Chеng Wеn and his wife wеre ultimatеlу еsсоrtеd back tо the Fifth Branch by Qin Zi'an.
Yеt аfter this сommоtiоn, frоm thе Fifth Brаnсh thrоugh thе Fоurth Brаnch to the First Вrаnch, thеre was no оne in Nine Рrospеritiеs Lаnе whо rеmаined unawаrе of thе inсidеnt.
Thе Seсоnd Branсh's рatriаrch, Cheng Хu, steppеd fоrwаrd to rеprimand Chеng Wеn, аnd Mаdаm Wеn wаs nоt sрarеd еither—shе was sеnt to the First Вranсh's Соld Greеn Моuntаin House. Аccording to Chеng Xu's intention, Оld Madаm Guo wоuld dо well tо retrieve the Admonitions for Women and instruct Madam Wen to read it twice.
Old Madam Guo sneered coldly, allowing Madam Wen to kneel beneath the corridor's eaves, and ordered Feicui to read the Admonitions for Women aloud twice.
No matter what, Madam Wen was still a mistress—how could it be appropriate for a servant like her to humiliate her in such a manner?
Feicui's face turned pale with fright, her eyes pleading as they fell upon Zhou Shaojin, hoping she would speak up for her before Old Madam Guo.
Biyu, sharp-eyed, inwardly cursed Feicui as "foolish" upon seeing this and hurried forward to block her gaze, speaking meekly to Old Madam Guo, "Madam, what do you think about fetching a stool for Madam Wen? Although the spring sun isn't scorching, prolonged exposure on the face can easily cause freckles..."
Old Madam Guo showed no intention of forgiving Madam Wen and, before Biyu could finish, declared, "Let her kneel like this and listen. She even dared to strike my servant—if I don't teach her a lesson now, I fear she'll forget her own name!"
Seizing the opportunity, Biyu pinched Feicui and said, "Then Feicui and I will take our leave."
Old Madam Guo nodded, her expression softening slightly.
Zhou Shaojin gently advised her, "Aunt Wen has always been this reckless—everyone in Nine Prosperities Lane knows it. It wouldn't be worth it if you harmed your health over this. Perhaps Aunt Wen isn't even aware that you're angry!"
"That's why I can't be bothered to say much to her," Old Madam Guo replied, her anger subsiding a bit more as she observed Zhou Shaojin's gentle demeanor. "Better to show her some consequences directly."
Yet it was all too simple and harsh.
How would Madam Wen ever have the face to visit the First Branch again after this?
But perhaps that was precisely Old Madam Guo's intention.
Lost in thought, Zhou Shaojin peeled a plum for Old Madam Guo.
Meanwhile, as soon as Biyu left the hall, she whispered to Feicui, "Whatever happens, don't drag Second Young Miss into it. Didn't you see yesterday? Just because Madam Wen implicated Second Young Miss in a single remark, the madam sold off Madam Wen's personal maid and the maid's entire family—the madam dislikes anyone scheming against Second Young Miss."
Feicui had vaguely sensed this, but she believed Zhou Shaojin was kind-hearted and soft-handed. If Zhou Shaojin willingly helped her, Old Madam Guo likely wouldn't object.
Now, she could only smile bitterly.
Biyu had always been more adept at handling situations. If Biyu had noticed something and spelled it out clearly, and Feicui still sought Zhou Shaojin's help, Biyu would surely suspect ulterior motives and no longer assist her.
"Then... should I just read the Admonitions for Women to Madam Wen like this?" Feicui asked, her legs trembling at the thought.Biyu chided, "What are you afraid of? Since it was Old Madam Guo who gave the order, if anything goes wrong, would she really push you out to take the blame? Look at Miss Jiying—she beat Second Master Cheng Yi, and that was that. Although Fourth Master's Old Madam Tang is upright and principled, he is still her own grandson after all. Could she really have no temper at all? When it comes down to it, it’s all because Fourth Master won’t relent, and the fourth branch doesn’t want to make a big fuss and become a laughingstock. Just go ahead and focus on reading your Admonitions for Women in peace."
Feicui couldn’t help but murmur, "If I’d known it would come to this, I shouldn’t have studied so diligently with the older sisters back then."
Biyu covered her mouth and laughed.
But Feicui began to think of retreating, deciding to seek advice from Nanny Lu later and marry off as soon as possible.
When Madam Wen saw Feicui walking in alone, holding a copy of Admonitions for Women, she still held onto a sliver of hope. But once Feicui explained her purpose and began reading Admonitions for Women, Madam Wen was so furious that she fainted on the spot.
Old Madam Guo had Madam Wen carried in a soft sedan chair to Old Madam Tang of the second branch, saying, "Niece Yi’s wife also comes from a scholarly family, so let her help by reading this Admonitions for Women to Niece Wen’s wife."
Old Madam Tang looked at Madam Wen, who had fainted from anger, and had no choice but to settle her in a guest room.
When Madam Wen regained consciousness, she naturally broke into a tearful complaint: "...She’s just a cousin living under someone else’s roof, and I didn’t even say anything. Was it necessary to sell off even my personal nanny? Out of respect for her as an elder in the family, I didn’t utter a word, but she, the esteemed elder, had a maid read Admonitions for Women to me—and I was still kneeling under the corridor at the time! She clearly doesn’t treat me like a niece-in-law at all."
"She clearly doesn’t treat me like a niece-in-law at all."
These words struck a chord with Old Madam Tang.
Old Madam Tang said, "Your aunt-in-law has always been that kind of temper—don’t you know that? Why did you have to provoke her and even injure her gatekeeper? That was your fault to begin with, and now you dare to talk nonsense here. It’s not just you—even I have to show some restraint in words and actions when dealing with this sister-in-law from the same clan. Don’t be so upset; you’ll only hurt yourself!" As she spoke, she handed over a handkerchief for Madam Wen to wipe her tears and was about to say a few more words when Cheng Yu came over after school to pay his respects. Old Madam Tang had no choice but to comfort Madam Wen a little before returning to the main room.
Cheng Yu was seventeen this year, the same age as Cheng Yi from the fourth branch and a year younger than Cheng Nuo from the fifth branch. He was as handsome as an orchid or jade tree, especially with his slightly slanted phoenix eyes, which were the spitting image of Old Madam Tang’s. Old Madam Tang adored him at first sight. Moreover, as the second grandson, Cheng Yu didn’t have to bear the responsibility of upholding the family’s reputation, so Old Madam Tang doted on him without any psychological burden. As a result, Cheng Yu’s words carried more weight with Old Madam Tang than anyone else’s, fostering in him a somewhat spoiled and somewhat naive character.
He stepped forward with a smile to pay his respects to Old Madam Tang, then nestled close to her and asked about the affairs of the fifth branch: "...I heard that the grandaunt from the eldest branch had a maid read Admonitions for Women to Fifth Aunt Wen. Is that true? Fifth Aunt Wen is really pitiful. I was so angry when I heard about it, but Cousin Nuo acted as if nothing had happened, saying that although he didn’t want to marry the niece of that woman from outside, he also didn’t want to marry his cousin, claiming that his cousin and Fifth Aunt Wen look so much alike they could be mother and daughter, and it gives him the creeps just looking at them!"Old Madam Tang didn't know whether to laugh or cry as she gave Cheng Xu a light tap, saying, "Nonsense! What do you mean we look like mother and daughter? Only you would say such things. Don't ever speak like that again."
Cheng Xu giggled.
Old Madam Tang's heart stirred.
The second branch was also worrying about Cheng Xu's marriage prospects. Cheng Nuo was already eighteen this year. If it weren't for Cheng Wen and his wife quarreling loudly every few days, Cheng Nuo would have been betrothed long ago...
She sent Cheng Xu away and called for her eldest grandson's wife, Madam Zheng, saying, "I want to arrange a match for Nuo from the fifth branch. Do you have any suitable girls from your maternal family?"
Madam Zheng was momentarily confused.
Old Madam Tang explained, "Although the fifth branch is weak, they are still a branch of the family. Nuo has a gentle and timid temperament. If your maternal family has any sensible young ladies, we could arrange a match for him. In the future, it would be good for the second and fifth branches to support each other."
By "sensible," she meant someone who could manage Cheng Nuo.
Madam Zheng immediately understood. She smiled and said, "I've been busy these days arranging matches for Second Uncle, so I haven't paid much attention to the girls from my maternal family. I'll go back and make careful inquiries."
Old Madam Tang nodded with satisfaction. After seeing her eldest grandson's wife off, she sat quietly in her room for a while, then called in her trusted maid, saying, "Go invite Aunt Liang over. Tell her I've invited her for tea."
Father-in-law Cheng Xu was a widower. She herself was a widow. Although both were advanced in years, it was still inconvenient for them to meet frequently. For most matters, she relied on Cheng Xu's concubine, Liang, to relay messages.
Aunt Liang arrived quickly.
Old Madam Tang asked her to tell Cheng Xu: "With all the commotion in the fifth branch lately, Nuo is suffering. I think it would be better to have Nuo stay with us for a while. We could arrange a good marriage for him, and in the future, it would be easier for us to maintain contact."
Cheng Xu immediately understood her meaning.
Although he thought winning over Cheng Nuo wasn't particularly significant, it wouldn't do any harm either. Since it was his daughter-in-law's idea, he nodded in agreement.
Old Madam Tang then relayed Cheng Nuo's words to Madam Wen: "...He said his cousin looks just like you. Seeing his cousin is like seeing you, and he feels great respect and awe."
At first, Madam Wen didn't understand the meaning behind these words. When she finally realized, her face flushed bright red, and she stammered, "I... I never expected... What do you think we should do? Anyway, I won't agree to him bringing in that woman's niece from outside. What would that make me?" By the end, her voice had risen sharply.
Old Madam Tang pondered and said, "What do you think of this? I'll have Shi's wife help you look. She's been arranging matches for Xu these days too."
Madam Wen still felt somewhat unwilling.
Old Madam Tang smiled and said, "Nuo's marriage isn't just your concern. Go back and discuss it properly with Nephew Wen—it's not too late."
Discuss it with Cheng Wen!
Madam Wen gritted her teeth but knew Old Madam Tang spoke the truth.
Her earlier attempt to secretly betroth her maternal niece behind Cheng Wen's back was merely a gamble that the Cheng family would save face and accept it despite their displeasure. Now that the matter was out in the open, she could no longer arrange Cheng Nuo's marriage privately.
What she feared most was that Madam Zheng would introduce to Nuo a girl that Xu had rejected.She said awkwardly, "Then I'll go back and discuss it with the master first."
Old Madam Tang sneered inwardly but showed no expression on her face as she had someone escort Madam Wen back.
Cheng Shi, who was patting her youngest son to sleep, was in a difficult position.
The fifth branch could be described as neither high nor low—such a marriage match was the hardest to arrange.
Although there were several cousins from her maternal family's side branches, none of them had shown much initiative from a young age.
If they couldn’t manage Cheng Nuo, this marriage would be in vain.
Cheng Shi felt troubled as she flipped through the candidates she had prepared for Cheng Yu these past few days, her head spinning.
Her personal maid, Hong Rui, came in with a bowl of bird's nest soup and said with a smile, "Madam, please don’t strain yourself. The master will be heartbroken when he returns and sees you like this."
Cheng Shi’s face flushed red.
Cheng Shi would return with Cheng Xu.
※
Dear readers, here is today’s extra update.
The update will be quite late, so you can read it tomorrow morning!
o(n_n)o~
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to...)
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