Chapter 1158 A Bunch of Women!
The scene that happened at the Statue of Heroes was quickly known by people who paid attention to such things.
Inside a luxurious gazebo, a group of women of different ages with nothing better to do was having a tea party. The gazebo was built in such a way where one level of the gazebo would tower over two subsequent levels, making sure everyone would know their position in the family.
At the highest level, it seated a strict-looking woman, kind-looking woman and a mild mannered woman who were the eldest, second and fourth sister-in-law of the Lan Family respectively. These three women were the figureheads of the current Lan family.
At the second level, it seated a bunch of relatively younger-looking women when compared to the women at top level. Although they didn't seem as dignified as the women seated at the highest level, they still couldn't be scoffed at. However, when one looked deeply in their eyes, one would see the deep-rooted fear they had for their older sisters at the highest level.
At the third level, it seated the daughters and daughter-in-laws of the women seated above them, who were about 30 to 40 years of age. They still exuded an aura of youthfulness mixed with a tinge of grace even at such an age.
“Mother, what are we going to do?” The daughter of the fourth sister-in law asked her mother with a stunned expression on her face. Her little Jin'er finally managed to wait out the time he was grounded. How could he go out and instantly cause trouble again?
“How could Rong'er create trouble for the Lan family at such a crucial time,” said an older-looking woman who sat beside her. She furrowed her eyebrows as she thought about the implications of this incident.
“We can't blame Jin'er and Rong'er. It's all because that b.a.s.t.a.r.d son from the Ling family. He's too arrogant,” a mean-looking woman with a concerned expression on her face said. She was annoyed that Ling Lan's group had challenged Lan Rong and Lan Jin's authority on Planet General.
“Fourth daughter, what are you saying?” A 50-year-old woman, who sat the second level, reprimanded her. After hearing these words, the oldest of the three women who had just spoken had a darkened look on her face.
“Aunt, I'm sorry. I was too reckless with my words.” After hearing the reprimand, the fourth daughter immediately stood up, restrained her anger and bow down to apologize. However, when she bowed down, a look of resentment appeared in her eyes for a single instant.
“Our mistress has warned us to not use the family name for your own use.” The eldest sister-in-law snorted. “But you all disregarded that. Now, look at what mess made and that Jin'er, what has he become?”
All the daughters and daughter-in-laws all quickly put their heads down in shame. They didn't dare to make even the slightest bit of sound.
The second sister-in-law began to speak after seeing the situation getting so tense. “Elder sister, our children just dotted on three offspring of the Lan family… Jin'er is still young. He still hasn't matured yet. He does indeed do some unorthodox things, but he still hasn't made any big mistakes. He'll be fine as long as we slowly teach and guide him towards the right path. However, our Rong'er and Ying'er are doing great, especially Ying'er, even our family head says so himself.”
After hearing Ying'er's name, the eldest sister-in-law became more calm. “At least, he doesn't disappoint and embarra.s.s the Lan family. As for Rong'er, accepting this challenge was something he couldn't avoid. In that instant, he couldn't refuse so we can't blame him.”
A slight smile appeared on the face of the second sister-in-law. There was nothing that could make her happier than hearing others praise her grandchild.
“However, that kid from the Ling family is our…” A cold-looking woman, who was the seventh sister-in-law, suddenly spoke up from her silence with hint of alienation in her voice.
“Seventh sister, he's just a vile sp.a.w.n.” Opposite of her sat a ruthless woman who cursed out loud after hearing her words.
“The matter has already pa.s.sed for so long. You still can't let it go?” replied the seventh sister-in-law.
“Let it go? I will never see eye to eye with that b.i.t.c.h.” The ruthless woman clenched her fist so tightly that her nails dug into the skin of her palm. “If you didn't stop me, I would probably have already killed that vile sp.a.w.n. That way, the Lan family wouldn't experience such a decline. Plus, what's wrong with Jin'er insulting Ling Xiao? He deserves it for being blind. Not marrying an actual princess from the Lan family but instead marrying that succubus.”
The fourth daughter who sat at the third level gnashed her teeth in frustration. “Mother's right. Back then, Ling Xiao pa.s.sed on marrying our ninth sister and married that b.i.t.c.h right after. He didn't even put the Lan family in high regard. Wasn't our family head also angry for a very long time?”
“Fourth daughter, be careful with your words.” The fourth sister-in-law, who was silent the entire time, finally couldn't just silently watch and reminded her.
The fourth daughter-in-law's face turned pale. Despite her unwillingness to stop, the Lan family still had its rules. She could only stand up and apologize, “Yes, auntie.”
“Be careful with her words?!” Seeing her daughter-in-law be reprimanded, the ruthless-looking woman exploded with anger. “I know that you have been standing behind that b.i.t.c.h from the very beginning. Now, you're also standing up for that b.i.t.c.h's
son…”
“Third sister,” the eldest sister-in-law suddenly shouted out angrily and the third sister-in-law suddenly regained her composure.
“You're probably exhausted. Fourth daughter, take your mother back inside to rest.” The eldest sister-in-law turned around and spoke to the mean-looking woman.
“Yes, auntie.” The fourth daughter didn't dare to show any dissatisfaction. The entire Lan family was under her aunt's control. If she actually were to anger her aunt, she and her mother-in-law would definitely not be treated well.
Seeing the two of them leave, the eldest sister-in-law glared at the seventh sister, “Seventh sister, why did you suddenly bring up Ling family's son?”
“I'm only reminding you of him. Ling Xiao's son is still the Lan family's blood relative,” said the seventh sister-in-law proudly.
“You know your third sister-in-law. That person is a demon in her heart.” Sighed the eldest sister-in-law.
“And because of her we're letting the real descendant of the Lan family just run about as if he is nothing?” sneered the seventh sister-in-law.
“I know you and our third sister-in-law were great friends when you were young, but it's hard to say who was in the wrong for this situation…” said the eldest sister-in-law helplessly.
The seventh sister-in-law opened her mouth but no words came out in the end. She quietly stood up and said, “Don't invite me to these gatherings in the future. I'll just be frustrated every time I see those two people.”
“Seventh sister, that's still your third sister-in-law,” the second sister-in-law couldn't help but speak up after hearing those words.
The seventh sister-in-law snorted. “My third sister-in-law is the person who my third elder brother approves of. That stranger who went outside just now is not worthy of that t.i.tle.” After saying that, she turned around and left.
The servants who were serving them, all put their heads down and held their breaths after hearing those cold words. Despite them knowing that the seventh mistress and third mistress were not friendly with each other, they still didn't think their relations.h.i.+p was this terrible. It was terrible enough for the seventh mistress to not even acknowledge the status of the third mistress.
They all felt that they had a glimpse into matters that they had no business in. They should act as if they had heard and seen nothing. Otherwise, they might get into big trouble.
Seeing the seventh sister-in-law not listening to their words and left in a huff, the three women who were sitting at the highest level were helpless. They could only shake their heads and sigh while waving their hands to gesture to the servants to leave the vicinity.
“Seventh sister has been given too much love by mother.” said the second sister-in-law with frustration.
“Back then… our third sister-in-law was indeed wronged.” The eldest sister-in-law knew very well what happened many years ago. It had created the seed of a problem that was not supposed to even appear in this world.
“Seventh sister was also raised by third sister-in-law. In her mind, compared to our family head, she was more loving and respectful towards her third sister-in-law. Wasn't the only reason she didn't want to marry was because she wanted to protect third younger brother's bloodline? After so many years, she has indeed endured much hards.h.i.+p,” sighed the second sister-in-law.
“But, our third sister-in-law is our third sister-in-law. In terms of morality, she had done her duties. We can't say anything about it. I really hope our seventh sister can think it through on her own.” The fourth sister-in-law wasn't certain about some of the details regarding the matter. In her eyes, the third sister-in-law was officially married into the Lan family so she must respect her. The other one however… was a person without any given status. She didn't want to mention her.