They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 469 Harming yourself
A few quiet gasps rippled through the crowd.

"I heard it too."

"Me too, I was wondering about it at the time."

"Yeah, what's wrong? It's me. What does that mean? This is so strange."

Several people were whispering and gossiping among themselves.

Those who remain silent simply don't need to discuss it; a glance between them is enough for them to understand.

This concubine's daughter of the Marquis of Leshan, now Madam Meng, has ulterior motives.

He wanted to harm others, but his methods were inadequate, and he ended up harming himself instead.

Isn't it just that Marquis Wuxuan was unwilling to divorce his wife and agreed to let them arrange a marriage for him? Why is he so angry with Marquis Wuxuan's wife?

It's too cruel.

It's a sin.

Madam Meng's attempt to steal a chicken backfired spectacularly. Not only did she fall into the water, humiliating herself and causing a scene, but she was also held tightly in the arms of a servant in front of everyone, destined to become the laughingstock of their circle. Her husband would certainly not forgive her when she returned home; no man could tolerate such an act. And then there was her stepmother, who knew how she would react.

What she found even more unacceptable was that so many people had witnessed her disgraceful behavior; who would invite her to banquets in the future? Who would want to associate with her?

For at least a year or two, she shouldn't expect to have any impressive social connections.

Madam Meng was burning with rage and shame, and Xu Zhichun's words were like adding fuel to the fire. She looked up at Xu Zhichun with resentment and said, "How dare you say that! It was your sworn sister who kicked me down! You're the one who ruined me!"

Xu Zhichun: "My sworn sister saw that I was about to fall into the water and was so frightened that she quickly reached out and grabbed me. It was wrong of her to kick you because she reacted too quickly and instinctively. I apologize to you on her behalf. It is not that there are no servants in the manor who are good at swimming. Even if someone falls into the water, they can be rescued in time. Why did that servant react so quickly and jump into the water to 'save' someone? This has nothing to do with me. This is the residence of the Marquis of Leshan!"

Madam Meng choked up for a moment, and began to sob.

Xu Zhichun: "Madam Meng still hasn't answered me. What exactly did she mean by that? What did she mean by 'wrong'? Did the servant mistake someone for someone else? Who does Madam Meng think is right?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? I didn't say that, I didn't!"

Xu Zhichun scoffed and did not argue with her.

She wasn't the only one who heard her say that; her denial was tantamount to an admission that she had played a trick.

Lady Leshan's face turned ashen. She ordered her servants to take the illegitimate daughter away to change her clothes. She had no choice but to put on a smile and exchange a few polite words with everyone. She then turned to Xu Zhichun with a smile and said, "Today, we almost caused Madam Liang to fall into the water. It was our negligence and poor hospitality. Fortunately, Madam Liang escaped unharmed, otherwise it would have been an even greater sin. Please forgive me, Madam Liang. I will personally visit Madam Liang another day to apologize."

If Xu Zhichun had only narrowly escaped falling into the water, it was certainly not worth the Lady of Leshan Marquis personally going to apologize.

However, everyone knew about the despicable things Madam Meng had done, but they just didn't expose it out of politeness.

Everyone gave her face, but Lady Leshan was not so shameless as to pretend to be deaf and dumb.

Otherwise, people would have all sorts of rumors about their family's reputation.

A personal apology is absolutely necessary.

They'll most likely take Madam Meng with them.

Xu Zhichun smiled and declined, "No, no, Madam Zhou, you're too kind! Nothing happened, there's no need for that."

"Yes, yes, otherwise how could I live with myself?"

"Oh, Mrs. Zhou, you're too kind."

"No, no, hehe." It was a false alarm, and things calmed down. Lady Leshan continued to entertain the guests with renewed vigor. The guests had eaten their fill of melon today and were even more interested. None of them suggested leaving.

Everyone had their fill of fun at the Marquis of Leshan's residence, and it wasn't until the afternoon and evening that they finally took their leave.

Lady Meng was naturally kept behind by her stepmother, the Lady of the Marquis of Leshan.

She tried to argue, but before she could even open her mouth, Lady Leshan slapped her across the face.

She covered her face and exclaimed in surprise.

Lady Leshan was still not satisfied and slapped her on the other side of her face.

"You shameless little slut! I thought you'd improved so much since you got married, but I never expected you to still be just like your stupid and worthless mother, acting without thinking."

"Who do you think you are? Marquis Wuxuan is currently a favorite of the Emperor, wielding real power, and with General Xie backing him up, everyone in the capital knows how much he values ​​his wife. How dare you keep causing trouble?"

"You were pleased with yourself for deliberately instigating Madam Bai before, and I didn't say anything to you? How dare you resort to such despicable tricks! Do you really think everyone else is stupid?"

"You almost ruined the Marquis's mansion!"

"What are you crying for? Kneel down!"

"You tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead; you've really made a name for yourself!"

Madam Meng was so embarrassed that she knelt on the ground and sobbed with her head down.

How could she have known that Madam Xu was so cunning? How could she have known that her sworn sister would dare to scheme against her so blatantly? If she had known, she would have been much more careful when she made her move.

If that Lady Xu is violated by a servant and loses her chastity, how can she still have the face to cling to the position of Lady of Wuxuan? She is no longer worthy of Wuxuan!

Besides, when that time really comes, how could Marquis Wuxuan still want her? How could he not despise her?
She didn't believe that Marquis Wuxuan didn't want to marry a noblewoman from the capital and that she would end up as his wife. She just thought that Marquis Wuxuan was more concerned about his reputation than others and didn't want people to say that he had abandoned his wife.

If he had an excuse to openly and legitimately get rid of her, it would be strange if he didn't fall for her.
Who knows, he might even thank me in the end.

She was just unlucky; she didn't do anything wrong.

Lady Leshan sneered, "You still have the nerve to cry? Kneel here and reflect on your actions. Tomorrow, come with me to the Wuxuan Marquis's residence to apologize!"

"Mother!"

"Shut up! If Marquis Wuxuan and his wife refuse to forgive you, don't come back again. The Marquis's mansion will pretend you never existed."

Madam Meng was so horrified that she collapsed to the ground.

Although Lady Leshan Hou explicitly and implicitly asked everyone not to reveal the cause and effect of Lady Meng falling into the water, and everyone was polite and courteous at the time, how many people could hold back from talking about such a thing when they returned home?

It spread very quickly.

Even General Meng heard it from the steward.

General Meng was so angry that his face turned green.

Although Zhou was a concubine's daughter, she was still born into a marquis's family, and he was actually quite proud to have married such a wife.

As for abandoning his wife who had shared his hardships? That's nonsense. It was clearly his wife who took advantage of his military service to be unfilial and immoral, abusing his parents and siblings. He was already very generous to be her concubine and still feed and care for her. It was she who insisted on writing a letter of divorce and leaving.

However, Zhou Shi actually fell into the water in full view of everyone and was caught by a servant.

In early summer, her clothes were thin, and the wetness made her look even more awkward. She was thus carried by the servant.