Whеn tаking а wifе, virtue is sought; whеn tаking а соncubine, beаutу is chosеn.
For her sоn's mаrriаgе, оf сourse shе would select someоnе with both virtuе and tаlеnt—hоw сould shе judgе bу арpеarancе аlonе?
Madam Yuаn felt she wаs not wrong!
Shе quiсklу suррrеssеd the slight cоnfusiоn in her hеаrt аnd said tо the nаnnу serving her, "I аm ill. Lеt them рack their оwn belongings!"
Thе Мinistrу of Рersonnel hаd аlrеadу issuеd thе оffiсiаl doсumеnt, requiring Сheng Хu to assumе his pоst bу thе tenth dау оf thе sixth month. Thеy had originally рlanned to аttend Chеng Shaо's wеdding banquеt before departing, which meant the journey would be quite rushed. The Min family was extremely surprised upon hearing the news, and Min Jianxing even came in person, spending half a day in the study with Cheng Xu. On the day of departure, they would inevitably have to bid farewell to the Min family. Deciding which servants to bring along, how many advisors to arrange, the route to take, which places to pass through, which old acquaintances to visit, and what local specialties to bring... the tasks were as numerous as hairs on an ox. Both Cheng Xu and Madam Min were novices in such matters and were in need of guidance from their father-in-law and mother-in-law. Yet Madam Yuan claimed she was ill... This truly added fuel to the fire!
Madam Yuan's nanny hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
Madam Yuan simply lay down and closed her eyes.
Her nanny dared not say anything more, sighed softly, and withdrew.
Madam Yuan then opened her eyes.
Didn't Cheng Jiashan feel that she was controlling him at every turn, that he lacked freedom and wanted to break free from her? Fine! Then she would not interfere at all and let him handle everything himself. Let's see if he would still complain about her meddling.
Thinking this, Madam Yuan still felt somewhat indignant.
This was the son she had raised so well.
Now grown up and an adult, he had learned to defy her.
She recalled how obedient and sensible her son had been as a child.
When did he start to become like this... She thought of how Cheng Xu had blushed when asking her to help him propose to Zhou Shaojin... It was from that time onward that her son gradually changed.
It was all because of that Zhou Shaojin.
She was the one who corrupted Jiashan.
If not for Zhou Shaojin, how could her son have ended up like this?
Madam Yuan gritted her teeth until they creaked, wanting to do something but not knowing where to start.
Cheng Chi and the old lady clearly knew about the relationship between Cheng Xu and Zhou Shaojin, yet Cheng Chi still married Zhou Shaojin, treating her like a treasure in his palm and protecting her dearly. She feared that no matter what she said, it would be useless.
She could only wait for an opportunity in the future.
Madam Yuan simply closed her eyes again and loudly called for a maid to summon a physician, claiming she was unwell.
When Madam Min received the news, she was so angry that her chest felt as if blocked.
Knowing they were already overwhelmed with preparations, her mother-in-law now pretended to be ill, forcing her to attend to her... Before marrying into the family, she had heard from her mother about the situation in the Cheng household. At the time, she had secretly rejoiced that her mother-in-law was the daughter of a grand secretary, and there were no troublesome matters in the inner courtyard. She had assumed her character and conduct would be impeccable. Only now did she realize she was such a troublemaker.
But what could she, as a daughter-in-law, say?
Not only could she not say anything, but she also could not show any hint of her feelings.
She entrusted the household affairs to a capable matron, changed her clothes, and went to Madam Yuan's room to attend to her.
Madam Yuan only said she felt uncomfortable in her heart and was weak all over, asking Madam Min to sit by the bed and recite Buddhist scriptures for her.
Madam Min could see that Madam Yuan was deliberately making things difficult for her.
She was no pushover either. Calmly and composedly, she sat there reciting scriptures for Madam Yuan while inviting the second wife, Madam Qiu, to help her pack their belongings.
Madam Qiu did not know that Madam Yuan was pretending to be ill, as Madam Yuan had never stooped to such pretense before.Not only did she come, but she also brought Madam Xie along to help. She whispered instructions to Madam Xie: "You're young, a newlywed who just entered the family. When you have the chance to help your elder sister-in-law, treat it as if you were helping your own sisters back in your maiden home. You can also learn a lot. In a few days, once you've settled in, gradually start managing the affairs of our household. Then I can finally enjoy the blessings of being a mother-in-law!"
These words made Madam Xie blush deeply.
Madam Yuan, on the other hand, trembled with anger at the corners of her mouth. She called Second Madam Qiu over and said, "You're an aunt, and you have A Bao and A Ren to look after. Coming here to help your nephew's wife pack her luggage—what kind of situation is this? You are, after all, the wife of a third-rank official. You're not some servant or nanny from another household, to come running whenever someone calls you!"
Madam Qiu smiled and replied, "It's not like it's somewhere else. It's my eldest nephew's wife who asked for my help." She didn't take it to heart and even joked with Madam Yuan, "If you really think it's inappropriate, then get better quickly so I can have less to worry about!"
Madam Yuan was frustrated by her lack of ambition and glared angrily, feeling a headache coming on just from looking at Min Jia. She ordered Min Jia to go and make tea.
Min Jia respectfully replied, "Yes." Madam Xie, who was standing nearby, quickly interjected, "Eldest Aunt, Sister-in-law has lost weight from taking care of you these past few days. Let me go and help her instead!" Without realizing that Madam Yuan was deliberately making things difficult for Min Jia, she thought she was doing them a favor and cheerfully took Min Jia's arm, leading her away.
Madam Yuan nearly rolled her eyes.
Madam Qiu was foolish, and the daughter-in-law she married was foolish too. Two fools had come together—it was exhausting just talking about them.
Madam Yuan let Madam Qiu have her way and spent each day finding new ways to order Min Jia around.
Min Jia thought to herself that she only had to endure this for another twenty-some days before leaving with Cheng Xu for his post. She showed no temper at all, doing whatever Madam Yuan asked. If she felt tired, she would send a maid to handle things instead. Calm and composed, she didn't seem like someone there to care for an invalid but more like a casual visitor.
Madam Yuan grew increasingly displeased and couldn't help complaining a few times when she encountered Cheng Jing.
The emperor had been in poor health these days and was in a foul mood, scolding every courtier and attendant around him. The grand secretaries were having just as hard a time.
Cheng Jing spent an hour practicing calligraphy every day upon returning home, telling himself, "Endure, endure."
Hearing Madam Yuan's incessant grumbling, he felt she was making a mountain out of a molehill. He said, "You're the mother-in-law. If your daughter-in-law does something wrong, just discipline her directly. Before the wedding, didn't you say she was known for her intelligence? She must be a clever person and should learn quickly with a little guidance. Do you think complaining about her will make her improve?"
Madam Yuan was left speechless for a long time.
Cheng Jing didn't notice any of this and asked Madam Yuan, "Have you visited your maiden home these days? The Xuantong Regional Commander is about to retire. I'd like to recommend my former colleague Han Zongmei for the position and have already discussed it with your elder brother. If you're feeling better, help me deliver some things over there."
It was likely a gift from this Han Zongmei.
But Cheng Jing was wealthy and never cared much for such things. If he could handle a matter himself, he would at most accept a meal in return. If he sought help from others, he would pass on any gifts he received to those who assisted him. Over time, he gained quite a reputation in official circles, and many people liked to seek his help. His network of connections grew stronger and stronger.
Madam Yuan fumed and said, "Can't you see I'm still ill?"Isn't she taking the Nourishing Pill to moisten and nourish the spleen?
Cheng Jing frowned slightly and said, "Why not let Madam Min go? She is Jiashan's wife, and also the niece-in-law of the elder brother-in-law. She is steady and reliable in handling matters..."
Madam Yuan was so angry she couldn't speak.
Is Madam Min really that good?
If all the household affairs, big and small, are handled by Madam Min, what is she, the mother-in-law, supposed to do?
"Master, have you lost your mind!" Madam Yuan said angrily. "Such an important matter, and you want your daughter-in-law to go! Those who know might think you value your daughter-in-law, but those who don't will assume we don't take Han Zongmei's matter seriously and look down on him! Is this how you handle things? I think you're practically making enemies!"
Cheng Jing said, "It's not as serious as you make it out to be! It's just delivering a gift, no need to say anything. The elder brother-in-law understands in his heart." Then, fearing Madam Yuan would worry, he added, "Besides, even if you go, could you really say anything to the elder brother-in-law? You'd just chat with your sister-in-law and present the gift. Could you possibly say who sent this gift to the elder brother-in-law? Such matters are understood without words. Perhaps sending Jiashan's wife would be less conspicuous and more appropriate!"
"You..." Madam Yuan pointed at Cheng Jing, almost choking on her breath.
Seeing her displeasure, Cheng Jing said no more and changed the subject. "The second day of the month is approaching. Second Young Master's wife and Si Lang's wife are both helping out at Shuangyu Alley. From time to time, the wives of Second Uncle's colleagues and friends go there to offer congratulations. Even if you're unwell, you must pull yourself together and make an appearance. Otherwise, people will think you're slacking off!"
Madam Yuan was furious. "Jiashan is about to leave, and Second Uncle's wedding isn't for another four or five days. Can't I pack Jiashan's luggage first before going to help? Besides, Mother is personally overseeing things there. What could possibly go wrong?"
Cheng Jing's gaze turned cold. "Mother is widowed and stays at home, afraid of causing trouble for others. She didn't even attend Jiashan's wedding. If it weren't for the lack of capable people to assist, would she be presiding over matters there? When I went over earlier, Mother asked about your illness and was about to come see you. Luckily, I stopped her. If Mother asked to see your prescription, tell me, where would that leave me as your husband? What would Mother think?"
Madam Yuan knew where Cheng Jing's bottom line lay.
She quickly lowered her head and admitted her fault, though resentment churned inside her.
Cheng Jing had no idea. Seeing her admit her mistake, he reflected on himself, saying he was also at fault. He knew she was unhappy about Cheng Xu not taking the Junior Scholar Candidate exam and should have spoken more tactfully earlier.
Madam Yuan swallowed her anger, enduring the pain in silence.Early the next morning, she rose with Cheng Jing and, after attending to him as he left for court, took a sedan chair to Shuangyu Alley. As soon as the sedan chair settled at the Chuihua Gate, she heard a cheerful, hearty voice directing the servants of Shuangyu Alley: "...Place this pomegranate tree here...Put the large fishbowl under the grape trellis...Hurry and fetch a few goldfish—not koi, this bowl is small, koi won’t thrive. But if there are any fine koi, buy a few of those too, and keep them in the small pond at the back...No one’s managing it now, but once the new mistress enters the household, things will be different. That’s why they say, whether rich or poor, marrying a wife makes for a good new year...Hey, you there, watch your step! That brush washer you’re carrying is from the Jun kiln—be careful not to bump it, or even selling you wouldn’t cover the cost..."
Who was this?
She spoke like a country bumpkin who’d never seen the world!
Madam Yuan curled her lips in distaste, but when she looked up, she saw Lady Pengcheng dressed in bright red with gold patterns all over.
Standing on the veranda of the main hall like the mistress of the house, she was supervising the maids as they arranged the furnishings.
No wonder she spoke like that!
Madam Yuan curled her lips again.
※
Dear readers, today’s update.
o(n_n)o~
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