When Mama Fan arrived, Mi Yao was receiving guests.
Having learned that the Xiao household had no steward, she had anticipated she would inevitably meet female visitors with close ties to the Xiao family.
Thus, she wasn’t surprised when the mother and daughter from the Ma family entered without any announcement, walking unimpeded from the main gate of the Xiao residence straight to her chamber.
As she was not yet married to Xiao Chu, she hadn’t moved into the inner quarters but was staying in the west wing of the main courtyard.
Upon arriving at her lodgings two days prior, she had noticed certain details: her chamber was spacious, meticulously cleaned, yet sparsely furnished.
Aside from the bed, there was only a faded screen painted with birds and flowers.
Though the screen appeared aged, its frame was made of red sandalwood. It seemed the person who had prepared her quarters intended for the occupant to perceive the room as humble, assuming she lacked the discernment to recognize quality.
Seeing Xiao Yi and the other two children dressed in fine kesi jackets, with gleaming gold necklaces around their necks, she grew even more certain that the heavy, faded Lu silk quilt on her bed was deliberately placed to make her feel slighted and provoke her anger.
Such an act wouldn’t come from a servant earning a monthly wage but from someone who held influence with Xiao Chu and disapproved of her arrival.
Noticing the critical, appraising gazes of the Ma mother and daughter, along with the younger Ma woman’s elaborate attire, Mi Yao even understood the reason for their unwelcome attitude.
A male lead might be a widowed king, but it was unlikely he would lack young ladies who admired him.
Grandma Ma had heard that Lady Yu was beautiful, but she hadn’t expected such striking beauty.
To assert her authority, Grandma Ma had deliberately chosen a time right after Lady Yu’s afternoon nap. Both she and her daughter had worn their finest clothes and most extravagant jewelry that day.
Yet, the elegance conveyed by their attire paled in comparison to the innate grace of a true noble.
The reception room was warmed by several charcoal braziers. Mi Yao wore a pale purple cross-collared long jacket with white magnolia patterns, paired with a gauze skirt of the same hue.
Her attire was understated, and she wore no lavish jewelry, save for a jade hairpin carved with magnolia blossoms adorning her Fallen Horse Bun.
Her ensemble didn’t appear excessively luxurious, yet it exuded a refinement distinct from others.
Coupled with her radiant face, which needed no embellishment, she resembled the fox spirits described by storytellers.
Grandma Ma watched with simmering resentment, while the young Ma lady, who intended to marry Xiao Chu, was seething with rage.
“How can you receive guests dressed like this! My mother and I carefully selected our clothes and jewelry to meet you. If you’re from a noble family, how come you’re less courteous than we are?”
Recognizing the young Ma lady’s deliberate provocation, Mi Yao gently deflected, “This is how our noble family dresses to receive guests.”
“How could that be?”
Even with limited exposure to noble ladies, the young Ma lady knew they upheld formalities and wouldn’t receive guests in everyday wear.
Mi Yao covered her mouth with a light laugh. “How should I explain this? If you were from a noble family, Young Lady Ma, you would understand.”
Her laughter was restrained, but Yu Xiu beside her chuckled openly.
The young Ma lady knew Mi Yao was mocking her, her face flushing crimson with anger. Hearing Yu Xiu’s laughter, she turned her ire toward her.
“What are you laughing at, you girl!”
“Young Lady Ma, the emerald around my neck is more valuable than all your accessories combined. If you can’t even distinguish between a mistress and her maid, how could you possibly understand my elder sister’s attire?”
Though Yu Xiu kept herself in check around Mi Yao, it didn’t mean she considered herself a mere maid in front of others.
Even as a concubine's daughter, she was still a daughter of the Yu family. Women like the Ma mother-daughter pair would only dare speak to her in hushed, deferential tones back in Jiangnan.
"If you're guests, you should remember the rules of being a guest. Putting on airs and finding fault with your hosts only reveals your lowly origins more clearly."
"Young lady, you seem to have endless things to say! Whatever Xiao Chu's background is, ours is the same. Even Xiao Chu respects me as his elder – could it be that you look down upon the master of this manor too!"
"That's right! My brother and Brother Chu are good friends. Brother Chu has always treated me differently. The bond between our Ma family and the Xiao family cannot be broken by just any random woman!"
As the mother and daughter took turns speaking, Yu Xiu looked down on them but feared they truly shared a deep relationship with Xiao Chu, worried she might cause trouble for Mi Yao.
Seeing her confidence waver, the Ma mother-daughter grew even more arrogant.
"Brother Chu usually entrusts the management of Xiao Manor to us. He treats my mother like his own elder. If you act so arrogantly, wait until Brother Chu returns and finds out – he'll surely beat you to death!"
"I'm not just any random woman. I am the wife Xiao Lang sought to marry. As for who will manage Xiao Manor in the future, I believe Xiao Lang, with his noble bearing, wouldn't be foolish about such matters. When visiting in the future, Grandma Ma and Miss Ma should have yourselves announced first. This etiquette doesn't require noble birth to understand."
Pausing at her last sentence, Mi Yao added with a meaningful smile, "As for beating me to death – wait until Xiao Lang actually beats me to death for your sake, then you can put on these airs for the next woman who enters these doors. While I'm still alive, no elder from a Ma family – not the Xiao family – has any right to act arrogantly before me."
Having spent several sleepless days consolidating control over newly acquired territories in Jingzhou, Xiao Chu had planned to sleep for a full day upon returning before appearing to complete his marriage with Mi Yao. But as he passed by the front hall, he happened to hear the words "noble bearing."
Though he knew appearing now would mean enduring some noise, he paused when he saw Mama Fan – who cared for Shan'er – weeping and heading in this direction.
"What's going on?"
The deep male voice suddenly emerged. Seeing a tall black figure appear beside the previously unoccupied Taihu stone, Mama Fan fell to the ground in fright.
"You foolish servant! Can't you recognize the Town Envoy!"
Seeing the old woman shrinking back in fear, Pu Qing shouted, revealing Xiao Chu's identity.
His shout not only stopped Mama Fan in her tracks, but also alerted the people inside, who pushed open the door and poured out.
As the door opened, cold wind rushed in. Mi Yao frowned uncomfortably. Only after hearing Miss Ma joyfully call out "Brother Chu" twice did she reluctantly put on her cloak and walk toward the entrance.
Xiao Chu had clearly just arrived in Yi Zhou. His black fur cloak covered half his face, and he looked travel-worn. Even from a distance, she could see his red-rimmed eyes.
Mi Yao truly didn't want to stand outside in the cold wind. Meeting Xiao Chu's gaze, she said, "Would you come in for a cup of hot tea, young master?"
"Oh my! What's happened here? Why are you crying like this?!"
Seeing Xiao Chu's gaze fixed on Mi Yao, Grandma Ma slapped her thigh dramatically and pointed at Mama Fan for everyone to see. "Have you been wronged? Commander Xiao is here – speak quickly! You're the nanny caring for Shan'er – if you've been wronged, it's no different from Shan'er being wronged!"
Grandma Ma hadn't expected such coincidence – Xiao Chu returning at this very moment. She hurriedly urged Mama Fan to make her complaint.
"Exactly, Mama Fan, if you've been wronged, you must explain it clearly to Brother Chu so he can uphold justice for you!"
Hearing Grandma Ma refer to Xiao Chu as Commander Xiao instead of "that boy Chu" as she had in the flower hall earlier, Mi Yao found it somewhat amusing, and a faint smile appeared on her face.
"Is Grandma Ma's maiden name Fan?"
Noticing the resemblance between Mama Fan and Grandma Ma's facial features, Mi Yao inquired.
"Why do you ask?"
At Mi Yao's question, a flicker of panic crossed Grandma Ma's eyes, but after careful thought, she decided it didn't matter if people knew she and Mama Fan were relatives.
What was wrong with recommending her own relative to be Xiao Shan's nanny?
"You look alike, so I just asked casually."
After speaking, Mi Yao noticed Xiao Chu showed no intention of entering for tea, and she could no longer endure the biting wind outside. She curtsied to him and said, "Since you have returned, as an unmarried woman, it would be improper for me to overstep my bounds in hosting guests. I shall take my leave now."
With that, she turned and walked away, her retreating figure graceful and without a trace of reluctance.
The Ma mother and daughter hadn't expected her to leave so abruptly. They stood bewildered, uncertain whether to call her back or feel relieved that she was no longer there to distract Xiao Chu with her beauty and potentially sway his favor.
Xiao Chu withdrew his gaze and turned to Mama Fan. "Is Shan'er alright?"
His eyes were sharp as a hawk's. Under his intense stare, Mama Fan felt like a criminal who had committed a grave offense and dared not ramble. She hurriedly replied, "Rest assured, Commander. The young lady is fine."
Hearing that his daughter was unharmed, Xiao Chu addressed the Ma mother and daughter. "I am weary from my journey. If you have matters to discuss, Grandma, you may speak with my attendant."
Leaving Pu Qing to handle affairs, Xiao Chu strode away briskly. Even when Miss Ma called after him, he didn't pause for a moment.
Miss Ma stamped her foot in frustration. "Brother Chu's soul has been completely bewitched by that fox spirit!"
"Miss Ma, mind your words. The Commander's need for rest has nothing to do with anyone else. If Old Lady Ma has no further business, Pu Qing will see you out."
"Who says I have no business? My Hu Tou is still playing with Young Master Xiao. We'll leave once the boys have had their fill of fun."
"Second Brother didn't rest well this morning and is currently asleep. Young Hu Tou knocked on the door several times but couldn't wake Second Brother, so he has already taken his servant and run out of the estate."
Xiao Yi had sensed trouble when he saw Ma Hu causing a commotion in their courtyard. After instructing Xiao Liang to hold Xiao Shan and lock the door tightly while pretending to sleep, he ignored Ma Hu. Once the boy grew bored and stormed off in anger, Xiao Yi hurried over upon learning that the Ma mother and daughter had come to confront Mi Yao.
But he arrived too late—Mi Yao had already left, and he also missed the chance to pay respects to his father who had just returned home.
"How could you let Hu Tou run off? What if he catches cold in such freezing weather! You're old enough to look after your brother, yet you failed. Are you jealous that my Hu Tou is as close as brothers with Young Master Xiao, and did you deliberately drive him away in anger?"
Grandma Ma looked down on Xiao Yi, an orphan with no parents, and was determined to have her grandson bond with Xiao Liang.
But for some reason, Xiao Liang truly regarded Xiao Yi as his own elder brother. Even after being told that Xiao Yi was a foundling orphan, it made no difference—he still obeyed Xiao Yi.
"No matter how old he is, he only needs to watch over his own brother. What does looking after your child have to do with him?"
Yu Xiu, worried that the Ma mother and daughter might spread rumors in front of Xiao Chu, had excused herself to retrieve something from the flower hall and returned.
Finding Xiao Chu gone, she was about to leave when she overheard Grandma Ma spouting nonsense and Xiao Yi—who had previously bested her—standing with his head bowed, silently enduring the scolding.
Thinking him spineless, Yu Xiu couldn't stand it and snorted: "Getting scolded by outsiders in your own home without any dignity as the host—no wonder people dare bully you like this."
"Young lady, how dare you interrupt when your elders are speaking!"
Knowing Mi Yao didn't take Grandma Ma seriously, Yu Xiu naturally wouldn't indulge her: "By your logic, anyone older than me is my elder and can lecture me with self-importance?"
"Who's talking about you? I meant Young Master Xiao!"
Grandma Ma feared Yu Xiu's sharp tongue. She'd assumed noble young ladies from prestigious families would be mannered and polite, never expecting both Yu sisters to be like this—showing no courtesy to others.
"What does a child his age understand? If you think he's misbehaved and need to scold him, go find my brother-in-law. Let him hear how you're blaming his son for being unreasonable just to favor your own grandson."
"Madam Ma, Miss Ma, please take your leave."Pu Qing had also found it unpleasant to hear Grandma Ma reprimanding the young master, but as a household servant with the Ma mother and daughter being guests, it wasn't his place to speak up." Fortunately, Yu Xiu had arrived to resolve the situation.
With her grandson absent and the hosts occupied, the Ma mother and daughter had no choice but to leave reluctantly. Grandma Ma shot Mama Fan a meaningful glance before departing.
Yu Xiu noticed and snorted, but before she could speak, she heard Xiao Yi address Mama Fan: "Nanny, why are you here instead of tending to Shan'er? If you find caring for Shan'er burdensome and feel wronged, I'll mention it to Father when he's available and have you replaced."
Yu Xiu pursed her lips. Earlier she'd despised him for being as timid as a quail, but now that he was asserting his authority as master, it irritated her just the same.
He was merely an orphan—what right did he have to call her elder sister "Mother" in the future?