Chapter 14 "Brother Tang is indeed beautiful inside and out..."
Autumn has arrived in the blink of an eye, and the weather is getting cooler.
Lately, the yamen has become increasingly busy. After returning home from the yamen, Cui Xintang often stays in his study until late at night before going back to his room.
His brows were often furrowed. When Meng Yuanxiao asked him about it, he only said it was about matters in the government office and wouldn't say more to her.
Meng Yuanxiao didn't want to make a fool of herself, so she simply stopped asking him.
She has been confined to the mansion for some time now, learning household management from Madam Chen.
She disliked these trivial matters in the inner quarters the most, and made trouble for Cui Xintang several times, asking him to plead with his mother-in-law to give her some time off and not to rush to let her manage the household.
Unable to resist her persistent pleading, Cui Xintang finally went to Wu's courtyard on a day when the government office was closed.
Upon entering the hall, they found their second aunt, Qin, there as well.
Qin was holding a sandalwood box in her arms, and she couldn't stop smiling.
"Sister-in-law, you're so thoughtful. Why are you being so polite? I really like Yuanyuan. I'm her aunt, so it's only right that I give her a bracelet!"
Cui Xintang glanced into the box and saw a complete set of jewelry inside, made of gold and inlaid with gemstones, heavy and exquisitely crafted.
This must have been a gift from her mother on behalf of Yuanyuan.
Upon seeing him enter, Madam Qin's face stiffened. She hurriedly closed the box and forced a smile, saying, "Sister-in-law, what did I tell you? The wife you choose is truly exceptional. My eldest son used to always have a stern face, but now that he's married Yuanyuan, he always has a smile on his face!"
Cui Xintang paused, then went over and sat down. "Auntie, aren't you busy today?"
"Ah, thanks to my sister-in-law, I'm never free," Qin said. "I just came to talk to my sister-in-law. Come here, I'll go back first."
After saying that, he hugged the box tightly and hurriedly got up and left.
After Qin left, the hall fell silent. After a moment of silence, Cui Xintang asked, "Is Mother's headache better?"
Wu raised her eyes and glanced at him, her voice neither warm nor cold.
“It’s been more than a month, and Yuanyuan has come to see me several times. It’s kind of you to finally remember your mother.”
Cui Xintang smiled and said, "Yuanyuan is sensible and remembers you."
Madam Wu excused them from paying their respects, and Cui Xintang rarely came over. As soon as Madam Wu saw him, she knew he wouldn't come without a reason.
"Speak, what is it?"
Cui Xintang didn't mince words, "My son has come here today to ask his mother for someone."
Ms. Wu looked surprised. "You're short of people around you?"
Cui Xintang picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Your son wants to ask you for Granny Cao."
Wu: "...You dare to do that."
Cui Xintang: "Mother has been keeping Yuanyuan busy learning to manage the household these days, but Yuanyuan is still young and inevitably doesn't think things through. I think that Granny Cao is a reliable person, so let Granny Cao stay by Yuanyuan's side and teach her slowly, so that she can share your burden in the future."
Given his young age and the need for gradual instruction, how could Mrs. Wu not understand his meaning?
She sneered, "I only have Cao Mama by my side, and you want to take her away? Aren't you afraid that your mother will be exhausted?"
Upon hearing Wu's words, Cui Xintang knew that the matter was probably settled.
"I certainly wouldn't dare, but if Mother is reluctant to part with Granny Cao, then Chen Shi would be fine instead. Yuan Yuan has been learning from Chen Shi for a while now and is closer to her."
After Cui Xintang left, Meng Yuanxiao waited anxiously in the room.
Before Cui Xintang returned, Qin Shi arrived first.
Qin hadn't visited for some time, so Meng Yuanxiao was quite surprised to see her. "Aunt, what brings you here?"
"I had nothing to do today, so I came to talk to you," Qin said, sitting down beside her.
She's been busy with something lately, but she hasn't missed a single piece of gossip in the capital. As soon as she sat down, she started chattering away.
Meng Yuanxiao couldn't get a word in edgewise, so he just watched Qin Shi's rapidly opening and closing lips and silently poured her a cup of tea.
After she had finished speaking, Madam Qin picked up her teacup, tilted her head back, and drank it down before asking, "Has Madam Chen not arrived yet?"
"Um."
Qin glanced outside and said, "I saw Steward Lin come yesterday. Were the autumn clothes in our household purchased from Xinyun Cloth Shop?"
Meng Yuanxiao was stunned for a moment before realizing who the Manager Lin she was talking about was.
“Yes,” she said, “I agreed to the fabric shop that Steward Qian and Sister Chen chose because I thought it was fine. Steward Lin even came to see me yesterday.”
Madam Qin was taken aback. "Manager Lin came to see you?"
Meng Yuanxiao nodded. "He came and talked to me about the business and accounts, and also gave me a Mid-Autumn Festival gift."
She didn't understand why Madam Qin was so surprised. Her mother-in-law had asked her to manage the household, so wasn't it normal for Steward Lin to come and visit her?
However, "Why did my aunt mention Xinyun Cloth Shop several times? Could there be something wrong with this cloth shop?"
Qin's eyes darted around.
That day, she impulsively gave the bracelet to Meng Yuanxiao. The more she thought about it afterward, the more regretful she became, and she could hardly eat or sleep.
But he couldn't bring himself to ask for it back, which almost drove her crazy with anger.
She endured until today before finally going to see Madam Wu.
It was not for any other reason than that she deliberately mentioned Xinyun Cloth Shop that day, which inevitably reached Wu's ears.
She went there with bated breath, expecting Wu to scold her severely, but to her surprise, Wu only gave her a few light reprimands and gave her a generous gift, saying it was for Erlang's future wife.
Even the matter of her family business being placed in the household was no longer mentioned by Madam Wu.
This is quite intriguing.
She pondered Wu's meaning, and it didn't seem like she was afraid of her talking too much.
Qin's eyes darted around a few times, and just as she was about to speak, a maid's voice suddenly came from outside, "Young Master."
Qin was taken aback, then quickly swallowed her words, "Isn't Eldest Brother going to the yamen today?"
As they were talking, Cui Xintang pushed open the door and came in.
Upon seeing Madam Qin, he was not surprised and went straight over to sit down next to Meng Yuanxiao, saying, "Auntie seems to have some free time today."
Qin looked somewhat embarrassed and remained silent.
There were two teacups on the coffee table. Cui Xintang naturally picked up the teacup in front of Meng Yuanxiao and took a sip.
He put down his teacup, reached across the tea table, touched Meng Yuanxiao's hand, and held it in his hand, playing with it.
Seeing this, Qin felt her teeth ache with embarrassment.
Cui Xintang pretended not to notice, "Nephew, why do you think Auntie has lost some weight recently?"
Qin clicked her tongue, her face flushing red. "You child, why are you making fun of your aunt?"
"What did Auntie say to Yuanyuan today?" Cui Xintang asked slowly, holding Meng Yuanxiao's hand.
“Every time my aunt comes over, Yuanyuan has to have a fight with her nephew. Aunt, please have some compassion for your nephew.”
Meng Yuanxiao: "..."
She didn't!
Qin said irritably, "I didn't say anything. It's just that Erlang is about to get married. I was thinking of discussing it with Yuanyuan, and then Erlang's wife can also learn some manners from Chen."
Cui Xintang paused, "You already have someone you like?"
Qin said vaguely, "There are a few suitable candidates, but I'll have to ask my sister-in-law to help me make an opinion later."
Cui Xintang smiled faintly, "We should be more careful. Uncle is a man after all and doesn't understand these things. It's better for Aunt to handle Erlang's marriage."
"It's fine for Aunt to say these things in front of her nephew and Yuanyuan, but it's best not to say them in front of others."
"The Cui family is a prominent family in the capital. If people find out that you have chosen an unruly wife for Erlang, wouldn't they laugh at our Cui family?"
Qin choked.
Cui Xintang: "Yuanyuan is well-behaved and sensible, but she is still young. She is learning to manage the household affairs from Madam Chen. Aunt, please don't smear Yuanyuan."
Meng Yuanxiao: "..."
Qin Shi: "..."
Qin could no longer save face. She couldn't keep up the pretense any longer, and disregarding the dignity of an elder, she stood up and stormed off.
Cui Xintang: "Red Peony, present to the Second Madam."
Meng Yuanxiao: "Brother Tang, you've offended Second Aunt."
Cui Xintang raised his eyebrows, clearly not taking it to heart, but asked, "Did Second Aunt mention Erlang's marriage to you?"
"No." Meng Yuanxiao shook his head.
After saying that, she couldn't wait to throw herself into his arms, hugging his neck and asking, "What did Mother say?"
Cui Xintang seemed a little lost in thought, and upon hearing this, she raised an eyebrow and smiled at her.
Meng Yuanxiao was very perceptive and immediately poured a cup of tea and held it to his lips, saying sweetly, "Brother Tang, you've worked hard. Please have some tea."
Cui Xintang chuckled, drank the tea from her hand, and then said, "Since you are going to be the mistress of the Cui family, you will definitely not be able to shake off the responsibility of managing the household."
Meng Yuanxiao: "..."
"However, your husband has asked your mother for a Chen woman for you. From now on, Chen woman will stay with you. You can learn from Chen woman slowly. With Chen woman to support you, there is no need to rush."
"Really?" Meng Yuanxiao's eyes lit up.
Cui Xintang chuckled and said, "Mother has agreed, but she still needs to ask Madam Chen first."
Granny Cao was brought from her maiden home by Madam Wu. Years ago, Madam Wu removed Granny Cao from her slave status and found her a fairly well-off family to marry into.
Therefore, Granny Cao and her daughter, Madam Chen, were of good birth, but they were loyal to Madam Wu and always worked by her side.
Since they are not from the Cui family, it is indeed inappropriate for them to make decisions directly on behalf of the Chen family.
However, since my mother-in-law agreed, the matter was settled.
Meng Yuanxiao was overjoyed. Cui Xintang added, "If you feel bored at home in the future, just tell Mother and go out to play. I will also talk to Madam Chen about it."
"Brother Tang is truly beautiful inside and out!" Meng Yuanxiao was overjoyed and gave him a big kiss on the cheek.
Cui Xintang: "..."
Meng Yuanxiao immediately pressed her advantage, "Brother Tang, can I go out to play today?"
She pouted, "I've been cooped up in the mansion for many days. I miss my mother and want to go back to the Meng mansion."
“Okay,” Cui Xintang agreed readily.
Meng Yuanxiao was in a good mood when she noticed that his smile was faint and he seemed somewhat absent-minded.
Before going to see his mother-in-law, he was clearly in a good mood. He even woke her up in the morning and gave her a good beating.
Meng Yuanxiao blinked: "Brother Tang, what's wrong?"
Cui Xintang paused, then squeezed her waist with his large hand. "It's nothing."
Meng Yuanxiao looked at him suspiciously, "Did you have a fight with your mother-in-law?"
Cui Xintang looked down at her, a half-smile on his face, and said, "What are you thinking about all day long in that round head of yours?"
Meng Yuanxiao also realized that he had been overthinking things.
Her almond-shaped eyes, moist with tears, looked at him earnestly. "Brother Tang, will you come back to the Meng residence with me?"
"Mmm." Cui Xintang replied, then picked up the person and walked out.
Meng Yuanxiao was even happier, clinging to him and asking, "Why has Second Aunt been so quiet lately?"
Cui Xintang said, "My second aunt took it upon herself to set up businesses owned by her relatives in the mansion some time ago, and was reprimanded by my mother."
Meng Yuanxiao blinked. "Does your second aunt's family also run businesses? If so, it doesn't matter who makes the money, so why not patronize their business?"
Cui Xintang glanced at her with amusement.
Meng Yuanxiao understood after a moment's thought. With Qin's greed, she would probably resort to countless underhanded tricks in secret.
Sure enough, Cui Xintang said, "My mother turned a blind eye before, but my second aunt colluded with her family and pocketed several hundred taels of silver from the public funds in just half a year."
After pausing, he said, "So whatever your second aunt says to you, just listen and don't take it to heart."
"I understand." Meng Yuanxiao nodded vigorously. "Does your second aunt's family also have relatives in the cloth business?"
Cui Xintang paused for a moment, then said, "Yes."
Meng Yuanxiao then understood that Qin had deliberately mentioned Xinyun Cloth Shop to her time and time again, probably because she wanted her relative's cloth shop to take its place.
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