The two returned to the west wing and tidied up a bit, then they heard that Madame Lü had sent someone to pass on a message.
On the night of the Little New Year, the whole family sat together for a meal as was customary. After entering the room, Xu Zhihe bowed and paid her respects to Magistrate Xu and Madame Lü. Magistrate Xu’s expression was indifferent, but Madame Lü was radiant, amiably telling her to rise.
The last time Madame Lü had such a good attitude was when the Eldest Brother of the Xu family passed the provincial exams to become a Juren.
Even when her eldest daughter, Xu Yijin, married out, knowing that the betrothal geese and gift list sent by the husband’s family secretly slighted Xu Yijin, Madame Lü had only worn a fake smile, wishing she could grind her teeth to dust in her heart—how could she possibly smile this happily?
In her heart, Madame Lü was likely extremely satisfied with the young master Xu Yuyan had taken a fancy to.
Xu Zhihe smiled faintly, accepted her kindness, and looked toward the place she pointed—it was the seat after Xu Yuyan and before Xu Yingzhang.
Seeing her arrive, Xu Yingzhang called out, “Third Sister.”
Xu Zhihe gave a response. After sitting down, she turned her head and glanced at Xu Yuyan.
Her face was flushed and rosy, and the pearl flowers on her head had changed styles again. It was a diancui[1]Traditional Chinese kingfisher feather art used in jewelry making, known for its brilliant blue color. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3017724_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3017724_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); yellow sapphire buyao[2]A traditional Chinese dangling hairpin designed to sway with the wearer’s every step. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3017724_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3017724_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); hairpin with a gold and stone base, looking extraordinarily magnificent. However, paired with Xu Yuyan’s still somewhat childish face, it appeared slightly out of place.
Nevertheless, she was visibly in a highly joyous mood. Pulling the taciturn Eldest Brother Xu, she laughed incessantly, talking about how considerate that young master was and how dazzling his family’s power and influence were.
Xu Yuyan thought gleefully in her heart: if it could be settled by the end of the year, the man’s family could come to their door to formally propose next year. Once their bazi were matched and the formalities completed, she could marry out before midsummer next year.
A blush rose on her face. Seeing Eldest Brother Xu looking absent-minded, she took the initiative to say, “Eldest Brother, do not be anxious. Deng-lang has many scholars in his family. Once Deng-lang and I are settled in Bianjing city, we will send someone to invite Eldest Brother over.”
Within the Eastern Capital city of Bianjing, at the foot of the Son of Heaven, scholars and literary men emerged in multitudes. If Eldest Brother Xu could listen to people lecture on books in Bianjing, it would also be a great opportunity for him.
Eldest Brother Xu finally had a hint of a different reaction. His gaze flickered slightly, and he nodded.
Madame Lü watched with great gratification. Once Yuyan was married, being able to help out her brothers and sisters was exactly what she hoped to see most. It would be best if both Eldest Brother and Young Master Deng could strive to make a good showing, pass the exams to become Jinshi, and earn the appreciation of the Emperor, so they could also back up Xu Yijin, whose days were not going very well.
Thinking of her eldest daughter, a wave of gloom washed over Madame Lü’s heart. Her gaze patrolled the hall once, and she frowned as she asked, “Why hasn’t Yao-shi arrived yet?”
Sun Mama was just preparing to answer when she saw Magistrate Xu shake out his robes and say, “Nianqin sent someone with a message earlier, saying her stomach was aching a bit. Her body is heavy with child, so I told her not to come.”
A room full of people was looking this way. Madame Lü hadn’t expected Magistrate Xu to be so blunt, not saving her any face as the Principal Wife at all. Her expression immediately turned rather unsightly.
Madame Lü forced herself to hold on and said, “So it is like this. My husband should have told me earlier, to save my heart from worrying.”
Concubine Yao claimed she had a stomachache, so naturally Xu Lanshu couldn’t be bothered to come over and deal with them either. With two people missing from the originally arranged tables and chairs, they were left empty.
Sun Mama gave someone a look, and immediately someone moved the chairs away, readjusting the seating order.
Madame Lü’s temper finally smoothed out. She reached up to gather the hair by her temples and, according to custom, proceeded with the annual “year-end” lecture.
The set of rhetoric went back and forth over those same few sentences; Xu Zhihe had heard it so much she could recite it backward. However, Madame Lü enjoyed it immensely. After all, this was a rare opportunity to display her demeanor as the “managing principal wife.” If she didn’t show it off now, when would she?
Halfway through listening, Magistrate Xu couldn’t resist reaching out to pick up his chopsticks, helping himself to the food on his own.
Madame Lü’s eyelids twitched. She hastily added two more sentences and ended the lecture.
Preoccupied with Concubine Yao’s affairs, Magistrate Xu had absolutely no mind to savor the dishes on the table. After taking a few bites, he prepared to put down his chopsticks and head to the other courtyard.
Madame Lü’s heart burned with stifled anger, but she suppressed her displeasure and stopped him, “My husband, have you forgotten?”
Following her gaze, Magistrate Xu looked at the expectantly waiting Xu Yuyan. Remembering what Madame Lü was referring to, he said, “A few days ago, Young Master Deng came to the house for a meeting, and he and Yuyan share mutual affection. I have already approved this marriage. The whole household can begin making preparations… Da-niangzi, I will leave the heavy burden of Yuyan’s marriage in your hands.”
Madame Lü stood up and said, “My husband’s words are too serious. I will certainly do my utmost.”
Magistrate Xu lifted his eyelids and gave Madame Lü a second glance, completely unmoved in his heart—that was her biological daughter, how could she possibly not put her heart into it?
Eldest Brother Xu also turned around and said to Xu Yuyan, “Congratulations, Fourth Sister, on finding a good match.”
Xu Zhihe also raised the cup in front of her, looking at her along with Xu Yingzhang, but Xu Yuyan was busy talking to Eldest Brother Xu and didn’t even turn her head back.
Magistrate Xu took a glance, withdrew his gaze, stood up, and left the main hall.
Madame Lü watched his hurriedly departing back, feeling stifled and somewhat uncomfortable in her heart. She was clearly used to Magistrate Xu’s partiality toward Yao-shi, and had worked hard to convince herself that as long as he announced Yuyan’s marriage, whether he stayed for this meal or not actually didn’t matter.
But actually seeing him leave without a backward glance still made her choke with frustration.
Madame Lü dug her fingers into her palms and blinked her somewhat dry eyes.
She had always protected her eyes very carefully, but at this moment, it was as if a layer of hazy gray mist had risen before her eyes, blurring her vision.
Looking at Madame Lü’s back, a wave of sorrow surged in Sun Mama’s heart. She was a house-born servant of the Lü family, and later became Madame Lü’s dowry maid, coming along with her to this Xu family.
She had watched bit by bit as the young miss transformed from Lord Lü’s most cherished youngest daughter into the Da-niangzi she was today.
Ever since they had the Fourth Miss and the Master newly acquired Yao-shi, apart from the first and fifteenth of the lunar month, he had never stayed the night in the main hall again.
Sun Mama took a step forward, supporting Madame Lü, and whispered, “Da-niangzi, the most important thing right now is to handle the Fourth Miss’s marriage well.”
Madame Lü snapped back to her senses. Her gaze landed on Eldest Brother Xu and Xu Yuyan, and she seemed to be injected with motivation once more.
Right, she still had her son and daughters. Even without relying on Magistrate Xu, she could still live her days perfectly well.
Madame Lü reorganized her expression and looked at Xu Yuyan with motherly affection. “There are only a few days left until the New Year. After the New Year, I will take you to pick a good embroiderer to make a beautiful, beautiful wedding dress.”
Xu Yuyan stepped forward and hugged her mother, resting her head on her shoulder. “Mother, Mother, there’s still a while yet, what is the rush?”
“You silly girl, I suspect you have been waiting in your heart for me to bring this up for a long time.”
As the mother and daughter were talking, Concubine Du on the right side was sitting somewhat on pins and needles.
At this moment, she truly envied Yao-shi who could spend the Little New Year in her own courtyard; at least she had the capital to rebel without consequences. If she were the one who did that today, her food and charcoal would be docked by tomorrow.
After all, she had now lost the Master’s favor. A concubine without power needed to live at the mercy of the principal wife’s moods.
She could feel the emotions rolling off Madame Lü just now… Every grievance has its perpetrator, and every debt its debtor. Madame Lü was furious at Concubine Yao in her heart, but she didn’t dare to lash out at the person on the apex of the Master’s heart; she only dared to pull a long face at them.
What kind of logic was this?
Several times Concubine Du couldn’t help but want to stand up and ask to be excused, but each time she would catch Xu Yingzhang’s stopping gaze, and resentfully give up the idea.
Madame Lü was right in the middle of holding in her anger. Whoever moved at this time would become Madame Lü’s punching bag.
It was better for no one to speak up and just let Da-niangzi and Concubine Yao battle it out.
With only these few people sitting around the hall, Xu Zhihe swept her gaze over them, taking in everyone’s expressions in a single glance.
After Madame Lü finished speaking with Xu Yuyan, it was as if the former had just remembered that a whole large family was still sitting in the room. She raised her hand and said, “With the Little New Year’s Eve over, there is nothing pressing in the courtyard; you may all arrange your own time.”
From the Little New Year all the way to New Year’s Eve, there was no need to pay morning respects during this period. Students didn’t have to study, and the young ladies could also invite three to five friends to go play at the markets.
Xu Zhihe followed the crowd in bowing and thanking her. After exiting the main hall, Xu Yingzhang said a word to Concubine Du and walked to Xu Zhihe’s side.
“Third Sister.”
Recently, Xu Yingzhang often came to borrow books. As soon as he approached, Xu Zhihe understood his intention, and the two walked together toward the west wing.
The road was too quiet, and Xu Zhihe’s feet stepped on the incompletely melted snow. She turned her head and asked Xu Yingzhang, “Are you still going to study after the Little New Year’s Eve?”
Hearing this, Xu Yingzhang said softly, “…Eldest Brother likely won’t slack off.”
Eldest Brother Xu, Xu Yingdi, had failed the imperial exams and had his betrothal canceled by the Prefect of Xuanzhou. It had been quite an ugly scene at the time. It was only after Magistrate Xu was transferred away that the matter was finally dropped. After arriving in Eqiao County, Eldest Brother Xu buried his head in bitter study every single day, looking very much as if he had become obsessed.
Xu Zhihe naturally knew of Xu Yingdi’s recent performance. Madame Lü felt her son was diligent, and whenever guests came to visit the house, she would praise him as much as humanly possible.
Seeing Xu Zhihe silent, Xu Yingzhang thought for a moment, lowered his voice, and asked, “Third Sister, do you think Eldest Brother will pass the next imperial exam?”
Xu Zhihe looked at Xu Yingzhang and said honestly, “I don’t know.”
Although Eldest Brother Xu had some arrogance in front of them, he had indeed inherited the literary talent of Madame Lü’s father, Lü Ding. Coupled with the guidance of his Lü family uncles, although he didn’t pass the final exam this time, he had succeeded in becoming a Juren on his first attempt.
He had not yet reached the age of ruoguan, so in three years, his future would still be boundless.
Xu Yingzhang said, “Third Sister, I have to work even harder than Eldest Brother.”
He was fourteen this year. In three years, when he turned seventeen, he would also be able to take the field.
His heart was deeply conflicted. On one hand, he hoped his eldest brother could see his name on the golden scroll alongside his own, fulfilling the beautiful tale of two Jinshi brothers from the same family. On the other hand, he hoped his eldest brother would fail, so that he himself could secure a place in the Xu family… He didn’t dare to say such things to anyone; he only dared to think them quietly and secretly in his heart.
Hearing this, Xu Zhihe said, “That is very good. However, studying requires a balance of work and rest; do not exhaust yourself.”
As they spoke, the two had already arrived at the door of the west wing.
After entering, Xu Zhihe sat on a chair, poured a cup of warm tea, and cupped it in her hands for warmth. “Look for yourself and take what you need, though the books are quite limited.”
What could be learned at the county school was limited. If one wanted to learn more, they needed to go to an academy and formally acknowledge a master.
Xu Zhihe did not initiate this topic. Being able to lend out books was already her biggest concession.
Xu Yingzhang said, “Seeking studies at an academy… my mother does not understand these things. Father is busy associating with the officials of Eqiao County and has no free time to bother, having entrusted this matter entirely to Da-niangzi… Da-niangzi has been busy with Fourth Sister’s affairs recently, and has likely forgotten.”
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.
A few days ago, on the Laba Festival, Madame Lü had prepared the festival gifts for Eldest Brother Xu to thank his teachers early on, personally delivering them to their homes to fulfill all etiquette. But when it came to the him, she completely ignored him without a single inquiry, dedicating her entire mind to the marriage between Xu Yuyan and Young Master Deng.
She wasn’t too busy; she just didn’t care.
T/n: The New chapter is up! Enjoy the ride and do join us on this adventure 😍🎉🎊. If you want to support me, do check my other novels on my Translator’s Page🫶. You can support the original author here. Please vote on NU here. If you’re interested, you can also buy me a Ko-Fi. Happy Reading 🤓 💅.
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