Chapter 955: Chapter 953: Good Intentions
Ye Xinyan was speechless, staring at the sky. While surprised, she also felt the unpredictability of life. How could she have known that Zhao Gang held such a significant place in her mother’s heart? With such heavy thoughts, why didn’t she agree to her advice earlier? Instead, she put on a tough stance, causing Ye Xinyan’s efforts to be in vain and almost leading to disaster.
She arrived shortly after noon, frightening Madam Yin, and after calling Madam Sun and the doctor several times, nearly two hours passed.
By the time the medicine was brewed and Madam Yin was served to drink it, it was already the You Hour.
Although Madam Yin had regained consciousness, she seemed drained of energy, with no spirit at all. It wasn’t until she saw the note sent back by the guards who accompanied Zhao Gang south that she was finally relieved and rested at ease.
Later that evening, an unaware Jiang Yifan came to pick up his wife. As soon as he entered the outer gate, he met Jiu Yu, who was waiting for him beyond the gatehouse, only then did he learn that Ye Xinyan had botched things, directly scaring his mother-in-law into a near trance.
The mother-in-law had just barely recovered, drank her medicine, and was resting.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yifan was overwhelmed with lines of worry across his forehead.
The matter concerning Zhao Gang was entirely attributed to him consulting with the Marquis Zhongyong, who did not hide anything from him. Yet, the consequence was that he used the information to frighten his mother-in-law, which simply cannot be explained away.
The Old Marquis has always cherished his daughter, would certainly chastise him and Ye Xinyan for being reckless, a scolding was inevitable.
Jiang Yifan entered Madam Yin’s courtyard, where in the main room Madam Yin’s two sisters-in-law were whispering, yet Ye Xinyan was nowhere in sight.
A maid sent word inside, and upon receiving permission, Jiang Yifan entered, first greeting Madam Sun and Lady Wei.
Madam Sun raised her hand to exempt him from formalities, pointing at the chair beside her, saying: "Just finished at the office, sit and rest a while."
Jiang Yifan sat down as instructed, thanked the maid who served tea, then leaned forward, asking in a low voice, "I don’t know how my dear mother-in-law is doing now? Is she any better?"
Madam Sun saw Jiang Yifan’s serious expression, paired with careful words, knowing that both he and his wife were considering their little sister-in-law out of goodwill. She softened her demeanor and comforted, "It’s all right, she was only accidentally startled and calmed down once things were explained. Don’t worry."
Jiang Yifan nodded in thanks, apologetically saying, "It’s because of how simply my wife and I considered things that we caused such trouble, inconveniencing both of you. Here, I ask for your forgiveness."
They spoke at a volume that was not quiet; inside, Madam Yin who had been napping heard their whispers and gradually woke up. At first glance, she saw her daughter by the bedside, her face and eyes full of worry, watching her intently, which caused her heart to ache slightly.
Thinking of her previous loss of composure made her feel embarrassed, for a moment she truly didn’t know what to say.
Zhao Gang grew up with Madam Yin’s elder brother Yin Xiaocheng, as a child he was a companion, as an adult, an attendant.
The Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion consisted of generations of military generals without much formality, so she and Zhao Gang remained familiar. The Marquis Zhongyong and Yin Xiaocheng didn’t treat Zhao Gang as an outsider, naturally she considered Zhao Gang as one of their own.
Not until she followed Ye Xinyan from the capital to Clear Water Village in Yuyuan Prefecture two years ago, hearing Ye Xinyan’s praises of Zhao Gang over a year, did she gradually develop some peculiar feelings.
But being middle-aged, with a worn-out body, if she couldn’t withstand loneliness in such a condition and decided to remarry, how many people would gossip about her behind her back?
Moreover, she has a daughter, and not only would she face criticism, her daughter would also share in the shame.
No matter what Ye Xinyan said, she never considered remarrying, nor did she ever give in.
But today, startled by this troublesome daughter, her feelings were instantly laid bare to everyone, how could she face others again?
Seeing Madam Yin wake up, Ye Xinyan noticed her embarrassment and anger and quickly accompanied her with a smile, leaning to her ear whispering, "I’m sorry, Mom, for scaring you. You must trust your daughter, I really didn’t mean to frighten you, please don’t hold it against me, okay?"
Speaking while defending herself: she didn’t lie, she just wanted to give her mom a chance to confront her feelings, she truly didn’t intend to scare her mother senseless.
Madam Yin softly snorted, glared at her, and said no more.
Nanny Huang was also by the side, seeing Ye Xinyan’s words relieve her mistress’s embarrassment, she felt quite comforted.
Ye Xinyan didn’t disturb those outside, Madam Sun, Lady Wei, and Jiang Yifan, she only stayed beside Madam Yin, whispering comfort to her, occasionally smiling at her.
Madam Yin looking at Ye Xinyan’s smiling eyes, felt very resentful yet knowing the recent turmoil almost frightened her daughter terribly, she couldn’t bear to blame her.
Only able to glare at Ye Xinyan once more, then closing her eyes pretending to nap, ignoring whatever else she might say.
Before long, a maid beside Madam Sun came to report, saying the Marquis invited the young couple to the outer courtyard to talk.
Madam Yin initially feigned sleep, but hearing bits of this, quickly became alert and opened her eyes, as Madam Sun came in to call Ye Xinyan out.
Madam Yin struggled to sit up, saying, "Big Sister, send word back to Father that Ah Yan cannot leave my side at the moment." Madam Yin knew the Marquis Zhongyong calling Ye Xinyan and Jiang Yifan over must be to scold them, which was unacceptable.
Madam Sun, seeing Madame Yin awakened and surprised for a moment, then hearing her words, laughed aloud: "Yingnan, you seem all right now, knowing you’re shielding Xinyan, worried she’ll be scolded."
Madam Yin paid no attention to Madam Sun’s teasing, continued straightening and said, "Please tell Father for me, that Yuanfan also need not go. Whatever’s necessary, can be asked in a few days."
"How could that be?" Madam Sun teased, "Father and Mother surely want to address them over this. Although you want to protect your daughter, you still must let them express their grievances."
Madam Yin furrowed her brow, ready to get out of bed, saying, "Am I not alright? I’ll go speak with Father."
Ye Xinyan quickly stopped her, saying, "Mom, don’t worry, it’s all me who caused the trouble, made Grandfather, Grandmother anxious, accepting some punishment is only right. Furthermore, Grandfather certainly won’t punish me, at most he’ll just say a few words. Please rest, I’ll go hear it, what’s the problem?"
Madam Sun hearing this was both moved and amused. Truly, her niece from a young age never settled down, hearing such scoldings often had made her truly fearless.
Ye Xinyan truly didn’t worry, even knowing Marquis Zhongyong’s anger towards her frightening Madam Yin would result in some admonishment. Yet punishment like kneeling or beating was completely impossible, from childhood onwards, no matter what she did, no matter who wanted to punish her, Madam Yin would barricade herself heroically. This time wouldn’t be different, as long as the Marquis couple cherished their daughter, she would remain unscathed.
Moreover, this time, her intent was good, she simply hadn’t considered Zhao Gang’s importance to Madam Yin’s feelings. Not just her oversight, when she asked for Madam Sun’s assistance earlier, she didn’t foresee it either, right?