Chapter 969: Chapter 819, Adultery_2 Chapter 969: Chapter 819, Adultery_2 “Ahem~”
“Pfft~”
All sorts of odd sounds spontaneously erupted throughout the room.

Daohua briefly glanced around and noticed many Madams had turned red in the face, and some were still trembling in the shoulders.

Seeing everyone’s reaction, Princess Consort Ma felt she couldn’t save face and didn’t know how to respond to this situation. She was so angry she couldn’t speak and could only glare fiercely at Daohua.

Luo Qiong was silent for a moment, then spoke up, “Younger sister-in-law, the Princess Consort is our elder. Even if you’re dissatisfied with her in your heart, you shouldn’t be so disrespectful.”

Daohua looked at Luo Qiong in surprise. In the past, when they had conflicts with the Ma family, she had never intervened and was almost always passively standing by, like a wooden figure.

“How filial my older sister is. Why not take in this young lady and fulfill your filial duty towards the Princess Consort?”

Luo Qiong laughed, “This was given to you by the Princess Consort. How could I so covetously take what is beloved by another?”

Daohua’s smile was even more radiant than hers, “I don’t love it at all. Please, Older Sister, take it.” Without waiting for Luo Qiong to speak, she continued, “Older Sister, it’s not enough to just talk sweetly; you should also show it through your actions. I’m sure you’re not someone who only talks the talk but can’t walk the walk, right?”

Luo Qiong fell silent, pondering how she should respond.

Daohua didn’t wait for her and, smiling, looked toward the women in the room, “On the second day of my marriage into the Prince Residence, while I was offering tea to my father, he expressly stated that all affairs, big and small, of Pingxi Hall were to be under my control, and the Princess Consort was not to interfere.”

“I don’t mean to be disrespectful to the Princess Consort; I’m just acting on father’s instructions. I hope all the Madams here won’t misunderstand me, oh!”

Princess Huijia turned her head towards Kang Naixin sitting next to her, “If in the future you could be like Yiyi, then I wouldn’t have to worry about you being bullied by your husband’s family.”

Kang Naixin smiled, “With my mother supporting me, naturally, I am not afraid of my husband’s family.”

Princess Huijia glanced at Daohua, who continued to smile, and whispered, “Having your natal family’s support is certainly good, but you also need competence of your own. Whether a man keeps concubines or servants depends not on the woman, but on whether the man wants them or not.”

Kang Naixin’s head drooped, “Then this matter becomes difficult; it’s out of my control.”

Princess Huijia tapped Kang Naixin’s head, “In the future, spend more time with Yiyi. At first, I also thought that Yechen was enamored by Yiyi’s beauty, but after getting to know her better, I’ve realized that’s not entirely the case.”

Naturally, Daohua didn’t bring that Miss Ma back to Pingxi Hall.

After having lunch, Daohua excused herself by saying she had other matters to attend to and left Pingxi Hall.

On her way back, as Daohua reflected on Luo Qiong she had seen today, a puzzled expression appeared on her face, “Have any of you noticed? Older Sister-in-law seems to have been in a much better state recently than she was over the New Year?”

Wang Manman, “It’s not just a little better; she’s improved a lot. When you first married here, the first wife always kept a stern face, giving off a cold and distant vibe. But recently, not only does she look rosy and bright, but there’s also a smile in her eyes, and she has become much gentler.”

Daohua pondered with her chin propped, “Why such a big change?”

Wang Manman hesitated, then lowered her voice, “Maybe it’s because… she gets along well with the master?”

Daohua blinked, and after grasping Wang Manman’s meaning, she suddenly showed a look of enlightenment, “Right, you’re right; that’s possible.”

However, Guyu and Lixia were confused and pulled Wang Manman to explain.

Wang Manman had no way of explaining and in the end, it was Daohua who smilingly said, “When you’re married someday, you’ll understand.” She furrowed her brows again.

“But hold on, if things were really harmonious, then why does Xiao Yechen still wear such a stern face every day, as if everyone owes him money?”

That was a question Wang Manman couldn’t answer.

After returning to Pingxi Hall, Daohua was still thinking about Luo Qiong and called over the Ping Ji daughter-in-law who was responsible for watching over the Chen Courtyard, “Has the first wife really had no unusual behavior recently?”

Ping Ji daughter-in-law shook her head, “Every day, apart from paying respects to the Princess Consort, she either stays in her own courtyard or visits the Hundred Flowers Garden to enjoy the flowers. She rarely does anything else.”

Daohua asked again, “Has the master visited the first wife’s room frequently recently?”

Ping Ji daughter-in-law shook her head again, “During the first month, the master and the first wife had a quarrel for some reason, and since then, the master has not entered the first wife’s quarters again.”

Daohua was stunned for a moment, “Are you sure?”

Ping Ji daughter-in-law nodded firmly, “The task given by the second wife, I dare not neglect. I’ve been keeping a close watch on the first wife’s side.”

Daohua’s brows twisted, if Xiao Yechen hadn’t been to Luo Qiong’s room, then Luo Qiong’s current state was a major issue.

Could it be what she was thinking?

Daohua shook her head, that shouldn’t be the case. Apart from considering the perspective of chastity prevalent in this era, she felt Luo Qiong wouldn’t be so foolish as to engage in an affair.

In common households such matters couldn’t end well, let alone in the Prince Residence, within the Imperial Family. Likely she would not ignore the face and safety of her own Duke Residence.

Ping Ji daughter-in-law spoke again, “Second Madam, since the middle of the second month, the first wife has returned to the Duke Residence several times. Does this count as unusual behavior?”

Daohua, “Yes, of course, it counts. Has she been returning to the Duke Residence often?”

Ping Ji daughter-in-law nodded, “Much more often than in previous years.”

Daohua fell silent for a while then said, “Next time the first wife goes back to the Duke Residence, have your husband follow her discreetly. Remember, whatever he sees, don’t startle the snake in the grass.”

Ping Ji daughter-in-law didn’t dare ask the reason and nodded in agreement.