When Xie Yurou mentioned Xie Linlang, a shadow of gloom instantly clouded Madam Xie’s eyes.
Having spent half her life immersed in the struggles of the inner household, she had never suffered a loss—not even when facing her father’s numerous concubines back in the Yao family. After becoming the matriarch of the Xie family, she could be described as holding absolute power. Yet, in the end, she had been deceived by a mere girl.
It was only after calming down over these past few days that Madam Xie had pieced together the trickery. In the end, it was her own carelessness that allowed Xie Linlang to feign illness right under her nose.
However, on second thought, this might not be entirely a bad thing. Xie Linlang, at such a young age, was already so cunning and deep. If she had truly followed them to Qing’an Marquis Manor, she might have posed a threat to Yurou.
Madam Xie patted Xie Yurou’s hand reassuringly and spoke earnestly, “Xie Yujing’s mother and younger brother are both in the manor. You can use her with complete peace of mind.”
Previously, she hadn’t considered having Xie Yujing accompany Yurou to the Hou Fu, but now, there seemed no more suitable candidate than her. After all, a person with attachments is easier to control.
Unlike Xie Linlang, who had no ties or burdens—bold enough to bare her teeth at Madam Xie the moment she stepped out of Xie Manor.
Having faced no rivals for years, Madam Xie was rather stubborn and self-assured. While she appeared to dismiss Xie Linlang as an insignificant trifle, in her heart, she harbored deep resentment. If an opportunity arose in the future, she would certainly teach Xie Linlang a harsh lesson.
Though reluctant, Xie Yurou knew her mother was right. So, after returning from Xie Manor, she brought Xie Yujing back to her own courtyard.
Seeing how haggard Xie Yujing had become after only a short time in the Hou Fu’s laundry room, Yurou felt little pity. She glanced at her listlessly and instructed the matron to take Xie Yujing away to freshen up and dress properly.
Unexpectedly, once tidied up, Xie Yujing herself refused to serve the heir. She knelt before Xie Yurou and spoke with heartfelt sincerity, “Eldest sister, I only wish to stay by your side and serve you. I would never dare to covet your husband.”
Her words lifted Xie Yurou’s spirits somewhat. In the end, Yurou truly kept her by her side to serve her personally, while selecting another girl from a respectable family to serve the heir.
In the courtyard of the Hou Fu’s Madam Hou.
Madam Hou reclined on a soft couch, a large ice basin placed before her. A maid in front fanned cool breezes toward her.
Enjoying a bowl of chilled yogurt, she was utterly content.
A maid lifted the beaded curtain and entered to report, “Madam, the wife of the heir has returned.”
Hearing this, the matron behind Madam Hou chuckled softly, “Madam is truly formidable. Our heir’s wife still knows what’s proper.”
Madam Hou dabbed the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief and also smiled lightly. “Madam Xie knows what’s proper, so the daughter she raised naturally isn’t far off. Since she understands her place, I, as her mother-in-law, won’t make things difficult for her. Go personally and remind them—the Anti-conception Decoction for the women in the heir’s chamber must not be discontinued.”
Previously, she had placed women in her son’s chamber for two reasons: first, out of concern for Xie Yurou’s pregnancy, fearing the young couple might lack restraint and harm the child; second, to admonish Xie Yurou and make her understand the responsibilities of being a proper wife. It was unreasonable to monopolize her husband every day while pregnant.
She had observed Xie Yurou’s recent sulking, but now that Yurou had come around, she naturally wouldn’t allow those lowly concubines to bear children and embarrass her.
The matron respectfully acknowledged the order and withdrew, casting a warning glare at the maid standing idly by.
This maid was the niece of the matron, and it was thanks to the matron’s influence that she was able to serve in the Madam’s quarters.
Seeing the matron’s gaze, she quickly lowered her head, though her heart was filled with endless grievances. Having served by the Madam’s side since childhood, she had long been infatuated with the elegant and graceful heir. However, when the wife of the heir became pregnant a few days ago, the Madam selected maids to serve the heir. She had hoped to be chosen, but the matron had deliberately kept her from going.
Today, upon hearing that the Madam intended to give Anti-conception Decoction to those maids, she realized this was likely the reason the matron had prevented her from going. The Anti-conception Decoction was cold in nature, and consuming it multiple times could harm the body and affect fertility.
Yet the matron hadn’t even asked her opinion. She would have been willing to serve the heir even if it meant never having children.
Those who have long held high positions are often like this, believing they can control everything, unaware that the seeds of disaster were quietly sown from the very beginning.
The Xiao Family
Xiao Ji received his salary and declined his colleagues’ invitation to go drinking. After returning home, he handed over all the silver to Xie Linlang.
Xiao Ji hadn’t expected Xiao Ji to entrust all the silver to her management, but she didn’t pretend to be magnanimous and refuse. After living together for so many days, she had long noticed that Xiao Ji tended to spend money rather lavishly. Now that they were a family, Xiao Ji’s silver was her silver, so what was wrong with her managing it?
Watching Xie Linlang count the four taels of silver over and over again, Xiao Ji felt somewhat embarrassed and said stiffly, “The salary at the Guard Station isn’t high. As a Xiaoqi, I only earn four taels a month.”
Xiao Ji didn’t notice the unnatural tone in Xiao Ji’s voice; managing her own husband’s salary was simply a novel experience for her, and she couldn’t help but count it a few more times.
She put the silver away and then fetched fifty copper coins from the clay jar in the bedroom, placing them in a pouch and handing it to Xiao Ji.
Seeing his puzzled expression, she explained, “Since you’re often out and about, you should carry some silver for emergencies.”
Xiao Ji said nothing but swiftly tucked the pouch into his robe, patting it affectionately. A few days earlier, he had seen Xie Linlang embroidering the pouch but hadn’t dared to ask if it was for him. Now, there was no need to ask.
To reward Xiao Ji for his understanding, Xie Linlang used the newly built small stove that evening to slowly simmer a pot of soybeans and pig trotters in a clay pot. Xiao Ji preferred stronger flavors and didn’t usually enjoy such light dishes, so Xie Linlang made a spicy dipping sauce with chili peppers, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
After the meal, as usual, Xiao Ji washed the dishes. Over the past two months, the newlywed couple had developed a routine: whenever Xiao Ji was home, dishwashing was always his task.
Once they finished washing up and lay in bed, they would share stories from their day before gradually drifting off to sleep.
For both Xie Linlang and Xiao Ji, such days felt comfortable and natural, and they secretly wished they could continue like this forever.
Xiao Ji chose a day to take the embroidery she had accumulated over time to an embroidery shop in the West Market for consignment. Her embroidery skills, honed under the guidance of a renowned teacher, were far superior to those of ordinary girls. The shop owner examined each piece carefully and offered Xie Linlang a satisfactory price, also agreeing to entrust her with future embroidery work from the shop.
Xie Linlang was still quite pleased. Although making embroidery to earn silver was slow and hard on the eyes, it was, after all, the first time in her fifteen years of life that she had earned money on her own. When she placed that one tael of silver into the earthen jar, mixing it with Xiao Ji’s silver, she felt deeply satisfied.
She always firmly remembered her mother’s words: even as a woman, one must have the ability to make a living. As long as she had a skill, she would never starve, no matter the circumstances.
Yet this was followed by a deep sense of worry. Xie Linlang felt that what she could do was truly too limited.