799 Sowing Discord
Xu Lan was not as amiable as Qiao Mei. She and Liu Fen had been sisters-in-law for decades. Although Liu Fen had a sharp tongue, she was always on the Xia family’s side.
Everyone was bound together for good or ill.
Putting aside the fact that everyone was celebrating Qiao Mei’s homecoming today, the most important thing was that Qiao Mei’s grandfather, Qiao Qiang, was also here. He was the Xia family’s savior. If not for Qiao Qiang, the Xia family would not be where they were today.
Even if Qiao Qiang said that he wanted the moon in the sky, they had to do everything they could to satisfy his wish.
Qiao Mei was Qiao Qiang’s only precious granddaughter. What would Qiao Qiang think of the Xia family after he saw how she was being treated?
“Explain yourself while I’m still in a cordial mood now. Is it done by Xia Wen or you,” Xu Lan said as she looked at Tan Jing.
Tan Jing said fearfully, “Why is it me and Xia Wen? Second Aunt-in-law also participated in the cooking, and… and the helper at home! Or perhaps there’s a problem with the ingredients…”
Seeing that Tan Jing remained incorrigible, Xu Lan smacked the table angrily and stood up. She pointed at Tan Jing and shouted, “Do you think I’m a fool! Is your second aunt-in-law that kind of person! Our helper has served the family for more than 30 years! If Xia Wen is such a senseless person, he’s not worthy of handling the Xia family’s matters! I’m giving you a way out so that you can tell the truth, yet you still have the cheek to quibble with me!”
Tan Jing was so frightened that she stood rooted to the ground and did not dare to make a sound. This was the first time she had seen Xu Lan so angry.
“Your second aunt-in-law bought everything from the supply and marketing cooperative early in the morning. All the best restaurants in the capital buy their ingredients from the same place, yet you dare to say that there’s something wrong with the ingredients? Is there something wrong with your brain! There were outsiders around just now, so I was too embarrassed to criticize you! You’re really going too far!” Xu Lan shouted with her hands on her hips.
Liu Fen’s face darkened and she was unwilling to say anything else on Tan Jing’s behalf. In the past, whenever there was a fight at home, she would try her best to stop it as long as she was around. She was always the peacemaker in this family. Now, when she looked at Tan Jing, she only felt disgusted.
“Tan Jing, did you do this?” Liu Fen said.
Seeing that she could not hide it anymore, Tan Jing nodded and admitted to it.
She was just jealous that Qiao Mei could still be so loved by the entire family even though she lost her babies. She was just jealous that even though Qiao Mei had the same kind of background as her, Qiao Mei seemed to have a more superior position in this family. She also hated the fact that Xia Wen cared so much about Qiao Mei.
Therefore, Tan Jing “added ingredients” into Qiao Mei’s favorite dishes to make her suffer a little. She did not have any other intentions except to make Qiao Mei feel uncomfortable. She was simply happy to see Qiao Mei upset.
“Is there something wrong with your brain! Did I not tell you that Qiao Mei’s grandfather will be coming today! Don’t you know how important he is to our Xia family! Where do you want me to hide my face! How am I supposed to answer to father!” Xu Lan was so angry that she almost wanted to give Tan Jing two tight slaps.
The Xia family had a reputation in the capital and they had to be careful about what they did. If they were too extravagant or did something immoral, they would be reported. Therefore, they had to be careful with their every move.
If others knew that this was how the Xia family treated their savior, their reputation would be tarnished. No one would want to deal with the Xia family.
“Sister-in-law, don’t be too angry. Uncle Qiao didn’t say anything today so he’s probably not angry. Let’s make sure everything goes well tomorrow. Don’t make yourself sick from anger,” Liu Fen advised.
“You’re my eldest daughter-in-law and Qiao Mei is my younger daughter-in-law. I don’t ask you to be exceptional, but can you not cause trouble for me? How do you expect Xia Wen to face Xia Zhe in the future? Are you trying to destroy the kinship of our Xia family? Are you trying to sow discord between Xia Wen and Xia Zhe? Have you even thought about the consequences of what you’re doing!” Xu Lan said.
Tan Jing remained silent. It was not that she did not want to speak up, but she did not dare to say anything at all, afraid that saying another word would make Xu Lan even angrier.
“Do you think I don’t know that your relatives keep coming to look for you? My son has been wearing that same coat for four years. Shouldn’t you reflect upon yourself? Xia Zhe was even the one who bought that coat for him!” Xu Lan said as she slowly sat on the sofa.
Her health was not as good as before and she would get dizzy whenever she got angry. She really could not stand Tan Jing making her so angry.
