The second branch’s main hall was packed at that moment, filled with a dense crowd of women from both senior and junior generations.
When Madam Luo and the others arrived, countless eyes turned toward them in unison. The gazes varied in tone and intent, so much so that it looked like a formal three-party interrogation.
On the carved chairs along both sides sat the two madams of the second branch. Their daughters-in-law and concubines stood behind them, while the seats in front were left open for Madam Luo and her group.
At the head seat directly facing the entrance sat the Old Madam of the second branch, Old Madam Chen. She was dressed in luxurious attire, her temples streaked with gray. Though advanced in age, she showed no signs of fatigue; instead, she carried the well-nourished bearing of someone long accustomed to comfort and privilege.
Looking at the room full of people, Jiang Yao could not help but sigh inwardly. The second branch truly had many members. Compared to them, the first branch could indeed be considered sparsely populated and lacking in descendants.
“Paying respects to Old Madam.”
Madam Luo led Jiang Yao and Luo Fuqu forward to offer greetings. Her etiquette was flawless, leaving no room for criticism.
“Rise,” the Old Madam said lightly, her tone indifferent and not particularly warm.
She lifted her drooping eyelids slightly, her sharp gaze sweeping over Jiang Yao as she examined her from head to toe. “So this is Ming Shu’s new wife? She does look clever and intelligent, but…”
She paused, her eyes turning more critical. “Her appearance is far too outstanding.”
At these words, Jiang Yao’s lips twitched slightly. She felt that the Pei family—or rather, these high-born households—must have some sort of issue. Was being beautiful now something offensive to them?
She had originally intended to watch the drama unfold, yet unexpectedly she had become the subject of it herself.
However, from this brief encounter alone, Jiang Yao could already tell that the relationship between the two branches was likely far more tense than she had imagined.
Before she could speak, Second Madam Madam Guo eagerly chimed in, “They say a wife should be chosen for virtue. Excessive beauty can bring calamity to the family. Eldest Sister-in-law, you must properly enforce the rules in the future, lest others look down on you.”
As she spoke, she smiled at Madam Luo, her small eyes flashing with calculation.
People often said one should not strike a smiling face, yet her expression made one want to slap it twice.
In contrast, Madam Luo remained unusually calm. She spoke unhurriedly, “Second Sister-in-law is joking. Appearance is given by one’s parents. If the parents are handsome and beautiful, the children will naturally not be lacking in looks. But if the parents are born with shifty eyes and rat-like features…”
As she said this, she looked up at Madam Guo and paused deliberately, her gaze meaningful. Then she suddenly smiled as though recalling something, yet did not continue further.
At her words, a few people could not help but snicker.
Madam Guo’s expression darkened instantly.
Jiang Yao was slightly puzzled. Luo Fuqu, standing beside her, glanced at her and whispered gossipingly, “Second Aunt takes after her father and has small eyes. Her children also resemble her—tiny sesame-like eyes. They look like they were carved from the same mold, clearly a family at a glance.”
Jiang Yao suddenly understood. No wonder Madam Guo’s expression had turned so ugly—it had struck a sore spot.
Meanwhile, Madam Luo pretended not to notice Madam Guo’s reaction. She sighed lightly and said in feigned helplessness, “So, appearance is appearance and character is character. There is no absolute connection between the two.”
“Moreover, the noble consort in the palace was once renowned for her beauty, said to be unmatched under heaven. Are you suggesting, Second Sister-in-law, that even the noble consort had improper character?”
She looked at the other party meaningfully.
Madam Guo gritted her teeth. “Eldest Sister-in-law, do not put words in my mouth. That is not what I meant.”
Madam Luo cast her a sideways glance and snorted coldly, “That is for the best.”
“Jiang Shi has a gentle temperament and is well-mannered and cultured. I am very fond of her.”
Jiang Yao was her daughter-in-law and a member of the first branch. Whether she liked her or not was one matter, but it was not the second branch’s place to point fingers or make remarks.
Her protection made Jiang Yao glance at her in surprise.
Second Madam Guo was still about to say something, but after Old Madam Chen shot her a look, she immediately fell silent. Then Third Madam Madam He spoke up.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, you arrived quite late today. We almost thought you would not come. It does not matter to us, but it is still improper to keep Mother waiting so long.”
The implication was clear: as a junior, Madam Luo had disrespected her elders.
Madam Luo frowned.
Suddenly, a sigh rang out, clear and distinct.
“Old Madam, two aunts, this is my fault.”
Jiang Yao spoke, her voice soft and melodious, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.
She smoothed her hair lightly, a trace of powder on her fingertips, her bright face showing faint apology. “I was being overly concerned with etiquette and insisted on paying respects at the ancestral tablets of the two old madams first, which delayed us.”
“This matter has nothing to do with my mother. If anyone must be blamed, then blame me. I should not have delayed paying respects to you because I first went to burn incense for the Great Old Madam.”
At these words, the atmosphere dropped instantly to freezing point.
Everyone subconsciously looked toward Old Madam Chen’s expression.
It was well known that the “Great Old Madam” Jiang Yao referred to was the original wife of the old marquis, who had borne a son—Madam Luo’s husband.
Old Madam Chen, however, was a later addition, a concubine elevated to wife. In terms of propriety and hierarchy, she could never surpass the original wife.
This was something everyone understood but no one dared to mention openly. Jiang Yao’s words were effectively a public slap to Old Madam Chen’s face, reminding her not to overstep her place.
Strictly speaking, the first branch’s ancestors were of higher standing. Even Old Madam Chen would have to kneel and kowtow before the memorial tablet of the original wife.
For Jiang Yao and the others to visit her memorial first was entirely appropriate.
Madam Luo clenched her hand slightly, giving Jiang Yao a disapproving glance as if to reprimand her.
But Jiang Yao remained unmoved. She had not missed the faint curve at the corner of Madam Luo’s lips.
When she looked again at Old Madam Chen, she still wore her dignified and proud expression, but upon closer inspection, the muscles in her face seemed to twitch slightly, a layer of gloom settling over her features. Her sharp gaze fixed on Jiang Yao, clearly showing that her heart was far from calm.
Jiang Yao was not afraid. Her peach-blossom-like face remained calm and composed, as though she had sensed nothing unusual around her.
This made the second branch uncertain whether she was truly naive, pretending, or simply naturally slow-witted.
After a long silence, Old Madam Chen finally curled her lips into a thin smile. “What a clever tongue you have. No wonder your mother-in-law is so fond of you.”
Jiang Yao smiled brightly. “You are right, Old Madam. My mother-in-law is also considerate of me. She even exempts me from daily morning greetings and allows me to sleep a little longer to grow taller.”
Old Madam Chen’s expression darkened. “Nonsense. How can ancestral rules be abandoned?”
Jiang Yao looked troubled. “I was also in a difficult position at first, so I specially apologized before the Great Old Madam’s memorial.”
She frowned slightly in feigned distress, then brightened again. “But my mother-in-law said the Great Old Madam was kind and magnanimous, and that she loved the younger generation most and would not blame me. After thinking about it, I felt my mother’s consideration was also for my good. If I disobeyed her, it would be unfilial, so I could only comply. I believe the ancestors would not blame a junior like me either.”
With that, Jiang Yao turned to Madam Luo, took her hand, and said tearfully, “Mother, in my heart you are the most reasonable and understanding mother-in-law in the world. I am truly blessed to have become your daughter-in-law!”
Her gaze was sincere and admiring, her tone heartfelt.
Everyone was stunned.
The hand she held trembled slightly. Madam Luo was speechless—when had she ever said such things?
Even Luo Fuqu was dumbfounded. Jiang Yao actually had such a side to her!