Gu Lanfen forced a smile through her sorrow. “That’s good, that’s good!”
Xiao Yunzhu must be comforting her so she would not worry.
Such a kind, considerate child.
Xiao Yunzhu said: “Sister Lanfen, do you think I’ve suffered losses at Fourth Sister’s hands? In truth, she is the one who has lost. I’ve gained much from her.”
If she had not followed closely behind and surpassed her in imitation, Xiao Ruqiong’s ventures would not have failed so quickly. She might have earned some money. But now, all the profits that should have gone to Xiao Ruqiong had fallen into Xiao Yunzhu’s purse. Whenever she thought of this, she felt more tolerant toward Xiao Ruqiong.
That was why she had spoken so much to Old Madam and Xiao Ruqiong earlier. If she had only resentment toward Xiao Ruqiong, she would have said nothing and simply let them destroy themselves.
Gu Lanfen still did not believe she could profit from Xiao Ruqiong, but did not press further. She only reminded: “When you were young, Xiao Ruqiong was always jealous of you.”
Xiao Yunzhu: “Jealous that Father and my brothers loved me?”
She had sensed as much. Xiao Ruqiong’s insistence on marrying her off to Xu Hengce likely had something to do with it.
When she was engaged to He Baoyan, the He family was only a prominent household in Anzhou, not comparable to the capital’s nobility. Xiao Ruqiong was happy to laugh at her. But after she broke that betrothal, Xiao Ruqiong feared she might be fortunate enough to marry into a great family, or that her future husband might be outstanding. So she sought to match her with a cripple instead.
Gu Lanfen, recalling, said: “Yes. Xiao Ruqiong is peculiar. Though she is the daughter of your Second Uncle and Aunt, she seemed to believe your father and brothers ought to love her most, and often competed with you for their favor.”
At the time, she had found it laughable. What kind of person was that? Absurd!
Xiao Yunzhu, having studied Xiao Ruqiong for years, spoke with insight: “Fourth Sister has been conceited since childhood.”
Conceited enough to think the whole Xiao family should revolve around her.
Conceited enough to believe that her uncle of high rank and her outstanding cousins should favor her above their own daughters and sisters.
But where did such conceit come from? Xiao Yunzhu could not understand. In the end, she concluded it was innate.
Gu Lanfen: “You must be careful, don’t fall into her traps.”
Xiao Yunzhu nodded with a smile. “I will.”
Gu Lanfen did not wish to dwell further on Xiao Ruqiong. She had invited Xiao Yunzhu today not only to ease her heart, but also for serious business. She spoke plainly: “Yunzhu, I heard you broke off your betrothal with the He family’s third son. May I arrange a marriage for you?”
Such matters should not be spoken directly to Xiao Yunzhu, but to Madam Xiao. Yet if Madam Xiao saw her, it would surely reopen her deepest grief. She had come out of seclusion, but Madam Xiao had not. Better that they did not meet.
Xiao Yunzhu was momentarily taken aback, but showed no shyness. She smiled. “Of course! I trust Sister Lanfen’s judgment.”
Gu Lanfen, seeing she did not refuse, was delighted. “Then I will surely find you a good match!”
She had thought it through carefully. Xiao Yunzhu could not remain in the Xiao household. The second branch had already bared its fangs—who knew when they might strike again? Only by marrying quickly and leaving could she escape the danger completely.
As for Madam Xiao, she did not necessarily have to stay in the Xiao residence. After Xiao Yunzhu’s marriage, she could move to a nearby villa or build another Buddha hall.
Perhaps one day, women might live independently without relying on their natal or marital families. But for now, it was impossible. If Xiao Yunzhu broke ties with the second branch without marrying and moved out of the Xiao household, her situation would be even more perilous. Like facing not just one vicious dog, but countless wolves and tigers. So until she married, she could only feign civility with the second branch. If she could avoid tearing the mask away, she should.
Xiao Yunzhu: “Thank you, Sister Lanfen!”
Gu Lanfen: “Why be polite with me!”
In her heart, she resolved to speak with her elder sister-in-law, her husband, and her father-in-law, asking them to help as well.
That day, Xiao Yunzhu stayed long at the Song residence, returning only after supper. She also met Gu Lanfen’s husband, Song Yuancheng—a gentle, broad-minded gentleman—who told her not to be a stranger, and to visit often.
On the way home, Xiao Yunzhu’s mood was light. But as her carriage reached the second gate of the Xiao residence, Zi Ye rushed up, lifted the curtain, and whispered urgently: “Miss, Madam has gone to Dangui Courtyard!”
In ordinary households, a lady visiting her sister-in-law was nothing unusual. But her own mother was different—she had not stepped outside the Buddha hall in years.
Xiao Yunzhu: “How long ago?”
Zi Ye: “About a quarter of an hour!”
If it had been longer, she would have sent word to the Song residence.
Xiao Yunzhu asked no more, hurrying to Dangui Courtyard. Entering, she saw maids and servants craning their necks toward the main hall.
From inside came her mother’s furious voice: “How dare you harbor such thoughts, such vile schemes! Are you not afraid the Marquis will come at midnight to demand justice?!”
Xiao Yunzhu strode quickly into the hall. “Mother, calm yourself!”
Earl Xingyuan, Xiao Hui, was also present, seated with Madam Huang, looking embarrassed. Seeing her, he said at once: “Yunzhu, you’ve come just in time—persuade your mother! These matters of the inner court, your Second Uncle truly knew nothing…”
Bang! Madam Xiao smashed the teacup at hand and shouted, “You claim you didn’t know? As head of the household, you mean to say you had no idea your wife and daughter were plotting to harm your niece? Are you already stiff and lifeless though still alive?”
Xiao Hui felt her words were far too vicious, far too harsh. With a bitter face he said, “Elder Sister-in-law, please let me explain…”
Madam Xiao cut him off. “You still remember I am your elder sister-in-law! Tell me—when your elder brother was alive, did he ever treat you unfairly, even once? You wished to study literature, he invited great scholars for you. You wished to train in martial arts, he sought out the finest masters. You loved Madam Huang, Old Madam disapproved, yet he persuaded her for days until you got your wish!”
Xiao Hui thought to himself that those were mere trifles, but aloud he could only say, “My elder brother treated me extremely well.”
Madam Xiao’s voice rang sharp. “If so, why do you indulge your wife and daughter in tormenting the only flesh and blood he left in this world?!”
They wanted to ruin Xiao Yunzhu, just to salvage Fourth Girl’s reputation.
How could they even think of such a thing! These were no kin—they were enemies!
Xiao Hui cried grievance: “Elder Sister-in-law, I am wronged! I truly did not know!”
If he had known, he would certainly have stopped them. Because even he did not believe it—how could outsiders be expected to?
Qiong’er was clever among women, but still suffered from the fault of long hair and short wit, always assuming too much. His mother was aged, muddled and confused. As for his wife Madam Huang, she was worse—never very bright. Back then, what he loved was her innocence and simplicity. Later he discovered that “simple” could also be spelled “stupid.”
Madam Huang tried to argue: “No one has disgraced Yunzhu! We were doing it for her own good…”
Madam Xiao glared, her teeth clenched. “You sought to destroy her reputation, force her to marry a cripple, and make her bear the shame in place of Fourth Girl—and you call that for her good? Madam Huang, are you truly foolish, or do you think I am?”
Madam Huang burst into tears, covering her face with a handkerchief, sobbing pitifully.