Chapter 22 Uncle
For example, the flowers delivered by the flower shop every ten days, because the Fourth Miss had particularly high requirements for these and was generous with the money for rewards, would be sent to Baozhen Courtyard with all the best ones. After the masters had chosen, the ones they didn't want would be given to Lanting Pavilion.
The writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones sent from the study were all of inferior quality, supposedly because the young masters and the fourth young lady needed the best for their studies.
The carriage department has yet to make a special carriage for the Fifth Sister, saying they're busy repairing the Fourth Sister's carriage, and so on...
As Madam Xiao listened, her brows furrowed deeper and deeper. For the past month or so, she had been thinking about how to make up for the fourteen years that Yu Xuan had been separated from them, and at the same time, she was thinking about how Yu Yao had fallen into despair and needed to be comforted and consoled. She had no idea that her subordinates would be so hypocritical.
The more Li's mother listened, the more she felt it was absurd. Logically speaking, the two young ladies should have always prioritized the fifth young lady, their own daughter, while the adopted daughter was secondary. Now, because the masters of the mansion favored the fourth young lady more, the fifth young lady had become someone no one cared for and was treated with disrespect everywhere.
These servants always act without considering the situation. They'll slack off and be lazy for as long as they can. I suppose Fifth Miss didn't care about these things before, or rather, she didn't dare to care, for fear of displeasing the master and mistress...
Looking at Madam Xiao's expression, she sighed inwardly. It's not too late for her to feel sorry for her daughter now.
"This is outrageous! These people have really gone too far, Mama Li. Go and call those in charge here, I'll personally teach them a lesson!"
Bi Sui knelt on the ground, feeling somewhat disappointed. After all this talk, why was Madam still only thinking about reprimanding the servants? If it weren't for the favoritism of the masters and the secret instructions from that young lady of Baozhen Courtyard, would the servants dare to do this?
She thought recklessly, "I wonder if the lady is truly confused or just pretending!"
"Madam, Fifth Miss, your uncle and aunt have arrived and are having tea in the flower hall right now."
A maidservant lifted the curtain and came in to report, and Madam Xiao's anger dissipated considerably after that shout.
"Yu Xuan, go and pay your respects to your uncle and aunt first. We'll deal with the servants and mothers later!"
Madam Xiao led Xiao Yuxuan to the flower hall. As they approached, they saw a middle-aged couple drinking tea inside. It was Lin Kuangzheng and his wife, Madam Wang.
Lin Kuangzheng was nearly fifty years old and already a grandfather. He had a handsome and upright appearance. He had worked hard all his life, and his temples had turned gray early. He wore a blue and white robe, which made him look elegant and approachable, and he had the demeanor of a great scholar.
Wang was Lin Kuangzheng's second wife, ten years younger than him. She gave birth to his second cousin, Lin Chuanxu. Because she was well-maintained and dressed in a youthful and wealthy manner, she looked out of place standing next to Lin Kuangzheng, as if they were from different generations.
"My niece, Xiao Yuxuan, greets her uncle and aunt—"
Xiao Yuxuan greeted the two of them, and Lin Kuangzheng greeted her with a smile and told her to get up.
"Good, good, Hui'er, Yu Xuan's appearance is exactly like yours when you were young."
Madam Xiao smiled and said:
"Isn't that right? When Li Mama found this child, I took one look and believed it most of the time. If Yu Xuan hadn't been born from my womb, she couldn't possibly look so much like me."
Lin Kuangzheng asked about her past experiences and whether she had adapted well to living there for the past month or so. Xiao Yuxuan answered concisely and to the point.
Wang glanced absentmindedly behind Madam Xiao, then suddenly asked:
"Where is Yuyao?"
Lin Kuangzheng and Madam Xiao's expressions hardened slightly. They had come to the mansion to see Yu Xuan, so why were they asking Yu Yao at this time?
The brother and sister exchanged a glance, and Lin Kuangzheng was also somewhat embarrassed.
He lost his wife before he turned thirty, and his eldest son was still young. He had no one to rely on, so his mother persuaded him to marry his second wife.
Unexpectedly, Wang was only willing to play the role of a virtuous wife and loving mother for the first two years. After she became pregnant with Xu Ge'er, she completely changed her attitude—she was harsh on her eldest son, disrespectful to her parents-in-law and husband, and jealous of her concubines, causing unrest in the household. Soon after, he volunteered to take the sinecure of the Imperial Academy Chancellor, because he really couldn't bear the shame.
"Is your aunt looking for your fourth sister?"
Xiao Yuxuan's tone was deliberately hesitant, and her expression was tinged with just the right amount of melancholy:
"My fourth sister used to be my aunt and we had a deep relationship that I could not match."
After she finished speaking, she looked at Madam Xiao:
"Mother, why don't we let Fourth Sister come over? That way, Auntie can rest assured."
Lin Kuangzheng's lips moved slightly, feeling that Xiao Yuxuan's words struck a chord deep within him:
“You are the Xiao family’s own daughter, and also our own niece. No matter what, Yuyao is just an outsider. Your aunt is getting old and has become confused. Don’t think like that.”
Madam Xiao then realized that, in any case, Yu Xuan was the rightful granddaughter of the Lin family, and she naturally had to set an example in front of her brother.
"Yu Xuan, what nonsense are you talking about? You and Yu Yao are both your mother's precious children. Your aunt and mother love you equally."
Lin Kuang showed a hint of disapproval on his face, but seeing Xiao Yuxuan's knowing look, he couldn't help but wonder to himself, "Is this how my sister has treated Xiao Yuyao and Xiao Yuxuan for the past month?"
Logically speaking, the biological daughter should be the one who needs to make amends more, so how come in her sister's mouth, she's the one who's loved equally? How is Yu Xuan supposed to think about this?
More than a month ago, he should have done as he said in his letter, found Yuyao's biological parents, and sent her back to them, so that things wouldn't have turned out like this.
An adopted daughter is not like an adopted daughter, and a biological daughter is not like a biological daughter.
Wang knew she had probably said something wrong, but she still tried to argue:
"Sigh, I... I just hadn't seen Yuyao in a long time, so I asked casually. You're really taking it too far..."
"Shut up."
Lin Kuangzheng glanced at her, and Wang Shi pursed her lips, ultimately saying nothing.
"Hui'er, I have something I want to say to Yuxuan alone. Why don't you take your sister-in-law to the side hall for some tea?"
Madam Xiao was also somewhat flustered. What had been a joyful and harmonious scene had suddenly become stiff. Lin Kuang was nearly ten years older than her, and as the eldest brother, he was like a father to her. Since he had said so, she had no choice but to agree, and she and Madam Wang left the main hall.
Outside the main hall, Madam Wang glanced irritably at the two men, uncle and nephew, who remained inside, and complained:
"Look at you, you're making me lose face in front of your niece. I finally understand. I'm just someone he married to be his maid. When he needs me, I'm Mrs. Lin. When he doesn't need me, I'm just a broken broom to be thrown aside!"
Madam Xiao had never liked this second wife, but there was an order of seniority, and she couldn't really ignore her. So she could only maintain a polite smile and say a few words to comfort her.
In the main hall, Lin Kuang was drinking the tea personally poured by his niece. Stroking his beard, he looked at his graceful, obedient, and gentle niece and sighed deeply.
"Yu Xuan, tell your uncle the truth: for the past month or so, has your mother, no, the Xiao family, treated you and Yu Yao the same way?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com