Madam He immediately stood up. "Is that really the case? I must go and see Ning'er."
Madam Wei still wore a smile. "Aunt, don't you know Ning'er? She has a terrible case of bed - head. If she knew you and cousin were here, she'd surely make a fuss. Her health is already poor. Alas..."
With the words spoken to this extent, Madam He naturally couldn't say anything more. She just sent the gifts in through her servants. Then she took out a silk handkerchief and wiped the corners of her red - rimmed eyes. "I've been here for so long, but little sister - in - law still won't talk to me. Are you really angry with me and determined not to speak to me for the rest of your life?"
Her tone was full of sorrow. Regardless of the presence of the younger generation, she pleaded in a low voice, looking extremely pitiful.
The princess was always soft - hearted. Over the years, she had a very good relationship with her elder sister - in - law from her natal family. Sometimes she was impatient and spoke without thinking, but her sister - in - law had never held it against her. Instead, she always protected and indulged her.
She also thought that, in the end, it was Shi Aohan who was shameless in the previous incident. Fu Rongxuan had a secret affair with someone. And her sister - in - law was in charge of the He family's affairs. She couldn't watch over Shi Aohan all the time. Maybe she was also kept in the dark.
With these thoughts in mind, the princess finally raised her head and asked, "Sister - in - law always favors your niece, but you never thought that Ning'er is also your niece."
Madam He's eyes welled up with tears. She nodded repeatedly. "I originally just thought that Aohan had a very hard life since childhood and was usually very well - behaved and sensible... Alas, I won't hide it from you, little sister - in - law. The family is large and there are so many things to deal with. Chan'er is so naive and makes a ruckus all day long. My eldest daughter - in - law is not as smart as your Zhao'er. Among them, only Aohan is more sensible. Naturally, I..."
The princess sighed. "When I returned to my natal family and saw Shi Aohan, I also thought she was polite and generous. I always wondered why other people's daughters were so well - behaved while my daughter was like a naughty monkey. But sister - in - law, this time Ning'er has really been wronged."
Madam He dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. "I naturally know that Ning'er has suffered great injustice. Look, this is the Buddhist scriptures that Aohan has copied by hand recently. It's to pray for Ning'er's long - term well - being."
A maid brought up a thick stack. The princess took it and glanced at it. Older women, with nothing much to do all day, especially liked to chant scriptures and copy them. The princess was no exception. Looking at Shi Aohan's handwriting now, it was evident that she had been diligent every day for the past ten or so days and had written very carefully, putting her heart into it.
She waved her hand. "Forget it. It's good that the girl knows her mistake. Young people are easily impulsive, so we elders need to remind them constantly. Sister - in - law, you must keep a closer eye on her in the future and don't let her make such a foolish mistake again."
Madam He breathed a slight sigh of relief and then chatted with the princess about daily affairs.
Madam Wei slightly raised her eyes. She felt a bit uneasy. If it was just about Shi Aohan offending Ning'er and Madam He coming to apologize, why did she bring He Chan along? Moreover, He Chan was usually just as naughty as Ning'er. But today she was so well - behaved, just lowering her head and keeping silent. It really surprised Madam Wei.
Just then, He Chan slightly raised her head, her dissatisfaction clearly showing in her eyes. When she saw Madam Wei looking at her, she was startled and quickly lowered her head again and kept silent.
Madam Wei understood immediately. She stood up and said with a smile, "Mother, it's getting late. Father said today that he would go to the Fu family to get back little sister's horoscope."
The princess nodded. "Yes, sister - in - law. We happen to have something to do today. Sister - in - law, don't worry about this matter. Aohan is still a good girl. We just need to discipline her strictly in the future."
Madam He's face turned pale. She quickly stood up and stammered, "Little sister - in - law... Are you going to the Fu family?"
The princess looked at her in surprise and nodded. "Ning'er said before that she would break off the engagement with the Fu family. The Fu family has been holding on to Ning'er's horoscope. Now that the prince is back, the top priority is naturally to get Ning'er's horoscope back."
Madam He quickly said, "The child was just saying angry words at that time. How can we take it seriously? Marriage is a serious matter. The engagement between Ning'er and the young master of the Fu family was bestowed by the Empress Dowager. How can it be changed so easily?"
The princess asked in confusion, "Sister - in - law, you don't need to worry about the Empress Dowager. I'll go to the palace later to explain the situation and solve this matter properly. Why are you so nervous, sister - in - law? Could it be... Oh, I understand. Shi Aohan's reputation was not very good in the first place, and it's even more difficult for her now. Sister - in - law, don't worry. Our Lu family is not unreasonable. After Ning'er breaks off the engagement with the young master of the Fu family, they can marry whoever they want. If you think the young master of the Fu family is a good match for Shi Aohan, you can arrange another marriage for them."
She thought she had been very considerate. She didn't mind what Shi Aohan had done at all. Later, she would persuade Ning'er well and make sure she didn't cause any trouble.
But Madam He hesitated and blocked her way, just not letting her go out.
The princess felt a bit unhappy. "Sister - in - law, we've been sisters - in - law for more than twenty years. If you have something to say, just be straightforward. Why are you being so evasive?"
Madam He gritted her teeth and turned to He Chan. "Chan'er, you know where your cousin's courtyard is. Your cousin is not feeling well. You should go and see her. Remember not to be reckless again. Don't make your cousin angry. Do you understand?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Wanning walked in briskly, showing no sign of being unwell. She scanned the hall with her eyes and said with a smile, "Aunt, why do you insist on sending cousin to see me? What's there to see?"
Madam He's face tightened. She gave He Chan a reproachful look and immediately stepped forward with a smile. "Is Ning'er feeling better?"
Lu Wanning looked at her mockingly. When she heard that Madam He had come today, she immediately knew that things were not that simple. In the original book, she was a vicious supporting female character. She had been entangled with the original male lead for so many years. Was it possible to quickly untangle this mess? Of course not.
Moreover, she even brought He Chan along. Maybe she wanted He Chan to persuade her not to break off the engagement. Although she didn't know why Madam He didn't want her to break off the engagement, they were not good people. It was better to send them away quickly.
"I'm much better. Aunt, if you have nothing else to do, please go back. We still have important things to do at home."
Such a blatant way of driving the guests away made He Chan feel embarrassed. She pulled her mother and wanted to leave, but Madam He tightly grabbed her arm. There was still a polite smile on her face.
"Little sister - in - law, this engagement cannot be broken off."
The princess was very puzzled and subconsciously asked, "Why?"
Sweat broke out on Madam He's forehead. After a moment, she smiled again. "Ning'er and the young master of the Fu family grew up together as childhood sweethearts. They've had a deep affection for each other over the years. How can they break off the engagement just because of a small matter? Ning'er is always changing her mind. If this engagement is broken off today, it will be very difficult to arrange it again tomorrow. Little sister - in - law, you must think twice."