyun’s intentions.

Her breath weak, she murmured, “Enough, no need for formalities.”

The old lady’s original intent was merely to use Qian Mengyun to pressure Chu Xi into stepping back, never intending to accept her as a daughter-in-law.

Old Madam Mo’s true aim was to align with a more prestigious and powerful noble family to solidify her son’s standing at court, in the long-term interest of the Mo family.

However, before arriving today, Qian Mengyun had already made up her mind. With a hardened heart, she was determined to eliminate all obstacles preventing her marriage to Mo Zixiao.

Chu Xi sat nearby, continuing to embroider a “Hundred Birds Facing the Phoenix” pattern. Qian Mengyun turned to her and said, “I will take care of things here. Xi’er, you should go back and rest. Your health has been poor.”

Behind them, Cai Ping was delighted. Since Old Madam’s illness, their young lady had not once taken to the bed.

“Miss, shall we go back then?”

Chu Xi pondered briefly before rising. “Very well. Old Madam will be in your care.”

With that, she approached the bed and softly said to the old lady, “If you need anything, call me.”

Old Madam Mo nodded slightly.

Chu Xi glanced once more at Qian Mengyun and then left with Cai Ping.

Qian Mengyun then sent away her personal maid, Xiaoyu, before sitting at the bedside of the frail old woman.

Her large, bright eyes fixed on the ailing matriarch, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“Old Madam, I know my visit today may seem abrupt, but there is a reason.” Saying this, she took out a red paper.

Old Madam’s gaze fell on the red paper. Immediately, her breath became shallow and uneven, and she was rendered speechless.

“What… what do you intend to do?” she struggled to ask.

Qian Mengyun raised her eyebrows and sneered coldly, “This is the betrothal contract — the engagement between me and General Mo. Every word is clearly written here. All that’s needed is your seal.”

At these words, Old Madam choked on her own saliva in anger, then erupted into a violent fit of coughing.

But Qian Mengyun merely lifted a handkerchief from the floor to cover her mouth and nose, paying no attention to the old lady, not even wiping the drool at the corners of her lips.

Hearing the commotion, Wang Mama hurried in from outside, causing Qian Mengyun to quickly hide the contract inside her sleeve.

Wang Mama focused on the coughing Old Madam and did not notice Qian Mengyun’s nervousness or the hidden betrothal contract.

“Oh dear, Old Madam, you’ve choked on your saliva again?” she said, wiping her clean while casting a suspicious and reproachful glance at Qian Mengyun.

“Miss Qian, the Old Madam is coughing so badly, and you don’t even help wipe her mouth or clear the drool. Miss Chu has been taking such meticulous care of her these past days; there’s no need for us servants to interfere.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Mo sighed softly from her bed, thinking that if not for Chu Xi’s poor status and circumstances, she would have been the perfect daughter-in-law—no one could be more filial to her.

Qian Mengyun immediately looked contrite. “Old Madam, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I’m clumsy and haven’t taken good care of you. Please forgive me.” Her demeanor had changed completely from before.

Wang Mama gave her a disdainful look. “Enough. Miss Qian is of noble birth, used to being served by others. How could she take care of someone else? You should go now. I will take care of Old Madam here.”

Go? Not a chance. I haven’t succeeded yet; the Old Madam hasn’t even sealed the contract. There’s no way I’m leaving now.

Wang Mama tucked in the old lady’s quilt and said, “Luckily, Miss Chu told me to stay outside the door when she left; otherwise, no one would be here to wipe Old Madam’s mouth.”

Old Madam Mo sighed again and closed her eyes. Her mind was filled with the image of Chu Xi kneeling on the floor, looking up at her with those pitiful, tearful eyes. A sharp pang of pain seized her heart.

Hearing this, Qian Mengyun bit her lip in hatred. It was again Chu Xi thwarting her plans.

That malicious thought in her heart finally pushed her to stop hesitating.

“Wang Mama, when Old Madam takes her medicine, let me feed it to her.”

Wang Mama curled her lips. “No need. Miss Qian, you should go back and not tire yourself here.”

Old Madam finally caught her breath and said, “Someone, see the guest out.” The thought of Qian Mengyun showing the contract and demanding her seal had infuriated her.

Leave? Impossible.

I came here determined not to rest until I achieve my goal.

Touching the hairpin on her head, she cursed inwardly, blaming Chu Xi for forcing her hand.

“Old Madam, I know I’m clumsy and have not served you well. But since I’m here, I must do something. Let Mengyun feed you the medicine.”

Seeing her sincere tone, Wang Mama agreed, “Very well. When the kitchen brings the medicine, I will let you feed Old Madam.”

At that moment, no one could have guessed that the girl with the round, cherubic face before them was already harboring a dark and cunning scheme.