Chapter 1: Shut Out
Cui Qingyi stood at the door of Cui Mansion, looking at the closed door with her eyes lowered quietly.
She had just been kicked out of her husband's family and had returned to her parents' home with her only maid and a green cloth bundle. But after an incense stick of time had passed, the scorching midday sun had made her head dizzy, and the door to the Cui Mansion hadn't even opened a crack.
The maid behind her, Konjac, choked with sobs as she cautiously suggested, "Miss, if I knock on the door again, it must be because the servants are not doing their best. If Madam knew you were back, she would definitely come out to greet you personally."
Cui Qingyi didn't say anything. In fact, she had already guessed that the situation would be like this, but when she really faced it, she still felt heartbroken.
She was originally a lonely soul from a thousand years later. For some unknown reason, she was reincarnated into Mrs. Cui's womb. During the years as the eldest daughter of the Cui family, she thought that there was nothing she couldn't do as a daughter. However, she didn't expect that she would be divorced by her husband's family. Her natal family, who should have accepted and given her shelter, actually did such a cruel thing.
Konjac told himself to try to ignore the curious and strange looks around him, and took a step forward to knock on the closed vermilion door, but was blocked by Cui Qingyi.
Konjac stamped her feet and said, "Miss, I will knock on the door again. Madam loves you and knows that you are back, so she will definitely not refuse you entry."
Although she said so, her heavy nasal voice exposed her lack of confidence.
Cui Qingyi sighed, raised her head and glanced at her former home, then took a deep breath. "Let's go, Konjac. Let's go to the inn first. I'll think about what to do next."
Konjac didn't want to leave. Her daughter had suffered so much injustice in the Chen family, and now she was divorced. She wanted to go back to the lady. Even if her reputation would be bad, at least her life would be much better. But now she couldn't even get through the door. How could the lady be so cruel!
Cui Qingyi tugged at Konjac and found that the girl's feet seemed to be nailed to the ground. She did not try to pull her at the door, but turned around and left.
She had been on the boat for two days and had just been turned away by her own mother. She was already exhausted both physically and mentally. Right now, she really didn't have the energy to preach to Konjac. Anyway, she would catch up in the end.
Sure enough, after Cui Qingyi took a few steps, Konjac quickly caught up with her, held Cui Qingyi's hand, and the master and servant walked towards the inn together.
Cui Mansion
Mother Cui looked at the lady who had a sullen face since waking up early, and handed her the fragrant tea at just the right temperature: "Madam, the eldest lady has left."
When Cui Qingyi was mentioned, Mrs. Cui's anger, which had been suppressed for several days, suddenly rose. She threw the fragrant tea in her hand to the ground. The teacup shattered into pieces, and some small pieces of porcelain fell into Mrs. Cui's hands. Blood oozed out in an instant, but she didn't care. She just used a handkerchief to wipe away the blood.
Mrs. Cui said angrily:
"How could I have given birth to such a useless thing? I found her such a good husband, but she didn't know how to manage it well and help her brother in the future. Now she's been divorced by her husband's family. Where does she want me to put my face? How will Wenxu live in the academy in the future?
Get out! Tell her to get as far away from me as possible, you useless thing! "
Mrs. Cui always showed kindness and generosity in the backyard, and was even kinder to the servants. The people serving in the yard had never seen her so angry, and for a moment they were all silent, afraid that they would be seen by the lady and used as a punching bag.
Mother Cui felt helpless seeing her wife like this. She had felt that the eldest daughter's marriage was not a good idea for a long time.
Although their master's surname is Cui, for many years no one even knew which direction the main door of the Cui family faced. The marriage between the two families was also decided by chance.
The Chen family intended to cancel the engagement at that time, but the wife of the family still insisted on marrying the eldest daughter to him. Her purpose was to establish a relationship with the Chen family so as to pave the way for Young Master Wenxu in the future.
Although Mother Cui also felt that if her young lady could really gain a foothold in the Chen family, the Chen family would be able to help the young master with money and connections in the future when he took the imperial examination.
But man proposes, God disposes. After the eldest daughter married into the Chen family, she was not liked by her husband and mother-in-law, and she has never had any children. It is not surprising that she is now divorced and becomes a concubine.
Now that the person has returned, the lady as a mother cannot just ignore him. If this gets out, people outside will say that the lady is mean.
Mother Cui winked at the maidservant who was serving beside her. She had been serving in Madam Cui's room for several years. Mother Cui gave her a look and the maidservant immediately went to get a new cup of tea.
Mother Cui carefully felt the temperature before handing it to Yuan: "Madam, calm down. You still have Master Wenxu to take care of. Don't get too angry and get sick."
Thinking of her beloved son, Yuan's expression relaxed. She took the teacup and took a few sips. After drinking the warm tea, Yuan's anger subsided a lot.
Madam Cui had served Mrs. Yuan for many years and had long since grasped her mistress's temperament. She lowered her voice and said, "Madam, I know you're worried that the young lady's affairs will affect the young master, but we can't let the young lady stay out like this in the current situation. If she causes any trouble, those people in the backyard will probably become very arrogant."
Yuan thought for a moment, then covered her forehead and said, "I know there are people waiting to see me make a fool of myself, but Qingyi's temper still needs to be tempered.
Let's give her some time off first, so she can understand how difficult it is for a woman to live outside, and she'll be more obedient in the future."
Mother Cui nodded, and seeing that Yuan frowned, she hurried forward and skillfully massaged the other person's solar plexus.
Cui Qingyi and Konjac moved into the inn. The innkeeper, seeing that the two young ladies were staying alone, specially arranged a quiet room in the corner of the second floor for them.
Konjac took out some change to pay for the room, then pursed his lips as he looked at the little money left in his purse.
The two went upstairs and entered the house. The room was in the shade and had just been cleaned by the waiter. The window was open and a breeze came in. Cui Qingyi took off her veil and breathed a long sigh of relief.
It was the hottest time of the year, and although she was in good health, she couldn't stand standing outside in the hot sun for so long.
Konjac walked into the room and looked around. Seeing Cui Qingyi feeling uncomfortable with the heat, he quickly poured her a glass of water and handed it to her. Seeing his young lady exhale, it was as if he was seeing her before she got married.
In order to marry into the Chen family, her family hurriedly married off her daughter as soon as she reached the age of 15. After entering the Chen family at such a young age, she had not had a few days of peace.
Even laughing a little too loudly would earn her a lecture from the nanny sent by her mother-in-law. After a few years, her daughter had almost stopped laughing. Perhaps leaving the Chen family wasn't such a bad idea after all, a thought suddenly occurred to Konjac.
Then he shook his head fiercely, and thought that the young lady and she had only twenty taels of silver left on them, and his heart sank to the bottom.
Although Cui Qingyi lowered her head to drink water, she saw Konjac's every move out of the corner of her eye, but did not say anything to comfort her.
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