Chapter 85: The low-profile Madame Li (2/2)

But now that she saw the actual person, she couldn’t help but recognize her beauty.

“The rumors say that she knows how to treat poisons and rescued the young general. As I see it, they might be true,” Madame Li said lightly, her eyes hooded.

If that wasn’t the case, why would Official Ouyang of the justice courts fear her so much? Why else would she use her wangfei identity to run rampant in her old home? These words turned Han Ruoxue’s expression complicated. But she quickly recovered to laugh, “Mother, you don’t think she’s returned to fight over the storehouse, right?”

Madame Li gave a cold snort. “A married daughter has no right, even if she becomes the empress herself.” Though Madame Li had birthed a daughter, she still invested time to cultivate her thoroughly. In this way, Han Ruoxue could qualify to inherit the position of heir as well.

“Then why would the storehouse key be in her hands? I bet she snatched it away from father just for that idea!” Han Ruoxue said ruthlessly.

A complex look flashed through Madame Li’s eyes as she studied Han Yunxi. “Xue’er, you haven’t paid any recent calls to Miss Mu, right?”

Han Ruoxue nodded. Though her relationship with Mu Liuyue wasn’t as intimate as Mu Liuyue and Princess Changping who were best friends, she was still on good terms with her. Han Ruoxue would always give Mu Liuyue a few rare playthings to cheer her up every time. Of course, this was what Madame Li had taught her to do. She said that being associated with Mu Liuyue was equal to be associated with Princess Changping. With Princess Changping’s support, they’d be a lot stronger than the Ministry of Appointments’ magistrate. But ever since Han Yunxi married into the Duke of Qin’s residence, Han Ruoxue hadn’t dared to see Mu Liuyue. She feared that Mu Liuyue would lose her temper and implicate her with the marriage since she was Han Yunxi’s little sister.

“The affairs of the general’s house, as well as the crown prince’s strange illness, I think you should find their meanings behind Mu Liuyue’s words,” Madame Li said simply.

“I’ll do my best,” Han Ruoxue was sincere. Seeing that her mother was about to leave, she held her back. “Mother, are we just going to let her go? Even if father gave her the storehouse key, it’s still unreasonable. She’s already been married off so we should ask for it back.”

Madame Li stilled her steps, her cold, severe gaze traveling from Han Ruoxue’s hand to her face. Seeing this, Han Ruoxue resentfully released her, knowing that her mother was angry.

“Lady Xu’s in no rush, so why are you? Even if it’s to provoke her, that’s not our place,” Madame Li’s voice was both frosty and serious.

Ever since childhood, her mother had been a cold woman. Han Ruoxue was already used to it and lowered her head. “Yes, daughter understands.”

Lady Xu had strong backing and Han Yunxi had beaten Han Yuqi up this time for Han Yunyi’s sake. With Lady Xu’s personality, how could she forgive Seventh Madame or not seek reparations against Han Yunxi?

If Seventh Madame Helian Zuixiang could be said to be the patient, forbearing type, then Madame Li was the most subdued. She was ever clear-headed and leisurely, the eternal bystander like a fisherman waiting for fish to bite. By the time Madame Li and daughter soundlessly left the scene, Han Yunxi had already assisted Seventh Madame into the rooms. Yi’er was still unconscious, and Han Yunxi felt his forehead to make sure he hadn’t contracted a fever before feeling relieved.

“Qin Wangfei, today…today, if it wasn’t for you, I don’t even know if…”

Seventh Madame looked towards her quiet son on the bed, then at Han Yunxi, too choked with emotions to speak. Han Yunxi gazed at Seventh Madame, her heart filled with helplessness. How could such a delicate, patiently enduring mother protect Yi’er? It was more likely that he protected his mother instead. This time, she had revealed the storehouse key and punished Han Yuqi. For awhile, Lady Xu wouldn’t dare to touch this duo. But it was a temporary measure at best, not a long-term solution.

The Han Family needed a new head of house soon. Even if Yi’er was still young, as long as he was a head of house, those people wouldn’t act so unbridled. Too bad she had her bet with Mu Liuyue first and no time to help these people in their struggles. If she said it was Han Congan’s idea, Han Congan was already in jail, and she guessed that neither Ms. Xu nor Ms. Li would agree.

Han Yunxi indicated that Seventh Madame didn’t need to say anymore. She sat down first and thought a bit before saying, “Chen Xiang, stay here to take care of Seventh Young Master.”

“Yes, Mistress needn’t worry. With your servant here, I won’t let anyone bully Seventh Young Master!” little Chen Xiang accepted immediately. This girl was getting smarter.

Hearing this, Seventh Madame was pleased beyond expectations. She rose to kneel in gratitude. “Many thanks to esteemed wangfei. For Yi’er to have esteemed wangfei’s care is his good fortune cultivated from three lifetimes!”

Han Yunxi personally held her back and spoke in earnest. “Seventh Madame, take good care of Yi’er. Sometimes…you have to be tough when it’s time to be tough. That Lady Xu isn’t even an official wife. Han Yuqi might be the eldest young master, but he was born of a concubine just like Yi’er. With Chen Xiang here in the future, just tell her if there’s anything, understood?”

Seventh Madame was so moved that she didn’t know what to say. She only nodded repeatedly, tears streaming down her face. Han Yunxi instructed Chen Xiang another task before leaving the rooms. She saw that the day was already getting dark, but she hadn’t even completed her motive for visiting yet!

The little pageboy from before was still waiting in the courtyard, afraid to leave. Seeing Han Yunxi emerge, he ran over like a lackey. “Esteemed wangfei, this one has been waiting for you the whole time.”

This pageboy counted as clever. Han Yunxi nodded her head. “Lead the way.”

She really did come for the storehouse this time, not for the things inside it, but to investigate whether it contained the three snake poisons she was looking for. Under the little pageboy’s guidance, she quickly reached the Han Family storehouse.