Chapter 80: Reminder, a Witness of Great Use

“Mother, why didn’t you use one of the carriages from our manor?” Qin Huaiyong supported the old lady as she stepped down from the carriage, his gaze lingering in surprise on the nun who had disembarked before her.

“The carriage broke down,” replied the old lady, her complexion still decent thanks to a good rest.

“Broke down? What happened?” Qin Huaiyong paused, his brows knitting together as a sense of unease crept in.

“I’m not entirely sure. I only heard that when Zhuozhuo went to check on the carriages, she happened upon one whose wheel had slipped off. Coincidentally, that broken carriage damaged all the others belonging to our manor. If it had been just a bit worse, I wouldn’t have been able to make it here, and tomorrow I wouldn’t be able to preside over the ceremony for you and Ruolan,” the old lady said, neither warm nor cold.

Qin Huaiyong’s expression changed. He was about to speak when the voice of Madam Di came from outside, “Mother, you’re finally here. The driver just returned to report the carriage was broken, and I was about to find another one to fetch you.”

Having spoken, Madam Di hurried inside, dabbing her face with a handkerchief—a sign of her recent haste.

“You already knew about mother’s carriage breaking?” Qin Huaiyong’s tone was stern as he addressed Madam Di. “Why was I not informed?”

“General, I was anxious to arrange another vehicle for mother and simply forgot to tell you. I was planning to wait until I found a suitable carriage, then go up the mountain with you tonight to fetch her,” Madam Di replied, her face lit with relief. “Fortunately, the abbess of Tranquil Mind Monastery not only had a carriage but also someone who could drive it, or else things would have been troublesome.”

She had already investigated thoroughly on her way over, and seeing the nun standing beside the old lady, it was clear the abbess was behind the mishap. Hatred simmered within her, but she had no choice but to feign gratitude.

Qin Wanru, standing nearby, gave a slight smile, watching Madam Di swallow her grievances with difficulty. One incident after another; no matter how much Father trusted Madam Di before, that trust must surely be shaken now. Without concrete action, Qin Huaiyong would not believe her anymore; her usual tricks would no longer suffice.

Indeed, Qin Huaiyong’s next words made Madam Di’s smile freeze.

“What measures did you take? Whose carriage did you borrow? When were you planning to tell me to go up the mountain together to fetch mother?” His questions came one after another, tossed out angrily, with no regard for Madam Di’s stiff smile.

Seeing things take a bad turn, Granny Zhou quickly stepped in to explain, “General, it all happened so suddenly. Madam was just discussing with me, planning to borrow a carriage from a friendly lady. The best carriage in our manor is the old lady’s, and now it’s broken and unusable.”

“Which family?” In the past, Qin Huaiyong would have been satisfied with this response, but now he showed no sign of relenting, his voice cold as he stared sharply at Madam Di, “Don’t tell me that even now you’re only thinking about it and have done nothing.”

“I... I... How can you say that, General? Is there anything I haven’t cared about? Even as you prepare to marry Shui Ruolan, I’ve always supported you, given you everything you asked for, never delayed a thing. But look at how you treat me now. Is it that the new wife hasn’t even entered the door, and the old one must be set aside already?”

Madam Di stammered, then suddenly burst into tears, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief and reproaching Qin Huaiyong, “General, I know you’re angry with me over Yuru’s matter, but what could I do? Yuru is my daughter, my own flesh and blood. Am I supposed to watch her suffer such a fate? I was wrong, yes, but everything I did was for our daughter. Can’t you understand that?”

Her voice trembled with increasing grievance as she lifted her tear-stained face to look at Qin Huaiyong, “General, I’ve never done anything wrong by you, except in Yuru’s matter, and yes, I made a mistake. But must you ignore everything else I’ve done? I gave up life in the capital to follow you—was it only so I could live without trust?”

Recalling her past sufferings, Madam Di wept almost inconsolably.

Once a lady of a noble family, she had refused to break her marriage promise and wed Qin Huaiyong—a matter she felt deserved mention in his presence.

After all, at the time, Qin Huaiyong was not considered a desirable match in the eyes of the Yongkang Earl’s household.

Her words implied she had married beneath her station.

As expected, Qin Huaiyong’s expression softened somewhat, no longer so aggressive.

“Mother, do you dislike Aunt Shui?” Seeing Madam Di intentionally change the subject and bring up matters that would make Qin Huaiyong grateful to the Yongkang Earl’s household, Qin Wanru raised her beautiful eyes, her face tinged with a touch of innocent curiosity.

Her single question made Qin Huaiyong’s face change dramatically, his gaze suspicious as he looked at Madam Di. Was her tearful plea simply a distraction?

He had already sent people to investigate after Granny Duan’s earlier report, knowing someone was plotting against Shui Ruolan. Madam Di was the most likely suspect. But before he could clarify things, the carriage incident occurred.

With the carriages destroyed, mother could not descend the mountain. If Madam Di used this as an excuse tomorrow, combined with the damaged bridal sedan, he would have to deal with explanations to outsiders, leaving no time to manage matters within the household. Shui Ruolan would enter, but without a proper status; the outcome was clear.

Indeed, all these incidents pointed to Madam Di’s scheming.

Suddenly, memories of Madam Di plotting against Qin Wanru flashed through his mind, and a coldness spilled from the corners of his eyes. Could he still harbor any illusions about this woman?

He had nearly been deceived by her again.

“Wanru, I know you don’t like mother. I know your elder sister’s troubles have made you feel aggrieved. But please don’t be angry. Mother apologizes to you! I only hope you won’t oppose me anymore; I just wish to atone now,” Madam Di, sensing danger, wiped her tears and looked at Qin Wanru, about to kneel in apology, as if willing to accept anything Qin Wanru demanded.

She tried to kneel, but Qin Wanru would not allow it and quickly stepped aside. The old lady’s capable maid hurried forward to support her.

But Madam Di seemed intent on kneeling, struggling even as the maid pulled her up.

The room became a scene of chaos.

“Grandmother, are you tired? Would you like to rest for a while?” Qin Wanru retreated to the old lady’s side, speaking softly to her, seeing her brows furrowed.

The old lady understood, pressed her head, leaned back weakly, closed her eyes, and whispered to Qin Wanru, “Zhuozhuo, help me to the inner room to rest. This noise is exhausting; let your father handle it himself.” She finished with a heavy cough.

Seeing the old lady’s exhaustion and the ongoing commotion on Madam Di’s side, Qin Huaiyong’s anger erupted. He slammed the table, causing the teacups to jump and clatter sharply. “Are you done? If so, go back to your room. Don’t stir up any more trouble.”

He recalled all Madam Di’s deeds and found her increasingly intolerable.

“General, you…” Madam Di, caught up in her own drama, was startled by his outburst, stammering briefly.

“Tomorrow, you’d better stay in your own courtyard and not come out! That way, there won’t be any more accidents!” Qin Huaiyong said coldly.

One thing after another, every incident seemed tied to Madam Di. Even without evidence, it was obvious who benefited—always her.

Had it not been for what happened at Tranquil Mind Monastery, Qin Huaiyong might not have suspected her of everything. But now, remembering she was capable of orchestrating even the kidnapping of Qin Wanru, what else might she not do?

Someone was targeting Shui Ruolan, and the carriage sabotage preventing the old lady from presiding over tomorrow’s ceremony—all these pointed directly at Madam Di.

“General, how can you treat me like this?” Madam Di was terrified. If she could not attend tomorrow’s ceremony, what would people say? How could she ever show her face at other households again?

“Someone, escort Madam to rest. Let her spend the next few days quietly.” Qin Huaiyong’s face was dark as iron.

At his command, two rough-handed maids from the old lady’s side came and dragged Madam Di out. Granny Zhou wanted to intervene, but seeing Qin Huaiyong’s expression, she dared not step forward, only following behind and urging Madam Di gently.

The attendants brought by Madam Di hurried after her, leaving the room suddenly quiet.

“Mother, I’ll depend on you for tomorrow’s arrangements,” Qin Huaiyong said, taking a deep breath before speaking again.

“Don’t worry, Yong’er. I may be old, but I can manage for a day. But what about after?” the old lady sighed, her heart full of complicated thoughts.

“Afterwards, let Cousin Ruolan take charge,” Qin Huaiyong’s brow twitched, but his mind was made up. He glanced at Qin Wanru, his decision firm.

Madam Di would not be dismissed, but that did not mean he would treat her as before. For the sake of the Yongkang Earl’s household, he would maintain her dignity as the main wife, but only for appearances.

“Aren’t you afraid of what the Yongkang Earl’s household will say?” The old lady was concerned, which was why she had always stepped back and claimed to be uninvolved in household affairs.

“Don’t worry, mother,” Qin Huaiyong reassured her.

“So long as you know what you’re doing. There’s no problem with Ruolan, but…” The old lady hesitated, leaving her sentence unfinished.

“Father, won’t the Yongkang Earl make things difficult for you and Aunt Shui?” Qin Wanru asked at just the right moment, her delicate brows furrowing with worry.

Qin Huaiyong immediately understood. He would soon return to the capital, and the Yongkang Earl’s household would surely demand an explanation.

Qin Wanru’s words served as a timely reminder. He quickly assured the old lady, “Don’t worry, mother. I’ll make preparations in advance.”

Having neglected the Earl’s legitimate daughter, the household would surely seek justice. Witnesses, evidence—when he found the culprit, he would bring them to the capital as well.

Seeing Qin Huaiyong determined to take the witnesses to the capital, Qin Wanru’s eyes grew deep and unreadable where no one could see. Those witnesses were not merely evidence—they had other uses. That was why she reminded Qin Huaiyong to bring them along; they would be invaluable elsewhere…