Chen's mother had been holding back her excitement for a long time. Now seeing that Lady Bai wasn't angry and was even amiable to her daughter, she couldn't help but think that today's matter was a done deal. A broad smile spread across her face. "It's only been a few days, yet eldest sister-in-law is looking even better. I bet it's because you've been well-rested during the New Year. We're all so envious!"
Chen's mother was the kind of person who got carried away when she thought she had the upper hand. Now that she felt confident of success, she was less cautious and respectful in her speech.
Her words didn't sound like envy at all; instead, they were laced with sarcasm.
Fu Zhen observed the expressions of the three of them carefully.
Chen Yi sat on the chair with a gloomy face, saying nothing. Chen's mother looked extremely self - satisfied, while only Chen Huanyun, who had tried but failed to stop her mother from saying such things, looked a bit embarrassed.
"My mother meant that during the New Year, with the whole family reunited, you were so happy that you're glowing. You've always been beautiful, and seeing you today, you're even more stunning. That's why she can't help but feel envious," Chen Huanyun quickly tried to make up for her mother's words. Even Fu Zhen had to admit that a good shoot could come out of a bad bamboo. All the brains in the fourth uncle's family seemed to be concentrated in Chen Huanyun.
Although Lady Bai knew it was just flattery, she was still pleased. "Huanyun, your mouth is so sweet. It's so kind of you to come so early. Have you had breakfast?"
Without waiting for an answer, she told the maid, "Go and bring some snacks."
Then, turning to Chen Huanyun with a smile, she said, "Whether you've eaten or not, after traveling all this way, you must be a bit hungry. Have some snacks."
"Thank you, auntie," Chen Huanyun replied with a forced smile and lowered her head slightly.
Fu Zhen pondered over Lady Bai's words and couldn't help but cover her smiling lips with a handkerchief.
Lady Bai was clearly impatient with their chatter and wanted to silence them with food.
Chen's mother picked up a piece of cloud cake and took a bite. Her eyes rolled as she realized that she had almost ruined things just now. So, she said with extreme flattery, "No wonder it's the pastries from the Marquis's Mansion. They taste so different from those outside."
Lady Bai just smiled and said nothing.
Fu Zhen also took a bite. Maybe she didn't have as discerning a palate as Chen's mother, for she couldn't tell the difference.
"Actually, our Huanyun isn't good at much, but her cooking skills are top - notch, ten times better than others. It's almost noon. Why don't we let Huanyun show off her skills and let you taste her cooking, eldest sister - in - law!" Chen's mother took the opportunity to suggest.
Fu Zhen looked at the sun in the sky. It wasn't even halfway up yet. Then she realized that the "others" Chen's mother mentioned referred to her.
Lady Bai understood their intention. They were just jealous that Fu Zhen, an orphan, was living in the Marquis's Mansion, and they wanted to get their daughter in here too.
"No need," she stood up, her smile disappearing as she issued an order to leave. "I've noticed that the shops in the capital are opening one by one these days, and spring is coming soon. I'm sure your family has a lot to do. I won't keep you. Goodbye."
The smile on Chen's mother's face froze instantly. Her face twitched, and she tried hard to hold back. Just as she was about to say something, Chen Yi couldn't sit still anymore. He stood up and angrily scolded, "I don't know where you learned your manners. You're kicking us out before we've even finished a cup of tea. What a fine Marquis's Mansion of Wu'an!"
With that, he angrily flicked his sleeves and left.
Being scolded like this to her face, Lady Bai's face turned completely cold. "I don't know what kind of manners the fourth brother's family has. I've treated you all kindly, but you've been cold - hearted and given me a hard time. Do you really think I, Bai Lan, am easy to bully?"
Chen Huanyun quickly stepped forward to soothe her. "No, auntie. Father was just in a hurry. You know him. He's always so rude. Huanyun is here to apologize on behalf of father!"
Saying that, she bowed deeply, with her head down, showing a full gesture of apology.
Chen's mother was usually impatient. She was about to say something, but seeing her daughter like this, she didn't dare to say anything and just kept apologizing.
Seeing that Lady Bai didn't say anything for a long time, Chen Huanyun felt annoyed. She regretted bringing her brainless father here!
Now, before they could even say what they wanted, they had offended Lady Bai!
Fu Zhen stepped forward to support Lady Bai and softly comforted her, "Auntie, calm down. Don't hurt your body."
Lady Bai took a deep breath and patted Fu Zhen's hand. Then she turned to look at the two of them, with a hint of disgust in her eyes. "Forget it. You can go. Instead of coming to the Marquis's Mansion, you'd better go home and discipline my good fourth brother. Teach him what filial piety, fraternity, loyalty, and faithfulness are, and what propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame are."
Chen's mother felt extremely embarrassed after hearing these words. It was as if she had returned to a few years ago when Bai Lan had trampled on her dignity. Her face turned a strange shade of purple and green. Finally, she just flicked her sleeves and left without saying a word.
Chen Huanyun also looked unhappy, but she still endured it and fulfilled all the proper etiquette before leaving.
Before leaving, she looked at Fu Zhen with a menacing glare.
Fu Zhen: "..."
She let out a silent "huh" in her heart and was sure that Chen Huanyun hated her now.
But she had hardly said a word since she came here. How could she be hated like this? She thought incredulously. Could the price of being reborn be that everyone hated her?
After seeing them off, Lady Bai immediately told the maid to close the courtyard gate. "Don't see anyone today."
There were hardly any reliable relatives in the Marquis's Mansion. Fortunately, Chen Xuan was very reliable. He had seen through the true nature of these people early on and had cut off relations with them as much as possible.
Once, someone laughed at Chen Xuan for forgetting his poor relatives after he became successful. Chen Xuan shot him with a spear until his mouth was full of blood. Since then, no one dared to say anything more.
Lady Bai pulled Fu Zhen to sit down and gently stroked her hair. "Don't let those people bother you. They're all unreasonable. Just avoid them in the future. If you're wronged, come and tell me. They wouldn't dare to do anything to me."
"I know, auntie," Fu Zhen said, leaning against Lady Bai's arms. It felt as if she had returned to her childhood when she used to lean against her mother's arms.
She closed her eyes gently and thought that not everyone hated her in this new life.
At least auntie didn't.
Nanny Li was extremely happy to see the harmonious atmosphere between the two. She didn't want to break this good atmosphere, but this matter was so important that she had to tell Lady Bai immediately.
She rushed forward and bowed. "Madam."
Fu Zhen sat up straight, and Lady Bai frowned slightly. "What's the matter?"
Nanny Li always knew her limits. Now that she looked a bit panicked, there must be something big happening.
Nanny Li looked around. Lady Bai understood and waved her hand to let the servants leave.
After the courtyard gate was closed, Nanny Li stepped closer and lowered her voice. "Madam, the third prince has rebelled!"