It was only now that Madam's clothes were stained with water.
Especially that old face of hers, which was originally powdered, not lightly either, and now the powder was melting and smudging after being touched by water.
Qu Tan'er lowered her head, holding back her laughter.
She couldn't laugh, absolutely couldn't laugh!
"Master, look at this, this is your precious daughter, see how she treats me, her aunt? She's rebelling, rebelling!" Madam was truly enraged.
"Tan'er, what are you doing? Hurry and apologize to your aunt." Qu Jianglin turned stern, not daring to say too much about Madam's accusations against Qu Tan'er, but also not daring to act against Qu Tan'er for now, simply because he couldn't afford to lose face for the Eighth Prince Manor.
"Yes, please don't blame me, Aunt, it was a moment of carelessness on my part." Qu Tan'er obediently apologized.
"Someone, close the door." Madam, furious, turned around and sat down, harshly ordering the steward.
As soon as she said this, gasps echoed all around.
Closing the door, what for? To enforce the family discipline, of course.
"Elder sister, is it really necessary to get so angry? It's better to calm down. After all, Tan'er is now the Eighth Princess Consort, her status is noble." The Second Lady, seeing Madam about to close the door, seemed a bit hesitant, but who could understand her true intentions? The Second Lady also had some say in this household, after all, she gave birth to an imperial concubine.
Madam usually had to show some respect to the Second Lady.
"Yes, elder sister, second sister is right, Tan'er is no longer the same. She is not under your control anymore. If anything happens to her, it will be a big deal if word gets out." The Third Lady also chimed in, casting a glance at Qu Tan'er standing aside, though the words showed concern, not even a bit of warmth could be found in her eyes.
This, without a doubt, added fuel to the fire.
In a sarcastic tone, they reminded Madam that Qu Tan'er was not under her control anymore.
And this transformation was hard for Madam, who was used to bullying Qu Tan'er, to accept. It felt like someone who should be trampled on suddenly climbed over her head, a feeling no one could accept. Furthermore, Madam's daughter was also someone important, married to the Great Prince as the Main Consort.
Thus, Madam never paid much heed to Qu Tan'er.
"Madam, I..." The Ninth Lady timidly tried to say something.
"Shut up! You have no say here."
Just as the Ninth Lady spoke, Madam shot her a cold glare and angrily rebuked.
Instantly, the Ninth Lady fell silent.
Qu Jianglin, with a stern face, said, "Lady, Tan'er may have been in the wrong, but she is still the Eighth Princess Consort. If word reaches the Eighth Prince, I'm afraid the Qu family won't be able to bear the consequences."
"Do you think the Eighth Prince would seek justice for her? Stop dreaming! She was in an empty room right after marriage and returned home alone. Even if she died, I guess the Eighth Prince would thank us. Besides, like mother, like daughter. It's said she behaved indecently on the first day of the wedding, making the Eighth Prince despise her."
Madam's words were venomous, yet irrefutable.
Qu Tan'er's lips twitched.
Madam did hit the nail on the head.
In this patriarchal, hierarchically rigid society, women couldn't survive without relying on men. Furthermore, a married yet unloved woman was as insignificant as an ant. Look at her mother, the Ninth Lady, married to the Chief of Staff. In this household, she didn't dare to even breathe loudly, let alone have any status.
Aggrieved! Tiresome.