Chapter 25: Entanglements with a Scoundrel

Suxin trotted all the way into the main hall. After paying her respects to Dowager Madam Dong, she said anxiously, "Third Miss, it is terrible. Young Master Wang from the academy is waiting by the side gate. He refuses to leave and insists on seeing you. I truly have no other choice!"

Dowager Madam Dong frowned and asked, "Which Young Master Wang is this?"

Mother Xu, who by now loathed Wang Ziyu to the core, spoke with a sharp tone. She explained the situation at the academy to the Dowager and cursed bitterly, "If it weren't for that malicious Madame Ye spreading those rumors, letting Wang Ziyu get such ideas, things would never have reached this impasse. Madame Ye did this on purpose to ruin the Third Miss's reputation, forcing her into marrying that poor scholar, Wang Ziyu!"

Having lived through so much, Dowager Madam Dong was a keen judge of character. After hearing Suxin's report, she mused, "This Wang Ziyu is no good either. If his devotion were truly as firm as gold, and he didn't care for reputation, why would he lurk at the side gate instead of blocking the main entrance of the Tantai estate? He wants to ruin Jing'er's reputation without suffering any backlash himself, leaving room for maneuver, all for fear of offending your father!"

Feeling that this matter was beyond the handling of a twelve-year-old girl like Tantai Jing, the Dowager called for Mother Jiang. "Come, I shall go to the Tantai estate myself to see what kind of infatuated, brilliant young scholar this is. Does he not realize how precious a young lady's reputation is?"

Tantai Jing sneered inwardly: It is likely that Wang Ziyu knows exactly what he is doing, which is why he is pursuing her so recklessly.

Tantai Jing had truly underestimated him. She had thought the two slaps from yesterday would resolve the matter, but she had not expected Wang Ziyu to be so persistent. He must be terrified that if he misses this opportunity, he will never have another.

Tantai Jing’s hands slowly clenched into fists. *Wang Ziyu, are you truly so determined to entangle yourself with me?*

Tantai Jing stepped forward to stop Dowager Madam Dong, shaking her head gently to signal that she could handle the matter herself.

Distressed for her granddaughter, the Dowager could not accept such a situation and insisted, "You are still young; how can you handle such a disgrace? It is better for your grandmother to go and see which shameless scoundrel dares to set his sights on you!"

Tantai Jing blocked her path again. Now was not the time for the Dowager to intervene. If she could not handle even this, how would she ever stand firm in the Tantai household?

Mother Jiang, understanding both the Dowager’s concern and Tantai Jing’s intent, stepped forward to advise, "Madam, this is the current state of the Tantai household. Even if you intervene once, what about the second or third time? You must allow the Young Miss to learn how to deal with such matters herself."

Still uneasy, the Dowager stood silently. Tantai Jing quickly turned and wrote on a note: "Grandmother is Jing'er's pillar of support. If Jing'er truly cannot handle it, your intervention will be enough to turn the tide and save me from fire and water. If you step in now and things go beyond repair, who will I have to turn to?"

Finding logic in her words, the Dowager pondered for a moment before stepping back and sitting down on the carved rosewood arhat couch. She commanded coldly, "Let Mother Jiang and Mother Gui accompany the Young Miss back to the estate immediately. Forget about packing; have them each take one hundred taels in silver notes. If there is anything the Tantai estate lacks, buy it. When there is time, you can return to fetch your things."

Tantai Jing looked at the Dowager with gratitude. Her grandmother’s move, while seemingly an expedient measure, held deeper meaning. Since Mother Jiang and Mother Gui’s belongings remained at the Dong residence and they were carrying the Dong family’s silver, they remained the Dong family's people. Even Tantai Shanchang would have no authority to dispose of them.

The Dowager took Tantai Jing’s hand, her face full of worry. She stroked her forehead with a warm palm and whispered, "Rest assured, you have your grandmother behind you! No one dares to bully you. Go ahead and stir things up in the Tantai estate; at worst, I shall go to the capital and speak with your grandmother there. Even if all else fails, you still have your grandmother. The Dong residence is your home; you may come here at any time!"

Tantai Jing’s eyes filled with tears. In her past life, the Dowager had loved her just the same, yet for the sake of that scoundrel Wang Ziyu, she had ignored her grandmother’s warnings, forcing her uncles to support him, ultimately leading to a complete severance from the Dong family.

Only now did she realize that in her previous life, the Dowager had not severed ties out of cruelty, nor because she refused to help, nor because she felt shamed by Jing'er becoming a mute.

It was all because the Dowager loved her. She did not want her to be exploited by Wang Ziyu anymore; she did not want her to disgrace herself for his sake. By cutting ties, even if it cost Jing'er her status in Wang Ziyu’s household, it would prevent her from being used and coerced.

Her grandmother had truly been looking out for her.

Tantai Jing rose and bowed deeply. For the past and the present, she vowed that from this day forward, she would never live such a humiliated life again.

The Dowager watched with a heavy heart as Tantai Jing left. As their carriage followed, Mother Xu asked anxiously, "Third Miss, what should we do? I fear Madame Ye tipped off Wang Ziyu. She is desperate, terrified that you might bring help from the Dong family and seize her control of the household."

Suxin added, "I believe so too. Third Miss, you wouldn't know, but the moment you and Mother Xu left, the Madam sent the managing matrons to the Qing Shuang Studio. It is clear she will not easily surrender her power."

Mother Xu worried, "Even if the Master gives the order, it may be useless. Madame Ye will surely scheme to prevent you from taking over smoothly, forcing you to hand the household keys back to her."

Tantai Jing’s lips curled into a faint, crescent-like smile. She did not fear Madame Ye’s antics; the more she stirred, the more opportunities there would be for her to gain the upper hand.

What she truly loathed now was Wang Ziyu. Because of her past life, she found him more disgusting than a persistent fly.