Chapter 95
After passing a screen wall covered with green vines, you will see an empty courtyard. Usually, the sedan chairs and horses of the master of the mansion are parked here. Going straight ahead is the Chuihua Hall, and behind the Chuihua Hall is a glazed hall with corridors on all sides and five curved roofs.
The servant led Xie Yunxiu inside, but did not pass through the Chuihua Hall. Instead, they entered the backyard through a corner door inside the screen wall, and then walked along the long and narrow corridor towards the direction of Ninghe Hall of the second house.
Along the way, the courtyards are deep and the paths are winding. There are both majestic and lofty pavilions and terraces, as well as graceful and exquisite gardens and flower gardens. It can be said to be colorful, brilliant, lush and magnificent.
Not to mention this mansion, even the servants seen along the way, all of them were wearing gold and silver jewelry and covered in silk and satin, holding their breath, concentrating, smiling and keeping silent, they had the appearance of a noble family.
This was the first time Xie Yunxiu entered the palace. She was shocked. It was worthy of being the most prestigious family in the world. Then, was Xie Yunchu the head of the family? She thought about it, her elder sister lost her mother when she was young, and she had an aunt to take care of her, so she was a little better off than Xie Yunchu. Her father, Xie Hui, taught poetry and books to both legitimate and illegitimate children. She, Xie Yunxiu, was not much worse than Xie Yunchu. When she was a girl, Xie Yunchu had to give in to her younger sister in everything, but now the two sisters were very different.
With a faint feeling of unwillingness lingering in his chest, Xie Yunxiu took a slow breath and took more determined steps.
Who would have thought that after passing through a sloping corridor and entering an exquisite and unique small garden, I saw several women sitting in the three horizontal halls. The yard was not big, with corridors connected on all sides and decorated with rocks in the middle. A flower corridor was built in the back, with vines and creepers, green and fluttering, and bunches of purple and white flowers entwined on it, with a few branches poking out from time to time.
Three or five children in the yard were running and playing around the rockery. Among them, a little girl with two buns and a cinnabar mole on the forehead hid in the flower corridor alone. After a while, her figure could not be seen and only her voice could be heard.
"Come and catch me!"
Seeing that her features were similar to Xie Yunchu's, Xie Yunxiu recognized Ke Jie'er at a glance. She immediately stopped at the corridor, pointed at Ke Jie'er and several children who had come in, and asked the old woman who was leading the way.
"Which one is my niece and nephew?"
The old woman saw that Xie Yunxiu was as pretty as a willow in the wind, with a rosy face and a beautiful appearance. She was also very gentle and had some of the qualities of the Second Young Lady. She was quite fond of her and pointed at Sister Ke who was hiding under the flower vines and said,
"That is the eldest daughter of our Second Master and Second Young Mistress. She is treated as a treasure in the mansion. As for the young master..." The old woman looked around.
I saw Er Ge'er standing outside the flower corridor wearing a small robe, with a frown on his face, and he didn't chase after her.
"This is the second wife's legitimate son, Brother Wei."
Erge'er was two years older, and his features were almost identical to Wang Shuhuai's, except for his nose and lips, which resembled Xie Yunchu's. Xie Yunxiu felt a little happy when he saw him, and immediately walked down the steps and came to Erge'er's side.
"Brother." She called gently.
Er Ge'er turned his head and stared at her with blinking eyes.
The old woman smiled and squatted down, pointing at Xie Yunxiu and Er Ge'er and said, "Brother, this is your mother's sister, your aunt."
At this time, Xie Yunxiu also squatted down, stroking the hem of her skirt, and took out the prepared candy from her waist bag. This kind of candy is the favorite soft candy of children in the south of the Yangtze River. It has a special chewy texture when chewed in the mouth, and every child dislikes it.
She opened her palm, which contained five candies of different shapes, for Er to choose from.
"Brother, this is the snack that your aunt prepared for you, would you like to try it?"
When the old woman saw this, she cried out, "Children who eat too much candy will have bad teeth. The masters of the mansion don't allow the boys and girls to eat too much. The girl took out five at once. The second mistress will blame you later."
Xie Yunxiu looked at Er Ge'er tenderly, and said to the maid, "Don't worry, Ma'am. I will confess my guilt to my sister later. Besides, how can I not love my nephew and niece more when I see them?"
The old woman was just saying something extra but didn't dare to blame Xie Yunxiu. After all, she was Xie Yunchu's legitimate sister. If she offended her, she would be scolded by the Second Madam.
Er Ge'er's eyes were quickly attracted by the candy. In a few days, it would be his second birthday. His mother had told him that on his birthday, she would give him lots of snacks so that he could eat as much as he wanted. However, he could only eat three candies a day. He had already eaten three today...
Er Ge'er's dark eyes were fixed on the bright candy. He swallowed but did not move.
Xie Yunxiu was puzzled, but immediately showed a softer smile, "Brother, I am your mother's sister, your closest aunt, just like your mother. I give you this candy, your mother won't say anything, even if she scolds you, I am your aunt to guarantee you, eat it quickly."
Her gentle eyes were like a pool of spring water, which made people feel close to her. "My good boy, you don't know how much I like you. It hurts my heart." Xie Yunxiu pushed the candy forward again, almost to the eyes of Er Ge'er, and he smelled a fragrance.
Er Ge'er's throat rolled several times and his face turned bitter. His mother had told him that a man should keep his word. If he broke his promise, his mother would be unhappy and he would never be able to ask her for candy again.
Brother Wei is very much like Wang Shuhuai in nature, and is very principled.
Just when Xie Yunxiu was about to induce him further, Sister Ke, who was wearing a pink skirt, came over like a whirlwind, quickly grabbed her brother's arm, hid him behind her, and mercilessly flipped the back of Xie Yunxiu's hand. The little girl frowned, put her hands on her waist like an adult, and angrily said to Xie Yunxiu,
"Bad guy, don't lie to my brother, we won't go with you!"
"We have candy to eat, we don't want your candy."
Sister Ke has always been very strong. She pushed Xie Yunxiu to the ground and she was terrified.
The old woman was also shocked by this scene and hurriedly helped Xie Yunxiu up.
Sister Ke glared at Xie Yunxiu angrily, pulled her brother aside, and taught him,
"Don't eat other people's candy. Mother said that the little sister of Aunt Houlang was abducted in this way. If you eat other people's candy, you will not have Brother Wei..."
Er Ge was confused by his sister's appearance and nodded blankly.
Sister Ke took her brother and walked towards the horizontal hall in front of the rockery, looking very heroic and confident. After walking for a while, she turned back and glared at Xie Yunxiu fiercely, then disappeared into the depths of the flower corridor with Brother Wei.
Xie Yunxiu blushed at this, but she was always tough. She quickly dusted herself off and regained her composure. "Sister, you taught us really well. Sister Ke and Brother Yu are both very smart."
Seeing that she didn't care, the old woman breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Children's words are innocent. I hope you don't take it to heart."
Xie Yunxiu shook her head and laughed, "No, I like them very much. I'll go meet the Second Madam first, and then I'll take them to meet my sister. The children don't know me, so they'll be on guard. When we get to know each other better, they'll know that I treat them sincerely."
The old woman nodded repeatedly and led her into the direction of Ninghe Hall.
After a lot of effort, they arrived at Ninghe Hall. The maid said that there were guests inside, so she welcomed Xie Yunxiu into the side room to sit down.
Jiang was being served by Nanny Ming and was chatting with the wife of Marquis Baoning. The nephew of the wife of Marquis Baoning had taken a fancy to Wang Shuya and wanted to propose marriage. The wife of Marquis Baoning had met Jiang several times and came to her first to sound out the situation.
After Jiang sent the people away, Nanny Ming came forward to pour tea for her. "Second Madam's sister is here. She said she heard that your sister caught a cold, so she came to visit. Since this is her first time visiting your house, she must come to pay her respects to you first. She is sitting in the side room now."
When Jiang heard that it was Xie Yunchu's sister, she felt complicated. "It's just a cold. Why are you making such a fuss about it? I get sick several times every year, but I've never seen such a big deal." Jiang sighed. "Let her in." She didn't seem interested.
Nanny Ming ordered the maid to invite someone, and put the gift sent by the wife of Marquis Baoning behind.
Jiang felt that the handkerchief in her hand was stained with dust, so she asked the maid to change it for a clean one. When she raised her eyes, she saw a figure swaying in front of her, and a graceful figure walked in through the door. The person was wearing a double-breasted jacket made of crabapple brocade. The pattern on the edging was delicate but not luxurious. She had gentle eyebrows and eyes, and dignified manners.
"Yunxiu pays respects to the Madam."
This look reminded Jiang of the first time she met Xie Yunchu.
On the day of the tea ceremony, Wang Shuhuai brought people to her. She was amazed by her daughter-in-law's appearance at first sight. It's not that she couldn't stand others being more beautiful than her, she was also a bit old and there was no way she would compete with her daughter-in-law. It's just that Xie Yunchu's appearance was too outstanding. She was worried that Xie Yunchu would be restless. Not only was she afraid that she would be restless, but she was also afraid that other men would covet her, and then it would be her son who would suffer the loss and humiliation.
Her son was the top scholar in the imperial court, as bright as a jade tree, and she couldn't let him have any disgrace, so from then on, she was very strict with Xie Yunchu, hoping to keep her daughter-in-law by his side to prevent her from being spied on.
Fortunately, Xie Yunchu behaved himself and served her diligently, and Jiang's defensiveness gradually faded.
It's a pity that her behavior hurt Xie Yunchu's heart. Ever since she threatened Xie Yunchu with taking a concubine to give birth to a son, Xie Yunchu began to resent her and gradually became distant from her.
Take yesterday for example, she sent ginseng, and Xie Yunchu sent deer antlers at night. Jiang knew what that meant, but she just didn't want to receive her kindness and treated her as an outsider.
Jiang was filled with worries and could not even smile at Xie Yunxiu. She said indifferently,
"Thank you for your courtesy, Miss. Come, please find a seat and serve tea."
At this time, Nanny Ming also came out and met Xie Yunxiu's eyes. Xie Yunxiu saw that she was a respected old woman and bowed to her. Nanny Ming avoided it and knelt down to her.
Xie Yunxiu sat down at Jiang's side and presented the generous gift he had brought.
"It's my first visit to Madam, and I can't express my respect to her."
Jiang looked at the brocade box in her hand with a hint of doubt. Normally, when visiting her in-laws' home, young girls would just do some embroidery work, so why did Xie Yunxiu send her a brocade box? She winked at Nanny Ming, who took the brocade box and quietly opened it to take a look. Inside was a jade Buddha. The jade was rich and thick, not an ordinary item.
Nanny Ming was puzzled and showed the thing to Jiang, who was surprised.
"Miss Xie, why did you give such an expensive gift? No, this is against the rules."
Xie Yunxiu stood up with a smile and bowed to her generously.
"Madam, you are such a person that it is appropriate to describe you as the best in the capital. Your three sons are all outstanding people, and your brother-in-law is even more successful. Who in the capital does not envy you? Although I am young and inexperienced, I have great respect for you in my heart, but I don't know how to honor you. When I saw this jade Bodhisattva, I thought that no one else is worthy of using it except you, so I gave it to you."
Jiang really loves to be flattered. "Look at this mouth, it doesn't look like Sister Yunchu at all."
Xie Yunxiu was shy, "My sister is good in every way, except that she talks too much. In fact, she has a very kind heart. Madam, please bear with me."
Jiang hadn't figured out the underlying meaning of Xie Yunxiu's words, but instead thought that what Xie Yunxiu said was very pertinent.
Nanny Ming had already noticed something was wrong. Xie Yunchu and Jiang had been mother-in-law and daughter-in-law for many years, so it was not the right of a younger sister who showed up for the first time to gossip about them. The word "take responsibility" sounded like she was speaking for Xie Yunchu, but in fact it was an admission that Xie Yunchu was wrong.
Nanny Ming glanced at the priceless jade Buddha in her hand again, and became a little wary of Xie Yunxiu.
"What's the point of taking responsibility..." Jiang smiled bitterly. How could she be qualified to take responsibility for Xie Yunchu now? Xie Yunchu simply disdained her.
"Anyway, this gift is too valuable and you shouldn't be the one delivering it."
After Jiang finished speaking, Nanny Ming put the gift box back in front of Xie Yunxiu without saying a word.
Xie Yunxiu immediately became anxious. Before she could say anything, Jiang had already interrupted her.
"Aren't you here to see your sister? Go ahead and talk to your sisters. Don't waste your time here with me, an old woman."
No matter how nice Xie Yunxiu's words are, she is still Xie Yunchu's sister, and they are family.
Jiang didn't want to pay attention.
At this time, Xie Yunxiu bowed again and said, "I am here to visit you, Madam. Actually, I have something to ask you. I would like to ask your opinion first. If you agree, I can discuss it with you."
Jiang was puzzled, "What's the matter?"
Xie Yunxiu sat down again and said in a gentle voice, "Sister has always been capable. She has to manage the household and the academy, plus she has two children, so she is too busy. My father and mother are really worried about her, and they are afraid that she will be stubborn and have a bad temper, so they sent me to take care of her for a few days and persuade her. Originally, mother was going to visit you today, but unfortunately she is also sick, so she sent a younger generation to come."
"Before my sister got married, she was very close to me. We sisters went out together, just like brothers and sisters from the same mother. But my sister is cautious by nature and dare not easily keep her family in the mansion. Without your permission, I would never dare to agree to this. Therefore, I am begging you to agree to this matter."
There were some things that were originally supposed to be done by Qiu Sui, but since Qiu Sui was not here, she had to do it herself.
She first persuaded Jiang, and then went back to see Xie Yunchu, saying that it was her mother-in-law's order. With Xie Yunchu's virtuous character, she would have to agree to it. She only needed to stay in the mansion for a few days so that she could be given a medicine, and other things could be dealt with slowly.
What Xie Yunxiu wants to be is a superior person, not a concubine who is not presentable.
It is common for the elder sister to leave her younger sister to take care of her for a few days when she is not feeling well.
Xie Yunxiu came to visit Jiang with gifts and in a cautious manner, which showed that he took Jiang very seriously. Logically, Jiang and Nanny Ming should praise Xie Yunxiu for his proper behavior and thoughtful consideration.
But if it were said in the past, Jiang would have believed it, but not now.
Now, Xie Yunchu would not even ask her opinion even if he wanted to overthrow Chunjingtang, let alone keep a younger sister from her natal family. Unfortunately, Xie Yunchu felt cold to her in his heart. He pretended to be nice and sent the chef to treat her one or two delicious dishes from time to time. His reputation as a virtuous woman spread among the people, and people outside only thought that Xie Yunchu respected his mother-in-law very much.
Jiang had no way of expressing her pain.
Jiang is confused because she is being stubborn and not taking things seriously. But once she takes things seriously, she is not stupid.
If Madam Ming really sent someone to take care of Xie Yunchu, it should have been the other one called Xie Yunshuang. After all, Xie Yunshuang had been to the mansion several times and everyone was familiar with her. Why would she send the unfamiliar Xie Yunxiu? And it must have been Nanny Lin who brought people to pay respects to her, rather than coming alone.
Jiang felt that Xie Yunxiu was a bit weird.
At this time, Nanny Ming looked at Xie Yunxiu and asked softly,
"Miss Xie is so beautiful, I wonder if she is engaged? How old is she?"
After hearing this, Jiang looked at Nanny Ming fiercely. Nanny Ming gave her a slight wink, and Jiang suddenly realized something.
Xie Yunxiu looked embarrassed, and said with her face slightly lowered, "I am twenty-two this year. I was ill for a few years and delayed my marriage. Now I have given up the idea of getting married and plan to serve my parents wholeheartedly at home."
Jiang narrowed her eyes slightly.
Given Xie Jijiu's old-fashioned personality, it is unlikely that he would allow his daughter to stay at home and not get married.
Could it be that she can’t get married?
Find a different approach?
There are no young masters of the right age for her in the mansion, and the wives are all fine. No master needs to remarry, so it is unlikely that she will become a concubine for the old master.
Could it be that the two sisters share the same husband?
When Jiang thought of this possibility, he immediately got furious.
Could it be that Xie Yunxiu has set his eyes on my son and is planning to make a move on him?
My son is about to enter the cabinet. It is a good time for him to expand territory and build achievements. But now there is something unclear between my brother-in-law and my sister-in-law. Wouldn't the impeachment by the censor be enough to make my son suffer?
We can't let ourselves be dragged down by Xie Yunxiu.
No wonder he brought generous gifts and bypassed Xie Yunchu to see her. It turned out that he wanted to please her and win her over.
Jiang was just very angry with Xie Yunchu, so she took it out on Xie Yunxiu.
She glanced at Xie Yunxiu coldly, and suddenly smiled strangely.
"Miss Xie, you don't know that not everyone in our Wang family can enter. Since you have decided not to get married, you should cut your hair and become a nun. If that doesn't work, you can stay in your Xie family's ancestral hall and family temple to practice. Why are you hanging around out here?"
Looking at Xie Yunxiu's outfit, she was graceful and elegant, with a hint of charm between her eyebrows. She was definitely seducing. Jiang saw through her and said, "You have failed to draw a tiger and ended up drawing a dog. Miss Xie, if you want to stay, go ask your sister if she agrees."
Xie Yunxiu was stunned. She didn't expect Jiang's expression to change as quickly as turning the pages of a book.
"You misunderstood. How could you think so..." Xie Yunxiu was terrified, ashamed, "I just wanted to help my sister. How could you think so badly of me..."
Xie Yunxiu cried in grievance.
Jiang originally wanted to send Xie Yunxiu to Chunjing Hall and let Xie Yunchu take care of it herself, but Nanny Ming suddenly spoke in her ear,
"Madam, the Second Mistress is ill right now. If we send this person over, won't it make her angry and hurt her body? Either you drive this person away yourself and throw him back to the Xie family for Xie Jijiu to deal with, or you hand him over to the Second Mistress and let him take care of it himself?"
When Jiang heard the latter, she immediately shook her head, "What if she takes the opportunity to seduce Shu Huai? Which man can easily resist beauty?"
Jiang was not very confident in her son.
After all, she was able to captivate many men with just a casual glance.
Nanny Ming didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Our Second Master is such a man. If he was easily moved by beauty, he would have had at least eight concubines in the courtyard over the years..."
Seeing the two men openly discussing how to deal with her in front of her, Xie Yunxiu felt humiliated.
Staying here would only bring humiliation to herself, so Xie Yunxiu rushed out of the door holding the brocade box.
Jiang didn't know what she was going to do, so she pointed at her back and shouted, "Where are you going? Someone, stop her!"
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