Chapter 32 "Your mother-in-law really likes what you make for her..."
Winter Solstice arrived in the blink of an eye. It was a rare occasion for the couple to visit Wanfang Courtyard together for their morning greetings. As usual, Shen Qiulan gave some instructions and then sent someone back first.
On the way, Yu An noticed that Ji Jinghe was not heading towards the study. Sure enough, he started asking about the clothes that had been given to Shen Qiulan.
"Mother and Shuer have never lacked clothes, why didn't you leave any for yourself? Don't you like them?"
He had glanced at the fabrics he had sent out earlier; they were the ones she would use for tailoring today.
Yu An said gently, "I like it. I really like what the master gave me. But I heard that my mother-in-law and Shu'er don't have any, so I took the liberty of making clothes for them. We're all family after all."
Every time he asked a question sincerely, he received a mixed answer.
Ji Jinghe couldn't tell whether there were truly many or many fake ones.
He never imagined that he would one day care about someone's insincere words.
Yu An: "Grandpa, you have a lot of official business to attend to, so please go ahead and get busy."
Before he could speak, Yu An curtsied and turned to leave.
Ji Jinghe hesitated, then finally remained silent.
Baozhu was quite worried about Yu'an this time: "Miss, the son-in-law is the head of the family after all. Isn't it inappropriate for us to do this?"
If it were anyone else, Yu'an would probably have harbored resentment and gone out to find some fun after repeatedly pushing people away like this.
Yu An: "We couldn't have stopped them anyway..."
Shen Qiulan didn't say anything this morning, but she probably told Ji Jinghe about taking a concubine.
She never wanted to get involved; it was a matter between her and her son.
Baozhu was speechless, but she disagreed with what Yu'an said. "In the past month, I have been talking with Qingque often. From what he said, I feel that the young master is not like what we originally thought. He still cares about the young lady."
Unfortunately, while they care, their actions are utterly disgraceful. They remain silent about things they should explain, yet they fuss over trivial matters that shouldn't be their concern.
His complicated relationship with Xu Jingshu is truly tiresome.
Yu An chuckled, laughing at Bao Zhu's lack of ambition: "You woman, you're easily bought off with just a hairpin or two?"
Baozhu puffed out her cheeks, "What kind of person am I!"
Yu An quickly denied it, pushed open the door and entered, standing by the charcoal brazier to warm herself, saying: "There are many kinds of caring. If it's because of guilt... there's really no need for that."
She would rather not have this kind of caring if it meant standing idly by when a crisis occurred.
A few days after the winter solstice, Aunt Ji came to visit.
The old lady hadn't seen her daughter for a long time, so she kept her by her side and had many private conversations with her.
Shen Qiulan instructed people to prepare a family banquet to celebrate properly.
In Wanfang Courtyard, the sisters-in-law, who hadn't seen each other for many days, sat together and chatted about many things, both inside and outside the home.
Last year, Ji Suyi was unwell, so she went directly back to her husband's hometown of Cangzhou to recuperate. If you do the math, she has been away from the capital for more than a year.
Shen Qiulan: "I was hoping you would bring Yue Ru along so that the old lady and I could see her in advance. We haven't seen her for years, and we don't even know what she looks like now."
Ji Suyi laughed at her sister-in-law, "What's the rush? I'm going to be staying here for half a month or twenty days anyway, how could I possibly not see you?"
The Chu family's affair caused such a stir that she, far away in Cangzhou, heard it all. Ji Jinghe was even demoted because of it, which was a real pity.
Shen Qiulan sighed: "I think Jinghe has been acting like he's possessed ever since he got married. Do you know why he was demoted?"
Ji Suyi just put down her teacup, and before she could even swallow the tea, she heard her sister-in-law say with a helpless yet worried tone: "His marriage was arranged in exchange with Chu Xingjian. Chu Xingjian wanted him as his son-in-law, and he wanted him to be able to get into the cabinet so that he could find out the truth about Xu Yun's murder back then."
"As a result, while he was busy clearing the name of the Chu family, he was betrayed by a servant of the Chu family and reported to the emperor. If it weren't for Prince Qi's sworn protection, he would have been demoted to who knows where by now."
"ah?"
Not to mention Ji Suyi, even when Ji Jinghe confessed in front of her and the old lady, she looked just as surprised.
"Has this child gone mad? His future is bright and promising. He's a reliable and down-to-earth person. How could he suddenly do something so foolish?" Ji Suyi said regretfully.
In this matter, Shen Qiulan really couldn't say who she should be angry with.
He was angry at Ji Jinghe for being so useless, and also resented that the Chu family couldn't raise loyal servants, not only suing their own master but also implicating others.
Shen Qiulan waved her hand: "So please have pity on me. Your brother passed away early, and Jinghe is getting old. I can't control him anymore. The only thing I can control is this household. The other person's child lost his father and has been in mourning for three years. They've been married for almost a year, but they haven't even consummated their marriage yet. If we don't hurry up and find a way, when will they be able to hold their grandchild?"
Seeing her sister-in-law sitting silently to the side for a long time, she hurriedly pointed and said, "Even you have a grandson now."
Ji Suyi chuckled; her sister-in-law hadn't changed at all over the years.
"I also took a close look at him during the family dinner. The Chu family's child is well-behaved and obedient, isn't he a good person..."
Shen Qiulan: "No one said she was bad, it's just that she's not suitable. Ever since she married into the Ji family, there has never been peace. If only we had made up our minds back then and had Jinghe marry the Xu family girl directly."
Ji Suyi laughed and said, "It's too late to say anything now. Your son doesn't want to divorce her, what can you do?"
Shen Qiulan said angrily, "I just told you to call them here."
"They'll be here in two days, what's the rush?"
Ji Suyi examined the clothes she was wearing and teased, "If you really don't like her, why are you wearing the clothes she made for you? Are you deliberately showing off in front of me?"
Seemingly having her thoughts exposed, Shen Qiulan immediately shouted that she wanted to change her clothes, but Ji Suyi stopped her and then sent someone to call Yu An over.
She wanted to ask in detail whether the tasks assigned to her had been carried out diligently.
Her sister-in-law believed everything she heard, and Ji Suyi had no choice but to let it go.
Having grown accustomed to managing the household during the day and working at night, Yu'an found life quite comfortable. Watching the sachets she made being sold one by one for silver, she gradually felt satisfied.
Just as she was about to rest, she saw the nanny beside Shen Qiulan come to call her. Yu'an guessed that there were only a few things to do, and she was prepared before going, so she didn't take any precautions.
Seeing that Ji Suyi was also there, Yu An bowed to everyone and then stood quietly in one place.
Ji Suyi smiled and waved her hand: "Your mother-in-law is here. Come and sit down. There's no need to be so formal."
Shen Qiulan glanced at her sister-in-law and placed the teacup on the table with a light touch.
Ji Suyi ignored her completely, still smiling at Yu An, gesturing for her to sit down, and even telling her to sit closer.
Yu An, who was originally very calm, was completely baffled by this move.
"I wonder what important matter my mother-in-law and aunt have summoned me for?"
"Can't I call you if it's not important?" Shen Qiulan retorted instinctively.
Ji Suyi knew her personality all too well, so she ignored her and asked gently, "We called you here to discuss the matter of taking a concubine for Jinghe."
That's right.
Yu An replied truthfully: "I was planning to tell my husband, but I kept getting delayed. Over time, the matter dragged on until now. I thought my mother-in-law had told my husband about it."
Shen Qiulan said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "This is your own business. I can't always worry about everything for you. When I ask you to do something, you always drag your feet."
Yu An stood up: "Why don't I go and talk to him while the master is at home?"
Shen Qiulan kept waving her hand, always too lazy to give instructions, but she had to say, "You should pay more attention to Jinghe. He is your husband, not your enemy."
Seeing Yu'an's downcast and silent expression, Ji Suyi finally understood the true nature of the relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Every family has its own problems. She used to complain that her daughter-in-law was too talkative, but now that she's compared her to her daughter-in-law, she can't stand the quiet ones either.
She couldn't help but explain: "Your mother-in-law means that since you have to observe mourning and take care of such a large family, she wants to find someone to help you. She wants you and your husband to go down and discuss whether or not you want this person. She's not forcing you. If you don't agree, then this matter will be dropped."
Yu An said seriously, "Of course I will listen to my mother-in-law's wishes. As long as the master agrees, this matter will be settled."
Ji Suyi chuckled, "Isn't that it?"
"Your mother-in-law really likes the clothes you made for her, and she keeps praising you to me..."
Shen Qiulan coughed lightly and shot her a sharp look, signaling her to shut up.
But Ji Suyi ignored her and told Yu'an to go back and rest.
"I still have something to say, why did you let them leave so easily..."
"Oh, let's talk about it later..."
Yu-An heard clearly the words that only very close people could say when she left.
She had initially thought that her aunt must have some resentment towards her, but seeing her like this made her feel a little more at ease.
After returning to Banmu Courtyard, I learned that Ji Jinghe had also arrived.
They've come at this hour, probably to have a meal together. Yu'an told Baozhu to go down and instruct the kitchen to prepare some warm and nourishing dishes.
She was still observing mourning, and her daily meals were bland, which Ji Jinghe would definitely not be used to.
Ji Jinghe looked at the half-embroidered sachet on her small table, and couldn't help but reach out and pick it up, remembering the one she had given him before.
She seemed to love needlework, and all her needlework patterns were the same.
"Candlelight is dim at night, and it's bad for your eyes to do needlework," he said casually.
Yu An didn't take it to heart and casually replied, "I'll be careful."
When I was pouring tea for Ji Jinghe, I was just about to bring up the matter of taking a concubine when Ji Jinghe spoke first.
"I heard that my aunt's niece is coming, probably in the next couple of days. Remember to tidy up the place where she'll be staying."
So he knew.
Yu An: "I've already ordered people to pack it up."
Ji Jinghe picked up his teacup and instructed, "We're all family, so make sure everyone has a comfortable place to stay."
He spoke casually, without any apparent difference, as if he had known Li Yueru for a long time, just as Shen Qiulan had said.
That means he agreed. If he's willing, things will be easier for her, and she won't have to be caught in the middle.
"I have listened to my mother-in-law and everything is ready. Things will definitely go smoothly in the future."
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Author's Note: Ji Jinghe: [Question mark]
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