Chapter 423: Headache

Tang Chongzhou blushed, feeling very embarrassed, and said, "Yes, nephew understands."
Tang Xuefen and Tang Xueying saw the embarrassed look on their father's face, and in front of their own husbands, they couldn't lift their heads.
Tang Xueli also felt sorry for her father's predicament and quickly interjected, "Why don't we see Rongxuan and Sister Ru? "
Tang laofuren said indifferently, "One is at your aunt's place, and the other is at your sister Ping's place. There are too many things going on at home recently, and although they are young, they also need to help share some of the burden. It's also a good experience for them. Girls should have more knowledge, so they won't be taken advantage of when they get married in the future."
Tang Xueying sensed that Madam Tang was alluding to something, so she quickly smiled and said, "We are all idle people, just eating for free at home. If you have any requests, simply let us know. As long as it is something we can handle, we will definitely handle it clearly and won't give you any cause for complaint."
Tang Laofuren heard the voice and said, "I know you are all obedient and filial children, but a daughter who has married is like water poured out, it is unreasonable for you to come back and help your natal family. If this spreads, how can the Tang family walk outside in the future? I appreciate your intentions, but I don't need your help. A married daughter coming back to her natal home is merely a guest, so just relax and wait for Ping Jie's wedding banquet."
Tang Lao Furen has a lot to say. On one hand, she separates Tang Xueying and her married sisters, and on the other hand, she implies that the step-aunt does not follow the rules. According to reason, the daughters who are married can avoid helping their natal family, but the step-aunt is a member of the Tang family. Shouldn't she be concerned when the second branch of the family has issues?
Tang Xuefen understood the meaning behind Tang Lao Furen's words. She stared at her father, wanting to see how he would explain.
Tang Chongzhou quickly said, "Xiang Shi has the intention to help, but she comes from a small family and has not seen much of the world. I am afraid she won't be of much help and might even cause trouble. That's why I asked her to stay at home and focus on Rong's studies. Besides, she hasn't been feeling well lately, suffering from severe headaches that make it almost impossible for her to leave the house. I also worry that her illness might worsen if she comes here, so I decided to let her stay at home peacefully."
Tang Xuefen almost laughed out loud on the spot.
Her father, who knows where he will end up at his age? Is he the only intelligent person in the world, while others are all fools?
唐老夫人什么人什么事没见过，就算撒谎也要打个草稿，想想自己该说些什么才对，这样的一番话说出来，只怕三岁的小孩都不会信。
Tang Laos ingeniously stared at Tang Chongzhou and said, "Oh really? What kind of illness did you get? Headaches like this don't happen for no reason. When you're young and energetic, you don't pay much attention to headaches or fever, but when you get older, you'll regret it. Dr. An from Bencao Tang has excellent medical skills and has gained my trust. I'll have Li Mamasan invite him to diagnose and check your pulse to see what the illness is. Just letting it go like this won't do any good. Don't let a minor illness turn into a major one."
Tang Chongzhou was slightly stunned, unexpected that Tang Lao Furen's attitude was so strong, "No... no need..."
However, before he could finish his sentence, Tang Lao Furen interrupted harshly, "What kind of talk is this? Treat the illness if there is one, how can you drag it on like this? Although the Xiang family is not a prominent household, we still have some reputation in Ningbo. Our daughter was raised well and married into the Tang family. Although she is only a concubine, if she bears a son, he will belong to our Tang family. After we pass away, her name will be listed behind the Zhang family on the genealogy. If you continue to hide and delay like this, if the illness worsens and something happens to Xiang Furen, not only will the Xiang family not let it go easily, but even Rong Ge might also face difficulties."
However, at this point, even if Tang Chongzhou was unwilling, he had to agree.
Only then did Madam Tang nod satisfactorily and signaled to Li Mama, "Treating illness should be done sooner rather than later. Take the family carriage and go to the herbal medicine hall. Invite Dr. An to come and check on Xiang Shi. Hurry back and let me know, so I won't be worried."
Li Mamma agreed with a smug expression, "Yes, I will go right away." Without giving the others a chance to react, she swiftly left the room.
By the time Tang Chongzhou and the others reacted, Li Mamma had already vanished without a trace.
Tang Chongzhou felt as if his chest was blocked, unable to catch his breath, his face turning red. What does Aunt mean by this? Does she think that Xiang's wife is pretending to be sick, and she is covering for her?
In the eyes of Er Fang, is Xiang Shih this kind of person?
He couldn't help but think of the conversation he had with Xiang Shih a few days ago.
At that time, he asked Xiang Shih to come to Er Fang for help, saying, "As Xue Ping's wedding is approaching, you should go there more often, whether you can help or not. At least show your face. Otherwise, if outsiders see it, they will say that you have no manners and refuse to intervene in your own family affairs. These people can say anything, even fabricate things that don't exist. It's better to avoid them if possible."
Aunt Xiang mentioned the second wife and immediately became resentful. She forced a smile and said through clenched teeth, "Look at what you're saying, it's something I should do. You're busy with countless responsibilities and can't possibly take the time to plan these things for me. I was just about to discuss with you when would be a good time for me to go. As you know, I have little experience and I'm afraid of doing something wrong and upsetting the Lady and Mrs. Huang. I don't want to cause trouble for you, so I can't just argue with the second wife over my own matters, can I?"
This statement is very cleverly crafted, leaving room for speculation, especially for someone as suspicious as Tang Chongzhou.
He immediately got up and asked, "What do you mean by this? Are you saying that while I was away, the people from the second room caused you trouble?"
"How could it be..." Aunt Xiang softly said, "I have always respected Madam, and I have no conflict with Madam Huang. Every time we meet, we are courteous and respectful. What grievances could there be? But as you know, I am a foolish and clumsy person. I sometimes do things without considering the consequences, and it is inevitable that I don't handle things well. Even if I am criticized with a few sentences, it is something I should bear. I can't blame others."
Tang Chongzhou frowned when he heard the sound, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"
Xi Yi-niang calmly said, "Oh dear, why do you, a man who deals with important matters, concern yourself with the affairs of us women in the inner courtyard? You can rest assured that with your trust and favor towards me, I will never bring you any disgrace even when I go out to run errands. Even if I have to endure some grievances, I accept them. You don't need to worry about these matters. Otherwise, if it's known by others, they might think I'm deliberately spreading false rumors, trying to sow discord among the members of the Tang family. This hat carries great weight, I cannot bear it and it would only crush me."
Tang Chongzhou said unhappily, "The first and second branches of the family have long been separated, and there were even conflicts to the point of irreconcilability in the early years. It's only in recent years that they have gradually started to interact. We should live our own lives behind closed doors. You don't have to demean yourself and always compromise your identity, let alone swallow your pride for my sake. Even if you don't consider yourself, you should think about Rong Ge. Can he hold his head up in front of the second branch when he grows up, if his mother always nods in agreement? I work hard and hustle in business outside, isn't it also to pave the way for Rong Ge's future and make his path smoother?" Finally, he decisively said, "You haven't been well lately, so you don't have to go out. Even without you, things can still be managed with the second branch. You don't need to put your hot face against their cold butt."
Xiang Yiniang inwardly rejoiced, but on her face, she put on a look of extreme uneasiness. "Sir, is this really appropriate?"
"There's nothing inappropriate about it!" Tang Chongzhou waved his hand decisively, directly finalizing this matter.