Chapter 194: The Successor Wife – 16

Sure enough, a few days later, Ren Xin received a formal visit request from Feng Qingyue, claiming she wanted to catch up on old times.

Ren Xin turned to the housekeeper and said, “Just tell her I’ve been a victim of domestic violence by the Lord Duke and am now terminally ill.”

The housekeeper: “…” Did she really care that little about the Lord Duke’s public image?

Qiao Ce, who was sipping tea nearby, spat his drink right out.

Book Spirit Number One commented: “When it comes to spreading rumors, Shen Shen is a professional. If there’s no drama, she’ll manufacture a disaster herself just to make it happen!”

“My Lady…”

Ren Xin offered some half-hearted comfort. “Aren’t you happy that you can solve my problems for me? I know where your heart lies, and I appreciate the sentiment.”

Qiao Ce: “…” His life and well-being clearly didn’t matter at all!

In the end, Qiao Ce had the housekeeper reply that the whole family was preparing for an upcoming excursion, so it was inconvenient to receive guests.

Feng Qingyue had expected to be rejected, so she wasn’t angry. Instead, she returned to her parents’ home, intending to have her mother use the debt of gratitude they were owed to force Ren Xin to help.

Ren Xin soon received another visit request, this time submitted by Aunt Feng.

This was harder to refuse, so she agreed to the meeting.

Feng Qingyue followed behind Aunt Feng, looking demure and obedient. She appeared to be well-mannered, but in reality, she was terrified—terrified of this Duke’s Manor.

She had died here. Before her death, she hadn’t even dared to look that man in the eye. Thinking back, her past ambitions had been nothing but a delusion. That man never truly wanted to marry her; she was just a random choice. To him, it didn’t matter who the Duchess was, as long as she was obedient.

Throughout their entire marriage, he had never touched her. If she hadn’t resorted to drugging him and been caught, she wouldn’t have “succumbed to illness” quite so quickly.

Aunt Feng was a shrewd woman. Upon entering, she didn’t mention a single word about asking for favors. Instead, she stuck to small talk and reminiscing about past kindnesses.

“Shen Shen, look at you. When you first came to our house, you were just a tiny little thing. In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown into such a fine young woman and married so well. You truly are blessed…”

Ren Xin didn’t play along; she simply offered a polite smile.

Seeing that Ren Xin wasn’t taking the bait, Aunt Feng understood her stance. However, for the sake of her daughter’s future, she steeled herself and pushed on.

“Shen Shen, your older cousin has run into some trouble recently. Have you heard anything about it?”

Ren Xin shook her head innocently. “I’m really not sure. The Lord Duke doesn’t tell me anything when he comes home. Staying here in the inner quarters, I’m practically blind and deaf to the world.”

Ren Xin didn’t even ask what had happened to her cousin, leaving Aunt Feng at a loss for how to continue the conversation.

At that moment, Jiaojiao came out and acted spoiled toward Ren Xin. “Mother, there’s something here I don’t understand. Could you explain it to me? I’m so frustrated!”

Ren Xin smiled and said, “Alright, can you wait a moment? Once the guests leave, we’ll look into it together, okay?”

Jiaojiao pouted. “But I’m in a hurry!”

Ren Xin gave Aunt Feng a helpless smile. “We’ve spoiled the child; she’s a bit impatient. Auntie, let’s continue our chat.”

Aunt Feng was now completely stripped of an opening.

Feng Qingyue watched from the side, unable to suppress her temper any longer. “I don’t believe for a second that you haven’t heard about my family’s situation. If you don’t want to help, just say so. Why put on this act? Who are you trying to disgust? Don’t forget, I’m the one who gave up this marriage to you! Our Feng family raised you for all those years; you should be overflowing with gratitude…”

Ren Xin arched an eyebrow and let out a cold laugh. “The Feng family did raise me, but you also pocketed several hundred thousand taels of silver for my upbringing. Isn’t that right, Auntie? I should think that’s more than enough to repay any ‘debt of gratitude.’

As for this marriage—you didn’t care for the Lord Duke. You called him a widower and refused to be The Successor Wife, which is why the position fell to me. So, in the end, what ‘kindness’ is there between us? I don’t know what favor you came here to ask for, but I can tell you with absolute certainty: it’s not happening. I am a mere woman of the inner court; I don’t have the power to sway the Lord Duke or make him consider your interests.

Housekeeper, see the guests out!”

Feng Qingyue stood up, about to launch into a tirade, when she caught a glimpse of a man’s figure entering the room out of the corner of her eye. She instantly began to tremble and shut her mouth.