Chapter 100 Separating the Family? Who are you trying to scare?
Both of them were wearing the most fashionable brocade dresses at the time, with sapphire blue and pale yellow, bright colors from top to bottom, and even the brocade draped in front of their chests was made of red coral.
Looking at their hair, both women wore hairpins inlaid with rubies and emeralds, their shimmering gold tassels dazzling. Even ordinary wealthy women didn't dress as delicately as they did.
In contrast, the clothes worn by Madam Ning and her daughter-in-law Yu Qingci, though made of fine brocade, were all plain in color from head to toe.
Especially Yu Qingci, whose headdress was made of simple mutton-fat white jade, precious yet understated, paired with a pair of appropriately colored tortoiseshell hair ornaments. The seemingly casual attire made her appear even more elegant and refined, captivating everyone's attention.
Wei, in a fit of desperation, retorted, "So what does my sister-in-law want? You can't possibly kick us out after we've only had a couple of bites of meat, can you?"
Madam Ning opened her mouth several times but couldn't say anything harsh, so she could only look at her daughter-in-law beside her.
Yu Qingci rolled her eyes inwardly in exasperation. Oh well, she had to play the bad guy.
"Second Aunt's suggestion is good. Since you don't want to observe the mourning period, fine, then we'll observe it ourselves."
Upon hearing this, Wei and Ma assumed that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had compromised with them as usual, and they couldn't help but exchange a smug look.
Unexpectedly, Yu Qingci's next words were:
"Then so be it. The family will separate. You can move out of the General's Mansion and live your own lives. During our period of mourning, we, the eldest son's family, will not be a burden to you."
Ma almost jumped up: "What? What are you saying, niece-in-law? You really want to kick us out over such a small thing? If you're unhappy that we're secretly giving the children supplements, we'll just be more careful not to do it in the future. Why say such things to scare people?"
Wei: "That's right, sister-in-law, did my niece-in-law misspoke or did we mishear? Dividing the family property? Why did you suddenly talk about dividing the family property? That's not what we meant just now."
And sister-in-law, you can't just stand there silently and let your niece-in-law, a junior, spout nonsense. Don't you have any respect for us elders?
Ma also glanced at Yu Qingci and said, "That's right. Some people take themselves too seriously. They're just returning to their ancestral home halfway through life. How can they compare to a true lady from a prestigious family? They haven't even taken charge of the household yet, and they dare to disrespect their elders. They deserve to spend their whole lives guarding ancestral tablets!"
No sooner had she finished speaking than a loud crash was heard as Old Madam Ning smashed a teacup on the ground, shattering it into pieces.
Wei and Ma were startled and dared not speak again. Yu Qingci stepped forward and gently advised them:
“Mother, there’s no need to be angry. Your daughter-in-law has known how she will live the rest of her life since she married into the family. She also knows that she will inevitably hear some gossip. Your daughter-in-law will not take these words to heart. As long as you and your daughter-in-law are of one mind, that’s fine.”
Old Madam Ning could easily understand the meaning behind Yu Qingci's words. At this moment, she felt even more guilty towards her daughter-in-law. She reached out and tightly grasped Yu Qingci's hands, then turned to Madam Wei and Madam Ma and said:
"You all know that I had Qingci help me manage the household affairs a long time ago. What she said today is my opinion. If you are unwilling to listen, it means you don't respect me as the head of the household."
Wei and Ma: ...
Seeing the two speechless, Yu Qingci said firmly:
“Mother is not wrong, and the two aunts did not mishear. The world follows the custom of not separating the family while the parents are alive, and this is indeed the case. But our family has long since lost our grandparents.”
Now even your eldest brother, your mother's husband, has passed away, and your younger brother and his wife, who are in their prime and have many children and grandchildren, still have to rely on their elder sister-in-law for a living. A family like ours is hard to find anywhere else in the world, let alone in the capital.”
Ma had recovered from the shock and forced a smile:
"What do you know, niece-in-law? Back then, our eldest brother was considerate of his two younger brothers' difficult lives and was willing to support both our families. What, now that our eldest brother is gone, you're ignoring him? That won't do!"
Yu Qingci: "You also know that my father-in-law has passed away?"
Just as Ma was about to retort, Yu Qingci continued:
“My father-in-law and husband both sacrificed their lives for the country, and their fame was revered by the people of the world. When the news of their death reached the capital, the court issued a special edict that all the people of the capital should observe a three-month mourning period to show their respect. But we, their closest relatives, have turned the mourning period into a joke. Second Aunt, Fourth Aunt, what do you want to say?”
Madam Wei and Madam Ma never expected that Yu Qingci, a junior, would speak so bluntly. They were so embarrassed that they could no longer utter a word.
Yu Qingci: "If you don't want to separate the family, that's fine, but from today onwards, the rules of the manor will only become more stringent. If you can't comply, don't blame us, the eldest branch, for showing no mercy."
The two exchanged a glance and breathed a slight sigh of relief. It was good that there was room for negotiation. All they wanted was for them to behave themselves and act like they were observing mourning. Why bring up the division of the family? Who were they trying to scare?
After thinking it through, Madam Wei quickly nodded and replied, "Alright, alright, we'll listen to you, niece-in-law, okay? We promise to behave well and follow the rules from now on. But please don't bring up the topic of dividing the family property again, niece-in-law. We're all family, let's not create any discord among us."
Yu Qingci: "Auntie, please don't say that. After all, it is Mother who is in charge of managing the household affairs. I am just helping Mother to come up with some ideas. Mother, please listen and see if they are feasible."
Madam Ning nodded, signaling her to continue.
Yu Qingci: "Since the two aunts have said that they will abide by the rules from now on, I suppose they will not do anything that is not in accordance with etiquette. Starting tomorrow, the mansion will also increase its patrols, and the entire mansion will close its doors and refuse all unnecessary visitors."
If anyone brings anything into the manor that violates the rules, the servants will be sent to the estate. If it is the master, he will be fined three months' wages.
For example, today, Rui'er and Madam Liu can no longer stay in the manor to work, and Second Aunt and Fourth Aunt will each have three months' wages deducted.
"What?"
Wei and Ma shouted in disbelief.
Ma: "Didn't you say it would start tomorrow?"
Yu Qingci: "I didn't say that today's matter is over. By the way, the most important thing is to stop holding weddings and funerals for three years."
I remember that my cousin Yunli and cousin Yunbing were already engaged, but my mother still sent someone to inform the Wu and Wang families as soon as possible to suspend the wedding arrangements until our mourning period was over.
"What?"
Wei and Ma jumped up again.
"No weddings or funerals within three years? Do you know that your sister Yunli is getting married in a few months? You're saying you won't get married now, and you're delaying your sister Yunli's life's most important event? Can you take responsibility for that?"
Yunli is the youngest daughter of the Wei family. Two years ago, she was betrothed to a favored illegitimate son of the Wu family, a third-rank official.
The General and Madam Ning were not optimistic about this marriage at first, but the Second Master and Madam Wei were very satisfied. What the other party valued was the opportunity to establish a connection with the General's Mansion.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com