Chapter 20 As for what became of that woman and Shifang, Yaoniang had no way of knowing. She was simply that sort of person—even in her past life, she had been guarded around others. Her features bore some resemblance to Mrs. Yu's, but their temperaments could not have been more different.Just as her mother might not care for someone yet still greet them warmly, with no one the wiser—smooth and polished on all sides, able to endure—Yaoniang, by contrast, placed great weight on personal dignity. Toward those she disliked, she would never force herself to feign cordiality. Her creed was: if it brings no pleasure, better to die than endure it.For this reason, she could have continued to exchange pleasantries with Luo Jingrou, but she had little desire to do so. Even sitting in the same room as someone she disliked felt nauseating.It was also for this reason that, in her past life, she had devoted herself to raising her two sons. As a lady from an official family who had become a wet nurse, she never once sought help from her natal family. Even before the emperor, she never asked for anything, because asking meant bowing one's head. Better to rely on oneself than on others. She raised her sons until one became a military champion and the other a shrewd and capable man—it was this that earned the emperor's trust, not merely the bond of having been milk-brothers.After making a grass grasshopper for Hao-ge'er, the two returned to the eastern wing and had a simple midday meal. Seeing that Hao-ge'er was drowsy, Yaoniang said to his wet nurse, "Let Hao-ge'er sleep here in my room, so he won't have to brave the wind outside. I'll recline on the couch for a bit."Young as Yaoniang was, she was a person of strong opinions, and the servants dared not take her lightly. Jinghao's wet nurse knew full well that this was the mistress's precious pearl and did not presume to object.When it came to watching over children, Yaoniang did not even fully trust these wet nurses.Because she herself had been one, she knew that servants thought first of how to stay idle while still drawing their wages, putting on a show of diligence before their masters. But when the master's back was turned, it was an entirely different matter.She reclined on the couch and soon drifted off to sleep.When she woke, even the wet nurse was dozing. Yaoniang slipped on her shoes and stepped out, and Yinrong said, "Fifth Miss, I hear the bridal procession is about to arrive. Would you like to go over to the main branch's quarters?""Mmm, now is just the right time to go. Help me comb my hair sleek with some pomade water, would you?" Yaoniang said with a smile.Yinrong nodded with a smile.Once she was tidied up, Yaoniang specifically instructed Baizhi, "Stay here and watch over Third Young Master. Tell his wet nurse that with so many people about and tongues wagging, he must not be allowed outside."Baizhi was steady and composed, someone who could be entrusted with matters. She and Baiying had both been sold in from outside, and their only support was Yaoniang, so they heeded her words above all others.Baizhi nodded at this and said, "Rest assured, Miss. If Third Young Master tries to go out, I'll keep a personal eye on him."Now, over at Ganquan Residence, the bride's room was filled with many sisters of the clan as well as the young ladies who were close friends of Luo Shilan. In a little while, they would all take up rolling pins to beat the groom at the door.In her past life, at occasions like this, Luo Jingrou had always been especially kind to her, so much so that Yaoniang had felt deeply grateful to her and increasingly convinced that Jingrou truly cared for her. Looking back now, at such gatherings, they were just little girls—the older young ladies might speak to you, but they hardly paid you any real mind.So she simply came in and sat down, watching Shiyu chat with others, while Yaoniang occupied herself with tea and did not disturb anyone.Just then, Luo Jingrou came over and said, "Fifth Sister, why are you only arriving now? Come, I'll take you over there to beg another red envelope. Just now, Sixth Sister got a big one—why didn't she tell you about it?"If it were anyone else, they would surely think Shiyu was in the wrong, but Yaoniang knew that such matters were the responsibility of the hosts, of those who made the arrangements—not Shiyu's. Even if Shiyu hadn't told her, it was fine; she wasn't obligated to share everything with Shiyu either.Thus, Luo Jingrou's words were deliberately provocative, seizing any opportunity to sow discord.Seeing Luo Jingrou lead her over, Jiang Ying, the cousin managing the red envelopes beside Luo Shilan, said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I didn't see you just now. Wait, I'll get one for you right away.""Thank you, Cousin Jiang. And thanks to my Third Sister for reminding me," Yaoniang said with a smile.After receiving the red envelope, she heard from outside that the groom had already arrived at the Luo residence. Shiyu hurried over to find Yaoniang: "Fifth Sister, look, Eldest Brother-in-law is about to arrive.""Yes, indeed. Let's just go up and make a few gestures," Yaoniang said, finding it all quite novel. In her past life, she had been muddle-headed, always trailing behind Luo Jingrou. Now that she could act on her own, she realized the joy of participating in things herself.Luo Jingrou stood with an air of reserved elegance, assuming that today's groomsmen would surely be sons of nobles and princes. Today, she and Luo Shizhen both stayed close to the elders. She naturally felt that Mrs. Yu was not capable enough, that Luo Shizhen was a concubine's daughter, and that her Second Aunt-in-law had never been particularly articulate. But she herself was the legitimate daughter of the first wife, her mother being a daughter of a marquis's household.Yet others only regarded her out of respect for her father. If her stepmother had vigorously promoted her and spread her reputation, that would have been fine, but her stepmother was clearly just going through the motions—appearing proper in every way, yet in truth unwilling to fight for her.After all, she was not Mrs. Yu's biological daughter; Mrs. Yu would never truly care for her.Just like that fool Yaoniang—on such a wonderful day for socializing, she had stayed home sleeping in. Truly an incorrigible disappointment.Meanwhile, Shiyu quietly whispered in Yaoniang's ear: "Cousin Jiang and several of our elder sisters are all scrambling to stand at the front. Let's not compete with them—everyone is fawning over Eldest Sister."No wonder Shiyu had navigated things so steadily in her past life; she was indeed very deliberate about her own future. For instance, right now, this was the elder sisters' domain—those standing at the front would be the first ones seen when the groom's groomsmen rushed in.It was no wonder the young ladies cared so much about their marriages. Men could make great strides in the civil examinations, military examinations, or even in official posts, but if a woman married the wrong person, her whole life would be ruined. Thus, Yaoniang could understand, though her own focus remained on saving her younger brother's life and changing the current situation.Moreover, she differed from them in that she had her own mother to worry about her. As long as she kept her brother alive and her mother's position in the household secure, her own marriage prospects would certainly not be poor.As she pondered this, the groom, accompanied by music and fanfare, had already entered the inner courtyard. The young ladies each held rolling pins, some thinking about how to strike a graceful pose, others about how to actually land a hit on the groom.The groom was the second son of the Prince of Fenyang, enfeoffed as Duke of Chengguo. The men around him were also of considerable standing. Gao Dengfeng said, "Gentlemen, if these young ladies here don't show mercy in a moment, you'll need to shield me—I'm counting on you all.""Don't worry. If they beat you black and blue, we'd feel bad about it too.""Relax, relax. A few grown men like us can surely handle a few young ladies."The crowd burst into laughter, and the groom gave a wry smile as well.The door was pushed open, and the young ladies, carrying rolling pins and reeking of face powder, charged out. Yaoniang and Shiyu, hand in hand, tagged along behind, blending in with the chaos. Yaoniang had initially thought she would be the weakest of the bunch, given her youth and inexperience compared to the older girls.To her surprise, thanks to her long practice of jumping rope and playing hawk-and-chicks, she turned out to be the fastest runner, easily landing hits on several people. The young noblemen, who had just been boasting that they could handle anything, were now fleeing with their heads in their hands.Two of them muttered under their breath: "I really didn't see that coming—that little girl can run fast. Now I know what it means to be 'still as a maiden, swift as a hare.' She looked so sweet and adorable just a moment ago, but ouch, that swing of hers really hurt."Overhearing their conversation, Yaoniang couldn't help but bite her lip and stifle a laugh.

The Second Wife’s Daughter