Chu Wang Fei Chapter 52: Eldest miss advances step by step

嫡 di – legitimate children born from main wife
庶 shu – concubine’s children
两 liang – Ancient Chinese currency, usually fifty grams of silver or gold
主子 zhuzi – master
Liu Han Yu did not come empty handed. Yun Yan was following behind her with four yatou who were carrying various items. It seemed that she had come to pay a sick visit.
Everyone came in softly and quietly. When she saw Yun Qian Meng sitting up near the table, Liu Han Yu dragged Yun Yan along to quickly bow, saying, “Greetings to da xiaojie!”
Yun Qian Meng was calm, but her lips slightly curled into a light smile as she said, “We’re all family, yiniang and san meimei don’t need to be too polite. Quick, take a seat!”
Her decorous speech displayed the superiority of a di young miss, but also managed to tighten her bond with her yiniang and her shu sister, deepening their affection. However, she still made it clear that there was always going to be a difference between di and shu; just because she, the di sister gave an inch, doesn’t mean that they could take a mile.
Yun Yan slightly blushed when she caught Yun Qian Meng’s subtle hint. She lowered her eyes and swept a slight glance at Liu yiniang, a slightly vexed expression leaking through her eyes.
If Liu yiniang hadn’t insisted on having her embroider that handkerchief for the old madam, she wouldn’t have provoked Yun Qian Meng!
However, Yun Qian Meng did not really care about the handkerchief. Just what kinds of precious gifts had the old madam received before? If she really thought she could bribe the old madam with just a handkerchief, Liu yiniang’s thoughts were way too shallow!
She was just trying to remind them to remember their status and identity. Just because she was now in charge of the affairs in the xiangfu, it didn’t mean she could forget herself!
For Liu Han Yu who did not have a maternal family with any real power or influence, the only reason she was having a smooth and steady life was because she had found the right backer.
But her backer was just unable to tolerate double-dealing people!
When Liu yiniang heard Yun Qian Meng’s seamless warning, she felt a cold chill down her back. However, she still rejoiced; fortunately, she had always been loyal to Yun Qian Meng. Otherwise, she would be really terrified of the eldest miss’s schemes and methods!
With these thoughts, Liu yiniang showed a level expression as she bowed to Yun Qian Meng before taking a seat on a stool and asked with concern, “Just now, da xiaojie’s wound looked serious. What did the physician say?”
Yun Qian Meng maintained her expression while she observed Liu Han Yu and Yun Yan’s expressions. Noting that they were both rather calm and steady, she smiled and replied, “Only a flesh wound, it will recover after a few days. yiniang doesn’t need to worry!”
Yun Yan heard her answer and couldn’t help but frown. Although she was not at the scene, from just her mother’s recount of the injury, she had already felt anxious.
After all, which young lady didn’t care about her appearance? Especially her honorable big sister, who could possibly even marry into the Imperial household in the future; if such an outstanding lady had a scar left on her body, it would perhaps be one of the greatest regrets in the world!
Yun Yan only anxiously and earnestly said, “jiejie, you need to be careful! A girl’s skin is tender and delicate, you absolutely can’t be careless! If any scars are left, how can anyone not be pained? What’s more, jiejie is such a celestial beauty, you must not damage your appearance!”
After seeing that Yun Yan was sincerely worried for her, Yun Qian Meng’s smile seemed to become more and more heartfelt. She finally nodded and slowly said, “The physician said that there will not be a scar if it is treated properly. Since I’ve received yiniang and meimei’s intentions, of course I’ll be careful.”
Seeing that Yun Qian Meng had finally accepted both her and Yun Yan’s advice, Liu yiniang slightly turned her head and pointed to the yatou who were standing in a row and said, “da xiaojie, these are all good for the body, you must remember to use them!”
Yun Qian Meng just sent Mu Chun a glance and had her lead the yatou out of the room……
Only Yun Qian Meng, Liu yiniang, Yun Yan and Mi mama were left in the room. Liu yiniang couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. Without waiting for Yun Qian Meng to ask, she hurriedly began, “da xiaojie didn’t see it just now; when laoye heard that xiaojie was injured, his face turned so black, and he only looked at er xiaojie and Su yiniang with disappointment and anger!”
Perhaps she had been bullied by Su Qing and Yun Ruo Xue for too long; now that they were being scolded and punished, Liu Han Yu felt like she could vent her spleen. Her lips curled as she was unable to calm down, only wishing to share her happiness with the entire world.
Although Yun Qian Meng was also happy that Su Qing and Yun Ruo Xue were being punished, her skill at concealing her own feelings was incomparable to that of Liu Han Yu’s. She only slightly raised one of her eyebrows, seemingly shocked at Liu Han Yu’s report. With an air of disbelief, she said, “But father loves Ruo Xue meimei very much, and Su yiniang has always been favored by father for over ten years. Surely, father won’t be willing to blame them too much!”
Liu Han Yu’s flashed with disapproval at Yun Qian Meng’s rebuttal. As if afraid that Yun Qian Meng did not believe her, she immediately continued, “But you are the xiangfu’s da xiaojie! No matter how loved er xiaojie was, she is still a concubine’s daughter. How can a shu daughter compete with a di daughter? As a matter of fact, as soon as he heard that xiaojie was hurt, laoye became anxious and immediately punished er xiaojie, having laotaitai’s Rui mama watch over er xiaojie as she reflects in the ancestral hall! As soon as er xiaojie heard this, she got angry and argued that she was set up! Su yiniang also didn’t give in, and drew upon laoye’s many years of favor to shield er xiaojie, not letting Rui mama and the others drag her away! And then……”
Yun Qian Meng seriously listened to Liu Han Yu’s story, her eyes slightly gleaming; the rippling light in her eyes still preventing others from grasping her deepest, true thoughts.
Liu Han Yu paused midway and took a careful look at Yun Qian Meng’s expression. Seeing that she was still maintaining a calm expression, showing neither joy nor anger, she only continued, “Su yiniang even said that everything was set up by someone, pulling er xiaojie into a trap! laoye asked her who the mastermind was, then er xiaojie disgracefully shouted out da xiaojie’s name! laotaitai was extremely enraged when she heard this, so she pointed at er xiaojie and scolded her. She said that she not only ate fancy food in the ancestral hall and pushed her di sister to the floor; she couldn’t even distinguish between black and white and slandered her di sister, surely she was being instigated by someone close to her! When laoye heard this, it even implicated all the servants who served er xiaojie. As long as they had served beside her, they were all given ten strokes of beatings. I think that er xiaojie might not have anyone serving her for a while! Then Su yiniang was berated by laoye for almost half a day, and he even punished her to copy Buddhist scriptures for laotaitai a hundred times!”
Yun Qian Meng was slightly astonished by Liu Han Yu’s report. She didn’t expect that Yun Xuan Zhi would actually take serious action and treat his beloved pearl in the palm so ruthlessly. It was easy to imagine that this person only had a thin sense of humanity!
However, Yun Xuan Zhi’s abnormal outburst was probably not just because of the old madam being on her side, but the upcoming birthday feast!
Gu laotaijun could be nominally considered Yu Qian Di’s maternal grandmother. On her birthday, all the state officials would definitely participate in the feast; it was not unlikely that Yu Qian Di and the Empress Dowager would also attend in person!
If at that time, Gu laotaijun was to notice Yun Qian Meng’s wound and become unhappy, the unlucky ones would only be the xiangfu’s people!
This would not just hinder Yun Xuan Zhi’s path into nobility, but if others were to find out that it was due to Yun Xuan Zhi favoring a concubine, Yun Ruo Xue’s life might even be in danger!
Thinking about how these things would link to each other, he had to take drastic measures to deal with the situation. He had to do this now to shut her up; not only protecting Yun Ruo Xue’s life, but also preserving his career!
It could not be left unsaid, although Yun Xuan Zhi did not properly distinguish between right and wrong in his household matters, as long as it touched on his personal benefits, he would immediately transform into a complete politician. His political tricks and understanding of the human heart was certainly able to make others feel inferior!
Liu Han Yu was heartily narrating Su Qing and Yun Ruo Xue’s situation but, noticing Yun Qian Meng’s undisturbed expression, she did not express any feelings of taking joy in their misfortune. She slightly toned down her exaggerated delightful expression and calmed her feelings to firmly say, “laotaitai said, since xiaojie has received such a huge injury, you should properly rest. So, she exempted xiaojie from needing to go and pay respects in the morning and the night. She even let nubi bring you some of these good items!”
As she spoke, Liu Han Yu pulled out a blue and white porcelain bottle. Th bottle was corked with wood, its fine and exquisite shape very pleasing to the eyes.
Liu yiniang lightly lifted the porcelain bottle with her powdered hands and uncorked it. A faint fragrance immediately wafted out from the bottle. In just a moment, the entire room was suffused with a the relaxing scent. Even Yun Yan was curiously staring at the porcelain bottle while she tried her hardest to breath in deeply, trying to inhale more of the fragrance!
Liu yiniang smiled sincerely and explained, “da xiaojie, this Ning Zhi cream that will improve blood circulation and healing. As long as you apply around a bean-sized amount at the wound every day, in half a month, your skin will be flawless as before!”
Saying this, Liu yiniang passed the porcelain bottle to Yun Qian Meng.
Yun Qian Meng lightly smiled as she received the porcelain bottle. Grasping it in her left hand, she held it up to her nose a few times. The light fragrance was even stonger and clearer, with the smell of fresh flowers mixing deeply with a faint medicinal scent; the two aromas combining to be surprisingly comfortable.
However, this was just the fragrance of the cream, yet the quality of medicine was not just determined by its smell. Hence, Yun Qian Meng somewhat skeptically asked, “Can it really be so miraculous?”
Hearing Yun Qian Meng’s question, Liu Han Yu didn’t seem angry at all, instead, she smiled and explained, “Of course! laotaitai really cares for you, even sending such a priceless thing over! They even said that this was one of the royal treasures that the previous Emperor bestowed when furen had married in all those years ago!”
Listening to Liu yiniang emphasize how good the old madam was being to her, Yun Qian Meng maintained her light smile. However, her heart was already ice-cold!
It seemed that the old madam had also taken quite a few things away from Qu Ruo Li for such an item to be in her possession!
For her to generously pass this off as a present to her now, it would seem that she was having the same thoughts os Yun Xuan Zhi!
However, Yun Yi Heng, his brother and his sister’s futures were also included within the old madam’s plans!
The apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree, both the mother and son had similar characters!
Secretly taking a deep breath, Yun Qian Meng’s eyes flashed with gratefulness. However, she carried an exhausted expression and, somewhat feebly, spoke with extreme gratitude, “zumu treating Meng’er so well is Meng’er’s great fortune! Mi mama, quickly help me up. I want to go to laotaitai’s room and personally kowtow in thanks!”
As she said this, she grabbed the edges of the table with her hands and stood up shakily……
Liu yiniang and Yun Yan both jumped in shock at Yun Qian Meng’s actions. They quickly moved to both her sides and carefully supported her, then advised her, “da xiaojie, your body is weak. You must not rush about just yet! nubi will naturally kowtow to laotaitai in xiaojie’s place to help you express your thanks to her!”
Yun Yan also worriedly looked at Yun Qian Meng’s pale face, and promised, “jiejie, your body is ill, please listen to yiniang! zumu will also understand your feelings. The most important thing now is to make sure to recover your health. Only then can you express your gratitude properly to zumu!”
At their advice, Yun Qian Meng’s originally determined expression seemed to waver. She seemed to ponder over their words with great difficulty before she reluctantly nodded. Still with some reservation, she said, “Then I’ll have to trouble yiniang and meimei!”
Seeing that she had finally given in, they couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Since Yun Qian Meng was already somewhat tired, they also self-consciously withdrew.
After they had gone, Yun Qian Meng’s tired expression vanished. She quietly sat by the window, fiddling with the porcelain bottle as she gazed at the white clouds in the distant skies. No one could guess what she was thinking due to her hazy expression.
Mi mama was somewhat worried when she saw this. Seeing how the furen’s possessions were so forcibly seized by those ravenous wolves, and how the young miss, who was just a delicate girl, had to survive in the midst of these wolves, she only felt a growing pain in her heart.
Grabbing the silk cape off the couch and gently draping it in front of Yun Qian Meng’s body, Mi mama softly reminded, “xiaojie, your body is still weak. Be careful not to catch a cold!”
Yun Qian Meng turned around, the haziness in her eyes vanishing like the clouds. An astute expression filled her eyes as she placed the porcelain bottle in Mi mama’s hands, telling her, “Take this to Xia mama and let her verify if it is genuine! Also let Ying Qiu examine it to find out if this cream is really useful!”
Mi mama was immediately shocked when she heard this. She raised her eyes to look directly at Yun Qian Meng. Seeing that Yun Qian Meng was completely calm, she prudently nodded and carefully put the porcelain bottle into her sleeves.
Yun Qian Meng noted that Mi mama had understood her intentions and lightly smiled. She then continued, “mama, take out a pearl from the red sandalwood box. Then, go to the Yu Family Pawn Shop to exchange it for some silver!”
Hearing this, Mi mama was once again startled. In her heart, she just couldn’t bear to pawn off something that was left behind by the furen. So, she argued, “xiaojie, absolutely not! Those were left behind for you by furen! In order to pass them on to you, Xia mama had to endure so many injustices. You can’t just pawn them off!”
As she said this, Mi mama had almost kneeled down on the floor!
However, a white hand had grabbed her arm and stopped Mi mama from lowering herself onto the floor. Mi mama tearfully raised her head, only to see Yun Qian Meng’s frighteningly calm expression; her unfathomably deep eyes sending cold rays that caused her to tremble with fear.
And by her ears, Yun Qian Meng made a decision that did not leave any room for argument, saying, “mama, these objects are lifeless, but people are alive! If we want to be like a fish back in water in the xiangfu, the first thing we need to do is to buy people’s hearts with money! Even though Liu yiniang is wholeheartedly treating me well at the moment, I still need to give her some benefits. Even though zumu is getting in my good graces because of Fu Guo gongfu, I still need to treat the people who serve beside her! The unassuming side characters are often the most crucial cogs! Besides, Yu Family Pawn Shop had been granted the status of royal purveyor. With the Imperial family’s reputation as a guarantee, we will not suffer much of a loss; we can also just get it back in the future! And this pawn shop also protects the secrecy of its clients, so outsiders won’t know who we are! This way, father, zumu and the others will not find out that we still have some things on our hands! I believe, even if mother was watching me do this right now, she would also agree!”
Mi mama listened to Yun Qian Meng’s expresssion and had her previous unwillingness gradually turn into agreement. She finally somewhat eagerly said, “xiaojie, laonu will go right away!”
Yun Qian Meng found it laughable how Mi mama had become excited after thinking things through, but she still pulled her to a stop, “At this hour, Yu Family Pawn Shop is already closed, you can only go tomorrow! After you’ve pawned it, exchange two thousand liang for pieces of silver about ten liang each as well as some fifty liang bank notes!”
Mi mama listened seriously to Yun Qian Meng’s instructions and carefully remembered the details before she nodded sensibly!
At dinnertime, due to Yun Qian Meng’s injury, she had her meal in Qi Luo Yuan on her own. Still, the old madam had sent some people to bring quite a bit of food over!
What was really unexpected, however, was that Yun Xuan Zhi who seldom came to Qi Luo Yuan had entered Yun Qian Meng’s room at this moment!
Yun Xuan Zhi only examined his daughter’s expression and found that her originally pink cheeks had become a sickly pale white. A bit of anger floated into his eyes as he gently told Yun Qian Meng, “Meng’er has suffered injustice today!”
Yun Qian Meng found his concern somewhat uncomfortable, but still properly responded, “It’s alright, nü’er was also at fault. Father, please don’t blame Ruo Xue meimei too much!”
At Yun Qian Meng’s sensible reply, Yun Xuan Zhi was very gratified. But he only made a heavy snort and severely said, “Where were you at fault? It’s obviously Ruo Xue that was in the wrong, so don’t you keep shielding her! If not for your zumu informing me today, I might have been kept in the dark by that girl, Ruo Xue and also let my Meng’er suffer many injustices!”
Yun Qian Meng saw that Yun Xuan Zhi was wholeheartedly trying to play the role of a kind father, so she held back the nauseating feeling in her heart and continued to play the part of a loving daughter, saying, “What is father saying? Ruo Xue is the meimei; Meng’er is the jiejie, and must naturally yield to her! Besides, after Meng’er got hurt today, zumu send medicine and food, and even specially sent Liu yiniang to visit me; Meng’er doesn’t know how to repay this gratitude! Now, even father has personally come to visit despite being busy, nü’er doesn’t even know what to do! For the elders to treat Meng’er so well, don’t mention not being wronged; even if Meng’er had really suffered, my heart will still feel sweet!”
Yun Xuan Zhi enjoyed Yun Qian Meng’s flattery very much, already replacing the anger on his face with a smile. Thinking back to his mother’s high praise of his daughter, he also couldn’t help but show his approval, “No wonder your zumu loves you dearly. She even praised you just now for being thoughtful and sensible, actually wanting to go and kowtow to her regardless of your health! Looking now as a father, my Meng’er has really grown up into a really well-bred lady; daddy just can’t help but feel proud!”
Yun Qian Meng kept her face half-lowered, her deferential and modest expression maintaining a faint smile. But, her eyes were already flashing with impatience at Yun Xuan Zhi’s sickening speech.
Still, Yun Xuan Zhi was currently in an exceptionally good mood and stayed to accompany Yun Qian Meng for dinner. When he was leaving, he even especially instructed Mi mama and the other servants to take good care of Yun Qian Meng before walking away reluctantly.
On the next day, before sunrise, Mi mama had already left. By the time Yun Qian Meng had woken up, she had actually already returned to the room!
At the moment, Mu Chun was fixing a jade peony hairpin in Yun Qian Meng’s hair. Mi mama just pulled out a promisory note and some bags of silver, then placed them on the dressing table, whispering, “xiaojie, laonu followed your instructions and pawned one of the South Sea pearls for ten thousand liang! The bank notes are in this bag, and the silver pieces are in this one; and this is the one year promisory note for the pearl!”
Yun Qian Meng grabbed the promisory note and carefully read through it before returning it to Mi mama. Then, she fished out a fifty liang note, and told Mi mama to put the remaining silver and the promisory note in the red sandalwood box. Pulling out a small sapphire blue pouch that was embroidered with lotuses from the cosmetic box, she stuffed the bank note inside and had Mi mama properly keep it on her body. Then, she stood up and led them towards Bai Shun Tang!
The old madam had just finished freshening up when she heard someone announce that the eldest young miss had come. She immediately had Rui mama bring Yun Qian Meng inside.
“sunnü pays respects to zumu!” Yun Qian Meng had dressed up a bit more grandly today, causing the old madam’s eyes to light up. However, when she glanced at Yun Qian Meng’s slightly pale complexion, she couldn’t stop herself from scolding, “I told you to rest properly, but you just won’t listen!”
As she said this, she beckoned at Yun Qian Meng with her hands, allowing her to come closer.
Yun Qian Meng saw this and had a happy expression. She obediently moved before the old madam then softly explained herself, “zumu gave me so many precious gifts yesterday. Even though Liu yiniang and san meimei kowtowed in Meng’er’s place, Meng’er still can’t help but feel apologetic. After thinking it over, Meng’er still wants to personally kowtow to zumu!”
While speaking, Yun Qian Meng stepped back slightly as Mi mama immediately placed a soft cusion in front of her. She respectfully kowtowed towards the old madam, making the old madam so happy that she immediately gestured to Rui mama for her to quickly help Yun Qian Meng up.
Then, once again pulling Yun Qian Meng’s right hand, she pulled her sleeves up to carefully examine the wound and asked with concern, “Does it still hurt? Did you use the Ning Zhi cream?”
Yun Qian Meng made a bright smile and replied, “The physician told us to make sure that the scab has peeled off before applying any other kinds of ointments or creams. That’s why, the most important thing now is to let the wound heal! zumu, don’t worry, sunnü will definitely carefully take care of myself!”
The old madam had an unclear expression flash across her face when she heard this. But, she quickly replaced it with a loving smile and did not wait for anyone else to come to pay respects, immediately telling Rui mama to prepare breakfast, as if worried that Yun Qian Meng would go hungry. She even especially added a blood swallow’s porridge for Yun Qian Meng!
After breakfast, the old madam didn’t keep Yun Qian Meng and allowed her to go back to rest. She herself picked up her Buddhist prayer beads and continued with her daily prayers.
As Rui mama was sending her out on behalf of the old madam, Yun Qian Meng noticed that she had a somewhat exhausted expression. Knowing that she had been ordered to keep an eye on Yun Ruo Xue, and how Yun Ruo Xue was a stubborn and spoiled brat, perhaps Rui mama was also feeling somewhat vexed. Hence, she asked in concern, “mama is truly both zumu’s left and right hands! However, mama seems to be somewhat tired, it must be that running around both the ancestral hall and Bai Shun Tang is wearing out mama!”
Rui mama did not dare to claim any credit, and dared even less to complain. Even though she was extremely resentful at Yun Ruo Xue’s stupid muleheadedness, she could not openly comment on the zhuzi’s faults. So, she only modestly responded with, “nubi is just lucky that laotaitai and xiangye thinks so highly of nubi!”
Hearing this, Yun Qian Meng did not try to expose her thoughts, instead lightly smiling and somewhat sincerely said, “Thanks for your trouble, mama!”
Mi mama had also immediately pulled over both of Rui mama’s hands and warmly said, “lao jiejie, our xiaojie will also feel pained when she sees you working so hard! We can’t help you with anything, but this pouch, just treat it as a toy and take it to use as you please!”
Rui mama paid attention to the situation and hesitated momentarily.
After all, the mouth that has been fed by others is soft, and the hand that has received is short. The eldest young miss had not given any conditions; if, in the future, she was asked to do something dangerous, would she not have lost something big for a small gain?
Yun Qian Meng saw that she was hesitant and smiled, explaining, “I also know that Ruo Xue meimei is also a bit spoiled, mama must have worked hard! Only, now that meimei is stuck at the ancestral hall, she is also a bit pitiful. We won’t be able to visit her normally, so I just wish that mama will chat more often with meimei, to let her understand what is happening outside! For mama to work so hard, surely you can accept something like this!”
Rui mama heard Yun Qian Meng clear up the matter and immediately relaxed her heart. Anyhow, all she had to do was say a few things to poke and prod at the second miss. Such a simple task, to an old maid like her, was practically no effort at all. Thinking so, her wrinkled face transformed into a smiling, blooming flower!
Mi mama noticed this and immediately, enthusiastically placed the small pouch in her hands. Then, she supported Yun Qian Meng as they left Bai Shun Tang.
Rui mama did not immediately return to the room. Instead, she stood beside the arched door and stealthily opened the small pouch to take out the money inside. When she clearly saw the sum inside, her entire heart almost boiled over!
Even though following the old madam gave her some dignity, the old madam was not a generous master. The amount of money she had on hand was the measly ten liang that was her annual salary. But the eldest miss had immediately given her fifty liang, just about five years worth of pay; and all she had to do was to exercise her lips a litlle bit more. This was like gold falling from the sky, so how could Rui mama not be excited?
Rui mama only carefully put away the bank note and attached the small pouch to her waist. Then, she bent her waist and returned to the room……
Inside the room, the old madam had naturally already found out that Yun Qian Meng had given Rui mama a small pouch. At first, she was suspicious about what they would be conspiring about, but when she saw Rui mama openly wearing the pouch on her waist, she dispelled her misgivings and just waved her hands for Rui mama to go to the ancestral hall to watch over Yun Ruo Xue!
Since Rui mama had obtained the benefits, she naturally had to do her utmost!
As soon as she entered the ancestral hall, she faced the fiercely scowling Yun Ruo Xue and spoke with frigid irony and scorching satire, “Since you don’t have the fate of a di xiaojie, laonu advises er xiaojie not to put on the airs of a di xiaojie! Now that Su yiniang’s influence has waned, the entire xiangfu is already under laotaitai’s management. If you still act so unreasonably, it will be hard for you to find a good husband in the future!”
Yun Ruo Xue was most unable to bear being mocked by others. At just this slight provocation, she already could not hold in her anger. Trembling with rage, she pointed a finger at Rui mama’s nose and scolded, “You wicked slave, sucking up to the strong and stepping down on the weak! Don’t think that you can do whatever you please just because you have the old madam’s support! Don’t you forget, my mom is still carrying the xiangfu’s future heir! When didi is born, and my mom become the main wife, we’ll see what happens to you! Why don’t you open your eyes and take a better look? Who are my uncles? Not able to find a good husband? A joke! With just my status as the xiangfu’s proper xiaojie, the people who want to marry me are already enough to crush the xiangfu’s doorstep! Do you think that I’m like that country bumpkin Yun Yi Yi who will never find out what the capital even looks like for the rest of her life?”
Rui mama had only planned to slightly provoke Yun Ruo Xue, but she did not expect that this girl would even drag her young miss, Yi Yi into the matter!
She might just be a servant, but Yun Yi Yi had also grown up under the skin of her eyes. Her love towards Yun Yi Yi might not even lose out to the old madam, as she had long since treated Yun Yi Yi like her own granddaughter!
Listening to Yun Ruo Xue insult Yun Yi Yi like that, Rui mama’s originally easygoing expression momentarily darkened. Her lips curled into a mocking smile as her words became even more prickly, “I’m afraid er xiaojie does not know this yet. laotaitai has already said that Su yiniang’s child, even if it was a grandson, will not be entered into the Yun family’s genealogy! If you’re still indulging in the fantasy for a child that might not even be born to turn your situation around, you’re simply dreaming nonsense! Let me tell you this, this time, for Gu laotaijun’s birthday in Fu Guo gongfu, da xiaojie has promised laotaitai that she will bring Yi Yi xiaojie to participate. At that time, I don’t know if the person who will be able to find an ideal husband would be you, who will be stuck here in the ancestral hall, or our Yi Yi xiaojie!?”
Yun Ruo Xue did not really believe Rui mama’s words, but seeing her calm and serious expression as well as her cold tone, she momentarily felt that everything she had said could be true!
Those rosy cheeks that were raised by Su Qing suddenly paled as she stood up with a sudden whoosh. Facing Rui mama, she blurted, “Nonsense! I have always attened Fu Guo gongfu’s banquets in Yun Qian Meng’s place! You’re just inverting right and wrong; just wait, I’ll report this to father, and tell him that you’re making up nonsense! You must have become senile with age to actually come up with these daydreams! Why don’t you think about that Yun Yi Yi’s status and identity? She might not have the right even if she wanted to crawl through the dog tunnel into Fu Guo gongfu!”
As she finished, Yun Ruo Xue burst into mocking laughter, her eyes full of smug arrogance.
But her words had thoroughly insulted Rui mama. She only looked at Yun Ruo Xue’s laughter with an unusual calm, and waited for her to finish laughing before slowly continuing, “I’m afraid the one who doesn’t have the right is you, er xiaojie. Don’t forget, whose reputation of chastity was ruined? If the news spread, I’m afraid even xiangye can only send you away to become a nun. At that time, the prosperity and luxury of the mortal world will have nothing to do with you anymore!”
Yun Ruo Xue was, after all, a young girl. She had obviously never been humiliated by a servant in this fashion. Her pretty little face only flashed red for a moment, white another and black sometimes, creating a marvelous spectacle.
Yet Rui mama only seemed to be calm and unruffled as she enjoyed Yun Ruo Xue’s changing expressions, waiting for her rebuttal.
Yun Ruo Xue’s hands had already formed fists under her sleeves. Seeing that Rui mama’s eyes were filled with mockery, the resentment in her heart boiled up to her head. She suddenly turned to grab a bowl on the table and dashed in front of Rui mama, smashing it down on her head!
Rui mama was momentarily caught unaware and allowed a precious young miss like Yun Ruo Xue to hit her head on. In a moment, blood flowed from her head like a river, causing Rui mama to faint in fright.
Yun Ruo Xue took the opportunity when Rui mama fainted to quickly rush out of the ancestral hall and run towards Feng He Yuan.
At the moment, Su Qing was copying Buddhist scriptures while cursing profusely. But as soon as she saw her daughter rush in with bloodied clothing, she quickly had someone close the gates to the courtyard and pulled Yun Ruo Xue closer……
Not giving her any time to ask what had happened, Yun Ruo Xue shook Su Qing’s body and cried loudly, “Mom, I want to go to laotaijun’s birthday feast! You must tell daddy not to let that cheap slut, Yun Yi Yi attend! Did you hear me?”
Su Qing was already dizzy at being shaken so severely. Hearing her daughter make such a loud noise, she immediately raised a hand and slapped Yun Ruo Xue’s face!
She then pointed and shouted angrily at Yun Ruo Xue who was clutching her cheeks, “Have you gone crazy? Don’t you know that I’m pregnant? If anything happened to your didi, see how I’ll sort you out!”
Yun Ruo Xue had already been stimulated by Rui mama. Now, seeing that her own mother seemed to not care about her, the anger in her heart boiled over again as she fiercely threw down her hands and said with a hateful glare, “If this didi will stand in my way, I will also get rid of him! Mom, you have changed! You used to really treat me well, but now the only thing in your eyes is that baby in your tummy! You won’t even promise a small matter like me wanting to attent the birthday feast. Could it what Rui mama said be true? Have you have already lost favor?”
When Su Qing heard her flesh and blood spout such hateful words and saw Yun Ruo Xue glare at her stomach with a savage expression, she only felt her heart squeezing in pain. The child that she had given her whole heart and attention was actually treating her like an enemy. Su Qing’s heart momentarily froze, as she raised a shaky hand to point at the door and growled, “Leave! Leave!”
Wang mama saw that the mother and daughter had become unreconciled and quickly went forward to stop Su Qing. She gently advised, “furen, don’t get angry. Don’t forget that you’re pregnant. You can’t let the anger affect your body!”
At the same time, she turned and told Yun Ruo Xue, “er xiaojie, please understand furen a little. For you, she has already been punished by xiangye. Why do you listen to people like Rui mama’s nonsense, and harm your mother-daughter relationship?”
But at the moment, Yun Ruo Xue was almost like she was possessed by a ghost. The kind advice of others turned into piercing insults when they crossed her ears!
She only switched her target to Wang mama after seemingly having finished venting at Su Qing, shouting, “Who do you think you are? You dare to teach me a lesson? If not for you being old and useless, would my reputation have been ruined by that cheap slut, Yun Qian Meng? Good on you! Like nothing had happened, you can play the peacemaker over here! Do you think that you’re important? Do you know your place? You think that you’re so good just because you’re the wet nurse of a yiniang? In the end, you’re not much more a dog!”
Hearing this, Wang mama felt her world fall apart. She almost let the blood overflow in her head and fell to the floor, almost losing her life to Yun Ruo Xue.
Su Qing was already trembling with rage. She felt her entire body release a cold chill as her heart had long frozen over, turning cold towards her completely insensible daughter.
But she was carrying the life of another in her body. Even if she was angry, she could not let it affect her child. So, Su Qing only closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, stabilizing her thoughts to stop her anger from resurfacing. Then, opening her eyes again, she told Yun Ruo Xue with unusual calm, “Please leave. I am just a yiniang, this is truly not a suitable place for er xiaojie to stay.”
When Yun Ruo Xue heard Su Qing’s changed tone and saw the disappointment expressed in her eyes, she momentarily sobered up. Noticing Su Qing’s paled expression and Wang mama’s flushed face, she realized how ridiculous she had been acting and immediately felt insurmountable regret in her heart. Dropping to a kneel before Su Qing with a crash, she crawled over and hugged her legs, weeping, “Mom, nü’er was wrong! It’s just that what Rui mama said today was too painful, so nü’er lost her mind! Mom, please don’t kick me out, nü’er is sorry!”
Not only was Yun Ruo Xue her own flesh and blood, Su Qing was actually still scheming on Yun Ruo Xue’s behalf. As there was no way she was really willing to kick her own daughter out, she could only send Wang mama an apologetic glance.
Wang mama, seeing Yun Ruo Xue like this, also settled the score in her heart. Although she was still offended by the hurtful words she had uttered, she still nodded to Su Qing.
Su Qing then pulled Yun Ruo Xue up and embraced her, patting her back with one and as she said consolingly, “Xue’er, no matter how angry you are, you must not hurt the people who are closest to you. Otherwise, if mom is no longer with you, who will be willing to treat you sincerely?”
At Su Qing’s advice, Yun Ruo Xue felt extremely ashamed. She only cried out loud, venting all of the grievances she had received today with her tears.
Su Qing let Wang mama go out to get a basin of water ready while she pulled Yun Ruo Xue to sit on the warmed bed, carefully asking her about what had happened in the ancestral hall.
Yun Ruo Xue, currently extremely afraid of being abandoned by Su Qing, saw that Su Qing was already treating her as usual, and honestly told her about her argument with Rui mama from start to finish.
Su Qing only found the matter more and more fishy as she listened. The old madam had already succeeded in pushing down both herself and her daughter, why would she send a mama to humiliate a still powerless Yun Ruo Xue?
Was this the old madam’s instructions, or Liu Han Yu’s? Or could it be Yun Qian Meng’s?
However, they did not have time to finish before a loud, violent knocking was heard from the gateway to Feng He Yuan.
A yatou that was keeping watch ran into the room in a panic and shouted, “furen, laotaitai brought a lot of people over……”
As soon as Yun Ruo Xue heard that the old madam had arrived, she jumped up in fright and hurriedly scoured the room for a hiding spot, trying to find a way to conceal herself……