Chapter 173 Taking advantage of the mourning period to arrange the marriage
Min Qiaoshi and her entourage set off in the morning and arrived at the estate on the outskirts of Beijing around noon.
Ayi had already led her people to wait outside the manor.
After the group disembarked from the carriage, Ayi led them into the manor and into the courtyard they had been assigned beforehand.
Without a doubt, Lady Min Qiao moved into the main courtyard. Unlike the solemn and dignified main courtyard of the Marquis's mansion, this main courtyard was not only spacious but also lush with vegetation and winding paths.
Qiao Yuanyao and Zhou Shi lived in the Green Bamboo Garden in the northeast of the main courtyard. As its name suggests, the courtyard was planted with a lush bamboo forest, which was very beautiful.
Su Rongrong moved into the Xijing Pavilion behind the main courtyard. The courtyard was characterized by its strangely shaped rocks and craggy peaks, with small bridges and flowing water. The main pavilion was situated on a high point, practically halfway up the mountain. From the pavilion, one could take in the view of half the village.
Su Rongrong originally wanted Wei Jia to live with her, but considering Wei Jia's leg problems, she suppressed her thoughts.
But her thoughts are too easy to understand.
After consulting with Madam Min and receiving her permission, Wei Jia voluntarily moved to Xijing Pavilion. Since she couldn't move around much anyway, giving her a spacious room would make it easier for her subordinates to report to her.
So, Su Rongrong happily welcomed Wei Jia to live with her.
As for Mu Jin and her son, Madam Min Qiao prepared a courtyard for them separately. Qiao Yuanyao and her son invited them to stay with them, but they declined.
After finding out where the children lived, Mu Jin took Fang Feng and moved in with them.
The children's courtyard is located in the outer courtyard of the southwest corner of the manor, near the southwest corner gate of the manor. It is spacious, open, and convenient to enter and exit.
From the moment those children moved in, Min Qiaoshi never considered restricting their movements.
Just like the dozen or so children who left before, after Ajiu reported to Madam Min, Madam Min didn't interfere much, only saying that everyone has their own destiny and let them go.
The remaining children all stayed behind quietly.
Occasionally, some people would go outside, but most people were used to staying in the yard and not going out.
The deep memories of past imprisonment, abuse, and harsh training cannot be erased in a short time.
Upon seeing Dr. Mu, whom they hadn't seen for many days, almost all the children burst forth with intense enthusiasm, as if they had instantly regained their vitality.
Looking at these children who had survived hardship, Dr. Mu's eyes were filled with tenderness, and he secretly made up his mind to give them a new life here.
Madam Min didn't care about anything else. She led Granny Fang into the main courtyard, washed up quickly, and then had lunch brought up.
As was her habit, Granny Fang took the bowls and plates from the maid and served rice and dishes to Madam Min, but Madam Min grabbed her hand.
"Alright, you're no longer the Granny Fang who serves me. Leave these matters to the maids."
As he spoke, he pulled the person down to sit.
Asi, who was serving nearby, quickly took the bowl and plate from Fang Mama and skillfully served Min Qiao Shi a small half bowl of rice, smiling and echoing, "Fang Mama, you can sit and have your meal with the Grand Madam."
As she spoke, she picked up the bowl again to serve a bowl to Granny Fang as well.
Granny Fang quickly stood up and tried to take the bowl and spoon from Asi's hand, "Oh dear, I can do it myself, I can do it myself. How can I trouble Miss Asi to serve me rice?"
Asi was the head maid who specifically served the Grand Madam her meals. What was the meaning of serving her rice?
Granny Fang was a little panicked.
This caused Min Qiaoshi and Asi to burst into laughter.
"You old codger, you were never this reserved when you used to come with me to listen to operas, appreciate music, eat melons, and drink tea at Songhetang. Why are you acting so uncomfortable now?" Madam Min teased.
Asiye chimed in, "That's right, Granny Fang, why are you still calling me Miss Asiye? Please don't call me that, it sounds too formal. Aren't you afraid the Grand Madam will be angry with you?"
Granny Fang smiled sheepishly, "I was just afraid I'd get too carried away and offend the Grand Madam and you all. It's never wrong to be polite; I always have to remind myself of whose kindness I owe to get to where I am today."
Having known each other for decades, Madam Min naturally understood Granny Fang's thoughts. She waved her hand dismissively and gestured for her to sit down. "Alright, there aren't so many rules around me now. Don't think that you're causing me trouble by coming to the estate. On the contrary, I'm happy that you're here to talk and chat with me."
"The maids below will only welcome you; none of them will find you troublesome. Just stay with me in peace."
Asi smiled and comforted her, "Granny Fang has been by the Grand Madam's side for decades, and she's much more attentive than any of us. With you by the Grand Madam's side, if any of us servants happen to be overthinking something, you can give us some pointers, right?"
Asi respectfully placed the rice bowl in front of Granny Fang and said with a smile, "Granny Fang, we are very happy to welcome you to stay at the estate with the Grand Madam. Not only me, but also Ayi and Ashuang. Really, I'm not lying to you! Please settle in comfortably."
As she spoke, she placed another piece of food into the dish in front of Granny Fang.
Only then did Granny Fang feel a little relieved, and a smile of relief appeared on her face.
She wasn't worried about the Grand Madam, but rather about whether the people serving the Grand Madam would dislike her.
Before, when she was in the manor and hadn't gone out, it was fine. She could rely on her seniority and status to boss these maids around.
But now, she is no longer the head maidservant by the Grand Madam's side. If she still tries to get close to the Grand Madam now, she will probably be ridiculed for being a freeloader or for trying to curry favor.
Of course, she wasn't afraid of being ridiculed. What she feared was these maids blaming her for causing them trouble and then speaking ill of her to the Grand Madam afterwards.
These maids are fine serving the matriarch, but serving her would be a different story!
She knew perfectly well that although her family had been freed from slavery, they were still rootless and adrift. If they wanted to live a good life in this small corner of the capital, they would always need the care of the Dowager Lady.
Therefore, she could not offend the Grand Madam, nor could she offend the maids who served the Grand Madam.
***
Min Yuexi knew a couple of days before that Min Qiaoshi had gone to the estate to recuperate from her injuries.
When Madam Min Qiao left, she took Madam Wu to the gate to see her off, and also prepared some food in advance so that someone could take it with them.
He was truly meticulous in his actions, leaving no room for criticism.
After returning to his residence that evening, Min Rong made a special trip to Ruyun Pavilion to praise him in person.
There was no way around it; the contrast between Min Qiaoshi's two trips was too stark.
Last time, when Lady Min went to the south of the Yangtze River, he only found out she was leaving the capital after she had already left the city. He became the butt of many jokes.
This time, although Madam Min Qiao did not give prior notice, Min Yuexi kept a close eye on Songhetang's movements. As soon as Madam Min Qiao made a move, she knew about it and informed Min Rong in advance.
He even had someone spread the word that the Xuanping Marquis's residence was going through a turbulent time, and that in order to allow Madam Min Qiao to recuperate in peace, they had sent her to a manor in the outskirts of the capital for a while. This also earned Min Rong a good reputation for being thoughtful and filial.
If Min Rong initially let Min Yuexi take over the affairs of the Marquis's mansion only because he had no other choice and because of Min Qiaoshi, then after these past few days, Min Rong has come to recognize the abilities of this eldest daughter.
Seeing that her father was in a good mood, Min Yuexi continued to chat about trivial matters for a while before speaking seriously: "Father, the Sun family is observing a three-year mourning period. Do you think it would be good to take care of my second sister's marriage to the Sun family during this period of mourning?"
“Otherwise, my second sister will be eighteen in three years. Besides, that’s too long, and we don’t know if the Sun family will still accept this marriage.”
If they don't acknowledge them, then the He mother and daughter are completely useless! Not only are they ineffective, they're also a nuisance!
Although she didn't say it explicitly, Min Rong could sense the unspoken meaning in her words.
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