At Madam Deng’s words, she hurriedly stuffed the rest of the sunflower seeds into Yan Junjie’s arms. “What nonsense are you talking about? When did I eat any?”
Yan Chuxue rolled her eyes. “Third Aunt, there are sunflower seed shells at the corner of your mouth.”
Madam Deng hurriedly wiped at her mouth in a panic, only to realize Xiaoxue had tricked her.
Under Madam Zhou’s murderous glare, Madam Deng gave an awkward smile and led Yan Junjie back to the east wing.
That evening, the sound of a door slamming came from the newlyweds’ quarters. Xiaoxue peered through a crack in the window and saw that Yan Yujiao had slammed the door, while Madam Deng was trying to soothe her.
Seeing there was no more entertainment to be had, Xiaoxue shut the window and got ready for bed. When she saw Madam Zhao, she suddenly wanted to sound her out about how she felt about splitting up the household[1]Dividing a multigenerational household into separate family units could affect control of property, finances, and duties to senior relatives. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3717457_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3717457_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.
If Madam Zhao wouldn’t agree, Yan Chuxue could make plans early, instead of being the only one eager to take the lead when the time came.
“Mother,” Yan Chuxue said quietly, “what do you think about us splitting off from the family?”
Madam Zhao was startled. She looked sternly at Yan Chuxue and said, “Xiaoxue, what are you talking about? Don’t say things like that again. Your father would be angry if he heard you. How can a family split up while the elders are still alive[2]Traditional ideals of filial duty often favored keeping a family together under living parents, although actual practices varied across families and periods. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3717457_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3717457_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });? People would point fingers at us.”
Yan Chuxue pursed her lips. “Why can’t I think that? If we split off, our family could definitely live better than we do now. Father and Mother are both so hardworking.
“Mother, if we split off, you and Father could save up a dowry[3]A dowry is property or money supplied by the bride’s family for her marriage, separate from betrothal gifts provided by the groom’s side. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3717457_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3717457_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); for Xiaoxi. It’s too late for me anyway. If we don’t split off, all the money stays in Granny’s hands. Do you think Granny would give us sisters much of a dowry? She’d be glad to sell us all for money and save it up for Yan Junjie.”
Madam Zhao fell silent at that. Of course she wanted to give her daughters the best, but her mother-in-law ran the household. There was only so much she could do, even if she wanted to.
After a moment, Madam Zhao said, “Your father is the head of our household. He won’t agree to splitting it up.”
From Madam Zhao’s response, Yan Chuxue knew she was tempted. As for Yan Dajun, Yan Chuxue believed that if Madam Zhou and the others proposed splitting the household themselves, he wouldn’t object.
The next day, Yan Chuxue noticed Yan Yujiao looking at her strangely, with a hint of disdain and a little smugness.
Yan Chuxue rolled her eyes and went to help Madam Zhao with the chores, but she stayed alert. She had a feeling Yan Yujiao was going to cause trouble.
About half an hour later, Yan Chuxue saw Tang Hongxi appear at the doorway, panting. She was wondering what was going on when Yan Yujiao went to greet him in an affected, coquettish manner.
One “Brother Xi[4]Using “Brother” with part of a man’s name can signal closeness or familiarity in Chinese forms of address; it need not indicate a blood sibling. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3717457_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3717457_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });” was enough to raise goosebumps all over Yan Chuxue.
Tang Hongxi’s reaction was even more extreme. He looked at Yan Yujiao as if she were a savage beast, backing away several steps and nearly falling over.
Yan Chuxue burst out laughing, earning a glare from Yan Yujiao.
Yan Yujiao turned and said in a simpering voice, “Brother Xi, did you come to see me?” As she spoke, she directed a smoldering look at Tang Hongxi.
Unfortunately for Yan Yujiao, Tang Hongxi was as dull as a block of wood; all her effort was wasted. He shook his head sharply. “Mother, please show some propriety. I don’t even know you, so why would I come to see you? I came to see Miss Yan.”
With that, he went around Yan Yujiao and hurried over to Yan Chuxue, asking worriedly, “Mother, are you all right? Your cousin just came to tell me you’d hurt your leg. How is it now? Have you seen a doctor?”
Yan Chuxue blinked. “I didn’t hurt my leg. Who told you that? That’s a rumor.”
“Huh?” Now it was Tang Hongxi’s turn to be confused. He scratched his head. “Your cousin did. He just came to find me and said so.”
“Oh!” Yan Chuxue nodded. “So that’s why you rushed over here?”
As she spoke, the corner of Yan Chuxue’s eye caught a figure darting past outside the door. She curled her lips. She’d been wondering why Yan Yujiao had gone to all the trouble of tricking him into coming over. So this was what she’d been waiting for.
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