Tianliangyuan

Chapter 249 Planning some underhanded tactics

Although Jiang Fu was no longer the young mistress of the Duke's mansion, she was still the eldest young mistress, and because she came from the Jiang family, no one in the Duke's mansion dared to truly disrespect her.

However, the current Crown Prince's wife, who is also Liu Huaide's wife, doesn't really respect her much.

In other words, when they are out in public, she will be given some face as the eldest sister-in-law, but in the Duke's mansion, she will not be given any face at all.

Now, the household affairs are jointly managed by the Duchess and the newly appointed Heir Apparent's wife. The Heir Apparent's wife also oversees the kitchen, so Jiang Fu's meals are naturally not as good as before.

But if you really want to find fault, it seems like you can't.

For example, if you want bird's nest porridge, they will make it for you, but the bird's nest they use is not of a very high quality, and it is not as thick as it used to be.

But can you accuse someone of being outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant?

Jiang Fu was so angry that she argued with her younger brother and sister-in-law several times, but each time she was the one who was aggressive and fierce, while the other party remained calm and composed, showing no disrespect to her as the eldest sister-in-law, but just wouldn't budge.

After this happened many times, the people in the Duke's mansion no longer felt that the heir's wife was mistreating the eldest young mistress; on the contrary, they thought that the eldest young mistress was a troublemaker.

To go and argue with the Crown Prince's wife over a bowl of porridge that doesn't suit one's taste is utterly lacking in manners.

As time went on, the Duke and his wife, who had initially felt some pity and guilt towards her, stopped showing her any favoritism.

Friendships are hard-earned, but they can be worn away just as easily.

Nowadays, Jiang Fu is practically invisible in the Duke's mansion. The madam dislikes her for speaking in a sarcastic tone several times, so she has simply exempted her from the usual morning and evening greetings.

Jiang Fu was rather dim-witted; she thought that since the madam had voluntarily waived the fee, she really wouldn't go even once.

Anyone would think Jiang Fu was being unreasonable if they were in this situation.

Madam Li didn't actually send an invitation to the Jiang family. After all, someone in the Jiang family had just died. Although it was a junior member, it was still a funeral, and it would clash with Li Mingya's happy occasion, so it was better not to have any contact.

But Jiang Fu happened to see the invitation from the Duke's mansion, and she insisted on coming. Who could stop her?

When Madam Li saw her, she thought she had mistaken her for someone else.

After all, her younger brother had only been dead for a short time, so how could this sister still have the mind to attend a banquet?

Moreover, judging from her outfit, although it wasn't bright red or purple, it definitely had nothing to do with elegance.

So, how big must this person's heart be?

Where is the brain?

Although Jiang Fu hated Xu Zhaozhao, she knew she couldn't directly confront her.

Jiang Fu saw the lotus pond in front of her and a plan came to her mind.

At this time of year, the lotus flowers haven't bloomed yet, but there's a small bridge where the lotus pond meets the flowing water in the mansion, allowing you to walk to a flower house on the other side to admire the flowers.

Many flower lovers who came today have already gone to the greenhouse to admire the flowers.

In fact, nearly half of the flowers in the greenhouse had already been moved out to decorate the hall and courtyard, and Xu Zhaozhao also took this opportunity to reap many benefits for herself.

But hearing that there were some flowers in the greenhouse that were not suitable to be taken out, I naturally wanted to go and take a look.

As her sister-in-law, Princess Anhe naturally couldn't let her go alone. The two of them, each accompanied by a maid, walked along the bluestone path, preparing to cross the bridge.

"Please forgive me, young mistress. I will go find it right away. Please calm down, young mistress."

After a maid apologized, she hurriedly got up to look for something.

Later, several maids from the Li family were also pulled into the search for the lost items.

Xu Zhaozhao and Princess Anhe exchanged a glance, clearly not understanding what had happened.

Dingxiang went to inquire and then returned to report: "The eldest young mistress of the Duke of Su's mansion lost an earring. I heard it was set with a ruby ​​and was one of the betrothal gifts given by the eldest son. The eldest young mistress is ordering people to search for it."

Xu Zhaozhao's eyes flickered: "Jiang Fu?"

"Exactly. I heard the maid was almost crying because Jiang Fu loved those ruby ​​earrings so much, and now that only one is left, she's understandably heartbroken."

Xu Zhaozhao scoffed at the idea.

Others might not know what kind of person Jiang Fu is, but how could she not know?

Is she planning to stage a scene depicting a deep and loving relationship with Liu Huaien?

Do you really think everyone else is stupid?

Even before Liu Huaien became disabled, I didn't see you, Jiang Fu, caring much about him!

Now that you can't inherit the title and are crippled, who would believe you if you came here to put on this show of a loving couple?

Princess Anhe's eyes were also full of mockery, and she naturally did not believe that Jiang Fu would be such a deeply affectionate person.

But even if you don't believe it, you can't show it openly.

As the maids searched, they couldn't help but ask Xu Zhaozhao and Princess Anhe to stay away from the area. By doing so, they ended up getting closer to the lotus pond.

Xu Zhaozhao had been observing from the shadows and quickly realized what these people were up to.

Is this an attempt to embarrass the two women, sisters-in-law, by making them fall into the water on the spot?

The back garden was full of women. If it were just the two women who fell into the water, they wouldn't have to worry about their reputation. But with so many women and so many people coming and going without incident, it was only the two sisters-in-law who fell into the water. If word got out, who knows what kind of disgusting rumors would spread.

Besides, it's not summer yet, and the water is cold. What if you get sick from soaking in it? Who can you complain to then?

Xu Zhaozhao held Princess Anhe's hand tightly, then gestured for Dingxiang to deliberately bump into a maid.

"Ouch!"

Dingxiang quickly stepped forward to help the person up: "I'm so sorry, I was helping to look for her just now and didn't notice. Are you alright, young lady?"

"It's nothing. We're just servants who do manual labor. What's the big deal if we fall? Enough said, let's hurry up and find it."

"Why are you in such a hurry? I was thinking of having you check if you're injured."

"No need, no need! I'm not injured. Finding the item is the priority. That esteemed person said he would reward me with a string of cash if I found it!"

One string of cash, or one thousand copper coins!

Wow, that's really generous.

This explains why so many people were helping to search for it.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Xu Zhaozhao pulled her second sister-in-law away a bit. Soon, a maid came towards them, seemingly looking for something, but her eyes were clearly glancing at their location from time to time.

So, is this person planning to make a move?

Xu Zhaozhao doesn't like playing these childish games with people, but she can't help it when some people insist on doing it!

As the maid approached, Xu Zhaozhao simply raised her hand and flicked it into the maid's eyes, causing the maid's gaze to become somewhat unfocused.

Xu Zhaozhao didn't actually have anything in her hand; she was just making that gesture as a cover because her second sister-in-law was around.

Are you planning to push us both into the water?

The maid nodded: "Yes."

"Who gave the order?"

"Miss."

Who is your young lady?