Chapter 200: The Successor Wife – 22 (End)

Jiaojiao didn’t like it either. She whispered to Ren Xin, “I don’t like going out to play with them. They’re so boring. On the surface, they’re all respectful and subservient to me, but behind my back, every word they say is derogatory. They think I don’t know!”

This would not do!

Her child could not be allowed to suffer even the slightest grievance!

“Who spoke ill of you? Tell me. I’ll wait for their families to host a banquet, and we’ll attend. I want them to know that we can say things even nastier than they can!”

Jiaojiao was eager to try, and Qiao Ce didn’t stop them. He also wanted to see which parents had failed to properly educate their children.

In the end, Ren Xin truly took Jiaojiao along and decimated everyone in her path, nearly landing them on the blacklist of every major household’s guest list.

“Oh ho! If it isn’t Madam Liu, the one who always lets her daughter gossip behind people’s backs like a common market wench? Why are you here? Oh, I remember now. Didn’t you just arrange a new concubine for your husband recently? How very virtuous of you…”

“What an unfortunate coincidence! All the uncultured families have gathered in one place. Your children have said quite a few nasty things about my darling behind her back. When I heard it, I couldn’t stop crying. Although this child isn’t mine by blood, I have raised her with all my heart. Moreover, she is the apple of my Lord Duke’s eye. For you to slander her like this, you’re trying to drive us to our deaths…”

Everyone: “…” She was truly someone they couldn’t afford to provoke!

It seemed that all the unspoken rules of social etiquette were useless against Ren Xin. She had her own set of social standards: if you chirped about her behind her back, she would trample your dignity into the dirt to your face.

Jiaojiao expressed that she had learned a valuable lesson, but Qiao Ce advised her worriedly, “Your mother is unique. You shouldn’t try to imitate her.”

Ren Xin agreed. “Your father is right. You should figure out your own set of ‘going-mad’ rules instead of copying mine.”

Qiao Ce: “…” Was that really what he meant?

Qiao Wuenci doted on his younger sister. Ever since he found out people were speaking ill of her, he had been secretly causing trouble for the young men of those families. He made their lives miserable until they finally traced the source of their problems back to their own sisters’ big mouths.

The families of these young ladies had no choice but to bring lavish gifts and visit the estate to offer their apologies.

Ren Xin received them warmly, saying with a smile, “Matters between children are just trifles that pass with time. However, if I hear any more nonsensical talk in the future, this matter won’t be settled even if your houses are seized and your assets liquidated.”

Everyone: “…” That was definitely a threat!

Regardless, Jiaojiao grew up to be a “Titan Arum¹“—bold and fiery, yet beautiful and kind-hearted, possessing a vibrant vitality and a healthy, regular grace.

Qiao Wuenci had already entered the imperial court as an official. He was the youngest scholar in the current dynasty to achieve the “Triple First²” in the civil examinations, and he was skilled in both the pen and the sword. With his striking appearance, many families had begun making discreet inquiries about him.

Ren Xin said proudly to Qiao Ce, “Look at how well I’ve raised the children.”

Qiao Ce smiled and said, “I’m just glad it was you.”

Ren Xin didn’t pay much attention to his sentiment, continuing her self-praise. “Tell me, how did you get so lucky to marry someone like me?”

Qiao Ce only smiled and said nothing.

In this life, being able to walk side-by-side for a journey was fulfillment enough.

Eventually, Ren Xin felt she had seen enough. Sensing that her time was nearly up, she decided to die first.

She smiled at Qiao Ce and said, “I’m off now.”

It was just like any ordinary afternoon when she was heading out to have fun. She spoke to Qiao Ce with the same playful air, leaving without a trace of lingering hesitation. As soon as she finished speaking, she closed her eyes.

Her children stayed by her side, their faces drenched in tears.

Translator’s Notes