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So, she decided to send a gift in advance but would not attend the event herself.
After speaking to Charlotte, Amelia went to inform Serena that Charlotte hadn’t mentioned whether she had received an invitation. As she spoke, she suddenly felt faint and collapsed onto Serena, who instinctively supported her.
“Amelia, what’s wrong?”
“Dizzy…” she managed to utter, her voice weak.
A physician was called to check on her. Amelia’s body was inherently cold, and with the seasons changing from winter to spring, the fluctuations in temperature made her prone to illness.
Having examined her, the physician said, “Madam Amelia, you should really take care of your health. If your constitution isn’t well maintained, having children will be difficult.”
After the physician left, Amelia grasped Viola’s hand, tears in her eyes. “Viola, my health is failing me won’t be able to help you in the future. You’ll have to take on more of the responsibilities around the house, both inside and out.
Viola had never thought much of Amelia, and had only ever found her useful for a few things in the past. Despite being somewhat inept, at least there was someone to use. Now that Amelia was ill and required treatment, it would inevitably lead to more expenses.
However, as a dutiful daughter-in-law, it was not appropriate to say anything negative about the sick elder sister-in-law. Instead, Viola had to offer some words of comfort. To demonstrate her own virtue and compassion, she also arranged for some nourishing medicinal herbs to be delivered to Amelia’s room.
Once she left her sister-in-law’s quarters, Viola went to Rebecca’s room to assist with her medication. She overheard Rebecca and Serena discussing Helen’s birthday banquet, which would be held at Hell Monarch Estate.
“Sophie probably didn’t invite Aunt Charlotte.”
Rebecca snorted. “That woman thinks she’s on good terms with Sophie, but Sophie didn’t even invite her. It only makes her look foolish and delusional.”
“Yes, she’s just a joke,” Serena agreed.
Viola felt a mix of emotions.
Sophie was in charge of organizing the banquet for Helen, and it was going to be an extravagant affair. On that night, Sophie would be the center of attention as the esteemed hostess and mistress of Hell Monarch Estate.
As a woman who had also remarried, Viola instinctively compared herself to Sophie.
Though Sophie came from a prestigious family, she was now without support. In contrast, despite Viola’s own background of coming from a lesser family, she had a powerful brother who commanded significant respect and influence.
Why, then, was there such a stark difference between her and Sophie?
Viola was constantly preoccupied with the affairs of both the estate and the family, and she had to dip into her own funds to make up the shortfall. Every day, she was so exhausted that it felt as though her back might break the moment she lay down.
Meanwhile, Sophie seemed to live a carefree and happy life, so Viola couldn’t help but feel a pang of resentment.
While lost in these thoughts, she overheard Serena say, “I heard that Lady Helen publicly stated she didn’t like Sophie in the past. Considering their strained relationship, it’s possible Lady Helen will impose some rules on Sophie at the birthday banquet. With Sophie’s current temperament, she might make a scene.”
Viola remembered Sophie’s haughty and arrogant words from that day while she sat in her carriage. She really wanted to see Helen making things difficult for Sophie.
But without an invitation, how could she possibly attend Helen’s birthday banquet?
Then, she suddenly thought of her own family. With her brother now in charge of the Hell Monarch Army and the banquet being held at Hell Monarch Estate, surely they would send an invitation to the Earl of Silverstone’s family?
With that in mind, Viola excused herself after helping to administer Rebecca’s medication, claiming she needed to visit her own family because her mother was unwell. Upon returning home and asking her mother, she confirmed that they had indeed received an invitation.
Viola immediately said, “Mom, take me with you on that day.”
Evelyn was taken aback. “You already married into the Jaffe family. It wouldn’t be proper for me to bring you along.”
“Who cares if it’s proper or not? It’s just a birthday banquet. Just say that I’m accompanying you because my sister-in-law’s health isn’t great,” Viola insisted.
“What would you go for?” Evelyn asked.
She looked at her daughter, feeling that since Viola’s marriage, her temperament had become increasingly impatient.
“It’s nothing special. I just want to chat with the other ladies,” Viola said, shaking her mother’s arm. “Mom, you know, ever since I married into the Jaffe family, the family’s fortunes have declined.
“Now that my husband has even been demoted to a ninth-rank official, who would invite me to their banquet if it weren’t for my natal family’s influence? I need to get to know more noble ladies to plan for my husband’s future.”
She continued, “Moreover, I heard they invited the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill’s family. You also know that Freya has offended her. Although she has already apologized and settled the matter, there’s no guarantee that matriarch doesn’t hold a grudge. As Blake’s primary wife, it’s up to me to apologize. I’m sure the Marquis of Jadehill’s family will show some respect for my brother and accept it.”
Not knowing about the recent friction between her daughter and Sophie, Evelyn considered Viola’s words reasonable.
She said, “Since you want to go, there’s no need to stop your sister-in-law. She should visit the Hell Monarch’s princess consort as well. After all, even though your brother commands the troops, those soldiers have followed the Hell Monarch through thick and thin. Until now, the name of their unit is still the Hell Monarch Army.”
Hearing her mother’s agreement, Viola sighed with relief and smiled. “Yes, my sister-in-law should go too.”
Evelyn added, “It’s good for you to go. After all, we previously asked Lady Sophie about your husband, and she informed us of many things. We should thank her in person.”
“You’re right, Mom,” Viola responded distractedly.
“Why do you look so pale?” Evelyn closely examined her daughter’s face and frowned. “Haven’t you been resting well? How are they treating you over there?”
Viola immediately perked up. “They treat me very well. My mother-in-law is understanding, my husband respects me, and my father-in-law and elder brother-in-law are also kind. Only my younger sister-in-law is a bit arrogant, but she hasn’t caused me any trouble.”
“And what about your sister wife, Freya?” the old lady asked.
“We usually keep to ourselves. But there was that incident of her offending the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill’s family, after which people started throwing dung at our estate. We had a few words over it, but it was all settled amicably in the end,” Viola replied.
Evelyn sighed. “Recently, there have been rumors in the capital that she was captured and defiled. I don’t know if it’s true, but if it is, it would be a huge embarrassment for the Jaffe family.” “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. In any case, my husband doesn’t care for her. Since he married me, he has rarely visited her and almost never stays overnight,” said Viola.
Evelyn nodded, somewhat comforted. “That’s good. It’s a good thing that your husband is considerate of you. You should also work hard and give their family an heir as soon as possible.”
How could Viola not wish to conceive an heir soon? Yet, she had her own silent struggles.
It seemed that Blake was not very enthusiastic about intimacy, and even when he did engage, he appeared somewhat lacking in strength. It was puzzling. He was a capital guard and in good health. How could this be?
Viola ensured her husband’s diet was nourishing, and even considered consulting a physician for him, but refrained for fear it might embarrass him. She felt an indescribable discontent. Though her life seemed smooth, there was an underlying frustration that she couldn’t pinpoint.
Just then, her sister-in-law, Zoey, the current mistress of the Prince family’s household, arrived to deliver medicinal food to Evelyn. She was surprised to hear that Viola also wanted to attend Helen’s banquet. “If Viola wants to go, let her. After all, she is acquainted with Lady Sophie. Even though the Jaffe family has not received an invitation, it’s fine for her to join us,” Evelyn said. Zoey furrowed her brow. “Mother, Viola is still a member of the Jaffe family, and Lady Sophie was once married to Viola’s current husband. It would be awkward if she went.” “Zoey, don’t worry. Lady Sophie and I won’t be uncomfortable. We’ve spoken privately before, and she has always been very kind to me,” Viola reassured.
“Have you spoken since you both got remarried?” Zoey asked.
Viola hesitated but managed to say, “Yes, a while ago, we met on the street. I dismounted to greet her, and she spoke to me courteously.”
Zoey thought for a moment but shook her head. “Meeting privately is one thing, but with so many guests at the banquet, your presence might make Lady Sophie uncomfortable.”
Viola smiled. “Zoey, please don’t worry. Lady Sophie isn’t petty. She has even invited me to her home before.”