Zhao Luoning gave a faint smile.
"She wants to give her child to me?"
Presumably the matter of her going to Cihua Courtyard to talk to the old matriarch about having Ning Ruonian's child adopted by her had already spread throughout the Ji Mansion.
These people were really quick - witted. They had set their sights on her so soon.
Having her thoughts exposed, Muk Jin's face turned even uglier. Standing in Furong Courtyard, she didn't know how to comport herself.
Zhao Luoning mercilessly tore off their hypocritical masks. "What she's doing isn't helping me at all. It's all for her own son! Besides, can't I have my own child?"
If she didn't think children were a hassle and if she wasn't going to leave the Ji Mansion sooner or later, there would be no way for Lian Xiang to come rushing to offer her child.
Muk Jin's face darkened. "Actually, I was just temporarily sent by the old matriarch to take care of Lian Xiang. I'll return to Cihua Courtyard after the child is born. So, I'm just an on - looker. Second Young Mistress, you don't have to be hostile towards me. I delivered this message because I thought that under the current situation, since Lian Xiang is willing to give up her child to compromise, you might consider it."
Caixue was furious when she heard this.
"Clearly it's you who wants to take advantage of our young mistress, but now you're speaking as if you're bestowing a favor. Who would care!"
Under normal circumstances, Zhao Luoning would have stopped Caixue from speaking rashly. But this time, she didn't.
Caixue was right!
Muk Jin's face turned alternately green and white from the provocation. After all, she was an old servant in the mansion, so Zhao Luoning still gave her some face and said some soft words. "Muk Jin, as you said, you'll only serve Lian Xiang for at most a year. You'll return to Cihua Courtyard after the child is born. You should know who your real master is, whether it's the one in Lengxiang Courtyard or Cihua Courtyard."
Muk Jin was stunned.
That's right. The old matriarch had sent her here to protect the child in Lian Xiang's womb, to ensure the eldest grandson of the Ji Mansion. But now, the old matriarch hadn't inquired about Lian Xiang for a long time.
The old matriarch already had an eldest grandson. It was that little baby, Ji Jianhui, who had just entered the mansion and won the hearts of everyone in the Ji Mansion with his cute personality.
In other words, her running around for the child in Lian Xiang's womb actually went against the old matriarch's wishes.
The old matriarch liked Ji Jianhui and wanted him to be the eldest grandson. If she got Zhao Luoning to accept the child in Lian Xiang's womb now, this child would become a threat to Ji Jianhui, and the old matriarch definitely wouldn't be happy.
Moreover, considering the mother's temper and background, it really wasn't worth her going to so much trouble.
Thinking of this, Muk Jin bowed to Zhao Luoning. "Thank you for your advice, Second Young Mistress."
Zhao Luoning nodded with a smile.
It was really easy to talk to smart people.
Muk Jin stopped trying to persuade and turned to leave.
When Caixue saw her leaving, she spat on the ground angrily.
"Dream on if you think you can bully our young mistress." Looking at the gauze wrapped around Zhao Luoning's hand, she felt extremely distressed. "That Lian Xiang made our young mistress fall so badly. I hate her so much."
Zhao Luoning had been carefully applying medicine to the wound these days, and it was already scabbing.
Zhao Luoning patted Caixue's hand with a smile, telling her that she was fine.
As for Lian Xiang, without Muk Jin's support and protection, and with the bunch of tricky servants Zhao Luoning had sent there, she would have a hard time.
Actually, Zhao Luoning really disdained dealing with Lian Xiang. But this woman was so bad. If she didn't teach her a lesson, Lian Xiang would think she could lord it over in the Ji Mansion.
She never liked to make enemies, but she was by no means a magnanimous saint.
If someone offended her, she would retaliate a hundredfold!
Lian Xiang was under house arrest in Lengxiang Courtyard, so she could only send Muk Jin to find Zhao Luoning. After waiting for a long time and not seeing anyone come back, she was naturally angry. Just as she was about to lose her temper and throw things, Muk Jin said coldly.
"Go ahead. The old matriarch said that if you throw things again, she won't replace them. One less thing every time you throw one. Anyway, it's not us who need them. Do as you please."
The old matriarch had indeed said this, but she hadn't issued an order. Those like Muk Jin who often stayed by the old matriarch's side could naturally tell the difference between her angry words and real orders.
So after the old matriarch said this, Muk Jin didn't take it to heart. After Lian Xiang damaged things, she would still apply for replacements. But now, things were different.
She was too lazy to serve her anymore.
Come to think of it, Lian Xiang's background was even lower than hers. How dare she lord it over her?
Hearing this, Lian Xiang hesitated, and the hand she had raised stopped in mid - air.
Back at Tianxiang Tower, at least she had an income. After entering the Ji Mansion, her monthly allowance was not even enough to buy a set of clothes.
Seeing that she had calmed down, Muk Jin felt much better.
"Miss Lian Xiang, I've been to the Second Young Mistress's room. The Second Young Mistress said that she doesn't want the child in your womb. You'd better be obedient and take good care of yourself during pregnancy. After the child is born, the mansion will still give you something to eat for the sake of the child. If you keep making trouble and the child can't be born, I'm afraid you won't be able to bear the consequences."
"She doesn't want it?" Lian Xiang was furious when she heard this.
She didn't know how long she had spent building up the courage to give up her child.
She also had her own selfish motives.
Since Zhao Luoning was going to adopt a child, why not adopt hers? By then, although her child wouldn't be the eldest son of the Ji family, he would be the legitimate son!
When her child inherited the Ji family's business in the future, she, as the biological mother, could make a comeback. By then, Zhao Luoning, Ning Ruonian and the like wouldn't pose any threat at all.
But she never expected that Zhao Luoning would refuse!
The child in her womb was a boy as calculated by the master. How could she refuse?!
Muk Jin snorted.
"Give up. Not to mention how you offended the Second Young Mistress before. Considering the current situation, if she has to choose, she'll choose Ning Ruonian's son. They're a powerful combination. Why would they choose you?"
Lian Xiang was so stunned by Muk Jin's words that she couldn't say a word. She pointed at Muk Jin and stammered "You... You..." for a long time but couldn't get a word out.
Muk Jin was too lazy to serve her anymore and turned back to her own room.
Since being enlightened by Zhao Luoning, she had become more and more dislike Lian Xiang.
The maids outside who were watching the show were smart enough to guess the master's attitude towards Lian Xiang. So they became even more unscrupulous.
Previously, at least Lian Xiang was the boss in Lengxiang Courtyard. She could lose her temper and scold the servants.
After that day, she found that no one would respond to her calls. Not only could she not lose her temper or scold anyone, but even having enough to eat and wear became a problem. Starting with Muk Jin, everyone in the courtyard began to neglect her, and Lengxiang Courtyard completely became a "cold courtyard".
Things like this couldn't go on without incident.
On the third day, Lian Xiang started to have a miscarriage.
The news quickly reached Zhao Luoning's ears.
Caixue was very worried.
"Miss, will they come to cause trouble for you?"
After all, if something happened to the pregnant concubine, Zhao Luoning couldn't escape the blame.
As soon as Caixue finished speaking, a maid outside came to report.
"Second Young Mistress, someone from the mistress's room is here."
It seemed they were coming to demand an explanation!