Chapter 681 Silly (Part 1)
The mother-in-law is criticizing her!
Jiang's face was as white as white.
Asking her whether she had read history and classics was to say that she was a hens crowed at dawn, read books that she shouldn't have read, had thoughts that she shouldn't have had, and meddled in men's affairs; talking about the matter of the lady from the Wang family was to accuse her of questioning Xu Sizhen's decision in front of her aunt, which embarrassed Xu Sizhen in front of her natal family and made her appear rude and uncultured.
She just felt wronged.
"At home, obey your father; after marriage, obey your husband." No matter how prominent a married woman's family is, she and her husband's family will rise and fall together. How could she not understand this principle? But Xu Sizhen...if she hadn't been worried about him, why would she have gone so far? Which woman doesn't want to marry a man who is like a towering tree, protecting her from the wind and rain, and hiding under the tree to be a virtuous wife and filial daughter-in-law.
But how could she dare to say these words in front of her mother-in-law!
Once it is spoken out, it is another sin.
A wife is honored by her husband. People all over Yanjing say that her mother-in-law is virtuous, gentle and kind, but if it weren't for her father-in-law's protection, would her mother-in-law have such a reputation?
"Mother, this is all my fault." Jiang stood up slowly, feeling dizzy before her eyes. "I didn't think it through." She said, and slowly knelt in front of Shiyi Niang. "I will never dare to do it again. Please calm down, mother."
Cui'er's death and Tao's mother's ending made Shiyi Niang feel deeply. She could understand some things, but she couldn't do them. From this point of view, she was not suitable to manage the inner house of Xu's mansion. She hoped that Xu Sizhen would get married soon, and hoped that Jiang was smart and capable, and could help manage the inner house of Xu's mansion after entering the house. Then she could get rid of these trivial matters and live a leisurely life.
Of course, she also knows the gap between ideal and reality.
Smart and capable people are more competitive; competitive people have their own ideas. She placed her own people in important positions early on. In this way, she can attack or defend. As long as Jiang gives her due respect, she will give Jiang due respect.
So as soon as Jiang came in, she wanted Jiang to help her with some household chores to see Jiang's temperament and ability. Although Xu Lingyi did not agree, she kept observing Jiang carefully.
Helping Xu Sizhen understand his mistakes, thinking about the relationship between the prince and King Yong through the New Year's Day ceremony, and controlling Xu Sizhen from acting rashly... Eleven Niang felt that Jiang was not only smart, but also quite capable in his actions. If he could control his situation better, it would be a good thing to have her by Xu Sizhen's side.
Only then did she begin to think of giving Jiang a warning.
"Hurry up and get up!" Eleventh Lady said calmly, "If you have anything to say, just talk it out. Kneeling like this won't solve the problem!"
Jiang's heart was in turmoil.
Judging from the tone of my mother-in-law, I know she won't let it go easily even if I admit my mistake.
She just felt like there was a bitter taste in her mouth.
"That's what my mother taught me!" She stood up nervously, not knowing what would be waiting for her next.
"I have always thought that it is good for girls to read some classics." Eleventh Lady sipped her tea again, her expression very tolerant, in sharp contrast to Jiang's nervousness, "so that they will not be completely ignorant of what is happening outside. Even if they want to help their husbands, they will not know where to start. I was very pleased to hear your words of persuasion to Zhe'er. I think Zhe'er has found a virtuous wife. With a sister-in-law like you, his younger brothers and sisters will follow suit and live in harmony with each other. This is not only a blessing for Zhe'er, but also a blessing for our Xu family."
Jiang looked at Eleventh Lady in astonishment.
She didn't expect that Eleventh Lady would give her such a high evaluation.
Under normal circumstances, she would be overjoyed, but under this situation... first she would praise but then she would be depressed, and I'm afraid that what she would say next would not be pleasant to hear, and, moreover, it would be the main point.
"You are able to remind Zhe'er about the matter of Prince Yong's Mansion, which is also very good." Eleventh Lady looked at Jiang. "Zhe'er is still young. He was panicked when he heard about this matter and couldn't make up his mind for a while. Your father was a top scholar and served as a court official. He is also a man and knows more about the affairs of the court than the women in the inner house. The Marquis is not at home. It is not wrong for you to ask your father to help make a decision. But how come the person who came to advise you is your aunt?"
Jiang's face changed drastically.
"It can be seen that there are some things that you haven't figured out." Eleventh Lady continued, "Let's talk about what happened today. You asked Zhege'er in front of your aunt why he gave Prince Wang a gourd for raising crickets. I also know what you mean. Zhege'er could have given anything else, but he had to give a gourd for raising crickets. If Prince Wang loses his ambition after playing with the toy, Zhege'er will naturally become a bad friend, which will be very bad for Zhege's reputation. Your aunt knows all about family affairs, so there is no need to hide it from her. A wise man respects his husband, and a foolish man scolds his husband. You are also a person who has read "Nu Yi" and "Lie Nu Zhuan", so you naturally understand this principle. Why did you do such a thing today? There are some things that you need to think about carefully."
Eleventh Lady spoke earnestly, holding the teacup, "It's getting late, you should go back and rest! I was counting on you to help me relieve my worries and take care of all the chores at home!"
"Yes!" Jiang responded in a mosquito-like voice and a dazed look, and walked out of the main courtyard in a daze.
"Fourth Young Madam, Fourth Young Madam," Yuan Baozhu's wife saw that she looked a little strange and became anxious. She didn't know what the Fourth Madam said to the Fourth Young Madam. "What's wrong with you?"
The urgent voice, carried in the cold wind, hit Jiang's body, making her sober up a lot.
Yes! How could I be like this?
But one thing after another went smoothly, and she became frivolous. In the final analysis, she was impatient and lacked self-cultivation. If she continued to act like this...
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a little scared, and then she realized that her back had been completely wet without her knowing when.
******
Amber tiptoed in to clear the teacups and saw Shiyi Niang sitting on the big kang by the window, staring out at the yard in a daze.
"Madam, are you going to pay your respects to the lady now? Or should you go later?" She reminded Eleventh Lady in a low voice.
"Oh!" Eleventh Lady turned around, "Let's go now! It's getting dark, and I'm afraid it will snow soon. Go early to avoid catching them in the act." She added, "I don't know where the Marquis and Qin'er have gone. The Marquis went out and bullied me because I didn't know what was going on outside. He didn't tell me a word of truth." She got off the kang as she spoke, half complaining and half coquettishly.
Amber laughed and took the fox fur cape and said, "My Lord, aren't you afraid of your nagging? The last time you wrote to Jiayuguan, there were more than ten letters, all of which were instructions for food, clothing and daily expenses. When you are outside, you have to make do with everything. My Lord, I'm sure you don't want to lie to my wife, so you just speak vaguely."
Eleventh Lady knew very well what Xu Lingyi was up to, but she just waited at home, watching the strong wind and heavy snow outside. She felt uneasy thinking that Jiayuguan was even colder than here.
She knew that it was useless to say these things. Amber and the others always spoke well of Xu Lingyi in unison, as if they were afraid that she would upset Xu Lingyi.
"Don't come over tomorrow." Eleventh Lady simply stopped talking and told Amber, "You should have guests at home. I have Qiuyu here, so that's enough." Amber smiled and replied, "Madam, do you have anything for me to bring?"
Although the steward of the outer courtyard is in charge of purchasing, Shiyi Niang is still used to asking Amber to buy some small personal items for her.
"It's New Year's Day and every house is closed. Where are you going to bring me something?" After saying this, Eleventh Lady suddenly stopped.
Logically, even if she didn't say anything, the Jiang family would have warned Jiang. Why did they just let Jiang go on making mistakes like this?
Could it be that this is exactly what the Jiang family would like to see?
When the Jiang family and the Xu family first married, it was tantamount to waving the white flag to the emperor. However, so many years have passed, and not only has the Jiang family gained nothing, but the emperor has remained the same towards the Jiang family, neither distant nor close.
I’m afraid the Jiang family can’t wait!
Now it depends on Jiang’s choice!
Just as the husband feels uncomfortable being caught between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, the Jiang family will feel just as uncomfortable being caught between the two families in the future.
Eleventh Lady couldn't help but sigh softly.
******
After the Lantern Festival, Shiyi Niang received a message from Xu Lingyi saying that he would leave for Beijing in mid-March. She asked how the yard of Jiange'er was being cleaned up, but there was no greeting for her in the new year.
Eleventh Lady muttered a few words about Xu Lingyi in her heart and wrote a reply to her.
By mid-February, Yingniang arrived in Yanjing.
Xu Siqi was planting cannas with two servants.
Shiyi Niang asked Ying Niang, who had not yet entered the room, "What do you think?"
Yingniang looked at it carefully and said with a smile, "I think planting banana trees is also a good idea."
Xu Siqi looked over after hearing this, washed his hands hastily, and walked over quickly: "Mother! Cousin, you're here!"
Yingniang bowed to Xu Siqi and called him "Fifth cousin" with a smile.
"I saw a camphor tree over there," Xu Siqi said with a smile, "so I thought of planting cannas."
"I think this Taihu stone is only waist-high, so I think it's better to plant banana trees." Yingniang said with a smile, "If the Taihu stone is as tall as a person, it would be better to plant cannas."
After hearing this, Xu Siqi turned around and looked around, then said, "What my eldest cousin said makes sense. How about planting banana trees instead? Plant the cannas in my yard." The last sentence was directed to Shiyi Niang.
Eleventh Lady looked at Yingniang.
Yingniang smiled and said, "Fifth cousin, you don't have to worry about this. Planting cannas is also beautiful. It's just that I like banana trees, so I wish everyone would plant banana trees."
Xu Siyi was surprised and asked, "Why does my cousin like banana trees?"
"The sound of rain hitting banana leaves is so nice!" Yingniang laughed heartily.
Xu Siqi was stunned for a moment, then he started laughing.
Eleventh Lady looked at it and started laughing too.
"Okay, go back to your room and rest!" she said to Yingniang, "Get washed and combed, and let's go pay our respects to the Madam."
Yingniang smiled, bowed, and followed the maids to the west room in the backyard.
The maidservant beside Madam Wu came over.'
"Fourth Madam!" She bowed. "Our Madam asked you to come over. She said she has something urgent to discuss with you."